From how crypto investors are growing old as the market matures to an end to Avendus’s M&A saga as Mizhou acquires KKR’s stake in the banker, YourStory brings you the latest shifts shaping India’s startup and consumer economy.
Featured News
Neev Finance brings a structured data-driven approach to investing for everyday Americans
Neev Finance is seeking to change everyday investing with a simple, structured and data-backed approach to everyday investing. The quantitative asset management company hopes to democratise institutional-grade investing for hardworking Americans.
Founded in 2022 by Nirav Kamdar and Soumyadeep Roy, investment platform Neev Finance manages investments professionally through structured portfolios. It is in the process of raising its next institutional round of $3 million, of which it has already closed $1.2 million.
Institutional-grade investing involves using research, diversification, and risk management tactics, so that investors don’t have to engage in guesswork.
India’s crypto investors are getting older as market matures
India’s cryptocurrency market is witnessing a notable demographic shift as older investors increasingly enter the asset class, signaling a maturation beyond the youth-dominated trading frenzy of early years. Older investors drive shift toward long-term strategies as the Bitcoin rally and institutional entry reshape the digital asset landscape
On CoinSwitch, participation among investors aged 36-45 climbed to 19.1% in 2025 from 15.52% in 2024, while the segment comprising investors aged 46 years and above edged up to 10.6% from 10.02%, according to the platform’s annual report released this month. The exchange, which has over 25 million users, shows that the 26-35 age bracket now accounts for 45% of all crypto investors in 2025, up from 40.19% in 2024.
Attero to invest Rs 150 Cr to scale e-waste, copper recycling, and R&D infrastructure
E-waste recycling firm Attero on Wednesday said it will invest Rs 150 crore to expand its recycling capabilities and research and development (R&D) centres. This includes new e-waste recycling plants in Pune, Bengaluru, and Faridabad, a copper recycling plant in Reengus, Rajasthan, and an R&D Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida.
According to Nitin Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of Attero, the company has already surpassed its current e-waste capacity. These new facilities will enable the company to tap into the rising demand in the market from both customers and suppliers, he told YourStory.
Attero’s three new e-waste plants will have a capacity of 25,000 tonnes per annum, while its copper recycling unit will add another 25,000 tonnes, bringing the total capacity to 100,000 tonnes per annum.
Latest News
Mizuho Securities to buy KKR’s stake in Avendus Capital
Japanese investment bank Mizuho Securities is acquiring a stake in Avendus Capital. The entity will continue to be led by founders Gaurav Deepak and Kaushal Aggarwal. It will also retain its brand and identity.
Avendus said the partnership will give it access to Mizuho’s global network and institutional platform.
Avendus was founded in 1999 by Ranu Vohra, Gaurav Deepak and Kaushal Aggarwal as an internet-focused investment solutions company. Vohra, Executive Vice Chairman of Avendus Group, will step away after completing the transaction.
Databricks hits $134B valuation after $4B funding
Databricks has raised more than $4 billion in a Series L funding round, valuing the data and artificial intelligence software company at $134 billion. The financing marks one of the largest private technology investments of the year and comes as Databricks shows strong revenue growth alongside sustained profitability on a free cash flow basis.
The Data and AI company said it crossed a $4.8 billion annual revenue run rate in its third quarter, growing over 55% year on year. For a late stage private company investing heavily in infrastructure and research, it claims to have delivered positive free cash flow over the past 12 months.
The funding will support Databricks’ product development across three core platforms, provide employee liquidity and help fund future AI acquisitions and research.
Funding News
Gambit Cyber raises $3.4M seed round led by Expeditions
Gambit Cyber, an AI-native cybersecurity startup headquartered in the Netherlands, has raised $3.4 million in a seed funding round led by Expeditions, with participation from Bitdefender Voyager Ventures.
The company said the funding will be used to enhance its KnightGuard platform, expand internationally, and build strategic partnerships.
Gambit Cyber also announced the launch of its first fully owned subsidiary, Gambit Cyber (India), to support growth in the market. The platform has seen early adoption among enterprises and managed security service providers across financial services, telecom, and critical infrastructure sectors in India, the UAE, and Europe.
Shilpa Shetty-backed WickedGud raises Rs 20 Cr to scale omni-channel play
WickedGud, a better-for-you noodles and pasta brand backed by actor Shilpa Shetty, has raised Rs 20 crore in a funding round from existing and new investors to expand its omni-channel presence and accelerate product innovation.
Existing backers Orios Venture Partners, Asiana Fund, Shilpa Shetty and others participated in the round, following a Rs 20 crore fundraise in November 2024. New investors include Shajikumar Devakar, co-founder of Neo Wealth Management, Ajay Mehta, former content head at WPP, Sonika Ravula of Optional Gravity, and Rahul Colaco, CEO of Fraser & Neave.
The company said the capital will be used to strengthen its presence across modern trade, general trade and digital platforms, scale supply chain capabilities, and expand high-velocity categories such as cup noodles and Korean-style spicy noodles. WickedGud said it recorded 3x revenue growth over the past 12 months and is now present in more than 5,000 retail outlets.
Decode Age raises Rs 14.48 Cr in Pre-Series A funding to advance longevity and microbiome research
Decode Age, a longevity science organisation focused on ageing biology and gut microbiome research, has raised Rs 14.48 crore in its Pre-Series A funding round led by Dr Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman and Managing Director of Granules India Limited.
The funding will be used to accelerate Decode Age’s biomarker discovery programmes, expand its multi-omics and microbiome research pipeline, and enhance scientific and analytical infrastructure.
The company is also focusing on developing research-driven supplements and precision-based longevity solutions informed by ageing biology and gut microbiome insights.
Cellarim Labs raises Rs 6 Cr seed round led by 3i Partners
Cellarim Labs, a biotechnology startup focused on cell-free biomanufacturing for beauty and personal care ingredients, has raised Rs 6 crore in a seed funding round led by 3i Partners and Venture Catalysts.
The round also saw participation from Momentum Capital, Jashan Bhumkar, Gayathri Kuppendra Reddy and other strategic investors. Founded in 2023 by Hitesh Rafalia and Nisa Mehreen, the company is developing an enzyme-powered, cell-free manufacturing platform to produce high-purity cosmetic ingredients as an alternative to fermentation and chemical synthesis.
Cellarim Labs said the capital will be used to set up a pilot-scale biomanufacturing facility, scale commercial production of its hyaluronic acid product NeuHyal, and expand its B2B ingredient supply to beauty and personal care brands. It will also invest in its AI-driven biofoundry to support faster design and production of new bioactive molecules for partner brands.
QWEEN to receive undisclosed investment from Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor
QWEEN, a luxury jewellery startup positioning itself as a self-discovery and experiential retail brand, said Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor are set to invest an undisclosed amount ahead of its market launch in February 2026.
The company said the proposed investment follows a Rs 1,000 crore strategic investment by diamond supplier Rosy Blue and Japanese luxury jeweller Kashikey Co Ltd, which are also serving as supply chain partners. QWEEN did not disclose the timing or structure of the celebrity investment.
QWEEN plans to open its first experiential retail stores spanning 5,000–6,000 sq ft in Bengaluru and Delhi, targeting women consumers with 100% natural diamond and gemstone jewellery. The brand said it will launch more than 20 collections and over 3,000 SKUs across gold, silver, diamonds and gemstones.
Other News
Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies partners with IISc Bengaluru to set up drone CoE
Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies said it has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to establish a Drone Centre of Excellence at IISc’s Department of Mechanical Engineering to advance indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle technologies.
The company said the centre will focus on advanced research, design, and testing of UAV systems by combining Zuppa’s cyber-physical technology stack with IISc’s expertise in aerodynamics, robotics, controls, and systems engineering.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of homegrown drone technologies for applications across defence, agriculture, logistics, disaster management, and smart cities.
ElectriGo launches electric bus leasing, signs MoU with Green Energy Mobility Solutions
ElectriGo, a full-stack electric bus leasing platform, has launched its electric bus leasing offering for private operators and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Green Energy Mobility Solutions Ltd (GEMS) to deploy 50 electric buses across key transport routes.
The agreement, formalised on 1 August 2025 in Chennai, marks a step toward scaling commercially viable and zero-emission mobility in India.
Under the agreement, the first 10 electric buses were delivered in Hyderabad on 16 December, with full maintenance and operational support provided by ElectriGo. The company currently operates across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR, aiming to enable scalable and economically sustainable electric mobility solutions.
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
