Jio Financial Services, through its NBFC arm Jio Finance Limited, has launched a fully digital Loan Against Securities (LAS) service. This innovative offering allows customers to secure loans up to ₹1 crore against their shares and mutual funds within just 10 minutes via the JioFinance app.

Key Features:

• Digital Process: Entirely online for speed and convenience.
• Loan Amount: Up to ₹1 crore.
• Interest Rates: Starting at 9.99%, tailored to individual risk profiles.
• Tenure: Maximum of three years.
• No Foreclosure Charges: Flexible repayment options.

Strategic Impact:

The LAS offering aligns with Jio Financial’s broader digital strategy to make financial services more accessible and efficient. It complements existing products like home loans and corporate financing.

Market Response:

Jio Financial Services’ stock rose significantly following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s digital expansion. The shares increased by up to 5.5% on the BSE, highlighting the market’s positive reception of this strategic move12.

Leadership Perspective:

Kusal Roy, MD and CEO of Jio Finance Limited, emphasized that this launch is part of a comprehensive digital strategy aimed at transforming customer interactions with financial services1.

Future Prospects:

With its focus on technology and customer convenience, Jio Financial is poised to become a leading player in India’s digital financial services sector.

Sweet Karam Coffee, a Chennai-based brand specializing in traditional South Indian snacks and sweets, has raised $8 million in Series A funding from Peak XV Partners and Fireside Ventures. Founded in 2015 by Anand Bharadwaj and Nalini Parthiban, the company offers products free from palm oil and preservatives, catering to customers across 32 countries.

This investment follows a previous $1.5 million funding from Fireside Ventures in October 2023, which supported offline expansion. The new funds will be used to enhance distribution through omnichannel networks, develop new products, and bolster technology-driven supply chain capabilities. 

Sweet Karam Coffee has grown its revenue four-fold over the past year and expects to grow another 2.5 times in the coming year.

The company has also appointed Nandhitha Indermohan, a former Unilever executive, as its Chief Operating Officer to boost operations. This strategic move positions Sweet Karam Coffee for further growth, leveraging the booming quick commerce sector and expanding its presence across India and globally.

Foxconn’s Indian subsidiary, Bharat FIH, is shifting its focus to servicing Apple’s supply chain, aligning with efforts to expand manufacturing in India and reduce dependence on China. The company has restructured its board and pivoted away from competing in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) space. It now aims to support Apple suppliers like Foxconn Hon Hai, Pegatron, and Wistron (now Tata Electronics) by leveraging its expertise in equipment servicing at facilities in Chennai and Bengaluru.

This strategic shift follows challenges such as reduced orders from Xiaomi and failure to qualify for India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Bharat FIH plans to utilize its infrastructure and workforce to regain momentum by focusing on Apple-related services.

Meanwhile, Foxconn is ramping up iPhone production in India, aiming to double output from 12 million units in 2024 to 25–30 million units by 2025. Supported by favorable government policies, the expansion will cater to both domestic demand and exports. 

Apple has also increased its manufacturing presence in India, achieving record exports of ₹1 lakh crore ($12 billion) in 2024 and exploring local production of other products like iPads and MacBooks.

This transformation highlights India’s growing role in Apple’s global supply chain as Foxconn and Bharat FIH strengthen their operations in the country.