Escape Plan, Plenome Technologies, and ApClub Raise Early-Stage Funding The below brands have announced their latest funding rounds.

Travel Startup Escape Plan Secures USD 5 Mn Funding

Escape Plan has raised USD 5 million in a seed round from Jungle Ventures' First Cheque@Jungle initiative and Fireside Ventures.

The Bengaluru-based travel and lifestyle startup plans to use the funds to deepen its inventory, form strategic brand partnerships, and expand its quick commerce and retail presence.

Founded in 2025 by Abhinav Pathak and Abhinav Zutshi, Escape Plan operates as a multi-brand travel platform. It offers a wide selection of travel products including luggage, backpacks, passport covers, and neck pillows, all with an aim of two-hour delivery.

"Our focus is not just on luggage but on solving every small travel need with a tailored approach. We are building a platform that includes a rewards system and services such as second-hand purchases and refurbishments," said Abhinav Pathak, Co-founder and CEO.

Pathak earlier founded Perpule, a retail tech firm acquired by Amazon in 2021. Zutshi brings more than ten years of experience in retail, having worked with Landmark Group and Forever 21.

Escape Plan aims to scale through a hybrid retail model combining physical stores, local delivery, and immersive shopping experiences. The startup is targeting over 100 stores in the next two years.

Rishab Malik of Jungle Ventures said the founders' approach stands out in an underserved category for Indian consumers seeking global-quality travel products.

IIT Madras-Incubated Plenome Secures INR 6.5 Cr Funding for Global Push

Plenome Technologies has secured INR 6.5 crore in a seed funding round from a mix of Indian and international investors. The round was led by Ovington Capital Partners from Luxembourg, with participation from UAE-based AADI and angel investor Manish Gandhi.

The funds will be used to fuel the company's expansion into global markets and strengthen its blockchain and artificial intelligence solutions across healthcare, organ donation, and remote voting sectors.

The company was founded by Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award recipient Professor Prabhu Rajagopal along with Vijayaraja Rathinasamy and Anirudh Varna. Incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Plenome Technologies focuses on developing secure, scalable, and interoperable digital infrastructure for managing sensitive data.

Its key offerings include BlockTrack OrganEase, a platform currently in pilot testing with a state transplant authority to manage organ donation systems. Another product, BlockVote, is a remote voting solution that has already been deployed at IIT Madras and is now being considered for use in enterprise elections.

Plenome is also piloting Ashwin, an AI-powered suite for capturing structured and multilingual health data in dental clinics. Plans are underway to extend this technology to areas such as eye care, fertility, and cosmetic treatments. The startup integrates distributed ledger technology with artificial intelligence to ensure secure data management and user privacy.

ApClub Raises INR 2 Cr in Pre-Seed Round Led by Curefit

Bengaluru-based fitness startup ApClub has secured INR 2 crore in its pre-seed funding round from Curefit Healthcare, with additional support from accelerator PedalStart and angel investors including Pranay Jivrajka, founder of Allo Health and former CEO of Ola Foods.

The capital will be deployed to scale operations, strengthen the team, and enhance ApClub's doorstep fitness offerings across Bengaluru and beyond.

The startup plans to use the investment to expand its coaching programs, hire across key verticals such as customer experience and fitness instruction, and introduce new wellness formats including group classes and sports coaching for all age groups. ApClub also intends to manage residential clubhouses and gyms as part of its long-term vision.

Shalabh Malhotra, Founder and CEO of ApClub, said, "This investment marks a significant milestone for us as we continue reimagining how urban India accesses fitness. With demanding lifestyles leaving little time for wellness, ApClub brings structured, high-quality training to users at home or within their housing communities."

ApClub was founded in October 2023 with a focus on personalised fitness and wellness services delivered at users' doorsteps. Its offerings include yoga, strength training, Pilates, weight loss programs, and diet plans. The company currently operates in over 40 apartment complexes across Bengaluru and has served nearly 500 clients to date. Its platform is web-based, with a mobile app launch planned for 2025.

The startup aims to reach USD 1 million in annual revenue by 2026 and is preparing to expand to other metro and tier-I cities. ApClub is part of PedalStart's startup cohort and has received guidance on hiring and marketing as it grows within the competitive urban wellness space.