Over 300,000 suppliers offer more than 300,000 parts in a $1.7 trillion global light engineering market. Finding the right part from the right supplier is challenging in such a market. For OEMs and industrial buyers, procurement involves days of communication, inconsistent standards, unpredictable delivery, and a confusing mix of suppliers and low-cost countries.
This is especially true in India, where many manufacturing SMEs are often invisible to foreign buyers. The opportunity is significant as the West seeks alternatives to China+1, but a systematic, transparent, tech-driven sourcing platform is missing.
Based in Bengaluru and founded in 2023, this startup adopts an innovative approach to light engineering procurement, offering a product that streamlines sourcing from order to delivery in just a few days.
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The Vision of Founders
Wootz.work stems from practical experience. Co-founders Karan Anand (Stanford GSB) and Himanshu Uniyal (IIT-Kharagpur) worked together at Zume Inc., witnessing inefficiencies in global sourcing from Indian and Southeast Asian equipment suppliers, especially those providing customized gear. They concluded that while Indian manufacturing is world-class, supporting infrastructure like quotation, quality assurance, documentation, and after-sales needs improvement to meet international standards.
Beyond a Marketplace: A Full-Stack Sourcing Platform
Unlike traditional B2B marketplaces, which only display vendor inventory details, Wootz.work is the custodian of the entire sourcing lifecycle. Its platform uses both human experience and exclusive software to:
- Find and pre-screen suppliers on geography, certification, and application
- Offer a buyer-specific quotation within 24 hours on buyer-customized designs
- Make possible virtual factory tours, quality inspection, and compliance audits
- Help with transnational payments, logistics, and after-sales services
The platform ensures that high-tolerance components, technical fidelity, and supply chain predictability are achieved in the MRO automation kit. This end-to-end solution is particularly appealing to international manufacturers seeking the high-contact sourcing option without having to expand the in-house procurement functions.
Speeding up the Manufacturing Opportunity in India
The Wootz.work platform connects directly to a broader Indian effort to establish itself as a manufacturing hub with global market features. The startup has helped local suppliers meet international standards by establishing digital connections between Western buyers and Indian SMEs, without compromising their core strengths.
The platform supports suppliers in various areas, including value engineering, certification compliance, packaging, and warranty systems. By increasing visibility, reliability, and delivery assurance, Wootz.work also enables more Indian manufacturing companies to participate in global value chains.
Progressive momentum and Investor confidence.
In August 2023, Wootz.work raised a $3.5 million seed funding round led by Matrix Partners India and Nexus Venture Partners, with AdvantEdge and Mars Shot Ventures as additional investors, along with marquee angels from Zetwerk, Livspace, and prominent companies like JK Group.
The funds are being used to hire additional staff for its engineering team, upgrade customer operations, and establish a market presence in the UK and the US, markets where there is increasing demand for a diversified, cost-effective engineering supply.
The company has already secured top UK-based OEM customers, who can be offered end-to-end procurement services, including automation, maintenance, and custom-engineered parts. What Wootz. Each of its engagements demonstrates that Indian engineering, combined with process, visibility, and service, is ready to compete on a global scale.
The Difference between Wootz and Other Metals
In such an environment, when platforms target the volume of transactions with B2B, Wootz.work has pursued a quality-based strategy. The main distinctive points are:
- Fast quoting of custom components
- ISO, CE, RoHS certifications, etc., that would allow the supplying companies to be export-ready
- After/after sale services, logistics, and warranty assurance
- Industry know-how in industrial automation, material handling, and capital equipment
For buyers, this means fewer surprises, faster project execution, and more predictable procurement. For suppliers, it indicates higher order value, increased margins, and access to global customers.
The Future Path
Wootz.work plans to expand its product lines with more supplier analytics, logistics, and financing solutions, while diversifying into renewable energy, packaging automation, and aerospace components. Regionally, focus is on solidifying presence in North America and Europe, where decentralization and diversification are policies. The company’s main goal remains to make India the preferred sourcing hub for light engineering through technology, trust, and transparency.
Where Supply Chain Intelligence Meets Execution Power
Wootz.work not only connects manufacturers and buyers but redefines global sourcing of industrial equipment and components. By combining supply chain intelligence with execution ownership, it aims to create a category-defining solution for the modern industry.
The platform is popular among OEMs seeking reliable sources outside China and Indian SMEs aiming for international markets, delivering value and speed.
