OYO's Ritesh Agarwal Invests in Culture Circle at Over INR 100 Cr Valuation
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
Ritesh Agarwal, founder and chief executive of OYO, has invested in Culture Circle, a fashion commerce platform, at a valuation exceeding INR 100 crore. The funds will be used to enhance the company's artificial intelligence capabilities, expand its product categories, and grow its presence in global markets.
Culture Circle was co-founded by Devansh Jain Nawal and Ackshay Jain. The startup had previously raised INR 3 crore from Agarwal and Kunal Bahl on the television show Shark Tank India, turning down a larger offer to preserve equity. Jain Nawal, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and former Goldman Sachs employee, leads the company alongside Jain, who has worked at Google and currently convenes the JIIF Gurugram chapter.
With over one million monthly users and more than 4,000 verified sellers, Culture Circle offers authenticated luxury and streetwear fashion. The platform uses AI-powered tools to verify products, compare prices in real-time, and connect with trusted global sellers. It currently operates flagship stores in Delhi and Hyderabad and plans to open new outlets in Gurugram, Mumbai, and other cities.
"Culture Circle is one of the most exciting youth-first platforms to emerge from India," said Ritesh Agarwal. "Their focus on trust and experience makes them truly stand out."
Devansh Jain Nawal stated, "This is more than funding, it's a partnership built on shared values." Ackshay Jain added, "We're building a cultural movement and this round will help us scale SourceX, our AI-powered engine, and enter new categories and markets."
Culture Circle aims to position India as a significant force in the global streetwear and luxury landscape while making high-end fashion more accessible to Gen Z consumers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Infosys Collaborates with RWE AG to Drive Automated Digital Workplace Transformation
The collaboration will implement solutions that automate processes and provide self-service options to support RWE's journey towards operational excellence BENGALURU, India and ESSEN, Germany , July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in digital services and consulting, today announced a strategic collaboration with RWE, a German multinational energy company, to drive automated digital workplace transformation and improve operational efficiency. Leveraging Infosys Workplace Suite, an amalgamation of tools and accelerators that help enterprises drive adoption of Digital Workplace Services, the collaboration will implement solutions that automate processes and enable self-service options, supporting RWE's ongoing efforts to drive operational excellence. Infosys has collaborated with RWE as a trusted partner for over 12 years, supporting numerous modernization and business transformation initiatives. Leveraging this extensive experience and its expertise in complex digital workplace transformations, Infosys is working closely with RWE to modernize its workplace with a strong focus on user centricity and sustainability. Building on this extensive experience and its expertise in managing complex digital workplace transformations, Infosys will guide RWE towards a modern workplace, placing user centricity and sustainability at the heart of its approach. This transformation will use tools like migration factory for automated Office 365 migration, collaboration apps, business dashboards and reports, Azure-powered conversational bot, service request automation, and governance solutions. These tools will support RWE in streamlining business operations and enhancing the employee experience. Gülnaz Öneş, Group CIO of RWE, emphasized, "By leveraging modern technologies and aligning them with our sustainability and efficiency goals, we are streamlining operations, empowering our people, and creating value across RWE. Our collaboration with trusted partners like Infosys underscores our commitment to a resilient, agile digital workplace that drives sustainable growth." Ashiss Kumar Dash, EVP & Global Head Services, Utilities, Resources, Energy and Enterprise Sustainability, Infosys, said, "Infosys is dedicated to empowering RWE AG in its ambitious journey to become a leading all-digital enterprise in Europe. By implementing our advanced digital workplace solutions, we are not only streamlining their operations but also directly enhancing their ability to deliver exceptional value to their core customers. Our focus is on equipping RWE's workforce with the latest digital capabilities, fostering a highly skilled and productive environment, ultimately helping drive sustainable growth." About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 320,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses, and communities. We enable clients in 59 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as artificial intelligence ("AI"), generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. These filings are available at Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: View original content: SOURCE Infosys Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Vogue readers horrified by use of ‘disturbing' AI models in Guess advert
Vogue readers have been left disturbed by the use of an AI model in the prestigious fashion magazine's August issue. The double-page advert, which features a blonde model wearing two different outfits across separate pages, was taken out by the label Guess and 'produced' by AI marketing Seraphinne Vallora. In one photo, the model sits with a cup of coffee in a light blue floral playsuit. In another, the AI figure leans against a blue wall in a black and white chevron print dress, clutching a matching Guess bag. Readers were alerted to the fact the model was AI generated through a fine print label that reads: 'Seraphinne Vallora on AI'. Seraphinne Vallora is an agency that designs 'editorial level AI-driven marketing campaigns and cinematic videos'. Its work has also been featured in Harper's Bazaar and Elle. 'That's disturbing. This is the direction AI should not be going in... wow,' one person wrote in response to the images of the AI model on X/Twitter. 'Great. The new beauty standard will be, literally, unobtainable because it's not real,' another social media user remarked. Others were more optimistic about the use of AI: 'The future is here. Takes less time and much cheaper to make,' one supporter wrote. The Independent has contacted Vogue, Guess and Seraphinne Vallora for comment. Plus size model Felicity Hayward, who has been in the fashion industry for over a decade, told the BBC that using AI models in campaigns 'feels lazy and cheap'. Hayward said Vogue's decision to include the advert was 'very disheartening and quite scary', adding she worried the practice could undermine years of work towards more diversity in the fashion industry. The controversy comes after OpenAI and Vogue's publisher Condé Nast announced a multi-year partnership that allows content from the magazine to appear in ChatGPT search results. Condé Nast's CEO, Roger Lynch, said in an email reported by the New York Times that it was 'crucial' for the publisher to 'meet audiences where they are and embrace new technologies'.
Business Wire
8 minutes ago
- Business Wire
L&T Technology Services Wins ~$60 Million Software Engineering Engagement From US Tier-I Telecom Provider
BANGALORE, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)--L&T Technology Services Limited (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS), a global leader in engineering and technology services, today announced a major milestone in its Tech segment with the signing of a ~$60 million multi-year agreement with a prominent U.S. based provider of wireless telecommunications services. This strategic engagement will see LTTS delivering advanced network software development and application engineering solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, LTTS will provide crucial engineering services, including R&D lab integration, new product development, and functionality testing for the customer's network software automation platforms. Additionally, LTTS will establish a delivery center in the United States to further support and enhance project delivery. The engagement will leverage LTTS' capabilities in Smart World Connectivity and next generation networks to drive cutting-edge innovations for the client. This deal underscores the strength of the decade-long partnership between LTTS and the client, built on consistent collaboration and innovation. LTTS' proactive investments in cutting-edge labs, custom solutions, and nearshore centers were instrumental in securing the engagement, reflecting the company's unwavering commitment to delivering value-driven engineering expertise. LTTS is also looking ahead to expanding its service offerings for the client by integrating AI-powered test automation platforms to streamline new product development and enhance operational efficiency. Amit Chadha, CEO and Managing Director, L&T Technology Services, commented on the development stating, "This new agreement in our Tech segment with such a prestigious Telecommunications leader reinforces our longstanding relationship and shared vision in next-generation communications, network automation, and AI. By leveraging our Smart World connectivity solutions along with our extensive expertise in enterprise 5G rollouts and telecom innovations, we are proud to contribute toward achieving the client's strategic goals.' About L&T Technology Services Ltd L&T Technology Services (LTTS) is a global leader in engineering and technology services. A listed subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), we offer design, development, testing, and sustenance services across products and processes. Purposeful. Agile. Innovation. is how we drive growth across the Mobility, Sustainability and Tech segments. Our customer base includes 69 Fortune 500 companies and 57 top ER&D companies across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom & hi-tech, and process industries. Headquartered in India, we have over 23,600 employees across 23 global design centers, 30 global sales offices, and 105 innovation labs, as of June 30, 2025. For additional information about L&T Technology Services log on to
