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Tiger Global Sells Ola Stake To SoftBank
Tiger Global, the international private equity investor, will reportedly sell a portion of its stake in Ola to Japan based SoftBank. Venture capital fund SoftBank is currently in the final stages of acquiring an additional 10%-12% in Ola’s parent company ANI Technologies. This move comes after Tiger Global’s Management Partner, Lee Fixel, stepped down from Ola’s board last week.
According to a news daily, the Japanese firm is ready to pay close to $ 400 to $ 500 million in an attempt to increase its holdings in the ride hailing company to around 50% from 40%. Currently, Tiger Global holds close to 22% stake in the cab aggregating company. This deal between Tiger Global and SoftBank could give Ola’s second largest backer a partial exit.
Ola raised close to $ 1.1 billion in a funding round led by Chinese internet major Tencent Holdings Ltd., along with existing investor SoftBank last month. The Bengaluru based company was also in talks to further raise $ 1 billion as a part of the current financing round. Ola, which has a presence in 110 cities across India, provides a wide array of services including online booking of auto rickshaws and bikes, along with cabs. Launched in 2011, Ola raised close to $ 3.9 billion in capital in 11 funding rounds. The company also claims to have around 20 investors including Microsoft and eBay. Tiger Global was one of Ola’s early investors and also led the company’s Series A funding round.
However, SoftBank has been placing huge bets on startups all over the world. The company also finalized a $ 1 billion investment in Uber, Ola’s prime rival. Several media reports suggest SoftBank may integrate both the cab aggregator companies to take regional firms to international markets and bring the global portfolio companies to India. SoftBank Vision Fund CEO Rajeev Misra hinted the company’s intentions to consolidate both the startups in September this year stating, “We own more than 30% in Ola and we would own much less stake in Uber. We have owned the stake in Ola since 2014 and it does send conflicting signals. But we are hoping that we make peace between them at some point.”
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
