HUL’s Big Step, Zepto’s Dreams, and DeHaat Acquires AgriCentral

HUL takes a big step into the D2C beauty space with its ₹2,955 crore acquisition of Minimalist, while Zepto looks to raise up to $1 billion in its upcoming IPO. On the agritech front, DeHaat strengthens its position with the acquisition of AgriCentral, aiming to boost its digital services for farmers. However, it’s not all smooth sailing as scammers defraud Navi Technologies of ₹14.26 crore, highlighting vulnerabilities in fintech. Meanwhile, Ola Electric accelerates its future with the launch of its ‘Roadster’ electric bike, and Hatsun Agro expands its dairy footprint by acquiring Milk Mantra for ₹233 crore.

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“Mai Toh Barbad Ho Gaya”: Scammers Defraud Navi Technologies Of INR 14.26 Cr

In a startling breach, scammers exploited a tech bug in Navi Technologies’ system to siphon off ₹14.26 crore, tweaking payable amounts post-payment.

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in fintech infrastructure amid rising digital adoption. Authorities have launched an investigation, as Navi grapples with plugging security gaps in its platform.

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“Janmo Ke Saathi”: HUL To Acquire D2C Brand Minimalist At A Valuation Of INR 2,955 Cr

Hindustan Unilever’s move to acquire a 90.5% stake in Minimalist at a valuation of ₹2,955 crore underscores the escalating prominence of D2C beauty brands.

Minimalist, founded in 2018, has seen remarkable growth, with an 86% revenue surge in FY24. As the deal finalizes by June, it reflects HUL’s strategic push to strengthen its beauty portfolio amid rising competition in the segment.

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“Rangabati Rangabati”: Hatsun Agro Buys Milk Mantra For INR 233 Cr

Hatsun Agro’s ₹233 crore acquisition of Milk Mantra marks a strategic push into Odisha and the eastern dairy market.

With Milk Mantra now a wholly-owned subsidiary, the move underscores HAP’s ambition to strengthen its presence in emerging regions. The deal signals growing consolidation in India’s competitive dairy sector.

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“Sapne Dekhna Acchi Baat Hai”: Zepto Looking To Increase IPO Size To $800 Mn – $1 Bn

Zepto’s IPO ambitions are growing, with plans to increase the offering size to $800 million–$1 billion, nearly mirroring last year’s total quick commerce sales.

Having started with a $450 million target in mid-2024, the pivot highlights confidence in the sector’s potential. If successful, this could set a new benchmark for the quick commerce IPO scene.

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“Dil Thaam Ke Baithiye”: Ola Electric Kicks Off Production Of Electric Bike ‘Roadster’

Ola Electric has started production of its much-anticipated electric bike, the ‘Roadster,’ with Bhavish Aggarwal sharing a sneak peek from the factory floor.

The launch comes just months after unveiling its motorcycle lineup last Independence Day. Amid this momentum, Ola posted a narrower net loss and a 39% YoY revenue jump, signaling its aggressive growth strategy.

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“Ho Raha Bharat Nirman”: DeHaat Buys AgriCentral To Expand Digital Services Suite For Farmers

DeHaat’s acquisition of AgriCentral marks a strategic leap in its mission to empower farmers with digital solutions.

By integrating AgriCentral’s farm advisory platform, DeHaat aims to widen its reach and solidify its status as India’s largest agritech platform. This move underscores the growing synergy between technology and agriculture in India’s evolving rural economy.

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1. Zeelab Pharmacy secured $2.4 million from OTP Ventures to expand its retail network and enhance its 60-minute delivery service. With over 2,500 partner stores, the funding bolsters its mission to ensure quick and convenient access to medicines.

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2. D2C skincare brand Deconstruct raised ₹65 crore in a funding round led by BOLD and V3 Ventures, alongside Kalaari Capital and others. The brand plans to use the funds for product innovation, category expansion, and boosting its quick-commerce presence.

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3. Namdev Finvest secured $38 million in debt funding from DWM, BlueOrchard, and Mirova to diversify its operations. The funds will support a shift beyond traditional lending and bolster clean mobility initiatives.
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