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Samir Kuckreja, Head of Zomato Base, Steps Down

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Head of Zomato Base Samir Kuckreja Steps Down,Zomato Base President,Samir Kuckreja Quits as Head of Zomato Base,Startup Stories,Latest Business News 2017,Zomato Latest News,Samir Kuckreja Resignation

The Head of Zomato Base, Samir Kuckreja, has stepped down from his position just within eight months of joining the restaurant discovery and food delivery firm, Zomato. Last month, Chief Operating Officer of Zomato Deepak Gulati, also quit the company.

Zomato Base, launched in April last year, is an Android based Point Of Sale (POS) system which enables restaurants to manage their operations from a single platform. The cloud based system provides features like planning the menu, recipe, inventory management, built in payment solution that accepts debit and credit card payments, CRM and real time analytics.

According to a news portal, Kuckreja’s decision to quit the company was triggered by the company’s decision not to follow the growth roadmap for Zomato Base that he had agreed with the firm originally. Commenting on his decision, Kuckreja said, “The original idea was that Zomato Base would become one of the key verticals which would drive revenues in two three years. But they recently decided that they didn’t want to grow this vertical on the scale that we had talked about.”

While Zomato has confirmed the resignation, the company insists the PoS business is an area that they will continue to grow. Speaking about Zomato Base, a spokesperson for the company said, “We continue to be bullish on the PoS business. Zomato Base was, since the time of its launch, and continues to be, a long term play for us. It is true, Kuckreja has moved on from Zomato. He will continue to be a friend and advisor to both Deepinder and Zomato.”

Samir Kuckreja was the former CEO of the iconic New Delhi QSR chain Nirula’s Corner House and Mars Hotels and Restaurant before joining ZOmato in February this year. He also founded the consulting firm, Tasanaya Hospitality Pvt., Ltd., which offered services to international and domestic restaurant chains.

The restaurant discovery and food delivery platform has seen half a dozen C-suite executives leaving the company within months of joining. Before Kuckreja and Deepak Gulati, Chief Marketing Officer Rameet Arora stepped down within six months along with Chief Product Officer Tanmay Saksena in 2016.

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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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