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Fintech Startup Lendingkart Raises $ 10.74 Million In Bridge Round
Lendingkart’s technology and digital marketing arm Lendingkart Technologies Pvt., Ltd., has raised $ 10.74 million (RS. 69.02 crores) in a mini bridge round.
The Ahmedabad and Bengaluru based fintech issued 3,294 preferential shares at Rs. 29,634 apiece, mainly to existing investors, according to recent filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA.) VCCircle reported Bertelsmann India led the bridge round with a Rs. 22.75 crores investment. Mayfield Capital, Saama Capital, Darrin Capital and India Quotient also participated in this round, investing Rs. 13.77 crores, Rs. 7.14 crores, Rs. 2.6 crores and Rs. 3.25 crores respectively. Along with existing investors, new investor Sistema Asia Fund Pte, which is a Singapore registered Asia focused investment fund of the Russian business conglomerate Sistema, also invested Rs. 19.49 crores.
The Company, in a press note, said the capital will be used to strengthen their loan book and ramp up their technology and analytics capabilities. The capital will also be used to reach out to the underserved markets of India. Founded in 2014 by Harshvardhan Lunia and Mukul Sachan, Lendingkart has previously raised $ 7.8 million in debt from YesBank to strengthen their loan books and expand operations to Tier III cities. They also raised $10 million in debt funding from Kotak Mahindra Bank and Aditya Birla Financial Services, among others, last month. The company claims to have disbursed over 11,000 loans to over 7,500 SMEs till date and boasts of disbursing loans within three days.
Lendingkart has raised a total capital of Rs. 534 crores since its launch with Rs. 243 crores in equity and Rs. 291 crores in debt. The documents filed with the MCA also revealed that the conversion price of the preferential shares is subject to change, contingent to the fund raising by the stated deadline. VCCircle also reported Lendingkart was also in the process of raising a Series C funding round while another news daily reported the company was looking to raise up to $ 80 million over the next four to six months.
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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