India, 23rd September, 2025: Amwoodo, an innovator in bamboo-based sustainable solutions, announced that it has raised $4 million in Pre-Series A funding from a consortium of leading investors. This round was led by Rainmatter, with participation from Adventz Group, Thinkuvate, and Caspian. The investment marks a significant milestone in Amwoodo’s mission to accelerate the transition toward eco-conscious living by creating world-class alternatives to harmful disposable products.
Founded in 2019, Amwoodo has been at the forefront of replacing single-use plastics with bamboo-first products that combine sustainability with everyday convenience. The company has built strong B2B partnerships with leading names such as Himalaya Wellness Company, Bombay Shaving Company, and ITC Hotels, while also expanding into the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space through its marketplace Ecoconsious. With this new funding, the company will:
Scale production capacity to meet growing domestic and global demand
Enter the D2C market through its own marketplace, Ecoconsious, and launch other plastic-alternative brands under the House of Amwoodo
Strengthen community engagement and expand livelihood opportunities in bamboo-growing regions
“It is a shared commitment to rewriting the story of sustainability—where innovation replaces waste, communities thrive, and every product leaves the planet better than we found it. With this support, we are not just scaling a business; we are fueling a movement to make eco-conscious living the norm, not the exception. We’re leading from the ground up – listening, learning, and building with the community. Because change starts where the roots are.”
— Mr. Agni Mitra, Founder & CEO, Amwoodo
“At Amwoodo, we have always believed that sustainability is not a trend—it’s a responsibility. This funding is a testament to the collective effort of our passionate team, the trust of our partners, and the unwavering support of our customers. Together, we are proving that businesses can drive both profit and purpose, and we are ready to take the next big leap toward making eco-conscious living the global standard.”
— Mr. Subhrakanti Das, Chief of Staff, Amwoodo
Amwoodo’s growth is also supported by recognition as a Great Place to Work® (India) and accolades from various media houses, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in innovation and sustainability.
About Amwoodo
Amwoodo Eco Products Private Limited is India’s foremost innovator in sustainable bamboo-based solutions, creating eco-friendly alternatives to everyday essentials. Founded in 2019, Amwoodo is built on the belief that sustainability is not a trend but a responsibility. With a bamboo-first approach, the company offers a wide range of products—from premium personal care and oral care to hotel amenities, office stationery, and corporate gifts—designed to replace plastic in daily life. Backed by leading clients such as Himalaya Wellness Company, Bombay Shaving Company, and ITC Hotels, Amwoodo is redefining conscious consumption through innovation, ethical practices, and circular economy principles. Supported by $1 million in funding from Rainmatter (Zerodha) and recognized as a Great Place to Work®, Amwoodo continues to inspire a global shift toward eco-conscious living and a greener future.
AI shopping assistants make buying easy and fast. They will sift through massive catalogs, source deals, and recommend products according to your taste and budget. Be it through voice or chat, they answer queries, compare items, and expedite checkout. Using real-time data, these tools monitor price drop alerts and discounts, provide reminders for items left in cart, and become far smarter the more they are used as they learn your habits and make finer recommendations. While these shopping companions amalgamate convenience with savings, they save you hours of searching by trimming it down to a matter of minutes. The feeling is somewhere between a mobile app and desktop browsing: they are a personal shopper with you.
Detects shopper hesitation and triggers conversion nudges; deep preference learning
Yes — 90+ languages
Omnichannel: web, mobile, and social
Insider
Website
useinsider.com
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Enterprises seeking AI-powered customer experience, personalization, and omnichannel marketing automation.
Insider – Best AI Shopping Assistants
An AI shopping assistant from Insider that is used by brands such as Adidas and Lexus, to make online buying fast, personalized, and easy. The Shopping Agent predicts how much can be provided to users before they ask and guides the users into smooth, real-time chats with emotional intelligence to trust and comfort them, raising sales and order value by smart algorithms. Its picks will become sharper over time, aided by deep data use. Both brands and shoppers save a lot of time and reduce stress, hence closing more deals. The platform customizes at every touchpoint on the shopping path-from discovery to checkout-for tailored product choices and a reduction in cart drop-offs.
Pros
Predicting needs and making smart recommendations even before one types an input.
Increases conversions and decreases the abandonment of carts with intelligent nudges.
Cons
Perhaps need lots of setting up for the data integration.
Advanced features are primarily meant for mid to large enterprises.
Pricing
Insider offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Manifest AI
Website
getmanifest.ai
Rating
4.8
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Shopify / eCommerce stores wanting to boost sales via AI-chatbot, product recommendation, reduce cart drop-offs and personalize customer experience.
Manifest AI – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Manifest AI helps retailers to recreate an artificial shopping experience as an interactive marvel. It leads and assists one online shopper with instant chat, smart search, and personal options amidst sales campaigns that understand one’s shopping signals and preferences while seeking ways to increase sales. Interactive quizzes and polite prompts help keep the user on their toes while, at the same time, multilingual support goes a long way towards maintaining global brands. This reduces support costs, for they quickly answer any questions, thereby allowing for quicker buy-in and better understanding-which assists in sharpening the results with each visit. Anything can be set up on Shopify, while the graphic appearance is fully customizable by brands.
Pros
Cost reduction for support department by up to 90 percent.
It also doubles conversion rates with proactive recommendations.
Global reach with multilingual support.
Cons
Limited for Shopify
Requires proper training of product data and its setup.
Pricing
Manifest AI offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Shopify / eCommerce stores wanting AI-powered support & sales chatbots to drive conversions, handle pre- & post-purchase support, and reduce cart abandonment.
Rep AI – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Rep AI empowers eCommerce stores with the capability of chat to fast sales transactions and perfect support. It connects up with shoppers when needed, takes query questions, and assists them in selecting, comparing, and even buying with actual, real-time human-like assistance. The system scans catalogs very quickly, reads shopper signals, and closes sales with personalized product recommendations. It cuts cart drop-offs by enabling users to add products through chats and go to checkout immediately. Rep AI also handles more than 95% support issues systematically, allowing the staff to focus on the harder issues at hand. Smart insights on shopper behavior are provided to brands in order to grow faster.
Pros
Proactive chat converts almost three times as many shoppers
Automating over 95% of support that takes away tangible loads
Direct actions of adding to the cart and checkout are available in a chat window
Cons
Advanced analytics and branding features are available at a premium
Some features are not fully ready for non-English or complex queries
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
AI Sales Agent Standard Plus
$550/month
AI Support Agent Standard Plus
$250/month
AI Concierge (Bundle) Standard Plus
$660/month
Shop.app
Website
shop.app
Rating
1.1
Free Trial
No
Best For
Users wanting a unified app to track packages, discover stores, and earn rewards / deals on products.
Shop.app – Best AI Shopping Assistants
A smart, chat-driven guide, the Shop.app is taking online shopping through finding, choosing, and buying out of this world: it’s simple and personal. Real-time order updates, personalized picks, and one-tap checkout. We combine past shopping history with real-time stock information to suggest smarter product choices. Shoppers can track packages with ease and earn rewards. With a clean interface that marries chat and product images, the user never feels lost. The Shop.app makes shopping smooth, fast, and hassle-free. It works round the clock to convert browsers into loyal customers, unearthing deals and giving independent brand partners the much-needed shove.
Pros
Accelerated checkout with one tap for purchasing
Directly integrates with Shopify stores
Automatically tracks orders and packages
Cons
Shop.app products will be limited only to listings from Shopify merchants
Advanced AI features require user consent and data privacy, which are highly enforced.
Verloop
Website
verloop.io
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Brands wanting conversational AI for chat & voice, automating customer support & lead engagement across channels.
Verloop – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Verloop is an AI-powered conversational shopping tool that makes eCommerce brands sell more and support faster. It answers nearly 90% of customer queries by itself, simplifies product search, and offers personal recommendations with the aid of NLP and machine learning. Shoppers can enjoy seamless chat support on web, WhatsApp, Instagram, and even other channels-all from one bot and one dashboard. Verloop keeps chatting in context, links with CRM and marketing tools, and passes on to live agents if needed. With rapid responses, clear flows, and 24/7 service, it brings down waiting time and stress. Brands instill trust, keep buyers loyal, and convert more visitors into paying customers through this medium.
Pros
Over 90% responses to repeated support questions, thereby saving on costs and time
Multichat platforms: WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, the web, and several others
More than 80 languages are also supported with dialects for global outreach
Cons
real-time notifications for new chats are with bugs
Analytics and integrations come in the higher-tier plans.
Pricing
Verloop offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Tidio AI
Website
tidio.com
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Businesses needing live-chat, AI chatbots (Lyro), automation flows, helpdesk & customer support tools integrated across chat/social/email.
Tidio AI – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Tidio AI combines live chat, intelligent ticketing, and the virtual agent to convert clicks into live sales engagement. Its Lyro AI works around the clock, capable of resolving up to 70% of consumer queries, recommending products, sending follow-ups, and tracking orders. One individual can find everything in one place through typing and chatting with their website, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger, and no query goes missing. The setup is quick, with options for personalization, cart recovery, and smooth order handling for Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, and Wix. Tidio tracks every chat for insights into the growth and development of your brand trust and loyalty.
Pros
Simple integration with various e-commerce platforms.
Advanced helpdesk, ticketing, cart preview, and product recommendations.
It allows building automation visually and easy customization.
Cons
Core AI features need the paid plan or upgrade.
Migrating from other helpdesks may need a “rip-and-replace” setup.
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Growth
$59/month
Plus
$749/month
Premium
Contact Sales
Giosg
Website
giosg.com
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Enterprises seeking AI‑powered live chat, chatbots, video shopping, and omnichannel customer engagement.
Giosg – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Giosg is a versatile AI shopping assistant enabling online stores to increase sales while providing customers with real-time chats. It helps customers find their way through the process of searching for products, answering queries quickly, and offering live suggestions available for speedy search results. The combination of web personalization, lead bots, and interactive pop-ups now automates 50–90% of support while ensuring live chat or WhatsApp can intervene if the need arises. Simple setups and clear results are possible thanks to its no-code chatbot builder, hooks to CRMs, and analytics tools. Automated, it brings brands easier pathways, happier shoppers, and more leads without losing touch or quality.
Pros
Customizable AI assistants with generative AI for enhanced interactivity
Hand-off to live agents; one-on-one video support
No-code development box to set up and change in a snap
Cons
Rich features lead to a learning curve for new users
Occasional bugs
Pricing
Giosg offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Claros
Website
clarostechnologies.com
Rating
4
Free Trial
No
Best For
Industrial-scale PFAS destruction, wastewater treatment, and advanced materials for a circular economy.
Claros – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Claros-an AI shopping assistant that makes product hunting swift and personally tailored. It identifies each shopper’s preference, requirement, and budget and recommends very precise choices. It uses the best tools of the language along with taste-learning technologies to scan the entire web, comparing prices, reviews, and features before showing the best offerings. The shopper would be given real-time advice in chatting with this agent, while it can easily be plugged into stores. It works as a 247 sales agent because every order saves the preferences and gets wiser than before. It reduces search efforts and cart drop-off, as well as smoothens payment processes.
Pros
Gathers the slant of users to sharpen its custom recommendations over time.
Provides side-by-side feature, price, and review summaries for comparison.
Support is around the clock with multilingual ability.
Cons
Review and analytic dashboards only best fit premium and growth plans.
manual set-up required for custom integrations
Pricing
Claros offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
eCommerce brands seeking AI-driven shopping assistants, support agents, and omnichannel engagement to boost sales and customer satisfaction.
Alhena AI – Best AI Shopping Assistants
Alhena AI is an advanced shopping assistant designed to boost sales and create customer loyalty in eCommerce brands. Chat search, instant answers, and personal product picks are powered by generative AI. Alhena learns about user preferences through deep learning and sends timely prompts, manages without any human agents support, subtraction, and review. Each theme adapts to each store and works on web, mobile, and social, so any conversation stays true to the brand. With the ability to enable sync with the real-time catalog and provide 24/7 service, it directs the buyer smoothly from browsing to payment. Alhena helps reduce drop-offs and monitor complicated functions while bringing fast, simple, and enjoyable shopping within the reach of customers.
Pros
High-accuracy, brand-aligned responses from an AI without hallucinations
Detection of shopper hesitation with nudges or deals to convert them
Works across web, mobile, social platforms, and in 90+ languages
Cons
Set-up for large stores may require technical onboarding assistance
Per-conversation pricing can be prohibitively expensive for very high-traffic sites
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Most Popular
$239/month
Enterprise
Custom
Conclusion
AI shopping assistants are redefining the landscape of online shopping by personalizing and speeding up every experience and making it hassle-free. They assist visitors by helping them find the product of their choice, providing what they want to know in a real-time setting, and also making encouraging smart buying choices. Through continuous learning from their interaction, such assistants dramatically reduce consumer wait times, cart abandonment, and increase sales. These AI helpers keep conversation exchanges clear and blend extremely into a brand’s voice while working all hours and days without breaks. This leads to business savings, connections with more customers, and improved satisfaction for each shopper.
What is an AI shopping assistant and how does it work?
An AI shopping assistant is a smart tool that uses artificial intelligence to help customers find, compare, and buy products online. It sifts through catalogs, recommends items based on preferences and budget, tracks orders, and even provides real-time chat or voice support.
What are some Best AI Shopping Assistants?
Some Best AI Shopping Assistants are:
Insider
Manifest AI
Rep AI
Shop.app
Verloop
Tidio AI
Giosg
Claros
Alhena AI
Do AI shopping assistants support multilingual customers?
Many platforms, like Verloop and Manifest AI, offer multilingual support in over 80 languages, making them ideal for global brands serving diverse customer bases.
This article has been contributed by Krishna Jayesh Gandhi, CEO of Exponential Insight 8 LLP
Small businesses form the backbone of most economies. In India and many other countries, more than 90% of enterprises fall under the micro, small, or medium category. They provide employment, nurture innovation, and play a crucial role in local development. Yet, when we compare them with large-scale corporations, a gap becomes visible. Big businesses invest heavily in automation and visualization tools to manage production, streamline operations, and monitor financial health. These tools give them an edge, allowing them to save costs and make better decisions.
Now imagine if small businesses could access the same advantages. Instead of depending on manual registers, verbal updates, or delayed information, a small entrepreneur could have real-time insights about production, inventory, sales, and customer preferences. This would mean fewer mistakes, reduced wastage, faster decision-making, and a level playing field with bigger players. The change would not just improve efficiency but also give small businesses the confidence to scale and compete more effectively.
Small-scale businesses typically operate with limited manpower, lower investment, and smaller production capacity. They include a wide variety of industries, from metal cutting and laser cutting workshops that serve larger manufacturers, to food and beverage producers such as Jivra or Kanakia that supply tea and coffee, to small wafer-making units catering to regional markets. There are also textile and handicraft businesses, chemical and plastic units, and countless ancillary industries providing job work like machining, polishing, or assembly. Each of these enterprises may be small in scale, but collectively they form a vital part of the industrial and commercial ecosystem.
For such businesses, automation can play a transformative role. Take the example of a metal cutting workshop. By automating the process of job work allocation and tracking, managers no longer need to depend on manual job cards or verbal instructions. Digital systems can provide real-time updates on which orders are pending, which are in progress, and which have been completed. The same system can also raise alerts when raw material stocks run low, preventing delays and production stoppages. Similarly, a food or wafer manufacturing unit can automate inventory tracking to monitor expiry dates, packaging counts, and re-order levels. Instead of guessing how much stock is available, owners can rely on accurate, up to-date information.
Even in industries like tea and coffee production, automation makes a difference. Automated blending and weighing systems ensure that the taste and quality remain consistent across every batch, which is crucial for retaining customers. At the same time, automated order management can sync directly with distributors and retailers, ensuring that supply chain bottlenecks are minimized. Beyond production, automation in finance and billing can save small businesses hours of manual effort. Cloud-based accounting tools can generate invoices instantly, calculate taxes automatically, and send reminders for outstanding payments. Customer relationship management tools, once thought of as only for large companies, are now available at affordable prices. A small laser-cutting business, for example, can use such a system to store client specifications and generate repeat orders quickly, without having to start from scratch each time.
Visualization Enhance Data Clarity and Cost Management
Visualization, on the other hand, helps small businesses understand their data more clearly. Instead of digging through long spreadsheets, owners can see their business performance in charts, graphs, and dashboards. For example, a production dashboard in a metal cutting unit can show how many jobs are pending, how many are ongoing, and how many are completed. A food manufacturer can use a sales dashboard to track which products are selling best, which regions need more focus, and how sales trends change during different seasons. Visualization also helps in identifying cost leakages. By seeing expenses broken down into categories like raw materials, labor, utilities, and logistics, owners can quickly spot where costs are higher than expected and take corrective action.
One of the most practical tools for small businesses to adopt visualization is Microsoft Power BI. Unlike expensive enterprise-level systems, Power BI is affordable, easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with tools that most small businesses already rely on, such as Excel, Tally, or QuickBooks. The biggest advantage is that Power BI dashboards can be customized to reflect the key areas of concern for each business. A wafer manufacturer, for instance, could design a dashboard that shows daily production counts, highlights which flavors are selling most, monitors potato and oil stock levels, and tracks pending payments from distributors—all in a single screen. A metal cutting unit could set up a dashboard that displays real-time job status, machine utilization, and raw material consumption patterns. For an owner constantly on the move, the ability to access these dashboards on a mobile phone means staying connected with the business at all times.
The benefits of automation and visualization for small businesses are clear. They save time by reducing repetitive tasks, cut down on human errors, and provide access to reliable data for decision-making. They allow business owners to monitor performance remotely, which is especially useful when managing multiple sites or balancing business with travel. They also prepare small enterprises for growth. When new orders come in, automation ensures that the business can scale without proportionally increasing costs or workload. In today’s competitive market, these tools also provide a valuable edge. A business that adopts technology early can stand out from its competitors, deliver more consistent results, and earn customer trust more easily.
Traditionally, small businesses have seen automation and visualization as luxuries—nice to have but not essential. That mindset is rapidly changing. With tools becoming more affordable and user-friendly, technology is no longer something reserved for big corporations. It has become a necessity for survival and growth. By embracing automation and visualization, small businesses can unlock efficiency, reduce wastage, and make smarter, faster decisions.
In conclusion, small businesses are not just participants but essential drivers of economic growth. From tea and wafer producers to metal cutting workshops, they keep industries running and markets supplied. If they are able to adopt the same tools of automation and visualization that large corporations rely on, they can level the playing field and open doors to growth that once seemed out of reach. Tools like Power BI make this transition accessible and practical. Far from being a luxury, automation and visualization are now essentials for small businesses that aspire to thrive in a competitive, fast-changing world.
India’s startup ecosystem on 22th September 2025 saw fresh funding rounds, new fund launches, and key corporate updates. Major highlights include OnFinance AI’s $4.2 Mn raise, SpaceFields’ $5 Mn pre-Series A, and Tesla Power’s INR 25 Cr pre-IPO round. On the business side, Jio Payments Bank rolled out ‘Savings Pro’, MediaTek launched its Dimensity 9500 chipset, and Cipla announced a leadership transition.
Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 22th September 2025
Deep-tech startup VyomIC has raised $1.6 Mn in a funding round led by Speciale Invest. The startup specializes in AI-driven solutions for industrial and scientific applications. The funding will be used to accelerate product development, expand research capabilities, and scale operations, positioning VyomIC to offer cutting-edge solutions in the deep-tech space.
OnFinance AI raises $4.2 Mn led by Peak XV’s Surge
Fintech AI startup OnFinance AI has secured $4.2 Mn in a funding round led by Peak XV’s Surge. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to enhance financial services, including risk management, lending, and analytics. With this funding, OnFinance AI plans to expand its technology infrastructure, strengthen its team, and accelerate adoption among businesses and financial institutions.
Frontier Tech Capital eyes $150 Mn maiden fund to back SEA startups
Frontier Tech Capital has announced plans to launch a $150 Mn maiden fund focused on investing in Southeast Asian startups. The fund aims to target high-potential technology-driven sectors, including AI, deep-tech, and other frontier technologies. The initiative seeks to support innovative startups with growth capital, mentorship, and strategic partnerships to expand across the SEA region.
All Things People raises seed funding
HR-tech startup All Things People has raised seed funding to enhance its technology platform for human resources management. The startup provides solutions for recruitment, employee engagement, and workforce management. The new funding will help scale operations, improve product offerings, and expand its customer base across small and medium enterprises.
Chanakya Opportunities Fund I leads INR 25 Cr pre-IPO in Tesla Power
Tesla Power has raised INR 25 Cr in a pre-IPO funding round led by Chanakya Opportunities Fund I. The capital will be used to expand renewable energy solutions, including battery storage systems and electric vehicle power infrastructure. The funding supports Tesla Power’s mission to accelerate clean energy adoption and provide sustainable energy solutions across India.
Carbon Masters raises funding from Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia and others
Climatetech startup Carbon Masters has secured funding from Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia and other investors. The startup focuses on sustainable energy solutions, carbon reduction technologies, and climate resilience projects. The funding will support scaling operations, advancing innovative technologies, and expanding their reach across industries aiming for lower carbon footprints.
EVamp Technologies secures INR 7 Cr funding
EVamp Technologies has raised INR 7 Cr to enhance its electric vehicle charging solutions and expand its manufacturing capabilities. The company focuses on providing reliable, fast, and efficient EV chargers, enabling broader adoption of electric vehicles in India. The funding will be used to strengthen infrastructure, develop new products, and scale distribution networks across key cities.
SpaceFields raises $5 Mn (INR 42 Cr) pre-Series A to bolster aerospace and defence
Deep-tech startup SpaceFields has raised $5 Mn (INR 42 Cr) in a pre-Series A round led by Globaz Technologies Pvt. Ltd, co-led by Rockstud Capital and Venture Catalysts, with participation from Rainmatter and other investors. The company specializes in aerospace and defence manufacturing, including advanced rocket propulsion systems. The funding will be used to accelerate R&D, scale production capabilities, and strengthen its position in India’s growing space and defence sector.
Key Business News for 22th September 2025
Jio Payments Bank Launches ‘Savings Pro’ for Enhanced Returns
Jio Payments Bank has launched ‘Savings Pro‘, a feature that allows customers to earn up to 6.5% returns on surplus funds by automatically investing in low-risk overnight mutual funds through the JioFinance app. Customers can set a threshold amount, and any surplus funds exceeding this limit are auto-invested, with the option to redeem up to 90% instantly. This initiative aims to provide a seamless and digital investment experience, promoting financial inclusion and smarter savings management.
MediaTek has introduced the Dimensity 9500, its latest flagship processor designed to compete with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Built on 3nm technology, the Dimensity 9500 features an “all big-core” design with eight high-performance cores. It offers up to 32% better single-core performance and 55% improved efficiency at peak performance compared to its predecessor. The chipset supports advanced features like 120fps ray tracing, 8K video recording at 60fps, and is expected to power flagship devices from brands like Vivo and Oppo in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Leadership Transition at Cipla
Cipla, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, has announced that its Managing Director and Global CEO, Umang Vohra, is expected to step down by the end of fiscal year 2026. Achin Gupta, the current Chief Operating Officer, is anticipated to succeed him. Gupta has been instrumental in Cipla’s global expansion and operational strategies, and his promotion is seen as a strategic move to ensure continuity and sustained growth for the company.
RentoMojo, a Bengaluru startup, is in preparation for its IPO. Started in 2014 by Geetansh Bamania and Ajay Nain, the company lets people rent furniture rather than buy. The business model is still naive in India (except for the big cities, the rest of the country frowns at the concept of furniture renting). However, the company claims to have 2.2 lakh active subscribers. To date, RentoMojo has deployed more than 7.5 lakh products, 65 physical stores across 22 cities in India. Does all this make RentoMojo a good investment option? What are the risks associated? For that, learn more.
How Much Funding Has Rentomojo Raised?
The company has raised nearly INR 400 crore (approximately $45.3 million) to date.
These funds have come from some prominent investors like Accel, Chiratae Ventures, and Bain Capital.
Financial Performance of RentoMojo
In FY24 (April 2023 – March 2024), the company made a profit of INR 22.1 Cr.
In FY25, the profits grew by 82% – INR 40 Cr.
EBITDA (a method to measure the operating profit) hiked by 40% year-on-year to INR 92 Cr in FY25.
Importantly, RentoMojo hasn’t filed any official FY25 financial records yet.
These encouraging profits and the recent startup IPO boom are the inspiration for the company to get listed by FY27.
IPO (Stock Market Listing) Plans
Recently, RentoMojo has officially started preparing for an IPO to raise more funds to back the company and its plans.
RentoMojo has onboarded IIFL and Motilal Oswal as its book-running lead managers (they will manage IPO paperwork, marketing, and share allocation for the company). The goal is to get listed by FY27 (April 2026 – March 2027).
However, there are two things pending:
RentoMojo is yet to convert into a “public entity.” Right now, it is operating as a private entity only (and it’s an essential step).
But before that, the company has to file audited financial statements for FY25 (which the company hasn’t done yet).
Competition & Challenges
The direct competition for RentoMojo is Furlenco, Rentickle, Cityfurnish, etc. The furniture rental industry in India is a new concept and a struggling one because:
Slow demand (and this demand mostly comes from the big cities) → Indians, except for the real rental furniture that is used in weddings and events, buy furniture (used in homes and offices) from the locals.
Indians prefer buying furniture on EMI rather than renting. However, since people are constantly traveling from one place to another, this could change.
High costs → The costs associated with logistics (delivery/pickup), refurbishment (repairing old furniture as they are returned after use), and maintenance will eat into the profits of the company.
Thin profit margins → Since the business model is complex, the profitability is hard to scale.
One classic example is the Furlenco’s performance in FY24:
The company has been in business for years (since 2012), yet it is struggling financially. Its profits fell 10% from INR 155.8 Cr in FY23 to INR 140 Cr in FY24.
The company suffered these losses because of the risky nature of the rental furniture industry. Risks like:
Refurbishment Costs
Operational Expenses
If the company ever gets listed, it could be a good option for risk-takers.
This article has been contributed by Ravindra Prabhakar, CEO, Orbit & Skyline
India’s semiconductor story has captured global attention. With projections placing the domestic semiconductor market at nearly $100 billion by 2032, the narrative is compelling: a nation of 1.4 billion people, hungry for digital transformation, becoming a key pillar in the global chip supply chain. Semiconductors today are the “new oil,” fuelling everything from smartphones and AI systems to defence technologies and electric vehicles.
Yet, beyond the headline figures lies a crucial question: Can India realistically transform into a world-class semiconductor hub within less than a decade? The answer requires looking at past announcements of fab projects and examining the market forces, policy frameworks, global lessons, and systemic gaps that will ultimately shape India’s trajectory.
India’s Tripling Market Opportunity
India’s semiconductor market, currently valued at approximately $45-50 billion (2024-2025), is expected to triple within the next eight years. This growth is fuelled by structural shifts: the rollout of 5G, accelerated EV adoption, surging consumer electronics demand, and strategic requirements in defence and aerospace.
Domestic demand itself justifies investment in fabs, assembly units, and design houses. Semiconductors are not only about chips; they are about enabling an industrial multiplier effect, boosting electronics manufacturing, creating high-value jobs, and driving innovation-led exports. If tapped correctly, this growth wave could make India one of the most lucrative markets for both global investors and homegrown players.
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has created momentum, but much of the action is now playing out at the state level. Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are competing vigorously to attract semiconductor projects, offering generous subsidies on land, utilities, and training. Some of these initiatives range from the enormous $10 billion fab investment that Tata Electronics Private Limited announced to Micron Technology’s more than $2.75 billion total investment in the establishment of an assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) factory. Additional projects include a semiconductor facility in Uttar Pradesh, two manufacturing facilities in Sanand, Gujarat, and an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) unit in Assam.
This competitive federalism has yielded positive results: dedicated electronics parks, skill development initiatives, and infrastructure buildouts are already underway. However, there are risks. Fragmentation of incentives and duplication of efforts could dilute resources and slow ecosystem formation.
For India to truly succeed, policy competition must be aligned with a coordinated national strategy, one that ensures collaboration rather than cannibalisation among states.
Lessons from Global Leaders
Global semiconductor leaders offer critical lessons.
Taiwan (TSMC model): Built its dominance through decades of state backing, deep ecosystem integration, and an unrelenting focus on process technology leadership.
South Korea: Leveraged its chaebols, like Samsung, integrating policy incentives with corporate R&D and global expansion.
United States & European Union: Recently enacted the CHIPS Act and EU Chips Act to reduce supply chain dependencies and strengthen domestic capacity.
The common thread is clear: semiconductor self-sufficiency is a decades-long project, not a one-time announcement. Each of these regions invested consistently in talent density, supplier ecosystems, IP creation, and R&D infrastructure before achieving global leadership.
India must internalise this. It cannot shortcut its way to semiconductor sovereignty; it must build patiently, strategically, and sustainably.
Talent & Workforce Readiness: By 2030, India is expected to need nearly 275,000–300,000 skilled semiconductor professionals. Today, only a fraction of engineers are fab-ready. While India has strong design talent, it lags in cleanroom operations, process engineering, and tool maintenance. The urgent need of industry-academia collaboration, and curriculum redesign will determine whether India can build a globally competitive workforce.
Infrastructure & Supply Chain: Semiconductor fabs demand world-class infrastructure, reliable power, water, cleanrooms, and logistics. While states are building this, India still depends heavily on imports for raw wafers, gases, and specialty chemicals. A resilient local supply chain for these inputs is non-negotiable if India aims to reduce dependencies.
Services & Operational Ecosystem: Building fabs is only half the battle. Keeping them running at world-class uptime levels is where the true challenge lies. Mature ecosystems like Taiwan and Korea thrive because of an extensive network of service providers who handle tool installation, predictive maintenance, lifecycle parts management, and process optimisation. India must invest in this services backbone to ensure fabs operate efficiently and competitively.
Policy & Execution Consistency: Semiconductors require patient capital and long-term stability. Policy uncertainty or bureaucratic hurdles can derail momentum. India must ensure streamlined approvals, transparent incentive structures, and unwavering policy continuity beyond electoral cycles.
The Future at A Pragmatic Glance
Can India achieve a $100 billion semiconductor market by 2032? The answer is yes, but not if the focus remains only on building fabs. Success lies in creating a full-stack ecosystem: from compound semiconductors and ATMP units to fab support services, design IP, and workforce pipelines.
India does not need to replicate Taiwan or Korea overnight. Instead, it must carve out its own niche, leveraging strengths in design, software, and engineering services, while gradually scaling manufacturing capabilities. Strategic partnerships with global OEMs, service providers, and academia will accelerate this journey.
If India gets its people, processes, and policies right, it can transform from a promising market to a credible global hub. If not, it risks falling into the “assembly trap” of hosting fabs without building the depth needed to sustain them.
India has a golden window of opportunity to write its semiconductor story. The $100 billion target is not a sprint but a marathon. Success will not be defined by the number of fabs announced but by the robustness of the ecosystem behind them, the engineers, service providers, suppliers, and institutions that keep fabs running and innovating.
With patience, persistence, and policy discipline, India can rise from being a large consumer market to a globally competitive semiconductor hub, not just assembling chips but shaping the future of chipmaking itself.
The US government has recently made it more difficult to enter the country, especially for those seeking employment in the US. Indian tech workers and students are now under constant concern. The Trump administration announced a $100,000 one-time fee for new H-1B visa applications as part of their immigration policy (effective September 19, 2025). The fee is a whopping $100,000, and so is the fear. And so is also confusion about the policy since it took effect at midnight on September 21, 2025. Are those already working in the US at risk? Should prospective applicants be worried, too? Learn more.
Trump annoucing the new $100,000 H-1B policy
Who Has to Pay the $100,000?
The reasoning given by the Trump administration for the policy change: the H-1B system was being “abused” and was a “national security threat.” Here’s the breakdown:
New H-1B applicants outside the US should pay the $100,000 (which is INR 88,29,047.57) fee if they want to enter the US. This was $2,000 to $5,000 (INR 1,76,579.20 – INR 441448.00) before this policy came into effect. ✅
Current H-1B visa holders in the US don’t have to pay the fee. ❌
H-1B holders extending or transferring visas inside the US are also exempted from the policy. ❌
F-1 students converting their visas to H-1B inside the US are also exempted. ❌
F-1 students outside the US applying for H-1B (through the upcoming February lottery or later) will have to pay the fee. ✅
Also, the government will waive the fee for foreigners working in the “national interest” job roles, for instance, healthcare workers. ❌
But so far, there is no clear exemption list that has been published officially.
Travel Gray Area
Let’s say you have a valid H-1B visa and travel abroad. Do you have to pay $100,000 to re-enter the US?
No, says the White House. However, the lawyers say that the wording of the White House is confusing on the matter.
While all this is happening, big companies like Amazon and Microsoft have asked their employees not to travel until there’s clarity.
Is It One-Time or Annual?
The real confusion is here because the early drafts of the policy say annually. On the other hand, the proclamations state that the fee applies each time the person enters the US.
Example: You have come home (India) for Diwali (or vacations), and while re-entering the country, you’ll be entitled to pay $100,000 again.
Lawyers on this matter say that no one knows how these fees will be collected. Will it be collected by the state Department, at airports, or through employers? No clarity.
How to Pay the Fee?
According to the law, the employer is entitled to pay the H-1B petition fees, not the worker themselves.
It is clear that companies will not pay out of their own pockets; instead, they will indirectly adjust the amount by reducing employees’ salaries, hiring, or sponsorships.
Why the Panic?
The news certainly caused panic with this confusion. Even now, several with existing H-1B visas think they’ll be asked to pay.
About 70% of the H-1B Visa holders are Indian, working in the tech sector, and they panicked the most.
The news broke with different versions, so the companies asked their employees to stay in the US before September 21, 2025. So, they can protect themselves from the new rule.
Impact on Salaries
The fee of $100,000 is INR 88,29,047.57, which is huge for many Indians staying in the US. It is way above the median annual salary of a fresh H-1B worker.
If we do the math, it’s over 80% of the average annual salary of all H-1B workers.
Many companies hire foreigners (especially Indians) for their skills and productivity at work. But policies like these make the visa more intimidating for both workers and companies.
Long-Term Effects
The long-term effects are seemingly negative for the US because:
The $100,000 is an unaffordable amount for Indians, so that the US will suffer from a loss of skilled STEM workers, especially from India.
Alternative visas like L-1, O-1 may see a spike, but the rules aren’t flexible for many, so they aren’t sustainable, either.
Current OPT (Optional Practical Training) students will see less competition in the short term. However, there are fewer opportunities overall.
The Indian tech talent will move to other countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and more (boosting their economy), which is a minus for the US.
Legal Challenges
Right now, several Immigration lawyers are preparing lawsuits. This policy is widely compared to the 2017 Travel Ban that was announced as a “security measure,” and it was fought in court.
Important detail that lawyers are underlining:
A presidential proclamation is not a law.
But a presidential proclamation does carry authority over federal agencies until the intervention and blockage from the courts. This is what happened in the 2017 Travel Ban.
In the US, only Congress has the authority to change the H-1B law. Apparently, the policy is framed on the basis of a security issue, so the President has temporary authority only.
General H1B New Policy FAQs
Q1: Do all H-1B holders need to pay?
No, only new applicants outside the US after September 21, 2025, will have to pay $100,000 to enter the US.
Q2: Is it annual?
Not officially. It’s “per entry,” but needs clarification from the White House.
Q3: What about renewals/extensions?
No fee.
Q4: Who pays?
The employer is sponsoring.
Q5: Any exemptions?
It is unclear, but the roles in the “national interest”, like healthcare (like doctors, nurses), may be exempted.
Cipla, one of India’s top pharmaceutical companies, is set for a leadership change. According to a Mint exclusive, Umang Vohra, the current Managing Director and Global CEO, is expected to step down by the end of fiscal year 2026. Achin Gupta, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, is likely to take over.
Umang Vohra’s Journey at Cipla
Vohra has been at Cipla since September 2016. His latest five-year term runs from April 2021 to March 2026. During his leadership, Cipla expanded its global reach and diversified its product portfolio.
Before Cipla, Vohra held senior roles at Eicher Motors, PepsiCo, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in India and the US. He initially joined Cipla as Global Chief Financial and Strategy Officer and later became COO before being appointed MD and CEO.
Who is Achin Gupta?
Achin Gupta currently serves as Cipla’s Global COO. He has played a key role in operational strategies and global expansion. With a strong background in management and strategy, Gupta is seen as capable of maintaining Cipla’s growth and continuity. Analysts expect his promotion to be smooth and well-planned.
Wider Industry Context
Cipla’s leadership shift reflects a broader trend in India’s pharmaceutical sector. Companies such as Sun Pharmaceuticals have recently changed executive roles. For example, Kirti Ganorkar was appointed Managing Director at Sun Pharma, while founder Dilip Shanghvi stepped down from executive duties but remains on the board.
These moves indicate a focus on internal succession planning to ensure continuity and stability in leadership.
Market and Strategic Implications
The transition at Cipla is expected to draw close attention from investors. Vohra’s departure and Gupta’s likely succession could influence strategic priorities, global operations, and overall efficiency.
Cipla’s continued focus on strengthening its international presence, paired with Gupta’s operational experience, is expected to support steady growth. The change also demonstrates the company’s commitment to nurturing internal talent and planning for long-term leadership.
Looking Ahead
Cipla is preparing for a significant executive shift as Vohra prepares to step down in FY26. With Achin Gupta likely to succeed him, the company aims to ensure operational continuity and sustained expansion. Analysts believe the transition will be smooth and have minimal impact on Cipla’s growth trajectory.
Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, has opened up about how she and her husband Varun Alagh handle disagreements in business. Sharing insights on LinkedIn earlier today, she emphasised the role of data over intuition in making joint decisions.
Alagh recounted a 2017 argument in their living room over a product launch decision. “Varun wanted to delay, I wanted to ship. We were both passionate, both convinced we were right. But we were arguing from gut feelings, not facts,” she wrote. That disagreement led the founders to establish a structured method for resolving conflicts.
Data Wins, Egos Lose
The central principle, Alagh explained, is straightforward: “Show me your numbers.” Instead of asserting authority or relying solely on instinct, both founders now gather supporting data within 24 hours. Market research, consumer feedback, financial projections, and competitor analysis form the basis for their decisions. The stronger data set determines the outcome.
“This approach removes emotion from the conversation. It’s never about being right; it’s about being evidence-based,” she added.
Clear Decision-Making Domains
Alagh highlighted the importance of defined responsibilities to minimise clashes. While some decisions are taken jointly, most are handled individually within their domains. This strategy has reduced conflicts by nearly 80%, according to her post.
The 24-Hour Rule
For major disagreements where data is inconclusive, the founders employ a simple rule: pause for 24 hours. “We sleep on it. Emotions cool down, egos step aside, and new perspectives often emerge,” Alagh wrote. She noted that their best decisions usually come from a second conversation rather than the first argument.
Complementary Strengths
The co-founder duo’s contrasting styles also play a key role. Varun’s analytical approach balances Ghazal’s intuition, while her market instincts complement his operational rigour. “Data grounds both of us,” she said.
Alagh concluded with broader reflections on co-founder dynamics: two founders agreeing all the time may signal redundancy, healthy conflict can drive better outcomes if fact-based, and respect for data is more important than winning an argument.
This insight from one of India’s most influential entrepreneurs underscores the evolving culture of startups in the country, where evidence-driven decision-making increasingly trumps hierarchy or ego.
MediaTek has revealed the Dimensity 9500, their flagship processor for the upcoming generation. The new CPU outperforms the Dimensity 9400 in terms of efficiency and performance. Better on-board AI processing has also been a priority for the corporation.
MediaTek’s “all big-core” design, which was introduced two years before, is carried over into the Dimensity 9500. In essence, the 9500 lacks dedicated tiny efficiency cores and only has large performance cores. Qualcomm’s 8-series processors, on the other hand, combine efficiency and power cores.
Technical Dynamics of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500
Built on 3nm technology, the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 features four C1-Pro, three C1-Premium, and one Arm C1-Ultra CPU. According to the manufacturer, the 9500 offers up to 32% better single-core performance and is 55% more efficient at peak performance.
Additionally, multi-core performance has increased by 17%. LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, standard on all contemporary flagship smartphones, are supported by the Dimensity 9500. The Dimensity 9500 boasts the most potent AI computing on a smartphone, according to MediaTek. The NPU 990 is included with the chipset.
The business claims that the Dimensity 9500 enables Android devices to use on-board processing to create 4K photos. Additionally, the new NPU improves the efficiency of AI tasks for models like Gemini.
Dimensity 9500’s First Flagship Devices to be Launched in 4th Quarter of 2025
According to the business, the fourth quarter of 2025 will see the release of the first flagship gadgets that use the Dimensity 9500. Vivo and Oppo will probably be the first businesses to release this SoC. The Dimensity 9500 has a maximum camera sensor of 320 megapixels and supports 8K recording at 60 frames per second, according to the company’s website. Up to 180 Hz of screen refresh rate is supported by the Dimensity 9500.
Additionally, it is compatible with “Tri-Fold Displays”. The Arm Mali-G1 Ultra MC12 in the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 improves performance by 33%. This chipset, according to the firm, is the first to offer gaming at 120 frames per second with ray tracing. Additionally, it can convert 60fps titles to 120fps.
According to MediaTek, the chipset is 30% more efficient when playing games and using social audio call apps. It’s interesting to note that a day later, Qualcomm will also reveal its flagship device, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Quick
Shots
•Dimensity 9500 features 4× C1-Pro, 3×
C1-Premium, 1× C1-Ultra CPUs with “all big-core” design.
•Dimensity 9500 is up to 32% faster
single-core, 17% better multi-core, and 55% more efficient at peak.
•Dimensity 9500 supports 120fps ray
tracing, frame conversion (60fps → 120fps), and 30% more gaming efficiency.
•First devices with Dimensity 9500
expected in Q4 2025, likely from Vivo and Oppo.
