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This Week in Startups 🌟 | Stay ahead with Entrepreneurship Studio as we bring you the latest and most exciting updates from the startup world. From groundbreaking funding rounds to innovative breakthroughs, we've got your weekly dose of entrepreneurial spirit right here.
The Union government is nearing its goal of having a recognized startup in each of India's 785 districts within a year, with only 20-25 districts remaining. Most are in remote northeastern states or regions affected by extremism. The Startup India initiative, led by DPIIT, offers benefits like tax exemptions and fast-tracked intellectual property rights. Eligible startups must be less than 10 years old with an annual turnover under Rs 100 crore.
Rocketlane, a SaaS provider specializing in project delivery and professional services, has successfully raised $24 million in a Series B round, co-led by 8VC, Matrix Partners India, and Nexus Venture Partners. This funding boosts Rocketlane's total capital to $45 million, aimed at advancing AI integrations for enhanced customer feedback and project management. The startup, founded in 2020, is set to improve its PSA platform, introduce AI in client communications, and upgrade its customer portal. Expanding its scope, Rocketlane will invest in conversational AI and AI-driven templates to streamline project management and enhance service accuracy. Targeting mid-market and lower enterprise clients, Rocketlane plans U.S. expansion and a European market entry event in September, alongside appointing Rao Adavikolanu as CMO to propel its strategic growth and market presence.
Zendesk, a prominent customer service SaaS company, has announced the creation of Zendesk Ventures, a global venture fund aimed at nurturing early-stage AI-first startups focusing on improving customer and employee experiences. The fund will not only provide financial backing but also share expertise in customer experience and artificial intelligence, fostering strategic partnerships to enhance growth in these sectors. Zendesk Ventures' initiative aligns with significant trends like India’s “Make AI in India” program, supporting the burgeoning AI startup ecosystem. The fund has already invested in several AI ventures, aiming to enhance customer interactions through advanced technologies.
Zyod, a tech startup based in Gurugram, has secured $18 million in Series A funding to expand its global reach in the fashion manufacturing industry. Led by RTP Global, with participation from existing investors like Lightspeed and Alteria Capital, the funding will propel Zyod’s expansion into over 40 countries. The startup's innovative ERP software has revolutionized production processes, optimizing operations across more than 80,000 Indian factories. With this new capital, Zyod aims to penetrate markets in Brazil and Australia, and explore under-tapped regions such as Africa and Scandinavia. The company also recently launched a mobile app to better serve long-tail and enterprise clients, enhancing customer engagement and operational efficiency.
YogiFi, a pioneering AI-powered yoga mat developed by Wellnesys Technologies at IIT Mandi's Technology Innovation Hub, is set to revolutionize home yoga practice. This "Make in India" product uses advanced sensors and AI to support asanas and analyze postures in real time, functioning as a virtual yoga instructor with personalized feedback to enhance user experience. Ideal for beginners, YogiFi provides interactive classes and posture guidance, adapting to individual progress for tailored coaching. The mat also integrates with smart home devices to optimize the yoga environment by adjusting music and lighting. Representing a blend of tradition and innovation, YogiFi underscores India’s commitment to technology and self-reliance, transforming the ancient art of yoga.
India's quick commerce market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with Zepto at the forefront. The rapid delivery startup has raised $665 million, boosting its valuation to $3.6 billion. This significant funding round underscores the sector's potential and investor confidence, with approximately 40% of the latest investment coming from new investors like DST Global and Avenir Growth Capital. Founded just three years ago, Zepto has become a major competitor to established players like Zomato’s Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Tata Digital’s BigBasket. Zepto’s latest funding round was co-led by existing backers such as Glade Brook Capital and Nexus Venture Partners. With these funds, Zepto plans to expand its dark store network from 350 to over 700 by March 2025, and increase its team size to over 2,000 employees. This expansion will enhance Zepto's presence in both metro and non-metro areas, positioning it well in the competitive quick commerce landscape.
This Week in Startups 🌟 | Stay ahead with Entrepreneurship Studio as we bring you the latest and most exciting updates from the startup world. From groundbreaking funding rounds to innovative breakthroughs, we've got your weekly dose of entrepreneurial spirit right here.
Rockit, founded by Vedant Garg, raised Rs 6 crore in pre-seed funding from Sauce.VC and Rannvijay Singha. Sauce.VC, an early-stage investor, is helping Rockit identify market gaps and build a unique brand. Rockit aims for an omnichannel presence, starting in North India and expanding pan-India. Vedant Garg plans to cater to evolving Indian consumer preferences, especially in Tier II and III cities. Rockit's distribution legacy supports its growth. Rannvijay Singha and Yash Dholakia from Sauce.VC are excited about Rockit's potential, praising its early success and high-quality, affordable products.
This Week in Startups 🌟 | Stay ahead with Entrepreneurship Studio as we bring you the latest and most exciting updates from the startup world. From groundbreaking funding rounds to innovative breakthroughs, we've got your weekly dose of entrepreneurial spirit right here.
Proptech startup Landeed has announced securing strategic financing led by Paradigm Shift VC, though the amount remains undisclosed. The funds will be used to extend Landeed's product line and expand its workforce to support growth both in India and internationally. Previously, in January 2023, Landeed raised $8.3 million from Y Combinator, Draper Associates, and Bayhouse Capital.
VentureSoul Partners has unveiled its first debt fund, VentureSoul Capital Fund I, setting a target corpus of INR 600 crores. Registered under SEBI as a Category II AIF, the fund has attracted investments from family offices, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals, with Micro Labs Ltd. serving as the anchor investor. Other notable investors include figures from KreditBee, Glen Appliances, and Baazar Kolkata. The fund aims to support tech startups across various sectors such as fintech, B2C, B2B, and SaaS, targeting companies at the Series A stage or beyond with a solid revenue model and at least $10 million in prior equity funding. VentureSoul, founded by three former bankers, is committed to introducing innovative debt solutions for startups, addressing a gap in structured financing within India's tech ecosystem. The fund plans to complete its first close by the end of June, focusing on startups that demonstrate substantial growth potential and revenue generation.