Startup
Policybazaar parent PB Fintech’s Q2 FY25 profits soar on the back of insurance premiums
PB Fintech, the parent of digital insurance platform Policybazaar, reported a 43.81% year-over-year (YoY) jump in operational revenue to Rs 1,167 crore and profit after tax reaching Rs 51 crore, marking a turnaround from a Rs 21.11 crore loss incurred in the same period last year.
While PB fintech’s Q2 FY25 revenue grew by 15.5% sequentially from Rs 1,010.5 crore in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, profits fell by 15%.
PB Fintech’s total expenses rose 30.44% to Rs 1,213 crore in Q2, up from Rs 930 crore a year ago. Employee benefit expenses, the company’s largest cost, increased by 20% YoY to Rs 507.57 crore, compared with Rs 423 crore incurred a year earlier. Meanwhile, advertising and promotion expenses, the second-largest cost, climbed 12.38% YoY to Rs 278 crore.
Most of its revenues came from insurance brokerage services, earning the company Rs 998 crore in Q2, up 58% YoY. The brokerage segment made a profit of Rs 141 crore in Q2—a 5X growth from the July-September 2023 quarter.
During Q2 FY25, PB Fintech reported total insurance premiums of Rs 5,450 crore, with core online insurance premiums up by 61% and new health and life insurance premiums rising an impressive 69% YoY. The company noted that its renewal/trail revenue reached an annual run rate (ARR) of Rs 633 crore, reflecting a 45% growth from Rs 436 crore in the prior year’s quarter. It highlighted that this revenue typically operates at over 85% margins, serving as a significant driver of profit growth.
In terms of its credit business, PB Fintech faced a year-over-year revenue decline of 8%, although revenues rose 9% sequentially. The credit business, which remains adjusted EBITDA positive since December 2022, achieved an ARR of Rs 17,000 crore in credit disbursals and approximately 5.8 lakh credit card issuances. The company stated in the filing that over 75% of credit card applications were processed entirely digitally, with more than 75% of loan disbursals coming from existing customers.
The company’s “New Initiatives” segment also showed strong performance, with revenue growth of 87% YoY. This segment’s adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 14 percentage points, moving from -26% to -12%.
PB Fintech’s UAE business saw insurance premiums rising by 63% YoY, the company said.
Startup
Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (November 7, 2024)
Funding news:
Enlog secures Rs 1.75 Cr in equity funding
Enlog, a Delhi-based startup specialising in AI-powered energy management and IoT solutions, has secured Rs 1.75 crore in equity funding from Vinners.
The fresh funds will be used to boost its operations and accelerate its growth in India’s energy management sector.
Enlog, a Delhi-based energy management startup, was founded in 2019 by Bharath Rnkawat and Jharna Saha, focuses on IoT and AI-powered energy solutions to optimise electricity consumption and reduce carbon footprints. So far, it has managed 11,300 MWh of electricity and reduced over 2,000 tons of carbon emissions.
With over 15,000 users, Enlog aims to reduce carbon emissions by one million tons by 2027. It plans to triple its revenue from Rs 12 crore in 2024 to Rs 40-45 crore by 2025, focusing on expanding into key Indian metro cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Indore.
Pulse bags $1.4M in a seed funding round led by Endiya Partners
, an advanced Agentic AI platform, has secured $1.4 million in seed funding from Endiya Partners, with participation from angel investors, including founders of Zluri and Yellow.ai, and other entrepreneurs and product leaders.
The funding will primarily focus on building a robust core team, enhancing the platform’s development, purpose-built LLMs, and Agentic AI capabilities.
It is launching its MVP in November 2024, following pilots with multiple design partners. The company plans to allocate resources for early go-to-market initiatives to establish a foothold in India and the US, paving the way for long-term growth and leadership in the AI-first product management space.
Hyderabad-based Pulse, founded in 2024, uses Agentic AI to collect customer feedback, analyse structured and unstructured data, and automate key processes like feature extraction, prioritisation, and product hierarchy creation.
Other News
DaveAI secures patent for real-time adaptive digital aisle, transforming customer engagement
, an interactive digital solutions, has been granted a patent by the Government of India for its “System and Method for Real-Time Adaptive Interactive Digital Aisle of Products.”
The patented system leverages DaveAI’s proprietary Affinity Engine, a multi-dimensional AI with an online learning genetic algorithm, powers real-time hyper-personalisation, allowing brands to craft adaptable and engaging digital customer experiences.
DaveAI combines machine learning with genetic algorithms to personalise customer interactions in real time. This allows brands to provide tailored recommendations, adapt to changing customer needs, and build lasting connections.
(The copy will be updated with the latest news throughout the day)
Startup
KL Rahul-backed Boldfit raises Rs 110 Cr from Bessemer Venture
Fitness brand Boldfit on Thursday said it raised Rs 110 crore in its series A round from Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP).
Boldfit, which sells everything from yoga mats and water bottles to protein powers and exercise apparel, plans to use the latest infusion for product innovation and brand expansion.
Boldfit, which was founded by Pallav Bihani in 2019, had earlier announced a strategic investment from cricketer KL Rahul in July. Rahul also joined the company as a brand ambassador.
“We believe sports and fitness is a rapidly growing market in India and Boldfit has emerged as an early leader in the space with its strong focus on product quality, holistic distribution, and strong brand partnerships. We’re excited to partner with Pallav and the team in their next stage of growth,” noted Anant Vidur Puri, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.
Boldfit had earlier outlined its plans to use the funds for the development of new product lines and enhance customer engagement through targeted campaigns and community development initiatives. Additionally, the company is also looking to optimise its supply chain and improve logistics to reduce delivery times.
Boldfit said it clocked revenue of Rs 73 crore in FY24 and expects to cross the Rs 500 crore threshold by FY26, which it had shared with Yourstory earlier.
The company currently claims to serve over one crore customers annually.
Startup
Simplilearn aims to reach EBITDA profitability in FY25
Blackstone-backed Simplilearn says it is well positioned to reach EBITDA profitability within the current financial year.
EBITDA or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation reflects the operational profitability of the company. It focuses on the earnings generated from core operations before accounting for costs.
The company said, in a statement, that it has managed to cut down its losses by 75%, from FY23, as it focuses on achieving sustainable growth and operational efficiency. Additionally, it reported year-on-year revenue growth, with FY24 revenue touching Rs 773 crore, fuelled by pivotal initiatives taken to increase customer retention and higher referral rates.
“As we work toward profitability, we’re focused on strengthening our products to meet industry
needs, driving growth in the US and worldwide, and, above all, delivering an outstanding customer
experience. Our mission to transform lives through world-class education is always at the heart of
what we do,” said Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO of Simplilearn.
The company has intensified its efforts in its commercial segment, particularly in the United States, through strategic partnerships with platforms, and collaborations with government bodies in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Simplilearn said it has significantly increased its course enrollment by doubling down on university partnerships, bootcamps, and certification training programmes.
Founded in 2010, the company last raised $45 million in a Series E round in 2022 from a consortium led by GSV Ventures.
Private equity firm Blackstone picked up a controlling stake in the company in July 2021 through a fund infusion of $250 million.
In pic: Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO of Simplilearn
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