Biryani Blues Raises Rs 42 Crore from Yugadi Capital, Targets 100 New Stores After 51% Jump in Valuation

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May 14, 2025

Image of Biryani Blues. — Biryani Blues Raises Rs 42 Crore from Yugadi Capital, Targets 100 New Stores After 51% Jump in Valuation

Gurugram-based biryani chain Biryani Blues has raised $5 million (approximately Rs 42 crore) in a fresh pre-Series C round, with Yugadi Capital—a new fund backed by Carpediem Capital—leading the investment.

The latest round values the company at Rs 250 crore (around $30 million), a notable jump of 51% over its last known valuation in 2021, when Rebel Foods had backed the business. With this latest injection, the homegrown QSR brand has now raised $15 million in total since its inception.

Founded in 2013 by husband-wife duo Raymond and Aparna Andrews, Biryani Blues plans to go big on expansion. “We’re looking at opening 50 new stores in the next two years, and by year three, we’re aiming for a total of 100,” said Raymond. The new outlets will mostly be compact, delivery-first ‘Express’ formats, located in high-footfall zones like malls and busy market streets.

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Currently, the brand runs 68 outlets across North India and Bengaluru, using a blend of dine-in restaurants, cloud kitchens, and express counters in locations such as airports, malls, and railway stations. It clocks in over 2 lakh orders every month, with about 70% of sales coming via aggregator platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, and Magicpin. The rest comes from its own website and app.

In terms of performance, FY25 saw the brand turn EBITDA positive, thanks to smarter inventory controls, tighter supply chains, and better cost management. Revenues rose to Rs 85 crore, up from Rs 76 crore in FY24, and the company expects to hit Rs 102 crore in FY26, with a current run rate of around Rs 100 crore.

For now, the company isn’t trying to go pan-India just yet. The focus remains firmly on North India, particularly Delhi-NCR, where “every store we’ve opened has hit break-even or turned profitable in less than three months,” Raymond noted.

Backing the company’s plans, Carpediem Capital chairman Arvind Nair said: “We believe the Biryani Blues team has what it takes to scale sustainably. We’re excited to be part of this next phase of growth.”

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With biryani still holding its place as one of India’s most-ordered dishes online, Biryani Blues is looking to be the brand that delivers it hot, fast—and everywhere.

Amazon Prime Video to Roll Out Ads in India from June 17: Even Paid Users Must Watch Unless They Pay Extra Rs 699

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May 14, 2025

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Image of prime video. — Amazon Prime Video to Roll Out Ads in India from June 17: Even Paid Users Must Watch Unless They Pay Extra Rs 699

Starting June 17, 2025, Amazon Prime Video users in India will begin seeing ads—yes, even if they’ve already shelled out for a Prime membership.

The update came via a quiet email blast to subscribers on May 13, letting them know that movies and shows will now feature a “limited number” of ads. This shift aligns with what Amazon’s already rolled out in other countries, including the U.S., where ad-supported Prime Video reaches more than 130 million users every month.

It’s the first time that Amazon’s main content catalog in India will include advertising. The company claims the ad load will be significantly lighter than what viewers are used to on TV or many other streamers.

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If you’re not a fan of interruptions, there will be a way out—but it’ll cost you. Amazon is introducing an ad-free add-on plan, priced at Rs 129 per month or Rs 699 per year as part of a discounted launch offer. Without the discount, the annual price will eventually go up to Rs 999. This means if you want completely ad-free streaming, your total yearly spend will jump to Rs 2,198 (Prime + the add-on).

The base Prime membership stays at Rs 1,499 per year and continues to bundle in perks like free shipping, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and Prime Gaming. The upcoming changes won’t affect Prime Lite users, who already stream ad-supported content in 720p on a single device for Rs 799 annually.

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Amazon says the move is necessary to keep pumping money into new shows and movies. India’s streaming war is heating up, and Prime Video currently holds about 23% of the market, behind the dominant player, JioStar. That rival’s top-tier ad-free plan supports up to four devices and costs Rs 1,499 a year—the same as Amazon’s current standard membership. Netflix, meanwhile, continues to sit at the pricey end of the spectrum, with its premium plan going for Rs 649 per month.

Bottom line? Streaming in India is about to get noisier—unless you’re willing to pay more for silence.

Urban Company Partners with Noon’s $1 Billion Platform to Launch Home Services in UAE and Saudi Arabia

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Shweta

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May 14, 2025

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Image of urban company. — Urban Company Partners with Noon’s $1 Billion Platform to Launch Home Services in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Urban Company, the Indian startup known for home services on demand, is gearing up for a big step towards the public market—and it’s just sealed a significant deal to boost its presence in the Middle East. The company has joined forces with Noon, a leading ecommerce player in Saudi Arabia, to roll out its services in the UAE and Saudi markets.

Thanks to this partnership, Urban Company’s services will now be available directly through the Noon app. Users in both countries can easily schedule, track, and repeat bookings for everything from home maintenance to personal grooming, without having to juggle multiple apps.

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This move not only deepens Urban Company’s Middle East footprint but also plugs its offerings into Noon’s massive customer base—giving it a faster route to scale across the region.

In the UAE, customers can access cleaning services (both one-time and monthly plans), deep cleans, laundry, AC servicing, electrical and plumbing fixes, massages, beauty and grooming appointments, babysitting, and even pet care. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the lineup includes similar cleaning plans, detailed home clean-ups, maintenance work like carpentry and AC repair, plus in-home beauty treatments tailored for women.

“This is a big step forward in our vision to bring top-tier home services to families across the Middle East,” said Urban Company CEO and co-founder Abhiraj Singh Bhal. “Noon’s reach and customer trust give us the perfect foundation to build a smooth, tech-powered service experience.”

Faraz Khalid, CEO of Noon, echoed the sentiment. “We’re combining Urban Company’s service quality with our regional reach to create something that’s fast, dependable, and focused on what people really need.”

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Whether it’s a one-time fix or a recurring cleaning schedule, customers can customize their experience—and even stick with the same service professional for familiarity and consistency.

Motilal Oswal and Raamdeo Agrawal Bet Big on Zepto: $100 Million Deal Sealed, $250 Million Round in the Works

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May 13, 2025

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Image-of-zepto. — Motilal Oswal and Raamdeo Agrawal Bet Big on Zepto: $100 Million Deal Sealed, $250 Million Round in the Works

Motilal Oswal and Raamdeo Agrawal, the co-founders of Motilal Oswal Financial Services, have quietly snapped up Zepto shares worth around $50 million (roughly ₹424 crore) each in a secondary deal, say sources familiar with the matter. On top of that, a much larger $250 million transaction is also said to be in motion.

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As of now, Indian investors hold just over 42% of Zepto. However, if all goes according to plan, that number could climb past 50% soon. The company is reportedly aiming to increase domestic ownership before it makes its stock market debut.

Motilal Oswal Financial Services is also fronting the $250 million round on behalf of its clients, according to insiders. All of these transactions are being carried out at Zepto’s last known valuation of $5 billion, which was established back in August 2024.

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Binding agreements for the larger deal have already been signed. An official announcement is likely sometime in June, pending final due diligence. Zepto, when contacted, did not provide a comment.

DRRK Foods Gears Up for Major Push, Plans to Scale Crown Basmati Reach by 50% Across India by 2025

Growth

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May 13, 2025

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Image-of-DRRK — DRRK Foods Gears Up for Major Push, Plans to Scale Crown Basmati Reach by 50% Across India by 2025

DRRK Foods is setting its sights on aggressive growth as it prepares to significantly ramp up its distribution network for its flagship product, Crown Basmati Rice. By the close of 2025, the company aims to boost its current domestic distribution presence by half—an ambitious move aimed at strengthening its foothold in both metro cities and fast-growing smaller towns.

At present, DRRK works with around 150 distributors across India. But that number is about to change. The company is now on the hunt for experienced super stockists—particularly those with a strong background in fast-moving consumer goods—to help build a faster, more responsive supply chain that reaches deeper into the Indian heartland.

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“As demand for premium Basmati continues to surge, it’s time to take Crown to every kitchen that values authenticity and quality,” said Vikram Marwaha, Joint Managing Director of DRRK Foods. “This expansion isn’t just about numbers—it’s about strengthening relationships with retailers and making sure our rice is available wherever there’s demand, whether it’s a large-format store in a metro or a family-run kirana in a tier-3 town.”

The Crown brand has built a loyal following over the years, thanks to its emphasis on purity, flavor, and consistency. Known for sourcing top-grade grains and following rigorous quality protocols, DRRK has built a reputation not just as a manufacturer, but as a steward of one of India’s most celebrated food traditions.

But this expansion isn’t limited to Indian borders. The company’s broader strategy includes ramping up its export operations as well, tapping into growing global interest in Indian Basmati. The idea is to position Crown as the go-to name for premium rice—whether you’re in Mumbai or Melbourne.

Behind this forward push is a legacy that dates back over five decades. Founded in 1967 by Mahinder Pal Ji, DRRK Foods began as a modest operation and has since transformed into one of the country’s major rice exporters. The brand’s growth has been anchored in three pillars: traditional know-how, cutting-edge processes, and an unshakeable focus on quality.

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With a clear roadmap for expansion and a brand that resonates with quality-conscious consumers, DRRK Foods is now positioning Crown to be not just a leader in the Basmati category—but a household name across India and beyond.

Titan Posts Rs 871 Crore Profit in Q4; FY25 PAT Slips Despite Revenue Surge Past Rs 57,000 Crore

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May 13, 2025

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Image of titan — Titan Posts Rs 871 Crore Profit in Q4; FY25 PAT Slips Despite Revenue Surge Past Rs 57,000 Crore

Titan Company, part of the Tata Group, wrapped up the March quarter with a consolidated net profit of Rs 871 crore — a 13% jump from Rs 771 crore in the same period last year. The gains were powered by a strong sales push across key segments.

Revenue for the fourth quarter stood at Rs 14,049 crore, marking a solid rise from Rs 11,472 crore year-on-year, as disclosed in its latest regulatory filing.

However, when zooming out to the full financial year, Titan reported a dip in annual profit. Net earnings for FY25 came in at Rs 3,337 crore, 5% lower than the Rs 3,496 crore posted in FY24. That said, total income soared 22% to Rs 57,818 crore, up from Rs 47,501 crore the previous year — a milestone year for the consumer brand that crossed the Rs 50,000 crore revenue mark for the first time.

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Commenting on the performance, Managing Director C.K. Venkataraman said, “Despite a volatile external environment, Titan recorded a standout year on the back of strong revenue growth. We continue to see rising consumer interest in premium products across our core businesses.”

The company’s analog watch segment remained on a firm growth path, thanks to innovation and premium product offerings. Titan’s eyecare division, which had been lagging, bounced back with double-digit growth in the last two quarters, positioning it well for FY26. Meanwhile, the fragrances division, led by the SKINN brand, made notable inroads with Indian consumers, showing encouraging traction through the year.

International expansion efforts are also gathering steam, with progress reported in both North America and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Looking ahead, Venkataraman said all verticals are now focusing on capturing more market share and evolving with consumer preferences.

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In a significant leadership update, Titan’s board has given the green light to appoint Ajoy Chawla — currently heading the jewellery division — as the next Managing Director, effective January 1, 2026. Venkataraman, who has been with the company since 1990 and took over the top role in 2019, is set to retire on December 31, 2025, upon reaching the official age of superannuation.

On the markets front, Titan’s stock closed 0.69% higher at Rs 3,363.45 on the BSE.

De Beers Shuts Down Lightbox After 6-Year Run, Citing Plunging Lab-Grown Diamond Prices and Renewed Focus on Naturals

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May 13, 2025

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Image of de beers group — De Beers Shuts Down Lightbox After 6-Year Run, Citing Plunging Lab-Grown Diamond Prices and Renewed Focus on Naturals

De Beers is pulling the plug on Lightbox, its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand launched in 2018. The move signals a decisive pivot: the century-old diamond giant is doubling down on its natural diamond business after a years-long experiment with synthetics.

The company confirmed it is in talks to sell off Lightbox’s remaining assets, including unsold inventory, as part of the wind-down. While Lightbox exits the scene, Element Six — the De Beers subsidiary that manufactured the lab-grown stones — will now concentrate on using synthetic diamonds for industrial tech and research applications rather than jewellery.

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Lightbox was introduced as a disruptive play, offering lab-created gems at transparent, lower price points. The brand consistently drew a clear line between lab-grown and mined diamonds, positioning them as fundamentally different in both character and value. But as prices of lab-grown jewellery continued to slide, De Beers appears to have seen diminishing returns in the category.

The closure lines up with De Beers’ broader “Origins Strategy,” unveiled in May 2024, which calls for sharpening focus on core operations, cutting complexity, and investing in higher-margin areas — particularly marketing that drives demand for natural diamonds.

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“As we prepare for life as a standalone entity, our goal is to trim the excess and focus our energy where it matters most,” said Al Cook, De Beers’ CEO. “Lab-grown diamonds have steadily lost value in the jewellery market, and that drop only reinforces the unique and lasting appeal of natural stones.”

Cook also noted that while Lightbox helped clarify how different lab-grown and natural diamonds really are — especially in terms of long-term value — it’s time for De Beers to move on and reinvest in its original strength: the allure and rarity of earth-mined diamonds.

Fittr Raises Rs 25 Crore from Zerodha’s Rainmatter; Jitendra Chouksey Retains Full Equity, Rolls Out ESOP Buyback for 41 Employees

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May 13, 2025

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Image of Fittr — Fittr Raises Rs 25 Crore from Zerodha’s Rainmatter; Jitendra Chouksey Retains Full Equity, Rolls Out ESOP Buyback for 41 Employees

Fitness-tech venture Fittr, based out of Pune, has bagged a fresh Rs 25 crore (roughly $3 million) from Rainmatter — the fund backed by Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath. The update came straight from founder Jitendra Chouksey on Instagram, who also used the moment to spotlight an employee-first move: a buyback of stock options benefiting 41 current and former team members.

What makes this funding round different? Chouksey said his own equity remains untouched — no dilution this time around.

Rainmatter, launched by Kamath to invest in areas like fintech, sustainability, and wellness, has steadily built up a portfolio of purpose-driven companies. Its lineup includes names such as Dreamspan, NOTO Ice Creams, Fitpage, PeeSafe, and Game Theory. Alongside funding, Rainmatter is known to back founders with tools, intros, and financial infrastructure — without asking for board seats or exit clauses, making it a rare breed in India’s funding ecosystem.

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This isn’t Fittr’s first run-in with Rainmatter either. The $3 million follows an earlier infusion of $3.5 million in January 2024. Even before that, the startup raised $11.5 million back in 2021 from a group of investors, including Elysian Park and Surge (Peak XV’s early-stage program).

Fittr’s game plan for the fresh funds? Chouksey said the goal is to create a robust healthcare stack — one that’s built around reliability, openness, and affordability. He hinted at broader ambitions beyond fitness, suggesting the brand is gearing up for deeper integration into preventive and lifestyle healthcare.

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As for Rainmatter, Kamath recently shared that the fund deployed Rs 275 crore across 47 companies in 2024 alone. Health and climate continue to dominate its investment themes. On X (formerly Twitter), Kamath explained their unusual approach: “We’re not playing the VC game. No exits. No board seats. Just patient capital for long-term bets.” He added that they may be ahead of the curve, but he’s convinced that climate and health are the trends to watch over the next decade.

Uber Launches ‘Courier XL’ in Delhi NCR and Mumbai: Heavy-Duty Deliveries up to 750 Kg Now Just a Tap Away

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May 13, 2025

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Image of uber — Uber Launches ‘Courier XL’ in Delhi NCR and Mumbai: Heavy-Duty Deliveries up to 750 Kg Now Just a Tap Away

Uber has rolled out a new logistics service in India called Courier XL, a step up from its existing delivery offerings. Designed to handle bulkier and heavier items, this new option is now available in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, with plans to expand to more cities soon.

With Courier XL, customers can send packages weighing up to 750 kilograms using three- and four-wheeler goods vehicles. Whether it’s moving stock, furniture, or larger parcels, the idea is to simplify city logistics for individuals and small businesses that need something more than just a bike delivery.

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This new service comes as an extension of Uber Courier, Uber’s two-wheeler-based delivery platform that’s been quietly gaining traction across India. Currently active in 25 cities, it has handled over five million deliveries. In 2024 alone, usage of the platform surged by more than 50%, and the momentum has carried over into 2025.

The addition of Courier XL marks a more serious play by Uber in the fast-growing urban logistics sector, where companies like Porter, Mover, and Borzo have already carved out their space. Porter, for instance, has emerged as a major player after securing $200 million in funding from Kedaara Capital and Wellington Management.

Courier XL brings along the familiar Uber experience — real-time tracking, fixed pricing before you book, and app-based convenience. It also supports longer delivery distances: in 2024, the average trip across India was 11 kilometers, with slightly longer hauls in Delhi NCR (14 km) and Mumbai (12 km). The platform has already seen a wide range of delivery requests, from short hops of under a kilometer to long hauls of over 130 km within city limits.

Uber says demand for its courier services tends to spike around holidays and special events, like Diwali, Rakshabandhan, and even Mother’s Day. With options like store pickups and live availability, the platform isn’t just for practical needs — it’s also becoming a go-to for sending gifts and surprises.

Meanwhile, Uber’s overall India operations have been on an upward swing. In FY24, the company’s operating revenue grew by 41%, reaching Rs 3,762 crore, driven by better ride-hailing performance and expanded service offerings that have helped reduce losses.

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With Courier XL, Uber is looking to cement its place not just as a ride provider, but as a serious player in the everyday movement of goods — no matter the size.

Ixigo Halts Bookings to Turkey, China & Azerbaijan After Pro-Pakistan Statements — CEO Aloke Bajpai Says ‘Blood and Bookings Won’t Flow Together

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May 12, 2025

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Image of Ixigo — Ixigo Halts Bookings to Turkey, China & Azerbaijan After Pro-Pakistan Statements — CEO Aloke Bajpai Says ‘Blood and Bookings Won’t Flow Together

Indian travel app ixigo has halted all bookings to Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan after these countries voiced support for Pakistan, amid rising diplomatic friction with India.

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Taking to X (formerly Twitter), ixigo co-founder and CEO Aloke Bajpai declared the company’s decision with a sharp message: “Enough is enough. We cannot turn a blind eye while lives are being lost. We’ve decided to stop all flight and hotel bookings to Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan on ixigo.”

This move comes in the wake of official statements from the governments of these countries. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a note on social media expressing alarm over India’s recent military action, suggesting it could trigger a wider conflict. The statement condemned the strike, called for calm, and echoed Pakistan’s request for an investigation into a terror incident from April.

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The decision from ixigo is being seen as a strong response from Indian industry to what it views as political posturing by foreign governments during a time of national crisis.

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