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Funding · Enterprise Software & IT

Nitro Commerce raises $5M Series A led by Cornerstone Ventures

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Date
Company
Nitro Commerce
What it does
AI-led growth platform for D2C brands
Kind
Funding
Amount
$5 million
Stage
Series A
Based in
New Delhi
Founded
2023
Sector
Enterprise Software & IT

What they do

Nitro Commerce builds an AI-led growth platform that helps direct-to-consumer brands manage customer identity and advertising across online and offline channels

What happened

The startup raised $5 million in a Series A round led by Cornerstone Ventures to expand its team and international operations

Why it matters

The company serves over 2,500 brands and aims to double its annual recurring revenue to $10 million within six months

The details

  • Nitro Commerce has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round.
  • The investment was announced on 8 January 2026 according to multiple sources.
  • Cornerstone Ventures led the funding round as the primary investor.
  • Other participants included India Accelerator & Finvolve, Equentis Wealth Advisory Services, and Razorpay Ventures.
  • Founder Umair Mohammad noted that Cornerstone has been a partner since his previous venture.
  • The company plans to use the funds to strengthen its AI capabilities and scale internationally.
  • Nitro Commerce already has existing customers in the UAE and the US markets.
  • The startup aims to reach $10 million in annual recurring revenue within the next six months.

The bigger picture

  • The funding marks a significant milestone for the AI-led growth platform sector.
  • Investors are backing the shift away from dependence on major tech giants like Meta and Google.
  • The company's focus on first-party data addresses growing privacy concerns among consumers.
  • Strong early traction with 2,500 brands validates the product-market fit for D2C companies.

About the business

  • Nitro Commerce provides a unified layer for identity, intent, and engagement tracking.
  • Its core product NitroX acts as a commerce identity network for consumer brands.
  • Nitro Ads enables intent-led advertising on platforms like Truecaller, Zomato, and Paytm.
  • The Nitro Pulse engine uses large language models to drive sales and engagement.
  • The platform bypasses reliance on Meta and Google by using open internet stacks.
  • It offers additional tools like Nitro SSO, Nitro Rewards, and Nitro Capital.
  • The company generates revenue through outcome-linked pricing models for its clients.
  • It processes real-time intent signals to optimize marketing spend for its users.
  • The technology is designed to be privacy-first compliant for all data handling.

What happens next

  • Expand the team and hiring efforts globally.
  • Strengthen AI and agentic capabilities within the platform.
  • Scale international operations in the UAE and US markets.
  • Boost platform-led growth strategies for existing clients.

The deal

Type
Series A

Investors

  • Cornerstone Ventures (lead) — A longstanding partner of founder Umair Mohammad from his previous venture Wigzo.
  • India Accelerator & Finvolve (participated)
  • Equentis Wealth Advisory Services (participated)
  • Grand Anicut Angel Fund (participated)
  • Razorpay Ventures (participated)
  • Rukum Sitara Fund (participated)
  • Ankurit Capital (participated)

Founders

  • Umair Mohammad, Founder/CEO
  • Shamail Tayyab, Co-founder
  • Pratik Anand, Co-founder

About Nitro Commerce

Product
AI marketing platform
Customers
Consumer and D2C brands selling across online storefronts, marketplaces, quick commerce, and retail
How it makes money
Charges subscription and performance fees for its marketing automation and attribution software suite
What sets it apart
Full-funnel AI operating layer addressing cookie loss, reducing acquisition costs, and providing dedicated quick commerce analytics

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