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Drools Becomes India’s First Pet Food Unicorn After Nestlé Deal, Exports to 22 Countries and Dominates Amazon Cat Food Charts

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Drools Becomes India’s First Pet Food Unicorn After Nestlé Deal, Exports to 22 Countries and Dominates Amazon Cat Food Charts

In a landmark moment for India’s pet care industry, Drools Pet Food Pvt. Ltd. has earned the distinction of becoming the country’s first pet food unicorn, following a minority investment by Swiss food giant Nestlé S.A., the parent company of Nestlé India. While the financial terms haven’t been shared publicly, the deal marks a significant endorsement from one of the world’s most trusted names in nutrition.

Despite the global backing, Drools says it will continue to chart its own course — with no changes to its day-to-day operations or strategic independence.

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This fresh funding follows a $60 million investment in mid-2023 by L Catterton, the private equity firm linked to luxury group LVMH. That round, too, was for a minority stake, and was aimed at helping the brand scale further in a market that’s evolving fast.

Drools was started in 2010 by Fahim Sultan, who saw a gap in India’s pet food sector at a time when imported brands dominated the shelves. Over the past decade, the company has transformed into a homegrown powerhouse, offering over 650 product variants through 40,000 retail points across the country. Beyond Indian borders, Drools products are now shipped to 22 countries — and online, they’re already a dominant force in categories like cat food on platforms such as Amazon.

“This milestone belongs to every Indian pet parent who believed in us,” said Sultan. “We’ve built this brand on the back of science-based nutrition and a commitment to quality.”

Drools currently runs six manufacturing units and operates a warehouse footprint of 1.6 million square feet. The company employs 3,400 people, with nearly half of them focused entirely on sales — a reflection of its aggressive push into homes, stores, and hearts across India.

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With Nestlé now on board, Drools seems poised to raise the bar for pet food standards not just in India, but across its expanding global presence.

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Kaivalya Vohra’s Zepto Joins Hands with Truecaller to Cut Missed Calls and OTP Hassles for Millions

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Kaivalya Vohra’s Zepto Joins Hands with Truecaller to Cut Missed Calls and OTP Hassles for Millions

Zepto, the fast-growing Mumbai-based startup famous for getting groceries to your doorstep in under 10 minutes, has announced a new partnership with Truecaller. The goal? To make communication with customers more reliable, less confusing, and ultimately smoother for everyone involved.

The collaboration will weave Truecaller’s communication tools directly into Zepto’s systems. That means when a Zepto delivery partner calls, customers will now see exactly who’s trying to reach them — complete with the company’s name, logo, and a green verification tick. This move is expected to cut down on missed calls and build more trust in the process.

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

Zepto is currently active in over 80 cities and offers a vast selection of around 45,000 products. As the company grows, keeping its communication clean and transparent has become more important than ever. This upgrade includes features like Video Caller ID, which allows Zepto to send a short branded video before a call, and “Call Reason,” which tells users why they’re being contacted. There’s even a “Call Me Back” feature, giving customers more control over when they want to respond.

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On top of that, Zepto will now be able to run verified outreach campaigns using Truecaller’s platform — a useful tool when pushing flash sales, limited-time deals, or handling the usual festival season rush. For new users, the login process is also getting a facelift. Thanks to Truecaller’s tech, signing up for Zepto or Zepto Café will now be possible with a single tap, skipping the usual OTP maze altogether.

Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto’s co-founder, called the upgrade a key step in making every interaction more secure and efficient. “When users trust who’s calling, everything runs better — for them and for us,” he said.

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Farmley on a hiring spree; backed by a fresh round of funding, the brand is now focused on attracting top talent

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Farmley on a hiring spree; backed by a fresh round of funding, the brand is now focused on attracting top talent

Aakarsh Singh, Vice President at Farmley, has announced an exciting opportunity for experienced sales professionals as the company looks to ramp up its institutional business. In a recent post, Singh revealed that Farmley is hiring for a full-time, in-office role based in Noida, focused on driving large-scale deals with corporate clients and other institutional buyers.

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Farmley, widely recognized as India’s largest healthy snacking brand, has made significant inroads in the retail and direct-to-consumer space. Now, the company is turning its attention to institutional partnerships, a move that reflects a broader shift in how businesses approach wellness and employee engagement.

“Healthy snacking is no longer just a consumer-driven trend,” Singh wrote. “Corporates are also waking up to the importance of clean, nutritious options in the workplace. We’re looking for someone who gets that, and knows how to close with confidence.”

The post doesn’t hold back on expectations. Farmley is looking for a dynamic individual who can identify and crack big deals, build lasting relationships with key decision-makers, and represent the brand’s ethos with conviction. A love for healthy snacks doesn’t hurt either.

The company has clearly stated that this is an in-office role. “We love people IRL,” Singh added, signaling Farmley’s preference for in-person collaboration at its Noida headquarters.

This hire comes at a time when the demand for better-for-you snacks is rising not just among individual consumers, but within offices, hotels, gyms, and co-working spaces as well. By expanding its reach through institutional sales, Farmley aims to embed itself even deeper into everyday snacking occasions across the country.

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As Farmley continues to scale, this strategic push into B2B could open new frontiers, and the right candidate may find themselves in the driver’s seat of that growth story.

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Boldfit Signs Arshdeep Singh After KL Rahul’s Investment: Inside the Athlete-First Brand’s Strategy to Dominate India’s ₹5,000 Cr Fitness Market

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Boldfit Signs Arshdeep Singh After KL Rahul’s Investment: Inside the Athlete-First Brand’s Strategy to Dominate India’s ₹5,000 Cr Fitness Market

Fitness-focused brand Boldfit has added another name to its growing lineup of sports stars—Team India’s rising pace bowler Arshdeep Singh. The young cricketer now becomes a face of the brand, joining KL Rahul, who isn’t just an ambassador but also Boldfit’s first investor and a strong influence on its athlete-driven identity.

Boldfit broke the news with a tongue-in-cheek social media campaign that quickly picked up steam. The playful post featured a lighthearted chat between Rahul and Arshdeep, transitioning into a sharp reveal of Arshdeep kitted out in Boldfit apparel. The campaign struck a nerve with young Indians who blend fitness with flair, sparking buzz across platforms.

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

Speaking about his association with the brand, Arshdeep said, “I go all in—whether I’m bowling at the death or working out in the gym. Boldfit matches that mindset. Their gear is built for athletes who train hard and live harder. I’m pumped to be part of this journey.”

Founder Pallav Bihani sees this as a natural next step in the brand’s growth. “Boldfit was born to represent real athletes—not just the superstars, but anyone pushing limits. KL gave us that initial momentum. Now, with Arshdeep joining, we’re ready to take things up a notch. We’re already working on athlete-driven collections with his input, tuned to what India’s fitness community truly needs.”

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Started in 2018 in Bengaluru, Boldfit has grown into a brand known for designing training gear and equipment that speaks to performance, recovery, and the everyday grind of athletic life. Whether it’s gym warriors, weekend runners, or pro cricketers, Boldfit aims to be right there with them—boldly.

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India’s Retail Sector Grows 4% in April 2025: RAI Highlights QSR Boom and North India’s Shopping Surge

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India’s Retail Sector Grows 4% in April 2025: RAI Highlights QSR Boom and North India’s Shopping Surge

Retail sales across India saw a modest uptick in April 2025, inching up 4% compared to the same month last year, according to the latest Retail Business Survey by the Retailers Association of India (RAI).

When broken down by region, the northern and western parts of the country outpaced others, reporting 6% and 5% growth, respectively. Meanwhile, the eastern and southern regions lagged slightly behind, each managing just a 2% increase.

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“Store visits may be thinning out a bit, but those who do walk in seem more intentional with their purchases,” said Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI. “Shoppers are also showing interest in fresh product lines. Brands that bring something aspirational or unique to the table are definitely seeing stronger results.”

Looking at specific retail categories, quick service restaurants (QSRs) stood out with a healthy 11% jump. Food & grocery, along with beauty products, each posted 6% gains. Apparel wasn’t far behind with a 5% increase. Jewellery and furniture segments both saw a 4% rise, while footwear edged up by 2%. Sports goods and consumer durables had the slowest growth, each inching up just 1%.

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Despite mixed signals in foot traffic and spending patterns, the mood among retailers remains cautiously optimistic. Most are holding steady, not seeing any sharp pullbacks in consumer spending for now.

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Krafton Backs Indore-Based Shuru with Undisclosed Investment: Hyperlocal Social App Hits 10 Million Installs and 2 Million Monthly Users

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Krafton Backs Indore-Based Shuru with Undisclosed Investment: Hyperlocal Social App Hits 10 Million Installs and 2 Million Monthly Users

Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant known for titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India, has made a fresh bet on the Indian tech space—this time backing a homegrown social networking startup with hyperlocal ambitions. The company, through its Indian division, has poured an undisclosed sum into Shuru, a digital platform built around local discovery and community interaction, based out of Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

The funding round also saw participation from existing backers Omidyar Network India and Eximius Ventures, who appear confident in the startup’s momentum.

Shuru isn’t trying to be the next Twitter or Instagram. Instead, it’s carving out its own space by giving users real-time updates from their neighborhoods—think local news, shop listings, community classifieds, and buy-sell posts. The app is already being used by over 2 million people each month, suggesting that its hyperlocal approach is resonating with users in smaller towns and cities.

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The brains behind Shuru are Mayank Bhangadia and Harsh Chhabra. Mayank, an IIT Delhi graduate, was previously behind Roposo, a short-video app that hit 100 million users before being snapped up by InMobi’s Glance. Harsh, who led product at Roposo, went on to launch GoParento, a digital space for parents to connect and share advice.

For Krafton, this investment isn’t just about money—it’s strategic. The company hopes to build deeper connections with Indian users by getting closer to what’s happening on the ground. “Local engagement is key if we want to be more relevant across India,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India. “Shuru’s approach to community-driven content fits perfectly with our mission of delivering experiences that feel native and meaningful to different regions.”

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Sean added that the hyperlocal landscape in India is still in its early stages but is full of potential—and Shuru is well-positioned to lead the charge.

Shuru’s CEO, Mayank Bhangadia, echoed that sentiment. “We’re building something that goes beyond just social media—we’re creating digital infrastructure for neighborhoods,” he said. “With over 6.5 lakh locations already active on the platform and having crossed 10 million installs, we’re just scratching the surface. Partnering with Krafton gives us the firepower to innovate faster and serve our communities even better.”

Nihansh Bhat, who heads corporate development at Krafton India, noted that the collaboration is about more than just growth—it’s about shaping the future of local digital interaction. “By working with Shuru, we aim to strengthen user experiences, build stronger local ties, and contribute meaningfully to India’s digital evolution at the grassroots level,” he said.

Since 2021, Krafton has invested more than $200 million in Indian startups spanning gaming, entertainment, and tech. Its support also extends to nurturing game developers through initiatives like the Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI).

As India’s digital footprint continues to spread beyond metros, bets like Shuru may just prove that the next big thing isn’t global—it’s right around the corner.

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Ugaoo Opens Its Biggest Bangalore Store Yet in HSR Layout: 2,000 Sq. Ft. of Urban Jungle Magic, 11th Outlet Nationwide

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Ugaoo Opens Its Biggest Bangalore Store Yet in HSR Layout: 2,000 Sq. Ft. of Urban Jungle Magic, 11th Outlet Nationwide

In a leafy corner of Bangalore’s HSR Layout, a new kind of plant shop has opened its doors—one that’s not just selling greenery but building a lifestyle around it. Ugaoo, a brand that’s been quietly cultivating India’s love for urban gardening, has launched its second retail store in the city, and it’s a stunner.

Spread across 2,000 square feet, this isn’t your typical nursery. It’s Ugaoo’s biggest store in Bangalore so far, and the 11th in its national footprint, which includes spaces in Mumbai and Pune. From green-covered walls and curated plant corners to open workshop zones, the new space has been designed to make visitors slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover their connection with nature.

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“This isn’t just another store—it’s a space to build community,” said Siddhant Bhalinge, founder and CEO of Ugaoo. “HSR Layout feels like the right place for this. It’s full of people who care about design, wellness, and the environment. We’re excited to become part of their daily lives.”

The neighbourhood itself—known for its young professionals, eco-conscious families, and design-forward homes—mirrors Ugaoo’s audience. It’s a place where terracotta pots and fiddle-leaf figs feel just as at home as laptops and matcha lattes.

Ugaoo, founded in 2015, has deep agricultural roots. Bhalinge, a landscape architect trained in California, comes from a family that’s been in the agri-business for over a century through Namdeo Umaji Agritech, one of India’s oldest seed companies. His decision to blend that legacy with a sleek, millennial-friendly brand has struck a chord—especially in cities where balconies double as personal jungles.

Unlike many gardening brands that rely on third-party suppliers, Ugaoo keeps things in-house. Its 25-acre farm in Talegaon, Maharashtra, acts as the backbone of its supply chain, giving the brand full control over quality, freshness, and variety. That’s a big part of why their plants tend to arrive healthier, last longer, and come with thoughtful tips for care.

The brand’s growth ambitions are just as lush. Ugaoo plans to scale to 80 stores by 2030, with an emphasis on Southern India and smaller cities like Indore, Nashik, Bhopal, and Kolhapur—places where the gardening bug is just beginning to bloom.

Beyond plants, the store offers a mix of gardening tools, stylish planters, home décor items, and even expert consultations—making it part boutique, part classroom, part sanctuary.

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For Bhalinge, this new opening isn’t just about increasing retail presence. “It’s about building spaces where people don’t just buy plants—they form habits, swap stories, and fall in love with the idea of living green,” he said.

With the new HSR Layout outlet, Ugaoo continues to water the seeds of a greener, more mindful urban lifestyle—one neighbourhood at a time.

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Otipy Pulls the Plug: Grocery Startup Shuts Shop, Leaves 300 Jobless Amid Quick Commerce Shake-Up

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Otipy Pulls the Plug: Grocery Startup Shuts Shop, Leaves 300 Jobless Amid Quick Commerce Shake-Up

Just four years after its launch, Delhi-NCR-based grocery delivery startup Otipy has shut down operations, quietly exiting the scene last week. The abrupt closure has left around 300 employees and a significant number of gig workers without work. According to a report by Economic Times, the decision was communicated to staff during a townhall led by founder and CEO Varun Khurana.

Otipy’s downfall underscores the ongoing upheaval in India’s grocery delivery landscape. Once viewed as a promising bet for urban households seeking fresh produce with predictable delivery windows, the subscription model has struggled to keep pace with the growing appetite for instant gratification.

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

Enter quick commerce—a booming category where platforms promise everything from vegetables to snacks at your doorstep in 10 minutes or less. This shift has not only eaten into scheduled delivery models like Otipy’s, but also put pressure on local kiranas, who now have to contend with an entirely new form of digital competition.

Launched in mid-2020 as part of Crofarm Agriproducts, also founded by Khurana, Otipy followed a B2B2C structure. It sourced fruits and vegetables directly from farmers and delivered them through a network of neighborhood resellers. Operating mostly across Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, the company tried to carve a niche in the crowded online grocery market by emphasizing freshness, traceability, and community-driven logistics.

Despite raising approximately $44 million in funding—including a $32 million Series B round in 2022 led by WestBridge Capital, and a $2 million debt round from Nuvama Asset Management—the company ultimately couldn’t find its footing as consumer habits evolved.

Otipy’s shutdown isn’t an isolated case. Other players have felt the heat too. BigBasket, backed by Tata Digital, quietly rolled BBdaily into its core app last year, effectively shelving its standalone milk and grocery subscription vertical. On the other hand, Country Delight, which delivers staples like milk and paneer, has managed to weather the storm—thanks to a tighter supply chain and a more focused, vertically integrated approach.

Meanwhile, quick commerce continues to skyrocket. What was a $300 million market in FY22 has ballooned to an estimated $7.1 billion in FY25, according to Blume Ventures’ Indus Valley 2025 report. With this kind of momentum, even well-funded subscription players are finding themselves outpaced and out of options.

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For Otipy, the road ends here. For the rest of the sector, the message is clear: adapt fast—or get left behind.

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Myntra’s Ultimate Glam Clan Crosses 5 Lakh Creators, Driven by Gen Z and a Growing Thirst for Realness in Fashion Content

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Myntra’s Ultimate Glam Clan Crosses 5 Lakh Creators, Driven by Gen Z and a Growing Thirst for Realness in Fashion Content

Fashion discovery is getting a facelift on Myntra—and it’s not led by big influencers or stylists, but by regular shoppers across India. In just under a year, the company’s creator-driven initiative, Ultimate Glam Clan, has clocked over 5 lakh signups, making it the largest shopper-to-creator programme in the country.

Launched in September 2023, this programme invites everyday Myntra users to become creators by sharing product reviews, styling tips, and shopping experiences using photos and videos. And it’s catching on fast—especially among Gen Z, who now make up 67% of new participants.

This surge mirrors a larger shift in India’s digital creator ecosystem. According to EY, the number of content creators in the country has skyrocketed from under a million in 2020 to over four million in 2024. Interestingly, nano influencers—those with under 1,000 followers—make up nearly half of that number, proving that in today’s social media landscape, you don’t need a massive following to influence buying decisions.

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At the heart of Ultimate Glam Clan is authenticity. Myntra is banking on real stories from real shoppers, and it’s paying off. Shoppers are no longer just browsing polished catalogues—they’re engaging with posts from people like them, offering practical feedback and styling tips. The result? A 2% bump in user engagement on the app, as customers spend more time interacting with user-generated content (UGC).

Sunder Balasubramanian, Chief Marketing Officer at Myntra, sees this not as a trend, but a shift in mindset. “People today are tired of overly curated content,” he says. “They want to see what the product looks like on someone like them, in real life. That builds trust—and trust drives purchases.”

The creator journey on Glam Clan is gamified. Users climb from ‘Expert’ to ‘Leader’, and eventually to ‘Trendsetter’, with rewards increasing at each tier. On average, creators are earning ₹900/month, while top contributors have earned over ₹2 lakh in seven months. Add to that the launch of video content, and many are now doubling their earnings compared to image-based posts.

And it’s not just about posting—it’s about learning, too. The platform offers a Real-Time Analytics Dashboard, allowing creators to see how their content is performing: views, clicks, reach—you name it. It’s an invaluable tool for those looking to sharpen their content and grow their influence.

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There’s also money on the table. Active creators can earn up to ₹25,000 per month in Myntra credits, plus bonuses through limited-time challenges. And with the ever-expanding fashion catalogue, the opportunity to create engaging content is practically endless.

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Zepto Delivery Workers in Hyderabad Strike Over Pay Cuts: TGPWU Says Rates Slashed from ₹35 to ₹10 per Order

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Zepto Delivery Workers in Hyderabad Strike Over Pay Cuts: TGPWU Says Rates Slashed from ₹35 to ₹10 per Order

In Hyderabad, delivery workers tied to quick commerce firm Zepto have stopped work indefinitely, pushing back against what they describe as unfair treatment and a sharp drop in their earnings. The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), which represents many of these workers, claims the company has slashed per-delivery payouts to as low as ₹10–15 — a steep cut from the ₹35 workers say they were earning just a couple of months ago.

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

Shaik Salauddin, who leads the TGPWU, said frustration is mounting among the workers. “We’re hoping the authorities will step in, but if nothing changes soon, we’re ready to take this protest beyond Hyderabad,” he told The Economic Times.

The union has written to the state’s labour department, calling for an inspection of Zepto’s so-called ‘dark stores’ — the local warehouses powering their rapid delivery promises. The letter urges the government to check if Zepto is abiding by basic wage laws and providing any legal safeguards to the gig workers on whom its operations rely.

This protest, now into its fifth day, has affected several Zepto locations across the city. According to the union, the company hasn’t yet responded to the striking workers or attempted to open a line of communication. The TGPWU also accused Zepto of penalizing workers arbitrarily — citing unexplained fines, account suspensions, and a lack of transparency in performance assessments. “There’s no proper system in place to contest these actions or even understand how they’re being judged,” the union stated.

Meanwhile, concerns about practices in the ecommerce and quick commerce sector are growing louder. Just last month, trade bodies like the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), and the Organised Retailers Association (ORA) flagged what they called “unchecked” business tactics by major players in the space.

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Their complaints included accusations of deep discounts and inventory-led sales — methods that run afoul of foreign direct investment (FDI) rules meant to keep marketplaces neutral and competitive.

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