Indian Funding Roundup Archives - Page 6 of 6

Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 26 June 2025: Wiom, Raphe mPhibr, ShopOS Raise Big; Pine Labs IPO, Net1 Exit in Focus

India’s startup ecosystem remained vibrant on 26 June 2025, with multiple high-value funding announcements across sectors, including defence tech, internet services, and e‑commerce enablement. From Wiom’s $40 million raise to Raphe mPhibr’s record-breaking $100 million round, investors continue to back innovation at scale. Meanwhile, strategic moves from Pine Labs, Net1, and Bumble also made headlines. Here’s a quick roundup of the day’s key developments.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest – 26 June 2025

Company	Amount Raised	Lead Investor(s)	Sector
Wiom	US $40 million	Bertelsmann India, Accel, Prosus et al.	Internet services
StayVista	Over ₹40 crore (~US $4.6 m)	JSW Ventures, DSG Consumer Partners, Capri Global FO	Luxury villa rentals
Brihaspathi Technologies	US $10 million	Foreign institutional investors	Defence/Ai security tech
Jobizo	₹12 crore (~US $1.44 m)	Inflection Point Ventures, Alkemi Ventures	Health‑tech HR platform
Raphe mPhibr	US $100 million	General Catalyst, Amal Parikh, Think Investments etc.	Defence drone/aerospace
ShopOS	US $20 million	Binny Bansal via 3STATE Ventures	AI‑powered e‑commerce OS
Flipspaces	₹50 crore (~US $5.9 m)	Asiana Fund (Asian Paints-backed)	Commercial interior tech

📰 Top Funding News

Wiom raised $40 million, secured a major growth round

Delhi-based internet-services aggregator Wiom secured $40 million in a growth capital round led by Bertelsmann India Investments and Accel, with participation from Prosus, Promaft Partners, and existing backers such as RTP Global. The funds will support product development, hiring, and expansion into underserved Indian cities.

StayVista raised INR 40+ crore from JSW Ventures, others

Luxury villa rental platform StayVista raised over INR 40 crore ($4.6 million) in a round led by JSW Ventures, along with DSG Consumer Partners and Capri Global Family Office. The capital will be used to expand geographically, enhance offerings, and grow the team.

Brihaspathi Technologies raised $10 million, secured govt project

Hyderabad-based Brihaspathi Technologies, focused on AI-powered surveillance and defence tech, raised $10 million from foreign institutional investors. The firm also secured a project with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and announced plans to go public in FY 2026–27.

Jobizo raised INR 12 crore to grow health-tech hiring

Gurugram-based health workforce platform Jobizo raised INR 12 crore ($1.44 million) in a Pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures and Alkemi Ventures. The company aims to expand its tech stack, ramp up marketing, grow the team, and boost working capital.

Raphe mPhibr raised $100 million in a historic defence round

Drone and aerospace startup Raphe mPhibr, based in Noida, raised $100 million in equity funding led by General Catalyst, with support from Amal Parikh, Think Investments, and others. Valued at around $900 million, this marks the largest private defence-tech funding in India to date.

ShopOS raised $20 million from Binny Bansal

E-commerce enablement startup ShopOS, founded by Sai Krishna VK and Ajay PV, raised $20 million in seed funding from Binny Bansal’s 3STATE Ventures. The funding will go towards product development, team scaling, and expanding into Europe and the UAE.

Flipspaces raised INR 50 crore for global expansion

Commercial design-tech firm Flipspaces secured INR 50 crore ($5.9 million) in funding from Asiana Fund, backed by an Asian Paints promoter. The funding will be used to support operations in India, the US, and the UAE.

Key News Highlights – 26 June 2025

Net1 exits MobiKwik after 8 years with significant loss

South Africa-based fintech firm Net1 has fully exited its investment in Indian digital payments platform MobiKwik, ending an 8-year association. Net1 had initially invested around $18.5 million between 2016 and 2017 but exited with losses due to MobiKwik’s stagnant valuation and shifting strategy. The exit comes amid broader challenges for older fintech backers.

Pine Labs files IPO papers, aims to raise INR 2,600 crore

Fintech unicorn Pine Labs has officially filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI, targeting a fresh issue of INR 2,600 crore. Existing investors including Peak XV Partners, Temasek, and PayPal plan to offload a significant portion of their stakes. Peak XV is expected to sell the largest chunk, signalling a partial exit amid the long-awaited IPO.

India’s online commerce to touch $300 billion by 2030: Bessemer

According to a new report by Bessemer Venture Partners, India’s online commerce market is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030, driven by increased consumer spending, digital infrastructure, and D2C innovation. Sectors like e‑commerce enablement, logistics, and vernacular platforms are identified as key growth enablers.

Bumble to lay off 240 employees in global restructuring

Dating app Bumble has announced plans to cut 240 jobs globally as part of an organisational restructuring. The company is undergoing leadership transitions and seeking to streamline its operations. The layoffs are expected to impact employees across markets, including India, though an exact region-wise breakdown was not disclosed.

BSE shares fall over 1% as SEBI imposes INR 25 lakh penalty

Shares of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) declined over 1% after SEBI imposed an INR 25 lakh penalty. The regulator found that BSE had allowed frequent modifications during trades without following proper protocols, breaching the Securities Contracts Regulation norms. The penalty adds pressure amid increasing scrutiny on exchanges.

June 26, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 25 June 2025: GIVA, Sahi, Battery Smart, Raise Millions; Lenskart IPO & NPCI Profit Jump in Focus

India’s startup ecosystem remained active on 25 June 2025, with key funding rounds led by Sahi, GIVA, and Battery Smart. Meanwhile, Lenskart gears up for its IPO, NPCI reports a sharp profit surge, and MakeMyTrip announces a major buyback. Here’s a quick roundup of the key startup fundings in India on 25th June 2025.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest – 25 June 2025

Startup	Sector	Round	Amount	Key Investors
AuraML	Deep‑tech / Robotics	Pre‑seed	$1 million	Turbostart, DeVC, GSF Accelerator, IAN
Indian Snack House	Food / D2C	Pre‑seed	₹2.2 crore	Titan Capital
Innovodigm	Med‑tech / Vaccines	Seed	₹5.5 crore	Indian Angel Network, PadUp Ventures
Pazy	Fin‑tech / B2B Payments	Pre‑seed	₹6 crore	Inuka Capital, Gemba Capital
Sthyr Energy	Clean‑tech / Energy	Seed	$1 million	Speciale Invest, Antares Ventures
IndiaBonds	Fin‑tech / Bond Platform	Maiden round	₹32.5 crore	Angel Investors from finance and tech sectors
Armory	Defence‑tech	Seed	₹13 crore	growX Ventures, Antler, Industrial 47, others
GIVA	D2C / Jewellery	Series C	₹530 crore	Creaegis, Premji Invest, Epiq Capital, Edelweiss Fund
Sahi	Fin‑tech / Trading	Series A	$10.5 million	Accel, Elevation Capital
Battery Smart	EV / Battery Swapping	Series B (ongoing)	$21 million	Rising Tide Energy, ResponsAbility, others

Daily Indian Funding Highlights – 25 June 2025

AuraML – Deep‑tech breakthrough

Mumbai‑based AuraML secured $1 million in a pre‑seed round to advance its generative simulation platform for warehouse and industrial robots. The round was led by Turbostart, with participation from DeVC, GSF Accelerator, and Indian Angel Network. Funds will support product development, enterprise pilots, and expansion in the US.

Indian Snack House – D2C food expansion

Chennai‑based clean‑label brand Indian Snack House raised INR 2.2 crore in a pre‑seed round from Titan Capital. Founded by Rajakumaran and Anbarasan, the startup aims to expand the distribution of traditional snacks across South India via online and offline channels.

Innovodigm – Vaccine delivery innovation

Med‑tech startup Innovodigm, co‑founded by Dr Jhimli Manna and Dr Ayan Chatterjee, raised INR 5.5 crore in a seed round led by Indian Angel Network (INR 4.5 crore) and PadUp Ventures. The company is working on microneedle patch technology for thermostable vaccine delivery.

Pazy – Fin‑tech for business payments

B2B payments platform Pazy raised INR 6 crore in a pre‑seed round led by Inuka Capital, with Gemba Capital joining in. Founded in 2023, it aims to simplify vendor payments and financial operations for mid‑sized businesses.

Sthyr Energy – Zinc‑air storage

Clean‑tech startup Sthyr Energy raised  $1 million in a seed round led by Speciale Invest and Antares Ventures. The startup is developing modular zinc‑air energy storage systems and plans to scale its pilot units for renewable energy use cases.

IndiaBonds – Democratising bond investments

Mumbai‑based IndiaBonds raised INR 32.5 crore in its maiden external round from marquee individual investors. The SEBI‑regulated platform allows retail investors to access listed debt instruments with ease.

Armory – Defence‑tech with AI

Defence startup Armory secured INR 13 crore from investors including growX Ventures, Antler, and Industrial 47. Its flagship product “SURGE” uses AI for indigenous counter‑drone defence, already undergoing field trials with Indian armed forces.

GIVA – Premium D2C jewellery

Bengaluru‑based jewellery brand GIVA raised INR 530 crore in Series C funding led by Creaegis, with participation from Premji Invest, Epiq Capital, and Edelweiss Discovery Fund. The brand plans to grow its offline presence and invest in lab‑grown diamonds.

Sahi – AI‑powered retail trading

Founded by former Swiggy CTO Dale Vaz and Manish Jain, stock trading platform Sahi secured $10.5 million in a Series A round led by Accel and Elevation Capital. Known for its AI‑powered trading tools and INR 10 per‑order pricing, Sahi has crossed 200,000 app downloads and is building a web platform amid favourable SEBI rule changes.

Battery Smart – Scaling EV swapping

EV infrastructure firm Battery Smart raised $21 million in its ongoing Series B round led by Rising Tide Energy, with ResponsAbility and Acacia Inclusion Ltd among other backers. The Gurugram‑based company operates over 1,500+ battery swapping stations, enabling rapid e‑rickshaw battery replacement across India.

Key News Highlights – 25 June 2025

NPCI records 42% surge in FY25 surplus

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) reported a 42% year‑on‑year rise in its surplus (akin to profit), reaching INR 1,552 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2025, up from INR 1,095 crore a year earlier. Growth was driven by a 19% increase in income, bolstered by rising UPI transactions and associated fee revenue.

CCI approves Manipal Group’s acquisition of Aakash stake

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has cleared the Manipal Group’s proposal to purchase a stake in Aakash Educational Services Ltd from its founder, Dr J.C. Chaudhry. The acquisition will be carried out by Manipal Health Systems Pvt Ltd and Manipal Education & Medical Group (MEMG). Ranjan Pai’s Manipal Group already holds around 40% equity in Aakash.

MakeMyTrip to repurchase ~US$3 billion from Trip.com

Online travel aggregator MakeMyTrip has agreed to pay approximately $3 billion to buy back shares from its Chinese partner Trip.com Group, reducing the latter’s stake to roughly 17%. The transaction, formalised on 23 June, is expected to close in early July and follows MakeMyTrip’s recent $3.1 billion capital raise.

Rapido integrates Delhi Metro ticketing with ONDC

Rapido has launched metro ticket booking within its app for the Delhi Metro, through a tie‑up with DMRC and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Trialled since April, it is now fully live, serving around 10,000 bookings daily. Users also enjoy a flat INR 25 fare (one free first ride) for last‑mile trips to/from metro stations.

Lenskart to file DRHP publicly in July

Eyewear unicorn Lenskart plans to skip SEBI’s confidential IPO route and submit its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) publicly in the first fortnight of July. This departure from the norm, unlike peers such as Swiggy and Groww, signals an emphasis on transparency.

June 25, 2025

Daily Indian Startup Funding Roundup & Key News – 24 June 2025: Fantail, Skippi, GoKwik Raise Capital; Google & Meta Make India Moves

From textile innovation to e-commerce tech and EV mobility, Indian startups attracted fresh capital across diverse sectors today. Here’s a quick roundup of the key startup fundings in India on 24th June 2025.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest – 24 June 2025

Startup	Amount Raised	Round Type	Lead / Key Investors	Use of Funds
Fantail	₹13.75 Cr (≈ $1.6 M)	Seed	Riverwalk Holdings, Incubate Fund Asia, All In Capital	Enhance manufacturing capacity, tech, talent, SME support
Skippi	₹12 Cr (~$1.4 M)	Extended Pre‑Series A	Dubai-based family offices of Surya, angels	Brand building, R&D, leadership hiring, Middle East expansion
Prozo	Not disclosed	Strategic investment	Rohit Sharma (cricketer)	Technology, warehouse expansion
Fabheads	$10 M	Series A	Accel (with Trifecta Capital)	Scale composite manufacturing tech, expand team/operations
GoKwik	$13 M	Growth	RTP Global (lead), Z47, Peak XV Partners, Think Investments	Global expansion, AI‑first R&D
Evera Cabs	$4 M	Hybrid debt / CD	Mufin Green Finance	Expand EV fleet, acquire BluSmart assets, airport focus

1. Fantail

Surat‑based B2B man‑made fabric startup, founded in 2023 by Ramya Iyer, Fantail has raised INR 13.75 crore ($1.6 million) in a seed round led by Riverwalk Holdings, Incubate Fund Asia and All In Capital. The funds will develop upstream capacity, backend upgrades, and design/quality/technical hires to structure Surat’s INR 300,000 crore MMF textile ecosystem.

2. Skippi

Hyderabad‑based ice pops brand Skippi, which appeared on Shark Tank India, has secured INR 12 crore ($1.4 million) in an extended pre‑Series A led by Dubai’s Surya family offices (INR 10 crore) and angel investors (INR 2 crore). Facilitated by Bestvantage Investments, the round aims to support brand building, product innovation, senior hires, and Middle East expansion with a target INR 100 crore valuation.

3. Prozo

Logistics tech platform Prozo, founded in 2016 by Dr Ashvini Jakhar, has received a strategic investment from Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma. Prozo supports more than 150 fast‑growing and enterprise brands with its full‑stack supply chain services. Sharma’s move underscores the rising synergy between sports and supply‑chain technology. Prozo has raised a total of $20 million to date.

4. Fabheads

Chennai‑based deep‑tech startup Fabheads, founded by ex‑ISRO engineers, has closed a $10 million Series A led by Accel, with support from Trifecta Capital (including $2.3 million in venture debt). The company specialises in automated composite manufacturing for aerospace, automotive and renewables. Funds will scale production, expand engineering and R&D teams, and potentially enter Bengaluru and global markets.

5. GoKwik

New Delhi‑headquartered GoKwik, an e-commerce enabler founded in 2020 by Chirag Taneja, Vivek Bajpai and Ankush Talwar, has raised $13 million in a growth round led by RTP Global, with participation from Z47, Peak XV Partners and Think Investments. The funding (taking total funding to $68 million) will support international expansion and AI‑driven commerce R&D. GoKwik serves over 10,000 brands and 130 million shoppers.

6. Evera Cabs

Delhi‑based EV taxi service Evera Cabs, under Prakriti E‑Mobility and co‑founded by Nimish Trivedi, Vikas Bansal and Rajeev Tiwari, has secured $4 million via hybrid convertible debentures and debt from Mufin Green Finance. The firm plans to expand its airport‑centric EV fleet, including assets from BluSmart, and emphasises a no‑cancellation, surge‑free model.

Key News Highlights – 24 June 2025

Darwinbox completes INR 86 crore (US$10 million) ESOP buyback

Hyderabad‑based HR‑tech unicorn Darwinbox has executed its third and largest ESOP buyback in four years, offering liquidity to over 350 employees worldwide.

Dream11 parent launches real‑money casual gaming ‘Dream Play’

Dream Sports has expanded beyond fantasy sports with the launch of Dream Play, offering real‑money casual games like carrom and (soon) pool, entering a direct competitive space with platforms like MPL and WinZO.

FSN E‑Commerce (Nykaa) allots INR 10.33 crore in ESOP shares

Nykaa’s parent company, FSN E‑Commerce Ventures, has granted 523,900 equity shares to employees under its ESOP scheme, valued at INR 10.33 crore.

Google introduces AI Mode in Search Labs India

Google has launched AI Mode for search in India through Search Labs, powered by Gemini 2.5 and offering advanced reasoning, multimodal inputs (text, voice, images), and interactive follow‑ups.

Meta unveils Gaming Accelerator in India

At the Meta Marketing Summit – Gaming Edition, Meta announced its Gaming Accelerator for India, partnering with VC firms Bitkraft, Kalaari, Lumikai and Elevation Capital to mentor 20–30 emerging gaming studios over three months.

June 24, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News – 23 June 2025: EVs, Biotech, and Strategic Moves Lead the Way

Here’s a quick roundup of the key startup fundings in India on 23rd June 2025. From biotech to co-living and EV infrastructure, startups across sectors attracted strong investor interest.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest (23 June 2025)

Startup	Sector	Funding Amount	Stage	Key Investors	Location
Truliv	Co-living	Undisclosed (Strategic)	Strategic	BCCL (Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd)	Chennai
Rabitat	D2C (Baby Products)	₹40 crore (~$4.8 M)	Series A	DSG Consumer Partners, Saama	Mumbai
InCred Holdings	Fintech	₹250 crore (~$30 M)	Stake Sale	Kamath Brothers (Zerodha founders)	Mumbai
Kazam	Cleantech / EV Infra	$6.2 million	Series B	Avaana Capital, Quantum Energy	Bengaluru
Utopia Therapeutics	Biotech	$1.5 million	Seed	Globizz Capital, angel syndicates	Hyderabad
EKA Mobility	EV Manufacturing	₹200 crore (~$24 M)	Convertible Pref.	Enam Holdings	Pune

Truliv Receives Strategic Investment from BCCL

Chennai-based co-living startup Truliv has secured a strategic investment from Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (BCCL). Though the investment amount remains undisclosed, this partnership is expected to boost Truliv’s media visibility and brand equity as it expands across southern India.

Rabitat Raises INR 40 Cr in Series A

Mumbai-based D2C baby products brand Rabitat has raised INR 40 crore in its Series A round led by RPSG Capital Ventures and DSG Consumer Partners. The brand plans to utilise the funds to enhance product innovation, marketing efforts, and expand distribution channels across India.

Kamath Brothers Acquire INR 250 Cr Stake in InCred Holdings

Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath, founders of Zerodha, have acquired an INR 250 crore minority stake in InCred Holdings, marking a major move into India’s growing lending and financial services market. The acquisition is part of InCred’s broader strategy to strengthen its capital base and scale operations.

Utopia Therapeutics Raises $1.5 Million in Seed Round

Hyderabad-based biotech startup Utopia Therapeutics has raised $1.5 million in seed funding from Whale Tank.

EKA Mobility Raises INR 200 Crore via Convertible Preference Shares

Pune-based EV manufacturer EKA Mobility has raised INR 200 crore through convertible preference shares, with Enam Holdings leading the investment. The funds will be used to expand its manufacturing facilities and boost production of electric buses and commercial vehicles.

Kazam Secures $6.2 Million Series B Funding

Electric vehicle infrastructure platform Kazam has raised $6.2 million in Series B funding. The round saw participation from Avaana Climate Fund, Quantum Energy, and other investors. The Bengaluru-based startup will use the capital to bolster its tech stack and scale EV charging networks pan-India.

Key News Highlights – 23 June 2025

Meesho completes reverse-flip merger, DRHP expected soon

Meesho has finalised its reverse-flip structure, merging its U.S. entity with the Indian arm following National Company Law Tribunal nod. The SoftBank-backed firm will now be fully headquartered in India, paying an estimated $280–300 million in U.S. taxes. A Draft Red Herring Prospectus is expected to be filed within 2–3 weeks as part of its pre-IPO process.

PharmEasy founders launch ‘All Home’ at $120 million valuation

Dharmil Sheth, Dhaval Shah and Hardik Dedhia, co-founders of PharmEasy, have pivoted into home improvement, launching All Home, a tech-driven, omni-channel platform for interior design and home renovation. The platform has raised an undisclosed sum at a $120 million valuation, led by Bessemer Venture Partners with support from several prominent angels.

PhonePe preparing $1.5 billion IPO, draft papers expected by August

Reuters and Bloomberg report that PhonePe, India’s leading digital payments platform owned by Walmart, is preparing for an IPO that could raise up to $1.5 billion at a valuation close to $15 billion. Filing of the draft prospectus is anticipated by August, with Kotak Mahindra, JPMorgan Chase, Citi, and Morgan Stanley on board as advisers.

Prosus values IPO-bound Urban Company at $2.4 billion

In its FY2025 annual report, Prosus, which holds a stake in services platform Urban Company, has pegged its fair valuation at $2.4 billion ahead of its planned IPO. This consensus reflects investor optimism in the home-services sector

Stay tuned with StartupTalky for your daily dose of startup funding and news highlights.

June 24, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 20 June 2025

The Indian startup ecosystem saw some key developments today across tech, logistics, and AI. From new launches to major acquisitions and expansions, here’s a quick look at the top highlights for 20 June 2025.

🚀 Funding Spotlight – 20 June 2025

Renewbuy Raises $10 million from Apis Partners & 360 One

Insurtech broker Renewbuy has secured $10 million (about INR 86 crore) from its existing investors, London-based Apis Partners and 360 One (formerly IIFL Wealth). The fresh capital will strengthen operations and fuel expansion as the company advances its proposed merger with InsuranceDekho, a deal that could value Renewbuy at $300–350 million.

Key News Highlights – 20 June 2025

Here are some key industry developments making headlines today:

Ola’s AI arm Krutrim acquires BharatSah’AI’yak

Ola’s advanced‑AI division Krutrim has acquired BharatSah’AI’yak, an AI platform from governance‑consulting firm Samagra, along with its core team. The move aims to strengthen Krutrim’s offerings in government‑focused AI initiatives—particularly leveraging language, education and agriculture tools deployed across India.

Krutrim sees senior‑level exits & layoffs

Amidst its expansion, Krutrim has experienced leadership turnover: senior director John Williamson, engineering head Dinesh Mittal, and applied‑AI director Sharath Adavanne have departed, with over a dozen linguist‑team professionals let go this week. The company maintains that development work on chips and AI models remains on schedule, now focusing on Kruti (its AI assistant), Bodhi chips and semiconductor partnerships.

Swiggy pilots ‘Crew’ concierge app

Foodtech giant Swiggy is trialling Crew, a travel and lifestyle concierge app to assist users with bookings, travel planning, and lifestyle services. The pilot, part of Swiggy’s expansion into broader everyday‑life services, is currently in beta.

Delhivery launches on‑demand intracity shipping

Logistics provider Delhivery has begun piloting Delhivery Direct, an intracity, on‑demand shipping service aimed at taking on competitors like Porter and Uber. Targeting small and medium enterprises needing rapid, local fulfilment, this move reinforces Delhivery’s push into shorter‑haul deliveries.

Cognizant to invest INR 1,583 crore in Visakhapatnam IT campus

Cognizant has announced an investment of INR 1,583 crore to expand its IT campus in Visakhapatnam, a strategic move to increase capacity, create new jobs, and support India’s growing digital services infrastructure.

June 20, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 19 June 2025

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

🚀 Indian Startup Funding Digest – 19 June 2025

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

Mahaveer Finance Raises INR 200 Crore in Series C Round

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

Nikhil Kamath Invests in One Hand Clap Media

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

Okinawa Secures INR 60 Crore in Fresh Funding

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

📰 Key News Highlights – 19 June 2025

Capillary Technologies Files DRHP for INR 430 Crore IPO

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

Honasa Consumer Grants ESOPs Worth INR 1.6 Crore

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

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

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

Starlink Receives Licence to Operate in India

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

June 19, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 18 June 2025

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

📰 Funding Summary – 18 June 2025

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

Oben Electric

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

CLR Facility Services

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

Seven (Payment Ring Startup)

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

Techfino (NBFC Fintech)

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

June 18, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 17 June 2025

Here’s your daily roundup of funding activity and key business developments from India on 17 June 2025. From fresh capital raises to leadership changes, here’s everything you need to know today.

🚀 Indian Funding Digest – 17 June 2025

Company Name	Amount Raised	Funding Type	Sector	Key Investors
Darwix AI	$1.5 million	Seed Round	AI/Enterprise SaaS	iSeed Ventures, 100X.VC, Gaingels
Xportel	Undisclosed	Seed Round	B2B Tech/SaaS	Rukam Capital, Flipkart Ventures, Sitara
Dugar Finance	$3 million	Debt Funding	Cleantech/NBFC	UC Inclusive Credit Pvt. Ltd.
Saswat Finance	$2.6 million	Series A	Financial Services	Ankur Capital, SIDBI, Incofin, others
Pop (via Razorpay)	$30 million*	Acquisition	Creator Economy	Razorpay (majority stake acquired)

*Razorpay’s acquisition of Pop involved an investment of $30 million for a majority stake, not a typical funding round.

Darwix AI Raises $1.5 Million

Generative AI startup Darwix AI has secured $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Rebalance, Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), and JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF). Participating investors include Growth Sense, Growth91, and angels—Ankit Nagori, Sanjay Suri, Amit Lakhotia, and Mekin Maheshwari.

Xportel Bags Seed Funding from Flipkart Ventures, Others

New Delhi-based rural digital network platform Xportel has raised an undisclosed seed round from Rukam Capital, Sitara VC, and Flipkart Ventures. With a strong network of 12,000+ last-mile centres across India, the startup focuses on delivering services like online exam registration, train and flight bookings, and essential digital access to Tier-3 and Tier-4 towns.

The funding will be used to scale its footprint and technology platform to deepen rural digital enablement.

Dugar Finance Raises $3 Million via Symbiotics’ Green Bond

Dugar Finance, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) specialising in clean energy and inclusive credit solutions, has raised $3 million in debt through Symbiotics Investments’ Green Basket Bond, a $75 million issuance focused on renewable energy adoption across Asia and Africa.

Razorpay Acquires Majority Stake in POP for $30 Million

Indian fintech giant Razorpay has acquired a majority stake in POP, a fast-growing point-of-sale (POS) technology startup, for $30 million. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Razorpay’s omnichannel merchant services by combining online and offline payment solutions under one roof.

POP currently serves over 1.2 million small merchants, offering contactless checkout and intelligent inventory tools. The move is part of Razorpay’s larger strategy to diversify its merchant services beyond digital payments.

Saswat Finance Raises $2.6 Million Pre-Series A Led by Ankur Capital

Saswat Finance, a fintech platform focused on delivering credit to underserved communities and gig economy workers, has raised $26 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Ankur Capital. The round also saw participation from Flowstate VC, Venture Catalysts, and angels from the financial services industry.

Key News Highlights – 17 June 2025

Zoomcar Data Breach Exposes Personal Data of 8.4 Million Users

Zoomcar disclosed that an unauthorised breach had exposed personal data of approximately 8.4 million users. Compromised information includes names, phone numbers, email IDs, vehicle registration numbers, and residential addresses. Crucially, no financial or payment information was accessed. The platform serves over 10 million users across 99 cities. The company has engaged cybersecurity experts and launched a forensic investigation.

Pocket Entertainment Elevates Umesh Bude to CTO

Pocket Entertainment, the media arm behind Pocket FM, Pocket Toons, and Pocket Novel, has promoted Umesh Bude from Senior VP of Engineering to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In his new role, Bude will steer the company’s tech strategy, with a focus on AI-powered storytelling and scaling content infrastructure to meet growing demand.

Honasa (Mamaearth) Appoints Yatish Bhargava as CBO

Consumer brands house Honasa Consumer Ltd., parent to Mamaearth, The Derma Co, Aqualogica, Bblunt, Dr Sheth’s, and Staze Beauty, has appointed Yatish Bhargava, formerly of Flipkart, as its Chief Business Officer (CBO), designating him Senior Management Personnel. Bhargava will lead the company’s omnichannel growth, driving new partnerships and distribution channel expansions.

MakeMyTrip to Raise $2.5B to Reduce Trip.com Stake

MakeMyTrip plans to raise $2.5 billion to reduce the Chinese travel firm Trip.com’s stake from 49% to 25%. The move is part of its strategy to diversify ownership, ease geopolitical concerns, and increase Indian institutional investment.

CCI Approves Delhivery’s Acquisition of Ecom Express

India’s Competition Commission has officially approved Delhivery’s acquisition of rival logistics firm Ecom Express. Announced in April for INR 1,407 crore, this deal is expected to consolidate last-mile delivery operations, enhance scale, and optimise efficiency.

June 17, 2025

Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 16 June 2025

Here’s your daily roundup of funding activity and key business developments from India on 16 June 2025. From fresh capital raises to leadership changes and major acquisitions, here’s everything you need to know today.

🚀 Indian Funding Digest – 16 June 2025

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

Nuvie Raises $450 K for Better-For-You Food Products

Bengaluru-based F&B startup Nuvie, co-founded in 2024 by former Cult.fit executives Prashant Paliwal and Hem Narayan, has raised $450k in its pre-seed round. The startup is focused on “better-for-you” snacks and beverages and plans to use the funds for product development, brand building, and scaling content and distribution.

The round was led by PedalStart and backed by several prominent angels, including Mukesh Bansal, Ayyappan Rajagopal, Chanakya Gupta, and Arun Sharma.

Aspora Raises $53 Mn to Scale NRI-Focused Banking Services

Fintech startup Aspora, formerly known as Vance, has raised $53 million in a Series B round. Founded by Parth Garg, Aspora provides digital banking and remittance services tailored to the global Indian diaspora, serving over 250,000 users.

The round was co-led by Sequoia Capital and Greylock, with participation from Quantum Light, Goodwater Capital, Hummingbird Ventures, Y Combinator, and others. The funds will be used to expand services in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.

Atomic Capital Launches INR 350 Cr Consumer-Focused VC Fund

Mumbai-based Atomic Capital has launched a new INR 350 crore venture capital fund to invest in early- and growth-stage consumer startups. The fund is aimed at wellness, lifestyle, regional brands, and digital-first companies.

The initial close included INR 26.5 crore from the JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF) angel network. The fund follows an “Operating VC” model, offering hands-on support in branding, hiring, and growth marketing.

Hero FinCorp Raises INR 260 Cr in Pre-IPO Round

Non-Banking Financial Company Hero FinCorp has raised INR 260 crore in a pre-IPO round, reducing the size of its planned fresh issue from INR 2,100 crore to INR 1,840 crore. The company has allotted 18.57 lakh shares at INR 1,400 each as part of this raise.

Backed by the Hero Group, Hero FinCorp’s total IPO size is now estimated at INR 3,408 crore, including an offer-for-sale component.

Key Business Updates – 16 June 2025

Meta India Appoints Arun Srinivas as MD

Meta Platforms has appointed Arun Srinivas as the Managing Director and Head for Meta in India, effective 1 July 2025. Srinivas, who previously led the Ads business in India, will continue reporting to Sandhya Devanathan, who heads Meta’s India and Southeast Asia operations.

Gaurav Jain Resigns as CBO of ShareChat & Moj

Gaurav Jain, Chief Business Officer at ShareChat and Moj, has announced his resignation. He joined the company in 2022 and played a pivotal role in shaping its monetisation and brand partnerships. Jain plans to pursue new opportunities but will stay on for a transition period.

WhatsApp to Roll Out Ads in ‘Updates’ Tab

Meta has confirmed that ads will soon appear on WhatsApp in the ‘Updates’ tab, which includes Status and Channels. Private messages will remain ad-free and encrypted. The rollout will also feature paid promotional tools for businesses and creators.

InCred Money to Acquire Stocko for INR 300 Crore

InCred Money is acquiring investment discovery platform Stocko in a deal valued at INR 300 crore. Post-acquisition, the brand will be rebranded as InCred Stocko. The acquisition strengthens InCred’s position in retail investing and stock trading.

Meesho Gets NCLT Nod to Reverse-Flip to India

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved Meesho’s plan to shift its domicile back to India from the US. This reverse-flip move is seen as a step toward its anticipated IPO. However, the company may face a $280–300 million tax liability as part of the restructuring.

June 16, 2025

Tag: Indian Funding Roundup