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Kettleborough VC launches fund II with Rs 80 Cr target, closes Rs 35 Cr in first tranche

EntrackrEntrackr · 3m ago
Kettleborough VC launches fund II with Rs 80 Cr target, closes Rs 35 Cr in first tranche
Medial

Venture capital firm Kettleborough VC, founded by early-stage investor Nisarg Shah, has launched its second fund with a target corpus of Rs 80 crore and announced a first close at Rs 35 crore. The fund is backed by a mix of family offices and entrepreneurs from India and the US. According to Kettleborough, Fund II will continue to invest in deeply experienced founders at the earliest stages, typically those with over 10 years of domain expertise and a strong execution focus. The firm will write initial cheques of $300,000–$500,000 in about 10 startups, with significant follow-on reserves for high-performing bets. Founded in 2021, Kettleborough VC has built a name as a conviction-led, construct-specific fund. Its Fund I backed 12 startups including Zippmat, InPrime, Finhaat, and Elivaas, nine of which received their first institutional cheque from Kettleborough. These portfolio companies have since raised follow-on rounds from investors like Omnivore, Lightspeed, 3one4, and Bessemer. “We only back founders for whom the startup is a natural outcome of a decade-long journey in their domain. Fund I has validated this thesis with strong portfolio traction and early PMF. Fund II doubles down on this conviction,” said Shah. Kettleborough added that it focuses on “Dhandha-first” businesses, with interest across financial services, commerce infrastructure, and vertical SaaS/AI platforms. Shah has personally backed over 30 startups, with 10 exits and 80 follow-on rounds, including hits like Foxtale, Onebanc, and Homeville.

Taghash launches AI-integrated MCP Server for VC and PE firms

EntrackrEntrackr · 3m ago
Taghash launches AI-integrated MCP Server for VC and PE firms
Medial

Snippets Taghash launches AI-integrated MCP Server for VC and PE firms Taghash, a SaaS platform that powers venture capital, private equity, and family office workflows, has launched its new Venture Capital MCP Server, a first of its kind integration that enables AI agents to securely access and interact with live fund data. The MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server acts as a secure bridge between AI copilots like OpenAI, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot, and internal fund operations. It allows firms to query, analyze, and act on real time data across deal flow, CRM, MIS, LP engagement, and portfolio tracking. Taghash counts over 60 firms as clients, including Blume Ventures, A91 Partners, Elevar Equity, and 360.one. With this launch, these users can now connect their workflows directly to AI systems without risking data leaks or hallucinations, as the server operates entirely within existing login and role based access controls. Clients can deploy the MCP Server in minutes using Node.js. The integration supports structured data entry, automated report generation, and smart insights while eliminating the need for third party plugins or manual processes. The platform has been built with enterprise grade compliance including SOC 2 certification, short lived tokens, and explicit consent for AI driven changes. According to Blume Ventures and Avaana Capital, the system has significantly improved data handling and AI reliability. Taghash aims to become a full stack operating system for investment teams, and the MCP Server is a key step toward that vision. It enables faster, safer, and more intelligent decision making powered by governed AI. The company is also offering prebuilt templates and prompt libraries for immediate adoption.

Infibeam Avenues restructures UAE unit ahead of ADX listing

EntrackrEntrackr · 7m ago
Infibeam Avenues restructures UAE unit ahead of ADX listing
Medial

Fintech firm Infibeam Avenues Ltd's UAE subsidiary has reorganized its shareholding structure ahead of its listing to amplify its digital payment strategy, as stated in a stock exchange filing. The reorganization involves transferring the mirror shareholding in Avenues World FZ-LLC to its newly incorporated Abu Dhabi entity, Infibeam Avenues ME SPV Ltd. According to the stock exchange filing on Thursday, Infibeam Avenues' wholly-owned UAE subsidiary, Vavian International Ltd, will hold an 80 percent stake in the newly formed Infibeam Avenues ME SPV Ltd. This entity will, in turn, own Avenues World FZ-LLC, the operator behind the widely recognized CCAvenue.ae payment gateway in the UAE. The strategic reshuffling aligns with Infibeam Avenues' bullish outlook on the rapidly expanding digital payments sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The move also aligns with the company's plans to optimize its upcoming ADX IPO fundraising (Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange), which requires the company to have its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Prior to this, Infibeam Avenues stated that its UAE-based step-down subsidiary, Avenues World FZ-LLC, had raised up to $20 million in a pre-IPO equity placement. The 20% dilution gave the firm a post-money valuation of $100 million. In August 2023, Infibeam Avenues was reported to have processed over AED 1 billion in transactions in a single month. By October 2023, its CCAvenue.ae payment gateway had processed more than AED 24.5 billion in transactions, serving over 5,000 merchants across various industries, including high-profile clients such as Burj Khalifa, Emaar, Damac, Nakheel, and Trump Golf Dubai. Earlier, Infibeam Avenues had introduced mobile-based QR code solutions in the UAE, targeting the growing offline payments sector. This launch marked a pivotal step for the company, as it expanded its portfolio of offerings into the international market, beginning with the UAE. Additionally, Infibeam’s subsidiary in Saudi Arabia recently secured the Payment Tokenization Service Provider (PTSP) certification from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), becoming one of the first Indian fintech firms to do so in the Kingdom. The company had also reported impressive year-on-year growth in the region, driven by the launch of initiatives such as express settlement for merchants, CCAvenue TapPay, and an aggressive expansion strategy targeting the digital payments boom in the Middle East.

AstroTalk raises $20 Mn from Left Lane Capital

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
AstroTalk raises $20 Mn from Left Lane Capital
Medial

Spiritual tech startup AstroTalk on Monday announced that it has raised $20 million in a Series A round from Left Lane Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm that invests in high-growth consumer and internet technology companies. This is one of the largest funding rounds in the spiritual-tech industry in India, so far. AstroTalk will use the funds for strategic acquisitions to expand in international markets, solidify new business verticals, and hire senior leadership roles, the company said in a press release. Last week, Entrackr exclusively reported about the upcoming funding round in AstroTalk. Founded in 2017 by Puneet Gupta and Anmol Jain, AstroTalk connects consumers to astrologers for horoscope readings, birth chart analysis, live prayers and more. The platform boasts over 15,000 active astrologers and has served more than 4 crore users to date. “Astrotalk is a ‘Made in India, Built for the World’ company, eyeing expansion across the US, Canada, UK & Middle East. One-on-one consultations stand to be approximately 95% of our revenue with about 20% of the revenues coming from outside of India,” said Puneet Gupta, founder and CEO of Astrotalk in the release. Currently, the company is building a strong leadership team to head new business verticals and is actively hiring. Additionally, it is planning an ESOP buyback to create wealth for its employees. AstroTalk claims to clock an ARR of approximately Rs 800 crore in FY24 and a 100% year-on-year revenue growth in the last three years. As per the company’s annual financial statement, it posted 146% growth in its revenue to Rs 283 crore in FY23 whereas its profits spiked 41.7% to Rs 8.5 crore. The firm also projected to end FY24 with Rs 650 crore in revenue and Rs 100 crore in profit. It competes with GaneshaSpeaks, InstraAstro, Click Astro, and Bodhi.

Fragaria Fruits raises $2 Mn in seed round led by WEH Ventures

EntrackrEntrackr · 12d ago
Fragaria Fruits raises $2 Mn in seed round led by WEH Ventures
Medial

Fragaria Fruits raises $2 Mn in seed round led by WEH Ventures Farming company Fragaria Fruits has raised $2 million in a seed funding round led by WEH Ventures, along with participation from Rainmatter, Spiral Ventures, and angel investors such as Sashi Kumar. The startup had previously raised Rs 1.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round. The fresh funds will be utilized to scale its operations in Bengaluru, expand its premium fruit portfolio to include blueberries and raspberries, and provide a year-round supply of high-quality, sustainable produce to the Indian market, Fragaria said in a press release. Co-founded in 2024 by Harish Varadharajan, Timothy Chad Van Niekerk, and Damian López-Salazar, Fragaria Fruits aspires to address a critical gap in India’s fruit industry: the lack of consistently high-quality, fresh fruit available year-round. It aims to redefine the fruit-eating experience for Indian consumers by delivering premium, sustainably grown produce using world-class farming techniques. According to the Chennai-based startup, its flagship brand, Oh! Fruits, offers European strawberries grown in Chennai using advanced vertical farming technology, which are twice as sweet as conventional Indian varieties, pesticide-free, and have a shelf life up to three times longer than typical market options. The company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its water recycling systems, solar power integration, and efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of farming while maintaining affordability. By using Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) and vertical farming, Fragaria has built a sustainable and scalable model to grow premium strawberries year-round. It plans to expand production in Bengaluru, increasing daily output from 2–3 kg to 120–150 kg. The startup doesn't have any local brands to compete with for fruits, but there are limited imported fruit brands in India, such as Driscoll’s (berries), Zespri (kiwi), and Rockit (apples).

Starbucks India posts Rs 1,218 Cr revenue in FY24; losses surge 3.2X

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
Starbucks India posts Rs 1,218 Cr revenue in FY24; losses surge 3.2X
Medial

Starbucks India has emerged as the largest coffee chain in the country as the company left Coffee Cafe Day behind in terms of revenue during the fiscal year ending March 2024. However, the firm barely managed double digit growth in the said fiscal year and at the same time, its losses widened over three-fold. Tata Starbucks’ revenue from operations increased 12.05% to Rs 1,218 crore in FY24 from Rs 1,087 crore in FY23, its standalone annual financial statements filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) show. Starbucks For background, Starbucks India is a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products Limited. Launched in 2012, Tata Starbucks now operates in over 390 stores across 54 Indian cities, with approximately 4,300 partners. Its nearest competitor Coffee Cafe Day’s revenue stood at Rs 1,013 crore in FY24. As of March 2024, it had 450 stores. Starbucks also competes with several new-age coffee startups including Blue Tokai, Rage Coffee, Third Wave Coffee Roasters, Slay Coffee, Sleepy Owl, and Seven Beans Co among several others. Coming to Tata Starbucks revenue, the sale of coffee and related products formed most of its revenue. The rest of the income came from the loyalty program called My Starbucks Rewards where the customers earn loyalty points (Stars). For a coffee-selling company, the procurement of coffee beans, and other related products accounted for 26% of the total expenditure. To the tune of scale, this cost increased 8.5% to Rs 343 crore in FY23. Its employee benefits, rent, electricity, advertisement cum promotion, royalty, transportation, and other overheads took the firm’s overall expenditure to Rs 1,320 crore in FY24 from Rs 1,140 crore in FY23. See TheKredible for the complete expense breakup. Along with flat scale, Starbucks India’s losses surged 3.2x to Rs 80 crore in FY24 from Rs 25 crore in FY23. Its ROCE and EBITDA margin stood at 0.4% and 18%, respectively. On a unit level, the firm spent Rs 1.08 to earn a rupee in FY24. FY23-FY24 FY23 FY24 EBITDA Margin 19% 18% Expense/₹ of Op Revenue ₹1.05 ₹1.08 ROCE 3% 0.4% Coffee chains, by their very nature seek upscale locations, which means rental costs can be very high. Starbucks India, which is still in expansion mode with a possible target of 1000 stores by 2028, faces that challenge, besides the more obvious one of finding customers for its pricey offerings. Multiple startups encroaching in the same segment has not helped, as unlike the humble tea, coffee snobs are a very real thing, and many of the new upstarts have built a following accordingly. More than losses, Starbucks India will possibly be more focused on metrics like same store sales growth and footfalls for now, as its menu offerings have enough margins to deliver handsomely if footfalls increase significantly. The question is, will premium coffee find a deep enough market, or will it run up against the by now famously shallow middle class market?

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