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IHCL signs new Claridges Collection Hotel in Lucknow to expand luxury portfolio

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Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new hotel in Lucknow under the Claridges Collection brand, further strengthening its footprint in the city’s hospitality sector. The company will develop the project as a brownfield property, which will contribute to IHCL’s continued expansion in the region.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, Indian Hotels Company, said, “Lucknow has evolved into one of North India’s most promising destinations, supported by the city’s cultural richness, improving infrastructure, and rising commercial activity, enhancing its appeal for both business and leisure travellers. The addition of Claridges Collection, Lucknow, will further strengthen IHCL’s brandscape in the city. We are pleased to continue our partnership with MD Projects Pvt. Ltd. with this project.”

The upcoming hotel will feature 108 keys and will occupy a strategic location on Lohia Path. The design will draw inspiration from the architectural heritage of Awadh while combining classic elements with contemporary hospitality features.

The property will include several dining venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, two speciality restaurants, and a lobby lounge. Additionally, the hotel will offer a range of guest amenities such as a swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a spa to enhance the overall stay experience.

Moreover, the hotel will cater to corporate events and social gatherings through dedicated meeting and event spaces. The property will feature meeting rooms and a banquet hall that spans over 4,000 square feet, while pre-function areas will support large gatherings and events.

Saurabh Ladhani, Executive Director, Ladhani Group, said, “This project reflects our long-term commitment to creating landmark hospitality assets in North India. As part of the Ladhani Group, we remain focused on building enduring partnerships and delivering developments that combine scale, quality, and vision.”

Vivek Ladhani, MD Projects Private Limited, added, “We are happy to extend our ongoing association with IHCL and collaborate once again to bring the Claridges Collection brand to Lucknow.”

IHCL’s latest hotel signing in Lucknow highlights the company’s strategy to expand premium hospitality offerings in emerging urban destinations. As infrastructure development and tourism continue to grow in the city, the Claridges Collection property aims to attract both business and leisure travellers while strengthening IHCL’s position in North India’s hospitality market.

Minimalist Hotels strengthens portfolio with third property in Varanasi

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Gautam Munjal, Founder of Minimalist Hotels

Minimalist Hotels has announced the launch of its newest lifestyle property in Varanasi, offering a thoughtfully designed stay that combines contemporary minimalism with the city’s timeless cultural energy.

The brand designed the property specifically for new-age travellers while offering 22 design-forward rooms, curated social experiences, and intuitive hospitality that focuses on community and meaningful connections. Moreover, the launch marks Minimalist Hotels’ third property in Varanasi, which highlights the city’s rapidly growing tourism appeal and cultural significance.

The hotel draws inspiration from the striking contrasts that define Varanasi, which balances spirituality with vibrant everyday life. Consequently, the property incorporates clean architectural lines, neutral colour palettes, and locally inspired textures to create spaces that feel both immersive and purposeful.

At the same time, the hotel provides amenities tailored to the needs of modern travellers. The property caters to digital nomads, cultural explorers, business travellers, and weekend visitors while offering high-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated workspaces, pet-friendly accommodations, complimentary breakfast, and modern in-room comforts.

Additionally, the property features CABAMI, a rooftop restaurant and bar that serves as the hotel’s central social hub. The venue offers a relaxed all-day dining experience while hosting community programming and live music evenings. Furthermore, the menu features a globally inspired selection that includes Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese, and Pan-Asian cuisines, while subtle Indian flavours add a distinctive touch to the dining experience.

Guests can also explore the city’s rich cultural heritage through curated experiences offered by the hotel. These activities include heritage walks, Banarasi silk weaving tours, sunrise and sunset boat rides, guided Ganga Aarti viewings, and excursions to the historic site of Sarnath.

“With Varanasi, we wanted to create a space that respects the city’s heritage while offering a fresh, modern stay experience. Minimalist Hotels is about community, culture, and curated living, and this launch reflects that evolution,” said Gautam Munjal, Founder of Minimalist Hotels.

The launch of Minimalist Hotels’ newest property in Varanasi reflects the growing demand for lifestyle hospitality that blends design, culture, and authentic local experiences. As tourism continues to rise in the city, thoughtfully designed boutique hotels like this one aim to attract modern travellers who seek both comfort and meaningful cultural engagement.

EdTech startup NPrep bags $1.5M in funding to expand AI learning for nurses

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Edtech startup NPrep has secured $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Lumikai to expand its AI-powered learning platform for nursing students and healthcare professionals.

The founders, who are alumni of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, launched the startup to provide a video-first and AI-driven education platform that helps candidates prepare for nursing entrance examinations and government healthcare roles.

The platform delivers personalised learning modules, simulated clinical scenarios, and automated assessments. Consequently, these tools help students strengthen both their exam preparation and practical healthcare skills.

At the same time, NPrep focuses on solving the growing gap in nursing education and workforce readiness across India. The company provides structured digital learning resources along with career support for aspiring nurses.

Additionally, the startup offers several career-focused tools that help learners transition into professional healthcare roles. These tools include mock interviews, resume-building assistance, and placement support.

With the newly raised capital, the Edtech startup plans to broaden its course offerings and enhance its AI-powered learning infrastructure. Furthermore, the company intends to expand its reach among nursing students who are preparing for competitive exams and pursuing careers in the healthcare sector.

NPrep’s latest funding round highlights the rising importance of technology-driven healthcare education in India. As demand for trained nurses and healthcare professionals continues to grow worldwide, platforms that combine AI-powered learning with career support could play a critical role in bridging the skills gap and improving workforce readiness.

Nvidia strengthens AI dominance with major partnership with AI startup Thinking Machines Lab

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Jensen Huang, Founder & CEO, Nvidia with Mira Murati CEO of Thinking Machines Lab

Artificial intelligence startup Thinking Machines Lab announced that it has signed a multi-year partnership with Nvidia, which includes a significant investment and a commitment to purchase at least one gigawatt of the chipmaker’s next-generation processors.

However, the companies did not disclose the financial details of the agreement. Under the partnership, Thinking Machines Lab, which former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati founded last year, will deploy Nvidia’s upcoming Vera Rubin systems starting early next year. The startup will primarily use the computing power to train its artificial intelligence models.

Industry executives have stated that one gigawatt of computing capacity can cost approximately $50 billion. Additionally, this level of computing power can supply electricity to nearly 750,000 homes in the United States.

The agreement will help Thinking Machines Lab strengthen its ability to compete with larger AI companies that are aggressively developing powerful artificial intelligence systems. At the same time, the deal highlights the growing urgency across the AI industry to expand large-scale computing infrastructure.

Thinking Machines Lab quickly emerged as one of Silicon Valley’s most closely monitored AI startups after it raised about $2 billion in seed funding. Andreessen Horowitz led the funding round, which valued the company at approximately $12 billion, while Nvidia also participated as an investor.

Furthermore, the startup has recently explored raising additional capital in a new funding round that could potentially push its valuation into the tens of billions of dollars, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, the company has recently experienced several leadership departures. Co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer Barret Zoph and co-founder Luke Metz both left the startup and returned to their previous employer, OpenAI, amid intense competition for experienced AI talent.

The partnership also emphasizes Nvidia’s expanding role not only as a technology provider but also as a financial supporter of startups that depend on its advanced AI chips.

In recent months, Nvidia has invested heavily in leading AI companies. The chipmaker recently committed $30 billion to OpenAI and invested $10 billion in Anthropic. At the same time, the company supplies the powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) that these startups use to train and operate their artificial intelligence models.

Some industry analysts argue that this dynamic creates a circular flow of capital and computing resources between Nvidia and the AI companies that rely on its technology. Consequently, this ecosystem has prompted comparisons with the late-1990s technology bubble as investment and competition in artificial intelligence accelerate rapidly.

The partnership between Thinking Machines Lab and Nvidia reflects the growing race among AI startups to secure massive computing power and strategic funding. As artificial intelligence development becomes increasingly resource-intensive, collaborations between chip manufacturers and AI innovators will likely shape the next phase of technological advancement. With strong backing and advanced infrastructure, Thinking Machines Lab is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global AI competition.

Household-Help startup Snabbit eyes $450 Mn valuation as demand for instant home help apps surges in India

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Aayush Agarwal, Founder & CEO, Snabbit

Household-help startup Snabbit is currently discussing a fresh funding round at a valuation of nearly $450 million, highlighting the increasing investor interest in India’s rapidly growing home services market.

The Bengaluru-based startup allows consumers to book instant assistance for everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Meanwhile, the company has started planning its Series D funding round after already raising $56 million within just 18 months since its launch in 2024. Founder Aayush Agarwal revealed in an interview that the company’s previous funding round valued the startup at $180 million.

Notably, startups that promise household help within as little as 10 minutes have attracted strong investor attention despite India experiencing a prolonged venture funding slowdown. Investors continue to focus on the growth potential of these platforms because they cater to the country’s expanding middle-class population.

According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, India’s home services market will likely grow to nearly $100 billion by the end of the decade, increasing from the current estimated value of about $60 billion. The research firm expects the sector to grow at an annual rate of around 10%. Additionally, Snabbit estimates that the top 60 million urban households in India spend approximately $750 every year on household services.

“We expect it to go to $100 billion,” Agarwal said, citing rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, and the emergence of the apps. “When something that was otherwise not as accessible becomes readily accessible, the overall pie also increases in size. We’ve seen this with food delivery.”

Furthermore, Redseer estimates that online platforms currently facilitate less than 1% of paid household-help services in India. As a result, digital platforms still have massive room to expand their market share.

Agarwal conceived the idea for Snabbit after he personally struggled to find reliable home help for several months. Eventually, he asked his mother to handle the search using traditional methods. She waited near apartment gates, spoke with domestic workers heading to other jobs, and negotiated informal arrangements during morning walks.

“In a world where everything is a button-click away, this was an irrational amount of effort,” Agarwal said at his company’s headquarters. The office features pink-colored walls and furniture, which match the uniforms worn by thousands of Snabbit’s domestic workers.

To ensure faster service and efficient worker allocation, Snabbit has divided cities into smaller micro-markets based on factors such as walkability, traffic flow, and physical barriers. Additionally, the platform even considers which side of the road a customer lives on because heavy traffic congestion can significantly impact service speed.

However, the sector still faces regulatory challenges, particularly regarding gig-worker protection. For instance, stricter regulations could introduce mandatory base pay requirements along with additional costs for training, insurance, and regulatory compliance. These changes could eventually put pressure on the profit margins of gig platforms. India has already started implementing welfare measures for gig workers, including social-security contributions from digital platforms.

Currently, Snabbit guarantees minimum monthly wages that typically range between $270 and $380, depending on shift structures and city locations. This pay level remains competitive because India’s average monthly salary stands at approximately $350, according to job portal Shine.

At present, the company continues to operate with negative margins because it is investing heavily in building worker supply ahead of expected demand growth. Nevertheless, Agarwal stated that Snabbit could already achieve profitability in some of its more mature markets if the company paused its rapid expansion plans.

Snabbit’s planned funding round reflects the growing momentum in India’s digital home-services ecosystem. As urbanisation, rising incomes, and app-based convenience reshape consumer behavior, platforms like Snabbit aim to organise a largely informal market. With strong investor backing and a massive untapped customer base, the company could play a significant role in transforming how Indian households access domestic services in the coming years.

ELIVAAS Living expands Rajasthan portfolio with new luxury villa launch in Pushkar

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ELIVAAS Living has expanded its footprint in Rajasthan by launching ELIVAAS Tuscun Villa in Pushkar. With this addition, the company now operates more than 60 properties across the state, including popular destinations such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Pushkar, Alwar, and Neemrana. These properties operate under the brands ELIVAAS, ELIVAAS Privé, and Alaya Stays.

The company stated that this expansion reflects its strategy of focusing on experience-driven travel destinations that consistently attract demand for private villas, curated group stays, and destination celebrations. Over the past few years, the brand has steadily expanded across Rajasthan while maintaining strong operational standards across its growing portfolio.

Moreover, each property follows a standardized service framework that includes structured housekeeping processes, responsive guest service systems, strict safety protocols, and periodic quality audits. At the same time, the company provides personalized services tailored to guest preferences and specific travel occasions.

Ritwik Khare, Founder and CEO of ELIVAAS Living, said, “Rajasthan today represents one of our most strategically important regions, with 60+ operational properties across key leisure destinations. Our entry into Pushkar is backed by destination-level demand data rather than sentiment. The town has seen a steady rise in premium leisure travel over the past few years, particularly from Delhi NCR and Jaipur, with a clear shift towards private, high-quality villa stays. As we expand, our standardised operating playbook ensures service consistency across locations, while each villa continues to offer a curated and personalised experience. Beyond accommodation, we deliver end-to-end holiday experiences, from curated activities and local immersion to personalised service, ensuring every stay is seamless and memorable. Our focus remains on building depth within high-intent leisure markets rather than expanding indiscriminately across geographies.”

The newly launched ELIVAAS Tuscun Villa features five bedrooms and offers a pet-friendly environment for guests. Additionally, the villa includes a private swimming pool and a landscaped lawn, which enhance the overall luxury stay experience. The property also sits close to Pushkar’s temples and lakes, thereby allowing visitors to easily explore the destination’s cultural and spiritual attractions.

With the launch of Tuscun Villa in Pushkar, the company not only increases its Rajasthan portfolio but also reinforces its focus on curated travel experiences, personalized hospitality, and high-quality private villa stays for modern travelers.

Aquaculture startup AquaExchange secures Rs 72-Cr funding to scale shrimp farming tech

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Pavan Kosaraju, Hemasundar Dhavili, Kareem Mohammod, and Kiran Bandi, co-founders, AquaExchange

AquaExchange, an aquaculture technology startup, has raised $8 million (approximately Rs 72 crore) in its Series B funding round. Endiya Partners and Factor Analytics co-led the investment round, while Accion Ventures also participated with support from Ocean 14 Capital.

According to filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), the company’s board approved a resolution to issue 67,324 Series B Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) and 20 equity shares. The company priced the shares at Rs 1,068.38 each and consequently raised around Rs 72 crore through the round.

The filings further revealed that Endiya Partners and Factor Analytics each invested Rs 30 crore in the funding round. Meanwhile, Accion Ventures invested Rs 12 crore as part of the overall capital infusion.

Following the latest funding round, AquaExchange’s valuation increased by nearly 74% and reached Rs 372 crore (approximately $41 million). Previously, the company recorded a valuation of Rs 214 crore during its Series A funding round in January 2024.

The company plans to deploy the fresh capital to expand its international technology business. Additionally, it will focus on increasing its domestic market share and strengthening its position across the aquaculture value chain.

After the allotment of shares in the Series B round, Endiya Partners and Factor Analytics each hold an 8.06% stake in the company. Meanwhile, Accion Ventures now holds a 9.68% stake in the aquaculture technology firm.

Entrepreneurs Pavan Kosaraju, Hemasundar Dhavili, Kareem Mohammod, and Kiran Bandi founded AquaExchange to empower aquaculture farmers through advanced technology solutions. The company enables farmers to improve crop yields, reduce farming risks, and manage rising input costs more efficiently.

Furthermore, AquaExchange offers a portfolio of technology-driven products, including PowerMon, a power management device designed for aquaculture operations, and AquaBot, an automated feed management system that improves feeding efficiency. In addition, the company helps farmers access formal crop loans and working capital through partnerships with financial institutions.

The startup states that it has become the first aquaculture technology firm in India to automate more than 25% of the country’s shrimp farming acreage. Currently, its platform monitors more than 80,000 acres of aquaculture farms worldwide. The company operates across five Indian states and also serves international markets such as Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Madagascar.

Financially, the company has reported strong revenue growth. Its operating revenue increased 2.3 times to Rs 240.51 crore in FY25 compared with Rs 104.88 crore in FY24. However, its losses also rose to Rs 12.71 crore from Rs 9.35 crore during the same period. Nevertheless, the company expects to achieve EBITDA profitability within the current financial year.

AquaExchange’s latest funding round highlights growing investor interest in aquaculture technology and sustainable food production solutions. By expanding its technology-driven farming solutions across global markets, the company aims to transform shrimp farming efficiency while supporting farmers with data-driven tools and financial access. As the aquaculture sector increasingly adopts automation and analytics, AquaExchange is positioning itself as a key technology enabler in the global seafood supply chain.

Reliance Retail acquires Pahadi Local to strengthen its beauty and personal care portfolio

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Reliance Retail Limited has acquired the brand and business of Pahadi Local from Pahadi Goodness Private Limited, thereby strengthening its position in the rapidly growing beauty and personal care segment. The company confirmed the development through a media release and highlighted its strategy to expand its wellness and beauty offerings.

Pahadi Local operates as a Himalayan-inspired beauty and wellness brand that focuses on nature-led personal care products. The company draws inspiration from traditional Himalayan wellness practices while developing products based on natural ingredients. Following the acquisition, Reliance Retail will integrate the brand into its extensive retail ecosystem and scale it through its omnichannel network.

Isha Ambani, executive director at Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition. “With Pahadi Local’s roots in Himalayan wellness traditions and responsible sourcing, it is a strong addition to our beauty portfolio,” said Isha Ambani, executive director at Reliance Retail Ventures Limited.

The brand originally built its identity around products that incorporate Himalayan ingredients. Moreover, Pahadi Local collaborates with women-led self-help groups across Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh to source raw materials responsibly. As a result, the company supports local communities while promoting sustainable sourcing practices. Its product portfolio currently includes several skincare items, including formulations that feature apricot kernel oil.

After completing the acquisition, the founding team of Pahadi Local will remain actively involved in guiding the brand’s creative direction and product development. Consequently, Reliance Retail aims to preserve the brand’s original identity while accelerating its growth.

Reliance Retail’s acquisition of Pahadi Local reflects its continued focus on expanding in the beauty and wellness segment while promoting brands rooted in natural and sustainable ingredients. By integrating the Himalayan-inspired brand into its omnichannel ecosystem, Reliance Retail aims to scale Pahadi Local nationwide and strengthen its position in India’s fast-growing personal care market.

Deeptech startup Newtrace secures $6.3M in funding to advance green hydrogen electrolyzer innovation

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Prasanta Sarkar and Rochan Sinha, co-founders, Newtrace

Newtrace, a deeptech startup focused on hydrogen innovation, has secured Rs 56.93 crore (approximately $6.3 million) in a Pre-Series A funding round. HDFC Bank and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital led the round, while investors such as Peak XV Partners’ Surge, Aavishkaar Capital, Speciale Invest, Micelio Technology Fund, and angel investors Manish Prataprai Gandhi and Renu Manish Gandhi also participated.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Bengaluru, the company focuses on developing advanced technologies for the green hydrogen sector. Specifically, Newtrace has created Voltagen, a proprietary advanced electrode technology designed for alkaline water electrolyzers. The technology significantly improves energy efficiency, extends the operational lifetime of systems, and reduces the total cost of hydrogen production.

Moreover, Voltagen works as a drop-in replacement for existing electrodes. Therefore, electrolyzer manufacturers and hydrogen producers can upgrade system performance without redesigning their current infrastructure. In addition, the company has commercialized membraneless electrolyzer technology as part of its broader innovation platform.

Entrepreneurs Prasanta Sarkar and Rochan Sinha founded Newtrace, and both founders bring deep expertise in electrochemistry, materials science, and industrial-scale technology development. Furthermore, the company operates from a 30,000-square-foot technology center in Bengaluru, where a multidisciplinary team of more than 45 engineers and scientists drives research and development.

The startup also continues to strengthen its intellectual property portfolio through multiple patent applications. At the same time, it has gained recognition under the National Green Hydrogen Mission in India. Additionally, the company presented its technology to global audiences, including a showcase before Narendra Modi during National Startup Day 2026.

“Green hydrogen’s cost problem is fundamentally a materials and manufacturing challenge,” said Prasanta Sarkar, CEO and Co-Founder of Newtrace. “Voltagen represents a new materials foundation that enables the efficiency and durability required to make green hydrogen cost-competitive. This funding allows us to transition from proving the science to scaling manufacturing.”

Meanwhile, the company continues to focus on translating its technological innovations into large-scale industrial solutions. “We built Newtrace to address the most critical and underinvested component of the electrolyzer stack,” said Rochan Sinha, CTO and Co-Founder of Newtrace. “Our focus now is on translating our technology into reliable, scalable manufacturing that can serve the global hydrogen economy.”

The company plans to use the newly raised capital to expand its manufacturing and engineering capabilities. Additionally, the funding will support pilot-scale manufacturing, customer validation programs, and supply agreements with industry partners. Consequently, Newtrace expects to begin initial commercial deliveries of Voltagen electrodes within the next 12 months.

Newtrace’s latest funding round highlights growing investor confidence in deeptech innovations aimed at accelerating the green hydrogen economy. By advancing electrode technology that improves efficiency and lowers production costs, the company positions itself as a key enabler of scalable hydrogen infrastructure. As demand for sustainable energy solutions rises globally, Newtrace’s Voltagen technology could play a crucial role in making green hydrogen commercially viable.

PayU teams up with GoKwik to boost conversion and payment success for India’s D2C brands

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Chirag Taneja, CEO - GoKwik

PayU, one of India’s leading digital payments and financial services providers, has partnered with GoKwik, a category leader in checkout optimization and conversion solutions for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. Together, the companies have introduced India’s first Integrated Conversion-to-Completion stack. This strategic collaboration aims to tackle a major challenge in the D2C ecosystem: revenue loss caused by checkout abandonment, payment failures, and inefficiencies during the final stage of online purchases.

As India’s D2C sector continues to mature, merchants increasingly demand dependable end-to-end infrastructure. Therefore, the new partnership introduces an integrated commerce layer that combines GoKwik’s conversion intelligence with PayU’s robust and scalable payments infrastructure. As a result, D2C brands can move beyond fragmented tools and address checkout and payment challenges at scale.

Vineet Sethi, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at PayU, emphasized the growing demand for unified commerce solutions. “Across the D2C ecosystem, the demand from founders is clear: they need integrated solutions that solve for payment reliability and checkout conversion in one cohesive layer. This isn’t a hypothetical challenge; it’s a measurable drain on potential revenue,” said Vineet Sethi, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, PayU. The coming together of PayU’s deep payments expertise and GoKwik’s category-leading conversion intelligence is a direct response to this merchant need. It’s about creating the kind of continuous, high-success experience that is non-negotiable for any brand aiming to move from early traction to major scale.”

Meanwhile, Chirag Taneja, CEO of GoKwik, highlighted the strategic value of the collaboration. “GoKwik has set the industry standard for D2C conversion and checkout optimization. Our partnership with PayU is a strategic and natural evolution of that commitment,” said Chirag Taneja, CEO of GoKwik. “By tightly integrating our intelligence with PayU’s robust payments infrastructure, we are extending the impact of our platform to ensure a seamless, high-success-rate payments experience. This is about delivering the final, critical piece of the puzzle, enabling our merchants to unlock the next level of growth with total confidence and zero friction.”

The partnership already shows measurable results for brands using the integrated solution. For instance, Ganesh Sonawane, founder of Frido, shared early outcomes from adopting the stack. “I’m incredibly excited about this partnership in action. With GoKwik and PayU both now a seamless part of our commerce journey, the difference has been immediate and quantifiable,” says Ganesh Sonawane, Founder – Frido. “GoKwik’s conversion intelligence gets customers ready, and PayU’s reliability ensures they complete the transaction without friction. Since integrating this stack, we have seen an encouraging conversion lift and a massive boost in transaction success rates. This is the integrated solution the D2C market needed to move from great growth to sustainable scale.”

Furthermore, this collaboration signals a major shift for D2C merchants away from fragmented point solutions. Instead, the integrated stack delivers a unified commerce experience that significantly reduces checkout-to-payment drop-offs and improves transaction success rates. Consequently, brands can redirect their focus from operational challenges to accelerating growth.

At the same time, the partnership demonstrates a shared commitment by PayU and GoKwik to strengthen India’s rapidly expanding D2C ecosystem. The sector continues to drive digital innovation, employment opportunities, and e-commerce adoption across the country. By developing solutions tailored specifically for the operational realities of D2C commerce, both companies aim to empower the next generation of digital-first Indian brands.

The strategic alliance between PayU and GoKwik marks a significant milestone in India’s D2C commerce infrastructure. By integrating checkout optimization with reliable payment processing, the new Conversion-to-Completion stack directly addresses one of the biggest revenue leaks faced by online brands. As D2C companies scale aggressively, such integrated technology solutions will play a crucial role in improving conversion rates, reducing transaction failures, and enabling sustainable long-term growth.