NumberOne Academy (NOA), an enablement platform dedicated to empowering Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), has raised ₹3 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by T.I.G.E.R Santosh Nair. This investment builds on a prior ₹1 crore raised in December 2023, bringing the total pre-seed funding to ₹4 crore.
The Kochi-based startup plans to utilize the funds to expand its suite of business courses, emphasizing Hindi and other regional languages, and to further develop NOA into a Virtual Business Coach, an AI-powered tool designed to assist entrepreneurs with diverse business challenges.
Founded in 2022 by Lajesh Kolath and Madhu Bhaskaran, NumberOne Academy offers a comprehensive platform featuring over 60 curated courses delivered by more than 25 business coaches. The courses address essential SME growth areas such as sales, marketing, branding, finance, HR, operations, and technology.
The platform adopts a hybrid learning model, combining an AI-driven digital platform with in-person workshops and community events to cater to diverse learning preferences. Its multi-lingual AI layer integrates upskilling content with digital tools and community engagement, providing SMEs with the resources needed for sustainable growth.
One of NOA’s flagship innovations is its AI-powered chatbot, which is designed to assist SMEs in resolving GST-related issues. The company aims to evolve this chatbot into a Virtual Business Coach capable of conversing in over 10 regional languages and providing actionable insights to address various business challenges.
In a press release, the company emphasized its commitment to empowering India’s SME ecosystem with localized, accessible, and technology-driven solutions. As the startup continues to expand, it seeks to bridge the gap in business education and enable entrepreneurs to achieve scalable and sustainable growth.
NumberOne Academy’s efforts align with the broader vision of fostering innovation and inclusivity within the SME sector, a critical pillar of India’s economic growth.
