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

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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.”

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

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.

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

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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.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

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.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

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

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

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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.

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

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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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Zomato Gold Loses Its Shine: Rain Surge Fee Returns for 3.8 Million Subscribers Starting May 16

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Zomato Gold Loses Its Shine: Rain Surge Fee Returns for 3.8 Million Subscribers Starting May 16

Zomato is making yet another change to its Gold membership, and this time it’s not great news for subscribers. After recently pressing pause on its 50:50 refund policy with partner restaurants, the food delivery giant is now tweaking what Gold actually gets you.

Starting May 16, even Gold members will have to pay a rain surcharge. That’s right—one of the more appreciated perks of the membership, the rain fee waiver, is being scrapped. While the update wasn’t announced with much fanfare, users received a notification in the app informing them of the change.

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“Surge fee waiver during rains will not be part of your Gold benefits,” the message read. Zomato added that the fee will go toward better pay for delivery partners who work in poor weather conditions.

The company’s reasoning is understandable—rainy days can be rough for delivery workers, and extra compensation is fair. But for users who pay for Gold expecting a little extra convenience, the news might sting.

The Gold plan, which has undergone several iterations over the years, was initially rolled out to offer free deliveries, discounts, and various small comforts that made ordering in more affordable. With benefits now being slowly peeled back, some subscribers may begin to question the value they’re getting.

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Whether this is a one-off adjustment or the beginning of a broader shift in how Zomato structures its memberships remains to be seen. For now, though, Gold users should keep an umbrella handy—and a few extra rupees.

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LUZO’s $550,000 Seed Funding Boost from Enrission India Capital and Swiggy Dineout Founders to Revolutionize India’s $20B Wellness Sector

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LUZO’s $550,000 Seed Funding Boost from Enrission India Capital and Swiggy Dineout Founders to Revolutionize India’s $20B Wellness Sector

Bengaluru-based Salonsurf Ventures, the company behind LUZO—a growing platform for high-end salon and spa bookings—has secured $550,000 (around Rs 4.6 crore) in seed funding. The round was led by Enrission India Capital, with backing from a clutch of strategic angels, including the founders of Swiggy Dineout and Orra Jewellery.

The fresh capital will go toward scaling LUZO’s tech infrastructure, onboarding more verified partners in major Indian cities, and building stronger brand visibility among younger urban consumers who aren’t just spending more on grooming—but also want their experience to feel seamless and top-tier.

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Launched in 2021 by Anurav Dave, Nikhil Kalwani, and Maan Jetley, LUZO is trying to clean up the messy business of booking salon and wellness services online. The platform acts like a high-end concierge—listing only select, well-rated salons, spas, and clinics—so customers can book confidently without playing Russian roulette with their self-care routines.

“This is about bringing convenience and quality together in a segment that’s still largely disjointed,” said co-founder Anurav Dave. “We’re building LUZO to be the most trusted way to discover and book luxury grooming and wellness services—quickly, easily, and without surprises.”

The timing seems right. India’s beauty and wellness industry is worth more than $20 billion, and while demand is booming, much of the sector remains fragmented. LUZO wants to plug that gap with a digital-first approach that helps people find vetted providers, check reviews, and lock in appointments—without calling, waiting, or walking in blind.

More than a listing site, LUZO uses data to help users find what suits them best—whether it’s a skin clinic in Indiranagar or a massage therapist in Andheri. And by partnering only with trusted, quality-focused providers, the team believes LUZO can become the preferred option for India’s fast-growing tribe of self-care enthusiasts.

According to Harsh Deodhar, Principal at Enrission India Capital, that’s exactly what makes the startup interesting. “LUZO isn’t trying to serve everyone—it’s sharply focused on the quality-conscious user who values time, trust, and ease,” he said. “The team has shown strong execution, and we believe they’re building something that fills a very real need in the market.”

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With a young population, growing disposable income, and rising awareness around personal care, India is set for a wellness revolution. LUZO’s founders are betting that when it comes to grooming, the next big thing won’t just be who cuts your hair—but how you found them, booked them, and rated the whole experience.

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Japanese Lingerie Giant Wacoal Strengthens Grip on Mumbai with New Store in Borivali’s Sky City Mall

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Japanese Lingerie Giant Wacoal Strengthens Grip on Mumbai with New Store in Borivali’s Sky City Mall

Japanese intimate wear brand Wacoal is adding another pin to its Mumbai map. The company has opened its newest store at Sky City Mall in Borivali, marking its sixth exclusive outlet in the city.

The 550-square-foot space brings Wacoal’s well-known blend of comfort and elegance to one of the city’s fastest-growing suburban neighborhoods. From lingerie and loungewear to sleepwear, the store houses a mix of daily essentials and more indulgent pieces aimed at modern Indian women who care about fit, fabric, and finish.

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Pooja Merani, Chief Operating Officer at Wacoal India, says the Borivali launch reflects the brand’s growing focus on regional expansion within metro cities. “We’ve always believed in helping women discover lingerie that truly fits, both in size and lifestyle,” she said. “Borivali is full of working professionals and young families, and we see a growing demand here for quality intimate wear that’s both stylish and functional.”

This latest store joins Wacoal’s existing Mumbai locations in Lower Parel (Phoenix Palladium and Grand Galleria), Bandra, Kurla (Phoenix Market City), and Malad (Infinity Mall). Nationwide, the brand now operates 18 standalone stores and has its eyes set on more. Over the next 12 to 18 months, Wacoal plans to continue expanding into major metros and Tier-1 cities, while also investing in its digital presence and expanding its reach through multi-brand outlets.

Though Wacoal officially entered India in 2015, the company’s roots go back to post-war Japan, where it was founded in 1946. Over the decades, it has grown into a global lingerie powerhouse, with key milestones including its entry into Asia in the 1970s, the U.S. in 1985, and Europe in 1990.

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Today in India, Wacoal’s retail footprint extends beyond its exclusive stores—its products are also available in over 80 multi-brand outlets across 20 cities, in addition to a growing online presence. With each new location, Wacoal aims to bring its signature blend of comfort, design, and craftsmanship to women across the country.

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Yuvraj Singh’s Twiddles Partners with Barista to Launch Clean-Label Snacks Across 470+ Cafés Nationwide

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Yuvraj Singh’s Twiddles Partners with Barista to Launch Clean-Label Snacks Across 470+ Cafés Nationwide

In a major move that blends star power with mindful snacking, Yuvraj Singh-backed Twiddles has teamed up with Barista Coffee to launch a new lineup of co-branded snacks across the café chain’s 470+ locations throughout India.

This isn’t just another product on the shelf — it’s a carefully curated menu of multigrain bars, bite-sized energy boosters, and crunchy nut mixes, designed specifically to pair with Barista’s coffee menu. The partnership signals a big shift in what café snacking can look like — less processed, more purposeful, and still indulgent.

Cricketer and co-founder Yuvraj Singh shared his excitement: “Snacks are part of our everyday life, but they don’t have to be boring or bad for you. With Twiddles, we wanted to flip that idea. Now, teaming up with Barista, we’re bringing that philosophy to the table—literally—with options that taste great and feel good.”

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The new snack range is the result of several months of joint research between Twiddles and Barista’s product teams. The goal was to create snacks that are clean-label—free from artificial additives—and satisfying enough to become part of a daily coffee ritual.

Barista Coffee’s CEO, Rajat Agrawal, sees this as more than a menu upgrade: “Barista has always aimed to deliver more than just coffee. This collaboration with Twiddles reflects our commitment to offering experiences that align with the changing lifestyle of our customers. With someone like Yuvraj Singh behind the brand, we knew this was a great fit.”

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Twiddles, which launched with a mission to make clean snacking more mainstream, is now expanding quickly. And Barista, with its widespread footprint and loyal customer base, offers the perfect launchpad. Whether it’s a morning espresso or an evening meeting, the next time you walk into a Barista, there’s a good chance a Twiddles snack will be waiting by your cappuccino.

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Baskin Robbins Expands Snacking Line in India with 1,000+ Parlours and Bold Entry into Quick Commerce Boom

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Baskin Robbins Expands Snacking Line in India with 1,000+ Parlours and Bold Entry into Quick Commerce Boom

Baskin Robbins is shaking up how Indians enjoy their favourite frozen treats. The globally loved ice cream brand has rolled out an all-new snacking range in major Indian cities, aiming to tap into the fast-growing quick commerce space and meet the rising demand for indulgent, ready-to-enjoy products.

This fresh lineup isn’t just about variety — it’s about reimagining how ice cream fits into everyday life. The new products, now available in general trade outlets, supermarkets, and through fast delivery platforms, are designed for everything from a mid-day pick-me-up to a late-night craving. Think rich chocolate creations, refreshing fruity flavours perfect for summer, nostalgic desi tastes tailored to Indian preferences, and even ready-to-drink Belgian Chocolate milkshakes.

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“Our relationship with ice cream is evolving,” said Mohit Khattar, CEO of Graviss Foods Ltd. “People don’t just wait for the weekend to treat themselves anymore. With quick commerce becoming a big part of how we shop, we wanted to make it easier to grab premium ice cream – wherever you are, whenever you want.”

He added, “This new range brings the Baskin Robbins experience into people’s homes and routines in a more flexible, accessible way.”

After seeing robust growth across retail and delivery channels in FY25, the brand is doubling down on its distribution network ahead of what it expects to be another strong year in FY26. The focus? Getting closer to customers – whether that’s through kirana shops, hypermarkets, or lightning-fast delivery apps.

Baskin Robbins has been a familiar name in India since 1993, when it partnered with the Graviss Group and set up its first manufacturing facility outside North America, near Pune. Today, it boasts over 1,000 parlours across 290 cities – making it not only the country’s biggest ice cream brand but also a leading name in the quick service restaurant space.

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Beyond India, Graviss also brings Baskin Robbins flavours to neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, continuing to spread the joy of ice cream across the region.

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Tata 1mg Eyes Massive $300M Fundraise to Fuel Offline Expansion After ₹2,500 Cr FY25 Revenue Surge

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Tata 1mg Eyes Massive $300M Fundraise to Fuel Offline Expansion After ₹2,500 Cr FY25 Revenue Surge

Tata 1mg, the digital pharmacy backed by Tata Digital, is preparing for a fresh $300 million funding round as it pivots from a low-investment period into an aggressive growth phase—this time with a focus on expanding its presence beyond screens and into the streets.

After a relatively quiet couple of years on the fundraising front—raising only $40 million via a rights issue from Tata Digital in 2022—the company is now looking to rope in external investors to fuel its next chapter. Sources familiar with the developments say the shift signals a broader change in strategy within the Tata Group, which had earlier nudged its consumer-facing bets like 1mg and BigBasket to lean more on debt rather than equity for growth.

This new infusion, if it materializes, would mark one of the largest capital raises in India’s healthtech sector in recent years.

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The funding push comes on the back of solid top-line momentum. In FY25, 1mg is believed to have clocked revenue in the ballpark of ₹2,500–2,600 crore—a healthy 30–35% jump from the previous year. But that growth hasn’t come cheap. The company is burning roughly ₹180–200 crore annually, insiders say, with a sizable chunk going into building out its offline footprint.

While 1mg started as a digital-first platform offering diagnostics, medicines, and consultations, it’s now rolling out physical stores and health hubs to capture a wider slice of India’s fragmented pharmacy market. The logic: not all healthcare transactions happen online, and for a country where trust often builds face-to-face, brick-and-mortar still matters.

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If the fundraising round closes as expected, it could arm 1mg with enough capital to aggressively scale its offline operations, strengthen supply chains, and possibly fend off intensifying competition from the likes of PharmEasy and Apollo HealthCo.

The Tatas appear ready to double down on healthcare, and this time, they’re stepping out of the app and into the neighborhood.

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