• Startup Pulse
    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. Unify Foodworks raises ₹5 crore in seed funding through convertible debentures from Atrium Ventures, SailThru Ventures, Arjun Vaidya and Abhishek Goyal. OBSESS raises approximately ₹3 crore in an angel round from Pushpendra Singh, Amit Goel and Harshit Vij. 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. Unify Foodworks raises ₹5 crore in seed funding through convertible debentures from Atrium Ventures, SailThru Ventures, Arjun Vaidya and Abhishek Goyal. OBSESS raises approximately ₹3 crore in an angel round from Pushpendra Singh, Amit Goel and Harshit Vij.
  • Mercedes-Benz BEV Sales Surge 157 Per Cent in Q1 FY 25-26

    Mercedes-Benz

    Pune: Mercedes-Benz India reported a remarkable 157 per cent surge in Battery Electric Vehicle (Mercedes-Benz BEV) sales in the first quarter of FY 25-26, underscoring the brand’s accelerating momentum in the luxury electric vehicle segment.

    This sharp growth was driven by rising demand for top-end BEVs such as the EQS SUV, Mercedes-Maybach EQS Night Series, and the G 580 with EQ Technology, collectively contributing to an 8 per cent share of the company’s overall retail sales during the April–June 2025 period.

    Also Read: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ Roars into India with 585 HP and Racing Precision

    “Our 10% growth in Q1 reflects the success of our focused strategy on top-end luxury and electric mobility,” said Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India. “Customer preference is shifting toward exclusive, personalized luxury, and our BEV portfolio is gaining momentum in that space.”

    Top-End Luxury Drives Sales Momentum

    The Top-End Luxury segment – comprising the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, AMG series, and the EQS product range – grew by 20%, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s brand desirability.

    Iconic models like the AMG G 63, EQS SUV, and G 580 with EQ Technology witnessed overwhelming demand, with some models like the AMG GT 63 PRO already sold out for the year.

    Mercedes-Benz BEV Sales Surge 157%

    Mercedes-Benz BEV portfolio posted an impressive 157% growth, contributing 8% to total sales. Key drivers included the EQS Maybach Night Series, EQS 450 SUV, and the G 580 with EQ Technology. Wait times for select BEVs now extend up to six months, underscoring their rising popularity.

    Core Segment Remains Strong with 60% Share

    The Core Segment, including the C-Class, E-Class LWB, GLC, and GLE, contributed to 60% of total sales, also growing by 10%. The E-Class LWB retained its status as India’s highest-selling luxury sedan, bolstered by the new E450 performance variant.

    Also Read: Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC Celebration Edition Launched in India

    GLS AMG Line Launch Enhances SUV Portfolio

    Mercedes-Benz introduced the GLS 450 AMG Line and GLS 450d AMG Line, priced at ₹1.4 crore and ₹1.43 crore respectively. These new variants add a sporty design and AMG styling to the company’s flagship large luxury SUV, the GLS, which already has over 16,000 units on Indian roads.

    Challenges and Outlook

    Despite facing forex volatility, pricing pressures, and entry-luxury competition, Mercedes-Benz India maintained growth by focusing on high-value offerings and customer personalization.

    Its direct-to-customer model, advanced BEV lineup, and continuous investment in customer experience will be central to its strategy moving forward.

    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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