HOMEGROWN BRANDS
IndoBevs in talks with multiple bankers for Rs 150 crore fund raise
IndoBevs is seeking to raise Rs 150 crore in debt to enhance its manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The company aims to strengthen its presence in domestic and international markets through this funding. IndoBevs has witnessed substantial growth, with a 32% increase in profit after tax for FY26. The alcohol beverage sector is increasingly focusing on premium products, driven by changing consumer preferences.
Nykaa Q2 Results: PAT soars 207% YoY to Rs 101 crore, revenue up 28%; co to acquire 82% stake in Simply Nam
Nykaa reported a 207% year-on-year profit surge to Rs 101 crore in Q2FY27, with revenue rising 28% to Rs 3,006 crore. Beauty and fashion businesses accelerated growth, while quick commerce, owned brands and strategic acquisitions strengthened expansion.
KFC brings the scale; Biryani By Kilo and Vaango emerge as Devyani’s surprise performers
Devyani International is seeing promising advancements in its smaller Indian brand portfolio, particularly Biryani By Kilo and Vaango. In Q2 of FY27, Biryani By Kilo achieved impressive revenue leaps compared to last year, while Vaango noted strong same-store sales and increased its number of locations. The firm is strategically pivoting away from foreign franchises to nurture its indigenous brands, reflecting a shift towards enhanced profitability across its offerings.
Gen Z rewrites festive gifting with AI-assisted picks, artisanal hampers and self-gifting
Gen Zers are embracing self-gifting while shopping for family and friends. Personalised gifts reflecting interests and lifestyles are becoming the norm during festivals. There is an increasing focus on supporting small businesses and understanding product provenance.
Devyani-Sapphire merger gets CCI approval, bringing KFC, Pizza Hut India operations under one roof
The Competition Commission of India has granted approval for the merger of Sapphire Foods India Limited with Devyani International Limited, consolidating two prominent quick-service restaurant operators. The merger aims to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the presence of KFC and Pizza Hut in India, with the combined entity projected to operate over 3,000 stores globally.
Rs 5,000 investment, Rs 1.4 crore annual revenue. How Mumbai homemaker turned her passion- making Maharashtrian snacks – into a flourishing brand with 70% female employees
Where there is a will, there is a way. In 2016, after her husband lost his job, homemaker Geeta Patil turned her passion – making delicious Maharashtria snacks into a thriving business that earned over a crore within just seven years. In 2023, her snack brand also received investment from Shark Tank judges.
A missed call for China is a loud wake-up call for desi companies
Indian smartphone brands Lava and Ai+ are gaining market share as Chinese rivals retreat amid soaring memory chip prices and shrinking demand. Domestic brands captured 7% of shipments in the September quarter, their highest share in nearly eight years. Government incentives and India's manufacturing expansion offer a boost, but technology, distribution, after-sales service and customer loyalty remain critical to sustained growth.
23 October 2028: Forget iPhone Duo, Ashwini Vaishnaw says India will have its own Apple and Samsung moment in 2 years
Ashwini Vaishnaw says India will have its own Indian-designed, manufactured and branded smartphones in the next two years by October 23, 2028. Here's what the IT Minister revealed about India's plans to build a homegrown smartphone brand and compete in the global mobile phone market.
Rs 1.35 crore loan, Rs 15 crore annual revenue: How Uttarakhand’s engineering couple built a mushroom empire
Engineering couple Naveen Patwal and Poonam Sharma from Uttarakhand founded Planet Mushroom, specializing in the cultivation of exotic mushrooms in India. Despite facing a slew of challenges, including financial strains and market fluctuations, they persevered. The pandemic in 2020 dealt a heavy financial blow, but they successfully navigated the turmoil. Today, their business thrives with a diverse range of mushroom products and a loyal customer base, solidifying their market presence.
Homegrown firms enter budget smartphone market as memory chip prices rise
India's budget smartphone market is opening up for local brands as global companies reduce their presence. Rising memory chip prices have significantly impacted entry-level smartphone production costs. Homegrown companies Ai+ and Lava are gaining traction in this competitive segment. Micromax plans to re-enter the smartphone market by evaluating various strategies. Brands aim to leverage the government's financial incentives under the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to succeed.
JetSynthesys launches AI-powered creative platform JetKreate
JetSynthesys has introduced JetKreate, an AI-powered platform integrating scripting, visuals, audio, and video production. This platform was revealed at the CII Big Picture Summit 2026 in Mumbai and aims to streamline content creation. JetKreate caters to individual creators, marketers, brands, and agencies by allowing the development of various types of content. The platform offers free credits for new users alongside paid plans for enhanced features.
Moj crosses 500 million downloads, doubles daily user time spent
Moj, owned by Mohalla Tech, has surpassed 500 million downloads on the Google Play Store recently. It ranks fourth in India’s Social Media category, standing out as the only Indian app in the top four. The platform boasts over 1 billion daily video plays, with users spending nearly 300 minutes monthly. Additionally, creators on Moj are earning close to Rs 100 crore annually, demonstrating substantial growth.
A Pittsburgh man bought a $10,000 building and spent decades covering it in murals and found objects; Randyland grew into a local art attraction
Randy Gilson purchased a derelict building on Pittsburgh's North Side and created Randyland over thirty years. His efforts involved using discarded materials to enhance the neighborhood's aesthetic. Community involvement in such grassroots art projects improves social capital among residents. The phenomenon reflects a broader trend of citizen-led urban improvements that encourages civic pride. Projects like Randyland highlight the importance of authenticity and community in contemporary urban life.
Mid-sized restaurants hungry for funds as investors stay away
Mid-sized organized restaurant chains face financing challenges. Investors are being more cautious, focusing on sustainable profits and unit economics. As a result, several chains explore capital raises or stake sales. Recent investments favor businesses demonstrating strong financial performance and growth potential. Meanwhile, larger investments continue to thrive, creating a divide in the restaurant industry.
Festive cheer shifts beyond metros as consumer brands bet big on small-town India
Consumer brands are turning to tier-2 and smaller cities for festive-season growth as urban consumption weakens. Titan, Nykaa, Biba, Fabindia and Forest Essentials are expanding their reach through sharper marketing, distribution and delivery, while Amazon has widened instant delivery to more cities, seeking to tap rising demand beyond metros.
ChrysCapital to take minority stake in Linux laboratories
Linux Laboratories has secured $70 million in equity funding from ChrysCapital and Tata Capital Healthcare Fund III. This investment involves both primary capital and a secondary purchase, marking Tata Capital Healthcare Fund II's full exit. The funding will help Linux deepen its presence in existing specialties and expand into new therapeutic areas.
Bigger picture: Media industry shifts focus to attention, data & tech
Speaking in a panel discussion at Ficci Frames, India's leading media and entertainment conclave, Zee Entertainment CEO Punit Goenka said the industry has transformed and is no longer simply about investing in and focusing on either television or digital.
India Mobile Congress 2026 launches 'Viksit Tech 47' platform to build Indian technology brands for global markets
India Mobile Congress 2026 has introduced Viksit Tech 47 to aid Indian technology firms in achieving global prominence. This platform aims to support companies in several technology sectors, including artificial intelligence and IoT. A flagship report assessing over 200 Indian tech companies will be released at the event. Viksit Tech 47 will also implement the Dr Zarabi Indigenisation Award for startups in hardware development.
India’s next fashion movement could well come from the Northeast
A slew of homegrown labels are blending local craftsmanship and culture with the region's storied fashion sense -- and setting their sights on the mainland.
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