Equirus InnovateX Fund (EIF) has announced its participation in the seed funding round for Neverinstall, a cloud-native virtual desktop platform. Founded in 2021, the Bengaluru-based startup aims to disrupt the legacy Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) market with its browser-based solution. The investment will fuel the enhancement of its deep-tech infrastructure and enterprise security capabilities, positioning it as a formidable alternative to established players.
Addressing the Shortcomings of Legacy VDI
The enterprise desktop market is undergoing a significant transformation as companies seek alternatives to traditional VDI systems. Legacy platforms from vendors like VMware and Citrix are often criticized for their high costs, which can exceed $2,000 per user annually. These systems also present challenges related to operational complexity, inflexibility, and vendor lock-in for modern hybrid workforces.
A Modern, Browser-Native Approach
Neverinstall offers a fundamentally different approach by decoupling the operating system from physical hardware. Its proprietary CloudLink architecture enables secure, low-latency streaming of applications and desktops directly to any device through a web browser. This model eliminates the need for local installations, making it ideal for distributed teams, BYOD environments, and GPU virtualization.
Strategic Allocation of Seed Capital
The seed funding will be strategically deployed to accelerate the development of Neverinstall's core infrastructure. A primary focus is the creation of a Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) platform that supports a "Bring Your Own Infrastructure" model. This will allow enterprises to deploy the solution on commodity hardware, further reducing costs and avoiding proprietary systems.
Another key initiative is the launch of an Enterprise Secure Browser designed for highly regulated sectors. This browser will feature an embedded eBPF-based security layer to ensure data control and compliance. The enhancement is specifically aimed at meeting the stringent requirements of the banking, financial services, and healthcare industries.
Market Momentum and Leadership Expansion
The company is already demonstrating significant market momentum, reporting threefold growth in FY26 and building a robust enterprise pipeline. Prominent organizations such as Tally, Porter, and Primebook are currently using the platform to support thousands of employees. Neverinstall is targeting a substantial $21-23 billion global market for VDI, DaaS, and GPU virtualization.
To spearhead its next growth phase, Neverinstall has appointed Ramesh Gopal Krishna as its Chief Revenue Officer. With over 25 years of enterprise sales experience at industry giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Salesforce, he will lead the company's go-to-market strategy. His appointment is crucial for scaling operations across India and other international markets.
Investor and Founder Perspectives
Sunder Nookala, General Partner at EIF, noted that the market is undergoing a fundamental reset driven by hybrid work. He emphasized that Neverinstall's browser-native, cloud-agnostic platform significantly lowers ownership costs while improving performance. This vision aligns with EIF's strategy of backing founders who are re-architecting core enterprise systems for the future.
Co-founder and CEO Lakshman Pasala stated that traditional desktop virtualization is broken for modern enterprises due to its cost and complexity. He explained that Neverinstall built a unified stack from the ground up, backed by extensive research and development. The investment from EIF validates their mission to provide technology that works without vendor lock-in.
This strategic investment from Equirus InnovateX Fund marks a pivotal moment for Neverinstall as it scales its operations. With fresh capital, enhanced leadership, and a proven platform, the company is well-positioned to challenge incumbent VDI providers. Neverinstall's focus on security, flexibility, and cost-efficiency is set to redefine the future of enterprise digital workspaces.