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Mayank Bidawatka’s Billion Hearts Secures $4M in Seed Funding Led by Blume Ventures!

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Mayank Bidawatka’s Billion Hearts Secures $4M in Seed Funding Led by Blume Ventures!

Mayank Bidawatka, former Co-founder of Koo, has successfully raised approximately $4 million in a seed funding round for his new venture, Billion Hearts Software Technologies Pvt Ltd. The funding round was led by Blume Ventures, with participation from General Catalyst and Athera Venture Partners.

Key Investors and Backers

The investment is spearheaded by Karthik Reddy, Partner at Blume Ventures, who expressed enthusiasm for Bidawatka’s vision. Notable contributions also came from industry figures such as Neeraj Arora, Managing Director at General Catalyst and former Chief Business Officer of WhatsApp, and Rutvik Doshi, Partner at Athera Venture Partners. Their backing reflects confidence in Bidawatka’s ability to create impactful digital products.

Focus on Global Digital Products

Founded in August 2024, Billion Hearts aims to develop innovative digital products for a global audience. The company’s first product, which is currently in stealth mode, is designed to address a universal smartphone use case using deeptech solutions. A beta launch is anticipated in the coming months, with thousands of users already subscribing for early access.

Karthik Reddy noted, “Mayank has built and scaled multiple large ventures successfully in the past. We’re excited to partner with him once again to see his vision for Billion Hearts come to life.” This sentiment underscores the strong belief in Bidawatka’s leadership and the potential of the new venture.

Angel Round and Early Support

Prior to this funding round, Billion Hearts had raised $250,000 in an angel round from notable startup builders associated with successful ventures like redBus, Ola, InMobi, Flipkart, and Myntra. This early support has laid a solid foundation for the company as it embarks on its growth journey.

Founder’s Vision

Bidawatka expressed his excitement about the venture, stating, “I’m thrilled to announce that Billion Hearts is being backed by a set of folks I truly admire. While our product is still in stealth, I can say confidently that almost everyone with a smartphone will find it valuable.” He highlighted the enthusiastic response from potential users, noting that thousands have subscribed for the beta version.

A Proven Entrepreneur

Mayank Bidawatka has a strong track record of building successful ventures. Before founding Billion Hearts, he co-founded Goodbox in 2015 and Media Ant in 2012, and was part of the founding team at redBus in 2007. Most recently, he co-founded Koo, a homegrown alternative to Twitter (now X), which ceased operations in July 2024 after acquisition talks with DailyHunt fell through.

His extensive experience in launching and scaling startups positions him well to navigate the challenges of building a new venture in today’s competitive landscape.

What’s Next for Billion Hearts?

Billion Hearts aims to deliver world-class digital products from India for a global audience. With its first product already generating significant buzz, the startup is poised to make a notable impact in the tech industry. The focus on deeptech solutions indicates a commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to meet user needs effectively.

As the company prepares for its beta launch, it seeks to establish itself as a key player in creating innovative digital consumer products that resonate with users worldwide.

Conclusion

With $4 million secured in seed funding and a strong backing from prominent investors, Mayank Bidawatka’s Billion Hearts is set on an ambitious path toward developing impactful digital solutions. The combination of experienced leadership, early support from industry veterans, and a focus on addressing universal smartphone use cases positions Billion Hearts for success in the evolving tech landscape. As it approaches its beta launch, all eyes will be on how this venture unfolds and what unique offerings it brings to the market.

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MPL to Lay Off 60% of India Workforce Following Online Gaming Ban

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MPL

Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s top online gaming platforms, is set to lay off about 60% of its India workforce following the government’s ban on paid online games. The move, confirmed by MPL CEO Sai Srinivas through an internal email, will impact around 300 employees across multiple departments including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. This decision comes as a direct result of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which restricts paid online games involving monetary stakes to address concerns over financial risks and addiction among young users.

India contributed nearly half of MPL’s revenues, estimated at around $100 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. With the ban on paid gaming, MPL’s primary revenue source in India has been effectively cut off, prompting the company to shift focus towards free-to-play games and expand its presence in overseas markets such as the United States and Brazil. Despite the layoffs, MPL has pledged to support the affected employees through the transition period. CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the downsizing but highlighted the company’s commitment to developing new business models for the Indian market amid the regulatory changes.

This development significantly disrupts the Indian online gaming industry, which was on track to grow into a $3.6 billion sector by 2029 before the introduction of the ban. While competitors like Dream11 have adapted by discontinuing paid games and avoiding layoffs, the ban has forced many gaming startups in India to rethink their operations. The government’s regulation targets all games involving real money stakes, including fantasy sports and popular card games like rummy and poker, reshaping the future landscape for the country’s gaming ecosystem and its workforce.

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NCLT Approves Amalgamaxtion of Info Edge Subsidiary Makesense with PB Fintech

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Info Edge - PB

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has granted approval for the amalgamation of Info Edge’s subsidiary, Makesense Technologies, with PB Fintech as of August 29, 2025, in a significant move for India’s fintech sector. This strategic merger aligns with Info Edge’s ongoing focus on streamlining its corporate structure and supports PB Fintech’s growth trajectory as the operator of leading platforms such as Policybazaar and Paisabazaar. The amalgamation, cleared by NCLT’s Chandigarh bench, took place without winding up either company, enabling a seamless blending of assets and expertise for greater operational efficiency.

In the specifics of this deal, Makesense Technologies—holding a 13.04% stake in PB Fintech as of June 2025—will see its shareholders allotted 59,750 equity shares and 60,030 compulsorily convertible preference shares from PB Fintech, with no change to Info Edge’s underlying economic interest. The consolidation is expected to cut compliance and administrative costs, simplify the equity structure, and enable both companies to focus on core business strengths without duplication of resources. This move is designed to strengthen PB Fintech’s position in India’s fast-evolving fintech and insurance market, while keeping Info Edge’s investment objectives intact.

The NCLT-approved merger highlights a broader trend of consolidation within India’s tech-driven industries, as major players seek to boost competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth through mergers and amalgamations. Stakeholders—including shareholders and employees—are set to benefit from the new, streamlined structure, increased transparency, and the promise of enhanced value creation going forward. The unification of Makesense Technologies and PB Fintech is expected to make a positive impact on the broader fintech ecosystem, reinforcing both companies’ leadership and innovation agendas.

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ShareChat Appoints Neha Markanda as CBO

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Sharechat

ShareChat, one of India’s premier social media platforms, has strengthened its leadership by appointing Neha Markanda as Chief Business Officer for both its flagship ShareChat platform and the popular short video app Moj. Markanda, previously Head of Industry, E-commerce at Google India, brings over 22 years of expertise across renowned companies like Meta, GSK Consumer Healthcare, PepsiCo, and ITC. At Google India, she led transformative strategies in e-commerce and health tech, ensuring market growth and technological innovation for global brands. Her proven track record uniquely positions her to drive ShareChat’s revenue strategy, business expansion, and partnerships with advertisers and regional stakeholders.

Markanda’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ShareChat, which recently achieved profitability and has projected a robust ₹1,200 crore revenue run rate for the year. The platforms boast a combined monthly active user base of more than 325 million, making ShareChat and Moj essential tools for marketers seeking to increase engagement across India’s diverse regions. Markanda’s expertise is expected to further accelerate ShareChat’s business growth, opening doors for brand collaborations and hyper-targeted influencer campaigns, which can connect marketers to local audiences in a culturally relevant manner.

With advanced degrees from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Lady Shri Ram College, Markanda’s leadership is set to reinforce ShareChat’s momentum as India’s go-to platform for marketers and creators looking for trusted, brand-safe environments. Her focus on vernacular content and building robust partnerships will complement ShareChat and Moj’s mission to empower regional creators and deliver authentic engagement. Industry experts have lauded this strategic move, anticipating that Markanda’s vision will help ShareChat and Moj maintain their edge in India’s social media landscape.

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