DroneAcharya To Train Army Men, Zerodha’s Growth, and Zepto Expands

DroneAcharya has secured a contract with the Ministry of Defence to train Army officials in drone technology. Zerodha continues to grow, reaching 1.6 crore users without advertising, while Skydo has received RBI approval for cross-border payments. Zepto is expanding with a new HQ in Bengaluru, managed by Smartworks, while Razorpay and Cashfree are ending their ties with Juspay to push for in-house solutions. Blinkit is focusing on smaller cities for its dark store expansion, and PharmEasy's cofounders are stepping away to launch a new venture, marking a fresh chapter in their entrepreneurial journey.

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“Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”: DroneAcharya Bags Contract To Offer Training Courses For Army Officials

DroneAcharya has secured a contract worth ₹7.53 lakh from the Ministry of Defence to train eight Indian Army officials in drone technology.

The programme, running from February 3 to February 12, includes courses on drone piloting and building, underscoring the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems in defense operations. This partnership highlights a step towards integrating cutting-edge skills within the armed forces.

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“Ab Aayega Maza”: Skydo Gets RBI Licence To Offer Cross Border Payments

Skydo Technologies has secured RBI’s nod to operate as a Payment Aggregator for cross-border transactions.

Catering to over 12,000 Indian exporters, Skydo already handles $250 million in annual payments. This milestone paves the way for smoother global trade for Indian businesses.

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“Dasvidaaniya Doston”: Razorpay, Cashfree To Discontinue Partnership With Juspay

Razorpay and Cashfree have decided to phase out their partnerships with Juspay, urging merchants to adopt their in-house orchestration platforms.

This shift mirrors a trend set by PhonePe last year, signaling growing competition in payment solutions. The move highlights the industry's focus on consolidating operations and enhancing direct offerings.

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“Sapne Sunehre Apne”: PharmEasy Cofounders Step Away From Executive Roles To Launch New Venture

PharmEasy cofounders Dharmil Sheth, Dhaval Shah, and Hardik Dedhia have stepped down from their executive roles to embark on a new consumer startup journey.

In a joint statement on January 21, they confirmed their plans, following reports of their departure from API Holdings. This marks a fresh chapter for the trio after building one of India’s leading health-tech platforms.

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“Umeed Par Duniya Kayam”: Zerodha Now Has Over 1.6 Cr Users Without Advertising, Says Nithin Kamath

Zerodha has crossed 1.6 crore users, managing assets worth a staggering ₹6 lakh crore, all without spending on ads.

Founder Nithin Kamath credits this organic growth to user satisfaction, with 30% of new users joining through referrals. It's a quiet revolution in India's fintech scene, fueled purely by trust.

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“Abhi Toh Aur Phailega”: Blinkit To Open More Dark Stores In Smaller Cities, Says Zomato CEO

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has revealed plans to expand Blinkit's dark store network into smaller cities, citing strong return-on-investment potential.

With Blinkit already on an aggressive growth trajectory, these new stores aim to tap into emerging demand. It’s a strategic move to bring quick commerce closer to India’s heartland.

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Aap Mere Karobar Mein Madad Karo”: Zepto Ropes In Smartworks To Manage New HQ In Bengaluru

Zepto has partnered with Smartworks to manage its new Bengaluru headquarters, set to occupy the former 'Total Mall' premises.

Smartworks will oversee the design, build, and operation of the office, aligning with Zepto's plans to scale operations. The move, slated for April, comes as Zepto prepares to double its workforce this year.

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1. Snabbit has raised $5.5 Mn, backed by Nexus Venture Partners and prominent startup founders, to fuel its market expansion. The quick service platform plans to launch new micro-markets in Mumbai and grow its customer base in the next six to nine months.

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2. SamVed has launched a $50 Mn VC fund to support early-stage tech startups in India, with a focus on sectors like AI, agritech, healthcare, and fintech. The fund aims to foster innovation across a diverse range of industries, including e-commerce and upskilling.

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3. Workie has raised INR 13 Cr ($1.5 Mn) to fuel its expansion and enhance its market position as a flexible co-working space provider. Founded in 2017, the startup transforms commercial properties into cost-effective workspaces for businesses of all sizes.
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