Funding to accelerate green fleet expansion across Indian cities Gurugram-based fleet management startup Carrum has raised an undisclosed amount in a Series A funding round from Uber. The fresh capital will be used to expand Carrum’s fleet and scale operations, the company said in a statement. Launched in 2024 by Karan Jain, Carrum provides B2B mobility and fleet management services, with a focus on decarbonisation and sustainable transport. The company prioritises CNG and electric vehicles (EVs) to align with low-emission mobility practices. Data-led fleet operations and profitability Carrum leverages a tech and data-backed platform to optimise fleet utilisation, driver availability,…
Author: Aman Atulya
Clean Beauty Brands Are Moving Beyond Niche Appeal India’s beauty and personal care market is seeing a shift from celebrity-led hype to ingredient transparency and science-backed formulations. As consumers become more aware of toxins, allergens, and long-term skin impact, clean beauty brands are transitioning from niche positioning to mass-premium categories, drawing interest from strategic global investors. Funding Snapshot and Capital Mix Mumbai-based Secret Alchemist has raised $3 million (around ₹25 crore) in a funding round led by Unilever Ventures, with participation from DSG Consumer Partners.The round comprised $2.5 million in primary capital and a secondary component, allowing a few early…
Quick commerce platform Blinkit has reportedly removed its widely used 10-minute delivery claim from its branding and customer-facing platforms following directions from the Union Ministry of Labour, according to multiple media reports. Shift in messaging, timelines remain visible Sources cited in reports said Blinkit has replaced its earlier 10-minute delivery tagline with messaging that emphasises the breadth of products delivered to customers’ doorsteps. However, delivery estimates of as low as 8 minutes continue to be displayed in select locations on the app and website, indicating that ultra-fast delivery operations remain active on the ground. Labour ministry raises worker safety concerns…
Global Trade Needs Predictable, Tech-Led Supply Chains Cross-border logistics remains one of the most fragmented layers of global trade. Indian exporters and importers still navigate multiple vendors, manual documentation, poor visibility, and reactive execution across customs, freight, and last-mile delivery. As trade corridors expand beyond traditional routes, demand is rising for orchestration-led platforms that can bring predictability and coordination to international supply chains. Funding Snapshot and Investor Mix Gurugram-based Hexalog has raised $4 million (around ₹33 crore) in a seed funding round led by ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL. The round also saw participation from Mount Judi Ventures, Action Tesa Family Office,…
India’s Aerospace Supply Chain Still Depends on Imports Despite rising defence spending and a growing UAV ecosystem, India continues to rely heavily on imported flight-critical aircraft components. Certification complexity, long development cycles, and high capital requirements have limited the emergence of domestic suppliers, creating a strategic gap in aerospace and defence manufacturing. Funding Snapshot and Expansion Plans Bengaluru-based Misochain Technologies has raised ₹18 crore (around $2.2 million) in a seed funding round led by Capital-A.The capital will be used to set up a manufacturing facility, accelerate certification programmes, and scale engineering, testing, and MRO capabilities for UAV manufacturers and global…
Indian Specialty Chemicals Startups Go Global India’s specialty chemicals sector is seeing renewed momentum as global customers look to diversify supply chains beyond China. Startups that can combine R&D depth, distribution control, and export readiness are emerging as credible challengers to traditional incumbents, especially in niche and high-value chemical segments. Funding Snapshot and Capital Structure Bengaluru-based Atomgrid has raised $7 million (around ₹58 crore) in a pre-Series A round through a mix of equity and debt. The equity portion was led by A99, with participation from Sadev Ventures, CDM Capital, and existing investor Merak Ventures.In addition, Atomgrid secured venture debt…
Instant Services Are Reshaping India’s Beauty Market India’s at-home beauty and wellness sector has traditionally been appointment-led and occasion-driven. However, urban consumers are increasingly seeking everyday services delivered with the same speed and convenience as food or grocery delivery. This behavioural shift is opening up opportunities for startups that can deliver high-frequency beauty services through hyperlocal, operationally tight models rather than large, aggregator-led marketplaces. Funding Snapshot and Business Model Bengaluru-based Dazzl has raised $3.2 million (approximately ₹26.5 crore) in a Seed funding round led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with participation from operators and founders including Ritesh Agarwal, Maninder Gulati, Abhinav…
Post-acute and rehabilitative healthcare chain Sukino has raised $31 million in a Series B funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Rainmatter. Expansion across new markets The company said the fresh capital will be used to expand its footprint into new geographies, as demand rises for structured recovery care outside traditional hospital settings. Sukino plans to significantly scale its bed capacity and centre network over the next two years. Focus on post-acute and rehabilitation care Founded in 2016 by Rajinish Menon and Shalini Menon, Sukino operates in the post-acute and rehabilitative care segment, addressing a critical gap…
State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has announced plans to raise up to ₹5,000 crore through a public issue of bonds, according to a company release. Issue structure and timeline The bond issue has a base size of ₹500 crore with a greenshoe option of ₹4,500 crore, taking the total issue size to ₹5,000 crore. The proposed fundraising falls within PFC’s existing ₹10,000 crore shelf limit. The issue will open for subscription on January 16, 2026, and close on January 30, 2026, with an option for early closure or extension depending on investor response. Coupon, rating and listing PFC is offering…
India’s Vehicle Leasing Market Is Still Underpenetrated India’s passenger vehicle leasing market remains structurally underdeveloped. Leasing penetration is under 5 percent, compared to over 30 percent in mature global markets. As corporates look to reduce balance-sheet exposure and employees seek flexibility over ownership, demand is shifting towards asset-light, tech-led mobility solutions that can work across new, used, and electric vehicles. Funding Snapshot Gurugram-based PumPumPum has raised ₹18 crore (around $2.2 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by LC Nueva. The round also saw participation from Mufin Green and Anupam Finserv.Earlier, the company had raised ₹2 crore from Inflection…