Author: Umamaheswari
Flutrr, a Kolkata-based vernacular dating app, secures Rs 2 crore from Qureshi and other angel investors to foster connections for non-English speakers in Tier II and III cities.Introduction:In a significant boost to its growth plans, Flutrr, a Kolkata-based dating app supporting six Indian languages, has raised Rs 2 crore in a recent funding round led by Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi. The startup, which aims to bridge the gap for non-English speakers in Tier II and III cities, has also attracted investments from angel investors Sandeep Bhattacharya, former Global CMO of Hoechst and Merck, and Yogesh Mishra, Director of PayPal USA.…
Noida-based Arya.ag secures fresh funding from existing investors to strengthen agriculture value chains and farmer services across IndiaIntroduction:Arya.ag, a leading agritech startup that connects agricultural producers and buyers through its grain commerce platform, has raised approximately $29.2 million (Rs 242.36 crore) in a new funding round led by existing investors Asia Impact SA and Quona Capital. The Noida-headquartered company passed a special board resolution to issue 53,695 CCPS at Rs 45,137 each to secure the capital.This marks Arya.ag’s first fundraise since its $60 million Series C round in January 2022, which was led by Asia Impact SA, Lightrock, and Quona…
The Gurugram-based startup aims to revolutionize India’s active lifestyle wellness space with innovative products and a powerful brand ambassadorIntroduction:In a significant development for India’s growing wellness industry, Gurugram-based startup Hoop has announced a strategic investment from Olympic medalist and badminton champion PV Sindhu. The undisclosed investment, which also sees Sindhu joining as a brand ambassador, is expected to accelerate Hoop’s mission to modernize relief and recovery products for India’s increasingly active population.Founded in 2022 by former McKinsey consultants Twinkle Uppal and Saharsh Agarwal, Hoop has quickly made a name for itself with its range of natural products for topical pain…
Introduction:Mumbai-based startup EleFant, a mobile app offering toy and book rentals for children, has secured Rs 6 crore (approximately $750,000) in a seed funding round. The investment was co-led by Venture Catalysts and Malpani Ventures, with participation from several notable investors and family offices.Launched in 2023 by founder Sourabh Jain, EleFant aims to transform how Indian families interact with toys and engage in play. The app provides access to a vast selection of over 600 toys and books from more than 70 top brands, catering to children aged 0-12 years. In just 10 months since its inception, EleFant has already…
Introduction:In the bustling landscape of Indian social media startups, one little yellow bird dared to soar. Founded in 2020 by entrepreneurs Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka, Koo emerged as a homegrown rival to Twitter, promising to revolutionize online discourse for India’s diverse linguistic communities. With its user-friendly interface and support for regional languages, Koo quickly gained traction, attracting millions of users and high-profile endorsements. However, as the company reached for the stars, it encountered unexpected turbulence that would ultimately lead to its untimely demise. This is the story of Koo’s meteoric rise and heartbreaking fall – a cautionary tale of…
Introduction:In the realm of Indian e-commerce, one startup has etched its name in the annals of entrepreneurial success—FirstCry. Born from the passion and foresight of its visionary founders, Supam Maheshwari and Amitava Saha, FirstCry has revolutionized the baby and childcare industry. This is the captivating story of how two enterprising minds identified an untapped market, navigated challenges, and built Asia’s largest online shopping destination for all things related to babies and kids.Identifying the OpportunityIt was 2010, and Supam Maheshwari found himself facing a recurring dilemma as a parent—the lack of quality baby products in the Indian market. “Whenever I traveled…
Amid Controversy, Online Investment Platform Groww Reassures Customers of Secure Transactions and Adherence to SEBI GuidelinesGroww, a prominent online investment platform in India, has found itself at the center of controversy following reports of alleged fraud related to mutual fund investments made through its platform. In response to these allegations, the company has issued a comprehensive 6-point clarification to address and debunk the misinformation surrounding the issue.The allegations surfaced when some customers claimed that Groww had failed to invest their money, kept funds without forwarding them to mutual fund companies, and created fake folios. These accusations have raised concerns among…
DSG Consumer Partners Leads Investment Round as ICON Aims to Capitalize on Post-Pandemic Travel Boom and Rising Consumer Demand for Premium, Stylish LuggageMumbai-based D2C luggage and travel accessories startup ICON has announced the successful closure of a $1.2 million seed funding round. The investment was led by DSG Consumer Partners, with participation from a group of angel investors. The fresh capital will be utilized to expand ICON’s product line, strengthen its distribution network, and fuel its mission to revolutionize the luggage industry in India.Founded in 2023 by Mohammad Patel, Poojan Shah, Fazal Lakhani, and Aakash Mehta, ICON caters to the…
Introduction:In the late 1990s, the video rental industry was dominated by brick-and-mortar stores like Blockbuster. Two entrepreneurs, Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, saw an opportunity to disrupt the market with a novel idea: a subscription-based DVD-by-mail service. Little did they know that their company, Netflix, would revolutionize the way we consume entertainment and become a global streaming giant.The Journey Begins:The story of Netflix began in 1997 when Hastings and Randolph, frustrated with the late fees and inconvenience of traditional video rental stores, set out to create a better alternative. “Let’s come up with an idea and you can run it…
Chennai-based company cuts over 200 jobs, bringing total layoffs to more than 500 in less than a year amid financial challengesIntroduction:WayCool, a prominent agritech startup based in Chennai, has initiated its third round of layoffs in less than a year, letting go of over 200 employees across various departments. This move brings the total number of job cuts at the company to more than 500 since July 2023, highlighting the growing financial pressures faced by the agriculture supply chain firm.Founded in 2015 by Karthik Jayaraman and Sanjay Dasari, WayCool has been working to modernize India’s agricultural supply chain. The company…