Chat-based commerce platform GoodBox raises $200K in seed funding from Manipal group firm

Bangalore-based Tsepak Technologies Pvt. Ltd, which runs instant messaging app GoodBox, has raised $200,000 (about Rs 1.3 crore) in seed funding from Manipal Media Networks.

The funds will be deployed for enhancing Tsepak's technology offerings and augmenting product development.

Manipal Media Networks is part of the diversified $750-million Manipal Group.

GoodBox allows businesses to connect with customers over chat for communication, feedback and information dissemination. Unlike many chat apps that focus on peer-to-peer communication between businesses, GoodBox enables businesses to interact directly with customers.

Abey Zachariah, co-founder at Tsepak Technologies, said the company has received commitment on 'pre-Series A' funding from TaxiForSure co-founder Aprameya Radhakrishna and redBus co-founder Charan Padmaraju. The company's incumbent seed investors will also participate in this round.

Zachariah claimed that GoodBox has around 550 registered users and its Android app has seen close to 7,000 downloads. The company expects its user base to touch one million by the year-end.

Zachariah, a former executive at online bus ticket company redBus, started Tsepak  along with IIM Bangalore alumni Nithin Chandra, Mohit Maheshwari, Anand Kelaginamani and technologists Charan Shetty and Mahesh Herle.

Last week, Bangalore-based Hatchery Software Pvt Ltd, which runs a similar messaging app to connect with local businesses under the brand Lookup, had raised an undisclosed amount in Series A funding from Twitter co-founder Biz Stone.