Daily Startup Buzz: Fresh News & Highlights for December 11, 2024!
Latest Funding Highlights
AWE Funds: Pioneering Gender Equity in Climate Finance
Exciting news from the forefront of climate action! Achieving Women’s Equity (AWE) Funds has been awarded a grant from the Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF), a powerful initiative driving gender-equitable solutions in sustainability. Notably, AWE Funds stands out as the sole recipient from India, marking a significant win for gender empowerment in the climate space.
With this grant, AWE Funds is ready to amplify its impact, focusing on scaling its investments and providing vital technical assistance to 6-8 innovative women-led climate companies. Their mission? To create measurable climate and gender impact while nurturing a vibrant local ecosystem of gender-smart enterprises.
CGEF, a collaborative effort by USAID and major players like Amazon and Visa Foundation, is dedicated to enhancing access to climate finance for organizations led by women or benefiting women. This partnership is a game-changer for advancing gender equity in climate finance!
VergeCloud Makes Waves with $3 Million Funding
Cloud technology just got a major boost as VergeCloud enters the Indian market with an impressive $3 million in funding! After three years of dedicated development, they are set to launch a next-generation Content Delivery Network (CDN) along with groundbreaking cloud security solutions and edge computing infrastructure.
Saurabh Bhardwaj, CEO, VergeCloud
“Our mission is to empower businesses to scale effortlessly, elevate website performance, and fortify data protection. This funding not only accelerates our market presence but also amplifies our commitment to democratizing advanced technologies for all,” states Saurabh Bhardwaj, the visionary CEO of VergeCloud.
Power Gummies Sets Sights on Global Expansion with New Funding
Power Gummies, the beloved gummy brand, has successfully raised ₹10 crore in a bridge funding round. With the backing of esteemed investors, including the Jaipuria family office and Quadrant, Power Gummies is set to revolutionize the wellness space!
The funding will be used to launch a zero-sugar range, upgrade compositions to make the brand completely sugar-free and diversify into wellness products.
This fresh capital will fuel Power Gummies’ ambitious plans to introduce a zero-sugar product line and expand into international markets, including Dubai and the UK, under their parent company, Aesthetic Nutrition. With a strategic shift in leadership, the brand is poised for incredible growth.
East Ocyon Bio: A Leap Forward in Cancer Treatment
East Ocyon Bio has raised a whopping $4.2 million in seed funding, led by Aeravti Ventures and Micro Labs. This funding will propel their groundbreaking work in allogeneic cell and gene therapy, particularly in the development of innovative CAR-T cell therapies.
“India is the cancer capital of the world, yet innovative therapies often arrive years late. Our partnership with East Ocyon Bio signifies our dedication to fostering groundbreaking solutions that address this urgent need,” says Rishabh Singh, Managing Partner at Aeravti Ventures.
Culture Circle: Making Luxury Fashion Accessible
Culture Circle, the ultimate marketplace for luxury sneakers and streetwear, has successfully secured $2 million in seed funding! This significant investment, led by Info Edge Ventures, is set to transform how consumers experience luxury products.
Ackshay Jain and Devansh Jain Nawal, Founders, Culture Circle
“Our mission is to make luxury streetwear and sneakers more accessible, authentic, and affordable,” declares Devansh Jain Nawal, Co-founder and CEO. This funding will enhance their AI-powered authentication system and offer competitive pricing on renowned brands.
MHYTH: Empowering Women Through Lingerie
In an impressive feat, premium lingerie brand MHYTH has closed its angel funding round, achieving a valuation of over $1 million just a month post-launch. Founder and CEO Mitali Rai emphasizes the brand’s commitment to celebrating individuality and confidence through globally resonant designs.
With aspirations of building a world-class manufacturing unit in India, MHYTH aims to showcase premium quality and craftsmanship on the global stage, tailoring their offerings to diverse customer needs.
Other Noteworthy Announcements
ISB DLabs and CitiusTech Unveil ‘I-HEAL @ ISB 3.0’
The Indian School of Business (ISB), in collaboration with CitiusTech, has launched the third iteration of its healthcare accelerator, ‘I-HEAL @ ISB 3.0’. This initiative focuses on enhancing India’s digital healthcare ecosystem by fostering innovation and empowering healthcare professionals.
With an overwhelming 173 applications received, 15 promising startups will embark on this transformative journey, aimed at revolutionizing healthcare delivery across various sectors.
Seedstars and Visa Foundation Launch SEED Inclusivity Programme
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Seedstars and the Visa Foundation announced the inaugural SEED Inclusivity programme, welcoming 15 innovative businesses dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities across Asia.
This initiative is a testament to the power of inclusivity in entrepreneurship, showcasing a diverse array of ventures aimed at breaking barriers and fostering innovation.
EMotorad Strengthens Leadership Team
EMotorad, a trailblazer in electric mobility, has appointed new leaders to its key growth positions, setting the stage for accelerated expansion and innovation in the electric bicycle sector.
Naveen Gullapalli Takes the Helm at Amgen India
Amgen has appointed Naveen Gullapalli as its new Managing Director for India, where he will leverage his extensive background to drive innovation and growth in the biotech arena.
Linux Foundation Launches LF India
The Linux Foundation is excited to announce the establishment of LF India, aimed at fostering collaboration among Indian open-source developers and enterprises, propelling innovation across sectors.
FarEye and Blue Dart Celebrate a Decade of Partnership
FarEye and Blue Dart have marked ten successful years of collaboration, showcasing innovations that have significantly enhanced delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Zendesk Welcomes Shashi Upadhyay as President
Shashi Upadhyay steps into the role of President at Zendesk, bringing a wealth of technology leadership experience to guide the company’s AI strategy for customer service enhancement.
Flipkart Expands SuperCoins Rewards
Flipkart has launched its SuperCoins rewards program on Woggles, allowing customers to redeem their SuperCoins for exciting discounts on eyewear, enhancing the shopping experience.
Circle and Binance Partner for USDC Adoption
Circle and Binance are joining forces to drive the adoption of USDC, marking a pivotal moment in the stablecoin landscape and expanding its use across financial ecosystems.
Glance and Airtel Launch Glance TV
Glance and Airtel have introduced Glance TV, transforming traditional TVs into interactive, AI-driven platforms delivering personalized content, revolutionizing viewer engagement.
Manastu Space Technologies Delivers Green Propulsion System
Manastu Space Technologies has made significant strides in India’s space capabilities by delivering an innovative green propulsion system to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation.
(Stay tuned for more exciting updates throughout the day!)
