Cricketing icon Yuvraj Singh has invested in Delhi based co working space Creator’s Gurukul. The majority of his investments are made from his investment fund YouWeCan Venture.
Creator’s Gurukul, founded in 2016 by Abhinav Tandon and Mohammed Sirajuddin, is planning to open their first coworking space with over 500 seats in Gurugram. To provide an enriching environment promoting collaboration, innovation and a more productive work culture, this space will be a unique amalgamation of nature and technology. They also plan on opening two more co working spaces in Manguluru and Delhi by the end of the year, according to an official statement.
Yuvraj Singh will also be the brand ambassador and their partner for the startup, post the investment. Speaking about the investment he said, “I am confident that the unique business model of Creator’s Gurukul will disrupt the sector in a big way and create an inspiring global brand.” The chain is also backed by other prominent high net worth individuals such as Shabir Momin from Singapore, Anubhav Kaul from Hong Kong and Jasmeet Singh from Canada. They are also supported by seasoned Industry professionals like Taranjeet Sapra, Vikas Sharma and Nitin Bajaj.
The financial details of the investment were not disclosed due to a nondisclosure agreement but Yuvraj Singh will be their brand ambassador and the face of the company for the next four years. Speaking about the collaboration, Cofounder Abhinav Tandon said the have spent a lot of time in researching the nature of the business, preparing a disruptive business model and on boarding the right strategic team.
Speaking about Yuvraj Singh he further added, “Yuvi Paaji has created many groundbreaking records on the field and we all believe the same philosophy that in this fast changing world, the best way to predict the future is to create it. With Creator’s Gurukul, the aim is to provide the best global platform to such creators of tomorrow.”
Yuvraj Singh, through his venture firm YouWeCan, has also invested in startups such as Healthians, EazyDiner, Black White Orange and Startup Buddy.
Eat Better, a Jaipur-based D2C snacking brand, has raised ₹17 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round co-led by Prath Ventures and Spring Marketing Capital. Founded by Vidushi Kanoria, Mridula Kanoria, and Shaurya Kanoria in 2020, Eat Better specializes in healthy snacks like dry fruit ladoos and nuts.
Key Highlights:
Investment Use: Funds will expand Eat Better’s product line and enhance its presence on quick commerce platforms.
Market Position: Competes with brands like Happilo and Yoga Bar in the healthy snacking space.
Operational Milestones: Fulfills over 2 lakh orders monthly.
Financial Performance: Revenue grew nearly threefold to ₹14.47 crore in FY24, with a reduced net loss.
Market Opportunity:
The Indian food and beverages market is projected to reach $68 billion by 2030, positioning Eat Better favorably to capitalize on the demand for healthy snacks. With this funding, Eat Better aims to strengthen its market presence and product offerings.
Bengaluru-based D2C fashion startup Outzidr, co-founded by Nirmal Jain, Mani Kant Mani, and Justin Mario, has secured ₹30 crore in seed funding led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with participation from angel investors like Ramakant Sharma (Livspace) and Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth).
Launched in February 2025, Outzidr targets Gen Z women aged 17–27 with affordable occasion-specific apparel such as partywear and travel outfits. The brand introduces over 2,000 new designs monthly and uses a “test-and-react” model to scale popular styles based on early sales data. With an agile inventory cycle of less than three weeks, it plans to shift 90% of manufacturing to India within two years for sustainability.
The funds will bolster supply chain efficiency, technology development, team expansion, and brand-building. Outzidr aims to achieve ₹100 crore annualized revenue within 6–8 months through its D2C platform and marketplaces like Myntra, Nykaa Fashion, and AJIO.
Led by industry veterans with expertise in fashion and logistics, Outzidr is poised to capitalize on India’s growing D2C market fueled by Gen Z’s demand for trendy and affordable fashion.
Agritech startup Greenikk has announced its closure, attributing the decision to funding challenges and adverse market conditions. Founded in 2020 by Fariq Naushad and Previn Jacob Varghese, Greenikk aimed to create a digital ecosystem for banana cultivation, addressing issues throughout the value chain from farmers to bulk buyers. Despite raising around $1 million from investors, including 100Unicorns and IIM A Ventures, the company struggled to secure additional funding, particularly for a planned $5 million Series A round.
Reasons for Shutdown
Several factors contributed to Greenikk’s decision to wind down operations:
Funding Challenges: Initially thriving during a period of low-interest capital availability in 2022, the startup faced difficulties as market dynamics shifted. Naushad admitted that the company pursued “the wrong metrics” for growth during its early success, ultimately leading to unsustainable practices.
Loan Defaults: Greenikk extended loans totaling ₹6 crore but encountered significant defaults from borrowers. Naushad reported spending six months attempting to recover about 80% of these receivables, highlighting ongoing challenges within the agritech sector regarding loan recoveries.
Lack of Product-Market Fit: Cofounder Jacob Varghese noted that despite developing a comprehensive app and ecosystem, Greenikk struggled to establish itself beyond being seen as a vendor for working capital. This failure to find a sustainable product-market fit hindered its scalability and revenue generation.
Investor Impact
In light of its closure, Greenikk plans to return 50% of the capital to investors. The funds recovered from liquidation will primarily be used to repay its lead investor, 100Unicorns. The founders have also committed to using their own resources to pay back angel investors, reflecting an effort to maintain transparency amid the shutdown.
Employee Welfare
Greenikk has pledged support for its employees during this transition by providing two months’ severance pay and job placement assistance for nearly 25 affected staff members. At its peak, the company employed around 30 individuals but had been reducing its workforce in response to ongoing financial difficulties.
Broader Agritech Landscape
The challenges faced by Greenikk are indicative of broader trends within the agritech sector, which has seen a significant decline in venture capital interest. In 2024 alone, agritech startups raised only about $150 million across more than 30 deals—a stark contrast to the $772 million raised in 2022. This downturn underscores the increasing difficulties startups face in securing funding as market conditions evolve.
As Naushad and Varghese look toward their next entrepreneurial ventures, Greenikk’s story serves as a cautionary tale for other startups navigating the complexities of agritech investment and operational sustainability.