Omnia Bets Big, Swiggy Instamart Expands, and Rumours About BluSmart

Omnia is betting big on spatial computing with its buyout of AR startup SpotKwik, while Swiggy Instamart is racing ahead, now serving 100 cities and expanding deeper into India’s heartland. Meanwhile, a swirl of speculation surrounds Uber, as reports hint at talks to acquire EV player BluSmart — though BluSmart firmly denies any such move.

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

“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: Omnia Buys Augmented Reality Startup SpotKwik To Boost XR Innovation

Omnia has acquired AR startup SpotKwik in a move aimed at strengthening its extended reality (XR) offerings.

According to SpotKwik cofounder Mithun Adith, the acquisition will help transition from mobile to spatial computing, as Omnia plans to integrate SpotKwik’s technology into its broader ecosystem. With Omnia’s vast distribution network, SpotKwik hopes to scale its reach and bring its AR solutions to a wider audience.

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“Ye Afwa Kaun Faila Raha Hai”: Uber Initiates Talks To Acquire BluSmart, Says Report; Startup Denies

Reports suggest that Uber is in talks to acquire BluSmart Mobility, eyeing its 8,500-strong EV fleet amid Gensol’s ongoing liquidity troubles.

However, BluSmart has dismissed these claims as “speculative and unfounded,” adding a layer of uncertainty to the buzz. If true, the move could mark a significant push by Uber into India’s fast-growing electric mobility space.

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“Spread Your Little Wings And Fly Away”: Swiggy Instamart Now Available In 100 Cities, 32 Cities Added This Year

Swiggy Instamart has now spread its wings to 100 cities across India, adding 32 new locations this year alone.

The platform is seeing rising demand beyond big metros, with tier 2 and 3 cities like Raipur, Siliguri, Jodhpur, and Thanjavur joining the quick-commerce map. Interestingly, one in four new users now comes from these smaller cities, signaling a shift in how India shops for daily essentials.

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1. Info Edge’s Jeevansathi is set to invest INR 30 Cr in its subsidiary Aisle Network, according to a board decision announced today. The move signals a fresh push to strengthen its presence in the online matchmaking space.
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2. Nivara Home Finance has raised INR 245 Cr in a Series B round led by True North to expand its distribution network. The fresh capital comes a year after its previous $10 Mn round and marks growing investor confidence in the housing finance space.
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3. IFC is considering a $65 Mn investment in A91 Partners’ third fund, including a $35 Mn equity infusion and $30 Mn in potential co-investment. The fund, targeting $675 Mn, aims to back small and mid-sized companies across sectors like consumer, healthcare, and technology.
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4. After raising $2 Mn for its AI-driven social networking platform, Unikon.ai is now pivoting to build a D2C brand amid mounting cash burn. Cofounder Aakash Anand said the move aligns with his expertise, though details about the new venture remain undisclosed.
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5. Abu Dhabi-based MGX has invested $2 billion in Binance, marking the crypto giant’s first-ever institutional funding. Paid entirely in stablecoins, the deal is also the largest investment to date in a crypto company.
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6. Chennai-based Chai Kings has raised $3 million in Series A funding from A.V. Thomas and Co. to fuel its expansion and strengthen operations. The brand aims to scale up its supply chain, product offerings, and customer engagement with the fresh capital.
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