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Paytm Mall Is India’s Next Unicorn
Ecommerce firm Paytm Mall is the latest India based startup company to reach unicorn status after raising $ 445 million from SoftBank and Alibaba. In this latest funding round, Paytm Ecommerce raised $ 400 million from SoftBank while Alibaba invested $ 45 million in the firm.
According to documents filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, post this funding round, Paytm Mall will be valued close to Rs. 12,300 crores or $ 1.9 billion. The Economic Times reported, the company is also in advanced talks to further raise an additional Rs. 1000 crores.
The Chief Operating Officer of Paytm Mall, Amit Sinha confirmed the latest development saying, “This latest investment led by SoftBank and Alibaba reaffirms the strength of our business model, growth trajectory, execution capability and the potential of India’s massive O2O model in the retail space.” The fresh funds, according to Sinha, will be used for empowering shopkeepers with superior technology, building superior logistics, strengthening the Paytm Mall brand and bringing an enriching experience to the customers.
Until now, Alibaba along with Alipay held close to 57% stock in Paytm Mall. However, post this investment round, SoftBank Vision Fund would hold 21% and Alibaba along with Alipay will hold around 46% stake in the ecommerce company.
Last year, the Japan based venture firm SoftBank also led a funding round, investing around $ 1.4 billion in the parent company Paytm. Speaking about this investment round, a SoftBank spokesperson said “The SoftBank Group is excited to continue supporting Paytm as it develops into one of the leading internet ecosystems in the country. Our investment in Paytm Mall is part of that ongoing commitment. We believe Paytm Mall’s offline to online operating model, combined with the strength of the Paytm ecosystem, is uniquely positioned to enable India’s 15 million offline retail shops to participate in India’s ecommerce boom.”
Launched as an independent entity in 2017, Paytm Mall currently claims to have over 10 crore customers, over 500 categories and has reached 39,000 pin codes across India. The company also replaced Snapdeal to become the third largest player in the Indian ecommerce ecosystem after Flipkart and Amazon India.
Bengaluru, January 13, 2026 Dazzl, the D2C beauty startup revolutionizing AI personalized skincare India, secured $3.2 million in seed funding led by OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal’s venture arm. Co-investors include Snapdeal’s Rohit Bansal and Fireside Ventures, valuing Dazzl at $15 million post-money. Founded in 2024 by IIT alumni Priya Singh and Arjun Mehta, the app uses smartphone scans for custom serums, boasting 50,000+ users and ₹5 crore ARR amid India’s $25 billion beauty market surge.
Ritesh Agarwal praised Dazzl’s tech: “Personalization is beauty’s future, like OYO’s guest model.” Funds target R&D for 100+ skin profiles, Gujarat manufacturing under PLI, Instagram/Nykaa campaigns, and 50 hires. In a 20% YoY growing sector (Redseer 2025), Dazzl edges Mamaearth and Plum with 95% AI precision, 90% natural formulas, ₹499 kits, 65% retention (vs. 40% avg), and viral TikTok traction in 10 cities.
D2C beauty startup Dazzl tackles regulations via FSSAI compliance, eyeing $10B e-commerce beauty by 2028 and MENA exports. Q2 haircare launches and Series A loom, with Agarwal’s backing signaling unicorn potential for sustainable beauty products India. Dazzl blends AI with clean beauty for 500M+ consumers.
Google has launched the Google Startup Hub Hyderabad, a major step in strengthening India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. This new initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers by giving them access to Google’s global expertise, mentoring programs, and advanced cloud technology. The hub reflects Google’s mission to fuel India’s digital transformation and promote innovation through the Google for Startups program.
Located in the heart of one of India’s top tech cities, the Google Startup Hub in Hyderabad will host mentorship sessions, training workshops, and networking events designed for early-stage startups. Founders will receive Google Cloud credits, expert guidance in AI, product development, and business scaling, and opportunities to collaborate with Google’s global mentors and investors. This ecosystem aims to help Indian startups grow faster and compete globally.
With Hyderabad already home to tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, the launch of the Google Startup Hub Hyderabad further cements the city’s position as a leading innovation and technology hub in India. Backed by a strong talent pool and robust infrastructure, this hub is set to become a growth engine for next-generation startups, driving innovation from India to global markets.
BMW quietly debuted its new logo on the all-electric iX3, marking a significant yet understated shift in the brand’s design direction for 2025. The updated emblem retains the classic roundel and Bavarian blue-and-white colors, but sharp-eyed enthusiasts noticed subtle refinements: the inner chrome ring has been removed, dividing lines between blue and white are gone, and the logo now features a contemporary satin matte black background with slimmer “BMW” lettering. These enhancements showcase BMW’s embrace of modern minimalism while reinforcing their commitment to premium aesthetics and the innovative Neue Klasse philosophy for future electric vehicles.
Unlike rival automakers that reveal dramatic logo changes, BMW’s refresh is evolutionary and respectful of tradition. The new badge ditches decorative chrome and blue borders associated with earlier electric models, resulting in a flatter, more digital-friendly design that mirrors recent branding seen in BMW’s digital communications. Appearing first on the iX3’s nose, steering wheel, and hub caps, this updated identity will gradually be adopted across all BMW models—both electric and combustion—signaling a unified brand language for years to come.
BMW’s strategic logo update represents more than just aesthetic reinvention—it underscores the brand’s dedication to future-ready mobility, design continuity, and a premium EV experience. As the new roundel begins rolling out on upcoming BMW vehicles, it stands as a testament to the automaker’s depth of detail and thoughtful evolution, offering subtle distinction for keen observers and affirming BMW’s iconic status in the ever-changing automotive landscape.
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