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

Cureskin Secures $20 Mn To Scale Up Its AI Dermatology Platform


SUMMARY

The funding round was led by VC firm HealthQuad and also saw participation from existing investors such as JSW Ventures, Khosla Ventures and Sharrp Ventures

Cureskin will use the fresh proceeds to further enhance its capabilities, expand offerings, scale up operations and accelerate growth

Founded in 2017, CureSkin leverages AI on its app to offer personalised skin and hair care solutions

AI-driven dermatology platform Cureskin has raised $20 Mn in its Series B funding round led by venture capital (VC) fund HealthQuad.

The round also saw participation from existing investors such as JSW Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Sharrp Ventures.

In a statement, Cureskin said that the capital will be utilised to further enhance its capabilities, expand offerings, scale up operations, and accelerate growth. 

Founded in 2017 by Guna Kakulapati, Ramakrishna Rajanna, and Charu Sharma, CureSkin leverages AI on its app to offer personalised and dermatologist-prescribed skin and hair care solutions. Additionally, the platform also offers guidance and dermatologist follow-ups to its users. 

“… These funds will help further enhance our AI capabilities, accelerate our growth and expand solution offerings. We aim to provide optimal skin and hair health to millions of individuals across the country,” Cureskin cofounder and CEO Kakulapati said on the funding round.

With the latest fundraise, the Bengaluru-based startup has raised a total funding of over $26 Mn till date. It last raised $5 Mn in a funding round in 2022.

The startup claims to use AI to analyse more than 10 Mn skin pixels on photos to derive more than 2,000 facial attributes to detect skin conditions. Trained on a database of more than 50 Mn images, the platform then segments consumers into over 65,000 different profiles and offers tailored offerings to customers. 

It claims to have so far catered to more than 15 Lakh customers, with over 80% of them coming from Tier-II, III regions.

The fundraise comes at a time when the Indian startup ecosystem is reeling under the impact of the ongoing funding winter. While the overall funding numbers are down, startups in the healthtech space have been seeing renewed interest from investors in recent months.

Earlier today, healthtech startup Sugar.fit secured an additional $5 Mn in its extended Series A funding round led by B Capital. In February, Zeno Health raised $25 Mn in its Series C funding round led by South Korean PE firm STIC Investments.

As per an Inc42 report, the Indian healthtech space is projected to grow to a market size of $21.3 Bn by 2025.





Source link

by Sameera

Binance Responds to User Complaints Global crypto exchange Binance has announced that it will increase compensation for customers who were liquidated during the recent crypto market selloff. The move follows widespread criticism after thousands of traders suffered sudden losses due to extreme volatility earlier this month. According to internal reports, Binance will refund part of the unrealized losses to affected users through its User Protection Fund, which currently holds over $1.2 billion in reserves. The compensation applies mainly to futures traders whose positions were automatically liquidated during rapid price swings in Bitcoin and other major tokens. Bitcoin’s Price Plunge Sparks Liquidations The crypto market experienced one of its sharpest downturns in 2025, with Bitcoin (BTC) falling below $50,000 for the first time in eight months. This triggered billions in forced liquidations across major exchanges, including Binance, OKX, and Bybit. Analysts suggest that a combination of high leverage, macroeconomic uncertainty, and institutional selloffs contributed to the crash. Binance faced particular backlash for what users described as “slippage and server delays” during the event. Binance Enhances Transparency In response, Binance’s management pledged to improve system transparency and risk management mechanisms. The exchange stated it is reviewing its liquidation protocols to ensure fairer treatment of users during periods of extreme volatility. A spokesperson confirmed that Binance would also begin publishing weekly protection fund audits to reassure investors. Why It Matters for Investors Looking to Buy Bitcoin The compensation announcement comes at a crucial time for retail traders considering whether to buy Bitcoin on Binance amid renewed volatility. Analysts note that Binance’s proactive stance could restore confidence among users after months of regulatory scrutiny and market turbulence. Crypto strategist Michael Wu from Amber Group commented, “This move reinforces Binance’s commitment to customer protection. It may also attract new users who are hesitant to trade during volatile periods.” Still, experts warn that volatility remains high, and investors should exercise caution before re-entering the market. The Bigger Picture The event underscores the need for stronger investor safeguards as the crypto industry matures. Binance’s decision to compensate affected users sets a potential precedent for other exchanges facing similar backlash. Meanwhile, Bitcoin prices have started to stabilize around $52,300, with cautious optimism returning to the market. Stay ahead with the latest in crypto, startups, and financial technology on StartupNews.FYI — your source for real-time business insights and innovation updates.

by Sameera

Leadership Change at Indonesia’s Flag Carrier Indonesia’s state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia has appointed Glenny Kairupan as its new Chief Executive Officer, according to a government official cited by Reuters. The decision marks another major leadership shift for the national carrier as it continues efforts to stabilize finances and restore operational efficiency after years of restructuring. While the official announcement did not specify the reason for Kairupan’s appointment, it comes at a critical time for Garuda Indonesia, which has been navigating challenges including post-pandemic recovery, debt management, and fleet modernization. A Strategic Appointment Glenny Kairupan, an experienced aviation executive, steps into the role previously held by Irfan Setiaputra, who led the company through one of its most turbulent periods. Under Setiaputra’s leadership, Garuda Indonesia completed a complex court-led debt restructuring worth more than $9 billion, reducing the airline’s liabilities and securing new lease terms for its fleet. Kairupan is expected to continue implementing efficiency strategies while expanding Garuda’s international partnerships and improving profitability. His appointment aligns with the government’s long-term plan to enhance state enterprise governance and ensure transparency across Indonesia’s aviation sector. Challenges Ahead Despite a return to profitability earlier in 2025, Garuda Indonesia still faces significant operational hurdles. Rising fuel prices, global aviation competition, and the need for sustainable modernization remain key issues for the new CEO. The airline is also working on expanding domestic connectivity to boost tourism and regional economic development, a strategic priority under Indonesia’s national infrastructure plan. Industry analysts believe Kairupan’s leadership will be instrumental in balancing financial discipline with growth ambitions. His experience in corporate restructuring and aviation management is seen as critical to guiding Garuda through the next phase of transformation. Government Support and Public Expectations Garuda Indonesia holds symbolic importance as the nation’s flag carrier. The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises has reiterated its commitment to supporting the airline’s stability while ensuring it remains competitive in the Southeast Asian aviation market. Kairupan’s appointment is viewed as part of a broader strategy to professionalize state-owned enterprise leadership and rebuild public confidence. Outlook With Glenny Kairupan now at the helm, the airline’s immediate focus will likely be on improving operational reliability, expanding profitable routes, and investing in digital transformation to enhance customer experience. As Indonesia’s aviation industry continues to recover, Garuda Indonesia’s success under new leadership will serve as a key indicator of how effectively the country can balance government oversight with corporate agility in a post-pandemic world. For the latest updates on aviation, business, and global leadership trends, visit StartupNews.fyi for comprehensive coverage and analysis.

by Sameera

Company to Cut Jobs Amid Strategic Consolidation Under “Servus Media” Red Bull, the Austrian beverage giant known globally for its energy drinks and sports ventures, has announced a significant restructuring of its media division, including job cuts at Servus TV and other Red Bull Media House operations. The decision, first reported by ORF Salzburg and Der Standard, marks a pivotal shift in Red Bull’s media strategy as the company aims to streamline operations under a unified brand. Red Bull Media Division Undergoes Major Reorganization According to official sources, Red Bull employs roughly 600 people across its various media activities — including Servus TV in Wals-Siezenheim (Flachgau) and the Red Bull Media House headquarters in Vienna. The company now plans to consolidate its media businesses under a new umbrella brand called “Servus Media”, leading to the elimination of about 60 positions. The restructuring aims to bring together the company’s television, digital, and publishing arms to improve efficiency and focus resources on the most profitable channels. “The goal is to create a more integrated and agile media organization,” a company spokesperson told local outlets. Leadership Overhaul and Strategic Refocus The reorganized Red Bull media unit will be managed by Dietmar Otti, alongside executives Matthias Bruegelmann, Marlene Beran, and Stefan Ebner. The new leadership team is expected to oversee the realignment of editorial direction, digital transformation efforts, and international partnerships. Servus TV, long known for its regional programming and documentaries, will continue broadcasting under the new structure. However, insiders suggest that the channel’s content strategy may shift toward more cost-effective formats, including digital-first productions. Layoffs Signal a Broader Trend in European Media The job cuts at Servus TV and Red Bull Media House come amid a wave of media industry restructurings across Europe, as companies grapple with declining ad revenues, rising production costs, and the growing dominance of streaming platforms. For Red Bull, the restructuring represents a broader shift from traditional broadcasting to digital storytelling, leveraging the brand’s massive global reach in sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. “This isn’t just about cost-cutting — it’s about repositioning for the future,” said media analyst Thomas Heigl. “Red Bull is refocusing on content that aligns more closely with its global sports and brand marketing ecosystem.” Servus TV’s Future Servus TV has been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s Austrian media presence since its launch in 2009, known for its cultural programs, documentaries, and coverage of Red Bull-sponsored events. However, as the company consolidates under Servus Media, it is expected to scale back certain local productions to reduce overlap and operational costs. While the network’s editorial independence and regional focus will likely remain, Red Bull’s new direction suggests a leaner, more digitally integrated future for the brand. Industry and Employee Reaction Reports indicate that notifications of the planned layoffs have already reached Austria’s public employment service (AMS). However, the company has not yet disclosed the exact distribution of job cuts across departments. Employee representatives have expressed concern over the reduction, urging management to ensure fair severance terms and internal …