ceovine

PV Sindhu Joins GreenDays: Investing in Better Nutrition and Biofortified Staples

Indian badminton sensation PV Sindhu has made an undisclosed investment in Better Nutrition, a biofortified staples brand by Greenday. This company offers a range of agri-input services, including biofortified seeds, fertilizers, and agronomic practices.

Biofortification, the process of enriching crops with essential micronutrients, boosts the nutritional value of the yield, thereby combating malnutrition.

Established in 2017 by Prateek Rastogi, an alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad, Greenday strives to democratize nutrition, bridging the gap between rural agricultural expertise and urban nutritional needs through biofortification.

Greenday collaborates with farmers, encouraging the cultivation of nutrient-rich crops enriched with essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, pro-vitamin A, calcium, and protein.

Rastogi emphasizes the significance of Sindhu's involvement in raising awareness about nutritious staples, making them accessible and affordable nationwide, while also enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and their families integral to their supply chain.

Sindhu's investment forms part of a Rs 4 crore funding round, joined by other angel investors. The company aims to raise an additional Rs 4 crore and then pursue a $3 million venture capital round for further expansion.

In 2022, Greenday secured Rs 3.2 crore from investors led by IIMA Ventures, previously known as CIIE.CO. With about 75 agri-input stores and procurement centers across India under the brand 'kisan ki dukan,' Greenday offers a product range including biofortified wheat, rice, pearl millet, finger millet, and maize. Currently partnering with 15,000 farmers, the company plans to expand its operations.

Sindhu's endorsement promises a significant impact on India's agricultural and nutritional landscape through Better Nutrition and Greenday, promoting biofortified crops and supporting farmers toward a healthier, sustainable future. 

Twitter Clash: Mamaearth's Ghazal Alagh Defends Product Quality Amid Criticism

Bengaluru-based DiFACTO Robotics and Automation has secured Rs 40 crore (approximately $4.8 million) in its inaugural funding round, with backing from private equity firm Stakeboat Capital. This milestone signals a significant stride forward for the company as it enters a new phase of growth and development.

Established in 2007 by Ajay Gopalswamy, DiFACTO Robotics and Automation specializes in delivering comprehensive industrial automation solutions across a diverse array of manufacturing sectors.

The company's expertise lies in four core segments: welding systems, material handling systems, foundry and machine tending systems, and fluid dispensing systems. Notable clients include industry giants like Mahindra Group, Tata Group, Maruti Suzuki, and Toyota India.

The raised capital will fuel DiFACTO's expansion efforts, particularly in key sectors such as automotive, home appliances, and electronics. Ajay Gopalswamy, the founder and CEO, expressed the company's intent to leverage this investment to broaden its market reach in response to the escalating demand for automation.

DiFACTO's service portfolio encompasses on-site support for a wide range of industrial robots from renowned brands such as ABB, Adept, FANUC, Kawasaki, Kuka, Motoman (Yaskawa), Nachi, OTC, and Panasonic. Its clientele spans various industries including automotive, transportation, energy, consumer goods, food and beverages, health and pharmaceutical, defense and aerospace, and electronics.

With manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and branches in Pune and Gurgaon, DiFACTO operates globally, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Troy, Michigan, USA.

Having successfully completed over 1,000 projects for approximately 300 clients across 15 countries, DiFACTO reported sales of Rs 175 crore in the fiscal year 2024, demonstrating its robust market presence and increasing demand for its automation solutions.

Difacto Robotics and Automation Raises Rs 40 Crore Funding from Stakeboat Capital - CEOVine

Mumbai-based insurtech startup CoverSure has raised $4 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Enam Holdings. The company intends to use the investment to develop a consumer-centric insurance engagement platform, leveraging data intelligence and machine learning.

Founded in January 2023 by Saurabh Vijayvergia, Mayank Mishra, Rohan Gaikwad, Prakash Dubey, and Harshit Jain, CoverSure aims to revolutionize India's insurance landscape. Their platform automates policy management, offering insights into coverage, renewals, and claims.

Co-founder & CEO Saurabh Vijayvergia emphasized CoverSure's focus on unbiased digital solutions, guiding users through personalized risk management and streamlined policy management.

CoverSure operates across health, life, motor, and travel insurance segments, utilizing data intelligence and machine learning to enhance services. The startup holds an IRDAI corporate agent license and has partnered with major insurers such as ICICI Lombard and HDFC Life.

This funding round marks CoverSure's first institutional raise. Vijayvergia discussed the expansion strategy, highlighting the use of digital metrics for growth in various cities.

CoverSure aspires to be India's most beloved insurance platform, delivering innovative solutions and exceptional user experiences.

Coversure Raises $4 Million in Pre-Series A Funding Led by Enam Holdings - CEOvine

"I gave the 9 to 5 routine a shot, but it didn't last more than a year. So, I walked away from the grind," shared Sandeep Jangra, a determined entrepreneur from Haryana.

After earning his B.Tech in Electronics from NC College, Kurukshetra University, Sandeep dabbled briefly in the corporate world. But his heart craved autonomy. Thus, he returned to his roots and dived into the food industry.

From this desire, Pizza Galleria emerged.

With his elder brother's backing and his family's unwavering support, Sandeep unveiled the first Pizza Galleria outlet in Gohana in 2015, igniting an extraordinary culinary journey.

Navigating the intricacies of the food industry single-handedly was no small feat. From balancing the books to managing supplies, every aspect demanded precision.

Yet, Sandeep's persistence paid dividends. Through word of mouth, Pizza Galleria swiftly became a household name in Gohana, winning hearts with its quality and flavor.

Sandeep's mantra? "Quality, quantity, and hygiene are non-negotiable."

Their pizzas, crafted from fresh dough and handpicked veggies, are 100% vegetarian. Each element, from their in-house sauces to meticulously prepared dough, underscores their commitment to excellence.

By prioritizing innovation and customer satisfaction, Sandeep propelled the brand to rapid expansion. Unique offerings like the Bahubali Pizza, featuring a signature in-house liquid cheese, captured the palates of pizza enthusiasts far and wide.

Additionally, Pizza Galleria introduced "JAIN PIZZA," catering to those with specific dietary preferences.

The pinnacle of Pizza Galleria’s journey arrived with its feature on Shark Tank India Season 3. While funding eluded them, the national exposure sparked a surge in franchise requests, cementing Pizza Galleria's status as India’s premier pure vegetarian pizza brand.

Despite the demands of entrepreneurship, Sandeep cherishes family time. Whether strolling with his wife or embarking on a rejuvenating road trip, he finds solace in life's simple joys.

To aspiring entrepreneurs, Sandeep imparts wisdom gleaned from experience: "Never compromise on quality and taste. Train your staff to treat customers with respect." He also stresses the importance of thorough research before venturing into business.

Sandeep Jangra's Journey: India's #1 Veg Pizza Brand from Local Gem to National Icon

SuperKalam, an AI-powered mentorship platform tailored for students preparing for competitive exams, has recently concluded its seed funding round, securing $2 million.

Leading the investment are prominent startup accelerator YCombinator and investment firm FundersClub. Noteworthy backers in this round include YC Partner Puneet Kumar, Goodwater Capital, Nurture Ventures, SuperCapital, and Pareto Ventures.

This fresh infusion of capital will fuel SuperKalam's efforts to enhance its AI-driven educational platform, expand its user base, elevate user experience, and foster continuous innovation in personalized learning solutions.

Established in July 2023 by Vimal Singh Rathore and Aseem Gupta, SuperKalam endeavors to revolutionize education through AI, providing tailored guidance and assistance to students gearing up for competitive exams.

This venture marks Vimal Singh Rathore's second foray into the edtech realm, following his previous success with Coursavy, acquired by Unacademy in September 2020.

"We're thrilled to welcome such iconic investors aboard as we embark on our mission to redefine learning in an AI-centric era," remarked Vimal Singh Rathore, co-founder and CEO of SuperKalam. "At SuperKalam, we're dedicated to leading this transformation by shifting from one-size-fits-all content delivery to personalized learning experiences that adapt to each student's unique requirements."

Presently, SuperKalam boasts a user base exceeding 60,000 students, crafting personalized study schedules and daily targets based on individual progress, ensuring a customized learning journey.

The startup aims to extend this personalized approach to the 5 million students nationwide embarking on civil service exam preparation.

With this newfound investment, SuperKalam is primed to reinforce its position in the edtech sector, delivering groundbreaking solutions tailored to the evolving demands of competitive exam candidates.

SuperKalam Raises $2M in Seed Funding Led by Y Combinator and FundersClub

Battery Smart, a rising star in the battery technology sector, secures $45 million in fresh funding, attracting notable investors like Acacia Inclusion Limited, MUFG Bank, Blume Ventures, The Ecosystem Integrity Fund, and British International Investment.

This funding round catapults Battery Smart's valuation to $341 million, a remarkable 62.5% surge from its previous valuation of $210 million just last November. Tiger Global, Orios Venture Partners, Shimshon Finance, and Baring Private Equity are among its prior investors.

The funding, which is part of an ongoing round, may further adjust the company's valuation. These new funds will predominantly fuel Battery Smart's expansion of its battery-swapping services, particularly tailored for electric two- and three-wheelers.

Founded in 2019 by Pulkit Khurana and Siddharth Sikka, Battery Smart has emerged as a key player in the EV sector with its battery-as-a-service (BaaS) solution, offering cost-effective alternatives to customers.

With a network of 1,000 swapping stations across 30 cities and over 35 million battery swaps completed, Battery Smart aims to expand its presence from Haryana, NCR, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra to include new urban centers like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kolkata.

Despite competition from industry heavyweights like Sun Mobility, Bounce Infinity, Lithium Power, Lohum, Chargeup, and RACEnergy, Battery Smart continues to innovate and lead in the battery-swapping space. 

Battery Smart Raises $45M for Rapid Expansion of Battery Swapping Services

Amit Doshi: Innovating the Future as Neerain's Founder and CEO

Red.Health, an innovative startup specializing in medical emergency response, has secured an impressive $20 million in Series B funding. Spearheaded by Jungle Ventures and supported by Alteria Capital, HealthQuad, and HealthX, this investment will propel the company's technological capabilities forward.

With a focus on minimizing errors and optimizing response times, Red.Health plans to enhance its dispatch system using the newly acquired funds. The startup aims to introduce an AI-powered recommendation engine, revolutionizing the speed and accuracy of emergency medical interventions.

Founded by Prabhdeep Singh in 2016, Red.Health operates an extensive network of air and road ambulances across 20 cities, serving both inter- and intra-city medical emergencies. With plans to expand to 40-50 cities and partner with over 500 hospitals, the company is poised for significant growth.

In addition to hospital networks like Fortis and Apollo Hospitals, Red.Health caters to corporate clients, ensuring swift ambulance services for their employees and dependents. CEO Prabhdeep Singh is optimistic about the company's future, aiming to become India's leading integrated medical emergency response platform.

Red.Health's impressive revenue of Rs 100 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2024 reflects its commitment to excellence. With a focus on rapid response times and operational efficiency, the company is set to double its revenue in the upcoming fiscal year.

Red Health Raises $20M Series B to Revolutionize Ambulance Services

In a swiftly shifting landscape where fashion trends evolve with every passing moment, the realm of fashion e-commerce stands out as a dynamic arena for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Palak Agarwal, a visionary entrepreneur driven by innovation, has carved her niche in this ever-changing industry with her brainchild, Ambraee.

Inspiration Ignited by Observation

Palak's journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by a keen observation – a noticeable dearth of innovation in women's ethnic wear. Surrounded by repetitive designs in conventional markets, she envisioned a realm where creativity could breathe new life into traditional attire, resonating with the diverse tastes of women globally.

Thus, Ambraee was conceived from a desire to offer a wardrobe that transcended monotony and celebrated individuality.

The Brand Essence of Ambraee

The significance of the brand name "Ambraee" lies in its essence – symbolizing beauty akin to the sky.

Navigating Challenges with Tenacity

However, the road to success was riddled with obstacles. Palak faced the daunting task of establishing Ambraee in the fiercely competitive world of fashion e-commerce. Yet, driven by her passion and unwavering determination, she turned adversities into stepping stones for growth.

Crafting Identity through Tradition and Innovation

At Ambraee's core lies a commitment to blending heritage-inspired elements with contemporary aesthetics. Each design curated by Palak and her team embodies this ethos – a seamless fusion of tradition and innovation.

But what truly sets Ambraee apart is its unwavering focus on quality and affordability, ensuring that every woman can feel beautiful without straining their budget.

A Vision for Empowerment and Inclusivity

As Ambraee evolves, Palak envisions it as more than just a fashion brand – it's a symbol of empowerment for women worldwide. Through her designs, she aims to inspire women to embrace their uniqueness, celebrate their heritage, and exude confidence in every facet of their lives.

And recognition has followed. In 2023, she was honored with the Leading Women Entrepreneur Award in the e-commerce category by SheThePeople TV.

Balancing Success with Self-Care

Despite her entrepreneurial pursuits, Palak prioritizes self-care, finding solace in her hobbies and interests.

Conclusion:

In the dynamic world of fashion, Palak's journey with Ambraee continues to inspire. With every creation, she weaves a narrative of passion, perseverance, and possibility. As she sets her sights on the future, her resolve remains steadfast, for the best is yet to come for Ambraee and the women it serves.