Legacy routing solutions weren’t designed for the complex, real-world demands of modern delivery networks, where routes change daily, constraints are hyper-local, and scale can involve thousands of stops per batch. Most mapping APIs are inflexible, with black-box logic and unpredictable pricing that penalise growth.
NextBillion AI fills this critical gap by offering a customisable, scalable alternative for multi-stop route planning. It empowers businesses to define their own constraints, whether driver shift limits, vehicle capacities, or regional delivery rules, while keeping API costs transparent and predictable.
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Origins of NextBillion
Founded in 2020, NextBillion.ai was established by three former members of Grab’s Geo team- Gaurav Bubna, Ajay Bulusu, and Shaolin Zheng. They recognised a significant flaw in existing mapping services: they were costly, inflexible, and ill-suited for the complexities of emerging markets. Dissatisfied with generic APIs, they aimed to develop a flexible, scalable geospatial platform enabling businesses to customise routing based on local regulations, vehicle types, and operational nuances.
Backed by Lightspeed, Falcon Edge, and M12, NextBillion.ai is revolutionising location technology to be flexible, suitable for enterprises, and prepared for the next billion users.
Technological Framework
NextBillion.ai streamlines complex delivery challenges by enabling businesses to define over 50 custom constraints, such as specific delivery time windows, vehicle load limits, and detailed task sequences that align with their unique workflows.
Its adaptive re-optimisation instantly adjusts routes as new orders come in or resources shift. By integrating customised map layers with proprietary data, such as private roads, restricted zones, and warehouse access points, it incorporates real-world details that traditional platforms often miss.
Engineered to manage thousands of stops and extensive distance matrices efficiently, it delivers high-performance routing on a large scale. With specialised APIs and SDKs for multi-vehicle coordination, precise routing, and navigation across platforms, NextBillion.ai offers developers powerful and flexible tools.
Its enterprise-grade security and adaptable deployment options meet strict compliance requirements. It utilises fleet history and real-time traffic data to deliver accurate ETAs and dependable routes, supporting businesses in enhancing delivery efficiency in complex environments.
Funding and Milestones
In 2021, NextBillion.ai raised $6.25 million in a Series A funding round led by M12, Microsoft’s venture arm, with participation from Lightspeed and Falcon Edge Capital. This funding supported focused growth and enhanced its product offerings. The following year, it secured $21 million in a Series B round, led by Mirae Asset Capital and supported by previous investors, which boosted its expansion into international markets. Having raised a total of $34 million, NextBillion.ai is quickly transforming from a regional firm into a global leader in geospatial intelligence.
NextBillion.ai offers a range of mapping APIs and SDKs, from routing to geocoding, solving complex enterprise challenges. Its client base grew tenfold, now supporting over 30 organisations in more than 20 countries. With over 2 billion API calls, the platform shows resilience and scalability. It was named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and recognised by Fast Company as a top Asia-Pacific innovator, cementing its leadership in geospatial solutions.
Strategic Partnerships
NextBillion.ai has formed influential partnerships that are transforming the future of location intelligence and logistics. In March 2022, it collaborated with Dista, a leading low-code AI platform, integrating Dista’s enterprise app expertise with NextBillion.ai’s advanced mapping technology to improve mobility, field services, delivery, and sales operations, expanding its global presence.
Nextbillion.ai’s Locus integrates its mapping features into Locus’s automation system to improve supply chain processes, optimise route planning, and reduce logistics costs. The partnership with Locale.ai merges accurate mapping with advanced analytics, providing real-time asset tracking, precise ETAs, and enhanced customer insights through actionable data.
Finally, the collaboration with RouteQ combines NextBillion.ai’s geospatial technology with RouteQ’s route optimisation tools to enhance delivery efficiency worldwide, reducing costs and improving operations. These partnerships are expanding the ways businesses leverage location data to deliver concrete results.
Market Opportunity
The global location intelligence market, valued at $22–25 billion, is projected to reach $50–70 billion by 2030–2034, with an annual growth of 11–17%. The digital maps industry, in particular, is expected to grow from $29 billion in 2025 to more than $54 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand for real-time, AI-powered, and cloud-based solutions.
India’s logistics market is projected to expand from $230 billion in 2024 to $360 billion by 2030, at an 8% CAGR. Meanwhile, the digital logistics sector is growing even more quickly, with an estimated CAGR of 21.3% from 2025 to 2030. This fast-paced growth creates a major opportunity for platforms like NextBillion.ai, which provide customised, AI-driven location solutions.
Business framework
NextBillion.ai employs a Saas-based model to provide AI-powered, highly customizable mapping and location intelligence solutions designed for complex logistics, supply chains, and field services. Its platform enables detailed customisation across different regions and transport modes, offering accurate predictive analytics and real-time operational insights that reduce costs and improve efficiency. Partnering with innovators like Dista and Locus expands its ecosystem, while easy integration with cloud marketplaces and a strategic reseller network help increase market reach. Supported by flexible subscriptions and expert consulting, NextBillion.ai delivers targeted, scalable solutions that generate real business impact and promote sustainable growth in the competitive location technology industry.
Future Outlook
NextBillion.ai aims to transform location services by providing AI-powered hyperlocal solutions for underserved communities. By combining open-source data with proprietary insights, it creates smart platforms that improve efficiency in logistics, transportation, ride-hailing, delivery, and e-commerce. With advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and a focus on emerging markets, NextBillion.ai is positioned to lead growth and shape the future of intelligent location services.
