EDT Emerges as India’s Most Anticipated Design‑Led Consumer Appliances Startup After $1.4M Pre‑Seed Raise

In December 2025, EDT (Everyday Design & Technology) captured the attention of investors and industry watchers by closing a $1.4 million pre‑seed funding round led by Sauce VC — a clear signal that the nascent consumer appliances space is ripe for disruption.

From Concept to Capital: A Strategic Entry Into Consumer Hardware

EDT was founded in 2025 by Naiyya Saggi and Vyasateja Rao with a bold vision: build intelligent, beautifully engineered appliances that go beyond utility and elevate everyday experiences in homes and kitchens.

• Naiyya Saggi is a seasoned consumer brand builder, previously co‑founding BabyChakra and playing a strategic role in The Good Glamm Group — one of India’s leading digital consumer platforms. Her appointment as independent director at Welspun Living earlier this year underscored her deep expertise in consumer behaviour and brand growth.

• Vyasateja Rao, co‑founder and Chief Design Officer, brings rich experience in industrial and product design, with a background in creating products that blend function with aesthetic value.

EDT’s leadership combines brand building, design excellence, and consumer insight — a rare fusion in the largely utility‑driven home appliances category.

$1.4M Pre‑Seed Round: Backed by Strategic Investors and Visionaries

The pre‑seed funding round, announced in mid‑December 2025, was led by Sauce VC, a venture capital fund known for backing high‑potential consumer brands at their inception. Sauce’s portfolio includes successful lifestyle, wellness, and D2C brands, and the firm is recognized for its hands‑on partnership model that supports startups beyond just capital.

The round also featured a stellar lineup of angel investors, including:

• Mithun Sacheti, co‑founder and former CEO of CaratLane

• Amit Khatri, co‑founder of Noise

• Vatsal Singhal, co‑founder and CTO of Ultrahuman

A notable strategic addition to EDT’s advisory board is Caitlin Kalinowski, Head of Hardware at OpenAI — bringing global hardware engineering expertise at a time when product execution is critical to success.

This funding milestone positions EDT strongly ahead of its product launch phase and sets the stage for rapid scaling.

Why EDT’s Proposition Matters Today

Across India, the consumer appliances market has traditionally been dominated by legacy players focused on cost and basic functionality. However, rising disposable incomes and exposure to global lifestyle standards have shifted consumer expectations. Modern shoppers increasingly demand products that reflect smart design, better ergonomics, intuitive functionality, and aesthetic appeal — not just utility.

While other startups have ventured into smart kitchen and home tech (for example, brands raising seed rounds in smart and connected appliances), the focus has often skewed toward specific niches rather than a holistic design‑first experience. EDT’s approach is distinct in its holistic elevation of everyday tools — from design language to material selection and user interaction.

This is particularly relevant in a crowded funding environment: although Indian startups raised over $871 million in September 2025, overall deal activity contracted compared with the previous year, indicating a more selective investment landscape and higher expectations from founders and investors alike.

Strategic Use of Funding & Roadmap to Market

With its pre‑seed funding, EDT plans to:

1. Build an Innovation‑Led Product Pipeline

The capital will drive product development across its first suite of consumer appliances — targeting categories where design innovation can deliver the most tangible enhancement in user experience.

2. Establish World‑Class R&D and Design Infrastructure

In building appliances that are as beautiful as they are functional, EDT is investing in design and user research, prototyping facilities, and iterative engineering — a resource‑intensive phase that sets it apart from typical consumer brands.

3. Recruit Top Talent

A core focus is assembling senior talent across engineering, design, hardware, and supply chain functions — a clear priority in capital deployment.

4. Scale Manufacturing and Go‑to‑Market Capabilities

While no specific product lineup has been revealed publicly, the company has indicated that product launches and pre‑orders are expected in early 2026, with an initial focus likely on urban premium segments that value design and performance.

Market Position: From India to Global Ambitions

While currently rooted in India’s vibrant consumer ecosystem, EDT has expressed ambitions beyond domestic borders, aiming for export markets such as the Middle East and the United States. This aligns with a broader trend among Indian consumer tech startups, which increasingly look at global competitive benchmarks from day one.

EDT’s design‑centric philosophy also resonates with international consumer trends, where products that marry form and function command higher lifetime value and brand loyalty.

Leadership, Ecosystem Influence & Broader Context

EDT’s founder, Naiyya Saggi, has been actively involved in discourse around technology, innovation, and design thinking in India. Earlier in 2025, she participated in discussions during Mumbai Tech Week (MTW) 2025, advocating for India’s potential as a hub for technological innovation — particularly at the intersection of AI, design, and product development.

Her broader influence in the startup ecosystem — from board roles to leadership in building consumer brands — underscores EDT’s credibility as a venture that’s not just bootstrapped but strategically grounded in industry insight.

Conclusion: What’s Next for EDT

As EDT transitions from funding to product execution, all eyes will be on its first flagship offerings — products that could redefine how consumers perceive everyday appliances. With an impressive investor base, a leadership team blending entrepreneurship with design excellence, and ambitious go‑to‑market plans, EDT stands poised to challenge both traditional incumbents and emerging challengers in the consumer tech space.

In a market where design, experience, and technology increasingly drive purchase decisions, EDT’s journey from pre‑seed funding to launch could chart a new course for hardware startups in India and beyond.