For countless students across India, especially those in smaller towns and rural areas, a personal laptop remains a distant dream. The high cost often creates a significant barrier to accessing digital learning resources and developing essential computer skills. But what if there was a different way? What if an affordable, purpose-built laptop could bridge this digital divide?
This is the ambitious mission driving Primebook, an Indian brand making waves with its cost-effective Android-based laptops. And they just received a significant vote of confidence, securing $2 million in Pre-Series A funding. This investment, a mix of equity and debt, comes from prominent investors including Inflection Point Ventures, Auxano Capital, and NexG Devices, alongside well-known individual investors like Rikant Pittie, Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, and Bhavesh Gupta, former COO at Paytm.
Think about a student in a Tier 3 city with big dreams. They have a smartphone, perhaps, but lack the tools for more in-depth study, project work, or online courses that require a laptop. Primebook aims to put a capable computing device in their hands without burdening families with hefty price tags.
Founded by Chitranshu Mahant and Aman Verma, Primebook builds its laptops in India specifically for the needs of young Indian users. Their key innovation lies in PrimeOS, a proprietary operating system based on Android. This makes the laptops familiar and easy to use for anyone accustomed to a smartphone, while offering a full laptop experience.
In just two years, Primebook has already captured a noticeable 5% share of the under ₹20,000 laptop market in India, demonstrating a consistent 2x year-over-year growth. This shows a real demand for their approach. Their appearance on Shark Tank India also significantly boosted their visibility and reach.
So, where will this new $2 million go? Primebook has a clear plan to make their affordable technology even better and reach more students:
A big chunk of the investment targets research and development. Primebook wants to make PrimeOS even more powerful. This means adding features like enhanced multitasking – crucial for students juggling multiple applications – and integrating capabilities like AI and Cloud PC to keep the laptops relevant in a changing technological landscape. They also plan to improve the core performance, making the devices faster and the battery last longer, all while keeping costs down.
Beyond the product itself, Primebook is focusing on how they connect with their audience. They plan to refresh their brand identity to resonate with Gen Z, using a bold and minimal style. You can expect to see a strong digital marketing push across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Google, Flipkart, and Amazon. This isn’t just about selling; it’s about telling the story of how Primebook can make a difference in a student’s life. They will also work with tech influencers, student vloggers, and education creators to share authentic experiences with Primebook laptops. Additionally, setting up physical kiosks across India will allow potential buyers to experience the product firsthand and build trust, complemented by hosting tech events.
Growing the business also means expanding their reach beyond individual buyers. Primebook will strengthen its partnerships with institutions like schools and NGOs to get laptops into the hands of students who need them most. They also plan to improve their after-sales service, a critical factor for customer satisfaction, and introduce new product models to cater to evolving needs.
Chitranshu Mahant, Primebook’s CEO, shared his excitement about the funding, emphasizing that it will accelerate product development and help them reach millions more households. He believes their combination of affordability and technology is positioning Primebook to become a go-to brand for students and families.
The investors echo this sentiment. Ankur Mittal, Co-Founder at Inflection Point Ventures, points out the existing challenges in India regarding affordable laptop access and localized technology for students. He highlights Primebook’s solutions, like low-cost devices with 4G connectivity and a user-friendly Android interface, as key differentiators. The fact that the laptops are assembled in India by approved manufacturers also adds to their appeal.
Investing in Primebook, say investors like those from Auxano Capital, is about supporting a team dedicated to making a real difference. They see resilience and a willingness to learn in the founders, believing the team is poised for significant growth.
The participation of prominent figures like Rikant Pittie and Bhavesh Gupta further underscores the belief in Primebook’s potential. Bhavesh Gupta noted his investment was a bet on the future of personal computing in India, which he sees becoming more hybrid, with affordable hardware accessing advanced software via the cloud – exactly the space Primebook occupies.
This funding round is more than just a financial transaction; it’s fuel for a mission. Primebook isn’t just selling laptops; they’re working to unlock digital opportunities for a generation of Indian students, proving that cost-effective technology can indeed be a powerful tool for change.
