Tag: Funding News

On 3rd July 2025, multiple early-stage startups announced fresh funding, marking strong momentum in pre-Series A and seed rounds. Here’s a breakdown of today’s top funding deals and key business news in India.

GobbleCube raises $3.5 million in Pre‑Series A

GobbleCube, founded in 2022 by Manas Gupta, Srikumar Nair and Nitesh Jindal, is an AI‑powered “growth copilot” for consumer brands. It has raised $3.5 million in a Pre‑Series A, led by Info Edge Ventures, with continued support from Kae Capital. The company has already achieved $2 million ARR in just nine months, serving over 200 brands including Reckitt, Tata Consumer, Nivea & Johnson & Johnson. The funds will go towards enhancing AI capabilities and accelerating global expansion.

Luma Fertility secures $4 million seed round

Luma Fertility, a Mumbai‑based femtech provider founded by Neha K. Motwani (founder of Fitternity), has raised $4 million in a seed round led by Peak XV’s Surge, with participation from Ameera Shah (Metropolis Healthcare) and Vijay Taparia (B2V Ventures). Luma offers IVF, egg & embryo freezing, fertility assessments and more, using AI-powered tools. The capital will help Luma to expand in Mumbai followed by expansion in other cities.

FES Café raises INR 3 crore in seed funding

FES Café, a dessert-led, eggless café chain founded by Vidur Mayor, has secured INR 3 crore in a seed round, led by Aakash Anand (Bella Vita Organic) and Wolfpack Labs. The Gurugram-based chain aims to launch in Delhi this July and expand to 100+ locations by FY 2027.

Maieutic Semiconductor raises $4.15 million in seed round

Bengaluru-based deep‑tech startup founded by Gireesh Rajendran, Ashish Lachhwani, Rakesh Kumar and Krishna Sankar, Maieutic Semiconductor has raised $4.15 million in seed funding, co-led by Endiya Partners and Exfinity Venture Partners. The round will strengthen their development of a generative‑AI copilot for analogue chip design, accelerate time-to-market, expand engineering headcount and enhance platform capabilities.

FitFeast raises INR 5.5 crore in seed funding

Gurugram-based protein-focused brand founded by Aditya Poddar, FitFeast, has secured INR 5.5 crore ($642K) in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures, with backing from cricketers Shane Watson and Axar Patel, and other investors including Raghav Singhal and Santosh Govindaraju. The funds will support the expansion of D2C operations, digital marketing and new product development.

Key News Highlights for 3 July 2025

Meesho confidentially files DRHP to raise $500 million(INR 4,250 crore)

Bengaluru-based e‑commerce unicorn Meesho has confidentially submitted its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) to SEBI, seeking to raise INR 4,250 crore (approximately $497–500 million) via a primary share issue. The company, backed by Prosus, Elevation Capital, WestBridge, SoftBank, and Peak XV, aims to list by September-October 2025.

MobiKwik secures SEBI nod to operate as stockbroker

Payment‑wallet firm MobiKwik (One MobiKwik Systems Ltd.) has received SEBI approval for its subsidiary MobiKwik Securities Broking Pvt Ltd, allowing it to function as a registered stockbroker and clearing member for equity trades. The registration was granted on 1 July 2025, and MobiKwik’s shares rose ~2.5% on NSE after the announcement.

Banga family to sell 2.1% stake in Nykaa (INR 1,200 crore / $150 million)

Early Nykaa backers Harindarpal and Indra Banga plan a block deal to offload 2.1% of shares, amounting to roughly 60 million shares, at INR 200 per share (a 5–5.5% discount). The deal is valued at approximately INR 1,200 crore ($150 million).

WEH Ventures exits Smallcase, returns entire 2017 Fund I

VC firm WEH Ventures has fully exited its investment in fintech platform Smallcase, recouping INR 20 crore from its first fund and delivering an impressive 38% IRR. This marks a full return of capital and highlights a strong outcome from its early-stage investment strategy.

Microsoft to slash 9,000 jobs (4% of workforce) amid AI pivot

US tech giant Microsoft is set to reduce its global staff by approximately 9,000 roles, representing under 4% of its 228,000-strong workforce. These cuts span sales, engineering, Xbox and other divisions as the company streamlines management and reinforces its artificial intelligence strategy. Senior sales management is being replaced with more technical “solutions engineers”. Despite the layoffs, Q4 revenue reached $70 billion, with net income near $26 billion, driven by strong Azure cloud performance.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 2 July 2025

Here’s a roundup of 2nd July’s top startup updates- CIMware raises $2.3M, IORA bags INR 8.5 Cr, Swiggy shuts Minis, Meesho open-sources AI tools & more.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

India’s startup ecosystem remained active on 25 June 2025, with key funding rounds led by Sahi, GIVA, and Battery Smart. Meanwhile, Lenskart gears up for its IPO, NPCI reports a sharp profit surge, and MakeMyTrip announces a major buyback. Here’s a quick roundup of the key startup fundings in India on 25th June 2025.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest – 25 June 2025

Daily Indian Funding Highlights – 25 June 2025

AuraML – Deep‑tech breakthrough

Mumbai‑based AuraML secured $1 million in a pre‑seed round to advance its generative simulation platform for warehouse and industrial robots. The round was led by Turbostart, with participation from DeVC, GSF Accelerator, and Indian Angel Network. Funds will support product development, enterprise pilots, and expansion in the US.

Indian Snack House – D2C food expansion

Chennai‑based clean‑label brand Indian Snack House raised INR 2.2 crore in a pre‑seed round from Titan Capital. Founded by Rajakumaran and Anbarasan, the startup aims to expand the distribution of traditional snacks across South India via online and offline channels.

Innovodigm – Vaccine delivery innovation

Med‑tech startup Innovodigm, co‑founded by Dr Jhimli Manna and Dr Ayan Chatterjee, raised INR 5.5 crore in a seed round led by Indian Angel Network (INR 4.5 crore) and PadUp Ventures. The company is working on microneedle patch technology for thermostable vaccine delivery.

Pazy – Fin‑tech for business payments

B2B payments platform Pazy raised INR 6 crore in a pre‑seed round led by Inuka Capital, with Gemba Capital joining in. Founded in 2023, it aims to simplify vendor payments and financial operations for mid‑sized businesses.

Sthyr Energy – Zinc‑air storage

Clean‑tech startup Sthyr Energy raised  $1 million in a seed round led by Speciale Invest and Antares Ventures. The startup is developing modular zinc‑air energy storage systems and plans to scale its pilot units for renewable energy use cases.

IndiaBonds – Democratising bond investments

Mumbai‑based IndiaBonds raised INR 32.5 crore in its maiden external round from marquee individual investors. The SEBI‑regulated platform allows retail investors to access listed debt instruments with ease.

Armory – Defence‑tech with AI

Defence startup Armory secured INR 13 crore from investors including growX Ventures, Antler, and Industrial 47. Its flagship product “SURGE” uses AI for indigenous counter‑drone defence, already undergoing field trials with Indian armed forces.

GIVA – Premium D2C jewellery

Bengaluru‑based jewellery brand GIVA raised INR 530 crore in Series C funding led by Creaegis, with participation from Premji Invest, Epiq Capital, and Edelweiss Discovery Fund. The brand plans to grow its offline presence and invest in lab‑grown diamonds.

Sahi – AI‑powered retail trading

Founded by former Swiggy CTO Dale Vaz and Manish Jain, stock trading platform Sahi secured $10.5 million in a Series A round led by Accel and Elevation Capital. Known for its AI‑powered trading tools and INR 10 per‑order pricing, Sahi has crossed 200,000 app downloads and is building a web platform amid favourable SEBI rule changes.

Battery Smart – Scaling EV swapping

EV infrastructure firm Battery Smart raised $21 million in its ongoing Series B round led by Rising Tide Energy, with ResponsAbility and Acacia Inclusion Ltd among other backers. The Gurugram‑based company operates over 1,500+ battery swapping stations, enabling rapid e‑rickshaw battery replacement across India.

Key News Highlights – 25 June 2025

NPCI records 42% surge in FY25 surplus

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) reported a 42% year‑on‑year rise in its surplus (akin to profit), reaching INR 1,552 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2025, up from INR 1,095 crore a year earlier. Growth was driven by a 19% increase in income, bolstered by rising UPI transactions and associated fee revenue.

CCI approves Manipal Group’s acquisition of Aakash stake

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has cleared the Manipal Group’s proposal to purchase a stake in Aakash Educational Services Ltd from its founder, Dr J.C. Chaudhry. The acquisition will be carried out by Manipal Health Systems Pvt Ltd and Manipal Education & Medical Group (MEMG). Ranjan Pai’s Manipal Group already holds around 40% equity in Aakash.

MakeMyTrip to repurchase ~US$3 billion from Trip.com

Online travel aggregator MakeMyTrip has agreed to pay approximately $3 billion to buy back shares from its Chinese partner Trip.com Group, reducing the latter’s stake to roughly 17%. The transaction, formalised on 23 June, is expected to close in early July and follows MakeMyTrip’s recent $3.1 billion capital raise.

Rapido integrates Delhi Metro ticketing with ONDC

Rapido has launched metro ticket booking within its app for the Delhi Metro, through a tie‑up with DMRC and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Trialled since April, it is now fully live, serving around 10,000 bookings daily. Users also enjoy a flat INR 25 fare (one free first ride) for last‑mile trips to/from metro stations.

Lenskart to file DRHP publicly in July

Eyewear unicorn Lenskart plans to skip SEBI’s confidential IPO route and submit its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) publicly in the first fortnight of July. This departure from the norm, unlike peers such as Swiggy and Groww, signals an emphasis on transparency.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Roundup & Key News – 24 June 2025: Fantail, Skippi, GoKwik Raise Capital; Google & Meta Make India Moves

India’s startup funding on 24 June 2025 saw key activity across textiles, FMCG, logistics, deep-tech, ecommerce, and EV mobility. Notable deals include Fantail, Skippi, Prozo (backed by Rohit Sharma), Fabheads, GoKwik, and Evera Cabs—highlighting continued investor confidence across diverse sectors.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

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

🚀 Indian Funding Digest – 17 June 2025

*Razorpay’s acquisition of Pop involved an investment of $30 million for a majority stake, not a typical funding round.

Darwix AI Raises $1.5 Million

Generative AI startup Darwix AI has secured $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Rebalance, Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), and JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF). Participating investors include Growth Sense, Growth91, and angels—Ankit Nagori, Sanjay Suri, Amit Lakhotia, and Mekin Maheshwari.

Xportel Bags Seed Funding from Flipkart Ventures, Others

New Delhi-based rural digital network platform Xportel has raised an undisclosed seed round from Rukam Capital, Sitara VC, and Flipkart Ventures. With a strong network of 12,000+ last-mile centres across India, the startup focuses on delivering services like online exam registration, train and flight bookings, and essential digital access to Tier-3 and Tier-4 towns.

The funding will be used to scale its footprint and technology platform to deepen rural digital enablement.

Rukam Sitara, Flipkart Ventures Back Xportel to Boost India’s Export Tech

Xportel has raised capital in its ongoing seed funding round. The round saw co-investment from Rukam Sitara and Flipkart Ventures, with additional backing from venture catalysts and a group of notable angel investors.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

Dugar Finance Raises $3 Million via Symbiotics’ Green Bond

Dugar Finance, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) specialising in clean energy and inclusive credit solutions, has raised $3 million in debt through Symbiotics Investments’ Green Basket Bond, a $75 million issuance focused on renewable energy adoption across Asia and Africa.

Razorpay Acquires Majority Stake in POP for $30 Million

Indian fintech giant Razorpay has acquired a majority stake in POP, a fast-growing point-of-sale (POS) technology startup, for $30 million. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Razorpay’s omnichannel merchant services by combining online and offline payment solutions under one roof.

POP currently serves over 1.2 million small merchants, offering contactless checkout and intelligent inventory tools. The move is part of Razorpay’s larger strategy to diversify its merchant services beyond digital payments.

Saswat Finance Raises $2.6 Million Pre-Series A Led by Ankur Capital

Saswat Finance, a fintech platform focused on delivering credit to underserved communities and gig economy workers, has raised $26 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Ankur Capital. The round also saw participation from Flowstate VC, Venture Catalysts, and angels from the financial services industry.

Key News Highlights – 17 June 2025

Zoomcar Data Breach Exposes Personal Data of 8.4 Million Users

Zoomcar disclosed that an unauthorised breach had exposed personal data of approximately 8.4 million users. Compromised information includes names, phone numbers, email IDs, vehicle registration numbers, and residential addresses. Crucially, no financial or payment information was accessed. The platform serves over 10 million users across 99 cities. The company has engaged cybersecurity experts and launched a forensic investigation.

Pocket Entertainment Elevates Umesh Bude to CTO

Pocket Entertainment, the media arm behind Pocket FM, Pocket Toons, and Pocket Novel, has promoted Umesh Bude from Senior VP of Engineering to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In his new role, Bude will steer the company’s tech strategy, with a focus on AI-powered storytelling and scaling content infrastructure to meet growing demand.

Honasa (Mamaearth) Appoints Yatish Bhargava as CBO

Consumer brands house Honasa Consumer Ltd., parent to Mamaearth, The Derma Co, Aqualogica, Bblunt, Dr Sheth’s, and Staze Beauty, has appointed Yatish Bhargava, formerly of Flipkart, as its Chief Business Officer (CBO), designating him Senior Management Personnel. Bhargava will lead the company’s omnichannel growth, driving new partnerships and distribution channel expansions.

MakeMyTrip to Raise $2.5B to Reduce Trip.com Stake

MakeMyTrip plans to raise $2.5 billion to reduce the Chinese travel firm Trip.com’s stake from 49% to 25%. The move is part of its strategy to diversify ownership, ease geopolitical concerns, and increase Indian institutional investment.

CCI Approves Delhivery’s Acquisition of Ecom Express

India’s Competition Commission has officially approved Delhivery’s acquisition of rival logistics firm Ecom Express. Announced in April for INR 1,407 crore, this deal is expected to consolidate last-mile delivery operations, enhance scale, and optimise efficiency.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 16 June 2025

Here’s your daily roundup of funding activity and key business developments from India on 16 June 2025. From fresh capital raises to leadership changes and acquisitions, here’s everything you need to know today.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

Here’s your daily roundup of funding activity and key business developments from India on 16 June 2025. From fresh capital raises to leadership changes and major acquisitions, here’s everything you need to know today.

🚀 Indian Funding Digest – 16 June 2025

Nuvie Raises $450 K for Better-For-You Food Products

Bengaluru-based F&B startup Nuvie, co-founded in 2024 by former Cult.fit executives Prashant Paliwal and Hem Narayan, has raised $450k in its pre-seed round. The startup is focused on “better-for-you” snacks and beverages and plans to use the funds for product development, brand building, and scaling content and distribution.

The round was led by PedalStart and backed by several prominent angels, including Mukesh Bansal, Ayyappan Rajagopal, Chanakya Gupta, and Arun Sharma.

Nuvie Raises $450K to Make Healthy Eating Tasty & Easy

Bengaluru-based Nuvie has raised $450K in pre-seed funding led by PedalStart. The brand creates protein-rich, guilt-free snacks and drinks. The funds will support product innovation, brand-building, and expansion as Nuvie aims to make healthy eating both tasty and accessible across India.

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Aspora Raises $53 Mn to Scale NRI-Focused Banking Services

Fintech startup Aspora, formerly known as Vance, has raised $53 million in a Series B round. Founded by Parth Garg, Aspora provides digital banking and remittance services tailored to the global Indian diaspora, serving over 250,000 users.

The round was co-led by Sequoia Capital and Greylock, with participation from Quantum Light, Goodwater Capital, Hummingbird Ventures, Y Combinator, and others. The funds will be used to expand services in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.

Atomic Capital Launches INR 350 Cr Consumer-Focused VC Fund

Mumbai-based Atomic Capital has launched a new INR 350 crore venture capital fund to invest in early- and growth-stage consumer startups. The fund is aimed at wellness, lifestyle, regional brands, and digital-first companies.

The initial close included INR 26.5 crore from the JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF) angel network. The fund follows an “Operating VC” model, offering hands-on support in branding, hiring, and growth marketing.

Hero FinCorp Raises INR 260 Cr in Pre-IPO Round

Non-Banking Financial Company Hero FinCorp has raised INR 260 crore in a pre-IPO round, reducing the size of its planned fresh issue from INR 2,100 crore to INR 1,840 crore. The company has allotted 18.57 lakh shares at INR 1,400 each as part of this raise.

Backed by the Hero Group, Hero FinCorp’s total IPO size is now estimated at INR 3,408 crore, including an offer-for-sale component.

Key Business Updates – 16 June 2025

Meta India Appoints Arun Srinivas as MD

Meta Platforms has appointed Arun Srinivas as the Managing Director and Head for Meta in India, effective 1 July 2025. Srinivas, who previously led the Ads business in India, will continue reporting to Sandhya Devanathan, who heads Meta’s India and Southeast Asia operations.

Gaurav Jain Resigns as CBO of ShareChat & Moj

Gaurav Jain, Chief Business Officer at ShareChat and Moj, has announced his resignation. He joined the company in 2022 and played a pivotal role in shaping its monetisation and brand partnerships. Jain plans to pursue new opportunities but will stay on for a transition period.

WhatsApp to Roll Out Ads in ‘Updates’ Tab

Meta has confirmed that ads will soon appear on WhatsApp in the ‘Updates’ tab, which includes Status and Channels. Private messages will remain ad-free and encrypted. The rollout will also feature paid promotional tools for businesses and creators.

InCred Money to Acquire Stocko for INR 300 Crore

InCred Money is acquiring investment discovery platform Stocko in a deal valued at INR 300 crore. Post-acquisition, the brand will be rebranded as InCred Stocko. The acquisition strengthens InCred’s position in retail investing and stock trading.

Meesho Gets NCLT Nod to Reverse-Flip to India

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved Meesho’s plan to shift its domicile back to India from the US. This reverse-flip move is seen as a step toward its anticipated IPO. However, the company may face a $280–300 million tax liability as part of the restructuring.

Indian Startup Funding Updates for 2025 (Updated Weekly)

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