E-commerce logistics major XpressBees has appointed Mohit Sardana as the Chief Executive Officer of its B2C vertical, a move aimed at strengthening its delivery solutions and customer experience in India’s fast-growing e-commerce market. Sardana, with over 20 years of leadership experience in business strategy, operations, and digital transformation, will spearhead the company’s consumer-facing operations. Prior to this role, he served as COO of Zomato’s food delivery business, played a key role in Blinkit’s leadership, and held senior positions at MakeMyTrip and Accenture. Welcoming the appointment, Amitava Saha, MD & CEO of XpressBees, said Sardana’s expertise in scaling consumer businesses and…
Author: Aman Atulya
Union Minister for IT, Information and Broadcasting, and Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the Indian government has no plans to revoke the ban on TikTok, dismissing speculation about the app’s possible return. “There is absolutely no proposal which has come from any quarters,” Vaishnaw said in an interview with Moneycontrol, addressing recent chatter that TikTok’s owner ByteDance was preparing for a re-entry into India. Why the Ban Stays TikTok was first banned in June 2020 alongside 58 other Chinese apps over national security concerns. The ban was made permanent in January 2021. At its peak, India was TikTok’s largest…
IndiGrid Technology, a full-stack electronics and EV component manufacturer, has raised $4 million (Rs 35.2 crore) in a strategic funding round from its existing backer Cactus Partners. This follows the company’s earlier funding of $7.72 million from the same investor. Growth-Focused Capital Use The funds will be channelled into expanding production capacity, automating processes, ramping up hiring, and extending market presence across India and international geographies. The company also plans to strengthen its product range for the rapidly growing EV and consumer electronics sectors. Building the EV Backbone Founded in 2015 by Sameer Narang and Rishab Puri, IndiGrid Technology operates…
Flipspaces, a technology-led interior design and build company, has raised $50 million in an expanded Series C funding round. The round saw participation from CE-Invests (UAE), Panthera Growth Partners (Singapore), and SMBC Asia Rising Fund (Japan), alongside existing investors Iron Pillar, Synergy Capital Partners, and Prashasta Seth. Early-stage investor Carpe Diem successfully exited through this transaction. This comes after the company’s $35 million fundraise in May 2025, followed by Rs 50 crore ($5.5 million) from Asiana Fund in June, bringing Flipspaces’ Series C tally to over $90 million in three months. Expansion and Strategy The fresh capital will be deployed…
Prosus-backed fintech giant PayU is reportedly exploring a $300 million fundraise through the sale of a minority stake, with HSBC engaged as the banking partner. The move comes as part of its strategic preparations for an Indian stock market listing in 2026. According to early discussions, the minority stake sale will help gauge investor appetite and set a benchmark valuation ahead of the company’s much-anticipated IPO. Scaling With Strong Momentum PayU has emerged as one of India’s most significant players in the digital payments ecosystem. The company serves over 500,000 merchants and enables businesses to accept payments through UPI, cards,…
Trufrost & Butler, a leading provider of commercial refrigeration and foodservice equipment, has raised $7 million in growth funding from Carpediem Capital, marking a pivotal step in its expansion journey. The fresh infusion of capital will be channelled towards strengthening customer experience, enhancing order fulfilment efficiency, expanding service infrastructure, and accelerating domestic manufacturing capabilities. The company also plans to explore selective global markets, leveraging its proven expertise in innovation-led solutions. Scaling Beyond Metros Founded in 2018 by Neeraj Seth and Satish Dudeja, Trufrost & Butler has emerged as a trusted brand for India’s growing HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés) sector. With…
India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has cautioned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to impose 50% tariffs on Indian exports could shave off nearly 0.5% from India’s GDP growth. The warning comes at a time when India is chasing a $5 trillion economy target and startups are deeply integrated into global trade networks. Tariffs and the Growth Question The new tariff structure, aimed at protecting U.S. manufacturing, is set to disrupt India’s export basket textiles, IT services, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods. According to government data, India’s exports to the U.S. stood at $77 billion in FY24, making America…
E-commerce in India is growing rapidly, yet for most D2C founders, it remains a painful journey. Missed supplier pickups, poor quality checks, wasted ad spends, and inconsistent growth drain both capital and confidence. For the founder of Drpshippr, these struggles were a lived reality until frustration turned into the spark for India’s first AI-powered e-commerce platform. When Chaos Meets Determination Running a direct-to-consumer brand meant firefighting every day. Suppliers missed pickups without notice, there were no quality assurance systems in place, advertising agencies burned money without delivering, and sales fluctuated without stability. Instead of quitting, the founder asked a different…
Global impact investor Accion has announced the closure of its second fund at $61.6 million (₹514 crore), with a strong emphasis on financial inclusion. Notably, 30% of the capital will be deployed in India, reaffirming the country’s position as a critical hub for fintech innovation. Funding Snapshot Driving Financial Inclusion Accion has consistently backed ventures that enable underserved communities to access banking, credit, and insurance. By earmarking nearly a third of its new fund for India, it signals confidence in the country’s fintech momentum—from digital lending platforms to rural-focused neobanks. Market Relevance India’s fintech sector has attracted over $6 billion…
Multi-stage venture investing platform Venture Catalysts has raised ₹150 crore ($18 million) through a mix of primary and secondary share sales, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey. The fresh capital will be deployed to expand leadership teams, launch new funds, and roll out AI-enabled tools for due diligence and LP reporting, strengthening the company’s position as a next-gen venture platform. Valuation and Backers The primary investment valued the company at $200 million post-money, while secondary transactions were priced independently between existing and new investors. The round attracted a diverse set of backers, including public market investors, corporates, and…