Startup aims to scale AI-powered digital factory platform across India and global markets

Noida-based manufacturing tech startup DesignX has raised $2 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Rockstud Capital, with participation from We Founder Circle, Piper Serica Angel Fund, and several existing clients. The fresh capital will be deployed to expand operations across India and international markets, and further develop the company’s AI-based factory digitization platform.

Enabling Smart Manufacturing Through Df-OS

Founded in 2015 by engineers and brothers Rajat and Nishant Srivastava, DesignX is building a next-generation digital layer for the manufacturing industry. The Digital Factory Operating System (Df-OS), the flagship project, digitizes 600+ factory floor processes and connects with ERP, IoT, and other enterprise tools. Together these allow for real-time visibility, predictive insight, and process automation to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

The Df-OS platform assists factories with tracking performance, anomaly detection, predicting downtimes, and optimizing workflow from a singular interface.

Trusted by Leading Industry Players

DesignX has rapidly gained traction among major Indian and global manufacturers. Its clients include:

• Unilever
• Suzuki
• Dabur
• Hero MotoCorp

These clients span key sectors such as automotive, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, indicating the cross-industry relevance of DesignX’s technology.

Strategic Use of Capital

According to the company, the newly raised funds will be primarily used for:

• Geographic expansion across domestic industrial clusters and selected international markets, particularly in Asia and Europe.
• Enhancement of AI features, including predictive analytics, quality monitoring, and energy optimization.
• Deeper integration with ERP and IoT systems to provide more contextual operational insights to manufacturing leaders.

DesignX has also emphasized a strong focus on building a sustainable product that aligns with global ESG goals, helping factories cut waste and reduce carbon emissions.

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Backed by Seasoned Investors

Rockstud Capital focused this funding round, and they’re known to support quality, high-growth, early-stage ventures. Commenting on the investment, Ajay Modi, Investment Director at Rockstud Capital said:

“DesignX is well-positioned to ride India’s manufacturing growth wave. Their Df-OS is cost-effective, scalable, and designed for the real-world challenges of factories operating in diverse conditions.”

Piper Serica Angel Fund, an early backer of the startup, also reiterated confidence in the platform’s potential to create global impact. The fund had earlier invested in DesignX during a $1 million bridge round to support international expansion.

A Fast-Growing Market Opportunity

DesignX operates within the Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing software space a segment witnessing accelerated growth due to rising global demand for automation, efficiency, and sustainability. The market for such solutions is projected to cross $34 billion globally, driven by manufacturers modernizing outdated systems.

The company competes with players like Precog, Infinite Uptime, and Lynkit, but differentiates itself with its full-stack platform, ease of integration, and affordability.

Global Expansion in Sight

DesignX has already established a strong foundation in India with over 400 factories digitized and 1,400 machines connected. The company is now planning its next leap into Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe.

Its vision includes transforming factories into “lighthouse factories,” which serve as role models for lean, efficient, and tech-enabled operations. The platform’s modular, hardware-light architecture makes it particularly suitable for mid-sized and large enterprises seeking digital transformation without massive capital investments.

Building for Sustainable Manufacturing

Sustainability is an important part of DesignX’s strategy. The Df-OS platform reduces energy waste, reduces paper-based processes, and enables better conformance with environmental legislation. these have high degree of synergy with India’s ongoing green manufacturing efforts, Make in India initiatives and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. DesignX enables its clients to measure improvements in their carbon footprints by helping them manage their resources, and encourage lean operations.

What Lies Ahead

In the next 12-18 months, DesignX aims to:

• Double its customer base, both in India and internationally.
• Launch new AI features for real-time defect detection and predictive maintenance.
• Partner with government-backed industrial corridors for scaled digitization pilots.

With fresh funding and investor backing, DesignX is set to play a significant role in modernizing India’s manufacturing backbone and positioning it for global competitiveness.

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