Tag: investment

Trifecta Successfully Marks Initial Closing of Rs 2,000 Crore Fund IV
Trifecta Capital, a leading venture debt firm, has announced the initial closure of its fourth and most extensive venture debt fund yet. The firm aims to gather Rs 2,000 crore, including a Rs 500 crore greenshoe option, for this fund.
Back in 2015, Trifecta Capital introduced its inaugural venture debt fund, pioneering the asset class by delivering non-dilutive financial solutions to early and growth-stage new-economy businesses lacking access to conventional credit from banks and NBFCs. Since then, Trifecta Capital has successfully launched three venture debt funds, investing over INR 6,500 crore (US$ 875 million) so far. They assert having achieved impressive returns both in terms of IRR and DPI across these funds.
With Trifecta Venture Debt Fund – IV, the firm intends to invest in more than 100 companies, with a focus on industries like Fintech, Electric Vehicles, Consumer Products and Services, Logistics, New Age Manufacturing, B2B Services, and Core Tech, comprising Software and Hardware.
As per Trifecta, the fund will proactively explore investment opportunities in emerging industries such as renewable energy, climate, and sustainability, which are beginning to draw mainstream investment and are set for marked growth in the next decade. The firm has already invested in companies like Hygenco, Euler, and BatterySmart within these rapidly expanding sectors and is assessing other potential investments.
Currently, Trifecta is engaged in capital recycling from Trifecta Venture Debt Fund III after its complete drawdown. Over its venture debt funds, total credit costs have been maintained below 0.8%. In addition, capital gains from equity options across all funds exceed Rs 700 crore, ensuring no capital loss to any investor and notably enhancing fund returns.
To date, Trifecta Capital has gathered Rs 5,300 crore ($715 million) spanning four Venture Debt Funds and one Growth Equity Fund. It has invested Rs 7,800 crore ($1.06 billion), including recycled capital, in over 200 enterprises featuring more than 30 unicorns, with a portfolio worth $67 billion.
Trifecta’s distinguished portfolio companies include Atomberg, BigBasket, BlueStone, Country Delight, Cars24, Cashfree, Rebel Foods, Shadowfax, CarDekho, Curefit, DailyHunt, Infra.Market, Livspace, Meesho, PaperBoat, EatFit, UrbanCompany, Zolve, and Zepto.
January 30, 2025
Salad Days Secures ₹30 Crore in Series A Funding Round
Salad Days Secures Rs 30 Crore in Funding
The healthy food brand Salad Days has successfully raised Rs 30 crore ($3.6 million) in a Series A funding round led jointly by V3 Ventures and Client Associates Alternate Fund (CAAF). This significant milestone marks the brand’s first institutional investment after over a decade of profitable operation as a bootstrapped entity.
Strategic Use of Funding
The newly acquired funds will be utilised for expanding the brand’s omnichannel presence and enhancing its operational capabilities. Salad Days aims to invest in the opening of new stores, upgrading its technological framework, hiring talented staff, and boosting its marketing efforts.
About Salad Days
Established in 2014, Salad Days has developed a network of 25 cloud kitchens, with 12 locations in Delhi-NCR, 9 in Bengaluru, and 4 in Mumbai. The brand boasts a diverse menu that transcends traditional salads, offering options such as grain bowls, sandwiches, pita pockets, oatmeal bowls, soups, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and various desserts.
Market Position and Future Growth
“With the rapid growth of India’s healthy food market, which is projected to reach $30 billion by 2026, we are well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for nutritious meals at accessible prices,” stated Varun Madan, founder and CEO of Salad Days.
Sales Channels
Salad Days sells its products through its official website, a centralised phone-order service, and major food delivery platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, and ONDC.
Competitive Landscape
Bombay Salad Co. stands out as one of the main competitors to Salad Days in the healthy food sector.
January 30, 2025
InfoEdge Ventures Champions $1 Million Investment in Shoppin
Shoppin Secures $1 Million in Funding
Fashion search engine platform Shoppin has successfully raised $1 million in a funding round spearheaded by InfoEdge Ventures. The funding will be allocated towards:
- Recruiting skilled professionals
- Enhancing proprietary technology
- Accelerating overall growth
According to a press release from Shoppin, the company, founded by Shlok Bhartiya, offers users the capability to discover fashion items through various engaging elements, such as prompts, vibes, detailed product descriptions, and images. The platform aims to streamline the transition from inspiration found on social media platforms to product discovery on e-commerce marketplaces and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand sites.
Shoppin has ambitious plans to assemble a team of AI engineers who will focus on creating, refining, and expanding advanced AI models. This includes the development of custom-built small language models (SLMs) specifically designed for the fashion sector.
As of now, Shoppin boasts more than 35,000 followers on Instagram and has over 20,000 individuals on its waiting list, with plans to unveil its beta search engine in February.
In a recent initiative, InfoEdge also made investments in ZingBus and Culture Circle.
January 29, 2025
Aeravti Ventures Invests $1 Million in Origin Fresh’s Growth Journey
Origin Fresh Secures $1 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
Fresh produce brand Origin Fresh has successfully raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round, led by Aeravti Ventures, with contributions from a group of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs).
The funding will be directed towards enhancing the delivery network and developing innovative infrastructure, as stated in a recent press release from Origin Fresh.
About Origin Fresh
Co-founded in 2020 by Prashanth Vasan and Sidharth Raveendran, Origin Fresh provides farm-fresh, unprocessed produce directly to consumers’ doorsteps. By eliminating middlemen, the brand ensures competitive pricing and uncompromised quality.
Origin Fresh is dedicated to encouraging consumers to value freshness and quality over speed, promoting a more thoughtful approach to meal planning and healthy living.
Mission and Vision
Based in Bengaluru, the company aims to enhance culinary experiences and support overall well-being by delivering high-quality, farm-fresh produce. This initiative seeks to inspire a movement that celebrates the richness and nutrition that fresh produce offers, with a promise of delivery from farm to home within 12 hours.
Rapid Growth
According to Origin Fresh, the company has exceeded 5,000 orders within the first 40 days of its launch, with over 60% of customers placing repeat orders within two weeks. The brand has built a strong reputation for quality and freshness, focusing exclusively on fresh produce. It has successfully established a niche among health-conscious consumers, offering an extensive catalogue of over 250 items, including a variety of exotic options.
January 28, 2025
ThinkMetal Secures $800K in Pre-Series A Funding Round
ThinkMetal Secures $800,000 in Pre-Series A Funding
Deeptech startup ThinkMetal has successfully raised $800,000 (approximately Rs 6.7 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round, led by YourNest Venture Capital as part of the YourNest-SanchiConnect Velocity Program 2024. The round also saw participation from Concept Communications and Sanchi Connect.
Prior to this funding round, ThinkMetal had raised $300,000 in a seed round, which was spearheaded by 100X.VC, with contributions from Concept Communications, SAT Industries, as well as individual investors KRS Jamwal and Uday Sodhi.
The raised funds will be directed towards:
- Finalising production readiness
- Launching the first-generation product
- Enhancing software capabilities
- Refining operational processes
- Expanding the team in key areas, including sales, operations, design, and software development
Co-founded in 2021 by Sabyasachi Ghosh and Arushi Sharma, ThinkMetal is a premier deeptech startup focused on enabling manufacturers to produce metal components. Their compact metal 3D printer, SistemT1, claims to achieve production speeds that are ten times faster and at half the cost, utilising patented materials and innovative processes. The company’s FuseX material technology significantly reduces production time and operational expenditures, positioning it as the most rapid and efficient solution available.
ThinkMetal addresses well-established challenges in traditional tool manufacturing and low-volume production. The SistemT1 printer allows manufacturers to produce essential parts, such as moulds, dies, jigs, and fixtures, in just hours and at a fraction of the cost.
Market analysis indicates that the total tooling market in India is valued at $5 billion, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%.
Current clients of ThinkMetal include Ants Ceramics, ZeQube Technologies, and Hosur CNC. The company’s go-to-market strategy is centred on urban medium-scale and small-scale manufacturers, utilising paid pilots, experience centres, and on-demand services to encourage uptake.
In the global arena, notable competitors include Markforged, Desktop Metal, and EOS.
January 28, 2025
Bizloan Secures ₹35 Crore in Series A Funding Round
Bizloan Secures Series A Funding for Growth
Bizloan, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) focused on delivering credit solutions to small enterprises, has successfully raised Rs 35 crore ($4.16 million) in a Series A funding round co-led by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and BLinC Invest. The company, based in Bengaluru, had earlier secured $2.77 million from Caspian Debt among other investors.
The newly acquired funds will be utilised to:
- Expand operations in underserved markets
- Enhance its range of loan products
- Invest in technology to optimise lending processes
Established in 2016 by a team comprising Rahul Jain, Abhishek Mishra, Girish Chawla, and Vikram Diwan, Bizloan is a registered NBFC (Type 2) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), committed to providing timely and accessible financial solutions for India’s 5.5 crore MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).
Empowering Micro Enterprises
Bizloan aims to empower over 2,500 micro and nano enterprises within the next year by helping them secure the funding necessary for growth, especially in areas where access to conventional financing is scarce. The company has already made significant strides in the MSME sector, having disbursed approximately Rs 774 crore in loans across 26 branches. Thus far, it has supported more than 3,000 entrepreneurs in important regions including:
- Haryana
- Uttar Pradesh
- NCR (National Capital Region)
- Karnataka
- Rajasthan
Unique Evaluation Methodology
Bizloan employs the ABC (Asset, Behaviour, Cashflow) methodology to assess borrowers, who predominantly come from informal income backgrounds or are new to credit. The company seeks to eliminate financial barriers and promote sustainable growth among unorganised MSMEs. Bizloan is poised to scale its operations, introduce additional financial products, and further support small businesses across India, ultimately fostering growth within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Competitive Landscape
Bizloan may face both direct and indirect competition from other key players in the market such as:
- Aye Finance
- Finova Capital
- NBFC Varthana
- Save Solutions
January 28, 2025
Sauce.vc Champions ₹11 Crore Investment in Gaming Innovator MetaShot
MetaShot Secures Rs 11 Crore in Funding
The console gaming startup MetaShot has successfully raised Rs 11 crore through a mix of equity and debt financing, with Sauce.vc leading the investment alongside Sharrp Ventures and Panthera Peak Capital. Previously, the Bengaluru-based firm had raised $988K from Inflection Point Ventures and other investors.
According to a press release from MetaShot, the funds will be allocated towards the following:
- Team Expansion
- Research and Development (R&D)
- Business Growth
- Brand Development
About MetaShot
Founded in 2021 by Prince Thomas, Ranjit Kumar Behera, and Ajith Sunny, MetaShot’s goal is to revolutionise the gaming sector by making console gaming accessible to a larger audience through proprietary technology that is currently awaiting patent approval. The company’s innovative product, the Smart Bat, captures a user’s physical shots and converts them into virtual shots within the MetaShot game.
MetaShot began selling the Smart Bat in August 2023, and the product is now widely available across India via e-commerce platforms, quick commerce services, and offline retail channels. The company has also recently ventured into the Middle East and intends to expand into the USA shortly. Notably, MetaShot featured prominently in the trailer for Shark Tank India Season 4.
Market Insights
Market research indicates that the global console gaming industry is currently valued at $50.9 billion, projected to grow to $91.24 billion by 2033. Within India, this market stands at $2.2 billion, with a growth forecast reaching $8.6 billion by 2028.
Future Aspirations
MetaShot aims to develop a comprehensive platform featuring a wide variety of games that blend the physical and digital realms. The startup anticipates a remarkable growth rate, projecting a fivefold increase in revenue this financial year compared to the last. Additionally, it claims to have facilitated over 800,000 matches on its platform in a relatively short timeframe.
January 28, 2025
Veloce Fintech Unveils the Exciting Veloce Opportunities Fund
Veloce Fintech Launches Veloce Opportunities Fund
Veloce Fintech, part of the Lemon Group, has officially introduced its SEBI-registered Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), named the Veloce Opportunities Fund.
According to Veloce, the fund has successfully garnered commitments exceeding Rs 140 crore, which includes a Rs 40 crore green shoe option. The fund has a total target corpus of Rs 200 crore and is expected to close in the coming months. From the commitments made, total drawdown and deployment have surpassed Rs 100 crore.
Investment Focus and Goals
The fund is centered on offering venture debt and pre-IPO funding to MSMEs. Its primary goal is to bridge the gap between the need for growth capital and structured investment options.
About Veloce Fintech
Established by the Lemon Group and led by Nirav Jogani, Veloce Fintech excels in linking Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), real estate developers, MSMEs, and startups with institutional lenders and investors. The fund is managed by a team of seasoned professionals who utilise their extensive experience and industry insights to foster long-term growth for its portfolio companies while delivering consistent high returns for investors.
Investment Strategy
The Veloce Opportunities Fund aims to target over 20 companies, focusing on businesses that demonstrate:
- Clear growth trajectories
- Robust governance practices
- Scalable models
Using a sector-agnostic strategy, the fund supports companies across various sectors, including:
- Manufacturing
- Technology
- Real estate
- Healthcare
- Services
Evaluation and Returns
The fund applies a systematic approach that merges in-depth financial expertise with technology-driven analysis to pinpoint promising companies. Enterprises are shortlisted based on a comprehensive evaluation framework, encompassing:
- Financial performance metrics
- Innovation capabilities
- Market potential
The fund is targeting a return of over 18%. By emphasising debt, regular interest income, and faster cash flow from investments, it anticipates maintaining a higher consistency in payouts, alongside minimising return volatility.
January 28, 2025
Whizzo Secures $4.2 Million in Seed Funding Led by Lightspeed
Whizzo Secures $4.2 Million Seed Funding for Innovative Materials Science
Whizzo, a pioneering company in materials science manufacturing, has successfully raised $4.2 million in its seed funding round, spearheaded by Lightspeed and with contributions from BEENEXT.
The funding will be allocated towards:
- Enhancing research and development in materials science
- Establishing a design laboratory focused on fashion-engineered textiles
- Strengthening supply chain infrastructure across key regions including India, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, and Indonesia
Founded in 2024 by former Zetwerk executive Shrestha Kukreja, Whizzo develops proprietary textile blends, such as cellulosic and polymer-based fibres, specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries, greatly improving time-to-market.
Innovation Through Proprietary Blends
Shrestha Kukreja remarked that the goal is to create proprietary blends and utilise a cross-border Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) model to fill critical industry gaps and revolutionise the textile sector through:
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- Global connectivity
In related news, Sanlayan Technologies, a startup started by former Zetwerk employees, has taken a majority stake in Dexcel Electronics.
January 28, 2025
InvAscent Secures $13 Million Investment in Geri Care Health Services
Geri Care Health Services Secures ₹110 Crore in Funding
Geri Care Health Services, a provider dedicated to senior citizen healthcare, has successfully raised ₹110 crore ($13 million) in a funding round led by InvAscent, leveraging its India Life Sciences Fund IV (ILSF IV) for a minority equity stake in the company during its inaugural institutional funding round.
The newly acquired capital will be directed towards expanding services across major cities in Southern India, specifically in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Coimbatore, as detailed in a press release issued by Geri Care.
About Geri Care Health Services
Established in 2018 by Lakshmipathy Ramesh, Geri Care provides a holistic 360-degree continuum of care focused on senior citizens. Its network includes:
- Multi-specialty hospitals
- Assisted living centres
- Home care services
- Clinics dedicated solely to senior citizens
Geri Care offers a wide array of services, including:
- Personalised home care
- Advanced clinical interventions
- Hospital-based services
- Assisted living services for:
This seamless approach ensures comprehensive 360-degree care for the elderly population.
Innovative Geriatric Specialties
The Chennai-based company plans to introduce specialty centres of excellence in various fields, notably:
- Geriatric oncology
- Geriatric urology
- Geriatric cardiology
- Ortho-geriatrics
This initiative will be part of its network of multi-specialty hospitals specifically designed for the elderly.
Impact and Reach
According to Geri Care, the organisation currently serves tens of thousands of elderly individuals in South India, with a significant presence in Chennai.
About InvAscent
InvAscent is a private equity firm focusing on life sciences, managing assets under management (AUM) exceeding $800 million. The firm has investments in more than 35 companies across various sectors, including:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare delivery
- Medical devices
- Animal health
- Nutraceuticals
- Healthtech
January 27, 2025