Lightspeed-backed FrontRow shuts down operations

FrontRow, a learning platform for non-academic skills, has shut down its operations, according to sources aware of the development. The shutdown was imminent as it was struggling to find a product market fit even after sizable funding.

The Bengaluru-based startup already fired nearly 90% of its employees across two phases in 2022 and recently asked its remaining employees to look out for jobs elsewhere. The company also held talks with larger players in this space for acquisition. Last month, Entrackr exclusively reported about the acquisition talks and potential shut down of the company.

According to sources, the company is also returning about $2.5 million to its investors which include Lightspeed, EightRoads and Elevation among others. As of now, it has raised over $17 million across two rounds.

Confirming the development to Entrackr, Frontrow founder Inshaan Preet Singh Said, “We are still exploring potential acquisitions of the IP/team etc but also deciding whether it just makes more sense to return the capital and will decide that with the board in the next couple of months.”

Frontrow is among a clutch of decently funded startups that have shut their operations or are on the verge of doing so.

Recently, healthtech startup Mojocare was in the headlines as the company is staring at shutdown since its investors do not see any meaningful sell-out option. The Sequoia and B Capital-backed company raised nearly $25 million in funding. Last month, crypto startup Pillow wound up its operations in India after raising over $20 million from the likes of Accel, Quona Capital, Elevation Capital.