Karnataka’s Workers First Policy, Swiggy’s SNACC, and Sahil Sheth Re-emerges

Karnataka brews a bold policy, eyeing a differential fee on apps to fund gig worker welfare—potentially a national first. Swiggy’s SNACC app sprints into Noida and Gurugram, promising hot meals in 15 minutes flat. Lido’s fallen founder Sahil Sheth quietly re-emerges, this time with an AI healthtech play in stealth mode. And finally, luggage brand uppercase zips ahead with Jasprit Bumrah on board as investor.

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

“Workers Of The Word Unite”: Karnataka Govt Planning Differential Fee On Apps To Fund Gig Workers

Karnataka might soon ask apps to chip in differently—think Swiggy, Uber, Zomato—to build a welfare fund for gig workers.

The idea is to support delivery partners and drivers without hiking prices for users or slashing worker pay. If it goes through, it could quietly reset the rules of the gig economy game across India.

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“Aa Raha Hoon Mai Zindagi”: Swiggy Expands Its 15-Minute Food Delivery To Noida, Gurugram

Swiggy’s SNACC app is now zipping across Noida and Gurugram, promising 15-minute food deliveries after its Bengaluru debut.

From biryani to brownies, the app claims to cover it all—snacks, meals, drinks, and dessert. But outside these cities, SNACC politely reminds you: expansion is still on the stove.

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“Abhi Hum Zinda Hai”: Lido Founder Sahil Sheth Building AI-Powered Healthtech Platform

After the collapse of edtech startup Lido, founder Sahil Sheth is quietly resurfacing—this time in healthtech.

His new AI-powered platform, still under wraps, promises to ease the burden for healthcare professionals tangled in complex systems. As the sector clocks $301 Mn in Q1 2025 funding, Sheth is cautiously assembling a team, perhaps hoping for steadier ground this time.

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“Kursi Ki Peti Baandh Lo”: Luggage Brand uppercase Ropes In Jasprit Bumrah As Investor

Mumbai-based luggage brand uppercase just got a pace boost—courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah stepping in as an investor.

While the startup is tight-lipped about the cheque size, this marks a separate bridge round, not just a celebrity splash. With Bumrah on board, uppercase is clearly packing more than just bags.

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1. Virat Kohli is now teaming up with sportswear startup Agilitas as investor and co-creator, eyeing a global sprint. While the numbers stay under wraps, insiders hint it’s a “large sum”—not just a jersey cameo.
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2. With fresh backing from old allies like Venture Catalysts and cofounder Sandeep Shah himself, the startup, Optimized Electrotech, is setting sights on space tech. Shah now plans to raise $5 Mn in six months, hoping semiconductor giants will fuel the next lift-off.
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3. CRED, last valued at $6.4 Bn after a hefty $140 Mn round in 2022, is now eyeing an IPO within two years. As public market fever grips Indian fintech, Groww, PhonePe, and BharatPe are also gearing up for their debut innings.
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4. Uniqus is chasing up to $20 Mn in a fresh Series C round, aiming for a valuation between $200–250 Mn. With big names like WestBridge and Accel in talks, the startup seems ready to scale beyond last year’s $10 Mn momentum.
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“Chai Ki Pyaar Bhari Chuski”: Woolah Tea Brews a Plastic-Free Revolution with India’s First Bagless Tea Dips

Woolah Tea is giving the tea world a quiet shake-up—with the world’s first bagless tea dip. Founded by Upamanyu Borkakoty, the startup ditches plastic and champions whole-leaf brews, all while supporting organic farmers and rural women.

After impressing on Shark Tank India and striking a deal with Aman Gupta, Woolah’s mission to make tea both flavorful and fair is steeping into global cups.

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