Whizzo, a materials science manufacturing company that pioneers innovation in engineered fashion and technical textiles, has secured $4.2 million in seed funding led by Lightspeed, with participation from BEENEXT. The investment will help Whizzo advance materials science research and development while also establishing a cutting-edge design lab for fashion-engineered textiles. It will also strengthen its supply chain infrastructure in India, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
"Our vision is to establish Whizzo as an IP-driven leader in fashion-engineered and technical textiles," stated Whizzo's founder, Shrestha Kukreja. "By creating proprietary blends and leveraging a cross-border Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) model, we aim to address critical gaps and transform the textile industry through innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity."
Established in 2024 by former Zetwerk executive, IRMA alumnus, and gold medalist Shrestha Kukreja, Whizzo is revolutionizing textile production by integrating advanced materials science, sustainability, and innovation in a full-stack approach. In order to meet the demands of different industries, the company creates proprietary textile blends, such as cellulosic and polymer-based fibers, which drastically shorten time-to-market.
According to Romit Mehta, vice president of investments at Lightspeed, technical textiles and man-made fibres are the future of the textile market. "India is on track to become a global epicenter of innovation in this sector, thanks to strong government support and visionary entrepreneurs. Shrestha is a standout leader who exemplifies the ambition and expertise required to create a 'India to the world' story in this space," Mehta stated.
Saksham Pant, principal at BEENEXT, stated that India's textile industry, which is one of its oldest, requires innovation to meet modern challenges such as sustainability and efficiency. "Whizzo is leading this transformation through advanced technology and eco-conscious practices," according to Pant.
India's technical textiles market, which was valued at $45 billion in 2026, is expected to grow to $123 billion by 2035, fueled by sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and defense. Whizzo claims to be uniquely positioned to serve industries such as agriculture, automotive, and industrial manufacturing, with products spanning clothtech, mobiltech, packtech, and agrotech.
