Clean-tech startup ScrapUncle has raised Rs 22 crore, or about $2.4 million, in a pre-Series A funding round co-led by Orios Venture Partners and Acumen Fund. The round also included participation from Upaya Social Ventures, Venture Catalysts, We Founder Circle, Soonicorn Ventures, and angel investor Bharat Jaisinghani. The funding marks an important milestone for the Delhi-based company as it looks to scale its on-demand recycling operations and strengthen its presence in India’s waste management ecosystem.
Momentum Built on Earlier Fundraises and Public Visibility
ScrapUncle gained wider recognition after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 2, where it secured a deal with Amit Jain involving Rs 60 lakh for 5 percent equity. Prior to the current round, the startup also raised Rs 3.2 crore in seed funding from multiple investors. These earlier fundraises helped the company refine its operating model and expand its services across key parts of the Delhi NCR region.
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Capital Allocation Focused on Scale and Revenue Targets
According to the company, the newly raised capital will be used to deepen its footprint across Delhi NCR, scale operations to work towards an annual recurring revenue target of Rs 100 crore, and prepare the groundwork for expanding its app-based services to other metro cities. The funding is expected to support operational expansion, technology enhancement, and process optimization as the company looks to handle higher waste volumes efficiently.
Building a Technology-Driven Recycling Platform
Founded in 2019 by Mukul Chhabra, ScrapUncle operates as an on-demand recycling platform that allows households and enterprises to schedule doorstep pickups of various waste categories. These include e-waste, paper, metals, cartons, plastics, textiles, and even end-of-life vehicles, with a strong emphasis on household waste collection. Users can book pickups through the ScrapUncle app or website and receive transparent payments for the waste collected.
The startup has positioned itself as a tech-first player in a largely informal sector. Its proprietary technology stack covers digital tagging, logistics coordination, traceability, and inventory management across the recycling supply chain. This digital backbone enables ScrapUncle to track material movement from pickup to final recycling, improving accountability and operational efficiency.
Vertically Integrated Operations for End-to-End Control
ScrapUncle follows a vertically integrated business model that gives it end-to-end control over the waste value chain. All material collected from households and enterprises is routed to the company’s warehouses, which operate in a manner similar to e-commerce fulfillment centers. At these facilities, waste is segregated and processed before being sent to authorized recyclers.
This structured approach ensures responsible recycling and full traceability of materials. By managing its own collection infrastructure and warehousing, the company is able to maintain consistent service quality while reducing dependence on fragmented third-party systems.
Formalizing and Empowering the Informal Workforce
A key part of ScrapUncle’s model involves working closely with waste collectors, a segment that has traditionally operated in informal and often unsafe conditions. The company provides structured training, safety standards, and more predictable income opportunities for collectors. This approach not only improves service reliability but also promotes dignified working conditions, helping modernize a sector that has long lacked formal support systems.
Operational Scale and Market Position
ScrapUncle claims to have completed more than 300,000 waste pickups to date and recycled over 20 million kilograms of waste, with a total material value exceeding Rs 45 crore. The company reports close to 350,000 app downloads and says it has empowered nearly 200 informal workers through its platform.
In the growing urban recycling and waste management space, ScrapUncle competes with players such as The Kabadiwala and RecycleBaba, among others. With fresh capital in hand and a focus on technology-led operations, the startup is positioning itself to play a larger role in India’s evolving clean-tech and circular economy landscape.
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