Rajesh Gupta

#Update BlueGreen Ventures has launched a USD 75 million fund to invest in early-stage startups and pre-IPO companies in India. The fund will focus on climate tech, fintech, and B2C sectors, with investment sizes ranging from INR 7-12 crore for early-stage companies and INR 20-30 crore for pre-IPO companies. The fund is led by experienced investors Rajeev Suri and Anup Jain, who have a strong track record of successful investments in Indian startups. Read the story: https://ow.ly/GV7i50U5TMm #VentureCapital #StartupInvestment #ClimateTech #Fintech #B2C #IndiaStartups #EarlyStageFunding #InvestmentNews #Entrepreneurship #RajeevSuri

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☀️ SolarSquare raises $40M🌟 We’re thrilled to announce that our portfolio company, SolarSquare Energy has successfully raised $40M in its Series B funding round, led by Lightspeed India, with participation from Lightrock India, and existing investors including Elevation Capital, Lowercarbon Capital, Rainmatter by Zerodha, and Gruhas . This marks a significant milestone in SolarSquare’s journey to accelerate solar adoption in India. 🌍 With this fresh infusion of capital, SolarSquare plans to: 🌆 Expand operations from 20 cities to 50 cities across India. 👩‍💻 Invest in talent to strengthen their growing team. 📈 Build their brand as a leader in residential solar. 💡 Develop a state-of-the-art asset management tech stack for remote monitoring and diagnostics of rooftop solar systems. With only 1% of Indian homes adopting solar energy so far, SolarSquare is on a mission to change that narrative. As the first company in India to offer rooftop solar with guaranteed savings, they’re redefining the customer experience by ensuring not just installation but also ongoing performance and efficiency of solar systems. Congratulations to the founders and the entire team at SolarSquare on this monumental step forward! We’re proud to be part of their journey toward making solar power accessible and reliable for all. Let’s power a brighter and more sustainable future together! ⚡🌞 Shreya Mishra Nikhil Nahar Neeraj Jain Read More: https://lnkd.in/g87dUkJb #SolarSquare #StrideVentures #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation #SolarEnergy

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Sustainiam, a climate tech startup specializing in carbon management and sustainability solutions, raised $1.45 million (Rs 12.14 crore) from its first institutional funding round, led by Orios Venture Partners. The funds will support the launch of a digital platform for trading environmental assets, expanding the Noida-based firm's workforce, and extending global operations. Founded in September 2023, Sustainiam offers carbon footprint management services through its technology platform, enabling businesses to issue and trade international renewable energy certificates and other carbon certificates. With over 140 clients, such as Coca-Cola, ITC, Unilever, and H&M, the startup targets Rs 70 crore in revenue by 2025. Factacy.ai Congratulates and wishes them well. #innovation #management #digitalmarketing #technology #creativity #futurism #startups

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IndusDC is on a mission to slash 1 GT of #CO2 emissions by 2035! With a commitment of Rs 100 crore in blended finance for FY25 and FY26, they're set to co-build tech #startups in the industrial and energy sectors. 🌍 Launching five startups in the next two years and aiming for over 50 globally in the next decade, #IndusDC offers robust support by stepping in as co-founders and providing up to Rs 20 crore in capital for each startup. Founded in 2023 by Kushant Uppal, Satyanarayanan Seshadri, and Kaustubh Hanmantgad (Kau), IndusDC is gearing up to sign additional commitment agreements with investors in FY25. by Sai keerthi | #GreenTech #ClimateAction #StartupSupport #SustainableFuture #Innovation

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Hyderabad-based venture capital firm Pavestone VC has announced the final close of its Pavestone Technology Fund at a staggering Rs 816 crore (~$97 million)—surpassing its original target of Rs 600 crore! The fund witnessed enthusiastic participation from notable investors, including The Self Reliant India(SRI) Fund, the family office of MANKIND PHARMA LTD promoters, and Colruyt Group India. This marks a major milestone in India's VC ecosystem, highlighting growing confidence in tech innovation. What’s Next? Pavestone plans to invest in 14-15 growth-stage B2B tech startups with an average cheque size of $5-10 million, focusing on deeptech and enterprise tech. Portfolio Highlights: The fund has already backed cutting-edge companies like E42.ai, NewSpace Research and Technologies , LivNSense GreenOps Private Limited, and Bellatrix Aerospace—all shaping the future of technology in their sectors. Founded in 2021 by Sridhar Rampalli, Srikanth Tanikella, and V Laxmikanth (VLK), Pavestone VC is setting the stage for transformative growth in India’s tech landscape. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gVPm-ScB #VCNews #PavestoneVC #TechInnovation #B2BTech #DeepTech #StartupFunding #IndiaStartups #VentureCapital

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𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 1.SolarSquare Energy 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 $𝟒𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐁 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 Lightspeed Commerce 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬  Lightspeed Commerce, Lightrock, Elevation Capital, Chris Sacca’s Lowercarbon Capital, Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter by Zerodha, and Gruhas 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 SolarSquare Energy raised $40 million in its Series B round, marking the largest Venture Capital raise in India's solar sector. The funds will fuel its expansion into 50 cities across India, technology enhancement, talent acquisition, and brand-building initiatives. This round follows $19.5 million raised in prior funding rounds, further solidifying SolarSquare's leadership in the rooftop solar market. 2.Rebel Foods 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 $𝟐𝟏𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐆 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 Temasek 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬  Temasek, Evolvence India. 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Rebel Foods has secured $210 million in its Series G round, a mix of primary and secondary share sales. This equity raise comes after a three-year gap, complementing the nearly $50 million raised via debt funding over five tranches in the last two years. The funds will be utilized to expand its footprint, enhance its portfolio of brands, and strengthen its operational platform. 3.Kenro Capital 𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 Peak XV Partners-𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 K12 Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. 𝐟𝐨𝐫 $𝟒𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 Kenro Capital, 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Kenro Capital’s $40 million investment in K12 Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. Services includes a mix of primary and secondary funding. The deal involves stock liquidation by some employees and growth capital for the company. This marks the third secondary transaction for K12 Techno Services Pvt. Ltd. since September 2023. The funds will support the expansion of Orchids International Schools and other verticals like Eduvate and SparkleBox.School, driving the company’s growth strategy. 4. 𝐁𝟐𝐁 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 Haber 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 $𝟒𝟒 𝐌𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 Creaegis, BEENEXT, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 Accel 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Haber raised $44 million in its Series C round, comprising $38 million in equity and $6 million in debt. This brings its total funding to over $70 million. The fresh capital will enable Haber to scale internationally, with a focus on the US market, to meet the growing demand for AI-led industrial robotics. The funds will also support its ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency in chemical, energy, and water usage across multiple sectors. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 Corporate Valuations 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 #funds #newhighlight #newsupdates #Startups #Investment #Valuation #EquityFunding #FundingNews #StartupNews #StartupInvestment #BusinessValuation

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Market Moves in Focus! 🔹 LIC reduces stake in NMDC by 2%, now holding 5.6%. 🔹 Indus Towers acquires 26% in JSW Green Energy Eight for ₹38 crore, expanding its renewable energy portfolio. 🔹 Swiggy ventures into live event ticketing with "Scenes," expanding beyond food delivery. 🔹 Reliance Industries acquires 74% stake in Navi Mumbai International Airport for $192 million, strengthening its infrastructure portfolio. #BusinessNews #Investments #RenewableEnergy #Infrastructure #LIC #Reliance #Swiggy #JSW

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SolarSquare Energy Raises $4.2 Million in Fresh Funding from Zerodha’s Rainmatter, Gruhas, Lowercarbon Capital, Climate Angels, and Good Capital Founded by Neeraj Jain, Shreya Mishra and Nikhil Nahar, SolarSquare specializes in designing, installing, and financing rooftop solar systems for residential homes, housing societies, and commercial establishments. The company recently expanded its capabilities by acquiring PV Diagnostics, a company with expertise in utility-scale solar power. Lowercarbon invested Rs 20.74 crore, Good Capital invested 3.32 crore while Gruhas Proptech and Rainmatter separately invested Rs 6.22 crore and Rs 3.98 crore, respectively. The funding will be used for the expansion, working capital requirements, and general corporate purposes, according to the filings. To date, SolarSquare has raised over $20 million, including a Rs 100 crore ($12 million) Series A round led by Elevation Capital and Lowercarbon Capital in November 2022. Lowercarbon is the largest external stakeholder with a 20.29% stake, followed by Elevation Capital at 14.99%. Rainmatter and Gruhas Proptech hold 3.84% and 2.50% stakes, respectively. As per TheKredible estimates, the company has been valued at around Rs 394 crore or $48 million post-allotment. The company is yet to file its financial statements for FY24 but its revenue from operations grew 35.4% to Rs 107 crore in FY23. It posted Rs 35 crore loss in the same period.

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Indian Carbon Market - Status Report Date: 9th December 2024 Key takeaways - 1.) Amendments to the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, effective from December 19, 2023, support carbon market development. 2.) The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) has both regulatory and voluntary components. 3.) Compliance mechanism requires organizations to reduce GHG emissions as per CCTS cycles. 4.) Offset mechanism allows organizations to earn carbon credits by reducing or avoiding emissions. 5.) The 2012 Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme will be integrated into CCTS. 6.) Key sectors like aluminum, cement, and steel are prioritized for CCTS due to the CBAM effect.

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IIMA Ventures has unveiled its 'Venture Investing Accelerator,' an exclusive program crafted to assist amateur investors in navigating the complexities of early-stage investing. This initiative is designed to equip new investors with essential knowledge and skills, empowering them to make informed decisions and significantly contribute to India's burgeoning startup ecosystem. Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from and network with IIMA Professors, IIMA Ventures Partners, established leaders in venture investing, and peers. The program offers bespoke mentoring tailored to individual mentalities and preferences, ensuring a personalized learning experience. Supriya Sharma, Partner at IIMA Ventures, highlighted the importance of this initiative: "The venture capital asset class continues to expand, and now is the ideal time for individuals to learn how to invest effectively. The program will provide participants with fundamentals, actionable insights, and mentorship from seasoned investors and industry experts." IIMA Ventures aims to address the challenges new investors and fund managers face in identifying promising companies for investment or achieving positive exits. Drawing on over a decade and a half of experience as a major investor, the firm seeks to support novice investors in making significant contributions to the country's startup landscape. "By leveraging the extensive experience and resources of IIMA Ventures, we aim to create a new generation of savvy investors who can navigate the complexities of early-stage investing and drive meaningful impact in the startup ecosystem," added Sharma. The Indian startup ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, with the number of startups more than doubling between 2020 and 2024, according to IIMA Ventures' data. The number of investors surged ninefold between 2015 and 2022, fueled by government policies and increased capital influx, which have enhanced startups' access to funding. The 'Venture Investing Accelerator' is designed as a flexible, experience-based program where participants can choose their specific milestones. They will have the chance to shadow parts of the venture investing process most relevant to their journeys. New investors aiming to become angels will receive education in deal scouting, structuring, due diligence, term sheet drafting, monitoring mechanisms, and exit preparations. For those with existing funds, the training will be tailored to their needs within a highly flexible learning environment. The program also includes a 3-Day Bootcamp on the IIMA Campus, scheduled for August 8-10, 2024, for participants to gain practical insights and hands-on learning. #IIMAVentures #VentureInvesting #StartupEcosystem #InvestmentSkills #NewInvestors #StartupIndia #VCTraining #AngelInvestors #InvestmentBootcamp #Mentorship #EarlyStageInvesting #InvestorEducation #Entrepreneurship #IndianStartups #VentureCapital #InvestorMentorship #StartupCommunity #AllBoutCorps

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Thrilled to be featured as the Sustainability Partner for Algorand Foundation #India Summit. Offseting your event carbon footprint is easy: Calculate their carbon footprint based on distance, mode of transport, etc, and then to purchase fractionalized carbon credits from the project of your choice, which is tokenized and verified on #Algorand, ensuring #transparency and accountability. Every transaction -- from issuance to #carboncredit purchase -- is recorded on the Algorand #blockchain, completely traceable and independently verifiable on explorers like Allo #netzero #carbonmarket #irec #blockchain Manoj Vyas ⚡️ Saurav Raaj Vikram Pandya Sharat Chandra Somnath Mitra, Ph.D., AWS Cloud Certified, GCP Cloud Certi Kishore Butani Mikhail Dhaul Nikhil Vedprakash Manoj Vyas ⚡️ Smriti Chaudhry 🚀 Angira Singhvi Lodha Bernard D'sa Microsoft AIC-Synapses Innovation Foundation Amy Flowers Vinay Kumar Priyanka Soni Neha Mittal Ruchira Shukla Anish Tuteja Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Universal Carbon Registry Jos Tuinenburg Alexander Hogeveen Rutter Microsoft Synapse VC Accenture WRI Climate Environment , Climate Change and Sustainability Studies - Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai Confederation of Indian Industry FICCI ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) CII Godrej Green Business Centre Read More: https://lnkd.in/dnwApNUd

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Thank you, Climake and Forbes India, for the shout-out to IndusDC as a flag bearer of the venture builder model! The "State of Climate Finance in India 2024" report by Climake emphasizes the urgent need for innovative financing solutions, such as blended finance, to effectively support hardware startups and accelerate the development of the decarbonization ecosystem in India. Here are some key highlights from the report that underscore the critical role of climate finance as a strategic catalyst: 1) Minimal Growth in Climate Funding: Climate equity funding in 2023 saw only a 2.5% increase, reaching USD 4.82 billion, significantly lower than the peak of USD 7.12 billion in 2021. This highlights the need to support newer ecosystem innovations with smaller ticket sizes. 2) Emerging Sectors and Debt Financing: While funding for mobility and circularity remained stable, sustainable agriculture funding dropped by 45%. Debt financing grew to USD 17.7 billion, driven by increased investments in electric vehicles (EVs) and development finance institutions (DFIs) involvement. 3) Need for Climate Adaptation Investments: The report stresses that India is lagging in climate adaptation investments, urging more focus and capital to address adaptation challenges alongside mitigation efforts. 4) Investor Landscape Evolution: The climate investor universe is expanding, with a 25% increase in climate investors in 2023. Over half of the 475 investors in climate enterprises since 2020 participated this year, indicating a growing mainstream interest in climate solutions. 5) Funding Requirements for Climate Action: India needs USD 108 billion annually until 2030 for climate action, with annual mitigation investments needing to grow from USD 20 billion to USD 75 billion. The report calls for new structures and approaches to facilitate this funding, particularly for adaptation. These insights highlight the critical need for innovative financing strategies to drive impactful climate action in India. Thank you Simmi Sareen and Shravan Shankar for putting this together! Link to the report: https://lnkd.in/gHRGZH9q Link to the Forbes article: https://lnkd.in/dgEk3Dwd #Sustainability #Innovation #GreenTech #Decarbonisation #ClimateChange #ClimateFinance #Investment Kushant Uppal Satyanarayanan Seshadri Kaustubh Hanmantgad (Kau)

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Introducing TOKERE, led by Dr. Prafulla Vedula Agarwal. This Bengaluru-based startup enhances renewable energy and carbon markets with transparency, traceability and immutability by leveraging blockchain technology.   The company tokenizes assets to establish time-stamped ownership, map lifecycles, and offer real-time verification via an easy-to-use QR string that can be applied to any product. This solution benefits all stakeholders in the carbon markets, including consumers, developers, and investors. TOKERE's unique proposition allows for virtual and fractional ownership of renewable energy and carbon projects, facilitating a genuine transition with 100% additionality. By leveraging blockchain technology, TOKERE ensures that every transaction and ownership change is securely recorded and easily traceable, fostering trust and efficiency in the market.  We're thrilled to welcome TOKERE to the iCreate family! Stay tuned as we continue to showcase the new startups in our portfolio! #iCreateWithYou #NewIncubatee #Innovators #Entrepreneurship #startup #innovation #incubation #Energy #Management

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Welcome Green Frontier Capital: The newest member of Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) Green Frontier Capital is one of India's first investment firms that primarily backs growth companies which are delivering breakthrough innovation in green industries like electric mobility, foodtech, renewable energy, and biofuels. With specific investment criteria, such as high cash flow and clear exit pathways, Green Frontier Capital focuses on four key investment themes—decarbonisation, artificial intelligence, digitisation, and biological intelligence.  For more information, please visit their website: https://lnkd.in/eECP9iwr Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), representing the alternate asset industry, is delighted to have Green Frontier Capital on board. Their innovative approach and commitment to data-driven investing are valuable additions to our association and the broader investment community. We look forward to a productive collaboration and the shared goal of advancing India's investment landscape. #IVCA #MaximumIndia #IVCAMember #VentureCapital #Innovation #InvestmentExcellence

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