The latest latest stories from the Startups desk.
A generation raised on plastic imports now craves something else—wooden Montessori toys, STEM puzzles, and eco-friendly play. In 2026, India's toy industry is projected to reach $2.5 billion, with a dozen homegrown D2C brands challenging global giants. TIGI unpacks the "Toy Story" reversal.
A Mumbai-based D2C brand just got acquired for ₹1,583 crore. Another raised $51 million at a $400 million valuation. And 66% of new wellness orders now come from Tier 2/3 India. TIGI unpacks the protein boom that's turning Indian kitchens into science labs—and why FMCG giants are paying billions to get a seat at the table.
India’s e-commerce and D2C revolution is no longer a metro-story. With 66% of new orders flowing from Tier 2 and 3 cities, this is a structural shift. We decode the "Bharat" consumer boom, space-tech unicorns, and why global giants are now looking at small-town India for their next billion users.
Excerpt: In June 2026, Gurugram-based TrueFan AI raised $10 million in a Series A round led by Baring Private Equity Partners India and Z3Partners, at a post-money valuation of $40 million. The platform helps large businesses generate hyper-personalized video content at scale in over 175 languages — including WhatsApp and RCS distribution. This is not just a funding story. It's a signal that India's generative AI revolution has moved beyond chatbots. Indian startups are now building the infrastructure for the world's video-first, multilingual future.
Almost every Indian believes Bollywood stars make a run for the bank only from their movies. But today, these celebrities are savvy investors, diversifying their wealth into startups, companies, stock markets, and venture capital opportunities. From Shah Rukh Khan’s family office co‑investing ₹100 crore with Ashika Group to Juhi Chawla’s net worth of ₹7,790 crore from cricket and real estate, Bollywood has transformed into a serious wealth engine. This article decodes the "secret portfolios" of SRK, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and others, revealing how they earn more from business than from box office collections.
They are Bollywood’s most bankable stars, with a combined Instagram following of over 100 million. But Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are not just actors—they are venture capitalists in disguise. From Ranveer’s early bets on D2C unicorns like SUGAR Cosmetics and boAt to Deepika’s skincare brand 82°E and her investment in consumer goods platform Noto, the couple has quietly built a portfolio worth over ₹1,000 crore. This article traces how they moved from endorsements to equity, the strategic thinking behind their investments, and how their combined star power creates a flywheel for the brands they back. We also analyze the unique “power couple” advantage—how two celebrities can amplify each other’s business interests without diluting their individual brands.
Mamaearth went public at ₹10,000 crore. SUGAR Cosmetics crossed ₹1,500 crore. boAt became a household name. The D2C revolution in India is no longer a trend; it’s a full-blown industry. This article breaks down the business models, valuation drivers, and success secrets of India’s top D2C brands. We analyze how founders leveraged digital marketing, supply chain innovation, and celebrity partnerships to build billion‑dollar businesses from scratch.
Excerpt: Shah Rukh Khan’s wealth isn’t just from films and IPL. His family office has been quietly building a portfolio across health tech, edutainment, media technology, real estate, and direct-to-consumer brands. From backing health tech venture Numi to co-investing $15 million in Mythik, the media technology company founded by FreeCharge’s Jason Kothari, SRK’s portfolio is more diverse than any other Bollywood star. This article takes a deep dive into the Baadshah of diversification, analyzing each major investment, the strategy behind it, and how his family office operates like a mini venture capital firm.
Kriti Sanon isn’t just a celebrated actor—she is also the co‑founder of Hyphen and has recently invested in GIVA, a popular D2C jewellery brand, playing a multi‑faceted role beyond her financial contribution. This article dissects how Kriti is mirroring the global trend of actors becoming strategic investors and ecosystem enablers, using her platform to propel brands that align with her personal style and values. We explore the economics of her partnership with GIVA, the launch and growth of Hyphen, and how she balances acting with active brand building