• Startup Pulse
    altM raises $10.3 million in a Series A round led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Mela Ventures, with Omnivore, Theia Ventures, Aureolis Ventures, Spectrum Impact and strategic angel investors participating. Venomics AI raises $2.7 million in a pre-seed round co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with Operators Studio participating. EloElo Group raises $80 million in a Series C round led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, with MIT Investment Co. and existing investors participating. Peppermint Robotics raises ₹100 crore (approximately $10.5 million) in a Pre-Series B round led by pi Ventures and Crane Venture Partners, with Asiana Fund participating. Traversal raises $120 million in a Series B round at a $1 billion valuation, led by Kleiner Perkins, Redpoint and Khosla Ventures, with Sequoia Capital, Battery Ventures and Amex Ventures participating. GIVA raises over $100 million in a round led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management. The Croffle Guys raises ₹14 crore in a round led by V3 Ventures, with N.A.N Partners participating. Solgram raises over $1 million in a pre-seed round led by DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital, with Kapil Chopra participating. Sachin Tendulkar makes a strategic investment in Metasports Interactive, the company behind Hitwicket. The amount was not disclosed. Hyeglo Beauty raises ₹7 crore in a round led by Sauce, with Giga Capital, Consumer Collective, Reckitt's Arjun Purkayastha and The Patient Capital participating. altM raises $10.3 million in a Series A round led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Mela Ventures, with Omnivore, Theia Ventures, Aureolis Ventures, Spectrum Impact and strategic angel investors participating. Venomics AI raises $2.7 million in a pre-seed round co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with Operators Studio participating. EloElo Group raises $80 million in a Series C round led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, with MIT Investment Co. and existing investors participating. Peppermint Robotics raises ₹100 crore (approximately $10.5 million) in a Pre-Series B round led by pi Ventures and Crane Venture Partners, with Asiana Fund participating. Traversal raises $120 million in a Series B round at a $1 billion valuation, led by Kleiner Perkins, Redpoint and Khosla Ventures, with Sequoia Capital, Battery Ventures and Amex Ventures participating. GIVA raises over $100 million in a round led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management. The Croffle Guys raises ₹14 crore in a round led by V3 Ventures, with N.A.N Partners participating. Solgram raises over $1 million in a pre-seed round led by DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital, with Kapil Chopra participating. Sachin Tendulkar makes a strategic investment in Metasports Interactive, the company behind Hitwicket. The amount was not disclosed. Hyeglo Beauty raises ₹7 crore in a round led by Sauce, with Giga Capital, Consumer Collective, Reckitt's Arjun Purkayastha and The Patient Capital participating.
  • Arka Fincap Launches Aapka Apna Lending Model for Tier 2-4 Markets

    Arka Fincap

    Mumbai: Arka Fincap Ltd., a Kirloskar Group company, has launched its secured retail lending platform under the refreshed customer-centric brand identity ‘Aapka Apna’.

    With this strategic rollout, Arka Fincap aims to strengthen financial inclusion by offering tailored loan solutions to small business owners and self-employed individuals across India’s Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities.

    The company’s new lending products include Secured Business Loans and Used Vehicle Loans, designed to cater to entrepreneurs who often remain underserved by traditional financial systems.

    Also Read: Jana Small Finance Bank Launches iVanii App on World MSME Day

    These offerings are backed by features such as 24-hour disbursals, prepayment flexibility, and personalized relationship management, simplifying the credit journey for grassroots borrowers.

    “We are not just offering business loans – we are offering belief,” said Samrat Gupta, Managing Director, Arka Fincap Ltd. “With ‘Aapka Apna’, our aim is to cultivate a culture of trust and empathy through responsible lending supported by technology and local insight.”

    Arka Fincap: Customer-First Approach

    Arka’s customer-first approach also includes performance-based rewards for timely repayments, reinforcing healthy credit behaviour.

    The company’s lending policies are adapted to the geographic and economic realities of its target markets, ensuring context-aware decision-making.

    As part of its retail strategy, Arka Fincap is actively expanding its physical footprint with plans to establish 100+ branches by FY25 across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha. This will double in FY26, further solidifying its commitment to underserved regions.

    Also Read: CRIF High Mark MicroLend Report: Microfinance Sector Sees Shift Toward High-Ticket Loans

    “Our 3-3-3 strategy – 3x AUM, 3% ROA, and sub-3% GNPA by FY30 – reflects our vision for sustainable, tech-enabled lending that creates long-term impact,” said Anand Bang, CEO, Arka Fincap Ltd.

    Parminder Multani, Chief Business Officer – Secured Retail Lending, added, “At Arka, we aim to solve real-world problems, not just disburse loans. Our solutions are designed for speed, personalization, and relevance – empowering entrepreneurs to succeed on their own terms.”

    With this launch, Arka Fincap ushers in a new chapter as a next-generation retail lender, blending trust, technology, and local understanding to support India’s growing base of micro and small businesses.

    Author

    • Salil Urunkar

      Salil Urunkar is a senior journalist and the editorial mind behind Sahyadri Startups. With years of experience covering Pune’s entrepreneurial rise, he’s passionate about telling the real stories of founders, disruptors, and game-changers.

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