SquadStack, a SaaS-enabled talent marketplace for sales, has raised $17.5 million (Rs 140 crore) in Series B round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), along with existing investors Chiratae Ventures and Blume Ventures.  The startup combines data science, artificial intelligence, and a decentralised network of sales experts to help consumer businesses scale with better conversions. 

SquadStack, which partners with existing sales talent and homemakers, allowing them to work from anywhere with the help of a smartphone, will use this fresh infusion of funds to hire top talent to strengthen its team for expansion. It also plans to increase its sales experts base and further expand into new verticals. 

“We’re working towards revolutionising the Rs 80,000 crore Indian telesales industry that lacks innovation. Our combined solution of technology and human expertise solves a negative ROI problem for businesses and financially uplifts sales talent across the country. We’re looking to significantly expand our team. We believe that in the long run, great products and profit are the byproduct of a great team and work culture. We’re excited to partner with the BII team who have deep experience in scaling large platform businesses globally,” said Apurv Agrawal, co-founder and CEO, SquadStack.

“We have a strong bullish thesis on ‘future of work’ and SquadStack fits strongly in that as their technology provides ownership and flexibility to the large, diverse and distributed sales talent in the country. We instantly formed a connection with the founding team as we have strong convictions in their data and product driven approach to this complex problem. We are excited to partner them in this journey to transform the sales outsourcing landscape,” added Rohit Sood, partner, Bertelsmann India Investments.

Over 70 lakh telesales agents sell loans, credit cards, insurance, education, health and wellness products, and services to 20 crore Indians daily. However, over the decade, the telesales market has not seen adequate disruptive innovation for most stakeholders in the ecosystem. These include businesses that struggle to retain sales talent, telesales agents as well as end consumers. 

SquadStack integrates three core layers of innovation to manage the sales ecosystem for consumer businesses - decentralisation to access top sales talent, AI-powered tools to manage the complete life cycle of the sales experts, and an omnichannel campaign management platform for businesses.