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  • Vishal Mega Mart Shares Tumble 8% Following Massive INR 10,488 Crore Block Deal

    Following a significant block transaction by its promoter company, Samayat Services LLP, Vishal Mega Mart shares dropped 4% on June 17. Through a block sale of INR 10,000–10,500 crore, Samayat Services LLP, supported by Partners Group and Kedaara Capital, sold off about 20% of its equity, lowering the promoter ownership from 74.5% to roughly 55–60%.

    The transaction, which took place soon after the pre-IPO lock-in period ended, suggests a calculated withdrawal by private equity investors, according to SEBI-registered analyst A&Y Market Research.

    In India, Vishal Mega Mart is a multifaceted retailer that mostly functions as a chain of hypermarkets. Their main focus is on offering middle-class and lower-middle-class consumers a large selection of goods at reasonable costs.

    They sell goods under the headings of clothing, general merchandise, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), which includes household necessities, consumables, and personal care products.

    Significant Shift in Company’s Ownership Structure

    The ownership structure of the business has undergone a significant change, even though promoters still possess a majority share.

    After successfully retesting the INR 114 support level, Vishal Mega Mart has surged higher on good volumes, indicating bullish momentum, according to A&Y Market Research.

    Buyer strength above INR 115 was confirmed by the stock’s extended upward trend. A&Y Market Research has recommended setting a stop-loss at INR 113 and has set mid- to-long-term goals for the stock at INR 133, INR 140, and INR 146.

    Thumping Performance in FY25

    Driven by aggressive expansion and robust consumer demand, Vishal Mega Mart produced a strong operational performance in FY25. With revenues up 23% year over year and net profit up 88%, the company’s financial performance in Q4 FY25 was strong.

    With the addition of 85 more stores throughout the year, including 28 in Q4 alone, the company now has 696 locations in 458 cities. The gain in same-store sales was equally significant, averaging 11.8% for the entire year and 13.4% for the fourth quarter.

    According to A&Y Market Research, return measures are still strong, with return on equity (ROE) hovering around 8% and return on capital employed (ROCE) above 11%. But the research firm highlighted that the bloated valuations are still a problem.

    There is little margin for mistake because the company trades at a high 92x price-to-earnings (P/E) and 9x price-to-book (P/B) ratio. Furthermore, historical margin volatility—particularly in FY24—may raise concerns for investors who are risk averse.

    The A&Y Market Research has advised traders to keep an eye on the company’s FII/DII activities, clues about promoter reinvestment, and general emotions. Retail sentiment turned “extremely bullish” amid “extremely high” message volumes, according to data from Stocktwits.

  • Rukam Sitara and Flipkart Ventures Invest in Xportel to Digitise India’s Cross-Border Trade

    Xportel, a tech-first platform enabling Indian businesses to go global through cross-border logistics and export solutions, 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 from the trade-tech and logistics space. The presence of notable early backers sets a strong foundation for Xportel, positioning it well to accelerate growth and drive India’s export ambitions forward.

    Founded by Anshul Mahindru, Darpan Lamba and Sanchit Narang with a vision to make global selling as seamless as domestic commerce, Xportel is helping Indian SMEs and emerging digital-first brands expand beyond borders by offering a full-stack platform to manage everything from export opportunity discovery and documentation to logistics and compliance. 

    The capital infusion will be deployed toward expanding Xportel’s tech capabilities and strengthening the operations and sales teams, onboarding a wider network of exporters over the next year, and investing in marketing and product innovation. The company also aims to deepen its tech stack to further automate compliance workflows, customs documentation, and post-shipment tracking, making the entire export journey seamless and efficient for Indian businesses. 

    Speaking on the investment, Archana Jahagirdar, Founder & Managing Partner, Rukam Sitara, said: “At Rukam Sitara, we are constantly looking for value-driven ventures that solve real friction points for underserved but high-potential markets. The export readiness gap in India, especially for MSMEs and digitally native brands, is an opportunity waiting to be unlocked. Xportel’s vision of simplifying and digitizing exports directly aligns with India’s ambition to become a global export powerhouse. We are excited to partner with them in building a cross-border trade ecosystem that is inclusive, intelligent, and truly scalable.”  

    Commenting on the fundraise, Sanchit Narang     , Co- Founder of Xportel said, “We’re building Xportel to make exports as easy as domestic selling for Indian businesses. The eventual  goal is to create a cross-border ecosystem for anything and everything ranging from pre-order processes to post order logistics. This partnership is a huge boost to our mission of putting Indian products on every global shelf.” 

    India’s export landscape is at a critical inflection point. With the government setting an ambitious target of $2 trillion in total exports by 2030, the focus has sharply shifted to strengthening infrastructure that can enable micro, small and medium businesses to compete globally. Despite contributing nearly 45–50% of India’s export volume, Indian MSMEs often face major hurdles from fragmented documentation processes to opaque logistics and limited access to international buyers. 

    Xportel is building for this very gap. By digitising the entire export workflow from compliance and paperwork to seamless booking and real-time shipment tracking, the platform aims to be a one-stop solution for India’s next generation of global sellers. Its offering becomes even more critical in the context of a global sourcing reset, where buyers across the world are increasingly diversifying away from traditional hubs and turning to India as a credible alternative. 

    The rise of platforms like Xportel also coincides with a broader policy and infrastructure shift in the country. Government programs like RoDTEP, PLI schemes, and initiatives to integrate international trade into ONDC reflect India’s seriousness in nurturing export-ready businesses. Alongside, new courier-focused measures like CSB-IV and CSB-V have streamlined customs clearance for international courier shipments, particularly benefiting low- to mid-value goods. This has made cross-border trade more accessible to individuals, small businesses, and D2C brands.  With the rise of cross-border e-commerce, increasing digital infrastructure, and growing interest from institutional investors, the export-tech sector is rapidly becoming a key pillar supporting India’s goal of establishing itself as a global trade leader.

    Rukam Sitara, through its Fund I, continues to focus on early-stage investments in high-impact consumer and technology companies that are aligned with the evolving aspirations of New India. Its investment in Xportel is not only a bet on a fast-scaling startup but also a commitment to the long-term potential of India’s role in the global trading system. 

    About Rukam Sitara 

    Rukam Sitara is a venture capital (VC) fund located in New Delhi, committed to fostering the growth and development of early-stage technology startups. It focuses on investment activities of enterprises founded by innovative and ambitious Indian entrepreneurs. Rukam Sitara’s mission is to identify, invest in, and accelerate the progress of the most promising tech ventures in India. Its purpose extends beyond financial investment; we are committed to supporting and nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in India. We believe in the power of ideas, the strength of determination, and the potential of technology to create a better future. 

    About Xportel 

    Xportel is an export enablement platform helping Indian businesses identify global opportunities, access compliance guidance, manage logistics needs, and digitize the entire export process. We intend to support Indian SMEs and E-commerce brands for global growth through seamless export and cross-border logistics with a vision to empower every Indian product to find a global market.

    Roomstory.ai Raises INR 3 Crore to Power AI Interior Shopping
    Roomstory.ai, India’s first AI-powered shopping assistant for all things interiors, has raised INR 3 Crores in a pre-seed round led by Rukam Sitara Fund.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Collins Aerospace Announces Fresh Wave of Layoffs Across Major Facilities

    The Cedar Rapids and Decorah branches of Collins Aerospace have announced the layoff of 131 workers.

    Collins is now optimising its organisational structure, which includes reducing a limited number of positions and realigning its resources to better meet the needs of its customers, according to a representative who spoke with the media on 12 June.

    Collins Aerospace is assisting impacted employees throughout the transition since it understands the impact this has on them. The 160 employees were let go from their positions in Cedar Rapids three months ago, and now this news arrives.

    Workers were Notified on 12 June

    The website for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification states that 102 employees in Cedar Rapids and 29 employees in Decorah would be laid off. The layoffs will take effect on July 18, and workers were informed of the decision on June 12.

    When a plant closes or there is a mass layoff, businesses with 100 or more employees are required by the WARN Act to provide 60 calendar days’ written notice. The notice gives workers time to get ready for the possibility of losing their jobs, look for other work, and, if needed, get training, according to WARN’s website.

    Cedar Rapids is home to Collins Aerospace’s Mission Systems and Avionics businesses, which employ the majority of the almost 9,000 workers employed in Iowa. With the elimination of 68 jobs in Cedar Rapids in October 2023, the total number of layoffs in the state since September 2020 reached 248.

    Collins Aerospace Undergoing Structural Changes

    The current round of layoffs is reflective of larger industry constraints in the defence and aerospace sector worldwide. A number of companies are going through organisational shifts to simplify processes and reduce expenses, even while the industry is still reaping the benefits of more defence spending and innovative commercial aviation technology.

    It would appear that Collins Aerospace’s comment regarding “organisational optimisation” is part of this trend observed across the sector. Supplying cutting-edge avionics, communications, and mission systems to clients in the military and private sector across the globe, the company is an integral part of RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies).

    Because of its massive presence in the state of Iowa, every change in its personnel has far-reaching consequences for the local economy, touching not only families but also businesses, schools, and government agencies. No diminution in overall operations at the impacted plants has been indicated by the corporation, notwithstanding the layoffs.

    Some observers of the aerospace industry, however, see these changes as either a reaction to fluctuating contract numbers or a more permanent shift in Collins Aerospace’s business strategy.

  • Trump Organization Launches Budget Mobile Plan with $499 Smartphone Deal

    On 16 June, the Trump Organisation revealed a $499 smartphone that will go on sale in September along with a mobile phone plan.

     According to its website, Trump Mobile, the new service, will include a $47.45 monthly package that includes unlimited call, text, and data, as well as roadside assistance and a “Telehealth and Pharmacy Benefit”.

    The Trump-owned business also declared that it will market a smartphone known as the “T1”, which seems to have a gold metal casing with an American flag engraved on it.

    The new endeavour is the most recent instance of Trump’s commercial empire leveraging its affiliation with the current president to its advantage.

    Both Services Highlighting Trump Administration Period

    Trump, who is currently the 47th president of the United States and was the 45th during his first term, is referenced in both the wireless service’s name, “The 47 Plan”, and its monthly cost.

    Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”, is displayed on the homepage of the forthcoming phone’s website. The company’s new venture into telecoms primarily consists of a licensing arrangement, much like the range of other products that Trump and his companies have introduced throughout his political career, such as watches, trainers and Bibles.

    The website’s bottom states that neither The Trump Organisation nor any of its affiliates or principals are responsible for the design, development, production, distribution, or sale of Trump Mobile or its goods and services.

    The rush of licence agreements and other branded-merchandise partnerships surrounding Trump has sparked ethical questions from critics.

    However, with comparatively little risk to their finances or political standing, the president and his family are nonetheless pursuing profitable opportunities to diversify their holdings.

    Trump Minting Millions in 2024 Through Various Licence Agreements

    The president revealed on June 13 that he earned over $8 million in 2024 from a variety of licensing deals. Compared to competing plans offered by well-known carriers, the 47 Plan seems to be more costly.

    For example, Mint Mobile’s 12-month unlimited plan costs $30 per month, while Verizon’s more affordable option, Visible, offers an unlimited speak, text, data, and hotspot plan for $25 per month.

    The Trump Mobile website advertises that it has a customer service call centre located in the United States and that its plan provides “same coverage as the 3 nationwide phone service carriers”.

    According to the Trump Mobile website, the T1 phone has a 16.8-inch AMOLED screen, a 16-megapixel selfie camera, and Android 15. In addition, it has a 50-megapixel primary camera, 256 gigabytes of internal storage, and 12 gigabytes of RAM.

  • WhatsApp Confirms Ads Are Coming — But Users’ Chats Stay Ad-Free

    The WhatsApp advertising that the Meta-owned messaging firm has formally unveiled won’t appear in users’ calls or chats, so don’t worry. Instead of showing up in users’ personal area, these advertisements will show up in the Updates tab.

    The Updates page, where one may view WhatsApp Status posts, is where Meta is placing them.  Therefore, no, consumers’ private discussions are not being interrupted by advertisements for shoes or shampoo. These sponsored posts, such as Instagram Stories with occasional promotions, will appear between friends’ status updates.

    In an official blog post, WhatsApp stated that these new features will only be available on the Updates page, separate from your private conversations. This implies that a user’s experience remains unchanged if he or she solely uses WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family.

    WhatsApp did not just adopt this notion without any prior planning. Since acquiring WhatsApp, Meta has considered monetising the app and introducing advertisements to make money.

    Meta always had a distinct idea, even though WhatsApp’s initial creators opposed the messaging service’s use of advertisements.  In 2020, they postponed their advertising goals, but they have since returned with a strategy that says it respects your privacy.

    In 2023, WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart stated that the business was still figuring out how to include advertisements in the app without interfering with messages.  We now understand how. The Updates tab’s hidden Status function will display these sponsored posts.

    Ads will not Hinder Users’ Privacy

    According to Meta, there will be limited ad targeting. Users’ locality or region, the language their app uses, the channels they follow, and how they interact with ads in Meta apps are just a few of the variables that will affect the ads.

    It is advised to wait a while, pay great attention to the update, and then make any decisions regarding the company’s privacy policy. The company underlines that it does not read users’ messages or listen in on their calls in order to protect users’ privacy.

    In addition to advertisements, Meta is launching channel subscriptions and promoted channels on the platform. Users will now see promoted channels when they search for new ones to follow. For a monthly price, they can also subscribe to channels for “exclusive updates”.

    Sandhya Devanathan, the vice president of Meta’s India division at the time, stated in February that WhatsApp’s corporate clients have up to now used Instagram to promote their brands.

    According to Devanathan, who is currently VP of India and Southeast Asia at Meta, the company has enabled the Click To WhatsApp feature for companies that advertise on Instagram. This allows potential customers to connect with these companies on WhatsApp with just one click, completing their sales cycles.

  • TRAI Unveils AI-Powered Consent Platform to Tackle Spam Calls and Protect Users

    To reduce spam calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started a pilot initiative to develop a digital permission management system.

    The regulator will verify the technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of a digital consent registration function as part of the project. To test this framework, TRAI has enlisted a few banks and telecom providers in collaboration with the RBI.

    According to the regulator, because of the “sensitivity of banking transactions and cases of financial fraud through spam calls”, the banking industry would be given priority during the initial phase of implementation.

    The digital consent management platform will be gradually scaled up across industries thanks to the pilot project, which will be operationalised within a regulatory sandbox.

    Operating inside a regulatory sandbox environment, the pilot will evaluate the technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of the expanded Consent Registration Function (CRF) and set the stage for sector-wise scaling of the digital consent ecosystem, according to a statement from TRAI.

    The Goal-Safeguarding Consumer Interest and Enhancing Trust

    The initiative is in line with the telecom regulator’s overarching objective of protecting consumer interests and boosting confidence in legal commercial communications, the agency stated.

    In order to guarantee open practices throughout the ecosystem, TRAI further stated that it intends to keep collaborating with sectoral regulators and stakeholders. The creation of a digital consent management platform coincides with an increase in unsolicited messages and spam calls that consumers are receiving.

    The increase in such communications by companies from which a customer has already bought goods or services was noted by the regulator in the statement. Businesses claimed to have customer consent, according to TRAI.

    However, offline or unverifiable methods are frequently used to obtain this consent. Further explaining, TRAI stated that it is very challenging to determine the legality and authenticity of these consents because they were frequently obtained offline or through unverifiable methods.

    Customers have complained on multiple occasions that the businesses obtained their mobile numbers for this purpose through deceit, fraud, or unauthorised data-sharing.

    Many Initiatives Taken by the Regulator to Address Such Issues

    The regulator has taken a number of actions in recent months to address these problems. Some of the initiatives are now allowing telecom users to file complaints against unregistered telemarketers and starting the process of disconnecting telecom resources that are being utilised for spam.

    In order to obtain consent digitally and onboard companies delivering commercial messages, TRAI also started a project last year to create a safe and compatible digital consent register that will be managed by telecoms.

    The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018, were also modified by the regulator in February of this year in an effort to reduce annoying spam calls.

    According to the new regulations, telcos that violate the guidelines could face fines of up to INR 10 lakh. Telecom companies reportedly protested when TRAI loosened its strict deadlines a month later.

    In connection with financial irregularities, TRAI and the telecom department blocked 1 Cr mobile connections together last year.

  • 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 major acquisitions, here’s everything you need to know today.

    🚀 Indian Funding Digest – 16 June 2025

    Startup/Entity Sector Round Amount Raised Lead Investors
    Nuvie Food & Beverage Pre-seed $450 K (~₹3.8 Cr) PedalStart, angel investors
    Aspora Fintech (NRI focus) Series B $53 Mn Sequoia, Greylock, Quantum Light, others
    Atomic Capital VC Fund Fund launch ₹350 Cr JIIF, other angel investors
    Hero FinCorp NBFC Pre-IPO ₹260 Cr ChrysCapital, Credit Suisse, others

    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.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

    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)
    Get weekly updates on Indian startup funding for 2025! StartupTalky is here to provide you with a clear and simple overview of the latest funding news.
    StartupTalkyApoorva Bajj

  • SanchiConnect, Riceberg VC Partner with KickSky to Scale Next-Gen Spacetech Startups in India

    The accelerator program is designed to nurture and propel early-stage spacetech startups and is set to further unlock private sector support for pre-seed and seed-stage spacetech innovators

    SanchiConnect, India’s leading DeepTech startup network, has entered into a strategic partnership with KickSky Space Lab, an accelerator program focused on early-stage SpaceTech startups. Facilitated by Riceberg Ventures, this collaboration aims to scale KickSky’s vision to propel space tech startups for the global landscape and reach customers worldwide. KickSky is a joint initiative by venture capital funds Riceberg Ventures and E2MC Ventures, along with Aniara Consulting, and has already gained significant traction since its launch.

    Dr. Sunil Shekhawat, CEO, SanchiConnect, remarked, “We are excited to join hands with Riceberg Ventures to accelerate the growth of India’s spacetech ecosystem. Our combined strengths will empower startups to move beyond proof-of-concept, access global markets, and attract the right capital partners. Together, we are committed to making India a powerhouse in the new space economy.”

    Riceberg Ventures, with offices in Bangalore, Zurich, London and San Francisco, has been at the forefront of deeptech investments globally. Its early-stage spacetech accelerator program has attracted some of the most promising founders in the sector. SanchiConnect, seeded within Baring PE Partner-India, has a proven track record of running high-impact investment and go-to-market (GTM) led accelerators for VC funds, consistently delivering successful cohorts and enabling startups to scale rapidly.

    “KickSky was envisioned as a launchpad for the boldest minds in spacetech. With SanchiConnect’s unmatched network and accelerator expertise, we are poised to take KickSky to new heights, offering startups not just capital, but the strategic guidance and global connections needed to solve some of humanity’s most ambitious challenges,” said Mr. Ankit Anand, Founding Partner, Riceberg Ventures.

    Mr. Govindrajan, Director, KickSky Space Lab, commented, “Our mission at KickSky is to democratize access to the space economy for Indian founders. The partnership with SanchiConnect will help us provide a robust platform for founders to experiment, validate, and scale their ideas, while leveraging the best of industry, academia, and investor networks.”

    This partnership comes at a pivotal time for India’s spacetech sector, where IN-SPACe has been the public face of support for emerging startups. The SanchiConnect–Riceberg Ventures alliance aims to complement these efforts by unlocking new avenues of funding, mentorship, and global market access for the next generation of spacetech entrepreneurs. The team also plans to launch a global spacetech community of founders, investors, experts, and suppliers from around the world to be accessible and available for early-stage startups.  

    About Riceberg Ventures

    Riceberg Ventures is a deeptech-focused venture capital fund with a presence in Bangalore, Zurich, London and San Francisco. The firm invests in transformative technologies across Spacetech, Life Sciences, AI, Quantum, and Advanced Engineering.

    About SanchiConnect

    SanchiConnect is India’s premier deeptech startup network, renowned for running investment and GTM-led accelerator programs. Seeded within Baring PE Partner-India, SanchiConnect has enabled the success of numerous deeptech startup cohorts across the country.

    Top Space Tech Startups in India (2025): Pioneers of the New Space Race
    Discover the top cutting-edge space tech startups in India revolutionizing satellite launch, propulsion, and aerospace innovation. Explore India’s role in the global space economy.
    StartupTalkyArchana Karthikeyan

  • InCred Money Eyes Market Expansion with Stocko Acquisition

    The financial services company InCred Group’s digitally first wealthtech platform, InCred Money, announced that it will buy discount broking platform Stocko to enter the retail broking market.

    Although the transaction’s magnitude was not disclosed, those with knowledge of the situation estimated that it would be an all-cash transaction of roughly INR 300 crore.

    The purchase is contingent on regulatory clearance. According to the Mumbai-based company, Stocko, which is now run by South Asian Stocks Limited, will be renamed as InCred Stocko and incorporated into InCred Money if it is approved.

    India’s investment ecosystem is changing quickly, according to Bhupinder Singh, the company’s founder and CEO. InCred Money will use its technology, capital, and customer-first approach to fully realise its potential if Stocko provides it with a tested platform with significant volume.

    Acquisition will Expand the Portfolio of InCred Money

    Through the acquisition, InCred Money will be able to expand its offerings to include trading in stocks and derivatives for individual consumers.

    Established in 2013 under the name SAS Online, Stocko is a New Delhi-based company that provides trading in stocks, derivatives, commodities, and currencies.

    For active traders, it offers a subscription-based model where the per-order cost can be reduced to INR 2.99, in addition to charging a flat fee of INR 12.99 for every order. According to the platform, it generates over INR 1 lakh crore in notional revenue every day.

    The three verticals of the InCred Group, which was founded in 2016, are InCred Finance (NBFC financing), InCred Capital (institutional and HNI wealth services), and InCred Money, which provides retail investors with products like fixed deposits and alternative investments.

    Following the acquisition, the Stocko team, under the direction of CEO Shrey Jain, will keep running the platform. Jain stated that Stocko will expand more quickly, innovate more vigorously, and provide more intelligent products—from improved margin financing to more advanced technology—with InCred’s support.

    InCred Money Joins the Bandwagon with Honchos Like Groww Paytm Money

    By entering the retail broking market, InCred Money joins the growing number of fintechs and traditional financial institutions aiming to create full-stack platforms that integrate investing, wealth management, and lending.

    This change is best illustrated by platforms like Groww, which began with investments in mutual funds before branching out into stocks, derivatives, and asset management, and Paytm Money, which changed from payments to broking and investment advising.

    A group of wealthy people contributed $60 million to InCred Finance’s Series D funding round, which was closed in December 2023. The company was valued at about $1.04 billion after the round, which helped it join the unicorn club.

    The Mumbai-based company, a partner of KKR & Co., is in talks with some firms, including IIFL Securities, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., and Nomura Holdings Inc., about working on an initial public offering (IPO) to raise approximately $470 million, according to a news agency report from April.

  • AI to Drive Deeper Job Cuts, Warns BT Chief Kirkby

    A media report published on 15 June stated that Allison Kirkby, the chief executive of BT Group, stated that developments in artificial intelligence may intensify the substantial layoffs already occurring at the British telecoms business.

    BT’s goals to eliminate over 40,000 jobs and cut 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) in expenses by the end of the decade “did not reflect the full potential of AI,” Kirkby told a newspaper.

    She said, “Depending on what we learn from AI… there may be an opportunity for BT to be even smaller by the end of the decade,” according to a media site.

    Up to 55,000 jobs, including those of contractors, would be eliminated by 2030, according to a 2023 statement from Britain’s largest internet and mobile provider.

    Phillip Jansen, the company’s CEO at the time, stated that the organisation would operate with a substantially reduced cost base and a significantly smaller workforce by the conclusion of the 2020s.

    Possible Future Spin-Off of Openreach

    Kirkby, who succeeded Jansen a year ago, has also hinted at the potential of a future spin-off of Openreach, the company’s network infrastructure division.

    She stated that she did not believe the value of Openreach was accurately represented in the company’s share price. If this were to persist, BT would be compelled to explore alternative options.

    According to BT’s email response to a media outlet, the corporation is not now actively investigating Openreach. Last month, BT said that its full-year earnings and cash flow had been strengthened by the robust demand for fibre broadband and over 900 million pounds in cost savings.

    Openreach’s resilience helped to offset revenue and profit decreases at its commercial and consumer segments, where handset sales and legacy voice services continued to decline.

    Layoffs have Become a Common Scenario in 2025

    With big companies like Google, Microsoft, and others continuing to reduce their workforces, layoffs in the tech sector are not expected to halt in 2025.

    Companies are still cutting employees in an effort to simplify operations, save money, and emphasise automation and artificial intelligence, even though these figures are much lower than the major layoffs that occurred between 2022 and 2023.

    Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks layoffs in the industry, reports that 93 organisations have laid off nearly 23,500 tech workers so far this year, and the number is still growing.

    Google and Microsoft are apparently contemplating a new round of layoffs, according to the most recent job reduction reports. According to reports, AI-led restructuring and performance-based terminations are part of the corporations’ goals to increase the effectiveness of their personnel.