fintech
Bengaluru and Berlin Forge Stronger Ties to Ignite Innovation and Startup Ecosystems
Bengaluru and Berlin have inked a pact to boost innovation and startup exchange. Karnataka's IT Minister Priyank Kharge announced the partnership, part of the Global Innovation Alliance, focusing on Fintech, AI, IT, and Life Sciences. Berlin will open its first Indian business office in Bengaluru, highlighting a commitment to inclusive and sustainable tech growth.
Indian Startups Show Cautious Optimism: 80,000 New Tech Jobs Expected in FY26
Indian startups, emerging from a "funding winter," expect to add 80,000 new tech jobs in FY26, bringing the total tech workforce to 6.7 lakh. This cautious optimism focuses on leaner, skill-based teams, prioritizing experienced professionals in quick commerce, fintech, and e-retail. Tier-2/3 cities are also driving growth, while AI impacts entry-level roles.
Bridging Strategy and Story: Arthavaad Redefines Financial Events
Arthavaad 1.0 by Crowwd brought together founders, investors, and students for an inspiring evening of honest conversations around finance, risk, and purpose. With powerful insights from industry leaders like Sunil Malik, the event redefined how financial communities connect and grow.
India's Startups Eyeing Over ₹18,000 Crore Through Public Listings in Major D-Street Surge
Indian startups are gearing up for a significant D-Street push, aiming to raise over ₹18,000 crore via IPOs. This surge includes major players like Pine Labs, Shadowfax, Urban Company, Shiprocket, and Wakefit. Driven by scaling and a new focus on profitability, these listings reflect growing confidence in public markets and mark a maturing phase for India's startup ecosystem.
Leadership Boost for Pine Labs: Payments Giant Set to Appoint Avendus' Sameer Kamath as New CFO
Pine Labs, the fintech giant preparing for an IPO, is set to appoint Sameer Kamath, Avendus Capital's Group CFO, as its new CFO. This strategic hire strengthens its leadership ahead of the anticipated ₹2,600 crore public listing, aiming for a $4.5-5 billion valuation. Kamath's vast experience is crucial for this pre-IPO phase.
Zango AI Emerges from Stealth with $4.8 Million Seed Round, Led by Nexus Venture Partners, to Revolutionize RegTech with AI
RegTech startup Zango AI emerged from stealth, securing $4.8M in seed funding led by Nexus Venture Partners. Founded by Ritesh Singhania and Shashank Agarwal, Zango AI uses regulation-specific LLMs to automate financial compliance for banks and fintechs, aiming to revolutionize GRC with its AI-native platform and human-in-the-loop approach.
Slice Small Finance Bank Achieves Monthly Profitability, Sets Sights on IPO in 3-4 Years
Slice Small Finance Bank, formed by the Slice-NESFB merger, is now monthly profitable and targets an IPO in 3-4 years. This crucial step validates its hybrid fintech-traditional banking model, aiming to serve India's underserved while ensuring robust growth and financial inclusion, striving to become "India's most loved bank.
Indian Digital Lenders Halt IPO Plans Amidst Shifting Market Dynamics
Digital lending startups in India are delaying IPOs due to muted growth and tighter regulations. Despite some profit gains, many are prioritizing balance sheet strength and compliance over immediate public listings. This shift reflects a cautious market demanding profitability and sustainable models, though the long-term potential for digital credit in India remains strong.
Sahi, Fintech Startup by Former Swiggy CTO, Secures $10.5 Million Led by Accel and Elevation Capital
Sahi, founded by ex-Swiggy CTO Dale Vaz, secured $10.5M from Accel & Elevation Capital. The fintech startup offers AI-driven, automated stock trading tools for retail investors, planning new no-code strategy builders. This funding supports product innovation and expansion, leveraging India's evolving retail trading market and new SEBI algo-trading rules.
PayU India Achieves Significant Growth: Revenue Climbs 12% to ₹4,300 Crore in FY25
PayU India saw its revenue jump 12% to ₹4,300 crore in FY25, driven by a 14% rise in payment volumes across key sectors. Its payments business broke even in H2 FY25, a major milestone. With a new RBI payment aggregator license, PayU is set to expand further in India's booming digital payments market.
Paytm Shares Tumble 10% After Finance Ministry Rejects UPI MDR Reintroduction
Paytm shares plunged 10% after the Finance Ministry dismissed speculation about reintroducing MDR on UPI transactions. Hopes for a new revenue stream were dashed, highlighting fintech's sensitivity to policy. Despite the setback, UPI continues its record growth, with the government committed to free services amidst sustainability questions.
Pine Labs Gears Up for Rs 5,000-6,000 Crore IPO, Files DRHP by June-End
Fintech giant Pine Labs is set to file its DRHP by June-end for a Rs 5,000-6,000 crore ($600-720M) IPO. Having recently re-domiciled to India, the move underscores the growing maturity of India's startup ecosystem and public markets. The IPO could value the company at $4-5 billion.