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Ixigo Acquires 51% Stake in Train Food Delivery App Zoop to Enhance Train Travel Experience!

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Ixigo, a key player in India’s travel booking sector, is set to acquire a 51% stake in Zoop Web Services Private Limited, a specialized train food delivery service that partners with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The acquisition, valued at Rs 12.54 crore, is structured as a mix of primary and secondary share purchases, along with a non-compete fee.

Expanding in the E-Catering Industry

Through this acquisition, Ixigo aims to strengthen its footprint in the rapidly growing e-catering segment within India’s railways. Zoop currently operates across 192 railway stations and collaborates with 400 restaurants, allowing Ixigo to enhance its offerings for train passengers by integrating Zoop’s food delivery services with its own platform. With train travel being a significant revenue stream for Ixigo, this acquisition aligns with its broader strategic objectives.

Enhancing Passenger Experience

Ixigo’s leadership highlighted the role of reliable food service in enhancing the travel experience, particularly during train journeys where food options can be limited. Integrating Zoop’s capabilities will allow Ixigo to provide passengers with expanded choices, contributing to an improved overall journey experience.

Deal Structure and Future Expansion

Approved by Ixigo’s board on October 24, 2024, the transaction is anticipated to close by year-end, pending regulatory conditions. The investment is a mix of primary and secondary share acquisitions and secures Ixigo’s control over Zoop’s operations as a subsidiary. Notably, Ixigo also has an option to buy the remaining 49% stake, allowing for potential future expansion based on Zoop’s growth and market conditions.

Launch of “Food on Train” Feature

With Zoop’s acquisition, Ixigo has launched a “Food on Train” feature that allows passengers to pre-order meals at select railway stations and have them delivered directly to their seats. This feature includes real-time tracking and cancellation options, further enhancing convenience. The integration leverages Ixigo’s train scheduling data to ensure timely service, aiming to reduce missed deliveries and improve customer satisfaction by providing a range of meal options from trusted vendors.

Strategic Importance of the Acquisition

This acquisition signifies Ixigo’s commitment to enhancing the travel experience for Indian train passengers as it continues to expand its suite of services in the travel tech industry. By offering integrated food delivery solutions, Ixigo aims to differentiate itself in a competitive market while addressing the needs of travelers seeking convenience and quality during their journeys.

Broader Market Context

The e-catering segment is witnessing rapid growth as more travelers seek convenient dining options while on the move. With increasing competition from other travel platforms and food delivery services, this strategic move positions Ixigo well to capitalize on emerging trends in passenger services.

Conclusion

Ixigo’s acquisition of a majority stake in Zoop Web Services marks a significant step toward enhancing the overall travel experience for Indian train passengers. By integrating reliable food delivery services into its platform, Ixigo is not only expanding its service offerings but also addressing a critical aspect of train travel that has often been overlooked.

As this partnership develops, it will be interesting to see how it influences customer satisfaction and loyalty within India’s evolving travel landscape. The focus on improving passenger experiences through innovative solutions like Zoop’s services underscores Ixigo’s commitment to leading in the travel tech industry.

 

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.

Funding and Investor Details

The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.

Objectives Behind the Sale

The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.

Market Context

Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.

Conclusion

As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.

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Regional OTT Platform STAGE Raises $12.5 Million to Expand Bhojpuri and Cultural Offerings

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Regional OTT platform STAGE has successfully raised $12.5 million in its Series B funding round, a move that highlights the increasing demand for regional content in India. The round was co-led by Goodwater Capital and Blume Ventures, with participation from Physis Capital and several angel investors.

The funding includes $10 million in primary capital and $2.5 million from secondary share sales, allowing early investors to partially exit. This capital will enable STAGE to enhance its content offerings, particularly in underserved languages like Bhojpuri, while strengthening its technological capabilities.

 

Since its launch in 2019, STAGE has quickly established itself as a leader in the regional OTT market, reporting an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ₹180 crore (approximately $21.7 million) and over 4.4 million paying subscribers. The platform has achieved over 20 million app installs and experienced significant growth, with a 289% increase in revenue and a 286% rise in subscribers over the past year, driven by original series such as Videshi Bahu, Kaand 2010, and Bhawani.

 

CEO Vinay Singhal emphasized that this funding is not just financial support but a validation of India’s diverse regional cultures. He noted that dialects like Haryanvi and Bhojpuri should be celebrated rather than viewed as liabilities. With this new funding, STAGE plans to further invest in content creation and technology development to enrich its storytelling experience.

 

As the demand for regional language content continues to grow, STAGE’s strategic investments position it well to expand into more languages and cultural narratives, solidifying its place in the competitive OTT landscape alongside platforms like aha video and Chaupal.

 

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams’ Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration

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Sunita Williams, the celebrated Indian-American astronaut, recently returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for just eight days, her mission was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which rendered it unsafe for their return.

On March 19, 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast. 

 

Their homecoming was celebrated in Jhulasan village, Gujarat, where special prayers and rituals were held to honor her safe return. Family members expressed their joy and gratitude, emphasizing her strong ties to her ancestral home.

Upon her return, Williams received accolades from Indian officials, including a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed pride in her achievements and resilience. He highlighted the inspiration she provides to future generations of scientists.

 

While her return marks a moment of celebration, it also signals the start of new challenges. After spending 286 days in space, Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation period to readjust to life on Earth and regain physical strength.

Sunita Williams’ journey serves as an inspiration not only for India but for aspiring scientists worldwide, showcasing the significant contributions of Indian-origin individuals in global space exploration.

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