Pronto secures $11M to expand home services across Indian metros

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August 12, 2025

Pronto secures $11M to expand Rapid Home Services Across Indian Metros — Anjali Sardana, Founder & CEO, Pronto

Home services startup Pronto has raised $11 million (about ₹96 crore) in a funding round co-led by General Catalyst and Glade Brook Capital, with Bain Capital Ventures also participating. The latest round values Pronto at $45 million (around ₹394 crore), up from its last $2 million raise from Bain Capital.

The funds will be used to onboard and train 10,000 more professionals, strengthen quality-assurance systems, and build real-time operations technology.

Founded in April 2025 by Anjali Sardana, Pronto links Gurugram households with trained staff for cleaning, laundry, utensil washing, and basic meal preparation. The company operates on a shift-based model, enabling 10-minute fulfilment while providing workers with guaranteed shifts and higher pay.

Pronto plans to expand into Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other metro cities within the next 12–18 months, setting up micro-hubs in residential clusters for faster service delivery. Unlike hourly billing, the company charges per completed task, with an average order value between ₹200–₹300. Initially incorporated in Delaware, US, Pronto has since relocated its headquarters to India.

The home services market has long been dominated by IPO-bound Urban Company, but newer entrants are stirring competition. In May 2025, rival on-demand platform Snabbit raised $19 million in a Lightspeed-led round.

The arrival of players like Pronto and Snabbit signals a shift toward greater consumer choice and heightened competition in a sector that had seen little disruption in the past few years.

Truemeds raises $85M in Series C funding to expand affordable chronic care medicines in Non-metro Indian markets

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August 11, 2025

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Truemeds co-founders: Akshat NayyarCo-Founder, CEO and Dr Kunal WaniCo-Founder, COO

E-pharmacy and telehealth platform Truemeds has raised $85 million in Series C funding to drive expansion into smaller cities and towns. The round, completed in two tranches, was first led by Accel and later by Peak XV Partners, with ongoing support from WestBridge Capital and Info Edge Ventures.

The Mumbai-based company will use the capital to triple its national presence by adding fulfillment centers in high-demand non-metro areas, hiring top engineering and product talent, and opening a new technology hub in Bengaluru.

Founded in 2019 by Akshat Nayyar and Dr. Kunal Wani, Truemeds focuses on chronic care medicines, using a proprietary algorithm to recommend lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternatives to branded drugs. This approach helps patients save between 50% and 70% on their monthly bills, fueling more than 100% year-over-year growth.

India’s shifting demographics support the company’s mission—21% of the country’s 158 million elderly live with at least one chronic illness, with rates reaching 29% in cities. Outside metros, affordability and consistent access to quality medicines remain significant challenges.

“Our vision is simple—to bring the lowest prices for medicines in India while ensuring every patient gets the quality they can trust,” said Nayyar. “With this funding, we’re ready to strengthen our foundation, grow our offerings, and reach deeper into non-metro regions.”

Beyond prescription medicines, Truemeds is moving into diagnostics, with pilot services launching in four cities in the next two quarters. The company recently debuted an iOS app and plans to integrate AI- and machine learning-powered tools for personalized patient journeys and demand forecasting.

Currently, Truemeds collaborates with about 600 doctors daily and employs 3,000 staff across fulfillment centers and offices. In line with India’s startup wealth creation trend, the company has introduced an ESOP buyback program for employees.

“Affordability continues to be a major barrier—especially in chronic care,” said Abhinav Chaturvedi, Partner at Accel. “Truemeds is bridging this gap with a clinically guided, technology-led platform that delivers transparency and accessibility at scale.”

Truemeds operates in a rapidly evolving sector where rising healthcare costs and changing consumer habits are pushing patients toward affordable generics. Competitors like Netmeds, PharmEasy, and 1mg are also deepening their generic offerings while expanding into diagnostics and teleconsultations.

Smaller players such as Medkart and Saveo are targeting semi-urban and rural markets with hybrid models that combine online ordering with physical pharmacy networks. At the same time, the industry is seeing consolidation, with large corporates and marketplaces acquiring niche platforms to expand distribution.

However, the competitive landscape is being reshaped by price regulation under India’s National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), tighter e-pharmacy rules, and the need for strict compliance in drug sourcing.

Espire Hospitality signs Five New Hotels in Udaipur, Rishikesh, and North Goa

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August 11, 2025

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Espire Hospitality Limited has signed five hotels in Udaipur, Rishikesh, and North Goa as part of its strategy to double its inventory by March 2026. This expansion focuses on high-demand leisure destinations and enhances the company’s footprint in city-center, riverside, and beach locations.

The new properties will operate under the Country Inn and Smart Stays by Country Inn brands, offering a mix of full-service and select-service formats. Scheduled to open between late 2025 and early 2026, these hotels are designed with amenities catering to weddings and social gatherings, F&B-centric experiences, and family recreation—matching domestic travel trends in these markets.

Property Details & Opening Timelines:

Country Inn Premier, Udaipur: City-center location with 55 rooms, rooftop pool and restaurant, and 12,000 sq. ft. of banquet space. Opening: January 2026.
Country Inn Premier, Rishikesh: 500 metres from Lakshman Jhula, offering Ganga view rooms, a restaurant, nightclub, and 4,000 sq. ft. banquet. Opening: November 2025.
Country Inn, Rishikesh: Near Lakshman Jhula, featuring Ganga view rooms, restaurant, nightclub, kids’ play area, and gaming arcade. Opening: November 2025.
Smart Stays by Country Inn, Rishikesh: Compact format with 31 rooms, rooftop pool and restaurant, and a gaming arcade-equipped recreation room. Opening: November 2025.
Country Inn, Calangute – North Goa: 500 metres from Calangute Beach, 44 rooms with private balconies, two restaurants including a poolside bar, and gaming arcade. Opening: November 2025.

In addition to the Country Inn pipeline, Espire Hospitality Limited is developing three uber-luxury hotels in Mussoorie, Mumbai, and near Vrindavan, and is in final stages of signing a new ZANA Resort in Dehradun, boosting its premium segment presence in North India.

Akhil Arora, CEO and MD of Espire Hospitality Limited, stated, “This is a major milestone in Espire Hospitality Limited’s growth story. Each of these five signings reflects our commitment to expanding thoughtfully across India’s most culturally, spiritually, and experientially rich destinations. We are not just growing in numbers; we are growing with purpose. Our properties are built to deliver more than a stay; they offer a window into the soul of each location. Our mission is clear; to offer inspiring and brand-new experiences through well-differentiated properties across India. We shall be entering the international markets also, very soon.”

For hospitality stakeholders, the move signals a well-balanced expansion strategy—leveraging prominent locations, diverse formats to serve distinct guest segments, and amenities like banquet spaces and recreation areas to boost ancillary revenue. The staggered openings from 2025 to 2026 set a clear roadmap for scaling capacity in key leisure markets.

Graas.ai secures $9M Pre-Series B to launch Agent Foundry for Ecommerce Automation in India

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August 11, 2025

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Graas.ai Secures $9M Pre-Series B to Launch Agent Foundry for Ecommerce Automation in India — Prem Bhatia, Co-founder & CEO of Graas.ai

Graas.ai, an AI-native data and automation company for ecommerce, has secured over $9 million in a pre-Series B funding round led by Tin Men Capital, with additional participation from Incred Wealth, Orzon, and returning backers Integra Partners and Yuj Ventures.

The funding will accelerate the launch of Agent Foundry in India—a proprietary platform for developing autonomous agents designed to solve critical commerce challenges such as customer acquisition costs, pricing optimisation, margin protection, and inventory management. Unlike traditional AI copilots or dashboards, Agent Foundry delivers actionable intelligence, enabling agents to analyse real-time performance across channels, SKUs, and campaigns, and directly execute decisions for D2C and marketplace brands.

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Singapore, Graas.ai operates in India and Southeast Asia, supporting over 2,000 brands and processing more than $1 billion in GMV. The company upholds high compliance standards, holding SOC2, GDPR, PDPA, and ISO certifications.

“Commerce doesn’t need another AI copilot—it needs agents that run the play,” said Prem Bhatia, Co-founder & CEO of Graas.ai. “After two years building the data backbone, Agent Foundry lets brands act on it through bespoke multi-agent frameworks that solve commerce’s toughest problems.”

Some examples of agents developed in the Foundry include Hoppr, an in-house analyst monitoring SKU, GMV, and campaign performance; Cartlyst, a B2B order specialist that converts handwritten lists, voice notes, and WhatsApp messages into structured orders; Chattr, an AI-powered customer support agent aimed at boosting sales conversions; Turbo, which offers a unified view of sales, advertising, inventory, and operations data; and Extract, which ensures clean, ready-to-use data is delivered directly to Google Sheets or databases, optimising business intelligence workflows.

“With brands now focused on sustainable growth, Graas stands out for its robust data infrastructure and expertise in building enterprise-grade agents for retailers,” added Murli Ravi, Managing Partner at Tin Men Capital.

Rumble eyes $1.17 Billion acquisition of German AI Cloud firm Northern Data

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August 11, 2025

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US-listed video platform Rumble is weighing a potential acquisition worth roughly $1.17 billion (€1 billion) for German AI cloud provider Northern Data AG, as confirmed by statements from both firms and Reuters calculations.

The proposed deal would merge Northern Data’s data centre operations and GPU cloud business—which includes a large number of Nvidia GPUs—into Rumble’s existing infrastructure.

Under the preliminary terms, Rumble is considering offering 2.319 shares for each Northern Data share, valuing the German company at approximately $18.3 per share (€15.69). This figure reflects about a 32% discount compared to Northern Data’s most recent closing price.

Rumble noted that the transaction would proceed only if Northern Data’s Peak Mining unit is divested before finalisation.

Tether, Northern Data’s majority shareholder, has voiced its support for the potential deal. However, both companies emphasised that there is no guarantee the discussions will lead to a formal acquisition offer.

Zype Secures INR 90 Cr from Xponentia Capital

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August 9, 2025

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Fintech startup Zype has recently secured funding of INR 90 Cr, with INR 34 Cr initially raised as debt. Founder and CEO Yogi Sadana said that this debt portion has now been converted into equity.

Sadana explained that the fresh capital will be utilised to expand the company’s product portfolio, particularly targeting Tier II and Tier III cities. Including this round, Zype has raised a total of INR 236 Cr since its inception.

To date, the company has disbursed loans worth approximately INR 1,300 Cr to its customers. The board has approved the issuance of 61.5 Lakh equity shares at an issue price of INR 90.9, enabling the startup to raise INR 56 Cr from Unleash Capital Partners, Xponentia Capital Partners, and angel investor Tejinder Singh Hara.

In addition, the board approved raising INR 34 Cr in debt funding from Xponentia Capital Partners by issuing up to 34K non-convertible debentures (NCDs), each with a face value of INR 10K. Out of the INR 56 Cr equity funding, Xponentia is contributing INR 36 Cr, while Unleash and Singh are investing INR 17 Cr and INR 2.4 Cr, respectively.

Founded in 2022, Zype is a credit-first financial well-being and lifestyle application that enables users to access instant credit. The company obtained its non-banking financial company (NBFC) licence in 2023 and focuses on improving credit accessibility for millennials while promoting sustainable financial habits.

Previously, Zype raised INR 146 Cr in a round led by Xponentia Capital to enhance its technology platform, grow its team, and acquire more customers.

The latest development comes amid a surge in investor interest in fintech ventures, driven by expanding market opportunities. Fintech startups collectively raised $1.6 Bn across 68 deals in the first half of this year—a 56% jump from $1.1 Bn across 84 deals in the same period last year. Sequentially, funding increased 7% from $1.5 Bn in H2 2024.

This surge in capital flow has been fuelled by strong growth and late-stage deals, reflecting investor preference for established business models over experimental ones. Notable transactions include neobanking startup Zolve’s $251 Mn fundraise in March and Groww’s $202 Mn equity raise ahead of its IPO.

Chalet Hotels launches ‘Lakshya – Aim. Lead. Achieve.’ to build future hospitality leaders

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August 9, 2025

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Chalet Hotels launches ‘Lakshya – Aim. Lead. Achieve.’ to build future hospitality leaders — Gaurav Singh, chief operating officer, Chalet Hotels

Chalet Hotels has introduced ‘Lakshya – Aim. Lead. Achieve.’, a 15-month management trainee program aimed at nurturing high-potential individuals for leadership roles in the hospitality industry. The program focuses on building a robust leadership pipeline through a structured, multi-stage learning experience across Chalet’s premium hotel portfolio.

The curriculum unfolds in four progressive phases—Uday (Fresh Start), Anubhav (Experience), Pankh (Advanced Learning), and Shikhar (Live It). Each phase challenges trainees with increasingly complex roles, ranging from departmental rotations and executive shadowing to live project assignments and immersive sessions at the corporate office.

Moreover, the program offers dual-track specialization—one major and one minor—to develop versatile cross-functional expertise. Each phase occurs at a different Chalet property, providing trainees with diverse operational exposure and a holistic view of the business. This marks the program as the first in India to offer such cross-hotel and brand immersion.

“With Lakshya, we are not just building a training program — we are investing in the next generation of hospitality leaders. This initiative reflects Chalet Hotels’ commitment to talent development and aims to equip future leaders with the strategic and operational skills needed to thrive in a dynamic industry.” — Gaurav Singh, chief operating officer, Chalet Hotels Limited.

“At Chalet, we are deeply committed to investing in our people by providing structured pathways for growth through learning and leadership development. Lakshya reflects this commitment—born from our belief that nurturing talent is central to building an organisation that is future-ready, resilient, and grounded in strong values. An organisation that supports the flourishing of its people while working toward a shared purpose.” — Mugdha Mahambrey, general manager, Human Resources, Chalet Hotels Limited.

With its blend of hands-on experience, leadership grooming, and strategic learning, Lakshya raises the bar for hospitality training. It reinforces Chalet Hotels’ mission to shape adaptable, innovative professionals ready to excel in a fast-evolving, service-focused industry.

Machan Resorts LLP Supports the Local School in Ambavne, Reinforcing Commitment to Conservation and Community Empowerment

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August 9, 2025

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In a conscious step towards creating a meaningful community impact, Machan Resorts LLP extended support to Zilla Parishad School, Ambavne, a village school next to The Machan, Lonavala. This initiative was part of Machan’s ongoing mission to contribute to the holistic development of children in surrounding communities.

The team has supported the school with essential amenities—from clean drinking water and study materials to tech hardware—enabling holistic development and access to quality education. As part of this effort, they facilitated digital upgradation by providing a computer, Wi-Fi, and other tools to enhance the technology-based learning experience. This sustained initiative ensures uninterrupted, year-round education and broadens digital access for rural children.

Rakshit Sharma, COO, commented, “Conservation is one of our core values—it goes beyond nature to include local culture and community development. Supporting the children of Ambavne is part of our sustained, long-term commitment to empowering the communities we coexist with.”

Machan Resorts LLP believes in conservation-driven hospitality—not just in preserving nature, but in nurturing futures.

IIM Kozhikode partners with Simplilearn to launch AI-Powered Decision-Making Programme

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August 8, 2025

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IIM Kozhikode partners with Simplilearn to launch AI-Powered Decision-Making Programme — Kashyap Dalal, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Simplilearn

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK), in collaboration with global digital upskilling leader Simplilearn, has introduced a Professional Certificate Programme in AI-Powered Decision Making. Aimed at senior professionals and decision-makers, the 10-month leadership-oriented course focuses on equipping participants with the skills to harness AI for strategic, data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, and large-scale digital transformation.

The programme combines live online sessions led by IIMK faculty with a three-day campus immersion. Its curriculum is designed to prepare leaders to spearhead AI-driven initiatives, with training in AI strategy design, end-to-end transformation management, and cross-functional applications. Key topics include Agentic AI, ethics, and governance, with hands-on exercises and a capstone project to solve real-world business challenges, resulting in a personalised AI playbook.

According to industry research, 78% of global companies have integrated AI into at least one business function, and 71% are using generative AI. This rising adoption highlights the need for leaders who can leverage AI effectively for business impact.

Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode said, “This programme aligns with IIM Kozhikode’s Vision 2047 to ‘Globalize Indian Thought, ‘ reflecting the institute’s ambition to contribute meaningfully to India and the world over the next three decades. The college’s partnership with Simplilearn has rolled out a course backed by robust edtech delivery, which is designed to meet the demands of emerging technologies and empower aspiring leaders to drive business growth. Given the scale, scope and potential impact India is set to have on 21st-century business, this is a timely aspiration. By blending global best practices with an India-centric lens, the learners will be able to harness AI for smarter decision-making and operational efficiency.”

Targeted at professionals with over five years of experience—including business heads, consultants, entrepreneurs, technology leaders, and analytics experts—the programme offers completion certificates, IIMK executive alumni status, networking opportunities, and access to Simplilearn’s Job Assist platform to boost career prospects.

Speaking about the programme, Mr. Kashyap Dalal, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Simplilearn, said, “AI is transforming all industries with its applications, driving changes in processes, business models as well as on how organisations are designed to be competitive. Especially in terms of analytics, business intelligence and decision making, AI is opening up new boundaries of what is possible to make decisions better backed by data as well as faster – in some cases even automated decision making. The goal of the course is to empower professionals to lead with confidence in an AI-first world. We are honored to partner with esteemed IIM Kozhikode faculty and bring forward a curriculum that combines academic depth with practical relevance, encouraging learners to think beyond traditional boundaries.”

Meta Expands AI Audio Capabilities with WaveForms Acquisition

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August 8, 2025

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Meta Platforms has acquired WaveForms AI, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to understand and replicate emotion in audio, The Information reported.

WaveForms AI was founded by Alexis Conneau, a former audio researcher at Meta and OpenAI, and Coralie Lemaitre, a former ad strategist at Google. The startup launched in December 2024 and had secured $40 million in funding from a round led by Andreessen Horowitz.

Following the acquisition, Conneau and Lemaitre will join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, its newly formed AI division. This move aligns with Meta’s goal to boost its AI-powered audio technology.

Recently, Meta hired Johan Schalkwyk, a former Google Fellow known for his work in speech AI, as Voice Lead at Superintelligence Labs. The company also acquired Play AI last month, a startup specialising in human-like voices.

Moreover, Meta has been aggressively recruiting AI talent from leading firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. High-profile recruits include Daniel Gross, founder of Safe Superintelligence; Ruoming Pang, former head of Apple’s Foundation Models team; and Nat Friedman, ex-CEO of GitHub.

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