Funding
SoftBank To Infuse A Whopping $ 3 Billion In Paytm Mall
SoftBank Group Corp., a Japanese multinational conglomerate is making headlines for investing a whopping $ 3 billion in the Indian digital e wallet giant, Paytm.
However, the CEO of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son is not sure whether to sell SoftBank Vision Fund’s 21% stake in India’s largest online retailer, Flipkart. Earlier in April, Paytm Mall raised $ 400 million in a financing round led by SoftBank along with participation from Alibaba. With that funding, Softbank took 21% stake in Paytm Mall. According to the recent Walmart-Flipkart deal agreement, SoftBank can go ahead with other deals only when it exits from Flipkart. However, the Japanese conglomerate is having second thoughts regarding its exit from the etailer firm. The venture capital firm should now set itself free from a clause in its agreement with Flipkart that restricts it from investing more than $ 500 million in the Paytm Mall App until 2020. So, as of now, Softbank is in talks to invest as much as $ 3 billion in the Paytm Mall App.
Paytm may proceed further with the funding only if SoftBank makes its exit from the etailer firm, Flipkart. SoftBank is not sure about selling off its Flipkart shares because of tax implications and as it sees a further increase in the valuation for Flipkart. SoftBank is expected to gain about $ 4 billion if it sells its entire 21% stake in Flipkart to Walmart.
Apart from these fundings, SoftBank had also invested an amount of $ 900 million in the other major e commerce player, Snapdeal. Paytm Mall surpassed the Indian e commerce market, replacing Snapdeal as the third largest player including Flipkart and Amazon India. Currently, Paytm claims to process about 1 billion transactions every quarter and aims to double the figure to 2 billion. Besides this, the payments and e commerce firm, aims to process Rs. 60, 000 crores in monthly bank transfers by the year end. The company announced earlier to invest over Rs. 5,000 crores in 2018 in its payments and financial services. Paytm, the digital e wallet giant is providing customers innumerable payment services that is making their lives easier! The effect the Walmart-Flipkart deal will have on the e commerce industry is yet to be seen.
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.
Bangalore’s Yali Capital has closed its first deeptech-focused fund, raising a substantial ₹893 crore (about $104 million) and surpassing its initial ₹500 crore target. This major fundraising milestone highlights the growing appeal and investor confidence in India’s deeptech landscape, fueling innovation in pivotal sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace, genomics, and smart manufacturing. The fund cements Yali Capital’s position as a key player driving progress in India’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
Strategically, Yali Capital’s fund targets both early-stage (Seed, Series A) and later-stage (Series D and beyond) startups. Its diverse roster of Limited Partners (LPs) includes prominent corporations such as Infosys, Qualcomm Ventures, and Tata AIG, alongside government-backed organizations like the DPIIT Fund of Funds for Startups and the Self-Reliant India Fund. With heavyweight backers like Kris Gopalakrishnan (Infosys co-founder), Gopal Srinivasan (TVS Capital), and Utpal Sheth (RARE Enterprises), Yali Capital ensures robust strategic support. The firm’s dual structure—a SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) and a GIFT City-based feeder vehicle—enables global investor participation, guided by tech luminary Lip-Bu Tan and managing partner Ganapathy Subramaniam.
Already, Yali Capital has invested in five breakthrough startups, including C2I Semiconductor, 4baseCare, and Perceptyne, focusing on chip design and AI. By devoting two-thirds of its fund to early-stage companies, Yali Capital underscores its commitment to nurturing next-generation Indian deeptech founders. This fundraising success aligns with a nationwide trend of surging investments in advanced technology and positions Yali Capital at the forefront of India’s drive toward self-reliance and global tech leadership.
- Gramik, a Lucknow-based agritech startup, has secured INR 17 crore in a bridge funding round ahead of its upcoming INR 56 crore Series A raise.
- The funding round included investments via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs).
- Key investors include Sammaan Global Ventures, Money Creeper Investment, and prominent angels such as Balram Yadav (MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet), Gev Aryaton, Irfan Alam, Nikhil Bhagat, and Salvia Siddiqui.
Gramik’s Unique Peer Commerce Model
- Founded in 2021 by Raj Yadav, Gramik empowers over 120 million small and marginal farmers in India through a technology-driven rural commerce platform.
- The startup operates a dual-channel distribution network using Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and rural retailers to deliver high-quality agri-inputs to remote areas.
- Gramik’s full-stack platform offers demand aggregation, logistics, embedded credit, and agronomy services, ensuring last-mile delivery and support for farmers.
Expansion Plans and Future Growth
- Gramik currently operates in 12 districts, with 1,200+ active VLEs and 250+ rural retail partners, and plans to expand to 3,000 VLEs and reach 1 million+ farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu.
- The new funds will be used to expand Gramik’s private-label products, enhance agronomy-led farmer engagement, and scale operations in key states.
- With a strong focus on supply chain efficiency, technology, and farmer advisory services, Gramik aims to become a leader in India’s $50 billion agri-input and rural commerce market.
- Backed by previous seed funding of over INR 25 crore, Gramik is set to drive innovation and inclusive growth for rural communities.
Apple MacBook Air M5 Launched: M5 Chip, 22-Hour Battery in India
₹290 Crore Boost: Rozana’s Series B Funding Scales Rural Retail Network Nationwide
Keithjeant
April 18, 2026 at 4:28 pm
The CBD collection – cannabis mints offers a variety of formats that make appropriate singular preferences, and each undivided feels intimately executed. The oil appears clean and compatible, the packaging materials sensible of durable, and the design is simple besides elegant. The products are comfortable to store and treks with, thanks to make fast lids and aphoristic sizing. Entire, the maker delivers a outstanding and carefully crafted sample without surplus extras.
JosephNuh
April 18, 2026 at 8:05 pm
The CBD store – https://www.tillmanstranquils.com/products/thc-sex-gummies offers a assortment of formats that suit exceptional preferences, and each one feels intimately executed. The lubricate appears dry-clean and consistent, the packaging materials discern long-lasting, and the design is simple until now elegant. The products are comfortable to assemble and go with, thanks to make fast lids and compact sizing. Overall, the kind delivers a impeccable and carefully crafted test without surplus extras.