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  • IKEA India Opens First Delhi Store at Pacific Mall with 15,000 Sq Ft Space and 2,000+ Home Products

    On August 13, Swedish retailer IKEA India announced the opening of its first location in Delhi, at the Pacific Mall in Tagore Garden. With more than 2,000 products on display and about 800 available for immediate purchase, the 15,000-square-foot store brings the IKEA experience closer to households in West Delhi and the surrounding areas.

    IKEA’s Strategy for Accessibility and Affordability in India

    By emphasising accessibility, affordability, and localisation, IKEA India hopes to strengthen its position in the nation’s retail market with the opening of the Pacific Mall. The brand’s online debut in the NCR in March of this year was followed by the launching of the Delhi shop.

    It is a component of IKEA India’s larger omnichannel strategy, which also includes Plan and Order Points, large-format shops, city stores, and e-commerce. According to a statement from the firm, IKEA hopes to provide a smooth and customised shopping experience through these many formats and services, whether customers are shopping in person or online.

    ‘One Click, 30 Minutes Away’ Concept Explained

    For its Delhi location, IKEA has embraced the “One Click, 30 Minutes Away” business concept. Large-format stores in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Navi Mumbai offer a comprehensive experience, while city stores in South Mumbai and West Delhi now offer curated solutions and planning services in high-traffic urban areas.

    E-commerce makes it simple to access the entire selection online, and the Plan and Order Point concept in East Bengaluru meets individualised needs such as kitchens and wardrobes. According to the firm, two full-format IKEA experience stores are presently being developed in Noida and Gurugram.

    The opening of IKEA’s first store in the centre of the bustling city is a significant milestone for the brand, according to Patrik Antoni, CEO of IKEA India. The firm is thrilled to provide the many people in Delhi the chance to touch and feel the IKEA items.

    Since the house is where it all begins, IKEA intends to encourage the many Delhites to view their homes in a fresh manner after carefully analysing the market. The company’s dedication to making IKEA more approachable, pertinent, and motivating for a greater number of Indians is reflected in this new store.

    Key Features of the 15,000 Sq Ft IKEA Delhi Store

    About 800 smaller “cash-and-carry” goods will be available for quick purchase at the recently constructed 15,000-square-foot IKEA store in West Delhi’s Pacific Mall, out of 2,000 items on display.

    Additionally, customers can order any item from IKEA’s entire inventory, including kitchens, which will be delivered from its Farrukhnagar customer distribution centre. Visitors have access to the complete IKEA catalogue, even though only a selection is on display, Saiba Suri, Country Customer Fulfilment Manager, IKEA India, informed the media.

    IKEA’s Customer Distribution Centre (CDC) in Farrukhnagar will supply the Delhi store, which is a city-format location. In accordance with a regular replenishment strategy, products will be refilled every day as sales take place.

  • Qatar Airways Partners with Accenture to Drive AI-Powered Innovation and Transform Aviation Excellence

    Accenture and Qatar Airways are collaborating to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to transform the aviation sector. The objectives of this strategic alliance are to improve overall airline group performance, maximise operational efficiency, and elevate the customer experience.

    Qatar Airways and Accenture Launch AI Skyways to Transform Aviation

    In order to further establish the multiple award-winning airline as a leader in aviation AI and advance technology in the area and beyond, Qatar Airways and Accenture have partnered to create “AI Skyways”.

    Key Goals of the AI Partnership

    With its data and platform capabilities, value realisation office that will measure and maximise the value of AI efforts, and responsible AI practices, AI Skyways will set the groundwork for delivering value-led AI initiatives throughout the Qatar Airways Group.

    These will speed up the adoption of AI solutions for a range of aviation use cases, such as improving predictive maintenance, streamlining flight schedules, and customising customer interactions. This will free up Qatar Airways, which Skytrax named the World’s Best Airline in 2025, to concentrate on providing outstanding travel experiences. In order to maintain development and adaptability and bolster its resilience to shifting market demands, Qatar Airways will also be able to investigate future trends and applications of AI in the aviation sector.

    Qatar Airways’ Vision as a Digital-First Airline

    This programme is essential to Qatar Airways’ ongoing transformation into a digital-first company, which uses AI and other cutting-edge technology to streamline operations and improve decision-making.

    According to Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, the company’s collaboration with Accenture to launch AI Skyways marks a critical turning point in its ascent to prominence in AI-driven aviation. AI Skyways will use AI to rethink a number of Qatar Airways Group functions, including operations and customer service, in order to give customers a smooth and enjoyable journey.

    The collaboration will also concentrate on using AI for real-time data analysis in order to enhance operational responsiveness and decision-making skills.

    Responsible AI Deployment in Aviation

    Qatar Airways is putting forth great effort to create innovative AI-powered solutions that can be applied to other projects in the future. In order to ensure that the technology benefits all parties involved, the airline will implement strict ethical standards, data privacy safeguards, and ongoing monitoring as part of its commitment to responsible AI deployment.

    Together, Qatar Airways and Accenture are implementing cutting-edge technologies and creative methods of operation to generate new value for the airline and its passengers, according to Julie Sweet, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Accenture.

    This goal is fuelled in large part by Duo’s AI Skyways alliance, which integrates and scales AI to provide passengers with exceptional travel experiences and increase value for the airline company.

  • RuPay Partners with BookMyShow to Launch ‘Live Events Passport’ for Unlimited Entertainment Access

    The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)’s worldwide card payment network, RuPay, has established a one-year strategic alliance with BookMyShow, an entertainment company, to introduce the “Live Events Passport”.

    What is the RuPay–BookMyShow Live Events Passport?

    For RuPay users throughout India, the programme seeks to offer seamless payment options together with unique cultural and recreational experiences. The collaboration, which was announced on 12 August, will function through both digital and physical touchpoints, guaranteeing a seamless payment and entertainment experience.

    NPCI claims that this partnership will establish RuPay as more than just a means of payment but as “an enabler of rewarding and relevant experiences.”

    Key Benefits for RuPay Cardholders?

    In addition to the extensive calendar of live concerts and performances on BookMyShow, RuPay cardholders will have unique access to some of the platform’s most well-known events, such as Sunburn, Lollapalooza India, and Bandland, through the Live Events Passport.

    Events Included in the Live Events Passport

    Early pre-sale ticket access, priority ticketing areas, carefully chosen food and drink options, exclusive merchandising privileges, and fast-lane admission for on-site top-ups are all included in the perks package. Additionally, cardholders will have access to exclusive lounge facilities at a few locations, offering a more upscale on-ground experience akin to the VIP lounges offered by HSBC and Kotak Mahindra.

    RuPay will build up its own experience zones at significant events to increase brand engagement. It is anticipated that these lounges and activation areas would function as first-rate locations for patrons to congregate, further fusing entertainment with lifestyle advantages.

    BookMyShow on Expansion Spree

    BookMyShow, a major force in India’s live entertainment market, keeps adding international performers and major festivals to its lineup. The partnership, according to the business, comes as the Indian live entertainment market is “undergoing a remarkable transformation,” propelled by consumers looking for experiences that are immersive, personalised, and packed with value.

    A younger population, more disposable wealth, and easier access to international music and cultural festivals have all contributed to India’s significant increase in demand for live events. Partnerships like RuPay and BookMyShow are part of a larger trend in the industry where lifestyle platforms and payment networks come together to provide packaged experiences.

    How This Partnership Boosts India’s Live Entertainment Market?

    RuPay’s payment solutions will be integrated with BookMyShow into important customer touchpoints, facilitating quicker and easier ticket purchases and granting access to special benefits. It is anticipated that the collaboration will increase RuPay’s attractiveness to tech-savvy and experience-driven customers, particularly in tier-1 and metropolitan areas.

    This agreement also fits with RuPay’s overarching brand strategy, which uses both digital marketing and in-person activations to link itself with high-engagement consumer groups, including sports, music, and cultural events.

  • Ace Blend Secures Pre-Series A Investment from Fireside Ventures to Disrupt India’s Nutrition Industry

    Mumbai, August 11, 2025: Ace Blend, India’s leading science-backed nutrition powerhouse, today announced an investment from Fireside Ventures, India’s premier consumer-focused venture capital firm. 

    Shivam Hingorani, Founder of Ace Blend, closely examined the Indian nutrition space. What he found were products with low efficacy and unsubstantiated claims that were big on promises, not on results. 

    Ace has been revamping India’s supplement landscape, backed by over 25 years of global expertise from a leading R&D and product design giant in their vertical integration. Pure focus on using clinical-grade ingredients and extraction technologies have become the backbone of Ace Blend’s results-driven formulations. 

    “We’re not here to sell hope in a bottle,” said Shivam. “Our mission is to deliver real results. With Fireside’s backing and the best global R&D muscle behind us, we’re ready to scale and show the country what real nutrition looks like.” 

    “Every ingredient, every dose, every claim we make is backed by clinical research,” added Saif Mehkri, a founder with expertise in R&D who Ace Blend onboarded as Co-Founder in 2022, who went on to say, “Indians 

    deserve health outcomes that people can feel, measure, and trust”. At this time Harsh Dugar was also brought on board to lead the GTM strategy. 

    Fireside Ventures, the force behind Mamaearth, BoAT, and 40+ brands in its portfolio across different consumer domains, has been watching Ace Blend’s explosive growth and identified it as a perfect fit. Their decision to invest in them was also triggered by Ace’s strong performance.

    “India has hundreds of nutrition-supplement brands, yet only a select few deliver precise dosing, clinically-backed efficacy, and full raw-material traceability. We see the next breakthrough coming from premium formulations in convenient formats—and Ace Blend is uniquely positioned to provide exactly that to Indian consumers” , said Dipanjan Basu, Partner and Co-Founder at Fireside Ventures. 

    Ace Blend has skyrocketed from ₹1.9 Cr to a projected ₹55 Cr in just three years — charting over 250% growth in year one, nearly doubling in year two, and now scaling more than 4X this year with their pre-series A + angel round funding of $3.3 million, with an additional $5.7 million in the pipeline. The brand is redefining what effective nutrition looks like in India. 

    The fresh capital will be channeled into bringing in star talent across key functions, doubling down on awareness and marketing in hyper-innovative ways, and building cultural momentum around evidence-based nutrition. With deep R&D partnerships already in place, Ace Blend is able to leverage world-class scientific capabilities at a fraction of the cost, allowing the brand to focus its investment on aggressive business growth and market leadership. 

    This funding unites three giants, all set to raise industry standards.

  • Shivalik Small Finance Bank Raises INR 100 Crore in Equity Funding Led By SMBC Asia Rising Fund- Japan

    14 August 2025, New Delhi: Shivalik Small Finance Bank (SSFB), India’s first Small Finance Bank to transition from an urban cooperative bank, today announced that it has successfully raised INR 100 Crore in equity capital. The funding round was led by SMBC Asia Rising Fund- Japan, the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), with additional participation from the bank’s existing investors, Accel, Quona Capital, Lightspeed, and Sorin Investments.

    This fresh infusion of capital marks a significant milestone in Shivalik’s journey to build a truly digital-first bank, especially focused on India’s underserved MSME and retail segments. The funds will be utilised to strengthen the bank’s technology stack, expand its workforce across critical functions such as product, engineering, and operations, and to develop scalable solutions through its rapidly growing banking-as-a-service (BaaS) proposition. With a strong digital backbone and a partner-first approach, Shivalik aims to simplify financial access for small businesses and emerging consumer segments across semi-urban and rural India. 

    Commenting on the development, Anshul Swami, Managing Director & CEO of Shivalik Small Finance Bank, said, “We are extremely pleased to onboard SMBC Asia Rising Fund, backed by SMBC as a valuable and strategic partner in our journey of building a digital-first retail bank. At Shivalik, we are building a strong digital foundation to serve the MSME and retail customers across Bharat. Our growth plans have banking-as-a-service as a key pillar – powering a range of use-cases through innovative products and easy partner integrations. We believe that our technology stack, depth of banking knowledge, and commitment to partners will continue to allow us to deliver scalable solutions that resonate with our core audience.” 

    Shivalik Small Finance Bank has a legacy of over 25 years in retail banking, originating as Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank in 1997. It became the first urban cooperative bank in India to transition into a Small Finance Bank in April 2021 under the Reserve Bank of India’s voluntary transition scheme. The bank operates with a strong digital foundation built on Infosys Finacle’s Core and Digital Banking Suite, allowing it to deliver seamless, cloud-native experiences across web and mobile platforms.

    Speaking on the investment in Shivalik, Rajeev Kannan, Managing Executive Officer & Head of India Division at SMBC, said, “SMBC Group is deeply committed to contributing to the broad-based growth of the Indian economy. Through our collaboration with Shivalik—leveraging its digital-native technology stack and strategic partnerships with high-growth external platforms—we are excited to advance the provision of inclusive and scalable financial solutions across India.”

     

    As of FY 2024, Shivalik serves over 9 Lac customers across 79 branches and 114 business correspondents (BC) outlets in 11 states, with a workforce of around 800 employees. The bank has a business portfolio of over INR 6000 crore and generated annual revenue of INR 423 Crore in the last fiscal year. Shivalik offers a full suite of retail and MSME-focused products, including savings accounts, fixed deposits, gold loans, overdrafts, and digital payments. It has also partnered with major insurance providers like Bajaj Allianz, Go Digit, Kotak Life, LIC, and New India Assurance to offer integrated financial solutions to its growing base of customers.

    About Shivalik Small Finance Bank

    Shivalik Small Finance Bank is the first Urban Cooperative Bank in India to transition into a Small Finance Bank, with over 25 years of experience in retail banking. Since its SFB launch in 2021, the bank has focused on scalable, tech-enabled growth. It operates on a cloud-native architecture, powered by the Infosys Finacle Core and Digital Banking Suite, serving 9+ lakh customers across 79 branches and 114 BC outlets in 11 states. With a business size crossing ₹6,000cr, annual revenue of ₹423cr, andan employee base of over 800, Shivalik continues to scale sustainably by leveraging its digital-first approach and strong retail presence in semi-urban and emerging markets.

    About SMBC Asia Rising Fund

    SMBC Asia Rising Fund serves as the corporate venture capital arm of SMBC, one of the leading banks in Japan. Designed to accelerate business development and cultivate strategic partnerships, the fund invests in high-potential startups actively operating across the Asia-Pacific region. Through this initiative, SMBC Group seeks to enhance its business capabilities and deliver innovative solutions to clients by leveraging emerging technologies, collaborating with portfolio companies, and developing new business models and products.

  • Fractal Analytics IPO: India’s First AI Unicorn Opens Doors to Public Investors

    India’s first AI unicorn, Fractal Analytics, is going public, meaning the company is filing for an IPO (Initial Public Offering) in Mumbai. Soon, the company’s shares will be open for anyone to purchase on the stock market. On August 12, Fractal Analytics announced it will raise around $560 million (₹4,900 crore) through the IPO. According to the India Skills Report by Wheebox, the AI industry in India is projected to grow to $28.8 billion by 2025. Additionally, a press release from the Ministry of Electronics & IT states that India has about 16% of the world’s AI talent. The company sees this as the best time to up its game and capitalize on the growing AI market in India. Here are the key details of the filing.

    How Much Money Will Fractal Raise?

    According to Bloomberg, Fractal Analytics’ valuation is approximately $3.5 billion. The company is looking to raise an additional $560 million (from the public).

    Around $15.4 million of it are new shares, which Fractal will sell directly to the public, with the proceeds going to the company itself. These funds will be used to execute various plans by Fractal Analytics.

    The remaining $436 million will come from investors such as private equity firms TPG Inc. and Apax Partners, along with two other notable early investors. The funds raised from these investors will go directly to them, and Fractal will have no involvement in that amount.

    The IPO of Fractal will be handled by Kotak Mahindra Bank, Morgan Stanley, Axis Capital, and Goldman Sachs.

    Why Does Fractal Need The Funding

    The company aims to develop new products that help them work efficiently and compete globally. Fractal has major clients, including Citigroup, Philips, and Nestlé. It also partnered with OpenAI to build generative AI solutions. Having some fresh funding can help Fractal explore new opportunities.

    Why Fractal Going Public Is a Big Deal?

    There are several reasons why this matters to the general public and is a major development.

    • Fractal is India’s first AI unicorn company, co-founded by five graduates of IIM-A in 2000.
    • The company has been quite successful and reported a profit of $2.65 million (for the year ending March 2025), a 25.9% increase from the previous year.
    • The IPO market has been slow this year, but big listings like Fractal are sure to boost more IPOs and attract foreign investment into India.
    • Importantly, the company is taking up pivotal projects under the IndiaAI Mission, including creating a large AI language model for healthcare. These efforts help decrease the country’s dependence on foreign AI technologies in the near future.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 13 August 2025: Arintra Raises $21M, Zepto Secures ₹400Cr, Olee Space Bags $3M & More

    The Indian startup ecosystem saw a wave of funding activity and major business developments on 13 August 2025. From early-stage startups securing crucial investments to established players filing for IPOs and announcing strategic acquisitions, the day reflected strong investor interest and market momentum across diverse sectors. Here’s your roundup for the top funding deals and key business highlights in India today.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 13 August 2025

    Company Round Amount Lead Investor(s)
    Olee Space Pre-Series A $3 million Rockstud Capital (+ global investors)
    Cureous Labs Seed ₹1.66 crore Inflection Point Ventures (IPV)
    ZenZebra Pre-seed Undisclosed Rukam Capital
    Arintra Series A $21 million Peak XV Partners
    Zepto Growth equity ₹400 crore Motilal Oswal Financial Services
    Comminent Seed (Deep-tech) $2 million Transition VC
    Aragen Life Growth / Expansion ₹300 crore Avendus Future Leaders Fund III + SBI Life Insurance

    Olee Space Raised $3 Million in Pre-Series A

    Ahmedabad-based clean-tech and defence-tech startup Olee Space has raised $3 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Rockstud Capital, with participation from global investors. The company develops laser-based quantum communication systems for defence and space applications. Funds will be used to scale manufacturing, strengthen R&D, and accelerate domestic and international market expansion.

    Cureous Labs Raised INR 1.66 Crore in Seed Round

    Bengaluru-based wellness-tech startup Cureous Labs has secured INR 1.66 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from Anthill Ventures. The startup focuses on developing scientifically backed, personalised nutraceutical products. The fresh capital will go towards clinical trials, product development, and expanding distribution channels.

    ZenZebra Raised Undisclosed Amount in Pre-Seed Round

    ZenZebra, a Pune-based retail-tech venture, has raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-seed round led by Rukam Capital. The company is building a platform that blends physical and digital (“phygital”) retail experiences, aiming to help brands optimise inventory management and consumer engagement. Funds will be allocated to technology development and early market entry.

    Arintra Raised $21 Million in Series A

    US- and India-based health-tech startup Arintra has raised $21 million in a Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Endeavor Health Ventures, Y Combinator, Counterpart Ventures, Spider Capital, and Ten13. Arintra uses generative AI to automate medical coding, claims denial management, and clinical documentation improvement. The funding will help expand its product suite and strengthen its footprint in the US healthcare market.

    Zepto Raised INR 400 Crore in Growth Equity Round

    Quick-commerce platform Zepto has secured INR 400 crore from Motilal Oswal Financial Services through a preferential share allotment. The funds will be used to enhance its fulfilment infrastructure, strengthen last-mile delivery, and support market share expansion in the competitive quick-commerce segment.

    Comminent Raised $2 Million in Seed Round

    Pune-based deep-tech startup Comminent has raised $2 million in a seed round led by Transition VC. The company develops IoT solutions for smart metering and industrial automation, supporting India’s nationwide smart meter rollout. Funds will be directed towards R&D, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and executing large-scale pilot deployments.

    Aragen Life Raised INR 300 Crore in Growth Round

    Global contract research and development organisation (CRDO) Aragen Life has secured INR 300 crore in a growth round co-led by Avendus Future Leaders Fund III and SBI Life Insurance, each contributing INR 150 crore. The capital will help expand R&D infrastructure, invest in advanced drug discovery platforms, and accelerate growth in global pharmaceutical markets.

    Key News Highlights from 13 August 2025

    StampMyVisa Acquires Kunal Shah–Backed Teleport

    StampMyVisa, a B2B AI-driven visa platform, has acquired Teleport, a travel-tech startup backed by prominent founders—Kunal Shah (CRED), Vidit Aatrey (Meesho), and Phanindra Sama (RedBus). The aim is to combine Teleport’s digital-first services for young travellers with StampMyVisa’s robust visa-processing infrastructure to expand across India and Southeast Asia. Financial terms were undisclosed; Teleport is reportedly seeking $3 million to further its next growth phase.

    Fractal Analytics Files DRHP for INR 4,900 Crore IPO

    Fractal Analytics, India’s first AI unicorn, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI for an anticipated INR 4,900 crore Initial Public Offering. The issue comprises an INR 1,279.3 crore fresh equity raise and an INR 3,620.7 crore offer-for-sale via private stakeholders, including Apax Partners and TPG Fett Holdings. The filing projects a December 2025 listing on both NSE and BSE with a likely valuation of over $3.5 billion. Market-leading banks like Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley, Axis Capital, and Goldman Sachs are headlining the book-running management.

    FirstCry Parent (BrainBees) Reports Q1 FY26: INR 1,862.6 Crore Revenue

    BrainBees Solutions, the listed parent company of FirstCry, posted a 13 % YoY increase in Q1 FY26 revenue to INR 1,862.6 crore, supported by both online and offline sales. Adjusted EBITDA reached INR 75 crore, and net losses narrowed by 13 % to INR 66.5 crore. Repeat customer sales surged 77.6 %, interest income boosted total revenue to INR 1,911 crore, and procurement costs remained stable at 58 % of revenue.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 12 August 2025
    India’s startup and business ecosystem saw a flurry of activity on 12 August 2025, with multiple funding rounds across sectors. Here’s your quick roundup for the top funding deals and key business highlights in India today.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Perplexity Offers $34.5B to Buy Google Chrome: Ambition or Daydream?

    Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas has offered a hefty $34.5 billion (over ₹3,02,152 crore) offer to acquire Google Chrome, that too in cash. Reuters reported the news on August 12, revealing some important details. Notably, this is an unsolicited bid, meaning Google didn’t ask for it, reflecting Perplexity’s strong interest in the acquisition.

    Importantly, Perplexity’s valuation is $18 billion (according to CNBC), making the bid nearly twice its value. People might wonder where Aravind Srinivas would find the extra funds to fulfill the bid. And why is Perplexity interested in acquiring Google Chrome in the first place? And why risk the stakes for the bid? Learn more.

    Why Is Perplexity AI Eyeing Google Chrome?

    Before Perplexity, others have shown massive interest in Google Chrome, including OpenAI, Yahoo, and Apollo Global Management. The goal is quite clear. Perplexity aims to reach Google Chrome’s 3 billion users. If the deal ever happens, Perplexity could compete directly with OpenAI and other major players in the industry. Even though Perplexity already has its own AI browser, Comet, it’s still relatively new and not as widespread as Google Chrome.

    Why Perplexity’s $34.5 Billion Offer Is Impossible?

    Even if Google is ever forced to sell Google Chrome, the offer is an impossible one to take. According to DuckDuckGo’s CEO, Gabriel Weinberg, Google Chrome’s worth could be at least $50 billion. And Perplexity’s $34.5 billion is significantly short of that number.

    Why Did Perplexity AI Make An Offer Now to Google?

    Google faces significant legal issues in the U.S., as a federal judge stated that Google infringed Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act by maintaining an unfair monopoly in the search engine market. While the Department of Justice is pursuing the lawsuit, there is a chance that Google will sell Google Chrome, which is why Perplexity wants to seize the opportunity. Here’s what Perplexity intends to do:

    • It wants to invest around $3 billion in Chrome in the next 2 years.
    • It wants to keep Chrome’s code open-source, meaning anyone is free to use and build on the “Chromium.”
    • It wants to keep Chrome’s default search engine settings the same (no changes), so Google Search will still remain the default.
    • It wants to “preserve user choice” to reduce the monopoly concerns.

    How can Perplexity Even Afford to Pay The Offered $34.5 Billion In Cash?

    Understanding the timeline of Perplexity is essential. Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity (from Chennai and an IIT Madras alumnus), previously worked at Google and interned under AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio.

    Later, he co-founded Perplexity (with Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski)in San Francisco in 2022, and the company has recently gained attention. In India, the tool gained popularity after partnering with Bharti Airtel in May 2025. The deal gave 360 million Indian users a year-long free access to its Pro services. The brand is fairly new to amass such a large amount ($34.5 billion) in cash.

    Reportedly, Perplexity raised around $1 billion from major investors like Nvidia and SoftBank. Additionally, Perplexity claims they have multiple investment funds that have shown interest in financing the entire $34.5 billion. Perplexity is reluctant to disclose further details on who is providing those funds.

    Final Thoughts…

    There are several impossibilities attached to the current scenario. Primarily, it’s doubtful that Google would sell Chrome as it’s a key part of their AI (“Overviews”). Likewise, it’s highly unlikely for Google to sell Chrome for $34.5 billion. What do you think? Will Perplexity rise and offer more than $50 billion (Google Chrome’s valuation), or will it remain just another bold bid?

  • ZenZebra Raises Pre-Seed Round Led by Rukam Capital to Bring Phygital Retail into Everyday Spaces

    India | August 13, 2025: ZenZebra, a new-age retail startup transforming everyday physical spaces into curated shopping destinations, has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round led by Rukam Capital. With this backing, the company aims to scale across urban India by embedding shopping experiences into high-footfall environments such as co-working hubs, fitness centres, hotels, and educational campuses – where people already spend a large part of their day.

    So far, ZenZebra has worked with over 150+ Indian startups in the lifestyle and consumer brands category, offering them a new offline channel for customer discovery at curated offline touchpoints. With the raised funds, the company plans to expand its touchpoints across Indian cities, and enhance its technology capabilities to enable real-time consumer engagement, while also strengthening partnerships with emerging, high-growth Indian brands.

    Tanmay Jain, Co-founder of ZenZebra, said, “Where you go says who you are — your gym, your campus, your workspace. At ZenZebra, we believe those choices should unlock value. The world should reward presence, not just clicks.” 

    “ZenZebra is tapping into a massive opportunity at the intersection of physical retail and digital engagement. As consumers seek richer, more interactive shopping experiences, their model is perfectly positioned to scale across India’s rapidly evolving retail landscape. We see tremendous potential in their vision and are confident they can set new benchmarks for how brands connect with customers,” asserted Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner, Rukam Capital.

    Founded in 2024 by Tanmay Jain and Gurpreet Juneja, ZenZebra takes a different approach to redefining the retail experience by moving beyond online shopping and into the real world. In India, where over 90% of purchases still involve some form of offline interaction in the decision-making process, physical retail continues to play a crucial role in how people shop. Instead of relying on digital ads or screens, ZenZebra brings curated brand setups into high-traffic spaces like Awfis, Smartworks, and The Lodhi by DLF, enabling people to discover useful, exciting products organically as part of their daily routines.

    India has over 1 billion square feet of commercial real estate and millions of people moving daily through lifestyle spaces like gyms, offices, hotels, hostels, and campuses. Yet, these high-traffic environments remain largely untapped by modern retail innovation. As hybrid work, wellness trends, and shifting consumer habits reshape how we spend our time, the need to reimagine retail for the touchpoints we interact with most has never been greater. ZenZebra’s model taps into this opportunity, delivering curated brand experiences where people already are creating a scalable approach that blends seamlessly with urban infrastructure and evolving lifestyles.

    ZenZebra was built on the belief that the places people frequent daily from workspaces to wellness centers hold untapped potential for brand discovery. By embedding “discovery moments” in these environments, the company makes real-world locations more purposeful, layering them with products that seamlessly fit the lifestyle of the people who use those spaces. This approach bridges the gap between physical presence and consumer intent without asking anyone to search or scroll.

    About Rukam Capital:

    Rukam Capital is a leading Indian early-stage venture capital firm specializing in investing in consumer products and services companies. We invest in purpose-led founders who are solving hard problems at scale by creating products and companies that people love. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the challenges of building a successful business and actively partner with our portfolio companies to drive innovation and growth.

  • Senores Pharmaceuticals acquires ANDAs from Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

    Ahmedabad, India, August 13, 2025 – Senores Pharmaceuticals Limited (“SPL”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Senores Pharmaceuticals, Inc., USA (“SPI”), has signed an agreement today to acquire two products of USFDA-approved Abbreviated New Drug Applications (“ANDAs”) from Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 

    The addressable opportunity of the acquired ANDAs in the USA is ~USD 38 Mn (MAT December 2024)* as per IQVIA and ~USD 120 Mn (MAT June 2025)# as per the speciality data aggregator Symphony. 

    The acquisition will be funded through the Initial Public Offer (“IPO”) proceeds raised by SPL. This is in line with the objects of the IPO stated in the Red Herring Prospectus.

    About Senores Pharmaceuticals Limited:

    Senores Pharmaceuticals Limited (together with its subsidiaries “Senores”) is a global, research driven pharmaceutical company engaged in developing and manufacturing a wide range of pharmaceutical products predominantly for the US, Canada, and other regulated and emerging markets across various therapeutic areas and dosage forms. 

    The companies’ current portfolio includes 70 ANDA and 27 CMO/CDMO commercial products that are permitted for distribution in the USA. Senores is also engaged in the development and manufacturing of complex generics certified by global food and drugs authorities and delivers generic drugs for emerging markets, catering to more than 40 countries. The company currently has approval from regulatory bodies of more than 10 countries for its manufacturing facility in Chhatral for emerging markets with over 308 product registrations and 719 product applications. Senores also manufactures critical care injectables and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (“API”). 

    Senores has 2 manufacturing facilities for formulations – one in Atlanta, US which is USFDA approved and DEA, TAA & BAA compliant for controlled substances and government supplies & other is in Chhatral, Ahmedabad, India approved by WHO-GMP to cater to emerging markets. The company also has 2 manufacturing facilities for API in India, both located around Ahmedabad, with one in Chhatral and the other in Naroda. Senores has strong R&D capabilities to drive differentiated product portfolio across 3 R&D sites (1 in the USA and 2 in India).