• Startup Pulse
    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. Dispatch Network raises ₹5 crore in a pre-seed round led by Antler India, with angel investors participating. Two Point O Capital raises $10 million in a round led by Transition Venture Capital, with Omnivore and angel investors 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. Dispatch Network raises ₹5 crore in a pre-seed round led by Antler India, with angel investors participating. Two Point O Capital raises $10 million in a round led by Transition Venture Capital, with Omnivore and angel investors participating.
  • SFL Football League 2025 Expands to Mumbai and Pune with Second Edition

    SFL Football League 2025

    Mumbai/Pune: The SFL Football League 2025, organised by Sports For Life (SFL), is set to launch its second edition on September 27, 2025, bringing six months of structured and technology-driven grassroots football to Mumbai and Pune.

    After a successful debut season in Mumbai, the league’s expansion to Pune marks a significant milestone in building a connected grassroots football ecosystem across Western India.

    Also Read: Arya Naik Wins Gold for Maharashtra at 4th Sub Junior National Taekwondo Championship 2025

    SFL Football League 2025: Backed by MFA and PDFA

    Officially affiliated with the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) and the Pune District Football Association (PDFA), the league is designed to raise standards of professionalism and accessibility. Open to boys, girls, and co-ed teams across eight categories from under-8 to under-17, it provides consistent game time and a professional matchday atmosphere for players aged 5–18.

    Tech-Enabled Grassroots Football Experience

    The SFL Football League 2025 integrates advanced technology into youth football. Every match will be livestreamed in 4K through the SFL app, with AI-powered performance statistics and real-time score updates available for parents, coaches, and scouts. Each player will also receive a professional kit, while top performers will be awarded trophies, medals, and MVP recognition.

    Strong Endorsements and Global Mentorship

    Sourjyendu Medda, Co-founder of SFL, highlighted that the league’s expansion aims to create a truly connected grassroots ecosystem, offering consistent match exposure and tools to improve performance.

    Also Read: Sports for Life Appoints Heimir Hallgrimsson as Global Ambassador and Football Mentor

    Heimir Hallgrímsson, SFL Football Mentor, Global Ambassador, and Manager of the Republic of Ireland men’s national team, described the league as a crucial step forward for Indian football, citing its structured format and tech-driven insights as vital for player development.

    Former India internationals Keegan Pereira and Henry Menezes have also endorsed the initiative, recognising its role in building pathways for young football talent in India.

    Scale and Venues of SFL Football League 2025

    This year, the league will feature more than 3,200 players across 200+ teams, supported by over 6,000 parents and fans every weekend. A total of 2,200+ matches will be played in a league-plus-knockout format, ensuring each team competes in at least 14 matches.

    Premium venues will host the matches, including Cooperage Ground (Churchgate), Jamnabai Narsee Ground (Juhu), and Celebrations Turf (Andheri West) in Mumbai, and Hotfut and 4 Lions grounds in Pune.

    Pathway to National Expansion

    With Mumbai and Pune as its starting points, the SFL Football League 2025 aims to expand further through inter-district and inter-state competitions, working towards establishing a nationwide youth football structure.

    Registrations are now open for academies and clubs in both cities. For more details, interested participants can email sflchampionship@sportsforlife.in, follow @sportsforlife_in on Instagram, or connect via LinkedIn at Sports For Life.

    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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