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  • INR 97 Crore Exit: Elevation Capital Trims ixigo Holdings Again

    In a block transaction valued at INR 97.44 Cr, VC company Elevation Capital, formerly SAIF Partners India, sold more than 53.98 lakh shares of online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo on June 19.

    In contrast to the stock’s last closing price of 180.65 on the BSE on June 18, the investment firm, through Saif Partners India IV Limited, sold the shares at INR 180.50 per share, according to BSE data.

    Schroder International Selection Fund Asian Total Return purchased 53.69 lakh shares of the shares that flooded the market at the same price, for a total of INR 96.9 Cr.

    One of the largest investors in Le Travenues Technology Ltd, the parent firm of the travel technology company, is Elevation Capital. By the conclusion of the March quarter of 2025, it held a 14.02% interest in ixigo. Elevation Capital has divested its stake in the company for the second time in the past month. For INR 38.27 Cr, the venture capital firm sold over 21.5 lakh shares of ixigo in May.

    ixigo Witnessing Upward Trend

    Due to increased profitability and a growing top line, ixigo’s shares have been rising at the time of the block purchase. The company’s stock is up 5.19% year-to-date (YTD), and its shares have soared 31.56% in the last three months.

    Since going public last year, the stock has increased by more than 89% from its INR 93 listing price.

    In terms of finances, the OTA’s consolidated net profit jumped 127% from INR 7.4 Cr in the previous quarter to INR 16.8 Cr in Q4 FY25. From INR 164.9 Cr in Q4 FY24 to INR 284.1 Cr in the reviewed quarter, operating revenue increased by 72%.

    ixigo’s Recent Business Developments

    ixigo was first established in 2007 by Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar as a travel search engine to assist users in comparing airfares. Later, it changed course and became an online travel agency (OTA), allowing customers to buy hotel rooms, vacation packages, and tickets for flights, trains, and buses.

    Additionally, it offers automated customer service and tailored recommendations. The corporation claims to have 83 million monthly active users and 544 million annual active users.

    Hotel and flight reservations to Turkey and Azerbaijan were suspended by the travel technology company, which competes with MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip, last month as these countries supported Pakistan during recent Indo-Pak escalations.

    ixigo management stated on their Q4 results call that if the circumstances alter, the company will reevaluate its position.

    This transaction is representative of a new stage in the lifecycle of Indian entrepreneurs, one that combines global asset manager involvement, VC returns, and post-IPO investor trust.

    Now that more than 100 Indian firms have joined the unicorn club, attention is focused on those that scale, sustain, and generate profits.

    For the upcoming generation of Indian entrepreneurs, ixigo’s transformation from a resilient OTA startup to a publicly traded company drawing in foreign investment provides an encouraging path forward.

  • 16 Billion Accounts Compromised in Largest Data Breach Ever — Big Tech on High Alert

    According to cybersecurity researchers, they have recently discovered a vast database that contains over 16 billion usernames and passwords, rendering it the most significant data exposure in history.

    As per recent reports, the passwords that were revealed were probably created by several thieves who stole usernames and passwords using different types of infostealing software.

    It turns out that these login credentials were collected from a variety of sources, including developer portals, business platforms, social media, and VPNs. Between tens of millions to over 3.5 billion records with accounts from Google, Apple, Facebook, GitHub, Telegram, and other platforms were found in 30 publicly available datasets of varying sizes, according to the researchers.

     According to the study, “none of the exposed datasets were reported previously,” with the exception of the Jeremiah Fowler-reported collection that included over 184 million passwords.

    Blueprint of Mass Exploitation

    Researchers go on to say that this is a roadmap for broad exploitation rather than merely a leak. Cybercriminals now have unparalleled access to personal credentials that may be exploited for identity theft, account takeover, and highly targeted phishing, since more than 16 billion login records have been made public.

    The structure and recentness of these databases are particularly worrisome; they are not merely repeated breaches from the past. This is large-scale, new intelligence that can be used as a weapon. Additionally, these recently found datasets were only made available online for a short time utilising unprotected Elasticsearch and object storage instances.

    This was sufficient for security researchers to find the dataset without discovering who was in possession of it. According to the research, most of the data that was exposed comes from “a mix of details from stealer malware, credential stuffing sets, and repackaged leaks.”

    Furthermore, these databases probably contain some duplicate information, even though there is no way to compare them. Because of this, it is challenging to estimate the number of individuals impacted by the data breach.

    Datasets Recovered Followed a Set Pattern

    The majority of the information in these datasets had a specific format, consisting of a URL followed by a username and password. For those who don’t know, this is precisely how malware that steals information gathers and transmits it to threat actors.

    The researchers also discovered that phishing efforts, ransomware attacks, business email compromises, and account takeovers frequently employ these massive datasets of usernames and passwords.

    Tokens, cookies, and metadata were also included in these accessible datasets, making them risky for businesses and services without multi-factor authentication. Additionally, some of these were only referred to as “credentials” and “logins”.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 19 June 2025

    Here’s your quick roundup of India’s top startup funding deals and key business developments from 19 June 2025. From major capital raises to regulatory approvals and strategic investments, here’s what’s shaping the ecosystem today.

    🚀 Indian Startup Funding Digest – 19 June 2025

    Company Sector Funding Raised Lead Investor(s)
    Mahaveer Finance NBFC (Vehicle Loans) ₹200 crore Elevation Capital, BanyanTree Finance, First Bridge Capital
    One Hand Clap Media Creative Agency Undisclosed Nikhil Kamath
    Okinawa Electric Vehicles ₹60 crore Dhruv Khush Business Ventures

    Mahaveer Finance Raises INR 200 Crore in Series C Round

    Chennai-based NBFC Mahaveer Finance has secured INR 200 crore in Series C funding led by Elevation Capital. The round also saw participation from BanyanTree Finance and First Bridge Capital. Mahaveer, known for financing used commercial vehicles for underserved entrepreneurs, has expanded its loan book significantly from INR 50 crore in 2016 to over INR 1,000 crore as of mid-2025. The fresh funds will strengthen its credit infrastructure, branch network, and governance capabilities.

    Nikhil Kamath Invests in One Hand Clap Media

    Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has invested an undisclosed amount in Mumbai-based creative agency One Hand Clap Media. The agency was founded by Aakash Shah and Naveed Manakkodan, both formerly associated with comedy collective All India Bakchod (AIB). One Hand Clap has created campaigns for top-tier clients like Netflix India, Swiggy, Prime Video, CRED, and Ather. Kamath’s backing is expected to boost the agency’s storytelling scale and production capabilities.

    Okinawa Secures INR 60 Crore in Fresh Funding

    Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Okinawa has received a capital infusion of INR 60 crore from Dhruv Khush Business Ventures. The funding comes as the company navigates financial strain following issues related to the government’s FAME-II subsidy programme, which required a significant repayment. Okinawa had earlier been asked to return around INR 116 crore due to non-compliance. This round is expected to help the EV player stabilise its operations and address urgent financial challenges. Despite being a once-prominent player in India’s EV market, Okinawa is currently working to restore trust and rebuild momentum.

    📰 Key News Highlights – 19 June 2025

    Capillary Technologies Files DRHP for INR 430 Crore IPO

    Capillary Technologies, a Bengaluru-based SaaS firm specialising in customer loyalty and engagement platforms, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI. The proposed IPO includes a fresh issue of equity worth INR 430 crore and an offer-for-sale of approximately 1.83 crore shares by existing shareholders. The proceeds will fund cloud infrastructure, R&D, and potential acquisitions. JM Financial, IIFL Capital, and Nomura are the lead managers.

    Honasa Consumer Grants ESOPs Worth INR 1.6 Crore

    Honasa Consumer, the parent company of Mamaearth, has granted 53,322 employee stock options under its 2018 ESOP plan. At current NSE trading prices (~INR 305), the total value of these options is estimated at INR 1.6 crore.

    Amazon India to Invest INR 2,000 Crore in Operations & Infrastructure

    Amazon India has announced it will invest $233 million (over INR 2,000 crore) in 2025 to expand and upgrade its fulfilment network. The investment aims to launch new facilities, enhance delivery speed and safety, implement tech solutions for monitoring delivery, and support employee wellness programmes—including rest hubs, financial education and health camps. This forms part of Amazon’s broader $26 billion commitment to India by 2030.

    India’s Department of Telecommunications has granted operating rights to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-internet venture from SpaceX. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the approval following a meeting with SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell. Starlink now joins Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Comms in India, with future steps including securing spectrum and space regulator clearances. This decision marks a major step for rural connectivity, though affordability and regulatory alignment remain key next challenges

  • Statkraft Unveils Bold $291M Cost-Cutting Plan, Layoffs on the Horizon

    Statkraft, a state-owned utility in Norway, plans to reduce yearly expenses by 15% by 2027 in order to adjust to the shifting market conditions through cost-cutting strategies that include technical refocusing and layoffs.

    By 2027, the business plans to cut salaries and other operating costs by about NOK 2.9 billion (USD 290.5 million/EUR 253.2 million) a year, it announced on 19 June. It follows the utility’s statement that it will no longer pursue new green hydrogen projects and that it has adopted a “sharpened strategy” to direct cash towards its core operations.

    According to CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, Statkraft must adjust to the shifting market conditions and heightened geopolitical unpredictability.

    Specific Measures to be Revealed in the 2nd Half of 2025

    The second part of the year will see the identification of the precise actions that the business will take.

    As the energy transition slows down owing to rising global uncertainties, rising costs, and falling power prices, Statkraft plans to focus its technological efforts on its flexible hydropower fleet in the Nordics, as well as solar, wind, and battery projects in Europe and South America.

    Because the offshore wind business in Europe is developing slowly, no new offshore wind projects will be undertaken. The ruling also holds true for Norway’s next Utsira Nord allocation round.

    According to Vartdal, the company can sustain its development and value creation by focusing on its core competitive advantages and giving priority to investments in short-term profitable possibilities.

    She clarified that some portfolios will be sold off, while short-term profitable technologies like solar, wind, and batteries in fewer areas will be prioritised.

    Future Investments of Statkraft

    Statkraft will evaluate its investment position in solar, wind, and batteries in Poland as part of the refocusing, and it will stop developing in Portugal while continuing to operate in both nations.

    The Norwegian company plans to invest between NOK 16 billion and NOK 20 billion in maintenance projects, onshore wind projects in Sweden and Norway, and significant hydropower capacity enhancements in Norway in the upcoming years.

    Although at a slower growth pace than initially anticipated, it would endeavour to extend its activities in solar, wind, storage, and grid services across Europe and South America, the company stated.

    In addition to the previously announced and ongoing divestment proceedings, the aforementioned steps will affect the development business in Croatia and the Netherlands, the district heating and biofuels activities in the Nordics, and the business activities in India.

    The Colombian national oil firm, Ecopetrol, agreed to purchase Statkraft’s Colombian renewable energy portfolio, Enerfín Colombia, in May 2025.

  • Culture Clash: Altman Rips Zuckerberg Over Massive Compensation Packages

    Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has publicly slammed Meta Platforms for its aggressive hiring practices, claiming that the business failed to attract top OpenAI developers despite offering signing incentives of up to $100 million.

     Speaking on his brother’s podcast, Altman made the argument that such large salary packages don’t foster the “right work culture” and aren’t conducive to long-term success in the artificial intelligence industry.

    Additionally, he concurred that Meta views OpenAI as a major rival in the AI competition.

    Meta Trying to Poach OpenAI Talent but Failed: Altman

    Sam Altman has stated that Meta made large offers, some of which were apparently as high as $100 million, in an effort to entice important personnel away from OpenAI.

    Altman asserted that Meta mainly “tried and failed” to poach his employees in spite of these startling statistics. Altman allegedly said, “We offer a different package, but it’s about the mission and the ability to do important work,” drawing a comparison between Meta’s and OpenAI’s retention tactics.

    Altman also contended that while these enormous compensation packages could draw attention, they don’t encourage the development of revolutionary AI. “I don’t think that’s going to set up a great culture,” he remarked, referring to the practice of offering a large amount of upfront guaranteed compensation as the basis for recruiting someone.

    While acknowledging that Meta views OpenAI as a major rival in the fight to create cutting-edge AI systems, Altman underlined that elite personnel are motivated by innovation and purpose rather than money alone.

    Altman went on to say that there are a lot of aspects of Meta that he admires. However, he does not believe that they are an innovative company.

    Meta is Lagging Behind in AI Race

    While OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind are operating at full capacity, Meta will need to assemble its new AI team in the upcoming year. OpenAI is anticipated to deliver an open AI model in the upcoming months, which will probably further distance Meta from the competition in the AI race.

    Sam Altman discussed a social media feed driven by AI later in the podcast, which appears to be threatening Meta’s apps.

    In contrast to the default, algorithmic feed found in conventional social media apps, the CEO of OpenAI expressed interest in investigating a social media app that leverages AI to provide personalised feeds depending on user preferences.

    According to reports, OpenAI is internally developing social networking software. In the meantime, Meta is testing a social network driven by AI with its Meta AI app.

    Nevertheless, it appears that some users have shared some really sensitive conversations with the public because they are perplexed by the Meta AI program. It’s unclear if social networks driven by AI will succeed. Meanwhile, it appears that Zuckerberg and Sam Altman will compete in the AI talent hunt.

  • Air India Trims Global Wings, Cuts 15% Wide-body Flights

    With immediate effect, Air India would cut its international wide-body flight operations by 15% “at least” till the middle of July. The airline uses its wide-body aircraft to run over 70 foreign flights every day.

    Due to a number of variables, such as the closure of numerous nations’ airspace, longer travel times to and from the West, and extra scrutiny of Boeing 787s following the AI 171 incident on 12 June, there are fewer twin aisles available.

    Between June 2 and June 17, AI operated 462 flights on its wide-body fleet of Boeing 787s, B777s, and Airbus A350s while cancelling 83 flights during that time. This indicates that, to the inconvenience of passengers, 15.2% of the 545 scheduled flights were cancelled.

    AI has thereby reduced wide-body flights by 15% by using that ratio and matching schedules to actual flying capacity. Even though the introduction of new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus has been much slower than expected, AI has overextended itself in the last two years in terms of crew and equipment by drastically increasing flights.

    Therefore, if an aircraft was grounded or delayed, it affected the flight it was scheduled to conduct next. Since the DGCA ordered additional checks of B787 Dreamliners last Thursday, this has gotten worse.

    Enhanced Safety Check on Boeing 777 Fleet

    In a statement released on June 18, AI stated that the 15% reduction essentially increases the number of reserve planes available to handle unforeseen interruptions and will help it guarantee operational stability, improve efficiency, and limit passenger discomfort.

    The airline has said that it will conduct more thorough safety inspections on its fleet of Boeing 777s. Even if the capacity reduction occurs during the busiest travel season, the airline will at least be able to notify customers in advance that their flights would be cancelled and use AI to assist them in finding other arrangements.

    According to AI’s statement, the investigative authorities are still working to determine what caused the (AI 171) accident. The DGCA had ordered AI’s fleet of B787-8/9 aircraft to undergo “enhanced safety inspections”.

    Inspections on 26 of the 33 B787s have already been finished and are approved for service; the remaining B787s will undergo inspection in the next several days. The fact that 26 aircraft have received clearance demonstrates our commitment to safety protocols.

    Ongoing Middle East Situation Also Adding Pain to the Agony

    The statement also stated that AI’s top priority is still ensuring the safety of its passengers, crew, and aircraft, and it will continue to work with authorities to do so.

    AI added that there have been some disruptions in its international operations over the last six days, resulting in 83 cancellations. This is because of the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, night curfews (at airports abroad), the continuous enhanced safety inspections, and the necessary caution being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots.

    AI promises to let passengers know ahead of time and try its best to get them a seat on another aircraft. Additionally, passengers will have the option of receiving a complete refund or rescheduling their trip at no additional cost.

  • Microsoft Layoffs Loom: Sales Team Braces for Impact in Coming Weeks

    According to various media reports, Microsoft is planning to lay off thousands of employees, mostly in its sales business. The layoffs are anticipated to be revealed in early July as the corporation continues to restructure in the face of significant expenditures in artificial intelligence.

    Following 6,000 layoffs in May and more than 300 more a few weeks later, the layoffs will be the Redmond-based software giant’s third significant employment decrease of the year.

    The expected summer layoffs were initially reported by Bloomberg, and according to sources, the timing aligns with the beginning of Microsoft’s new fiscal year in July.

    Sales Team to Face the Thunder Storm

    The upcoming cuts will disproportionately target customer-facing roles, in contrast to prior rounds that predominantly hit software engineers and product developers.

    As of June 2024, about 45,000 of Microsoft’s 228,000 employees work in the sales and marketing business. This change was hinted at by the company in April when it declared that it will outsource more software sales to small and midsized businesses to other companies.

    Although sales teams will take the brunt of the cuts, a media group reported that they won’t be the only ones affected.

    Microsoft Focusing More on AI

    The larger difficulty tech businesses face in striking a balance between AI spending and operational efficiency is reflected in Microsoft’s layoffs. This fiscal year, the business has set aside almost $80 billion for data centre expenditures, and officials have promised Wall Street that they will keep costs under control in other areas.

    At a recent internal town hall, CEO Satya Nadella told staff that the previous cuts were a “realignment” rather than a result of performance evaluations, emphasising that employees were not failing. It was about shifting into the next phase.

    Microsoft frequently announces organisational changes close to the conclusion of its fiscal year, so the timing fits a pattern. Following the Activision Blizzard takeover, the business further reduced its video game sector and let off 10,000 employees in January 2023 after hiring was prompted by the epidemic.

    According to media reports, Microsoft declined to comment on the anticipated layoffs, and the precise number of cuts is still being decided.

    Amazon CEO Echoing Similar Thoughts on Layoffs and Adaptation of AI

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

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

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

  • Startup Dreams Get a Lift: SEBI Relaxes IPO, Reverse-Flipping Norms

    The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced a number of initiatives on 18 June to promote more companies listing on the stock exchanges after reverse flipping to India.

    These new initiatives lessen the burden of compliance in the stock market ecosystem, and permit increased foreign investment in government bonds.

    The rule that prevents start-up founders and promoters from holding Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) and other share-based rewards when they file their draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for a public share offering was also abandoned by the market watchdog.

    While SEBI has prohibited new ESOP issuances in the lead-up to the filing, it has permitted promoters to retain existing ESOPs that were issued a year before the filing of their DRHP.

    Scrapping the Rule for Compulsorily Convertible Securities

    The Board also eliminated a requirement mandating investors in fully paid-up Compulsorily Convertible Securities (CCS) to retain shares resulting from the conversion of such securities for at least a year during its meeting, which was chaired by Tuhin Kanta Pandey.

    According to the Board, this has prevented some investors from taking part in the public offering of the offer for sale. Companies considering reverse flipping—the practice of shifting a company’s domicile from a foreign country to India in order to allow domestic listing—will benefit from these regulatory changes.

    Additionally, SEBI permitted shares owned by public financial institutions, alternative investment funds (AIFs), and overseas ventures to be included in the minimum promoter contribution needed for a public offering.

    SEBI chairman Pandey stated that the regulator has established a working group to investigate the unbundling of charges by clearing corporations, despite the fact that clearing firms were not formally on the board’s agenda.

    The head of SEBI stated that these fees must be revealed to investors and cannot be a “black box”.

    In contrast to the previous position, when the regulator had considered separating clearing firms from parent exchanges, he stressed that the ownership structure of clearing corporations will remain unchanged.

    Easing Out Other Rules Making a Wider Road For Startups

    Additionally, SEBI has loosened the regulations governing the delisting of public sector enterprises (PSUs) with more than 90% government ownership. According to Pandey, the exemption will help around five listed PSUs and won’t apply to banks, NBFCs, or insurance businesses.

    A distinct category for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to invest in government securities (gsecs) was also introduced by the market regulator. KYC rules for these investors will be eased, much like the RBI’s. Additionally, these FPIs will receive a longer period of time to notify major changes and respite from making granular disclosures.

    Additionally, SEBI authorised modifications to the rules regulating angel funds, started talks on loosening accreditation, and permitted Category-I and -II AIFs to create co-investment vehicles. Furthermore, the board retracted its December 2024 ruling that mandated merchant bankers and other regulated firms divide their non-core or non-regulated activity into distinct entities.

    It will be possible for merchant bankers to carry on with their operations that are governed by other financial authorities. However, if the aforementioned conduct is unregulated, like in an unlisted market, merchant bankers will have to tell their clients.

    A payment plan for brokers implicated in the National Spot Exchange (NSEL) scam has also been approved by the SEBI board. Furthermore, a venture capital fund settlement plan has been unveiled.

    Additionally, before the DRHP was filed, the market regulator required that the shares of several important shareholders, including senior management, be dematerialised.

    The eligibility requirements for listing on social stock exchanges and other standards for investment advisors and real estate investment trusts were also loosened by SEBI. Additionally, the market regulator made disclosure paperwork easier to understand for portfolio managers.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 18 June 2025

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

    📰 Funding Summary – 18 June 2025

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

    Oben Electric

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

    Oben Electric Secures INR 100 Crore to Drive EV Expansion
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    CLR Facility Services

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

    Seven (Payment Ring Startup)

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

    Techfino (NBFC Fintech)

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

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 17 June 2025
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  • Shruti Mishra’s Double Shift: Building a Brand, Raising a Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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