Swiggy Launches Pyng to Book Everything from Yoga Trainers to Tax Experts—Targets 10,000+ Verified Professionals

E-Commerce

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April 16, 2025

Image of pyng — Swiggy Launches Pyng to Book Everything from Yoga Trainers to Tax Experts—Targets 10,000+ Verified Professionals

Swiggy, best known for bringing food and groceries to your doorstep, is now aiming to make your life easier in a whole new way—with people. The company has launched Pyng, a brand-new app that helps users find and book verified professionals for just about anything. Need someone to handle your GST filing, guide your pregnancy yoga routine, or DJ your sangeet? Pyng says: done.

Available on both iOS and Android, the app offers access to over 1,000 experts across categories like health, finance, education, events, travel, and even astrology. And this is just the beginning—Swiggy plans to scale the roster to 10,000 professionals as the platform expands beyond its current launch city of Bengaluru.

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Here’s how it works: You type or voice your request into the app. Pyng’s built-in assistant picks it up and suggests the best-fit experts based on your needs. Once you click into a profile, a second virtual assistant steps in—this one tailored to the professional. It breaks down services offered, pricing, available time slots, and credentials, all in real time. You can chat, schedule, pay, and even get your money back if things don’t go as promised.

The idea is simple—cut through the chaos of random Google searches, Instagram profiles, and WhatsApp recommendations. Just open Pyng, say what you need, and get it sorted without wasting time or worrying about quality.

From tax consultants and career mentors to stylists and spiritual coaches, Pyng is shaping up to be Swiggy’s answer to the fragmented world of service discovery. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about trust.

“We saw a massive gap in how people find professionals they can actually rely on,” said Nandan Reddy, co-founder of Swiggy and the brain behind Pyng. “Whether it’s for your career, your body, or your big day, Pyng helps you skip the spam and get straight to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

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The move marks a bold step for Swiggy as it steps out of its delivery comfort zone into the far more personal world of services—where who you trust matters just as much as what you buy.

Rio Innobev Secures Rs 10 Crore to Take on Global Beverage Giants Sets Sights on 100K Stores Nationwide

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April 16, 2025

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Image of rio-innobev — Rio Innobev Secures Rs 10 Crore to Take on Global Beverage Giants Sets Sights on 100K Stores Nationwide

Pune-based Rio Innobev has just landed its first big institutional cheque—Rs 10 crore in pre-Series A funding—led by Atomic Capital, along with a clutch of high-profile investors who’ve chosen to stay behind the curtain (for now). For a homegrown challenger brand that’s been grinding it out since 2014, this raise isn’t just about money—it’s about momentum.

What started as a scrappy beverage startup co-founded by Rahul Sangoi is now looking to muscle its way into the big leagues. With over 15 million units sold annually and shelf space in 35,000+ outlets across Maharashtra and Gujarat, Rio Innobev is going full throttle: the aim is to triple its reach to 100,000 stores within the next three years.

But distribution is just one piece of the puzzle. The company is also placing serious bets on quick commerce platforms, supermarket chains, and other modern trade channels—basically anywhere thirsty Gen Z and millennial customers might be browsing.

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Inside the Fridge: What Rio’s Pouring

Rio’s two flagship products—RIO Bubbly Fruit Drink (BFD) and RIO BOOM Energy Drink—are bold, bright, and unashamedly targeted at India’s younger consumers. BFD comes loaded with real fruit juice (15%), vitamin C, honey, and clocks in with 25% less sugar than most of its rivals. RIO BOOM, on the other hand, is built for the high-octane crowd—offering an energy boost in a wallet-friendly format, minus the international price tag.

“We didn’t just want to launch another drink,” says co-founder Rahul Sangoi. “We wanted to create something that actually resonates with India’s young, bold, and aspirational consumers. This fundraise validates the journey we’ve been on—and gives us the fuel to push faster, further, and harder.”

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Rio claims to have stayed EBITDA positive from day one—a rare feat in India’s ultra-competitive FMCG sector. From humble beginnings selling 7.5 lakh units in its first year, it now operates a full-fledged production plant in Pune, churning out tens of millions of cans and bottles annually.

Airtel and Blinkit Launch 10-Minute SIM Delivery in 16 Cities—Here’s How It Works and What It Costs

Quick Commerce

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April 16, 2025

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Image of blinkit — Airtel and Blinkit Launch 10-Minute SIM Delivery in 16 Cities—Here’s How It Works and What It Costs

In a move that shakes up how mobile connections are delivered in India, Airtel has teamed up with Zomato-backed Blinkit to launch ultra-fast SIM card delivery. That’s right—no more trekking to a store or waiting in queues. For just Rs 49, you can now get your Airtel SIM dropped off at your home in under 10 minutes.

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This new service is currently live across 16 cities, including the big metros and tier-1 towns like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Pune, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and more. And yes, the companies have hinted that this rollout will only expand further in the coming weeks.

So what’s on offer? You can grab a brand-new prepaid or postpaid Airtel connection, or switch your current number to Airtel via MNP—all from the comfort of your home. Even better, the SIM activation process is now completely digital. Just scan your Aadhaar and complete a quick self-verification—no paperwork, no store visits, no hassle.

Albinder Dhindsa, Blinkit’s founder and CEO, took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the collaboration. “Starting today, customers can get a SIM delivered and activated without stepping out. Blinkit handles the delivery; Airtel’s made activation simple and fast with self-KYC,” he shared.

Once your SIM arrives, you’ll have a 15-day window to activate it through Airtel’s video-based guidance and Aadhaar KYC flow. And if you run into any trouble, the Airtel Thanks App is just a tap away for support.

What They’re Saying

“This is all about convenience and time-saving,” said Siddharth Sharma, CEO – Connected Homes and Director of Marketing at Airtel. “Partnering with Blinkit allows us to meet customers exactly where they are—at home—and we’re looking forward to scaling this to even more cities soon.”

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This tie-up not only streamlines the process of getting a mobile connection but sets a new benchmark for telecom distribution in India’s fast-moving digital landscape.

CleverTap Swallows rehook.ai in Strategic Acquisition to Blend Real-Time Promotions with Customer Engagement for Over 2,000 Brands

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April 16, 2025

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Image of clevertap — CleverTap Swallows rehook.ai in Strategic Acquisition to Blend Real-Time Promotions with Customer Engagement for Over 2,000 Brands

CleverTap has snapped up rehook.ai, a startup fresh out of Y Combinator, in a move that expands its capabilities in the promotions and rewards space. rehook.ai brings to the table a flexible platform for automating discounts, coupons, loyalty rewards, gamification, and referral campaigns—essentially giving businesses more control over how they incentivize users.

With this acquisition, CleverTap is aiming to round out its offering by tightly weaving together analytics, engagement, and promotional tools into one seamless system. It’s a step towards helping brands not just understand their users, but also respond to them more effectively, in real time.

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CleverTap, known for helping brands engage users at every step of the customer journey, says this new addition will enable companies to design smarter promotional campaigns that are both timely and personalized. That means better targeting, higher conversions, and a stronger connection between brands and their users.

The company already supports over 2,000 brands—think names like Domino’s, Decathlon, Emirates NBD, Jio, Puma, Swiggy, and AirAsia—helping them craft more meaningful interactions with their customers. Behind the scenes, its engine runs on TesseractDB, a database built specifically to handle the scale and speed of customer engagement.

CleverTap is headquartered in San Francisco but has a wide global footprint, with teams in cities including London, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, and Jakarta.

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A Word from the Team

Anand Jain, CleverTap’s Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, shared his enthusiasm about the deal: “Bringing rehook.ai into our ecosystem opens up a new world of possibilities. It sharpens our ability to deliver retention strategies with precision, whether you’re in gaming, retail, or financial services. It’s about helping brands do more, faster, and with better results.”

By plugging rehook.ai’s real-time promotional intelligence into CleverTap’s broader platform, the company hopes to give brands the tools they need to meet users where they are—with the right message, at just the right moment.

Ram Charan Joins Campa as Brand Ambassador; New Campaign to Debut During IPL

A&M

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April 15, 2025

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Image of champa — Ram Charan Joins Campa as Brand Ambassador; New Campaign to Debut During IPL

Reliance-owned Campa has signed Ram Charan as its new brand ambassador, adding star power to the iconic beverage’s ongoing revival story. The announcement was made on Friday, just in time for the IPL season.

The actor will headline Campa’s latest campaign, titled ‘Campa Wali Zidd’, which is set to go live across TV, digital, and mobile platforms during the high-visibility cricket season. The campaign aims to strike a chord with viewers by celebrating grit, ambition, and the refusal to back down.

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In a statement, the brand said the campaign will carry a message of relentless drive—urging people to chase their dreams with the same stubborn passion that defines its tagline.

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Campa is now part of Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, the FMCG division of the Reliance Group, which has been working to reposition the legacy soft drink brand in India’s hyper-competitive beverage space.

Shraddha Kapoor Joins Hands with Plix to Spotlight Plant-Based Beauty and Wellness

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April 15, 2025

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Image of plix — Shraddha Kapoor Joins Hands with Plix to Spotlight Plant-Based Beauty and Wellness

Shraddha Kapoor has signed on as the new face of Plix, the plant-powered wellness brand backed by Marico, marking a high-profile addition to the D2C player’s growing push in the nutrition and personal care space.

Known for her clean beauty choices and relatable appeal, Kapoor will front two new campaigns from the brand—‘Plix Lagao Baal Badhao’, which focuses on hair health, and ‘Har Din Karo Glow Andar Se’, aimed at promoting inner wellness through nutrition.

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Founders Rishubh Satiya and Akash Zaveri say Kapoor felt like a natural fit. “She represents everything we believe in—authenticity, simplicity, and a genuine commitment to plant-based care,” they shared.

For Kapoor, this isn’t just another endorsement deal. “I’ve been drawn to Plix because the products are rooted in nature but backed by serious science,” she said. “They’re fuss-free and effective, which is exactly what I need with my schedule. Whether it’s keeping my hair strong or maintaining that glow on the go, Plix just works.”

The brand, which has quickly become one of India’s top names in plant-based wellness, is now tapping into Kapoor’s star power to widen its reach and connect with consumers who want results without compromising on clean ingredients.

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With this new collaboration, Plix is doubling down on its mission to make wellness simpler, smarter, and rooted in nature—without losing its edge.

Ananya Birla Enters Beauty Biz with LOVETC, Signs Janhvi Kapoor as Brand Face and Targets India’s Booming Cosmetics Market

Business

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April 15, 2025

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Image of lovetc — Ananya Birla Enters Beauty Biz with LOVETC, Signs Janhvi Kapoor as Brand Face and Targets India’s Booming Cosmetics Market

Ananya Birla is making her debut in the beauty space with a new colour cosmetics label called LOVETC, marking a bold step into one of India’s fastest-growing consumer categories. The launch is part of a larger plan by Birla Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd. (BCPL) to build a modern, performance-driven beauty portfolio tailored for the Indian market.

Coming just months after BCPL unveiled its edgy grooming label Contraband, LOVETC takes aim at a gap Birla believes still exists—high-performance makeup products that deliver luxury without the luxury markup. The new brand kicks off with a sleek range of lipsticks, smudge-proof eyeliners, and volumising mascaras.

“Luxury doesn’t have to be expensive,” said Ananya Birla, who chairs BCPL. “With LOVETC, we’ve focused on creating globally benchmarked products that feel premium, perform brilliantly, and are still accessible. This is about rethinking what beauty should feel like in India.”

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To drive buzz, LOVETC has roped in Janhvi Kapoor as its brand ambassador—a move aimed at connecting with Gen Z and millennial audiences across urban India.

The brand is launching first through its own D2C site (lovetc.com) and Nykaa’s platform, with plans to hit shelves in 200 stores across 20 major Indian cities over the coming months.

With India’s beauty market expected to more than double from $629 million in FY24 to over $1.3 billion by FY32, BCPL is aiming to capture up to an 8% market share in the next few years.

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“We’re in this for the long haul,” Birla added. “LOVETC isn’t just about products—it’s about building a beauty brand that mirrors the aspirations of modern India.”

1 App, 2 Devices, Wildly Different Prices: Zepto’s Smart Pricing Questioned After Ankit Sharma’s Viral Post

Growth

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April 15, 2025

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Image of zepto — 1 App, 2 Devices, Wildly Different Prices: Zepto’s Smart Pricing Questioned After Ankit Sharma’s Viral Post

Ankit Sharma from ZS Associates recently shared a thought-provoking post on LinkedIn that’s been making the rounds—and for good reason. What started as a simple grocery order on Zepto turned into a moment of quiet alarm when he noticed something unusual: the same items had drastically different prices across two devices.

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Same account. Same location. Same time. Completely different prices.

Take this example: a 200g pack of sweet corn was listed at Rs. 46 on one device and Rs. 106 on the other. Coriander leaves? Rs. 7 on one phone, Rs. 18 on the other. The difference wasn’t a few rupees—it was more than 100% in some cases.

These weren’t obscure, shady listings. They were the same products, sold by the same seller, with the same delivery time and product images. The only difference? One device was an Android, the other an iPhone.

Sharma’s post wasn’t a rant—it was a reflection. As someone who appreciates the value Zepto brings to urban convenience, he wasn’t dismissing the brand’s contributions. After all, Zepto has become a significant player in the Indian startup landscape, generating over 1.5 lakh jobs and contributing to the economy in a meaningful way.

But the post raised critical questions that hit home for any regular user of quick-commerce platforms:

Are we unknowingly paying more based on the device we use?
Is dynamic pricing stretching beyond reason?
Are customers owed greater transparency?

In the age of algorithm-driven pricing and digital shopping, it’s easy to overlook these details. But when someone points it out, you can’t help but wonder how often you’ve been on the pricier end of the spectrum—without even knowing it.

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This isn’t just about Zepto. It’s a nudge for all of us to be more curious about the apps we use every day. Shouldn’t pricing be consistent if all other factors are the same? Is convenience silently costing us more than we realize?

Sharma ended his post with a hope—for answers, for transparency, and for a constructive conversation. And perhaps, for other users to start asking the same questions.

Because maybe it’s time we all looked a little closer at the “Buy Now” button.

Fat Tiger Charts Big Growth Plan: 500 New Outlets, 200 Cities, and 1,750 Jobs on the Horizon

Retail & Ecommerce

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April 15, 2025

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Image of fat tiger — Fat Tiger Charts Big Growth Plan: 500 New Outlets, 200 Cities, and 1,750 Jobs on the Horizon

Quick-service restaurant chain Fat Tiger is about to super-size its footprint. The homegrown brand, known for its fusion of Pan Asian flavours and comfort food staples like momos and burgers, has mapped out a bold three-year expansion plan that will take it from 80 cities to 200 across India.

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The founders, Sahaj Chopra and Sahil Arya, have set an ambitious target: launch 500 new outlets through a combination of company-owned and franchise-led formats. These new stores will each cover between 300 to 500 sq. ft., adding over 1.5 lakh sq. ft. of retail space across the country.

This expansion isn’t just about more kitchens and more cities—it also comes with a promise of scale. Fat Tiger expects to generate 1,750 new jobs as it rolls out the new locations, covering roles across operations, kitchen staff, and management.

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“We’re not just opening stores—we’re building access, creating livelihoods, and bringing our signature flavours closer to communities everywhere,” said Chopra and Arya.

Started in 2019, Fat Tiger has carved out a niche in India’s QSR market by blending Asian culinary influences with fast-food convenience. Its menu ranges from classic steamed momos to fusion burgers and refreshing beverages, tailored to suit both street food lovers and mall-goers alike.

With the food delivery boom showing no signs of slowing down and consumer demand for affordable, flavour-packed meals on the rise, Fat Tiger is betting big on physical expansion as the next chapter of its growth story.

John Abraham-Backed NOTO Raises Rs 21 Cr to Scoop Bigger Share of India’s Rs 5.6 Lakh Cr Food Market

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April 15, 2025

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Image of noto icecream — John Abraham-Backed NOTO Raises Rs 21 Cr to Scoop Bigger Share of India’s Rs 5.6 Lakh Cr Food Market

Mumbai-based NOTO, the dessert startup making indulgence less sinful, has just scooped up Rs 21 crore in a pre-Series A round led by Equentis Angel Fund. The round also pulled in participation from Inflection Point Ventures, JITO, Signal Ventures, and a host of other angel backers—just months after NOTO raised Rs 15 crore in February this year.

The company plans to channel the fresh capital into scaling its production capabilities, expanding retail reach, and launching its own exclusive offline stores. NOTO is also looking to tie up with key players in the distribution game, especially in fast-growing urban markets and the quick commerce space.

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“The momentum from our last fundraise has continued to build,” said founders Varun and Ashni Sheth. “This funding gives us the muscle to widen our portfolio and bring healthy desserts to more people across India—without compromising on taste.”

Launched in 2019, NOTO’s lineup includes low-calorie, vegan, and no-added-sugar ice creams and desserts. The brand caters to health-conscious consumers who want guilt-free treats, and it’s carved a niche in India’s fast-evolving premium health food market.

It has also managed to attract heavyweight investors over time, including Zerodha’s Rainmatter, White Whale Partners, WEH Ventures, Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, and Bollywood actor John Abraham—himself a fitness enthusiast and investor in the wellness space.

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With India’s F&B industry expected to hit $68 billion by 2030 and grow at a 25% CAGR, and with brands like Go Zero and Hocco making waves, NOTO’s sweet ride looks far from over.

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