Venture capital news

In plain words: How much money is moving and at what prices: the mood of the market.

D2C skincare brand Deconstruct grew its operating revenue 25-fold in three years to Rs 165 crore in FY26, with revenue growing 30% year-on-year. The firm continued to expand its business while keeping losses marginal, reporting a net loss of Rs 5.4 crore in the last fiscal year. The Bengaluru-based startup’s revenue from operations grew 30% YoY to Rs 165 crore in FY26, compared to Rs 127 crore in FY25, according to its financial statements sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC). Founded by Malini Adapureddy, Deconstruct offers products for different skin types, including sensitive ones. Its portfolio spans face, body, lip and hair care products for men and women. Deconstruct’s growth has also been accompanied by higher spending on marketing and ops as it scales. Advertising and promotional expenses rose 72.5% to Rs 69 crore in FY26, accounting for 40% of its overall costs. Its procurement costs increased 39.3% to Rs 39 crore during the fiscal year ended March 2026, in line with the expansion of its business. Transportation, freight, legal and other overheads also added to the burn. Deconstruct’s total expenses grew 48.7% to Rs 174 crore in FY26 from Rs 117 crore in FY25, outpacing its revenue growth during the year. As a result, the company reported a net loss of Rs 5.4 crore in FY26, compared to a net profit of Rs 10 crore in FY25.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 19 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: A company was bought or listed. Investors get money back and often fund new startups with it.

MakeMyTrip is in talks to acquire car and bike pooling platform Quick Ride, sources familiar with the matter told Entrackr. “The deal is currently at the due diligence stage, with both sides examining the business and working through the details of the proposed transaction,” one of the sources said on condition of anonymity. According to sources, the acquisition is being explored through redBus, with the transaction expected to involve a mix of cash and equity. The potential acquisition could help MakeMyTrip expand its presence in urban mobility and strengthen its corporate commute offerings. redBus already operates rPool, a carpooling platform that connects verified working professionals travelling along similar routes and allows them to offer or find rides for daily commutes. “Acquiring Quick Ride would help MakeMyTrip expand its presence in the carpooling segment and strengthen its commuter network,” said another source who also wished not to be named. The timeline for the deal’s completion could not be ascertained, and the terms of the transaction may change as discussions progress. Founded in 2015 by KNM Rao, Bengaluru based Quick Ride connects commuters travelling along similar routes for car and bike pooling. The platform also caters to corporate employees and offers daily office commute solutions.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 19 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: How much money is moving and at what prices: the mood of the market.

Leverage Edu plans to increase its focus on artificial intelligence (AI), customer experience and marketing efficiency as it expands into new markets, founder Akshay Chaturvedi said. In a post on X following Entrackr ’s report on the company’s FY26 financial numbers, Chaturvedi outlined priorities including technology adoption, university partnerships, cash flow management and new go-to-market (GTM) initiatives. He said expansion into less competitive international markets had helped the company enter new destinations. Better brand awareness and referrals had also reduced customer acquisition costs (CAC), although local players continued to hold an advantage in several regions. The company is expanding the use of AI across its operations. Chaturvedi said its AI suite, LE-AI, had started contributing to business functions. Leverage Edu has introduced AI-based analysis after counselling sessions to help coaches improve performance and is extending its use to consumers and partners. Chaturvedi also said higher uptake of financial services, housing, insurance and other offerings had improved customer lifetime value (LTV) and net promoter score (NPS). Leverage Edu’s operating revenue more than doubled to Rs 364.4 crore in FY26 from Rs 173.3 crore in FY25. Its net loss narrowed 82% to Rs 19.4 crore, while EBITDA turned positive at Rs 2 crore.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 18 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: How much money is moving and at what prices: the mood of the market.

Hunger Pangs Limited, the operator of premium Burmese restaurant chain Burma Burma, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO). The proposed IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 150 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 2.79 crore shares by existing shareholders. The promoters, Ankit Virendra Gupta and Chirag Narendra Chhajer, will each sell up to 60 lakh shares. Promoter group entity Bbigplas Poly will offload up to 42 lakh shares. Among the investor shareholders, Negen Tech Opportunities Angel Fund will sell up to 64.68 lakh shares, Venture Catalysts Angel Growth Fund up to 27.72 lakh shares and L V Angel Fund up to 5.25 lakh shares. Other selling shareholders include Nisarg Ajaykumar Vakharia, Shweta Sharma and Mehul Kirit Mehta. The company plans to use the proceeds from the fresh issue to set up new Burma Burma restaurants across India and for general corporate purposes. Panthomath Capital Advisors is the sole book-running lead manager to the issue. Hunger Pangs operates Burma Burma, a premium Pan-Asian casual dining chain built around Burmese cuisine, cultural storytelling and experiential dining. Its menu development focuses on culinary research and innovation, supported by standardised processes across its restaurant network.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 17 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: A startup raised money. It shows which kinds of company investors are backing right now.

Battery-swapping startup Battery Smart has raised close to Rs 100 crore from an existing investor as it looks to expand its network for electric two- and three-wheelers. The fresh capital will support the company’s expansion plans as it continues to scale its battery-swapping network. According to its regulatory filings accessed by Entrackr , the company allotted 18,000 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of Rs 54,407 per share, aggregating to approximately Rs 98 crore from Ecosystem Integrity Fund. The round appears to be ongoing, with the Gurugram-based company likely to raise additional capital in tranches. In August 2026, Battery Smart had raised Rs 185.5 crore ($19.5 million) in a Series C funding round led by existing investor Rising Tide Ventures, with participation from Ecosystem Integrity Fund and Blume Ventures. As per Entrackr’s the company is valued around Rs 4170 crore or $440 million post money valuation. Battery Smart plans to use fresh proceeds to support business expansion, capital expenditure, working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes, the filings added. Founded in 2020, Battery Smart operates a battery-swapping network for electric two- and three-wheelers.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 17 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: How much money is moving and at what prices: the mood of the market.

This week, 28 Indian startups raised $302.85 million across 8 growth-stage deals, 21 early-stage deals, and 1 undisclosed round. The week also saw 5 key appointments, 1 departure and a fund launch. In contrast, 28 startups had collectively secured about $113.35 million in the previous week. [ Growth-stage deals ] Growth-stage startups raised $220.37 million across eight deals this week, led by Tessolve Semiconductor, a Hero Electronix company, which secured $75 million from US-based Vector Line Capital. Homegrown sports brand Boldfit raised over Rs 400 crore in a Series B round led by Bharat Value Fund, while AI agent startup RapidCanvas secured $29 million from Vertex Ventures. Bengaluru-based Scimplify raised $25 million in a strategic round led by Hitachi Ventures. Construction robotics startup Origin raised $20 million in a round co-led by Accel and Zacua Ventures. Meanwhile, D2C personal care brand Nat Habit is raising Rs 142.6 crore ($15 million) in a fresh round led by Trident Growth Partners. Toothsi's parent MakeO raised Rs 90 crore from Singularity AMC, while B2B manufacturing startup CapGrid secured Rs 46.28 crore ($4.87 million) in a pre-Series B round led by Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 17 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: How much money is moving and at what prices: the mood of the market.

Leverage Edu, which helps Indian students secure admissions to overseas universities, more than doubled its operating revenue in FY26 as it expanded its international presence. The Delhi-based company also turned EBITDA-positive during the year, while its net losses narrowed 82% year-on-year to Rs 19 crore. The edtech startup’s operating revenue more than doubled to Rs 364.4 crore in FY26 from Rs 173.3 crore in FY25, according to its consolidated financial statements filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). Founded by Akshay Chaturvedi in 2017, Leverage Edu helps students navigate the overseas education process, from university selection and admissions to education financing. The platform caters to students across India and international markets, with access to universities in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Japan and Dubai. Student placement services remained Leverage Edu’s largest revenue stream in FY26, contributing 77% of operating revenue as the segment grew 2.3 times year-on-year to Rs 281.8 crore, supported by the company’s expansion into new markets. Its Fly business, launched in late 2022 to provide financial services to students going abroad, also gained traction, with revenue doubling to Rs 59.6 crore. The segment earns commissions from education loans, foreign exchange and student accommodation services.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 17 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.

In plain words: A startup raised money. It shows which kinds of company investors are backing right now.

B2B manufacturing startup CapGrid has raised Rs 46.28 crore, or $4.87 million, in a pre-Series B funding round led by new investor Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures, with participation from existing investors Nexus Venture Partners, Anicut Capital, and others. The board at CapGrid passed a special resolution to issue 2,888 compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of Rs 1,60,263 per share to raise fresh capital, according to its regulatory filings accessed by Entrackr . Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures led the round with an investment of Rs 38.30 crore, while Axilor Technology Fund and Anicut Capital are investing Rs 3 crore each. Nexus Venture Partners and Amit Jain will contribute Rs 1 crore each. As per Entrackr’s estimates, the company’s post-money valuation surged over 50% to Rs 430 crore ($46 million), compared with its previous Series A round of $5 million led by Anicut Capital in February 2025. Following the pre-Series B allotment, Nexus Venture Partners remained the largest external shareholder, with an 18.08% stake, followed by Anicut Capital with 16.40% and Axilor Ventures with 11.94%. Co-founders Dheeraj Kumar Tiwari and Himanshu Singh Raghuvanshi each hold an 18.63% stake in the company. According to the filings, CapGrid will use the funds for expansion and growth, as well as to meet its additional capital requirements.

Read the full story at Entrackr (opens in a new tab)Published 16 Oct 2026. This is the publisher’s own feed excerpt.