Amazon-Flipkart steps up q-comm play⏱️
Adani Ports among top 10 firms, Zerodha’s Rainmatter invested Rs 275 cr in 47 startups, New-age stock brokers feel marketing costs, Funding Deals and more.
Good morning and welcome to Thursday’s edition of Rise & Shine!
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
— John Wooden
Today, John Wooden’s empowering words remind us to focus on our strengths and possibilities rather than being held back by limitations. Let’s explore how this mindset can unlock potential.
Focusing on what you can do allows you to make meaningful strides, no matter the challenges.
Tech Updates
Ecommerce steps up quick commerce play as Amazon tests Tez with staff, Flipkart boosts Minutes
Ecommerce firms that recently entered the buzzing quick commerce market are changing gears fast in 2025 even as incumbents continue to expand. Amazon has begun testing its quick commerce service, Tez, in India with its employees in select Bengaluru neighborhoods. Flipkart is set to expand its quick commerce service, Minutes, to approximately 150 dark stores this quarter.
Adani Ports ranks among top 10 firms in S&P Global’s corporate sustainability list 2024
Gautam Adani-led Adani Group's port-operating arm, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), ranked among the top 10 global transportation and transportation infrastructure companies in S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), according to a BSE filing. Adani Ports scored 68 out of 100, which is a three-point improvement over the previous year's score. The company also secured the number one spot in the environment dimension.
Zerodha’s Rainmatter invested Rs 275 crore in 2024 across climate, health startups: Nithin Kamath
Zerodha-backed early-stage venture firm Rainmatter invested around Rs 275 crore in 47 startups last year, with climate and health startups receiving the largest share of investments in terms of volume. The firm backed 15 climate startups and 16 health-focused startups, compared to 8 in the fintech sector in 2024. However, across all its investments, fintech leads in the total number of funded startups, followed by climate and health.
New-age stock brokers feel pinch of marketing costs
As the domestic IPO market heats up, new-age stock brokers are competing hard for customer acquisition. But severe competition has resulted in a sharp uptick in the prices of Google keywords, the primary advertising tool on social media platforms. Bidding prices for the Google keywords on terms like ‘how to open demat account’ or ‘IPO’ have more than doubled in the past year. Even keywords like ‘Groww’ or ‘Zerodha’, which are the most popular stock broking apps, have become more expensive.
Funding Deals
Nutraceutical firm Botanic Healthcare raised Rs 250 crore (about $30 million) in equity financing in a round led by Stakeboat Capital, with participation from co-investors Abakkus Four2Eight Opportunities Fund and DS Group, one of Stakeboat Capital's LP.
Security and surveillance solution provider Vehant Technologies has raised $9 million (around Rs 75 crore) in a mezzanine round from True North's private credit fund.
Mintoak, a SaaS platform serving banks and merchant acquirers, has raised Rs 71 crore in a secondary funding round. The round saw early-growth investor Z3Partners acquire a minority stake from some of Mintoak's initial institutional investors.
Deep-tech neuroscience startup BrainSight AI has raised $5 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, along with participation from IvyCap Ventures, Silver Needle, and its existing investors.
hBits, a platform for investing in commercial real estate, has raised Rs 40 crore in a Series A funding round from Capricon Realty Private Limited, an entity of the Thackersey Group.
🎻 Short Story: The Adaptive Musician
Aria, a violinist, injured her hand and was told she couldn’t play for months. Initially devastated, she remembered Wooden’s wisdom and focused on what she could do instead.
She started composing music, something she had always wanted to try but never had time for. By embracing her abilities rather than her limitations, Aria discovered a new talent and passion that enriched her life and career.
Tweet of the day🐥
Today, focus on your strengths and the opportunities before you rather than being discouraged by limitations.
Rise & Shine reminds you that what you can do is far more powerful than what you cannot.
Have an empowering and opportunity-filled Thursday!
Thanks for reading till the end!