Dutch investment powerhouse Prosus is on the brink of leading a colossal $100 million funding round for the omni-channel jewellery startup BlueStone, sources reveal. This substantial investment is expected to skyrocket BlueStone’s valuation to an astounding $960 million, more than double its previous valuation of $440 million in September 2023.

The funding round will consist of both primary and secondary share sales. Notable VC firms such as Peak XV Partners, Steadview Capital, and Think Investments are also expected to participate. BlueStone is anticipated to secure around $60 million in primary capital, which will be reinvested into business operations, while the remainder will involve early investors selling a portion of their shares.

If finalized, this funding will follow Zepto’s recent $665 million raise, valued at $3.6 billion, underscoring a significant movement in the industry despite a generally subdued deal environment.

Prosus’s Strategic Move

This deal marks a significant milestone for Prosus, which has already invested over $7 billion in unicorns like Meesho and Swiggy. It represents Prosus’s first substantial late-stage investment since mid-2022, having recently focused on Series A deals with companies like Spotdraft and Virgio, as well as supporting portfolio startups such as Urban Company and Captain Fresh.

BlueStone’s Growth Trajectory

BlueStone has shown impressive growth, reporting Rs 788 crore in operating revenue for FY23, a significant increase from Rs 476 crore in FY22. The company has also managed to reduce its losses to Rs 167 crore from Rs 1,268 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Funding Trends in the Indian Tech Ecosystem

According to Tracxn data, the first half of 2024 saw a 13% decline in funding for domestic tech startups, amounting to $4.1 billion compared to $4.8 billion in the same period last year. The number of funding rounds also dropped by 54%, from 989 to 540. However, when compared to the second half of 2023, there has been a slight improvement, with overall funding increasing by 4% from $3.96 billion.

April 2024 recorded the highest monthly funding of $862 million, while January 2023 saw the highest funding of $1.41 billion in H1. This year has seen eight $100 million-plus funding deals, with notable companies like Flipkart, Apollo 24|7, and Meesho raising significant amounts.

1. What are your thoughts on Prosus’s decision to lead a $100 million funding round for BlueStone? How do you think this will impact the jewellery startup’s growth?
2. With BlueStone’s valuation more than doubling, what factors do you believe contributed to such a significant increase?
3. How do you perceive the current funding landscape for tech startups in India, given the recent decline in funding rounds but slight overall funding increase?
4. In what ways do you think BlueStone’s expansion plans will benefit from this new capital infusion?
5. What are your predictions for Prosus’s future investment strategies in the Indian market, given their recent focus on early-stage deals and portfolio support?

After a significant spike in funding last week, investment activity in the Indian startup ecosystem has slowed. Between June 24 and 29, startups raised a total of $196.47 million across 17 deals, reflecting a 75% drop from the previous week’s $800.5 million across 21 deals.

However, this comparison is somewhat misleading. Last week, quick commerce unicorn Zepto alone secured $665 million, accounting for most of the total. Excluding Zepto’s mega-deal, the rest of the ecosystem saw $135.5 million in funding, making this week’s $196.47 million seem less of a drastic decline.

Key Highlights of the Week

1. Largest Funding Round:
   • NBFC Northern Arc secured $75 million in debt funding from FMO, highlighting the fintech sector’s attractiveness. In total, fintech startups raised $77.4 million across three deals this week.
2. Ecommerce Sector Activity:
   • Ecommerce startups led in deal numbers, raising $48.3 million through five deals.
3. Seed Funding Dip:
   • Seed funding saw a sharp decline of 69%, with only $6.9 million raised compared to last week’s $22.7 million.

Major Developments

1. Ather Energy’s IPO Plans:
   • Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy is gearing up for a public market debut, transitioning from a private to a public company, as revealed in its regulatory filings.
2. Zepto’s New Funding Round:
   • Following its recent $665 million raise, Zepto is in talks to secure an additional $400 million, potentially boosting its valuation to $4.6 billion, up from $3.6 billion.
3. Finnest’s Major Investment:
   • UK-based PE firm Finnest invested $160 million to acquire a majority stake in cloud kitchen startup Kitchens@, aiming to expand its business operations.
4. Rupeek’s Down Round:
   • Gold loan provider Rupeek is close to raising $24 million in a funding round expected to mix primary and secondary transactions at a valuation of $250 million, a significant 60% cut.
5. Amazon’s Investment in Amazon Pay India:
   • Amazon has infused $72 million into its Indian fintech arm, Amazon Pay India, to bolster its financial services offerings.
6. NODWIN’s Acquisition:
   • Gaming company NODWIN, owned by Nazara, completed the acquisition of marketing services firm Freaks 4U Gaming GmbH in a deal valued at up to INR 271 crore.
7. upGrad’s Debt Raise:
   • Edtech unicorn upGrad is set to raise $34.4 million through the allotment of NCDs and OCDs to EvolutionX Debt Capital, aiming to fund growth and operating expenses.

• What are your thoughts on the recent trends in startup funding?
• How do you see the fintech sector evolving in the coming months?
• Which of these startups do you believe has the most potential for growth?
• What do you think about Zepto’s rapid valuation increase and new funding round?
• Share your insights on the challenges and opportunities for Indian startups in the current economic climate.

This week has been a whirlwind in the tech industry with significant layoffs, corporate restructuring, legal battles, and innovative launches. Here’s a rundown of the most impactful stories.

Bengaluru’s ReshaMandi Slashes Workforce by 80%

ReshaMandi, a prominent B2B marketplace in Bengaluru specializing in silk yarn products, has laid off 80% of its employees. The drastic downsizing is due to the company’s failure to secure Series B funding. Starting with 500 employees in January 2023, the company has reduced its staff to approximately 100 by the year’s end. Unfortunately, around 300 employees are still awaiting their final salaries and dues.

Meta’s Reality Labs Undergoes Major Restructuring

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is restructuring its Reality Labs division, splitting it into two new groups: Metaverse and Wearables. This change has resulted in some layoffs, though the exact number remains undisclosed. The Metaverse unit will now focus on Oculus headsets, while the Wearables unit will develop other products, including Ray-Ban smart glasses.

US Government Sues Adobe Over Subscription Practices

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Adobe, accusing the software giant of misleading consumers. The lawsuit alleges that Adobe concealed early termination fees and made it challenging for customers to cancel subscriptions, violating federal consumer protection laws.

GST Discussions for Online Gaming in India Continue

The Indian government is engaged in ongoing discussions regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming. The debates aim to clarify and potentially reform the taxation framework for this rapidly growing industry. Stay tuned for more updates on GST and online gaming in India.

Google’s Gemini App Launches in Indian Languages

Google has launched its new Gemini app, which supports multiple Indian languages. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and user experience for non-English speakers in India. Find out more about how Google’s Gemini app is breaking language barriers.

Other Key Tech News:

• Flipkart-Backed BlackBuck Transforms into Public Company: BlackBuck, supported by Flipkart, has officially converted into a public company, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey.
• Peak XV Tops Hurun India Future Unicorn Index 2024: Peak XV Partners leads the latest Hurun India Future Unicorn Index, showcasing its influential position in the Indian startup ecosystem.
• Delhivery and Xpressbees Explore Quick Commerce: Logistics giants Delhivery and Xpressbees are planning to enter the quick commerce space, aiming to leverage the booming market.

Conclusion

This week’s tech news highlights major shifts in the industry, from significant layoffs and corporate restructuring to legal challenges and innovative product launches. Stay informed on these developments to understand their impact on the global tech landscape.