India start-up creates record, gets pre-orders worth $500,000

KOCHI, INDIA: Kerala-based start-up Exploride has raised more than $500,000 in pre-orders within 40 days of its international launch, a record for Indian start-up till date.

The company, incubated at Kochi's Start-up Village, has already received more than 1,800 pre-orders from around 50 countries for a gesture-recognition display that turns cars into smart cars. But the biggest pre-orders, priced at $299 apiece, are from the US.

The product known as Exploride Heads-up Display combines display and gesture-recognition technology to provide hands-free access to maps, calls, texts, notifications, music and the on-board diagnostics of a car.

The device has GPS, LTE and Google Maps that direct the driver through the best route removing the need for a smart phone. It also has voice-activated navigation that reminds the driver to take direction everytime, the company said in a press release.

"Raising a whopping $512,718 in 40 days for a start-up is a feat achieved by no other company in India," said a proud Sunil Vallath, Founder and CEO, Exploride. "We are so excited about the global response which validates our product."