The proposed funding round is expected to bring a new venture capital investor into the company, while existing investor DSG Consumer Partners is also evaluating additional participation. Although the precise split between equity and debt remains undisclosed, sources suggest that equity will account for the larger share of the proposed investment.

Smylo intends to deploy the fresh capital towards launching new products, strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities, and setting up an in-house manufacturing facility. These investments are expected to support the company’s product development and manufacturing capabilities as it looks to expand its presence in India’s growing pet food market.

Founded in 2024 by former Titan Capital executives Abhishek Agrawal and Kartikeya Gupta, Smylo manufactures cat food products that it describes as preservative-free, protein-rich, and made using fresh meat. Its product portfolio includes wet food, dry food, and broths designed for both kittens and adult cats.

The startup distributes its products through multiple channels, including its direct-to-consumer website, e-commerce marketplaces, and quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit and Zepto. This multi-channel distribution strategy enables the company to reach pet owners across different purchasing platforms.

The founders previously disclosed that Smylo was generating average monthly sales of Rs 50–55 lakh. At the time, around 80% of its revenue came from its website and e-commerce channels, while quick commerce platforms contributed the remaining share.

Before appearing on Shark Tank India in early 2026, Smylo had also secured smaller funding rounds. However, the founders did not disclose the cumulative amount raised through these investments.

The proposed fundraise comes amid growing investor interest in India’s pet care industry, with startups across pet food, supplies, and healthcare attracting capital to strengthen their operations, develop new products, and expand distribution networks.

For instance, in September, direct-to-consumer pet food company Lickicious raised Rs 19 crore through an equity and debt funding round led by Prath Ventures. The company planned to utilise the proceeds to expand its manufacturing operations, strengthen R&D capabilities, and broaden its product portfolio and distribution channels.

Similarly, in February, pet care marketplace Supertails raised $30 million in a Series C funding round. The company planned to deploy the investment towards expanding its veterinary clinic network and strengthening its quick commerce infrastructure.

Overall, rising pet ownership and increasing consumer expenditure on animal nutrition, food, and healthcare continue to support the growth of India’s pet care market. Consequently, the sector is attracting greater investor attention, creating opportunities for emerging brands to scale their businesses and strengthen their market presence.

Founded in 2021 by Sandeep Nair, M. Wasim Ankli, and Joseph Panakkal, VENTTUP helps hardware and deeptech companies transition from product prototypes to commercial manufacturing. The startup combines in-house engineering expertise with a network of manufacturing partners, primarily comprising micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to facilitate component development, testing, and large-scale production.

The company serves original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology businesses, and deeptech startups, including those developing domestic alternatives to imported components. Its services cover the entire manufacturing process, from initial product design and engineering to supplier identification, qualification, prototype testing, quality inspections, and commercial production.

VENTTUP’s manufacturing capabilities span precision machining, casting and forging, sheet metal fabrication, box builds, special purpose machines, industrial automation and robotics.

Commenting on the company’s vision, Co-founder and CEO Sandeep Nair said India’s next phase of manufacturing growth would depend on engineering capabilities that can transform complex requirements into validated, production-ready components.

He further highlighted that VENTTUP is developing an engineering-led manufacturing platform that integrates design standardisation, rapid prototyping, testing, and scalable production by leveraging India’s MSME ecosystem.

The startup operates across four key segments: energy transition and data centres; aerospace, defence and space systems; smart infrastructure and future mobility; and electronics, automation, and smart manufacturing.

Incubated at Kerala Startup Mission, VENTTUP has a founding team with professional experience at companies such as Hitachi Energy, Siemens, L&T, and Kalpataru Power.

Following an undisclosed seed funding round in 2024, the startup recorded fivefold revenue growth to Rs 10 crore in FY26, according to the company. Additionally, it onboarded more than 15 blue-chip customers over the past 12 months and developed a business opportunity pipeline worth approximately Rs 30 crore across the new energy, mobility, and smart infrastructure sectors.

The latest funding will support VENTTUP’s manufacturing expansion and strengthen its ability to assist customers throughout the product development and commercial production lifecycle.

VENTTUP operates in a competitive manufacturing services ecosystem that includes companies such as Zetwerk, CapGrid, and Karkhana. These businesses provide manufacturing solutions, component sourcing, and production-related services to enterprises.

Shivam Hingorani, Founder and CEO, Ace Blend said, “The first is clinical trials, which are going to be run by credible CROs (contract research organisations) and are intended to be published in peer-reviewed international journals. The second is cementing our moat as a business, which is our supply chain proficiency. The third is a robust testing mechanism that allows nutritional accuracy, pesticides, and heavy metals to be tested batch on batch without any human intervention.”

Additionally, the company plans to conduct shelf-stability studies when it launches new products and repeat these assessments after six months. According to Hingorani, the studies will help establish long-term safety data for its product portfolio. Highlighting the importance of scientific validation in the dietary supplements industry, he said, “Trust is not enough.”

Founded in 2018 by Hingorani, Ace Blend welcomed Saif Mehkri as co-founder in 2022. The company offers dietary supplements across several categories, including heart health, brain health, sleep, recovery, gut health, strength, and immunity. Its portfolio comprises approximately 14 stock-keeping units (SKUs), spanning plant-based protein powders, superfood mixes, and functional health supplements.

Ace Blend distributes its products through its official website and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto, and Blinkit. Hingorani said the company’s website generates approximately 50% of its revenue, while marketplaces and other online commerce channels contribute the remaining share.

The startup reported 300% growth in FY26 and a repeat purchase rate of nearly 48%, according to Hingorani. Building on this performance, Ace Blend aims to achieve annual recurring revenue (ARR) of Rs 250-300 crore over the next 12-18 months. The company is also targeting profitability as part of its growth strategy.

To strengthen its operational capabilities, Ace Blend plans to diversify its raw material sourcing across multiple countries. Its vertically integrated business model covers ingredient procurement, product formulation, and manufacturing. Furthermore, the company is developing an automated testing system to evaluate nutritional accuracy, pesticide residues, and heavy metals in every production batch.

Ace Blend is also expanding its product pipeline with several new formulations. According to Hingorani, these include a product developed in collaboration with a gut-health specialist to address leaky gut, a blend of natural nutrients designed to reduce inflammation, an eye-health supplement, and a fibre-based formulation focused on gut health.

The funding comes as consumer interest in preventive healthcare and dietary supplements continues to grow in India. Rising awareness of nutrition and the potential role of supplements in supporting health management has also drawn investor attention to the sector. Earlier this month, D2C supplement brand The Stack raised Rs 21.5 crore to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its research and development capabilities.

The startup is actively engaging with the investment firm, although the proposed funding round has not yet been finalised. Consequently, the fundraising amount and investor participation could change as discussions progress. Queries sent to Holiday Tribe and RPSG Capital Ventures did not receive responses by the time of publication.

Founded in 2022 by former MakeMyTrip executives Anshu Sharma and Chirag Goyal, Holiday Tribe specialises in customised holiday packages that combine AI-powered planning with expert travel assistance. Its offerings include itinerary recommendations, bookings, and travel support for family vacations, honeymoons, luxury holidays, and group trips.

The platform features Avni, an AI-powered holiday planning tool, and offers travel options across domestic and international destinations, including Kerala, Bali, Dubai, Japan, Vietnam, and several European markets. Additionally, customers can request personalised travel quotes through the company’s travel advisors.

Holiday Tribe previously raised Rs 25 crore in a pre-Series A funding round comprising equity and debt. Powerhouse Ventures led the round, with participation from GSF and undisclosed angel investors. The startup had earlier secured Rs 5.4 crore in seed funding in 2024.

During its previous fundraising round, Holiday Tribe outlined plans to strengthen its artificial intelligence capabilities for personalisation, itinerary optimisation and customer assistance. The company also intended to expand its supplier network across emerging travel destinations. However, it has not disclosed how it plans to deploy the capital from the proposed funding round.

RPSG Capital Ventures, part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, invests in early-stage businesses, with a focus on consumer-oriented sectors such as food and beverages, personal care, and lifestyle products and services.

The proposed funding comes amid growing investor interest in traveltech startups that use technology to deliver personalised holiday planning and booking experiences.

In July, Gurugram-based traveltech startup 30 Sundays raised Rs 61 crore in a Series A funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from Info Edge Ventures and Eximius Ventures.

The company provides itinerary planning, bookings, and on-trip assistance for Indian travellers going abroad, primarily focusing on couples. It planned to use the fresh capital to strengthen its AI capabilities, expand its engineering team, and enter new markets, including Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.

30 Sundays uses artificial intelligence for lead qualification, itinerary creation, customer follow-ups, and reservations. At the time of its fundraising announcement, the startup reported an annualised gross booking value run rate of approximately Rs 200 crore across Bali, Vietnam, the Maldives, and Thailand.

Meanwhile, established travel platforms are also expanding their holiday package offerings. Earlier this month, TravClan raised USD 5 million through a combination of equity and debt. Flipkart and August One participated in the equity funding, while Trifecta Capital provided debt financing.

The partnership aims to help Cleartrip and Flipkart Travel expand their curated international holiday packages and on-ground support services. TravClan works with more than 15,000 travel agents to customise and book holiday packages, hotels, and activities, reflecting the growing role of technology-enabled distribution networks in the travel industry.

● The backing signals a structural shift in the industry towards skin and health longevity

28th October 2026, India: CHOSEN, India’s first exposome-based dermocosmetic brand, today announced an extension of its Series A round with investment from Avnish Chhabria and Saurabh Kapoor, the founders of Wellbeing Nutrition. The two join an existing investor group that includes Fireside Ventures, which led the Series A; BOLD, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund; Alkemi Growth Capital; angel investor Avnish Anand; and a cohort of practising dermatologists.

The fresh capital will bolster CHOSEN’s R&D capabilities and expand its formulation pipeline across topicals and nutraceuticals, with products backed by clinical validation and dermatological insights. The pipeline will focus on the four domains of ageing in Indian skin: pigmentation, skin texture, contour, and hair ageing. CHOSEN will also establish a Centre of Excellence that brings dermatologists directly into product development and research and grow its R&D, brand, and growth teams as it enters its next phase of expansion.

Commenting on the investment, Dr. Renita Rajan, Founder, CHOSEN, said, “CHOSEN was founded to build skincare for Indian skin, shaped by the concerns patients bring to dermatologists every day. Our investors’ trust is a testament to this and will empower us to focus on what matters most: deeper research and a bigger role for dermatologists in how we develop our products. Avnish and Saurabh’s endorsement of CHOSEN carries special weight, as they have built a science-first health brand in India themselves.”

Avnish Chhabria, Founder, Wellbeing Nutrition, said, “I invested in CHOSEN because Renita pairs deep sunscreen expertise with a clear ambition: to build a globally respected skincare brand from India. Her commitment to rigorous research and stem cell science gives that vision substance. I’m backing her to set a new global standard for performance skincare.”

Saurabh Kapoor, Co-Founder, Wellbeing Nutrition, added, “It’s great to associate with a founder who believes in science as the core foundation of the personal care space. In an industry that is already so cluttered, you need strong, science-backed products built on a solid foundation to consistently deliver meaningful results.”

The investment comes as skin longevity becomes the next big conversation in personal care, with the focus moving from correcting damage to keeping skin healthy across decades. CHOSEN has been built on this idea since 2020, looking at ageing through the exposome and developing for melanin rich Indian skin. Its portfolio spans collagen powders, vegan supplements, and body and haircare products.

About CHOSEN

Founded in 2020 by cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Renita Rajan, CHOSEN is a Chennai-based dermocosmetic brand and India’s first dermocosmetic brand built on exposome science. The brand holds that Western anti-ageing models were never designed around the Indian genome or the climate Indian skin lives in. Heat, humidity, hard water, UV, pollution, and stress stack up on Indian skin every day, and that changes what an ingredient needs to do. CHOSEN formulates for melanin-rich skin across four areas where it shows age: pigmentation, texture, contour, and hair.

The brand grew out of the clinic; it opened in January 2020 as a retail experience centre in Chennai and moved online in April 2020 when the pandemic hit. Its first products came from protocols Dr. Rajan had built for her own patients, and new products still start from concerns dermatologists see in consultation. The range now covers 50+ products across skin, hair, body, and nutraceuticals, prescribed by more than 2,000 doctors. In 2026, CHOSEN Sculpt became India’s first topical lower face contouring serum, backed by a 12-week clinical study in Indian women published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

The products are sold through the brand’s own website and on Amazon, Myntra, Swiggy, First Club, and Distacart. CHOSEN delivers to almost every serviceable pin code in India, with Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Goa as priority cities, and ships to major international markets including the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, the UAE, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong & Thailand.

In May 2026, CHOSEN raised a $5 million Series A led by Fireside Ventures, with BOLD (L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital fund), Alkemi Growth Capital, CaratLane co-founder Avnish Anand, and a group of practising dermatologists. The funds are going into R&D, a larger pipeline of products, the brand’s Centre of Excellence, and hiring.

Website: https://chosenstore.in/

Additionally, Simplismart will invest in developing a dynamic GPU scheduling layer that matches AI workloads with available computing capacity across different regions and time zones. This initiative aims to improve the utilisation of GPU resources and make AI inference more efficient.

Simplismart develops software that operates between AI models and GPU infrastructure, enabling businesses to configure models according to their speed, cost, and performance requirements. Its inference engine optimises model execution, while its orchestration platform manages deployment and scaling across cloud-based and on-premises environments.

Meanwhile, the company reported that its annualised revenue run rate increased 14 times over the past six months. Its customer base includes HeyGen, Higgsfield, InVideo, and Shiprocket, highlighting its growing presence in the AI infrastructure market.

Beyond serving businesses directly, Simplismart partners with cloud providers to transform third-party GPU infrastructure into managed AI services. Instead of purchasing or reserving computing capacity for resale, the company supplies the software layer that enables infrastructure providers to deliver AI inference services under their own brands. Furthermore, Simplismart’s platform powers the serverless inference layer of Shakti Studio, operated by Yotta.

“The industry has spent years pushing the limits of what AI models can do. With frontier-class open models now readily available, access alone is no longer enough to set a business apart,” said co-founder and CEO Amritanshu Jain.

Commenting on the investment, Dayakar Puskoor, managing partner at Dallas Venture Capital, said, “We are backing this fast-growing company because of its proven technical prowess in addressing a critical need in the AI infrastructure ecosystem globally, as well as the strong execution capabilities of its founding team.”

The Bengaluru-based startup will use the fresh capital to expand caregiver recruitment and training, strengthen its technology platform, and grow its local team.

Founded by Aashu Manchali, Gargi Pandey, and Reshov Roy, Maasi emerged from Urban Parents Club, a Bengaluru-based community of more than 8,000 parents. The founders identified a significant gap in reliable and accountable childcare after hearing repeated concerns from parents about finding trustworthy nannies.

“Finding reliable childcare is still a gamble for millions of Indian parents. We’re excited to back Aashu, Gargi, and Reshov as they bring trust and accountability to it and build a new standard for childcare in India,” said Vaibhav Domkundwar, founder of Better Capital.

Maasi offers on-demand nanny services starting at ₹199 per hour, while monthly subscriptions begin at ₹5,999. The childcare startup verifies and trains its caregivers through a structured programme led by preschool directors, nurses, and former airline cabin crew trainers.

Additionally, the company has introduced Maasi Governess, an English-speaking nanny service that focuses on screen-free engagement and childcare.

“This is a tier-A team solving the hardest problem in childcare. Maasi is exclusive by design, with every caregiver held to an exceptionally high bar, and that’s exactly why we backed them,” said Rajiv Srivatsa, partner at Antler India.

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Aditya Mukherjee and Mansi Baranwal, Troovy operates in India’s growing healthy snacking market and competes with brands such as Slurrp Farm, Farmley, and phab.

The latest fundraise comes as India prepares to introduce front-of-pack labelling requirements for foods containing high levels of sugar, salt, and fats. As consumers increasingly scrutinise food ingredients and nutritional information, Troovy expects the shift to create opportunities for clean-label brands.

“There is a growing segment that is very conscious about ingredients for whom front-pack labels will really matter. We’re seeing that in our growth numbers as well,” said Mansi Baranwal, co-founder of Troovy.

Earlier in January 2026, Troovy Foods raised $5 million, equivalent to Rs 45.8 crore, in a Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and Sharrp Ventures. Spring Marketing Capital and Veltis Capital also participated in that round. Although the company has not disclosed its valuation following the latest fundraise, estimates place it at approximately Rs 400 crore.

Meanwhile, Troovy intends to direct the newly raised capital towards expanding its R&D operations, increasing manufacturing capacity and strengthening its presence across online and offline distribution channels. The company is also looking to capitalise on the growing reach of quick-commerce platforms to make its products more accessible to consumers.

India’s clean-label and healthy snacking market continues to expand as consumers increasingly seek convenient, nutritious food options. According to an IMARC report, the domestic market was valued at US$3.28 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach US$4.77 billion by 2034, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.80% between 2026 and 2034.

The report identifies rising health consciousness, increasing demand for convenient on-the-go foods, and a growing preference for natural, low-calorie, and high-protein snacks as key factors driving market growth.

At the same time, regulatory developments could further influence consumer choices and competition within the packaged food industry. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a single-phase implementation of front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) before the Supreme Court. Under the proposal, packaged food manufacturers would have to display the levels of sugar, salt, or fats through red hexagonal labels.

Although discussions around front-of-pack labelling have continued for nearly a decade, resistance from major food companies has delayed progress on the issue. However, the matter has gained momentum in recent months following the Supreme Court’s intervention.

As India moves towards greater transparency in food labelling, brands such as Troovy could benefit from growing consumer awareness of ingredients and nutritional content. The company’s latest fundraise also positions it to expand its product development and distribution capabilities as competition intensifies in the country’s healthy snacking segment.

The company will use the fresh capital to expand its operations across the United States and international markets, develop its technology platform, and strengthen its engineering and research teams, according to a company statement.

Meanwhile, BioStack is launching a data infrastructure network designed to support the next generation of medicine across the US, India, Brazil, and Argentina. The network provides access to more than 100 million de-identified patient records.

BioStack develops workflows that consolidate clinical information from different healthcare systems and geographical regions. By connecting clinical notes, laboratory results, imaging records, medications, treatments, and patient outcomes, the startup aims to create a comprehensive view of individual patients while supporting research at both the population and hospital levels.

“Collecting every event linked to each patient enables a view of what happens at each stage of a patient’s journey,” said Sanat Mishra, Co-founder and CEO of BioStack. “We’re building the infrastructure that connects all of the clinical information and makes it useful, both for clinicians making decisions today and for the researchers and AI developers building the future of medicine.”

In addition, BioStack builds proprietary datasets using de-identified information collected from individual healthcare provider systems. These datasets connect biological and clinical information with treatment histories and long-term outcomes, helping researchers understand patients’ medical journeys and assess how different interventions influence their health over time.

The company aims to establish a feedback loop between clinical care and medical innovation. As researchers gain access to more longitudinal patient data, they can better understand disease progression and treatment responses. Similarly, AI developers can use these insights to build more informed medical applications.

BioStack has integrated several hundred thousand fragmented X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans, alongside several million telehealth audio transcripts and other pathology and clinical records. According to the company, this combined dataset can help train AI agents to support clinicians in evaluating treatment options and predicting likely patient outcomes.

BioStack currently works with hospitals across the US, Brazil, India, and Argentina. Through these partnerships, the company gains access to diverse patient populations and healthcare environments, strengthening its data infrastructure for medical research and AI development.

The startup plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen its technology and product offerings, onboard more experienced providers, and expand into new cities, beginning with Manali and Bir.

Founded in 2025 by Shubham Makhecha, Nitant Desai, and Divyam Shah, Bucketlistt.com enables travellers to discover and book verified experiences, including adventure activities, cultural events, and curated dining. Alongside its consumer marketplace, the company operates OkGhumo, a platform that helps experience providers manage bookings, inventory, agents, payments, and daily operations.

In the 10 months since its launch, Bucketlistt.com and OkGhumo have collectively managed more than ₹22.5 crore in bookings. According to the company, the consumer platform has served over 12,000 customers, with approximately one in five arriving through word-of-mouth recommendations.

Launched in March 2026, OkGhumo has served more than 50,000 customers. Adventure operators in Rishikesh use the platform to manage bookings, inventory, agent settlements, and payments, replacing manual processes involving phone calls, WhatsApp, and spreadsheets. Furthermore, its live inventory allows Bucketlistt.com to offer travellers instant booking confirmations.

“Travel has three layers: where you stay, how you get there, and what you do once you arrive. The first two have moved online much faster; experiences remain far more fragmented,” Makhecha said.

Desai explained that the company initially acquired its first 100 customers by distributing posters in Rishikesh. Subsequently, its experience working directly with operators prompted the founders to develop OkGhumo. The company recognised that digitising consumer discovery alone would not be sufficient without also bringing experience providers and the supply side online.

“What stood out about Shubham, Nitant, and Divyam was the intensity with which they are building from the ground up. They have chosen to spend time where the transactions actually happen, rather than trying to build the business entirely from a distance,” said Deepankur Malhotra, founder and managing partner at Kairon Capital.

With ₹7.6 crore in fresh funding, Bucketlistt.com aims to accelerate its expansion, strengthen its technology and bring more travel experience providers online. By combining consumer bookings with OkGhumo’s operational tools, the startup is positioning itself to address fragmentation in India’s travel experiences market while building a scalable platform for future growth.