Indian startup funding momentum slowed down in the first week of April amid escalation in geopolitical tensions. Between March 30 and April 3, startups raised about $131.5 Mn across 18 deals. This marked a 62% decline from the $348.2 Mn raised across 25 deals last week.

Funding Galore: Indian Startup Funding Of The Week [Mar 30 — April 03]

Key Startup Funding Highlights Of The Week

• Ecommerce topped the sectoral funding charts this week. Three ecommerce startups cumulatively bagged $50.5 Mn from investors like Xponentia Capital, Bajaj Finserv and Lakme Finance. 
• Fintech segment also saw a similar number of deals materialise this week. Bachatt, Navanc and CredResolve netted over $13.1 Mn in cumulative funding this week. 
• Three startups at the seed stage raised $2.2 Mn, down 27% from last week.
• InfoEdge Ventures emerged as the most active investor this week with four funding deals.

Other Developments Of The Week 

• Garuda Aerospace, Zetwerk and Rediff filed for IPOs this week via the confidential route.
• Bajaj Finserv is mulling to launch a dedicated private equity fund focused on AI startups, along with plans to invest directly in early-stage AI startups through its own balance sheet
• RedTape parent Mirza International’s MD Tauseef Mirza acquired D2C brand Solethreads in an undisclosed financial deal.
• Fintech unicorn Dhan is in talks to acquire Bengaluru-based Infinyte Club to foray into the wealthtech segment. The acquisition is expected to be worth around $10 Mn.
• Zaggle’s board approved an investment of about ₹50 Cr in acquired fintech startup Rio.Money. 
• Nazara is in talks to raise around $100 Mn in a pre-IPO round, cofounder Akshat Rathee told Inc42.

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