Page 4 - Funding

Edtech firm BrightChamps acquires Edjust in a cash-and-stock deal

The firm said the acquisition is a strategy to enforce stricter standards and an industry-first model code of customer acquisition

Bank of Maharashtra eyes QIP of Rs 2,500 cr in FY26 to support biz growth

Reduce GOI stake, support business growth

Accel, Binny Bansal, Majety back flying taxi venture Sarla Aviation

As urbanisation accelerates and traffic congestion worsens in Indian cities, Sarla envisions a future where Indians can bypass road-bound infrastructure and seamlessly live, work, and thrive

EET Fuels secures $350 million funding for decarbonisation plans

EET Fuel, the trading name of Essar Oil (UK) Ltd, on Tuesday announced securing USD 350 million finance as investors reposed confidence in its decarbonisation strategy and market positioning. The firm secured USD 350 million through a combination of new financing by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and upsizing extension of existing crude facility, it said in a statement. EET Fuels, which owns and operates the UK's Stanlow refinery, is investing USD 1.2 billion over the next five years to decarbonise its operations and targeting a 95 per cent cut in emissions by 2030 through energy efficiency, carbon capture and fuel switching. The new facilities secured are USD 150 million from Afreximbank - the Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade - and upsizing of the previously reported USD 300 million trade credit financing facility with an international oil company to USD 500 million. "The company has agreed USD 3

From backseat to driver's seat, rights issues take the wheel in 2024

From coasting to leading, they seize control of fundraising road in 2024

DPIIT partners with Stride Ventures to help startups in funding, mentorship

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Saturday said it has joined hands with venture debt firm Stride Ventures to support high growth potential startups in their funding requirements. It said this collaboration will be instrumental in creating enormous opportunities for startups by integrating financial support with strategic mentorship and market access. Highlighting the macroeconomic impact of this collaboration, Joint Secretary in DPIIT Sanjiv said Stride Ventures will curate dedicated programmes and collaborate on engagements like the Bharat Grand Challenge to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder and Managing Partner, Stride Ventures, said "this partnership, coupled with our billion-dollar commitment to nurturing startups, reaffirms our resolve to strengthen India's startup ecosystem". The department said Stride Ventures will give thrust "on identifying startups with high growth potential, offering

Stock market researcher Univest raises $10 mn from Bertelsmann India

SEBI-registered stock market research platform Univest has raised USD 10 million (about Rs 85 crore) in a funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII). The funds will be deployed towards scaling the Gurgaon-headquartered firm's offerings, while maintaining a focus on delivering personalised user experience, Univest co-founder and CEO Pranit Arora said. "With this funding round, we are excited to accelerate our mission to democratise access to high-quality research. The funds will enable us to scale our research-first, full-stack brokerage offering, creating India's first true stock market superapp for retail investors. Our focus will remain on delivering seamless, personalised, and actionable insights that simplify the investment journey for our users," he said. Univest provides expert trading advice across stocks, derivatives, and commodities. Investor users receive entry and exit signals from SEBI-registered analysts, during Live market hours, ensuring timely and ...

SolarSquare raises $40 million in series B funding from Lightspeed

Company plans to use the funding to expand its operations, hire talent, and for brand building

Canadian pension fund arm co-leads $180 mn investment in India's Mintifi

A Canadian pension fund arm on Tuesday announced that it has co-led in a USD 180 million funding round in Indian supply chain finance platform Mintifi. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan's arm Teachers' Venture Growth and South Africa's Prosus have co-led the Series E investment into the city-based Mintifi, as per a statement. Premji Invest also participated in the funding round, which includes both primary and secondary transactions, the statement said. Canadian investors, especially pension funds, have been present in India for many years and have backed a slew of entities and projects for handsome returns. The fresh funding will deepen the company's presence across key sectors and consolidate its market leadership in the downstream supply chain financing space, it said. The company, which works with entities such as Asian Paints, Varun Beverages, Parle Products, Honda, Shree Cement, TVS and Castrol, will use the funds to expand on its new offerings, including dealer management syst

Mintifi raises $180 mn in Series E from TVG, Prosus, and Premji Invest

The company works with over 300 brands in India, including Asian Paints, Varun Beverages, Parle Products, Honda, and Shree Cement, among others

Antler India plans to invest around Rs 211 crore in 50 startups in 2025

Venture capital firm Antler India is planning to invest USD 25 million, or about Rs 211 crore, in 50 startups in 2025, the company said on Wednesday. The venture capital firm has invested in 30 startups in 2024 through its maiden USD 75 million fund. "Antler plans to ramp up investments further in the next year and make 50 investments in 2025. We plan to invest USD 25 million in the 50 companies," Antler India Partner Rajiv Srivatsa told PTI. The company's 2024 investments include a wholesale marketplace for fashion retail Bizup, aluminium-air fuel cell technology company Meine Electric, open mobility platform Namma Yatri, personal loan facilitator firm Keeper, which uses paid leaves as digital assets for salaried employees, AI-powered dashcam provider Cautio, etc. "Our investment pace reflects both the quality of the founders we're meeting and our conviction that the next wave of global technology companies will emerge from India. We have invested in 30 companies this year, many o

Lectrix EV plans to raise $100 million to fund next phase of growth

Lectrix EV, the e-mobility arm of SAR Group, plans to raise around USD 100 million (over Rs 800 crore) from external sources next year to fund its next phase of growth, according to founder Rakesh Malhotra. The company has invested around Rs 300 crore in the business from internal accruals so far. "I would say we are within 12 months from raising a sizable round of capital (outside)," Malhotra told PTI in an interaction. When asked to elaborate, he noted that the company could raise around USD 100 million. "By the time we raise capital, we would have put in 50 million of our own capital. So the next round has to be in the in a size which is meaningful and can keep us going for another year or two," Malhotra said. The raised capital would go into developing the business across the country, he stated. The company plans to invest the capital to enhance the dealership network and set up swapping infrastructure in about 100 cities, Malhotra said. "We are at about 200 (dealerships) to

After a prolonged winter, Indian edtech sector shows signs of recovery

Funding in the sector has increased by 153 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), reaching $608.8 million across 68 deals in 2024 so far

Quick commerce major Zepto is India's most funded startup in 3 years

IPO-bound company has raised $1.35 billion in 2024

Insurtech firm Zopper raises $25 mn in to ramp up its digital infra

The funds will also accelerate growth in the firm's current bancassurance offerings and enhance its post sales and servicing capabilities for Zopper's device and appliance protection businesses

Alpha Alternatives raises Rs 3,800 cr for first close of maiden infra fund

The category II AIF will invest in road assets across India

Sirius India Airlines looks to raise $100 million for services expansion

Air charter services operator Sirius India Airlines has said it looks to raise USD 100 million through debt and other instruments for fleet and services expansion as it sees demand soaring from across segments. The company said it is aiming to have a fleet of 50 private jets by financial year 2027 and spread its wings to other markets such as the Far East, Southeast Asia and East Africa as part of the long-term business plan. The proposed funds are expected to be tied-up by March next year so that the plan starts getting implemented from FY26, Sirius India Airlines founder and promoter Arun Kashyap said. The Gurugram-based aviation venture launched its air charter services in collaboration with Dubai-based Transworld Group in August this year. "We are aiming to secure USD 100 million capital by this fiscal and have already started the process to do so. We are looking at these funds both by way of debt as well as from strategic investors and are in discussions with a bunch of lender

Zepto to raise $300 mn, doubling initial target amid quick commerce battle

The funding round, oversubscribed by prominent investors, will include top Indian family offices and ultra-high net worth individuals

Razorpay launches venture investment programme in partnership with VCs

Early-stage ventures could see potential fundraising of up to $1 million as part of the programme

Edtech platform Bhanzu secures $16.5 mn for US expansion and global growth

The company has reported 8 times growth since its last funding round two years ago. It is now cash-flow positive, with expansion plans focused on the US market