Amazon Acquires axio, Zomato Expands, and Swiggy Diversifies

Amazon is set to acquire digital lending platform axio, while Meta and WhatsApp challenge a hefty penalty from CCI in court. Zepto surges with a $3 billion annualized GOV, and Zomato expands with a new Hyperpure warehouse near Mumbai. Swiggy diversifies into sports with MCA approval, and OYO’s early investors eye a partial stake sale at a $3.9 billion valuation.

Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“We’re The Champions”: Zepto Clocks $3 Bn In Annualized GOV In January 2025

Zepto is racing ahead in the quick commerce game, hitting an annualized gross order value (GOV) of $3 billion in January 2025.

That’s a massive leap from $1 billion in April 2024, as shared by cofounder Aadit Palicha on LinkedIn. With numbers like these, Zepto is clearly delivering speed—not just in groceries, but in growth too.

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“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: Amazon To Acquire Digital Lending Startup axio

Amazon is making another big move in fintech by acquiring digital lending startup axio (formerly Capital Float).

Announced via a blog post, Bengaluru-based axio says the deal will help it expand to underserved customers while enhancing its offerings. For Amazon, it's not just about lending—it’s about striking a balance between customer experience, affordability, and smart risk management.

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“Iss Race Ka Purana Khiladi Hoon Mai”: Zomato Hyperpure Leases New Warehouse Near Mumbai

Zomato’s B2B arm, Hyperpure, has leased a sprawling 2,53,000 sq ft warehouse at Lodha Industrial and Logistics Park near Mumbai for five years.

The move comes as Hyperpure rides a strong growth wave, with revenue nearly doubling to ₹1,473 Cr in Q2 FY25. It’s not just food delivery—Zomato’s making big moves in scaling its backend game too.

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“Mauja Hi Mauja”: Swiggy Gets MCA Nod To Incorporate Sports Arm

Swiggy has secured approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to launch its new subsidiary, Swiggy Sports.

The wholly-owned entity will focus on ventures in the sports and recreational activities space, as noted in a recent filing. This marks Swiggy's measured expansion beyond foodtech into a new vertical.

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“Maamla Legal Hai”: NCLAT Admits Meta, WhatsApp Pleas Against CCI’s Penalty

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has admitted Meta Platforms and WhatsApp's appeal against the Competition Commission of India’s ₹213.14 crore penalty.

The fine was imposed for alleged misuse of their dominant position concerning WhatsApp’s controversial 2021 privacy policy. A two-member bench, led by Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan, noted that the matter warrants further consideration after preliminary submissions.

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“Spread Your Little Wings And Fly Away”: OYO’s Early Backers In Talks To Sell Partial Stake At $3.9 Bn Valuation

OYO’s early investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, are reportedly in talks to sell part of their stake at a valuation of $3.9 billion.

This marks a 60% premium from the $2.4 billion valuation in its August 2024 funding round. With IPO plans on the horizon, the Ritesh Agarwal-led unicorn continues to attract strong investor interest.

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1. AstroSure.ai, the online astrology platform, has raised $6 million in seed funding from Netmeds founder Pradeep Dadha. The Delhi NCR-based startup aims to use the funds to scale its brand, business, and marketing efforts.

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2. Kedaara Capital has invested over $350 million in Impetus Technologies, a leader in data, analytics, and AI solutions. The deal strengthens Impetus’s work with Fortune 500 clients across the US and Europe.
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3. Agritech startup Fambo has raised INR 21 crore ($2.4 million) in seed funding, led by EV2 Ventures. The round also saw participation from Rajesh Sawhney of GSF Accelerator and several ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
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4. Recur Club has launched a INR 150 crore ($17.46 million) fund to support the growth of D2C brands in the quick commerce space. The fund aims to finance 80-100 brands with ticket sizes ranging from INR 80 lakh to INR 10 crore.
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5. Avendus Group has raised INR 850 crore ($100 million) in the first close of its Future Leaders Fund III, targeting a total of INR 3,000 crore ($350 million). The fund will focus on 12-14 investments in sectors like financial services, healthcare, and technology, with ticket sizes ranging from INR 150–300 crore.
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