Zomato’s Shares Soar, BharatPe Launches 'Shield', OYO's Rating Gets Upgraded

HDFC Securities downgraded Swiggy to 'Reduce' while raising its price target to INR 470, as its shares surged 11.35% to a new all-time high. Meanwhile, Zomato saw a 6% rally, hitting INR 304.50, as it edges closer to Sensex inclusion.

BharatPe launched 'Shield' to combat digital fraud, while Unicommerce saw a 5.07% spike following its partnership with a sportswear brand. In other news, PB Fintech expanded its ESOP pool, OYO's rating got upgraded to B2, and WeWork India made strides with a new Bengaluru center.

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

“Savdhaan Rahe, Satark Rahe”: BharatPe Unveils 'Shield' Against Online Payment Frauds

BharatPe has introduced 'Shield,' a digital fraud protection plan aimed at safeguarding users from online payment scams.

The initiative provides coverage for fraudulent transactions, including UPI, with protection up to Rs 5,000. This move reflects a growing need for robust measures in an increasingly vulnerable digital landscape.

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“Abhi Toh Aur Badhega”: Moody's Upgrades OYO's Rating To B2, Maintains Stable Outlook

Moody’s has upgraded OYO’s rating to B2, citing reduced refinancing risk due to a proposed term loan refinancing.

The stable outlook underscores cautious optimism, though the B2 rating reflects high credit risk. This marks a step forward for OYO as it navigates its financial restructuring journey.

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“Thoda Sambhal Ke Chalna Ka”: HDFC Securities Downgrades Swiggy To ‘Reduce’ But Raises PT To INR 470

HDFC Securities has adjusted its stance on Swiggy, downgrading it from 'add' to 'reduce,' signaling cautious optimism. However, it raised the target price to INR 470 per share, up from INR 430 earlier, reflecting a nuanced outlook.

The revised target indicates a 9.2% downside from the stock's previous close, hinting at challenging times ahead for the food delivery giant.

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“Aaj Mai Upar, Aasman Neeche”: Unicommerce Shares Jump 5.07% After Partnership With Sportswear

Unicommerce shares saw a 5.07% surge to an intraday high of INR 196.70, buoyed by its new partnership with sportswear brand Hummel.

The collaboration will streamline Hummel's ecommerce operations using Unicommerce's order management systems. This follows a strong Q2 performance with a 21% profit rise and last month’s strategic stake in Shipway, signaling growth momentum.

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“Learnin’ To Fly”: Swiggy Shares Surge 11.35% To Reach An All-Time High At INR 576.9

Swiggy shares soared 11.35% today, hitting an all-time high of INR 576.95 on the BSE during intraday trading.

The surge also marks a new 52-week high for the stock, reflecting strong investor confidence. This milestone underscores Swiggy’s growing momentum in the market despite recent challenges.

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“I’m A Rockstar Baby”: Zomato Shares Rally 6% To Hit A Fresh All-Time High At INR 304.50

Zomato shares surged 6% on Thursday, reaching a new all-time high of INR 304.50 on the BSE, fueled by investor confidence in its food delivery and quick commerce ventures.

With its upcoming inclusion in the Sensex, the stock edges closer to a Rs 3 lakh crore market capitalization. This milestone highlights Zomato's growing dominance in the Indian market.

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“Kaddu Katega, Sab Mein Batega”: PB Fintech Expands ESOP Pool, Allots 29.9 Lakh Stock Options

PB Fintech has boosted its employee stock option pool, allotting 29.9 lakh fresh options under its ESOP Scheme 2024.

The move, approved by the board on December 4, reflects the insurtech startup’s focus on retaining and rewarding talent. This initiative signals confidence in its workforce as a key driver of future growth.

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“Padharo Mharo Desh”: WeWork India Expands with New Bengaluru Centre

WeWork India has opened a new Bengaluru campus, pushing its operational desk count across the country past 1 lakh.

With plans to launch two more centers in Gurugram and Chennai in early 2025, in collaboration with DLF, the expansion highlights its growth in the flexible workspace sector. Bengaluru’s booming office culture continues to be a key driver for WeWork’s momentum.

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1. NODWIN Gaming has secured a INR 64 crore investment from Nazara Technologies, marking the latter as the first investor in its upcoming private funding round. This infusion will fuel NODWIN’s global expansion efforts in the gaming sector.

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2. Fintech startup The Money Club has raised $2.5 million in Series A funding, led by Prudent Investment Managers. The funds will support its expansion in the lending space, with backing from investors like Venture Catalysts and LetsVenture.

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3. NXP, the Dutch semiconductor company, will invest over INR 8,400 crore in R&D operations in Bengaluru over the next five years. This move underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in India’s growing tech ecosystem.

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4. Abyro Capital has launched its first $25 million fund to support early-stage tech startups in India and the US. The venture capital firm aims to fuel innovation across both markets with strategic investments.

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5. Ultraviolette has raised INR 130 crore in funding, led by Zoho and joined by Lingotto, Mudhal Partners, and Ojas Consultation. Despite a net loss of INR 61.5 crore in FY24, the startup continues its pursuit of significant growth, with earlier plans to raise $100 million.

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6. Enterpret has raised $20.8 million in a funding round led by Canaan Partners to enhance its AI-driven customer feedback platform for CXOs. The funds will help scale its marketing and sales teams and deploy no-code AI agents for better customer insights.

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7. WickedGud, the food brand backed by Shilpa Shetty, has raised Rs 20 crore in a funding round led by Orios Venture Partners. The capital will be used to expand its distribution network, boost branding efforts, and strengthen its core team.

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8. Gurugram-based wealthtech startup ZFunds has secured Rs 25 crore in seed funding, led by Elevation Capital. The round also saw participation from Yashish Dahiya, co-founder and CEO of Policybazaar Group.

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9. Healthcare diagnostics startup Neuranics has raised $700K in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The funds will support technology development, clinical validation, and progress toward commercial production following CDSCO licensing.

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10. Mumbai-based lifestyle activewear brand Terractive has raised Rs 8 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and DeVC (Matrix Partners). The funds will be used to accelerate fabric development and drive product innovation.

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11. Mumbai-based retail and workspace fit-out innovator Atmosphere – The Store Makers has raised Rs 5 crore in a seed round co-led by Artha Venture Fund and PIL Italica Lifestyle Limited. The funds will support the company's growth and expansion in the fit-out solutions market.

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