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Nandan Nilekani Appointed as New Chairman of Infosys Board
Nandan Nilekani has been appointed as the new chairman of the Infosys board after accepting the resignation of R. Seshasayee along with the resignations of Vishal Sikka as the executive vice chairman, Jeffrey Lehman and John Etchemendy as directors.
The second largest IT company of India saw a board shake up Thursday and the celebrated cofounder Nandan Nilekani returned to lead the company after a decade. These sweeping changes were made in an attempt to restore stability to the company and close the rift between Narayana Murthy and the board. Infosys confirmed the resignations and the appointments in a press release and also added that Nilekani had insisted on a clean slate as one of the primary conditions for his return.
Nandan Nilekani was also the chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India after serving as the CEO of Infosys between March 2002 to April 2007. Speaking about the appointment, Nilekani said he was happy to return to Infosys and looks forward to work with the other members of the board. “Thank Vishal Sikka for his service as the CEO of Infosys over the last three years and wish him well in his future endeavors,” he added. At present, as per the quarter ended June this year, the Nilekani family has a 2.29% stake in Infosys.
Recently, Vishal Sikka put in his papers and resigned from his position as the CEO of the IT firm citing “continuous distractions and disruptions,” as the reason for his resignation. The appointment of a co founder might end the mutual distrust between the Infosys board and Co Founder N. R. Narayana Murthy. Sikka’s exit came at a time when the IT services sector was undergoing turmoil due to automation, growing protectionism and shift towards digital leading to a plunge in the company’ shares. The company’s stock dipped in the early morning trade falling to Rs. 958.00 and wiped out nearly $4 billion of Infosys’s market value.
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.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
Apple MacBook Air M5 Launched: M5 Chip, 22-Hour Battery in India
₹290 Crore Boost: Rozana’s Series B Funding Scales Rural Retail Network Nationwide
