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B-Town Actress Jacqueline Fernandez Invests INR 35 million In Juice Making Startup
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has recently invested INR 35 million in Rakyan Beverages, a juice making startup company that makes juices under the Raw Pressery brand. She thus becomes the first Bollywood celebrity to invest in a consumer products firm and help drive sales.
With Jacqueline’s investment of Rs.3.5 crore, the Mumbai-based startup now stands at Rs.120 crore. The company provides door delivery services in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru as well as in Gurgaon.
Anuj Rakyan, Founder of Rakyan Beverages said in an interview: “Professional investors calculate the risks while investing, whereas celebrities are believers and users of the brand. Jacqueline has about 13 million followers only on Instagram and can influence the buyers. Hence, she is just not an ambassador of our product but an evangelist who can have an impact on the top line,”
This trend of celebrities investing in consumer products firm is gradually increasing. Singer Madonna funded Vita Coco, a coconut water, rapper 50 Cent has minor stakes in Glaceau vitamin water while American singer Beyonce invested in watermelon-water startup WTRMLN WTR.
Anuj Rakyan received two awards as the entrepreneur of the year in the categories of service business beverage and in the consumer business and his company Raw Pressery is planning to raise another $10 million by the end of this year.
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
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May 15, 2026 at 6:58 pm
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