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

As the Indian startup ecosystem matures, this week brought a fresh wave of funding, partnerships, and strategic acquisitions. From digital spirituality and fintech to fashion jewellery and grocery delivery, Indian startups attracted strong investor interest across varied sectors. At the same time, mergers and corporate movements signalled growing ambitions across pharma, IT, and consumer markets. Whether you're a business professional, investor, or just startup-curious, here’s your quick and simple round-up of what happened in India’s business world this week.

Divine Hindu Raises Rs. 156 Cro to Blend Spirituality with Digital Commerce

Spiritual lifestyle startup Divine Hindu has raised Rs. 156 crore in seed funding. The round was led by prominent angel investors to help the brand expand its product range and digital presence. Based in Ayodhya, the company aims to make spiritual goods accessible through e-commerce, combining religious beliefs with modern retail strategies.

Clean Fanatics Secures Rs. 16.7 Crore to Expand Cleaning Services

Home and commercial cleaning brand Clean Fanatics has raised Rs. 16.7 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The Bengaluru-based startup plans to use the funds to grow its workforce, upgrade its tech platform, and widen its presence across metro cities, targeting the booming urban hygiene services market.

Arteria Technologies Gets Rs. 100 Crore to Grow SaaS-based Fintech Solutions

Enterprise SaaS fintech platform Arteria Technologies has secured Rs. 100 crore in funding from ICICI Venture. The Bengaluru-based startup helps businesses with financial automation and B2B payments. The funding will support product innovation and global expansion, especially into Southeast Asia and Europe.

Zepto Prepares for IPO with Rs. 3,760 Crore Fundraise

Quick commerce startup Zepto is raising between Rs. 3,760 and Rs. 4,180 crore at a valuation of Rs. 58,400 crore. The Mumbai-based company is looking to scale operations, strengthen logistics, and expand to Tier-II cities. This funding round, ahead of a planned IPO, shows strong market confidence in India’s 10-minute delivery model.

AMAMA Raises Rs. 8.3 Crore to Redefine Fashion Jewellery

Delhi-based jewellery brand AMAMA has secured Rs. 8.3 crore in funding from Mistry Ventures, marking its second funding round. Known for its contemporary yet rooted designs, AMAMA plans to expand its design team, increase online visibility, and explore retail collaborations to tap into India’s growing fashion-conscious youth.

InPrime Finserv Raises Rs. 50 Crore to Strengthen Credit Access

Chennai-based InPrime Finserv, a digital lending startup, has raised Rs. 50 crore in Series A1 funding led by Pravega Ventures. The firm focuses on providing loans to underserved customers in smaller towns. With this capital, the company aims to enhance its underwriting tech and expand customer reach across southern India.

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Bengaluru’s Jumbotail, a B2B grocery platform started by college students, has entered the unicorn club with a new valuation above Rs. 8,300 crore.

• Capgemini has acquired business process outsourcing company WNS for Rs. 27,500 crore to expand its expertise in analytics and operations.

• Torrent Pharma will acquire a majority stake in JB Chemicals, valued at Rs. 25,689 crore, aiming to enhance its pharmaceutical portfolio in India and abroad.

Other News

• Ludhiana to receive a Rs. 2,000 crore investment for a new steel plant, boosting regional manufacturing.

• Jio BlackRock raised a record Rs. 17,876 crore for its asset management venture, reflecting investor confidence.

• The rupee remained nearly flat this week as importer dollar demand kept the currency from rising.

• BigBasket appointed Manish Bajoria as its new CFO, guiding its IPO plans and financial growth.

• The Financial Times reported a rising interest in India's digital public infrastructure from global investors.