A daily newsletter summarizing interesting Indian startups and recent activity both in India & globally
INTERESTING STARTUPS
ZapWheels (2016, Gurgaon) Online marketplace for automobile services. Founder is ex-Accenture and alumnus of IIM Indore, IIT Roorkee. Local competitors are MotorExpert (2013, Mumbai, $600K) and Bumper (2015, Bangalore, $500K). Global comparables are Tuhu (2011, Shanghai, $150M) and Xiaokakeji (2014, Hangzhou, $94M)
INDIA INTERESTING NEWS
BigBasket (2011, Bangalore) Online grocery retail store raises $150M in a funding round led by Abraaj Group with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Helion Advisors, International Finance Group, and Sands Capital Link
Byju’s (2008, Bangalore) Hybrid test preparation and learning platform raises $75M from Sequoia India and Sofina Link
RoomOnCall (2015, Gurgaon) Branded budget accommodation marketplace raises $2M from CashurDrive (CUD) Link
CityShor (2013, Ahmedabad) Online lifestyle and culture content platform raises an undisclosed amount in angel funding from GAIN Link
FreshToHome (2012, Bangalore) Online fish and meat retailer raises an undisclosed amount of funding from Mark Pincus (Co-Founder, Zynga) Link
Commut (2015, Hyderabad) App-based bus pooling service for office commute acquires H2O Cabs (2014, Hyderabad) App-based cab service provider for an undisclosed amount Link
Ola (2011, Bangalore) App-based asset-light cab operator acquires Qarth (2012, Chennai) Interbank mobile payment service for an undisclosed amount Link
Paylo (2015, Delhi) Offline payment platform acquires Ruplee (2014, Gurgaon) In-restaurant payment app for an undisclosed amount Link
BookMyShow (2007, Mumbai) Online entertainment ticketing portal partners with Uber (2009, SF) Mobile-based cab aggregator to allow users book cabs for a movie or an event Link
Abhinav Bindra sets up an incubation fund, Shooting Star, with an initial investment of $2 million. The incubation fund is created in an equal partnership with consulting firm Franchise India Link
GLOBAL ROUNDUP
Sunnova (2010, Houston) Solar-as-a-Service provider raises $300M in equity funding from Energy Capital Partners Link
Moat (2010, NYC) Search engine for display ads raises $50M in funding led by Insight Venture Partners Link
eGym (2010, Munich) High tech fitness company raises $45M in series C funding from HPE Growth Capital, Highland Europe and others Link
Atlantic Healthcare (2006, Cambridge) International speciality pharmaceutical company raises $24M in equity financing from founders of Salix Pharmaceuticals, Fullbrook Thorpe Investments LLP and others Link
Maxwell Health (2012, Boston) SaaS platform for benefits management raises $22M in series C funding from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Sun Life Financia and othersLink
Mirriad (2006, London) In-video advertising technology platform raises $15M in financing from IP Group PLC and others Link
Sillajen (2006, Busan) Oncolytic immunotherapeutic company raises $12M in funding from Medivate Partners and others Link
Elliptic (2014, London) Blockchain intelligence company raises $5M in series A funding from Paladin Capital Group and others Link
Joi Scientific (Kennedy, 2009) On-demand hydrogen production company raises $5M in series A funding from Woodman Family Investments and others Link
Medical Departures (Singapore, 2014) Medical tourism platform raises $2.5M in series A funding from Digital Media Partners and others Link
GreatHorn (2015, Belmont) Predictive security platform raises $2.25M in seed funding from ff Venture Capital, SoftTech VC and others Link
Mylestoned (2016, Boston) Developing a platform to bring Death Memories to the Digital World raises $1.5M in seed funding from Founder Collective, Boston Seed Capital, Converge and angels Link
RecomN (2014, Kuala Lumpur) Local services marketplace raises $1M in series A funding from Gobi Partners Link
Kickstarter (2009, Brooklyn) Creative project crowdfunding platform acquires Drip (2010, NYC) Community of independent artists, record labels, and audiences for an undisclosed amount Link
iCapital Network (2013, NYC) Platform for providing alternative investment options for HNIs acquires HedgeFocus business from Credit Suisse (1856, Zurich) Financial services company for an undisclosed amount Link
VenBio, Bi-coastal healthcare VC firm raises $288M for its second fund Link