AI-powered quick commerce startup KiranaPro has announced the onboarding of Arjun Vaidya, co-founder of V3 Ventures and founder of the D2C brand Dr. Vaidya’s, as an investor and mentor. The move marks a major milestone for the company as it gears up to scale operations, enhance its AI-led infrastructure, and deepen partnerships with India’s growing D2C ecosystem.
Transforming Kiranas with AI and ONDC
Founded in 2024 by Deepak Ravindran and Dipankar Sarkar, KiranaPro differentiates itself from other quick commerce platforms by partnering directly with neighborhood kirana stores, rather than operating dark stores. The startup leverages artificial intelligence to power:
- Inventory management
- Smart product discovery
- Pricing intelligence
- Personalized customer engagement
KiranaPro is also fully integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), allowing seamless access to digital commerce infrastructure for local kiranas.
Why Arjun Vaidya Joined the Mission
Arjun Vaidya’s entry brings credibility and operational insight from his successful exit with Dr. Vaidya’s and his leadership at Verlinvest-backed V3 Ventures.
“KiranaPro is redefining how technology can uplift India's most trusted retail format—the kirana store,” said Arjun Vaidya.
“I’m excited to support their mission to empower millions of small retailers and bring modern commerce to every corner of India.”
As part of his mentorship, Vaidya will help KiranaPro:
- Forge strategic D2C brand partnerships
- Build distribution frameworks with tech at the core
- Expand reach in Tier II and III cities
Founder Speak
“Arjun’s journey as a D2C pioneer and his deep understanding of India’s consumer landscape make him an invaluable addition to our leadership circle,” said Deepak Ravindran, Founder & CEO, KiranaPro.
“His decision to back our vision is a shot in the arm for the entire team.”
Momentum and Market Positioning
KiranaPro has already made significant moves in its early journey:
- Acquired hyperlocal delivery platform Joper
- Received investment from Olympic medalist PV Sindhu
- Partnered with ZuperAI to integrate “Matchmaking AI” for smarter inventory management
- Onboarded 30,000+ kirana stores
- Processes 1,000+ orders daily across 35 cities
The startup aims to serve 100 million customers by the end of 2025 and onboard 1 million kiranas over the next two years.
Quick Commerce in India: A $10B Opportunity
India’s quick commerce industry is forecasted to hit $9.95 billion by 2029, according to Statista. By focusing on empowering kiranas with digital tools rather than replacing them, KiranaPro is betting on a hybrid retail revolution driven by grassroots integration and smart automation.
KiranaPro’s partnership with Arjun Vaidya is more than an investment—it’s a vote of confidence in India’s oldest retail network being future-ready.