Nikunj Jain

Most of the good early stage VCs in India now have visibility of at least 1-2 IPOs/year in their portfolio for the next 3 years. Understandably, this is becoming a barometer for investor-partner selection by the best founders at the early stages.

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Kluisz.ai, led by former OYO senior executive Abhinav Sinha, has raised $9.6 million (INR 82.9 crore) in seed funding. The round was led by RTP Global and saw participation from Unicorn India Ventures, Blume Ventures Founders Fund, Climber Capital, and prominent angels. Founded in early 2025, Kluisz.ai is building an open-source, AI-native cloud platform to help enterprises deploy and manage AI and edge computing workloads. Check out the full funding details : https://lnkd.in/gjs3UKNB Team Kluisz Abhinav Sinha | Venkata Surya Tej | Vamshidhar Reddy | Abhijeet Singh | #oyoCOO #OYOemployee #AiStartups #SeedFunding #CloudStartups #FundingUpdates #startupro #startupUPdates

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PVR is struggling as it does not produce the content it shows As Bollywood movie quality plummets, all streamers that produce content are benefitting PVR's competitive advantage of being a distributor for all has become a huge disadvantage Distributors who produce are winning

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Will this brand hit a growth ceiling soon? Is current growth based on strong brand/product For founders and even VCs evaluating 50 cr plus revenue brands who don’t have an offline presence yet and want to look at marketing metrics beyond LTV/CAC to answer these questions 10 metrics that can help 1. Total Media Spends as percentage of revenue This is a very hard metric without any assumptions and difficult to manipulate Plot Monthly Data for total Media spends across platforms ( Amazon, FB, Google etc) as a percentage of total Net E-commerce Revenue( Marketplaces, D2C etc) If this remains constant/reduces as the brand scales, it is a huge positive If this increases, needs double clicking 2. Advertising driven Sales At early stages, brands rely on pure performance marketing to drive sales. But this reliance should come down as the brand scales. Plot Monthly Data for percentage of Sales on e-commerce platforms directly driven by Ecom Ads, and percentage of sales on D2C directly driven by paid media If both remain constant/reduces as the brand scales, it is a positive 3. Organic Visits and Brand Searches For consumer brands, it is important to reduce their reliance on performance marketing by working on organic acquisition channels, improving brand awareness and good of word of mouth Tracking Organic Visits and brand search volumes on marketplaces and search engines are good ways to understand this If awareness improves, brand searches always improve. Both on marketplaces as well as google 4. Amazon Reviews and Ratings At scale, Amazon Reviews and Ratings are very difficult to game and gives a very true picture of quality and customer experience Rather than overall ratings and reviews, plot the monthly data of ratings Often early adopters are more considerate and rate new products better But if the monthly ratings remain consistently high with growing scale, it means the products are really good. And has a wider PMF beyond early adopters 5. Conversion Rates Conversion rates trends tell a lot about product-price-market-fit, and about the future scope of growth Look at monthly trends on conversion rates. With scale, conversion rates should go up on both Amazon and D2C A lowering conversion rate often means the in-market audience/core affinity TG is getting exhausted It is a big red flag if it happens as, it often indicates that future growth by paid media is going to be difficult and expensive 6. Repeats Repeat purchases are often the difference between the life and death for CPG brands with AOV on the lower side Look at monthly data on M1 and M3 repeats depending on the consumption cycle If these numbers keep on improving/keeps constant even when the brand moves and scales beyond its early adopters and core affinity TG, it is a big positive as it indicates product market fit at a bigger scale The remaining points are in the blogpost the link to which is in the first comment

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Excited to share this News, 888vc, Our Early-stage venture capital firm based in Bangalore, India has launched platfrom Gro8 backed by ₹175 crore (US$ 20M) fund to back startups focused on AI, deep tech, Enterprise SAAS and sustainability over the next three years. 💡 Key Focus Areas: 🔹 Average ticket size of ₹2–4 crores 🔹 Sector Agnostic Angel fund 🔹 Focus on globally scalable solutions 🔹 Launch of GRO8 angel platform for cross-border funding, mentorship & market access 📌 If you’re building in AI, deep-tech, or sustainability with ambitions to grow globally, let’s talk. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gtUcYkrx #888vc #gro8 #venturecapital #angelinvestments #startups

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Vodex.ai is a 100X.VC portfolio company. Vodex, an AI and SaaS-based outbound phone call automation company, has secured $2 million in seed funding. Unicorn India Ventures and Pentathlon Ventures led this funding round. The company, founded in 2022 by Anshul Shrivastava and Kumar Saurav. Vatsal Kanakiya Smeet Mehta #vodex #ai

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Pleased to announce that Karekeba Ventures, among others, has invested in Stylework SaaS-based co-working/managed workspace aggregator Stylework on Wednesday announced the closure of Rs 30-crore Pre-Series B funding, which is planned to be deployed towards technology enhancement, domestic and international market expansion, and hiring key leadership personnel. Of the total funding, the company had achieved the first close of Rs 10-crore led by Equentis Angel Fund last month, with participation from Karekeba ventures /Cogniphy AIF Fund alongside continued subscriptions from Lets Venture Fund, MoneyVyapaar, HNIs and other strategic investors, Stylework said. Karekeba Ventures Kshitiz Anand Vishal Nikumbh

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Can AI livestreamers finally make livestreaming work in India?   For years, livestreaming has been unsolved in India. Despite being time-rich with a social-first internet, livestreaming as ecom format never took off like China. It wasn’t for lack of trying - dozens of players entered but the pieces never quite clicked   There are two key issues 1) Supply side never scaled. High quality hosts with skill to entertain/ sell "live" are incredibly hard. Even when you find them, time ROI doesn’t justify effort. W/o massive concurrent views, even great hosts can’t monetize their time well 2) Demand side never hit critical mass. Watching live video to shop isn’t a habit for most users. Unlike China, where buying from livestreams is normalized (even aspirational), we haven’t built that instinct   It is one of the hardest content formats to crack. It’s not just about entertainment - it’s about holding attention for long stretches, establishing emotional trust, selling well. That’s a high bar.   China, however, cracked the code.   In China, livestreaming isn’t just content - it’s an industry. There’s a whole ecosystem of training schools that turn novice into conversion machines. There’s trust in format, amplified by exclusive SKUs + deep discounts. And now, something magical is unfolding..   AI livestreamers Luo Yonghao, China’s most prominent livestreamer, recently launched his AI avatar on Baidu’s ecom with their foundational model. Results were incredible 13M+ views $7.6M in GMV 6 hours of seamless, emotionally engaging, product rich conversation "LIVE" by AI avatar   It delivered 97k+ character of product storytelling, 8k+ coordinated gestures, even held banter with co-host avatar, complete with sync movement. It mimicked spontaneity, emotional shifts, tonal variety - everything that was once thought to be uniquely human. What’s more interesting: it did better sales than human host’s original debut   Why this matters I believed livestreaming was one content format AI wouldn’t touch. Too human, too spontaneous, too dependent on emotional resonance. That assumption’s been shaken.   AI livestreamers now deliver: 24/7 performance w/o burnout Cost-efficiency (<$1K setup vs a full-fledged studio) Hyper-consistent quality in storytelling, gestures They may not replace top-tier influencers, who thrive on emotional intimacy & narrative originality. But they could easily replace the long tail - those who drive volume, not creativity   Can livestreaming finally work in India? AI livestreamers could solve the supply side issue. With avatars that can shoot 24/7, mimic human emotions, deliver crisp storytelling at very low cost. Could this unlock ecom in catg like food, electronics, impulse-led lifestyle where trust equation is lighter & trial isn’t mandatory? It’s too early to say. But India’s livestreaming moment might not come from human creators It might come from AI avatars - fluent in emotion, optimized for conversion & built to scale where humans couldn’t.

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At Atomic Capital, we are committed to backing exceptional founders building for the next wave of India’s consumption story. The country’s consumer market is expected to more than double by 2030, reaching over $4 trillion, with fashion emerging as one of the fastest-growing categories. By 2030, India’s apparel market is projected to cross $125 billion, driven by a rising middle class, increased digital adoption, and evolving consumer preferences. Fashion, particularly women's apparel, will play a significant role in this growth. Despite being a highly competitive category, we believe there's still white space for brands that combine customer insight, product excellence, and operational efficiency. We are incredibly excited to announce our investment in ANNY. From our very first interaction with the founding team, we felt there was strong alignment in vision, strategy, and focus on building a lean, sustainable, and scalable business. Here's why we chose to partner with them: 1. Aligned Operating Philosophy: The founding team - Japjot, Aveen, and Rahul, shares our belief in building a capital-efficient brand. They focus on solving scale challenges with systems, data, and discipline—not by burning cash. From day one, they valued our partnership beyond just the capital contribution. 2. Distinctive Product Supply: Anny excels at the intersection of freshness × fabric × fit. Thanks to rigorous efforts in curation and sizing, Anny has achieved some of the lowest return and cancellation rates we’ve seen in the category. 3. Lean Inventory Model: The team has cracked a unique approach to managing inventory. Their system allows for timely sourcing of new designs that often become hero products—ensuring working capital efficiency while minimizing stockouts and lost sales. 4. High Consumer Love: With 100% of revenue coming through their own website and a substantial share from repeat customers, the brand has cultivated a deep and loyal customer base. 5. Efficient Acquisition Strategy: Anny has built a robust content engine, helping consumers visualize style and fit on real people. This “real-world relatability” has significantly improved conversion and reduced acquisition costs. 6. A Complementary Team: The founding team brings the perfect blend of design and curation, finance and analytics, and technology—a necessary trifecta to scale a modern, digitally native apparel brand. The founder-market fit here is strong and clear. 7. Strong Revenue Momentum: The team has scaled 7x in 12 months. Consistent growth, increasing repeats, and strong unit economics are a testament to the brand's product-market fit and sharp execution. In our experience, operational discipline, new launch velocity, a data-driven approach, and sharp storytelling can collectively build an enduring brand in Fashion. We believe the Anny team is uniquely positioned to do just that. Atomic Capital Nikhil Patil Manish Jain #ConsumerBrands #Fashion #D2C #IndiaConsumption #AtomicCapital

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I’m beyond excited to announce that Dexter Ventures has invested in Jewelbox, a lab-grown diamond jewellery startup! And this is about why we invested here. Led by the Kolkata-based dynamic sibling duo Vidita and Nipun, Jewelbox is redefining and expanding access to luxury in India. I’m genuinely thrilled to support their mission to make sustainable, affordable diamond jewellery the future. Here’s why. Firstly, the Kochar siblings are a powerhouse. Vidita, an Indian School of Business grad and a former Swiggy category manager, and Nipun, her entrepreneurial brother, turned Jewelbox into a profitable gem since starting in 2022. - They are outgrowing competitors to gain market share in the rapidly growing LGD jewellery space while maintaining healthy EBITDA - They’ve scaled to 8 stores across six cities - Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai and more - aiming for 30 by year-end And what keeps them ahead is the focus on design, branding and technology, as they have keep coming out with ~300 new designs monthly. And amidst this, they also won a great feature on Shark Tank India. .. Also, look at the bigger picture. In India, where LGDs only make for 6% of diamond sales. But, in the US and China, lab-grown diamond-based jewellery has already cornered a large market, especially in the engagement and wedding rings market. As awareness in India builds up, the same is likely to play out in India, the world’s third-largest diamond market - which will significantly expand the market because LGDs are more affordable. And, Jewelbox nails this shift, offering stunning designs at up to 80% less than natural diamonds - think ₹80k vs ₹4 lakh (as they had also shared in their Shark Tank India pitch). .. Also, JewelBox is not just riding the LGD wave - it’s shaping a future where luxury is sustainable and accessible. Thus, I am very proud to join V3 Ventures (lead investor in the round) in partnering with Nipun, Vidita, and the Jewelbox team as they build a legacy of elegance for the modern Indian. Looking forward to a good and long relationship, full of unbridled growth and learning! Best, Anuradha Tags: Devendra, Rishabh, Jayant, Yash, Ankit, Dexter Capital Advisors

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🚀 Funding Update in the Indian Startup Ecosystem Mumbai-based Luma fertility, a tech-enabled fertility care startup, has successfully raised $4 million in seed funding, led by Peak XV Partners (via its Surge program), along with participation from notable investors like Ameera Shah (Metropolis Healthcare) and Vijay Taparia (B2V Ventures). Founded by Neha K Motwani, Luma Fertility is building a patient-first platform to offer end-to-end reproductive care—covering IVF, fertility assessments, egg freezing, at-home diagnostics, and more. The startup is leveraging technology and empathy to modernize fertility services in India. 📍 With a flagship clinic in Bandra West, Mumbai, Luma now aims to expand across multiple cities over the next two years. This is yet another sign of rising investor confidence in healthtech and femtech sectors in India. As a funding consultant, I closely track such movements and assist businesses in navigating their own equity and debt funding journeys. 📩 If you're a startup or growing company looking to raise capital or explore funding options, feel free to connect. #FundingNews #StartupFunding #SeedFunding #LumaFertility #PeakXV #HealthTech #FemTech #IndianStartups #Linkedin #techindia #healthcare

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New Investment | Venture Catalysts++ | India's 1st Multi-Stage VC & 100Unicorns backs Rotoris in the premium D2C Luxury Watch Segment Pleased to share that Venture Catalysts, along with 100Unicorns, has invested in Rotoris, a premium analogue watch startup that has raised $3 Mn (₹27 Cr) in seed funding. The round also saw participation from Nikhil Kamath, Vivek Anand Oberoi along with several leading founders and operators including Varun Alagh and Tanmay Bhat Founded by Aakash Anand (Founder, Bella Vita) alongside Prerna Gupta (Founding Partner, Wolfpack Labs) and Anant Narula & Kunal Kapania(Co-founders, Drink Free Advertising Media), Rotoris is entering the ultra-premium analogue watch market with the ambition of building India’s first global watch brand. The capital will be deployed towards strengthening manufacturing, advancing product engineering, and preparing for the brand’s upcoming launch. With India’s premium consumption and D2C ecosystem continuing to scale rapidly, Rotoris is well-positioned to address a clear whitespace in the luxury analogue watch category. Congratulations to the founding team on this milestone. Wishing them the very best for the journey ahead. Onwards & Upwards 💯 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkYF2heH

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