Startup
Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (November 19, 2024)
Funding news
Food delivery startup Swish secures $2M in funding from Accel
Bengaluru-based rapid food delivery startup Swish completed a $2 million seed funding round led by Accel, with participation from angel investors, including Abhiraj Bhal and Varun Khaitan (Founders of Urban Company) and former Swiggy Instamart head Karthik Gurumurthy.
The funding will enable Swish to expand its operations and scale its unique rapid-delivery model across most areas of Bengaluru, followed by other Tier I cities.
“We realised that quick commerce has quickly become indispensable as people seek faster solutions to their everyday needs. Despite advancements in other categories, food delivery times still often range from 30-60 minutes, which falls short of meeting the urgency that customers now expect… Swish was born from our desire to meet this demand—not just for ourselves, but for everyone who values that level of convenience,” said Aniket Shah, CEO and Co-founder of Swish.
Fintech startup PeLocal raises $2M seed funding
PeLocal, a payment solutions provider within WhatsApp, has raised $2 million in a seed round led by Unicorn India Ventures to expand and enhance the platform and help accelerate go-to-market strategies for rolling out large-scale projects.
In the last 12 months, PeLocal has grown from 500,000 monthly payment transactions to 3 million monthly payment transactions. The startup will also launch a marketing catalogue with payments and an SMB payments platform on WhatsApp.
“As we have a strong track record of investing in the fintech segment, we believe PeLocal will continue to sustain its momentum and also scale further with its innovative solutions and strengthen its leadership position in this space,” said Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures.
TA Associates invests in Vee Healthtek
TA Associates has completed a strategic growth investment in healthtech startup Vee Healthtek. The partnership will enable Vee Healthtek to leverage TA’s global resources and extensive experience in the healthcare sector to enhance technology capabilities, expand offerings, and fuel client success.
“With TA, we’ve found the right partner to help us sustain our industry-leading growth and increase our service offerings and market presence. TA will play a crucial role in the company’s expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. I look forward to working closely with TA’s team to take Vee Healthtek’s impact on clients to the next level,” said Chocko Valliappa, Founder and Chairman of Vee Healthtek.
Proost raises Rs 30 Cr in Series A round
Homegrown beer startup Proost has secured Rs 30 crore in its ongoing Series A funding round led by existing investor Chimes Group and Srinivasan Namala of Porus Laboratories, with participation from Hyderabad Angels, The Chennai Angels, and other prominent HNIs.
The company will use the fresh capital to strengthen its supply chain, deepen its presence in existing markets, expand into new regions, and broaden its product portfolio.
Operating under Grano69 Beverages, Proost has a presence in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, and Karnataka.
“This funding marks a major milestone for Proost. We aim to scale our operations, introduce innovative beer variants, and capture 5% of India’s beer market by the end of the decade,” said Co-founder and CEO Tarun Bhargava.
Other news
Unicommerce strengthens SUGAR Cosmetics’ omnichannel capabilities
Ecommerce enablement SaaS platform Unicommerce expanded its partnership with SUGAR Cosmetics by deploying its advanced omnichannel retail management solutions.
The collaboration marks a milestone in their five-year relationship, enhancing SUGAR’s ability to integrate and streamline operations across physical stores, warehouses, brand websites, and online marketplaces, the companies said in a statement.
The addition of omnichannel solutions will allow the beauty retailer to optimise store fulfillment processes, offer ship-from-store services, and enable inventory visibility across all retail and digital channels.
Paytm UPI goes global for Indian travellers abroad
Paytm has added a new feature to its app, now allowing Indian travellers to make UPI payments internationally. Paytm users can pay cashlessly at popular destinations across the UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Bhutan, and Nepal where UPI is accepted.
The UPI International service allows quick one-time activation, enabling secure transactions for shopping, dining, and local experiences abroad. Travellers can view real-time exchange rates and deactivate the service after their trip for added security.
With the upcoming holiday season, this innovation ensures convenient, transparent, and controlled payments for Indian globetrotters, Paytm said in a statement.
IndiQube crosses 100 properties; expands to 14 Indian cities
Workplace solutions provider IndiQube reached a significant milestone with over 100 properties, spanning 7.2 million sq. ft. across 14 Indian cities. Founded in 2015, IndiQube began with a single property in Bengaluru and now serves over 700 clients, including Fortune 500 companies, unicorns, startups, and Indian enterprises.
The company’s portfolio covers major Tier I cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram, and Tier II and III cities, including Coimbatore, Jaipur, and Vijayawada. Bengaluru remains its largest market, with 59 properties covering 4.5 million sq. ft.
According to a statement, the company said Coimbatore remains a notable Tier II hub with 270,000 sq. ft. across three properties.
CoRover launches an accessible AI course, C-CAP
CoRover.ai introduced the CoRover Certified AI Professional (C-CAP) course, designed to make AI development accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. The course aims to empower learners to build AI-driven solutions, such as chatbots and voicebots, without requiring prior coding knowledge.
Using CoRover’s Composite AI platform, participants can gain hands-on experience creating conversational AI agents that integrate seamlessly with various systems. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics, including Conversational AI, Generative AI, and advanced LLMs like BharatGPT and ChatGPT.
CoRover CEO Ankush Sabharwal emphasised the course’s role in democratising AI education, enabling individuals to tackle real-world problems while promoting ethical AI practices.
Zoomcar introduces subscription model for long-term car-sharing
Car-sharing marketplace Zoomcar launched Zoomcar Subscription, a flexible service for long-term car rentals, to allow users to book vehicles for durations ranging from 7 to 30+ days, with daily rates decreasing for longer bookings.
Accessible via the Zoomcar app, the service offers an easy booking experience, priority customer support, and unlimited kilometres per day.
Unlike Zoomcar’s existing hourly pricing for short-term rentals, the new subscription model will cater to users seeking cost-effective solutions for extended needs, such as relocation, business travel, or daily commutes.
FedEx enhances South India’s global trade access with new air network expansion
FedEx Express launched five new flights to boost connectivity to global markets, enhancing logistics for critical imports and exports. This strategic expansion strengthens South India’s position as a key player in global trade, supporting electronics, automotive, and healthcare industries.
The new Guangzhou-Bengaluru direct route reduces transit times by one business day and increases Bengaluru’s weekly FedEx flights to 22. This service ensures faster import of crucial components like lithium-ion batteries and expands export capacity to Europe and the US, helping businesses meet global demand efficiently.
Kami Viswanathan, President of Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, FedEx, said, “This new flight service is a strategic move by FedEx to meet the region’s growing demand, fulfils time-critical needs, and connect seamlessly to global markets, advancing India’s position as a global manufacturing and export hub.”
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
Startup
The future of trading: How QuantMan and InstaOptions are empowering retail traders
Trading can be both exciting and challenging for many individual investors. The market’s complexities, the pressure of making the right choices, and the constant worry of losing money often scare off new traders. According to recent data from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), a shocking 90% of retail traders lose money in the stock market.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) dominate the market with advanced trading systems, high capital, and cutting-edge technology, including algorithmic trading. FIIs use advanced algorithms to make thousands of trades every second, giving them an edge over regular traders. As a result, retail investors find it hard to compete and often lose money, which leads to frustration and discouragement.
The problem facing retail traders
Retail traders, or individual investors, often enter the market with limited knowledge and resources compared to institutional traders. The majority still rely on manual strategies, gut feelings, or tips from unverified sources, which can be risky and unreliable.
Additionally, trading in high-risk segments such as futures and options without understanding proper strategies can quickly lead to financial losses.
Moreover, without access to advanced data analytics or algorithmic trading tools, retail traders are at a significant disadvantage. Algorithms used by large institutional players analyse vast amounts of data at incredible speed, making decisions within milliseconds.
On the other hand, retail traders may not even have access to the data they need to make informed decisions. This gap is growing, and it’s one of the reasons why so many retail traders struggle to make profits consistently.
Enter QuantMan and InstaOptions, two innovative platforms designed to empower retail traders by giving them the same advanced tools and strategies that institutional investors use, without the need for programming skills or huge investments.
QuantMan: Empowering retail traders
QuantMan is an algorithmic trading platform created with retail traders in mind. With over 124,000 active users, the simple, user-friendly platform allows traders of all levels to develop and test their own trading strategies without writing a single line of code.
QuantMan makes trading accessible to everyone, even if they don’t have a background in programming or algorithmic trading.
Key features
User-friendly interface: You don’t need to be a coding expert to use QuantMan. The platform’s drag-and-drop functionality lets you create and back-test strategies with ease.
Advanced analytics: QuantMan provides access to six years’ worth of historical data for Nifty, Bank Nifty, equity stocks, and more. This data is invaluable for identifying market trends and developing strategies that work.
One-click trading: Once your strategy is developed, you can execute it with a single click. This saves time and ensures your trades are executed without delay.
Customisable strategies: You can create strategies based on technical indicators, expiry dates, opening ranges, and more. Quantman allows you to tailor your approach to your unique trading style.
01. Let’s backtest the strategy from 2020 and almost 7 years data available, will be using instrument as nifty and will be using indicator as pivot point and Relative Strength Index.
- Pivot point: It helps in determining the Support and resistance.
- Relative Strength Index (RSI): It measures the strength and speed of a market’s price movement.
02. Entry and Exit conditions
- Entry condition: when the price is above R1 AND RSI should is above 60.
- Exit condition: RSI is below 40.
Versatile trading options: Whether you prefer intraday trading, positional trading, or options trading, Quantman supports all types of strategies. You can even explore pair trading with top stocks like ICICI, HDFC, and SBIN to develop advanced strategies.
InstaOptions: The solution to options trading
InstaOptions is specifically designed for options trading. With more than 150,000 users, it aims to provide advanced options trading tools that are usually only available to institutional investors.
This platform is perfect for traders who want to dive into the world of options but lack the expertise or tools to do so successfully.
Options trading made simple
Let’s say you are looking at an options trade on BankNifty. The options market is full of data, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Using InstaOptions, you can analyse the open interest, premium, and volatility for specific strike prices. With this data, you can decide whether a trade is worth pursuing or not. This kind of analytical edge is often what separates successful traders from unsuccessful ones, and InstaOptions provides it in an easy-to-understand format.
Key features
Options data analytics: InstaOptions provides detailed options data analytics, which is crucial for making informed decisions in the fast-paced world of options trading.
Real-time data: Access to real-time data ensures that traders can make decisions based on the most up-to-date information available.
Easy-to-use interface: Just like QuantMan, InstaOptions doesn’t require any coding skills. Its user-friendly interface makes it simple for anyone to start trading options, even without prior experience.
Customisable indicators: InstaOptions lets you create your own strategies using technical indicators, strike prices, premium data, and more.
The future of trading: A mission to empower one million traders
The creators of QuantMan and InstaOptions are on a mission to empower one million traders and investors by 2032. Their goal is to make algorithmic trading and data analytics accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience level.
Through continuous innovation and the development of educational resources, they aim to bridge the gap between institutional and retail traders.
Both QuantMan and InstaOptions are designed to make trading less stressful and more rewarding. By automating the technical aspects of trading, these platforms help reduce the emotional and psychological stress that often accompanies trading.
Instead of spending hours analysing data, traders can let the algorithms do the challenging tasks and focus on making strategic decisions that can enhance their profitability.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a complete beginner, QuantMan and InstaOptions are two platforms that can help you navigate the complex world of trading with ease. By providing advanced tools, real-time data, and educational resources, these platforms offer a level playing field for retail traders.
Get started today and join the growing community of over 270,000 traders who are using QuantMan and InstaOptions to take control of their trading and maximise their profits. With the right tools and strategies, you too can succeed in the world of trading.
Visit www.quantman.in and www.instaoptions.in to learn more and begin your journey today!
Startup
Boost productivity today: Transform tasks into games
In today’s fast-paced world, staying productive can often feel like an uphill battle. Between endless to-do lists, shifting priorities, and distractions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if there was a way to make productivity fun, engaging, and motivating? Enter task gamification—a powerful method to increase focus, enhance performance, and make even the most mundane tasks feel rewarding.
As we move into 2025, the approach to work and task management is evolving. The traditional methods of productivity, while effective, are being redefined by technology and new motivational strategies. Gamification—the use of game elements in non-game environments—has become a popular and innovative way to turn productivity into an exciting challenge.
Whether you’re a professional trying to stay on top of work or a student balancing multiple assignments, gamifying your tasks could be the game-changer you need. Let’s explore five powerful strategies to gamify tasks in 2025 and boost your productivity.
Making productivity fun and rewarding in 2025
1. Set clear goals and milestones
One of the foundations of any good game is the presence of clear objectives and milestones. Without them, players would lose focus and interest. The same principle applies to task management. In 2025, setting specific, measurable goals is crucial to gamifying your productivity.
- Break your large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps (like levels in a game).
- Assign points or rewards to each milestone you hit. For example, completing a section of a project could earn you 10 points.
- Track your progress visually, much like a game’s progress bar, to stay motivated.
2. Incorporate rewards and badges
In games, players are rewarded for their achievements, whether it’s unlocking a new level, earning points, or getting a badge. These rewards are motivating and help players stay engaged. Similarly, when you gamify your tasks, rewards are key to maintaining momentum.
- Set up a reward system that aligns with your goals. For example, after completing a set number of tasks or reaching a milestone, treat yourself to something enjoyable (a break, a snack, or an activity you love).
- Create digital badges or certificates that acknowledge your achievements. Apps like Habitica or Todoist allow users to earn badges for completing tasks, mimicking the excitement of levelling up in a game.
- Keep track of your progress with a visual reward system, like a digital or physical sticker chart.
3. Use gamification apps and tools
Technology has made it easier than ever to gamify your tasks. Apps and platforms specifically designed for gamification can turn your everyday to-dos into a fun, competitive challenge. These tools incorporate elements like points, levels, challenges, and leaderboards to make task management feel more like a game.
- Try using apps like Habitica, Forest, or Todoist to gamify your tasks. These tools allow you to set goals, track progress, and earn rewards.
- Some apps allow you to create teams and compete with friends or colleagues, making your work tasks more social and motivating.
- You can also use Pomodoro timers, where each session completed is a ‘game-level’ achieved.
4. Create friendly competition
Gamification isn’t just about doing tasks yourself—it’s about creating a competitive and collaborative environment that drives you and others to perform at their best. A little healthy competition can be a great motivator, especially when working in teams.
- Challenge a coworker or friend to a productivity duel. Set a timer and see who can finish a task faster or who can knock off the most items from a list in a set amount of time.
- Use leaderboard systems, where you track the progress of tasks among a group. Friendly competition can be a powerful way to encourage everyone to stay on top of their responsibilities.
- If you’re working on a project, turn it into a race to complete key milestones and celebrate the progress together.
5. Integrate storytelling for immersion
Games are immersive because they often incorporate a storyline that keeps players engaged. Whether you’re completing quests or levelling up, the narrative element makes the task at hand more exciting. You can apply the same principle to your productivity routine.
- Turn your task list into a “quest” or “adventure.” Create a story around your work where you are the hero conquering challenges. For example, completing a task could be framed as “defeating a dragon” or “unlocking a treasure chest.”
- Create personal challenges or challenges with your team that are part of an overarching storyline. For example, “This week, our quest is to finish the client presentation by Friday—our reward: a team lunch celebration.”
- Use creative tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion, where you can assign creative themes to tasks and create your own journey or adventure map.
Conclusion
Incorporating gamification into your tasks in 2025 is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful strategy to improve focus, enhance performance, and boost overall productivity. By creating clear goals, rewarding progress, using gamification tools, introducing friendly competition, and integrating storytelling, you can transform your daily tasks into an engaging experience.
Gamify your tasks today and see how turning productivity into a game can make all the difference in achieving your goals efficiently and with greater enthusiasm.
Startup
Jeff Bezos’ leadership playbook: Lessons for every leader
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, revolutionised the way businesses operate and connect with customers. Starting with a small online bookstore, he turned Amazon into a global giant that leads in innovation, customer experience, and operational excellence. The key to his extraordinary success lies in his leadership principles, which emphasise creativity, customer focus, and long-term vision.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, Bezos’ strategies offer invaluable insights to help you lead effectively and inspire your team. Let’s uncover these lessons and see how they can shape your leadership journey.
Lessons from Jeff Bezos’ leadership style
1. Put customers first
For Bezos, customer obsession has always been the cornerstone of Amazon’s success. His philosophy is simple: focus on delivering exceptional value to customers, and everything else will follow.
- Always prioritise your customers’ needs when developing products or services.
- Collect regular feedback and use it to improve customer experience.
- Build loyalty by consistently exceeding customer expectations.
2. Embrace risk and innovation
Bezos believes that failure is an essential part of innovation. Amazon’s successes, such as AWS and Prime, were born out of a culture that encouraged experimentation and was unafraid to fail.
- Foster an environment where employees feel safe to pitch bold ideas.
- Treat failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
- Set aside resources to test new ideas, even if success isn’t guaranteed.
3. Think beyond the short term
One of Bezos’ strengths as a leader is his focus on long-term goals. His decisions often prioritise sustainable growth over immediate profits, a strategy that has allowed Amazon to dominate its markets.
- Create a long-term vision for your organisation and align your strategies accordingly.
- Resist the temptation to make decisions based solely on short-term benefits.
- Stay committed to your mission, even during challenging times.
4. Maintain a ‘Day 1’ attitude
Bezos advocates for a “Day 1” mindset, which emphasises continuous improvement and agility. He believes that companies should always operate with the energy and focus of a startup, no matter their size.
- Avoid complacency by constantly seeking ways to improve.
- Challenge outdated practices and stay open to new ideas.
- Encourage your team to stay curious and proactive.
5. Build a strong team
Bezos has often stressed the importance of hiring top talent and empowering them to excel. He believes that the success of an organisation depends on the quality of its people.
- Set high standards during the hiring process and look for candidates who share your values.
- Trust your employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
- Invest in their growth through training and mentorship.
6. Be resourceful and resilient
Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon consistently tackled challenges with creativity and determination. His approach involved setting ambitious goals and finding innovative ways to achieve them.
- Approach obstacles as opportunities to develop new skills and solutions.
- Encourage your team to think creatively when faced with challenges.
- Demonstrate resilience by leading with confidence and positivity.
7. Communicate with clarity
Bezos places great emphasis on clear and effective communication. His insistence on well-written memos and structured meetings ensures that everyone is aligned and focused on the goals at hand.
- Replace vague instructions with clear, actionable guidance.
- Use written communication to articulate your vision and expectations.
- Encourage open dialogue to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Conclusion: Leading with vision and purpose
Jeff Bezos’ leadership style is a blueprint for success in today’s competitive world. His principles of customer obsession, long-term thinking, and fostering innovation can inspire leaders to drive growth and build meaningful connections with their teams.
By adopting these strategies, you can cultivate a leadership style that empowers your team, drives results, and sets your organisation on a path to lasting success. Take the first step today—start leading like Jeff Bezos.
-
Startup Stories1 year ago
Why Millennials, GenZs Are Riding The Investment Tech Wave In India
-
Startup Stories1 year ago
Startups That Caught Our Eyes In September 2023
-
Startup Stories1 year ago
How Raaho Is Using Tech To Transform India’s Fragmented Commercial Trucking
-
Startup Stories1 year ago
Meet The 10 Indian Startup Gems In The Indian Jewellery Industry’s Crown
-
Crptocurrency10 months ago
Lither is Making Crypto Safe, Fun, and Profitable for Everyone!
-
Startup Stories1 year ago
WOW Skin Science’s Blueprint For Breaking Through In The $783 Bn BPC Segment
-
Startup Stories1 year ago
How Volt Money Is Unlocking The Value Of Mutual Funds With Secured Lending
-
E-commerce1 year ago
Top Online Couponing Trends To Watch Out For In 2016