Illumine, a startup using AI to improve childcare has raised $2.5 million in seed funding from Prime Venture Partners. The funding will help speed up product development and support the company’s plans to expand internationally.
Based in Bengaluru, Illumine wants to become the go-to platform for childcare centres around the world by combining smart automation with a strong focus on the needs of both teachers and parents.
The idea for Illumine was sparked by a moment of personal loss. Navneet Rastogi, Co-founder and CEO, missed witnessing his son’s first steps while the child was at daycare. “I only found out weeks later. That’s when I realised how broken communication in childcare is,” Rastogi said. This led to the creation of a platform that ensures parents never miss a moment, educators are supported, and childcare centres are future-ready.
Illumine is already being used by over 3,000 childcare centres in 56 countries. It has quickly become popular in places like the USA, UAE, Southeast Asia, Europe, and India. The startup offers an AI-powered software platform designed specifically for early childhood education.
With dual-income households on the rise, demand for quality childcare is soaring – yet the sector remains under-digitised. “Parents spend thousands on early education each year, but the tools supporting these centres are shockingly outdated,” said Shripati Acharya, Partner at Prime Venture Partners. “illumine brings an AI-first approach that transforms daily operations and enhances outcomes for everyone involved – children, parents, educators, and operators.”
Illumine’s platform helps with everything a preschool or childcare center needs—from planning lessons and tracking attendance to communicating with parents and meeting regulations. It’s a complete digital solution designed to handle the daily challenges of running a childcare business.
“Unlike horizontal tools that only scratch the surface, our platform is built ground-up for childcare,” said Sourabh Agarwal, CTO of Illumine. “Every feature is designed to serve a real purpose — not just automate, but truly elevate early learning experiences.” Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Purva Goyal added, “Whether it’s a standalone preschool or a chain of centres, our system adapts and scales based on real-world workflows.”
The new funding will help Illumine expand to more countries and invest more in research and development, especially in AI and automating everyday tasks.
The startup also plans to improve its platform by adding features like real-time learning updates, voice-based record-keeping, and smart tools that can predict and support a child’s development.
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