Meesho’s AI Twist, FirstCry’s Shares Soar, Ola Electric's Gig E-scooters

Meesho introduces a GenAI-powered voice bot to streamline post-order queries, while FirstCry’s shares surge 8.65%, hitting a fresh intraday high of ₹590.60. Meanwhile, the government ramps up scrutiny on BYJU’S with a new probe into potential fund mismanagement, and Deepinder Goyal’s stake in Zomato now exceeds ₹10,000 Cr.

Ola Electric unveils affordable e-scooters for gig workers, CarTrade sees a 52-week high with shares touching ₹1,395, and Battery Smart appoints a new CFO from Shiprocket to boost its growth.

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

“Chor Ki Daadhi Mein Tinka”: Govt Launches Another Probe Into BYJU’S For Alleged Diversion Of Funds

BYJU’S is back under the scanner as the government orders a fresh probe into its financial records, led by the Registrar of Companies' Hyderabad office.

The investigation will focus on alleged misrepresentation of financial statements and possible fund diversion. For the edtech giant, already grappling with controversies, the scrutiny only adds to its mounting challenges.

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“Abhi Picture Baaki Hai”: Meesho Launches GenAI-Powered Voice Bot For Post-Order Queries

Meesho's new GenAI-powered voice bot is doing more than just answering post-order queries—it’s slashing call costs by a whopping 75%, according to cofounder and CTO Sanjeev Barnwal.

While the bot hums along, Meesho assures its customer exec team isn’t at risk of layoffs. The startup's FY24 numbers, though, paint a mixed picture: a net loss of ₹304.9 Cr against a robust ₹7,614.9 Cr in operating revenue.

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“Workers Of The World Unite”: Ola Electric Unveils E-scooters For Gig Economy Workers

Ola Electric has rolled out two new e-scooters tailored for gig economy workers—the Ola S1 Z and Ola Gig—priced from an accessible ₹39,000.

Deliveries are slated to begin in April 2025, signaling Ola's focus on affordable EV solutions. CEO Bhavish Aggarwal called the launch a step toward empowering workers with cost-effective mobility options.

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“Waah Kya Scene Hai”: Deepinder Goyal’s Stake In Zomato Now Valued Over INR 10K Cr

Deepinder Goyal’s stake in Zomato has crossed the ₹10,000 Cr mark, with his 4.18% holding valued at ₹10,108.74 Cr as per the latest market close.

The valuation stems from Zomato’s recent ₹8,500 Cr qualified institutional placement. As the company charts its growth path, Goyal’s rising stake underscores his enduring commitment to Zomato's journey.

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“Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai”: FirstCry Shares Jump 8.65% Intraday To Touch INR 590.60

FirstCry shares surged as much as 8.65% to touch INR 590.60 in intraday trading on November 26.

The stock is trading at INR 579.70, up 6.65% at 2:28 PM, with market cap at INR 30,097.11 Cr. The company recently reported Q2 FY25 revenue growth of 26.7% to INR 1,935.85 Cr while narrowing losses to INR 62.85 Cr.

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“Learnin’ To Fly”: CarTrade Shares Hit A Fresh 52-Week High At INR 1,395

CarTrade shares soared nearly 8% intraday, reaching a 52-week high of ₹1,395 on the BSE. The stock has surged over 88% year-to-date, far outpacing the BSE Sensex’s modest 11% climb.

This robust performance cements CarTrade's position as a standout in an otherwise steady market.

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“Aaiye Aapka Intezaar Tha”: Battery Smart Names Former Shiprocket Executive As CFO

Battery Smart has brought on board former Shiprocket executive Bhardwaj as its new CFO to steer financial strategy and enhance governance.

With over two decades of experience, including his stint as VP at Shiprocket, Bhardwaj is set to play a key role in boosting profitability. Founded in 2020, Battery Smart continues to expand its battery-swapping solutions and charging infrastructure nationwide.

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1. Yubi plans to raise $150–$200 Mn in Q1 2025, CEO Gaurav Kumar revealed, aiming to drive expansion into the MENA region. The funding will also support strategic acquisitions as the startup scales its operations.

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2. SUGAR Cosmetics is set to raise $4.5 Mn (INR 38 Cr) from existing investors, including Anicut, Malabar, and Elevation Capital, at a flat valuation. The funding will help fuel the brand’s growth while maintaining its current valuation.

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3. BitSave, a crypto startup by ex-Koinex executives, has secured an undisclosed amount in Pre-Series A funding from Leo Capital. The funds will be used to enhance its product, boost brand awareness, and expand into additional Asian markets.

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4. NeoGrowth has raised up to ₹42 crore ($5 million) through the issuance of 4,200 non-convertible debentures (NCDs) with an 11.7% annual interest rate. The funds were raised from UTI International to support the company's growth.

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5. All Things Baby (ATB), a curated platform for mother and baby products, has secured ₹30 crore in Series A funding from Richa Choksi and Inoventures. The funding will help ATB scale its operations in India’s growing parenting market, supported by its strong leadership and innovative approach.

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