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Zintlr Raises ₹7.5 Crore in Seed Funding to Boost Sales Intelligence Capabilities

Supriya Biswas
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Zintlr Raises ₹7.5 Crore in Seed Funding to Boost Sales Intelligence Capabilities

Zintlr, a B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) company focused on sales intelligence and prospecting, has successfully completed a seed funding round, securing ₹7.5 crore. This round was led by Om Jain and included participation from notable investors such as the Jito Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), Motilal Oswal Financial Services, and Vimal Shah of Bidco Group. Other contributors include Sparsh Jain from JG International Infra, Vinod Dugar of Modak Vyapaar, and Vimal Khivesara, alongside Ramesh Jain of GM Electrical and Prabhakar from Gopalan Enterprises.

Rajat Mehta, Chairman of JIIF, expressed enthusiasm for Zintlr’s unique strategy, stating, “By leveraging AI-driven insights, Zintlr meets the rising demand for enhanced efficiency in business operations. We are excited to support their journey and help them explore new markets and opportunities.”

Founded in 2022 by Ravi Jain, Ujwal Kumar, and Pranay Khariwal, Zintlr offers an AI-powered buyer intelligence platform that integrates a curated contact database with revenue intelligence and valuable insights for specific markets and geographic areas.

The platform is designed to assist large corporations in reducing sales cycle duration, improving conversion rates, and closing more deals via its enterprise solutions, while also identifying their total addressable market (TAM). The new investment will support the company’s plans for team expansion, market penetration, and innovation in developing new intelligence product verticals.

Founder Ravi Jain remarked, “Our vision is to empower businesses with advanced, innovative, and user-friendly intelligence solutions. At Zintlr, we are dedicated to changing the way companies pursue growth, making processes more streamlined and efficient. This funding will enhance our commitment to research and development as well as customer acquisition, enabling us to fill market gaps and seize significant opportunities. We are grateful for the confidence and enthusiasm shown by our users, investors, and supporters, which fuels our drive to innovate within the B2B SaaS sector.”

ZEVO Raises $2 Million in Pre-Series A Round to Scale EV Fleet and Infrastructure

Supriya Biswas
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ZEVO Raises $2 Million in Pre-Series A Round to Scale EV Fleet and Infrastructure

Electric vehicle mobility platform ZEVO has secured $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round, led by Pegasus India Fund, BizDateUp, JIIF, and a family office. According to the company, these funds will be used to roll out 5,000 electric vehicles and build advanced fulfillment centers in key locations, supporting its ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.

ZEVO, a technology-driven platform, plans to leverage this investment to expand its services, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, by improving its supply chain management and technological capabilities. Co-founder Dhruv Bhatia commented, “This funding is crucial for our mission to transform the EV supply chain. By adopting cutting-edge technology and expanding into new markets, we are dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and innovation.”

CEO Aditya Singh Ratnu expressed his excitement about the investment, stating, “This funding reflects the trust our investors have in ZEVO’s vision to revolutionize logistics with electric vehicles. It will fuel our expansion and technological advancements, bringing us closer to our goal of leading the sustainable logistics sector in India.”

Looking ahead, ZEVO is aiming to raise an additional $20 million by January 2025 to further accelerate its growth. With an ambitious target to have 200,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030, the company is committed to reshaping the logistics industry with a strong focus on environmental responsibility.

Oncare Secures $1M in Seed Funding for Cancer Care Innovations

Supriya Biswas
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Oncare Secures $1M in Seed Funding for Cancer Care Innovations

Oncare, a pioneering startup dedicated to enhancing cancer care, has successfully secured $1 million in seed funding, with Huddle Ventures leading the investment round. This funding also attracted participation from prominent investors such as TRTL Ventures, Cloud Capital, and DeVC, highlighting the growing interest in innovative healthcare solutions.

Founded in 2023 by Deepak Kumar and Amar Sneh, Oncare is actively partnering with hospitals that have 50 to 100 beds to establish specialized oncology departments. By creating these dedicated wings, the startup aims to streamline cancer treatment processes and enhance patient care.

These strategic collaborations allow Oncare to significantly reduce treatment costs, bringing expenses down by as much as 40%. This approach not only alleviates the financial burden on patients but also addresses the need for accessible cancer care options in India. Oncare’s mission is to provide a high-quality yet affordable alternative to conventional cancer therapies, which can often exceed Rs 10 lakh in corporate healthcare settings.

As Oncare continues to expand its network and refine its offerings, the startup is poised to make a meaningful impact on the oncology landscape, ensuring that more patients have access to the treatments they need without the prohibitive costs.

SoftBank Set to Invest $500 Million in OpenAI Funding Round

Supriya Biswas
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SoftBank Set to Invest $500 Million in OpenAI Funding Round

SoftBank Group Corp‘s shares saw a notable recovery as news surfaced that the Japanese tech giant might participate in a major funding round for OpenAI, positioning its founder, Masayoshi Son, to further his ambitions in the fast-evolving artificial intelligence space.

Reports indicate that SoftBank’s Vision Fund is preparing to inject $500 million into OpenAI, according to sources familiar with the matter. This comes as OpenAI pursues a $6.5 billion funding round, aiming for a valuation of $150 billion. Thrive Capital is set to lead the investment round, with Microsoft Corp., OpenAI’s largest investor, and others expected to participate. Both SoftBank and OpenAI representatives have so far declined to provide comments on the ongoing negotiations.

In response to this news, SoftBank’s stock rose by 3.4% during Tuesday morning trading, recovering from losses incurred during a broader selloff in Tokyo following a political leadership election.

This latest investment round would reinforce OpenAI’s position as one of the most valuable startups globally. However, it comes at a time of internal changes for the AI leader. Last week, Mira Murati, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, announced her decision to leave, adding to the wave of senior management departures this year. Additionally, OpenAI is reportedly considering a transition to a for-profit structure, as previously highlighted by Bloomberg.

Although SoftBank has not previously invested in OpenAI, the two companies have been collaborating on AI projects. These include efforts to develop a large language model in Japan, further supporting SoftBank’s domestic telecom arm. Masayoshi Son has also stated that he frequently engages with OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, on various initiatives.

Earlier this year, SoftBank’s Vision Fund made a strategic investment in Perplexity AI Inc., an AI search startup that competes with OpenAI, at a $3 billion valuation.

SanchiConnect Attracts Funding from Baring PE India, Seafund, 8X Ventures, and More to Expand SaaS Solutions

Supriya Biswas
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SanchiConnect Attracts Funding from Baring PE India, Seafund, 8X Ventures, and More to Expand SaaS Solutions

SanchiConnect, an accelerator specializing in DeepTech, has successfully completed a funding round led by Baring Private Equity Partners-India (STPL), Seafund, and 8X Ventures. Additional backing came from notable investors including Ogma, Arctic Innovations, and InnovHer. The newly acquired capital will enhance SanchiConnect’s recently launched SaaS-based services designed to support Indian startups. This funding represents a significant advancement for the accelerator as SaaS solutions offered by incubators and accelerators gain momentum globally, particularly in India, driven by rapid innovation.

“With this latest funding, we aim to strengthen our software suite to facilitate various types of startup support. We will enhance our community initiatives and integrate AI, providing users with compelling reasons to engage and realize value. The funds will also facilitate our regional expansion across the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern markets,” commented Sunil Shekhawat, CEO and Co-founder of SanchiConnect.

Founded in 2022, SanchiConnect started as a community-building initiative and quickly transitioned into software services, establishing itself as a key technology partner for leading incubators, accelerators, and corporate innovation programs across India and Southeast Asia.

“The inception of SanchiConnect three years ago was aimed at reinforcing the ecosystem for early-stage deep tech startups. The positive impact it has made in the deep tech startup sector makes us proud to be founding partners. We are dedicated to supporting the team as they pursue larger ambitions,” said Rahul Bhasin, Managing Partner of Baring PE Partners-India.

Manoj Agarwal, Managing Partner of Seafund, reiterated this perspective: “We have been following SanchiConnect’s contributions to startup acceleration and community development closely. The introduction of their SaaS platform and its acceptance by leading incubators and corporate programs gave us the confidence to join as investors.”

Chirag Gupta, Managing Partner at 8X Ventures, also expressed enthusiasm: “We were early supporters of the SanchiConnect community and formed valuable partnerships through the network. Our interest in SanchiConnect’s vision increased significantly after our meeting with Dr. Sunil in 2022. We are excited to collaborate with SanchiConnect to empower the enablers of this industry through optimal technology.”

SINE EDGE, the community platform supported by SanchiConnect, has been crucial for startups involved in the SINE program at IIT Bombay. Shaji Varghese, CEO of SINE, IIT Bombay, stated, “SINE EDGE has been a game changer for us. It has elevated our engagement with stakeholders, making our interactions more effective and efficient. This has allowed us to add even greater value to our startups. Having closely collaborated with Dr. Sunil and his team, we look forward to SanchiConnect’s next stage of growth, which will involve incorporating more technology into their products and exploring new markets.”

Rava AI Unveils Revolutionary Content Marketing Tool on Product Hunt

Supriya Biswas
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Rava AI Unveils Revolutionary Content Marketing Tool on Product Hunt

Rava AI has officially launched on Product Hunt, introducing an innovative platform designed to transform content marketing for businesses. Co-founded by Sudha Reddy and Kiran Babu, this AI-powered tool addresses the challenges of content generation and marketing alignment, offering a comprehensive solution for creating effective content strategies. The idea for Rava AI stemmed from the founders’ firsthand experiences with startups struggling due to inadequate content and marketing approaches, highlighting the critical need for high-quality content that resonates with audiences and ranks well in search engines.

“Startups often fail because their content and marketing efforts aren’t aligned with their audience’s needs,” said Kiran Babu, Co-Founder of Rava AI. The platform differentiates itself by analyzing business websites and utilizing data, industry trends, and search keywords to produce tailored content.

Key features include identifying ideal customers and creating detailed personas, developing content pillars based on strategic search terms, and providing customized marketing plans that enhance engagement and drive growth. Additionally, Rava AI offers a content calendar for seamless scheduling and a chatbot for real-time assistance.

Now live on Product Hunt, Rava AI is poised to capture the attention of a global audience eager for innovative solutions. The Rava team is excited to share their creation and invites feedback from early users. “We believe Rava AI will make a significant difference for businesses looking to enhance their online visibility and improve their marketing strategies,” Kiran added.

India’s Startup Ecosystem Thrives in Q3 2024 with Three New Unicorns and a Surge in Funding

Supriya Biswas
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India’s Startup Ecosystem Thrives in Q3 2024 with Three New Unicorns and a Surge in Funding

The Indian startup ecosystem experienced a remarkable resurgence in the third quarter of 2024, welcoming three new unicorns as mega deals reached an impressive total of 10. Startups like Zepto, PhysicsWallah, and Rapido were pivotal in this growth, each raising over $100 million in their respective funding rounds.

The latest entrants into the unicorn club—Moneyview, Rapido, and Ather Energy—reflect the same pace of growth as seen in the first half of the year, demonstrating a robust startup landscape. Overall, the total funding for Indian startups soared to $3.4 billion in Q3 2024, marking a substantial 100% increase year-on-year. This uptick follows a quieter funding environment in the first half of the year.

A key driver of this growth was the notable increase in late-stage funding, which saw 10 startups secure funding exceeding $100 million during the July to September period. This quarter recorded the highest number of mega deals since Q2 2022, with notable contributions from companies such as Zepto, PhysicsWallah, Rapido, OYO, Whatfix, Purplle, Drip Capital, BlueStone, M2P Fintech, and InMobi.

The rise in mega deals has naturally led to an increase in the number of startups achieving unicorn status. Three startups joined this exclusive group in Q3, matching the number that did so in the first half of 2024.

Among the newest unicorns, fintech startup Moneyview raised a modest $4.6 million in equity funding from Accel India and Nexus Ventures, achieving a valuation of $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, ride-hailing startup Rapido secured $200 million in its Series E funding round, elevating its valuation to $1.1 billion just days prior.

Ather Energy, a key player in the electric vehicle sector, also made headlines by raising $71 million from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), resulting in a post-money valuation of $1.3 billion. Following this funding, Ather Energy filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI for an ambitious INR 3,100 crore IPO.

It’s important to highlight that in the first half of the year, three startups—Krutrim, led by Bhavish Aggarwal, fintech SaaS company Perfios, and travel tech SaaS firm RateGain—achieved unicorn status.

Driven by the surge in mega deals, late-stage startup funding skyrocketed by 115% in the September quarter, reaching $2.1 billion, up from the $984 million raised during the same period last year. Additionally, the Indian startup ecosystem experienced a 135% increase in late-stage deal count, totaling 40 deals. Notably, the number of mega deals in Q3 2024 was 42% higher than the seven recorded in the first half of the year. In H1 2024, late-stage startups collectively raised $2.7 billion, reflecting an 18% decline from the $3.3 billion secured in the first half of 2023.

Overall, Indian startups amassed $5.3 billion in funding during the first six months of 2024, a slight decrease of 1.8% from the $5.4 billion raised in H1 2023.

While late-stage funding faced a downturn in the first half of the year, seed and growth-stage funding witnessed significant growth. Seed-stage funding increased by 23% to $589 million in H1 2024, up from $479 million the previous year, while growth-stage funding rose by 21% to $1.7 billion, compared to $1.4 billion in H1 2023.

This upward trend in seed and growth-stage funding carried over into Q3 2024. Seed-stage startups secured $360 million across 125 deals during the September quarter, marking a substantial 126% increase from the $159 million raised through 129 deals in the same period last year. Likewise, growth-stage startups raised $847 million through 65 deals in Q3, representing a remarkable 91% jump from the $443 million raised across 32 deals in Q3 2023.

With these developments, India’s startup ecosystem is poised for a vibrant future, marked by increased investment and innovation.

Dhan Achieves First Profits of ₹155 Crore in FY24; Revenue Surges 600% Year-on-Year

Supriya Biswas
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Dhan Achieves First Profits of ₹155 Crore in FY24; Revenue Surges 600% Year-on-Year

Dhan, the innovative stock broking startup, has marked a significant milestone by reporting its first-ever profits of ₹155 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24. This achievement comes as the company experienced an astounding 600% surge in gross revenues, which reached ₹380 crore compared to ₹54.2 crore in the previous fiscal year. The Mumbai-based startup shared these impressive figures in a note to its shareholders, indicating a promising trajectory for its future.

Despite the encouraging financial results, founder Pravin Jadhav has opted not to comment on the company’s performance. Dhan is actively engaging with potential investors, including private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds, in pursuit of raising approximately $100 million in a fresh equity funding round. This capital infusion will enable Dhan to expand its product offerings and further strengthen its position in the competitive market.

However, the startup acknowledges potential challenges ahead. Dhan anticipates that recent regulatory measures impacting the speculative futures and options market could lead to a 25-30% decline in its gross revenue. Nevertheless, the company remains optimistic about its growth trajectory, as it continues to innovate and adapt to market conditions.

Founded in 2021, Dhan has already raised around $22 million from notable investors, including Mirae Asset Ventures and Beenext. With these funds, the startup plans to enhance its margin trading funding services and develop new revenue-generating products, catering to the evolving needs of its user base.

Dhan’s remarkable growth reflects the overall expansion of the equity trading market, particularly among new-age discount brokers. For instance, Peak XV Partners-backed Groww reported a fourfold increase in net profit for its core broking business, reaching ₹297 crore for FY24, with gross revenues more than doubling to ₹2,899 crore.

In addition to its impressive revenue generation and profitability, Dhan has established itself among the top 10 stockbrokers in the country, boasting around 740,000 active traders, according to data from the NSE. Unlike many of its competitors, Dhan primarily focuses on catering to seasoned traders, with approximately 90% of its user base migrating from other platforms. Furthermore, 95% of its clients are based in major cities across India, showcasing the startup’s appeal to urban investors.

The combination of attractive pricing and superior product offerings has positioned Dhan favorably in a competitive market, allowing it to attract many younger participants eager to engage with the Indian equity market. As Dhan looks to the future, its commitment to innovation and expansion will be critical in navigating the evolving landscape of stock broking.

Kylie Cosmetics Expands into the Fragrance Sector with Launch of ‘Cosmic’

Supriya Biswas
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Kylie Cosmetics Expands into the Fragrance Sector with Launch of ‘Cosmic’

House of Beauty has officially launched Kylie Jenner‘s signature fragrance, ‘Cosmic,’ in India, marking a significant expansion for Kylie Cosmetics. This move follows the successful introduction of Kylie Cosmetics in April 2024 and aims to tap into India’s growing fragrance market.

Currently, Kylie Cosmetics is exclusively available at Sephora India, with a presence in all 26 stores across key markets, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Chandigarh, as well as online. Initially offering a diverse range of products across face, lip, and eye categories, the brand is now expanding to meet the rising demand for international beauty products in India.

Since the launch of the Kylie Lip Kit in 2015, Kylie Cosmetics has gained worldwide acclaim, often selling out within minutes. In India, the brand’s lip products account for over 50% of its business, showcasing its popularity among Indian consumers.

Kumar Prashant, Business Head of Kylie Cosmetics at House of Beauty, expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, “We have received an incredible response from Indian consumers since the launch of Kylie Cosmetics. Cities like Chandigarh and Hyderabad, alongside Delhi and Mumbai, have shown strong enthusiasm for our brand.”

The introduction of the ‘Cosmic’ fragrance is just the beginning, as Kylie Cosmetics has exciting new product launches lined up for the festive season, including the Tinted Butter Palm, Mauve Eyeshadow Palette, and Lip Oil. This strategic expansion is expected to solidify Kylie Cosmetics’ position as a leading beauty brand in India.

BizDateUp Co-Founders Make Strategic Investment in Swiggy’s Pre-IPO Round

Supriya Biswas
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BizDateUp Co-Founders Make Strategic Investment in Swiggy’s Pre-IPO Round

In a key move during Swiggy’s pre-IPO funding round, venture capitalists and BizDateUp co-founders Jeet Chandan and Meet Jain have acquired a stake in the food and grocery delivery leader. The investment was part of an off-market secondary deal that drew attention from notable figures, including cricketers Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan, tennis player Rohan Bopanna, and filmmaker Karan Johar.

Swiggy, a frontrunner in India’s booming food delivery industry, has garnered significant interest with this pre-IPO round, reinforcing investor confidence in its growth trajectory and future outlook. This fresh investment is expected to drive Swiggy’s continued innovation as it solidifies its position in India’s fast-growing food delivery space.

Commenting on the investment, Jeet Chandan, co-founder of BizDateUp, said, “The Indian food delivery market has seen tremendous growth in recent years.” He continued, “As someone who has been an entrepreneur since the age of 13, I’ve always been drawn to building disruptive businesses that make a real difference. Swiggy’s innovative approach and leadership in the industry align perfectly with my investment vision.”

BizDateUp, founded by Jeet Chandan and co-founded by Meet Jain, has rapidly emerged as a significant player in the startup ecosystem, offering a wide array of support services to help promising startups succeed.

During the 2023-24 fiscal year, BizDateUp experienced substantial growth, funding over 25 startups and raising a $10 million fund, while working closely with more than 1,000 active angel investors. The company also reported an impressive average return of 3.5X, strengthening its reputation as a trusted partner for high-growth ventures.

Reflecting on the future of food delivery, Meet Jain, co-founder of BizDateUp, stated, “With user-friendly apps, tech-driven delivery networks, and evolving consumer expectations, food delivery has grown into a major category. Swiggy is well-positioned to continue leading this space with its innovative solutions and customer-centric focus.”

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