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Will WhatsApp PayMent Change The Payment Industry In India?

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WhatsApp PayMent,WhatsApp Payment India,Startup Stories,Latest Business News 2018,Startup News India 2018,Whatsapp App Payment,Whatsapp Payment Service,WhatsApp Digital Payments,WhatsApp Payments Feature, WhatsApp Payments Business India,WhatsApp Payments UPI Feature,WhatsApp UPI Platform,WhatsApp Pay

After months of anticipation, WhatsApp, the online messaging service, officially has the payments app as a part of its features. The online messaging system rolled out this feature only to select users across the country and within the short time of its introduction, it has become one of the most popular features of this app.

However, this induction almost did not happen because of the company’s foreign origin. In fact, this was WhatsApp’s second attempt on this front. Last year, this messaging service had tried to partner with a private bank in the country to develop a digital wallet app to facilitate payments on its platform.

All was fine till the bank and WhatsApp went to the Reserve Bank of India. Multiple stakeholders of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was not ready to allow a foreign entity to enter India’s digital payments space. According to RBI guidelines, “Non bank entities applying for authorisation shall be a company incorporated in India and registered under the Companies Act 1956 / Companies Act 2013.”

WhatsApp is a Facebook owned company and Facebook is based in the United States. Ergo, this means this company could not directly enter the Indian online payments wallet. This was last year. What changed from then to now is the fact that Government actively started promoting the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as part of its push to digitise India’s economy.

UPI allows for real time bank to bank transactions and once WhatsApp was sure this move was finalized, they jumped on the bandwagon. Facebook messenger service has had a decent run with the payments system and based on Facebook’s track record, the company decided to integrate this feature into WhatsApp as well. However, while this move came as a positive change for the messaging service, it brings to mind one important question.

Is this going to change the online payments game for banks and other companies? Is this service coming on board as a threat or as a new turn in the history of online payments? Consumer payments is a low margin game and is entirely defined by the scale of operations. On this front, WhatsApp has the potential to become a dominant game changer because of its base of 250 billion users all over the country.

Despite all its advantages, WhatsApp has one thing going against it. A little while after becoming live, the messaging service ran into a series of problems especially with Paytm raising a huge hue and cry about the safety of WhatsApp online payments. One bank which jumped on board with WhatsApp’s online payment feature is ICICI bank. India’s largest private sector bank was the first to team up with WhatsApp on this feature and it looks like the other banks are just minutes away.

With banks coming on board with WhatsApp’s new feature, it is interesting to see how two separate forces from different areas are coming together to create history for the first time. Clearly the times are changing and this move seems to be just one of those steps for an interesting future ahead.

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Bengaluru’s Cult.fit Set to Make Waves in the Market with Upcoming ₹2,500 Crore IPO

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Cult.fit, the Bengaluru-based fitness and wellness platform backed by Zomato, has finalized five top investment banks—Axis Capital, Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and JM Financial—to manage its highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company aims to raise ₹2,500 crore through this offering, which is expected to value Cult.fit at nearly $2 billion.

Company Growth and Business Model

Founded in 2016 by Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori, Cult.fit has grown into a diversified health and wellness ecosystem. The company operates over 500 gyms across India and has expanded into multiple segments:

  • Cultsport: Direct-to-consumer fitness apparel and equipment (30% revenue contribution).
  • Eat.fit: Healthy meal delivery service (24.5% of revenue).
  • Mind.fit: Yoga and mental wellness services.
  • Care.fit: Healthcare clinics and diagnostics.

In FY24, Cult.fit reported an operating revenue of ₹927 crore, a 33.6% jump from ₹694 crore in FY23. Despite this growth, the company recorded a loss of ₹535 crore.

IPO Details

The IPO marks a significant milestone for Cult.fit, which was last valued at $1.56 billion during Zomato’s $100 million investment in 2021. With strong backing from investors like Accel Partners, Tata Digital, Temasek, Kalaari Capital, and Chiratae Ventures, the upcoming IPO is set to further strengthen its position in the Indian fitness industry.

Strategic Importance

Cult.fit’s move to go public reflects its ambition to scale operations and attract institutional investors globally. Its diversified business model positions the company as a leader in India’s growing fitness market. Analysts are closely watching this IPO as one of the most anticipated offerings of 2025.

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Indian Healthtech Startup Dozee Raises $8 Million to Revolutionize Healthcare with Innovative Technology

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Indian Healthtech Startup Dozee Raises $8 Million to Revolutionize Healthcare with Innovative Technology

Dozee, an Indian healthtech startup focused on remote patient monitoring, has raised $8 million in its latest funding round to boost its global expansion. This significant investment will help the company enhance its presence in both domestic and international markets.

 

Funding Overview

The funding attracted a mix of existing and new investors, including Prime Venture Partners, 3one4 Capital, and the State Bank of India. The capital will primarily be used to expand Dozee’s reach to hospitals worldwide and strengthen its research and development efforts. CEO Mudit Dandwate highlighted the funding’s role in improving critical care facilities globally while promoting Indian-made products.

Innovative Solutions

 

Dozee is recognized for its Contactless Vital Signs Measurement System, which allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ vital signs without direct contact. This technology has been implemented in over 380 hospitals across India, significantly reducing the workload on nursing staff and saving valuable time.

The company’s AI-powered Early Warning System (EWS) can predict patient deterioration up to 16 hours in advance, enabling timely medical interventions that could save lives.

 

Global Expansion Plans

Dozee aims to tap into over 2,000 hospitals across more than 100 districts in India within the next two years as part of its expansion strategy. The company is also looking to enter new international markets while adapting its technology to meet various regulatory standards.

With this funding, Dozee is set to make substantial progress in the healthtech sector, aligning with global trends towards more efficient healthcare solutions and positioning itself as a leader in remote patient monitoring.

 

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.

Funding and Investor Details

The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.

Objectives Behind the Sale

The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.

Market Context

Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.

Conclusion

As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.

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