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FarmDidi raises ₹7-Cr in funding to scale pickle brand and support rural women entrepreneurs

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FarmDidi, a rapidly growing D2C pickle brand dedicated to empowering rural women, has secured over ₹7 crore in a Seed funding round led by Samved Ventures. The round also included investments from LetsVenture, Indigram Labs, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, along with a group of angel investors linked to IIM Calcutta and Symbiosis.

The startup intends to utilise the fresh capital to strengthen its team, invest in R&D, enhance technology-driven quality systems, and expand its women entrepreneur network from 2,000 to more than 5,000 in the coming years.

Pickles, often tied to family traditions and heirloom recipes, hold a special place in Indian households. FarmDidi leverages this cultural connection by enabling rural women to create small-batch, farm-fresh pickles—free from chemicals and preservatives—while incorporating modern quality practices to align with current consumer expectations.

Founded in 2022 by Manjari Sharma, Anukrit Johari, and Asmita Ghodeshwar, FarmDidi has achieved strong traction in a short span. The brand is currently operating at an ARR of ₹18 crore, processing over 30,000 monthly orders, with its website contributing significantly to sales. On Amazon, it has become India’s #1 pickle brand, capturing 4 of the top 10 bestseller spots. The brand is also available on leading quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, BigBasket, and Swiggy Instamart.

The startup’s blend of purpose and performance struck a chord with investors. “Despite India having 90 lakh SHGs, distribution gaps and inconsistent quality have kept the sector under-realized. FarmDidi bridges these with a tech-led scalable model that delivers clean-label, traceable food while enabling thousands of women to become micro-entrepreneurs,” said Amit Srivastava, Partner at Samved Ventures.

Shanti Mohan, founder of LetsVenture, added, “FarmDidi is not just about food; it’s a proof point that purpose-driven businesses can scale with strong consumer trust and quality-first principles. We see this becoming a household brand across India and globally.”

FarmDidi has earned recognition from institutions such as UNDP, Shark Tank India, the Wharton Economic Forum, the Government of Maharashtra, and NITI Aayog. Often described as a “tech-driven version of Lijjat Papad,” the brand is on a mission to empower 1 million women entrepreneurs while creating India’s most loved clean-label food brand.

Eight local firms likely to receive IndiaAI foundational AI models incentives

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The government has shortlisted nearly eight homegrown companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) foundational models to provide incentives under the IndiaAI Mission, according to people familiar with the matter.

Union IT and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is likely to announce the selected beneficiaries from the second round of screening next week.

BharatGen, a consortium of IIT researchers led by IIT Bombay and backed by the Department of Science and Technology, is among the frontrunners expected to receive approval in this round, sources indicated.

In January, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) therefore announced an incentive pool of ₹1,500 crore to encourage organisations and individuals who are working on building AI models from the ground up.

By February 15, the ministry had received 67 applications from Indian and global startups and researchers, with another 120 applications submitted the following month. The total number of applications has now crossed 500.

In the first round of approvals, MeitY granted four startups — Sarvam, Soket Labs, Gnani.ai, and Gan.ai — access to subsidised GPU compute to develop indigenous AI models.

In July, BharatGen unveiled a 2.9-billion-parameter bilingual large language model (LLM) named Param 1. Researchers pre-trained the open-source model on five trillion tokens in both English and Hindi.

Senior researchers at BharatGen did not respond to requests for comment.

At the same time, access to GPUs under MeitY’s common compute facility has become an increasing challenge.

“We are facing a chicken-and-egg story,” said one data centre executive who did not wish to be quoted. “Until recently, Indian startups had no access to affordable GPU compute. The government stepped in to address that, and suddenly we saw a surge of interest from startups and researchers building AI models. But now we’re back to a supply crunch, since many of the GPU purchase orders exist only on paper.”

Within the ministry, there is now a growing view that future rounds of GPU procurement should also prioritise inferencing models that deliver higher efficiency, rather than focusing solely on training models, according to government officials.

Out of the proposed 34,333 GPUs under the IndiaAI Mission, the current installed capacity stands at 17,374 GPUs.

Bengaluru startup BiteSpeed crosses $5M ARR, eyes $10M by year-end

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BiteSpeed, an AI-native marketing and support CRM designed specifically for e-commerce brands, announced that it has surpassed $5 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), marking a 250% year-on-year growth.

Founded in 2019 and backed by investors such as Peak XV’s Surge (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Whiteboard Capital, and Kunal Shah, BiteSpeed empowers e-commerce businesses to personalize marketing and customer support across channels including WhatsApp, email, SMS, Instagram, voice, and web chat—all through a single AI-powered platform.

Its AI-driven tools enable brands to recover abandoned carts, deliver personalized order updates, re-engage inactive shoppers, and offer real-time support from a unified dashboard. By merging marketing automation with conversational AI, BiteSpeed helps Shopify-first merchants increase conversions and customer lifetime value while simplifying operations.

The company says it now serves over 5,000 brands across 50+ countries, with customers including Dot & Key, Bombay Shaving Company, Mokobara, Minimalist, mCaffeine, and Zouk. BiteSpeed also highlights strong adoption in India, along with growing traction in international markets such as the UK, the Middle East, South Africa, and Australia.

“Crossing $5 million in ARR shows the trust our customers place in us and the impact BiteSpeed delivers,” said Vinayak Aggarwal, Founder & CEO of BiteSpeed. “As e-commerce brands grow, they need AI tools that turn every interaction into revenue—and that’s exactly what we’re building.”

BiteSpeed also said that it is rolling out a slate of new features, including AI voice agents and AI-native email marketing, to help brands drive more revenue from its platform. To support this expansion, the Bengaluru-based startup plans to scale its team size to over 100 employees by the end of the year.

“After carefully building the company focused on fundamentals for the last 5 years, we are now at an inflection point in our journey,” said Vinayak. “With growth being the key focus in this next phase, we’re looking for the right talent to help us shape the future of AI-native e-commerce.”

Q-Comm SaaS startup Inamo raises $3 Mn to scale dark store network

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C Sumit Anand & Rupesh Thakare, co-founders, Inamo

Recently launched quick commerce enablement startup Inamo has raised $3 Mn (INR 26.5 Cr) in a seed funding round to grow its dark store network, enhance its technology stack, and expand its team. The round was led by Shastra VC with participation from Antler India, Gemba Capital, and Scope Promoters.

Founded in 2024 by ex-Dunzo VP Sumit Anand and ex-ApnaKlub product head Rupesh Thakare, Inamo enables businesses to set up, scale, and optimize dark store operations by offering management solutions, last-mile delivery fleets, and other services.

In effect, the startup functions as both an operational partner and technology provider for quick commerce platforms—charging for outsourced services, tech tools, and delivery optimization. Currently, Inamo operates in six metro cities with over 50 dark stores and a dedicated last-mile fleet.

“Inamo is building the independent infrastructure layer that powers on-demand commerce for platforms, brands, and FMCG companies,” said Shastra VC’s managing partner Avijeeth Alagathi.

Driven by changing consumer preferences, India’s quick commerce sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets. According to Inc42 analysis, the market is expected to surge from $6.1 Bn in 2024 to $40 Bn by 2030, registering a CAGR of 37%. This growth rate is nearly double that of the overall e-commerce sector, which currently stands at 19% CAGR, the report highlighted.

At present, the market is largely dominated by Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto, which together delivered goods worth INR 64,000 Cr in FY25, as per a report by CareEdge Ratings.

Still, the sector’s rapid expansion has created room for new players to carve out niches in quick commerce. For instance, identifying a gap in premium grocery deliveries within 10 minutes at affordable prices, ex-Cleartrip CEO Ayyappan Rajagopal launched FirstClub last year.

SIG Tattva invests ₹3.5-Cr in Crion Technologies and launches ‘Pilot Before Pitch’ program for startups

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Shashvat Somany, Founder of SIG Tattva

SIG Tattva, the corporate venture capital arm of Somany Impresa Group, has announced a ₹3.5 crore investment in Crion Technologies, a trailblazing firm specializing in IoT, AI, AR/VR, and cloud-based digital solutions.

Crion’s flagship digital twin platform, Clonos, is transforming asset management by delivering real-time insights and predictive analytics, enabling enterprises to enhance efficiency, minimize downtime, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Vishnuvardhan Jayachandran, CEO of Crion Technologies, said, “We are thrilled to partner with SIG Tattva. This collaboration gives us the momentum to scale faster, accelerate product development, and take Clonos into new markets. What excites us most is working with an industry group that truly understands how transformative technologies can reshape manufacturing, utilities, and infrastructure. Together, we can unlock meaningful impact at scale.”

Along with the investment, SIG Tattva introduced its flagship ‘Pilot Before Pitch (PBP)’ program—an industry-first initiative aimed at redefining collaboration between start-ups and enterprises. The launch event brought together leading venture capital firms, start-ups, academic institutions, and senior leaders from Somany Impresa Group for a day dedicated to open innovation.

Participating VCs included Huddle Ventures, TVS Capital, Pontaq, Alteria Capital, Arali Ventures, Forge, and Nirman Venture, among others. The program featured start-up showcases, interactive discussions, and a panel with industry, VC, and academic experts, exploring how initiatives like PBP can accelerate the adoption of breakthrough solutions in real-world settings.

Commenting on the dual announcement, Shashvat Somany, Founder of SIG Tattva, said, “We are proud to announce our investment with Crion Technologies, a partnership that sets the tone for the kind of deep-tech ventures we want to back and scale. What excites us about Clonos is its ability to prove value quickly inside industrial operations—a critical requirement for technologies looking to scale. And with the launch of our Pilot Before Pitch program, we want to give start-ups the opportunity to validate solutions in real-world environments and then support them to scale. It’s about creating a model where industry and innovation grow hand-in-hand.”

As part of the PBP launch, SIG Tattva hosted top venture capital firms, incubators, and accelerators at AGI Greenpac’s Bhongir Glass Manufacturing Plant, India’s largest glass bottle manufacturing facility. The visit highlighted the Group’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and demonstrated how start-ups can collaborate with SIG Tattva to access industry-scale environments, operational expertise, and execution pathways. Participants also explored opportunities to co-create solutions and drive open innovation through pilots in live industrial settings.

Sriharsha Bandaluppi, Head of SIG Tattva, added, “The Pilot Before Pitch launch is an opportunity to bring the ecosystem together, with venture investors, academia, and start-ups under one roof. This collaboration highlighted the role industry can play in working alongside innovators to accelerate adoption. The visit to our Bhongir plant further reinforced this spirit, giving participants a first-hand view of the scale at which solutions can be tested and our commitment to building a truly collaborative model for India’s start-up ecosystem.”

Through PBP, SIG Tattva aims to create one of India’s most collaborative deep-tech ecosystems, where start-ups, investors, and industry partners co-create solutions for the future.

As the corporate venture capital arm of Somany Impresa Group, SIG Tattva not only supports visionary founders and transformative start-ups, but also draws inspiration from the Sanskrit word “Tattva”—meaning essence, principle, or fundamental truth—thereby embodying a commitment to truth, excellence, and progress.

Focusing on early-stage ventures in deep-tech manufacturing, enterprise SaaS, clean technologies, next-generation e-commerce, and disruptive product innovations, SIG Tattva not only provides funding but also offers strategic guidance, industry access, and operational expertise. Furthermore, by connecting entrepreneurs with real-world industrial ecosystems, it aims to accelerate breakthrough ideas and ultimately strengthen India’s deep-tech innovation landscape.

Vantage Data Centers raises $1.6 Bn to accelerate Asia-Pacific region

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Vantage Data Centers announced that it has secured a $1.6 billion investment led by an affiliate of GIC and a unit of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). The funding, in particular, will enable the company to expand its Asia-Pacific operations, including the acquisition of a data center campus in Malaysia.

The U.S.-based company will use the funds to purchase Yondr Group’s hyperscale campus in Johor’s Sedenak Tech Park. Once operational, the site will provide over 300 megawatts of IT capacity, boosting Vantage’s total capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to 1 gigawatt. The investment reflects the growing demand for digital infrastructure, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, the company said.

“This significant investment marks a pivotal milestone in our APAC growth journey,” said Jeremy Deutsch, president of Vantage Data Centers, APAC.

“With the support of GIC and ADIA, we are positioned as one of the largest providers of sustainable AI and cloud digital infrastructure in the region.”

“Adding the Johor campus to our portfolio will bring our APAC footprint to 1 GW of capacity. This acquisition enables Vantage APAC to continue to deliver scale and speed for our customers,” he added.

GIC and ADIA already invest in Vantage, and DigitalBridge, a global digital infrastructure investment firm, backs the company as well.

“As a leading global data center developer and operator, Vantage is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for data center capacity in the APAC region.”

“We look forward to contributing to its ongoing expansion and success,” he added.

Founded in 2010, Vantage Data Centers operates hyperscale campuses—large-scale data centers—across five continents, according to its website. Vantage will finalize the investment and the Johor campus acquisition in the fourth quarter.

Khadem AlRemeithi, executive director of the infrastructure department at ADIA, said that more importantly, this expansion of the firm’s existing relationship with Vantage—one of the world’s leading developers and operators of hyperscale data centers—closely aligns with their strategy of investing in infrastructure that not only drives growth but also enables digitalization.

“This new commitment supports the growth of Vantage’s APAC platform at a time when advances in AI and cloud computing are driving regional demand for data center capacity,” he added.

Jon Mauck, senior managing director and head of data centers at DigitalBridge, said Vantage is entering an exciting moment as it accelerates its expansion across APAC.

“GIC and ADIA have been trusted, long-term partners, and their continued support underscores confidence in Vantage’s ability to execute at scale in high-demand markets,” he added.

Vantage Data Centers’ $1.6 billion investment, backed by GIC and ADIA, not only strengthens its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region but also highlights the surging demand for hyperscale digital infrastructure. With the upcoming acquisition of Yondr’s Johor campus, the company will significantly expand its capacity and play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s rapidly growing AI and cloud computing needs.

BacAlt Biosciences raises Rs 18-Cr in funding round

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(L-R) Pranav Nair and Shruti Kutmutia, co-founders, BacAlt Biosciences

Biotech startup BacAlt Biosciences has secured Rs 18 crore in a funding round led by Avaana Capital, an early-stage investment firm, valuing the company at $8 million.

The round also included participation from Lubrizol InnoVentures, the innovation arm of global specialty chemicals giant Lubrizol.

The fresh capital will primarily be directed towards scaling R&D activities. In addition, the company plans to set up pilot production units and strengthen its team. Furthermore, it aims to formulate go-to-market strategies to support geographic expansion.

“Just getting rid of packaging or making your packaging recyclable or biodegradable is not good enough. We have to think about formulations. Almost 87% of the top 10 best-selling products contain microplastics in their formulations. That’s what we are changing,” Shruti Kutmutia said.

Founded in 2023 by Kutmutia and Pranav Nair, BacAlt Biosciences focuses on creating sustainable substitutes for traditional specialty ingredients. It does so by producing biopolymers from agro-industrial waste using bio-manufacturing processes.

“We will commercially launch it in June next year, which is why we have raised this fund to set up a pre-pilot facility where our launch will truly take shape,” she said, noting that bio-manufacturing will first start in Bengaluru.

The company develops solutions for home care, personal care, agrochemicals, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, while also aiming to substitute petrochemical and synthetic inputs with sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective ingredients, it said. Moreover, its biopolymers have diverse applications, spanning skincare, wound care, haircare, agriculture, and beyond.

“The biopolymers we are focusing on are bacterial cellulose and polyglutamic acid. These structures can only be produced by bacteria and cannot be replicated chemically. These products were expensive and not blended, which made them inaccessible to the mass market. Our products make them affordable and accessible while maintaining cost neutrality with what companies currently use,” said Kutmutia.

This space has attracted significant venture capital interest, as evidenced by several biotech startups— including Peelon, GreenGrahi, and Zerocircle—securing funding in recent months.

Commenting on the investment, Shruti Srivastava, investment director at Avaana Capital, said, “By combining proprietary fermentation platforms with circular use of agricultural waste, BacAlt is delivering ingredients that meet the performance and cost thresholds required for scale in FMCG.”

“With Lubrizol’s expertise and global network and BacAlt’s pioneering bio-based polymers and specialty ingredients, we aim to accelerate the development of new products that deliver enhanced value to customers and positively impact global markets,” said John Patrin, managing director of Lubrizol InnoVentures.

IIT-M backed startup introduces advanced wastewater recycling technology in Erode

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A next-generation wastewater treatment solution, BEADS, developed by IIT-Madras–incubated startup JSP Enviro Pvt Ltd, has been successfully deployed in industries across Erode district.

The technology, formally known as the Bio-Electrochemical Anaerobic Digestor System (BEADS), helps industries cut costs, recover energy, and lower carbon emissions while addressing the twin challenges of wastewater management and sustainability.

Founded in 2019 by IIT Madras alumni, JSP Enviro focuses on industrial wastewater treatment and recycling, according to a press release issued by the institute.

JSP Enviro has successfully implemented its technology in two industrial units located in Erode and Perundurai, demonstrating to industries that sustainable wastewater management can be both achievable and economically rewarding.

Commenting on the occasion, JSP Enviro Co-Founder V T Fidal Kumar said, “While traditional aerobic systems consume large amounts of electricity to pump oxygen into effluents, BEADS operate without oxygen. By integrating electrodes with microbial treatment, the system increases the rate of organic waste degradation while recovering electricity from the waste.”

“Unlike electrolysis systems, BEADS do not require frequent electrode replacements, and it does not require chemicals for treatment. BEADS can clean the wastewater without the use of electricity and chemicals and produce minimal sludge,” Kumar said.

Following the successful implementation of its sustainable effluent treatment technology, the startup now plans to scale its deployment nationwide, the company stated.

Neuma launches OJU, a new luxury dining destination in Gurugram

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Neuma, the multi-specialty hospitality collective co-owned by Karan Johar along with Truepalate Hospitality founders has launched OJU in Gurugram. Positioned as a cocktail-led, high-energy dining space, OJU brings a fresh take on Japanese craftsmanship infused with global flavors.

Building on the vision that started with Neuma in Colaba — the revival of the iconic Indigo property — OJU marks the next chapter in a growing portfolio of distinctive hospitality brands. In recent years, Truepalate Hospitality has introduced concepts such as one8 Commune with Virat Kohli, Pincode with Kunal Kapur, and Jolene by the Sea with Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak, spanning locations from Delhi to Dubai and Goa to Abu Dhabi. Collectively, these ventures have reshaped the dining landscape for a new generation. With OJU by Neuma, the group steps into a space that seamlessly fuses food, cocktails, design, and ambience with unmatched creativity and precision.

“Oju is really close to our hearts. It’s something we built with people we love working with, and every bit of it carries that energy. To me, it feels like the natural next step for Neuma, a space where cocktails, food, and atmosphere come together in a way that makes you want to linger. I see it becoming that ritual you look forward to, the place you keep coming back to. And we’re only getting started. I can’t wait to see Oju travel to more cities with us,” said Johar.

Chefs Mahmoud Mohamed Awadalla Gaber (Moh) and Nitin Bhardwaj helm OJU’s culinary program, bringing extensive global expertise. Moh, who has honed his skills at Michelin-starred kitchens such as Nobu, Mimi Kakushi, and Kodo, combines the discipline of world-class kitchens with a spirit of creativity and experimentation. Chefs Mahmoud Mohamed Awadalla Gaber (Moh) and Nitin Bhardwaj helm OJU’s culinary program, bringing extensive global expertise. To begin with, Moh, who has honed his skills at Michelin-starred kitchens such as Nobu, Mimi Kakushi, and Kodo, combines the discipline of world-class kitchens with a spirit of creativity and experimentation.

Meanwhile, Bhardwaj, with over 20 years of experience across India, Japan, Ghana, and the UAE, has represented India at the World Sushi Cup in Tokyo and earned multiple international hospitality awards. Furthermore, his approach blends a deep respect for traditional Japanese flavors with a modern sensibility. Together, the duo curates a menu where they craft every element — from ferments and pickles to slow-simmered broths — in-house, thereby ensuring authenticity, depth, and refinement in every dish.

At OJU, the bar program stands as a distinct pillar of innovation. Developed in partnership with Countertop — India’s most awarded cocktail collective led by Pankaj Balachandran — and executed by head mixologist Siya Negi, it sets the stage for world-class cocktails in a vibrant, high-energy setting. Negi, recognized as Mixologist of the Year 2024 and First Runner-Up at World Class 2023, brings a style that is sharp, inventive, and refreshingly approachable.

The design, envisioned by Aayushi Malik, therefore completes OJU’s immersive experience. Moreover, drawing inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic of Shibui, the interiors celebrate understated elegance through natural stone, wood, and muted tones. Kyoto-inspired wallpaper and handpicked artworks add layers of subtle drama, while curated books infuse warmth and intimacy. The indoor dining space seamlessly extends into an outdoor area designed as a modern Zen garden, offering an atmosphere that is simultaneously social and private, contemporary yet timeless.

Fine Acers to develop new luxury resort in Goa

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Dinesh Yadav, Founder and Managing Director of Fine Acers

Resort developer Fine Acers has announced plans for its latest luxury property, Kamah Goa Resort, to be built in Coregaon, North Goa.

On this development, Dinesh Yadav, founder and managing director of Fine Acers, said, “Goa continues to be one of India’s most attractive destinations for tourism and investment. With Kamah Goa, we aim to deliver not just a luxury retreat but a gateway to financial prosperity, wellness, and premium living. Our sales leaseback model, combined with unique ownership benefits, has made Fine Acers a trusted name in luxury resort investments. Kamah Goa is a natural extension of this vision.”

Spread across 13 acres of serene landscape, Kamah Goa Resort aims to redefine luxury living in one of India’s most desirable beach destinations. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from Manohar International Airport, the property offers easy access to Goa’s top attractions, including Mandrem and Arambol beaches, ensuring seamless connectivity for both domestic and international travelers, according to the release.

The resort will offer 300 premium keys, featuring Studio Units, 2-BHK Duplex Pool Villas, and 5-BHK Duplex Pool Villas. Each unit will combine contemporary design with the natural beauty of Goa, delivering a distinctive lifestyle experience for residents and guests.

Blending wellness, sustainability, and luxury, Kamah Goa Resort will feature a wide range of amenities including a spa, yoga and meditation zones, reflexology pathways, swimming pools, sunbathing areas, adventure sports, and curated dining experiences. Positioned for both leisure and investment, the project aims to appeal to discerning families, international tourists, and investors seeking long-term value, the release added.

By catering to both lifestyle seekers and investors, the resort developer aims to set a new benchmark for luxury living and hospitality in India’s premier beach hub.

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