Latest news with #BCapital
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fintech startup Data Sutram raises $9 million from B Capital, Lightspeed
Data Sutram , a fintech startup that enables financial institutions to curb fraud and ensure regulatory compliance , has raised $9 million through a mix of primary and secondary funding, founder and chief executive, Rajit Bhattacharya, told ET. The financing round was co-led by venture capital firms B Capital and Lightspeed . The Mumbai-based company will use the capital to expand its team, boost product capabilities and accelerate development of its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform, said Bhattacharya. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Data Sutram, which focuses on serving lenders and banks, will also use the new funding to support its expansion into other sectors such as cryptocurrency, real-time payments, gaming, ecommerce, quick commerce and insurance. 'I think over the last year, there has been a huge rise in fraud in the industry from a banking and financial perspective, driven by the digitisation wave and the increase in lending, digital transactions and digital account openings,' said Bhattacharya. Live Events 'So, we've been trying to build the concept of looking at identity as a whole and are working with some of the best banks in the country to implement it. It's been a learning cycle—from both a product maturity and company standpoint,' he said. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Data Sutram, founded in 2018, uses AI and external data from over 250 sources to help businesses in lending, payments and insurance curb fraud and reduce cybersecurity risks . Its proprietary trust score analyses millions of digital footprints to identify fraud patterns such as identity theft, synthetic identities, and collusion. The platform is designed to reduce the creation of mule accounts, improve approval rates, and lower non-performing assets. According to its website, the company works with major financial institutions, including HDFC Bank , Axis Bank , IndusInd Bank , Union Bank of India , Piramal Finance and L&T Finance. In 2023, Data Sutram raised $3 million in a round led by Bharat Fund, with participation from Singularity Growth Fund, IIFL, YAN, White Venture, and other existing investors. 'The existing technologies or the existing ways to protect banking and intra-systems were not necessarily keeping up with the changes on the user side. Also, it's a slightly different way of looking at the challenge in India and other markets like India, compared to more developed markets where user behavior is different,' said Karan Mohla, general partner at B Capital. 'I think that was one of the things Rajit and the team built that was so attractive and continues to be attractive to us.'
Economic Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Fintech startup Data Sutram raises $9 million from B Capital, Lightspeed
ETtech (L-R) Aisik Paul, Rajit Bhattacharya and Ankit Das, cofounders, Data Sutram Data Sutram, a fintech startup that enables financial institutions to curb fraud and ensure regulatory compliance, has raised $9 million through a mix of primary and secondary funding, founder and chief executive, Rajit Bhattacharya, told ET. The financing round was co-led by venture capital firms B Capital and Lightspeed. The Mumbai-based company will use the capital to expand its team, boost product capabilities and accelerate development of its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform, said Sutram, which focuses on serving lenders and banks, will also use the new funding to support its expansion into other sectors such as cryptocurrency, real-time payments, gaming, ecommerce, quick commerce and insurance. 'I think over the last year, there has been a huge rise in fraud in the industry from a banking and financial perspective, driven by the digitisation wave and the increase in lending, digital transactions and digital account openings,' said Bhattacharya. 'So, we've been trying to build the concept of looking at identity as a whole and are working with some of the best banks in the country to implement it. It's been a learning cycle—from both a product maturity and company standpoint,' he said. Data Sutram, founded in 2018, uses AI and external data from over 250 sources to help businesses in lending, payments and insurance curb fraud and reduce cybersecurity risks. Its proprietary trust score analyses millions of digital footprints to identify fraud patterns such as identity theft, synthetic identities, and platform is designed to reduce the creation of mule accounts, improve approval rates, and lower non-performing assets. According to its website, the company works with major financial institutions, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, Union Bank of India, Piramal Finance and L&T Finance. In 2023, Data Sutram raised $3 million in a round led by Bharat Fund, with participation from Singularity Growth Fund, IIFL, YAN, White Venture, and other existing investors. 'The existing technologies or the existing ways to protect banking and intra-systems were not necessarily keeping up with the changes on the user side. Also, it's a slightly different way of looking at the challenge in India and other markets like India, compared to more developed markets where user behavior is different,' said Karan Mohla, general partner at B Capital. 'I think that was one of the things Rajit and the team built that was so attractive and continues to be attractive to us.'
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: QIA's $1bln Fund of Funds programme set to highlight Startup Grind talk
Qatar - Leading venture capital (VC) firms under the Qatar Investment Authority's (QIA) $1bn Fund of Fund programme will discuss how this will impact the country's startup ecosystem during a Startup Grind Qatar event scheduled for April 16 at Workinton Alfardan Centre. Moderated by European Business Angels Network board member Marcel Dridje, the panellists include A-Typical Ventures founding & managing partner Alina Truhina; Rasmal Ventures partner Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje; Deerfield Management operating partner Dr Mussaad al-Razouki; B Capital principal Rishabh Aggarwal; and Human Capital operating partner Pradeep Desu. According to Startup Grind Qatar, the panel discussion will explore the plans and strategies of these VCs for Qatar and the region and how startups and stakeholders in Qatar can leverage their presence in the country. Startup Grind Qatar underscored QIA's $1bn Fund of Fund programme, stating this 'has changed Qatar's startup ecosystem.' The programme, Startup Grind Qatar further explained, 'is designed to bolster investments in startups as Qatar looks to grow the local startup ecosystem exponentially.' At the inaugural Web Summit Qatar held in Doha last February 2024, QIA launched the programme, which aims to 'develop a vibrant start-up and venture capital ecosystem in Qatar, spurring investment, growth, and innovation.' The QIA website stated, 'The programme aims to help close the current funding gap for entrepreneurs by providing financial resources while facilitating broader ecosystem support (e.g. helping to navigate the local landscape, supporting business introductions), bringing global best practices and capabilities to Qatar.' It further explained, 'By nurturing a robust venture capital ecosystem, the fund will help boost economic diversification, target sector growth, support local talent development, and promote sustainability across Qatar.' Aside from providing $1bn worth of funding to VC fund managers, the programme also aims to 'invest indirectly through existing venture capital funds and make targeted direct co-investments, and partner with fund managers with demonstrable track records of positive returns and commitment to Qatar.' During Web Summit Qatar 2025, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani lauded the programme on its first anniversary, saying the QIA 'had fulfilled its commitment' in setting up the programme and for selecting an initial 'six leading global investment entities to deploy capital internationally, regionally, and locally.' QIA also announced at Web Summit Qatar 2025 its investments in B Capital and Deerfield. Both firms, which will be opening their regional headquarters in Doha this year, join Rasmal Ventures, Utopia Capital Management, Builders VC, and Human Capital 'as the first investment firms to participate' in the programme. Earlier, Gulf Times had reported that Utopia, backed by QIA and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), launched A-Typical Ventures during Web Summit Qatar 2025. 'A-Typical Ventures will launch a venture studio, and it is actively seeking the region's entrepreneurs looking to scale innovations and drive economic diversification across sectors, such as fintech, healthtech, e-commerce, logistics and mobility, and climatetech,' the paper further stated. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Peter Alagos
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
50% of Startups Fail to Raise Beyond Seed: Aspire Ignite to Help Startups Beat the Odds
Aspire partners with global top tier VCs to launch a programme to empower early stage founders with the knowledge, resources and investor connections to fundraise with confidence. SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Neswire - 25 March 2025 - Aspire, the all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses, today announces the launch of Aspire Ignite, a programme designed to help early stage startup founders overcome one of the biggest challenges in their entrepreneurial journey: securing investment beyond seed funding. The initiative reinforces Aspire's continued commitment to empower entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed in a competitive global landscape. With nearly 50% of startups failing to raise beyond the seed stage globally, many promising ventures stall often due to a lack of mentorship, network access, and scalable growth strategies. Aspire has partnered with top tier global venture capital firms, including B Capital, Square Peg, Headline, Insignia Ventures, BEENEXT and many more to address these challenges by equipping founders with the insights and connections they need to navigate the competitive fundraising landscape with confidence through Aspire Ignite. Over the course of three months, the Aspire Ignite cohort will participate in a series of expert-led fundraising masterclasses, designed to help them refine their pitch and investor engagement strategies. In addition, they will gain exclusive access to VC reverse pitch sessions, where investors share an insider view on what they look for in early stage startups. Lastly, selected finalists will be able to have one-on-one office hours with top tier investors, providing tailored mentorship to help startups secure their next round of funding. "Too many great ideas never make it past the seed stage due to a lack of access and support,' says Andrea Baronchelli, CEO and Co-founder of Aspire. 'With Aspire Ignite, we're aiming to change that by giving founders the insider knowledge, investor connections, and resources they need to defy the odds and scale their businesses.' "We are excited to be joining Aspire Ignite, a program dedicated to equipping startup founders in Singapore with the tools and expertise needed to secure investment beyond the pre-seed stage,' said Heng Xuan, Strategy & Operations Senior Associate of BCapital. Over the next three months, I look forward to collaborating with ambitious entrepreneurs and refining their fundraising strategies through expert-led masterclasses." Aspire recognizes that as a startup's success isn't only hinged on strategic guidance and network access, it also requires the right tools and infrastructure to scale effectively. Aspire Ignite cohort members will receive over $200,000 in partner perks and benefits to help accelerate their growth. Additionally, finalists will be awarded $25,000 from Aspire, along with $500,000 in credits from leading partners such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and HubSpot, ensuring they have access to the best technology and services to build and scale their businesses. To be eligible for Aspire Ignite, the startups must be incorporated in the Asia Pacific region and have secured pre-seed funding. Applications for Aspire Ignite are now open, the cohort begins on April14. Early stage startup founders can apply at Hashtag: #aspire The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Aspire Aspire is the all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses globally, helping over 50,000 companies save time and money with international payments, treasury, expense, payable, and receivable management solutions- accessible via a single, user-friendly account. Headquartered in Singapore, Aspire has 600+ employees across nine countries, clients in 30+ markets and is backed by global top tier VCs, including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Y-Combinator, Tencent and Paypal. In 2023, Aspire closed an oversubscribed US$100M Series C round and announced that it has achieved profitability. Aspire
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Qatar Joins Middle East Push to Attract Global Financial Firms
(Bloomberg) -- Deerfield Management Co. and B Capital are set to open regional headquarters in Doha, as Qatar intensifies efforts to catch up with Middle Eastern peers who've attracted global investment firms. Trump Targets $128 Billion California High-Speed Rail Project Trump Asserts Power Over NYC, Proclaims 'Long Live the King' Trump to Halt NY Congestion Pricing by Terminating Approval Airbnb Billionaire Offers Pre-Fab Homes for LA Fire Victims Sorry, Kids: Disney's New York Headquarters Is for Grown-Ups Deerfield, a health care-focused investment company with around $15 billion in assets, and B Capital, a tech-focused multi-stage investor with over $7 billion under management, received backing from the Qatar Investment Authority through its fund-of-funds program, according to a statement. Qatar's sovereign wealth fund launched the $1 billion program last year to develop the venture capital ecosystem and support local startups. The QIA has already invested in four other firms — including London-based Utopia Capital Management — as part of this initiative. Each of these firms will open offices or their regional headquarters in Qatar. The $510 billion entity is likely to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by an expansion of Qatar's gas output. Its new Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Al Sowaidi, brings extensive experience in the US, which is expected to help the fund navigate the dynamics of Donald Trump's presidency. Over the past five years, the QIA has increased its US investments, partly to rebalance its portfolio away from Europe. It has invested in sectors such as technology and health care and plans further deployments in Asia and the US, focusing on sectors including digitization and infrastructure. Get the Mideast Money newsletter, a weekly look at the intersection of wealth and power in the region. Qatar's regional peers, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have been leveraging investments by their sovereign entities to attract global firms to their financial centers. In recent years, several high-profile hedge funds have established offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, transforming the UAE into an emerging hub for the industry. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has attracted regional headquarters of several Wall Street firms after it introduced policies that made such a presence mandatory for certain government contracts. Besides Qatar, Kuwait has also started wooing foreign firms. BlackRock Inc. is exploring plans to open an office in the country, Bloomberg News has reported. Meet Seven of America's Top Personal Finance Influencers Can Dr. Phil's Streaming Makeover Find an Audience in the MAGA Era? Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America How Med Spas Conquered America India's Most Reliable Retirement Plan: Selling Grandma's Jewelry ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
