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Government Launches Agri Udaan for Agri Startups

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The Government of India has launched a new initiative called AGRI-UDAAN in an attempt to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. The program will mentor startups and help them connect with potential investors.

This Food and Agribusiness Accelerator 2.0 program was launched by the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management and will be managed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR.) The Deputy Director General of Agricultural Education at ICAR Narendra Singh Rathore, said the idea behind  the program was to attract the youth from around India and train them.

The shortlisted agri startups will undergo intensive training for six months following which they will be connected with the investors for funding. The startups will also be able to access incubation space and research laboratories and libraries, under the program. These startups also stand a chance to get up to $ 40,000 in funding. IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship will also be partnering with the program along with the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and Department of Science and Technology (DST.)

The program will reach out to agriculture based startups in several cities like Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad with a series of road shows. The applications, which will be available at www.aidea.naarm.org.in, will be evaluated by a team of mentors from the industry and 40 startups will be selected. The shortlisted startups will get a chance to pitch in front of a panel of evaluators out of which 8-12 startups will be selected for the final cohort for the capacity building workshop.

The pre launch phase of the program was launched in 2015 by the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NARM) in Hyderabad. Eight startups out of the 200 who applied were selected and a total of Rs. 2.5 crores was invested in three startups. The startups incubated by this program are now able to process exotic grains, manufacture kinetic farm machines and develop smart irrigation systems.

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Blissclub Raises INR 33 Crore in Fresh Funding Months After Layoffs

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Blissclub, the women-centric D2C apparel brand, has raised INR 33 crore in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Elevation Capital, with Eight Roads Ventures also participating. This funding comes just three months after the company laid off 18% of its workforce-about 21 employees from creative, sales, marketing, growth, and product teams-due to high cash burn and challenges in securing new capital.

The latest investment was made through the allotment of 16,076 compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) at a premium of INR 20,428 each. Elevation Capital invested INR 19 crore, securing a 24.5% stake, while Eight Roads Ventures contributed INR 14 crore, raising its stake to 15.79%. The capital will be used for working capital, capital expenditure, and general corporate purposes.

Founded in 2020 by Minu Margeret, Blissclub started as an online activewear brand for women and has since diversified its product range and established offline stores. Despite recent restructuring, the company’s revenue grew 27% to INR 86.9 crore in FY24 from INR 68.3 crore in FY23, though net losses also increased to INR 43.9 crore.

Blissclub’s successful fundraising, despite recent layoffs, underscores both the ongoing challenges and the resilience of India’s D2C startup sector in a difficult funding environment.

 

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Apple to Shift Entire US iPhone Assembly to India by 2026

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Apple is set to relocate all assembly of iPhones destined for the US market from China to India by the end of 2026, marking its biggest manufacturing shift in decades. The move is driven by escalating US-China trade tensions and steep tariffs—up to 145% on Chinese imports—making Chinese assembly increasingly costly for Apple. Although some smartphone imports are temporarily exempt, a 20% duty still applies to Chinese-made iPhones entering the US.

 

India, in contrast, offers a more favorable trade environment, with a paused 26% reciprocal tariff and ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal with the US that could shield Indian exports from future levies. Apple plans to more than double its current iPhone output in India, aiming to assemble over 60 million units annually for the US market. The company already produces about 25% of its global iPhones in India, working with partners like Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron.

 

This shift is part of Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China amid geopolitical risks. However, the transition’s success will depend on how quickly India can scale up its manufacturing capabilities and the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations.


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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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