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DIPP Proposes Rs. 2000 Crores Fund For Startups

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DIPP Proposes Fund For Startups,Commerce and Industry Ministry,Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion,Nirmala Sitharaman,Startup India Hub launch, Startup News India,Karnataka Govt Elevate Program

Keeping in mind the difficulties faced by startups in raising funds, the Commerce and Industry Ministry and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP,) have launched a new Rs. 2000 crores credit guarantee scheme for startups.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the Commerce and Industry Minister announced the scheme would provide credit guarantee of up to Rs. 500 lakhs per case, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. This proposed scheme will also include term loan, working capital or other instruments of assistance. This can be extended to finance an eligible startup recognized by the DIPP to member lending institutions. 

During the Startup India Hub launch, DIPP Secretary Ramesh Abhishek announced the Union Cabinet was expected to approve the $ 300 million (Rs. 2000 crores,) fund for startups by the end of July 2017. A credit guarantee fund was first announced in October 2016 to support startups and their risk taking abilities.

The Startup India, Standup India movement had brought a lot of changes in the startup ecosystem in India. Central and state governments have launched multiple programs for the benefit of startups across the country including tax redemptions and inclusion of foreign investment. Although a $ 1.5 billion ‘Fund of Funds’ scheme had been set up, to date only $ 848,000 (Rs. 5.66 crores) of the $ 1.5 billion fund were actually disbursed.

Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has also taken multiple steps to ease the process of proliferation and setting up of startups. She has encouraged resolution for online vendor issues with ecommerce players and has recently announced a startup meet across the SAARC nations.

The Modi government has provided a platform for startups in India to raise and compete with the giants of the world. Recently, it was also reported the Commerce and Industry Ministry was also looking to establish a Startup Coast in Karnataka to better facilitate startups in southern India. The Karnataka Government also launched the Elevate program, that would select 100 startups and help them grow.

India, at present, is the third largest startup ecosystem and the fourth fastest growing economy in the world, according to Global Economic Prospects.

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Funding

Flam Secures $14M Series A to Revolutionize Mixed Reality Marketing with AI

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AI infrastructure startup Flam has raised $14 million in a Series A round led by RTP Global, with participation from Dovetail and existing investors, bringing its total funding to $22 million. Founded in 2021, Flam enables brands to create and deliver high-fidelity mixed reality (MR) and generative AI experiences without the need for app downloads, allowing consumers to access immersive content via QR codes or links in under 300 milliseconds.

Flam’s platform is already used by over 100 global brands-including Google, Samsung, and Netflix-reaching more than 380 million users. The new funding will accelerate product innovation, expand operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, and launch a full-stack enterprise suite for MR and GenAI-driven marketing. The company currently has over 120 employees and plans to grow to 180 by the end of 2025, aiming to transform every brand touchpoint into an interactive digital experience.

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Info Edge Delivers 36% Returns on Startup Investments

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Info Edge, the parent of Naukri.com, has achieved a 36% gross internal rate of return (IRR) on its startup investments since 2007, turning a total investment of INR 3,959 crore across 111 startups into a portfolio now valued at INR 36,855 crore-a nearly 9X gain. Early bets on Zomato and Policybazaar have been especially lucrative, with holdings in these two companies alone worth INR 31,500 crore as of March 2025.

The company’s investment strategy spans multiple vehicles, including the SEBI-registered Info Edge Venture Fund (IEVF), Info Edge Capital, and Capital 2B, with a combined fund corpus of INR 3,423 crore and Info Edge committing INR 1,614 crore. Early-stage investments now contribute 30-40% of the company’s overall value.

Info Edge’s Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) investments have yielded an IRR of 18.7%. Many portfolio companies, such as TrueMeds, Geniemode, Attentive.ai, and InPrime, have attracted follow-on funding from major investors like Accel, Peak XV Partners, and Tiger Global. Notably, BlueStone, the largest investment of Info Edge Capital, has filed for an IPO after securing investments from Prosus, Peak XV, and Steadview Capital.

Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani emphasized the company’s focus on strong governance and financial controls, with a preference for value realization through public listings or strategic exits.

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Phab Raises $2M Seed Funding to Expand Healthy Snacking Brand

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Phab, the D2C healthy snacking brand co-founded by Ankit Chona of ice cream brand Hocco and his wife Gayatri Chona, has raised $2 million (around ₹17 crore) in a seed funding round led by OTP Ventures, with participation from Capri Global, Sim&San law firm, and angel investors.

Founded in 2018, phab offers protein bars and healthy milkshakes, leveraging Ankit’s decade-long food industry experience and Gayatri’s expertise as a certified nutritionist. The brand has sold over 2 million units and sells through e-commerce and quick commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto, and Blinkit.

Despite a 12% dip in operating revenue to ₹5 crore in FY24, phab trimmed its net loss by nearly 3% to ₹6.8 crore, showing improved efficiency.

The new funds will be used to expand the team, invest in production capacity, and grow phab’s presence across digital, quick commerce, and offline channels. The brand competes with Yoga Bar, Beyond Snack, and The Whole Truth in India’s growing $68 billion healthy snacking market. OTP Ventures’ founding partner Suhail Sameer praised phab’s bold, differentiated approach and the founders’ vision, signaling strong investor confidence in the brand’s growth potential.

 

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