Varun Sheth and Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor, alongside Zaheer Adenwala, co-founded Ketto in 2012 to harness social media’s power for social good, evolving it into Asia’s largest crowdfunding platform. With 7.2 million donors, over 300,000 campaigns, and $50 million raised by 2024, Ketto’s focus on healthcare and social causes has empowered lives amid India’s crowdfunding market, projected to grow to $96 billion globally by 2025, with Asia as a key driver.
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Roots of Purpose: Varun Sheth’s Finance-to-Impact Journey
Varun Sheth, a commerce graduate in economics from a Mumbai college and a certified financial risk manager, began his career in financial services, including a role as an interest rate swap dealer at ICAP. A Dasra Social Impact program alumnus, Sheth’s passion for merging finance with social change ignited during the 2012 social media boom. Observing viral posts for help—like liver donors or blood drives—he envisioned a structured platform to scale such efforts.
“This campaign and several others convinced me how large the internet is and the power of crowdfunding if the story is strong,” Sheth told Forbes India in 2017. Fresh out of college, he faced skepticism but persisted, co-founding Ketto as ETechAces Marketing and Consulting Pvt Ltd, coining the name “Key to Tomorrow” to symbolize hope.
Kunal Kapoor’s Star Power: Blending Activism and Advocacy
Kunal Kapoor, born in 1982 and known for roles in Rang De Basanti and Don 2, brought Bollywood credibility to Ketto. A long-time philanthropist via his Kwan Foundation, Kapoor collaborated with NGOs like Save the Children and Mijwan Welfare Society. “What the hell are you doing?” puzzled friends asked when he joined the startup, as he recounted in a 2022 afaqs! interview.
Kapoor’s involvement was pivotal for trust in a mistrustful sector. “Having somebody who’s an established name in Bollywood really helped us put our name out there,” Sheth noted. Kapoor leveraged his network for campaigns, amplifying stories through celebrity endorsements from Hrithik Roshan to Amitabh Bachchan.
Zaheer Adenwala’s Tech Vision: Building the Platform
Zaheer Adenwala, the CTO and co-founder, a technology specialist, engineered Ketto’s backend. With over a decade of knowing Sheth, Adenwala ensured seamless user-generated content, enabling 99% of campaigns to rely on authentic stories. “We’re just amplifying the story to a broader audience,” he explained in a 2024 CrazyEngineers profile.
Together, the trio targeted NGOs first, convincing them to shift from door-to-door fundraising to online efficiency. Early growth was organic, with campaigns like acid attack survivor Aditya Raj’s raising Rs 11.7 lakh in 24 hours.
Platform Evolution: Empowering Diverse Causes
Ketto enables free campaigns for medical emergencies, education, memorials, sports, and NGOs, with personal managers for strategy. Tools include social sharing, UPI recurring donations, and 24/7 support. Since 2012, it has processed over Rs 300 crore, raising Rs 4 crore monthly by 2015, with healthcare dominant—fighting cancer, transplants, and more.
By 2025, Ketto boasts 7.2 million donors, 300,000 fundraisers, and $50 million enabled, per company data. Partnerships with hospitals streamline patient connections, while international targeting reaches Australia, UAE, and US donors.
Ketto Funding Timeline
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Funding and Financial Milestones
Ketto raised $3.74 million over five rounds from 88 investors, including Beenext, ah! Ventures, and Chennai Angels. Early 2013 seed from Calcutta Angels ($80,000) supported operations; 2015’s $700,000 led by Pradyumna Dalmia fueled Southeast Asia expansion. Series A in 2021 valued it at $49.1 million.
Revenue, primarily commissions (5-15%), reached near-Rs 2 crore annually by 2017, with 2019 campaigns raising Rs 30 crore via CleverTap tools. FY25 details are private, but growth aligns with India’s crowdfunding surge.
Impact Stories: Lives Transformed Through Crowds
Ketto’s power shines in stories: acid attack survivor Aditya’s rapid funding for rehab; a senior citizens’ shelter collecting Rs 2 crore; actor Varun Kulkarni’s 2025 health crisis campaign. In 2019, 10 major drives netted Rs 30 crore, per CleverTap case study.
Over 500,000 international donors and 72 lakh total supporters highlight global reach. “Ketto has created a unique bridge between 100 million young Indian professionals and 300 million in need,” Sheth told afaqs! in 2025.
Challenges and Enduring Vision
Early mistrust and teething issues tested the team, but organic growth and Kapoor’s star power built credibility. Post-2019, UPI enabled recurring donations, boosting accessibility. “Doing a startup is like bodybuilding—you turn up every day,” Kapoor analogized in 2022.
Ketto’s 2024 “Best Social Impact Startup” award from Entrepreneur affirms its role. With 10 employees in 2015 now scaled, it eyes Tier-II expansion and $100 million volumes.
Broader Relevance: Crowdfunding’s Social Ripple
Ketto enables impact in a low-philanthropy India, raising Rs 300 crore+ for education, women’s empowerment, and animal welfare. It creates jobs, supports NGOs, and fosters trust via transparency—99% user-generated content. Sheth and Kapoor’s blend of finance, tech, and activism inspires social entrepreneurship.
Looking ahead, Ketto targets Southeast Asia and tech upgrades like AI matching. “Crowdfunding provides wings to dreams,” Sheth said. In a connected India, Ketto proves collective kindness can change trajectories—one campaign at a time.
Also read: Seekho’s Valuation Soars 4.6X to ₹1,540 Cr in $28M Series B, Redefining AI-Driven Edutainment
Last Updated on Thursday, October 23, 2025 12:08 am by Entrepreneur Edge Team https://entrepreneuredge.in/
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