Premium travel company Joy n Crew has strengthened its leadership by welcoming two industry stalwarts who played pivotal roles in the legacy of Cox & Kings, one of the world’s oldest travel brands with over 150 years of history.
Sangram Ghorpade, the former Senior Vice President at Cox & Kings, has been appointed as the CEO of Joy n Crew. With a career spanning over two decades, Sangram was instrumental in scaling Cox & Kings’ retail footprint, expanding into Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, and developing strategic alliances across international markets. Under his leadership, the franchisee network grew from zero to 170 outlets in just a decade, contributing over 25% year-on-year growth in sales and profits. His visionary approach transformed operational efficiency, created innovative travel offerings, and fostered enduring customer relationships.
Speaking about his new role, Sangram said, “My passion for travel stems from its ability to create lasting memories and build meaningful connections. At Joy n Crew, we aim to deliver experiences that are both extraordinary and accessible. By focusing on the finer details—from curated itineraries to seamless service—we’re committed to redefining premium travel. My strategy will focus on blending innovation with personalized service to grow our reach while remaining true to the ethos of thoughtful travel.”
Joining Sangram is Abhinav Chandra, who will take on the role of Chief Service Delivery Officer in February 2025. Abhinav, a decorated service quality leader, brings over 22 years of experience across the telecom, fintech, and travel industries, including a transformative tenure at Cox & Kings. During his time there, he spearheaded customer experience initiatives that significantly improved service operations and delivery. Abhinav’s expertise in Six Sigma methodologies and digital transformation strategies has earned him accolades, including the Pinnacle Star Award for exceptional performance.
Abhinav expressed his enthusiasm for his role, stating, “Joy n Crew is poised to redefine how we experience travel. I look forward to driving service excellence, building trust, and fostering innovation that enhances customer satisfaction. Travel is about the details, and I’m excited to ensure every touchpoint reflects the care and quality our customers deserve.”
Speaking about the new appointments, Pragya Adiraj, Founder of Joy n Crew, said, “Bringing Sangram and Abhinav on board marks a significant milestone for Joy n Crew. Both are seasoned leaders with a proven track record of delivering impactful results, particularly during their time at Cox & Kings. Their expertise, strategic vision, and customer-first approach align perfectly with our mission to make travel extraordinary. We are confident they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Joy n Crew and delivering unparalleled experiences to our customers.”
Veera, the innovative mobile internet browser is thrilled to unveil new features bridging web2 and web3 for a truly rewarding internet experience. With the introduction of a built-in universal web3 wallet (essential for engaging with web3 apps, receiving and collecting web3 tokens) that works across multiple chains, a web3 app store which curates the best apps and a new look to the existing UI and UX, users will now get a more holistic browsing experience that’s seamless across both web2 and web3. Additionally, the enhanced rewards engine now offers redemption options across both web2 and web3, making Veera the ultimate browser for the modern internet.
Highlighting Veera’s vision, Arjun Ghose, Founder, Veera, said, “Until now, the Web3 and Web2 worlds have often been at odds, creating barriers for users who wish to explore decentralized applications (dApps) in a user-friendly manner. Traditional browsers frequently require extensions for Web3 projects, leading to a fragmented user experience. Veera is focused on removing these barriers while building a convenient journey for customers and improving user confidence while exploring the best of what the internet has to offer.”
Veera’s industry-leading features, including advanced ad blocking, robust security, speed, and a gamified daily rewards system that lets users earn redeemable points, have already set it apart. With popular additions like a sports widget, casual gaming, and AI-powered news summarization, Veera now takes a bold step forward by introducing its Web3 features, including:
A built-in universal wallet that enables seamless collection and management of digital tokens across multiple chains while providing easy access to Web3 applications. Acting as both a secure storage solution for digital assets and a single sign-on for the Web3 ecosystem, this wallet simplifies your journey in the decentralized world.
A dedicated app store to facilitate easy discovery and access to various applications within the web3 world so that you are on top of the latest trends and developments within the space.
On launching Veera Web3, Arjun Ghose, Founder of Veera, said, “At Veera, our mission has always been to make it easier for users to harness the power of the internet and utilize it to better their lives. We envision our latest browser release as a transformative bridge connecting the traditional Web2 landscape with the emerging possibilities of Web3. We aim to create a seamless environment where users can effortlessly explore decentralized applications, engage with new technologies, and participate in the evolving digital economy—all while enjoying the familiar conveniences of a modern browser. With Web3, we are not just enhancing browsing; we are redefining how people connect, transact, and interact in the digital realm.”
Sukhdeep Bhogal, COO & CPO, Veera, added, “The launch of our Web3 features marks a pivotal moment for Veera, and also for the web3 ecosystem. This is the first time that a player has incorporated all the essential elements in a single platform to create a unique web3 discovery engine – with the wallet for login and storage, the web3 app store for listing and the browser for information discovery. We are dedicated to simplifying the complex user experience in the Web3 ecosystem, making it more accessible for everyone. Our goal is to create a platform that not only meets user needs but also elevates their overall browsing experience.”
With a current user base exceeding 3 million in India alone, Veera has achieved organic growth with minimal marketing spend. Backed by leading venture capital firms, including 6th Man Ventures, Folius, and Ayon, Veera is well-positioned to drive significant advancements and redefine user experiences in the evolving Web3 landscape.
Kidbea, India’s fastest-growing sustainable kids’ fashion brand, has announced a strategic collaboration with ten celebrated Indian TV actors as Brand Ambassadors for 2025. This partnership aims to enhance Kidbea’s mission of promoting sustainable, chemical-free, and eco-friendly clothing for children, reaching millions of households across the country.
Through this partnership, Kidbea aims to achieve ₹100 crores in revenue for the fiscal year 2026. The company plans to expand into multi-brand outlets (MBOs) across major cities and launch exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) in metropolitan areas. This initiative will provide customers with a firsthand experience of our super-soft and sustainable clothing products.
The popular celebrities joining the Kidbea family include:
1.Shrashti Maheshwari – CID, Adaalat, Thapki Pyar Ki
5.Giriraj Kabra – Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, Kundali Bhagya
6.Shwetha Bandekar – Chandralekha
7.Pooja Joshi Arora – Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
8.Meenakshi Rathod – Naal, Aboli
9.Shalu Melvin – Chandanamazha, Swami Ayyappan
10.Madhumitha H – Jai Hanuman, Piriyadha Varam Vendum
Recognized for their influential roles on Indian television, these actors reflect various regional and cultural communities. Partnering with Kidbea will enhance the brand’s visibility across India and encourage families to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
Founded in 2021 by Swapnil Srivastav, Mohammad Hussain, and Aman Kumar Mahto, Kidbea specializes in creating bamboo plant-based, skin-friendly, and comfortable children’s apparel. Kidbea’s products effectively tackle issues such as discomfort, skin rashes, and food spillage in newborns by providing GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified clothing that is environmentally friendly and gentle on children’s skin.
“We are thrilled to welcome such influential and talented personalities to the Kidbea family. These actresses represent the essence of diversity and resonate with audiences across regions, perfectly aligning with our vision of reaching every corner of India with sustainable and chemical-free kids’ fashion. At Kidbea, our mission is to create a healthier planet for the next generation, and this partnership is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” Kidbea founders said in a joint statement.
With a strong presence in India, UAE, Bahrain, and Australia, Kidbea has been revolutionizing the sustainable fashion industry and is on track to become a global leader in the market. This initiative is part of the brand’s larger strategy to combine product innovation with impactful marketing to further solidify its leadership in the sustainable kids’ fashion space.
In January, Kidbea raised $1 million in a Pre-series A round led by Venture Catalysts, with participation from Agility Ventures, BestVantage Investments, notable entrepreneurs like Nitish Mittersain, Dr Ritesh Malik, Sandeep and Upasana Agarwal, Dr Shriram Nene, Ashok Bahadur, angel investors, and Japanese actor Hiro Mizushima.
In the bustling city of Bengaluru, known for India’s vibrant startup landscape, Afthonia Lab stands as a beacon of support for fintech startups.
The idea for Afthonia Lab, founded by Tanul Mishra, began with a simple realization during her entrepreneurial venture, Eatelish. She successfully exited the startup in 2018.
Those early days in the startup world highlighted a significant gap in India’s ecosystem for supporting fledgling businesses.
The Gap in India’s Startup Ecosystem:
The US and China, with leading global startup hubs, boasted over 2,500 and 1,500 incubators and accelerators, respectively. These were mainly tailored to specific industries like insurance or space technology.
On the other hand, India, the third-largest startup ecosystem as of 2018, lagged behind with only about 500 incubators, most of which were tied to corporations or academic institutions.
“Recognizing the gap, I decided to establish an incubation center specifically for fintech startups, drawing on my prior work experience in payments and regulatory frameworks,” said Tanul Mishra, the founder of Afthonia Labs, in an exclusive conversation with Empowering Indians.
In 2019, Tanul Mishra, a Mumbai-based woman entrepreneur, launched her fintech incubation center.
Tanul Mishra- Founder of Afthonia Labs
From Limited Pocket Money to Limitless Ambitions:
Tanul, who was born and brought up in a family of doctors, grew up with defined boundaries around money and resources. Little did she know that one day she would become an entrepreneur.
“Doctors in the 80s and 90s weren’t as affluent as they are perceived today. I went to school by a school bus and had limited pocket money,” added Tanul, reflecting on her childhood in Bengaluru.
After her graduation, Tanul’s career spanned media, telecom, and payments. She co-launched Eatelish in 2012, a food service bringing artisan food makers from across India directly to consumers’ doors.
After building Eatelish to a certain level, she exited the startup to bridge the gap in incubation support in India’s startup ecosystem.
Afthonia Labs: A Comprehensive Growth Partner for Fintech Startups:
The Bengaluru-based fintech incubator is designed to be a comprehensive growth partner for startups. Given the capital-intensive and regulation-heavy nature of the fintech space, it requires a nuanced approach.
Afthonia’s incubation program offers customized blueprints for startups to help them achieve critical inflection points. This is done by providing access to capital, markets, networks, and domain-specific mentorship.
“We are stage-agnostic. Startups at any stage—whether conceptual, early MVP, or even those with initial traction—can join us. It’s their vision that matters and how we can help them scale,” explained Tanul Mishra, the founder of Afthonia Labs, in the Empowering Indians interview.
The team at Afthonia follows a proprietary evaluation process to select startups, engaging founders in conversations that go beyond their business plans. These dialogues, involving mentors and domain experts, help craft a roadmap for each startup’s journey, ensuring their potential is fully realized.
Tanul further explained, “We bring multifaceted value to the table. Building a startup without an incubator often means relying on personal networks and cold outreach. But investors and industry leaders are overwhelmed with such requests. So, being part of an incubator adds credibility and enhances accessibility.”
Afthonia acts as a bridge between startups and the larger ecosystem, saving founders time and money, accelerating their growth, and bolstering their market reputation.
In return, Afthonia acquires a small equity stake in its portfolio companies, negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Success Stories at Afthonia:
Since its launch in 2019, the Bengaluru-based fintech startup incubator, Afthonia Lab, has incubated over 25 startups. One of them has already been acquired by a US-based company. Most of their portfolio is either cash-flow positive, profitable, or well-funded.
The lab has also extended its reach globally through initiatives like a partnership with Invest New South Wales to help fintech and cybersecurity startups enter the Indian market.
Among its success stories is Block Survey, Afthonia’s first portfolio startup, which leverages blockchain for data privacy. The startup has thrived under Afthonia’s mentorship, securing funding from Gossamer Capital and Stacks Accelerator, and establishing a strong presence in the US market.
Another notable success is Funngro, which connects young talent with corporations through TeenLancer programs. So far, the platform has attracted over 4,000 companies, facilitated 60,000 monthly projects, and amassed 40 lakh users.
Tanul Mishra with Funngro founder Payal Jain
Overcoming Challenges in the Evolving Indian Incubation Landscape:
Like every company, Afthonia Labs has faced its share of challenges. Despite its achievements, the Bengaluru-based fintech incubator encountered hurdles along the way.
“When we started, incubation was not a well-understood concept in India. There was a lot of myth-busting and awareness-building involved, especially around the value an incubator can add,” explained Tanul Mishra, founder of Afthonia Labs, in the Empowering Indians interview.
Operating with a lean team of just five members, Afthonia emphasizes strategy over operational bulk. This approach mirrors that of investor teams, focusing on intellectual and strategic support rather than day-to-day operations.
Vision and Way Ahead:
For Tanul, success isn’t measured in numbers but in impact. “We don’t talk about our revenue; we talk about how well our startups are doing,” she said.
By focusing on building a thriving ecosystem, Afthonia Lab is setting the stage for India’s fintech revolution.
As Afthonia’s portfolio grows and its global partnerships expand, it remains steadfast in its mission: to be the wind beneath the wings of fintech startups, enabling them to navigate challenges and soar to new heights.
With a firm belief in the power of collaboration and innovation, Afthonia Lab is not just incubating startups—it’s shaping the future of India’s startup ecosystem.
Sydney based Enterprise solutions provider for banking and financial services, Enteruptors, has entered the Indian market with its innovative DxEVP enterprise platform that can be accessed through the Microsoft Commercial Marketplace.
Founded in 2012, Enteruptors is excited to provides DxEVP, its world first Enterprise Value Planning platform. DxEVP is a private cloud-based platform that integrates risk, value, compliance management solution for institutions. Enteruptors aims to penetrate the Indian BFSI and fintech segment through its DxEVP enterprise platform enabling smart decision-making and driving better outcomes for organisations.
DxEVP will digitally and AI transform the expanding middle office, enhancing strategic analytics, boosting compliance, mitigating risk and growing value. With leaders under pressure to get results, reduce costs, and avoid compliance breaches, they need immediate decision inputs designed for their strategic needs that help them to meet objectives and stay out of trouble.
DxEVP is making a significant impact on the bottom line for companies by enhancing the effectiveness of knowledge workers who play a crucial role in decisions across risk, compliance, and strategic commercial objectives. This is not possible with last century spread sheets and dashboard tools prevalent today.
“We are thrilled that Microsoft has made it possible to bring critical solutions like DxEVP to India,” said David Jordan, CEO of Enteruptors. “Our platform, with its advanced systems and embedded AI, enables BFSIs to address pressing needs related to cost, margin, risk, regulation, and the retention of skilled staff.”
Enteruptors helps institutions replace outdated legacy systems with advanced AI-embedded solutions, ensuring data security. The DxEVP platform consolidates extensive work and various tools into efficient AI applications that deliver rapid results.
It’s estimated that $1.2 trillion in productivity is lost due to ineffective tools. DxEVP transforms report creation into knowledge gathering that enhances decision-making. This platform can increase productivity by up to 300%, boost profits, and reduce risks.
There are about 300,000 banking institutions around the world, of which 30,000 make up the addressable market for Enteruptors.
40%-70% of knowledge workers time is wasted on menial tasks due to inadequate systems that cannot keep pace with demand for more advance decision analysis. Enteruptors has worked in India before and is looking to tap into this opportunity to scale up through the Microsoft marketplace.
Enteruptors addresses a complex market segment facing a skills shortage due to international banks outsourcing to India and the roles becoming more stressful. It offers solutions to urgent problems and brings valuable industry knowledge and experience that many competitors lack.
Enteruptors is currently part of the Accelerator program by Afthonia Labs, India’s first and only fintech incubator, in collaboration with Investment NSW
Afthonia Labs, founded by entrepreneur Tanul Mishra, supports aspiring entrepreneurs by refining their vision and goals through personalized programs. It focuses on three pillars: knowledge, corporate, and access to capital, with guidance from a global panel of advisors and mentors.
This collaboration aims to empower Australian scaleups to enter and thrive in the Indian market over a six-month period.
The Australian and Indian governments are enhancing trade ties through initiatives focusing on fintech and cybersecurity. The program offers tailored support to each startup, maximizing their chances for long-term success in India.
StepTrade Share Services, the trailblazing asset management company known for launching India’s first successful SME-Exchange-focused CAT II AIF, Chanakya Opportunities Fund, has achieved another significant milestone. Its recently launched CAT III AIF in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, StepTrade India Fund, has been granted a Category I Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) license, officially opening the doors to foreign investors.
The StepTrade India Fund represents StepTrade’s debut initiative at GIFT City. With the FPI license and registration as a Restricted Non-Retail Scheme under the IFSCA FM Regulations, the open-ended CAT III AIF underscores the firm’s commitment to aligning local expertise with global investment standards.
This fund is exclusively tailored for private and accredited investors, offering the dual advantage of a Category III AIF framework with the international reach and flexibility of a Category I FPI license.
“I have always envisioned taking StepTrade to new heights, and the launch of StepTrade India Fund marks a significant milestone for our company. With the FPI license, StepTrade is set to welcome foreign investors, fostering global partnerships and contributing to the growth of our economy. Our focus stays strong on helping small and medium businesses, encouraging innovation, and creating opportunities in the SME sector.” says Kresha Gupta, Founder and Director of StepTrade Share Services.
StepTrade Share Services continues to demonstrate its prowess with a diversified portfolio of investment solutions:
➢ StepTrade Opportunities Fund (CAT I AIF)
➢ Chanakya Opportunities Fund (CAT II AIF)
➢ StepTrade Revolution Fund (CAT III AIF)
➢ Portfolio Management Services (PMS)
➢ StepTrade India Fund (CAT III AIF & CAT I FPI)
Furthering its legacy of innovation, StepTrade’s launch of StepTrade India Fund at its International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) branch underscores a bold stride into the global financial landscape.
Designed specifically for foreign and accredited investors, this fund reflects StepTrade’s strategic vision of attracting international capital while reinforcing its leadership in investment management.
StepTrade’s continued success is a testament to its expertise in identifying high-growth sectors and delivering exceptional value to its investors. With this new venture, the firm is poised to expand its global footprint and strengthen its reputation as a trusted partner for discerning investors worldwide.
Bengaluru-based Avanti Finance (“Avanti”), a technology-led NBFC focused on financial inclusion, has secured USD 14.2 million (INR 120 crores) equity funding from Dia Vikas Capital, existing investors IDH Farmfit Fund, NRJN Family Trust, Rabo Partnerships and select HNIs. The company’s early investors include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Oiko Credit & Nomura.
Dia Vikas Capital is a subsidiary of Opportunity International Australia, which partners with Inclusive financial service providers with innovative, sustainable, resilient, scalable solutions that address the complex nature of poverty and leverage digital technologies to scale and sustain them.
Avanti Finance previously raised $24 million in a Series B funding round in April last year. With the current funding, the total amount raised till date stands at around USD 80 million.
Rahul Gupta, CEO of Avanti Finance, said, “We are delighted to have Dia Vikas Capital partner in Avanti’s journey to usher in a next-gen financial inclusion platform that is focused on creating sustainable livelihoods for the next 100 million households that are un/underserved . The repeat investment from our existing shareholders is also a strong validation of our transformational asset light and capital efficient model . This growth capital will be used to increase our loan book, further strengthen the capabilities of our deep tech platform for ongoing innovation of frictionless credit for our customers and augment our channels in both rural & urban segments.”
Arpita Pal Agrawal, MD & CEO of Dia Vikas Capital stated “We are really excited to partner with Avanti with their vision and work to create impact at scale across India by combining the power of technology and a curated network of diverse partners to offer hyperlocal, crowdsourced , fit for purpose loan products to enhance financial well being of low income households”
Avanti Finance launched in 2018 and offers small-ticket loans primarily for income generation, working capital to micro enterprises and has made an encouraging foray in the urban gig worker segment. The company has developed a diversified , asset light and unique distribution network of curated partners consisting of smaller financial institutions, agtech players and fintech partners that collectively originate and serve its customers at over 700 branches spread across 27 states , 430+ districts. It is a leader in co-lending for the microfinance segment and has partnered with reputed financial institutions for the same that makes it both scalable and capital efficient.
Avanti has demonstrated strong growth having served 900,000 low income households with an AUM of INR 1640 crores. 90% of its borrowers are women served via an assisted technology model , with loan products carefully designed to mirror livelihood specific cashflows enabled by Avanti’s deep tech and highly agile platform.
Unitus Capital acted as exclusive financial transaction advisor to Avanti and Abhiraj Krishna Associates acted as the legal advisors to Avanti.
Fraud prevention software company RaptorX has raised Rs 4 crore in a pre-seed round from PeakXV Spark, EagleWings Ventures, and Point One Capital, among other marquee investors.
The round also saw participation from Lenskart Founder & CEO Peyush Bansal, Boat Co-founder & CMO Aman Gupta, and key angels (SVPs) from Google.
Founded by Pratyusha Vemuri, the funds will be used to build and enhance RaptorX’s AI and machine learning capabilities for applications in both banking and e-commerce.
The company will use the fresh funds to expand its team by bringing on key talent aligning with its mission and culture. Some funds will be used to improve integrations with payment gateways, e-commerce platforms, and banking systems. Additionally, RaptorX will invest in customer onboarding, training, and support to encourage user adoption.
“This funding allows us to advance RaptorX’s team and capabilities to help businesses uncover unknown fraud patterns, minimize losses, and create trust with their customers. Our mission is to provide a proactive, AI-driven fraud prevention platform that transforms how industries manage risk,” said Pratyusha Vemuri, CEO of RaptorX
RaptorX operates at the intersection of Fintech, Regtech, E-commerce, and Artificial Intelligence, focusing on fraud prevention, anti-money laundering (AML), and customer risk intelligence. Fraud and financial crime cost businesses billions of dollars worldwide each year and present significant challenges due to their constantly evolving nature.
The company is designed to address challenges by providing predictive and real-time fraud detection, revealing hidden relationships, and enabling businesses to act proactively while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
Going forward, RaptorX will also look to expand its AI and machine learning capabilities for banking and e-commerce use cases. The boom in digital payments has resulted in increasingly complex fraud methods, making it harder for businesses to detect fraud in real-time while staying compliant with stringent regulations like AML, KYC, and transaction monitoring standards.
RaptorX’s goal is to develop scalable infrastructure for real-time transaction monitoring and e-commerce fraud prevention. The company also intends to launch dedicated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) modules for payment screening and mule detection.
The global fraud detection and AML market is expected to surpass $129 billion by 2030, driven by rapid adoption in the banking and e-commerce sectors.
“Just over the last eight months, RaptorX has not only built out a innovative solution, but also has successfully completed POCs for pilot customers in banking and e-commerce. It has built a robust AI framework capable of detecting fraud rings, layered laundering, and collusion networks and has gained significant traction with a strong pipeline of key customers,” said Peyush Bansal, Founder and CEO of Lenskart.
In the next 3 years, RaptorX plans to deepen its penetration in the e-commerce and banking markets across India and Southeast Asia. It also plans to launch new AI modules for return frauds, mule detection, and real-time payment screening.
It has already put in strategic levers to help scale to ₹200+ crore in annual revenue with a focus on ARR growth over the next few years. With these growth levers in place, RaptorX plans to expand to 50+ enterprise customers, handling over 1 billion monthly transactions. Awards and Patents:
Top 50 deep tech finalists in the prestigious deep tech competition of Singapore selected amongst 7000 world wide startups
CSI Outstanding Cyber Security Startup of the Year
Kiko Live, a SaaS platform designed to provide neighborhood stores with a digital storefront and facilitate Quick Commerce, has reached a significant milestone by enabling half a million orders for kirana stores on the ONDC platform in under 11 months.
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at creating an open e-commerce network that connects shoppers, platforms, and retailers. The initiative was launched in December 2021, featuring over 570,000 sellers within its network and processing around 200,000 orders daily across various categories, with food being the most popular.
Kiko Live, which launched on the ONDC platform earlier this year, has become a leading player in enabling kiranas for quick commerce and helping them provide a digital shopping experience for their customers.
Kiko Live has empowered over 1,000 neighborhood stores in Delhi/NCR to offer digital ordering and integrated logistics for quick commerce. Some of these stores are now processing more than 100 orders a day. Additionally, Kiko Live stores in Bangalore will soon be available for quick commerce, as the onboarding process is currently in full swing.
Alok Chawla, Co-Founder, Kiko Live, said, “We have seen that customers continue to have loyalty to their neighborhood store for various reasons, including availability of fresh items, long term relations with the families and also convenience of ordering as required and settling the bills at the end of the month.”
The company has found that Kirana stores are losing business from their loyal customers who prefer home delivery orders to dark store-led quick commerce players. This shift is largely due to the lack of a digital buying interface with trackable, quick deliveries offered by kiranas.
Customers often find it inconvenient to place orders over the phone or via WhatsApp with their local stores. Consequently, even those who typically remain loyal to their neighborhood shops for in-person purchases are now turning to other online platforms for their home delivery needs.
“With this learning, we are also shortly launching a COD feature to order from your neighborhood stores, and the store can either collect payment directly through UPI, or add the amount to the customers monthly ledger or “khata” to be settled later. This will also help the store, as well as the customers to have a detailed downloadable MIS of items ordered, to avoid disputes in the monthly billed amounts,” he added.
Kiko Live has received approval to launch its own Buyer App on the ONDC platform. Customers will now be able to order from their local stores using the Kiko Live Buyer App. The app will feature a chat-based shopping experience, allowing buyers to interact with stores. It will be powered by AI, which will display a shopping list and suggest items that can be easily added to the cart for a seamless checkout process.
The company plans to launch its buyer app soon in smaller and tier 2 towns, where dark store-led quick commerce is not practical. Other quick commerce applications will also be able to integrate with our store inventory in these markets, allowing them to fulfill orders without needing to establish dark stores or rely on a limited selection of SKUs. They will be able to access a wide range of long-tail SKUs from our retailer network.
POP, India’s new and emerging UPI app enabling D2C merchant focused rewards, has partnered with BookMyShow and Team Innovation to offer exclusive tickets for Karan Aujla’s show.
The “It Was All A Dream” global concert is selling tickets at unprecedented prices, reaching as high as ₹15 lakhs. In response, POP has introduced a smart alternative for fans.
The YES BANK POP-CLUB Credit Card offers cardholders exclusive access to upcoming shows by the “Tauba Tauba” singer in Chandigarh, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, and four other cities.
Tickets for the Chandigarh show on December 7 will be available starting at Rs. 9,999. The Delhi performances on December 15, 17, and 19 can be purchased starting at Rs. 5,999. The Mumbai show on December 21 will also have tickets available from Rs. 5,999, all available exclusively to the YES BANK POP-CLUB cardholders.
Cardholders can enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on tickets for shows in select cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur.
“We’re not just offering a credit card; we’re providing access to experiences that money seemingly can’t buy,”said Rajat Mittal, Business Head at POP. “While others are paying steep prices in the secondary market, POP credit card holders get privileged access to tickets that are priced below Rs. 10,000 which are sold-out”
To benefit new applicants, POP plans to expedite the card approval process, ensuring that they receive their cards in time to book in-demand tickets. Applicants are required to apply for the card through the POP app or on the website getpopcard.co.
And this is just the beginning, according to Bhargav Errangi, Founder & CEO of POP, “we want the POP Credit Card to be your VIP pass to the hottest events in town apart from being your everyday-go-to card. From concerts to exclusive fan meets, early access to ticket sales, and special event privileges – we’re making sure you never miss out on the experiences you love.”
Special tickets will be available for cardholders on the BookMyShow website and mobile app starting from 25 November 2024.
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– 10% POPcoins back on all online transactions
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– Zero joining fees with welcome benefits worth ₹5,000
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Your POPcoins work extra hard to upgrade your lifestyle! We’ve partnered with India’s most-loved lifestyle brands like Cleartrip, Zomato, Blinkit, PharmEasy, Cult.fit, and Rapido. So whether you’re booking flights, ordering food, restocking essentials, staying fit, or just zipping across town – your POPcoins turn into real savings on things you’re already spending on!
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As a RuPay-powered card, it offers credit card functionality through UPI, bringing together the convenience of both payment methods. Cardholders can make UPI payments using their RuPay credit card, earning POPcoins on every transaction.
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The card’s POPcoins program keeps it simple: 1 POPcoin equals ₹1 (on POPshop). These POPcoins can be redeemed across 500+ brands, creating value with every purchase. You can convert your POPcoins to exclusive partner vouchers at a rate of 4 POPcoins = ₹1, unlocking even more value.
