"The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed."

— Adam Grant

Today, Adam Grant’s words remind us that true success isn’t just about personal achievements—it’s about lifting others along the way.

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When we support and uplift those around us, we build stronger teams, deeper relationships, and a more fulfilling sense of accomplishment.

Tech Updates

Razorpay expands to Singapore to grow in SEA

• Razorpay has expanded into Singapore, its second market in Southeast Asia after Malaysia. According to a study, Southeast Asia’s digital payments market is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2030. Businesses in Singapore face high cross-border transaction fees (4-6%) and fragmented payment systems. Razorpay offers AI-powered, easy, and secure payment solutions to support local businesses.

Blinkit, Zepto raising commission to boost revenue, but no let-up seen in cash burn

• Quick commerce platforms Blinkit and Zepto are increasing commission rates to boost revenue amid intense competition and a push for profitability. Zepto has gradually raised commissions charged to users and brands to improve unit economics. In contrast, Blinkit has transitioned to a variable commission model for brands and sellers.

OpenAI, Oracle eye Nvidia chips worth billions for Stargate site

• OpenAI and Oracle Corp. plan to begin filling a massive new data center in Texas with tens of thousands of powerful AI chips from Nvidia Corp. in the coming months, part of a push to get the first facility for their $100 billion Stargate infrastructure venture up and running. The site, in the small city of Abilene, is expected to house 64,000 of Nvidia’s coveted GB200 semiconductors by the end of 2026, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Amazon shuts down refurbished platform Renewed

• Amazon has decided to shut down its refurbished platform, Renewed, citing increasing challenges. The e-commerce giant has informed sellers of the immediate discontinuation of the service via email.

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Funding Deals

• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) unicorn Darwinbox, which specialises in human resource (HR) services, has closed a $140 million funding round co-led by global private equity firms Partners Group and KKR. The round—largely secondary with a small primary component—also saw participation by Gravity Holdings.

• Leap Finance, the student lending arm of study abroad platform Leap, has secured $100 million in debt funding from London-headquartered bank HSBC through its Asean Growth Fund.

• Swish, a 10-minute food delivery startup, has secured Rs 122.32 crore (approximately $14 million) in its Series A funding round, led by Hara Global Capital and existing investor Accel India.

• Telehealth platform Truemeds is raising Rs 375.2 crore (approximately $44 million) in its Series C round led by Accel India and with the participation of WestBridge and Info Edge.

• Revenue AI platform Gyaan AI has rebranded as MaxIQ and has raised $7.8 million in seed funding led by Dell Technologies Capital along with participation from Intel Capital.

• Enterprise tech startup Beacon.li has raised $7 million (around Rs 60.9 crore) in its Series A round led by Sorin Investments. The round also saw participation from Athera Venture Partners, JAFCO Asia, along with existing investor Unicorn India Ventures and angel investors including Capillary Technologies founder and CEO Aneesh Reddy, Rapido co-founder Aravind Sanka, and Kapil Bharti.

• D2C home appliances brand Nuuk has raised $5 million (Rs 40 crore) in a Series A funding round led by Vertex Ventures SEAI.

• Rezolv, a debt resolution platform for banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), has raised $3.5 million in a seed funding round led by 3one4 Capital.

• Round-up investing platform Deciml has raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by Jainam Broking, marking its first venture into startup investment.

• Stock broking platform Punch is raising Rs 26 crore (approximately $3 million) in its extended seed round from new and existing investors.

• Climate tech company FluxGen Sustainable Technologies has raised Rs 28 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund. The round also saw participation from Rainmatter, Gameskraft Technologies, Intersection Ventures, and Force Ventures, along with existing investors Axilor Ventures and Arali Ventures.

• Phot.AI, an AI-driven creative automation platform, has secured $2.7 million in a seed funding round led by Info Edge Ventures, with participation from Together Fund and AC Ventures.

• Farm management software MapMyCrop has raised $1.8 million in a seed funding round led by YourNest Venture Capital along with participation from other angel investors, including Eaglewings Ventures.

• SaaS startup Gainhub Technologies has raised $100K in its pre-series bridge round led by Growth Strategy Ventures. The round also saw participation from angel investors Gitanjali Puri (founder of Growth Strategy Ventures), Amita Karwal (co-founder of Growth Strategy Ventures), and Anuj Khanna.

• Real estate platform SILA has raised funds from Mahendra Singh Dhoni's family office for an undisclosed amount.

Funding Deals💰

🎁 Short Story: The Mentor’s Gift

When Aarav became a manager, he focused solely on his performance. But over time, he realized that his greatest achievements came from mentoring his team.

By investing in their growth, he not only helped them succeed but also built a thriving, motivated workplace. His career flourished because he made others’ success his priority.

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Success is best when it’s shared. Today, find a way to support someone else—offer advice, encouragement, or a helping hand.

Rise & Shine reminds you that when you help others win, you win too.

Have a generous and impactful Friday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle."

— Jon Acuff

Today, Acuff’s words remind us that everyone’s journey is different, and comparing our starting point to someone else’s progress only leads to unnecessary self-doubt.

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Comparing yourself to someone further along in their journey is unfair. Instead, focus on your progress, knowing that every expert was once a beginner.

Tech Updates

Paytm shares tumble 4% after ED issues show cause notice over alleged Fema violations

• Paytm's parent company, One 97 Communications (OCL), experienced a 4.4% decline in its shares in early morning trade, dropping to Rs 685 on the BSE. The stock closed at Rs 726.2, up 1.38%. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) issued a show-cause notice regarding alleged violations of certain Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema) provisions involving the company and its two subsidiaries, amounting to Rs 611 crore.

Astroyogi expands into retail with launch of ‘Yogii’

• Astrology and wellness platform Astroyogi has announced its strategic expansion into the retail sector with the launch of 'Yogii by Astroyogi'. This latest addition to its brand portfolio aims to address the critical need for authenticated spiritual products in a traditionally unorganized and unregulated market. According to Astroyogi, this initiative marks a significant step toward introducing structure, reliability, and quality assurance to the industry.

Fintech firm Mintoak makes its first acquisition in the bill payments space

• Mumbai-based fintech startup Mintoak, which powers offline merchant payment applications for many large banks, has created a Rs 200 crore corpus to acquire companies that offer complementary services to small enterprises.

Trump unveils US crypto reserve plan, triggering market volatility

• Ahead of the first-ever White House Cryptocurrency Summit on March 7, US president Donald Trump announced on social media the five digital assets he intended to include in a new US strategic cryptocurrency reserve.

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Funding Deals

• Insurtech company InsuranceDekho has raised $70 million funding round co-led by Beams Fintech Fund, Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), and insurer BNP Paribas Cardif through its insurtech fund managed by European investment major Eurazeo.

• Men-focused premium innerwear and lifestyle brand XYXX is raising Rs 30 crore ($3.6 million) in a funding round led by Niveshaay Sambhav Fund, with participation from Anicut Capital, DSG Consumer Fund, and Sauce Continuity Fund.

• Round-up investing platform Deciml has raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by Jainam Broking, marking its first venture into startup investment.

• Collections platform CredResolve has raised $1.1 million in a seed funding round led by UNLEASH Capital Partners, with participation from CDM Capital.

• Fertility care startup Arva Health has raised $1 million in pre-seed round led by All In Capital, with participation from iSeed, Bharath Founders Fund, and Galaxy.

• DotMe, a link-in-bio platform for creators, has raised $150,000 led by a strategic investor and ex-cofounder of Jimmy’s Cocktails, Mirza L. Baig, at a valuation of $1.25 million.

• Merchant SaaS platform Mintoak has acquired fintech startup Digiledge, specialising in bill payments and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) solutions, for an undisclosed amount.

Funding Deals💰

👩🏻‍💻 Short Story: The New Coder

Riya started learning to code but felt disheartened when she saw experienced developers building complex applications. She almost quit, thinking she’d never catch up. Then she realized that they, too, were once beginners.

She built her skills by focusing on daily improvement instead of comparison and eventually became a confident coder.

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Wherever you are in your journey, remember that progress is personal. Stay focused on your growth, not someone else’s timeline.

Rise & Shine reminds you that every success story starts with a first step.

Have a focused and patient Tuesday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both."

— Brené Brown

Today, Brown’s words remind us that growth and success require stepping outside our comfort zones.

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If we want to achieve something great, we must choose courage over comfort. Comfort may feel safe, but it rarely leads to growth.

Tech Updates

Aviral Bhatnagar’s AJVC raises Rs 100 Cr fund for early-stage startups

• Aviral Bhatnagar’s A Junior VC (AJVC) has closed its first Rs 100 crore fund, aimed at supporting startups in the pre-seed stage in India. With this new fund, AJVC plans to invest in 12-15 pre-seed startups annually, focusing on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), software-as-a-service (SaaS), and consumer technology.

GaragePlug acquires review management platform Freshreview

• Automotive service platform GaragePlug has acquired review management platform Freshreview for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Freshreview easily integrates into GaragePlug’s connected operations platform, streamlining auto service operations, marketing, and reputation management.

Flipkart shuts down Gurugram-based ANS Commerce biz 3 years after acquiring it for ₹300 crore

• Walmart-backed e-commerce giant Flipkart closed down its Gurugram-based unit ANS Commerce three years after it was acquired for ₹300 crore. Flipkart acquired the company in 2022. Founded in 2017, ANS Commerce was providing all support, including marketing tools, warehousing, etc, to entities that wanted to sell their product online.

IT services firms see proactive deal renewals by clients on AI upsurge

• IT services companies are seeing deals renewed proactively before their tenures end, with shorter and smaller contracts, as AI-led productivity and efficiency permeate the industry. In June 2024, Xerox signed a $490 million contract with TCS, renewing a deal originally worth $2.5 billion in 2013.

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Funding Deals

• Skincare brand Amantyacare has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding from Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant.

• B2B payments platform Rupifi is raising funds from existing investors, including Bessemer, Quona Capital, and Ankur Capital.

Funding Deals💰

🔊 Short Story: The Fearless Speaker

Arjun had always been afraid of public speaking. Given the opportunity to present at a major event, he hesitated. He could choose comfort and decline—or choose courage and step up. He pushed past his fear, practiced, and delivered his speech.

Though nervous, he realized that growth only comes when we dare to be uncomfortable.

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This week, challenge yourself to step beyond what feels easy. Choose courage over comfort, and watch how much you grow.

Rise & Shine reminds you that the best things come when you dare to take bold steps.

Have a fearless Monday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

Get set to dive into this week’s tech marvels and funding triumphs.

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Let’s explore the latest breakthroughs and celebrate our shared passion for innovation and progress!

Let's dive into the tech marvels that dominated the headlines:

Quick Recap of the Week

• Zepto Cafe reaches 100,000 daily orders, nears $100 mn GMV run-rate

• Veranda Learning acquires 40.41% Stake in BB Virtuals and 65% in Navkar Digital

• Swiggy to invest Rs 1000 Cr in subsidiary Scootsy for biz expansion

• Flipkart’s Super.money acquires BharatX’s tech

• Zomato invests Rs 1,500 Cr in Blinkit

• Perplexity AI ventures beyond search with ‘Comet’ agentic browser to rival Google Chrome

• Zepto strengthens footprint with more than 20 dark stores operational in Tamil Nadu

• Apple to invest $500 billion, create 20,000 US jobs; joins Meta, SoftBank in $1 trillion push

• YouTube star MrBeast is raising money at a $5 billion valuation

• Wearables brand Boat's shareholders clear IPO plan; company to raise Rs 500 crore in fresh capital

• Amazon reveals Alexa+ with AI upgrades, completely free for Prime members

• ONDC quick commerce app Kiko Live exceeds 5,000 daily orders in Delhi

• Instagram may launch Reels as separate app: Report

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Let’s move on to the top funding deals from the week.

Funding Deals

• Geniemode, a business-to-business cross-border e-commerce startup, has raised over $50 million in its Series C round, led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management, with participation from Fundamentum, Paramark Ventures, and existing investor Info Edge Ventures.

• Software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup Bridgetown Research has raised $19 million in a funding round led by global venture capital firms Lightspeed and Accel.

• Fintech unicorn Oxyzo has secured Rs 100 crore (approximately $12 million) in debt from AK Capital Finance, a subsidiary of merchant banker A.K. Capital Services Ltd.

• Quick Clean, a professional linen management solutions provider, has raised Rs 50 crore ($5.7 million) in its Series A funding round co-led by Alkemi Growth Capital and Blue Ashva Capital and witnessed an additional investment of Rs 10 crore ($1.15 million) credit line from Venture Debt Cos.

• Insurtech company Go Digit has invested Rs 30 crore in pharmaceutical major Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, acquiring a 0.32% stake in the company.

• FanTV, a content platform on the Sui blockchain, has secured an additional $3 million in strategic investment from Mysten Labs, Cypher Capital, CoinSwitch Ventures, and Illuminati Capital.

• Full-stack electric vehicle ecosystem platform Vidyut has raised $2.5 million in funding from global fintech investor Flourish Ventures.

• Cross-border payments platform HiWiPay has raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures.

• Bengaluru-based IT startup Technodysis has secured Rs 10 crore in debt funding from Recur Club, a debt marketplace for startups and SMEs.

• Spacetech startup Sisir Radar, which builds Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), has raised $1.5 million in its seed round led by Shastra VC. The round also saw participation by Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT.

Funding Deals (Feb 24 - Mar 1)💸

As we wrap up this edition, let's reaffirm our commitment to positivity, resilience, and seizing every opportunity.

In the vast canvas of the tech world, let's pick up our brushes and paint a masterpiece of optimism and innovation together.

Here's to Rising & Shining Together! 💡

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"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present."

— Jim Rohn

Today, Rohn’s words remind us that happiness isn’t something to wait for—it’s something we create here and now.

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When we stop waiting and start appreciating, we realize that joy comes from small moments, meaningful relationships, and the mindset we choose daily.

Tech Updates

Amazon reveals Alexa+ with AI upgrades, completely free for Prime members

• Amazon has launched Alexa+, a genAI-powered version of its digital assistant Alexa. Amazon will initially roll out Alexa+ to US users before expanding its user base in the following months. Alexa+ is compatible with almost all Alexa devices. However, its rollout will begin with Echo Show devices. Amazon is touting Alexa+ as an “agent” that can perform multiple tasks on behalf of the user.

ONDC quick commerce app Kiko Live exceeds 5,000 daily orders in Delhi

• Kiko Live, a player in the quick commerce sector on the ONDC platform, said it exceeded 5,000 daily orders from its consumer app, KikoShop, within just a month of its launch.

Swiggy moves to new office in Gurgaon, maintains Bengaluru headquarters

• Quick commerce company Swiggy has moved into a new office in Gurgaon. Surendhar Kumar, the head of Administration and Procurement at Swiggy, announced this via a LinkedIn post. The company continues to maintain its headquarters in Bengaluru.

Instagram may launch Reels as separate app: Report

• Instagram chief Adam Mosseri told his staff that the company plans to launch a separate app for its short-form video feature, Reels. Given TikTok's uncertain future, the company aims to capture the platform’s market in the United States. According to The Information, Meta has launched an initiative code-named “Project Ray.”

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Funding Deals

• FanTV, a content platform on the Sui blockchain, has secured an additional $3 million in strategic investment from Mysten Labs, Cypher Capital, CoinSwitch Ventures, and Illuminati Capital.

• Spacetech startup Sisir Radar, which builds Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), has raised $1.5 million in its seed round led by Shastra VC. The round also saw participation by Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT.

• Home décor brand Ritualistic has raised $1 million in a mix of secondary and primary funding from Deep Bajaj and Mohit Bajaj.

• Plant-based nutrition brand Earthful has raised Rs 5 crore in a seed funding round led by Srinivasan Namala.

• Logistic startup Pickkup has raised $500K in a seed funding round led by We Founder Circle (WFC) along with participation from other angel investors.

Funding Deals💰

⏲️ Short Story: The Waiting Game

Nisha always thought she’d be happy once she got her dream job. When she finally did, she realized she was still chasing "the next thing" instead of enjoying life.

One day, she made a change—she started savoring little joys: morning coffee, meaningful conversations, and hobbies she loved. For the first time, she felt truly happy—not because of achievements, but because she designed her days with joy in mind.

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Don’t wait for happiness—it’s already within your reach. Make time for things that bring you joy today.

Rise & Shine reminds you that happiness is not a reward for the future but a choice for the present.

Have a joyful and fulfilling Friday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful."

— Eric Thomas

Today, Eric Thomas' powerful words remind us that true success isn’t just about skill or luck—it’s about relentless determination.

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Nothing can stand in your way when your desire to succeed is as strong as your need to breathe.

Tech Updates

YouTube star MrBeast is raising money at a $5 billion valuation

• YouTube star MrBeast is looking to raise a couple hundred million dollars to expand his business in a funding round that would value his company at about $5 billion. According to people who declined to be identified because the talks are confidential, the most popular creator on YouTube has spoken with several financial firms and wealthy individuals about investing.

Paytm partners with startup Perplexity to integrate AI-powered search

• Paytm has announced a partnership with artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity to integrate AI-powered search into its app. The fintech firm said the collaboration aims to offer users AI-driven insights to enhance financial literacy and accessibility.

WhatsApp becomes the preferred platform for digital loan recovery

• Loan repayment platforms are increasingly leveraging WhatsApp messaging and chatbots to contact defaulting borrowers, shifting from conventional methods such as voice calls and SMS. Debt collection has traditionally been linked to aggressive tactics and intimidation by recovery agents.

Wearables brand Boat's shareholders clear IPO plan; company to raise Rs 500 crore in fresh capital

• In a second attempt, wearables brand Boat is poised to file its draft prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) after gaining approval from shareholders. The IPO will include a fresh capital raise of up to Rs 500 crore. Boat is targeting an IPO size of Rs 2,000-2,500 crore, contingent on its financials and market conditions.

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Funding Deals

• Software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup Bridgetown Research has raised $19 million in a funding round led by global venture capital firms Lightspeed and Accel.

• Quick Clean, a professional linen management solutions provider, has raised Rs 50 crore ($5.7 million) in its Series A funding round co-led by Alkemi Growth Capital and Blue Ashva Capital and witnessed an additional investment of Rs 10 crore ($1.15 million) credit line from Venture Debt Cos.

• Insurtech company Go Digit has invested Rs 30 crore in pharmaceutical major Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, acquiring a 0.32% stake in the company.

• Spacetech startup Astrogate Labs has secured $1.3 million in its pre-Series funding led by Piper Serica Angel Fund.

Funding Deals💰

👩🏻‍🎓 Short Story: The Relentless Student

Aarav dreamed of studying abroad but lacked financial support. Instead of giving up, he worked part-time, applied for scholarships, and studied late into the night. Even when he faced rejection, he kept pushing.

Eventually, his persistence paid off—he earned a full scholarship. Aarav’s journey proved that true success comes from an unstoppable drive to make it happen.

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Ask yourself: How badly do you want your goals? If you pursue them with relentless dedication, success will become inevitable.

Rise & Shine reminds you that hunger, not luck, determines who wins.

Have a determined and unstoppable Thursday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Solve small problems before they become big ones."

— Robin Chase

Today, Chase’s words remind us that small problems, if left unattended, often grow into bigger obstacles.

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Taking action early can prevent unnecessary stress and setbacks. The key to staying ahead is handling things when they’re still small.

Tech Updates

Zepto strengthens footprint with more than 20 dark stores operational in Tamil Nadu

• Quick commerce company Zepto has strengthened its presence beyond Chennai in Tamil Nadu and is now serving several districts including Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Vellore and Salem, the company said. In Tamil Nadu, over 100 farmers provide tender coconuts and green vegetables from Palacode and Pollachi to serve various customers including users of Zepto platform.

Market slump hits new-age stocks; many trade below IPO price

• Almost half of the 15 new-age companies that have gone public since 2021, now have stock prices below their IPO levels, with Paytm, Delhivery, and Honasa Consumer facing the steepest declines. The underperformance of these stocks may arise from specific company issues; however, even those with gains show a broader trend of pressure amid the overall market slowdown.

Apple to invest $500 billion, create 20,000 US jobs; joins Meta, SoftBank in $1 trillion push

• Apple Inc. became the latest company in the list of tech giants who have pledged hundreds of billions of dollars in US investments, which President Donald Trump claims credit for. The iPhone maker said that it will spend $500 billion in the US over the next four years, hire 20,000 new employees and produce AI serves domestically.

AI startup Anthropic close to $3.5 billion fundraise, sources say

• Amazon-backed AI startup Anthropic is seeking to raise $3.5 billion in a funding round at a $61.5 billion valuation, two sources told Reuters on Monday. Among its potential backers are Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst and Bessemer Venture Partners. The funding round would be larger than the $2 billion the company sought to raise last month.

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Funding Deals

• Full-stack electric vehicle ecosystem platform Vidyut has raised $2.5 million in funding from global fintech investor Flourish Ventures.

• Cross-border payments platform HiWiPay has raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures. The round also witnessed participation from Dewang Neralla's family office, Jupiter Metaverse LLP, and other angel investors such as Ritesh Malik, Mitesh Shah, and Nilesh Doshi.

• Bengaluru-based IT startup Technodysis has secured Rs 10 crore in debt funding from Recur Club, a debt marketplace for startups and SMEs.

• Healthcare HRtech firm Jobizo has raised $1.4 million in its pre-series funding round led by Alkemi Growth Capital.

• Triple Tap Games, a Mumbai-based gaming studio, has raised $1.2 million in its pre-seed funding round led by Eximius Ventures and Kalaari Capital, along with angel investors from the entertainment and gaming community.

• Fintech startup Dodo Payments has raised $1.1 million in its pre-seed round led by Antler, 9Unicorns, and Venture Catalysts. Nitin Gupta (Uni Cards and PayU), Maninder Gulati (former Oyo CSO/Lightspeed), Raymond Russell (former Chief of Staff at Boom Supersonic), Preethi Kasireddy (former Partner, a16z), and Nishant Verman (former Flipkart CorpDev head) have also participated.

• Deep-tech startup Make in Box (MIB) has raised $260,000 in a pre-Series funding round led by Mile Deep Works and its affiliate, Mile Deep Capital.

Funding Deals💰

🚰 Short Story: The Leaky Tap

Neha noticed a tiny leak in her kitchen tap but postponed fixing it. Weeks later, the leak turned into a burst pipe, flooding her kitchen and leading to costly repairs. She realized that had she addressed the small issue earlier, she could have saved time, money, and stress.

From that day forward, she proactively handled small problems before they escalated.

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Take a look around. Are there small challenges in your life that need attention? Address them now, and you will thank yourself in the future.

Rise & Shine reminds you that solving little problems today prevents big problems tomorrow.

Have a proactive and stress-free Wednesday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"The universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand with your actions."

— Steve Maraboli

Today, Maraboli’s words remind us that dreams and intentions alone don’t shape our reality—our actions do. If you truly want something, don’t just think about it—take action.

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The universe responds to effort, persistence, and movement, not just intentions. When you actively pursue your goals, doors start to open.

Tech Updates

Flipkart’s Super.money acquires BharatX’s tech

• Unified payments interface (UPI) app Super.money has acquired fintech startup BharatX to strengthen its credit offerings, particularly in the checkout financing space. After the acquisition, BharatX’s core team will work closely with Super.money, integrating their expertise and technology further to expand the super app’s credit offerings on UPI.

Zomato invests Rs 1,500 Cr in Blinkit

• Food tech giant Zomato invested Rs 1,500 crore (nearly $178 million) in its quick commerce subsidiary, Blinkit, just a month after closing its Rs 500 crore round. This capital injection into Blinkit comes just three months after Zomato raised Rs 8,500 crore through a Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP), primarily to strengthen its financial position and enable business expansion and strategic initiatives, particularly in the quick commerce segment.

Perplexity AI ventures beyond search with ‘Comet’ agentic browser to rival Google Chrome

• Aravind Srinivas-led Perplexity AI has confirmed that it will be launching a new browser called ‘Comet’ to provide an agentic search experience. The company released a vague teaser video for the browser and opened a waitlist but there is no guarantee yet on when it will release or what features it will power. Perplexity's AI-powered search is among the few alternatives trying to take on Google's dominance in the search engine market. With the Comet browser, Srinivasan is aiming to do the same thing, this time in an even more crowded market and one where Google's dominance is more stabilized.

Smartwatch shipments plunged 30% in 2024: Report

• India's smartwatch shipments declined by 30% year-over-year in 2024, the first significant drop after years of growth. The decline in smartwatch demand is due to slower replacements, limited innovation in budget models, poor sensor accuracy, unclear options, and buyer dissatisfaction, according to a Counterpoint Research report.

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Funding Deals

• Geniemode, a business-to-business cross-border e-commerce startup, has raised over $50 million in its Series C round, led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management, with participation from Fundamentum, Paramark Ventures, and existing investor Info Edge Ventures.

• Fintech unicorn Oxyzo has secured Rs 100 crore (approximately $12 million) in debt from AK Capital Finance, a subsidiary of merchant banker A.K. Capital Services Ltd.

Funding Deals💰

🏃🏼‍♂️ Short Story: The Determined Athlete

Kabir wanted to run a marathon but spent months reading about training rather than running. Eventually, he realized that knowledge alone wouldn’t prepare him—only action would. He started small, running short distances every morning, increasing his pace and endurance.

Months later, he crossed the marathon finish line, realizing that action, not just intention, had made it possible.

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Today, don’t just wish for things—act on them. Start that project, make that call, and take that first step.

Rise & Shine reminds you that life rewards those who turn thoughts into action.

Have a proactive and determined Tuesday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it."

— Howard Thurman

Today, Thurman’s words encourage us to shift our focus inward. True impact begins when we follow what energizes and excites us rather than just meeting external expectations.

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Instead of shaping your life around what others expect, focus on what ignites your curiosity and drive—the world benefits most from people who are truly alive in their work.

Tech Updates

Zepto Cafe reaches 100,000 daily orders, nears $100 mn GMV run-rate

• Zepto Café, the 10-minute food delivery service of quick commerce unicorn Zepto, has now reached a milestone of 100,000 orders per day, the company's co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Aadit Palicha said. The accomplishment comes nearly two weeks after exceeding the 75,000 daily orders mark. In a LinkedIn post, Palicha added that the gross merchandise value (GMV) is projected to reach $100 million over the full year.

Veranda Learning acquires 40.41% Stake in BB Virtuals and 65% in Navkar Digital

• Veranda Learning will buy an additional 10.59% stake in BB Virtuals by June 2025. This will strengthen Veranda Learning's position in commerce education across India, and its commerce division is expected to reach a pro forma EBITDA of over Rs 120 crore for FY25. Veranda is a publicly listed digital learning platform offering test prep for government exams, banking, insurance, railways, and more. BB Virtuals is an online platform for CA and commerce aspirants.

Zomato, Jio Financial Services’ entry to make Nifty 50 more expensive

• The entry of new-age tech stocks Zomato and Jio Financial Services into the benchmark Nifty 50 is expected to expand the index’s valuation by 2.5%. Zomato and Jio Financial Services will enter the Indian stock market benchmark index Nifty 50 from March 28, 2025, as announced by the National Stock Exchange (NSE), in the upcoming semi-annual indices reshuffle.

Swiggy to invest Rs 1000 Cr in subsidiary Scootsy for biz expansion

• Food delivery and quick-commerce platform Swiggy Limited has announced an investment of up to Rs 1,000 crore (approximately $117 million) in its wholly owned subsidiary, Scootsy Logistics, to support business expansion and operational growth. Scootsy Logistics specializes in supply chain services and distribution, including warehouse management, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery solutions.

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Funding Deals

• Quick commerce platform KiranaPro has roped in PV Sindhu, India’s badminton player, as both an investor and brand ambassador.

• One MobiKwik Systems, the parent company of fintech firm MobiKwik, is acquiring 3.39% of the share capital (on a fully diluted basis) of Blostem Fintech.

• Fintech startup PayRange has acquired Turns, a vertical SaaS startup in the laundry space.

Funding Deals💰

👨🏻‍🏫 Short Story: The Inspired Teacher

Riya, a corporate employee, felt unfulfilled despite career success. She had always loved working with children but never considered teaching as a career.

One day, she started volunteering at a community center and felt an energy she hadn’t experienced in years. Eventually, she transitioned into education, realizing that her true calling wasn’t what the world told her was valuable—it was what made her come alive.

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As you begin this week, take a moment to reflect: What excites you? What makes you feel truly alive? Follow that, and the impact will follow.

Rise & Shine is here to remind you that passion is the spark that fuels purpose.

Have a fulfilling and purpose-driven Monday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

Get set to dive into this week’s tech marvels and funding triumphs.

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Let’s explore the latest breakthroughs and celebrate our shared passion for innovation and progress!

Let's dive into the tech marvels that dominated the headlines:

Quick Recap of the Week

• Lenskart sharpens focus on IPO at $10 billion valuation

• Pristyn Care opens its first super-speciality hospital in South Delhi

• Rebel Foods launches 15-min food delivery app ‘QuickiES’

• Sirona buys back brand from The Good Glamm Group

• Zomato launches AI-backed customer support platform Nugget

• Elon Musk’s xAI launches Grok 3, challenges ChatGPT with new reasoning models and AI agent

• Pocket FM-parent launches webcomic platform Pocket Toons

• Elon Musk’s Tesla begins hiring in India

• Meesho launches creator marketplace to pump influencer-driven sales

• OYO launches European holiday brand DanCenter in India

• Grok to be a standalone app for MacOS, Windows

• PhonePe starts IPO preparations, no word on timeline yet

• Apple says latest iPhone 16e being made in India

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Let’s move on to the top funding deals from the week.

Funding Deals

• Cloud and data centre networking solutions provider Lightstorm has raised Rs 700 crore (around $80.5 million) in funding led by NIIF Infrastructure Finance Limited (NIIF IFL).

• B2B e-commerce platform Udaan has raised $75 million in a Series G equity funding round at a flat valuation, as announced by the company’s co-founder and CEO, Vaibhav Gupta, during a town hall.

• Waterfield Advisors, a wealth advisory and multi-family office, has secured $18 million in a funding round led by Jungle Ventures, combining primary and secondary investments.

• Spyne, an AI-powered visual merchandising platform for the automotive industry, has raised $16 million in its Series A round, which was led by Vertex Ventures. Existing investors, including Accel, Storm Ventures, and Alteria Capital, also participated in the round.

• Clean-label health food brand The Whole Truth (TWT) has raised $15 million in a Series C round led by Sofina, with participation from all existing investors, including Z47, Peak XV Partners, and Sauce.VC.

• Enterprise AI startup Singulr AI has raised $10 million in its seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners and Dell Technologies Capital.

• Natural pet treat brand Dogsee Chew has raised $8 million in its Series B round led by Ektha.com, with participation from promoters, Shivanssh Holdings, and Poddar Family Office.

• Omnichannel fashion retailer Rare Rabbit has raised Rs 50 crore from existing investor A91 Partners at a valuation of $279 million.

• Ikonz Studios, specializing in hyper-realistic, multilingual digital avatars and holographic technology, has secured $5 million in strategic funding as part of its ongoing pre-Series A round from Marc Jordan.

• IoT Communications and data analytics startup Probus Smart Things has raised $5 million in Series A1 led by Unicorn India Ventures. The round also saw participation from US-based and Indian family offices.

Funding Deals (Feb 17 - Feb 22)💸

As we wrap up this edition, let's reaffirm our commitment to positivity, resilience, and seizing every opportunity.

In the vast canvas of the tech world, let's pick up our brushes and paint a masterpiece of optimism and innovation together.

Here's to Rising & Shining Together! 💡

Share Rise & Shine ☀

"Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible."

— Doris Lessing

Today, Lessing’s words remind us that waiting for the "perfect moment" is an illusion—progress happens when we take action despite the challenges.

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But those who achieve their goals are the ones who start anyway, learning and adapting along the way.

Tech Updates

PhonePe starts IPO preparations, no word on timeline yet

• The company said on Thursday that walmart-backed PhonePe has begun preparations for its initial public offering (IPO) in India. However, it did not provide a specific time frame. PhonePe said that its decision to start the IPO process was driven by its strong revenue growth and some degree of clarity in its path to profitability.

Apple says latest iPhone 16e being made in India

• Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, the newest and most significant addition to its iPhone 16 series. The phone will refresh its entry-level iPhone SE line while allowing users to experience its generative AI features at an affordable price.

Quick commerce gears up for a busy summer of ice creams and ACs

• With summer arriving early in parts of India, quick commerce companies are gearing up for a long season, which is typically deemed critical for 10-minute delivery operations. While some quick commerce companies are adjusting procurement contracts for fruits, vegetables, and other perishables that spoil rapidly in high temperatures, others are exploring ways to enhance cooling solutions at dark stores.

Google close to picking locations in India for first retail stores outside US: Report

• Google is close to deciding on locations in India, where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the US. According to news agency Reuters, Google counts India as a key growth market and has committed to investing $10 billion. The software tech giant currently has only five physical stores, all based in the US, where it sells products such as Pixel phones, watches, and earbuds.

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Funding Deals

• Waterfield Advisors, a wealth advisory and multi-family office, has secured $18 million in a funding round led by Jungle Ventures, combining primary and secondary investments.

• Clean-label health food brand The Whole Truth (TWT) has raised $15 million in a Series C round led by Sofina, with participation from all existing investors, including Z47, Peak XV Partners, and Sauce.VC.

• Wealth management platform Waterfield Advisors is raising Rs 123 crore (approximately $14.6 million) in a new funding round, led by Jungle Ventures.

• Natural pet treat brand Dogsee Chew has raised $8 million in its Series B round led by Ektha.com, with participation from promoters, Shivanssh Holdings, and Poddar Family Office.

• NOTO Ice Cream has raised Rs 15 crore ($1.75 million) in a growth funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation and LetsVenture.

Funding Deals💰

💡 Short Story: The Hesitant Entrepreneur

Aarav dreamed of launching his startup but kept postponing, waiting for better funding and more experience.

One day, he realized that waiting wouldn’t solve anything. He leaped with what he had, learning as he went. It wasn’t easy, but starting now was his best decision.

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If something is calling you, don’t wait for perfect conditions—just begin.

Rise & Shine reminds you that action leads to progress, and progress leads to success.

Have a bold and action-driven Friday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally; it comes from what you do consistently."

— Marie Forleo

Today, Marie Forleo’s words remind us that true success isn’t built on one-time efforts—it’s the result of showing up and putting in the work, day after day.

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Success is not about bursts of effort but about disciplined, steady work.

Tech Updates

Meesho launches creator marketplace to pump influencer-driven sales

• Horizontal e-commerce platform Meesho has launched a creator marketplace as part of its content commerce strategy. The platform introduces three key pillars to deliver immersive and interactive shopping experiences at scale. Meesho Creator Club is a dedicated in-house affiliate program that empowers influencers of all sizes, including those from tier 3 and tier 4 cities, by providing real-time performance analytics, faster payouts, and direct collaboration opportunities.

OYO launches European holiday brand DanCenter in India

• Oravel, the parent company of hospitality firm OYO, has launched its European holiday home brand, DanCenter, in the Indian market. Known for its vacation home management across Europe, DanCenter's debut in India began with luxurious villas in Siolim, North Goa.

Grok to be a standalone app for MacOS, Windows

• Elon Musk announced on Wednesday that the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok will be launched as a standalone app on Apple MacOS and Windows. The company founder Musk claimed that Grok 3 outperforms Alphabet’s Google Gemini, DeepSeek's V3 model, Anthropic's Claude, and OpenAI's GPT-4o across mathematics, science, and coding benchmarks.

Nifty 50 Rejig: Zomato, Jio Financial Services shares likely inclusions in March

• Zomato and Jio Financial Services shares are likely to enter the benchmark Nifty 50 index during its upcoming rebalancing in March 2024, leading to substantial inflow of passive funds in these shares. According to estimates by Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research, Zomato and Jio Financial Services shares will replace state-run oil refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and FMCG major Britannia Industries in the 50-share iNifty 50 index

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Funding Deals

• Wealth management firm Waterfield Advisors Private Limited has secured Rs 122.99 crore through a private placement of Series A compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS). Singapore-based Jungle Ventures V Investment Holding 1 Pte Ltd emerged as the largest investor. Individual investors, including Bharat Dhirajlal Shah, Vijay Singh, Bandi Vamsikrishna, Corel Traders, Parthasaradhi Reddy, Kekoo Colah, and Smita D Parekh, also participated in the round.

• Workplace SaaS startup OneTab AI has raised $3.3 million (Rs 28.6 crore) in its seed round co-led by LIT Fund and Orbit. The round also saw participation from a Singapore-based family office, SOSV, Sunil Kumar Singhvi, and the company’s founders.

Funding Deals💰

🎸 Short Story: The Guitarist’s Practice

Rahul wanted to master the guitar but often practiced only when he felt like it. Progress was slow until he committed to playing for 30 minutes daily.

Over time, his skills improved dramatically, and what once felt like a struggle became second nature. He realized that consistency—not talent or motivation—was the real key to success.

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Remember that small, consistent actions create lasting results as you go about your day. Show up, put in the effort, and trust the process.

Rise & Shine reminds you that success is built one step at a time.

Have a focused and persistent Thursday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."

— Rainer Maria Rilke

Today, Rainer Maria Rilke’s words remind us that life is a mix of highs and lows, and the key to resilience is embracing it all—without getting stuck in any one moment.

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The key is to keep moving forward, trusting that each experience shapes us.

Tech Updates

Pocket FM-parent launches webcomic platform Pocket Toons

• Pocket Entertainment, the newly restructured parent company of Pocket FM and Pocket Novel, has launched Pocket Toons, an AI-first comics (webcomics) platform that uses AI to transform storytelling and content creation. AI-powered studio Blaze! enables creators to produce high-quality, episodic content 20 times faster than industry standards, all while slashing production costs to just a third of the usual.

‘Pokémon Go’ maker nears $3.5 billion deal to sell games unit

• Niantic Inc., the company behind the 2016 hit Pokémon Go, is in talks to sell its video-game business to Saudi Arabia-owned Scopely Inc. A deal could be announced in coming weeks. The price being discussed is about $3.5 billion, according to one of the people. Any agreement would involve the Pokémon title as well as other mobile games.

Elon Musk’s Tesla begins hiring in India

• Elon Musk’s automotive and clean energy company, Tesla Inc., has officially launched its recruitment drive in India, marking its much-anticipated entry into the domestic electric vehicle market. The company has announced 13 job openings on its official website, offering roles in vehicle services, sales, operations, and business support specifically in the Mumbai region. On Linkedin, Tesla also posted a job opening for a customer engagement manager.

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Funding Deals

• Cloud and data centre networking solutions provider Lightstorm has raised Rs 700 crore (around $80.5 million) in funding led by NIIF Infrastructure Finance Limited (NIIF IFL).

• Enterprise AI startup Singulr AI has raised $10 million in its seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners and Dell Technologies Capital.

• IoT Communications and data analytics startup Probus Smart Things has raised $5 million in Series A1 led by Unicorn India Ventures. The round also saw participation from US-based and Indian family offices.

• Healthfab, a reusable period panty brand, has raised $1 million in its pre-Series A funding round led by Mistry Ventures along with participation from BeyondSeed, Thrive Ventures, and distinguished investors such as Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Vineeta Singh, and Peyush Bansal.

• Visa processing platform Atlys has acquired the UK subsidiary of visa service company Artionis in an all-cash deal to expand overseas.

Funding Deals💰

🏃🏻‍♂️ Short Story: The Marathon Runner

During her first marathon, Aisha experienced excitement, exhaustion, doubt, and triumph—all in a few hours. At mile 18, she nearly quit, overwhelmed by fatigue.

But she reminded herself that discomfort was temporary. As she crossed the finish line, she kept going and realized that perseverance had carried her through every feeling.

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No matter what emotions you’re facing today—joy, stress, uncertainty—remember that they are just passing waves. Keep moving forward, knowing that growth comes from embracing the full spectrum of life.

Rise & Shine reminds you that no feeling is final, but your resilience is lasting.

Have a steady and courageous Wednesday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead."

— Susan Sontag

Today, Susan Sontag’s words remind us that action is the key to progress. Waiting for the "perfect moment" or external validation keeps us stuck—real growth happens when we take the initiative.

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Progress belongs to those who embrace curiosity, dive in, and figure things out.

Tech Updates

Sirona buys back brand from The Good Glamm Group

• Sirona, previously acquired by the Good Glamm Group, has repurchased the brand to operate independently. This marks a rare instance of a startup reclaiming its brand post-acquisition. “For two years, we nurtured the brand with GoodGlamm before stepping away. We had a good run together, with its highs and lows. But with Good Glamm’s changing priorities, we felt the best way forward was to reclaim the brand and lead its next phase of growth ourselves,” said Deep Bajaj, co-founder of Sirona in a Linkedin post.

Zomato launches AI-backed customer support platform Nugget

• Zomato chief Deepinder Goyal on Monday unveiled Nugget, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven customer support platform designed to enhance the company's food delivery service, quick commerce arm Blinkit, and Hyperpure. This is the first product from Zomato Labs, the company's incubator for in-house innovations.

Elon Musk’s xAI launches Grok 3, challenges ChatGPT with new reasoning models and AI agent

• Elon Musk led xAI has launched its Grok 3 series of models during a live-stream on Tuesday. The new Grok 3 model is said to have 10x more compute than the last generation and will compete with the likes of ChatGPT 4-o and Gemini 2 Pro. “Grok 3 across the board is in a league of its own. Even its little brother Grok 3-Mini is reaching the frontier across all the other competitors.” xAI team said during Grok 3 launch.

Paytm on track to become profitable next quarter

• One 97 Communications, which runs the fintech platform Paytm, will focus on payments, credit, and wealth management for the next two years as it reduces non-core businesses, according to its founder and chief executive, Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

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Funding Deals

• Spyne, an AI-powered visual merchandising platform for the automotive industry, has raised $16 million in its Series A round, which was led by Vertex Ventures. Existing investors, including Accel, Storm Ventures, and Alteria Capital, also participated in the round.

• Ikonz Studios, specializing in hyper-realistic, multilingual digital avatars and holographic technology, has secured $5 million in strategic funding as part of its ongoing pre-Series A round from Marc Jordan. The round also saw participation from Ramana Thummu, Madhusudan Kela, and Akash Bhanshali, with all four investors joining through their family offices.

• Devices-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform Swish Club has secured $4.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round, including $3.3 million in equity and $1.2 million in debt financing. The equity round was led by Powerhouse Ventures, along with participation from Blume Ventures, Founders Fund, Touchstone Ventures, Eternal Capital, and Atrium Ventures. The round also included other investors such as Livspace’s Anuj Srivastava, Ajit Reddy, Deb Dutt, and Tushar Patel.

• Deeptech startup Dynolt Technologies has raised $1.7 million in its seed round led by Transition VC. Marquee angel investor Yashowardhan Shah also participated in the round.

• Independent verification platform You Care Lifestyle (YCL) has raised $1 million in a funding round co-led by Luke Coutinho and Narendra Firodia, both of whom also act as the co-founders of the company.

• BYTES, an AI-powered ADAS for two-wheeler mobility, has emerged from stealth mode and secured funding from Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund as part of its second cohort for 2024. The company has secured a ₹20 lakh non-dilutive grant to accelerate its aim of enhancing road safety through cutting-edge AI and computer vision technology.

Funding Deals💰

💃🏻 Short Story: The Reluctant Writer

Maya always dreamed of writing a novel but kept waiting for inspiration to strike. One day, she decided to write a single page—no matter how unpolished.

Day by day, those pages added up, and eventually, she finished her book. The key wasn’t inspiration—it was showing up and doing the work.

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Today, take action—however small. Don’t wait for the perfect conditions or for someone to tell you it’s okay.

Rise & Shine reminds you that action creates momentum, and momentum creates success.

Have an energized and productive Tuesday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day."

— Dalai Lama

Today, the Dalai Lama’s uplifting words remind us that a single positive thought can shape our day.

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Let’s explore how a simple shift in mindset can lead to a brighter, more fulfilling life. Even in difficult situations, a small shift in perspective can make all the difference.

Tech Updates

Lenskart sharpens focus on IPO at $10 billion valuation

• Omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart has started its initial public offering (IPO) and plans to file its draft papers by May. The company will enter the public markets with a $10 billion valuation, double its previous funding round. In June last year, the SoftBank and Temasek-backed company secured $200 million in a secondary financing round, valuing it at $5 billion, surpassing the primary capital funding round of $4.5 billion.

Pristyn Care opens its first super-speciality hospital in South Delhi

• Surgery-focused healthcare institution Pristyn Care has opened its first super-specialty hospital in South Delhi. With this, the Gurugram-based firm expanding its infrastructure and deepening its commitment to advanced patient care. According to the company, the new hospital has four modular operating theaters with advanced technology, including a Level 3 NICU for newborn care.

Rebel Foods launches 15-min food delivery app ‘QuickiES’

• Cloud kitchen unicorn Rebel Foods is making a foray into the 15-minute food delivery segment to compete with foodtech giants like Zomato and Swiggy. In a LinkedIn post, EatSure co-founder and CEO Sagar Kochhar announced that Rebel Foods has launched its 15-minute food delivery app, QuickiES. It owns and operates several quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands, including Behrouz Biryani, Mandarin Oak, Oven Story Pizza, Sweet Truth, LunchBox, The Good Bowl, Firangi Bake, The Biryani Life, and Wendy’s.

‘First made-in-India chip will come out by October 2025’

• The first made-in-India chip from a commercial fab will come out in September or October this year, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Bengaluru. In partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), Tata Electronics is building the country’s first semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat.

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Funding Deals

• B2B e-commerce platform Udaan has raised $75 million in a Series G equity funding round at a flat valuation, as announced by the company’s co-founder and CEO, Vaibhav Gupta, during a town hall.

• Omnichannel fashion retailer Rare Rabbit has raised Rs 50 crore from existing investor A91 Partners at a valuation of $279 million.

• Almonds Ai, a channel loyalty and rewards platform, has raised Rs 16 crore (nearly $1.9 million) in a seed funding round co-led by promoters of Haldiram’s and JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF). The round also saw participation from Venture Catalysts, Ever Grow Capital, Nine ALPS, and other investors such as Hemant Jain and OfBusiness co-founder Nitin Jain.

• Independent verification platform You Care Lifestyle (YCL) has raised $1 million in a funding round co-led by Luke Coutinho and Narendra Firodiya.

Funding Deals💰

🌞 Short Story: The Power of a Morning Habit

Aarav used to wake up and immediately check the news, which often left him feeling overwhelmed. One day, he decided to start his mornings differently—by listing three things he was grateful for before getting out of bed.

Over time, he noticed a shift. His days felt lighter, and he handled stress more calmly. That one small habit changed his outlook entirely.

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As you begin this new week, take a moment to plant a seed of positivity in your mind. A simple thought of gratitude or encouragement can set the stage for a better day.

Rise & Shine reminds you that your mindset is your superpower.

Have a bright and uplifting Monday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

Get set to dive into this week’s tech marvels and funding triumphs.

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Let’s explore the latest breakthroughs and celebrate our shared passion for innovation and progress!

Let's dive into the tech marvels that dominated the headlines:

Quick Recap of the Week

• MTNL share price surges 10% on likely Cabinet nod to ₹6,000 crore package for 4G expansion

• Oyo PAT rises nearly 6 times to Rs 166 crore in Q3

• PhonePe hits 8 Bn UPI transactions in Jan; WhatsApp back in top 10

• Nykaa’s Q3 net profit jumps 52% on festive sales boost

• Yatra profit spikes 10X in Q3 FY25; revenue doubles

• Elon Musk-led group offers $97.4 billion to buy Open AI

• Rapido announces first ESOP liquidity program

• Amazon joins quick commerce race, to focus on beauty and home next

• India fastest growing in beauty e-commerce

• Honasa Consumer’s Q3 profit flat at Rs 26 crore; revenue up 6% YoY

• India may become Canva’s biggest market in 3-5 years: Cofounder Cameron Adams

• Nikhil Kamath announces second cohort of WTFund

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Let’s move on to the top funding deals from the week.

Funding Deals

• Startup EnCharge AI raised more than $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Tiger Global. Its goal is to bring more efficient and less expensive AI chips to the market.

• Bengaluru-based digital payments company ToneTag has secured $78 million in a fresh funding round from private equity fund ValueQuest Scale Fund and venture fund Iron Pillar.

• SpotDraft, a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform, has raised $54 million in its Series B funding round, which Vertex Growth Singapore and Trident Partners led. Xeed VC, Arkam Ventures, Prosus Ventures, and Premji Invest also participated in the firm’s new funding.

• Modern banking tech company Zeta announced it has secured a $50 million investment from a strategic investor valuing it at $2 billion.

• IoT and AI-driven commercial HVAC automation provider 75F raised $45 million in a Series B funding round led by Accurant International's Net Zero Alliance, with participation from Carrier Global Corporation, Climate Investment, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Next47, and WIND Ventures.

• Mobility firm Rapido is raising Rs 250 crore (around $29.7 million) from Prosus as part of Series E round.

• Venture Capital firm Venturi Partners has invested $25 million in JQR (Just Quick Run), an affordable footwear brand. This marks JQR's first venture capital funding, and Venturi acquired an undisclosed minority stake.

• Lucidity, a multi-cloud storage management platform, has raised $21 million in a Series A investment led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from existing investor Alpha Wave.

• Healthy protein bar maker The Whole Truth raised Rs 133 crore in a Series C funding round led by Sofina Ventures. Existing investors Peak XV Partners, Matrix Partners, and Sauce.vc also participated in the round.

• SaaS firm Nirmata raises $9.6 million from Peak XV’s Surge. The round also saw participation from Dallas Venture Capital, Dreamit, Z5 Capital and Uncorrelated Ventures.

• Global workforce mobility platform BorderPlus has raised $7 million in funding, marking its first institutional investment round, led by Owl Ventures.

• D2C sexual wellness startup Bold Care has raised $5 Mn (around INR 43 Cr) in its Series A funding round led by Zerodha's Rainmatter. The round also saw participation from CaratlLane founder Mithun Sacheti, Jaipur Diamond's Siddhartha Sacheti, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund, Claris Capital, among others.

Funding Deals (Feb 10 - Feb 15)💸

As we wrap up this edition, let's reaffirm our commitment to positivity, resilience, and seizing every opportunity.

In the vast canvas of the tech world, let's pick up our brushes and paint a masterpiece of optimism and innovation together.

Here's to Rising & Shining Together! 💡

Share Rise & Shine ☀

"Your silence will not protect you. Speak up for what you believe in."

— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Today, Adichie’s powerful words remind us that staying silent in the face of injustice, discomfort, or personal conviction only holds us back. True change and growth come when we dare to speak up.

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Silence may feel safe in the moment, but it often leads to regret and missed opportunities for change.

Tech Updates

India may become Canva’s biggest market in 3-5 years: Cofounder Cameron Adams

• India could become Australian design software Canva’s biggest market in another three to five years, its cofounder and chief product officer Cameron Adams said. India has emerged as Canva’s fourth-largest market and trails the US, Brazil, and Indonesia. In India, Canva is aiming for growth in users and revenue by releasing more localised offerings and increasing its focus on enterprise customers. This aligns with its global strategy.

Nazara Technologies’ Q3 net profit drops 53%

• Online gaming company Nazara Technologies reported a 53% year-on-year (YoY) fall in net profit to Rs 13.6 crore for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 (Q3FY25) despite strong revenue growth.

Imagicaaworld to raise ₹345 crore for new water park, solar plant acquisition

• The board of Imagicaaworld Entertainment Ltd, an amusement and water park operator owned by Maharashtra-based Malpani Group, has approved a proposal to raise ₹345 crore through a preferential issue of a mix of equity and warrants at ₹73.50 apiece. The company will use the proceeds to acquire a new water park in Indore, an operational solar power plant, and for the upkeep of Wet’n Joy parks.

Nikhil Kamath announces second cohort of WTFund

• WTFund, an initiative for entrepreneurs under 25, led by investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, has unveiled its second cohort, featuring 22 founders. WTFund provides up to Rs 20 lakh in grant funding, along with mentorship and strategic partnerships, to help startups scale their impact. By democratizing access to opportunities, WTFund has positioned itself as a launchpad for first-time founders, fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and learning.

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Funding Deals

• Startup EnCharge AI raised more than $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Tiger Global to bring more efficient and less expensive AI chips to the market.

• Raincheck Earth Co., the maker of alcoholic beverage startup Cherrapunji Craft Gin, has raised $1.2 Mn in pre-Series A round from Japanese investors. The round also saw participation from AngelList India Syndicate, who doubled down on their previous investments.

Funding Deals💰

🗣️ Short Story: The Courage to Speak

Rohan had always remained silent when his colleagues dismissed his ideas. But one day, he decided to share his perspective in a meeting. To his surprise, his ideas were well-received and even sparked a new project.

That day, Rohan learned that speaking up wasn’t about confrontation—it was about owning his voice and making a difference.

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As you close out the week, remember that your voice has power. Use it to stand up for your beliefs, share your ideas, and inspire change.

Rise & Shine reminds you that silence may feel safe, but speaking up is what shapes the world.

Have a bold and courageous Friday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s powerful words remind us that true success and fulfillment come not from following the crowd but from daring to carve our unique path.

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The greatest leaders, inventors, and creators didn’t follow the established path—they created their own.

Tech Updates

Amazon joins quick commerce race, to focus on beauty and home next

• Amazon has launched its quick commerce service, Amazon Now, in select pin codes in Bengaluru, transitioning out of its staff-only pilot phase. Internally codenamed Tez, the service will become available in more areas in the coming weeks. Currently, it is largely selling groceries and daily essentials.

India fastest growing in beauty e-commerce

• More and more Indians are shopping for beauty products online than in physical stores. A lot of this surge came during the second half of 2024 (June to November), when the value of beauty ecommerce and quick commerce grew by 39%, surpassing that of physical stores, which saw a mere 3% increase.

Honasa Consumer’s Q3 profit flat at Rs 26 crore; revenue up 6% YoY

• Mamaearth’s parent company, Honasa Consumer, reported its December quarter consolidated net profit at Rs 26 crore, which was flat compared to the Rs 25.9 crore reported in the year-ago period. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 518 crore, up 6% from Rs 488 crore.

SoftBank books surprise loss of $2.4 billion in third quarter

• Japanese tech giant SoftBank reported a $2.4 billion loss in the October-December quarter due to a decline in the value of its Vision Fund investments. SoftBank was hit by unrealised valuation losses for South Korean ecommerce platform Coupang, Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Global and AutoStore Holdings. SoftBank's losses raise concerns about funding its ambitious investment in OpenAI.

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Funding Deals

• SpotDraft, a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform, has raised $54 million in its Series B funding round, which was led by Vertex Growth Singapore and Trident Partners. Xeed VC, Arkam Ventures, Prosus Ventures, and Premji Invest also participated in the firm’s new funding.

• IoT and AI-driven commercial HVAC automation provider 75F raised $45 million in a Series B funding round led by Accurant International's Net Zero Alliance, with participation from Carrier Global Corporation, Climate Investment, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Next47, and WIND Ventures.

• Mobility firm Rapido is raising Rs 250 crore (around $29.7 million) from Prosus as part of Series E round. This funding comes just seven months after its $120 million round, which was led by WestBridge.

• Lucidity, a multi-cloud storage management platform, has raised $21 million in a Series A investment led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from existing investor Alpha Wave.

• Healthy protein bar maker The Whole Truth raised Rs 133 crore in a Series C funding round led by Sofina Ventures. The round also saw participation from existing investors Peak XV Partners, Matrix Partners and Sauce.vc.

• Nivaan Care, a multidisciplinary chronic pain management clinic chain, has raised $4.25 million in seed funding led by Endiya Partners, with participation from existing investor W Health Ventures.

• Webtoon app Toonsutra closed a $3.2 million seed funding round led by German media company Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. The round also saw participation from venture funds GMJP, T-Accelerate, and Google. Additionally Indian comic and animation creator, Graphic India, also participated in the funding round.

• Mysa, a business-to-business (B2B) fintech startup, has secured $2.8 million in seed funding led by Blume Ventures.

• Deeptech startup Anscer Robotics has raised $2 million in its seed round round led by Info Edge Ventures.

• AI infrastructure company Future AGI has raised $1.6 million in a pre-seed funding round co-led by Powerhouse Ventures and Snow Leopard Ventures. The round also saw participation from Angellist Quant Fund, Saka Ventures, Swadharma Source Ventures, and a marquee group of more than 30 industry stalwarts and angels.

Funding Deals💰

👗 Short Story: The Trailblazing Entrepreneur

Aisha had a stable corporate job but dreamed of starting her ethical fashion brand.

Many advised her to take the safe route, but she took the risk. She focused on sustainability, which most brands overlooked, and soon, her business flourished.

Aisha’s journey proved that stepping off the conventional path can lead to something even greater.

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Today, challenge yourself to think beyond the familiar and take a step toward forging your path.

Rise & Shine reminds you that innovation and success belong to those who dare to lead rather than follow.

Have a bold and trailblazing Thursday!

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"None of us really changes over time. We only become more fully what we are."

— Anne Rice

Today, Anne Rice’s thought-provoking words remind us that growth isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about uncovering and embracing who we truly are.

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Growth is not about changing who we are but about peeling back the layers to become a fuller, truer version of ourselves.

Tech Updates

Elon Musk-led group offers $97.4 billion to buy Open AI

• An Elon Musk-led consortium is offering approximately $97.4 billion to acquire OpenAI, escalating an ongoing legal conflict with the AI company Musk once helped establish. In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to X and jokingly said, "No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."

Swiggy, Zomato shares extend fall as quick commerce burn weighs

• Shares of major food and grocery delivery companies Swiggy and Zomato slumped further on Tuesday owing to an increasing burn in quick commerce. Swiggy’s market capitalisation has dropped below $10 billion, while Zomato’s valuation has fallen under $23 billion. On the BSE, Zomato’s shares declined 5.24% to close at Rs 215.25, while Swiggy’s shares slipped 7.86% to settle at Rs 333.70.

Stuck digital lenders look to RBI to ease unsecured loan rules

• The digital lending industry is looking to dial the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reinstate short-term credit products. Two senior executives told that industry representatives have sought a meeting with the RBI after raising the issue with the Union government, banks, and other non-banking finance companies (NBFCs).

Rapido announces first ESOP liquidity program

• Ride-hailing firm Rapido has announced its first-ever Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) liquidation program for its current and former employees. Through this initiative, employees are eligible to sell a portion of their vested ESOP units Immediately.

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Funding Deals

• B2B manufacturing startup CapGrid Solutions has raised $5 million (around Rs 45 crore) in a funding round led by Anicut Growth Fund. The round also saw participation from existing investors Nexus Venture Partners and Axilor Ventures.

• Nivaan Care, a multidisciplinary chronic pain management clinic chain, has secured $4.25 million in its seed round led by Endiya Partners. The round also saw participation from existing investor W Health Ventures.

• Mysa, a unified finance and banking platform for mid-size businesses, has raised $2.8 million in a seed round led by Blume Ventures. The round saw participation from Emphasis Ventures (EMVC), Antler, Neon Fund, and CIIIE, along with notable founders as angels, including Sriharsha Majety (Swiggy), Mohit Kumar (Ultrahuman), Naiyaa Saagi (MyGlamm), Nitin Gupta (Uni), and Nishith Rastogi (Locus).

• Investment technology firm ArthAlpha has raised over $2 million in a seed funding round led by DSP, with participation from family offices and wealth managers.

• Pickleball chain GoRally has raised Rs 6.6 crore ($750,000) in its pre-Seed round led by Sujeet Kumar, with participation from key investors including Mohit Kumar & Vatsal Singhal, Viren Singhvi, Kartik Kapoor, Abhishek Goyal, Deepak Singh, Arjun Vaidya, Bharat Founders Fund, an IITD syndicate, and several US investors amongst others.

• StepOut, an Indian sports performance analysis and ecosystem technology startup, has raised $500,000 in its seed round led by Rainmatter, founded by Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha. The round also saw participation from IndigoEdge, Marwah Sports Group and Misfits Capital.

• Croft Beverages, a farmer-centric sustainable tea startup, has raised $125K in a pre-seed funding round through a combination of equity and debt. The investment round was led by notable angel investors from the tea, sustainability, IT, and biotech industries.

• Quick commerce platform KiranaPro has acquired Joper.app, a hyperlocal grocery delivery service that connects small Kirana stores with customers, for an undisclosed amount.

Funding Deals💰

🎨 Short Story: The Emerging Artist

Since childhood, Nia has loved drawing. However, she set it aside in adulthood, thinking it wasn’t practical. Years later, after feeling unfulfilled in her career, she picked up a paintbrush again.

She realized that art had always been a part of her—it had just been waiting for her to embrace it fully. By returning to her passion, she didn’t change; she became more of who she was meant to be.

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Today, instead of trying to change yourself, focus on becoming more in tune with who you’ve always been.

Rise & Shine reminds you that self-discovery is a lifelong process of returning to your essence.

Have a reflective and authentic Wednesday!

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"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any."

— Alice Walker

Today, Walker’s powerful words remind us that we often surrender our strength not because we lack it, but because we fail to recognize it.

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Let’s explore how reclaiming our power can change everything.

Tech Updates

PhonePe hits 8 Bn UPI transactions in Jan; WhatsApp back in top 10

• The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) achieved a significant milestone in January, processing nearly 17 billion transactions valued at Rs 23.48 lakh crore. This marks a 39% year-on-year increase in transaction volume and a 28% rise in transaction value. As anticipated, this growth was driven by the three leading apps—PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm—while several newly launched apps also made notable contributions.

Yatra profit spikes 10X in Q3 FY25; revenue doubles

• Online travel aggregator Yatra has shown impressive growth in scale as well as profits year-on-year. The Gurugram-based firm managed to double its year-on-year revenue during the third quarter of FY25, compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal (Q3 FY24). Yatra’s revenue from operations increased to Rs 235 crore in Q3 FY25 from Rs 110 crore in Q3 FY24.

Nykaa’s Q3 net profit jumps 52% on festive sales boost

• FSN Ecommerce, the parent company of the fashion and beauty retailer Nykaa, reported a 51.7% year-on-year increase in net profit, totalling Rs 26.4 crore, for the third fiscal quarter, driven by strong festive season sales.

Manufacturing firm Zetwerk readies papers for $400-500 million IPO in six months

• Manufacturing startup Zetwerk will file its papers for an initial public offering (IPO) within the next six months. According to sources familiar with the matter, it aims to raise $400-500 million in the IPO. Zetwerk is backed by Peak XV Partners and Accel, among others.

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Funding Deals

• Bengaluru-based digital payments company ToneTag has secured $78 million in a fresh funding round from private equity fund ValueQuest Scale Fund and venture fund Iron Pillar.

• Modern banking tech company Zeta announced it has secured a $50 million investment from a strategic investor valuing it at $2 billion.

• Venture Capital firm Venturi Partners has invested $25 million in JQR (Just Quick Run), a brand in the affordable footwear segment. This marks JQR's first venture capital funding, with Venturi acquiring an undisclosed minority stake.

• SaaS firm Nirmata raises $9.6 million from Peak XV’s Surge. The round also saw participation from Dallas Venture Capital, Dreamit, Z5 Capital and Uncorrelated Ventures.

• Global workforce mobility platform BorderPlus has raised $7 million in funding, marking its first institutional investment round, led by Owl Ventures.

• D2C sexual wellness startup Bold Care has raised $5 Mn (around INR 43 Cr) in its Series A funding round led by Zerodha's Rainmatter. The round also saw participation from CaratlLane founder Mithun Sacheti, Jaipur Diamond's Siddhartha Sacheti, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund, Claris Capital, among others.

• Full-stack EV battery provider The Energy Company (TEC) has raised $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The round saw participation from Siana Capital, Callapina Capital, Z21 Ventures, 1Crowd, LetsVenture, and other investors.

• Cogniquest, a player in the intelligent document processing space, raised $1.2 million in its seed funding round led by Cedar IBSI Capital. The round also saw participation from Dexter Venture and more than 30 angel investors through AngelList and Congniphy US, the company said in a statement.

Funding Deals💰

💪🏻 Short Story: The Unseen Leader

Ayaan, a junior employee, always assumed his opinions weren’t important in meetings. One day, he gathered the courage to speak up about an idea.

To his surprise, his colleagues found it valuable, and it led to a major improvement in workflow. That moment made him realize he had power all along—he just had to use it.

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Today, recognize that you have more power than you think. Your actions and voice can create change, no matter where you are.

Rise & Shine is here to remind you that reclaiming your power starts with believing in it.

Have a confident and empowered Tuesday!

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Thanks for reading till the end!