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Based in Bengaluru, India, 1Bridge is a rural supply chain and assisted commerce platform that connects underserved consumers to products, digital services, and financial tools. The company operates a business-to-business-to-consumer model utilizing a network of local village entrepreneurs to facilitate last-mile delivery and distribution for consumer brands. The enterprise has scaled its operations to encompass over 10,000 villages across more than 75 districts, supported by a network of 10,000 local entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the platform has processed over 35 million transactions for rural consumers and secured more than $4 million in total funding. 1Bridge is backed by institutional investors including C4D Partners, Kae Capital, and the IAN Fund, with additional advisory support from angel investor Ronnie Screwvala. The company was founded in 2016 by Madan Padaki and Chakrawarty Mangavalli.
1BRIDGE has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
1BRIDGE has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
1BRIDGE has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Seed in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $3M Seed | — | 3lines, C4D Partners | Announced |
# 1Bridge: A Village Commerce Network
1Bridge is a supply chain and distribution network that connects rural consumers in India to digital commerce and financial services, rather than a traditional technology company in the software or SaaS sense[1][3]. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Bengaluru, the company operates an assisted commerce model that leverages local entrepreneurs as the backbone of its distribution infrastructure[1][3].
1Bridge addresses a critical gap in rural India's access to e-commerce and digital financial services. The company builds a village commerce network by recruiting and supporting local entrepreneurs called 1Bridge Advisors (1BAs) who serve as the last-mile connection between rural consumers and digital platforms[3]. Rather than building a direct-to-consumer app, 1Bridge functions as a B2B2C infrastructure provider, partnering with major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra to extend their reach into underserved rural markets[3].
The company has achieved significant scale, operating across 6,000+ villages in 60 districts spanning 6 states through a network of 7,000+ local entrepreneurs[3]. With 43-394 employees (depending on source) and total funding of ₹24.43 crore ($2.9 million USD), 1Bridge operates as a private limited company focused on sustainable rural economic development[3][4].
1Bridge's competitive advantages center on its hyperlocal distribution model:
1Bridge operates at the intersection of two powerful trends: rural digitalization and inclusive commerce. India's rural population represents over 65% of the country's 1.4 billion people, yet remains significantly underserved by digital commerce infrastructure. The company rides the wave of increasing smartphone penetration and digital payment adoption in rural areas, while addressing the "last-mile problem" that has constrained e-commerce growth outside major urban centers[3].
The timing is particularly relevant as major e-commerce platforms recognize that future growth depends on rural market penetration. By providing a cost-effective, trust-based distribution network, 1Bridge enables these platforms to scale without bearing the full infrastructure burden themselves. This positions the company as critical infrastructure for India's digital economy expansion.
1Bridge represents a pragmatic approach to rural commerce that prioritizes community-embedded distribution over technology-first solutions. While the company uses mobile technology to coordinate its network, its core value proposition is organizational and logistical rather than purely technological—it solves the "human last-mile" problem that pure software cannot address.
Looking forward, 1Bridge's growth will likely depend on deepening partnerships with e-commerce and fintech platforms, expanding geographic coverage, and increasing the income opportunities available to its 1BA network. The company operates in a competitive space with similar players like Rozana (founded 2021) and Dharma Life (founded 2009), but its scale and established partnerships provide meaningful advantages. As rural India's digital adoption accelerates, companies like 1Bridge that bridge the gap between urban-centric platforms and rural communities will become increasingly valuable infrastructure for India's digital economy.
1BRIDGE has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
1BRIDGE's investors include 3Lines, C4D Partners.
