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Hungry? SNACC It! Swiggy’s 15-Minute Fix Is Here

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Hungry? SNACC It! Swiggy’s 15-Minute Fix Is Here

Swiggy, the food and grocery delivery powerhouse, has launched SNACC, a standalone app designed to deliver snacks, meals, and beverages within 15 minutes.

This move signals Swiggy’s entry into the ultra-fast food delivery race, a sector that’s heating up as companies compete to satisfy the growing demand for lightning-fast service. Zomato recently rolled out a similar 15-minute delivery feature on its main app, making the space even more competitive.

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Swiggy Unveils SNACC: A 15-Minute Snack Delivery App

Previously, Swiggy bundled all its services—food delivery, quick commerce, hyperlocal delivery, and dining-out reservations—under a single app. The introduction of SNACC marks a shift in strategy, with Swiggy now carving out specialized platforms to cater to distinct user needs.

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This trend of launching niche apps is gaining traction in the industry. Blinkit, another major player, recently debuted Bistro for quick meals, while Zepto introduced Zepto Cafe. Smaller brands like Swish, Magicpin, and Zing are also making aggressive moves to capture their share of this fast-growing market.

SNACC launched on January 7 in select areas of Bengaluru, Swiggy’s headquarters, and is expected to roll out in additional cities soon. The app stands out visually with its bright green backdrop and dark blue text, offering a user-friendly interface. Categories include “Indian Breakfast,” “Coffee,” “Bakes,” “Cold Beverages,” and “Eggs,” giving customers a variety of quick-bite options.

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BorderPlus: Bridging the Gap for Indian Workers to Global Opportunities

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BorderPlus: Bridging the Gap for Indian Workers to Global Opportunities

Mayank Kumar, co-founder of edtech platform upGrad, and Ayush Mathur, a former senior executive at OYO, have joined forces to create BorderPlus, a new platform designed to connect blue-collar workers in India with employment opportunities abroad.

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With their diverse backgrounds, the duo recognized the growing demand for workers in countries like Germany and Denmark, particularly in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and more, where labor shortages are becoming more pronounced.

Focusing on Healthcare to Start

Initially, BorderPlus is concentrating on the healthcare industry in Germany. The platform has already begun piloting its first batch of candidates, with plans to extend into other sectors, including hospitality, retail, construction, logistics, and trucking. The goal is to address labor shortages globally by tapping into India’s vast working-age population, provided the workers are equipped with the necessary training and language skills.

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To meet these needs, BorderPlus is offering six to nine-month training programs. The final stages of the program, which focus on language immersion, will take place offline. Their first training center has opened in Pune, followed by another in Mumbai.

Scaling Up

Looking ahead, the founders aim to set up more training centers across India. Initially, each batch will consist of 20 to 30 students, but the plan is to increase the frequency to weekly batches as demand grows.

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Wow Skin Science Looks for Buyer as Investors Seek Exit Amid D2C Beauty Shake-Up

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Wow Skin Science Looks for Buyer as Investors Seek Exit Amid D2C Beauty Shake-Up

Wow Skin Science, a popular direct-to-consumer (D2C) beauty brand, is reportedly seeking a strategic buyer as its investors look to exit. Sources familiar with the matter say the brand, which was previously valued at approximately $400 million, is now in talks with potential buyers at a significantly reduced valuation of around $250 million.

Growing Consolidation in the D2C Beauty Industry 

The discussions come amid growing consolidation in the D2C beauty industry, with at least two strategic buyers expressing interest in acquiring the company at this lower price. According to one insider, the formal process of finding a buyer, which was initiated a few months ago, has been revived in the new year, but talks are still centered on valuation.

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“There’s clarity that only a few D2C brands will survive in this competitive beauty market, and consolidation seems inevitable,” said one person familiar with the discussions. Despite the challenges in scaling profitably in such a crowded space, investors are reportedly willing to exit at a valuation that is flat to their initial investment.

Top Executive Gives Statement 

Manish Chowdhary, the founder of Wow Skin Science, denied the claims, calling them “false,” but did not offer further details. ChrysCapital, a major investor in the brand, declined to comment.

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The D2C beauty segment in India is seeing significant consolidation, as brands struggle to grow profitably amid fierce competition. Hindustan Unilever, for example, is reportedly in early talks to acquire Minimalist, another D2C brand, for around $350 million. Several other brands are also exploring similar opportunities.

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Ola Electric Faces Court Shock – No Escape from CCPA Probe!

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Shweta
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Ola Electric Faces Court Shock – No Escape from CCPA Probe!

Ola Electric has suffered a setback after the Karnataka High Court dismissed its petition to cancel a notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). This notice was part of an ongoing investigation into the company following thousands of consumer complaints.

The Court’s Decision 

The court, led by Justice R Devdas, upheld the CCPA’s request for Ola Electric to submit additional documents. The judge stated that the directions were issued by an authorized investigating officer with the intent of protecting consumer interests, and that the company was required to comply.

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Ola’s Arguments 

Ola Electric’s counsel, senior lawyer Udaya Holla, argued that submitting these documents would publicly signal an investigation, potentially damaging the company’s reputation. However, Justice Devdas disagreed, asserting that the company would not suffer harm by providing the requested information.

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The court emphasized that if necessary, the CCPA must offer a personal hearing to the petitioner, but for now, it was only asking for documents to verify the case. Ola Electric’s lawyer also argued against submitting the documents to an investigating officer, claiming that the officer lacked the authority to carry out the investigation. The court countered, explaining that under the Consumer Protection Act, the CCPA is fully empowered to direct investigations if a company appears to be in violation of consumer laws.

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Shein Faces Heat in UK Parliament Over Forced Labor Allegations

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Shein Faces Heat in UK Parliament Over Forced Labor Allegations

A Shein lawyer who appeared at a British parliamentary hearing on Tuesday sidestepped questions about whether the fast-fashion brand sells products containing cotton sourced from China, particularly Xinjiang, causing frustration among lawmakers. 

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The committee, which focuses on business and trade, grilled executives from Shein and its competitor Temu about their labor practices and sourcing methods amid growing concerns over forced labor in their supply chains.

A Major Listing on the London Stock Exchange 

This session comes as Shein, which originated in China and is now based in Singapore, plans a major £50 billion ($62 billion) listing on the London Stock Exchange in the first quarter of 2025. The companies, both gaining traction globally for offering inexpensive, mostly Chinese-made goods, face significant scrutiny over human rights violations, particularly allegations linking their supply chains to forced labor in Xinjiang, a region in western China where rights groups report systemic abuse of Uyghur Muslims and other minorities.

Trouble Mounts for Shein

Yinan Zhu, Shein’s general counsel in London, repeatedly avoided direct questions about whether cotton from Xinjiang or other parts of China is used in their products. She also declined to confirm whether Shein’s supplier code of conduct prohibits the use of Xinjiang cotton or if the company acknowledges concerns about forced labor in the region.

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“We are not here to engage in geopolitical debates,” Zhu stated. “Our operations comply with the laws of the countries where we are based, including the UK’s regulations.” She further emphasized that Shein conducts thousands of audits through independent external firms to ensure compliance, although the specifics of those audits were not clarified.

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Bengaluru’s Latest Trend? Myntra Riders Rocking 30-Minute Fashion Deliveries

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Bengaluru’s Latest Trend? Myntra Riders Rocking 30-Minute Fashion Deliveries

Myntra is shaking up the fashion scene in Bengaluru with a new campaign that puts its M-Now delivery riders in the spotlight. 

The fast-paced ad campaign shows these riders cruising through the city, showcasing the latest fashion trends as they make lightning-fast deliveries.

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Myntra’s M-Now service promises delivery in just 30 minutes

Launched in December 2024, Myntra’s M-Now service promises delivery in just 30 minutes and offers everything from trendy fashion pieces to beauty products and home decor, all from a mix of global and local brands. The campaign, which has grabbed attention across social media, had locals posting about their deliveries, with one X user joking: “Why does my Myntra delivery guy have more swag than me?”

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Currently available in Bengaluru, M-Now has a collection of 10,000 styles, with plans to scale up to 100,000 styles in the next few months. Myntra also has big expansion plans for the service, with cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune on the horizon.

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15-Minutes or Less: Zomato’s New Service Takes on Ultra-Fast Delivery Trend

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15-Minutes or Less: Zomato’s New Service Takes on Ultra-Fast Delivery Trend

Zomato has quietly entered the race for ultra-fast food delivery with a new 15-minute service, aiming to ramp up competition in the quick delivery sector. The feature, which is live on the Zomato app in select cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore, has yet to be formally announced but is already available for users.

In the app’s explore section, users will now find a “15-minute delivery” tab, showcasing dishes that can be quickly prepared and served. To ensure the fast turnaround, Zomato is restricting deliveries to restaurants within a two-kilometre radius, much like Swiggy’s Bolt service.

Zomato’s Foray into a New Segment 

Zomato’s 15-minute delivery launch signals its push into an increasingly competitive market, where quick delivery times are becoming a critical point of differentiation. This comes on the heels of Zomato’s launch of its quick commerce venture, Blinkit, which plans to introduce its own speedy service, ‘Bistro,’ featuring healthy meals and snacks delivered in minutes.

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This move follows similar launches by other companies in the sector. Swiggy’s Bolt service, which debuted in October 2024, has already accounted for 5% of the company’s total food deliveries. Meanwhile, Zepto is stepping up with its own rapid delivery focus, including a dedicated app, Zepto Cafe, and Ola Dash, which began in Bengaluru and is expanding nationwide.

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

Even industry giant Reliance is getting into the quick-commerce game through JioMart, promising deliveries in under 30 minutes. Myntra has also started testing its own 30-minute delivery option for select brands in Bengaluru. As the sector heats up, shares of Zomato were down 2.16% on the BSE, trading at Rs 247.05 as of 9:45 AM on Wednesday.

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BiUP Technologies Appoints Gunjan Nagpal as Director of Growth & Innovation for North America and Europe

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BiUP Technologies Appoints Gunjan Nagpal as Director of Growth & Innovation for North America and Europe

BiUP Technologies, an industry leader in AI-powered customer engagement solutions, has announced the appointment of Gunjan Nagpal as its new Director of Growth & Innovation for North America and Europe.

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With more than 20 years of experience across Media & Entertainment, Banking & Finance, and dynamic startups, Gunjan is poised to bring a wealth of knowledge to accelerate BiUP’s expansion in these critical global markets.

Expanding into North America and Europe

In his new role, Gunjan will spearhead BiUP’s strategy to break into North America and Europe, focusing on industries such as Automotive, Fashion, and Home & Lifestyle with AI-driven innovations. His responsibilities will include building key strategic partnerships, refining market-specific strategies, and driving significant growth through BiUP’s cutting-edge products, which utilize AI, AR, Immersive 3D Visualization, and Deep-Tech capabilities.

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Gunjan’s career track record includes notable achievements, such as driving exponential growth at media giants like Sony Pictures Network India (SPN), Zee5, and Times Television, along with managing high-net-worth portfolios at Citibank N.A. His ability to spearhead transformation and growth across industries is a testament to his expertise.

Leadership Vision

Commenting on his appointment, Gunjan expressed, “The AI and tech space is reshaping how businesses interact with their customers. I’m excited to join BiUP Technologies at such a pivotal moment and contribute to its mission of creating immersive, intuitive, and intelligent customer experiences. North America and Europe are ripe for innovation, and I’m eager to work with the team to deliver solutions that will redefine customer engagement.”

With this strategic move, BiUP Technologies is set to expand its global footprint and drive innovation in customer engagement for key industries across North America and Europe.

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MobiKwik’s Expansion Wins: Revenue Up, But Profit Elusive

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MobiKwik’s Expansion Wins: Revenue Up, But Profit Elusive

Fintech company MobiKwik has released its financial results for the quarter ending September (Q2 FY25), marking the first earnings since its public listing last year. The company saw a notable increase in revenue, rising to Rs 291 crore from Rs 203 crore in the same period last year—an impressive 43% year-on-year growth. However, the company also posted a net loss of Rs 3.5 crore, a reversal from the net profit of Rs 5 crore reported in Q2 FY24.

MobiKwik Reports Q2 FY25 Results: Strong Revenue Growth Despite Losses

As per the filings with the National Stock Exchange (NSE), MobiKwik’s total expenses for the quarter amounted to Rs 287 crore, largely due to payment gateway charges, employee benefits, and general overheads. Despite the loss, MobiKwik managed to maintain a positive EBITDA of Rs 3.5 crore during the quarter. 

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The company’s primary revenue streams remain commissions from recharges and processing, interest income from loan services, payment gateway fees, and technology platforms.

User Growth and GMV Surge

MobiKwik also reported a solid increase in its user base, growing by over 13% year-over-year to reach 167 million users, with more than 4.4 million merchants now part of its platform. Additionally, the company’s Payment Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) saw a remarkable threefold rise, reaching Rs 28,280 crore for the quarter, compared to the same period last year. The company’s take rate, which is the portion of each transaction retained by MobiKwik, remained steady at 0.7%.

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While the company continues to face challenges with its profitability, its revenue growth and expanding user base demonstrate the ongoing demand for its services in the competitive fintech space.

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Govt. Cracks Down on Tax-Evading Gaming Platforms with New Blocking Powers

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Govt. Cracks Down on Tax-Evading Gaming Platforms with New Blocking Powers

The Indian government has given the Directorate General of GST Intelligence Headquarter (DGGI-HQ) the authority to direct intermediaries to block websites of online gaming companies suspected of tax evasion. A recent gazette notification from the Ministry of Finance revealed that the Additional/Joint Director (Intelligence) has been designated as the responsible officer for executing this action.

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Under the provisions of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, specifically section 14A(3), the DGGI-HQ now has the power to block any online platform that is suspected of tax evasion, including those based outside India. The government has also invoked the Information Technology Act, specifically section 79, which holds intermediaries accountable for not taking action to remove or block such websites when ordered.

This move signals the government’s intention to crack down on foreign gaming platforms avoiding taxes by instructing intermediaries, such as search engines and social media platforms, to halt their online presence in India.

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The DGGI had earlier identified the online real money gaming industry as the largest contributor to GST evasion in FY 2023-24, with Rs. 81,875 crore in unpaid taxes across 78 cases. The government had also raised the GST on real money gaming from 18% to 28% earlier this year, removing the distinction between gaming and gambling.

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