Author: Shashank Prakash

Lendingkart Finance, the NBFC arm of the Lendingkart Group backed by Singapore’s Temasek, has reported a major loss of ₹288 crore for FY25. This marks a sharp drop from the ₹60 crore profit the company made in the previous year.The main reason behind the loss was a big increase in loan defaults and lower income from lending. Its total pre-tax loss stood at ₹396 crore, and its interest income fell by 20% to ₹812 crore. On top of that, fee income also dropped by 57.5%, and overall expenses shot up by nearly 18.5%.In January 2024, Lendingkart had raised ₹75 crore…

In a major push for India’s regional sports scene, Atlanture Sports, co-founded by television personality Rannvijay Singha and entrepreneur Shubham Choudhary, has raised ₹21 crore in strategic funding from Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd (HMVL), part of the HT Media Group.The investment, executed through HT AdVentures, began with ₹10.5 crore already disbursed. The funds are set to elevate Real Kabaddi League (RKL)—Atlanture’s flagship property—into a high-impact, nationwide, and international sports platform.What sets Atlanture apart?Unlike conventional sports businesses, Atlanture Sports is building an integrated sports ecosystem. From Pay & Play arenas, league operations, and athlete management to certified sports education and global…

In a move that’s reigniting confidence in India’s edtech space, Virohan, a healthcare-focussed skilling platform, is reportedly in the final stages of raising ₹60–70 crore ($7–8 million) from global venture capital firm Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP).This fresh investment will value Virohan at around $70–80 million, as the company is said to be diluting approximately 10% of its equity. While neither BVP nor Virohan has officially confirmed the deal, reliable sources indicate it’s nearly closed.Founded by Kunaal Dudeja, Nalin Saluja, and Archit Jayaswal, Virohan provides skill development and certification courses for healthcare professionals, especially in allied health roles — a segment…

ewelleryLab-grown diamond jewellery brand True Diamond has raised ₹26 crore in a pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by India Quotient, with participation from existing investors Titan Capital Winners Fund and Huddle Ventures.Founded in early 2024 by Darayus Mehta and Parin Shah, the startup focuses on offering high-quality, sustainable diamond jewellery. Their products include rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, mangalsutras, and even men’s collections. The brand claims to have over 5,000 designs in its collection and a 1.7x customer repeat rate, indicating strong customer satisfaction.Parin Shah, co-founder of True Diamond, shared, “We never wanted to be just another…

In a heartfelt message, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal recently addressed the emotional challenges faced by young entrepreneurs. Drawing from his own journey, Agarwal emphasized the solitude and pressure inherent in the early stages of building a business. He likened this phase to “living in a pressure cooker,” where each decision can significantly impact the trajectory of one’s dream.Agarwal highlighted that while entrepreneurs may appear surrounded by a bustling world, the reality is often one of isolation. He noted that many around them might not fully grasp their vision, not out of indifference, but because they haven’t experienced the act of…

In a world chasing instant success and viral trends, Lopamudra or Lopa, as many know her, is walking a different path. Her journey is built not on hype, but on heart, not on noise, but on intention.Angels N Brats: Where Kids Play and Parents RechargeLopa’s entrepreneurial journey began with Angels N Brats, a unique space she launched in Gurgaon three years ago — a dream nurtured over the course of six years.More than just a kids’ play area, Angels N Brats is a thoughtfully designed experience for families. Children get a safe, fun space to play, while parents unwind in…

In a major development, South Korean auto giants Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation have completely exited Ola Electric, selling their combined stake for ₹690 crore through block deals on Tuesday. This move comes as a strategic shift after more than five years of investment in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) startup.According to stock exchange data, Hyundai sold its 2.47% stake in Ola Electric for ₹552 crore, while Kia offloaded its 0.62% holding for ₹137 crore. The two companies had initially invested $300 million in Ola Electric back in 2019 to support the EV revolution in India.Citigroup Global Markets Mauritius emerged…

Bengaluru-based wealthtech platform Stable Money has raised $20 million (INR 173 crore) in a strategic funding round led by Fundamentum Partnership, a venture capital fund co-founded by Nandan Nilekani and Sanjeev Aggarwal. The round also saw continued backing from existing investors Z47, RTP Global, and Lightspeed, with Aditya Birla Ventures joining as a new participant.The latest infusion marks a significant milestone for the fintech startup, which had previously secured $20 million across its Seed and Series A rounds. Earlier backers include top-tier investors and prominent angels such as Sriharsha Majety (Swiggy), Kunal Bahl, and Rohit Bansal (Snapdeal).Founded in 2022 by…

Plush, the Chennai-based feminine care brand redefining hygiene and wellness for women in India, is preparing for a major growth leap with its upcoming Series B funding round. The company is raising ₹30.56 crore (approx. $3.6 million), marking a nearly 3X jump in valuation to ₹281 crore (~$33 million), as per filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies.This round is being led by angel investor Ajay Kumar Aggarwal, who is investing ₹6 crore. He is joined by Careernet Technologies (₹5 crore), OTP Ventures (₹3 crore), Blume Ventures (₹4 crore), and a group of eleven other investors including Blue Ashva Varenya…

In a world full of brands chasing trends, Hyderabadi Chai is quietly brewing a revolution—steeped in culture, community, and conscious entrepreneurship. Founded in 2024 by Rayhan, a visionary with a heart for storytelling and a mind for marketing, this Hyderabad-born brand is redefining what a cup of chai can mean to millions of Indians.From One Outlet to a Nation-Wide MovementWhat began as a humble outlet has blossomed into a thriving franchise-based model spreading across cities, towns, and villages of India. But Hyderabadi Chai is not just another tea shop—it’s a platform built on purpose. The mission is clear: to make…