Startups, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding Round-up this week

With fewer mergers, this week, however, saw major developments in the start-up industry. While a few Indian start-ups raised significant amounts of money, a lot of big players announced acquisitions of homegrown brands. Here’s a look at this week’s report and updates. 

Beyond Snack raises $8.3 million

Beyond Snack, a packaged snack manufacturer, has raised $8.3 million in a Series A funding round led by 12 Flags Group. Other investors, such as NAB Ventures and Enrission India Capital, also participated in the round. The fresh funds will be used for expansion into new territories, product innovation, and strengthening the company's supply chain infrastructure.

RAS Luxury Skincare raises $5 million

RAS Luxury Skincare, a beauty brand, has raised $5 million in funding led by Unilever Ventures. The company has plans to use the funds to expand its retail presence and invest in talent acquisition, R&D, branding, marketing, and technology enhancement. The brand is also eyeing to open 50 new exclusive brand outlets across India in the next three years.

BrainSightAI raises $5 million from multiple investors

The neuroscience start-up BrainSight AI has raised $5 million in a pre-series A funding round by IAN Alpha Fund, Ivy Cap Ventures and others. The brand is planning to expand in India and pursue FDA certification. The company also has plans to enter US markets and explore other growth opportunities in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Vehant Technologies raises $9 Mn from True North

Vehant Technologies, a security and surveillance solution provider, has raised $9 million, or close to Rs. 75 crore, from True North. The funds will be used to increase its R&D activities, enhance current offerings, and develop innovative solutions for aviation security and other areas.

Mintoak secures Rs. 71 Cr

A merchant SaaS platform that caters to banks and merchant acquirers, Mintoak has raised Rs. 71 crore, close to $8.2 million in a secondary funding round which was led by Z3Partners. The partners will also acquire a minority stake as part of this transaction. The brand has kept the details of the secondary funding confidential

Mergers and Acquisitions

Curefoods, a prominent F&B house of brands, has acquired the South and West India operations of Krispy Kreme, the iconic global doughnut and coffee brand, from the Landmark Group for an undisclosed amount.

Other Updates

• IIMA Ventures, RBI’s innovation arm launches start-up programme for women’s financial inclusion.
• Lenskart starts preparations to launch IPO, looking to raise $1 billion.
• H&M to shift its base from Delhi to Bengaluru.
• Microsoft to invest over Rs. 25,000 crore for cloud, AI expansion in India