On 7 August 2025, RENÉE Cosmetics made headlines by raising $30 million in its Series C, achieving a $200 million valuation, a testament to its strong growth trajectory and omnichannel ambitions. Meanwhile, in the IT sector, TCS announced upcoming salary hikes for 80% of its workforce, set to take effect from 1 September, even as it proceeds with layoffs, highlighting a careful balancing act between retention and restructuring. Here’s your quick roundup for the top funding deals and key business highlights in India today.
Daily Indian Funding Digest – 7 August 2025
| Company | Funding Round | Amount Raised | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| RENÉE Cosmetics | Series C | $30 million | Playbook (with secondaries from Midas) |
| MangoPoint | Pre‑Series A | $1 million | Inflection Point Ventures |
| Outzidr | Pre‑Series A | ₹27 crore (~$3.1 million) | RTP Global (with Stellaris Venture Partners) |
| Nuuk | Follow‑on Round | Over $2 million (~₹19 crore) | Vertex Ventures SEA & Good Capital |
| NPrep | Pre‑seed | Undisclosed amount | All In Capital, IIMA Ventures, Chegg founder & others |
| Xovian Aerospace | Pre‑seed | $2.5 million | Piper Serica & TurboStart (with IPV & Eaglewings) |
RENÉE Cosmetics Raised $30 Million at $200 Million Valuation
Beauty brand RENÉE Cosmetics has raised $30 million in Series C funding, reaching a $200 million valuation. The round was led by Playbook, with secondary transactions involving Midas. RENÉE aims to drive product innovation, expand its omnichannel presence, and scale its technology and marketing initiatives. The company currently posts an ARR of ₹500 crore and plans to double that figure within two years.
MangoPoint Raised $1 Million in Pre-Series A Round Led by IPV
Chennai-based MangoPoint, which offers chemical-free mangoes through a controlled supply chain, has secured $1 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The fresh capital will be used to enhance infrastructure, expand into new markets, develop backend systems, and grow the product portfolio. MangoPoint currently manages over 2,000 MT of mangoes annually.
Outzidr Raised INR 27 Crore (~$3.1 Million) in Pre-Series A Round
Gen-Z fashion startup Outzidr raised INR 27 crore (~$3.1 million) in a Pre-Series A round led by RTP Global, with additional backing from existing investor Stellaris Venture Partners. Founded in 2024 and launched in February 2025, the company boasts over 100,000 customers and has released 8,000 styles. The funds will help Outzidr launch its first exclusive offline store by March 2026 and scale teams across tech, design, and operations.
Nuuk Raised Over $2 Million in Follow-on Round
D2C home appliance brand Nuuk has raised over $2 million (~₹19 crore) in a follow-on round led by Vertex Ventures SEA and Good Capital. Both had previously participated in Nuuk’s Series A round. With total funding now exceeding $10 million, the company will use the new capital to strengthen its domestic supply chain, increase brand visibility, and boost product development.
NPrep Raised Undisclosed Pre-Seed Funding Led by All In Capital
AI-driven nursing education platform NPrep raised an undisclosed pre-seed round led by All In Capital, with participation from IIMA Ventures, Chegg founder Aayush Phumbhra, and other angels. The platform currently supports over 2 million learners monthly and has onboarded 40,000 users in the last six months. NPrep plans to expand course offerings, enhance AI features, and grow its placement partnerships.
Xovian Aerospace Raised $2.5 Million in Pre-Seed Round
Spacetech firm Xovian Aerospace raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Piper Serica and TurboStart, with additional support from Inflection Point Ventures and Eaglewings Ventures. The Bengaluru-based startup focuses on AI-powered RF nanosatellite systems. The funding will support the development of space-ready hardware, R&D, and upcoming orbital trials.
Key News Highlights from 7 August 2025
Kalaari and Iron Pillar Offload INR 443 Crore Bluestone Stakes Ahead of IPO
Early-stage investors Kalaari Capital and Iron Pillar Fund exited a combined INR 443 crore stake in Bluestone through secondary transactions between February and September 2024. Iron Pillar sold shares worth INR 103 crore to 360 One, while Kalaari conducted two tranches, INR 220 crore to Peak XV on 2 September and ₹120 crore to Steadview Capital on 26 September, priced at INR 5,403 per share. These off-market transfers were disclosed in Bluestone’s December 2024 DRHP, ahead of its upcoming IPO, which now targets a valuation near INR 7,800 crore.
PharmEasy CEO Siddharth Shah Steps Down; Rahul Guha to Take Over
Siddharth Shah, co-founder and current CEO of API Holdings (parent of PharmEasy), is stepping down from his executive role to become Vice Chairman and Director, effective 27 August 2025. Rahul Guha, currently MD and CEO of Thyrocare and President of Operations at API, has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of API Holdings. Guha will continue to lead Thyrocare alongside his new responsibilities.
TCS to Hike Wages for 80% of Workforce from 1 September Amid Layoffs
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will implement delayed annual salary increases for 80% of its workforce, specifically eligible employees up to grade C3A, covering freshers to mid‑level staff, effective 1 September 2025. This decision follows a five-month delay in the appraisal cycle amid planned layoffs affecting over 12,000 mid and senior-level employees. Wage hikes are estimated to range from 4.5% to 7%, with some variation by onshore/offshore roles.
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