Zepto Expands, Cred Doubles Down, and NoBroker’s ConvoZen.AI

Zepto is deepening its Tamil Nadu presence with 20+ dark stores, while EaseMyTrip and BlackBuck hit turbulence with fresh tax demands. Insurtech player Go Digit is making an unexpected healthcare play with a ₹30 Cr investment in Dr. Reddy’s. Meanwhile, CRED is doubling down on its super app vision with ‘Svalbard,’ a credit-focused suite, and NoBroker is venturing beyond real estate with ConvoZen.AI, an enterprise-grade conversational AI platform.

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

“Ye Kaisi Vipda Aan Padi Ishwar”: EaseMyTrip Receives INR 17 Lakh GST Penalty Notice & BlackBuck Gets INR 14.2 Cr Tax Demands

Trouble is brewing in the tax lanes—EaseMyTrip has been slapped with a ₹17.35 lakh GST penalty for allegedly misusing input tax credit, while freight-tech giant BlackBuck faces a much heavier ₹14.2 crore tax demand.

Both cases raise pressing questions about compliance in India's startup ecosystem, where regulatory scrutiny is tightening.

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“Kuch Naya Seekhne Ka Hai Apun Ko”: NoBroker Launches Conversational AI Platform ConvoZen.AI For Enterprises

NoBroker is stepping beyond real estate with ConvoZen.AI, a conversational AI cloud built to automate and monitor customer interactions at scale.

Positioned as a SaaS offering, it has already been tested across companies like Cars24 and Tata AIG, hinting at ambitions well beyond property tech. Whether this pivot cements NoBroker’s AI credentials or just diversifies its revenue streams, the market will decide.

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“Enna Rascala, Mind It”: Zepto Expands Tamil Nadu Footprint With Over 20 Dark Stores

Zepto is quietly tightening its grip on Tamil Nadu’s quick-commerce scene, now operating over 20 dark stores across key cities. In Chennai’s Madambakkam, the company has introduced its first women-only dark store—an initiative that speaks to both empowerment and efficiency.

Meanwhile, partnerships with over 100 local farmers hint at a deeper push into regional sourcing, but how sustainable this expansion remains is yet to be seen.

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“Haule Haule Dheere Dheere”: Go Digit Invests INR 30 Cr In Dr Reddy’s

In a quiet but strategic move, insurtech player Go Digit has parked ₹30 crore in pharma giant Dr. Reddy’s, securing a modest 0.32% stake. As a digital insurer focused on non-life policies, this investment signals a calculated diversification into healthcare—a sector that rarely sees such cross-industry plays.

Whether this is a hedge or a deeper long-term bet remains to be seen, but it certainly marks an interesting shift in Go Digit’s trajectory.

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“Mai Superman, Salman Fan”: CRED Beefs Up Its Credit Game To Further Super App Ambitions

CRED is doubling down on its credit play with ‘Svalbard,’ a new suite aimed at tightening its grip on India’s high-trust borrowers.

From securing loans against mutual funds with CRED Cash+ to fine-tuning credit scores and streamlining card management, the fintech giant is stitching together a super app narrative.

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1. Cross-border fintech startup HiWiPay has secured $2 Mn from Unicorn India Ventures, with backing from industry veterans like Dewang Neralla and Ritesh Malik. As it streamlines global transactions for individuals and businesses, the fresh capital signals a push for deeper market expansion.
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2. HR tech unicorn Darwinbox is reportedly eyeing up to $150 Mn in fresh funding, pushing its valuation close to $950 Mn. With a 58% revenue surge in FY24, fueled by global expansion and R&D, the company seems set for its next growth leap.
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3. EV financing startup Vidyut has secured $2.5 Mn from Flourish Ventures to scale its battery-as-a-service (BaaS) offerings. With a focus on passenger and commercial EVs, the funding fuels its push toward flexible, cost-efficient battery solutions.
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4. MOC Cancer Care has secured $18 Mn from Elevation Capital to expand its network of cancer daycare centers. With prior backing from Tata Capital Healthcare Fund, the funding strengthens its push for accessible and tech-driven oncology care.
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5. Quick Clean is gearing up to expand into healthcare and hospitality, strengthening its hold in India’s $36 billion commercial laundry industry. With hygiene at the forefront, the company aims to set new standards where precision and reliability are non-negotiable.
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6. Triple Tap Games has raised $1.2 Mn in pre-seed funding to craft ‘relax and unwind’ mobile games for a global audience. Backed by Eximius Ventures and Kalaari Capital, the studio now sets its sights on scaling in the US and Europe.
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