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Mobikwik Raises Rs. 225 Crores From Bajaj Finance

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Nonbanking financial firm Bajaj Finance Ltd., will be investing $ 35. 2 million in the digital payments company MobiKwik to buy an 11% stake. Bajaj Finance made the announcement in a Bombay Stock Exchange filing stating they had entered into a subscription agreement with One MobiKwik Systems.

According to the filings, Bajaj Finance will be buying 10 equity shares and 271,050 compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS.) The finance company will hold about 10.83% of the equity in MobiKwik on a fully diluted basis post the conversion of the CCPS shares.

The CEO of MobiKwik, Bipin Preet Singh, speaking about the association said, “ Our partnership with BFL will enable us to realise our vision of performing all the functions of (a) bank yet retain our core competency of being India’s leading e-wallet and we strongly believe that this combined value proposition will attract millions of new customers to choose wallet led mobile banking transactions.”

He also added Mobikwik will transform into a new age bank where their digital transactions will lead to lowering of lending rates and increased supply of money in the Indian economy. According to a statement released by MobiKwik, they will be able to launch India’s first debit and credit wallet through this strategic tie up with one of the largest nonbanks in India.

But, under the agreement, the conclusion of the transaction of the shares is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions in due course. Bajaj Finance also added that the investment was intended to support existing line of businesses, develop front end applications for users availing financial services and create a one stop solution for all debit and credit spends. They have also entered into shareholders agreement which will become effective on the conclusion of the transaction.

Speaking about the investment, the Managing Director of Bajaj Finance, Rajeev Jain said, “We aim to combine the synergies of both the organizations – deep rooted customer analytics and extreme focus on digital-oriented eco-system will make this a disruptive proposition amongst our existing products.”

MobiKwik was founded in 2009 by Bipin Singh and Upasana Taku and has raised more than $ 85 million in investments till date. Earlier this year the company said they were looking to raise funds to compete against rival digital payment platforms like Paytm and FreeCharge. They also plan to expand to become a one stop solution for all financial solutions according to cofounder Upasana Taku.

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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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