StartupTalky

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  • Vodafone Idea Currently in Discussions with Musk’s Starlink

    Following a spike in its share price, telecom giant Vodafone Idea Ltd. clarified on 19 March its ongoing talks with satellite communication providers, including Starlink. Following media speculations of a possible partnership, the corporation said that these talks are part of its regular business plan to improve service quality and broaden its telecom services. Vi  informed the exchanges that the brand is in exploratory discussions with Starlink and other Satcom providers.

    The Ongoing Developments of Vodafone Idea

    On March 19, the company’s shares enjoyed notable increases, closing at INR 7.45 per share, up roughly 5%. Vodafone Idea provided the clarification after the exchanges asked the business for one in response to the story and its potential impact on the increase in the share price. The business added that the share price might have been impacted by its announcement of the launch of its 5G services in Mumbai. In an exchange filing, it had said that, supported by its investment in next-generation infrastructure and competitive spectrum ownership, its 5G services would be accessible in the city starting from 19 March.

    Starlink from Elon Musk could change internet and mobile data, making the Indian telecom market a two-horse race between Jio and Airtel while Vi tries to catch its breath. Vi trails behind, still in the 5G rollout phase, while the two titans are currently at the forefront of the market with their strong 4G and 5G offers. A whole new level of competitiveness is brought about by Musk’s Starlink, especially in isolated and rural locations where Vi would have thought there was room for growth. Even in places where Vi has historically held sway, Jio and Airtel can now provide ultra-fast connectivity thanks to Starlink’s satellite-based internet, which does away with the requirement for substantial physical infrastructure.

    Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, two of India’s top telecom providers, have partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite internet services in the nation. The goal of these collaborations is to improve internet connectivity, particularly in isolated and underdeveloped areas. By sending signals from its constellation of satellites to user terminals—consumer hardware like a router or antenna—on the ground, Starlink offers internet connectivity. These terminals, which resemble little dishes, provide mobile internet access by connecting to a Wi-Fi router. This technology is probably going to play a significant role in closing the digital divide in India. A sizable section of India’s population lives in rural areas with little or no access to the internet. Telemedicine, e-commerce, and online education can all be facilitated using Starlink. Additionally, this can foster economic growth and empower rural communities. In addition, Starlink can offer dependable internet connection in isolated locations where installing fibre optic lines is difficult or impossible, such as mountains and forests.

  • India Follows Trump in Imposing Tariffs to Combat World’s Steel Excess

    Only a week after President Donald Trump imposed levies on all US imports, India is set to join the global wave of steel protectionism by announcing plans for broad trade tariffs. As several countries erect barriers to stave against an influx of metal, especially from billion-ton manufacturer China, the world steel market is in turmoil. In a statement released on 18 March, the Indian Commerce Ministry suggested imposing interim “safeguard” taxes of 12% on a variety of steel items. According to the ministry’s statement, safeguard measures are employed when there is a surge of unanticipated, unfavourable imports that harm the domestic industry permanently or threaten to do so.

    Why India has Opted for this Move?

    Along with nations from Asia, Europe, and Latin America, India, the second-largest steel producer in the world, is requesting tariff relief. Trump’s 25% tariffs threaten to drive metal to other markets, and China’s property crisis has caused its steel exports to soar, adding to a global excess at a time when demand is weak. The preliminary ruling, which came after an examination by the nation’s trade commission, states that the planned taxes on Indian imports will be in effect for 200 days. Following a public hearing and 30 days of consultation, a final decision will be made. Despite output reductions, China continues to generate far more steel than it needs domestically, and exports reached a nine-year high in 2024. India also mentioned the effects of various trade restrictions throughout the world, as well as the slowing demand and the expansion of steel capacity in Asia more generally. According to the ministry, there are urgent situations in which failing to apply for temporary safeguards could result in harm that would be challenging to undo. According to government figures, China’s completed steel imports increased by 80% to 1.6 million tonnes in the first seven months of 2024.

    In the notification, the Federal Trade Ministry’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) stated that the authority believes a 12% provisional safeguard duty will be suitable to eradicate the substantial harm and threat it poses to domestic industry. According to the notice, the DGTR has also requested feedback on its conclusions within 30 days, after which an oral hearing will be held before a final judgement is made.

    Ongoing Scenario of India’s Steel Sector

    India’s steel production has increased significantly over the last ten years, but it still only accounted for 15% of China’s output last year. In order to support the nation’s industrialisation and urbanisation, its producers have ambitious long-term expansion goals. The large group of steelmakers who had requested the investigation through the Indian Steel Association will feel some relief if the duty is enforced. The government had been asked by a number of producers to impose a four-year safeguard duty.

  • Cisco and NVIDIA Collaborate to Deliver Secure AI Infrastructure

    Cisco and Nvidia have teamed up to provide organisations with secure AI infrastructure, allowing them to set up data centres for AI workloads on a large scale. On March 18, Cisco and NVIDIA revealed an AI factory design that prioritises security. The firms have acted quickly to provide validated reference architectures, building on the broader alliance announced last month with this collaboration with NVIDIA. The firms are working together with NVIDIA to create the Cisco Secure AI Factory, which will significantly streamline the deployment, management, and security of AI infrastructure for businesses of all sizes. According to Cisco CEO and Chair Chuck Robbins, AI can open up revolutionary business potential. Networking and security must be integrated in order to do this. The reliable, cutting-edge solutions from Cisco and NVIDIA enable our clients to easily and safely realise AI’s full potential. NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang went on to say that AI factories are revolutionising every sector and that security needs to be integrated into every layer to safeguard infrastructure, data, and apps. NVIDIA and Cisco are working together to develop the secure AI blueprint, which will provide businesses with the framework they need to scale AI with confidence and protect their most important assets.

    The Cisco Secure AI Factory and its Operations

    The Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA is based on the collaboration between Cisco and NVIDIA on the NVIDIA Spectrum-XTM Ethernet networking architecture. Cisco is incorporating security solutions such as Cisco AI Defence to safeguard the creation, implementation, and use of AI models and applications, and Cisco Hypershield to safeguard AI workloads. Cisco and NVIDIA will work together to give clients the freedom to create infrastructure that meets their unique AI requirements without compromising security or ease of use.

    AI factories have to deal with fresh, intricate security issues. The recently released Cisco State of AI Security study highlights significant advancements from a quickly changing AI security ecosystem by analysing over 700 pieces of legislation and dozens of attack vectors unique to AI. Businesses will be more flexible, scale more quickly, and generate commercial value more quickly if they proactively address their AI infrastructure and security issues at the same time. It is anticipated that Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA would expand on the two organisations’ distinct capacity to provide full-stack technological solutions and adaptable AI networking by utilising the anticipated combined architecture.

    What this New Collaboration will Offer?

    By combining their distinct perspectives on the AI infrastructure requirements of their clients, Cisco and NVIDIA are able to provide flexible deployment options in addition to validated reference architectures. The Secure AI Factory will offer enterprise clients high-performance, scalable AI infrastructure that integrates security at every step of the customer journey. According to Patrick Moorhead, founder, CEO, and chief analyst of Moor Insights & Strategy, companies in today’s dynamic market require end-to-end solutions that tackle their most critical problems rather than merely technology. Together, Cisco and NVIDIA will provide integrated solutions that, in my opinion, will spur innovation, make deployment easier, and optimise processes. Combining the two could be an “easy button” for AI infrastructure, even though AI itself is difficult. They could enable businesses to expedite digital transformation and more confidently accomplish their strategic goals by making AI infrastructure easier to acquire and administer.

  • In its Largest Acquisition, Alphabet will Pay $32 Billion to Acquire Wiz

    Alphabet, the parent company of Google, said on March 18 that it will make its largest-ever acquisition of the rapidly expanding startup Wiz for approximately $32 billion. The company is focussing on cybersecurity to strengthen its position against Amazon.com and Microsoft in the cloud computing competition. Wiz will join Google’s cloud division as a result of the historic agreement, bolstering the company’s efforts to provide cybersecurity solutions that help businesses eliminate important risks. Given its high price and disproportionately large breakup fee, Alphabet is confident that the acquisition will be approved by the White House, despite the Trump administration’s involvement in significant transactions and its pledge to closely monitor Big Tech. Alphabet’s stock fell about 3%. Prior to T18 March, the stock had dropped 13% this year due to concerns about its high AI expenditures in comparison to the emergence of China’s less expensive DeepSeek and a retreat by the IT behemoths that had dominated the market for the previous two years. Alphabet had to accept a higher price to finalise the deal than the $23 billion offer for Wiz last year, which the Israeli business had turned down.

    Trump Made it Possible

    The media source claims that despite Wiz’s denial last year, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian persisted in his approach, and the two parties have been in touch. According to the story, which cited some inside sources, the negotiations accelerated in the two months following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Trump has stated that he will maintain the intense monitoring of Big Tech that he started during his first term, but Wall Street anticipates a change in antitrust laws under the president, whose choice of Andrew Ferguson to head the Federal Trade Commission may reduce regulations of large M&A. Among its clients are Morgan Stanley (MS.N), BMW (BMWG.DE), LVMH (LVMH.PA), and Google Cloud. Wiz collaborates with cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft’s Azure, and Google Cloud. Other significant cloud services will still offer Wiz’s products. In 2026, Alphabet anticipates the purchase to close, pending regulatory approval.

     Given Google’s poor track record with its capital allocation plan, particularly with regard to M&A, investors will probably be closely monitoring the deal, according to Dave Wagner, portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors. Google’s cloud division has outperformed the company’s search business in recent years, generating over $40 billion in sales in 2024. Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson, stated that the increased price is predicated on Wiz seeing exponential growth for another year. Wiz has consented to one of the largest termination fees in M&A history, at over $3.2 billion.

    Companies are Getting Attracted Towrds Cybersecurity Industry

    Interest in the cybersecurity business has surged after last year’s global CrowdStrike, outage roiled operations across industries, driving corporations to spend more on defending their web domains. The most recent agreement is yet another indication that Israel’s cybersecurity sector is far more powerful than its peers. Silicon Valley giants have purchased a number of Israeli-based or Israeli-founded security firms, such as Own, which Salesforce purchased in 2024, and Siemplify, which Alphabet purchased in 2022. The founders of Wiz sold Adallom, a cloud security company, to Microsoft back in 2015.

  • By early 2025, Amazon Plans to Eliminate 14,000 Managerial Positions

    By early 2025, Amazon plans to let off 14,000 administrative staff members as part of a comprehensive restructuring strategy meant to boost productivity and cut expenses. It is anticipated that Amazon will save between $2.1 billion and $3.6 billion a year as a result of the decision, which represents a 13% drop in the company’s global management personnel. Following recent layoffs in Amazon’s sustainability and communications departments, this most recent round of layoffs represents a larger change in the company’s corporate structure. The choice is in keeping with CEO Andy Jassy’s continuous attempts to reduce organisational complexity and streamline processes. In an effort to improve operational efficiency and speed up decision-making, Amazon intends to raise the proportion of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by the first quarter of 2025. Jassy has been outspoken about cutting back on bureaucratic layers that impede operations, according to sources Business Insider reported. This supports his goal of having Amazon operate more like a quick-thinking company.

    Amazon Restructuring its Work Operations

    In order to facilitate this new change, Amazon has implemented a new “bureaucracy tipline” that enables staff members to report organisational inefficiencies. In order to save expenses, managers have also been instructed to limit senior hiring, increase the number of direct reports, and reevaluate pay structures. These actions are a part of a larger effort to retain Amazon’s intense focus on profitability while establishing a leaner corporate structure. During the pandemic, Amazon’s employment increased quickly, from 798,000 workers in 2019 to over 1.6 million by the end of 2021. However, the business started adjusting its staffing levels when customer demand levelled out. In an attempt to reduce costs, Amazon has already let go of 27,000 workers during the last two years, most of whom were in corporate positions. It employed almost 1.5 million people worldwide by the end of 2024, including 350,000 corporate staff and more than a million frontline workers in delivery and warehousing operations. However, the most recent layoffs represent a dramatic change in strategy, focusing on managers rather than entry- or mid-level workers.

    Reason for Layoffs

    The reorganisation coincides with mounting financial strains, such as heightened investor monitoring and a cutthroat e-commerce environment that necessitates greater efficiency. According to analysts, Amazon’s growing dependence on automation and artificial intelligence has also lessened the need for traditional administrative oversight, increasing the replaceable nature of middle-management positions. Additionally, there have been rumours that Amazon is promoting voluntary attrition as part of its personnel reduction strategy in response to its new return-to-office mandate. Amazon has already started implementing the layoffs in stages. The North American Stores segment laid off 200 employees in January 2025, and the communications and sustainability departments also saw layoffs. According to a Morgan Stanley report from late 2024, Amazon’s reorganisation would eventually result in the elimination of about 14,000 managerial positions, which would change the company’s leadership dynamics and result in considerable cost savings.

  • Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel, Intends to Remove Staff in Order to Restructure the Business

    A media report claims that when Lip-Bu Tan, Intel’s new CEO, takes charge this week, he is ready to make “tough decisions” like layoffs and a major overhaul of the company’s artificial intelligence policy. In an effort to revitalise the faltering tech giant, which recorded a $19 billion deficit in 2024—its first annual loss since 1986—the 65-year-old former CEO of Cadence wants to address what he sees as a “bloated middle management layer” while modernising manufacturing operations and AI programs. According to individuals briefed on the meeting, Tan told staff members that tough decisions would need to be made during a recent town hall meeting. According to semiconductor specialist Dylan Patel, Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO, was “too nice” and hesitant to fire middle management when necessary.

    The New Business Strategies of Intel

    One of Tan’s main goals is to revamp Intel Foundry, which currently manufactures chips for outside customers like Nvidia. The company wants to aggressively pursue new clients while restarting manufacture of AI server chips and expanding into software, robotics, and AI foundation models. Tan left the board of Intel last August due to disagreements with the company’s leadership, but he later returned as CEO after ten years of mistakes that saw Intel lose out on opportunities in AI processors and smartphones, letting Arm Holdings and Nvidia take the lead in these markets. His plan seems to be an improvement on Gelsinger’s original plan, which aimed to turn Intel into a contract chip maker competing with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., rather than a radical departure from it.

    Future of Intel’s Business

    Strong sales of Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake chips, which will have AI capabilities and make use of the company’s new “18A” manufacturing technique, are crucial to the company’s financial recovery this year. Industry watchers believe Intel’s contract manufacturing unit might succeed if Tan wins at least two significant customers. According to reports, Nvidia, Broadcom, and Advanced Micro Devices are expressing interest in Intel’s enhanced production techniques, which could indicate that Tan’s recovery efforts are getting off to a good start.

    More Focus on AI Chip Manufacturing

    Tan principally wants to focus on increasing Intel’s chip-making division. Previously, the tech company only produced its own chips, but now it also produces them for Nvidia and other businesses. Tan wants to strengthen this aspect of the company and attract more clients. He also aims to increase Intel’s AI initiatives. In the development of AI chips, the company has lagged behind rivals such as Nvidia. Tan aspires to revive Intel’s AI initiatives and diversify into fields such as robotics, software, and intelligent AI systems.

  • Go Zero Secures INR 30 Crore Series A Funding to Strengthen Leadership in Guilt-Free Ice Cream Market

    ~ Captures almost 70% market share in the guilt-free ice cream category on quick-commerce platforms

    Go Zero, India’s #1 guilt-free ice cream brand, has raised INR 30 crore in its Series A funding round, marking a significant milestone in its journey. The round witnessed continued backing from existing investors DSG Consumer Partners, Saama Capital, and V3 Ventures. Subtle participation also came from notable investors Aman Gupta (through Shark Tank India) and Namita Thapar (outside the tank). With this round, Go Zero has raised a total of USD 6 million to date.

    Since its inception in July 2022, Go Zero has pioneered the guilt-free ice cream segment, offering 100% sugar-free products with 50% fewer calories than traditional ice creams. The brand has seen remarkable growth, achieving 5X revenue growth in its second year and 3X in the third. Despite January being the off-season for ice cream sales, Go Zero recorded its highest-ever sales in January 2025, crossing ₹5 crore in revenue.

    Ash Lilani, Founder & Managing Partner at Saama Capital, expressed confidence in Go Zero’s trajectory, stating, “We are delighted to double down on our investment in Go Zero. At Saama, we firmly believe in the rise of guilt-free indulgence in India and are focused on supporting better-for-you insurgent F&B brands. Most importantly, we have strong conviction in Kiran’s entrepreneurial spirit and two decades of experience in the ice cream industry. His immense product knowledge, flavour innovation, and natural marketing instinct have positioned Go Zero well to become India’s favourite indulgent dessert brand.”

    Arjun Vaidya shared his perspective, “Reflecting on our early investment days, it’s incredible to see how the company has grown over 20 times in the past two years from a 25 lakh monthly run rate when we first met. My decision to back Go Zero was deeply personal. Growing up, Apsara ice cream was a household favourite, my Nani lived across the street from their original Walkeshwar outlet. Kiran’s 11-year experience in his family ice cream business, especially his creation of the spicy guava flavour, showcased his deep understanding of crafting exceptional products. Taste is crucial in any food business, specifically ice cream. The zero-sugar market presented an exciting opportunity beyond just healthy consumers. With approximately 280 million Indians either diabetic or pre-diabetic, India is the diabetes capital of the world. But we’re not stopping to eat desserts. Thus there’s a significant demand for indulgent yet health-conscious desserts. Go Zero addresses this by offering products that satisfy sweet cravings while managing sugar spike and calorie content. What impresses me most is Go Zero’s approach to product development. They’ve reimagined classic favourites like the orange stick, Madagascar choco bar and duets, resonating deeply with consumers. Their strategic use of quick commerce channels has further accelerated growth.”

    He adds, “India’s per capita ice cream consumption is relatively low at 1.6 L compared to other countries. For instance, New Zealand leads with 28.4 litres per person annually, followed by the U.S. at 20.8 litres, and Australia at 18 litres. This indicates a vast scope for growth in the Indian market. Quick commerce will do 3,000 cr this year just in ice cream, this is not just taking away demand from other channels, it’s fundamentally new demand. Looking ahead, I’m excited about Go Zero’s plans to capture more market share, allowing Indians to indulge in delicious ice cream without compromising on health. The recent cassata launch is one I’m super excited about.”

    Hariharan noted, “Three years ago, we backed Kiran on his mission to deliver the best-tasting guilt-free ice cream. The exceptional consumer response since our initial investment has far surpassed our expectations, underscoring the enormous opportunity in guilt-free indulgence. Go Zero is well on its way to becoming a category-defining brand, with Kiran, who previously built Apsara Ice Cream, once again proving his strong product capabilities and execution skills in the ice cream segment.”

    The fresh investment will fuel supply chain expansion, innovation in product offerings, and brand growth as Go Zero continues its aggressive expansion on quick-commerce platforms in Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets.

    Kiran Shah, Founder & CEO of Go Zero, said, “The demand for ‘better-for-you’ products is no longer niche, it’s a mainstream shift. We are proud to lead this transformation in the guilt-free ice cream category with Go Zero. This fresh funding will accelerate our plans to bring healthier indulgence to more households across India.”

    With a strong presence across Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, Go Zero is also set to launch new guilt-free formats, including kulfi sticks and cassata, following the success of its ice cream cones and Duets. The company currently operates two manufacturing units in Mumbai and Bangalore.

    About Go Zero

    Go Zero is India’s #1 guilt-free ice cream brand, redefining zero-sugar, low-calorie ice creams and desserts. Founded in 2022, Go Zero has rapidly scaled across quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto, with additional availability on delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato. Backed by leading investors including DSG Consumer Partners, Saama Capital, and V3 Ventures, and notable investors like Shantanu Deshpande from Bombay Shaving Company and Arjun Purkayastha (Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Greater China & North Asia at Reckitt Benckiser Group), Go Zero is on a mission to make healthier indulgence accessible to all. To date, the company has raised a total of USD 6 million.

  • Awfis Strengthens Its Leadership Team

    Awfis, India’s largest and first publicly listed workspace solutions platform, continues to strengthen its leadership team, marking a significant milestone in its mission to redefine workplace solutions. The company has appointed distinguished industry leaders across Technology, Managed Office Solutions, and Design & Build to cater to the increasing demand across both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. These strategic hires reinforce Awfis’ commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and client-centric solutions.  

    As a testament to Awfis’ focus on strategic development, the company appointed Sanjay Baurai as Strategic Advisor for Workplace Solutions and Growth. With extensive expertise in corporate real estate strategy, large-scale operations, risk management, and business continuity, Sanjay brings a wealth of experience to the role. At Awfis, he will lead key initiatives across account management, co-working, manufacturing, government liaison, M&A integration for design and build, and overall business strategy, ensuring seamless execution, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with organizational goals.

    To further build its rapidly expanding Managed Office portfolio across India, Awfis has appointed Parul Seth (National Head of business Development and Growth) Roshan Alva (Sr. National Director, Enterprise Business), and Rahul Kanungo (National Director, Sales). With extensive experience spanning real estate, banking, and technology; they bring a multidimensional perspective that will help Awfis solidify its leadership position as the preferred flex space provider in India. 

    To cater to the ever-increasing demand from GCCs, and large corporates for Design & Build solutions, Awfis has onboarded industry leaders with local understanding and design experts with global exposure to build world-class workspaces that resonate with the modern workforce. Some of the recent key hires include Noelle Bianca Aguilar and Debora Emert as Design Heads from the Philippines & USA respectively. On the business front, Awfis onboarded Kamal Pandey, Director, BD who brings over a decade of experience in the design & build industry.  Awfis’ global design expertise coupled with an in-depth understanding of the Indian workspace and large on-ground teams gives it an added edge in delivering innovative, sustainable, and aesthetic workplaces.

    On the technology front, Rohit Manghnani, the newly appointed Chief Product & Technology Officer, will spearhead Awfis’ digital transformation. With a strong track record in driving growth and operational efficiency, he will lead technological advancements to enhance system capabilities, ensuring seamless scalability and superior user experiences.

    Commenting on the recent appointments, Mr. Amit Ramani, Chairman and Managing Director of Awfis Space Solutions Limited, stated, “The strategic expansion of our D&B, Managed Office, and Technology teams represents a significant leap in our capabilities. The collective expertise of these leaders enables Awfis to create workplace experiences that transcend traditional office spaces, fostering productivity, creativity, and business success. Their combined expertise and forward-thinking approach will play a pivotal role in shaping our next growth phase and reinforcing our position as an industry leader.”

    The flex space industry is experiencing exponential growth, driven by a surge in entrepreneurs, start-ups, and the expanding GCC market in India. Awfis continues to expand its footprint, innovate within the flex space sector, and provide transformative solutions for businesses seeking to thrive in an evolving corporate landscape. With a strategic vision, advanced infrastructure, and a commitment to flexibility and scalability, Awfis is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing demand and reinforce its leadership in the industry.

    About Awfis Space Solutions Limited 

    Awfis Space Solutions Ltd. (‘Awfis’) is India’s leading and only listed flexible workspace solutions provider offering the largest network of agile workspaces. The company enables small and large corporates to seamlessly book and utilize workspaces as per their requirement and convenience. The comprehensive suite of solutions includes Flex Space Solutions (Coworking and Enterprise Solutions), Mobility Solutions, Design & Build, Awfis Café, and TechLabs-advanced tech infrastructure. With a strong presence in 18 cities and 200+ centres, Awfis serves over 3,000 clients across diverse industries, ensuring scalable and adaptable workspace solutions for businesses of all sizes.

    Awfis Success Story: Best Coworking Spaces & Virtual Office | Founder | Business Model | Growth
    Awfis is offering affordable co-working spaces across 10 cities in India. Read the success story of Awfis Space Solutions, Awfis founder, revenue, growth, funding, business model, revenue model, and more.
    StartupTalkyLakshya Singh

  • Yummy Bee Secures INR 18 Crore Funding to Fuel Expansion into Mumbai and Bengaluru

    Yummy Bee, India’s leading café chain focused on guilt-free indulgence, has successfully raised INR 18 crore in total funding, including INR 11 crore in its most recent round. This capital injection will primarily support the brand’s expansion into Mumbai and Bengaluru as well as establish their base for Consumer Packed Goods (CPG) for the FMCG market, marking a significant milestone in its mission to offer healthier food options nationwide.

    The funding round saw participation from Mile Deep Capital, a prominent Hyderabad-based VC firm, as well as key investors such as Mohan Krishna, Executive Director at Continental Coffee, Ajitha Challa, Founder and MD, Karafa Coffee and Praveen Jaipuriar, Group CEO of Continental Coffee and former head of marketing at Dabur. These strategic investors bring invaluable expertise and support to Yummy Bee’s aggressive growth plans.

    The capital raised will be utilized to expand Yummy Bee’s footprint across key metros, with new outlets planned for Mumbai and Bengaluru. Additionally, Yummy Bee is also expanding its range of Consumer Packed Goods (CPG) for the FMCG market with new products being added such as millet puffs and almond rocks. Funds will also be utilized for channel expansion into both quick commerce and modern trade.

    Sandeep Jangala, Founder & CEO of Yummy Bee, expressed his excitement over the new funding: “This investment will allow us to reach more health-conscious individuals across the country, with the goal of making guilt-free indulgence accessible in every major city. We remain committed to offering delicious, nutritious food that doesn’t compromise on taste.”

    With the new funding, Yummy Bee is targeting an annualized recurring revenue of INR 50 crore by March 2026 and plans to expand to 20 outlets across India by the end of the year. Founded in 2022, Yummy Bee has rapidly gained popularity with its sugar-free, gluten-free, preservative-free menu items, including tacos, millet pizzas, pasta, and signature desserts like Double Chocolate Brownies, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Chocolate Truffle Pastry. The brand currently operates outlets in Jubilee Hills, Kondapur, Kokapet, and Kukatpally in Hyderabad.

    About Yummy Bee

    Yummy Bee, established in 2022 under VLOGS Food Private Limited, is India’s first café chain offering guilt-free, health-conscious food options. Known for its sugar-free, gluten-free, and preservative-free menu, Yummy Bee aims to redefine the café culture in India by combining health, taste, and innovation in every bite. The brand operates outlets in Hyderabad and is set to expand to Mumbai and Bengaluru.

  • Shoe Care Brand SHOEGR Raises $100K Pre-Seed Funding from PedalStart

    • Shoegr will use strategic Allocation of Funds for Innovation, Market Expansion, and Community Engagement

    Mohali-based SHOEGR, a leading shoe care brand has raised US$ 100K in pre-seed funding from early-stage startup accelerator PedalStart. From humble beginnings to being seen as the undisputed leader in India’s shoe care industry, SHOEGR has grown substantially while attempting to redefine shoe care in India and beyond.

    The company will be utilizing the newly acquired pre-seed capital to grow and scale its product portfolio, improve market and end-user reach, and strengthen its awareness-building initiatives. Additionally, the funds will be used to bolster SHOEGR’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) presence by enhancing the e-commerce experience on www.shoegr.com and facilitating new retail partnerships to allow its products to reach a wider audience.

    SHOEGR, co-founded by Saurabh Gupta, Anuj Sachdeva, and Ankit Roy, has introduced an extensive range of shoe cleaning, protection and storage solutions. With the sneaker culture gaining immense popularity in our country in recent years, SHOEGR is poised to expand the conversation beyond just sneakers – ensuring that people give all types of footwear – be it sneakers, boots, sandals or casual footwear – the same level of attention and care as they give to their clothing and premium lifestyle accessories. 

    Speaking on the fundraise, Anuj Sachdeva, Co-Founder, SHOEGR commented, “Our pre-seed investment from PedalStart marks a significant milestone – it has come at the right time when we are experiencing steady year-on-year growth, and are ready to scale exponentially. We strongly believe that shoe care should not be seen as an afterthought, but become an integral part of one’s personal grooming regime and style. Going ahead, as we continue to take strides towards making shoe care seamless, more affordable and accessible for people across all ages, we envision creating a culture where shoes are not just worn but cared for and valued”. 

    “We are thrilled to invest in SHOEGR – a brand committed to addressing critical gaps in the footwear industry. Operating in a nascent-yet-high-potential segment, we believe SHOEGR is well-positioned to become a go-to brand for shoe care in India. We are excited to propel their growth story, and will continue to enable them in more ways shortly,” said Chintan Kalla, Founding Partner at PedalStart.

    Mayank Jain, a strategic mentor for SHOEGR and former CPO & CMO at Snapdeal, added, “With India’s footwear sector growing in leaps and bounds, it’s high time we shift the focus from just sneaker care to nurturing a culture of comprehensive shoe care. SHOEGR is all about making shoe care affordable, accessible, and more convenient, and their dominance across e-commerce marketplaces is commendable. As the brand’s mentor, I am happy to contribute to its growth and scaling, and envision SHOEGR becoming the most successful brand in this industry in the years to come”. 

    Apart from its website, SHOEGR currently sells its products via platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and Ajio, and takes pride in being the pioneering Indian company to have launched a shoe cleaning kit with three specially-curated brushes for delivering targeted care to every part of a shoe. Notably, in October last year, SHOEGR achieved ₹50 lakh monthly sales milestone, and is projected to cross ₹1 crore monthly sales in FY 2025-26.

    Owing to its innovative products and rapidly growing community, along with an impressive track record of 4+ stars ratings across all products, SHOEGR is emerging as a disruptive force in India’s burgeoning shoe care industry, elevating it to new heights. The brand – committed to educating consumers about the significance of proper shoe care through engaging content, influencer collaborations, and campaigns – has built a loyal community of shoe care enthusiasts while catering to over 2.5 lakh customers till date.

    About SHOEGR

    SHOEGR is a shoe care brand dedicated to helping you keep your shoes look and feel their best. We understand that shoes are an important part of your wardrobe, and we want to help you extend their lifespan and keep them looking new for longer. We offer a wide range of products, including high-quality shoe cleaning, shoe care and protection, and storage solutions for footwear enthusiasts. Our products are the outcome of rigorous testing, research, experiments and, above all, customer feedback. Customers’ needs and satisfaction are our number one priority, we are dedicated to providing a transparent customer experience.

    About PedalStart

    PedalStart is India’s fastest-growing, operator-led startup accelerator, designed to empower early-stage founders with hands-on guidance, execution support, and strategic growth. Through a rigorous 3-month filtration process – conducted both online and offline – we carefully select only 15-18 high-potential startups each year. As an accelerator, we go beyond mentorship by actively investing $100K in these startups, leveraging our deep industry expertise to help them scale, expand their market presence, and build a strong foundation for long-term success. Backed by a strong ecosystem of experienced operators, mentors, and investors, PedalStart is committed to transforming early-stage ventures into high-growth companies.