Qaadu expands its retail footprint in the UAE beauty and wellness Market

June 21, 2023

Qaadu, an Indian ayurvedic beauty and wellness brand, has recently announced its official launch in the UAE market. Following a successful launch in the Indian market, the brand partnered with several pharmacies and hypermarkets in the UAE, a cosmopolitan hub that thrives on variety, innovation, and sustainability. The beauty and wellness brand includes no toxic chemicals in its products, is eco-friendly, and is made with a passion for environmental conservation.

Qaadu has teamed up with many retail chains in the UAE to broaden its presence. The brand’s products are now available across Lulu Hypermarkets in the UAE. Qaadu is also accessible across pharmacy stores of DOCIB Group, Med7 and Aster Group. Qaadu products are available extensively on the brand’s official website and popular platforms like Amazon.ae, Carrefour UAE, Mumzworld, Bevegan, Noon and more.

Recognizing the growing demand for natural and holistic wellness products in the UAE, Qaadu embraces the principles of Ayurveda to provide high-quality products. One of the critical differentiators of Qaadu is its commitment to using only sulphate-free and paraben-free ingredients in its product range, ensuring the highest standards of purity.

Announcing the launch in the UAE, Mr Shafin Kalathingal, the Founder of Qaadu, said, “We are delighted to announce the introduction of Qaadu to the dynamic market of Dubai. Recognized as a cosmopolitan center that thrives on diversity, innovation, and sustainability, Dubai provides an ideal platform for our brand. With utmost confidence, we anticipate that the astute clientele of Dubai will warmly embrace the meticulously designed, cruelty-free product range that Qaadu has to offer,” said Inspired by the rich heritage of Ayurveda, Qaadu was conceived to cater to the diverse health and beauty needs of the UAE market. Combining traditional wisdom with modern lifestyles, Qaadu offers safe and effective solutions for daily care.

“Our wide-ranging product portfolio caters to a diverse spectrum of health and wellness needs. From nourishing hair care solutions to revitalizing skincare essentials, we offer a comprehensive selection suitable for individuals of all ages. Moving forward, our vision is to establish ourselves as the ultimate brand for health and beauty needs for the entire family,” added Mr Shafin.

Essentials for wellness, bath and body, hair care, and skincare are all included in Qaadu’s broad product collection. All Qaadu goods have been certified by the Vegan Society of the United Kingdom, the oldest and most prestigious vegan certification available. Furthermore, all of their goods are made in facilities certified under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and their nutraceuticals and ayurvedic wellness products are made in facilities registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Qaadu has secured favourable investment from angel investors within the oil & gas industry enabling the brand to enhance inventory management, product development, and marketing endeavours. The brand is also committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and is trying to partner with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support causes aligned with its values. With a solid commitment to environmental preservation, Qaadu aims to focus on afforestation and reforestation projects while supporting underprivileged children’s education.

For more information about Qaadu’s products, visit their website: https://qaadu.com/

Healthmug and mCaffeine announce exclusive partnership, unveiling up to 35% off on Caffeinated Skincare and Haircare

BRL Editor

June 21, 2023

New Delhi, 21^st June 2023 – Healthmug, a leading e-commerce platform specializing in Ayurvedic, Homeopathy, and Unani medicines, has announced a strategic partnership with mCaffeine, India’s first caffeinated personal care brand. Customers can avail of up to 35% off on mCaffeine products and an additional 5% discount on orders above INR 399. These exciting discounts will be available on the Healthmug platform starting this week.

“We are excited to partner with mCaffeine and bring their innovative caffeinated products to our customers,” said Mr. Anubhav Bansal, Co-founder of Healthmug. “At Healthmug, our aim is to provide customers with a wide range of high-quality healthcare products, and this collaboration allows us to offer a unique selection of skincare and haircare products powered by caffeine.”

The partnership aims to provide Healthmug’s extensive customer base access to mCaffeine’s innovative range of caffeinated skincare and haircare products. Healthmug, known for its wide range of healthcare products, offers over 2 lakh products in Health, Nutrition, Beauty, and Personal Care through its website and mobile application. With a focus on providing genuine and high-quality medicines at affordable prices, Healthmug has gained a loyal customer base and expanded its reach across barriers.

“We are excited about our partnership with mCaffeine, bringing their innovative caffeinated products to our customers. At Healthmug, we strive to offer a wide range of high-quality healthcare products, and this collaboration allows us to provide a unique selection of skincare and haircare products powered by caffeine,” said Dr. Mohit Agarwal, Co-founder of Healthmug.

The first caffeinated personal care brand in India, mCaffeine, has swiftly become well-liked among aspirational and youthful millennials. The company prides itself on being entirely vegan, free of cruelty, and leaving no plastic in the environment while offering diverse items. Products from mCaffeine have undergone dermatological testing, FDA approval, and Made Safe certification, guaranteeing the highest levels of quality and security for customers.

“It’s great to be onboarded on Healthmug, and we are looking forward to a great business partnership with them,” said Raj Vikram Gupta, GM E-commerce at mCaffeine.

To explore the exclusive offers on mCaffeine products, customers can visit the Healthmug website or download the mobile application. Healthmug continues to expand its product range and provide exceptional value to its customers by partnering with innovative brands like mCaffeine.

About Healthmug

Healthmug is a leading e-commerce platform specializing in Ayurvedic, Homeopathy, and Unani medicines. With a vast selection of over 2 lakh products in the Health, Nutrition, Beauty, and Personal Care categories, Healthmug offers rare and genuine products at reasonable prices. The platform also provides free doctor consultations, ensuring customers receive the best guidance for their healthcare needs.

For more information about Healthmug’s products, visit their website: https://www.healthmug.com/

About mCaffeine

mCaffeine is India’s first caffeinated personal care brand, offering innovative skin care and hair care products. The brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, committed to sustainability and a zero plastic footprint. mCaffeine products are FDA-approved, Made Safe, and dermatologically tested, providing customers with safe, high-quality personal care solutions.

For more information about mCaffeine’s products, visit their website: https://www.mcaffeine.com/

Good Flippin’ Burgers secures $4mn in Series A Round

BRL Editor

June 21, 2023

Good Flippin’ Burgers, has raised USD 4 million in its latest Series A round of funding via Tanglin Venture Partners. The cash infusion not only strengthens the company’s financial resources for growth but also solidifies its objectives as it continues its goal of becoming India’s most popular burger brand. In April 2022, Good Flippin’ Burgers raised $1 million, and they have grown 3X this past year.

Founded by Viren Dsilva, Sijo Mathew, and Sid Marchant, who quit their corporate jobs to pursue their ambition of serving the perfect burger. Looking ahead, Good Flippin’ Burgers has established an ambitious plan for the next 12 months following this round of funding.

The company’s primary focus will be on global expansion, strengthening its supply chain, and further refining its quick service and dining models. These strategic initiatives will position Good Flippin’ Burgers as a market leader, ready to meet the growing need for delicious burgers in different regions. Ashika Capital was a financial advisor in this round.

“We are thrilled to have secured this funding and garnered the support of respected investors,” Viren DSilva, Co-founder: Good Flippin’ Burgers, said as he commented on the latest round. “This investment is a significant milestone for us and will empower us to expand our operations, fortify our supply chain, and bring our delicious burgers to an even wider customer base. We are grateful for the overwhelming love and support we have received from our loyal patrons and will continue to delight them with our product portfolio.”

“Viren, Sid, and Sijo are exceptional founders with extreme customer obsession and process orientation. They have built a strong brand in Good Flippin’ Burgers with extraordinary customer love. We are really impressed with their focus on supply chain capabilities which has enabled them to maintain the highest level of quality as well as consistency across their store footprint. At Tanglin, we are extremely excited to be partnering with the team and look forward to working with them towards building an enduring business,” said Sankalp Gupta, Partner at Tanglin Venture Partners.

This team stands out for its unwavering focus on people, processes, and scalable operations. The brand adheres to the idea of being designed for scale and takes a conscious approach to all facets of its operations. The company has established itself as an industry leader, delivering outstanding dining experiences to its loyal consumers with an exceptional product portfolio by prioritizing four main pillars—people, processes, products, and patrons. Good Flippin’ Burgers is steadfast in its aim to become India’s beloved burger chain, serving everything from favorites enjoyed by celebrities to innovative offerings that delight a range of tastes.

Vesta Elder Care collaborated with Dial4242 offering Emergency Ambulance Services

BRL Editor

June 21, 2023

New Delhi 21, June 2023: Vesta Elder Care, a leading elder home care services provider, has partnered with Dial4242, the country’s largest ambulance network. This partnership aims to deliver the best emergency ambulance services directly to patients’ doorsteps within minutes. With Dial4242’s extensive network, Vesta Elder Care’s customers will now have access to ambulance services in 300 cities, available 24×7 in an average of 12 minutes.

Based on the severity of the condition, Customers are now able to book for BLS (basic life support) ambulances, cardiac ambulances, ALS (advanced life support) ambulances, interstate ambulances, and Hearse Vans. Vesta Elder Care understands the concerns and worries of individuals with elderly or unwell family members at home. This partnership between Dial4242 and the elder care platform is set up to ensure that all ambulances are equipped with oxygen cylinders, that accurate checks take place, and that patients receive the appropriate emergency medical care. This tie-up provides the best emergency care possible under strenuous circumstances.

Commenting on the successful collaboration, Mr. Rahul Misra, Founder of Vesta Elder Care said, “At Vesta Elder Care believe in holding hands with our customers in their difficult time, and through this partnership with Dial4242 ambulance services, we are bringing both basic and advanced life support ambulance services at patient’s doorstep. The dedicated team of Dial4242, with highly trained professionals, is equipped to handle any medical emergency with utmost care and expertise. We are glad that we could extend more support to those elderly who need urgent hospital care. Whether it’s a critical situation or a routine visit to a medical care center for appointments or regular checkups, Dial4242 ambulance services are readily available 24X7 through Vesta Elder Care App.”

The seamless and convenient delivery of emergency services will be made possible by the joint efforts of the dedicated teams at Dial4242 and Vesta Elder Care. The customer service personnel of Vesta Elder Care are working closely with Dial4242 to prioritize the well-being of the person in need above all else.

Vesta Elder Care and Dial4242 are committed to providing exceptional emergency ambulance care and assistance to individuals and families in need. By combining their expertise and resources, the brands are confident that this collaboration will significantly enhance their customers’ quality of care and support. Accessing the Dial4242 ambulance services through Vesta Elder Care is simple and efficient. Clients can book an ambulance through their user-friendly app with just a few clicks, ensuring a response time of as little as 30 seconds. Alternatively, clients can contact their helpline at 8882545454 to request an ambulance. No matter the method chosen, their ambulance will reach the desired location within minutes.

About Vesta Elder Care

Vesta Elder Care is a leading provider of elder home care services dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for elderly individuals. They offer a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of the elderly, including home care assistance, nurses, caregivers, and specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

For more information about Vesta Elder Care’s services, visit their website: https://www.vestaeldercare.com/

Fintech startup Navadhan bags $1.5mn in seed round

BRL Editor

June 21, 2023

Navadhan, a rural fintech startup, has raised $1.5 million in a seed round led by the fintech-focused fund Varanium NexGen. The round included Anicut Capital, an existing investor, and Gemba Capital. Anicut Capital had co-led the funding.

The fintech startup plans to use the funds to expand and enhance its AceN Tech platform. The platform bridges banks, non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), and rural small businesses (MSMEs) by enabling seamless connections and interactions.

Navadhan claims it has onboarded over 200,000 customers and disbursed over Rs 100 crore. It has a network of 15 lenders, including Ugro, Vivriti, Northern Arc, Caspian, Unitus, and TruCap.

Navadhan, a company founded in 2019 by Nitin Agrawal, Vijay Haswani, Anirudh Ramakuru, and Amit Biswal, uses data science to evaluate the digital footprint and cash flow surrogates. According to the startup, it solves the lack of income proofs and documents which has kept the banks away from such markets.

Commenting on the fundraise, Agrawal said, “We are leveraging Tech using alternative-credit, predictive analytics backed by data sciences. With both Tech and People on-ground, we are making it work for the NBFCs and Banks to generate priority sector assets.”

As smartphone and internet penetration are expected to rise by 44% by 2030 and grow significantly in rural areas, Navadhan aims to exploit these market opportunities. According to the startup, most of the future growth will come from rural areas, as the number of UPI transactions reaches the $4 Tn mark.

In the future, Navadhan plans to provide services like credit limits and tech tools for digitizing unorganized value chains.

Fintech startup TransBnk bags $1mn from 8i Ventures

BRL Editor

June 20, 2023

TransBnk, a Mumbai-based FinTech startup, has raised $1 million in seed funding round.

The round was led by 8i Ventures, the early-stage India-focused VC fund. A prestigious group of family offices, institutions, and angel investors joined Growthcap Ventures, Leadway Ventures LLP, and Growth Sense to participate in the round.

Vaibhav Tambe, CEO and Co-Founder of TransBnk shared his thoughts on the venture, stating, “With a cumulative 60+ years of transaction banking experience within our team, we were driven to disrupt the status quo. TransBnk’s innovative tech stack is gaining traction as the gold standard for frictionless B2B transactions, strengthening our partnerships with key players in the private banking, NBFC, and fintech sectors. With the support of 8i Ventures and our robust team of angel investors, we are thrilled to accelerate our vision.”

With the new funding, TransBnk can strengthen its technical and product teams, enhance its tech stack, and expand its product line. The company aims to transform the management of specialized accounts and B2B payments, which form the foundation of capital markets, supply chain finance, lending ecosystems, and treasury management.

Vikram Chachra, Founding Partner at 8i Ventures, commented on the funding said, “TransBnk is filling a crucial gap between the technology ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ in India’s trillion-dollar transaction banking landscape. By providing a disruptive solution to the financial ecosystem, they are strategically positioned to bring about a seismic shift in transaction banking. This investment aligns with our commitment to support ventures that redefine the fintech landscape.”

Noida to offer built-up space to startups

BRL Editor

June 20, 2023

The Noida Authority will lease out built-up spaces for startups in Sector 81 Phase 2 to establish a startup hub to motivate budding entrepreneurs. According to the scheme, approximately 13,000 sq ft of built-up space on the second floor of the Old Court Complex will be allocated to entrepreneurs through an e-auction.

“The 13,182sq feet build-up space comprises two halls with five cabins, along with a common area spread over 4,165 sq ft (387 sqm). It also features a conference room, cafeteria, and waiting lounge. The minimum unit size available for allotment at the hub is 690 sq ft,” OSD (institutional) Vandana Tripathi said.

The Authority, she added, has made efforts to motivate people from all walks of life to participate in small and medium-sized business ventures, digital marketing, e-commerce, and online business.

“The objective of the scheme is to create a conducive ecosystem for startup businesses to thrive and succeed,” Tripathi added.

The Authority had previously planned to allocate space for the startup in Sector 38A’s multi-level parking in 2020. However, the project was unsuccessful.

Under the new scheme, Noida will offer businesses many incentives, including a six-month moratorium starting on the date of office space allocation. According to the source, the moratorium is more like a grace period and aims to help businesses continue operating more financially feasible.

According to the OSD, the space will be leased for 15 years with a one-year lock-in period starting from the date of allotment. The lease must be renewed every five years following a forensic audit.

The minimum rent specified in the guidelines, which starts at Rs 32 per sq ft, will be used to determine how the e-auction is conducted per the scheme. Startup businesses can sign up for the scheme till July 6 to acquire space at the hub.

Noida Entrepreneurs Association president Vipin Malhan has praised the initiative. “It is a positive step towards supporting startup businesses to operate and grow. The size of the space offered is suitable for aspiring entrepreneurs. Similar initiatives should be replicated at other locations in the city as well.”

Over half of tech HR employees using ChatGPT for all kinds of work: Report

BRL Editor

June 19, 2023

According to a new report, over half of the tech HR employees surveyed used the AI chatbot ChatGPT for tasks including training, surveys, performance reviews, recruiting, employee relations, and more.

More than one in ten tech HR employees even utilised ChatGPT to craft employee terminations, according to B2B Reviews.

The report polled 213 tech HR professionals and 792 tech employees about their HR experiences in the tech industry.

Additionally, the report showed that ChatGPT assisted HR employees in saving approximately 70 minutes per week.

Nearly 70% of HR tech workers claimed their employer gives the necessary funds and tools to implement positive changes in general HR resources.

The most useful tech tools for HR, except AI, were payroll software (54%), background check software (42%), HR analytics and reporting (41%), and time and attendance systems (40%), according to the report.

Approximately 44% of small business owners stated that they expect to hire fewer employees in the future due to AI capabilities.

Small business owners are less certain that AI will take away their jobs or their employees’ jobs, with two-thirds denying that AI will replace them, according to Canada-based software company FreshBooks.

Nearly 25% of small business owners claimed to experiment with or currently use generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing.

Logistics SaaS platform Pidge launches nationwide

BRL Editor

June 19, 2023

The logistics technology firm Pidge has launched its services available in all major cities across India. Pidge aims to achieve digital parity in the mostly unorganized logistics sector. With its industry-first low-code and self-serve logistics SaaS (software-as-a-service) technology platform, Pidge is now set to transform the logistics landscape across India after a successful run in the delivery logistics model. With this expansion, Pidge will be able to help 60 million MSMEs to unlock their growth potential.

Pidge handled more than 5 million orders for a diverse range of clients during the first phase of its launch, including bakeries, cloud kitchens, food subscription companies, and many other D2C and e-commerce brands. As a result, Pidge became a crucial player in providing a safe, secure, and consistent delivery experience.

On Pidge’s expansion, Ratnesh Verma, Founder and CEO of Pidge, said, “Pidge is not just a logistics solution; it is a catalyst for growth and success. We are committed to empowering MSMEs in India by providing them the easiest access to leading technology. Our mission is to digitally enable the largely unorganized courier partners while empowering businesses to build hybrid networks.”

Pidge has to catch up with a growing market. The logistics industry in India is expanding rapidly due to rising e-commerce. It increased from over $40 billion in 2010 to approximately $100 billion in 2020 and roughly $15 billion in 2000. The Indian logistics sector is expected to grow to a $380 billion market by 2025. Over 11.5% increase is projected in the Indian 3PL (third-party logistics) market from 2020 to 2025.

Pidge plans to allocate power to brands to support the MSME industry through its seamless SaaS platform, which can onboard any delivery business and enable them to start their operations with full delivery capacity. Brands can easily optimize their delivery options, solve the issue of unfulfilled demand, reduce delivery costs, and improve customer experience by utilizing Pidge’s platforms.

With its AI-driven route optimization, advanced geocoding capabilities, real-time tracking, customizable notifications, and other communication features, Pidge’s platform can communicate with major and regional supply networks. This ensures dependable and on-time deliveries. Businesses can freely switch between self-fulfilment and 3PL partners through Pidge’s interoperable platform.

IndiQube plans to raise $75 million

BRL Editor

June 19, 2023

IndiQube, a tech-enabled flex space startup, plans to raise nearly $75 million in equity funding to expand its portfolio and acquire commercial assets in major cities.

“We have turned profitable at the company level and want to raise equity over the next 12 months. We are finding that there is a lot of interest in the flexible office operator space from public sector banks and private equity funds,” cofounder Rishi Das said.

In April 2022, the company received $30 million in funding for expansion, with participation from the promoters, WestBridge Capital, and angel investor Ashish Gupta and a $17 million infusion from the promoters themselves. More than doubling its current 7 million sq ft office space spread across 85 properties in 12 cities, the company aims to expand its portfolio to 15 million sq ft.

Additionally, IndiQube has entered tier-II cities and plans to strengthen its position in tier-I and tier-II cities.

“In the last six months, we have leased around 1 million sq ft office space across major cities and are actively looking at acquiring more assets as the demand has picked up strongly across major cities,” said Das.

According to IndiQube, it has achieved profitability and increased its yearly recurring revenue to $100 million for the fiscal year 2023 from the previous year.

“Our focus continues to be on profitability and growth. We are seeing a major shift towards flexible and managed office space and expect the growth momentum to continue with over 88% occupancy across our assets,” said Das.

The company is looking to acquire office properties in addition to its existing lease model to solidify its position in the market.

“We are looking to have 1 million sq ft-owned office space under the joint development model over the next two years,” he said. Companies like Myntra, Mahindra Logistics, Air India, and Ultratech Cement are among its clients. The need for flexible spaces in India has remained high as companies attempt to reduce expenses, keep proximity to their employees, and offer flexible work options to retain valuable talent.

According to the consultancy firm CBRE, technology companies were primarily responsible for leasing in January–March 2023 quarter. BFSI companies and flexible space operators contributed around 22% to the space take-up.

Office leasing activity increased 9% year-on-year, totaling 12.6 million sq ft. Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Chennai accounted for 62% of the transaction activity in the quarter.

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