10th Indian Delegation to Dubai, Gitex & Expand North Star – World’s Largest Startup Investor Connect
All News

B2B e-commerce platform Udaan raises $340M in a Series E round

B2B e-commerce platform Udaan has raised $340 million in a Series E funding round led by M&G Plc, with participation from existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and DST Global.

The funding round, which is a mix of equity and convertible notes, came after Udaan announced its plan to go public by 2025.

At what valuation?

While the company did not disclose the exact debt-equity split, Udaan’s valuation has reportedly seen a decline from its peak of around $3 billion to below $2 billion.

The company has experienced a reduction in gross revenue, reporting approximately $680 million in the financial year ending March, with losses trimmed to under $380 million. However, the fresh capital infusion is expected to strengthen Udaan’s balance sheet and support its business plan.

What is the purpose of funding?

Udaan plans to use the new funds to enhance customer experience, expand market penetration, and develop strategic vendor partnerships. Additionally, the company aims to improve its supply-chain capabilities and grow its loan book. 

Facing competition

Founded in 2016 by former Flipkart executives, Udaan operates across various segments, including lifestyle, electronics, and FMCG, serving over 3 million retailers across India.

Despite facing competition from major players like Reliance Retail and Amazon, Udaan remains focused on empowering small businesses with technology and financial inclusivity. The company’s regional-operated design aims to make operations more agile and efficient.

Udaan’s journey towards profitability and an IPO in 2025 continues amidst a challenging market environment. The company has been on a cost-cutting drive, including layoffs and organizational restructuring. 

Join our new WhatsApp Channel for the latest startup news updates

by Siliconluxembourg

Would-be entrepreneurs have an extra helping hand from Luxembourg’s Chamber of Commerce, which has published a new practical guide. ‘Developing your business: actions to take and mistakes to avoid’, was written to respond to  the needs and answer the common questions of entrepreneurs.  “Testimonials, practical tools, expert insights and presentations from key players in our ecosystem have been brought together to create a comprehensive toolkit that you can consult at any stage of your journey,” the introduction… Source link

by WIRED

B&H Photo is one of our favorite places to shop for camera gear. If you’re ever in New York, head to the store to check out the giant overhead conveyor belt system that brings your purchase from the upper floors to the registers downstairs (yes, seriously, here’s a video). Fortunately B&H Photo’s website is here for the rest of us with some good deals on photo gear we love. Save on the Latest Gear at B&H Photo B&H Photo has plenty of great deals, including Nikon’s brand-new Z6III full-frame… Source link

by Gizmodo

Long before Edgar Wright’s The Running Man hits theaters this week, the director of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz had been thinking about making it. He read the original 1982 novel by Stephen King (under his pseudonym Richard Bachman) as a boy and excitedly went to theaters in 1987 to see the film version, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Wright enjoyed the adaptation but was a little let down by just how different it was from the novel. Years later, after he’d become a successful… Source link