Bolna secures $6.3M funding from General Catalyst for India-based voice orchestration platform.
Image Credits:Bolna
Rising Demand for Voice AI Solutions in India
Recent industry reports indicate a burgeoning demand for voice AI solutions in India. As a widely-used medium for communication among both individuals and businesses, voice technology is becoming essential for organizations looking to improve efficiency in customer support, sales, hiring, and training.
Bolna: The Voice Orchestration Startup’s Journey
Despite the evident market potential, validating that businesses are willing to invest in voice AI is a different challenge. This skepticism was apparent when Y Combinator initially rejected the application from Bolna, a voice orchestration startup co-founded by Maitreya Wagh and Prateek Sachan, five times. The venture capitalist firm questioned whether the founders could transform interest into revenue.
“When we applied to Y Combinator, the feedback we received was that Indian enterprises are unlikely to pay for such solutions,” Wagh shared in an interview with TechCrunch.
During their subsequent application for the fall 2025 batch, Bolna was able to present impressive revenue figures exceeding $25,000 per month, achieved while running $100 pilots designed to help users build voice agents. Impressively, they have since increased the price of these pilots to $500.
Securing Investment: The $6.3 Million Seed Round
Bolna’s recent momentum culminated in a successful seed funding round, raising $6.3 million led by General Catalyst. Additional participation included notable investors such as Y Combinator, Blume Ventures, Orange Collective, Pioneer Fund, Transpose Capital, and Eight Capital, along with prominent individual investors. This funding is expected to propel Bolna further in the competitive voice AI landscape.
Understanding Bolna’s Product and Client Base
At its core, Bolna is developing an orchestration layer—a platform designed to connect and manage various AI voice technologies. This addresses specific communication challenges in India, such as noise cancellation, caller ID verification through Truecaller, and multilingual handling.
To better serve Indian users, Bolna has incorporated unique features, such as articulating numbers in English, even if the primary language is different, and enabling keypad input for lengthier messages.
Simplified User Experience
Wagh emphasizes that Bolna stands out by simplifying the process for users to create voice agents. Users can build agents by merely describing them, even without technical expertise. Currently, self-serve customers account for approximately 75% of Bolna’s revenue.
Furthermore, as an orchestration layer, Bolna is not tied to a single voice model. This flexibility allows enterprises to shift models easily, depending on what suits their needs best.
“Our platform enables customers to switch models effortlessly, or even use different models across various locales to maximize effectiveness,” Wagh explained. This adaptability is vital for enterprises that want to stay at the forefront of technology, ensuring they can pivot as better options become available.
A Diverse Client Portfolio
Bolna’s client base includes an array of businesses, encompassing car reselling platforms like Spinny, on-demand house-help services such as Snabbit, beverage companies, and dating apps. Most of these clients are small to mid-sized businesses taking advantage of Bolna’s self-serve functionalities.
In addition to this segment, Bolna is actively pursuing larger enterprise contracts. To facilitate advanced implementations for these clients, Bolna has established a dedicated team of forward-deployed engineers. These specialists collaborate closely with clients on-site, ensuring that solutions meet unique business needs.
As of now, Bolna has secured two large enterprises as paying customers, with an additional four clients in the pilot stage. The startup currently employs nine forward-deployed engineers, with plans to onboard two to three additional team members monthly to sustain its enterprise-focused growth.
Growth and Call Volume Metrics
Bolna has shown consistent growth in both call volumes and revenue. The startup now handles over 200,000 calls daily and is on track to surpass $700,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Interestingly, while 60% to 70% of call volume involves English or Hindi, the usage of regional languages is also steadily on the rise.
Investment Firm Insights
Akarsh Shrivastava, a member of the investment team at General Catalyst, expressed admiration for Bolna’s adaptable orchestration layer, which accommodates various customer requirements.
“Bolna provides the flexibility to select any model while maintaining a robust backend to customize according to specific needs. This flexibility appeals to clients who wish to take ownership of some elements of their tech stack,” Shrivastava explained.
Conclusion: The Future of Voice AI in India
As the demand for voice AI solutions continues to escalate in India, startups like Bolna are key players in this transformative landscape. With a unique value proposition that enables businesses to easily deploy voice technologies, Bolna is well-positioned for sustained growth. The combination of a versatile platform and a keen understanding of market needs allows Bolna to deliver customized solutions for a variety of industries.
With ongoing investment and an expanding client base, the future looks promising not just for Bolna, but for the entire voice AI market in India. As enterprises increasingly recognize the importance of adopting voice AI solutions, the opportunities for innovation and growth in this sector are vast and ongoing.
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