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List of Top 18 Instant Loan Apps in India [2025]

At many points in our lives, we require loans to meet our needs. As per a CIC report published in June 2021, around half of India’s working population has taken loans in some form. Among all types, a personal loan is quite convenient as it can be taken without any collateral. But traditional banks take a long time to approve personal loan applications, and often, it gets tough to get one if you do not have a CIBIL score or, say, a clean credit history. This is where Instant loan apps come into the picture. Instant loan apps give their users really quick access to loans. These apps do not focus much on credit history and save on time as they do not involve lengthy paperwork and approval processes. However, not all Instant loan apps are credible. There are reports of unauthorized instant loan apps causing a lot of nuisance to customers. Thus, it is important for all of us to know what the Top instant loan apps in India are so that we can safely take loans from these apps without getting into any trouble.

Here goes our list of the top 18 Instant loan apps in India, so that you can choose the one that fits you best.

You can also have a look at the chart below to compare these instant loan apps-

App	Monthly Interest	Loan Amount	Tenure	Processing fee
Paysense	1.4% – 2.3%	5000- 5 L	3-60 months	upto 2.5% of the loan amount
CASHe	2.25%-3%	9000-4L	15-540 days	Rs85-3% of the loan amount depending on amount and tenure
Dhani	1.09%	1000-15L	3-24 months	upto 5% of the loan amount
MoneyTap	1.08%	3000-5lakh	2-36 months	Rs199-2%of the amount transferred to the borrower’s bank account
Home Credit	1.4%- 3.34%	25000-5lakh	6-36months	0-5%
IDFC First	starting from 0.87%	20000-40 lakhs	12-60months	Upto 3.5% of the loan amount
PayMe	1.38- 2.96%	2000-2 lakh	3-24months	Rs300/application
India Lends	starting from 0.89% per month	Upto 50 laks	12-60months	differs from bank to bank
Money View	starting from 1.33% per month	5000-5 lakhs	3-60 months	2-8%
mPokket	1-6%	500-30000	61-90 days	Rs34-Rs 203
KreditBee	15% – 29.95% p.a.	Rs.1,000 – Rs.4 Lakh	3 – 24 months	2.5% processing fee for a ₹50,000 loan
Nira Finance	2% p.m. onwards	Up to Rs.1 Lakh	Up to 12 months	Rs. 350 and maximum 2% loan amount
Navi	9.9% p.a. onwards	Up to Rs.20 Lakh	Up to 72 months	3.99% to 6%, with a minimum of ₹1,499 and a maximum of ₹7,499
Fibe	14% p.a. onwards	Rs.5,000 – Rs.5 Lakh	Up to 24 months	2% of the loan amount
Bajaj Finserv	10.49% p.a. onwards	Up to Rs.40 Lakh	12 – 72 months	Up to 3.93% of the loan amount
Zest Money	14% onwards	Up to Rs.5 Lakh	3 – 36 months	No additional charges and processing charges
True Balance	2.4% per month	Rs.5,000 to Rs.1 Lakh	3 to 6 months	0 – 15%
Credy	1.00-1.50%	Upto Rs 1 Lakh	3-12 months	3% with a minimum amount of Rs.500

Paysense

Company	Paysense
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	Sayali Karanjkar and Prashanth Ranganathan
Website	www.gopaysense.com

Paysense has both an app and a website where salaried professionals and self-employed individuals can apply for an instant personal loan. They provide a quick personal loan of up to 5 lakhs. It is one of the best instant loan apps in India without salary slips. It is available in more than 40 Indian cities.

Salaried professionals who earn at least Rs. 12000 per month, and self-employed individuals who earn a minimum of Rs. 15000 per month are eligible to borrow from PaySense. Besides being the best instant loan app without salary slips, PaySense also offers a simple EMI calculator to calculate EMI. After installation of the cash loan app, all you need to do is check your eligibility and upload the necessary documents. They also have other loans on their website, like vehicle loans, Consumer loans, etc.

Borrowers are allowed to choose their preferred tenure to pay back the loan, which ranges from 3 months to 60 months. The minimum loan amount in this online loan app is Rs. 5000, and the maximum loan amount is Rs. 5,00,000. Paysense’s USPs are Quick approvals & disbursals, paperless documentation, affordable EMI, multiple personal loans with one-time documentation, and eligibility to get a loan even with no credit history. It is one of the top 10 instant loan app in India.

CASHe

Company	CASHe
Founding Year	2016
Founded By	Raman Kumar
Website	www.cashe.co.in

CASHe is also one of the easy ways of making a loan and is another of the best instant loan apps without salary slips. All you need to do is download the CASHe app on your phone and upload the necessary documents on the app. Once approved, the loan amount is credited to your account in just a few minutes. You can also transfer a part of your loan amount directly to your Paytm account. The minimum loan amount is Rs. 9000, and the maximum loan amount is Rs. 400,000. CASHe’s USPs have interesting features like loyalty offers and loan insurance. You do not require a CIBIL score or credit history to avail of a loan from CASHe. It is a 15 days loan app that offers short-term loans that you must repay within 15 days, often used for urgent cash needs.

Dhani

Company	Dhani
Founding Year	1995
Founded By	Sameer Gehlaut
Website	www.dhani.com

Dhani first originated as a drug store and then started its own money lending services. With Dhani, you can apply for a loan anytime for any reason. All you have to do is download the app and provide your PAN number, Aadhar number, and address for verification. It is an instant cash loan that takes 1 hour without documents once Aadhar and the address are verified.

Dhani Loan’s USPs are zero interest when repaid in a timely manner and are offered when you shop in the Dhani store. However, a good CIBIL score of above 750 is preferred for availing of loans.

MoneyTap

Company	MoneyTap
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	Bala Parthasarathy, Kunal Verma, and Anuj Kacker
Website	www.moneytap.com

Money Tap is another of the best instant loan apps without salary slips, and it is making its own specialty in lending money. MoneyTap has a unique feature called “no usage, no money”, which helps it catch the attention of people, standing out from the rest of the instant loan apps. This solely means that you are charged interest only on the amount of money used.

All you have to do here is download the online loan app and upload the necessary documents. Once you get the approval, you are given a credit line, which you can use according to your needs. This is one of the most trusted instant loan apps in India, as Money Tap has partnered with leading NBFCs in India. The company currently serves Bangalore, Mumbai, NCR, Hyderabad, and many more cities in India.

However, you need to earn a minimum of Rs. 20000 per month to be eligible for a loan. The minimum loan amount is Rs. 3000, and the maximum loan amount is Rs. 5,00,000. MoneyTap is on its way to becoming one of the best instant loan apps in India. A High CIBIL Score is not a must for getting MoneyTap’s line of credit. It is in the list of the top 10 instant loan app in India.

Home Credit

Company	Home Credit
Founding Year	1997
Founded By	PPF Group N.V and Emma Capital
Website	www.homecredit.co.in

Home Credit is one of the oldest loan apps in India and is currently among the best online loan apps and urgent cash loan app in India. A part of the International Home Credit Group, this cash loan app has a presence in over ten countries in Asia and Europe. In India, it operates in over 20 states and 150 cities. It provides a loan amount of up to Rs. 5 lakhs and allows you to repay it in easy EMIs within a period of 6-36 months. The facility to pay online or offline with easy options, instant approval, zero credit history required, and no hidden charges are some USPs of Home Credit.

IDFC First

Company	IDFC First
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	V. Vaidyanathan (CEO)
Website	www.idfcfirstbank.com

IDFC First Bank was founded in 2015. IDFC First, earlier known as Capital First, is another popular and trusted option when it comes to Instant personal loans. IDFC First offers personal loans starting from Rs 20,000. The maximum loan amount is Rs 40 lakhs for salaried individuals and Rs 9 Lakhs for self-employed. The annual interest rates start at 10.49%. A balance transfer facility is also available, whereby users can switch their personal loans from one bank to another. The users can repay the loan in a flexible tenure of up to 60 months. One of the drawbacks is that IDFC First may ask for a decent CIBIL score before approving your loan, unlike many other apps listed here. IDFC First App also ensures Quick online approval and disbursal of loans.

PayMe

Company	PayMe
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	Mahesh Shukla and Sandeep Singh
Website	web.paymeindia.in

Best Instant Loan Apps in India – PayMe

PayMe India is one of the top instant loan apps in India, as it has an extensive range of benefits. This Fintech Company offers short-term financial support to salaried employees designed to meet urgent financial needs. Compared to other loan apps in India, this platform has numerous loan options for all processes and has also integrated both traditional and modern lending techniques to access different customers. Through this instant cash loan app, you can get yourself registered on the platform by just uploading the necessary documents.

PayMe is the best for short-term financial needs such as payday loans, advance salary, and short-term cash loans, among others. Unlike other apps, PayMe offers an interest-free period of 45 days, while it also comes with many offers, such as earning a cash benefit of Rs. 100 for every successful referral. PayMe offers an interest rate per month of 1.38- 2.96% and a maximum loan of Rs. 2,00,000. A CIBIL Score of 650 and above is preferred.

India Lends

Company	India Lends
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	Gaurav Chopra and Mayank Kachhwaha
Website	indialends.com

India Lends is another well-known instant cash loan app and one of the top lending platforms in India. The platform is so far associated with over 50 personal loan lenders and credit card providers. It is also the best instant loan app without salary slips, as it currently offers its services to a million customers in more than 400 cities. Besides instant loans, it also offers gold loans with some offers, which is why it is one of the top instant loan apps in India.

India Lends is also good at providing its users with credit cards, as it offers over 40 schemes and cards. The best part about this instant loan app is that it offers instant personal loans online with the best interest rate and disburses the loan in just under 48 hours. It offers an interest rate per month of 0.9% to 3% and a maximum loan of Rs. 50,00,000. A good credit score and credit history are preferred. India Lends offers personalized loan options, and some pre-approved loan offers as well.

Money View

Company	Money View
Founding Year	2014
Founded By	Puneet Agarwal and Sanjay Agarwal
Website	moneyview.in

Money View is known for its credit rating model, which makes it one of the best loan apps for unemployment in India. Its headquarters are based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Money View is the best loan app in India as it tracks and organizes expenses, bills, and account balances and allows its customers to set and follow budgets, and view their bank account balances, among others. It is also the fastest instant loan app.

It is also one of the best online small loan apps that offer loans up to Rs 5,00,000 within 24 hours. It is good for taking loans such as student loans, personal loans, and home loans, and it has an interface that helps customers take loans quickly. It is said to be the best online loan app, as it has unique services that allow its customers to obtain reminders about bills, check the balance of their bank account, get reminders for paying bills, etc. A minimum CIBIL score of 600 or a minimum Experian score of 650 is preferred.

mPokket

Company	mPokket
Founding Year	2016
Founded By	Gaurav Jalan
Website	www.mpokket.in

mPokket is one of the top instant loan apps in India, and it is designed especially for college students and salaried individuals. mPokket provides instant personal loans to college students and recent graduates and works on the concept of pocket money, making it the best instant loan app in India without salary slips. The interest rate on this platform is 3.5%, while the initial amount approved is Rs. 500.

It is also the best instant loan app in India, as the students can repay loans within 1 to 3 months. Salaried employees can get up to Rs 30,000 in short-term loans. The students require minimal documentation. Salaried employees only need to provide proof of employment and salary credits for documentation. On this instant small loan app, users can start by borrowing small amounts, and the borrowing limit will keep increasing over time, depending on their usage. mPokket is an RBI registered NBFC. No Credit Score is required for Student loans.

KreditBee

Company	KreditBee
Founding Year	2018
Founded By	Madhusudan Ekambaram, Karthikeyan Krishnaswamy, Vivek Veda, and Wan Hong
Website	www.kreditbee.in

KreditBee is a reliable platform that offers different types of personal loans to cater to the varying financial needs of potential borrowers. The Flexi personal loan is a small ticket loan that is ideal for meeting emergency expenses or smaller financial obligations, while the personal loan for salaried and self-employed applicants is suitable for larger financial requirements.

Borrowers can avail of a loan amount ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4 lakhs based on the type of loan they choose. KreditBee promises to disburse the loan amount in just 10 minutes, making it a hassle-free and convenient borrowing option. The interest rate offered by KreditBee ranges from 5% – 29.95% p.a. and can fluctuate based on the borrower’s credit history and other factors. With a flexible repayment tenure, the borrower can choose a repayment period ranging from 3 months to 10 months for the Flexi loan and up to 24 months for a personal loan for salaried individuals. What’s more, the entire loan application process is completed online, making it a time-saving and paperless process.

Nira Finance

Company	Nira Finance
Founding Year	2016
Founded By	Rohit Sen and Nupur Gupta
Website	www.nirafinance.com

Nira Finance is gaining a lot of attention in the financial market due to its instant personal loan app that provides loans up to Rs. 1 lakh in just 3 minutes. This small loan app offers a line of credit up to Rs.1 Lakh, allowing you to access the funds you need quickly and conveniently. Once you submit your application and necessary documents, you can find out your credit limit within 3 minutes. One of the most significant benefits of Nira Finance is that it offers credit to first-time borrowers without a credit history. However, if you are a seasoned borrower, then the minimum CIBIL score requirement is 681.

Additionally, the repayment tenure can go up to 12 months, giving you ample time to pay back the loan amount. Another great feature of Nira Finance is that you will only have to pay interest for the amount used, not for the entire amount that you are approved for. This means that you can save money on interest charges, making it easier to repay the loan. Interest rates start from as low as 2% per month, making it one of the most affordable loan options available in the market. Nira Finance is also known as the fastest instant loan app.

Moreover, the entire loan process is paperless, which means you can apply for a loan from the comfort of your home or office. However, you will need to submit hard copies of your documents once for KYC verification purposes. Overall, Nira Finance is an excellent option for anyone looking for quick, convenient, and affordable personal loans, making it one of the best loan app in India.

Navi

Company	Navi
Founding Year	2018
Founded By	Sachin Bansal and Ankit Agarwal
Website	navi.com

Introducing Navi, an easy loan app and digital lending app that offers online loans. It is currently one of the top lenders in the market, providing a host of features and benefits. You can avail a personal loan of up to Rs 20 Lakh with flexible EMI options of up to 72 months or six years, and interest rates starting from 9.9% p.a. The entire process of availing a loan is digital and can be done from anywhere. You can choose a repayment plan that suits your eligibility and preference. The loan amount will be credited to your account within a few minutes of approval.

Fibe

Company	Fibe
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	Akshay Mehrotra and Ashish Goyal
Website	www.fibe.in

Fibe, formerly known as EarlySalary, is a lending platform that offers its customers attractive personal loans with financial freedom and flexibility. It prides itself on being inclusive and provides instant cash loans to those with no credit score. The best part about Fibe is that you can get a loan in just 10 minutes through its quick small loan app, making it a great option for those who need quick access to cash. With Fibe, you can avail of a loan from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5 Lakh based on your eligibility. The entire application process is done online and is fully paperless, making it a hassle-free experience for customers.

A unique feature of this lender is that you can apply for multiple loans on the same day, even if you already have a loan running with them. This can be especially helpful for those who need multiple loans for different purposes. Fibe is available 24X7, so you can apply for a loan at any time and get instant disbursal. This means that you don’t have to wait for business hours to get access to cash. Fibe also offers a salary advance to those who need a little extra cash on the side, with interest rates starting from 14% p.a. This can be helpful for those who need a small amount of cash before their next paycheck.

Repaying your loan is made easy with Fibe. You can repay the loan in easy instalments that span up to 24 months. This means that you don’t have to worry about paying back the loan all at once, making it a more manageable experience for customers.

Bajaj Finserv

Company	Bajaj FInserv
Founding Year	2007
Founded By	Shri Jamnalal Bajaj
Website	www.bajajfinserv.in

Bajaj Finserv is a non-banking Indian company that offers various financial services. They provide three types of personal loans – flexible term loans, flexi hybrid loans, and term loans. Additionally, their personal loans come with some attractive features that make them appealing. For example, you can choose any of the three loan variants based on your requirement, complete the entire loan process from the comfort of your home, avail of loans of up to Rs. 40 lahks, and the loans are unsecured, meaning that they do not require any collateral. Moreover, these personal loans come with affordable interest rates starting from 10.49% p.a. and tenure that range from 12 to 72 months.

Zest Money

Company	Zest Money
Founding Year	2015
Founded By	Lizzie Chapman, Ashish Anantharaman, and Priya Sharma
Website	www.zestmoney.in

ZestMoney is an innovative financial platform that stands out from other similar platforms by offering prompt and accessible loan facilities. One of the primary features of this platform is the ease with which anyone, even those without a credit score, can apply for a loan. Moreover, ZestMoney is a convenient option for online shopping, as it allows you to pay for easy instalments via EMIs. Additionally, the platform offers loans up to a maximum amount of Rs. 5 Lakh, with interest rates starting as low as 14%. Furthermore, ZestMoney provides gift cards from a wide range of popular shopping websites, increasing the value it offers to users. Finally, ZestMoney provides a flexible repayment option, enabling users to pay back the loan amount in comfortable EMIs that range from three to thirty-six months.

True Balance

Company	True Balance
Founding Year	2014
Founded By	Cheolwon Lee
Website	www.truebalance.io

True Balance is an app that caters to customers who either do not make online payments or do not have a credit score. The app has some noteworthy features, such as quick loan approval within 30 minutes of applying, access to credit around the clock, and low-interest rates starting from 2.4% per month. You can borrow from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 1 Lakh and repay it at your own pace with flexible tenures between 3 to 6 months.

Credy

Company	Credy
Founding Year	2016
Founded By	Harshit Vaishnav and Pratish Gandhi
Website	www.credy.in

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to borrow money, Credy is one of the best online platforms to use. It’s available in major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. You can borrow up to Rs. 1 lakh with flexible options and interest rates between 1.00% to 1.50% per month. It’s designed especially for salaried folks, and the best part is that the loan gets disbursed within just 24 hours. The whole process is super simple, online, and doesn’t require a mountain of paperwork. Whether it’s an emergency or a big purchase you’ve been planning, Credy helps you get the funds you need without any fuss.

FAQs

What are the best instant loan apps in India?

The best loan apps in India are mPokket, Money View, India Lends, PayMe India, Capital First, Home Credit, Money Tap, Dhani, CASHe, and Paysense.

Which is the fastest loan app in India?

PaySense. This is one of the best instant loan apps without salary slips, and it has recently merged with LazyPay to become one of the best platforms in this field.

How can I get an immediate loan?

All you need to do is follow these steps:

Fill in the online application form with your personal, employment, and financial details.
Choose your loan amount and repayment tenor to receive instant approval.

How can I get a loan without a salary slip?

You can validate your income by producing other financial documents like bank account statements, income certificates, Income tax returns, or Form 16. Or otherwise, you can jointly apply for the loan with another applicant, who could be your family member.

April 28, 2025

Internal Crisis Claims Shake Zomato, CEO Deepinder Goyal Rubbishes Allegations

A post on Reddit from an anonymous source who claims to be an employee of Zomato, has stirred up quite a bit of controversy. It alleges that Zomato is in crisis and that the popular food delivery platform is steadily losing ground to competitors like Zepto Cafe and Swiggy. The post also mentions an internal edict that supposedly requires Zomato employees to place at least seven orders a month from Zomato and that there are apparently systems in place to monitor and enforce this directive. The post added that Zomato employees are discouraged from ordering from rival platforms, especially if they happen to be within the Zomato office. Alongside all this, the post paints a picture of a toxic work culture at Zomato, one in which leadership seems to come and go suddenly and one in which both employees and partners (restaurants) seem to be rather dissatisfied.

CEO Deepinder Goyal Dismisses Allegations

Zomato’s CEO Deepinder Goyal very promptly pushed back against the viral post, calling it complete nonsense. On the social media platform X, Goyal countered that Zomato does not require its employees to order food from the company and certainly allows them the freedom to make such decisions, or not, as they please.

“All of this is utter nonsense,” Goyal said on X. “Neither are we losing market share, nor will we ever force our employees to order on Zomato. Freedom of choice is something we stand for vehemently.”

Signs of Pressure Amidst Slowing Growth

Although Zomato’s leadership denies that an internal crisis exists, the company is confronting external difficulties. Its most recent financial results showed lackluster growth in the December quarter, which is usually a peak season for the industry. Zomato’s Gross Order Value (GOV) increased only 2% sequentially to INR 9,913 crore, even as the year-on-year rise stood at 17%. Despite this, Zomato’s main rival, Swiggy, appears to be increasing its market share slightly and now has 43%. All of this suggests that Zomato’s growth troubles are real but perhaps not as dire as the whistleblower alleges.

Contentious as they may be, Goyal’s assurances firmly establish Zomato’s objective of keeping operational stability and trust with its various stakeholders. The company appears to be keeping a strong focus on maintaining even its operational objectives, appearing clear to avoid cutting deep into the employee base. Zomato will need to keep holding all those necessary stakeholder relationships for them to be able to pivot into the even more important growth and profitability phase that they have been missing since they listed.

April 28, 2025
Foreign Investors Renew Faith in Indian Equities with INR 17,425 Crore Boost

This past week saw fresh enthusiasm from foreign portfolio investors for Indian equities, as they pumped in a fresh INR 17,425 crore between April 21 and April 25. This was much higher than the nearly INR 8,500 crore they had infused in the previous week, which was cut short due to a holiday. What capped off this FPI euphoria last week was a strong indication from the US Federal Reserve that detrimental rate hikes were off the table for the time being. A stable US dollar coupled with easing international trade tensions has made investors much more amenable to the risk associated with emerging markets like India.

Domestic Strength Adds to the Momentum

The economic landscape of India has played a very critical role in the attraction of foreign funds. The analysts indicate that the solid growth prospects of India, together with a notable softening in the temper of inflation, and the early projections of an above-normal monsoon, are all terrific confidence boosters. And of course, if you aggregate all of that, it positions India as a much safer and far more promising investment destination compared to a number of global peer countries. And so, this becomes a very potent narrative for foreign investor attraction to India.

Early Month Outflows Still Weigh on Sentiment

Yet the overall picture for April is not so rosy. From depository data, we know that FPIs have pulled out ₹5,678 crore from Indian equities in the month leading up to April 26. This was not just a one-off occurrence occurring on a few specific days; the selling was largely consistent from start to late April.

Day-to-day selling was so much in excess of buying that we saw domestic equity benchmarks drop consistently on most trading days during that stretch. FPIs could not have pulled out that much money with just a few days of strong selling; this was a prolonged act of selling that affected multiple days and multiple businesses. Overall, domestic equity benchmarks dropped by a handful of percentage points during that span.

Investment strategists say that two key shifts have happened to bring foreign investment back into Indian markets. One is a softening US dollar, which has come down from a high of 111 in January to about 99 now. The other is the expectation that economic growth in the US will slow down and consequently impact corporate earnings there, whereas India is looking very solid with a growth above 6%. If these two trends hold, foreign investment will continue to trickle into the Indian market and sustain the run that the market is on.

April 28, 2025
Centre Launches ECMS Portal to Boost Domestic Electronics Manufacturing

The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), along with its dedicated portal, has been launched by the government. The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the scheme with a promise of attracting huge domestic and international investments.

The scheme was approved earlier by the Union Cabinet and is aimed at building robust manufacturing capacities. It seeks to deepen India’s integration into global value chains. In a very real sense, it seeks to put electronics production back in India and make India a hub for it.

Industry Growth Sets the Stage

At the launch event, Vaishnaw emphasized the incredible growth curve India has shown in electronics manufacturing. Over the last few years, the sector has seen production increase five times, and exports have surged six times, with both figures achieving compound annual growth rates of more than 17% and 20%, respectively. Major contributors to this upward trend are sectors like mobile phones, servers, laptops, and IT hardware. According to Vaishnaw, the electronics industry is poised to grow even faster now, thanks to the friendly government initiatives and the rising investor confidence that has come in recent months.

ECMS to Fuel Broad-Based Industrial Growth

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the ECMS as a “horizontal scheme” whose reach would go far beyond the electronics sector and benefit many others, particularly those involved in industrial production, power, and automotive manufacturing. He noted that a comprehensive, resilient electronics manufacturing ecosystem is emerging across India and voiced his confidence in the industry’s capabilities. ECMS would play a big part in achieving this, he said.

The minister stressed that without a focus on innovation, quality couldn’t be achieved. He noted that many of the firms involved in the electronics sector have set up design teams that he believes must accompany any serious conversation about achieving the quality that ought to be a hallmark of the products coming out of the electronics sector. He made clear that achieving Six Sigma must become the norm. With regard to electronics manufacturing in India, the minister voiced optimism about the diversification of knowledge.

A Digital Future Fueled by Innovation

Launched along with broader initiatives to place India at the forefront of tectonic advancements in technology, the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) could make the country a major global player when it comes to the electronic gadgetry on which our modern lives depend.

The scheme, which will invest INR 23,000 crore in push subsidies over six years, will stabilize the component supply chain and is likely to attract global players into an India that aspires to a share in the massive electronics market. In promising to splurge on semiconductors, we now have, in push and pull terms, a national-level strategy to establish the semiconductor value chain inside India.

April 28, 2025
How IIT Madras Turned 29 Lakh Bet into 50 Crore Ather Energy Windfall

Not many will celebrate as quietly yet as triumphantly as IIT Madras when Ather Energy hits the stock market this week. Through its investment arms, the IIT Madras Incubation Cell and the IITM Rural Technology and Business Incubator, the institute transformed an early investment of just INR 15–29 lakh into a stake now worth about INR 50 crore. That’s a return of nearly 172x to 333x over 11 years, a number that would make the most seasoned venture capitalists envious.

A Deep-Rooted Culture of Innovation

The early support of Ather Energy is not an isolated instance for IIT Madras. With a portfolio of 351 deep tech startups pegged at around INR 45,000 crores by the end of 2023, IITMIC has established itself as a player to watch in India’s entrepreneurial scene. More interestingly, funded by IITMIC, all of these startups have a survival rate of about 80%, that is, when you consider the industry average for startups, which is around 4% to 6%.

Ather Energy’s public listing is set to benefit more than just IIT Madras. Tiger Global, which invested in 2015, stands to earn 8.3x returns through its Internet Fund Pte by divesting about four lakh shares. Other backers, Singapore’s GIC and India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), are looking at returns of 1.6x and 1.7x, respectively. Overall, this is a good outcome for Ather’s investors, and it speaks well of their confidence in both Ather and the Indian electric vehicle (EV) sector.

EV Sector Faces New Challenges

While investors are elated over the recent gains, it is prudent to keep a level head and focus on the fundamentals of the EV industry and the sizable challenges it faces, some of which we have touched on before. The price of lithium and cobalt, for instance, can only go up if the domestic lithium and cobalt mining business is as environmentally unfriendly as the same business abroad. EV batteries need these minerals, the prices of which are quite unstable. Also, domestic supply chains for EV mineral and battery production are underbuilt, meaning OEMs must rely more on an EV supply chain from China, which is even more worrisome since many Chinese manufacturers have a serious problem with enforcing labor rights and protecting the environment.

Despite the increasing popularity of EV scooters, this mode of transport still battles some unforgiving issues. A major problem is that of charging infrastructure. Public charging stations are still few and far between, especially beyond urban centers, and that makes anything other than a short, local trip a challenge. Another challenge is high up-front expenditure relative to conventional petrol two-wheelers, despite lower long-term running costs. Consumers are often reticent to put down money without clear assurances of cost-benefit payback. Additionally, some low-cost EV models of sub-optimum quality and reliability are affecting the level of public trust.

April 28, 2025
IndusInd Bank Faces INR 1,960 Crore Loss, Reshuffles Leadership to Bolster Accountability

IndusInd Bank has resolved to completely take on the loss of INR 1,959.98 crore for its quarter ending March 2025. This decision stems directly from the outcome of an independent investigation into the bank’s derivatives portfolio. The investigation found a number of significant internal accounting problems, the most critical of which involved the premature termination of derivative contracts. Those problems led the bank to record notional profits, which in turn distorted its financial position. After receiving the final report on April 26, the board acted quickly to ensure that the bank’s FY25 full-year financial statements reflected the true nature of the discrepancies.

Accountability Measures and Leadership Reorganization

In a response to the probe’s findings, IndusInd Bank announced it will take stringent actions against employees who are found to be responsible for the lapses and will re-organize senior management roles. The realignment is aimed at not just strengthening internal oversight but also restoring trust among all stakeholders.

The troubles at IndusInd Bank began with derivatives-related losses but quickly escalated. In April 2025, when auditors from EY began an in-depth review of the bank’s books, several gaping holes came to light. Using metrics not seen since the 2008 financial crisis, EY’s examiners found that the bank was something like 60% overcapitalized. And as they dug deep into the numbers, a previously unapprehend disaster unfolded. The bank’s books had been so badly cooked that the actual level of its capital was far beneath the regulatory minimum.

Operational Pressures Add to Headwinds

IndusInd Bank was struggling with accounting problems, but that wasn’t all. When the bank released its Q4 FY25 business update, it not only bombarded investors with a bunch of accounting issues and alleged it was fixing them, the way the Bank of Baroda and the Punjab National Bank have also done in the past, but it also revealed operational challenges in the form of a big miss on net advances. For instance, the bank’s net advances shrank 5.2% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to INR 3,47,933 crore (as of the end of March) largely due to a steep contraction in the corporate banking portfolio.

Meanwhile, while total deposits grew a modest 0.4% over the quarter, in line with the bank’s reduced ability to generate net advances, the bank’s CASA ratio dropped to 32.8% from 37.9% a year earlier, spotlighting weakening deposit franchise strength. As a result, not only are the bank’s customers losing confidence in it, but also the entities who are supposed to keep the bank’s CASA strong.

April 28, 2025

Top 10 Best Cloud Storage Services and Apps for your Business

Cloud storage has become an important part of our lives. No matter what business you are in, you have to store your daily business-related data somewhere. Nobody likes to carry a hard disk or any other devices for data storage nowadays. That is where cloud storage comes into play. Cloud storage also prevents the risk of losing data. To make your life easier, there are many services and apps which you can use for cloud storage.

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is a cloud computing model where users can store data on the internet. The process is done through a cloud computing provider that manages and operates data storage as a service. You don’t need to buy or manage your own data storage infrastructure, as with cloud storage, you can store and access data anytime on demand with just-in-time capacity and costs. Cloud storage is believed to have been invented by Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider in the 1960s. Joseph was then working on ARPANET. However, its real implementation was seen in 1983 when CompuServe offered its users a small amount of disk space to store their files.

Users connect with the data server via the Internet to get access to cloud storage. When a user sends files to the data server, either manually or with automation, the data server forwards the information to multiple servers, and then, only through a web-based interface, the user gets access to the stored data.

Below, we’ve listed some of the best cloud storage services which you can use for your business.

Best Cloud Storage Services and Apps

pCloud

Launched: 2013
Headquarters: Switzerland

pCloud Logo

pCloud is a cloud storage service which is secure and easy to use. It provides up to 10 GB of free storage. Hence, in a way, it is the best free cloud storage platform. So you don’t have to worry before you reach 10 GB. pCloud is also considered one of the best cloud storage services. pCloud also offer lifetime plans which allow users to store data up to 10 TB. pCloud makes your life easier when it comes to storing files. There are many other options provided by pCloud to its users, like collaboration, encryption, etc., but it is best known for its cloud storage service, as it is very feasible.

Plan Name	Storage	Price (Annual)
Premium 500 GB	500 GB	$49.99 (Yearly Payment)
Premium Plus 2 TB	2 TB	$99.99 (Yearly Payment)
Ultra 10 TB	10 TB	$199.99 (Yearly Payment)

Dropbox

Founded: 2007
Headquarters: San Francisco, California

Dropbox Logo

Dropbox is a platform where you can store all your content together. It is a personal cloud storage service which is used as an online backup service. Most of the businesses use Dropbox as it makes it very easy for a group of people to share files and collaborate on a project. Dropbox provides 2 GB of storage for free, and there are various paid plans by which you can get storage up to 5 TB.

There is another option available, which is Dropbox for Teams where you can get up to 15,000 GB of storage. For a desktop operating system, the Dropbox application is available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux. The mobile application of Dropbox supports iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices. Dropbox uses Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) to store users’ data. You don’t have to worry about the protection and security of the data, as the data is protected with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Advanced Encryption System (AES) 256-bit encryption.

Plan Name	Storage	Price (billed annually)
Plus	2 TB	$9.99/month
Professional	3 TB	$16.58/month
Standard	5 TB (for team, 3+ users)	$15/user/month
Advanced	Starts at 15 TB (for team, 3+ users)	$24/user/month

Google Drive

Launched: 2012

Google Drive Logo

Google Drive is also a cloud storage service; the main purpose of this cloud storage service is to provide the ability to the users to store more files. As the storage capacity of Google Drive is beyond the limits of your hard drive. It is available for both Android and iOS. It allows for storage of up to 15 GB of data without any charges which are sufficient for personal and office use. It allows presentations, documents, spreadsheets to view and edits the files, whenever the user wants to view and edit them. You can also store videos, audios, photos on the cloud and share them anytime. If you want more storage, you can upgrade to a paid plan with Google One. With a paid plan, Google lets you share your storage with your family or friends and provide access to Google Experts. Google Drive is the best cloud storage platform for your business.

Plan Name	Storage	Price (Monthly)
Lite	30 GB	₹59/month (₹15/mo for 3 months)
Basic	100 GB	₹130/month (₹35/mo for 3 months)
Standard	200 GB	₹210/month (₹50/mo for 3 months)
Premium	2 TB	₹650/month (₹160/mo for 3 months)
AI Premium	2 TB	₹1,950/month

Microsoft OneDrive

Launched: 2007

OneDrive Logo

There is another cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that is OneDrive. Microsoft’s OneDrive is another best cloud storage services you can trust. It is integrated with Microsoft, so the users can access and save files like Word Docs, Excel Spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. OneDrive is accessible through Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Windows Phone and Xbox. Microsoft OneDrive provides 5 GB of storage for free, and users can also add more storage by paying a fee. To make things easier, it has a tagging feature to sort out and find photos. It also gives notifications as soon as a document is edited or shared. The files can also be accessed offline, making it an easy cloud storage app.

Plan Name	Storage	Price
Microsoft 365 Family	6 TB total (1 TB/person)	₹8,199/year or ₹819/month
Microsoft 365 Personal	1 TB	₹6,899/year or ₹689/month
Microsoft 365 Basic	100 GB	₹1,499/year or ₹149/month
Microsoft 365 Free	5 GB	Free

Box

Launched: 2005
Headquarters: Redwood City, California, U.S.

Box Logo

Box is an online cloud storage service which offers cloud content management and file-sharing services to individuals as well as businesses. The Box app is available for both Android and iOS devices. It allows the users to view, share and edit files and that too very securely. Box comes with 10 GB of free storage to back up all files, improvements, and it can be accessed via a wide range of devices such as iPhone, Windows, Android and iPad. It gives offline access to files and folders, high fidelity, PowerPoint presentations and allows you to share huge files with just a link. Box also offers real-time search in PDF, Word documents, PowerPoint and Excel files.

Plan Name	Storage	Price per User/Month (billed annually)
Business	Unlimited	₹1,160 (was ₹1,545)
Business Plus	Unlimited	₹1,980 (was ₹2,635)
Enterprise	Unlimited	₹2,730 (was ₹3,635)
Enterprise Plus	Unlimited	Custom Pricing (Contact Sales)

Mega

Launched: 2013
Headquarters: Auckland

Mega Logo

Mega is a cloud storage service which is known for its improvements and changes. It provides a storage space of 15 GB for free. The user can easily drag and drop to upload files, pictures, and videos to stream, download, store and share. Using Mega you can access the files from anywhere in the world. There are four paid plans that Mega has, which are Pro Lite with 400 GB storage, Pro II with 2 TB storage, Pro III with 8 TB storage and Pro IV with 16 TB storage. The data stored in the cloud is encrypted during transit.

Plan Name	Storage	Price per Month (billed annually)
Pro Lite	400 GB	₹402.20
Pro I	2 TB	₹804.48
Pro II	8 TB	₹1,609.03
Pro III	16 TB	₹2,413.59

NextCloud

Launched: 2016
Headquarters: Stuttgart Baden-Württemberg

NextCloud Logo

NextCloud is a cloud storage service which is similar to Dropbox, but unlike Dropbox, it does not offer off-premises hosting for file storage. It is an open-source software, which means it is free to download and install on the user’s server. It has innovative self-hosting relations. Users can also enable encryption while storing and sharing files, and can protect data with encryption if needed. The files on NextCloud are stored in conventional directory structures, which the user can access via WebDAV if necessary.

Plan Name	Storage	Price per User per Month (€)
Single Users	500 GB	15 € (yearly) / 18 € (monthly)
Teams	1000 GB	13 € (yearly) / 16 € (monthly)

IDrive

Launched in: 1995
Headquarters: Calabasas, California, U.S.

IDrive is a versatile cloud storage solution ideal for businesses of all sizes. It offers secure backup, file syncing, and real-time collaboration across multiple devices. With features like continuous data protection, versioning, and affordable plans, IDrive ensures that critical business data remains safe, accessible, and easy to manage.

Plan Name	Storage	Price
Basic	10 GB	Free
IDrive Mini	100 GB	$2.95/year
IDrive Personal	5 TB	$99.50/year
IDrive Team	5 TB (5 users)	$99.50/year
IDrive Business	250 GB	$99.50/year

Resilio Sync

Launched: 2016
Headquarters: San Francisco

Resilio Logo

Resilio Sync is a free cloud-storage app by Resilio, Inc. It is also one of the best storage apps for those who are looking for a free cloud storage service. Resilio Sync is available for Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, Windows Phone, Amazon Kindle Fire and BSD. Resilio Sync comes with many features one of the best features is that it can sync files between devices on a local network or you can do the same with remote devices over the internet but for that, you need a modified version of the BitTorrent protocol. Resilio Sync is one of the most popular cloud storage services because of its features and concerns about file storage limits, privacy, cost, and performance.

Tresorit

Launched: 2011
Headquarters: San Jose, California

Tresorit Logo

Tresorit is an online storage service where you can store and share your data. Tresorit comes with a free trial, but it also has three paid plans for two categories. The first category is individual, and the first plan is Basic, which is free. The other two plans are paid, which are Premium, $10.42 /month and Solo, $24/month if billed annually. The second category is for teams, and the plans are Small business $20/user/month, Business $12/user/month and Enterprise $24/user/month if billed annually. It is known for being one of the expensive cloud storage services in the market. Tresorit features end-to-end encryption of every file uploaded on the device, keeping third-party interference away. The Basic plan comes with free 3GB storage.

Plan Name	Storage	Price
Business	From 6 TB (encrypted)	$19/user/month (min. 3 users)
Professional	4 TB (encrypted)	$27.49/month (1 user)
Enterprise	Custom storage	Custom pricing (from 50 users)

This is our list of the best cloud storage services and apps. We will try to keep this list updated. Hope you liked this post.

April 28, 2025

MS Dhoni Investments: From Cricket to Business – A Look at His Strategic Moves

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fondly known as ‘Captain Cool’, has ruled the cricketing world with his sharp instincts and fearless leadership. From winning World Cups to being one of the most celebrated captains, his journey on the field is legendary.

But Dhoni’s story does not end with cricket. Off the field, MS Dhoni has made a name for himself with smart investments across various industries. Always on the lookout for great opportunities, his choices show a passion for growth. From tech startups to rising brands, Dhoni’s investments clearly reflect his forward-thinking approach.

In this article, let’s take a closer look at MS Dhoni’s investments and how the cricket legend is making waves in the business world.

MS Dhoni Investments List

MS Dhoni Invested Companies	Founded Year	Headquarters	Sector
BluSmart Mobility	2019	Gurugram, India	Electric Mobility
Tagda Raho	2021	Karnataka, India	Fitness & Wellness
Rigi	2021	Karnataka, India	Social & Content Monetization
Shaka Harry	2022	Mumbai, India	Plant-Based Food
Garuda Aerospace	2015	Tamil Nadu, India	Drones & Aerospace
HomeLane	2014	Bengaluru, India	Interior Design & Home Décor
7InkBrews	2020	Maharashtra, India	Food & Beverage
Khatabook	2018	Bengaluru, India	Fintech & Digital Payments
CARS24	2015	Gurugram, India	Automotive & Used Car Market

List of Companies Invested in by MS Dhoni

Here is a comprehensive list of Dhoni’s invested companies:

Garuda Aerospace

Mahendra Singh Dhoni first invested in Garuda Aerospace in June 2022, also becoming its brand ambassador. His initial investment amount was undisclosed. In February 2024, he topped up his investment, acquiring a 1.1% stake in the company with an INR 4 crore infusion. This move came ahead of Garuda Aerospace’s planned IPO. The Chennai-based startup, founded in 2015 by Agnishwar Jayaprakash, focuses on agriculture, defence, and industrial drones. Dhoni’s involvement highlights the potential of drone technology in India.

EMotorad

In April 2024, MS Dhoni invested in EMotorad, an electric bicycle startup based in Pune. Founded in 2020 by Kunal Gupta, Rajib Gangopadhyay, Aditya Oza, and Sumedh Battewar. Dhoni’s investment grants him equity in the company, and he also serves as its brand ambassador. This partnership aims to promote sustainable transportation solutions in India.

Tagda Raho

In November 2023, Dhoni invested in Tagda Raho, a Bengaluru-based fitness startup. Founded by Rishabh Malhotra, the company blends traditional Indian workout equipment with modern training methods. Their equipment and programmes have been adopted by professional teams like Lucknow SuperGiants, Haryana Steelers, and the National Cricket Academy. Dhoni’s involvement aims to revive traditional Indian workouts and promote a healthier lifestyle.

Rigi

Dhoni joined the list of investors in Rigi in January 2023. The Bengaluru-based startup, founded in October 2021 by Swapnil Saurav and Ananya Singhal, helps content creators monetise their communities. Rigi secured INR 100 crore in a funding round led by Elevation Capital, with support from Accel, Stellaris, Sequoia Capital, and others. The company plans to use the funds to expand globally and develop new tools for creators.

Shaka Harry

Shaka Harry is a plant-based protein brand owned by Liberate Foods, a Bengaluru-based company focused on sustainable food alternatives. Founded by Anand Nagarajan, Anoop Haridasan, Hemalatha Srinivasan, Ruth Renitha, and Sandeep Devgan, the brand offers vegetarian alternatives to meat, catering to the growing demand for plant-based diets. In October 2022, Dhoni invested in Liberate Foods to support Shaka Harry’s growth and promote alternative protein choices in India.

7InkBrews

In April 2021, Dhoni became a shareholder and brand ambassador for 7InkBrews, a Mumbai-based food and beverage startup. Founded by Mohit Bhagchandani, with co-founders Adil Mistry and Kunal Patel, the company introduced the Copter7 range of artisanal chocolates and beverages. The brand name and packaging draw inspiration from Dhoni’s iconic helicopter shot and his jersey number. Copter7 products were initially launched in Mumbai, Pune, Goa, and Bengaluru, with plans to expand to other regions.

Khatabook

Khatabook is a Bengaluru-based fintech startup that helps small businesses manage digital ledgers and streamline payments. Founded by Ravish Naresh, Dhanesh Kumar, Jaideep Poonia, and Ashish Sonone, the platform has gained significant traction among MSMEs. It has also received backing from investors like Sequoia Capital and Surge Ventures. In March 2020, Dhoni invested an undisclosed amount in Khatabook and became its brand ambassador to support its growth and expansion.

Cars24

In August 2019, Dhoni invested an undisclosed amount in Cars24, a Gurugram-based online platform for buying and selling used cars. Founded in 2015 by Vikram Chopra, Mehul Agrawal, Gajendra Jangid, and Ruchit Agarwal, Cars24 streamlines the process of selling pre-owned vehicles. Dhoni’s investment includes an equity stake, and he also serves as the company’s brand ambassador. This partnership aims to enhance Cars24’s brand presence and expand its reach across India.

HomeLane

HomeLane is a Bengaluru-based home interiors brand that provides end-to-end interior design solutions. Founded by Srikanth Iyer and Tanuj Choudhry, the company aims to simplify home furnishing with a tech-driven approach. It has expanded across multiple cities, catering to urban homeowners. In August 2021, Dhoni invested in HomeLane and signed a three-year contract as its brand ambassador.

MS Dhoni’s Family Office: Strategic Investments in Emerging Sectors

MS Dhoni’s family office is an active investment entity that manages the personal wealth of the former Indian cricket captain. Operating as a single-family office, it mainly focuses on early-stage investments, particularly Seed and Series A rounds, in Indian companies across various sectors. These investments show a strategic approach to supporting innovative companies that are bound for growth. Below is a summary of notable companies that have received investment from MS Dhoni’s family office:

Date	Company	Location	Sector	Round Details	Round Amount	Co-Investors
Mar 4, 2025	SILA Group	Mumbai	Real Estate	Strategic Investment	Undisclosed	Norwest Venture Partners, SILA Founders (Rushabh & Sahil Vora)
Sep 12, 2024	Centricity	Gurugram	FinTech	Seed	$20 million	Burman Family Holdings, Lightspeed, Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Paramark VC, Aakash Chaudhry, NB Ventures
May 31, 2024	BluSmart	Gurugram	Electric Mobility	Pre-Series B	$24 million	responsAbility Investments AG, Sumant Sinha (ReNew Power), BluSmart Founders

BluSmart

BluSmart is a Gurugram-based electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing company offering sustainable transportation in India. It focuses on reducing carbon emissions by using an all-electric fleet and developing EV charging infrastructure. Dhoni invested in BluSmart in July 2024 through his family office, contributing to an INR 200 crore ($24 million) pre-Series B funding round. The round also saw participation from ResponsAbility Investments, ReNew founder Sumant Sinha, and BluSmart’s existing investors, supporting the company’s expansion and EV charging infrastructure.

End Note

MS Dhoni has invested in a variety of startups across technology, mobility, fintech, wellness, and sustainability. He has backed companies like Garuda Aerospace, EMotorad, Tagda Raho, Khatabook, and more, showing his interest in innovation and supporting India’s growing startup ecosystem.

FAQs

What are the companies MS Dhoni has invested in?

Some of the notable MS Dhoni-invested companies include BluSmart, Garuda Aerospace, Rigi, EMotorad, Tagda Raho, and more.

Is MS Dhoni an angel investor?

Yes, MS Dhoni has invested in several startups as an angel investor, including Tagda Raho, 7InkBrews, HomeLane, and more.

What industries does MS Dhoni focus on for his investments?

MS Dhoni primarily invests in technology, mobility, fintech, sports, and consumer goods.

Does MS Dhoni own any businesses apart from his investments?

Yes, apart from his investments, MS Dhoni co-owns Chennaiyin FC (Indian Super League team) and has launched his lifestyle brand, SEVEN, focusing on sportswear and footwear.

How much did MS Dhoni invest in Gensol Engineering?

MS Dhoni invested in BluSmart, whose parent company is Gensol Engineering, in July 2024 through his family office, contributing to an INR 200 crore ($24 million) pre-Series B funding round. The round also saw participation from ResponsAbility Investments, ReNew founder Sumant Sinha, and BluSmart’s existing investors.

April 27, 2025

Celebrity Startups: The Most Successful Business Ventures by Bollywood Stars

In an era where fame meets business, Bollywood celebrities are no longer just stars of the silver screen; they are now shining just as brightly in boardrooms and business expos. Gone are the days when celeb endorsements were the peak of brand involvement. Today’s A-listers are becoming co-founders, investors, and visionaries behind some of India’s most talked-about startups.

From clean skincare & haircare to sustainable fashion, Bollywood’s finest are diversifying their portfolios and putting their star power to work, offering real products and real impact. What makes this trend fascinating is how personal many of these ventures are. Whether it’s a passion for wellness, a commitment to sustainability, or a desire to solve everyday problems, these celebs are building brands with purpose.

So, who’s just playing a business role on-screen, and who’s really building empires behind the scenes? Let’s take a closer look at the top Bollywood celebrities who are not just actors but startup founders, reshaping India’s entrepreneurial landscape.

How Top Bollywood Celebrities Built Their Startup Success Stories?

Hrithik Roshan
Alia Bhatt
Deepika Padukone
Katrina Kaif
Priyanka Chopra
Kriti Sanon
Salman Khan
Ranbir Kapoor
Saif Ali Khan
Sonakshi Sinha
Shraddha Kapoor
Lara Dutta

Hrithik Roshan

Celebrity Hrithik Roshan

Founder of HRX

Hrithik Roshan – Celebrity Startups

Launched in 2013, HRX began as a fitness and activewear brand focused on empowering individuals to live healthier, more active lives. With a core ethos rooted in Hrithik’s own fitness journey, the brand was conceptualized to inspire people to push their limits and embrace a lifestyle that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being.

HRX hit a major milestone with a reported revenue of INR 1000 crore, signaling its rise as a strong player in India’s activewear market. The success of HRX can be attributed to its focus on high-quality fitness apparel and accessories, designed not just for athletes but for everyone committed to self-improvement. With a range of products that includes sportswear, footwear, and fitness gear, HRX has carved a niche in the fast-growing Indian fitness and lifestyle market.

Alia Bhatt

Celebrity Alia Bhatt

Founder of Ed-a-Mamma

Alia Bhatt – Celebrity Startups

Alia Bhatt launched Ed-a-Mamma in 2020, a sustainable children’s clothing brand catering to kids aged 2 to 14. The brand’s success was so explosive that it caught the eye of Reliance Retail, which swooped in to acquire a 51% stake in a deal in September 2023. Now, backed by Reliance’s massive retail network, Ed-a-Mamma is set to expand its reach and product line like never before.

Alia Bhatt envisions the brand as a platform to instill environmental values in children, stating, “Ed-a-Mamma combines two things I care deeply about: Our planet and our children. So I decided to create a world that nurtures in children a love of nature”.

Ed-a-Mamma’s journey from a homegrown startup to a significant player in sustainable fashion exemplifies the potential of celebrity-led ventures that prioritize purpose alongside profit.

Deepika Padukone

Celebrity Deepika Padukone

Founder of 82°E

Deepika Padukone – Celebrity Startups

Move over, blockbusters Deepika Padukone is now making waves in the startup world! Deepika Padukone has gone a step further, investing in forward-thinking startups like Epigamia, Purplle, Bellatrix Aerospace, a cutting-edge spacetech firm, and BluSmart, India’s all-electric ride-hailing platform.

But her biggest entrepreneurial leap came in 2021, when she co-founded 82°E with business partner Jigar Shah. Launched as a D2C personal care brand in November 2022, 82°E (pronounced eighty-two east) began with a premium skincare line and has since expanded to include a men’s range under the label 82°E.

Just a month after launch, in December 2022, 82°E raised a stellar $7.5 million in seed funding from DSG Consumer Partners, IDEO Ventures, and a clutch of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs), including Padukone’s own family office.

Katrina Kaif

Celebrity Katrina Kaif

Founder of Kay Beauty

Katrina Kaif – Celebrity Startups

Kay Beauty’s launch was a game-changer. This brand offers products like lip oil gloss, creme blush, liquid highlighter, and hydrating foundation that strike the right balance between glamour and skincare. With millions of customers, especially young women looking for high-performance makeup, the brand focused on inclusive beauty, cruelty-free practices, and sustainability.

In 2020, Kay Beauty made a big splash when it was launched in partnership with Nykaa, one of India’s leading beauty and wellness platforms. This partnership has helped the brand reach even more customers, solidifying Katrina’s position as a savvy businesswoman in the beauty space. Kay Beauty emerged as the standout performer in fiscal year 2024, with revenues increasing 45.83% to INR 88.23 crore, or approximately $10.6 million.

Priyanka Chopra

Celebrity Priyanka Chopra

Founder of Anomaly

Priyanka Chopra – Celebrity Startups

Global icon, actress, and producer Priyanka Chopra isn’t just making headlines in Hollywood and Bollywood; she’s also building a name for herself in the world of beauty and wellness. In 2021, Priyanka launched Anomaly, a sustainable haircare brand that’s all about clean beauty without the high price tag.

Anomaly stands out because it offers salon-quality shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that are vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly, all packed in bottles made from 100% recycled plastic. As of 2023, Anomaly became one of the fastest-growing celebrity haircare brands globally, proving that when purpose meets passion, it can lead to real business success. This brand accounted for INR 4,843 crores in revenue as of 2023.

Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon – Celebrity Startups

Celebrity Kriti Sanon

Founder of Hyphen

In 2023, the Bollywood actress launched Hyphen, a skincare brand she co-founded with seasoned beauty entrepreneur Rohit Khandelwal, who previously worked with top brands like MyGlamm and Unilever.

Hyphen isn’t your average celeb skincare line. The brand was created with a simple yet powerful idea: to make skincare effective, affordable, and inclusive. Kriti has been closely involved in everything from the product formulations to the packaging design. Her goal? To “hyphen” the gap between luxury and accessibility in skincare.

Backed by Kriti’s personal passion for skincare and a strong social media presence, Hyphen is already creating waves in India’s booming beauty market. The brand is available online and has been praised for its minimal, no-nonsense approach to self-care.

Salman Khan

Celebrity Salman Khan

Founder of Being Human

Salman Khan – Celebrity Startups

Long before celebrity brands became a trend, Salman Khan was already setting the stage with Being Human. Launched in 2012, this fashion label is more than just stylish clothing it’s a brand with a heart. Known for its casual wear like t-shirts, jeans, and jackets, Being Human has grown into a fan-favorite, especially among Salman’s massive fan base.

But what sets it apart is its purpose. A portion of the brand’s profits go towards the Being Human Foundation, which supports education and healthcare for the underprivileged.

Ranbir Kapoor

Celebrity Ranbir Kapoor

Founder of ARKS

Ranbir Kapoor – Celebrity Startups

Ranbir Kapoor has officially stepped into the world of fashion with his brand-new venture ARKS. ARKS was launched in 2024 with the aim of becoming your go-to destination for wardrobe essentials.

Featuring comfy tees and cargo pants, cozy hoodies, sharp jackets, and trendy sneakers, this brand offers a head-to-toe style upgrade. What sets ARKS apart is its focus on fuss-free fashion that’s both stylish and wearable. Whether you’re heading out for a casual brunch or just lounging at home, ARKS outfits are designed to keep you looking cool.

Saif Ali Khan

Celebrity Saif Ali Khan

Founder of House of Pataudi

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Launched in 2018 in partnership with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra, House of Pataudi brings regal elegance to everyday wardrobes. The brand is inspired by Saif’s royal heritage and timeless style, offering a curated collection of ethnic wear, footwear, and accessories for men and women. From intricately embroidered sherwanis and kurtas to contemporary Indo-western outfits, every piece is a blend of tradition and modern aesthetics.

Sonakshi Sinha

Celebrity Sonakshi Sinha

Founder of SOEZI

Sonakshi Sinha – Celebrity Startups

Sonakshi Sinha, known for her bold and quirky approach, ventured into the beauty industry with the launch of her press-on nails brand, SOEZI, in May 2022. Co-founded with lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Srishti Raai, SOEZI aims to make nail art accessible and hassle-free for everyone.

Expanding its physical presence, SOEZI inaugurated its first offline retail store at Seasons Mall in Pune in March 2024. The launch event attracted notable lifestyle influencers and marked a significant milestone in the brand’s journey.

Shraddha Kapoor

Celebrity Shraddha Kapoor

Founder of IMARA, Palmonas

Shraddha Kapoor – Celebrity Startups

In 2015, Shraddha Kapoor teamed up with Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd (USPL), founded by Anjana Reddy and backed by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, to launch IMARA, an ethnic wear brand for women.

IMARA reimagines traditional Indian fashion with a modern twist. From stylish kurtis and fusion wear to elegant Indo-western outfits, the brand caters to young, fashion-forward Indian women who want to keep their ethnic roots alive while embracing modern silhouettes.

Moreover, Sraddha Kapoor has joined Palmonas, a Pune-based demi-fine jewellery startup, as a co-founder in March 2024. Her engagement with the brand became public when she responded to a fan’s comment on Instagram, revealing her admiration for Palmonas’ designs.

Lara Dutta

Celebrity Lara Dutta

Founder of Arias

Lara Dutta – Celebrity Startup

In 2019, former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Lara Dutta ventured into entrepreneurship with the launch of Arias, a skincare brand developed in collaboration with Scentials Beautycare and Wellness Pvt. Ltd. The brand’s name, Arias, is inspired by her daughter’s name spelled backward, reflecting a personal touch in its identity.

Lara Dutta collaborated with dermatologist Dr. Geetanjali Shetty to develop the Arias product line, ensuring that the formulations address common skincare challenges while maintaining ethical standards.

Beyond skincare, Arias has expanded its offerings to include fragrances and body mists, aiming to provide a comprehensive personal care experience. The brand is accessible through various online platforms such as Amazon, Myntra, and Tira Beauty.

Conclusion

Bollywood celebrities aren’t just ruling the movies; they are also making waves in business. Their brands aren’t just about fame; they offer real value with eco-friendly beauty products, sustainable fashion, and smart tech solutions. These stars understand what people want today, and they’re building successful ventures around it. And this is just the start, their business success is set to grow even bigger!

Top Bollywood Actresses in India Who Invest in Startups

Many celebrity investors in India are now supporting the economy by investing in startups. Explore the top Bollywood actresses who invest in startups.

StartupTalkyAbhishek Gupta

FAQs

Which Bollywood actresses have made a mark in the beauty and cosmetics industry?

Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty (makeup brand in collaboration with Nykaa) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Anomaly (haircare brand) are notable successful ventures in the beauty sector.

What are some of the most successful fashion ventures by Bollywood stars?

Successful fashion ventures include Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma (kids and maternity wear), Shraddha Kapoor’s ( IMARA).

April 27, 2025

Celebrity	Hrithik Roshan
Founder of	HRX

Celebrity	Alia Bhatt
Founder of	Ed-a-Mamma

Celebrity	Deepika Padukone
Founder of	82°E

Celebrity	Katrina Kaif
Founder of	Kay Beauty

Celebrity	Priyanka Chopra
Founder of	Anomaly

Celebrity	Kriti Sanon
Founder of	Hyphen

Celebrity	Salman Khan
Founder of	Being Human

Celebrity	Ranbir Kapoor
Founder of	ARKS

Celebrity	Saif Ali Khan
Founder of	House of Pataudi

Celebrity	Sonakshi Sinha
Founder of	SOEZI

Celebrity	Shraddha Kapoor
Founder of	IMARA, Palmonas

Celebrity	Lara Dutta
Founder of	Arias

Varun Beverages: A Journey of Growth, Innovation and Market Leadership

Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations.

Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) stands as a significant player in the beverage industry. Furthermore, VBL’s continued focus on expanding its global footprint, coupled with its aggressive market penetration strategies, has allowed it to build lasting relationships with suppliers, distributors and consumers alike. As it eyes future growth through strategic acquisitions and market diversification, Varun Beverages is poised to maintain its momentum in both the Indian and international markets.

In this StartupTalky, we will explore the strategies, challenges, and achievements that have shaped Varun Beverages’ journey toward becoming a leader in the beverage industry.

Varun Beverages Limited – Company Highlights

Name	Varun Beverages Limited
Headquarters	Haryana, India
Sector	Manufacturing, bottling and distribution of beverages
Founder	Ravi Kant Jaipuria
Founded	1995
Website	www.varunbeverages.com

Varun Beverages Limited – About

Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) is among the largest PepsiCo franchisees globally, outside of the United States.

Since partnering with PepsiCo in the 1990s, VBL has built a strong and lasting relationship, steadily expanding its reach and operations. Over the past 25+ years, the company has grown its footprint by acquiring more licensed territories and sub-territories, diversifying its product lineup with new beverage options and packaging formats and strengthening its distribution network.

VBL produces, distributes and sells a wide array of beverages. These include carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and a broad range of non-carbonated beverages (NCBs), such as packaged drinking water, all under well-known PepsiCo trademarks. The company’s commitment to quality and innovation ensures that it caters to the evolving tastes of consumers while staying true to its partnership with PepsiCo.

Varun Beverages Limited – Industry

India’s beverages industry has seen a surge of over INR 50,000 crores in investments in recent years, highlighting its growing importance in the country’s economy. The non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink segment alone is on track to surpass INR 1.5 lakh crore in market size by 2030. This sector contributes significantly to the economy, adding an estimated INR 80,000 crores through its downstream and upstream activities.

A substantial portion of this investment has been directed toward building and expanding manufacturing and bottling facilities, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across various states. This has created tens of thousands of jobs and offers immense potential for further employment growth. The industry also plays a vital role in supporting India’s ‘sunrise’ food processing sector and acts as a backbone for the vast network of kirana shops and retailers nationwide.

However, challenges persist. A high GST rate of 40% is putting pressure on the industry, potentially stifling opportunities for employment, investment and entrepreneurship.

According to recent research by the CMI Team, India’s carbonated beverages market is poised for steady growth, with an expected CAGR of 6.5% between 2024 and 2033. The market size, valued at $80.1 billion in 2024, is projected to reach a significant $141.1 billion by 2033, underscoring the sector’s potential and resilience in the face of challenges.

Varun Beverages Limited – Founders and Team

Ravi Kant Jaipuria Chairman – RJ Corp

Manager – Varun Beverages

Ravi Jaipuria, often hailed as “India’s Cola King,” is a billionaire entrepreneur and the chairman of RJ Corp. Through RJ Corp, he oversees Varun Beverages, PepsiCo’s largest bottling partner outside the United States and Devyani International, India’s largest franchisee of Yum! Brands. Under his leadership, Devyani International operates popular chains like KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee and TWG Tea outlets across the country.

Jaipuria pursued business management studies in the United States before returning to India in 1985 to join the family business as a Pepsi bottler. Over the years, he has expanded his ventures across various industries, including a minority stake in Medanta, a leading healthcare organization. His innovative approach and sharp business acumen have cemented his position as a key figure in India’s beverage and foodservice industries.

Varun Beverages Limited – Mission and Vision

Mission
Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) is dedicated to utilizing resources effectively, empowering its workforce and contributing meaningfully to society through its commitment to excellence and ethical practices.

Vision
By focusing on sustainable growth, robust financial performance and maximizing market share, VBL aspires to lead the industry while maintaining a forward-thinking approach to its business and community responsibilities.

Varun Beverages Limited – Name, Tagline and Logo

Varun Beverages Logo

Guided by its slogan, “Grow Consistently. Sustain Constantly.”, VBL is dedicated to delivering refreshing experiences to consumers while fostering sustainable business practices.

Varun Beverages Limited – Business Model

Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) operates a robust business model centered around the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of PepsiCo beverages in India. The company’s well-integrated operations ensure seamless delivery of high-quality beverages to consumers across diverse markets.

Manufacturing
VBL manufactures and bottles a wide range of PepsiCo beverages, including carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), non-carbonated beverages (NCBs) and packaged drinking water (PDW). Key raw materials, such as sugar and PepsiCo concentrates, are sourced from approved suppliers to maintain quality standards. Additionally, VBL produces packaging materials like preforms, crowns and plastic closures in some of its facilities, enhancing operational efficiency.

Distribution
The company’s extensive distribution network caters to traditional and modern retail outlets in urban, semi-urban and rural markets. By leveraging this reach, VBL ensures its products are widely available, meeting the diverse demands of its customer base.

Varun Beverages Limited – Revenue Model

Collaboration with PepsiCo
VBL’s partnership with PepsiCo is a cornerstone of its operations. Under a franchisee agreement, VBL is authorized to manufacture and market PepsiCo beverages within designated regions. PepsiCo supports this partnership by providing established brands, concentrates and marketing guidance. In return, VBL pays royalties for using trademarks such as “LEHAR” with products like Aquafina and Evervess, reflecting the collaborative synergy between the two companies.

Marketing
VBL drives market presence and brand visibility through localized marketing and promotional efforts, such as investing in chilling equipment and Below-The-Line (BTL) marketing campaigns. These initiatives aim to boost market share while connecting with consumers at a community level.

Varun Beverages Limited – Challenges Faced

Demand Risk

Risk: A slowdown in target markets or cyclical downturns could reduce sales velocity and adversely impact the company’s growth.
Mitigation Plan:Varun Beverages adopts a strategic approach by offering the right brands, featuring tailored products at competitive prices and leveraging effective distribution channels. Its diverse product portfolio caters to the varying tastes and preferences of different consumer segments, ensuring steady demand. Furthermore, the company operates in underpenetrated markets characterized by favorable demographics, growing populations and supportive climatic conditions, contributing to consistent sales growth.

Business Agreement Risk

Risk: Dependence on strategic relationships with PepsiCo poses a risk of termination or less favorable terms during agreement renewals, potentially affecting profitability.
Mitigation Plan: Over three decades, Varun Beverages has fortified its relationship with PepsiCo by expanding its territories, diversifying its product offerings and strengthening its distribution network. This partnership has grown stronger, as evidenced by the extension of the bottling appointment and trademark license agreement with PepsiCo India until April 30, 2039. By collaborating on strategic initiatives, investing in joint projects and fostering trust, VBL ensures a mutually beneficial and enduring relationship with PepsiCo, safeguarding its long-term profitability and operational stability.

Varun Beverages Limited – Mergers and Acquisitions

Varun Beverages has strategically pursued mergers and acquisitions to expand its market footprint and enhance its production and distribution capabilities, strengthening its position as a leading beverage company globally.

Acquiree Name	Announced Date	Price
SBC Tanzania	Nov 12, 2024	INR 13 crore
The Beverage Company	Dec 19, 2023	ZAR 3B

Varun Beverages Limited – Financials

Varun Beverages Ltd. Financials (Consolidated)	2024 (INR crore)	2023 (INR crore)
Total Operating Revenue	20,007.65	16,042.58
Total Expenses	16,694.35	13,382.10
Profit/Loss After Tax	2,635.76 (Profit)	2,102.29 (Profit)

Varun Beverages Limited – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns

‘Swag se Solo’ Campaign

The ‘Swag se Solo’ campaign launched during the COVID-19 pandemic cleverly combined cultural heritage and public health messaging. Key takeaways:

Cultural Relevance: By highlighting the namaste and salaam gestures, the campaign embraced traditional Indian greetings, making them a symbol of both respect and safety.
Public Health Advocacy: The campaign effectively communicated the importance of social distancing in a relatable and responsible manner.
Youth Engagement: By positioning these traditional greetings as “cool,” the campaign resonated with younger audiences, promoting safe behavior while staying trendy.

2020 Campaign: Encouraging Self-Belief and Confidence

Pepsi’s 2020 campaign emphasized individuality and self-expression through its tagline and message. Key observations:

Celebration of Individuality: The campaign empowered young people to be authentic, challenging societal norms and judgments with self-confidence and “swag.”
Youth-Centric Messaging: It addressed the core struggles of Indian youth, like societal expectations, in a relatable manner.
Effortless Cool: The film’s tone and Salman Khan’s persona reinforced the brand’s appeal as youthful, bold and unapologetically self-assured.

Varun Beverages Limited – Awards and Achievements

Corporate Governance Awards:

Business Brand Award for Best Corporate Governance
CFI.CO (UK) for Best FMCG Corporate Governance: A prestigious recognition received for four consecutive years (2018-2022), highlighting consistent excellence in corporate governance within the FMCG sector.
India Achievers’ Award for Best Corporate Governance: Bestowed in 2022.
Responsible Business Award for Best Corporate Governance: Received in 2022.
Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance: Awarded in 2021.

Quality Awards

Golden Peacock National Quality Award: Recognized in 2022.
CII National Award for Food Safety: Received for the production facility in Nuh, emphasizing the company’s commitment to food safety and hygiene standards.

Sustainability Recognition

PepsiCo’s “Better” Category Award: Acknowledged for the company’s contributions towards sustainability, showcasing its initiatives to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable practices across its operations.

Varun Beverages Limited – Competitors

These companies are key players in both the beverage and food industries, with many of them directly competing with Varun Beverages through their product offerings and market presence.
Beverage Companies:

Food Companies:

Adani Wilmar Ltd
ADF Foods Ltd
Bambino Agro Industries Ltd
Bikaji Foods International Ltd
Chordia Food Products Ltd
Euro India Fresh Foods Ltd
LT Foods Ltd
Manpasand Beverages Ltd
Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd

Varun Beverages Limited – Future Plans

Fundraising

Varun Beverages (VBL) is planning to raise INR 7,500 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP). This capital will be used to fund its expansion efforts, including investments in subsidiaries and strategic acquisitions. Additionally, the funds will be directed towards debt repayment and other corporate purposes.

Revenue Growth

VBL’s revenue in 2023 saw a remarkable 21.8% increase, reaching a total of INR 16,042.58 crore, reflecting strong business performance and robust growth strategies.

Global Expansion

VBL is making significant investments internationally, with a USD 50 million investment in a Pepsi production facility in Kiswishi City, which is part of the first private Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This move is aligned with VBL’s strategy to further its global footprint.

Stock Target & Performance

The average target for VBL’s stock is set at 690.60, representing an upside potential of 23.21% from its last traded price of 560.50. This indicates strong investor confidence in the company’s future prospects.

FAQs

What is Varun Beverages primarily known for?

Varun Beverages is primarily known as a major bottler and distributor of PepsiCo beverages.

What brands are made by Varun Beverages?

Varun Beverages produces popular beverages like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, 7UP, Tropicana juices, Gatorade, Aquafina and Sting.

Who is a founder of Varun Beverages?

Ravi Kant Jaipuria is a founder of Varun Beverages.

April 27, 2025

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