Venture capital funding saw a steady growth in the second week of January shrugging off the previous week’s inertia and setting the stage for better prospects in the near future.

The total funding for the second week of January came in at $100 million spread over 19 deals. In contrast, the previous week saw VC funding at just $14 million.

The steady increase in VC funding is a good sign for the Indian startup ecosystem as this signals there is optimism about a further increase in capital inflow in the near term. This can be corroborated by the latest fundraise of premier VC firm Accel, which garnered $650 million.

This week also saw healthcare-focused SaaS unicorn Innovaccer raising $275 million. Though headquartered in the US, the origins of this startup are in India where it has the majority of its employees.

However, challenges remain for the Indian startup ecosystem in terms of raising money as the macroeconomic environment remains subdued with a slowdown in the domestic economy and uncertainty over what would be policy measures from the new President of the United States.

On the other hand, there is a lot of activity for the ecosystem from the quick commerce segment as Zepto, Swiggy and Zomato continue to introduce new products keeping the excitement in the market.

While the ecosystem is optimistic, it is also cautious.

Key transactions

Infinity Fincorp Solutions raised $35 million from Jungle Ventures, Archerman Capital and Magnifico.

Fintech startup GrayQuest raised Rs 80 crore ($9.3 million approx.) from IIFL Fintech Fund, Claypond Capital and Pravega Ventures.

Tech startup Vehant Technologies raised $9 million from True North.

Banana chips brand Beyond Snack raised $8.3 million from 12 Flags Group, Enrission India Capital, NAB Ventures and Faad Network.

SaaS startup Mintoak raised Rs 71 crore ($8.2 million approx.) from Z3Partners.

EMO Energy raised $6.2 million from Subhkam Ventures and Transition VC.

EV startup Oben Electric raised Rs 50 crore ($5.8 million approx.) from Ambis Holding US, Kuberan Ventures, Karimjee Group, Mission Vertical and family offices.

Neuroscience startup BrainSight AI raised $5 million from IAN Alpha Fund, IvyCap Ventures, and Silver Needle.

Imagine waking up every morning with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. Imagine feeling more energised, focused, and capable of tackling life’s challenges head-on. This isn’t just a dream—it’s a reality that can be achieved by embracing simple, yet powerful habits over just 30 days. It’s often said that “small changes lead to big transformations,” and this philosophy couldn’t be truer when it comes to developing life-altering routines.

Most people believe that drastic measures are required to bring about change. They think transformation involves upheaving their entire schedule, adopting extreme diets, or engaging in rigorous programs that seem nearly impossible to sustain. But what if I told you that change doesn’t have to be overwhelming? What if you could revolutionise your life by dedicating just 30 days to intentional, purposeful habits?

Science supports this idea. Studies have shown that it takes approximately 21 to 30 days to establish a new habit. This means that with a focused effort for one month, you can rewire your brain, develop healthier routines, and set the stage for long-lasting personal growth. Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, enhance your mental health, or achieve physical fitness, a 30-day commitment can be the catalyst for transformation.

This article will introduce you to a range of practical 30-day habits, carefully designed to improve different aspects of your life.

Simple habits to change your life in 30 days

From waking up earlier to journaling your thoughts, each habit is simple yet impactful. Let’s explore how dedicating just a month to these habits can lead to lifelong benefits.

1. Start a gratitude journal

Write down three things you’re grateful for every day. This simple habit helps shift your focus to positivity, reducing stress and increasing happiness. After 30 days, you’ll notice how your perspective changes, even during tough times.

2. Drink more water daily

Hydration is key to maintaining energy and focus. Challenge yourself to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. You’ll feel more alert, your skin will glow, and your overall health will improve within a month.

3. Wake up 30 minutes earlier

Use the extra time to meditate, exercise, or plan your day. This habit can set a positive tone for your mornings, making you more productive and less rushed.

4. Read for 15 minutes a day

Pick a book that inspires or educates you. Whether it’s self-help, fiction, or biography, reading will broaden your perspective and improve your focus.

5. Walk 10,000 steps daily

Physical activity is essential for a healthy body and mind. Track your steps and aim for 10,000 each day. Walking not only improves physical fitness but also boosts mental clarity.

6. Eliminate a bad habit

Identify one habit that’s holding you back—procrastination, smoking, or endless scrolling on social media—and work on replacing it with a healthier alternative.

7. Practice daily meditation

Spend 5-10 minutes meditating daily to calm your mind and increase self-awareness. With regular practice, you’ll feel more centred and less anxious.

8. Try meal prepping

Dedicate one day a week to preparing meals for the next few days. This habit can save you time, reduce stress, and promote healthier eating.

9. Declutter one area daily

Spend 10-15 minutes decluttering a small area, such as a drawer or shelf. By the end of 30 days, your home will feel more organised and stress-free.

10. Learn something new

Commit to learning a new skill or topic for 30 days. Whether it’s cooking, coding, or playing an instrument, dedicating time daily can lead to noticeable progress.

11. Write down your goals

Take a few minutes each day to review and refine your goals. This habit helps you stay focused on your long-term vision.

12. Reduce screen time

Set a specific limit on your screen usage, especially before bed. Use the extra time for activities that nurture your well-being.

13. End your day with reflection

Before sleeping, reflect on your day. Write down what went well and what you can improve. This simple habit promotes self-awareness and continuous growth.

14. Perform random acts of kindness

Do one kind thing daily, like helping a coworker, complimenting someone, or donating to a cause. Spreading positivity can uplift your own mood as well.

Conclusion

Life transformation doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul. By committing to small, manageable habits for just 30 days, you can see profound changes in how you think, feel, and act. The key is consistency and dedication. Each habit on this list is designed to address specific areas of your life, from mental well-being to physical health.

So, why wait for the “perfect” moment to start? Pick a habit, commit to it for 30 days, and watch yourself transform into the best version of yourself. Your future self will thank you.

Quick commerce major Zepto’s 10-minute food delivery service, Zepto Café, has surpassed 50,000 daily orders just four weeks after the launch of its dedicated app, according to CEO Aadit Palicha.

“In December, I posted that we launched a new app for Zepto Café (food delivered in 10 minutes), which was doing 30K orders/day. Just 4 weeks later, we have crossed 50K orders/day – that’s 60% month-on-month growth 🤯,” Palicha wrote in a post on social media platform X.

Zepto Café, originally part of Zepto’s quick commerce app, was recently launched as a standalone app to capitalise on the growing demand for 10-minute food delivery. The move came amid growing competition from players like Swiggy, Zomato, magicpin, Ola Dash, BigBasket, and the new entrant, Swish.

On Tuesday, Zomato introduced 15-minute food delivery services in select pin codes, following its earlier launch of Bistro by Blinkit as part of its foray into this segment. The competition intensified further on Wednesday with Swiggy bringing Snacc, a new 15-minute food delivery app, while it continues to run its private label Swiggy Café and Swiggy Bolt, its own 10-minute food delivery service.

Zepto, however, is hoping to leverage the success of Zepto Café to make a significant push into the broader food delivery market, which remains largely dominated by Zomato and Swiggy. To strengthen its leadership in this space, the company recently elevated Shashank Shekhar Sharma to CXO for Zepto Café.