Ola, homegrown cab hailing startup, has raised $ 36 million from Tekne Capital Management, a New York based hedge fund, according to filings with the Registrar of Companies.
VCCircle reported, the company allocated 171,173 fully and compulsorily convertible preference shares at Rs. 13,521 apiece. Delaware based Tekne Private Ventures III LP invested Rs. 167.15 crores for about 1.23 lakh shares while 47,548 shares worth Rs. 64.28 crores were issued to Tekne Private Ventures I Master from the Cayman Islands.
The new shares were allotted at the same price at which Ola raised $ 104.4 million from Falcon Edge Capital and Ratan Tata’s RNT Capital Advisers. According to the filings, these shares were allocated on 7 June 2017, after a board resolution was passed on May 29. Ola’s valuation could not be ascertained as it is not clear whether this investment is a part of a larger funding round or if more investors are involved. In August 2015, Ola was valued to be close to $ 4.8 billion while media reports in February this year pegged its valuation to be around $3.5 billion.
In April this year, the cab aggregator company raised $ 250 million from Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp., making SoftBank Ola’s largest investor. They also raised $50 million (Rs. 322 crores) from Tekne Capital Management LLC., and were in talks with Coatue Management LLC., for raising more funds.
Ola and US based Uber Technologies Ltd., have been locked in a fierce battle to capture India’s lucrative cab hailing market. Ola has also launched local innovations better suited for the Indian market, including a bike taxi service, Ola Bike. It was also reported, Microsoft was likely to invest $50-100 million in Ola, resulting in Ola switching to Microsoft’s cloud computing platform Azure from Amazon Web Services.
For the financial year 2015 – 2016, Ola’s operating revenue jumped to Rs. 438.6 crores from Rs. 57.5 crores while their consolidated net loss tripled to Rs. 2,311.7 crores. The total expenditure surged to Rs. 3,078.19 crores from Rs. 899.7 crores the year before. At present, Ola operates in 100 Indian cities while Uber has a presence in only 29 cities.
Kerala-based startup E-Quark Molecule Innovations Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Thrissur, has introduced an innovative device called Keratin that combines a mobile phone holder with a built-in charger. This unique gadget is designed to offer users a convenient solution to hold and charge their smartphones simultaneously, addressing the common challenge of managing power supply while using mobile devices.
The device enhances user experience by integrating two essential functions into one compact design. It securely holds the phone while providing efficient charging, making it perfect for use on desks, bedside tables, or other personal spaces where easy access and power are needed. This innovation aligns with the growing trend of multifunctional mobile accessories that prioritize both convenience and practicality.
E-Quark Molecule Innovations is a key player in Kerala’s dynamic startup ecosystem, which has been rapidly expanding in tech-driven areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With the launch of this mobile holder-charger, the company is establishing itself as a leader in user-centric mobile accessories, further cementing Kerala’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology development.
Instagram is rolling out two major features in June 2025 that promise to give users unprecedented creative control and privacy: grid rearranging and silent posting. The long-awaited grid rearranging tool allows users to freely drag and drop posts anywhere on their profile grid, breaking away from the traditional chronological order. This means users can now curate their profiles for a more visually appealing or thematic presentation, without the hassle of deleting and reposting content—an update especially welcomed by brands, creators, and anyone meticulous about their digital aesthetic.
In tandem, Instagram is introducing the “Post quietly to profile” feature, which lets users add photos and videos to their grid without notifying followers or pushing the content to their feeds. This silent posting option is ideal for those who want to document moments privately, experiment with new content, or maintain a cohesive grid without spamming their audience. It’s designed to reduce the pressure of public sharing, making Instagram a more comfortable space for personal expression and experimentation.
These updates reflect Instagram’s commitment to user empowerment and flexibility, responding directly to years of feedback. As Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated, the goal is to help users “create and share without added pressure,” giving them more freedom over how their content appears and how they engage with their audience.
Zepto, a leading quick commerce startup, has postponed its planned IPO to early 2026, shifting its focus to achieving profitability and increasing Indian shareholding before going public.
Key Reasons for Delay
Profitability Focus: Zepto aims to reach EBITDA break-even before listing, unlike many tech firms that went public while still loss-making.
Market Uncertainty: Ongoing global and domestic market volatility influenced the decision to wait for more stable conditions.
Peer Comparison: The company wants to present a stronger profit profile, learning from the performance of rivals like Swiggy and Zomato (now Eternal).
Boosting Domestic Shareholding
Target: Zepto plans to raise Indian ownership to at least 51% to comply with FDI norms and reinforce its Indian identity.
Actions: The company is conducting secondary share sales to Indian investors and founders are increasing their stakes by buying from foreign investors.
Progress: Domestic ownership has reached about 40-44%, with expectations to surpass 51% before the IPO.
Financial and Operational Updates
Efficiency Drive: Zepto is optimizing operations, running over 900 dark stores and offering 48,000 SKUs, to reduce cash burn and move toward profitability.
Challenges: The company faces stiff competition from Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit, leading to higher costs, and has dealt with operational pauses and regulatory scrutiny in some regions.
Outlook
Zepto remains positive about its future, aiming to raise around $800 million in its IPO and attract both domestic and international investors. CEO Aadit Palicha emphasizes building a sustainable, majority Indian-owned business before entering the public market.
Summary: Zepto’s IPO delay reflects a strategic focus on financial stability and regulatory compliance, with profitability and Indian ownership at the forefront.