• 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.
  • Sheeva AI and Velocity Logic to Integrate Loyalty Rewards into In-Vehicle Payments

    Sheeva AI

    TYSONS CORNER, VA: Sheeva AI, a global innovator in location-based in-vehicle payments, has announced a strategic collaboration with Velocity Logic Group, a leading provider of rewards and loyalty program technology for fuel retailers and convenience stores.

    The partnership is set to transform the in-car commerce ecosystem by integrating loyalty programs directly into the vehicle payment experience, enhancing convenience and customer engagement.

    As the future of mobility leans toward connected, intelligent vehicles, the partnership between Sheeva AI and Velocity Logic bridges a critical gap – delivering frictionless in-vehicle payments with real-time access to loyalty rewards, discounts, and personalized incentives for drivers.

    Also Read: TVS Indus Design Honours Launched to Promote Design-Led Innovation in Indian Mobility

    “Consumers expect seamless digital payment experiences, and their vehicles are no exception,” said Evgeny Klochikhin, CEO of Sheeva.AI. “By partnering with Velocity Logic, we’re enabling drivers to pay for services and access loyalty benefits – all within the comfort of their car.”

    Sheeva AI: Seamless Loyalty and Payments at the Wheel

    With SheevaConnect, Sheeva AI’s geolocation-based platform detects when a vehicle enters a service area such as a gas station, EV charging point, parking facility, or toll booth, and automatically initiates secure, in-vehicle transactions. The integration with Velocity Logic will enable these transactions to be linked with loyalty programs, unlocking points, offers, and personalized rewards at the time of purchase.

    “The future of mobility is more than just smart vehicles—it’s about smart consumer experiences,” said Vik Mehta, Head of Business at Velocity Logic. “This partnership allows drivers to effortlessly interact with loyalty platforms they value while making everyday purchases.”

    Also Read: NITI Aayog Launches India Electric Mobility Index to Accelerate State-Level EV Adoption

    Velocity Logic is known for delivering data-driven loyalty platforms that enhance customer lifetime value for fuel and retail brands. The combined offering with Sheeva AI will empower brands to engage drivers at the point of sale—without leaving the vehicle.

    Market Opportunity and Rollout

    Industry reports estimate the global market for in-vehicle commerce to exceed $2 trillion, fueled by over 100 million connected vehicles on roads today in the U.S. alone. The target use cases span fueling, parking, EV charging, tolling, drive-thru food, car washes, and curbside pickup.

    The SheevaConnect experience will roll out across thousands of gas stations in North America this year, and Sheeva.AI is working closely with automaker partners to bring the platform to over a million vehicles by the end of 2025.

    This partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of connected mobility, blending automotive technology, retail personalization, and digital payments into a unified, in-vehicle ecosystem.

    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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