Rapido has raised $240 million in primary funding at a $3 billion post-money valuation, led by Prosus with participation from WestBridge Capital and Accel. The ride-hailing firm plans to expand into newer markets while strengthening its presence in existing ones, with a particular focus on growth opportunities outside Tier I cities—adding fresh pressure to Uber-Ola dominance.
Bengaluru-based mobility platform Rapido has raised $240 million, led by Prosus, taking its post-money valuation to $3 billion—triple its level from under two years ago. The deal is part of a larger $730 million primary and secondary financing. After years of regulatory setbacks—bike taxis were declared illegal in Bengaluru and shut down in Maharashtra—Rapido built momentum: 60% of India’s bike taxi market, 10 lakh rides daily, and 50 million monthly active users. Funds will expand demand, grow captains, and invest in tech.
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SEBI has approved IPO plans for Neolite ZKW Lightings, Aspri Spirits and SS Retail, clearing the way for the trio to tap India’s primary market. Neolite ZKW Lightings will raise Rs 600 crore via a Rs 400 crore fresh issue and Rs 200 crore OFS, funding a greenfield facility in Kancheepuram, expansion and debt repayment. Aspri Spirits seeks up to Rs 140 crore through a fresh issue plus OFS. SS Retail plans a Rs 500 crore IPO with Rs 300 crore fresh shares and up to Rs 200 crore OFS.
D2C toy startup Legend of Toys has raised ₹21 crore in a pre-Series A round led by Singularity Early Opportunities Fund, with participation from Veltis Capital, Enzia Ventures, DeVC, Atrium Angels, and Stride. Founded in 2024 by Afshaan Siddiqui and Vinay Jaisingh, it will use the funds to deepen its RC and narrative play lines, scale manufacturing, and expand international distribution. The brand also plans growth in DIY and more consumer marketing, alongside digital expansion.
Simple Energy, an IPO-bound electric two-wheeler startup, is raising ₹126.7 crore in a round led by its existing backer, Thyrocare founder Arokiaswamy Velumani. MCA filings show shareholders approved issuance of 2.11 lakh Series X CCPS at ₹6,000 each. Cofounders Suhas Rajkumar and Ankit Gupta will invest ₹13.5 crore each. The funding supports growth and business expansion as the company prepares for a public listing, having already built a total funding pool above $84 million.
EaseMyTrip’s board has approved a rights issue to raise up to ₹500 crore, but the company did not reveal which shareholders are eligible or the exact purpose of the funds. The move follows a weak financial run, including a 90% year-on-year profit drop in Q3 FY26, promoter stake pledges, and leadership changes that have pushed investors to sell.
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Lightspeed has cut the size of its fifth India venture fund, now targeting about $300–350 million instead of an earlier plan to raise up to $500 million. The decision reflects changing fundraising dynamics, with details shared by people familiar with private discussions. The move signals a more selective approach to deploying fresh capital in India’s startup ecosystem.
Vodafone Idea’s board will meet on May 16 to discuss a fundraising plan that could bring in fresh capital via equity and warrants. The debt-heavy telecom operator is seeking stronger financial footing to fund network upgrades and stay competitive. The decision could signal a critical next step for its turnaround and ability to meet operational and repayment pressures.
Early-stage venture firm A* Capital, founded by Kevin Hartz, has closed its third fund, Fund III, with $450 million. The milestone underscores renewed appetite for early bets, as the firm prepares to deploy capital into new startups and follow-on opportunities. With a sizable third vehicle now in hand, A* signals ambition to scale its deal pipeline and track record.
Sebi is proposing reforms to accelerate fundraising for alternative investment funds by introducing a “green channel” that lets eligible schemes begin immediately. It would also cut the waiting period for standard AIF launches. Accredited investors and angel funds are set to get more flexibility, with direct filings replacing merchant banker involvement in key cases.
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Online Instruments (India) has filed draft IPO papers with SEBI for a public issue that includes a fresh raise of up to Rs 750 crore plus an offer for sale of 57.1 lakh shares by promoters. The Bengaluru-based company says funds will go toward debt repayment, working capital, acquisitions, and other corporate needs, with Rs 160 crore specifically earmarked to repay debt.
Vodafone Idea shares jumped more than 8% to a four-month high after reports said Vodafone Group could transfer part of its stake to the Indian telecom operator. Investors are betting the potential move would improve Vodafone Idea’s balance sheet, bolster its fundraising capacity, and help it handle government dues while funding future investments.
Reliance Jio Platforms is reportedly shifting its planned Mumbai listing to a “pure fundraising” route, selling a 2.5% stake. The change comes with earlier exit options being dropped, meaning some shareholders may no longer be able to sell during the offering. The move, confirmed by two sources, reshapes how the IPO proceeds and investor access will work.
Mother Ventures, a VC firm focused on mothers as consumers, has raised a $10 million debut fund. The pitch: mothers drive demand, shape household spending, and influence product adoption at scale. With its first fund, the firm is signaling that “mom-first” insights can translate into measurable startup opportunities and long-term growth.
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Anthropic is reportedly weighing a fundraising round that could put its valuation close to $1 trillion, according to the Financial Times. The potential deal highlights how investors are racing to back leading AI firms as demand for advanced models grows. If completed, it would mark a major leap for a company competing at the forefront of generative AI.
State Bank of India’s board meets May 12 to consider a fundraising plan of up to $2 billion, as the bank releases its Q4 results today. Analysts expect muted profit growth despite stable loan growth and margins, citing treasury losses. The stock has surged over the past year, putting investor focus on whether the capital raise can steady earnings momentum.
Kodiak AI announced a $100 million fundraising round at a steep discount, triggering a sharp selloff that sent its shares down 37% after earnings. The update also included other notable developments, such as a new commercial contract and a pilot program in Canada, alongside a collaborative effort. The market reaction suggests investors questioned the pricing and runway implications.
Skyroot has become India’s first space unicorn after securing a new fundraising round that values the company at $1.1 billion. The milestone arrives as India’s broader unicorn growth has cooled since the post-Covid boom, hinting that a renewed wave could come from space and deep-tech startups. The raise signals investor appetite for early space capabilities.
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At least 10 companies are reportedly shrinking their planned IPO sizes as investor appetite cools. The capital market regulator allows a one-time reduction of up to half without requiring a fresh filing, giving issuers more flexibility to improve listing odds. Firms in sectors including NBFCs, jewellery, and healthcare are among those weighing the option to navigate current market conditions.
DeepSeek is reportedly nearing a roughly $45 billion valuation as China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, a major state-backed semiconductor investor, discusses leading financing for the AI lab’s first fundraising. The talks, reported by the FT, could make the new round one of the biggest signals yet of how aggressively China is backing frontier AI with industrial policy muscle.
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