StockGro, a Bengaluru-based social investing and financial education platform, has raised ₹50 crore in venture debt funding through a private placement of secured, redeemable non-convertible debentures. The funding, approved at an extraordinary general meeting on September 2, was raised from two funds under Trifecta Capital—₹30 crore from Venture Debt Fund–III and ₹20 crore from Fund–IV.
This infusion comes just months after StockGro’s January 2024 funding round of ₹205 crore from Hindustan Media Ventures and Trifecta Capital. It follows the company’s launch of “Stoxo”, an AI-powered stock-market research engine designed to provide retail investors with real-time insights, reducing reliance on scattered social media advice. Stoxo is geared toward helping users decode market signals swiftly and confidently.
Founded in 2020 by ex-venture capitalist Ajay Lakhotia, StockGro now serves a user base of over 35 million, largely from Tier II and III cities. The platform combines SEBI-registered advisory services, gamified simulations, and educational modules, making it a go-to for financial literacy and investing. Partnerships with corporates such as Zomato and government entities like the Border Security Force further its outreach efforts.
This venture debt approach helps StockGro scale its offerings—especially Stoxo—without diluting equity, positioning the startup for more control and stronger long-term growth.
Why It Matters
- Non-Dilutive Growth Capital
Venture debt allows StockGro to fund expansion and innovation without reducing ownership for founders or earlier investors. - Win for AI-Powered Retail Investing
Capital backs the deployment and enhancement of Stoxo—an AI tool aiming to enhance real-time retail investor decision-making. - Strong User Base
With 35 million users, largely concentrated in Tier II and III cities, StockGro holds meaningful reach within India’s growing investing population. - Strategic Partnerships Amplify Reach
Collaborations with leading brands and government institutions bolster StockGro’s credibility and user acquisition efforts. - Fintech’s Growing Debt Trend
Reflects broader startup ecosystem trends in India—where venture debt is increasingly popular for scaling without dilution.
