Funding · Professional & Local Services

Pronto admits to recording household tasks for AI training after backlash

What they do

Pronto is a household services platform connecting urban households with professionals for tasks like cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation

The company is running a limited pilot where customers can opt-in to have their domestic tasks recorded for training physical AI and robotics systems

Pronto claims the recordings are strictly opt-in and voluntary, with footage deleted within 48 hours and no large-scale deployment planned

Pronto, a Bengaluru-based startup, is running a limited pilot where customers can opt-in to have their domestic tasks recorded for training physical AI and robotics systems.
The company claims the recordings are strictly opt-in and voluntary, with footage deleted within 48 hours and no large-scale deployment planned.
Pronto’s investor documents suggest the company is developing a data business leveraging its workforce to capture real-world household data for robotics labs.
The pilot involves professionals carrying a small camera that faces outward at the work, and customers receive the footage afterward.
Pronto raised $20 million in an extension round led by Lachy Groom, co-founder of AI robotics company Physical Intelligence.

The use of in-home recordings has sparked privacy concerns among customers, as it involves capturing data in one of the most private environments possible: people's homes.
Pronto’s privacy policy, last updated in 2024, does not mention video recording, AI training, or physical AI labs, raising questions about compliance with the DPDP Act.
Experts argue that the company’s consent process may not meet the DPDP Act’s requirements for free, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent.
The company faces scrutiny over whether it is collecting children’s data without verifiable parental consent, as the pilot operates in homes where children may be present.

Pronto connects urban households with trained, background-verified professionals for daily chores such as cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation.
The company operates in India’s top cities and has expanded quickly since its founding in 2025.
Pronto’s daily bookings have scaled to 26,000, while its workforce has grown to 6,500 professionals.
The company raised $60 million to date, with investors including General Catalyst, Bain Capital Ventures, Glade Brook, and Epiq Capital.
Pronto’s competitors in the on-demand household services industry include Urban Company and Snabbit.

Pronto has no plans to extend the recording pilot to the majority of customers.
The company claims the pilot is strictly opt-in and chosen by the customer at booking, job by job.

Lachy Groom (lead) — Co-founder of AI robotics company Physical Intelligence and an early backer of quick-commerce firm Zepto.
General Catalyst (participated)
Bain Capital Ventures (participated)
Glade Brook (existing)
Epiq Capital (participated)

Product: home services startup
Customers: Households looking for domestic and household help
How it makes money: Connects households with trained, background-verified professionals for on-demand home services
What sets it apart: Focuses on trained and background-verified professionals and quick access to domestic help