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New Delhi: Mitra, a direct-to-consumer startup in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space, has successfully raised Rs 11 crore in its pre-Series A funding round. The investment is led by Bestvantage Investments, a leading venture capital firm, with an additional participation from a Dubai-based strategic family office headed by Mr. Surya, who contributed Rs 5 crore. The pre-Series A round also saw strategic investments from esteemed individuals such as Arjun Vaidya, founder of V3 Ventures and ex-Dr Vaidya, Ashok, Ajay Kumar, ex-COO of Pizza Hut, and others. This investment round was supported by strategic mentors and advisors like Mahesh from Hyderabad. Mitra, founded in 2022, focuses on producing a wide array of food products, including flour and oil, through its state-of-the-a...

Mumbai: Bengaluru-based consumer lending and payments startup Slice has raised INR 300 crore (approximately $36 million) through convertible debt, as per its regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies. The funding round was co-led by Taneja Family Trust, Anju Family Personal Trust, UK2 Family Trust, and MN Family Trust, who invested INR 30 crore each. Blume Ventures and 8i Ventures also participated in the debt financing round, investing INR 27 crore and INR 25 crore, respectively. Other participating investors include Inland Financial Services, Mintcap Enterprises, Stargazer Ventures, Roger Bravo Advisors, and Broadbridge Capital Management, along with several individuals. Founded by Rajan Bajaj, Slice provides physical and virtual cards focused on millennials, enabling stu...

Mumbai: Flipkart, one of India's largest e-commerce players, has rolled out its quick commerce service, Flipkart Minutes, in Gurugram and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). The service, which was first reported in March, is currently available in nearby Unitech Cyber Park, Sector 39, 40, The Millenium City Centre (Sector 29) and Golf Course Road (Sector 54) in Gurugram. According to sources, Flipkart Minutes is also available in some parts of Mumbai, competing with quick commerce players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto. The service allows users to order groceries, electronics, smartphones, and other products with delivery times ranging from 8 to 16 minutes. The launch of Flipkart Minutes marks a significant step in the company's expansion plans, followin...

Bengaluru-based digital devotional platform Sri Mandir, a part of AppsForBharat, has secured $18 million in its Series B funding round led by Nandan Nilekani's Fundamentum. The round also saw participation from Susquehanna Asia VC, as well as existing investors Elevation Capital, Peak XV, and Mirae Asset VC. The funds will be used to expand the Sri Mandir app, build a technology stack for temples, add five new regional languages, and scale operations in India and global markets such as the US, UK, and Canada. With this latest round, AppsForBharat has raised nearly $32 million, including $10 million in Series A funding in September 2021 and $4 million in a Seed round in August 2021. According to data from the company's regulatory filings, Fundamentum invested Rs 73.5 crore ($8.8 mill...

The realm of international construction is a testament to the wonders of modern engineering, yet it is fraught with its own unique set of challenges. The sheer complexity and vast scale of these projects demand not only rigorous planning but also flawless execution. Companies engaged in this sector must adeptly manoeuvre through a maze of regulatory, cultural, and logistical obstacles. A recent study highlighted that nearly 70% of such projects encounter significant delays due to unexpected hurdles, emphasising the critical need for a deep understanding and proactive management of these issues to achieve successful project outcomes. Given their global scope, these ventures require companies to be versatile enough to handle diverse issues stemming from operations across different nation...