BUSINESS
SpeakX.ai raises $16 million led by WestBridge as AI-led edtech gains traction
Once on the brink of collapse, Arpit Mittal’s YellowClass has re-emerged as SpeakX — an AI-powered spoken English platform that turned profitable within a year. Now, with a fresh infusion from WestBridge Capital, Elevation Capital and Goodwater Capital, the company wants to become synonymous with English speaking in India.
INDIA
Entrepreneurs provide the flight, govt only the runway: Scindia on India’s startup rise
Scindia said India’s transformation into a global startup and digital hub reflects a fundamental policy shift — from regulation to facilitation
DEALS-AND-MERGERS
VCs tap startup operators to sharpen investment game
As India’s venture ecosystem matures, industry stakeholders say funds are racing to bring in domain specialists who can offer sharper execution, deeper founder networks and on-ground operating muscle.
BUSINESS
Infra.Market files for Rs 5,000 crore IPO via confidential route
The Accel- and Tiger Global-backed construction materials firm is looking to tap buoyant capital markets after a recent Rs 730 crore pre-IPO fundraise and strong FY25 financials.
STARTUP
Amazon, Flipkart festive blitz fuels 29% YoY surge in first-week sales to record Rs 60,700 crore
GST reforms, early access deals and a surge in Gen Z spending have turbocharged demand across categories, from smartphones to appliances.
STARTUP
Japan-based UNLEASH Capital closes Rs 300 crore fintech fund for India, targets early-stage startups
The Japan-backed early-stage fund plans to deploy capital across 12–15 fintech and financial services startups, betting on India’s valuation reset and financial inclusion opportunity.
BUSINESS
'Promoter' tags make a comeback as startup founders look to rewrite IPO playbook
BUSINESS
Vedantu raises $11 million in fresh funding from existing investors, gears up for external secondary round
The round is part of a larger ongoing fundraise, with the company preparing for an external tranche that will include a 'significant secondary component' to offer exits for some early investors, including Chinese backers such as TAL Education and Legend Capital
STARTUP
Quick commerce firms struggle to secure prime dark store locations in metros, face worker crunch
With most prime catchments in metros already taken, quick commerce firms are contending with soaring vacancy rates and high churn at dark stores, even as new vertical players crowd into the market.
STARTUP
H-1B at $100,000: Trump’s visa fee hike rattles Indian students eyeing US jobs, lifts interest in Germany, Japan, Poland
The move adds to a year of tightening visa rules and rising uncertainty over the post-study future of Indian students.
BUSINESS
From Amazon to Zomato: Platform fee is the charge that keeps on giving for e-commerce apps
From food delivery and e-commerce to fashion and ticketing, fees tucked into bills are quietly reshaping how platforms balance costs, fend off competition, and chase profitability.
STARTUP
D2C brands deploy AI to cut returns, boost sales amid festival season rush
From tackling fake returns and delivery failures to optimising supply chains and personalising festive campaigns, brands are betting on AI tools to protect margins and capture a larger share of India’s Rs 1.2 lakh crore festive e-commerce market.
STARTUP
PhysicsWallah IPO: Issue size, promoter cash-out, heavy costs and teaching moments decoded
Backed by WestBridge, Hornbill and GSV Ventures, the edtech firm has doubled down on offline centres and acquisitions even as rising employee costs, high attrition, and loss-making subsidiaries test its balance sheet.
STARTUP
PhysicsWallah revenue surges 49% in FY25, losses narrow to Rs 243 crore as offline bet scales up
Offline centres now contribute nearly half of PhysicsWallah’s topline, underscoring its shift into a hybrid model.
STARTUP
Festive sales from Amazon, Flipkart begin September 23, a day after GST reset
The flagship sales come just a day after the new GST reforms take effect, with lower rates on big-ticket appliances expected to fuel higher festive spending.
STARTUP
Swiggy, Zomato brace for GST impact on delivery fees; may pass cost to consumers
Industry experts warn that the move could squeeze margins, strain working capital, and trigger higher delivery charges for customers.
STARTUP
Amazon, Flipkart hail new GST reforms, gear up for festive season sales boost
GST clarity clears the air for e-commerce majors, enabling Flipkart and Amazon to finalise festive flagship sale dates, with analysts expecting a boost in demand for big-ticket items.
BUSINESS
Accel-backed FirstClub raises $23 million from existing investors, Paramark Ventures and Aditya Birla Ventures
The Flipkart veteran–led startup is betting on premium groceries, higher order values, and a slower-but-leaner dark store model to carve space in India’s $6 billion quick commerce market.
STARTUP
Swiggy hikes platform fee for third time in three weeks, taking it to Rs 15
At Swiggy’s present order volumes — estimated at over 2 million orders per day — the higher fee translates to up to Rs 3 crore in daily revenue, compared to around Rs 2.4 crore when the fee was at Rs 12. That’s an additional Rs 54 crore per quarter and Rs 216 crore annually if the rate sustains.
DEALS-AND-MERGERS
India’s deep tech push gets $1 bn boost from Indian and US VCs, first bets already in play
The alliance seeks to bridge long-standing capital gaps in deep tech by channelling funds into high-cost, high-impact areas such as semiconductors, AI, robotics, space, defense, and medical devices.
STARTUP
Zomato hikes platform fee to Rs 12 to boost profitability amid festival season rush
The company has also begun testing a Rs 50 'VIP Mode' in select locations that promises faster deliveries, priority riders, and a concierge-style service for select top customers.
STARTUP
Amazon, Flipkart await govt clarity on GST reforms before finalising festive sale plans
Shoppers are holding off on big-ticket purchases ahead of the festive sales, anticipating a possible GST cut. Analysts say that a lack of clarity in taxation may lead to sales moving to other channels.
STARTUP
Quick commerce investments in Flipkart, Myntra pressure Walmart International’s profit margins
Walmart is betting big on 15-minute fulfilment in India, even as rising infrastructure and discounting costs test the profitability of its international arm
STARTUP
D2C brands pile in inventory, double ad spends on quick commerce amid festive rush
D2C brands are rushing to load warehouses, bundle festive SKUs and jostle for visibility on Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart, even as staffing shortages slow down restocking and push up ad costs.
