1. Amazon invests $1.5 million in Amazon Retail India
To expand its business in India, Amazon has invested 41.5 million in its Indian food retail arm, Amazon Retail India. It sells locally made and packaged food to consumers directly and has started its services in Pune.
2. Bengaluru-based DigiConnectt raises $125k
Analytics and AI startup DigiConnectt has successfully raised $125k from Aspire Logistics LLC at a pre-market evaluation of $5 million. This will help the company to expand and works towards product innovation.
3. Flipkart founders-backed startup launches e-scooters
Flipkart founders Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal backed startup Ather Energy has successfully launched its first two electric scooters in Bengaluru at Rs 1.09 lakh and Rs 1.2 lakh. The Ather 340 model has a range of 60 km and a top speed of 70 kmph, whereas, Ather 450 has a 75 km range and 80 kmph top speed.
4. New Delhi based Sports Flashes raises Rs 6.7 crores
Sports Flashes has raised $1 million in a Pre-Series A funding round from SRI Capital. Sports Flashes aims to be amongst the best sports content platforms in the country. This investment will help in expanding the business with strategic initiatives.
5. Vora Ventures acquires ShakeDeal
US-based private equity firm Vora Ventures has acquired one of India’s leading B2B online marketplace ShakeDeal for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will help in growth of ShakeDeal into new vertical markets and product lines.
6. Microsoft buys world’s largest coding platform GitHub for $7.5 billion
Microsoft announced the acquisition of the world’s largest coding platform GitHub for $7.5 billion. Founded in 2008, GitHub has never turned profitable and was looking for a new CEO. Microsoft’s Nat Friedman will become GitHub’s new CEO after the acquisition.
7. Mumbai footwear firm files trademark infringement case against Flipkart
Metro Shoes, Mumbai-based shoe company has filed an infringement case against Flipkart. Metro Shoes has alleged that Flipkart’s private brand Metronaut is similar to Metro. Flipkart said it has not been aware about this.
8. Ant Financial becomes largest fintech firm after raising $14 billion
China’s e-commerce giant Ant Financial has raised about $14 billion in its latest funding round. This funding has made Ant the world’s largest fintech firm.
9. Booking.com invests in 2 popular startups
Global travel giant Booking.com has invested $466K in Global Himalayan Expedition and $379K to Delhi-based transport provider for women by women Sakha.
10. Delhi based ClearDekho raised 2 crores
Budget eyewear brand ClearDekho has raised $297.7K (Rs 2 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Venture Catalysts. Existing investors including Samyakth Capital, Windrose Capital, Krishnan Akhileswaran of Apollo Hospitals, and Yogesh Chaudhary also participated in the round.
