Startup
[Weekly funding roundup Nov 16-22] Zepto effect boosts VC inflow to 2nd highest for 2024
The third week of November saw the Zepto effect when the quick commerce unicorn’s massive $350 million fundraise led the Indian startup ecosystem to achieve the second-highest weekly venture capital (VC) funding this year.
The total VC funding during the week totalled $575 million, cutting across 22 deals, and this was primarily due to the transactions in Zepto and HealthKart. The comparable previous week raised $174 million.
This is the fourth time in 2024 that VC funding on a weekly basis has crossed the half-a-billion-dollar mark. The other three times were in the months of May, June and September. The highest weekly capital inflow for the year is $872 million. Also, this is an important psychological benchmark for Indian startups as large deal transactions are a sign of confidence for the ecosystem.
This sharp increase in VC funding is also a reflection of how large deals can bring about a change in the capital inflow. In the case of Zepto, it raised $1.35 billion in 2024 alone, and the latest funding round only saw domestic capital infusion.
The expectation is the momentum will continue into next year, with a higher inflow of VC money into Indian startups.
On the other hand, there were not so encouraging developments for the Indian startups that have graduated into the field of publicly traded companies. Honasa Consumer continues to come under pressure and its share prices continue to fall due to weak financial results. Zinka Logistics, the parent company of Blackbuck, had a tepid listing on the stock markets.
Key transactions
Quick commerce player Zepto raised $350 million from Motilal Oswal AMC, Claypond Capital, Raamdeo Agarwal, along with other domestic family offices.
Consumer nutrition platform HealthKart raised $153 million from ChrysCapital, Motilal Oswal Alternates, Neo Group, and A91 Partners.
Insurtech startup Zopper raised $25 million from Elevation Capital, Dharana Capital, and Blume Ventures.
Logistics startup Blitz raised Rs 51 crore ($6 million approx.) from IvyCap Ventures, India Quotient, Alteria Capital, and angel investors.
Consumer tech startup Billion Hearts raised $4 million from Blume Ventures, General Catalyst, and Athera Venture Partners.
Startup
Delhi, Dehradun top the spending trends on Instamart: Swiggy
According to Swiggy‘s fourth edition of its annual ‘How India Swiggy’d’ report, the biggest spenders in 2024 on its quick commerce platform, Instamart, hailed from Delhi and Dehradun. The users spent Rs 20 lakh each on Instamart.
This year, quick commerce grew exponentially, with Indians ordering items ranging from groceries, makeup and toys to vacuum cleaners and sexual wellness products on the 10-minute delivery platform.
The Diwali season also saw orders of over Rs 45 lakh on Instamart on brooms across India to clean houses and Rs 4.6 lakh on poker chips from Delhi. Delhi also ordered Rs 60 crore worth of noodles.
The report added that a person from Ahmedabad spent about Rs 8.3 lakh on gold coins on Dhanteras.
Bengalureans topped in the pooja and party essentials categories, competing with Mumbai, and ordered 1.8 times more wine and shot glasses, especially during the Diwali season, the report found.
A Mumbai-based pet-lover spent more than Rs 15 lakh this year on pet supplies, primarily dog and cat food. Meanwhile, a Chennai user spent Rs 1,25,454 on electronics, electricals and home appliances, including gaming earphones, smartwatches, an induction cooker, a sandwich maker, and a hair straightener. A mango lover spent Rs 35,000 on the fruit in May.
The most ordered items between 4 AM and 7 AM were milk, veggies, and eggs, while ice cream, cold drinks, and chips took over from 10 PM to 4 AM. Between 8-9 PM, the country ordered the most sanitary pads, and November saw the most orders of pain relief medication/spray.
Incognito mode on Instamart was introduced earlier this year. The report noted that most ordered items with the option were between 10-11 pm and included Masala-flavoured chips, Kurkure, and flavoured condoms, the report said.
The quickest delivery was completed in 89 seconds, covering a distance of 180m, the report added, while the cheapest order came in at Rs 3 for a pencil sharpener bought at 8:15 PM in Hyderabad.
The Rakhi season saw 2,85,000 deliveries under ‘order for others,’ and 273 chocolates ordered per minute with one user from Mumbai ordering 31 rakhis in a single order.
Canada saw the most international logins, followed by the US, Kuwait and Singapore ordering milk, dosa batter, and water.
Startup
Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (December 26, 2024)
EatSure launches multi-restaurant group ordering
EatSure, the flagship D2C platform of Rebel Foods, has launched its multi-restaurant group ordering feature.
EatSure’s “Food court on an App” now allows users to create shared carts, and order from multiple restaurants in a single transaction.
“While group ordering features existed before, no one solved the challenge of letting users order from multiple restaurants in one order, making EatSure’s solution truly revolutionary,” the company said.
The feature is live across more than 75 cities across India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad and other prominent urban cities, it added.
“The new group ordering feature aligns with the same, wherein we let a group of friends/family members to build a joint cart by adding products from their choice of restaurants, such that everything gets delivered to them in One Order. It’s more than just ordering food; it’s about connecting people through a shared culinary journey,” said Sagar Kochhar, Co-founder and CEO, EatSure, Rebel Foods.
Zypp Electric enters into a partnership with e-Sprinto
EV-based last-mile delivery service Zypp Electric has entered into a strategic partnership with e-Sprinto, an electric two-wheeler company.
This partnership comes with an aim to deploy 30,000 e-Sprinto high-speed electric vehicles into Zypp Electric’s fleet over the next three years, the company said.
The collaboration is also set to focus on providing top-tier after-sales service and support to the pilots, ensuring the fleet’s reliability and longevity, it added.
“This collaboration allows us to enhance our fleet with 30,000 advanced e-scooters, directly addressing the urgent need for sustainable logistics solutions in India’s booming ecommerce market. Together, we are not only empowering delivery partners to improve their livelihoods but also leading the charge towards a greener future for urban mobility with good quality EVs suitable for delivery purposes and growth,” said Rashi Agarwal, Co-founder and CBO Zypp Electric.
Evocus appoints Pramod Joshi as head of retail sales and export
Evocus onboarded Pramod Joshi as Head of Retail Sales and Export. Prior to this, Joshi held a leadership role at AB InBev, where he spearheaded strategic sales initiatives and route to market.
“His remarkable experience and track record in the FMCG sector make him the perfect fit to lead our sales retail and export functions. Pramod’s deep expertise in sales strategy, market expansion, and digital transformation will be invaluable as we continue to scale Evocus globally and further establish our leadership in the wellness and beverage industry,” said Akash Vaghera, Founder and Director, Evocus.
“Evocus has a unique positioning in the wellness and beverage space, and I look forward to leading the sales efforts to expand its reach both within India and internationally,” said Joshi.
Having begun his career with Cadbury, over the years, he has held various leadership roles at Narang Group, Soulfull, and Twinings, driving market expansion and building strong partnerships with key retail accounts, the company said.
foundit makes 3 leadership appointments
Jobs and talent platform and Quess company foundit has appointed Pranay Kale as Chief Revenue and Growth Officer, Anupama Bhimrajka as Vice President of Marketing, and Tanesh Arora as Vice President of Candidate Services.
In his new role, Kale is set to lead sales across the APAC and Middle East regions, focusing on growth and operational excellence, the company said. Prior to this, he was the Vice President of key accounts at LeadSquared.
Bhimrajka is set to lead the marketing function at foundit as the Vice President – Marketing, driving growth across the APAC and Middle East regions. She was the Head of Consumer Marketing at Lenovo India Prior to joining foundit.
In his new role Arora will oversee Candidate Services, enhancing user experience and operational excellence, the company said. It added that prior to this appointment, he scaled foundit’s consumer business as General Manager and later drove growth at ISDC Global.
“Their combined experience and expertise will be instrumental in driving our next phase of growth and innovation. Their guidance will be invaluable to the team as we continue to connect top talent with leading organisations,” said V Suresh, Chief Executive Officer at foundit.
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
Startup
5 Things you must stop doing before 2025 for success
As we gear up for 2025, there’s no better moment to pause and acknowledge our journey so far while setting the stage for an even brighter future. For entrepreneurs, the weight of countless responsibilities can often lead to burnout and hindered growth.
But success isn’t solely about cramming more into your day; it’s about shedding the habits that hold you back. Here are 5 actions to eliminate before 2025, ensuring you’re not just surviving, but thriving on your path to success!
5 things you need to stop before 2025
1. Say no to too much hustle: Focus on what matters
The hustle culture is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow it blindly. Constantly chasing new opportunities, attending every networking event, or agreeing to every business idea can overwhelm you.
Instead of trying to do everything, focus on what truly makes a difference. Evaluate your goals and activities: which ones bring you closer to success, and which are simply distractions? You can free up time and energy for what matters by saying no to unnecessary hustle.
2. Say no to overworking: Work smarter, not harder
Overworking is frequently misunderstood as dedication, but it can lead to burnout and decreased efficiency. Rather than simply extending your work hours, aim to work smarter. Optimise your tasks, automate repetitive tasks, and delegate whenever possible.
Hiring the right team members or investing in tools that facilitate scaling can significantly enhance your productivity. Your goal should be efficiency, not just effort.
3. Say no to the fear of failure: Embrace risks
Many entrepreneurs fear failure and tend to avoid taking risks. This fear keeps them stuck in their comfort zones and prevents them from seizing growth opportunities. In 2025, stop allowing fear to dictate your actions.
Every successful entrepreneur has encountered setbacks, but what truly matters is how you respond to failure. Instead of shying away from risks, embrace them as valuable learning experiences. If you want to grow your business, you must be willing to step outside your comfort zone and make bold decisions.
4. Say no to procrastinating: Take action today
Procrastination is a significant obstacle for many entrepreneurs. Whether it’s the fear of making the wrong choice or feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list, delaying tasks can seriously slow your progress. This is why itt’s crucial to stop postponing important decisions and responsibilities.
In 2025, commit to take immediate action. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and address them one at a time. The key to success lies in consistency, which begins with taking action today rather than waiting until tomorrow.
5. Say no to burnout: Prioritise your mental health
Entrepreneurs are known for their relentless drive and dedication, but this often leads to one major issue: burnout. Overworking yourself and neglecting self-care can be a recipe for failure.
Remember that it’s crucial to take breaks and relax, as these practices are just as important as any business meeting. Remember, a well-rested mind is significantly more productive than one that is on the brink of exhaustion. Prioritising your health and mental well-being is important for achieving success.
Closing thoughts
As we enter 2025, remember that true success is not simply about putting in more effort; it’s about working with clarity and purpose. Stop overworking, fearing failure, and hustling without a plan. Instead, focus on rest, intention, and taking smart actions that align with your long-term goals. Here’s to a productive and successful year ahead!
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