Knocksense raises ₹7 crore seed round led by Art Ventures

Knocksense Secures ₹7 Crore Seed Round

Knocksense, a Lucknow-based hyperlocal content-to-commerce platform, has raised a seed round of ₹7 crore (INR 70,000,000). The round was led by Art Ventures, which was the sole investor listed in the transaction.

What Knocksense Does

Knocksense connects consumers with local businesses, places and experiences through city-level content, recommendations, deals and event listings. The platform operates as a content-to-commerce model, pairing editorial-style city discovery with commercial pathways for local merchants.

Founded in 2016 by Varul Mayank, the company operates in Indian cities including:

• Lucknow
• Kanpur
• Indore
• Mumbai
• Ahmedabad

Events and Physical Expansion

Beyond its digital platform, Knocksense runs La Flea Affair, a flea-market event series that has completed 12 editions across four cities. The company is extending its digital discovery model into a network of physical outdoor community spaces — a move that blends its online city-content footprint with in-person, community-oriented venues.

Deal Summary

• Company: Knocksense
• Headquarters: Lucknow, India
• Founded: 2016, by Varul Mayank
• Round: Seed
• Amount: ₹7 crore (INR 70,000,000)
• Lead Investor: Art Ventures
• Investors: Art Ventures
• Funding Date: October 12, 2026

Acquisition Perspective

Knocksense sits at the intersection of hyperlocal media, local commerce and live events. Its multi-city presence across Lucknow, Kanpur, Indore, Mumbai and Ahmedabad gives it a footprint in both tier-one and emerging Indian markets. The La Flea Affair event series adds an experiential layer that can deepen merchant relationships and consumer engagement beyond digital listings.

The stated shift toward physical outdoor community spaces is notable for strategic buyers: it signals a move from an asset-light content platform toward a hybrid model with real-world venues. For acquirers interested in local discovery, community media or offline-to-online commerce in India, Knocksense offers an established brand, an events track record and a founder-led operating history dating to 2016.

The seed round led by Art Ventures provides fresh capital as the company pursues this physical expansion alongside its existing city-level content and deals business.