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    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.

    • Just In

    PNB Housing Finance Announces Ajai Kumar Shukla as New MD and CEO

    Power Seat Posted on  —by Salil Urunkar

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    Ajai Kumar Shukla

    PNB Housing Finance Limited has announced the appointment of Ajai Kumar Shukla as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 18, 2025, for a term of five years.

    The appointment was approved by the Board of Directors following the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and upon receipt of requisite regulatory approvals.

    Ajai Kumar Shukla brings over three decades of extensive experience in housing finance and mortgage lending.

    Also Read: PMAY-U 2.0: PNB Housing Finance Sanctions ₹1,530 Crore to Over 10,000 Beneficiaries

    Prior to joining PNB Housing Finance, he spent 16 years at Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited, where he held senior leadership roles and led multiple critical functions, including business growth, credit, risk management, valuation, digital transformation, and affordable housing finance.

    Before his tenure at Tata Capital, Ajai Kumar Shukla was associated with ICICI Bank and LIC Housing Finance Limited, further strengthening his expertise across the housing finance ecosystem.

    Ajai Kumar Shukla to Lead PNB Housing Finance’s Next Phase of Growth

    Commenting on the appointment, D Surendran, Chairperson and Non-Executive Nominee Director of PNB Housing Finance, said that Ajai Kumar Shukla’s strong leadership credentials, deep domain knowledge, and proven track record would be instrumental as the company enters its next phase of growth.

    He added that the Board is confident in Shukla’s ability to strengthen the company’s franchise, enhance customer trust, and deliver sustainable value to all stakeholders.

    Also Read: University of York Names Provost, COO and Academic Services Head for Mumbai Campus

    Speaking on his appointment, Ajai Kumar Shukla said that PNB Housing Finance is a trusted and admired institution with a strong legacy in the housing finance sector.

    He expressed his enthusiasm for joining the company at a pivotal time and stated his intent to work closely with the Board and leadership team to drive operational excellence, strengthen customer trust, and position the company as a benchmark for innovation and inclusive growth.

    Ajai Kumar Shukla holds a postgraduate degree in Finance from CSJM University, Kanpur, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Kanpur University.

    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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