On 12 June 2025, several Indian companies raised fresh funds to grow their businesses. The funding came from well-known investors and covered areas like health, technology, finance, and fashion. Here’s a look at today’s funding roundup.
🚀 Indian Startup Funding Digest – 12 June 2025
Startup
Sector
Amount Raised
Stage
Lead Investor(s) & Key Details
Iom Bioworks
Microbiome Healthtech
₹4 crore
Seed
Inflection Point Ventures (IPV)
Repello AI
AI Security
$1.2 million (~₹10.2 crore)
Seed
Venture Highway, Pi Ventures, Entrepreneur First, angels
PlutoPe
DeFi / Crypto Wallet
$500 K (~₹4.17 crore)
Pre‑Seed
Manit Gupta, EvolveX, others
Kisah Apparels
Men’s Ethnic Fashion
₹13 crore
Pre‑Series A
Sagar Daryani, Apoorv Salarpuria, IPV, others
Iom Bioworks: INR 4 Crore for Microbiome-driven Healthtech
Bengaluru’s Iom Bioworks, specialising in personalised gut microbiome healthcare, has secured INR 4 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). The company, founded in 2022 by Bipin Pradeep Kumar, Dr Samik Ghosh, and Dr Hiroaki Kitano, leverages AI-driven gut profiling and prebiotic recommendations. The investment will bolster marketing, IP protection, infrastructure, and the growth of scientific and commercial teams. In its first year, it served over 500 customers, holds two granted patents (with two more pending), and publishes in peer-reviewed journals.
Repello AI: $1.2 Million to Fortify GenAI Security
Repello AI, founded in 2024 by IIT Roorkee alumni Aryaman Behera and Naman Mishra and based in Bengaluru and San Francisco, has raised $1.2 million in a seed round. Leading investors include Venture Highway, Pi Ventures, Entrepreneur First, and angels like Charles Songhurst, Vivek Raghavan, and Satya Vyas. The company offers a continuous red‑teaming platform for securing Generative AI, with flagship products ARTEMIS and Repello Guard. Funds will support R&D, threat intelligence, rapid go‑to‑market growth, and strategic alliances.
PlutoPe: $500K Pre‑Seed for Crypto Wallet & DeFi Services
PlutoPe, a non‑custodial crypto wallet and Web3 payment platform founded by Kumar Chetan Tyagi in 2022, has secured $500k (≈INR 4.17–5 crore) in its pre‑seed round led by Manit Gupta. The startup plans to expand its global user base, deepen engagement in emerging markets, and roll out crypto debit cards, multi‑chain swaps, remittances, and merchant infrastructure across MENA, SEA, LATAM, and India.
Kisah Apparels: INR 13 Crore for Offline & D2C Growth
Kolkata-based Kisah Apparels, a men’s ethnic‐wear brand founded in 2018 by Yash Sarawagi and Yashwi Ladasaria, has raised INR 13 crore in its pre‑Series A round, roughly $1.52 million. The round was led by Sagar Daryani (Wow Momo founder), with participation from Apoorv Salarpuria, Rahul Todi, Vinod Dugar, and IPV. Funds will help expand the offline retail network (currently two stores) and strengthen D2C operations, marketing, and product development.
The world is at a critical stage in terms of global warming and environmental degradation. This is why brands are now looking at new and improved ways to reduce their carbon footprint and industrial waste.
The concept of ‘cradle to cradle’ stewardship, accepting the responsibility of a product from procurement of materials to final disposal, is now being highlighted. Packaging materials are some of the largest contributors to ecological waste, and companies are now looking at eco-friendly options to reduce their waste.
As a result, there is now a market for environmentally friendly alternatives to packaging, especially in India. As per recent reports, the global eco-friendly packaging market is projected to reach USD 413.8 billion by 2027, and India is expected to play a major role in this.
Why Should You Start an Eco-Friendly Packaging Business business in India?
India has a large customer base with multiple manufacturing areas, which makes it perfect for eco-friendly packaging. The country’s youth are environmentally conscious and take their ideas into the boardrooms.
With the jump in startups and young entrepreneurs happening in India, there is a much bigger market for eco-friendly packaging here rather than anywhere else in the world.
You will need to identify reliable suppliers for the raw materials you need to make your eco-friendly packaging. But to build long-term partnerships, you need to first understand the type of packaging you want to make. This includes:
Biodegradable plastics are made from cornstarch, sugarcane, or cassava and are widely used in the food and pharma industries.
Paper packaging that is cost-effective, biodegradable, and can be customized easily. This is used across the eCommerce and FMCG sectors.
Cardboard is widely used for its biodegradability, sturdiness, and cost-effectiveness. This is favoured mostly in the shipping and storage industries.
Biodegradable foam is an affordable and scalable choice made from wheat or cornstarch. It is lightweight and a smart alternative to thermocol that is used by eCommerce and B2B logistics companies.
Mushroom packaging grown from mycelium and agricultural wastes is perfect for fragile items such as glassware and electronics.
Bamboo packaging is common in cosmetics, cutlery, and luxury industries as it is made from fast-growing and renewable products.
The Indian government actively supports businesses that promote sustainable practices and those entering the eco-friendly packaging business. Some examples of government support include:
Plastic Waste Management Rules (Updated 2022): Banning all single-use plastics and mandatory inclusion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPS) to encourage brands to shift to sustainable packaging.
Startup India Benefits: New eco-friendly packaging startups can get tax exemptions, access to funds, and fast regulatory clearance as compared to other industries.
MSME and ZED Schemes: Small businesses can get collateral-free loans, subsidies, and Zero Defect Zero Effect certifications to adopt green practices.
State-level incentives: States like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra provide land subsidies, power tariff discounts, and offer capital grants to green manufacturers to encourage the production and sale of eco-friendly packaging.
What Are Some Challenges that You Might face when setting up an eco-friendly packaging business in India?
Building and running an eco-friendly packaging business is highly rewarding, but it does have its fair share of challenges. These include:
Initial costs are high: Sustainable raw materials and technology generally cost more than traditional options.
Limitations in the local supply chain: It can be quite difficult to gain access to biodegradable materials based on geography.
Awareness of customers: Many customers and businesses are still prioritizing price over sustainability, which makes the change to eco-friendly packaging slower.
Compliance issues: It can be very difficult to manage compliance, such as navigating regulatory approvals, getting certifications, and understanding waste disposal rules.
Conclusion
An eco-friendly packaging business in India is a highly lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs who are looking to help save the environment while running a successful business. If you have the right planning, proper execution, and a concrete marketing strategy in place, then you can set up a thriving business in this highly popular industry.
By introducing sustainable packaging, you are not only helping other companies reduce their carbon footprint but also making a better world for the next generations. Also, if you adopt green methods in your daily operations, you can optimize performance and align your business goals with those of your clients to create a strong environment-saving reputation.
Eco-friendly packaging refers to packaging solutions made from biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable materials that reduce environmental impact.
Is eco-friendly packaging profitable in India?
Yes, with increasing environmental awareness, strict government policies, and consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, eco-friendly packaging offers strong long-term profitability and brand value for entrepreneurs.
What are the best materials for eco-friendly packaging?
This article has been contributed by Mandar Lande, Cofounder & CEO of Waayu.
Food delivery apps are now a standard element of daily life. With a few clicks, a hot meal is delivered to your doorstep with no preparation, no cleanup, just immediate pleasure. What was once a luxury has now become a default choice, in big cities as well as in tier 2 and 3 cities. However, beneath this apparent simplicity lies a complex network of economic trade-offs. The real cost of food delivery isn’t just about service charges and tips; it shows up in shrinking restaurant profits, unstable gig work, and the growing dominance of delivery platforms.
The approach of food delivery platforms seems straightforward: more access for consumers, more reach for restaurants, and flexible incomes for workers. On the surface, consumers seem to be the winners. They receive variety, quickness, and ease of use. However, there are certain drawbacks that customers and restaurants face.
The Subtle Economics of Food Delivery
Although online food delivery platforms provide visibility and volume, the cost usually falls on the small and mid-sized food operations that are just trying to keep their heads above water. There are also some challenges, which includes :
Tight Margins for Restaurants: Delivery platforms take a commission of 25–35% from restaurants, a big slice out of a profit margin. Restaurants also pay for other services such as rank boosts in order to remain seen and competitive on these apps, squeezing their profits even more.
Hidden Costs for Consumers: When all other fees are taken into account, a meal that seems reasonably priced at INR 250 can easily become more than INR 400. These include taxes, platform commissions, delivery fees, and packaging expenses; many of these are not readily apparent until the last payment screen. Customers are frequently caught off guard by this large markup, which causes a discrepancy between perceived and actual value. These unstated expenses have the potential to significantly raise a customer’s overall food delivery expenditures over time, making it less cost-effective than it first appears.
Exposure Without Sustainability: Small restaurants can reach a wider audience and gain visibility through platforms like Zomato, but many find it difficult to make ends meet due to the high commissions (up to 30%), required ad spends, and additional delivery costs. After platform deductions, owners frequently receive little to no profit, which eventually makes what initially appears to be growth into an unsustainable business model.
Insecure Gig Work: Despite being essential to the system, delivery workers often receive the least compensation and have minimal protections. With traffic, inclement weather, and late nights, they endure to bring home low, irregular pay and minimal security or benefits. Platforms, on the other hand, are asset-light, taking value from restaurants and riders alike, sustaining a model in which convenience to the customer obscures economic pressure on those really cooking and delivering food.
Food delivery platforms in the market like Swiggy and Zomato have transformed the supply and consumption of food by giving consumers historically unprecedented convenience and broadening restaurants’ clientele. Behind the ease, however, delivery workers struggle with inconsistent pay and lack of benefits, restaurants must contend with rising costs to remain visible, and customers gradually pay more while becoming disconnected from the local food culture.
While there are common benefits and difficulties, platforms benefit most. They employ asset-light strategies owning neither the kitchens nor the delivery fleets yet maintain control over customer data, visibility, and transactions. However, fixed subscription fees are now provided by some platforms in place of their formerly high commissions, decreasing pressure on restaurants and prices for consumers. Nevertheless, platforms have the most power in general, making money off both parties with minimum risk and maximum control over the ecosystem.
A Better, Fairer Model
Some food tech innovators and restaurant coalitions believe a more equitable system is possible. The key lies in rethinking the role of the platform not as a toll booth, but as a bridge.
Use Flat or Subscription Fees: Replace variable commissions with stable, fair pricing.
Let Restaurants Pay for Services, Not Give Up Revenue: Logistics or order management fees not a percentage per order.
Clear, Reasonable Delivery Fees for Consumers: Make fair pay and local businesses possible without hidden markups.
Build Long-Term Partnerships: Co-marketing, shared growth, and quality standards instead of sales in isolation.
Additionally, in India, food delivery portal staff are the backbone of food delivery websites but get low, irregular wages, no benefits, and no security of employment because they’re recognized as independent contractors. While modest accident insurance and hardship grants have been offered by companies like Swiggy and Zomato, most workers continue to pay for things like fuel and maintenance, working long hours to earn a minimum income.
Demands for fair treatment have grown in cities like Bengaluru and Delhi, with calls for increased wages and greater transparency. Internationally, cities like New York and several European countries have begun to introduce minimum wages or redefine gig workers as employees potentially offering blueprints for India to include better, more equitable working conditions without compromising flexibility.
The revolution in food delivery is not by nature flawed. It can be at its best a triumph of convenience, accessibility, and opportunity. But when convenience is made to take priority over fairness and sustainability, industries suffer whether it’s the richness of local restaurants, the dignity of the workers, or the quality of the eating experience itself. The task before us is not to tear down the delivery model, but to reimagine it. With improved regulation, moral innovation, and more openness, we can envision a system that rewards all parties in the kitchen and on the bike, and yes, even for the customer in their home. The question is not whether food delivery is here to stay. It’s whether we can make it work better for everyone.
Father’s Day is a great time to show your dad just how much he means to you. Whether he is into skincare, stylish accessories, wellness, or thoughtful keepsakes, finding the right gift can make him feel truly appreciated. We have curated a list of the best Father’s Day gifting brands, ranging from personalised luxury to everyday essentials, that combine quality, meaning, and practicality. These gifts are not just special; they’re thoughtful, well-crafted, and made to suit every kind of dad. So, whether you’re planning or buying last minute, this list will help you choose something he will actually use and love.
1.Ferns N Petals (FNP)
Ferns N Petals (FNP) – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Ferns N Petals (FNP) is India’s largest gift and floral brand, delivering over 139,000 gift ideas—from bouquets and cakes to personalised accessories across 133+ Indian cities.
Gift Pick: Its exquisite collection of Father’s Day Gifts combines muted-toned bouquets, grooming hampers, coffee sets, snacks and personalised items like engraved mugs, frames, and desk accessories.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: FNP’s Father’s Day range is curated with love, everything from flowers to everyday usable items wrapped in emotional stories. It’s thoughtful, versatile, and ideal for making your Dad feel cherished.
Fabindia collaborates with rural artisans to deliver handmade apparel, home décor, and accessories. They’re celebrated for eco-conscious, traditional craftsmanship and ethical production processes.
Gift Pick: A hand-block printed kurta, breathable cotton shirt, or handwoven scarf blends comfort with culture, perfect for both weekend relaxation and family gatherings.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: Each Fabindia item carries traditional craftsmanship and ethical values, making it a great gift for your Dad that’s heartfelt and meaningful, while also being supremely comfortable.
Formial Labs – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Formial Labs is a new-age skincare brand that creates prescription-level skincare made just for you. Instead of one-size-fits-all products, they offer custom-made creams for skin problems like acne, pigmentation, and signs of ageing.
Gift Pick: Their all-in-one cream replaces a full skincare routine and is up to 30 times stronger than regular creams. It’s great for dads who are always on the go and prefer simple but effective care.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: It saves time, works well, and is easy to use, perfect for busy dads.
👉
Website: formial.in Price: INR 1,600 (inclusive of GST)
4. Bonjour – Everyday Comfort with Style
Bonjour – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Bonjour is a homegrown brand known for socks, innerwear, and athleisure that are both comfortable and stylish.
Gift Pick: The Regalia Statement Box is a set of premium socks in classic designs, packed beautifully. Made from soft, breathable fabric, it’s a gift that’s both practical and classy.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A mix of comfort and elegance, great for everyday wear with a touch of style.
👉
Website: bonjourretail.com Price: INR 2,999
5. Consortium Gifts
Consortium Gifts – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Consortium Gifts is a premium gifting company that blends style, innovation, and practicality into every product. Whether your dad is organised, eco-conscious, or fond of timeless pieces, this brand offers something meaningful to suit his personality.
Gift Pick:
Electronic Tie Rack by Boardroom A motorised organiser that holds up to 40 ties and 2 belts. It rotates with the push of a button, making it the perfect blend of tech and elegance for dads who love neatness and style.
The Boardroom Leather Wallet Crafted in genuine leather, this classic wallet comes in timeless black and brown shades. A refined, practical gift for dads who value quality and everyday sophistication.
Eco-Friendly T-Shirts by Boardroom Made using recycled PET bottles, these comfortable tees (available in T-shirt and Polo styles) make a great pick for eco-conscious dads who want to look good while doing good.
Boardroom Desk Set Includes a premium desk pad and a carbon fibre pen, all neatly packed in a luxurious gift box. A functional and elegant choice for dads who love an inspiring work desk.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: Each product is practical yet meaningful, combining everyday use with personal value. It is a curated way to say thank you with gifts your dad will truly enjoy and appreciate.
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Website: consortiumgifts.com Price Range: INR 1,000 – INR 5,000 (varies by product type and collection)
6. Fonzie Folksy – A Bold Fragrance That Tells a Story
Fonzie Folksy – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Fonzie Folksy is a luxury perfume brand that believes fragrance should reflect personality. Their perfumes are long-lasting and unisex, with complex notes that change over time.
Gift Pick:Runway Bows is a spicy-floral scent with notes of rose, geranium, agarwood, and amber. It’s the kind of fragrance that stays with you all day.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A confident scent that stands out, perfect for dads who like to make an impression.
👉
Website: fonziefolksy.com Price: INR 5,299 for 100ml
7. Magical Blends – Simple Skincare for Every Day
Magical Blends – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Magical Blends is part of WYN Everyday Beauty. They make skincare that adjusts to your skin’s changing needs, whether it’s oily, dry, or breaking out.
Gift Pick: Their set includes four serums: Sun Defence, Glow Boosting, Pore Refining, and Vitamin C Brightening. It’s perfect for the monsoon season.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A simple routine that will help your dad keep his skin fresh, clean, and healthy without much hassle.
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Website: magicalblends.in Price: INR 1056 for a set of 4 serums (monsoon offer)
8. RiteBite Max Protein – Healthy Snacking Made Easy
RiteBite Max Protein – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Website: maxprotein.in Price: INR 80 per bar | INR 456–INR 1,920 for packs
RiteBite Max Protein makes tasty snacks packed with good nutrition. Their bars are a mix of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
Gift Pick:Max Protein Daily Date & Almond Bars have 10g of protein, 21 vitamins, Omega-3, and no sugar. They also have dates, almonds, and dark chocolate.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A healthy snack that’s tasty, filling, and perfect for daily cravings.
👉
Website: maxprotein.in Price: INR 80 per bar | INR 456–INR 1,920 for packs
ADHYAY by Nabhi Sutra – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
ADHYAY brings old Ayurvedic wellness routines into modern life. Their products are simple and effective.
Gift Pick: Choose from items like the Kansa Foot Massage Bowl, Men’s Face Cream, Joint Pain Relief Oil, and Sleep Oil.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A natural way to relax, feel better, and take care of his health.
👉
Website: nabhisutra.com Price: From INR 494 and up
10. MyDesignation – Smart Fashion with a Purpose
MyDesignation – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
MyDesignation is a clothing brand for professionals that focuses on eco-friendly, stylish clothing made with care.
Gift Pick: The Brown Waffle Shirt is made from breathable, sustainable fabric. It works well for both casual and formal looks.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A smart shirt that’s comfortable, stylish, and good for the planet.
👉
Website: mydesignation.com Price: INR 999
11. Wholviz Foods – Clean Nutrition That Cares
Wholviz Foods – Indian Brands for Father’s Day Gifting
Wholviz Foods offers clean and natural nutrition without hidden sugars or preservatives. Their products are made for everyone, from kids to adults.
Gift Pick: The Lightest Whey Protein is full of nutrients and made from natural ingredients. It helps with muscle strength, energy, and overall health.
Why It’s Great for a Father’s Day Gift: A great gift for dads who care about health and fitness.
👉
Website: wholvizfoods.com Price: INR 3,499
Conclusion: Celebrate Dad with Something He’ll Truly Appreciate
No matter your dad’s style, routine, or personality, there is a perfect gift out there that speaks his language. From skincare that simplifies his mornings to personalised keepsakes and functional fashion, these thoughtful picks go beyond just a present, they are a way to say thank you. This Father’s Day, celebrate the man who’s always had your back with something he will truly appreciate and enjoy. Because he deserves more than just a gift, he deserves a gesture that reminds him how much he is valued, every day.
Several brokerages stated in separate notes that Rapido‘s entry into the food delivery market through a pilot in Bengaluru is unlikely to significantly upend the established duopoly of Zomato and Swiggy due to the business’s intrinsic operational complexity, capital intensity, and customer experience issues.
Bengaluru-based Rapido is getting ready to start its meal delivery service with a radically different price structure, opting for flat costs rather than the customary % commissions given to restaurants, according to a media report.
At a time when small restaurant operators are becoming more outspoken about growing aggregator expenses, the move put the ride-hailing company in a position to compete with Zomato and Swiggy.
For food orders under INR 400, Rapido will impose a set INR 25 fee; for orders beyond INR 400, the fee will be INR 50. The restaurant pays Rapido these fixed fees, which are subtracted from the order amount.
Rahul Malhotra of Bernstein, a premier global equity research and brokerage firm, pointed out that although Rapido intends to use its user base of more than 3 million to charge reduced take rates, new competitors have failed in the past. Malhotra pointed to earlier attempts by Ola, ONDC, and Amazon that didn’t scale because of a poor user experience, a fragmented supply, and a small range of restaurants.
Fragmented Food Delivery Market of India
With only about 10% of gross order value (GOV) coming from organised quick-service restaurants and the remainder from smaller eateries, India’s food delivery sector is fragmented, making it more difficult for entrants to reach scale.
Zomato and Swiggy, according to Bernstein, have already spent $2–3 billion developing their meal delivery networks and enjoy a large following of loyal customers. Swiggy had 252,000 active restaurant partners, while Zomato had over 314,000 as of Q4 Q4FY25. According to internal estimations, Bernstein estimated that Zomato and Swiggy held a 54% and 46% share of the meal delivery market, respectively.
Swiggy Leading the Race
Swiggy has been gaining market share in recent quarters. In Q4 Q4FY25, its food delivery GMV grew 18% year over year, surpassing Zomato’s 16% growth. The analysts said, “We do not anticipate material market share impact from Rapido’s entry,” noting that the service would initially be in a trial phase and would only be available in Bengaluru.
Bernstein stated that although Rapido might be able to attract previously unexplored eateries to its platform, especially those with low average order values (AOVs) in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, this will increase the market as a whole rather than reduce the number of customers that the incumbents have.
In a similar vein, HSBC referred to the current state of affairs as “déjà vu” for the food delivery sector, which had comparable anxieties during ONDC’s ascent in 2023.
In response to bank criticism of young recruits accepting offers that were made in the future, Apollo Global Management informed potential investment-banking prospects that it would neither interview nor give offers to the class of 2027 this year.
Apollo outlined its reasoning in a letter to applicants on Wednesday, stating that the company thinks recent graduates should take the time to further their business knowledge early in their employment. Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo, stated that he concurred with recent complaints that the hiring process for young candidates had begun too soon.
The recruiting decisions at Apollo are among the most important to the company’s operations, according to the letter sent by Nicole Bonsignore, head of human resources, and David Sambur, co-head of private equity. In light of this, Apollo will not conduct official interviews or make offers to the class of 2027 this year.
Banking Sector is Cautious About Losing Talented Employees
For over ten years, tensions have been building over private equity firms hiring junior investment bankers. Banks have tried to find a middle ground between taking action to keep its young, brilliant staff from leaving and not upsetting them or the buyout companies, which are frequently some of their largest customers.
In a speech at Georgetown University last year, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., expressed his disapproval of the practice of junior bankers accepting a second position with a private equity firm prior to beginning their first position at a bank. Dimon went on to say that this puts us in a difficult and conflicted situation. “I just don’t like that you are already employed by someone else and that you are handling extremely sensitive information from JPMorgan,” he continued.
According to a letter reviewed by a media house, JPMorgan warned recent grads that they would lose their jobs if they accepted offers from other companies before beginning work at the bank or within the first 18 months of their employment.
When someone says something that is simply true, Rowan stated in an emailed statement, “I feel compelled to agree with it.” “Bank CEOs and others have expressed what many of us have been thinking: It is not beneficial for students or our industry to ask them to make career decisions before fully understanding their options, as recruiting has been getting earlier and earlier each year.”
Race to Grab Fresh Talent from the Wall Street
In recent years, the competition to get new talent from Wall Street has intensified. After earlier attempts failed, private equity companies seeking to hire for their 2024 associate classes were obliged to conduct a second round of recruiting in 2023.
Only a few weeks after they started work in 2022, numerous buyout businesses began contacting banks’ first-year trainees in an attempt to outperform rivals. However, tensions had existed for a long time before that.
Following employee complaints, Morgan Stanley dropped its 2013 attempt to prevent first-year bankers from speaking with recruiters for outside companies.
As the Trump administration proposes massive budget cuts for the US space program, NASA issued a new plea this week for its employees to quit the agency with a new offer for job buyouts.
NASA officials announced the launch of a new early retirement and deferred resignation programme on June 9, in memoranda distributed to staff members with the goal of drastically reducing the number of posts within the space agency.
NASA is continuing its stepwise approach to lower its overall headcount and streamline its workforce, according to a statement released by NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner. He went on to say that this gives workers the freedom to leave while still enabling the organisation to fulfil its objective.
Each employee’s unique circumstances will determine their eligibility for these programmes. These initiatives, which include a voluntary separation incentive programme, a deferred resignation programme, and a voluntary early retirement authority, follow the Trump administration’s significant budget cuts for NASA in 2026.
These reductions are intended to shrink NASA’s workforce from its current 17,391 people to 11,853, a 32% decrease, and its overall budget by 24%. Congress is still reviewing the budget request, and it hasn’t been implemented yet.
Warner stated to a US news outlet that this endeavour is unrelated to DOGE and has no set goal or proportion. Earlier this year, the DOGE team issued similar requests for postponed resignations.
Musk’s relationship with Trump has degenerated since he resigned his temporary position in the White House on May 31 due to disagreements over the president’s “Big Beautiful Bill” programme.
NASA Employees to Decide their Fate by 25 July
The deadline for NASA personnel to choose whether to participate in any of the staff reduction programmes is July 25.
According to NASA officials, anyone enrolled in the Deferred Resignation Program would probably stop working soon after and continue to receive compensation until January 9, 2026.
According to Warner, most participants would be leaving the agency by January 9, 2026, and staff will be able to start administrative leave seven to fourteen days after signing their separation agreement.
In some cases, the agency may authorise deferring an employee’s administrative leave start date to April 1, 2026, and terminating their employment with the agency no later than September 30, 2026, in the event of a severe need.
Almost 75000 Government Employees Accepted the Offers
These new NASA initiatives come after multiple rounds of agency departures (altogether, nearly 75,000 government employees accepted offers of deferred resignation) and staffing changes at important agency facilities, like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, which recently terminated its remote work policy for almost 5,500 employees, forcing the majority of staff to either return to the office or leave.
(The California Institute of Technology oversees JPL, NASA’s principal robotic planetary exploration centre.) According to media accounts, DOGE’s activities have also resulted in the termination of hundreds of probationary employees at NASA and other government institutions.
Not every inspiring story comes from a big office or a startup pitch. Sometimes, it arrives quietly, with your dinner order. A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) has made people pause and reflect. A customer shared how their Swiggy delivery partner handed them a printed resume, offering something more than just food.
That partner is Padmanaban Ebbas, a full-stack developer with over 19 years of experience in tech. He once ran a software company, led teams, and worked with global clients. Today, he delivers food to support himself while working hard to bring his business back to life.
From Coding for Clients to Delivering with Purpose
Padmanaban’s journey shows what determination really looks like. Life took a turn, but instead of giving up, he chose to rebuild, step by step. Alongside each delivery, he shares a flyer that outlines his skills and the services he offers.
These include website and mobile app development, UI/UX and logo design, SEO, graphic design, video editing, and software maintenance. He is experienced with tools and technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, WordPress, React, Flutter, Kotlin, MySQL, Figma, Photoshop, and more.
He is not asking for charity, he is offering his skills. And he is doing it with quiet confidence.
“Just Trying to Get My Business Back on Track”
The customer who shared his story asked if he was looking for a job. Padmanaban’s reply was simple: “No, just trying to get my business back on track.” That one sentence speaks volumes about his mindset. He is not waiting for opportunities, he is creating them.
On the flyer, he adds a powerful message:
“Dreams don’t die. They wait for us to rise again.”
Padmanaban Ebbas shares his skills flyer while delivering for Swiggy
In a world where personal branding often feels loud and flashy, Padmanaban’s approach, which is humble, direct, and skill-focused, is a refreshing reminder of quiet determination.
It is a reminder that behind every delivery person, there is a story, a skill, and sometimes a dream waiting to be restarted.
As India’s startup and tech community watches, perhaps this delivery, built with care and code, will find its way to the right doorstep.
After considering industry input from consultations and evaluating market participants’ preparedness, regulator SEBI announced the “Valid” mechanism on June 11, which will give market intermediaries a unique Unified Payments Interface (UPI) address to collect money from clients.
According to Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman of SEBI, the innovative UPI payment system will launch on October 1, 2025. According to Pandey, by offering a validated and secure payment channel, this novel mechanism is expected to greatly increase the security and accessibility of financial transactions inside the securities market.
Market intermediaries can use SEBI’s special and secure investor payment system, called “Valid”, to collect money from customers for payments to brokers, mutual funds, research analysts, investment advisers, and other parties.
SEBI Issuing Circular Asking Intermediaries to Promote Valid Among Their Investors
The SEBI has released a circular on the subject, stating that although investors will not be required to use this structured UPI method, intermediaries must acquire and provide their investors with this structured UPI address.
Furthermore, it is recommended and encouraged for intermediaries to actively support and facilitate their investors’ adoption of this technique. Banks only issue “Valid”, a distinct payment ID based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), to organisations that are registered with SEBI. To make it easier for investors to identify the regulated entities, their UPI IDs will contain the handle name “@valid” along with the bank name.
To demonstrate the authenticity of the transaction, a triangle with a green thumbs-up emblem will also be highlighted. For instance, the handle would be abc.brk@validhdfc if it was for a broker named ABC and funds were to be collected using HDFC Bank’s UPI platform. Likewise, it will be abc.mf@validhdfc for a mutual fund.
After consulting with banks, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and market participants such as brokers, the regulator created the “Valid” payment mechanism. The system protects investors from scammers and guarantees that they only pay to legitimate SEBI-registered businesses.
Because there won’t be any fraud, both registered entities and investors will benefit. Intermediaries will be paid more quickly, and investors will know they are paying a legitimately regulated company. For capital market transactions conducted using UPI, the market regulator has set a daily cap of Rs 5 lakh, which may be periodically reviewed in cooperation with the NPCI.
In 2019, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was first made available to the public as a payment method by SEBI. Because of UPI’s effectiveness and great track record, it has been incorporated into numerous other procedures.
Move will Curb Unregistered Entities
In its consultation paper, the regulator said that numerous unregistered businesses had deceived investors over the years by collecting money without authorisation, most of which was then syphoned off for their own personal benefit.
In order to allow investors to find a SEBI-registered intermediary and make the necessary payments to them in a more practical, effective, and lawful manner, it felt the need to aggressively limit the growth of unregistered firms.
In an effort to further empower investors, SEBI also unveiled the “SEBI Check” tool. “SEBI Check” is a new feature that SEBI is creating. With the use of this new technology, investors will be able to confirm the bank details, including the IFSC and bank account number of a registered intermediary, and validate the authenticity of UPI IDs by manually entering the UPI ID or scanning a QR code.
It is anticipated that this new system will provide important advantages such as improved investor protection, an additional layer of security, and the ability for investors to confirm an entity’s legitimacy prior to making any financial transactions.
Iom Bioworks is dedicated to using the gut microbiome’s power to revolutionize contemporary healthcare.
The funds will be used to boost customer outreach, secure IP rights, scale infrastructure, and grow the core team.
In its first year, Iom Bioworks reached 500 users, secured two patents globally (with two more underway), and published multiple papers in the microbiome and computational biology space.
So far, Inflection Point Ventures has invested over INR 800 Cr across 210+ startups.
Iom Bioworks, a deep science company pioneering microbiome-focused healthcare, has secured INR 4 crore in seed round funding led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). The capital will be leveraged for marketing, securing intellectual property claims, strengthening core infrastructure and scaling scientific and commercial teams.
Founded in 2022, Iom Bioworks personalises health by identifying key bacteria in the gut and modulating them in a targeted manner for enhanced, improved overall health and well-being. Their patented platform combines large-scale knowledge graphs mined through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced modelling techniques that ensure Iom achieves precise and personalised recommendations for its users.
Iom Bioworks reached more than 500 customers in just the first year and has 2 patents granted and 2 in advanced stages. They have key scientific publications in leading scientific journals. Iom Bioworks have Pan India logistics and has established digital access for personalised microbiome services.
Bipin Pradeep Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, brings a strategic vision and collaborative approach to leadership, integrating microbiome research with technology, artificial intelligence and customer focus. Dr. Samik Ghosh, Co-Founder & Chief of Science & Technology, uses his expertise at the intersection of computation and biology to develop innovative microbiome-driven health and wellness solutions that drive sustainable health for life of people and the planet. Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, Co-Founder & Chief of Research & Collaboration, a world-renowned systems biologist and AI specialist, brings decades of leadership in robotics, systems biology, and AI-driven scientific discovery to create innovative collaborations.
“Lifestyle diseases have been on the rise due to multiple reasons like poor diet, stress, lack of sleep and are intimately linked to poor gut health and microbial composition. The gut microbiome plays a huge role in your digestion, immunity, metabolism, and even mood. Understanding it can help prevent a myriad of these diseases and also provide a better quality of life. Iom Bioworks is making this cutting-edge science accessible, personalised and importantly, actionable. With their vision and science, they make a compelling bet in preventive and therapeutic healthcare”, says Vinay Bansal, Founder, IPV.
“Iom Bioworks envisions a world where a healthy mind and body are achievable through informed choices that nurture the microbiome. By empowering our inner ecosystem through prebiotics and a food and lifestyle centred around the bacteria, we aim to energize daily life while preserving the joy of living. Partnering with IPV has been transformative; their supportive and diligent approach has set us firmly on the path toward this vision”, says Bipin Pradeep Kumar.
At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28%, the worldwide market for health tests, subscriptions, and wellness platforms is expected to reach USD 900 billion by 2030. Iom Bioworks is well positioned to lead this transformation to personalised, accessible gut health with its scalable approach, user focus and the foundation of deep science and research.
About Iom Bioworks
Iom Bioworks is a Bengaluru-based deep science company advancing health through identifying and therapeutically modulating key bacteria to improve well-being. Combining cutting-edge biological network theory, mathematical modelling, and nutritional science with the power of AI, the company provides personalised food and prebiotic recommendations.
These individualised microbiome solutions are offered to customers throughout India with at-home gut profiling kits and an end-to-end digital experience. Founded in 2022, Iom Bioworks is led by a team of global experts across biology, AI, and systems health.
About Inflection Point Ventures and Physis Capital
Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) is an angel investing platform with over 23,500+ CXOs, HNIs, and Professionals to together invest in startups. The firm supports new-age entrepreneurs by providing them with monetary & experiential capital and connecting them with a diverse group of investors. IPV has launched a $50 Mn CAT 2 VC fund, Physis Capital, to invest in Pre-Series A to Series B growth-stage start-ups. The fund has already deployed capital in two startups so far, with a few deals in advanced stages of the pipeline.
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