Author: Shashank Prakash

Delhi-based intercity electric bus operator LeafyBus has raised $4.1 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Enetra EV, which is backed by Singapore’s Impact Capital Asia Management (ICAM). The funding will enable the company to expand its electric bus fleet, strengthen charging infrastructure, and extend routes to more cities across North India. Expansion Plans Founded in 2023 by Rohan Dewan and Animesh Sharma, LeafyBus currently operates electric buses on the Delhi–Dehradun and Delhi–Agra routes. With the fresh capital, the company plans to add 100 new buses within the next two years and expand to cities such as Chandigarh…

India’s leading specialty coffee chain Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has raised $25 million (approx. ₹220 crore) in a bridge funding round backed by its existing investors — A91 Partners, Anicut, Verlinvest, and 12 Flags. The fresh infusion of capital will be deployed towards expanding retail operations, strengthening back-end infrastructure, and scaling internationally. The brand is eyeing entry into Dubai and Japan, while in India, the funds will fuel new café launches and upgrades to its roasteries and bakery units in Bengaluru and Gurugram. Revised Growth Ambitions Blue Tokai’s founders have set bolder growth projections. Initially targeting ₹1,000 crore revenue and…

Gurugram-based social commerce startup CityMall has raised $38 million (₹334 crore) in its Series D round, led by Accel with participation from existing backers including Waterbridge Ventures, Elevation Capital, Norwest Capital, Citius, and General Catalyst. This marks the company’s first significant funding in over three years, following its $75 million Series C round in March 2022. Despite the infusion, CityMall’s valuation remains flat at $316 million (₹2,780 crore), according to regulatory filings. Investor Participation Accel led the round with nearly $19.7 million (₹173.2 crore), while Waterbridge Ventures and Citius committed $5.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Norwest Capital, Elevation Capital,…

Crunch & Munch is making waves in the health-snack space, offering flavour-exclusive, nutritious treats tailored for the fast-paced modern lifestyle. Founded on a philosophy of “guilt-free goodness,” the brand crafts delicious and wholesome snacks that’s gaining recognition for both quality and taste. Behind the brand: Brand philosophy and offerings:Crunch & Munch stands by its motto: “Eat right with a healthy bite.” Their products—ranging from roasted chivda and multigrain mixes to veggie crisps and quinoa seed clusters—are made with natural, preservative-free ingredients and undergo minimal processing to retain flavour and nutrition.Crunch and MunchPackaging and formulation emphasize freshness, transparency, and a commitment…

Indian startup funding made a noticeable comeback in August 2025 after a weak July, clocking nearly $960 million across 100 deals. While the figure stayed below the $1 billion mark, strong activity in fintech, e-commerce, and healthtech drove the rebound, with late-stage deals contributing the lion’s share. At the same time, the industry is grappling with uncertainty triggered by the government’s crackdown on real money gaming (RMG) firms, which has forced multiple startups to shut shop or pivot into new verticals. Funding Overview According to Startupbydoc data, startups collectively raised $961 million last month. This marked a recovery compared to…

StartupByDoc – “Where Startups Meet Stories” India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has reached a historic milestone by crossing the 20 billion monthly transaction mark for the first time in August 2025. According to industry data, UPI processed 20.01 billion transactions, with a total value of ₹24.85 lakh crore during the month. Growth Momentum Over the Past Three Months The growth trajectory has been steady: On a year-on-year basis, transaction volumes rose by 34%, while the overall value of payments climbed by 21%. The daily average stood at 645 million transactions, with a daily transaction value of nearly ₹80,177 crore. On…

StartupByDoc – “Where Startups Meet Stories” Logistics solutions firm LEAP India Limited has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI to raise up to ₹2,400 crore through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The public issue will include a fresh issue of shares worth ₹400 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of ₹2,000 crore. KKR-Backed Promoter to Lead OFS The OFS will be primarily driven by Vertical Holdings II Pte. Ltd., a promoter entity backed by global investment firm KKR, which is set to divest shares worth around ₹1,998.6 crore. Another promoter group entity, KIA EBT Scheme 3,…

India’s Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) revolution is no longer a buzzword—it’s a full-blown consumer shift. Backed by a digitally savvy middle class, affordable internet, and influencer-driven marketing, homegrown D2C brands are not just competing with legacy FMCG giants but are shaping how Indians shop for fashion, beauty, food, and lifestyle products. According to Redseer, India’s D2C market is projected to touch $100 billion by 2030, with over 600+ D2C brands scaling aggressively. Here are the Top 10 D2C players that are winning Indian consumers in 2025. 1. Boat (Lifestyle & Audio Tech) Founded in 2016, Boat disrupted India’s audio market with stylish,…

DocInsider | August 2025 India’s healthcare sector is undergoing a massive transformation, driven by technology, rising consumer demand, and investor confidence. From AI-powered diagnostics to affordable telemedicine, startups are reshaping how patients access and experience healthcare. According to industry reports, India’s digital healthcare market is expected to surpass $37 billion by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors. Here are the Top 10 Healthcare Startups to Watch in 2025: 1. Pharmeasy One of India’s largest digital healthcare platforms, Pharmeasy offers e-pharmacy, diagnostics, teleconsultation, and medical supplies. Backed by marquee investors, the company is expanding into Tier-II and Tier-III cities…

The Indian startup ecosystem witnessed another dynamic week between August 25 and August 30, 2025, with 24 startups collectively raising $127.6 million. The activity included 4 growth-stage and 18 early-stage deals, while 2 startups kept their funding amounts undisclosed. In comparison, last week’s numbers stood higher at $283.8 million across 16 deals, indicating a 55% week-on-week dip in total funding raised. Growth-Stage Deals Funding at the growth and late stage totaled $78.5 million, dominated by fintech startups: Early-Stage Deals On the early-stage front, 18 startups raised $42.3 million. Notable highlights include: Startups like AKINNA (luxury handbags) and Samasta Foods (organic…