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How Keshav Biyani & Prabhu Karthikeyan’s The Good Bug Raised $3.5M to Make Gut Health Cool (with a Little Help from Hrithik Roshan)

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How Keshav Biyani & Prabhu Karthikeyan’s The Good Bug Raised $3.5M to Make Gut Health Cool (with a Little Help from Hrithik Roshan)

Back in 2022, Keshav Biyani and Prabhu Karthikeyan teamed up to launch The Good Bug, a wellness brand built around one clear goal: fixing the way we think about gut health. They didn’t want to push quick fixes or trendy supplements—instead, they focused on real science and real results.

Their lineup features cleverly designed, easy-to-use products like melt-in-your-mouth powders for both kids and adults. These aren’t just your average probiotics—they’re made with strains that have been tested and studied to actually make a difference, helping with everything from digestion to energy and overall wellness.

In 2023, The Good Bug raised $3.5 million in Series A funding, with major backing from Fireside Ventures, along with Think9 Consumer Technologies and Sharrp Ventures (which is tied to Harsh Mariwala of Marico). That funding is fueling a bigger vision: growing the product range, stepping up their marketing game, and expanding operations to keep up with rising demand.

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One standout moment for the brand came through a partnership with HRX—Hrithik Roshan’s fitness label—resulting in a special edition probiotic formula called Metabolically Lean Supercharged. It’s designed to help with weight management in a healthy, sustainable way while improving gut function. The idea? Make cutting-edge wellness feel less like medicine and more like a daily upgrade.

What’s next? The Good Bug is set on reaching more people through new sales channels, new categories, and more innovative products. One big priority is keeping customers happy—not just once, but over the long run—by improving how they discover the brand, stay engaged, and feel about their experience.

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“We’re here to simplify gut health and put it in everyone’s hands,” say the founders. “It shouldn’t be confusing—it should just work.”

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Zepto Drops ‘Kiranakart’ Tag, Ropes in Bharti’s Akhil Gupta, and Raises Over $1.35 Billion Ahead of IPO

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Zepto Drops ‘Kiranakart’ Tag, Ropes in Bharti’s Akhil Gupta, and Raises Over $1.35 Billion Ahead of IPO

The company behind the 10-minute grocery delivery blitz is no longer hiding behind a clunky name. Zepto, the quick commerce startup helmed by Aadit Palicha, has officially changed its legal identity from Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to Zepto Pvt. Ltd., as revealed in regulatory filings reviewed by Moneycontrol.

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There’s no flashy press release or social media announcement yet, but the name change appears to be a strategic move, especially with Zepto preparing for its much-anticipated IPO.

Interestingly, Zepto isn’t the only food and grocery player cleaning up its paperwork. Swiggy, which began life as Bundl Technologies, also recently made the leap to Swiggy Limited—a subtle but sharp nod to its public listing plans and brand recognition strategy.

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

Adding fuel to the fire, Zepto recently brought Akhil Gupta, the vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises, onto its board. His presence signals the company’s intent to tighten governance and boost credibility before hitting the markets. Gupta’s connections and experience may also prove critical in steering Zepto through the IPO maze.

A Name Worth Billions?

It’s not just about cosmetics. In today’s hyper-competitive consumer internet space, aligning your corporate name with your storefront identity isn’t just smart—it’s essential. For a company like Zepto, which is still in its growth phase, this alignment could help simplify stakeholder communication and leave a stronger impression on investors, regulators, and customers alike. It also makes the upcoming red herring prospectus easier to digest—not to mention, easier to remember.

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Delhi-NCR’s Retail Scene Heats Up: Fashion & F&B Brands Fuel 57% Surge in Store Leasing in Q1 2025

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Delhi-NCR’s Retail Scene Heats Up: Fashion & F&B Brands Fuel 57% Surge in Store Leasing in Q1 2025

The retail real estate market in Delhi and its surrounding cities is buzzing again—but this time, it’s not just a bounce-back from the past. According to a report from Cushman & Wakefield, leasing activity across malls and high streets in the Delhi-NCR region shot up by a sharp 57% year-on-year in Q1 2025, touching 4.08 lakh square feet. And the usual suspects—fashion and food—are the ones driving the momentum.

“This is no short-term recovery; we’re witnessing a deeper pivot in how brands are thinking,” says Jatin Goel, Executive Director at Omaxe Group. “Retailers, especially in apparel and F&B, are now anchoring their growth strategies on premium high-street spaces that give them visibility and immediate access to foot traffic.”

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Goel points to rising activity in Dwarka, Faridabad, and Greater Noida, which were once considered fringe markets but are now pulling in serious brand attention. With improved infrastructure, rising local incomes, and dense residential pockets, these areas have matured into viable hotspots for big-league retail development.

As per the latest data, high-street properties now account for a dominant 61% of total leasing, proving that brands are leaning toward eye-level exposure rather than mall interiors. And while multiple sub-markets are growing, Gurugram has emerged as the undisputed front-runner, claiming over half (52%) of all leasing activity this quarter. Noida and Delhi proper followed in second and third place.

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

But the real shift is happening in how satellite cities like Gurugram are now playing on equal footing with central Delhi when it comes to commercial pull.

Take Galleria Market in Gurugram, for example—rents have surged 20%, now ranging between Rs. 1,150 to Rs. 1,250 per sq. ft., mirroring what elite zones in Delhi command. Meanwhile, Sector 29, a go-to for diners and cafés, saw a 13% jump. Even Noida’s Sector 18—a long-standing retail hub—held steady at Rs. 200–225 per sq. ft., suggesting a stable and growing demand.

“This isn’t happening in isolation,” explains Uddhav Poddar, CMD of Bhumika Group. “Gurugram’s well-designed infrastructure—from expressways to commercial zones—has made it a magnet for brands and real estate investors. Even with rising competition from areas near the upcoming Jewar Airport, Gurugram’s luxury neighborhoods and well-placed high streets are keeping it ahead of the curve.”

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Panasonic India Crosses Rs 11,500 Cr Mark in FY25, Net Profit Soars 41% — Manish Sharma Targets Double-Digit Growth in FY26

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Panasonic India Crosses Rs 11,500 Cr Mark in FY25, Net Profit Soars 41% — Manish Sharma Targets Double-Digit Growth in FY26

Panasonic Life Solutions India, the local arm of Japan’s electronics giant, has wrapped up the financial year with impressive numbers and ambitious plans. Revenue for FY25 came close to the Rs 11,500 crore mark, while net profit surged over Rs 1,100 crore, reflecting a 41% jump from the previous year.

Chairman and Managing Director Manish Sharma confirmed the figures, noting that while the final numbers are still being firmed up, the company has clearly crossed a significant financial milestone.

At the heart of this strong performance were categories like air conditioners, electrical devices, and smart factory solutions — all of which Sharma described as “growth engines” for the business. In fact, Panasonic’s B2B vertical accounted for 50% of total revenue, while consumer products made up 30%, showing a balanced approach to both ends of the market.

Looking ahead to FY26, Sharma says the company is targeting double-digit growth once again, and plans to stick to what’s worked — while dialing up investment in both tech innovation and product expansion.

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

“We’ll continue building around room air conditioners, smart factory offerings, and devices,” said Sharma. “But we’re also seeing growing momentum in industrial-grade compressors, electromechanical products, and automation tools — especially in the B2B space.”

The consumer segment, however, could play a larger role in the coming year, driven largely by India’s rising demand for cooling products as summer temperatures climb and the middle class looks for more energy-efficient options.

Smart factory solutions, too, are expected to see tailwinds, as Indian manufacturing ramps up automation to stay globally competitive.

India now sits among Panasonic’s top three markets globally, and Sharma says the company is actively working on a broader portfolio of high-tech, India-relevant solutions, including those not yet launched.

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

He credits the shift in strategy to the changing behavior of Indian buyers. “Today’s Indian consumer is sharp, aware, and expects more,” he said. “This is not the same market as it was ten years ago. We’re undergoing a transformation — and the consumer is at the heart of it.”

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Sunscreen War Erupts: Honasa Accuses HUL’s Lakme of Misleading Ads Targeting Derma Co in ₹18,000 Cr Skincare Market

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Sunscreen War Erupts: Honasa Accuses HUL’s Lakme of Misleading Ads Targeting Derma Co in ₹18,000 Cr Skincare Market

A simmering rivalry between two major personal care players—Honasa Consumer (the company behind Mamaearth and The Derma Co) and Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL)—has turned into a full-blown legal faceoff, with both companies dragging each other to court over a controversial sunscreen ad campaign.

The dispute kicked off after Honasa took issue with a recent Lakme ad by HUL titled the “SPF Lie Detector Test.” The campaign claims that several popular sunscreens marketed as SPF 50 actually provide far less protection, some closer to SPF 20. While the ad doesn’t directly name brands, the visuals appear to mimic the packaging of certain products—something Honasa believes targets The Derma Co’s sunscreen unfairly.

Calling the ad misleading and damaging to its reputation, Honasa approached the Delhi High Court, which has since issued notice to HUL and scheduled the next hearing for Thursday.

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HUL, for its part, has fired back by filing its own legal case against Honasa in the Bombay High Court. According to sources, both courts are expected to address the issue on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The tension spilled into the public sphere when Honasa co-founder Ghazal Alagh posted on LinkedIn, criticizing what she described as a long-standing lack of healthy competition in the FMCG sector. She suggested that legacy brands had grown complacent, indirectly pointing to HUL’s dominance.

In defense of its campaign, Lakme released a statement on social media claiming that some top-selling online sunscreens, despite claiming to be “in vivo” tested, fail to live up to their SPF 50 label, delivering closer to SPF 20 under clinical conditions.

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“In vivo” refers to testing done on living organisms—often considered the gold standard for assessing product performance on human skin.

What started as a marketing jab has now escalated into a courtroom showdown, highlighting how fierce the battle for shelf space (and skin protection claims) has become in India’s booming skincare market.

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India’s Retail Scene Set for a Premium Makeover: 20 Upscale Malls Coming by 2026

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India’s Retail Scene Set for a Premium Makeover: 20 Upscale Malls Coming by 2026

India’s big cities are gearing up for a wave of high-end mall openings, with nearly 20 new premium shopping centers expected to go live by the end of 2026, according to a new report by Cushman & Wakefield.

Spread across eight key urban markets—Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, and Ahmedabad—these new retail developments will add roughly 123 lakh square feet of fresh space to the market. And this isn’t just about size—it’s about stepping up the quality.

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Out of the upcoming supply, around 86 lakh square feet will fall into the “Superior Grade” category. That means top-tier construction, better tenant curation, and enhanced experiences for shoppers. These aren’t your average malls; they’re sleek, highly serviced spaces built by trusted developers or backed by institutional money, often enjoying occupancy rates north of 85%.

From Function to Flair

India already boasts around 615 lakh sq. ft. of Grade A mall space as of 2024, and nearly two-thirds of that belongs to the upper tier. The report points to a retail market that’s no longer just about filling up space—it’s about making the experience count.

What’s changing inside the malls is just as telling. The once-dominant anchors—like hypermarkets and cinemas—are slowly taking a backseat. In their place, categories like fashion, beauty, wellness, athleisure, and F&B are becoming the real magnets for foot traffic.

Beauty and wellness outlets, in particular, are punching well above their weight, pulling in Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per sq. ft. per month, while restaurants and cafes have emerged as the new-age anchors, often doing better than traditional department stores. There’s also a visible uptick in interest around jewellery and consumer electronics.

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Shoppers Want More Than Just Stores

According to Saurabh Shatdal, Executive Managing Director – Capital Markets and Head of Retail India at Cushman & Wakefield, today’s malls are evolving beyond retail hubs. “It’s no longer about how big a mall is—it’s about how good it feels,” he said. “People want beautifully designed spaces, curated environments, and meaningful brand experiences. That’s where Superior Grade malls are hitting the mark.”

In short, India’s malls are trading mass appeal for immersive, high-quality experiences—and developers are racing to meet that demand.

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DLF to Launch Three New Malls in Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram, Adding 1.4 Million Sq. Ft. of Retail Space

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DLF to Launch Three New Malls in Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram, Adding 1.4 Million Sq. Ft. of Retail Space

DLF, one of India’s biggest names in real estate, is ramping up its retail footprint with three new shopping destinations set to open this financial year across Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram. Combined, these projects will add roughly 14 lakh square feet of space to the company’s expanding retail portfolio.

Speaking to PTI, Pushpa Bector, Senior Executive Director and Head of DLF Retail, confirmed the upcoming launches. “We have three openings lined up this year,” she said, highlighting the company’s confidence in the future of organized retail in India.

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DLF already operates eight retail properties totaling around 4.5 million sq. ft., including the well-known DLF Mall of India in Noida.

Here’s What’s Coming:

  • DLF Midtown Plaza, located in Delhi’s Moti Nagar, will be the first to open in the coming months. Spanning over 2 lakh sq. ft., the mall is already close to being fully leased out. “About 75 to 80 percent of the space is already spoken for,” Bector shared.
  • Next on the list is DLF Summit Plaza in Gurugram, expected to go live later this year. The property covers 4.8 lakh sq. ft., with over 4 lakh sq. ft. dedicated to retail and the remainder planned for coworking spaces.
  • And early next year, Goa will welcome its largest shopping mall yet — a 7 lakh sq. ft. retail hub, also from DLF. “This is going to be a landmark project for Goa,” Bector noted.

Interestingly, the Delhi and Gurugram malls are located close to existing DLF residential complexes — a strategic move to serve the growing population in these neighbourhoods.

Looking Ahead

Beyond these launches, DLF has bigger ambitions in the works. Bector revealed that the company is building a 25 lakh sq. ft. mall in Gurugram, which is expected to become one of the largest in the country once complete.

Most of DLF’s commercial assets — including malls and office parks — fall under DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL), a joint venture with Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.

The Retail Rebound

The retail sector, Bector said, has seen a sharp rebound since the pandemic. “Footfalls and sales have not just recovered — in many cases, they’ve surpassed pre-COVID levels,” she explained.

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

Among the best-performing categories? Food and beverage outlets, which now take up 20–22% of floor space in DLF’s shopping centers — a sign of changing consumer habits and a strong appetite for out-of-home experiences.

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Capital-A and SanchiConnect Launch ‘MaXcel’ Accelerator to Back India’s Next Industrial Trailblazers

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Capital-A and SanchiConnect Launch ‘MaXcel’ Accelerator to Back India’s Next Industrial Trailblazers

In a move aimed at supercharging innovation in India’s manufacturing space, early-stage VC firm Capital-A has partnered with deeptech platform SanchiConnect to launch MaXcel — a hands-on accelerator designed for startups and MSMEs building cutting-edge hardware and industrial tech solutions.

MaXcel is tailor-made for founders working in areas like precision engineering, semiconductors, advanced materials, robotics, IoT, and smart factory systems — especially those who already have an MVP, some pilot traction, or early revenue.

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What sets MaXcel apart? Selected startups will get Rs 3 to 4 crore in quick-turnaround capital, with term sheets expected to land within 30 days. The program runs for 24 weeks and includes a focused 12-week go-to-market track, pilot opportunities with corporates, and a global demo day. Founders will also receive one-on-one guidance from veterans across industry and investment.

A Boost for Hardware-Led Startups

For Ankit Kedia, founder and lead investor at Capital-A, MaXcel is as much about timing as it is about potential. “We’re entering an era where the next big ideas won’t be coming from boardrooms — they’ll be coming off factory floors. India’s manufacturing DNA is being rewritten, and we want to help those founders get there faster,” he said.

He added, “With our on-ground experience in industrial ventures, and SanchiConnect’s tight-knit access to the hardware ecosystem, MaXcel is built to deliver not just funding — but real-world momentum.”

Dr. Sunil Shekhawat, Co-founder of SanchiConnect, believes MaXcel represents a fresh approach to hardware acceleration. “For too long, great ideas in deeptech have been stuck in limbo. This is a rethink — we’re creating a launchpad where execution matters as much as innovation,” he said.

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With India pushing to become a global manufacturing hub, MaXcel is designed to be more than just a short-term boost. It’s a serious bet on the people and products that will drive the country’s industrial future.

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Swiggy Partners with Labour Ministry to Expand Access to Gig Jobs via National Career Service

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Swiggy Partners with Labour Ministry to Expand Access to Gig Jobs via National Career Service

In a move aimed at opening up more job opportunities in India’s gig and logistics economy, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has entered into a formal partnership with Swiggy. The two have signed an MoU that will allow the food delivery platform to post jobs on the National Career Service (NCS) portal, making it easier for job seekers to discover flexible work across the country.

The signing took place in the presence of Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje.

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Speaking at the event, Dr. Mandaviya described the NCS portal as “a living, breathing network that links people to real jobs across India.” He pointed out that as of January 31, 2025, the platform had already brought together over 1.25 crore active job seekers and 40 lakh registered employers.

This new alliance with Swiggy is designed to give the portal deeper reach into the booming gig economy — and the numbers are significant. Swiggy is expected to generate over 12 lakh job opportunities over the next two to three years through this channel.

The Minister was upbeat about the move. “It’s a win on both sides,” he said. “Swiggy gains access to a broad, skilled, and employment-ready talent pool, while young people across India get better visibility into real, location-based job openings that fit their lifestyle.”

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He also underlined the broader vision for NCS — not just as a job board, but as an ecosystem for employment, training, and career guidance, including opportunities both within India and overseas.

This collaboration marks a major step in the government’s ongoing push to recognize and support the gig workforce — one of the fastest-growing segments of India’s employment landscape.

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Jewelbox Secures $3.2M in Pre-Series A Funding to Accelerate Growth in Lab-Grown Diamonds

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Jewelbox Secures $3.2M in Pre-Series A Funding to Accelerate Growth in Lab-Grown Diamonds

What started as a bold leap into a fairly new category has now turned into something far bigger — a movement backed by belief, numbers, and people who chose to bet early.

We’re thrilled to share that Jewelbox has raised $3.2 million in our Pre-Series A round. This round was led by V3 Ventures, with participation from Arjun Vaidya, Abhiram Bhalerao, and Shweta Tripathi, who backed us early and never wavered.

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Joining us this time are some incredible new partners — Atrium Angels, Dexter Ventures, Infinyte Club, and Samarthya Capital — and we’re also grateful to welcome back our supporters at JITO Incubation & Innovation Foundation, who continue to believe in our long game.

A huge shoutout to Dexter Capital Advisors — they’ve been more than just financial advisors. They’ve been calm voices in moments of chaos and trusted allies every step of the way.

When Nipun and I first set out, it wasn’t with loud declarations — just a quiet, unwavering conviction that lab-grown diamonds were the future. It felt early, maybe even too early to some. But we had our eyes on the long arc of consumer behaviour, and the shift was already starting.

Fast forward to today:

  • Our revenue has grown 4x in just one year
  • We’ve gone from 3 stores to 8
  • We’re now present in 6 key cities across India

This kind of growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s been fuelled by a team that’s put in the hard yards, family that’s kept us grounded, and a circle of believers who backed us before it was fashionable to do so.

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

We’re not just selling diamonds. We’re changing the narrative around them. Lab-grown is no longer a fringe idea — it’s headed straight into the mainstream, and we’re proud to be at the front of that shift.

This new round of funding gives us the firepower to build faster, go deeper in the markets we’re in, shape a brand that truly resonates, and bring on more amazing people to build this with us.

We’re just getting warmed up.

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