In a stunning display of investor conviction, Bengaluru-based startup Pronto secured $20 million from Lachy Groom following a mere 20-minute pitch in San Francisco.
The funding extends Pronto's Series B round, doubling the company's valuation to $200 million in just over two months.
A Lightning-Fast Pitch That Changed Everything
The pivotal meeting happened in February, arranged through a mutual connection, where 24-year-old founder Anjali Sardana captivated Groom with her vision.
Pronto connects households with on-demand workers for cleaning and basic home services, tackling India's massive yet unstructured domestic labor market.
Explosive Growth in India's Booming Home Services Sector
Founded in 2025 by Sardana, a former Bain Capital and 8VC analyst, Pronto has surged from 18,000 daily bookings to 26,000 in a month, commanding 20% market share.
Its network of service workers ballooned to 6,500 from 1,440 in January, though demand is outpacing supply.
Groom, co-founder of Physical Intelligence and backer of quick-commerce hit Zepto, praised Pronto's operational rigor in a space where many have faltered.
This deal underscores a shift among top investors toward backing founders who excel in execution over hype, especially in labor-intensive marketplaces.
India's instant home services market, projected to hit $15-18 billion by 2030, benefits from urbanization and a rising middle class seeking reliable help.
For everyday Indians, platforms like Pronto mean easier access to vetted workers, reducing the hassle of informal hiring.
Yet challenges loom: scaling supply while fostering repeat usage to build habits, a key focus for Pronto's next phase.
Beyond the funding buzz, this investment highlights young female founders like Sardana breaking barriers in India's male-dominated startup ecosystem, inspiring a new generation.
Looking ahead, success here could redefine gig work, offering stable incomes to millions of domestic workers amid economic shifts.
Andrew Lee
