Circle, a Bengaluru-based startup focused on safe buying and selling of pre-owned items, has secured ₹3.4 crore in a pre-seed funding round. Titan Capital led the investment, joined by several well-known angel investors, including Raveen Sastry, co-founder of Myntra. This funding marks an important milestone for Circle, which aims to transform how Indians exchange used products online by building a platform rooted in trust, simplicity, and smart technology.
Building a Marketplace Where Trust Comes First
Circle operates as a consumer-to-consumer marketplace where anyone can sell the items they no longer need. Whether it is a smartphone, a laptop, furniture, or a home appliance, the platform makes it simple for people to list, sell, or buy pre-owned products. What sets Circle apart is its strong focus on trust. In India, many users remain cautious about buying used goods due to concerns about fake listings, incorrect descriptions, or damaged products. Circle tackles these problems by introducing a process where every product goes through strict verification.
The startup uses artificial intelligence to check a product’s condition, ensuring that buyers receive exactly what they see online. It also handles doorstep pick-ups, professional inspections, and secure payments. Money is released only after the product is verified and approved, which protects both sellers and buyers. By taking responsibility for the full transaction flow, Circle builds confidence among users and encourages more people to participate in the pre-owned goods market.
Why Investors See Big Potential
The market for used products in India is enormous and continues to grow every year. However, the sector has long been affected by unreliable sellers, misrepresented items, and limited quality checks. Investors believe Circle can fix these issues with its trust-first approach and its efficient use of AI. This is one of the main reasons the startup attracted the recent pre-seed round.
By reducing fraud and making the process transparent, Circle is positioned to serve millions of Indians who want affordable alternatives to buying brand-new items. Its model also naturally encourages repeat customers because users feel safe and protected throughout their buying or selling journey. For investors, this combination of technology, trust, and a huge addressable market presents a strong opportunity for growth.
Expanding Categories and Strengthening Technology
With the new funding, Circle plans to develop advanced AI features that will further simplify how people list, price, and evaluate products. The startup is building systems that can guide sellers toward selecting fair prices, accurately grade the condition of items, and match products more effectively within the platform. These upgrades will help reduce confusion and save time for users.
Circle currently focuses on categories such as electronics and home goods, where the demand for high-quality pre-owned items is strong. The startup also plans to widen its range and improve the overall shopping experience. Operating mainly in Bengaluru today, Circle has already onboarded more than 17,000 users. The company now aims to expand to other major cities across India over the coming year.
Creating a Simpler, Safer Future for Used Products
Circle’s long-term mission is to make buying and selling pre-owned goods easy enough that anyone—even a young student—can understand and trust the process. By taking care of inspections, logistics, and payment protection, the startup removes the biggest worries people usually face in the resale market. This shift not only helps customers save money but also supports sustainability by encouraging reuse and reducing waste.
With its fresh ₹3.4 crore funding, Circle is preparing for its next phase of growth. As it continues to refine its technology, expand its reach, and build a safer resale ecosystem, the startup is quickly becoming one of India’s most promising platforms in the pre-owned marketplace space.