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Breaking Taboos: Akash Valia’s ‘Tease’ Joins the Sexual Wellness Revolution in India’s Fast-Growing ₹2,500 Cr Market

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Breaking Taboos: Akash Valia’s ‘Tease’ Joins the Sexual Wellness Revolution in India’s Fast-Growing ₹2,500 Cr Market

On LinkedIn, Akash Valia, Co-founder of Secret Alchemist, made an exciting announcement that signals a shift in India’s conversation around intimacy and wellness. He introduced Tease, an aromatherapy-based aphrodisiac designed to enhance emotional and physical well-being. In his post, Valia emphasized that sexual wellness is no longer a taboo—it’s a conversation, and Secret Alchemist is proud to be a part of the movement alongside brands like My Muse and Bold Care, who are already breaking barriers in this space.

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The Changing Landscape of Sexual Wellness in India

For decades, sexual wellness in India has been a subject shrouded in stigma and silence. However, the narrative is evolving, with new-age brands bringing the conversation into the mainstream. The global sexual wellness market, valued at over $30 billion, is expanding rapidly, and India is beginning to embrace this change. With increasing awareness about holistic health, people are recognizing that intimacy and emotional connection are essential components of overall well-being.

Introducing ‘Tease’ – A Sensory Approach to Intimacy

Secret Alchemist, known for its commitment to holistic and natural wellness solutions, has developed Tease, a carefully crafted aphrodisiac that harnesses the power of aromatherapy. Infused with the finest essential oils, Tease is designed to help individuals foster deeper connections with themselves and their partners. By stimulating the senses, it enhances relaxation, reduces stress, and creates an inviting atmosphere for intimacy.

The Power of Aromatherapy in Enhancing Intimacy

Aromatherapy has long been used to influence mood, relaxation, and emotional connection. Essential oils like ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and jasmine are known for their aphrodisiac properties, helping to alleviate stress and create an environment of warmth and sensuality. Tease is formulated with this in mind, offering a natural and non-invasive way to support sexual wellness without synthetic chemicals or artificial enhancers.

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A Step Towards Holistic Well-being

Sexual health is often overlooked in discussions about overall wellness, but it plays a crucial role in mental, emotional, and physical balance. Secret Alchemist’s mission is to normalize conversations around intimacy and provide natural solutions that help individuals embrace their desires without guilt or hesitation. Tease is not just a product; it is a statement of empowerment, encouraging people to reclaim their right to a fulfilling and healthy intimate life.

The Future of Sexual Wellness in India

With brands like My Muse, Bold Care, and now Secret Alchemist leading the charge, India’s sexual wellness industry is poised for exponential growth. As conversations around intimacy become more open, more consumers will seek natural, effective, and holistic ways to enhance their experiences. Tease represents more than just a product launch—it marks a cultural shift, where sexual wellness is celebrated, not suppressed.

As Akash Valia rightly puts it, “It’s time to talk about intimacy.” With Tease, Secret Alchemist is ensuring that this conversation is not just heard, but truly felt.

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Bold Care Secures $5M from Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter, CaratLane’s Mithun Sacheti & Others—Eyes Expansion in India’s $1B Sexual Wellness Market

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Bold Care Secures $5M from Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter, CaratLane’s Mithun Sacheti & Others—Eyes Expansion in India’s $1B Sexual Wellness Market

Bold Care, a men’s sexual health and wellness brand, has raised $5 million in a funding round co-led by Rainmatter (backed by Nithin Kamath), CaratLane co-founder Mithun Sacheti, Siddhartha Sacheti, the Dhanani family, AVT Group, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund, and NB Ventures.

The funds will be used to enhance R&D, expand the brand’s digital presence, and develop sexual health solutions for both men and women.

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Founded in 2020 by Rajat Jadhav, Rahul Krishnan, Harsh Singh, Mohit Yadav, and actor Ranveer Singh, Bold Care provides solutions for premature ejaculation (PE), erectile dysfunction (ED), and other sexual wellness products like condoms and lubricants. The brand claims to have processed over 3 million orders.

Recently, Bold Care launched Bloom, expanding into women’s wellness with products for sexual health, personal hygiene, menopause, menstrual care, and pregnancy.

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The Mumbai-based startup sells through its website, e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and Meesho, as well as quick commerce platforms.

In FY24, Bold Care’s revenue grew by 6.67% to ₹32.9 crore, but its losses also rose by 21.46% to ₹19.3 crore.

The brand competes with other D2C sexual wellness brands such as Man Matters, Kindly, Sukham, Kapiva, and Sassiest.

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Ranbir Kapoor’s ₹100 Crore Sneaker Dream Comes to Life: ARKS Debuts with the ‘Perfect White Sneaker’

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Ranbir Kapoor’s ₹100 Crore Sneaker Dream Comes to Life: ARKS Debuts with the ‘Perfect White Sneaker’

Ranbir Kapoor is stepping into the business world with something close to his heart—sneakers. The Bollywood star, known for his effortless style, has officially launched his own sneaker brand, ARKS. Blending his love for fashion and footwear, he’s turning a longtime passion into reality, and fans are eager to see what he’s bringing to the table.

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ARKS Kicks Off with ‘The Perfect White Sneaker’

After months of anticipation, Ranbir has finally revealed the first sneaker from the ARKS lineup—the ultimate white sneaker. To mark the occasion, ARKS dropped a sleek, cinematic teaser on Instagram, featuring Ranbir in his element. In the video, he reminisces about his very first pair of sneakers and how this brand has been a decade-long dream in the making. He’s joined by his childhood best friend, Rohit, who helps him unbox the first-ever ARKS sneaker. Rohit, visibly impressed, admires the craftsmanship and calls it nothing short of “perfect.”

Ranbir’s excitement for ARKS shines through as he says, “This brand is an extension of me—every design, every detail reflects my style and journey.” His words make it clear that this isn’t just another celebrity-backed label; it’s something personal.

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Alia Bhatt’s Sweet Shoutout

Ranbir’s wife, Alia Bhatt, was among the first to celebrate his big launch. Showing her full support, she hyped up the release in the comments with fire emojis and even shared the unboxing video on her Instagram story. She wrote, “One dream, 10 years in the making! A self-funded, homegrown brand comes to life. Break a leg, baby.”

With ARKS finally here, sneaker lovers and Ranbir’s fans alike are excited to see what’s next.

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Apple’s iPhone Exports from India Cross ₹1 Lakh Crore in Record-Breaking Year

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Apple’s iPhone Exports from India Cross ₹1 Lakh Crore in Record-Breaking Year

Apple has smashed records with its iPhone exports from India, crossing ₹1 lakh crore ($12.8 billion) in just the first 10 months of FY25, according to a report by Business Standard on February 10. This is the first time ever that the tech giant’s exports have surpassed this milestone within a financial year.

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31% Surge in Exports Compared to Last Year

Between April 2024 and January 2025, Apple’s iPhone exports saw a 31% jump from ₹76,000 crore in the same period last year. In January alone, the company recorded a massive ₹19,000 crore in exports, driven by its three key suppliers—Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics. Notably, Tata recently acquired Pegatron, further strengthening its role in Apple’s supply chain.

Apple’s Dominance in the Premium Smartphone Market

According to IDC estimates, Apple shipped over 12 million iPhones from India in 2024, marking a significant 34-35% increase from 9 million units in 2023. While export growth may slow slightly in 2025, analysts predict that Apple will continue to see double-digit growth, reinforcing its dominance in the premium smartphone market.

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Apple’s rapid expansion in India aligns with its broader strategy to reduce dependence on China and scale up manufacturing in the country. With government incentives and an expanding local supply chain, India is set to play an even bigger role in Apple’s global production strategy.

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Venturi Partners Bets Big on Budget Footwear: Invests $25M in JQR to Tap Into India’s $12B Sneaker Market

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Venturi Partners Bets Big on Budget Footwear: Invests $25M in JQR to Tap Into India’s $12B Sneaker Market

Venturi Partners has made a $25 million investment in JQR (Just Quick Run), a fast-growing brand in India’s affordable footwear market. This marks JQR’s first-ever venture capital funding, with Venturi acquiring an undisclosed minority stake in the company.

JQR’s Growth Plans with Fresh Capital

With this funding, JQR plans to expand its offline retail footprint, enter new markets, and launch its online sales channel. The investment will also help the brand enhance its product range, catering to India’s growing demand for budget-friendly yet high-quality sneakers.

“Our focus has always been on delivering great footwear at accessible prices. With Venturi’s backing, we’re confident that JQR will become a category leader, offering strong value to both consumers and stakeholders,” said Rinku Garg, Sunil Garg, and Manish Garg, the founding brothers of JQR.

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Why Venturi Backed JQR

Founded in 2014, JQR operates in India’s $12 billion value and mid-range footwear segment. With in-house manufacturing, design capabilities, and a vast offline distribution network, the company has built a reputation for quality footwear at competitive prices.

Venturi sees massive potential in this space. “The Indian footwear industry is benefiting from favorable policies, yet there remains a major gap in the affordable segment,” said Rishika Chandan, Managing Director at Venturi Partners. “Our goal is to identify and scale brands that meet this demand, and JQR is a perfect fit for our investment strategy.”

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Venturi’s Expanding Investment Portfolio

Venturi Partners has previously invested in brands like Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, DALI, and K-12 Techno. With JQR now in its portfolio, the firm is further strengthening its presence in India’s fast-growing consumer market.

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Nykaa Q3 2025 Earnings: Profit Surges 61% as Revenue Hits ₹2,267 Crore, Fashion Vertical Gains Momentum

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Nykaa Q3 2025 Earnings: Profit Surges 61% as Revenue Hits ₹2,267 Crore, Fashion Vertical Gains Momentum

FSN E-Commerce Ventures, the parent company of Nykaa, reported a 61% jump in net profit for Q3 FY2025, reaching ₹26 crore, compared to the same quarter last year. Revenue from operations also saw a healthy 26.7% year-on-year (YoY) growth, climbing to ₹2,267.21 crore from ₹1,788.80 crore.

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Since the Q3 results were announced after market hours on Monday, all eyes are now on Nykaa’s stock performance when trading resumes tomorrow. The stock had closed over 2% lower ahead of the earnings release.

Nykaaland 2024: Record Footfall & Global Beauty Brands Take Center Stage

The second edition of Nykaaland, India’s largest beauty and lifestyle festival, turned out to be a massive success, drawing over 25,000 attendees—a 1.7x jump from the previous year. The event featured exclusive masterclasses by global beauty icons Sofia Tilbury and Patrick Ta, while over 80 top beauty brands, including Charlotte Tilbury, Maybelline, and CeraVe, showcased their latest products.

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Major brand launches from Clinique, Sol de Janeiro, and GHD reinforced Nykaaland’s reputation as a premier industry event. On the fashion front, the festival also saw the Indian debut of Foot Locker, along with new footwear collections from PUMA and apparel from brands like Revolve, Nykd by Nykaa, and Cover Story.

Nykaa Fashion Shows Resilience Amid Market Slowdown

Despite a challenging demand environment, Nykaa Fashion posted 21% YoY revenue growth, while its Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) rose 8% YoY. The segment also improved profitability, with gross margins jumping from 43.9% to 51.3%, thanks to higher content-driven income from LBB and better monetization of services.

Cost-cutting measures in fulfillment expenses further strengthened the bottom line, leading to an improvement in EBITDA margins, which now stand at -5.4%, up from -7.3% a year ago. The company attributed this positive shift to increased efficiencies and high-impact marketing campaigns such as Nykaaland and Nykaa Wali Shaadi, both of which significantly boosted engagement and revenue.

As Nykaa continues to expand its influence across beauty, fashion, and content-driven commerce, investors and industry watchers will be keen to see how it builds on this momentum in the coming quarters.

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India’s First All-White Fashion Brand? How Kingdom of White Plans to Open 30 Stores and Achieve 10X Stock Turnover

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India’s First All-White Fashion Brand? How Kingdom of White Plans to Open 30 Stores and Achieve 10X Stock Turnover

Launched in 2023 by Vineet Haralalka, Kingdom of White is a premium direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion label dedicated entirely to the color white. Backed by Think9 Consumer, the brand has quickly built a strong presence in the Indian fashion landscape, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of shirts, jeans, kurtas, and accessories—all in white.

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The brand’s philosophy revolves around the idea that white embodies simplicity, elegance, and limitless possibilities. With a focus on creating timeless wardrobe essentials, Kingdom of White caters to men, women, and children, making it a one-of-a-kind concept in the Indian apparel industry.

By FY 2024-25, the brand aims to achieve an annual stock turnover of 8 to 10 times, ensuring that inventory moves quickly and efficiently. To meet increasing demand, it is scaling up both online and offline operations, with plans to launch at least 30 exclusive brand stores across India. Additionally, in-house manufacturing is being prioritized to maintain strict quality control and speed up delivery times.

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“Kingdom of White isn’t just about fashion—it’s a movement. We are crafting a distinct identity that blends tradition with contemporary style, offering a wardrobe that appeals to the modern, fashion-forward consumer,” says Vineet Haralalka.

With a strong vision and aggressive growth strategy, Kingdom of White is positioning itself as the go-to brand for those who appreciate the timeless charm of an all-white aesthetic.

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Amazon India’s Big Maha Kumbh Move: Sets Up ‘Suvidha Kiosk’ for Pilgrims, Offers Pickups, Returns & Essentials

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Amazon India’s Big Maha Kumbh Move: Sets Up ‘Suvidha Kiosk’ for Pilgrims, Offers Pickups, Returns & Essentials

Amazon India Sets Up ‘Suvidha Kiosk’ at Maha Kumbh to Assist Pilgrims with Orders & Essentials

Amazon India has introduced a Suvidha Kiosk at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, offering pilgrims a convenient way to pick up and return their online orders while attending the grand religious gathering.

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The kiosk is strategically placed inside the fairgrounds at Kumbh Kutir, Sector 24, Arail, ensuring easy access for devotees arriving from all over the country. Beyond just handling orders, the kiosk doubles as a resting zone, providing essentials like seating, drinking water, mobile charging stations, and first aid kits for those in need.

Shop & Collect at Maha Kumbh

Recognizing the needs of lakhs of attendees, Amazon’s Suvidha Kiosk allows people to order items ranging from mobile chargers, clothes, shoes, and blankets to pooja essentials—all of which can be picked up directly from the kiosk or delivered within a 3-kilometre radius.

The kiosk will remain operational daily from 7 AM to 10 PM until February 26, ensuring visitors can shop for necessities without leaving the Mela grounds.

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Amazon’s Initiative for Pilgrims in Need

In addition to the kiosk, Amazon has partnered with Maha Kumbh authorities to provide beds made from recycled Amazon boxes for pilgrims. A significant portion of these beds has been allocated to the Lost and Found Center, offering comfort to those separated from their families, while others are available to the general public.

By integrating e-commerce into one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, Amazon India is making it easier for devotees to access everyday essentials while ensuring their journey remains smooth and comfortable.

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Shark Tank India Decoded: What the Data Reveals About Winning Pitches

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Shark Tank India Decoded: What the Data Reveals About Winning Pitches

Every season, crores of rupees are invested in startups on Shark Tank India, but what truly determines which founders secure funding and which ones walk away empty-handed? In a LinkedIn post, Ishaan Nair analyzed data from over 500+ pitches, using his newly acquired R programming skills to identify trends in startup valuations, negotiation tactics, and industry success rates. His findings offer valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs preparing to pitch their businesses.

Startup Valuations Are Skyrocketing

Over the past seasons, startup valuations on Shark Tank India have increased at an annual growth rate of 59.8%. The average valuation figures reflect this upward trend:

• Season 1: ₹8.6 crore

• Season 2: ₹24.3 crore

• Season 3: ₹32.4 crore

• Season 4 (so far): ₹35.1 crore

This means that investors are comparing valuations with previous deals, making it essential for founders to justify their numbers with strong financials and clear growth projections.

Sharks Drive a Hard Bargain

Founders rarely walk away with the exact deal they ask for. On average, Sharks offer 49.7% less than the original valuation requested by founders. Only 11.07% of successful pitches received their full asking price or more. This highlights the tough negotiation environment on the show. Entrepreneurs need to enter the tank well-prepared to defend their valuation or be willing to make strategic compromises to secure a deal.

Some Industries Get More Deals Than Others

Certain sectors have a significantly higher success rate than others. Pharma startups have emerged as the most funded category, with a 77.5% acceptance rate (31 out of 40 pitches securing a deal). On the other hand, the pet industry has had the lowest success rate, with only 2 out of 6 pitches (33.3%) receiving funding.

This data suggests that industry trends play a critical role in deal-making. Startups in highly favored sectors have better odds of securing investment, while those in less popular industries may need to craft an exceptionally compelling pitch to attract interest.

Sharks Don’t Always Stick to Their Industry

While many investors are known for their expertise in specific fields, their investment decisions often extend beyond their own industries. Namita Thapar, widely recognized as the “Pharma Queen,” has made several key investments in beauty brands, demonstrating that investors look beyond their own sectors when they see strong business potential. Founders should focus on crafting a compelling story and showcasing solid business fundamentals, regardless of whether their startup aligns with a Shark’s core industry.

The Big Three Industries Dominate the Tank

Over 50% of all Shark Tank India pitches fall into just three sectors:

• Food & Beverage

• Beauty & Fashion

• Technology & Software

While these industries attract significant investor interest, the competition is intense, making it crucial for founders in these categories to differentiate their startup and present a clear value proposition to stand out.

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