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Veranda Learning Doubles Down, Sridhar Vembu Lashes Out, and Government’s New Move For EV Market

Plus fundraising news of Geniemode, Oxyzo, and Delta Electronics

Veranda Learning is doubling down on commerce education with fresh stakes in BB Virtuals and Navkar Digital, while Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu didn’t mince words, calling DocuSign’s pricing “supremely bloated.” Olympic champ PV Sindhu is sprinting into the startup space, backing AI-powered quick commerce player KiranaPro. Meanwhile, the government is reining in EV makers, capping their investment in charging networks to push more funds into car manufacturing.

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

“Tumhe Zinda Rehna Ka Koi Haq Nahi”: Zoho Founder Takes A Dig At DocuSign’s ‘Overpriced’ Model

Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu didn’t hold back, calling DocuSign a “supremely bloated” company with an overpriced product.

He argued that Zoho Sign does the same job without the need for 7,000 employees. His comments came after Tiny’s Andrew Wilkinson questioned why digital signature software needed such a massive workforce.

Read more here

“Thoda Soch Samajh Ke Kharcha Karo”: New EV Policy As Govt To Cap Investment Towards Charging Networks

The government is capping EV makers’ spending on charging networks to push more investment into manufacturing.

Foreign automakers exceeding the 5% limit won’t have the extra funds counted toward their Indian investment. This comes under a policy allowing EV imports at reduced duties—if companies commit $500 million to local production.

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“Ab Aayega Maza”: Veranda Learning Acquires Stakes In BB Virtuals, Navkar Digital

Veranda Learning is tightening its grip on the commerce education sector with plans to acquire an additional 10.59% stake in BB Virtuals by June 2025.

This move signals a strategic push toward consolidation, with its commerce division projected to surpass a pro forma EBITDA of Rs 120 crore for FY25. Founded in 2018 by the Kalpathi AGS Group, the publicly listed platform continues expanding its footprint in India’s digital learning landscape.

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“Aaiye Aapka Intezaar Tha”: KiranaPro Ropes In PV Sindhu As Investor

PV Sindhu is stepping into the startup game, investing in AI-driven quick commerce platform KiranaPro.

This marks the first commitment in the startup’s seed round, just days after its Joper.app acquisition. Founded in 2024, KiranaPro promises 10-minute deliveries via ONDC—now with an Olympic champion backing its sprint.

Read more here

  1. Geniemode has secured $50 million in Series C funding to scale its apparel sourcing operations globally. The B2B platform, which connects manufacturers with buyers, plans to strengthen its tech and expand its reach.
    Read more here

  2. Oxyzo has raised INR 100 crore in debt from AK Capital to bolster long-term resources and operational expenses. The two-year loan comes with a 9.75% annual interest rate, supporting the fintech firm's financial strategy.
    Read more here

  3. Delta Electronics is investing $500 million to expand its India operations, including its Krishnagiri facility. Aimed at boosting manufacturing under ‘Make in India,’ the move strengthens its position in power electronics and EV charging.
    Read more here

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