Quick commerce startup Zepto is gearing up to raise $300 million from domestic investors, doubling its initial funding target, according to a report by The Economic Times. This latest funding round underscores Zepto’s growing influence in the competitive quick commerce sector, where it competes against Zomato’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart.

Overwhelming Investor Interest

The funding round has reportedly been oversubscribed, attracting prominent Indian family offices and ultra-high net worth individuals (ultra-HNIs). This reflects strong confidence in the sector and Zepto’s potential. The company has previously raised $1 billion and continues to position itself as a leading player in the booming quick commerce market.

Previous Funding Rounds

Zepto’s recent fundraising efforts have been impressive. In June, the company raised $665 million at a valuation of $3.6 billion, marking one of the largest financing rounds in the quick commerce space this year. The Series F round was co-led by existing investors such as StepStone Group, Nexus Venture Partners, and Glade Brook Capital, with new investors like Avenir Growth and Lightspeed Venture Partners joining in.

Increased Indian Ownership

Following this round, Indian ownership in Zepto is expected to surge to approximately 35%, which includes stakes held by its founders, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra. Sources revealed that the founders have been granted an additional 1% equity for achieving key performance milestones.

Strategic Focus on Domestic Investors

Zepto’s strategy emphasizes building a strong base of Indian investors ahead of its anticipated IPO. The company aims to deepen relationships with high-quality domestic investors as part of its preparations for going public.

Celebrity and Corporate Participation

The funding round has attracted high-profile backers, including Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting the optimism surrounding Zepto’s growth. Prominent investors such as the Ravi Jaipuria-led RJ Corp, Harsh Goenka’s RPG group, and the Motilal Oswal group have also committed significant funds. Notably, Motilal Oswal reportedly increased its commitment from $40 million to over $60 million.

Diverse Investor Base

Additionally, participation from other notable figures like Ranjan Pai of the Manipal Group and Ramesh and Rajeev Juneja of Mankind Pharma further solidifies Zepto’s support from domestic heavyweights.

Valuation and Stake Sale

Zepto is reportedly selling a 6% stake at a valuation of $5 billion, reflecting its growing dominance in the quick commerce space. A source familiar with the development stated, “The round was oversubscribed, prompting Zepto to increase the total offering.”

Focus on Growth and Innovation

With 1 million daily orders, Zepto has emerged as the only large private player in the quick commerce sector, distinguishing itself from publicly listed competitors like Swiggy and Blinkit. The company plans to expand its operations significantly over the next year by opening new dark stores—mini warehouses for rapid delivery—in various cities across India.

Expansion Plans

Zepto aims to increase its number of dark stores from around 350 to 700 by March 2025. This expansion is crucial as it seeks to enhance delivery speed and efficiency while meeting rising consumer demand for quick commerce solutions.

A Bright Future Ahead

Zepto’s ability to attract significant domestic investment and its strategic focus on Indian ownership signal its readiness to scale further in the competitive quick commerce market. This funding round positions Zepto for robust growth as it prepares for its next big milestone: going public.

Market Dynamics

As competition intensifies in India’s quick commerce sector, Zepto’s aggressive expansion strategy and strong financial backing will be critical in maintaining its market leadership against rivals like Zomato’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart.

Conclusion

With a successful track record of fundraising and an ambitious growth strategy, Zepto is well-positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for quick commerce services in India. The recent funding initiatives not only reflect investor confidence but also underscore Zepto’s commitment to enhancing customer experience through innovation and operational excellence.

As it gears up for an IPO, Zepto’s focus on building a robust foundation with domestic investors will play a pivotal role in its long-term success in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.

The much-anticipated merger of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Viacom18, and The Walt Disney Company’s media and digital assets has officially taken shape, creating a joint venture (JV) valued at ₹70,352 crore (approximately $8.5 billion). This transformative partnership brings together some of India’s most iconic television and digital brands, including Star, Colors, JioCinema, and Hotstar, into a single entity poised to dominate the media and entertainment landscape.

Regulatory Approvals and Details of the Merger

The merger received approvals from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and other regulatory authorities. The JV excludes anticipated synergies in its valuation and marks a significant milestone in the evolution of India’s media sector. The transaction is seen as a strategic move to consolidate resources and enhance content offerings in a highly competitive market.

Investment and Ownership Structure

Reliance Industries Limited invested ₹11,500 crore (~$1.4 billion) into the JV to drive growth and innovation. The post-merger ownership structure stands as follows:

• RIL: 16.34%

• Viacom18: 46.82%

• Disney: 36.84%

Additionally, RIL acquired Paramount Global’s 13.01% stake in Viacom18 for ₹4,286 crore, restructuring ownership within Viacom18 to:

• RIL: 70.49%

• Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.: 13.54%

• Bodhi Tree Systems: 15.97% (fully diluted).

A Media and Entertainment Powerhouse

The newly formed JV will operate over 100 television channels, producing an annual output of more than 30,000 hours of content. Its digital platforms, JioCinema and Hotstar, collectively boast a subscriber base exceeding 50 million. The JV also holds an impressive portfolio of sports broadcasting rights, covering cricket, football, and other major events.

Content Strategy

By combining resources from both Viacom18 and Disney, the JV aims to enhance its content library significantly. This includes leveraging popular franchises and exclusive sports rights to attract a broader audience across various demographics.

Leadership and Vision

Nita M. Ambani will serve as Chairperson of the JV, with Uday Shankar as Vice Chairperson, providing strategic guidance. Other key leaders include:

• Kevin Vaz (Entertainment)

• Kiran Mani (Digital Operations)

• Sanjog Gupta (Sports)

The JV’s pro forma combined revenue for FY 2023-24 is estimated at approximately ₹26,000 crore (~$3.1 billion), cementing its position as one of India’s largest media and entertainment companies.

Leadership Insights

Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, called the merger a “transformational era” for Indian media. He stated, “Our collaboration with Disney and deep understanding of Indian audiences will provide unparalleled content choices at affordable prices.”

Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed enthusiasm for expanding in India’s critical media market: “This JV will offer a robust portfolio of entertainment, sports content, and digital services, benefiting millions of viewers.”

Global and Local Impacts

The JV’s global significance is underscored by approvals from antitrust authorities in the EU, China, Turkey, South Korea, and Ukraine, alongside India’s CCI. This extensive regulatory approval reflects the merger’s strategic importance on both local and international fronts.

A Transformative Future

The merger not only reshapes the Indian media industry but also strengthens the global footprint of the entities involved. With strong leadership, a massive content portfolio, and innovative strategies, the JV is set to revolutionize entertainment in India and beyond.

Future Challenges

While the merger presents numerous opportunities for growth and innovation, it also poses challenges related to integrating two distinct corporate cultures and managing overlapping content strategies effectively.

Conclusion

The completion of this monumental merger between Reliance Industries Limited, Viacom18, and Disney marks a new chapter in India’s media landscape. By combining their strengths and resources into a single powerhouse entity, they aim to redefine entertainment consumption in India while expanding their influence globally.

As this joint venture progresses, it will be closely watched by industry stakeholders for its impact on content diversity, viewer engagement strategies, and overall market dynamics in the rapidly evolving media sector.

In a major move to strengthen security on Android devices, Google has officially rolled out advanced call spam detection and real-time app monitoring for Pixel users, focusing particularly on Pixel 6 devices and newer. These new features, first previewed at the Google I/O event, offer enhanced protection against spam calls, malware, and other potential threats as part of Google’s commitment to safeguarding user privacy and device security.

Introducing Real-Time App Threat Detection

One of the latest upgrades to Google Play Protect, Live Threat Detection continuously monitors apps for any suspicious behavior, moving beyond the traditional approach that only scans apps during installation. This feature leverages Google’s AI technology to watch for unusual activity in apps already installed on a user’s device. This real-time protection is particularly valuable for detecting advanced malware that may initially remain dormant before engaging in harmful actions.

How Live Threat Detection Works

Live Threat Detection is powered by the Android Private Compute Core, which conducts on-device analysis to ensure data privacy. When the system identifies potential threats, it sends users a real-time alert marked by an “Unsafe app found” notification, allowing immediate action to remove or block the threat. The rollout prioritizes stalkerware detection—software that collects sensitive information without consent—though Google plans to expand this functionality to detect other types of malicious apps over time.

Real-Time Scam Detection for Calls

In addition to app monitoring, Google has introduced a real-time scam detection feature for phone calls. This feature uses on-device AI to identify and flag potential scam calls while a conversation is in progress. The AI-based system can detect common indicators of fraud, such as pressuring tactics or unusual requests for sensitive information. If these warning signs appear, the system alerts the user, advising them to end the call.

Technical Implementation

Currently in beta for Pixel 6 and newer models through the Phone by Google app, this feature will be rolled out more broadly in the future. For the latest Pixel 9 series, Google has incorporated Gemini Nano, an advanced AI model designed to enhance real-time scam detection for calls. Older Pixel models, including Pixel 6 through Pixel 8a, will also receive the scam detection feature supported by Google’s on-device machine learning models.

Elevating Security for Pixel and Beyond

These updates highlight Google’s proactive approach to staying ahead of cyber threats on Android. While Pixel users are the first to experience these advancements, Google intends to extend these features to a wider range of Android devices from manufacturers like Lenovo, OnePlus, Oppo, and Nothing in the coming months.

Broader Context of Cybersecurity

As cyber threats evolve, Google is responding with a combination of cutting-edge AI and continuous monitoring to offer robust protection on Android devices. The rollout of Live Threat Detection and real-time scam detection tools reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to providing a safer mobile experience.

Conclusion

With the introduction of real-time spam detection and enhanced security features, Google aims to empower Pixel users by safeguarding their devices against emerging threats. The integration of advanced AI capabilities not only improves user experience but also reinforces trust in Google’s ecosystem.

As these features continue to roll out and expand across various devices, they represent significant strides in mobile security that could set new standards for protecting users against scams and malware in an increasingly digital world.