ONDC’s Saarthi Set To Revolutionize Business, BYJU’s Bucketful Of Teardrops, Uber Makes A Luxe Comeback In India and more

ONDC's new app, Saarthi, is set to revolutionize business integration with its customizable buyer solutions. Meanwhile, BYJU’S faces a crucial Supreme Court hearing on its insolvency case. Former Barista execs are making waves with Go5’s latest ecommerce venture, Deal99, while Uber makes a luxe comeback in India with its premium 'Black' service. And for budding entrepreneurs, Accel is gearing up to invest up to $1M in pre-seed startups.

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

What Matters

“Saathi Haath Badhana”: ONDC Rolls Out Saarthi To Help Businesses Build Customised Buyer Apps

ONDC is upping its game with Saarthi, a Bhashini-powered app designed to help businesses create custom buyer experiences. Supporting five languages right out of the gate, including Hindi and English, Saarthi is set to expand to all 22 official languages, making it a true multilingual powerhouse.

With ONDC already hitting 12 million monthly transactions, this new app could be a game-changer, especially in the mobility sector, which alone contributed 4.4 million transactions in July.

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“Maamla Legal Hai”: BYJU’S Insolvency Case As SC To Hear Glas Trust’s Plea On Sept 17

Mark your calendars for September 17, as the Supreme Court gears up to hear Glas Trust's appeal against the stay on insolvency proceedings against BYJU'S. The US-based creditor is challenging a previous judgment that allowed BYJU'S to settle its ₹158.9 crore dues with the BCCI.

With the edtech giant under scrutiny, this case could have major implications for its financial future.

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“Ab Humko Chahiye Fulll Izzat”: Former Barista Executives’ Go5 Incorporation Expands Its Portfolio With Ecommerce Venture Deal99

Former Barista execs are brewing something new with Go5 Incorporation's latest venture, Deal99—a fresh ecommerce platform offering over 10,000 daily-use products. Helmed by ex-Barista CEO Puneet Gulati, Go5 is now expanding its tech-savvy portfolio, aiming to bring luxury within reach for Gen Z.

With Deal99, they’re setting their sights on making niche products more accessible to the next generation of consumers.

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“Guess Who’s Back, Back Again”: Uber Brings Back Its Premium ‘Black’ Service To India After 10 Years

Uber is making a stylish comeback with the re-launch of its premium 'Black' service in India after a decade. Starting in Mumbai, this high-end ride experience is tailored for those who crave luxury on the go.

With Uber Black, the ride-sharing giant is tapping into the growing demand for premium services among Indian consumers.

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“Mauka Sabko Milega”: Accel to invest up to $1M in pre-seed startups

Accel is doubling down on innovation with its Atoms 4.0 program, offering up to $1 million in funding to pre-seed startups, even those still in the idea phase.

This three-month hybrid program isn’t just about cash—it also comes with over $5 million in perks from Accel's extensive network. For early-stage founders, it’s a golden ticket to jumpstart their entrepreneurial journey.

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1. Purplle’s FY24 sales soared 43% to ₹680 Cr, while its net loss nearly halved, dropping 46% to ₹124.1 Cr. With a sharp rise in revenue and a modest 15% increase in expenses, the beauty marketplace saw its EBITDA margin improve significantly from -41.6% to -12.5%.

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2. Zaggle shares soared 14% to hit an all-time high of ₹420, driven by heavy trading volumes with nearly 1 crore shares changing hands. The stock has skyrocketed 124% from its listing price and is up 87% year-to-date, fueled by a multifold surge in Q1 FY25 profit and a 113% jump in operating revenue.

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3. AI startup Zivy has snagged $1.2 Mn in Pre-Seed funding, led by Blume Ventures and supported by a strong lineup of investors including Paradigm Shift Capital and iSeed. With this backing, Zivy aims to revolutionize workplace efficiency through its AI-driven solutions.

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4. As it gears up for its IPO, InMobi has secured $100 Mn in debt funding from Mars Growth Capital, bolstering its AI capabilities. India's first unicorn is positioning itself for a strong market entry with this strategic boost.

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5. D2C FMCG startup Mitra has secured ₹11 Cr ($1.3 Mn) in Pre-Series A funding, led by Bestvantage Investments, with additional backing from a Dubai-based strategic family office. The funds will be used to strengthen Mitra's supply chain capabilities.

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6. Supersquad, a startup focused on creator monetization, has raised Rs 2.1 crore in a funding round led by WLDD. The round also saw contributions from angel investors Nitin Rajput and Jivraj Singh Sachar.

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