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…
Author: Aman Atulya
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…
In a move to deepen consumer engagement across India’s booming e-commerce market, SBI Cards and Payment Services and Flipkart have jointly launched the Flipkart SBI Credit Card, offering high-value rewards and digital-first convenience. Exclusive Cashback Benefits The new card brings a strong value proposition for online shoppers: Customers can apply digitally through the Flipkart app or SBI Card’s website, with quarterly cashback limits of ₹4,000 per category. Value Beyond Cashback Priced at ₹500 annual fee, the card unlocks ₹1,250 welcome benefits via e-gift cards and Cleartrip vouchers. Renewal fee is waived off on annual spends above ₹3.5 lakh. Cashback is…
How OYO’s founder built a global hotel chain despite failures, criticism, and market turbulence. At just 30, Ritesh Agarwal has redefined what it means to be a young Indian entrepreneur. From a small town in Odisha to leading one of the world’s largest hospitality networks, his journey is a mix of bold risks, setbacks, and relentless ambition. Early Beginnings Born in 1993 in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha, Ritesh belonged to a modest business family. Unlike his peers, he wasn’t chasing engineering or medicine but was fascinated by technology, business, and startups. At 16, he sold SIM cards in his hometown to…
Dream Sports, the parent of fantasy sports giant Dream11, has announced it will not legally challenge India’s newly enacted ban on real-money gaming a move that obliterated 95% of the company’s revenue and completely eliminated profits. Instead, CEO Harsh Jain says the firm will pivot to a bold new strategy dubbed “Dream11 3.0”. A Knockout Blow, Not the End Jain called the ban a “knockout punch” that hit Dream11 overnight. With revenue erased and profits disappeared, the firm is rebooting itself rather than fighting the law. “We’d rather build for the future than litigate the past,” he said . Vision…
Celebration wear jewellery brand Nuyug has raised ₹2.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by AJVC, with participation from strategic angel investors. The fresh capital will be used to expand online and offline channels, broaden its product catalogue, and invest in R&D and design innovation to enhance quality and longevity. Bridging the Gap Between Imitation and Fine Jewellery Co-founded in August 2024 by Ankur Dua and Manali Thareja, Nuyug offers mass-premium, skin-safe, gold-toned jewellery crafted for weddings, festivals, and social occasions. The brand targets a gap in the market between imitation and fine jewellery, aiming to provide stylish, safe,…
The Delhi government has released a draft of the Delhi Startup Policy 2025, proposing a ₹200 crore venture capital fund to support early-stage ventures and strengthen the city’s position as a startup hub. Funding & Financial Incentives The proposed VC fund will invest via equity and structured-debt instruments, while attracting private co-investments through strategic agreements. Beyond the fund, the policy offers a range of financial incentives for startups, including: Startup Creation & Focus Areas The policy envisions the creation of 5,000 startups by 2035, targeting sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, fintech, robotics, AI, machine learning, drones, gaming, and augmented reality.…
Direct-to-consumer (D2C) grocery startup Anmasa has secured $1.1 million in a pre-seed funding round, co-led by Snow Leopard Technology Ventures, Veltis Capital, Blume Ventures, and Indigram Lab, with participation from other angel investors. Funding Snapshot The fresh capital will be used to scale operations, expand product categories, and strengthen distribution in India’s competitive grocery market. Cooking Freshness Into Every Kitchen Co-founded in 2024 by Yatish Talvadia, former founder & CEO of Milkbasket, and Shailendra Upadhyay, Anmasa focuses on healthy, freshly processed staples including cold-pressed flours, wood-pressed oils, and spices. By combining quality, freshness, and transparency, the startup aims to set…
Kitchenware startup Cumin Co has secured its first institutional funding of $1.5 million (₹13.16 crore) in a round led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from Huddle Ventures. Funding Snapshot The fresh capital will be used to expand enamel-based coating manufacturing in India and strengthen its supply chain, the company said. Cooking Without Compromise Founded in February 2025 by Niharika Joshi and Udit Lekhi, Cumin Co addresses a rising concern among premium households—toxin-heavy cookware. Traditional non-stick pans often use harmful chemicals, but Cumin Co’s enamel cast iron cookware is 100% toxin-free, long-lasting, and designed with modern aesthetics. Traction & Growth Cumin…
Bengaluru-based gaming startup secures fresh capital to expand team, marketing, and global reach Maths-focussed mobile gaming platform Matiks has raised $3.1 million (approx. ₹27 crore) in a pre-Series A round led by Tanglin Ventures, with participation from Info Edge Ventures and prominent angel investors including boAt co-founder Aman Gupta, Unacademy’s Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini, and former Flipkart executive Anil Goteti. Funding Snapshot Founded in September 2024 by Sudhanshu Bhatia, Mohan Kumar, and Sushant Timmapur, Matiks blends gaming with learning by offering math-based challenges and competitions. Users can engage in live 1v1 duels, multiplayer battles, puzzles, and daily challenges while…