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Wippi raises $1.2 million to build screen-free AI toys
The seed round led by 12 Flags will fund voice AI, product development, manufacturing and expansion
Bengaluru: Children’s technology startup Wippi has raised $1.2 million in a seed funding round led by 12 Flags, with participation from Warmup Ventures, Ventana Ventures and Ruvento Ventures.
The company plans to use the funding to accelerate product development, strengthen its proprietary voice AI capabilities, expand its engineering and AI teams, scale manufacturing in India and grow its direct-to-consumer business.
Wippi also plans to expand its portfolio of characters, languages and original content, with an aim to reach more than 15,000 families over the next 12 months.
Founded by Rishabh Singhi and Siddhartha Jain, Wippi is developing conversational, screen-free products designed to help young children learn and play without adding another screen to their daily routines.
The startup combines voice AI with physical products including Character Cards, illustrated storybooks and Wippi Radio. Its interactive storytelling platform allows children to ask questions, make choices and participate in stories featuring characters such as Ram, Krishna, Alice, Cinderella and Aladdin.
Wippi’s products use purpose-built hardware and proprietary child-first voice AI to create interactive experiences for children. The company said its approach is inspired by Montessori principles and focuses on curiosity, conversation and imaginative play through age-appropriate interactions.
The fresh capital will also support the company’s efforts to build its AI platform and expand its product ecosystem. Wippi plans to add more characters, languages and story worlds, while developing AI-powered conversational learning experiences and collectible figurines that connect physical and digital play.
The startup is also targeting international markets as it looks to build a broader ecosystem around screen-free play and learning.
Wippi was founded with a focus on addressing growing parental concerns around children’s screen time while exploring how AI can be used to create more interactive forms of storytelling and learning.
