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Swiggy Instamart Celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with Free Modak Dispenser in Mumbai
As Mumbai geared up for the grand celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, Swiggy Instamart installed a unique modak dispenser on Carter Road to mark the auspicious occasion. The dispenser, operational on September 6th and 7th, offered 1,000 free modaks daily to passersby, dispensing approximately 142 modaks per hour.
The modak dispenser, designed to attract attention, featured an audio sensor that was triggered when a bell was rung. Within five seconds of activation, the dispenser released a single hygienically packed modak in a box. Each box contained a QR code that directed users to Swiggy Instamart’s dedicated Ganesh Chaturthi section on their platform.
Swiggy Instamart’s Ganesh Chaturthi Section
The Ganesh Chaturthi section on Swiggy Instamart offered a wide range of pooja essentials, modak-making kits, assorted modak flavors, and eco-friendly Ganesha idols. Customers could access these items through Swiggy Instamart’s quick delivery service, with items being delivered within 10 minutes.
Collaboration and Social Media Impact
The initiative, a collaboration between Swiggy, Havas Media, and Havas Media Tribes, gained significant attention on social media. The dispenser featured the Marathi phrase ‘Ghanti Vajwa, Mithai Milwa’ (ring the bell, get the sweet), adding a touch of traditional charm to the modern technology.
Swiggy Instamart’s modak dispenser not only celebrated the cultural significance of Ganesh Chaturthi but also served as a strategic promotion for their festive offerings. The initiative exemplified how brands can effectively connect with local traditions and enhance customer experience through innovative approaches.
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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