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Paytm Acquires Mobile Tech Startup, Cube26
The digital payment behemoth Paytm, acquired a Delhi based technology startup, Cube26. The company did not reveal the amount of the deal but said the Cube26 team will align with Paytm to work toward building special engagement features on the Paytm application. Earlier, Cube26 raised $ 7.7 million in funding from two of the famous companies who are known for acquisitions, Tiger Global and Flipkart in the year 2015.
Madhur Deora, the Chief Financial Officer at Paytm said, We are focused on building a more immersive and feature rich mobile experience for our large active user base and with this acquisition, the Cube26 team will work with the Paytm team to add more social engagement features to our products and services.
About the company, Cube26
Cube26 develops customized Android operating systems for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs.) The company is currently building a platform between local service providers and smartphone users through their local app and game store to enable product led monetization.
The tech startup was founded in the year 2012, by Saurav Kumar, Abhilekh Agarwal and Aakash Jain.
However, post the deal, the CEO of Cube26, Saurav Kumar said, Our team has been building technology products that are used by millions of users. I believe our diversified experience in creating smarter products across software and hardware segment will help add value to Paytm and to several of its products and services (sic.)
This deal made waves soon after the digital payment behemoth announced the latest services under Paytm Inbox on its app. Paytm added exciting new features such as in app Live TV, News, Cricket, Entertainment Videos and Games to its messaging service ‘Inbox’. The company has aligned with several content providers to offer infotainment to its users.
Paytm was founded by Vijay Shekhar Sharma in the year 2010. It is available in 10 Indian languages and offers online services like mobile recharges, utility bill payments, travel, movies and events bookings. Not only that but Paytm also provides in store payments at grocery stores, fruits and vegetable shops, restaurants, parking and various other places. It is now valued at an enormous $ 10 billion. Currently, Paytm has more than 120 million monthly active users and strives to grow further with its additional features and updates.
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.
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₹290 Crore Boost: Rozana’s Series B Funding Scales Rural Retail Network Nationwide
