Amazon Fashion Rebrands ‘Next Gen Store’ to ‘Serve’ After 3X Gen Z Growth and 40% Surge in Tier II & III Shoppers

Business

May 20, 2025

Image of amazon. — Amazon Fashion Rebrands ‘Next Gen Store’ to ‘Serve’ After 3X Gen Z Growth and 40% Surge in Tier II & III Shoppers

Amazon Fashion has given its Gen Z-focused storefront a bold new identity. What was once called the ‘Next Gen Store’ has now been rebranded to a sleeker, punchier name — Serve.

The move comes as the platform rides a wave of growing popularity among younger shoppers. Since April 2023, the store has seen a threefold jump in Gen Z users, and a 40% rise in buyers from Tier II and III cities like Patna, Jaipur, Kochi, Surat, Chandigarh, and Nagpur — a sign that fashion inspiration is no longer limited to the metros.

Under the new banner, Serve is anything but basic. It houses over 2 million fashion items across 350+ homegrown and international labels. Alongside familiar favorites, new names like Diljit x Levi’s, Mokobara, Chumbak, Highlander, Cosrx, The Bear House, and Tokyo Talkies have joined the lineup — catering to every niche, mood, and vibe.

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But it’s not just about products. Serve is wired into the pulse of Gen Z style — with monthly drops, trend-forward lookbooks, and curated edits by creators. Expect nods to everything from Y2K nostalgia and gender-fluid fits, to dopamine dressing, clean K-beauty, and eco-conscious picks.

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Serve lives inside the Amazon app as part of its broader fashion category — now with a sharper identity and a clearer mission: keep up with what Gen Z is wearing, wherever they are in the country.

Sapphire Media’s Power Move: Acquires BIG 92.7 FM from Reliance Broadcast in a Multi-Crore Deal Amid Rival Objections

INVESTMENTS

Online Desk

May 20, 2025

Image of Sapphire Media — Sapphire Media’s Power Move: Acquires BIG 92.7 FM from Reliance Broadcast in a Multi-Crore Deal Amid Rival Objections

In a major move that strengthens its position in India’s media landscape, Sapphire Media Limited has officially taken over BIG 92.7 FM, one of the country’s most recognizable FM radio brands. The station, previously under the ownership of Reliance Broadcast Networks Limited, had been going through insolvency proceedings since early 2023. Rohit Mehra had been overseeing the process as the appointed resolution professional.

The handover follows Sapphire Media’s clearance of all regulatory hurdles, including formal approvals from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. As part of the process, Sapphire also completed the required payments to Reliance Broadcast’s creditors, meeting all deadlines outlined in the resolution plan.

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Both the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and the NCLT Mumbai Bench had greenlit Sapphire’s proposal, despite pushback from rival bidders such as Radio Orange. The plan was approved in rulings issued on December 23, 2024, and May 6, 2024.

This isn’t Sapphire’s first big leap. The company recently launched its Hindi news channel, India Daily 24×7, which has been gaining attention for its sharp, no-nonsense coverage and a fresh approach to current affairs. Add to that its massive footprint in outdoor advertising, and Sapphire is quickly becoming a formidable player across multiple platforms—radio, TV, digital, print, and out-of-home media.

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At the helm of this growing media house are Sahil Mangla, an entrepreneur from Kaithal, and Aditya Vashistha, a former media insider who transitioned into entrepreneurship. With BIG FM now under its wing, Sapphire Media seems poised for a bold new chapter.

Globio Launches to Tackle $70 Billion Global Mobility Gap—Language Fluent Founders Pivot From Teaching to Placing Indian Talent Abroad

Business

Online Desk

May 19, 2025

Image of globio — Globio Launches to Tackle $70 Billion Global Mobility Gap—Language Fluent Founders Pivot From Teaching to Placing Indian Talent Abroad

While many wealthy nations grapple with worker shortages and rapidly ageing populations, India’s youthful, educated workforce remains on the sidelines—ready but underutilized. The opportunity exists, but so do the roadblocks: outdated systems, red tape, and a lack of clarity on how to go global.

That’s exactly the gap Globio wants to close.

Co-founded by Imran Banani and Avesh Banani, with Yash Chamadia and Amit Bansal recently joining the founding team, Globio is setting out to make international career mobility smoother and more accessible for Indian talent. The platform is designed to remove the friction that holds professionals back—offering a full-stack approach to certifications, placements, and relocation logistics.

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The idea didn’t come out of nowhere. It took shape during the Banani brothers’ earlier venture, Language Fluent, a startup that helped students master foreign languages. But as the business grew, they noticed something bigger at play.

“We thought we were just helping people learn Spanish or German,” said Avesh, reflecting on their journey. “But it turned out most of them weren’t learning for fun. They were chasing overseas jobs—language was just one part of a much bigger picture.”

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That insight hit hard. Even with language skills in hand, many learners were stuck. They didn’t have the right documents, the right guidance, or the right networks. According to Imran, this is where the real problem lay: “Knowing German or French isn’t enough if you don’t have the right certifications or can’t navigate complex visa processes.

Patanjali Foods Closes FY25 With ₹1,301 Cr Profit, 74% Q4 Jump—Ruchi Gold, Nutrela, and Dant Kanti Drive Growth Beyond Edible Oils

Growth

Online Desk

May 19, 2025

mage-of-patanjali — Patanjali Foods Closes FY25 With ₹1,301 Cr Profit, 74% Q4 Jump—Ruchi Gold, Nutrela, and Dant Kanti Drive Growth Beyond Edible Oils

Patanjali Foods had a strong close to the financial year, posting a hefty 74% rise in standalone net profit for the January–March 2025 quarter. The company reported ₹358.53 crore in profit, up from ₹206.31 crore in the same quarter last year.

Revenue also saw a healthy uptick, reaching ₹9,744.73 crore in Q4, compared to ₹8,348.02 crore in the year-ago period, as per the company’s filing with the stock exchanges.

Zooming out to the full financial year, the company clocked ₹1,301.34 crore in net profit, up from ₹765.15 crore in FY24. Its total income also rose to ₹34,289.40 crore, up from ₹31,961.62 crore the previous year.

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Though best known for its edible oil business, Patanjali Foods—founded back in 1986—has steadily broadened its footprint. Today, its portfolio includes FMCG staples, personal care items, packaged food products, and even wind energy.

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The company’s offerings span a range of popular labels, including Patanjali, Ruchi Gold, Nutrela, and Dant Kanti—many of which have become household names in India.

Myntra Doubles Down on D2C With Rising Stars Home Edit—SleepyCat, Haus & Kinder, and 160+ Brands Join the ₹Cr Home Revolution

E-Commerce

Online Desk

May 19, 2025

Image of myntra — Myntra Doubles Down on D2C With Rising Stars Home Edit—SleepyCat, Haus & Kinder, and 160+ Brands Join the ₹Cr Home Revolution

After seeing strong momentum with its fashion and beauty initiatives, Myntra is now taking a bold step into the home space. The platform has rolled out the Myntra Rising Stars (MRS) Home Edit, designed to spotlight innovative, design-forward home decor and furnishing brands that have emerged from the D2C world.

This new initiative is part of Myntra’s broader Rising Stars program, and it aims to give digitally native homegrown brands a powerful stage to scale. To join the curated list, brands must meet a set of criteria—ranging from their current size and digital footprint to the originality of their products and strategic market relevance.

In its debut run, the MRS Home Edit has already brought over 165 D2C brands on board, covering categories like furniture, decor, kitchenware, bedding, and even smart cookware. The lineup spans everything from Warli-inspired prints and ceramic bathroom accessories to handcrafted wall art and modern furnishings.

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Notable names in the mix include Sleepyhead, Story@Home, Kuber Industries, Haus & Kinder, Chumbak, SleepyCat, and Nestasia—each offering a unique blend of aesthetic appeal and utility.

What’s in it for these brands? Beyond just shelf space, they gain access to Myntra’s full-stack D2C playbook—a mix of brand-building tools, lower customer acquisition costs, and premium app and off-app visibility. Dedicated account support and targeted marketing will help these brands tap into Myntra’s massive millennial and Gen Z user base, giving them a direct path to growth.

“Our homes have become an extension of who we are,” said Maneesh Kumar Dubey, VP of Category Management at Myntra. “Today’s consumers want decor that resonates with their identity—whether that means a sustainable aesthetic, ergonomic furniture, or culturally rich themes. Through the MRS Home Edit, we’re bringing the best of India’s emerging homegrown brands to one place.”

Myntra has seen the home category pick up serious traction in recent years, especially from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Interestingly, design tastes differ by region—the South favors earthy and wooden tones, the North and East lean towards vibrant prints, while the West embraces minimalism.

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As part of the Flipkart Group, Myntra continues to blend tech, scale, and style, supporting over 9,700 brands across categories. With the Home Edit, it’s opening new doors for design-first D2C labels and giving consumers across the country access to fresh, exciting home solutions.

JP Shukla’s 1-India Family Mart Raises ₹100 Crore in Series D to Target 100 Stores and ₹600 Cr Revenue in Bharat’s Heartland by 2029

INVESTMENTS

Online Desk

May 17, 2025

Homegrown value retail chain 1-India Family Mart has secured $12 million (approx. ₹100 crore) in fresh Series D funding, bringing in a mix of returning supporters and fresh backers. The round was led by Gulf Islamic Investments, Foundation Private Equity, Carpediem Capital Partners, Capri Global Holdings, a network of high-net-worth individuals, and co-founder JP Shukla himself.

This round of funding comes as the company gears up for a new chapter of expansion, eyeing growth in India’s smaller cities and towns. Currently operating 65 stores across 10 states, the company is targeting 100 stores by 2029—with plans to penetrate deeper into Tier II, III, and IV markets. The goal: hit ₹600 crore in revenue, by building on its stronghold in North and East India, especially in underserved regions like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

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JP Shukla, who also serves as CEO, called the latest raise a signal of investor trust and long-term commitment. “We’re not just adding more stores—we’re investing in aspirations,” he said. “Our aim has always been to bridge the retail gap in small-town India with smart pricing, decent quality, and local relevance. This capital helps us take that mission further, faster.”

Started in 2012 by Shukla and co-founder Ravinder Singh, 1-India Family Mart—under parent company Nysaa Retail Pvt Ltd—caters to the everyday Indian who wants more for less. The stores blend local accessibility with organized retail practices, offering affordable fashion, lifestyle products, and household essentials through mid-sized outlets set up in rural and semi-urban markets.

This isn’t the first time investors have bet on the brand. Gulf Islamic Investments previously led a $6 million Series B round, and Suumaya Industries has also picked up a stake in the company’s parent entity. With close to five million square feet of retail space and a logistics setup anchored by a central warehouse in Gurugram, the brand has managed to keep things lean and agile. Its no-return policy on inventory—everything shipped gets sold—has allowed it to stay efficient and limit wastage.

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With a market segment that’s growing but still largely underserved, 1-India Family Mart is positioning itself as the go-to choice for value-conscious shoppers in Bharat’s heartland.

Naptapgo Raises ₹2 Crore from Inflection Point Ventures After $500K Round with T9L Qube, Sets Sights on 20 Hotels by FY27

INVESTMENTS

Online Desk

May 17, 2025

Image of NapTapGo — Naptapgo Raises ₹2 Crore from Inflection Point Ventures After $500K Round with T9L Qube, Sets Sights on 20 Hotels by FY27

Naptapgo, a startup shaking up the budget hotel space with its pod-style accommodations, has raised ₹2 crore in a pre-seed round backed by Gurugram-based Inflection Point Ventures. This follows an earlier $500,000 investment secured in March from T9L Qube, a well-known name in India’s startup ecosystem.

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The new funds will help Naptapgo strengthen its franchise network, scale up marketing efforts, enhance its tech backbone, and explore creative ways to improve guest experiences. The investment will also support the brand’s plans to expand into high-traffic urban areas and key religious destinations.

Launched by Nitin Malhotra (Founder & CEO) and Himanshu Shukla (Co-Founder & VP of Operations), Naptapgo provides no-frills, well-designed spaces tailored to the needs of today’s traveler. Clean rooms, flexible check-ins, hourly booking options, and a focus on sustainability form the core of their offering. Currently present in the NCR business zone, the brand is preparing to roll out properties in spiritual hubs like Katra and Amritsar during FY26, with an overall goal of hitting 20 properties by FY27.

With its mix of affordability and comfort, Naptapgo is carving out a niche in India’s hospitality market. The team is now eyeing new locations—Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Katra, and Amritsar are all on the roadmap.

“We’re building more than just places to stay—we’re reimagining how people experience affordable hospitality in India,” said Malhotra and Shukla in a joint statement. “Our tech-first model, compact formats, and location-first approach give us an edge. We’re not just thinking about rooms; we’re thinking about the future of travel.”

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The founders say their long-term vision includes becoming a major player in the global hotel industry, starting with India’s fast-evolving domestic market. For them, customer experience isn’t just a feature—it’s the brand’s backbone.

Chobani Expands Beyond Yogurt with Daily Harvest Acquisition: A Strategic Move into the $10B Plant-Based Frozen Meal Market

Business

Online Desk

May 17, 2025

Image of chobani. — Chobani Expands Beyond Yogurt with Daily Harvest Acquisition: A Strategic Move into the $10B Plant-Based Frozen Meal Market

Chobani, best known for its yogurt empire, is branching out by snapping up Daily Harvest, a brand that’s made waves in the plant-based frozen meal space.

The financial details of the acquisition remain under wraps.

Since launching in 2015, Daily Harvest has been at the forefront of delivering convenient, healthy frozen meals packed with organic fruits and veggies—directly to customers’ doors. At its height, the company soared to a valuation of $1.1 billion and broadened its lineup to include smoothies, harvest bowls, and even flatbreads available in grocery stores.

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The road hasn’t always been smooth. A product recall in 2022 slowed things down, but Daily Harvest bounced back, securing shelf space in major retailers like Kroger and Target while reshaping how people think about frozen food.

Meanwhile, Chobani is no longer just a yogurt brand. It has expanded its portfolio with oat milk, creamers, and bold acquisitions, such as the $900 million purchase of La Colombe coffee.

By bringing Daily Harvest under its wing, Chobani is stepping deeper into the booming frozen food market, capitalizing on the growing demand for plant-based, ready-to-eat options.

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As Chobani puts it, their ambition is clear: “We want Daily Harvest in kitchens across America.”

Nobel Hygiene Raises ₹170 Crore from Neo Asset Management to Boost Adult Diaper Market, Backed by Quadria Capital & Sixth Sense Ventures Ahead of IPO

INVESTMENTS

Online Desk

May 17, 2025

Image of nobel hygiene. — Nobel Hygiene Raises ₹170 Crore from Neo Asset Management to Boost Adult Diaper Market, Backed by Quadria Capital & Sixth Sense Ventures Ahead of IPO

Mumbai-based disposable hygiene company Nobel Hygiene has bagged ₹170 crore (approx. $20 million) in fresh funding from Neo Asset Management, part of the Neo Group, as it gears up for a public listing in the near future.

The deal includes a mix of primary and secondary investment, giving the company fresh capital to push forward while also offering partial exits or liquidity to earlier stakeholders. This new partnership marks Neo’s entry as the third institutional investor, joining the ranks of Quadria Capital and Sixth Sense Ventures—both early believers in Nobel’s long-term play.

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A market leader in adult and baby disposable diapers, Nobel Hygiene now plans to double down on the adult diaper segment, a category still in its early growth phase in India. The company aims to deepen its national distribution, invest further in brand building, and take its flagship labels—Friends (adult diapers) and Teddyy (baby diapers)—to the next level in visibility and reach.

“This isn’t just fresh capital—it’s validation,” said Kamal Johari, Managing Director and Promoter of Nobel Hygiene. “Neo’s backing gives us the ammunition to sharpen our focus on expanding access to adult hygiene products, scale our supply chain, and cement the leadership of our core brands. The timing couldn’t be better as we move closer to our IPO roadmap.”

Founded over two decades ago, Nobel Hygiene has grown into one of the country’s most trusted names in the hygiene space, particularly known for bringing dignity and convenience to an underserved adult incontinence segment. The company sees its next phase of growth coming not just from increased market penetration, but also from shaping cultural conversations around adult hygiene—an area long seen as taboo.

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With Neo’s investment, Nobel Hygiene now has a broader institutional support base to lean on as it prepares to take its story public.

Biryani Blues Cooks Up $5M from Yugadi Capital to Launch 100+ Outlets, Cross ₹100 Cr ARR, and Spice Up North India’s QSR Market

INVESTMENTS

Online Desk

May 17, 2025

Image of Biryani Blues — Biryani Blues Cooks Up $5M from Yugadi Capital to Launch 100+ Outlets, Cross ₹100 Cr ARR, and Spice Up North India’s QSR Market

Biryani Blues, the dum biryani-focused QSR chain born out of a couple’s shared love for authentic flavours, has secured $5 million in fresh capital ahead of its Series C. The round was led by Yugadi Capital, a new investment arm launched by Carpediem Capital, with support from other unnamed backers.

The fresh funds will help the brand fire on multiple fronts—from adding new outlets and hiring talent to beefing up logistics and backend systems. Co-founder Raymond Andrews said the brand is planning to roll out 100+ new stores over the next three years, with a focus on high-footfall locations like popular markets and malls across North India.

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Launched in 2013 by Raymond and Aparna Andrews, Biryani Blues currently operates under Thea Kitchen Pvt. Ltd. and runs 68 outlets, with a growing presence in North India and Bengaluru. With an omni-channel approach—serving customers via dine-in, takeaway, and delivery—the brand clocks over two lakh orders per month and recently hit an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ₹100 crore.

Hiring is a key piece of the puzzle, too. As expansion accelerates, the company is actively building out teams across store operations, logistics, and corporate roles to keep pace with growth without compromising execution.

“We spent the last year tightening operations and turning profitable. That’s helped us stand out in a crowded space,” Raymond Andrews shared. “Right now, the priority is solidifying our leadership in North India. Once we’ve built depth here, we’ll look at going wider.”

The company ended FY25 with $10 million in revenue, and the latest round bumps its valuation up to $30 million.

Arvind Nair, Chairman of Carpediem Capital, backed the team’s long-term vision. “The Biryani Blues story has been built steadily over the last decade. This investment is a reaffirmation of our belief in their ability to scale with discipline and consistency.”

This isn’t the first time the brand has been backed by institutional capital. It previously raised $5 million in Series B from Rebel Foods in FY22, and $2 million in Series A from Carpediem’s first fund during FY17.

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The company has made its ambitions clear: to dominate the biryani QSR space one outlet at a time. As its tagline boldly reminds everyone—“Think Biryani, Think Biryani Blues.”

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