StartupTalky

Blog

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 18 June 2025

    Indian startups continue to attract investor interest across various sectors. Fresh funding rounds are helping them grow faster, improve technology, and expand their reach. Here’s a quick look at the key funding highlights from 18 June 2025.

    📰 Funding Summary – 18 June 2025

    Company Funding Round Amount Lead Investors
    Oben Electric Series A (extended) ₹100 crore Helios Holdings, Sharda family office, Kay family, others
    CLR Facility Services Undisclosed stage US $15 million British International Investment
    Seven (payment ring) Pre-Series A ₹4 crore Venture Catalysts (+ Vinners, Anchorage)
    Techfino (NBFC fintech) Equity round ₹65 crore (~US $7.5m) Stellaris Venture Partners, Saison Capital

    Oben Electric

    Oben Electric, a Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has raised INR 100 crore in an extended Series A funding round. This includes INR 50 crore secured earlier this year, bringing its total Series A fundraise to INR 100 crore and overall capital raised to INR 200 crore. The investment will be used to expand its retail footprint across 50+ cities, enhance manufacturing, and strengthen after-sales services. Key investors include Helios Holdings, the Sharda family office, and the Kay family.

    Oben Electric Secures INR 100 Crore to Drive EV Expansion
    Oben Electric, an R&D driven homegrown electric motorcycle manufacturer, has raised INR 100 Cr in Series A funding, including INR 50 Cr in an extended round led by new and existing investors.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

    CLR Facility Services

    CLR Facility Services, a prominent player in the B2B facility management space, has secured US $15 million from British International Investment. The capital will support the company’s mission to professionalise facility services at scale, improve service quality across sectors, and expand operations into more regions. With a growing demand for tech-enabled facility solutions, CLR aims to strengthen its workforce and bring innovation to the highly fragmented FM industry.

    Seven (Payment Ring Startup)

    Mumbai-based fintech startup Seven has raised ₹4 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Venture Catalysts, with participation from Vinners and Anchorage Capital. Known for its innovative NFC-enabled “7 Ring”, a contactless payment ring certified by RuPay and Mastercard, Seven plans to use the funds to boost production, introduce a budget-friendly “7 Ring Air,” and scale distribution. The startup aims to capitalise on the surge in UPI usage by offering a stylish, tap-to-pay wearable that requires no charging or PIN.

    Techfino (NBFC Fintech)

    Techfino, a tech-driven NBFC focused on secured MSME lending, has raised INR 65 crore in equity funding from Stellaris Venture Partners and Saison Capital. The Bengaluru-based company will use the funds to double its branch network, enhance technology infrastructure, and expand its Loan Against Property and education loan portfolios across Tier II and III cities. Founded by ex-bankers, Techfino has already disbursed over 100,000 loans and maintains profitability since its first full financial year.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 17 June 2025
    Here’s your daily roundup of funding activity and key business developments from India on 17 June 2025. From fresh capital raises to leadership changes, here’s everything you need to know today.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Shruti Mishra’s Double Shift: Building a Brand, Raising a Life

    New Delhi [India], June 18:  Every morning, for Shruti Mishra, begins with a quiet ritual, a review of the day’s agenda and a strong cup of coffee. It’s a routine that bridges two very different but equally demanding worlds. On one side, she is the founder and driving force behind Image Stereo Marcom Pvt. Ltd., a boutique strategic communications consultancy that’s reshaping how brands craft and project their identities. On the other hand, she is a deeply present parent, raising a child with the same focus, patience, and intuition she brings into client meetings and board rooms.

    Her journey is anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes it inspiring. Shruti began her career in the adrenaline-charged world of television journalism, working with India’s leading news network, Aaj Tak. Over a decade, she reported from the frontlines of politics, culture, and entertainment, developing a deep instinct for storytelling, narrative framing, and audience psychology — skills that would become the backbone of her future work in branding.

    When she transitioned into the world of marketing and communications, it wasn’t a detour — it was an evolution. At a leading Marcom agency in the NCR region, she rose swiftly from Assistant General Manager to Senior Vice President. Her impact was transformative: she not only led high-impact campaigns but also played a pivotal role in driving organisational growth, nurturing talent, and cultivating a culture rooted in performance, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

    In 2024, she launched Image Stereo, a brand communication and perception agency built around the philosophy of intelligent brand crafting. Unlike traditional agencies, Ilmage Stereo takes a deeply strategic and human-centric approach. It doesn’t just sell services, it offers solutions that position, differentiate, and future-proof brands across industries. In just one year, the firm has carved a niche, attracting a diverse clientele drawn to Shruti’s clarity of vision, nuanced storytelling, and strategic sharpness.

    But the most compelling part of her story isn’t just professional. It’s the way she seamlessly integrates leadership and life. Shruti doesn’t see parenting and entrepreneurship as competing forces; she sees them as complementary. Motherhood, for her, is not a responsibility to be juggled, but a perspective that sharpens her leadership. It has taught her empathy, resilience, and adaptability, qualities that she now brings into every client conversation and team interaction.

    She moves between boardrooms and bedtime rituals not as a balancing act, but as a conscious rhythm, living a life that embraces both ambition and affection, both deadlines and daydreams. She proves that the skills required to lead a company — clarity, consistency, compassion are the very same ones that raise confident, curious children.

    Today, her influence stretches far beyond the brands she builds. Shruti is a respected voice in India’s marketing ecosystem, regularly featured in leading publications such as TOI, NDTV, Zee, Sakal Times, Adgully, and Exchange4Media. She is part of the prestigious G100 Media Arts & Communication global leadership circle and consults with global corporations through GLG (USA), bringing sharp insight and human-first strategy to the table. Her work and vision have earned her industry recognition, including the Business World Award for Emerging Marcom Leader of the Year — a testament to her rising impact in the world of strategic communication.

    Amid all this, Shruti remains grounded — a mother, a mentor, and a role model. Her life is a remarkable testament to the fact that a woman can lead fearlessly in boardrooms, build a business from the ground up, and still come home to the warm chaos of motherhood, with the same energy, commitment, and heart.

    Shruti Mishra’s story is not just one of professional ascent; it’s a story of transformation, passion, and purpose. For the younger generation, especially women dreaming of achieving it all, she is living proof that with the right blend of persistence, vision, and courage, nothing is out of reach.

    Mompreneurs Share Tips on Balancing Business and Motherhood
    This Mother’s Day 2024, get expert tips from the most amazing mompreneurs on balancing both being a mom and running a business.
    StartupTalkySubham Kumar

  • Amazon CEO Signals More Layoffs Ahead in Aggressive Cost-Cutting Push

    Amazon has alluded to additional layoffs in the upcoming years in a recent letter to its staff. In a recent letter to his staff, Andy Jassy, the CEO of Amazon, outlined a clear vision for the company’s future.

    According to the letter, there will be significant changes in the workforce as a result of the increased emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), including possible cutbacks in corporate employment responsibilities.

    Jassy underlined how AI is used throughout Amazon’s extensive operations, pointing to its use in Alexa, shopping features, and internal operations. He described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technical development that may open up new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.

    Underlining the Potential of Generative AI

    While showcasing the amazing capabilities of generative AI, Jassy pointed out that such technologies are uncommon; they only come along once in a lifetime and fundamentally alter the possibilities for consumers and companies.

    As a result, Amazon is making significant investments, and its progress is clear. It is evident in the way that Amazon is introducing Alexa+, its next-generation Alexa personal assistant, which is significantly smarter and more capable and the first to be able to take important actions for users in addition to intelligently responding to almost any query.

    He went on to say that tens of millions of people worldwide use Amazon’s AI shopping assistant to find new products and make better-educated decisions about what to buy.

    Jassy continued by concentrating on how Amazon is using generative AI to improve the efficiency of its internal processes.  He added that the business is utilising generative AI extensively in all aspects of its internal operations.

    Amazon is utilising artificial intelligence (AI) in its fulfilment network to enhance demand forecasting, inventory positioning, and robot efficiency, all of which have increased delivery speed and cost to serve.

    With the help of GenAI, it has redesigned its customer service chatbot, offering an even better experience than before. Additionally, it is using GenAI to create product description pages that are more intelligent and captivating.

    Infusion of More AI Means Leaner Workforce-Jassy

    Jassy made hints about how the workforce will be impacted by the use of AI. He mentioned that Amazon will require fewer individuals to perform certain tasks than it currently does, while a greater number of individuals will be required to perform other categories of jobs.

    Although it’s difficult to predict exactly where this will end up, the company anticipates that, as it improves efficiency from implementing AI widely throughout the organisation, it will shrink its overall headcount in the coming years.

    As the company undergoes this transition, Jassy advised his staff to be curious about artificial intelligence (AI), educate themselves, attend workshops and trainings, use and experiment with AI whenever possible, take part in team brainstorming sessions.

    All these steps are necessary to determine how to innovate for Amazon’s customers more rapidly and extensively, and work more efficiently with more resilient teams.

  • Pine Labs Business Model | How Pine Labs Makes Money

    Pine Labs is a top supplier of retail point of sale (POS) systems that streamline payment acceptance and open up business opportunities for ecosystem members. In India, only Pine Labs POS systems are approved by Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. In 3000 cities and towns in India and Malaysia, Pine Labs provides services to over 30,000 shops. In India, Pine Labs has launched a number of cutting-edge goods and services, such as the well-known “ePOS”, the “Pine Labs POS”, and the standalone payment terminal “Plutus”. ‘Pine Labs Plutus Smart’ is a cloud-based payment technology that Pine Labs has introduced to help merchants accept a variety of payment methods.

    About Pine Labs
    Pine Labs’ Business Model
    How Pine Labs Makes Money?
    USP of Pine Labs
    Pine Labs SWOT Analysis

    About Pine Labs

    Founded by Lokvir Kapoor, Rajul Garg, and Tarun Upadhyay in 1998, Pine Labs is an Indian fintech startup that focuses on offering financial services and payment solutions to businesses. Through creative and technologically advanced solutions, the company aims to improve the payments experience for both customers and merchants. Point-of-sale (POS) systems, payment terminals, and integrated payment solutions are just a few of the items that Pinelabs provides to let businesses accept a variety of payment methods.

    Pine Labs Company Profile – Bettering Retail Transactions | Business Model | Founders | History
    Pine Labs is an Indian fintech company that provides financing and transaction technology to merchants with its POS machines. Know about its business model, founders, Growth, Revenue, Funding, and more. Know more on Pine Labs Wikipedia.
    StartupTalkySarika Anand

    Pine Labs’ Business Model

    The transaction-based model is the main component of Pine Labs’ business strategy. Transaction fees are paid by merchants who use Pine Labs’ payment infrastructure for every payment made via the business’ systems. The selling of POS systems and other hardware completes this model and adds to the company’s sources of income. In order to open up new revenue streams, Pine Labs also offers value-added services including data analytics, loyalty plans, and financing alternatives for retailers. The company has become a major force in India’s payment and financial services market thanks to its dedication to technology innovation, security, and customer-centric solutions. Pine Labs keeps improving its products to satisfy the shifting demands of companies in the ever-evolving payment sector.

    How Pine Labs Makes Money?

    Transaction and subscription fees are the main sources of income for the company.

    • Revenue Through POS Devices: Pine Labs provides a variety of point-of-sale (POS) devices for businesses to employ in order to take electronic payments. These gadgets range from simple tabletop terminals to more sophisticated wireless and mobile options. For every payment made via its point-of-sale (POS) devices, the business charges a transaction fee. Based on the payment method and the merchant’s price structure, the fee is usually a percentage of the transaction amount, ranging from 0.5% to 2%.
    • Revenue Through Payment Gateway: Every time a payment is made using the company’s payment gateway, a transaction fee is also assessed. The cost is usually a percentage of the transaction amount, with a range of 1% to 3% based on the merchant’s pricing strategy and the manner of payment. In addition, Pine Labs charges an annual maintenance fee and a setup cost for its payment gateway solutions.
    • Revenue Through Value Added Services: A variety of value-added services are available from Pine Labs to assist retailers in increasing consumer loyalty and engagement. These services include cashback incentives, EMI plans, loyalty programmes, and other promotions. For a monthly fee, usually determined by the volume of transactions or the size of the merchant’s business, merchants can sign up for these services.
    • Revenue Through Various Partnerships: In India and other nations, Pine Labs has alliances with significant banks and financial organisations. Through these collaborations, Pine Labs is able to provide its payment solutions to a large number of merchants in addition to offering other services like insurance and lending products. For every merchant who registers up for Pine Labs’ services, its partners may occasionally pay the company a commission or referral fee.

    USP of Pine Labs

    The unique selling proposition (USP) of Pine Labs is its full range of business payment solutions, which include value-added services that improve customer satisfaction and expedite operations in addition to online and offline payment processing. Features like Pay by SMS/Pay by Link, Dynamic Currency Conversion, quick cashback on PoS, and connectivity with banks and digital wallets are some of their main differentiators.

    Pine Labs SWOT Analysis

    Pine Labs SWOT Analysis
    Pine Labs SWOT Analysis

    Strengths

    • Pine Labs’ extensive network of merchants from a variety of industries serves as a strong basis for its commerce and payment solutions.
    • To meet the various demands of merchants, they provide a variety of products, such as POS terminals, payment gateway solutions, loyalty programmes, and financing choices.
    • To improve their products and client experiences, they are making significant investments in technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based solutions.

    Weaknesses

    • Because transaction fees account for a sizable amount of Pine Labs’ revenue, the company is susceptible to shifts in the market and in the volume of transactions.
    • Pine Labs’ losses have reportedly increased thrice in the most recent fiscal year, despite a little gain in revenue.
    • India is a sizable market, but if a business relies too much on one area, it may be vulnerable to hazards related to regional laws and economic situations.

    Opportunities

    • Pine Labs can look into ways to build its business in nations with developing economies and increasing demand for digital payments.
    • Pine Labs has a great chance to grow its user base and transaction volume as a result of the general expansion of the digital payments industry.
    • Pine Labs can increase the scope of its merchant financing solutions and loyalty programmes, generating more income and enhancing client connections.

    Threats

    • There are many companies fighting for market share in the fiercely competitive fintech sector. Pine Labs’ pricing, sales, and profitability may be impacted by heightened competition.
    • Pine Labs must maintain strong security measures and continual attention since, as a payment processor, it is constantly at risk from fraud, data breaches, and cyberattacks.
    • If Pine Labs doesn’t develop and adapt, they may be threatened by changes in consumer preferences towards new payment methods or technology.

    Conclusion

    Pine Labs is, all things considered, in a strong position to benefit from the rising demand in India and Southeast Asia for financial technology solutions and digital payments. The company’s emphasis on innovation, growth, and strategic alliances will support its continued leadership in the sector and propel its expansion.

    FAQs

    What is Pine Labs?

    Pine Labs is an Indian merchant platform company that provides financing and last-mile retail transaction technology.

    Who are Pine Labs founders?

    Lokvir Kapoor, Rajul Garg, and Tarun Upadhyay are the founders of Pine Labs.

    What is Pine Labs business model?

    Pine Labs operates a merchant-focused payments and lending platform. It provides point-of-sale (POS) terminals, buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, gift card solutions, and payment processing for businesses. It earns revenue from transaction fees, device sales, and lending commissions.

  • FirstCry Subsidiary GlobalBees Faces Insolvency Plea Over INR 65 Crore Dues

    An insolvency plea has been filed against its substantial subsidiary, GlobalBees Brands, over claimed unpaid dues of almost INR 65 crore, according to Brainbees Solutions, the parent company of omnichannel baby products store FirstCry.

    Ashutosh Garg, Paritosh Garg, and Manju Agarwal have petitioned the National Company Law Tribunal’s (NCLT) New Delhi bench under Section 7 of the bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in an attempt to start bankruptcy proceedings against GlobalBees, according to a filing made to stock markets on June 18 by Brainbees.

    The total amount requested is INR 64.92 crore, with interest at the rate of 18% per year starting on May 9, 2025.

    GlobalBees Planning to Challenge the Plea

    According to Brainbees, GlobalBees, which owns and invests in a portfolio of consumer brands that prioritise digital technology, is actively looking for legal counsel and intends to contest the plea even during the admissions process.

    In the filing, the company stated that it is impossible to determine the financial impact on the company and that it depends on how the aforementioned proceedings and any ensuing legal challenges turn out.

    Financial Dynamics of FirstCry

    According to a business filing on May 26, FirstCry recorded a net loss of INR 111.5 crore for the fourth quarter of FY25, which increased from INR 43.2 crore in the same period last year.

    In the prior quarter, FirstCry posted a loss of INR 14.7 crore. One factor contributing to the company’s losses in the March quarter was a one-time loss of INR 36.7 crore.

    Nonetheless, the loss for the entire fiscal year decreased by 18% to INR 264.8 crore in FY25 from INR 321.5 crore the year before. In Q4FY25, the company’s operating revenue increased 16% year over year to INR 1,930.3 crore from INR 1,668.9 crore the previous year.

    Compared to INR 2,172.3 crore in the prior quarter, the revenue decreased by 11%. In FY25, the company’s consolidated operating revenue was INR 7,810.1 crore, a 19% increase over FY24’s INR 6,550 crore.

    Brainbees’ Financial Outlook

     In contrast, the FirstCry parent company’s total expenses rose 17% to INR 1,914.4 crore in the quarter that ended in March, from INR 1,633.7 crore in the same period last year and INR 2,064.4 crore in the previous quarter.

    The company’s expenses for the entire year totalled INR 7,429.6 crore, a 16% increase over INR 6,410.4 crore the year before.

    According to multiple news reports, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) carried out a significant search and seizure at a FirstCry warehouse the day after it released its quarterly results.

    The items seized included toys, sippers, and other items valued at nearly INR 1.43 crore, which were allegedly sold without the required BIS certification.

  • illumine Secures $2.5M Seed Funding from Prime Venture Partners to Scale AI-Driven Childcare Management Globally

    illumine, a startup transforming early childhood education through AI, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding from Prime Venture Partners. The funding will accelerate illumine’s product development and international expansion, as the company aims to become the global standard for childcare management software.

    The idea for illumine was born from a deeply personal experience. Navneet Rastogi, Co-founder and CEO of illumine, missed a key milestone in his son’s early life, his first steps, while his child was at daycare. “I only found out weeks later,” Rastogi recalls. It was a moment that should have brought joy in real-time, but instead, it slipped by unnoticed. That’s when I realised just how disconnected and outdated communication in childcare really is. This incident sparked the vision for illumine: a technology platform that keeps parents connected, educators supported, and centres empowered”. 

    The startup addresses a long-overlooked challenge in a rapidly growing industry. As the number of dual-income households increases, so does the demand for quality childcare. But how do most childcares cater to this when they continue to operate with disjointed systems and outdated manual processes? illumine solves this by offering the world’s first vertical AI SaaS platform built specifically for childcare. Already used by more than 3,000 centres across 56 countries — including the U.S., UAE, Southeast Asia, Europe, and India — illumine has rapidly become a go-to solution for early education providers.

    “Parents invest thousands of dollars annually in their children’s early education, yet the childcare industry remains surprisingly underserved by modern technology. This results in a frustrating experience for parents, teachers get bogged down in administrative tasks instead of focusing on education, and centers miss out on growth opportunities,” said Shripati Acharya, Partner at Prime Venture Partners. “We are excited to back the illumine team, which is transforming this space with their AI-first vertical solution that simplifies every aspect of running a childcare center while improving outcomes for children, parents, and educators alike.” 

    The Co-founders further underscored illumine’s commitment to purposeful innovation in the early years segment. “At illumine, we’re building AI that goes beyond automation — every feature is thoughtfully designed to support the complexity and diversity of childcare providers around the world,” said Sourabh Agarwal, CTO of illumine. “Whether it’s a single preschool or a multi-center operation, the system is built to flex and adapt to each centre’s unique needs,” added Purva Goyal, the CPO.

    With this new round of funding, illumine plans to continue setting global benchmarks for childcare management, with a firm focus on innovation, educator empowerment, and helping childcare owners scale with confidence.

    About illumine

    illumine is the world’s first AI-powered, full-stack childcare management platform. Purpose-built for preschools and childcare centres, illumine streamlines operations, enhances communication, and delivers intelligent insights — all in one intuitive system. With a presence in 56 countries and growing, illumine is on a mission to transform early childhood education through technology that supports educators, reassures parents, and empowers childcare owners to grow.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 17 June 2025
    Here’s your daily roundup of funding activity and key business developments from India on 17 June 2025. From fresh capital raises to leadership changes, here’s everything you need to know today.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • TCS Imposes 35-Day Bench Limit, Mandates 225 Billing Days Annually for Employees

    Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has implemented a revised associate deployment strategy that requires a minimum of 225 business days of billing yearly in an effort to tighten resource utilisation and decrease idle time.

    This restricts bench time to 35 days annually, forcing workers to actively look for projects or face potential career consequences.

    According to a media channel, the new regulations, which go into effect on June 12, are a part of TCS’s internal initiative to increase efficiency as the IT services sector struggles with slow development as a result of uncertain macroeconomic conditions.

    The Global Head of the Resource Management Group (RMG), Chandrasekaran Ramkumar, sent out an internal communication announcing the modification.

    Employees will Face Severe Consequences for not Following Modifications

    According to the guideline, associates must be assigned for at least 225 working days annually.

    According to the statement, associates who are left unallocated after the limit may experience negative effects on their pay, promotions, abroad postings, and even their ability to continue working.

    The TCS communication states that it is the associate’s primary commitment to be proactive, connect with regional RMG, and pursue appropriate prospects, putting the onus allegedly entirely on the employees.

    To stay deployment-ready, associates without active project allocations need to complete all training courses, use tools like the Gen AI interview coach, and spend four to six hours a day on learning platforms like iEvolve, VLS, and Fresco Play.

    Freshers to be on Their Toes

    The business has made it clear that on their first day, new hires should be given projects to work on. Newcomers have been advised to contact RMG immediately for assistance if it doesn’t.

    According to a story published by a media outlet, the corporation has expressed concern over its employees’ frequent switching between short-term contracts. In the message, they mentioned that if this occurs regularly, HR may take action to look into the issue, which might have dire repercussions.

    According to the new policy, working from the office is the norm when it comes to working arrangements. Flexibility or remote work will only be permitted in certain circumstances, such as a personal emergency, and will require prior RMG approval.

    TCS has emphasised that failure to abide by this policy may lead to severe consequences, including termination. Additionally, TCS has issued a warning against making frequent short-term allocations across multiple projects. According to the rules, these kinds of trends could result in disciplinary action and HR investigations.

  • Physis Capital Crosses INR 200 Crore in Fundraise to Fuel 15–20 High-Impact Tech Startups by 2025

    • Leading institutional investors and family offices such as SUD Life, Haldiram’s Family Office, Lotus Holdings, and Narayana Nethralaya join Physis Capital as LPs
    • Final close expected in the next six to nine months
    • Physis to invest in high-impact, tech-driven startups from Pre Series A to Series B rounds
    • Aims to build a select portfolio of 15 — 20 startups
    • First cheque size will be in the range of $1-1.5 million, with a top-up of $1-4 million in high-performing startups from the portfolio 
    • Physis Capital has invested in three companies so far: Ben & Gaws, CTPL, and STAGE

    Physis Capital, the growth-stage venture fund established by Vinay Bansal, Ankur Mittal and Mitesh Shah, the powerhouse team behind Inflection Point Ventures, have announced reaching an important milestone in the fundraising journey. The fund has raised over INR 200+ crore to date, with the remaining capital expected to be secured over the next 6 to 9 months. 

    Following its first close, Physis Capital has been actively raising the corpus from family offices, HNIs, and institutional investors, who have played a pivotal role in the fund’s early momentum. The fund has seen strong participation from marquee backers, including SUD Life – a joint venture between Bank of India, Union Bank of India, and Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Holdings (managing over INR 31,000 crore in AUM). Other notable investors include Narayana Nethralaya, a NABH-accredited eye care institution in Bangalore, and prominent family offices like Haldiram’s and Lotus Holdings.

    Focused on high-impact, tech-driven startups from Pre-Series A to Series B, Physis backs bold founders solving real-world problems through innovation, with the potential to scale sustainably and win big.

    Commenting on the milestone reached by Physis, Mr. Vinay Bansal, General Partner, Physis Capital says, “With strong support from marquee investors and a clear focus on founder-first investing, Physis Capital is well-positioned to back the next wave of high-impact startups in India – partnering with bold, ambitious teams to drive long-term, sustainable growth. We are on track to build a portfolio of 15+ companies by the first half of next year. At present, we have 8 deals in the pipeline and are confident about issuing term sheets for 3–4 of them in the coming months. These investments are expected to close within the next 2 quarters. The pipeline spans diverse sectors, including healthtech, fintech, consumer brands, and quick commerce.”

    Physis Capital is powered by a global network of experienced CXOs, senior advisors, and operators across 10+ countries. “Our LPs bring more than just capital — they bring unmatched strategic insights and deep industry expertise that help us make sharper, more impactful investment decisions. Their active, hands-on involvement adds substantial value, propelling our portfolio companies as they scale across diverse markets and sectors,” says Ankur Mittal, General Partner, Physis Capital.

    Physis Capital is led by a seasoned leadership team of IPV, whose combined experience spans operations, finance, and venture investing. Vinay Bansal, with over 24 years of experience, brings a rare blend of turnaround expertise and growth-stage leadership. He has played pivotal roles in transforming businesses like Vishal Mega Mart and Healthium, and has successfully taken companies such as Campus Shoes, RR Kabel, and Dodla Dairy to IPO. At Wildcraft and Milkbasket, he helped scale operations from the ground up, and later founded Inflection Point Ventures’ first fund. Vinay leads Physis’ investments across Retail, E-commerce, Agri-Tech, Consumer-Tech, Health-Tech, and Sports & Fitness.

    Ankur Mittal brings over 22 years of deep financial expertise, having worked in M&A and valuation across New York and London with institutions like Credit Suisse and Citigroup. He built Training the Street (TTS) into one of Asia’s premier financial Phygital training companies, where he worked closely with the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and top-tier global universities. At Physis, he drives investments in Fin-Tech, SaaS, Enterprise Tech, Ed-Tech, Deep-Tech, and Logistics, where his institutional lens adds significant value.

    Mitesh Shah, with 22+ years of experience, has been instrumental in scaling two of India’s most iconic consumer-tech companies—Ola and BookMyShow. A former Sequoia scout and ranked #32 on Fortune India’s Top 100 Investors list, Mitesh is known for backing innovative, high-growth ventures. He leads investments in Mobility, Auto-Tech, Content, Social Media, Climate-Tech, FinTech, and Consumer-Tech.

    Physis recently made its third investment in STAGE, a hyperlocal OTT platform creating content in Indian dialects like Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and Bhojpuri, serving regional audiences across the country. The fund aims to deploy capital in 15 – 20 startups by next year as it reaches its final close, which is expected in the next 6 – 9 months. 

    Inflection Point Ventures Secures 14 Exits in 2024, Delivers ~36%
    Inflection Point Ventures, the most active angel network in India, announces 14 exits from 2024, delivering an IRR of ~36% and reinforcing its ability to generate liquidity for its investors.
    StartupTalkyMuskaan Kapoor

  • Oben Electric Closes INR 100 Crore Series A Round to Boost Retail and Product Growth in FY26

    • Extended Series A saw participation from Helios Holdings, Sharda family office, Kay family, and other existing investors
    • Funding to accelerate expansion to 150+ showrooms across 50+ cities in FY26, deepen product development via the new ‘O100’ platform, and scale production infrastructure within the existing facility

    Oben Electric, an R&D driven homegrown electric motorcycle manufacturer, has raised additional INR 50 Crore in May 2025 through an extended Series A funding round. The extended series A round follows series A round of INR 50 Crore raise in January 2025, bringing the total Series A funding to INR 100 Crore and overall funding raised to INR 200 Crore. The round saw participation from new and existing investors, including Helios Holdings, Sharda family office, Kay family and other new & existing investors. This fund raise signals strong investor conviction in Oben Electric’s consistent growth, product quality, financial metrics and electric motorcycle segment leadership.

    Mr. Sandesh from Sharda family office commented: “Oben Electric had the right technology, product market fit and growth indicators. They are operating in an untapped large market opportunity with multi-fold revenue growth QoQ. The feedback of the electric motorcycle was great, and their vertical integration of critical EV components, including LFP battery, motor and vehicle control unit, is a key differentiator. We were also impressed by the maturity of the founders, which is required to build such a large & complex business and believe that they would be successful in building the first global electric motorcycle brand from India.”

    This latest infusion of funds will power Oben Electric’s continuing growth and accelerate its expansion to over 150 showrooms across 50+ cities by FY26, fast-tracking product development of the company’s new ‘O100’ platform for affordable electric motorcycles under INR 1 lakh, and scaling up its manufacturing within Bangalore facility and strengthening its after-sales service network across markets.

    Following the initial Series A raise, Oben Electric rapidly scaled with 37 retail outlets across 26 cities in 13 states, entering key markets like Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, underscoring strong post-funding execution and demand.

    Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO of Oben Electric, said, “The extended Series A funding is a strong vote of confidence from our investors and comes at a time when our momentum is accelerating nationwide. We’re expanding not just our retail footprint but also our innovation roadmap with platforms like O100 that aim to democratise electric motorcycles for the mass market. Backed by full vertical integration and a resilient supply chain, this funding prepares us for a new phase of scale, impact, and growth opportunities.”

    Oben Electric stands apart as an R&D-led, vertically integrated company, designing and manufacturing not just electric motorcycles but also all critical components, including batteries, motors, vehicle control units, and home fast chargers. Backed by a 500+ member expert team, Oben operates a fully compliant, 100,000-units-per-year manufacturing facility in Jigani, Bengaluru, supported by a strong domestic supply chain of 150+ vendors. Its e-motorcycles undergo testing across 200+ performance parameters and are supported by 68,000+ public charging stations and 10+ ecosystem partners for insurance, financing, and roadside assistance.

    Oben Electric has emerged as a preferred choice for daily commuters with its Rorr electric motorcycle lineup. The Oben Rorr EZ, starting at INR 99,999, is tailored for city commuters with rapid acceleration (0–40 km/h in just 3.3 seconds), a top speed of 95 km/h, and a range of up to 175 km (IDC) across three battery variants. Alongside, the company continues to offer its flagship Oben Rorr, known for delivering high-performance electric mobility. Both motorcycles are powered by high-performance LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery technology, a first in India’s electric two-wheeler segment, ensuring superior durability, safety, and consistent performance across extreme weather conditions.

    Looking ahead, Oben Electric plans to raise $30 million in Series B in 2025 to support international expansion and further scale-up of production and product lines, building on its vision of “Designed in India for the World.”

    About Oben Electric

    Oben Electric is an R&D-driven electric motorcycle organisation founded in August 2020 and headquartered in Bengaluru. Oben Electric specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing performance electric motorcycles and its critical EV components in-house, here in India. With a team of passionate technologists with over 25 years of collective hands-on experience in the electric vehicle R&D, Oben Electric focuses on “Design in India for the World.”

    The company has been at the forefront of transforming the electric two-wheeler landscape in India by introducing several groundbreaking initiatives. Oben Electric pioneers the use of advanced battery chemistry, such as LFP, in electric two-wheelers, offering enhanced safety, longer range, and cleaner operation compared to other widely used battery chemistries. Additionally, the company holds more than 25 patents for its proprietary technology and EV components.

    As an early entrant in the electric motorcycle market, Oben Electric is leading the adoption of electric motorcycles in India, which happens to be the world’s largest motorcycle market. With limited competition at present, the company aims to become the largest electric motorcycle OEM globally. Their vision is to revolutionise the industry by providing cutting-edge electric mobility solutions that cater to the diverse needs of riders.

    Oben Electric Set to Launch O100 for 100cc EV Segment
    Oben Electric, India’s leading homegrown R&D driven electric motorcycle manufacturer, today announced that it is working on its second indigenous electric motorcycle platform, O100 (Pronounced as O Hundred).
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Geoffrey Hinton ‘Godfather of AI’ Warns of Mass Unemployment

    According to Geoffrey Hinton, the “Godfather of AI”, certain occupations are less vulnerable to AI’s replacement than others.

    Hinton stated that AI has the potential to result in widespread unemployment, particularly in white-collar jobs, in an interview that was broadcast on 17 June on the “Diary of a CEO” podcast.

    Hinton restated his claim that AI is better and said he believes AI would simply replace all people in mundane intellectual labour. White-collar jobs are referred to as “mundane intellectual labour”.

    Additionally, he clarified that AI would assume the human form and perform tasks that were previously performed by ten people.

    Because of the possibility of automation, Hinton stated that he would be “terrified” to work in a call centre at this time. But he noted that it will take longer for AI to displace blue-collar jobs.

    “I think it will be a long time before AI is as good at physical manipulation,” Hinton stated in the podcast. Therefore, being a plumber would be a wise choice, he added.

    AI Creating New Jobs is a Myth-Hinton

    Hinton questioned the idea that AI will lead to the creation of new jobs in the podcast, pointing out that if AI were to automate intellectual work, human labour would become scarce.

    According to Hinton, a task that AI simply couldn’t perform requires a highly skilled individual. In an effort to please its investors, OpenAI recently revealed plans to restructure its business, turning its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation (PBC).

     As per a media site, OpenAI stated that the plan will enable it to generate additional funds in order to stay competitive in the costly AI race.

    Some critics, however, expressed alarm, saying that while the proposal may be a positive beginning, it falls short of providing sufficient assurance that OpenAI will remain true to its initial goal of creating artificial intelligence for the good of humanity.

    Geoffrey Hinton and former OpenAI staff members are among the detractors. They said that the proposed restructure of OpenAI would have prioritised the financial interests of investors over the general welfare.

    According to a media report, Elon Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI and current rival through his business xAI, also opposed the plan on the same reasons and is suing OpenAI for violating the terms of the company’s founding agreement.

    About Geoffrey Hinton

    The 78-year-old Geoffrey Hinton is known as the “Godfather of AI” because of his work on neural networks, which he began in the late 1970s. He teaches computer science at the University of Toronto and was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in machine learning (ML).