New Delhi, September 6, 2025 – In a significant development for India’s burgeoning automotive tech ecosystem, AutoDukan, an innovative AI-driven platform specializing in the automobile aftermarket, has successfully raised $1 million in its Pre-Series A funding round. This infusion of capital comes at a pivotal time when the country’s auto repair and maintenance sector is grappling with inefficiencies, supply chain disruptions, and a lack of digital integration. Founded amid the challenges of the post-pandemic recovery, AutoDukan is positioning itself as a game-changer by leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline spare parts procurement, insurance claims processing, and support for multi-brand workshops.
The funding round was led by the Choice Group, a prominent investment firm known for backing early-stage tech ventures in logistics and mobility sectors. Joining them were a select group of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), alongside continued support from existing backers MetroMax Group’s India arm and entrepreneur Ankit Sajnani. This marks the third funding milestone for AutoDukan, following a seed round from investors including Rohit Goyal, Windrose Capital, and Raghu Venkatraman, and an earlier angel investment led by MetroMax Group’s US entity and Sajnani. The company’s ability to attract repeat investors underscores the confidence in its vision to digitize a market that has long been dominated by unorganized players and manual processes.
At its core, AutoDukan addresses the pain points of India’s automobile aftermarket, which is valued at over $15 billion and growing at a compound annual rate of around 8-10%. The sector encompasses everything from spare parts distribution to vehicle repairs, insurance settlements, and fleet management. However, it remains highly fragmented, with thousands of small workshops, dealers, and suppliers operating in silos. AutoDukan’s platform uses AI algorithms to map spare parts to specific vehicle models, predict demand based on real-time data, and automate procurement workflows. This not only reduces turnaround times but also minimizes errors in inventory management and claims handling.
The brainchild of three seasoned professionals, AutoDukan was co-founded by Gunjan Ruparelia, who serves as CEO, Sumit Desai as CTO, and Pranay Tagare as COO. Ruparelia, with his background in supply chain management and e-commerce, brings a keen eye for operational efficiencies. Desai, a tech expert with experience in AI and machine learning, oversees the platform’s technological backbone. Tagare, drawing from his expertise in operations and automotive retail, ensures seamless on-ground execution. Together, they launched AutoDukan in 2022, initially focusing on metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, where vehicle density and repair demands are highest.
Since its inception, AutoDukan has demonstrated impressive traction. The company reports a staggering 10-fold growth in the past two years, now serving over 2,000 clients across the nation. These include insurance companies, fleet operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and independent workshops. A key differentiator is its comprehensive database: AutoDukan has mapped more than 2 million spare parts, creating a virtual catalog that covers a wide array of vehicles from two-wheelers to commercial trucks. Additionally, it maintains a live inventory of 200,000 parts, updated daily through integrations with suppliers and partners. This real-time visibility helps workshops avoid stockouts, while insurers benefit from faster claim approvals through automated documentation and verification.
The $1 million funding will be strategically deployed to fuel expansion and innovation. Primarily, AutoDukan plans to scale its operations into key automotive hubs such as Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad, where industrial and commercial vehicle activity is robust. A significant portion will go toward enhancing AI capabilities, particularly in demand forecasting and claims automation. For instance, the platform’s predictive analytics can anticipate part shortages based on seasonal trends, regional accident rates, or even weather patterns, thereby optimizing supply chains. The company also aims to deepen partnerships with major insurers like ICICI Lombard and HDFC Ergo, fleet operators such as Ola and Uber, and OEM suppliers from brands like Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, CEO Gunjan Ruparelia elaborated on the company’s roadmap: “Our latest investment validates our AI-first approach to solving a deeply fragmented market. We’re not just digitising procurement; we’re building an intelligent backbone for the automotive repair and insurance ecosystem.” Ruparelia highlighted how AutoDukan’s technology reduces claim processing time from days to hours, potentially saving insurers millions in operational costs while ensuring workshops get paid promptly. He also emphasized the platform’s role in promoting sustainability by encouraging the use of genuine parts and reducing waste from mismatched orders.
This funding comes amid a broader surge in investments in India’s auto-tech space. The sector has seen increased interest from venture capitalists, driven by the government’s push for electric vehicles (EVs), digital infrastructure under initiatives like Digital India, and the rising adoption of connected cars. Competitors like GoMechanic, which focuses on doorstep repairs, and Automovill, known for its aggregator model, have also raised substantial funds in recent years. However, AutoDukan differentiates itself through its B2B focus on aftermarket logistics rather than consumer-facing services. Industry analysts point out that with India’s vehicle parc (total vehicles in use) exceeding 300 million, platforms like AutoDukan could capture a sizable market share by addressing inefficiencies that cost the sector billions annually in lost productivity.
Looking ahead, AutoDukan’s leadership is optimistic about achieving profitability within the next 18-24 months. The company is exploring integrations with emerging technologies such as blockchain for transparent supply tracking and IoT for vehicle diagnostics. Tagare, the COO, noted in a recent webinar that the platform’s multi-brand compatibility is particularly appealing in a market where 70% of repairs happen outside authorized service centers. This inclusivity could empower small workshops in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, fostering job creation and skill development in rural areas.
The investment landscape for startups like AutoDukan reflects a maturing ecosystem in India, where AI is increasingly seen as a tool for solving real-world problems in traditional industries. According to a report by NASSCOM, AI adoption in automotive could add $15-20 billion to India’s GDP by 2030. AutoDukan’s success story aligns with this trajectory, potentially inspiring more entrepreneurs to tackle underserved segments.
As the automobile aftermarket evolves, AutoDukan’s blend of technology and domain expertise positions it well for sustained growth. With this funding, the platform is not just raising capital but also raising the bar for efficiency and innovation in one of India’s most vital industries. Stakeholders will be watching closely as AutoDukan accelerates its journey toward transforming how vehicles are maintained and repaired nationwide.
Last Updated on Saturday, September 6, 2025 10:50 am by Entrepreneur Edge Team https://entrepreneuredge.in/
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