Latest news with #Kedia
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
VCs to Bet on Deep Innovation and Real World Impact With Maturing Investment Climate
Investors now are becoming more discerning, not about backing fewer companies but about backing smarter, deeper, and more mission-critical ventures. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The funding ecosystem in India is undergoing a strategic reset, leading venture capitalists to move away from hype-driven plays and aligning capital with ideas focused on infrastructure, sustainability, and global competitiveness. Investors now are becoming more discerning, not about backing fewer companies but about backing smarter, deeper, and more mission-critical ventures. "The investment landscape today is more disciplined and thoughtful. While capital continues to flow, especially at the early stages, there's far greater emphasis on quality, sound business models, operational discipline, and domain expertise," says Kedia. "Investors are leaning into founders who have a deep understanding of the problem space and can navigate the messy middle, not just the fundraising narrative." Capital A recently announced the launch of its Fund II with a corpus of INR 400 crore and plans to invest in close to 20 companies, which are poised to receive initial cheques between USD 750,000 to USD 1.5 million. The startups will also receive a lifecycle commitment of USD 2-3 million per startup. The firm's MaXcel accelerator program is surfacing promising founders from lesser-known places. "We are seeing strong ideas coming from Tier 2 cities… from places like Tripura, Coimbatore, and Jammu & Kashmir, who are working on industrial automation, smart sensors, and robotics. These are grounded, real-world solutions," said Kedia. According to Kedia, India is transforming from an assembly hub to an innovation powerhouse. "Deeptech will be key to import substitution and global competitiveness," Kedia said. VC firms across the globe are now adapting to a tighter, more value-driven market. Expert DOJO, a California-based fund, recently announced its early-stage India focus with a USD 15 million allocation from its global USD 100 million pool. Each startup is set to receive USD 100,000 and mentorship on international growth. "Even though some funds are narrowing their focus, we continue to support early-stage companies with substantial global potential across various industries," says Ashutosh Kumar Jha, General Partner at Expert DOJO. According to Jha, while the firm doesn't box itself into specific sectors, it sees resilience and growth in EVs, B2B SaaS, fintech, healthtech, and AI. The key differentiator, however, is no longer sector, but execution. "The founder's knowledge of business principles, product-market fit, revenue trajectory, and international expansion strategy is more important to us than the industry. Instead of looking for short-term hype, we are looking for Indian startups that can create globally significant solutions," said Jha. While funds are doubling down on scale and inclusion, Bluehill VC is betting on India's semiconductor awakening. "The next big area of interest for us is in the semiconductor space," says Manu Iyer, General Partner and Co-founder at Bluehill VC. "We are excited about the opportunities that are being opened up here in spaces like chip design, material science, metrology, IP development, EDA tools, foundry, and fabless." According to Iyer, the firm is exploring opportunities across the chipmaking value chain, including chip design, metrology, and EDA tools for fabless startups and IP development. Strong developments in policymaking, like the India Semiconductor Mission and PLI/DLI programs, are giving investors and startups the momentum they need. "The support for the ecosystem… will go a long way in helping startups build in this space," Iyer said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Sunscreen market heats up, needs mandatory tests
The spat last month between India's largest FMCG company Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and online-first beauty and personal care firm Honasa Consumer (parent company of The Derma Co. and Mamaearth) over an advertisement for Lakme sunscreen, brought to light the absence of standardized, mandatory testing methods for a prominent category growing at scorching pace. In April, HUL's Lakme resorted to comparative advertising with Honasa's Derma Co. sunscreen – although an 'implied' comparison since it did not directly name the competitor brand. The ad showed Lakme sunscreen alongside an unnamed sunscreen identified as 'online best seller' which it said claims to be SPF 50 while delivering SPF 20. Since the packaging resembled Derma Co. sunscreen pack, Honasa went to court for the disparaging ad. Though the sparring companies eventually reached a settlement, the row spotlighted the poor regulation of sunscreen testing methods in the country. Sunscreens are suddenly a category of interest. 'Up until 5 years ago, the sunscreen market was sleepy, and sold mostly offline by Lakme and Lotus. Today, more than 30 legacy and new-age brands fight for a slice of the ₹3,000 crore market growing at 30% a year,' said Anurag Kedia, co-founder of Pilgrim, a digital-first beauty brand which offers a range of sunscreens. Lack of consumer awareness and poor product experience were responsible for a sluggish market. 'Sun protection creams were heavy and greasy. Also, consumers thought Indian skin didn't need sun protection or sunscreens were a summer product,' Kedia said. But the advent of digital-first beauty brands, rise of social media and growing tribe of dermatologist and skin care influencers online, changed perceptions and expanded the market. 'Influencers promoted sunscreens as an important part of the skin care regimen,' Kedia said. Product innovation helped too. Sticky creams were replaced by light textures and value-added formulations. However, the norms governing sunscreen testing remained unchanged. The fight between HUL and Honasa was related to one of the two key aspects important for sunscreens, that is, SPF that stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays and sunburn. (The other is the PA system that measures sunscreen's ability to protect the skin from UVA rays that cause aging and pigmentation. The more PA ++++ sign on the pack, the longer it protects you from UVA rays.) Interestingly, though the controversial ad said an online brand claims higher SPF but delivers much less protection, currently there is no mandatory standard for SPF testing. However, companies use either in-vivo or in-vitro tests for sunscreens. The in-vivo method relates to testing on human skin under living conditions. In-vitro involves testing the product in a lab. 'The in-vivo test is superior but the government hasn't made it compulsory,' said an FMCG company executive, declining to be named. 'In advanced countries like the US and the UK, sunscreens are an OTC product but regulated like medicines which require real-life clinical data that shows that the product is effective and delivers what it claims,' the person added. In-vivo testing is mandatory in these countries. There is no such mandate in India but some large FMCG companies like HUL have been using in-vivo tests for several years. Pilgrim's Kedia said his brand has also moved from in-vitro to in-vivo testing for sunscreens. Sunscreens are classified as cosmetic products and are regulated under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetic Rules, 2020. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) norms also list permitted UV filters, concentration limits and required label declarations for sunscreens. But in the absence of compulsory tests, brands have the responsibility to make sure their claims are not misleading and they can pass any regulatory scrutiny that may arise. 'Since the onus is on the company, its quality control processes must be stringent so that any variation from batch to batch is within acceptable limits,' Kedia said. Some large FMCG companies claim that small progress has been made in pushing for adoption of ISO methods for UVA protection and water resistance in sunscreens. But the key SPF testing protocols are yet to be finalized. Clearly, sub-standard products should not be allowed to prevail in the market. There's an urgent need to look at sunscreens from a scientific lens and adopt global testing norms to help consumers choose their products wisely.
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Business Standard
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian Biogas Association hails govt move to hike procurement price of CBG
Industry body Indian Biogas Association (IBA) on Sunday hailed the government's decision to hike the procurement price of compressed biogas, saying the move will meaningfully support unlocking the latent value of the sector. However, it stated that the hike is less than the anticipated and hoped for another upward revision soon. The petroleum ministry has revised upward the CBG procurement price from Rs 1,380 per Metric Million British Thermal Unit to Rs 1,478/MMBTU, with effect from June 1. The revised rate will be effective till October 31, 2025. This move demonstrates greater appreciation for the economics of the industry and will meaningfully support unlocking the latent value of bioenergy in India, IBA said in a statement. Gaurav Kedia, IBA Chairman, said: "This change in price is a step in the right direction for CBG developers as it corresponds with their reality. However, a higher revision was anticipated, considering the economics of the production, which can also shoulder CBG's long-held aspirations of contributing to the sustenance of India's energy independence by fastening progress on existing and new developers in the industry." According to Kedia, while a parity with CNG at pre-tax level is achieved with the announcement, there is an urgent need of further upward revision to honour and provide premium to the greener molecule. He also suggested "formulating a green certificatation framework with cap and trade should be mandated for companies having higher carbon footprint is the way forward". IBA in its statement said that a further upward revision could play a crucial role in improving return on investment for entrepreneurs and MSMEs, scaling up decentralised CBG production across rural India, attracting institutional finance and FDI into the sector, and accelerating progress toward national targets on clean mobility, waste management, and energy self-reliance. The present step reaffirm the government's objective of supporting the adoption of cleaner fuel, facilitating economic development in rural areas, and advancing the country's circular carbon-neutral economy, it added.
Economic Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Vijay Kedia's poetic response to Operation Sindoor: A stand for justice, leadership, and national strength
Vijay Kedia's words emphasize that the operation was a necessary response to terror, focused on justice rather than retribution. Synopsis Following India's Operation Sindoor, a response to the Pahalgam terror attacks, Pakistan's KSE-100 index plummeted by 5.5%. Vijay Kedia voiced his support for India's actions through a poetic tweet. In contrast, Indian equity markets demonstrated resilience, with the BSE Sensex and Nifty50 recovering to positive territory after an initial dip. Ace investor Vijay Kedia shared a poignant tweet in response to India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistan in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam terror attacks. Through a poetic message, Kedia expressed his support for India's actions, highlighting the country's strength and commitment to justice. ADVERTISEMENT In his tweet, Kedia quoted a poetic verse that captures the emotional and strategic gravity of the situation: "Pahalgam cried — and India rose with flame,Operation Sindoor struck in the enemy's name." The mention of Pahalgam, a peaceful region in Jammu and Kashmir, symbolises the pain caused by terrorism. The "flame" signifies India's determination to retaliate with power and precision, showcasing not just military strength but also the country's resolve to protect its continued with a strong declaration: "This isn't revenge - it's justice that flies — When terror dares, a soldier replies." ADVERTISEMENT Kedia's words emphasise that the operation was a necessary response to terror, focused on justice rather than retribution. In his poem, Kedia also highlights India's leadership in handling such crises. The lines: ADVERTISEMENT "Announced a drill, but delivered a storm —That's how justice takes by leadership, quiet and firm — Action, not noise, is India's new norm." This reflects the essence of Operation Sindoor: a carefully executed, decisive response that prioritised substance over unnecessary rhetoric. Kedia suggests that under current leadership, India chooses action over noise, embodying the nation's resolve to act decisively while maintaining strategic silence. ADVERTISEMENT Following the launch of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's benchmark KSE-100 index saw a significant drop, falling 5.5% on Wednesday. The Indian Armed Forces had targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 KSE-100 index plunged 6,272 points, or 5.52%, to 107,296 in early trade. Since April 23, the index has lost a total of 9,930 points. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, India's equity markets showed resilience. After a weak start, benchmark indices recovered, moving into positive territory. The BSE Sensex rose 166 points, or 0.21%, to 80,802 in early trade, while the Nifty50 gained 59 points, or 0.24%, to 24,438. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel) Why gold prices could surpass $4,000: JP Morgan's bullish outlook explained Why gold prices could surpass $4,000: JP Morgan's bullish outlook explained Cyient shares fall over 9% after Q4 profit declines, core business underperforms Cyient shares fall over 9% after Q4 profit declines, core business underperforms L&T Technology Services shares slide 7% after Q4 profit dips L&T Technology Services shares slide 7% after Q4 profit dips Trump-Powell standoff puts U.S. Rate policy in crosshairs: Who will blink first? Trump-Powell standoff puts U.S. Rate policy in crosshairs: Who will blink first? SEBI warns of securities market frauds via YouTube, Facebook, X and more SEBI warns of securities market frauds via YouTube, Facebook, X and more API Trading for All: Pi42 CTO Satish Mishra on How Pi42 is Empowering Retail Traders API Trading for All: Pi42 CTO Satish Mishra on How Pi42 is Empowering Retail Traders Security, transparency, and innovation: What sets Pi42 apart in crypto trading Security, transparency, and innovation: What sets Pi42 apart in crypto trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Altcoins? How investors are structuring their crypto portfolios, Avinash Shekhar explains Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Altcoins? How investors are structuring their crypto portfolios, Avinash Shekhar explains The rise of Crypto Futures in India: Leverage, tax efficiency, and market maturity, Avinash Shekhar of Pi42 explains The rise of Crypto Futures in India: Leverage, tax efficiency, and market maturity, Avinash Shekhar of Pi42 explains How Pi42 is simplifying crypto trading: CTO Satish Mishra on integrating technical & fundamental insights NEXT STORY
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vijay Kedia's poetic response to Operation Sindoor: A stand for justice, leadership, and national strength
The Poetic Message: Live Events Leadership and National Strength: — VijayKedia1 (@VijayKedia1) India and Pakistan Stock Markets Post-Operation Sindoor (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Ace investor Vijay Kedia shared a poignant tweet in response to India's Operation Sindoor , which targeted Pakistan in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam terror attacks . Through a poetic message, Kedia expressed his support for India's actions, highlighting the country's strength and commitment to his tweet, Kedia quoted a poetic verse that captures the emotional and strategic gravity of the situation:The mention of Pahalgam, a peaceful region in Jammu and Kashmir, symbolises the pain caused by terrorism. The "flame" signifies India's determination to retaliate with power and precision, showcasing not just military strength but also the country's resolve to protect its continued with a strong declaration:Kedia's words emphasise that the operation was a necessary response to terror, focused on justice rather than his poem, Kedia also highlights India's leadership in handling such crises. The lines:This reflects the essence of Operation Sindoor: a carefully executed, decisive response that prioritised substance over unnecessary rhetoric. Kedia suggests that under current leadership, India chooses action over noise, embodying the nation's resolve to act decisively while maintaining strategic the launch of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's benchmark KSE-100 index saw a significant drop, falling 5.5% on Wednesday. The Indian Armed Forces had targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 KSE-100 index plunged 6,272 points, or 5.52%, to 107,296 in early trade. Since April 23, the index has lost a total of 9,930 India's equity markets showed resilience. After a weak start, benchmark indices recovered, moving into positive territory. The BSE Sensex rose 166 points, or 0.21%, to 80,802 in early trade, while the Nifty50 gained 59 points, or 0.24%, to 24,438.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
