News on Medial

Exclusive: Bobble AI to raise fresh funds at 30% valuation dip

EntrackrEntrackr · 22d ago
Exclusive: Bobble AI to raise fresh funds at 30% valuation dip
Medial

Exclusive: Bobble AI to raise fresh funds at 30% valuation dip Xiaomi-backed Bobble AI is raising $1.5 million or Rs 12.9 crore from its existing backer gaming giant Krafton in its Series D round. The new round seems to be an ongoing one and the firm may mop up more capital. The board at Bobble AI passed a resolution to approve the issue of 600 Series D2 compulsory convertible preference shares at an issue price of Rs 2,14,940 each to raise the aforementioned amount, its regulatory filing accessed from Registrar of Companies (RoC) shows. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. Entrackr estimates the company’s valuation at Rs 834 crore ($98 million), down nearly 30% from its Rs 1,172 crore ($138 million) Series C valuation. Founded in 2012, Bobble.ai provides an AI-powered Indic keyboard supporting over 120 languages, with facial recognition for personalized GIFs and stickers. Integrated with apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, it captures real-time user intent. The company earns through targeted ads, consumer data insights, subscription features, and branded merchandise. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the Gurugram-based company has raised around $35 million including Rs 206 crore ($26 million) in a mix of primary and secondary capital from Krafton Inc in September 2022. During the round, it acquired a 12.34% stake from Affle. Following the latest infusion, Krafton will be commanding a 24.84% stake in the 12-year-old company. For the fiscal year ended March 2024, Bobble AI reported a 25% growth in revenue to Rs 37.67 crore. However, its losses also widened by 40% to Rs 60.88 crore in the same period. The firm is yet to report its FY25 numbers. BGMI-maker Krafton recently invested in the social networking platform Shuru and the Sachin Tendulkar-backed JetSynthesys. Its other notable investments include Kuku FM, Cashfree, One Impression, Pratilipi, and Nautilus, among several others.

Related News

Exclusive: Rupeek raises fresh funds at 60% valuation cut

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
Exclusive: Rupeek raises fresh funds at 60% valuation cut
Medial

Online gold loan platform Rupeek has raised Rs 50 crore from 360 One Large Value Fund (formerly IIFL Wealth Management). Significantly, the company’s valuation nosedived by 60% in the new round. The board at Rupeek has passed a board resolution to issue 1,307 compulsory convertible preference shares at an issue price of Rs 3,82,492 each to raise Rs 50 crore, its regulatory filing shows. The company will use these funds for growth, expansion, and general corporate activities, as the company’s board decides. During FY24, the company also raised around Rs 43 crore from existing investors such as Peak XV, Bertelsmann, Accel India, and GGV Investments, the filing further shows. According to Fintrackr‘s estimates, the company has been valued at around Rs 2,050 crore or $250 million post-allotment. This implies that the company raised new money at a 60% haircut in its valuation as compared to Rupeek’s peak valuation of $634 million in January 2022. Recently, an ET report said that Rupeek was in talks to raise funds from Ranjan Pai’ investment office Claypond Capital and Axis Bank at a valuation of $200-250 million. Rupeek provides gold loan services and claims to streamline the entire processing from underwriting to disbursal in 30 minutes. The Binny Bansal-backed company has raised around $150 million to date. As per startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, PeakXV is the largest external stakeholder followed by Accel and Bertelsmann. Its new investor 360 One Large Value Fund holds 2.44% (post-allotment). The Bengaluru-based company is yet to report FY24 numbers but its revenue from operations declined 27.6% to Rs 89 crore in FY23 while the losses stood at Rs 281 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2023. The Sumit Maniyar-led firm directly competes with Oro Money, Ruptok, Yellow Metal, and to some extent with PayU-backed Indiagold. There should be no issues on the valuation haircut for Rupeek, considering that its peak valuation was not just at the peak of the funding cycle, but subsequent performance has also failed to justify those numbers. There are far too many founders who get hung up on a specific valuation number, before it is too late to raise fresh funding. Rupeek has clearly focused on the next steps, rather than dwell on the past too much. That it found backers at the new valuation figure also speaks about the credibility the founders retain, despite the tough times in the recent past.

Exclusive: Powerplay valuation halves in fresh funding

EntrackrEntrackr · 26d ago
Exclusive: Powerplay valuation halves in fresh funding
Medial

Exclusive: Powerplay valuation halves in fresh funding Construction management startup Powerplay is set to raise fresh capital from its existing backers, Accel India and Surge Ventures, after a three-year funding gap, but at a steep 57% valuation markdown. The board at Powerplay has passed a special resolution to issue 1,739 Series A2 CCPS at an issue price of Rs 98,512.12 per share, to raise Rs 17.13 crore (approximately $2 million), according to the company’s regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). Accel India and Surge Ventures will participate in Powerplay’s new round with Rs 8.56 crore each. According to the startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the company will be valued at around Rs 258 crore or $30 million post-money, marking a 57% valuation cut, compared to its previous $7 million funding round in August 2022 led by Accel, which valued the company at around Rs 600 crore or $75 million. The company has raised Rs 117 crore to date. As per the filing, after this round, Accel will be the largest external stakeholder with a 21.25% stake, followed by India Quotient and Surge Ventures, which will hold 15.70% and 15.47%, respectively. Its co-founders, Iesh Dixit and Shubham Goyal, will cumulatively own 38.22% of the company. Founded in 2019 by Iesh Dixit and Shubham Goyal, Powerplay simplifies site-to-office communication to manage construction and architectural projects. It enables construction companies to track progress, attendance, material management, invoices, issue tracking, and budget management. Powerplay is yet to file its financial statements for FY25. The Bengaluru-based startup saw its revenue grow 43% to Rs 4.39 crore in FY24 from Rs 3.07 crore in FY23. At the same time, its losses reduced by 14% to Rs 31.92 crore.

Exclusive: The Whole Truth kicks off Series C with 3.6X valuation surge

EntrackrEntrackr · 6m ago
Exclusive: The Whole Truth kicks off Series C with 3.6X valuation surge
Medial

Exclusive: The Whole Truth kicks off Series C with 3.6X valuation surge Clean-label health food brand The Whole Truth is raising Rs 133.3 crore (approximately $15.8 million) in a series C round led by Sofina Ventures, with the participation of Peak XV and Matrix Partners. The board at The Whole Truth has passed a special resolution to issue 45,097 Series C preference shares at an issue price of Rs 29,556.5 each to raise Rs 133.3 crore or $15.8 million, its regulatory filing accessed from the Registrar of Companies (RoC) shows. Sofina Ventures is leading the Series C round with an investment of Rs 65.8 crore, while Peak XV and Matrix Partners will contribute Rs 25 crore and Rs 29.5 crore, respectively. Sauce Continued Fund will also participate with an investment of Rs 13 crore. The fresh funds will be used to meet financial requirements and support business expansion. According to Entrackr’s estimates, the Mumbai-based company will have a post-allotment valuation of approximately Rs 2,135 crore ($254 million). This marks a 3.6X increase in valuation compared to its previous Series B round, which closed at $70 million. According to the filings, after the fresh funding round, Peak XV will hold 21.14% of the firm, while Matrix Partners will own 21.4%. Sofina Ventures and Sauce Continuity will hold 3.08% and 3.77%, respectively. The Whole Truth was reportedly in discussions to raise $25 million in a new funding round. The company has secured $15.8 million so far and may raise additional funds as the round progresses. The Whole Truth offers a range of products, including protein bars, peanut butter, dark chocolates, energy bars, immunity balls, and muesli. The company provides subscription options and claims that 80-85% of its sales come from its website, with the remaining revenue generated through partnerships. The Whole Truth recorded an 81% year-on-year growth, with revenue rising to Rs 65.3 crore in FY24 from Rs 35.96 crore in FY23. The company reduced its losses by 33% during the same period.

Exclusive: A91 Partners backs Rare Rabbit in new round

EntrackrEntrackr · 6m ago
Exclusive: A91 Partners backs Rare Rabbit in new round
Medial

New-age fashion brand House of Rare (Rare Rabbit) has secured Rs 50 crore (approximately $6 million) from its existing investor, A91 Partners. This fresh funding comes just seven months after its $18 million round. The board at House of Rare has passed a special resolution to allot 23,073 preference shares at an issue price of Rs 21,670 each to raise Rs 50 crore (approximately $6 million), its regulatory filing sourced from the Registrar of Companies shows. In January, the company raised its authorized share capital, citing the need for funds to support expansion and working capital requirements, according to a separate resolution. Following the fresh process, A91 Partners' stake in the company has been increased to 14.17% compared to 9.65% in its previous round. According to Entrackr's estimates, the funding came at a flat valuation of $279 million for the Bengaluru-based company. Rare Rabbit is a premium fashion brand known for its designer clothing for men and women. With a presence in over 100 stores across India, the brand also offers its collections through its online store. Rare Rabbit showcased a 69% revenue growth from Rs 376 crore in FY23 to Rs 636 crore in FY24. Moreover, the company's profits surged over 2X to Rs 74.6 crore in FY24, compared to Rs 32.2 crore in FY23. Rare Rabbit competes with brands like Souled Store, which raised around $30 million and achieved a revenue of Rs 355 crore in FY24. Its other competitors Snitch and WROGN also raised $13 million and $15 million in December 2023 and June respectively.

Exclusive: Droom India raises funds at $360 Mn valuation

EntrackrEntrackr · 5m ago
Exclusive: Droom India raises funds at $360 Mn valuation
Medial

Exclusive: Droom India raises funds at $360 Mn valuation IPO-bound used car marketplace Droom is raising Rs 25 crore (approximately $2.9 million) in a fresh funding round co-led by India Accelerator (IA), and Rameshchandra Shah. The board at Droom has passed a special resolution to issue 15,62,500 preference shares at an issue price of Rs 160 each to raise Rs 25 crore or $2.9 million, its regulatory filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC) shows. India Accelerator and Shah both will invest Rs 5 crore each, Shirish Patel, CEO of Prudent Corporate Advisory (wealth management company) will invest Rs 3 crore and the remaining amount will be invested by other individual investors. The firm will use these proceeds for general corporate purposes, the filings said. As per Entrackr’s estimates, the Gurugram-based firm will be valued at approximately Rs 3,097 crore or $360 million post-allotment. “We deliberately kept the valuation very low for the Indian subsidiary as a strategic move to give material upside to Indians who did not have opportunity to participate in the making of Droom in the past one decade,” said Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Droom, in response to queries about the company's valuation. “We plan to raise a bit more capital in the near term at much higher valuation both in Singapore and India…” Droom is an online marketplace for buying and selling used vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles. It also offers rental services. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, Droom has raised approximately $330 million from investors including 57 Stars, Seven Train Ventures, Lightbox, and Beenext. Droom reported Rs 85 crore in revenue for FY24, a 66% decline from Rs 253 crore in FY23. It managed to reduce its losses by 35% to Rs 40 crore in FY24. Droom is reportedly planning to file draft papers for a Rs 1,000 crore IPO in 2027, targeting a valuation between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion.

Exclusive: Tiger Global-backed Captain Fresh converts into public entity

EntrackrEntrackr · 1m ago
Exclusive: Tiger Global-backed Captain Fresh converts into public entity
Medial

B2B seafood marketplace Captain Fresh is gearing up for a listing on the Indian stock exchanges after transitioning into a public limited entity. The board of Captain Fresh has approved a resolution to change its status to a public company and rename it from "Infifresh Foods Private Limited" to "Infifresh Foods Limited”, according to its regulatory filing accessed from the Registrar of Companies (RoC). This development comes just a few months after the company appointed Durgesh Kumar Singh, Anil Berara, and Harita Gupta as independent directors, a separate filing shows. Captain Fresh is reportedly planning to raise $350–400 million at a valuation of over $1 billion through its initial public offering (IPO), comprising both a fresh issue of equity shares and an offer for sale (OFS). The company has also roped in Axis Capital and Bank of America (BofA) as its bankers. Founded in 2019 by Utham Gowda, Captain Fresh is a B2B seafood marketplace offering a farm-to-retail platform for animal protein, including fish, seafood, and sheep. The startup sources directly from agents and farmers, supplying across B2B, B2R, and B2B2C channels. According to the startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, Captain Fresh has raised over $200 million to date, including its $30 million pre-IPO round raised in January this year from Prosus, Accel, Tiger Global, and others. Captain Fresh’s gross revenue (GMV) grew 71% to Rs 1,395 crore in FY24, up from Rs 817 crore in FY23. The company also trimmed its net loss by 22%, bringing it down to Rs 229 crore during the last fiscal.

Download the medial app to read full posts, comements and news.