TICE Startup Spotlight: Weekly Roundup of India’s Startup Ecosystem

As India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve, the landscape is seeing a mix of bold moves, innovative partnerships, and new challenges. From the booming gaming sector to fresh IPOs and tech collaborations, this week has been packed with exciting developments that are set to shape the future of business in India. What’s next for the gaming world as Nazara and ONDC launch an in-game shopping platform? How is Blinkit testing new delivery options for high-ticket items? And what will BlackBuck’s IPO mean for the logistics industry after a strong Day 1 subscription?

In this week’s TICE Startup Spotlight, we bring you the top 10 stories that are making waves in the Indian startup scene. Let’s dive into the action!

Top Startup News

Nazara Partners with ONDC for In-Game Shopping

Nazara Technologies is teaming up with ONDC to launch a groundbreaking ‘gCommerce’ platform. This new feature will allow gamers to shop within their gaming experience seamlessly, blending e-commerce and gaming in a way that hasn’t been done before. The platform will provide developers with a unique opportunity to monetize more effectively, and it is set to roll out fully by early 2026. With India’s gaming market reaching $3.8 billion in FY24, this partnership could unlock new revenue streams for the sector.

Blinkit Pilots Large Order Deliveries

In an effort to increase its average order value, Blinkit, the quick-commerce venture of Zomato, is testing a new fleet for delivering high-ticket items like air purifiers and luggage in Delhi NCR. This move comes as Blinkit, and other quick commerce companies, including Swiggy, explore new ways to meet diverse customer needs. The growing demand for quick delivery services is pushing companies to adapt and innovate in order to remain competitive.

BlackBuck IPO Sees 24% Subscription on Day 1

BlackBuck, a logistics startup backed by Flipkart, made a strong debut with its IPO, which saw 24% of shares subscribed on the first day. Retail investors showed significant interest, filling over half of their allotted quota. BlackBuck’s rapid growth, with a 68% revenue increase in FY24, reflects its strong position in the logistics sector, and this IPO is expected to fuel further expansion.

Read More: BlackBuck IPO Opens Today: Is It the Right Investment for You?

Swiggy IPO Completes Listing

Swiggy has officially gone public with a successful listing on the BSE and NSE. The IPO, which included both a fresh issue and an offer for sale, has solidified Swiggy’s presence in the market. Retail investors could enter with a minimum investment of ₹14,820 for a lot of shares priced between ₹371 to ₹390. This marks a major milestone for Swiggy, which continues to innovate its offerings in the food delivery and tech space.

Read More: Are Swiggy and Zomato Playing Fair? CCI Probe Raises Eyebrows

Blox Acquires Stake in Guardians Real Estate

Blox, a proptech firm, has taken a significant step in the real estate market with the acquisition of an 11% stake in The Guardians Real Estate Advisory for $12 million. This acquisition paves the way for the creation of India’s largest realty platform by combining digital tools with broker-led approaches. Blox plans to increase its stake to 50% over the next three years, signaling its long-term commitment to revolutionizing real estate sales channels.

Zomato's ‘Book Now, Sell Anytime’ Goes Live

Zomato is stepping into the entertainment space with its new ‘Book Now, Sell Anytime’ feature, which allows users to buy event tickets in advance and resell them on the platform. This feature, launching with the Zomato Feeding India Concert featuring Dua Lipa in Mumbai, is a smart move to expand Zomato’s reach beyond food delivery and into event management and ticketing.

Stoa School Shuts Down

Stoa, a startup focused on providing affordable, startup-centric business education, has shut down after four years of operation. Despite securing early funding from prominent investors, Stoa couldn’t adjust to the changing dynamics of the post-pandemic market. This marks the latest setback in the edtech sector, where companies are facing increasing pressure to adapt their business models in response to shifts in consumer preferences.

Razorpay Partners with Peak XV and Lightspeed for Early-Stage Investments

Razorpay has announced a strategic partnership with Peak XV and Lightspeed to invest in early-stage startups. The collaboration is designed to help emerging fintech and tech companies scale and grow within India’s vibrant startup ecosystem. This partnership is a strong indication of Razorpay’s ongoing commitment to supporting the startup community.

Read More: Top Business News: Key Developments in Economy, Startups & Investments

Zomato's District App on the Way

Zomato is launching a new app called ‘District,’ which will strengthen its entertainment and ticketing business. Following its acquisition of Paytm’s movie and event ticketing arm, the District app is set to redefine how users experience live events and movie bookings on Zomato. The app is expected to launch in the coming month, signaling Zomato’s expanding footprint in the entertainment space.

Unacademy Faces Legal Hurdles Over Content Leaks

In a notable legal battle, Unacademy is facing a case filed by rival Vedantu over allegations of content leaks and intellectual property infringement. This legal dispute highlights the intensifying competition in the edtech space, where companies are fiercely guarding their proprietary content in the face of growing market challenges.

This wraps up this week's TICE Startup Spotlight. It’s been a week of bold partnerships, exciting launches, and some surprises in India’s startup world. Stay tuned for more updates and insights, and we’ll catch you in the next spotlight!

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