Pune-based Peppermint Robotics has raised Rs. 100 crore in a pre-Series B round to scale its autonomous cleaning and material-handling robots. Meanwhile, D2C home-appliance brand Nuuk is reportedly in talks to raise about Rs. 100 crore.

The two stories reflect a wider trend in startup funding. Investors are backing companies that are building practical products for everyday business needs, whether that means keeping a factory floor clean with robots or selling better-designed appliances directly to households.

Peppermint Robotics raises Rs. 100 crore

Peppermint Robotics has announced a Rs. 100 crore pre-Series B round led by pi Ventures and Crane Venture Partners. Asiana Fund also participated as per its Press release.

Founded in 2019 by Runal Dahiwade, Miraj C. Vora and Nityanand Prabhutendolkar, Peppermint Robotics builds autonomous robots for commercial floor cleaning and specialized material transportation. The company operates from Pune and Austin and says its robots are deployed in nine countries.

The funding round includes both primary capital and secondary share transactions. Primary capital goes into the company for growth. Secondary transactions allow existing shareholders to sell some of their shares, so that part does not directly become money available for the business.

This distinction is important. The full Rs. 100 crore is the transaction value, but Peppermint has not disclosed how much of it is fresh capital for operations.

What Peppermint’s robots do

Peppermint’s robots are designed for places with large floor areas and repetitive cleaning needs, such as hospitals, airports, factories, warehouses, malls, hotels and universities.

The machines use technologies such as cameras, LiDAR sensors and software to understand their surroundings, map cleaning routes and avoid obstacles. LiDAR is a sensor system that uses light to measure distance and help a robot understand the space around it.

For example, a large warehouse may need floor scrubbing every day across several shifts. Instead of assigning workers only to repetitive cleaning, an autonomous scrubber can handle a planned route while staff focus on supervision, detailed cleaning and other work that requires human judgement.

How Peppermint plans to use the funding

Peppermint says the fresh capital will be used for new product development, research and engineering, manufacturing expansion, hiring and international growth.

A major focus will be North America. The company plans to establish an assembly line there, which could help it serve customers faster and reduce the complexity of shipping machines from India. It also plans to strengthen its presence in the US, Europe and Asia.

The startup is also developing a next-generation cleanroom robotics line. Cleanrooms are tightly controlled environments used in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and electronics manufacturing, where even small amounts of dust or contamination can be a problem.

Peppermint competes with international industrial-cleaning robot makers and conventional cleaning-equipment companies. Its challenge will be to prove that its robots offer reliable cleaning, strong service support and a clear cost benefit over manual or traditional machine-based operations.

Nuuk’s proposed Rs. 100 crore round

Nuuk, a D2C home and kitchen appliance brand, is reportedly in discussions to raise around Rs. 100 crore. The proposed round is expected to be led by Wipro Consumer Care Ventures and RPSG Capital Ventures reported Inc42 exclusively.

This transaction is not confirmed or closed. Reports say the proposed funding amount and valuation may change as negotiations continue, while Nuuk and the investors had not commented on the development.

Founded in 2023 by Rivigo co-founder Gazal Kalra and former Noise chief growth officer Shalabh Gupta, Nuuk sells home and kitchen appliances such as cordless vacuum cleaners, fans, heaters, air fryers, juicers and mixer grinders.

The brand sells through its own website, online marketplaces, quick-commerce platforms and offline retail channels. This mix gives it a chance to reach customers wherever they prefer to shop.

What Nuuk may gain from new funding

If the round is completed, Nuuk could use the money to build its product range, increase marketing, improve distribution and expand local manufacturing. Reports indicate that the company wants to raise domestic manufacturing from around 20 percent to more than 50 percent by the end of FY26.

Local manufacturing could improve supply-chain control and reduce dependence on imported products or parts. However, it also requires careful investment in quality, sourcing and after-sales support.

Nuuk operates in a highly competitive market that includes established brands such as Philips, Bajaj, Atomberg and Lifelong. Its success will depend on product quality, design, pricing and the customer experience after purchase.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Nuuk’s reported funding round remains subject to final agreements.