Zerodha's Strong Financials, SlideShare Cofounders’ ‘Jaunt’, and BlackBuck’s Sorrows

ideaForge rewards its employees with INR 26.5 Lakh in equity shares, while iCubesWire welcomes a former Reliance Digital executive as its new Chief Revenue Officer. The SlideShare cofounders are back with Jaunt, an AI-powered social document-sharing platform. Meanwhile, BlackBuck faces a 6% dip in shares following a significant loss, and Zerodha celebrates a landmark year with $1B in revenue and an 89% profit jump. ProjectHero, backed by Ankur and Titan Capital, launches HomeRun, a 60-minute delivery service for construction materials in Bengaluru. Lastly, Kotak Mahindra Bank introduces its ‘BizLabs’ accelerator to support early-stage startups.

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

“Waah Kya Scene Hai”: SlideShare Cofounders Launch AI Social Document-Sharing Platform

The cofounders of SlideShare have launched Jaunt, a new AI-driven platform for social document-sharing.

Combining SlideShare’s functionality with a social twist, Jaunt allows users to upload, comment on posts, and explore trending topics through hashtags. With a vertical feed spanning business, education, and tech, it promises everything from startup pitch decks to learning resources.

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“Mai Tera Hero”: Ankur Capital & Titan Capital backed ProjectHero launches HomeRun

Construction tech startup ProjectHero, backed by Ankur and Titan Capital, has launched HomeRun, a 60-minute delivery service for construction materials in Bengaluru.

Targeting contractors, professionals, and homeowners, HomeRun delivers 800 SKUs across 76 pin codes. With this quick-commerce venture, ProjectHero is building a faster foundation for the construction industry.

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“Ab Aayega Maza”: Kotak Mahindra Bank unveils ‘BizLabs’ accelerator program to empower startups

Kotak Mahindra Bank has rolled out ‘BizLabs,’ an accelerator program to boost early-revenue stage startups.

As part of its CSR efforts, the initiative aims to help startups tackle growth challenges and scale efficiently. With BizLabs, Kotak is blending innovation with impact to nurture India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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“Kaddu Katega, Sab Mein Batega”: ideaForge Allots INR 26.5 Lakh Worth Of Equity Shares To Employees

ideaForge, the drone manufacturer, has allotted INR 26.5 Lakh worth of equity shares to its employees as part of its ESOP plan. In a filing today, the company disclosed the board’s approval of 4,126 equity shares at a face value of INR 10 each under the 2018 stock option scheme.

This move underscores the company's ongoing commitment to rewarding and retaining talent amidst a competitive industry landscape.

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“Aaiye Aapka Intezaar Tha”: iCubesWire Names Former Reliance Digital Executive As Chief Revenue Officer

iCubesWire has appointed industry veteran Sanghvi, formerly with Reliance Digital, as its Chief Revenue Officer.

With 27 years of experience across diverse global markets, Sanghvi will spearhead the company's revenue strategies. Serving over 500 brands, iCubesWire aims to strengthen its foothold in digital marketing under his leadership.

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“Haai Dhaiya, Maar Hi Daala Re”: BlackBuck Shares Tumble 6% After Co Posts INR 308 Cr Loss In Q2

BlackBuck’s parent company, Zinka Logistics Solutions, saw its shares drop nearly 6% today after reporting a Q2 net loss of INR 308.38 Cr.

The logistics major’s financial strain from continuing operations has raised concerns among investors. This stumble highlights the ongoing challenges in the competitive logistics sector.

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“I’m A Rockstar Baby”: Zerodha crosses $1B in revenue in FY24; profit up 89%

Zerodha has joined the billion-dollar revenue club in FY24, posting a staggering 89% jump in net profit to INR 5,496 crore.

The online brokerage’s sharp revenue growth and efficient cost management underscore its dominance in the trading space. This milestone cements Zerodha’s position as a leader in India's fintech ecosystem.

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1. SaaS-based accounting startup HostBooks has secured $5 Mn in Series B funding from Orange Orbit LLP. The funds will drive its AI product suite expansion, global growth, and team strengthening.

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2. ZingBus has raised INR 59 Cr ($7 million) in a new round, led by BP Technology Ventures, with participation from Info Edge. This marks the first major investment for the Gurugram-based startup in 2024.

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3. SanchiConnect and YourNest Venture Capital have invested INR 48 Cr ($6 million) in eight startups through their Velocity Accelerator Program. The initiative aims to support disruptive ideas across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and AI, fostering innovation and economic growth.
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