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Primebook India Ropes In Ex-Paytm President Bhavesh Gupta as Advisor, Appoints Tathagata Ray as Content Head After Raising $2 Million Pre-Series A

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Primebook India Ropes In Ex-Paytm President Bhavesh Gupta as Advisor, Appoints Tathagata Ray as Content Head After Raising $2 Million Pre-Series A

Primebook Brings Onboard Former Paytm President Bhavesh Gupta as Advisor, Appoints Tathagata Ray to Head Creative Strategy

Primebook, the Android-powered laptop startup that shot to fame on Shark Tank India, has made two key leadership announcements as it gears up for its next phase of growth. The company has welcomed Bhavesh Gupta, ex-President and COO of Paytm, to its advisory board, and appointed Tathagata Ray as its new Head of Content.

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This comes on the heels of Primebook’s recent $2 million pre-Series A fundraise, which saw participation from Inflection Point Ventures, Auxano Capital, NexG Devices, and a group of individual investors. Earlier, the brand had raised ₹75 lakh on Shark Tank India from judges Aman Gupta and Peyush Bansal.

Bhavesh Gupta brings with him more than two decades of experience in financial services, having worked extensively in banking, digital lending, and fintech. Primebook believes his strategic insight into scaling digital ecosystems will be a powerful asset as the company expands.

“What drew me to Primebook was its bold take on tech that’s made for Bharat. They’re building something that’s not just innovative, but also relevant to how young Indians interact with technology today,” said Gupta. “The team is sharp, driven, and grounded in execution. I’m excited to help shape their growth roadmap — from operations to marketing — and ensure they make a real dent in digital inclusion.”

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

Primebook’s CEO and Co-Founder, Chitranshu Mahant, called Gupta’s addition a “big milestone” for the company. “We’re entering a pivotal stage in our journey. Having someone like Bhavesh on board — who’s built and scaled consumer-first businesses at massive scale — gives us a major boost as we chart out our next moves.”

The company also announced that Tathagata Ray has joined to lead its brand and content direction. With more than 15 years of experience in advertising and digital storytelling, Ray has worked with major names such as Air India, Meta, The Glitch, and Grapes Digital. His role at Primebook will involve driving brand strategy, creative campaigns, and building a distinctive narrative for the company’s mission.

With fresh leadership and new capital, Primebook is clearly doubling down on its vision to reshape affordable computing in India — and doing it with the kind of firepower that suggests it’s just getting started.

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Simply Nam Secures Investment from Bhaane Group to Accelerate Growth, Double Revenue, and Launch New Innovations

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Homegrown beauty label Simply Nam, founded by celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni, has secured a major investment from the Bhaane Group, marking a significant turning point in the brand’s expansion story.

The fresh round of funding will power Simply Nam’s next chapter—one that includes launching new product lines, strengthening its omnichannel presence, and doubling its Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), which currently stands at ₹2 crore. The brand has seen remarkable growth in the past year, doubling its customer base and retaining 40% of shoppers as repeat buyers.

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“This partnership isn’t just about money—it’s about finding people who believe in the same things we do,” said Hanna Strömgren Khan, Co-Founder of Simply Nam. “The Bhaane team shares our passion for purpose-led beauty. With their support, we’re ready to scale smarter, faster, and more meaningfully.”

What’s Next for Simply Nam?

Backed by this capital infusion, Simply Nam plans to:

  • Introduce a wave of new and original product lines
  • Expand its beauty education content, helping customers make informed choices
  • Strengthen its reach across both offline and online retail networks
  • Deepen its focus on Made-in-India formulations and high-performance clean beauty

Currently, Simply Nam products are sold across key digital and quick-commerce platforms like Nykaa, Amazon, Myntra, Tira Beauty, Zepto, and Blinkit. The brand is actively building a strong omnichannel presence to reach more customers across the country.

Founded in 2020 by Namrata Soni, with Swedish-Indian entrepreneur Hanna Strömgren Khan (also Co-Founder of the Bozzil Group), Simply Nam is known for designing products that are developed from scratch in India—crafted with the specific skin tones, climate, and lifestyle of Indian women in mind.

Backed by Familiar Faces

The Bhaane Group is co-founded by Anand S Ahuja, who expressed his confidence in the brand’s future:

“At Bhaane, we believe in backing founders who are building with intention and authenticity. Simply Nam is defining what clean, inclusive beauty should look like in India, and we’re proud to be part of their journey.”

Namrata Soni added:

“Having worked closely with Sonam Kapoor for over 17 years, it feels full circle to now build a beauty brand with her and Anand—not just as creative collaborators, but as people who genuinely believe in our mission.”

Industry Recognition and Momentum

Simply Nam has already turned heads in the beauty world, earning titles at the ELLE Beauty Awards 2023 and Grazia Indie Beauty Superstars 2024, along with a nomination for the Vogue Beauty & Wellness Awards 2025.

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Built by Indian women, for Indian women, Simply Nam is on a mission to raise the bar for clean beauty without compromising on performance or price—while staying proudly local, ingredient-conscious, and customer-obsessed.

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Myntra’s End of Reason Sale Returns This May with Over 4 Million Styles, Flashy New Launches, and Big Savings

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Myntra’s End of Reason Sale Returns This May with Over 4 Million Styles, Flashy New Launches, and Big Savings

Fashion, beauty and lifestyle platform Myntra is set to launch the 22nd edition of its iconic End of Reason Sale (EORS) from May 31 to June 12, 2025. This much-anticipated fashion extravaganza will offer over 4 million styles from more than 10,000 domestic and international brands, promising shoppers across the country unmatched selection, savings, and style, the company said in a release on Wednesday.

This edition will see the debut of over 300,000 new styles and exciting product drops across fashion, beauty, accessories, and home categories, catering to customers from Tier 1 cities to emerging urban centers.

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“Each edition of EORS is a testament to Myntra’s vision of redefining the way India shops. It’s more than just an event—it’s a cultural moment,” said Bharath Kumar, Head of Revenue and Growth at Myntra. “This edition will expand access to millions of styles while deepening engagement with customers and empowering emerging brands across India.”

Highlights of EORS 22:

  • Massive Style Inventory: 4M+ styles across men’s casual wear, women’s ethnic and western wear, beauty, accessories, travel, sports footwear, kids’ wear, and more.
  • Star Brands & New Launches:
    • First-time launches: GAP, OTT by Tarun Tahiliani, Royal Oak
    • Beauty: Emporio Armani, Elie Saab, K-18, and Alia Bhatt x L’Oréal Casting Crème Gloss
    • Sneakers: adidas Originals Superstar 2, adidas Spaziel, Puma Palermo, Lotto Leggenda
    • D2C under MRS Home Edit: Phool, Modish Couture, Sleep Spa
    • Wearables: Realme (Air 7 Pro, Wireless 5), Boult, Noise, Belkin, Daniel Klein
  • Gen Z-Centric FWD Section: Over 200K trend-first styles from brands like Freakins, SZN, Lulu & Sky, Glitchez, Outzider, Bonkers Corner, KPOP, and more.

Myntra’s rapid delivery service, M-Now, will enable shoppers in Bengaluru to receive their orders in as little as 30 minutes. Top brands available on M-Now include Vero Moda, MANGO, Tommy Hilfiger, MAC, YSL, Forest Essentials, and Crocs, among others.

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

Special Offers & Bank Discounts

Customers can avail additional savings with leading bank partners:

  • Flipkart Axis & Axis Bank Credit Cards & EMIs: 10% instant discount
  • ICICI Bank Credit, Debit Cards & Net Banking: 10% instant discount
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank Credit Cards & EMIs: 10% instant discount
  • Paytm UPI: Assured ₹20 cashback per transaction
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Shott Amusement Launches ₹25,000 Sq. Ft. Flagship at Mumbai’s NESCO: CEO Rishi Shah Aims to Redefine Indoor Entertainment in India

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Shott Amusement Launches ₹25,000 Sq. Ft. Flagship at Mumbai’s NESCO: CEO Rishi Shah Aims to Redefine Indoor Entertainment in India

Mumbai just got a serious upgrade in the indoor entertainment scene. Shott Amusement Ltd., known for redefining how India plays indoors, has opened the doors to its most ambitious space yet—right in the heart of NESCO.

This isn’t your average gaming zone. Spanning over 25,000 square feet and designed across two sprawling floors, the new centre is packed with immersive experiences—from next-gen Spark Tech Bowling lanes and high-energy laser tag arenas to an extensive lineup of 80+ arcade and VR games. Add to that a premium food and beverage selection and flexible event spaces, and you’ve got something for everyone—families, corporate teams, or anyone looking to host a standout event.

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“We noticed that India lacked spaces that matched the sophistication and service levels of global entertainment hubs,” said Rishi Shah, Co-Founder and CEO. “That’s why we started Shott—to bring something world-class to the table. With this flagship at NESCO, we’re raising the bar again.”

Shott isn’t new to the game. Over the past decade, they’ve built a solid footprint across Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ahmedabad. The NESCO centre is their biggest leap yet, intended to be the crown jewel of their western operations.

The brand has also become a go-to for major names like YouTube India, Netflix, Sugar Cosmetics, Asian Paints, and Yes Bank—hosting high-energy events, influencer activations, and brand campaigns that push creative boundaries.

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Shott was founded in 2015 by Rishi Shah and Smeet Shah, two entrepreneurs who believed indoor entertainment in India deserved better. Today, their company stands as a market leader, known for combining futuristic tech, stylish design, and exceptional service to create memorable experiences. With the new Mumbai launch, they’re not just expanding—they’re setting new standards.

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Instamart Drops ‘Swiggy’ Tag, Debuts New Identity as It Prepares to Outgrow Food Delivery Giant

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Instamart Drops ‘Swiggy’ Tag, Debuts New Identity as It Prepares to Outgrow Food Delivery Giant

Instamart is stepping out from Swiggy’s shadow. The quick commerce platform, once known as Swiggy Instamart, has officially dropped the parent brand from its name, signaling a clear ambition: it’s ready to stand on its own.

The name change comes at a time when quick commerce is no longer a side hustle for food tech players. It’s the main event. Just last week, Zomato gave its corporate identity a facelift, rebranding itself as Eternal on stock exchanges—underscoring how seriously both players are betting on faster-than-fast delivery models like Blinkit and Instamart.

For Swiggy, this was always on the cards. CEO Sriharsha Majety has openly said that Instamart could eventually outpace the company’s flagship food delivery arm, both in reach and scale.

Instamart isn’t disappearing from the Swiggy app just yet, but the company has made it clear that the service is now operating with a more independent flavor. A standalone Instamart app quietly went live earlier this year, laying the groundwork for the brand to break away more confidently.

Along with the new name comes a fresh look: a revamped logo that still carries the iconic ‘S-pin’ in a subtle nod to its roots, but with enough distance to signal a new chapter. According to Swiggy, the shift marks Instamart’s transition from a Swiggy sub-brand to a full-blown lifestyle utility with its own loyal base of users.

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“In the beginning, it was just groceries. Now, it’s daily convenience at your doorstep—fast, wide-ranging, and distinctly Instamart,” said Mayur Hola, Head of Brand at Swiggy. “This isn’t just a cosmetic update. It’s a statement: Instamart has evolved, and it’s carving its own lane, while still being backed by the Swiggy trust factor.”

The updated branding will soon show up everywhere—from the app interface to delivery bags, marketing creatives, and packaging. While the name may be shorter, Instamart’s ambitions just got a whole lot bigger.

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

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Slikk Secures $10M to Supercharge 60-Minute Fashion Delivery and Expand Lifestyle Offerings

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Slikk Secures $10M to Supercharge 60-Minute Fashion Delivery and Expand Lifestyle Offerings

In a bold bid to reshape how urban India shops for fashion, Bengaluru-based Slikk has raised $10 million in fresh capital. The startup—best known for promising doorstep delivery of clothes and accessories within an hour—is gearing up to broaden its product range, introduce instant returns, and push into more city pin codes across the country.

The funding, part of its Series A round, comes entirely in equity and is led by Nexus Venture Partners. Lightspeed, which had backed Slikk’s $3.2 million seed round just a few months ago in March, also joined in once again.

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Slikk was founded by a trio of seasoned entrepreneurs: Akshay Gulati (CEO), Om Prakash Swami (CTO), and Bipin Singh (CPO). With deep experience in e-commerce and logistics, the team has positioned Slikk at the intersection of speed, convenience, and trend-driven fashion.

The company currently caters to a fast-moving crowd—college students, young professionals, and city dwellers who crave quick gratification and follow fashion trends in real time. Operating in Bengaluru for now, Slikk’s key draw is its 60-minute delivery promise combined with a Try & Buy feature that lets customers try outfits before committing to a purchase.

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“We’ve seen strong traction from day one,” said Akshay Gulati. “What’s really worked for us is being able to help fashion brands reach consumers at the neighborhood level—almost instantly. This new investment gives us the firepower to scale that experience, add more lifestyle categories, and make returns as effortless as ordering.”

Slikk’s next phase will see it move beyond fashion into other lifestyle segments and expand operations across more metros, with an eye on becoming a household name in fast fashion—literally.

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Citykart Raises ₹538 Cr from TPG NewQuest and A91, Targets ₹1,300 Cr Revenue in FY26 with Tier-III Blitz

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Citykart Raises ₹538 Cr from TPG NewQuest and A91, Targets ₹1,300 Cr Revenue in FY26 with Tier-III Blitz

Citykart, the fast-growing value fashion chain that’s been quietly conquering India’s tier-II and tier-III cities, has just pulled in ₹538 crore in a new funding round. The round was co-led by TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners and includes ₹120 crore in fresh capital and ₹418 crore in secondary share sales. With this raise, insiders say the Gurgaon-based retailer’s valuation is now brushing the ₹1,400 crore mark.

The new funds will help fuel Citykart’s expansion into newer territories — including Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Assam — where it aims to recreate the retail playbook it nailed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The company currently operates 137 stores and has its sights set on adding 40 to 50 more each year.

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Founder and MD Sudhanshu Agarwal emphasized that the focus isn’t just on rapid growth. “We’re testing out new formats in peri-urban areas around Delhi and Gurugram while staying disciplined about profitability,” he said.

This round also marks a significant shift in the cap table. Bahrain-headquartered Investcorp, which came onboard after acquiring IDFC Alternatives in 2019, has fully exited, reportedly clocking a 4x return on its investment. India SME Investments has also partially cashed out, selling half of its stake. With these changes, TPG NewQuest now becomes Citykart’s largest institutional shareholder, followed by A91 Partners and India SME.

Citykart’s business momentum has been strong — its revenue has jumped 70% over the last two years and is expected to top ₹1,300 crore in FY26, up from ₹900 crore-plus in FY25. Despite this impressive growth, Citykart remains conservatively valued at 1.5x FY25 revenue — much lower than listed competitors like VMart (2x) or Vishal Mega Mart (5.4x), the latter having a broader product basket that includes groceries.

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When asked about going public, Agarwal played it cool. “An IPO is definitely in the pipeline,” he said in an interview with The Economic Times, “but it’s not something we’re chasing in the short term. For now, we’re focused on doubling our revenue and strengthening our bottom line.”

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Monte Carlo Fashions Cuts Q4 Loss to ₹10.34 Cr, Closes FY25 with 35.4% Profit Jump to ₹81.17 Cr

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Monte Carlo Fashions Cuts Q4 Loss to ₹10.34 Cr, Closes FY25 with 35.4% Profit Jump to ₹81.17 Cr

Monte Carlo Fashions Ltd managed to reduce its net loss for the January–March quarter of FY25, reporting a shortfall of ₹10.34 crore. This marks an improvement from the ₹17.76 crore loss the company posted during the same period last year, as per its latest regulatory filing.

Revenue from operations for the quarter held steady, coming in at ₹205.93 crore—just slightly below last year’s ₹206.52 crore for the same three-month stretch.

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

A noticeable cut in spending helped cushion the bottom line. The company’s total expenses for the quarter dropped 4.6%, settling at ₹228.11 crore.

Zooming out to the full financial year, Monte Carlo wrapped up FY25 on a positive note. Net profit surged by 35.4% to ₹81.17 crore, compared to ₹59.94 crore the previous year. Total consolidated income also saw a bump, rising 4.23% to ₹1,135.58 crore.

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On the markets, Monte Carlo shares closed at ₹610.80 apiece on the BSE on Monday, recording a gain of 0.93%.

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Rs 90 Lakh Worth of Goods Seized: BIS Cracks Down on FirstCry Parent Brainbees in Surprise Bengaluru Raid

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Rs 90 Lakh Worth of Goods Seized: BIS Cracks Down on FirstCry Parent Brainbees in Surprise Bengaluru Raid

On May 26, 2025, officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) conducted an unannounced inspection at a FirstCry warehouse located in Bengaluru, according to Brainbees Solutions Limited, the company behind the brand. The surprise raid resulted in the confiscation of goods valued at around Rs 90 lakh. BIS has accused the company of violating hallmarking standards under Section 14(6) of the BIS Act, 2016 — a charge that may carry serious legal consequences.

In a statement to the stock exchanges, the Pune-based company clarified that its core operations remain unaffected by the incident. FirstCry also noted that it is consulting legal experts and maintains that the products in question comply with BIS standards. The company emphasized its commitment to regulatory compliance and responsible business practices.

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This recent action by BIS reflects a broader trend: regulators are stepping up efforts to ensure products in the market meet established safety and quality standards. Notably, this isn’t the first time FirstCry has drawn scrutiny — in November 2024, it came under investigation by the GST department in Mumbai.

Coinciding with the disclosure, Brainbees also released its Q4 results for FY25. The company posted an 18% increase in revenue, reaching Rs 1,930 crore compared to the same quarter last year. However, losses also widened sharply — up 74% to Rs 75 crore.

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

Listed at an initial price of Rs 446, Brainbees shares were trading at Rs 355.95 as of 11:42 AM on May 27, pushing the company’s market cap to roughly Rs 18,557 crore, or about $2.18 billion.

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Aadit Palicha Calls Out Competing CFO for ‘Smear Campaign,’ Reveals 65% Burn Cut and 2,000 bps EBITDA Jump

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Aadit Palicha Calls Out Competing CFO for ‘Smear Campaign,’ Reveals 65% Burn Cut and 2,000 bps EBITDA Jump

Zepto co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha has publicly called out the chief financial officer of a competing quick commerce firm, accusing him of attempting to tarnish Zepto’s image through backdoor tactics and false narratives. In a strongly worded LinkedIn post, Palicha said the executive in question has been reaching out to investors with misleading information, circulating manipulated financial data, and allegedly using bots to stir negativity on social media.

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

“This individual has been cold-calling our investors with baseless accusations, leaking cooked-up spreadsheets to journalists, and trying to fuel a smear campaign online,” Palicha wrote. “Frankly, this kind of behaviour is well below the standards one would expect from a CFO at a company that wants to be taken seriously. It’s clear they’re feeling the heat as Zepto’s numbers start to tell a different story.”

Palicha didn’t just fire back — he backed it up with metrics. According to his post, Zepto’s gross order value (GOV) has seen a massive jump from ₹750 crore in May 2024 to ₹2,400 crore by May 2025. Over the past five months alone, he said the company has not only cut its cash burn by 65 percent but also improved its EBITDA margin by 2,000 basis points.

Despite this push for profitability, growth hasn’t slowed. Palicha noted that between January and May 2025, the company maintained an average monthly GOV growth of 4 to 5 percent.

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Looking ahead, he said most of Zepto’s dark stores are on track to become EBITDA-positive in the upcoming quarter. He also expects the company’s overall EBITDA and operating cash flow to hover just a few hundred basis points away from breakeven.

“Numbers speak louder than noise,” Palicha added — a clear message to critics and competitors alike.

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