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Rapido Sets Ambitious Goal to Expand to 500 Cities Across India Following $200 Million Funding Round

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Rapido Sets Ambitious Goal to Expand to 500 Cities Across India Following $200 Million Funding Round

Rapido, the mobility startup backed by WestBridge, has unveiled bold plans to broaden its reach across India by launching operations in 500 cities. This marks a significant leap from its current presence in more than 120 cities. As per reports, the expansion will unfold in stages starting February, initially targeting key states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Rajasthan. 

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

The subsequent phases will see Rapido extending its services to other states including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, among others.

This move comes after the company raised $200 million in a successful funding round in September, earning it unicorn status. With a daily ride count of 3.6 million, Rapido has solidified its position as a major player in the Indian mobility landscape. The surge in its growth highlights the rising need for affordable and accessible transportation solutions, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli shared his excitement about the expansion, commenting, “Our expansion to 500 cities reflects our dedication to empowering individuals and creating a more interconnected India. With 1.3 crore Captains who have collectively earned over ₹15,000 crore, we’re not just providing rides—we’re fostering economic opportunities.” Through its platform, Rapido continues to offer essential transportation services while creating livelihood opportunities for thousands of drivers, known as Captains, who rely on the platform for their income.

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Zomato’s Blinkit Shifts Focus to Smaller Cities with New Dark Store Expansion

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Zomato’s Blinkit Shifts Focus to Smaller Cities with New Dark Store Expansion

Blinkit continues to drive a significant portion of its revenue from major cities, but Zomato is now shifting focus to smaller cities, planning to expand its quick commerce arm with more dark stores over the next year.

During a post-earnings call, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal shared that the company sees strong potential for Blinkit in smaller cities, particularly from a return on investment (RoI) perspective. As part of its ongoing expansion, Blinkit plans to open a substantial number of dark stores in these regions in the coming year.

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

“We believe that once we establish a solid presence and density in these smaller cities, we’ll be in a better position to share data about how these cities differ, if at all, from the larger ones,” Goyal remarked.

While Blinkit’s top eight cities currently account for 80% of its business, the shift to smaller markets comes with new opportunities. However, the company reported a sharp rise in its adjusted EBITDA loss for Q3 FY25, which saw a 13-fold increase to INR 103 Cr from INR 8 Cr in Q2. Compared to last year, the loss grew by 5.7%.

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

Goyal noted that the quarter had been one of the most challenging in the past ten, with a surge in marketing expenses due to heightened competition. Blinkit’s chief Albinder Dhindsa addressed these pressures in the company’s shareholder letter, explaining that increased competition has been a driving force behind customer awareness and the faster adoption of quick commerce.

Drawing parallels to the early days of food delivery, Dhindsa pointed out that intense competition leads to more spending on customer acquisition across the industry. He added that this competition ultimately benefits players who maintain strong service quality, even as margin expansion has slowed. However, Dhindsa reassured investors that this is only a temporary setback.

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Samsung Teams Up with Eka Care to Revolutionize Health Management with New App Feature

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Samsung Teams Up with Eka Care to Revolutionize Health Management with New App Feature

Samsung has teamed up with healthtech startup Eka Care to introduce a new “Health Records” feature in the Samsung Health app, designed to give users better control over their health data. This integration allows users to create and access their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) directly through the app, making it easier to manage medical records from healthcare providers across the country.

The initiative aligns with the Indian government’s Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and aims to seamlessly integrate Samsung users into the nation’s digital health ecosystem. By enabling secure access to digital health records, the feature simplifies data sharing with doctors and caregivers, giving users more autonomy over their healthcare journey.

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“Our goal is to improve the everyday lives of our users by providing innovative, user-friendly solutions,” said Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director of Samsung Research Institute, Noida. “With the Health Records feature, we’re empowering users to securely manage their health history, track their progress, and share information whenever needed, all from their smartphones.”

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

This feature is the result of a collaborative effort between Samsung’s R&D, UX Design, and Consumer Experience teams, working closely with Eka Care to bring this vision to life. By integrating technology and healthcare, Samsung is setting a new standard for convenience and accessibility in personal health management.

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Vicky Kaushal & Havells’ urge men to take charge of their looks in the new campaign

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Vicky Kaushal & Havells’ urge men to take charge of their looks in the new campaign

Havells India Limited, one of the leading players in the Fast Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) sector and consumer durables, has launched two campaigns that feature Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal for the grooming range. The campaigns which convey the message of #TakeChargeofYourLook, throw a light on the unique grooming solutions of Havells for men. 

The Havells’ Super Grooming Kit and Trimmer range have been designed to meet the daily grooming needs of modern men. The grooming products offered by the brand can be customized and turn the process of styling simplistic and hassle-free.

Continue exploring : Havells India Q1 net profit soars 42% to INR 407.51 Cr

The campaigns, conceptualized by 82.5 Communications, reflect Havells’ commitment to providing advanced grooming solutions that enable consumers to take control and be in charge of their styling and looks with confidence. They further highlight the significance of grooming as a means of individuality and self-expression, offering empowerment to everybody to embrace their personal journeys.

The campaign will be amplified across digital and BTL channels.

The first ad film tells the light-hearted story of an everyday moment which showcases the effortless precision and glide of the Havells’ Super Grooming Kit. The quirky exchange between Vicky and his neighbor brings to light the fact that the users are equipped with the product and get great results by using it without making much effort.

The second ad film takes an empowered approach. Vicky helps his friends navigate the professional and personal opportunities in their lives. With his advice, they discover that being in charge of their looks and appearance is an important step towards unlocking their fullest potential and building confidence in their abilities.

Watch the ad films here: 

Speaking on the concept behind the campaign, Deepak Bansal, SBU Head, Electric Consumer Durables, Havells India said: “The young consumers nowadays set the trends treating grooming as an extension of their personalities. They are ready to embrace ingenious products aligning with their lifestyles. With our state-of-the-art grooming range, Havells is catering to this growing segment, offering grooming tools that are stylish, efficient, and easy to use. The ‘Take Charge of Your Look’ campaign spearheaded by Vicky Kaushal, is resonating with this target group on a deeper level, offering them inspiration to adopt and embrace a self-assured and confident approach towards grooming right from the start.”

Continue exploring : Havells India joins forces with Jumbo Group to launch kitchen appliances in UAE

Sharing her thoughts about the campaign, Chandana Agarwal, President, 82.5 North & East said: “Personal grooming is an inherent part of self-expression and our campaign with Havells intends to motivate the individuals to own their looks with confidence and pride. With Vicky Kaushal being the face of this campaign, we were willing to bring to life this thought process that grooming is not only about looking good, it is also about being empowered to make a mark in every area of our lives.”

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Rapido Gears Up for Pan-India Expansion After 46% Revenue Surge in FY24

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Rapido Gears Up for Pan-India Expansion After 46% Revenue Surge in FY24

Rapido, the Bengaluru-based ride-hailing company and a key competitor to Ola and Uber, has unveiled plans to expand its services to 500 cities across India, up from its current presence in over 120 cities.

The expansion will begin in February, targeting major states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Rajasthan in its first phase. Subsequent phases will cover additional regions, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

This announcement follows Rapido’s milestone of achieving unicorn status in September last year, when the company raised $200 million in funding at a valuation of $1 billion.

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

Founded in 2015, Rapido started as a two-wheeler ride-hailing platform and later diversified into three-wheeler and cab services. Today, it manages an impressive 3.6 million rides daily.

Speaking at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli highlighted the company’s mission to connect riders and drivers across India, while creating substantial earning opportunities for its driver partners, known as “Captains.” To date, more than 1.3 crore Captains have collectively earned over ₹15,000 crore on the platform.

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

Rapido’s growth is also evident in its financials. In FY24, operating revenue surged by 46%, reaching ₹648 crore, driven by increased customer bookings and new business expansions. The company also made strides in reducing its net loss, narrowing it to ₹371 crore from ₹674 crore in the previous fiscal year, thanks to improved cost management and a stronger revenue base.

With its upcoming expansion, Rapido aims to cement its position as a leading mobility platform, catering to a wider audience across the country.

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Paytm Sets Sights Abroad with ₹60 Crore Investment in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore

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Paytm Sets Sights Abroad with ₹60 Crore Investment in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore

Paytm, one of India’s leading fintech companies, is set to expand beyond its home market by establishing subsidiaries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.

The move, approved by Paytm Cloud Technologies Limited (PCTL), a fully owned subsidiary of One 97 Communications Ltd., aims to bring Paytm’s merchant payments and financial services expertise to international markets with high demand for digital finance solutions.

Expansion Plans and Investment Details

Paytm plans to invest up to ₹20 crore in each of the new subsidiaries, which will be wholly owned by PCTL. The company anticipates completing the incorporation process within six months.

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

These entities will focus on payments and financial services, aligning with Paytm’s core strengths in India. The company confirmed that no additional government or regulatory clearances are needed, ensuring a smooth path to global expansion.

Eyeing Global Opportunities

Paytm is positioning itself to tap into the growing global appetite for digital payment systems. The company intends to pursue various strategies, including organic growth, partnerships, licensing, and strategic investments, to establish its presence overseas.

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

This isn’t Paytm’s first foray into international markets—it previously ventured into Canada and Japan, gaining valuable insights despite later scaling back those operations. With the new subsidiaries, the company is set to build on its experience and expand its global footprint.

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Burma Burma Targets 50% Revenue Growth with ₹25.46 Crore Funding

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Burma Burma Targets 50% Revenue Growth with ₹25.46 Crore Funding

Burma Burma, a nationwide Burmese dining chain operated by Hunger Pangs Pvt Ltd, has secured ₹25.46 crore (around $3 million) in its latest funding round.

The investment was spearheaded by Negen Capital, which increased its stake from an earlier round. NV Alpha Fund Management and a group of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) also participated in this funding.

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

The newly infused capital will fuel the brand’s ambitious growth plans, which include doubling its outlets over the next 15 months and reaching 24 locations by the end of FY26. Currently, Burma Burma operates 12 restaurants across cities such as Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

“Our goal is to hit ₹300 crore in revenue within the next two years while maintaining an EBITDA margin of over 18%. This funding brings us closer to being IPO-ready by 2027,” said Chirag Chhajer, Co-founder of Burma Burma.

The restaurant chain reported impressive financials, earning ₹10.5 crore in revenue for December 2024 with an annualized revenue run rate (ARR) exceeding ₹125 crore. Operating profits for the month reached 28% at the outlet level, alongside a 19% EBITDA margin.

For FY24, Burma Burma posted ₹74 crore in revenue and expects a 50% jump in FY25, projecting earnings of ₹111 crore.

Co-founder Ankit Gupta added, “We’re not just growing; we’re reimagining how Indian diners experience Burmese cuisine. While our roots are firmly planted in Burmese flavors, we’re also exploring exciting new culinary ventures.”

The funding round was managed by investment bankers Sarthak Ahuja and Aditi Randev of Niamh Ventures, alongside BV Raman from Negen Wealth.

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Zomato’s Q3 FY25 Net Profit Plunges 66% Despite 13% Revenue Expansion

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Zomato’s Q3 FY25 Net Profit Plunges 66% Despite 13% Revenue Expansion

Zomato Ltd reported a net profit of ₹59 crore for Q3 FY25, marking a significant decline of 66.5% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) from ₹176 crore in Q2 FY25. On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the profit fell by 57.25% from ₹138 crore recorded in the same quarter last year. Despite the decline in profit, the company’s revenue from operations showed strong growth, rising by 64.39% YoY to ₹5,405 crore compared to ₹3,288 crore in Q3 FY24. However, revenue was up by only 13% QoQ from ₹4,799 crore in the previous quarter of FY25.

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

The company’s EBITDA for the quarter stood at ₹162 crore, a significant 217.65% increase compared to ₹51 crore in the same quarter last year. However, on a sequential basis, EBITDA dropped by 28.3% from ₹226 crore in Q2 FY25. Margins also took a hit, declining by 171 basis points (bps) to 3% in Q3 FY25, compared to 4.7% in the previous quarter.

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

Following the earnings announcement, Zomato’s share price experienced a sharp decline of 7%, trading at ₹231 on the NSE after initially showing strength earlier in the day. The results reflect rising expenditures outpacing income growth, putting pressure on the company’s profitability.

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Innisfree’s Exciting New Collaboration with Blinkit: Instant Delivery of Sustainable Skincare to Your Doorstep

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Innisfree’s Exciting New Collaboration with Blinkit: Instant Delivery of Sustainable Skincare to Your Doorstep

In a bid to make skincare shopping even more convenient, South Korean skincare giant Innisfree has joined forces with Blinkit, India’s leading Quick Commerce platform, to offer rapid delivery of its beloved beauty products. Known for its eco-friendly, nature-inspired formulations from the island of Jeju, Innisfree has established itself as a go-to brand for skincare aficionados across the globe. Its range, from nourishing serums to purifying clay masks, has earned a loyal following among those who seek effective, sustainable beauty solutions.

This partnership with Blinkit marks a significant step in Innisfree’s strategy to adapt to the fast-paced needs of modern consumers. The collaboration ensures that Innisfree’s top-rated skincare products are available for immediate delivery, making it easier than ever for customers to access their favorite beauty items, whether it’s for an impromptu skincare session or a quick restock. With platforms like Blinkit transforming the way people shop, the union of Innisfree’s trusted products with Blinkit’s speed highlights a growing trend toward convenience in the shopping experience.

Continue Exploring: NONSTOP launches first flagship store in Mumbai, offering mobility and wellness solutions

Paul Lee, Managing Director & Country Head of Amorepacific India, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to bring Innisfree’s products to Blinkit, India’s most popular instant delivery platform. The immense love and support from our Indian customers have encouraged us to expand our presence across multiple platforms. With the growing demand for quick and seamless shopping, we are excited to offer eco-friendly skincare to customers at their doorstep in no time.”

Continue Exploring: The End of a Retail Era: Neville Noronha Checks Out, Anshul Asawa Checks In

Whether it’s for a sudden skincare indulgence or a much-needed refill, Innisfree’s fans in India can now get their hands on the brand’s high-quality products in an instant. This collaboration exemplifies Innisfree’s dedication to delivering both convenience and luxury, enriching the skincare experience for customers who crave both speed and sustainability.

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What’s the Secret to Virat Kohli’s Latest Food Obsession? Here’s the Inside Scoop

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What’s the Secret to Virat Kohli’s Latest Food Obsession? Here’s the Inside Scoop

When it comes to food, Virat Kohli is known for his discipline, especially in the realm of health and fitness. But recently, the cricket star has shared a surprising snack obsession with his millions of followers, and it’s not your typical health food. So, what exactly is the secret to Virat Kohli’s latest snack choice? The answer lies in Blue Tribe Foods – a game-changing plant-based brand that’s making waves in the culinary world.

Kohli took to Instagram to share his love for Blue Tribe Foods, and his endorsement could not be clearer: “Blue Tribe Foods nuggets are always a yes.” The star athlete, who’s known for his meticulous attention to his diet, is now reaching for these plant-based nuggets as his go-to snack. But why are these nuggets causing such a stir, and why is Kohli so passionate about them? Let’s break it down.

The Virushka Connection: A Couple’s Snack Date

It isn’t just Kohli enjoying Blue Tribe Foods. In a heartwarming post, the brand shared an endearing moment of India’s beloved couple – Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma – sharing Blue Tribe’s Chicken Seekh Kebabs. Watching the two enjoy these guilt-free, tasty treats while sharing sweet moments captured the hearts of their fans.

In a world where health-conscious eating can sometimes feel like a chore, Blue Tribe’s plant-based options are changing the game. They offer a flavorful way to indulge without the guilt. The Chicken Seekh Kebabs, just like the plant-based nuggets, are a delicious, wholesome alternative that allows you to indulge while staying on track with your nutrition.

A Snack That’s ‘Always a Yes’

When Virat Kohli gives his seal of approval, you know it’s something worth trying. In his words, “Approved by the King, what are you waiting for?” It’s not just about the taste; Kohli is also advocating for a movement towards healthier, more sustainable food choices. Blue Tribe Foods is a pioneer in plant-based innovation, making it easier for consumers to enjoy tasty, healthy snacks without compromising on flavor or quality.

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