Pune based icustommadeit.com raises $250,000 in second round of funding

icustommadeit.com, a Pune based start-up company that facilitates creation and retail of customized merchandise, has raised $250,000 in its second round of funding.

The investment was led by Virendra Shahney, a well known directer, producer and screen writer in the television industry and eminent Cardiologist Dr Paresh Doshi. The company plans to use the investment received to bring about an improved technology for a better user interface and have an international presence in next six months. With the current round of funding, icustommadeit.com has now raised a total of $400,000.

Founded in May 2013 by Raj Iyer and Kundan Dhake, icustommadeit.com is an online marketplace to connect individuals looking for unique bespoke creations with talented curated professional creators from all over the world. The start-up provides a forum to bridge the gap between manufacturers /creators and shopaholics who love everything custom made. The company went live in April 2015.

"Having people like Virender Shahaney and Dr. Paresh Doshi investing in our company is a great privilege and gives us tremendous encouragement. They share our sentiment which is all about creativity.” says Raj Iyer, CMD & Founder, icustommadeit.com. “We are glad to have investors who share our belief, most importantly, believe in our dream. We look forward to a fulfilling relationship as we prepare to scale up in the coming months."

icustommadeit.com has over 8,000 plus items on the site, across 33 odd categories which present the consumers with a wide range of products they can choose to customize or purchase them as they are. The company has around 900 unique creators on board.

Commenting on the investment, Virendra Shahaney said "We are in the age of start-ups who are pushing the envelope and experimenting with newer ideas. Our country needs this fresh wave of thought. What struck for me with regards to icustommadeit.com is the concept. I thinks it's a fantastic idea! And it is only a matter of time. Watch out for another big giant in the making. I wish them all the best."

"The internet has given a new edge to entrepreneurship. It is good to see people leaving their comfort zone and experimenting with new ideas. Both the founder and the team are so kicked about the whole venture; the energy is simply infectious I see a great potential for this in the Indian market especially with the current boom in e-commerce sector." adds Dr. Paresh Doshi, one of the co-investors.

icustommadeit.com had earlier raised $150,000 from Salma Chugh the MD of Vertex Group which is in to exports of home furnishings and also real estate management and infrastructure with a turnover of more than 500 crore.