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EMotorad, India’s leading e-mobility brand, has surpassed its FY24 domestic sales in the first half of FY25, with September 2024 marking its highest-ever monthly revenue. The company’s growth is fueled by strategic expansion, including 12 new experience stores and partnerships with over 550 dealers nationwide. EMotorad is on track to achieve over 200% year-on-year growth, reflecting the rising demand for sustainable mobility solutions.
Indian startups are optimistic about stronger US-India business ties and increased funding under Trump’s presidency. His anti-China stance may divert US investments toward India, benefiting sectors like AI and semiconductors. However, concerns remain over inflationary impacts and potential rate hikes. With JD Vance as Vice President, the startup ecosystem expects a supportive stance for tech growth and innovation
TedTech Traders, founded in 2019 in Vasai, Mumbai, has rapidly transformed from an online LED seller to a pioneer in LED home decor, merging technology with traditional designs. After observing customers’ desire for authentic diya experiences, TedTech introduced the Water Sensor Diya, which activates when filled with water. With patented products like the LED Lotus Reflection Diya and 3D Reflection Water Sensor Diya, TedTech has expanded to seven countries and recently launched app-controlled LED panels. As a certified ISO 9001:2015 company, TedTech continues to deliver innovative, affordable lighting solutions, staying committed to quality and local manufacturing.
Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital, joins Shark Tank India Season 4, replacing Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal. Goyal exited due to Swiggy, Zomato's competitor, sponsoring the season and requesting his removal. Bahl brings his entrepreneurial expertise to the panel, joining Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, and Ritesh Agarwal. The new season, hosted by Sahiba Bali and Ashish Solanki, will stream on Sony LIV, adding fresh excitement for fans of the popular reality show.
Singapore-based ThinKuvate has made the first close of its Rs 100-crore India-focused fund, raising Rs 25 crore within four months. The fund targets early-stage startups, co-investing alongside top venture capital firms in sectors like healthtech, fintech, AI, and more. ThinKuvate has already invested in four startups, including Rosh.ai and Zippee, and plans to back 30-40 companies with Rs 1.5-4 crore investments. Over 50% of the fund’s investors are NRIs from countries such as Singapore, the US, and Australia, highlighting its global appeal.
During the week, 29 Indian startups raised $461 million, with 10 growth-stage startups securing $397.7 million. Whatfix led with $125 million, followed by M2P Fintech ($101.8 million), Qure.ai ($65 million), and others. Early-stage startups raised $63.32 million, with Nurix AI leading the pack. Bengaluru dominated city-wise funding, while AI startups led in sectors. Seed funding led series-wise with 10 deals. Several new funds were launched, including a ₹200 crore fund by Optimistic Capital. Key hirings and acquisitions also shaped the ecosystem, alongside layoffs at PayU Finance.
Schmooze, an AI-powered dating platform, raised $4 million in its Series A round led by Elevation Capital, with angel investors from UltraHuman, The Souled Store, Mosaic Wellness, and Paytm. Founded by Vidya Madhavan and Abhinav Anurag, Schmooze matches users based on personality and humor through memes, moving away from appearance-based dating. In 10 months, the platform has gained over 1 million users and boasts a 3x better female-to-male ratio than mainstream apps. Schmooze’s AI evolves with each interaction, offering quirky match insights and enhancing user storytelling. Beyond dating, it tackles Gen Z’s loneliness through features like Roast AI and Rant AI, creating more meaningful connections.
AWS has selected seven Indian generative AI startups for its Global Generative AI Accelerator program, the largest group from any Asia-Pacific country. Startups like Convrse, House of Models, and Neural Garage will receive up to $1 million in AWS credits, technical support, and mentorship. This initiative will help them scale globally using AWS's AI infrastructure, including tools like Amazon SageMaker and AWS Trainium. These startups will also present their innovations at the re event in Las Vegas, providing opportunities for global exposure and investor connections.
The Hosteller, an Indian backpacker hostel chain, raised $4 million in a Series A round led by V3 Ventures, valuing the company at Rs 200 crore ($25 million). Founded in 2014, The Hosteller operates in over 60 locations, offering affordable lodging and immersive travel experiences. The funds will support expansion to 150+ locations within 24-30 months. For FY 2024, the startup reported Rs 55 crore in revenue with positive margins. CEO Pranav Dangi highlighted their tech concierge Glu, while CFO Saksham Khemka noted 4x growth over the past three years, with plans to add 50 properties by year-end.
Gurugram-based startup Kindlife, which specializes in skincare, beauty, and wellness products, has secured $8 million in a Series A funding round led by JB-Dooeun TK Fund and MIXI Global Investments. The round also saw participation from existing investor Kalaari Capital and several angel investors. This follows a $2.5 million seed round in November 2021. Founded by Radhika Ghai, Vidit Jain, and Manasa Garemella, Kindlife leverages AI technology to offer personalized beauty routines for Gen Z consumers. The platform also features an influencer community promoting the latest K-beauty trends. The newly raised capital will be used to enhance Kindlife’s market presence in India, focusing on premium Korean and Japanese beauty brands, while strengthening its distribution network and content-driven approach.
Antler India plans to double its investments in 2024, utilizing a ₹600 crore ($75 million) India-focused fund that was closed earlier this year. The firm has already invested in 63 startups and aims to support 100-120 more by the end of the year. Antler India primarily focuses on pre-seed ventures and operates independently from its Singapore-based global entity. Recently, the firm led an $11 million pre-Series A funding round in Bengaluru's ride-hailing startup, Namma Yatri. This investment aligns with Antler India's strategy to back startups building digital public infrastructure. In addition to digital infrastructure, Antler India is sector-agnostic, with a specific interest in SaaS, fintech, generative AI, and large networks like ONDC. The firm also benefits from its extensive global network, providing founders access to resources across 30 locations worldwide.
CRED, a leading Indian fintech startup, has introduced CRED Money, a new feature designed to consolidate and analyze users' financial data across multiple bank accounts. This tool provides a unified dashboard for tracking transactions, recurring payments, and investments, while offering reminders and categorization options to streamline financial management. Leveraging India's account aggregator framework, CRED Money enhances transparency and user control over personal data. Although the feature is not monetized, it uses advanced data science algorithms to deliver actionable insights, helping users identify spending patterns and optimize their finances. This initiative reflects CRED's commitment to improving financial management for its affluent user base.