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Axis Bank Acquires FreeCharge

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India’s third largest private sector lender Axis Bank, will be acquiring the digital payments platform FreeCharge, which is owned and operated by Jasper Infotech. Sources close to the deal reported the board of Snapdeal has agreed to sell their digital wallet to the private sector lender and an official announcement will be made in the next few days.

This proposed deal will value FreeCharge at Rs. 385 crores to Rs. 390 crores, which is a steep plunge from the Rs. 2,400 crores Jasper Infotech paid to acquire the company in 2015. At the time Jasper Infotech bought FreeCharge, this deal was called the largest deal in the nascent startup ecosystem in India.

The Economic Times reported, according to sources close to Jasper Infotech, the board of the ecommerce company is also expected to approve the sale of its online market space Snapdeal, to rival Flipkart in the next few days.

The transaction will give Snapdeal the much needed breathing space to the Snapdeal management which has struggled to raise funds for over a year. The parent company Jasper Infotech has also been in talks with various other companies over the sale of their digital payments arm. Amazon was the latest on the list of interested companies with a higher offer along with Paytm, Airtel, Times Internet and PayPal.

This will also be a strategic acquisition for Axis Bank, who have their own mobile wallet, Lime. They reported a 16% year on year decline in their June 2017 quarter. This acquisition will provide Axis Bank with access to high quality technology and to about 50 million FreeCharge mobile wallet holders.

FreeCharge, which hit the markets to raise funds separately last year, passed up at least two funding rounds due to differences between board members. The digital payments app was unable to keep up with the competition from other homegrown wallet providers like PayTM and MobiKwik, post demonetization. The Snapdeal board agreed to sell the digital wallet platform and their logistics arm Vulcan Express separately.

Law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and J. Sagar Associates represent Axis Bank and FreeCharge respectively, and no investment banks were contacted for the deal.

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PhonePe’s PINCODE Launches 10-Minute Medicine Delivery in Cities

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PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.

Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.

PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.

In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.

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Piyush Anchliya Joins Cashfree as CFO Amid Fintech Boom

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Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.

In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.

Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.

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Flipkart’s Jeyandran Venugopal Likely to Join Reliance Retail as CEO

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Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.

Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.

His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.

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