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Paris-based Sekoia.io raises €26M to enhance AI-Driven cybersecurity solutions

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Freddy Milesi, Founder and CEO, Sekoia.io

Sekoia.io, a Rennes-based startup specializing in cybersecurity technologies and the developer of the Sekoia AI-SOC platform, announced today that it has raised €26 million in Series B funding, bringing its total fundraising to €60 million.

The funding round was led by Revaia, with additional participation from UNEXO and continued support from its existing investors, including Bright Pixel Capital, Omnes Capital, and Bpifrance.

Freddy Milesi, Founder and CEO of Sekoia.io, stated: “This fundraising will allow us to invest in the technological development of our platform—particularly in agent-based AI. Out of 4 million real threats detected by the platform in 2024, 25% were detected automatically, thanks to our exclusive AI and intelligence technologies! We want to accelerate this momentum while expanding our international activities beyond Europe. Our ambition is clear: recruiting hundreds of service partners who are our growth drivers internationally and boost their managed SOC offerings through the Sekoia.io platform.”

Sekoia.io, based in four European countries, has over 100 employees and 50 MSSP partners. Its clients include EDF, Vinci, SNCF, Mirakl, Marlink, and the French Ministry of Armed Forces. The company aims to lead the emerging AI-Native Security Platform market for managed SOCs.

With the cybersecurity market rapidly evolving due to advanced threats and regulatory changes like the NIS2 directive in Europe, the MSSP market projects to reach €47.9 billion by 2028. By targeting this segment, Sekoia.io’s indirect distribution model positions it for rapid growth.

With this funding, Sekoia.io plans to enhance its AI and automation capabilities to tackle the cybersecurity talent shortage, expand beyond Europe to replicate its successful business model and increase partnerships with MSSPs to make high-performance cybersecurity accessible to companies of all sizes.

Hadrien Comte, Principal at Revaia, commented: “We are proud to support Sekoia.io in this new growth phase and accelerate its expansion in Europe. Cybersecurity is a critical issue for companies of all sizes, and Sekoia.io provides an innovative solution by democratizing access to advanced protection through AI and automation. Sekoia.io offers a unique and scalable approach that enhances SMEs’ resilience against growing cyber threats. We are excited to support Freddy and the entire team in their ambition to build a European leader in cybersecurity.”

Let’s Try secures $2.5 Mn in funding led by SWC Global

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Nitin Kalra, Founder, Let's Try

Let’s Try, one of India’s rapidly expanding snacking brands has raised $2.5 million in its latest funding round, led by SWC Global, a Singapore-based firm.

Existing investors in the company include Wipro Consumer, 100Unicorns, Venture Catalysts, and Aman Gupta, Co-Founder and CMO of boAt Lifestyle.

Founded by Nitin Kalra, an industry expert with over 15 years of experience at ITC, PepsiCo, and Raymond, Let’s Try aims to make premium, high-quality snacks accessible to every Indian household. The brand offers a variety of affordable yet high-quality snacks, including Namkeens, Wafers, Cookies, Cakes, and Sweets, all made with top-grade ingredients.

After gaining national attention on Shark Tank India, Let’s Try remains committed to providing healthier alternatives in the traditional snacking market without compromising taste or authenticity.

Nitin Kalra, Founder & CEO of Let’s Try, said, “Our vision has always been to bring premium-quality snacks to every Indian household at accessible prices. We will use the funds to scale distribution, ramp up marketing, and introduce innovative products in the better-for-you snacking space.”

The funds raised will help accelerate the company’s next growth phase. This phase includes expanding its distribution network across Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities, enhancing supply chain and backend operations, launching a variety of health-conscious snacking options, and making significant investments in digital and offline brand-building efforts.

The brand also plans to introduce new SKUs in modern trade and regional formats to reach a broader audience while strengthening its presence on e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels.

“Let’s Try has strong brand alignment with current consumer needs and has demonstrated strong business performance. Its strong presence in both online and offline channels, combined with in-house manufacturing capabilities, positions Let’s Try to scale and compete with established brands rapidly,” said Tuck Lye Koh, founding partner of SWC Global.

The company has experienced remarkable growth in just three years, increasing its revenue from INR 1 crore to INR 120 crore in annual recurring revenue (ARR). It has set an ambitious goal to surpass INR 1,000 crore in revenue by 2028. The brand operates in a market valued at INR 50,000 crore, growing annually at 12% with vast untapped potential.

Rajesh Mane, Partner at 100Unicorns, added, “The team at Let’s Try has cracked the code for delivering great taste without compromising quality or health. Their growth trajectory, operational depth, and brand resonance among modern Indian consumers make them stand out in FMCG.”

Realty advisory firm Grahm plans Rs 100-Cr investment by FY26

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Ankit Shah, chief operating officer and chief marketing officer, Grahm

Grahm, a Bengaluru-based realty advisory platform, announced on Wednesday that it plans to invest Rs 80-100 crore by FY26 and hire 300 employees by the end of this year.

“Real estate in India can be complex, with many legal and regulatory layers. Grahm simplifies this by having in-house experts who help buyers understand regulations, verify project approvals, ensure compliance, and navigate the financial and legal processes smoothly,” Ankit Shah, chief operating officer at Grahm, said.

“We saw the need to build a trusted community of homeowners, one that stays engaged long after the purchase is made,” Shah said.

The realty advisory firm will act as a channel partner for developers, taking a 2 per cent transaction fee while prioritising a consumer-first approach to real estate advisory. “All our services, from property selection to legal checks and financial help, are offered at zero cost to the buyer. Our revenue comes from developers.”

“We are creating a new category and are keen on positively disrupting the industry. We aim to capture 1 per cent of the total residential real estate market, equivalent to 5000 crores, by the end of the year and 10 per cent in 3 years,” said the company in a press release.

Grahm uses internal capital from Credvest Group, a real estate management firm. In 2024, Credvest expanded its presence in the real estate sector by acquiring Weown, a realty management firm. Moving beyond advisory services, Credvest has broadened its scope by venturing into “adjacent verticals” within the real estate ecosystem.

Grahm, the realty advisory firm, is poised for significant growth in Bengaluru’s real estate market. With strategic partnerships, including onboarding over 100 developers and collaborating with more than 350 projects, the firm aims to capture 10% of the residential market share within the next three years, targeting over Rs 50,000 crore in transactions.

Supported by Credvest Group’s capital and recent acquisitions, Grahm is set to make a strong impact in the evolving real estate ecosystem.

Zepto nears $4 Bn in annualised gross order value, cuts operating cash flow burn by 50%

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Aadit Palicha, Co-founder and CEO, Zepto

Zepto co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha revealed on Wednesday that, just three months after announcing its annualised gross order value (GOV) had reached $3 billion (around Rs 24,500 crore), the quick commerce unicorn is now nearing a $4 billion gross order value.

In this timeframe, the company has also cut its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), excluding employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), along with its operating cash flow (OCF) burn by 50%.

“Zepto is getting close to $4 billion in annualised GOV, representing nearly 300 per cent year-on-year growth (and close to 30 per cent growth since my last update in January). More importantly, we have reduced EBITDA (excl. ESOPs) and OCF burn by 50 per cent even as we grew meaningfully during the last three months,” Palicha wrote in a social media post.

“We are confident in being within touching distance of Ebitda (excl. ESOPs) and OCF breakeven within a few months (with a large net cash buffer still on the balance sheet),” he added.

Palicha highlighted that similar to the dark stores introduced over the past three years, the company’s newly launched dark stores are also on track to reach EBITDA breakeven.

In his January post, Palicha said: “In April 2024, we shared with Goldman Sachs in a research note that Zepto had crossed $1 billion in annualised GOV. Eight months later, in January 2025, we are at approximately $3 billion in annualised GOV.”

Palicha explained that Zepto’s definition of gross order value encompasses the selling price of fruits and vegetables and other revenue streams like subscription fees and advertisements.

Zepto’s impressive growth trajectory, marked by reaching near $4 billion in annualised gross order value and cutting its operating cash flow burn by 50%, highlights the company’s strong performance and efficient operations. With plans for continued expansion and EBITDA breakeven in its newly launched dark stores, Zepto is positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly growing quick commerce sector.

IHG Hotels & Resorts expands presence in India with Garner and luxury lifestyle opportunities

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Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA)

Kenneth Macpherson, IHG Hotels & Resorts CEO for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA), shared that the company sees “significant potential” in India for introducing its luxury lifestyle brands, including Kimpton and Regent.

He mentioned that IHG’s pipeline of new hotels in India is expected to account for a larger share of the EMEAA region than before, with India being one of the company’s top-performing markets last year. Revenue per available room in the country grew by 8.6% compared to the previous year.

On Tuesday, IHG introduced its midscale brand, Garner, in India with new signings in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, and Kathua, Jammu. The company highlighted that the brand is adaptable and could involve conversions and new construction projects.

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 47 hotels in India across brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn Express. The company plans to expand to 60 hotels in the country over three to five years, with pipeline data available until December 31, 2024.

Both Garner hotels will operate under the franchising model, and Macpherson expressed confidence in the long-term potential of this model for India.

“The launch of Garner is the start of a segment that we are convinced has the opportunity for considerable scale. I’m not announcing how many we could plan, but there should be hundreds of hotels in the future,” he said.

So far in 2025, IHG has signed several new properties in India, including Crowne Plaza in Jim Corbett, Holiday Inn in Puri, Holiday Inn Express in Bengaluru, Holiday Inn Express & Suites on the Mumbai-Goa highway, and InterContinental Kasauli.

Macpherson said the chain hasn’t yet brought its other “powerhouse” brands to the country.

“We have the luxury lifestyle brand Kimpton doing extremely well in EMEAA. There’s an opportunity for that. The ultra-luxury Regent brand sits alongside Six Senses, and we see potential for that in India besides our Vignette Collection brand,” he said.

In the premium space, IHG has five Voco hotels in the pipeline. “Our powerhouse Holiday Inn brand has a solid reputation since the seventies in India. So, we have proof of performance and delivery for guests and owners across all segments,” he added.

Broadcom unveils $10 Bn share buyback plan

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Hock E. Tan CEO of Broadcom

Broadcom on Monday announced the launch of a new share buyback program of up to $10 billion, set to run through the end of the year, which resulted in a nearly 3% rise in its shares during after-hours trading.

CEO Hock Tan stated that the move reflects confidence in Broadcom’s semiconductor and infrastructure software divisions, especially its position in AI-related investments.

Broadcom, based in Palo Alto, California, with a market value of approximately $724.76 billion, saw its shares close about 5% higher on Monday, breaking a two-day losing streak following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement.

Last month, the company, which supplies semiconductors to Apple, forecasted strong second-quarter revenue and hinted at new potential customers that could drive growth in a highly competitive market.

Broadcom is also experiencing strong demand for its custom AI chips from cloud computing companies seeking an alternative to Nvidia’s expensive processors.

Broadcom’s new share buyback plan, with its strategic investments in AI and strong market performance, underscores the company’s confidence in its growth trajectory, positioning it well for continued success in the semiconductor industry.

AI firm Anthropic strengthens European presence with over 100 new roles

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Daniela Amodei, President and Co-founder of Anthropic

US-based AI firm Anthropic, the creator of the ChatGPT rival Claude, is strengthening its European presence by creating over 100 new positions and appointing a former Stripe executive to lead its efforts across the EMEA region.

The company plans to expand its Dublin and London offices, offering roles in sales, engineering, research, and business operations to meet growing demand from European businesses.

Valued at $61.5 billion, AI firm Anthropic, backed by Amazon and Google, recently opened a research-focused office in Zurich in addition to its Dublin and London hubs. Currently, the company employs around 75 people across these locations, with some working remotely.

Guillaume Princen, who previously worked at McKinsey and led Stripe’s European expansion, has been appointed as the new head of EMEA. Posting on LinkedIn, Princen said: “The opportunity to help European companies navigate this transformative technology, implement it responsibly, and discover possibilities we’re only beginning to imagine is truly energizing.”

Princen added: “European organizations are increasingly choosing Claude for its intelligence, speed, and industry-leading coding abilities, while consumers—particularly the tastemakers—are drawn to its certain je ne sais quoi in conversation and thoughtful design.”

Daniela Amodei, president and co-founder of Anthropic, said: “EMEA has been central to our vision from the beginning. Our focus remains on serving the thriving startup ecosystem while continuing to deliver Claude’s capabilities to major regional enterprises—providing the advanced performance, security, and reliability that leading organizations need to transform how they work with AI.”

In February of this year, Anthropic agreed with the UK government to drive AI integration into public services.

Last month, the company secured $3.5 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to $61.5 billion.

Ramee Group opens Dhamroo restaurant in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru recently witnessed the launch of Dhamroo, a new restaurant by the Ramee Group. This latest venture highlights the group’s commitment to offering immersive and upscale dining experiences, according to a statement issued by the company.

Dhamroo, by Ramee Group, offers a stunning selection of dishes that blend vibrant Indian spices with contemporary flavors curated by chef Bhushan More. Guests can enjoy a wholesome menu featuring chaats, small plates, and satisfying main courses.

Signature dishes include the popular Avocado Dahi Puri, Peshawari Lamb Seekh Kebab, Lasooni Palak with Laccha Paratha, Mangalorean Prawn Curry, and more. To complete the experience, indulgent desserts like Parle-G Cheesecake and Dark Chocolate Phirnee will delight any dessert lover.

“Our vision for Dhamroo has always been to craft an experience that is as exciting as it is comforting. Bengaluru has an incredible appreciation for good food, and we’re thrilled to introduce our distinctive take on Indian flavours to such a vibrant culinary scene,” said More on the launch.

The ambiance at Dhamroo, by Ramee Group, is designed to be as unforgettable as its menu. Combining rustic charm with modern elegance, the restaurant offers a welcoming space for casual diners, families, and food lovers. Whether savoring a hearty meal or enjoying a relaxed evening, Dhamroo guarantees a dining experience that excites both the taste buds and the senses, according to the release.

Dhamroo by the Ramee Group promises to be a must-visit destination in Bengaluru, offering not only a culinary adventure but also a unique and immersive dining experience that blends tradition with innovation.

Digital engineering platform Rescale secures $115M in Series D funding

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Joris Poort, CEO & Founder of Rescale

Rescale, a digital engineering platform, has secured US$115 million in its Series D funding round, pushing its total funding to over US$260 million.

The round saw participation from major investors, including Applied Ventures, Nvidia, Foxconn, and Hanwha Asset Management Deeptech Venture Fund.

Founded with support from notable figures like Sam Altman and Jeff Bezos, Rescale provides advanced computing, data management, and applied AI solutions. Its platform caters to aerospace, automotive, energy, and life sciences industries by integrating computing, data, and AI capabilities into their engineering workflows.

With this substantial Series D funding, Rescale plans to accelerate the digital transformation of engineering across critical industries. By leveraging the power of high-performance computing, data integration, and AI, the company aims to redefine how engineers design, simulate, and innovate.

The support from leading global investors underscores strong confidence in Rescale’s vision and technological leadership. As the demand for smarter, faster, and more scalable engineering solutions grows, Rescale strategically positions itself to become a foundational player in the future of digital R&D, enabling breakthroughs in everything from aerospace advancements to life sciences innovation.

Financial infrastructure firm Decentro partners with DigiAlly for Southeast Asia expansion

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Bengaluru-based financial infrastructure firm Decentro has partnered with Singaporean fintech company DigiAlly to launch a business credit underwriting solution to expand its Southeast Asian presence.

Decentro targets entry into key markets such as Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia through this strategic alliance while reinforcing its foothold in India.

In addition, Decentro has introduced a comprehensive business financial intelligence suite tailored for the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector. This suite streamlines analyzing financial statements and trade records, consolidating verified data into a unified document.

The move aims to address Asia’s substantial SME credit gap, which the Asian Development Bank estimates to be over US$2.1 trillion. The new offering supports SME financing, invoice factoring, and cross-border trade. DigiAlly will contribute its expertise in credit and financial data analytics as part of the collaboration, playing a vital role in Decentro’s regional expansion.

With this collaboration, Decentro and DigiAlly are well-positioned to revolutionize SME lending and financial services across Asia-Pacific. Combining Decentro’s robust financial infrastructure with DigiAlly’s data analytics expertise, the partnership aims to bridge the region’s SME credit gap, foster financial inclusion, and empower businesses with smarter, data-driven lending solutions.