Category: News

  • Clean Fanatics Secures  Million in Seed Funding Led by Inflection Point Ventures

    Clean Fanatics Secures $2 Million in Seed Funding Led by Inflection Point Ventures


    Clean Fanatics Secures Funding for Expansion

    Clean Fanatics, a leading platform for home services, has successfully raised Rs 17 crore ($2 million) in a seed funding round spearheaded by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). This funding round also included support from Blume Founders Fund, Let’s Venture (now LVX), Trica, TiE Angels, and various notable angel investors.

    The funding will primarily be allocated to team expansion, improvements in technology infrastructure, and the introduction of new service areas, such as civil construction and home renovation.

    About Clean Fanatics

    Founded by BJ Arun, Clean Fanatics excels in a variety of services like deep cleaning, painting, marble polishing, and home renovation. The business reports a monthly recurring revenue (MRR) of Rs 2 crore in Bengaluru alone, successfully servicing more than 2,500 homes each month.

    Growth and Achievements

    In the past 24 months, Clean Fanatics has achieved an impressive revenue growth of 8 times, propelled by robust customer referrals and high operational efficiency.

  • LVX Emerges: A Bold New Identity and a Leap into Growth-Stage Investment

    LVX Emerges: A Bold New Identity and a Leap into Growth-Stage Investment



    LVX: A New Era in Growth-Stage Investing

    LVX: A New Era in Growth-Stage Investing

    Bengaluru-based venture capital firm LVX has evolved from its roots as LetsVenture, expanding into growth-stage investing. This strategic shift aims to develop a comprehensive investment platform that supports startups from seed to later growth rounds and provides education and alternative financing solutions for investors.

    Three Core Verticals of LVX

    With its new branding, LVX will operate through three main verticals. The LVX Start division will maintain its focus on early-stage startups, directing angel investments via its angel AIF. The LVX Grow segment is dedicated to growth-stage companies, supplying capital from venture funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.

    Educational Initiatives with LVX School

    In addition, LVX School acts as an open-source learning platform designed to educate both investors and founders in critical areas such as fundraising, capital structuring, and strategies for long-term growth.

    Expansion into Debt Financing

    This rebranding comes after LVX ventured into debt financing with the introduction of LV Debt, a marketplace aimed at educating founders while providing structured debt solutions.

    Building a Strong Ecosystem

    Under the leadership of Shanti Mohan and Sanjay Jha, the firm has created a robust ecosystem that encompasses over 900 portfolio companies and 14,000 investors. Among these investors are high-profile names such as Accel, Chiratae Ventures, Ratan Tata, Mohandas Pai, and Anupam Mittal. Significant startups backed by LVX include Stockgro, Kenko, Giva, Fasal, Yulu, and FarMart.

    New Ventures in Micro-VC Funding

    In 2022, Mohan launched a micro-VC fund named Propell, which concentrates on investing in 30 early-stage companies within the e-commerce, fintech, SaaS, and D2C sectors.


  • Smartworks Secures  Million Investment from Key Anchor Investors

    Smartworks Secures $20 Million Investment from Key Anchor Investors



    Smartworks IPO: Managed Office Space Provider Hits Rs 174 Crore Funding

    Smartworks IPO: Managed Office Space Provider Hits Rs 174 Crore Funding

    Smartworks, a leading managed office space provider, has successfully secured Rs 174 crore (approximately $20 million) from anchor investors in preparation for its initial public offering (IPO), which will commence for subscription on July 10.

    Participation from Esteemed Institutional Investors

    The anchor round attracted a dozen institutional investors, including Tata Mutual Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life, Axis Mutual Fund, and SBI General Insurance. According to a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Smartworks allocated 42.66 lakh equity shares at Rs 407 each to these anchor investors. Additional contributors to the anchor book comprise Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund, Trust Mutual Fund, Societe Generale, and Buoyant Capital.

    Details of the Smartworks IPO

    The total size of the Smartworks IPO is Rs 583 crore, with Rs 445 crore expected to be raised from the issuance of new shares. The remaining funds will come from existing shareholders who will sell their shares. The proceeds from this IPO will be utilized for capital expenditures related to the establishment of new centers, repayment or prepayment of certain borrowings, and general corporate purposes.

    About Smartworks

    Founded in 2016, Smartworks specializes in offering tailored managed office spaces on a long-term lease to businesses. The firm competes with notable players in the flexible office space sector, including WeWork India, Awfis, and Table Space.

    Current Operations and Financial Performance

    According to the red herring prospectus, as of March 2024, Smartworks operates 41 centres across 13 cities, encompassing over 8 million square feet of available space. In FY25, the company reported revenue from operations amounting to Rs 1,374 crore, a rise from Rs 1,039 crore in FY24. However, net losses saw a 20% increase to Rs 62 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 50 crore in FY24.

    Key Dates for the Smartworks IPO

    The Smartworks IPO will be available for public subscription from July 10 to July 14, 2025. The company has established a price band of Rs 387 to Rs 407 per share, with a minimum lot size set at 36 shares, which translates to a minimum investment of Rs 14,652 for retail investors.


  • IndiGo Ventures Secures ₹450 Crore in Initial Fund Close, Backs Jeh Aerospace

    IndiGo Ventures Secures ₹450 Crore in Initial Fund Close, Backs Jeh Aerospace


    IndiGo Ventures Launches First Fund Close of Rs 450 Crore

    IndiGo Ventures, the corporate venture capital division of IndiGo airline, has announced the successful first close of its inaugural fund, reaching Rs 450 crore. This initiative, which commenced in August 2024, has received regulatory approval from SEBI to aim for a total of Rs 600 crore. The primary focus of IndiGo Ventures is to invest in early-stage startups that are fostering innovation in aviation and its related sectors. The fund is particularly interested in companies at the pre-Series A to Series B stages and seeks to ensure long-term strategic alignment.

    With the completion of this first close, the firm has also confirmed an investment in Jeh Aerospace, although the amount remains undisclosed. Jeh Aerospace operates within the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. This initial funding milestone and subsequent investment signify a progressive step in IndiGo’s innovation agenda, combining operational expertise with necessary capital to support entrepreneurs tackling challenges in aerospace and related fields.

    Pieter Elbers, the chief executive officer of IndiGo, stated that this investment not only reinforces the Indo-U.S. aerospace collaboration but also promotes the Make-in-India initiative while accelerating innovation. This contributes significantly towards positioning India as a key global player in aerospace and aviation.

    Jeh Aerospace intends to utilise the investment for scaling its digital manufacturing infrastructure, improving its AI-driven production optimisation and supply chain integration systems, as well as attracting key engineering and production talent.

    Founded by experienced professionals Vishal Sanghavi and Venkatesh Mudragalla, who are alumni of Tata’s aerospace joint ventures with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Sikorsky, Jeh Aerospace offers manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain management solutions tailored for the global aerospace and defence sectors.

    In its inaugural year, Jeh Aerospace has successfully grown to a 100-member team comprising engineers and technicians, delivered 100,000 flight-critical aeroengine components and precision tools in compliance with AS9100 standards, and secured $100 million in long-term contracts with leading global aerospace companies.

    In January of the previous year, this Hyderabad-based startup raised $2.75 million during a seed funding round led by General Catalyst, with contributions from angel investors such as Pratyush Kumar and Dwarkanath Srinivas.

  • Groww Retains Market Dominance as Competitors Zerodha and Angel One Face User Decline in June

    Groww Retains Market Dominance as Competitors Zerodha and Angel One Face User Decline in June



    Indian Stock Market Active User Trends

    Indian Stock Market Active User Trends

    The Indian stock market’s active user base has seen a decline, dropping from a high of 49.67 million in January to 47.89 million in June. Nevertheless, there was a 2% month-on-month increase last month, rising from 46.93 million in May.

    Leading Brokers in Active Users

    Groww continues to lead the market in active users, holding a 26.27% market share, even though its user count fell by 1.67%, reaching 12.58 million in June from 12.79 million in May, as per NSE data.

    Zerodha’s Position

    In the second position, Zerodha maintained a market share of 15.58% with 7.58 million users. However, this was a decrease of 2.23% from the previous month’s total of 7.75 million users.

    Angel One’s Growth

    Angel One stands in third place with a market share of 15.28% and 7.32 million users, closing the gap with Zerodha.

    Performance of Other Brokers

    Upstox and ICICIdirect secured the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Upstox, backed by Ratan Tata, holds a market share of 5.37% but experienced a decline of 3.36%, bringing its user base down to 2.57 million. ICICIdirect retained a steady user base of 1.95 million, resulting in a market share of 4.07%.

    Traditional Brokers’ User Growth

    Among traditional brokers, HDFC Securities recorded growth with 1.58 million users, marking a month-on-month increase of 1.32%. Similarly, SBI Securities also achieved growth, reaching 1.01 million users with a 1.65% uptick. On the other hand, Kotak and Motilal Oswal experienced declines of 0.86% and 1.07%, respectively.

    Emerging and Other Notable Brokers

    Emerging broker Dhan held onto its 10th position with 1 million users, reflecting a market share of 2.08%. Paytm Money saw an increase of 2.74%, reaching a user base of 7.24 lakh, while Sharekhan experienced a decline of 2.46%, resulting in a client base of 6.25 lakh. Both brokers remain among the top 20 stock brokers.

    PhonePe’s Declining User Base

    In contrast, PhonePe’s Share.Market appears to be struggling, with a user base decrease of 3.52% in June, leading to a total of 3.47 lakh users.


  • CoinDCX Welcomes Amol Wanjari as Engineering Head and Sangeeth Aloysius as Product Head

    CoinDCX Welcomes Amol Wanjari as Engineering Head and Sangeeth Aloysius as Product Head

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    Leadership Changes at CoinDCX to Enhance Investor Experience

    CoinDCX, a prominent crypto exchange, has recently appointed Amol Wanjari as the Head of Engineering and Sangeeth Aloysius as the Head of Product. These strategic leadership changes are aimed at boosting the onboarding process for more Indian investors over the forthcoming six months. As part of its growth strategy, CoinDCX is also looking to expand its workforce by 15%. The goal is to create secure, efficient, and user-centric trading systems for users in India.

    Amol Wanjari: New Head of Engineering

    Amol Wanjari joins CoinDCX after an impressive tenure at Amazon, where he accumulated over 20 years of engineering experience. He has previously held key roles at Amazon Pay, Acko, and Bizongo, focusing on distributed systems, AI-driven tools, and platform development. His expertise also includes team development and infrastructure delivery.

    Amol Wanjari emphasizes the aim of strengthening the platform’s foundation, making it even more seamless, reliable, and intuitive for every type of investor. With a robust team of over 200 engineering professionals, the company is well-positioned to innovate at a large scale and reshape the crypto investing future in India.

    Sangeeth Aloysius: New Head of Product

    Sangeeth Aloysius, who has previously worked with Flipkart, brings over 18 years of product management experience to CoinDCX. As the former Senior Director and Head of Products at Flipkart, he focused on enhancing consumer experience, pricing strategies, loyalty programs, and supply chain efficiency. He is also an alumnus of the Indian School of Business.

    CoinDCX’s Commitment to User Experience

    With a user base exceeding 1.9 crore, CoinDCX is dedicated to improving platform accessibility, broadening its offerings, and enhancing the trading experience through both technological advancements and operational changes.

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  • Chai Bisket Secures  Million Investment from Infoedge Ventures and General Catalyst to Introduce Chai Shots

    Chai Bisket Secures $5 Million Investment from Infoedge Ventures and General Catalyst to Introduce Chai Shots



    Chai Bisket Launches Chai Shots: Revolutionising Microdrama OTT


    Chai Shots: A New Microdrama OTT Platform by Chai Bisket

    Chai Shots is a regional-first, mobile-only microdrama OTT platform launched by the Hyderabad-based company, Chai Bisket. They have successfully raised $5 million in a seed funding round led by InfoEdge Ventures and General Catalyst.

    Investor Participation and Support

    This funding round attracted a notable group of angel investors, including Rana Daggubati, co-founders of Swiggy Sri Harsha Majety and Nandan Reddy, redBus founder Phanindra Sama, along with several others including Darwinbox co-founder Rohit Chennamaneni and PhysicsWallah co-founders Alakh Pandey and Prateek. Notably, the co-founders of Rapido and Virgio, Amar Nagaram, also contributed.

    Startup Superb originally reported this significant development last month.

    Target Audience and Content Structure

    Chai Shots focuses on delivering fiction content in two-minute episodes specifically aimed at Gen Z and tier II–III audiences. It emphasises premium storytelling that is emotionally engaging and available in multiple regional languages. The platform is designed primarily for viewing on personal mobile devices and plans to launch first in Telugu, with subsequent expansions planned for Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

    Leadership and Original Content Strategy

    The platform is guided by co-leaders Sharath Chandra, Anurag Reddy, and Krishna Mohan Varma, the latter joining as a co-founder to oversee the technology vision. Within the first six months, Chai Shots plans to release over 100 original shows. It positions itself as a content-meets-tech platform prioritising fictional narratives in a concise format, differentiating itself from user-generated short video platforms.

    Competitive Landscape

    Last month, another startup, Flick TV, secured $2.3 million in seed funding from Stellaris Venture Partners, with additional backing from Gemba Capital and Titan Capital. Chai Shots will encounter competition from Kuku FM’s Kuku TV, ShareChat’s QuickTV, as well as Reel Saga and Reelies.


  • Green Aero Secures .6 Million in Seed Funding from Pi Ventures

    Green Aero Secures $1.6 Million in Seed Funding from Pi Ventures



    Green Aero: Next-Generation Aero Engines for Defence and Civilian Use

    Green Aero: Next-Generation Aero Engines for Defence and Civilian Use

    Green Aero, an innovative startup in deep tech, is revolutionising the field with next-generation aero engines designed for both defence and civilian applications. Recently, the company secured $1.6 million through a Seed funding round, which was led by pi Ventures, accompanied by investments from Antler.

    Based in Delhi, the startup had raised $240K in the same funding round during September 2024, with contributions from Rebalance and other investors.

    The funds will be allocated for advancing product development and rigorous testing. Additionally, the company plans to expand its engineering and operational teams, create a state-of-the-art testing facility, and expedite the go-to-market strategy for its inaugural engine, as detailed in a press release from Green Aero.

    About Green Aero

    Founded in 2023 by Prithwish Kundu, Green Aero is focused on developing core propulsion technology for aerospace, naval, and hydrogen-powered systems, marking a pioneering effort in India for civilian aircraft. The startup is committed to in-house research and development, as well as extensive testing, crafting these technologies from the ground up.

    Innovative Aero Engines

    Green Aero is striving to create next-generation aero engines that promise to deliver twice the efficiency of currently available global state-of-the-art models. The engines will incorporate a proprietary turbine technology, establishing a world-first in aero engine design.

    Future Developments in Propulsion

    Looking towards the future, Green Aero is also expanding the realm of supersonic propulsion, made possible by the high-thrust performance envelope of their engines. Simultaneously, the company is working on a green hydrogen-powered engine designed to provide a highly efficient, zero-emission alternative to traditional aircraft propulsion systems.

    Commercialisation Plans

    Green Aero aims to commercialise its first engine in the small category within the next year. The company has already achieved a significant milestone with the successful test firing of India’s first hydrogen-powered aero engine core, named ‘The Blue Dragon’.


  • Zepto Set to Secure 0 Million at a  Billion Valuation: Insider Insights

    Zepto Set to Secure $500 Million at a $7 Billion Valuation: Insider Insights


    Zepto Targets $500 Million in New Funding Round

    Zepto, a quick commerce company, is reportedly in advanced negotiations to secure $500 million in a new funding round led by existing investors such as General Catalyst and Avenir, as stated in a Moneycontrol report. This funding round is anticipated to elevate the valuation of the Mumbai-based startup to approximately $7 billion, marking a substantial increase from its last valuation of $5 billion achieved when it raised $350 million in November 2024. In total, the firm, led by Aadit Palicha, has successfully raised $1.35 billion in 2024.

    This news follows the company’s decision to delay its planned initial public offering (IPO) until 2026. Earlier this year, Zepto had completed its reverse flip back to India.

    Focus on Profitability and Cost Management

    Zepto is currently focusing on reducing cash burn and enhancing profitability in preparation for its public listing. In light of escalating operational costs, the company has temporarily closed its food service division, Zepto Cafe, in several smaller North Indian cities, including Agra, Chandigarh, Meerut, Mohali, and Amritsar.

    Industry Competition

    The quick commerce sector is intensely competitive, with rivals like Blinkit and Swiggy posing significant challenges. An ICICI Securities report indicates that Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart experienced notable growth in Q1 FY26, with gross order values increasing by over 25% and 22%, respectively. This performance dwarfs the sub-20% growth seen across the broader quick-commerce sector.

    Growth Metrics

    In April, Palicha indicated that Zepto is approaching an annualised Gross Order Value (GOV) of $4 billion. He noted that the firm scaled from $1 billion to $3 billion in GOV within an eight-month span, reflecting a staggering 300% year-on-year growth and a 30% increase since January 2025.

    Positive Financial Outlook

    Recently, Palicha mentioned that a majority of Zepto’s dark stores are expected to attain full EBITDA positivity in the upcoming quarter. Earlier in the year, the company closed a $665 million Series F round, followed by a $340 million top-up, raising over $1 billion in 2024 alone.

    Zepto asserts that most of its dark stores have achieved EBITDA positivity, with plans for deeper expansion into metropolitan areas and Tier II/III cities. The forthcoming funding is expected to bolster operational scalability, strengthen its technology stack, and improve supply chain efficiencies.

    While previous reports suggested a delayed timeline for the IPO, Zepto has clarified that it aims for a late 2025 to early 2026 launch, depending on market conditions. The company is also working to adjust its cap table to incorporate more domestic investors in anticipation of a potential listing in India.

    Since its founding in 2021, Zepto has positioned itself against competitors such as Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket within India’s rapidly evolving quick commerce landscape.

  • Enercomp Secures ₹2 Crore in Bridge Funding to Propel Drone Technology Innovations

    Enercomp Secures ₹2 Crore in Bridge Funding to Propel Drone Technology Innovations


    Drone Technology Startup Enercomp Solutions Secures Rs 2 Crore Funding

    Drone technology startup Enercomp Solutions has successfully secured Rs 2 crore in a bridge funding round, primarily led by angel investors. This funding round was advised and facilitated by Bestvantage Investments, a boutique investment advisory firm that connects rapidly growing startups with strategic capital across India and the Middle East.

    The funds raised will be allocated towards expanding manufacturing capabilities, enhancing research and development for AI-driven drone software, and building delivery infrastructure for large-scale national deployment initiatives.

    Enercomp’s Future Plans

    Enercomp plans to invest Rs 8 crore strategically over the next year to bolster its intellectual property, product lineup, and execution capabilities.

    Company Overview

    Founded in Ahmedabad, Enercomp Solutions operates at the crossroads of hardware, software, and services. The startup’s integrated offerings include in-house drone manufacturing, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), and a proprietary GIS analytics platform.

    Innovative Drone Models

    Enercomp asserts that it has developed seven proprietary drone models, which include VTOL, fixed-wing, and surveillance variants. These models are currently being actively deployed in both commercial and governmental projects.

    With product sales accounting for 70% of its revenue, Enercomp has established a client base that includes prominent firms such as Tata Projects, Reliance, Mahindra Susten, L&T, and various government agencies. Its software dashboard is widely used for real-time, mission-critical data analysis by clients in the enterprise and public sectors.

    Financial Performance

    Enercomp claims to have experienced growth from Rs 3.1 crore in FY23 to Rs 5.6 crore in FY24, all while maintaining profitability. The company reports that it has already achieved Rs 4.2 crore in revenue for FY25, with an active order book exceeding Rs 9 crore.

    So far, the startup has amassed Rs 6.9 crore through previous funding rounds, resulting in a significant increase in its valuation from Rs 12.5 crore to Rs 60 crore. The founding team retains more than 80.5% equity, including a 4% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) pool.