Pakistan-based Bazaar announced a $1.3 million pre-seed round on June 1, 2020, led by Indus Valley Capital, with Alter Global and strategic angel investors also participating. The startup’s launch-era business was a mobile marketplace intended to help Karachi grocery retailers order stock from wholesalers and manufacturers.
Who funded Bazaar’s $1.3 million pre-seed round?
Indus Valley Capital led the round, while Alter Global and strategic angel investors also took part, according to MENAbytes’ June 1, 2020 report and Indus Valley Capital’s announcement. Contemporaneous reporting described it as Pakistan’s largest pre-seed round at the time; that was a 2020 characterization, not a current ranking.
What was Bazaar’s marketplace?
Co-founders Saad Jangda and Hamza Jawaid launched Bazaar in April 2020. Before the funding announcement, the company had begun a closed pilot in Karachi during COVID-19 lockdown conditions, according to Profit’s contemporaneous coverage.
At launch, the app was designed as a business-to-business procurement channel: neighborhood grocery shops could order products from wholesalers and manufacturers rather than rely solely on existing offline sourcing. Reported inventory included pulses, flour, wheat, tea, drinks and other fast-moving consumer goods. The announcement described free next-day delivery to retailers’ storefronts. These details refer to the launch period; they do not establish Bazaar’s present-day assortment, service area, delivery terms or operating status.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with most POS systems except those requiring proprietary hardware integrations or direct app-level integration
- No Software Needed: No need to download or install any software or apps with this sleek handheld 3-in-1 wireless, Bluetooth, and USB scanner with vibration capabilities to help in noisy environments.
- Next Gen Smart Charging Stand: One base that can do it all. Wireless Transmission from stand to scanner. Holds scanner. Charges scanner's built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery via lighting connectors
- Scan Modes: Connect to Mac or Windows computers, Android or Apple mobile devices, and POS systems to start scanning barcodes with one of the 3 available modes - manual, continuous, and auto sense
- Code Compatibility: Scan 1D barcodes including UPC, EAN, Code128, Code39, Code11, Codabar, and many others; Scan 2D barcodes including PDF417, Aztec code, Data Matrix, QR Code, Micro PDF, Interleaved, and others. Doesn't work with Maxicode
What problem did Bazaar say it was addressing?
Bazaar described small retailers’ sourcing as fragmented and largely offline, involving wholesale markets and selling agents. The company said this could leave shopkeepers with opaque pricing and product shortages. That is the company’s stated problem framing, not an independently quantified finding; the announcement provides no verified market-size or customer-count figure.
Indus Valley Capital founder and managing partner Aatif Awan explained the investment thesis this way: “Bringing the fragmented B2B retail market online is one of the biggest startup opportunities in Pakistan.” This is an investor’s view of the opportunity, not a measurement of its size.
Rank #2
- Plug and play, Easy Use(Not compatible with Square system): Anyeast USB barcode scanner does not require installation of drivers or software. Just connect the device via one USB cable, and this barcode reader will be ready to work. It supports laptops, desktops, and POS and is compatible with Windows XP, 7/8/10, MAC, Linux, and Android systems
- Adjustable Stand: This QR code scanner is equipped with an adjustable stand, so we can freely adjust the best scanning angle as needed. What's more, with an auto-sensing scanning sensor, we can easily realize handsfree scanning, no need to hold the linear barcode scanner, release our hands
- Stronger Decoding Ability: With an advanced CMOS sensor, the handheld inventory scanner can easily decode most 1D 2D QR barcodes on labels, paper, and screen more accurately. 1D like: UPC/EAN, Code39, Interleaved 2 of 5, Code93, Code 128, Codabar etc. 2D like: QR, Datamatrix, PDF417, Aztec, etc
- 3 Types of Scanning Modes: This USB wired barcode scanner with key trigger scanning, auto-sensing scanning, and continuous scanning mode, we can according to our needs choose different scanning ways. Widely used in supermarkets, bookstores, shopping malls, retail, logistics, warehouses, and others for file management, inventory tracking, and point-of-sale
- More Customer Function: Anyeast bar code scanner supports custom settings, like adding/hiding prefixes or suffixes, hiding characters from the front/back, adding keyboard keys (TAB, CR, etc.) to the scanning operation, changing the capital/lower case, etc. Also, it can freely enable or disable barcode type, easily suiting our specific need
How did Bazaar plan to use the funding?
The company said it would invest in building its technology, hiring for commercial, growth and operations roles, and expanding its retailer base across Karachi. The announcement therefore tied the pre-seed financing to developing the marketplace and growing its launch-city operations, rather than presenting it as funding for a consumer grocery-shopping service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the pre-seed round fit Bazaar’s later funding?
Bazaar’s subsequent financing rounds were separate events. Dawn’s 2021 retrospective reports that the company raised a $6.5 million seed round in January 2021 and a $30 million Series A in August 2021: Dawn’s funding retrospective. Those later rounds do not change the amount or date of the June 2020 pre-seed announcement.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- COMS Sensor Scanner: Equip with high-sensitive CMOS sensor, hand barcode scanner easily reads bar code from paper and screen, such as computer monitor, smartphone or tablets.
- Strong Recognition Capability: USB wired barcode reader can accurately read blurring, incomplete, support almost all 1D bar codes. 2D barcode: PDF417, MicroPDF417, Data Matrix, Maxicode, QR Code, Aztec, Hanxin, etc.
- Compatibility: Full compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, plug the usb cable into your laptop, computer, cash register or POS, simple operation. The bar code scanner works with Quickbook, Word, Excel, Novell, and all common software.
- Supports Multi Languages: The scanner support 18 international keyboards: American Keyboard, Germany, France, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Turkey, Portugal, England, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Hungary.
- Widely Use Range: The Sumicor 2m wired barcode scanner with holder is widely used in supermarket, restaurant, retail stores, warehouse, library, drugstore, Logistics for for file management, inventory tracking and POS(point of sale), etc.
Rank #3
- Fast 1D & 2D Code Reading: Built with a CMOS sensor and 32-bit decoding chip, this QR code scanner reads common 1D and 2D codes including UPC, EAN, Code 39, Code 128, QR Code, PDF417, Data Matrix and Aztec from printed labels or screens
- USB Wired Plug and Play: Connect the wired barcode scanner to a standard USB port and start scanning without drivers or batteries. It works as keyboard input with Windows, macOS, Linux, spreadsheets, POS and inventory systems
- Three Scan Modes for Different Jobs: Use trigger mode for controlled scans, auto-sensing mode for hands-free desk work, or continuous mode for batch scanning. Choose the mode that fits your workflow to reduce accidental repeat scans
- Built for Daily Work Areas: The ABS+TPU body and silicone protective cover help protect the handheld barcode scanner from scratches and drops up to 6.56 ft, suitable for warehouse shelves, retail counters, libraries and office inventory
- Practical Setup Support: Some barcode types or settings may need to be enabled by scanning setup barcodes. Keep the guide available when changing modes, suffix settings, or special code types such as Interleaved 2 of 5 or MaxiCode
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
