Bengaluru-based startup AppsForBharat, the parent company behind India’s largest faith-tech platform Sri Mandir, has successfully raised Rs 175 crore (around $20 million) in a Series C funding round. The round was led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, with existing investors like Fundamentum (co-founded by Nandan Nilekani), Elevation Capital, and Peak XV Partners also participating. This latest funding brings AppsForBharat’s total capital raised to approximately $50 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in the faith-tech sector.
Scaling Spirituality with Technology: AppsForBharat’s Vision
Founded in 2020 by IIT Bombay alumnus and serial entrepreneur Prashant Sachan, AppsForBharat has emerged as a pioneering player in the faith-tech vertical, blending India’s rich spiritual heritage with cutting-edge digital infrastructure. Its flagship app, Sri Mandir, enables devotees to perform online pujas, send temple offerings (chadhava), receive prasad at home, and access spiritual content in multiple Indian languages.
The platform has witnessed phenomenal growth, with over 4 crore downloads and facilitating more than 52 lakh pujas and chadhavas across 70 temples in the last year alone. Notably, Sri Mandir serves a significant international user base, with nearly 20% of its traffic coming from the Indian diaspora in countries like the U.S., U.K., UAE, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Strengthening Temple Partnerships Across Pilgrimage Towns
AppsForBharat plans to use the fresh capital infusion to deepen its temple partnerships in over 20 prominent pilgrimage destinations, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Haridwar, and Ujjain. The startup aims to digitize traditional devotional services further, enabling temples to generate consistent, year-round income for priests and vendors.
Prashant Sachan, Founder and CEO, said,
“With this fundraise, we are entering the next phase of growth—scaling temple partnerships, improving digital infrastructure for temples, and building AI capabilities to serve our users better.”
Expanding Commerce, Logistics, and AI Integration
Beyond temple collaborations, AppsForBharat is focusing on expanding its commerce and logistics operations by setting up fulfillment hubs for prasad and ritual items. This infrastructure will ensure timely delivery and enhance the overall devotional experience for users.
The company is also investing in AI-driven features to personalize user engagement, guide devotees through complex rituals, and optimize service discovery within the app. These innovations aim to make spiritual practices more accessible and meaningful, especially for younger and tech-savvy generations.
Impact at Major Religious Events and Smaller Temples
Sri Mandir played a key role as the exclusive digital partner of the Vedashram Trust during the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, serving over 3 lakh devotees with hybrid devotional experiences. The platform’s reach extends beyond major temple hubs to smaller temples in regions like Tirunelveli and Uttarakhand, where digital bookings now contribute up to 30% of their total income, helping sustain local religious economies.
Why AppsForBharat is a Faith-Tech Leader in India
Massive User Base: Over 4 crore app downloads and millions of pujas conducted digitally
Strong Investor Backing: $50 million total funding from marquee investors including Nandan Nilekani’s Fundamentum
Deep Temple Network: Partnerships in 20+ pilgrimage towns and 70+ temples
Innovative Tech: AI integration for personalized rituals and improved user experience
Global Reach: Significant engagement from Indian diaspora worldwide
Conclusion: Digitizing Devotion for the Modern Era
AppsForBharat’s recent funding milestone highlights the immense potential of the faith-tech sector in India, where tradition meets technology. By empowering temples with digital tools and offering devotees seamless access to spiritual services, the startup is transforming how millions connect with their faith.
With strategic investments in AI, logistics, and temple partnerships, AppsForBharat is set to deepen its impact and scale new heights, making spirituality more accessible in an increasingly digital world. This journey not only benefits devotees but also sustains the livelihoods of priests and temple vendors, fostering a vibrant ecosystem around India’s timeless spiritual heritage.