🚀 Medial Secures Investment on Shark Tank India - Fueling the Future of Professional Social Networking. 🔥
Login

News on Medial

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

EntrackrEntrackr · 5m 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.

1

Related News

Exclusive: Bobble AI lays off 50 employees amid organizational redesign

EntrackrEntrackr · 4m ago
Exclusive: Bobble AI lays off 50 employees amid organizational redesign
Medial

Exclusive: Bobble AI lays off 50 employees amid organizational redesign According to the company, it is supporting outgoing employees with an Employee Assistance Program, career coaching, and well-being sessions. Bobble AI, the homegrown AI-powered communication and data intelligence startup, has laid off about 50 employees in a recent round of restructuring, according to three sources aware of the matter. "The move was communicated internally and has been attributed to the company’s ongoing fundraising challenges. The layoffs were linked to the slowdown in closing fresh funding,” said a source, requesting anonymity. Bobble AI confirmed the development to Entrackr. “Bobble AI recently undertook an organizational redesign to align with our long-term strategic priorities and commitment to stakeholders. This meant reflection and looking into 3 Ps – Projects, Processes and People. This decision was not driven solely by fundraising but by our focus on building a leaner, more resilient company. We remain confident about our growth path and committed to innovating in AI-powered communication and data intelligence,” said Ankit Prasad, founder of Bobble AI, in a statement. However, the company did not comment on how many employees were impacted by the layoff. Entrackr had earlier reported that Bobble AI is raising fresh funds at a 30% lower valuation. According to startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, the Gurugram-based company has raised around $35 million, including $26 million in a mix of primary and secondary capital from Krafton Inc in September 2022. Krafton controls nearly 25% stake in the 12-year-old company. Bobble.ai offers an AI-powered Indic keyboard supporting over 120 languages, with facial recognition for personalized GIFs and stickers. Integrated with WhatsApp and Facebook (Meta), the company monetizes through ads, data insights, subscriptions, and branded merchandise. For the fiscal year ended March 2024, Bobble AI registered 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.

Exclusive: Powerplay valuation halves in fresh funding

EntrackrEntrackr · 5m 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 · 11m 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.

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