OYO Doubles Down, KiranaPro Scales Up, and Easebuzz Fets RBI Approval

OYO is doubling down on its US expansion, pumping $10 million into G6 Hospitality’s digital assets. Meanwhile, KiranaPro is scaling up hyperlocal commerce with the acquisition of Joper.app. In the financial world, White Whale has secured SEBI’s nod for a ₹250 Cr secondaries fund, while Easebuzz gets RBI approval to operate as a payment aggregator. And in fintech, Zeta’s valuation skyrockets to $2 billion after fresh funding from Optum.

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

“Ab Aayega Maza”: OYO To Invest $10 Mn In G6 Hospitality’s Digital Assets

OYO is pumping $10 million into G6 Hospitality’s digital assets, aiming to quadruple app installs for Motel 6 and My6.

This comes after its $525 million acquisition of G6 from Blackstone last year, marking a deeper push into the US budget stay market. With a global footprint spanning 157K properties, OYO continues betting big on tech-driven hospitality.

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“Kaafi Phaila Hua Dhandha Hai”: KiranaPro Buys Joper.app To Bolster Its Hyperlocal Retail Space

KiranaPro has acquired Joper.app to strengthen its foothold in the hyperlocal retail space, expanding operations to 25 cities.

The deal brings Joper.app’s vendor network under KiranaPro’s AI-powered and ONDC-integrated ecosystem. As competition in online grocery tightens, this move signals a push for smarter, tech-driven local commerce.

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“Humari Bhi Haan Hai”: White Whale Gets SEBI Nod For INR 250 Cr Secondaries Fund

White Whale has secured SEBI’s approval for a ₹250 Cr secondaries-focused fund under Category II AIF, with an option to double the corpus. The sector-agnostic fund will target late-stage startups on the brink of public listing within the next 18–36 months.

As India’s private market liquidity tightens, such structured exits could offer much-needed relief to early investors.

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“Jab Miya Bibi Ho Raazi”: Easebuzz Gets Final Nod From RBI To Operate As Online Payment Aggregator

Easebuzz has received the final RBI nod to operate as an online payment aggregator, solidifying its place in India’s digital payments ecosystem.

Powering over 200,000 businesses across sectors like e-commerce and education, the platform handles a staggering $30 billion in annual transactions. In a tightening regulatory landscape, this approval marks a crucial step for fintech stability and compliance.

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“Ho Jaayegi Balle Balle”: Zeta’s Valuation Jumps To $2 Bn After Funding From Optum

Banking tech unicorn Zeta has hit a $2 billion valuation after securing $50 million from Optum in its latest funding round.

Powering banks like RBL, IDFC First, and Kotak Mahindra, Zeta continues to redefine financial infrastructure. With total funding now at $390 million, its fintech playbook keeps getting stronger.

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1. ToneTag has secured $78 million in Series B2 funding to scale its digital payment solutions, with backing from ValueQuest, Iron Pillar, and Elevate Capital. The fresh capital fuels its push for seamless, sound-based transactions in a rapidly evolving fintech landscape.
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2. Bold Care has raised $5 million in Series A funding from Zerodha’s Rainmatter to expand its footprint in non-metro cities. The startup aims to scale its D2C platform and boost R&D, tapping into India’s growing sexual wellness market.
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3. Healthy protein bar maker The Whole Truth on Tuesday said it raised Rs 133 crore in a Series C funding round led by Sofina Ventures. The round also saw participation from existing investors Peak XV Partners, Matrix Partners and Sauce.vc.
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4. The Whole Truth has secured ₹133.3 crore in a Series C round led by Sofina Ventures, tripling its valuation. With backing from Peak XV, Matrix, and Sauce.vc, the clean-label snack brand is set for its next growth leap.
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