Welcome to News Discussion's Private Community

This is major. $1Bn round, while getting a premium in valuation.

Investment Associate

This is major. $1Bn round, while getting a premium in valuation.- Grapevine

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

Krutrim has become a unicorn after securing $50m in funding, making it the first Indian AI startup with a valuation of $1bn. It seems like an extremely overvalued company being built yet again. Thoughts?

India's 1st Unicorn in 2024

Are we going back to good golden days of insane salaries. I am really curious on how was the valuation decided. On what basis? Did this platform earned a single penny yet.

Software Engineer

Program Manager

- M2P Fintech, an API infrastructure platform, is set to raise $80 million in a new funding round led by a new investor, with existing investors like Insight Partners likely to join.
- This funding round comes after two and a half years since the Chennai-based company last raised $56 million at a $650 million valuation.
- The new funds will be used to enhance tech infrastructure and accelerate growth in India and overseas markets.
- M2P Fintech's API enables businesses to offer branded financial services while ensuring regulatory compliance, operating in multiple countries including India, UAE, and Australia.
- The company, backed by Tiger Global, has acquired six companies to date and is expected to be valued at around $880 to $900 million post-money in the new round. 

 Source: Entrackr

M2P Fintech to Raise $80 Million at $900 Million Valuation

Journalist

- Zepto raises $340 million in fresh round led by General Catalyst
- Total fundraise hits $1 billion in two months, valuation reaches $5 billion
- Company plans public market debut in 12-18 months
- Zepto's FY23 revenue jumps 1,335% YoY to Rs 2,024 crore
- Quick commerce market attracts government attention due to potential impact on small retailers 

 Source: [Moneycontrol](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/zepto-raises-1-billion-in-two-months-closes-340-million-round-led-by-general-catalyst-12810088.html)

Zepto Secures $1 Billion in Funding, Valuation Soars to $5 Billion

- Omnichannel jewelry startup **Giva** has raised **Rs 255 crore** in an extended Series B round.
- Early backers **A91 Partners** and **India Quotient** partially exited, realizing significant returns.
- Funds will be used to expand Giva's offline presence, which includes around **150 physical stores** nationwide.
- Giva's revenue grew by **96.4%** in FY23, reaching Rs 165 crore, while losses widened to Rs 45 crore.
- The company competes with brands like **Melorra, Bluestone, CaratLane**, and others.

Source: [Entrackr](https://entrackr.com/2024/10/giva-raises-rs-255-cr-a91-and-india-quotient-get-exit-worth-rs-166-cr/)

Giva Raises Rs 255 Cr in Extended Series B, A91 and India Quotient Partially Exit

- Raise Financial Services, the parent company of trading app Dhan, is in early discussions to raise $100 million, potentially boosting its valuation to $1.5 billion and entering the unicorn club.
- Investment banking firm Avendus has been shortlisted to manage the fundraising, with new and existing investors expected to participate.
- The fresh funds will be used for business expansion, including new services like financing, payments, and insurance, to compete with rivals such as Groww, Zerodha, and Upstox.
- Dhan's founder, Pravin Jadhav, previously led Paytm Money but left on contentious terms; he has since taken jabs at his former employer on social media.
- Despite a competitive market, Dhan has seen significant growth, with a 330% year-over-year increase in its active client base, while competitors like Paytm Money have struggled. 

 Source: Moneycontrol

Unicorn Alert: Dhan in Talks to Raise $100 Million at $1.5 Billion Valuation

Trusted by world class companies, Scale delivers high quality training data for AI applications such as self-driving cars, mapping, AR/VR, robotics, and more.

Accelerate the Development of AI Applications | Scale AI

feels like a bubble - They just raised $1bn at $13bn valuation

Growth Manager

- OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has raised $6.6 billion in a funding round led by Thrive Capital, increasing its valuation to $157 billion.
- The funding will be used to expand AI research, increase compute capacity, and develop tools to solve complex problems.
- OpenAI has reportedly spent around $7 billion on model training and $1.5 billion on staffing.
- The company's revenue is projected to reach $100 billion by 2029, but it faces stiff competition from other AI startups.
- OpenAI is considering a shift from nonprofit to for-profit governance to attract more investments.

Source: [Techcrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/02/openai-raises-6-6b-and-is-now-valued-at-157b/)

OpenAI Secures Record $6.6B Funding, Valuation Soars to $157B

Zepto is in talks in order to raise $310 millions at the valuation of $5 Bn dollars , why they are raising so much money  ,Are they really trying to capture the market share in quick eCommerce domain by first come and dictate ideology or they are just burning extensive money while expanding their operations in multiple cities with a hope to establish large consumer base within a short period of time

Zepto is on its way to $5 Bn valuation.

https://www.cnbctv18.com/startup/bharatpe-turns-profitable-5-years-after-being-founded-ashneer-grover-rapped-by-delhi-high-court-18420851.htm?amp

Seems like $180Mn annualised revenue. Valued at 16.1x of revenue for the last round. Hmm.

Product Manager

The timing of Zeptos fundraise is significant given the slump in investments into growth- and late-stage startups on the one hand and the correction being witnessed in the quick commerce segment on the other.

Unicorn drought ends as Zepto raises $200 million at $1.4 billion valuation

Zepto becomes India's 1st 2023 unicorn

Everything kept aside, it’s genuinely awe-inspiring that they’ve been able to do this in a market with close to zero interest in consumer internet plays, and most models failing  
  
 There’s definitely something about the way they executed. And many good things are said within the ecosystem about Aadit as a founder!

Analyst

- Investors are making an unprecedented bet on OpenAI, valuing the company at $150bn.
- Thrive Capital has already invested at least $1bn, with Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft in talks to join.
- Despite the scale, some top investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital are sitting out.
- OpenAI's revenues have surged to $3.6bn annually, but it still burns through over $5bn a year.
- The company faces fierce competition from Google and Meta, and must manage its transition from a start-up to a corporate giant. 

 Source: [Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/a8f9bd05-0999-415d-af86-c73e79ad5733)

Investors Bet Big on OpenAI's $6bn Funding Round

- **Swiggy** is aiming for a valuation of $11.7 billion to $12.7 billion for its upcoming IPO, set to launch in early November.
- The IPO includes a fresh issue component of Rs 3,750 crore and an offer for sale of up to 182,286,265 equity shares.
- The primary component may be increased to Rs 4,500 crore, leading to a combined IPO size exceeding Rs 12,000 crore or $1.42 billion.
- Major investors in Swiggy include **Prosus** (32%), **SoftBank** (8%), and **Accel** (6%).
- Swiggy received approval from the **Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)** for its IPO in September.

Source: [Moneycontrol](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/swiggy-targets-11-7-bn-12-7-bn-valuation-for-mega-1-4-bn-plus-ipo-launch-likely-in-early-nov-12845660.html)

Swiggy Targets $12.7B Valuation for $1.4B IPO in November

- OpenAI has closed a historic investment round, raising $6.6 billion at a $157 billion valuation.
- The AI research lab is now considering going public via an IPO.
- The company has promised to convert into a for-profit entity, reflecting its transition from a research lab to a product-focused business.
- OpenAI has also secured a $4 billion revolving credit line.
- The company's new CFO, Sarah Friar, has previous experience leading listed companies.

Source: [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2024/10/03/openai-funding-ipo-public-future)

OpenAI Considers Going Public Following $6.6B Investment Round

https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/quick-commerce-firm-zepto-raises-665-mn-in-funding-valued-at-3-6-bn-124062100289_1.html

Zepto raised $665bn at $3.6bn valuation . Mind blowing execution

Software Developer

- Bengaluru-based fintech startup Stable Money has raised INR 123.5 Cr (about $14.7 Mn) in its Series A funding round led by RTP Capital.
- The round also saw participation from existing investors Matrix Partner and Lightspeed Ventures.
- The board at Stable Money passed a special resolution to issue 77,135 Series A Compulsory Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at an issue price of INR 16,019 each to raise INR 123.56 Cr, as per regulatory filings.
- The financing round appears to be ongoing and Stable Money is likely to raise more capital in Series A funding.
- Founded by Saurabh Jain and Harish Reddy in 2022, Stable Money offers fixed-return asset investment opportunities for retail investors, such as access to fixed deposits, debt mutual funds, and bonds. 

 Source: Inc42

Stable Money Raises INR 123.5 Cr in Series A Funding Round

While I'm proud of these two revolutionising the quick commerce space, I somehow have a bad feeling about this

Profits aren't coming, money is flowing
Don't know what the VCs are seeking?
Why bake a a pie that you can't eat later?

Too much money too soon, where have we seen that?

Consultant

BYJUs has raised a round of 700 M last week in a tight funding market, investors are said to be Middle East based sovereign wealth fund. It is said messi partnership and fifa World Cup had introduced the firm to Middle East sovereign funds

BYJUs has raised a whooping USD 700 m (6000 cr.) in this market

Byjus Valuation Sliced By 99% - Rasing a 200 million $ through rights issue at 250 million dollars

I guess the had the same tech valuations problem that WeWork and any non-tech businesses have had in the last couple of years.

This is major. $1Bn round, while getting a premium in valuation.

Discover More

Indian Startups on

by Jordon Lee

Razorpay

India's 1st Unicorn in 2024

News Discussion on

by Jordon Vernon

Grapevine

M2P Fintech to Raise $80 Million at $900 Million Valuation

News Discussion on

by Dezi Dean

Grapevine

Zepto Secures $1 Billion in Funding, Valuation Soars to $5 Billion

News Discussion on

by Jordon Lee

Grapevine

Giva Raises Rs 255 Cr in Extended Series B, A91 and India Quotient Partially Exit

News Discussion on

by Kendall Lee

Grapevine

Unicorn Alert: Dhan in Talks to Raise $100 Million at $1.5 Billion Valuation

Indian Startups on

by Blair Denver

Linkedin

feels like a bubble - They just raised $1bn at $13bn valuation

News Discussion on

by Jordon Vernon

Grapevine

OpenAI Secures Record $6.6B Funding, Valuation Soars to $157B

Indian Startups on

by Matilda Carmden

Student

Zepto is on its way to $5 Bn valuation.

Indian Startups on

by Matilda Denver

Citymall

Seems like $180Mn annualised revenue. Valued at 16.1x of revenue for the last round. Hmm.

News Discussion on

by Matilda Vernon

Zepto

Zepto becomes India's 1st 2023 unicorn

News Discussion on

by Kendall Lee

Grapevine

Investors Bet Big on OpenAI's $6bn Funding Round

News Discussion on

by Kendall Lee

Grapevine

Swiggy Targets $12.7B Valuation for $1.4B IPO in November

News Discussion on

by Jordon Gabriel

Grapevine

OpenAI Considers Going Public Following $6.6B Investment Round

Indian Startups on

by Kalan Carmden

Uber

Zepto raised $665bn at $3.6bn valuation . Mind blowing execution

News Discussion on

by Matilda Gabriel

Grapevine

Stable Money Raises INR 123.5 Cr in Series A Funding Round

Indian Startups on

by Kalan Dean

Stealth

Too much money too soon, where have we seen that?

Layoffs on

by Kendall Vernon

Startup

BYJUs has raised a whooping USD 700 m (6000 cr.) in this market

Indian Startups on

by Jordon Carmden

Amazon

Byjus Valuation Sliced By 99% - Rasing a 200 million $ through rights issue at 250 million dollars

News Discussion on

by Jordon Dean

Gojek

Oyo raising a round at $2.5-3Bn valuation, major discount from peak valuation