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  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 4 July 2025: Lenskart Bets on XR, NoPaperForms Goes Public, Swiggy Stake Sale

    India’s corporate and startup ecosystem witnessed a mix of strategic moves, regulatory updates, and investor activity on 4 July 2025. While no startup funding rounds were disclosed today, developments like NoPaperForms preparing for a public listing, Citigroup offloading Swiggy shares, and Lenskart backing deep-tech innovation kept the day eventful. Here are the top business and startup highlights.

    Info Edge‑backed NoPaperForms converts into a public company

    NoPaperForms Solutions Private Limited, backed by Info Edge and parent of Meritto, has officially converted into a public limited company. The board has approved renaming it to NoPaperForms Solutions Limited, paving the way for a potential INR 500–600 crore IPO by the end of 2025.

    Citigroup sells INR 12.2 crore worth of Swiggy shares to BNP Paribas

    Citigroup Global Markets sold 3.2 lakh Swiggy shares at INR 381 each in a block deal to BNP Paribas Financial Markets, totalling approximately INR 12.2 crore. The transaction occurred today via BSE’s bulk deal platform.

    Lenskart invests in Mumbai‑based AjnaLens to build smart glasses

    IPO‑bound Lenskart has made an undisclosed strategic investment in deep‑tech startup AjnaLens, headquartered in Mumbai. The partnership aims to co‑develop AI-powered smart glasses, leveraging Lenskart’s engineering prowess and AjnaLens’ XR expertise.

    BlackBuck subsidiary receives PPI licence from RBI

    TZF Logistics Solutions Pvt Ltd, the wholly owned subsidiary of BlackBuck, has been granted a Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) licence by the RBI. This licence enables TZF to issue digital wallets aimed at simplifying payments for logistics players.

    EaseMyTrip co‑founder Prashant Pitti pledges ₹95 crore in shares

    Prashant Pitti, co‑founder and executive director of EaseMyTrip, has pledged 9 crore shares (worth approximately INR 95 crore) to Motilal Oswal Financial Services, per a filing made on 26 June 2025. The pledge is intended for personal use.

    Yum! Brands to mediate merger of Devyani & Sapphire franchisees

    Parent company Yum! Brands is reportedly facilitating a proposed merger between its Indian franchisees, Devyani International and Sapphire Foods. The deal could involve a 1:3 share swap, consolidating KFC and Pizza Hut operations under Devyani to boost synergies amid slowing growth. Initial clarification from both firms indicates “no material event” at this stage.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 3 July 2025
    Meesho files for IPO, GobbleCube secures $3.5M, Microsoft cuts jobs, and more key startup and funding news from India on 3 July 2025.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • BlackBuck Subsidiary Gears Up for Digital Payments with RBI’s PPI Nod

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a prepaid payment instruments (PPI) licence to Zinka Logistics, a subsidiary of listed logistics giant BlackBuck.

    The business stated in an exchange statement that its fully owned subsidiary, TZF Logistics Solutions Pvt Ltd, was awarded the licence by the central bank. Banks and non-banks cannot issue PPIs without a licence under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act of 2007.

    To put it in perspective, PPIs enable remittance facilities, conduct financial activities, assist the purchase of goods and services, and more, all of which are facilitated by the value they store.

    The Move will Assist TZF Logistics to Run Payment System More Effectively

    According to BlackBuck’s petition, the licence will assist the company’s fully owned subsidiary TZF Logistics Solutions Pvt Ltd, in setting up and running a payment system for prepaid payment instruments.

    The RHP that BlackBuck submitted in November of last year states that TZF Logistics is in the transportation industry, offering clients a platform to rent various vehicles such as trucks, lorries, containers, cars, fleet taxis, and more. After being established in 2018, TZF Logistics reported a loss of INR 17.5 Lakh in FY24.

    Although BlackBuck didn’t say exactly how it would use the PPI licence, it is probably going to give it to truckers so they can pay for fuel and FASTag.

     BlackBuck, which was founded in 2015 by Rajesh Yabaji, Chanakya Hridaya, and Ramasubramaniam B, began as an online truck aggregator before growing to include a wide variety of load management, telemetry, payment, and vehicle financing products.

    BlackBuck’s Business Operations

    BlackBuck links small and large companies with shipping needs with truck fleet operators. Transparency about fuel costs, charges, truck safety, and tracking is frequently lacking among truck operators.

    BlackBuck provides fuel cards and FASTag payments, GPS tracking and truck theft protection systems, verified communication channels between the shipper and the trucker, and vehicle financing options to address these problems. Commissions, platform fees, and subscriptions are how the business makes money.

    In FY24, it had a 27.52% market share in the domestic goods sector. With a net profit of INR 280.1 Cr in Q4 FY25, the company generated a profit after reporting a loss of INR 90.8 Cr in the same quarter the previous year.

    A tax credit of INR 245 Cr was also included in the profit figure. In the meantime, operating revenue increased from INR 93.2 Cr in Q4 FY24 to INR 121.8 Cr, a 30.6% increase.

  • Big Shift: Reliance Transfers Consumer Business to New RCPL

    As the oil-to-telecom giant founded by billionaire Mukesh Ambani prepares for an IPO for its retail division, Reliance Industries Ltd. is moving all of its consumer products brands to a new wholly owned company.

    According to a June 25 National Company Law Tribunal order, the brands—which include clothing, fashion, food, personal care, and beverages—that are presently owned by Reliance Retail Ltd. (RRL), Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd.(RRVL), and Reliance Consumer Products Ltd.(RCPL) will be transferred to the so-called New Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., or New RCPL.

    In their application with the NCLT, the Reliance firms stated that, in contrast to retail, this is a major operation that requires specialised and concentrated attention, experience, and diverse skill sets.

    According to the filing, the change will enable the capital-intensive consumer goods company to draw in a new group of investors. Additionally, it will help the retail company that is getting ready for an IPO focus more intently.

    Operations of New RCPL

    As per the agreement, New RCPL would produce, market, sell, and distribute consumer goods. According to the NCLT filing, it will also make investments in joint ventures and subsidiaries associated with this enterprise.

    This development coincides with experts pointing to signs of improvement in Reliance’s retail division following a poor year-end performance on March 31 brought on by a slowdown in consumption and a reorganisation of its store network.

    Just two years after its reintroduction in India, Reliance’s beverage brand Campa Cola acquired double-digit market share in strategic regions.

    Its network of beauty care products, Tira, includes the Korean brand Sulwhasoo, the American brands Smashbox and Estee Lauder, and the domestic upstart Re’equil.

    Reorganisation to be Concluded in Four Stages

    There will be four main stages to the restructuring. Through slump sale, RRL’s FMCG brands will first go to parent RRVL. After that, RCPL and RRVL will merge.

    The combined “consumer brands business undertaking” will thereafter depart from RRVL and relocate to Tira Beauty Ltd., which is now a dormant business.

    As a continuing business, Tira Beauty will then be referred to as New Reliance Consumer Products (New RCPL). To have the proposed “composite scheme of arrangement” approved, the Mumbai NCLT bench directed RRVL to schedule meetings with its 14 equity owners and creditors.

    Meetings for RRL, RCPL, and Tira Beauty shareholders were judged unnecessary based on the consent affidavits that were presented. According to the corporation, over 60% of the INR 11,500 crore in sales in FY25 came from kiranas and general trade.

    Campa achieved double-digit market share in some regions, according to the company’s results call. Its goods are available in over one million retail locations through a distribution network that includes over 3,200 partners.

    In addition, the NCLT division bench, which included technical member Prabhat Kumar and Justice VG Bisht, directed the firms to furnish information on their performance and corporate guarantees as well as any contingent liabilities that may be in place.

  • Adani Group in Pole Position to Acquire Jaiprakash Associates

    According to media sources, the Adani group has emerged as the front-runner to purchase Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), which is presently going through insolvency processes, with a bid of up to INR 12,500 crore.

    With no limitations attached, the company has offered an upfront payment of about INR 8,000 crore.

    However, if a legal issue pertaining to its JP’s sports city project is settled, Dalmia Group is anticipated to present a serious challenge to Adani Group and maybe outbid Adani’s offer. The Supreme Court of India is still considering the matter.

    CoC to Start Proceedings for Negotiation

    According to sources, the Committee of Creditors (CoC), under the direction of National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL), is ready to begin talks with resolution applicants for Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) next week.

    This comes after NARCL purchased a sizable amount of JAL’s loans from a group that was initially led by the State Bank of India. Companies like the Adani Group, Dalmia Bharat Group, PNC Infrastructure, Vedanta, and Jindal Steel & Power are among those that have presented resolution plans.

    The cement and real estate holdings of JAL are of special importance to the Adani Group, which is well-known for its growth in the energy, infrastructure, and cement industries. This is in line with Adani’s plan to increase its presence in rapidly expanding sectors, especially in the cement sector.

    JAL Navigating Through Troubled Waters

    For JAL, which has been battling significant debt and operational challenges, the insolvency procedures mark an essential phase.

    It is anticipated that resolving the company’s insolvency will enable the restructuring and operational rebirth of the business while also offering much-needed relief to its creditors, particularly banks and financial institutions.

    The Allahabad High Court also decided in favour of the Yamuna Motorway Industrial Development Authority’s March 2025 decision to revoke a 1,000-hectare land allocation for JAL’s Sports City project near New Delhi.

     In the midst of its insolvency issues, this ruling deals the corporation yet another setback.

    JAL’s Sports City project

    In March of this year, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) could annul the 1,000-hectare allocation to Jaiprakash Associates Ltd., allowing the agency to sign new leasing agreements with third-party developers for 11 Sports City projects.

    According to officials, 6,800 buyers from Sector 25 were participating in these 11 initiatives. They claimed that the HC’s ruling, which revoked any mention of JAL in earlier agreements, had made the execution of the new deeds obligatory.

    The developers, homeowners, and YEIDA will sign a new tripartite agreement in addition to these lease papers.

    On March 10, a division bench consisting of Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Kshitij Shailendra revoked the land allocation and upheld the interests of third-party developers (sub-lessees), but they also established a rigorous implementation schedule.

  • Lenskart Invests in AjnaLens to Build AI-Powered Smart Glasses and Lead the XR Eyewear Revolution

    Lenskart has announced a strategic investment in AjnaLens, a Mumbai-based deep-tech company building AI-powered XR glasses. They won the CES Innovation Award in 2023 for industry’s most advanced mixed reality headset – AjnaXR.

    This partnership represents a step forward in the development of AI-powered Smart Glasses. Lenskart plans to leverage its expertise in frame design and engineering, combined with its technology-first approach, to create Smart Glasses that are accessible to all and cater better to consumer lifestyle needs, because for Lenskart, Smart Glasses are glasses first.

    Lenskart’s omnichannel presence in 14 countries allows it to leverage customer insights to drive its product development and innovation strategy.

    Commenting on the announcement, Peyush Bansal, Co-Founder & CEO, Lenskart, said, “We have been leveraging technology to create distinctive and meaningful eyewear experiences for our customers. This investment marks the next chapter in our Smart Glass journey, which began with the launch of Phonic, our audio glasses, in December 2024. As the Smart Glasses category scales rapidly, our partnership with AjnaLens strategically positions us to accelerate product innovation in this space.”

    Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Thane, Mumbai, AjnaLens is a deep-tech startup developing immersive technologies powered by spatial computing, AI vision, and a XR stack. 

    The commercial terms of the investment remain undisclosed. 

    IPO Prep Strengthens Move

    Lenskart recently converted into a public limited company on 6 June 2025, as it prepares for an IPO expected to raise around $1 billion at an estimated $10 billion valuation, doubling its last private valuation of $5 billion. This strategic cash infusion boosts its deep‑tech play and underpins its ambition to lead in AI‑powered smart eyewear.

    About Lenskart

    Founded in 2010, Lenskart is a technology-driven eyewear company operating an integrated platform spanning designing, manufacturing, branding and retailing. It has a global

    presence and offers prescription eyewear, sunglasses, contact lenses and eyewear accessories. Its omnichannel platform is powered by technology such as AI-driven

    recommendations and 3D try-on features, simplifying the eyewear purchase journey & enabling better eye health for customers.

    Lenskart Business Model | How Does Lenskart Make Money | USP | Business Model Canvas
    Discover Lenskart’s business model that combines technology with fashion. Learn how Lenskart generates revenue through eyewear sales, subscription plans, and in-store customization services along with its USP, business model canvas and revenue.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • Zomato Under Fire Again: NRAI Seeks Answers on Long-Distance Fee

    The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has chosen to speak with Zomato this month after a flurry of restaurant complaints regarding the food tech giant’s recently implemented long-distance service charge.

    According to various media reports, the restaurant industry association had preliminary talks with Deepinder Goyal, the CEO of Zomato parent company Eternal, about the matter and intends to meet with him this month to try to find a solution.

    Zomato announced in May of this year that, regardless of order value, it would charge restaurants a service fee of INR 15 for deliveries within 4 to 6 km and INR 25 to INR 35 for deliveries over 6 km.

    Restaurants are furious about this action. Zomato asserts that it sets a 30% commission cap on restaurant orders, but eateries complain that this cap has been violated as a result of the new long-distance price.

    Why Restaurants are Unhappy with Zomato’s Long Distance Fee Move?

    Zomato stated in an email that long-distance calls would cost between INR 25 and INR 35. The fee now stands at 35% for a customer who already pays 25% on a purchase of INR 250 plus an extra INR 25.

    Then, Zomato claims that it will be limited to 30%. Thus, the structure is extremely complex and perplexing. According to the proprietor of a quick service restaurant (QSR), Zomato appears to be breaking the 30% commission cap by charging a long-distance fee.

    According to NRAI, Zomato, not restaurant owners, chose to expand the delivery radius in order to expand the platform. Therefore, it is now their responsibility to find the answer. If they so choose, they are free to charge the person who is ordering food for this.

    In addition to the long-distance charge, Zomato has angered restaurants by attempting to alter the conditions of its contracts with them. Zomato has been contacting eateries to sign a new contract under its parent company Eternal since May.

    Restaurants, however, claimed that Zomato had covertly added a new provision to the contract that would allow it to sanction the former for failing to maintain pricing parity among food tech platforms. The majority of restaurants are not signing the new contract, according to a Zomato-listed restaurant partner quoted in the media.

    Since 2021, the NRAI has been fighting the two foodtech titans in court over their claimed anti-competitive behaviour. Additionally, the restaurant body has been at odds with Swiggy and Eternal regarding the meal options offered by their respective rapid commerce verticals, SNACC and Bistro.

    Restaurants have therefore been searching for strong substitutes for the two platforms for a considerable amount of time. Although ONDC looked promising at first, its credibility as a viable alternative has been damaged by leadership turnover and a drop in retail food orders.

    The NRAI has now partnered with Rapido to distribute food in a fresh attempt. Eternal’s decision to increase meal delivery fees comes as the company seeks to boost its top line despite the industry’s decline.

    While Eternal’s rapid commerce vertical Blinkit grew 122% YoY to INR 1,709 Cr during the quarter, Zomato’s sales grew just 17.5% YoY to INR 2,409 Cr in Q4 FY25.

  • NoPaperForms Takes the Leap—Transforms into Public Entity Ahead of IPO

    Supported by Info Edge, Nopaperforms is now a publicly traded company. The conversion was accepted by the company’s board at its May 22 meeting, according to its regulatory records that were accessed by a media outlet.

    Later, on May 26, during an extraordinary general meeting, its shareholders approved the removal of the word “private” from its name. As a result, the startup’s name has been modified from “NoPaperForms Solutions Private Limited” to “NoPaperForms Solutions Limited.”

    Companies that want to list on stock exchanges must first make the decision to become a public organisation. Meritto, registered as Nopaperforms, started getting ready to list on the exchanges around two months ago.

    It was reported in March that it had chosen SBI Capital and IIFL Capital to lead its first public offering. The board of NoPaperForms then approved a plan to pursue an IPO, according to its investor, Info Edge.

    Plans for the IPO

    It is anticipated that the startup will soon submit IPO paperwork. According to various media reports, the startup is valued at approximately INR 2,000 Cr ($234 Mn), and its public offering would be between INR 500 Cr and INR 600 Cr ($60-70 Mn).

    By the end of 2025, the listing is anticipated to become a reality. NoPaperForms, which was founded in 2017 by CEO Naveen Goyal and CSO Suraj Sapra, offers a range of software products for the education sector, such as campaign management, application management, and lead management systems.

    It provides solutions for handling every stage of the student lifecycle, from initial inquiry to final enrolment, through its flagship platform Meritto. Additionally, the education industry’s many stakeholders can work together and effectively manage the admissions process thanks to its unified platform.

     According to its records on Tofler, the startup earned a profit in FY24, reporting a standalone profit of INR 4 Lakh as opposed to a loss of INR 15 Cr in the prior fiscal year. From INR 48.2 Cr in the prior fiscal year to INR 70 Cr in the year under review, its revenue increased by 45.4%.

    IPO Trend Blossoming Among Indian Startups

    The SaaS startup’s listing would expand the number of publicly traded businesses emerging from Info Edge’s stable. Info Edge’s omnichannel jewellery business BlueStone is preparing to go public, while PB Fintech and Zomato have been listed for years.

    Prior to submitting its RHP, the jewellery company hopes to raise pre-IPO financing at a unicorn value after receiving SEBI’s approval for its IPO in April. In the meantime, the nation has seen an increase in new-age tech IPO filings in recent weeks.

    Major e-commerce company Meesho pre-filed its IPO documents today for a $1 billion IPO. Other modern technology businesses that have submitted their DRHPs to SEBI include Urban Company, Shiprocket, PhysicsWallah, Capillary Technologies, Pine Labs, and Curefoods, among others.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 3 July 2025: Meesho Files for IPO, GobbleCube Raises $3.5 Mn & More

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

    Company Amount Raised Funding Stage Key Investors Sector
    GobbleCube $3.5 million Pre-Series A Info Edge Ventures Food Tech / AI
    Luma Fertility $4 million Seed Peak XV Partners, Surge (Sequoia) FemTech / Fertility
    Fes Café Undisclosed Seed Aakash Anand, Wolfpack Labs QSR / F&B
    Maieutic Semiconductor $4.15 million Seed Speciale Invest, Micron Ventures, others Semiconductor
    FitFeast ₹5.5 crore Seed Lead Angels, LV Angel Fund, Chandigarh Angels Health & Wellness

    GobbleCube raises $3.5 million in Pre‑Series A

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

    Luma Fertility secures $4 million seed round

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

    FES Café raises INR 3 crore in seed funding

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

    Maieutic Semiconductor raises $4.15 million in seed round

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

    FitFeast raises INR 5.5 crore in seed funding

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

    Key News Highlights for 3 July 2025

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

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

    MobiKwik secures SEBI nod to operate as stockbroker

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

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

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

    WEH Ventures exits Smallcase, returns entire 2017 Fund I

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

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

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

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 2 July 2025
    Here’s a roundup of 2nd July’s top startup updates- CIMware raises $2.3M, IORA bags INR 8.5 Cr, Swiggy shuts Minis, Meesho open-sources AI tools & more.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • From Ghosts to Micromanagers: Ghazal Alagh Reveals 8 Bosses That Make Great Employees Quit

    “Employees don’t leave companies, they leave managers.”

    It’s one of those universally accepted workplace truths that’s often repeated but rarely acted upon. But when Ghazal Alagh, Co-founder of Mamaearth, Shark Tank India’s beloved “Mamashark”, and a celebrated entrepreneur, posted this line on LinkedIn, she didn’t stop there.

    Instead, she dug deeper and listed eight kinds of toxic managers that she believes are the real reason top talent quits, especially in startups. With years of experience in building brands like The Derma Co, Aqualogica, Dr. Sheth’s, and BBlunt, Alagh’s insights come not from theory, but from lived entrepreneurial reality.

    Her post has since struck a chord with thousands of professionals across India, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who are tired of leadership that drains more than it inspires.

    The Eight Toxic Bosses That Push People Out

    In her recent LinkedIn post, Ghazal Alagh identified eight types of managers that high-performing professionals struggle with the most:

    1. The Micromanager

    This manager trusts no one but themselves. Every move is scrutinised. There’s no room for creativity or autonomy, only anxiety and burnout.

    2. The Credit Taker

    Always front and centre when success is celebrated, but conveniently silent when it’s time to give recognition where it’s due.

    3. The Ghost

    This manager is rarely around when needed. They skip one-on-ones, don’t give feedback, and are hard to reach during important moments.

    4. The Volcano

    They have sudden mood swings and angry outbursts. These are the type whose behaviour creates stress and makes the team feel uneasy and unsafe at work.

    5. The Information Hoarder

    These managers hold on to insights like currency. Team members are left in the dark, unable to learn, grow, and make informed decisions.

    6. The Never-Satisfied

    Even when teams deliver exceptional results, these managers fail to acknowledge progress. The benchmark always moves further, demotivating employees over time.

    7. The Favouritist

    This manager gives all the attention to a few favourites, often due to personal comfort or bias. Others in the team feel ignored, even when they work hard or perform well.

    8. The Risk-Free Boss

    They avoid change and stick to the safe route. New ideas are rarely welcomed, and the team misses out on growth opportunities because of their fear of taking risks.

    What made Alagh’s post truly resonate wasn’t just the list, but her call to action. She reminded founders and leaders that company culture isn’t just about quirky perks or flexible policies. It’s shaped by daily interactions, micro-moments of leadership, and whether managers show trust, empathy, and respect.

    In India’s fast-moving startup culture, where burnouts are high and loyalty is fleeting, this reminder couldn’t have come at a better time.

    The Silent Resignation Wave

    Alagh’s insights mirror a silent truth brewing in India’s workforce, especially among Gen Z and young millennials. Fancy titles and cool offices can’t compensate for toxic leadership. Even in dream startups, if the boss is bad, people leave. Period.

    Her post not only validates what many employees feel but fear to say, but it also challenges organisations to look inward.



    So, What’s the Takeaway?

    If you’re a founder, CXO, or people manager, it might be time for a self-check, not just on your growth numbers or funding pipeline, but on your leadership style. Could you be the reason someone’s motivated to stay, or quietly looking for the exit?

    As Ghazal Alagh emphasises in her post, retention isn’t built on perks or policies alone, it’s built on trust, respect, and everyday leadership moments.

    In today’s hustle-driven work culture, your team doesn’t need ping-pong tables.
    They need a boss who listens.

    From Hustle to Heart: Ghazal Alagh’s 5 Life Lessons You Won’t Find in a Strategy Deck
    Mamaearth’s Ghazal Alagh shares 5 powerful lessons from 2025, revealing why slowing down might be the smartest move for entrepreneurs today.
    StartupTalkyMuskaan Kapoor

  • Meesho Takes Confidential Route, Files for $1 Billion IPO

    With its DRHP submitted to markets regulator SEBI under the confidential pre-filing procedure, e-commerce giant Meesho has joined the long line of Indian new-age digital businesses seeking to go public.

    According to various media reports, Meesho’s public offering will include a new offering of shares valued at roughly INR 4,250 Cr. Additionally, there would be a large offer for sale component, raising the potential IPO amount to $1 billion (about INR 8,550 Cr).

    This occurs one week after Meesho received approval from its board to fund up to INR 4,250 Cr (about $500 million) through a new public listing issue.

     Meesho, one of the major participants in the Indian e-commerce business and a rival to Amazon and Flipkart, was founded in 2015 by IIT alums Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal. Among its investors are companies like Facebook, Prosus, Elevation Capital, Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global Management, and DST Partners.

    Meesho’s IPO Planning

    For more than two years, the e-commerce company has been preparing for its initial public offering. Cofounder and CEO Aatrey stated in 2022 that Meesho aimed to go public on the stock exchanges within the next 12 to 24 months. It did not, however, move forward with the IPO during that time.

    In December 2024, when Prosus made public an 18-month schedule for the company’s IPO, the IPO discussion resumed. Last month, it also changed its name from Meesho Private Limited to Meesho Limited, becoming a public business.

    The board of the corporation approved the issuance of 411.4 Cr bonus shares at about the same time. Tiger Global, Think Investments, and Mars Growth Capital were among the new investors who joined Meesho’s cap table in January as the company finalised a $250 million to $270 million investment round ahead of filing its DRHP.

    Secondary deals made up the majority of the round. After the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) gave its clearance, the company recently moved its headquarters from the USA to India.

    In terms of finances, Meesho was able to reduce its loss from INR 1,675 Cr in FY23 to INR 304.9 Cr in the fiscal year that concluded on March 31, 2024, an 82% reduction. Operating revenue increased from INR 5,734.5 Cr in FY23 to INR 7,614.9 Cr, a 33% increase.

    India’s IPO Trend

    Indian new-age tech companies are lining up in large numbers to submit their draft papers at the same time as Meesho’s submission. In addition to Meesho, four other businesses submitted their DRHPs in the last week.

    But in the first half of 2025, the IPO pace was slowed by global tensions and the tariff war that US President Donald Trump started. Because of this, in H1 2025, just two cutting-edge IT companies—ArisInfra and Ather Energy—debuted on the public market.

    Nonetheless, it is anticipated that the number of IPOs will rise significantly in the second half of the year. Wakefit, Pine Labs, Curefoods, Capillary Technologies, Shadowfax, Shiprocket, and Urban Company are among the cutting-edge tech firms that have submitted their draft papers to SEBI and are currently seeking approval to begin their public offerings.