Author: Neel Achary

Dazzl Secures USD 3.2M Seed Funding to Build On-Demand Beauty & Wellness Platform

Dazzl, an on-demand beauty and wellness services platform, has raised $3.2 million in a Seed round led by Stellaris Venture Partners, marking its first institutional fundraise. The round also saw participation from prominent founders and operators including Ritesh Agarwal (Founder & Group CEO, PRISM; formerly OYO), Maninder Gulati (former OYO CXO), Abhinav Sinha (Founder, Kluisz AI; former OYO COO), Sameer Brij Verma (Founder, Northpoint Capital; former MD & Partner, Nexus Venture Partners), and Abhishek Bansal (CEO & Co-founder, Shadowfax).

The funds will be used to pilot and scale Dazzl’s quick beauty and wellness services across select micro-markets in Bengaluru, build repeatable hyperlocal operations and go-to-market playbooks, and invest in core technology, training systems, and service quality infrastructure.

Founded by Komal Solanki (IIT Delhi, Harvard Business School) and Ashish Bajpai (IIT Kanpur), Dazzl is reimagining beauty and wellness for modern urban consumers by shifting the category from scheduled appointments to on-demand, at-home services delivered within 10 minutes.

“What should be about looking and feeling your best has quietly become a planning-heavy chore,” said Komal Solanki, Co-founder and CEO, Dazzl. “Dazzl removes that friction by enabling instant, high-quality beauty and wellness services at home—so consumers can access care when they want it, not when a schedule allows.”

Unlike traditional platforms focused on occasional use, Dazzl is built for everyday, high-frequency needs—such as a last-minute blow dry, a quick head massage, or an impromptu pedicure. By vertically owning supply, training, and operations, and positioning professionals close to demand clusters, the platform ensures consistent service quality and rapid response times.

“Over the next year, our focus is on deepening adoption in Bengaluru and demonstrating strong repeat usage across clusters,” said Ashish Bajpai, Co-founder and COO, Dazzl. “We are building a scalable tech and operations playbook that can be replicated efficiently across new cities.”

Commenting on the investment, Naman Lahoty, Partner at Stellaris Venture Partners, said,

“Consumer expectations have shifted decisively towards immediacy, and this is now extending from products to services. Dazzl is building a new operating model for beauty and wellness—designed for speed, reliability, and everyday use. We’re excited to partner with the team as they build this category from the ground up.”

Barista Coffee Launches Premium Ceremonial Grade Matcha 

New Delhi, India, Jan 15: India’s iconic café brand democratises the global matcha movement with best-in-class quality at an unbeatable price .

Barista Coffee Company, one of India’s most loved café brands, has announced the launch of its latest beverage range ‘Dhoom Matcha De’, a refreshing new Matcha-led offering crafted using ceremonial grade Matcha.

With this launch, Barista brings global wellness and café trends closer to Indian consumers by introducing a curated range of four Matcha beverages – Matcha Latte, Matcha Iced Latte, Matcha Frappe, and Matcha Strawberry each designed to deliver a distinct taste experience while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Matcha, globally celebrated for its antioxidant-rich profile, clean energy boost, and mindful indulgence, has traditionally been positioned as a premium-priced beverage. Barista aims to change that narrative by offering ceremonial grade matcha known for its vibrant green colour, smooth texture, and superior taste – at the best price point in the café category.

Speaking on the launch, Rajat Agrawal, CEO – Barista Coffee Company said,

“With ‘Dhoom Matcha De’, our intent is to make global beverage trends accessible to Indian consumers. By offering ceremonial grade Matcha across four exciting flavours starting at just INR 170, we are ensuring our guests never have to choose between quality, innovation, and affordability.”

The playful name ‘Dhoom Matcha De’ reflects Barista’s youthful and energetic approach to innovation, while staying true to its legacy of creating beverages that resonate across generations.

The ‘Dhoom Matcha De’ range – Matcha Latte, Matcha Iced Latte, Matcha Frappe, and Matcha Strawberry is now available across select Barista cafés, inviting guests to enjoy the best quality Matcha at the best price, only at Barista.

Celebrate Republic Day with Dreame Technology: Exclusive Deals on Smart Home Cleaning and Personal Care Products on Amazon

New Delhi, India, Jan 15:  As India welcomes the New Year and celebrates the spirit of Republic Day, Dreame Technology, a global leader in premium smart home appliances, is inviting consumers to embrace smarter living with exclusive offers of up to 72% on its advanced cleaning and personal care portfolio. The offers will be available during the Amazon Great Republic Day Sale, running from January 16 to January 22, 2026.

The limited-period sale features Dreame’s wide range of robotic vacuum cleaners, cordless stick vacuums, wet-and-dry cleaners, and grooming products, making intelligent home solutions more accessible to Indian households. The offers will be available on Amazon.in and across select Croma stores in over 20 cities.

Commenting on the initiative, Manu Sharma, Managing Director, Dreame Technology India, said,

“New beginnings are about moving forward, and for many households, that starts with simplifying everyday life. As consumers step into the New Year, we’re making our most advanced smart living, cleaning, and grooming solutions more accessible than ever—combining intelligent technology with strong value, service, and long-term support.”

As families prepare for the long Republic Day weekend, Dreame’s festive offers make it easier to upgrade everyday living. From robotic vacuums that clean autonomously to grooming tools designed for fast-paced mornings, Dreame’s technology works quietly in the background—allowing consumers to focus on what truly matters.

Products Featured in the Republic Day Sale

Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Dreame’s robotic vacuum range delivers intelligent navigation, powerful suction, and hands-free maintenance for effortless home cleaning.

Stick Vacuums & Wet-and-Dry Cleaners
Designed for flexibility and convenience, these devices offer deep-cleaning performance for both dry and wet messes across different surfaces.

Personal Care Products
Dreame’s grooming range, including advanced hair dryers, combines precision, performance, and portability to support modern lifestyles.

Customers can also experience Dreame’s innovations firsthand at 60+ dedicated ‘Dreame Zones’ within Croma stores, where live demonstrations allow shoppers to see the performance, precision, and intelligent design of the products before making a purchase.

Every purchase is supported by Dreame’s comprehensive after-sales ecosystem, which includes:

• 1-year warranty on all vacuum cleaners

• 2-year warranty on grooming devices

• Virtual product demonstrations for easy setup

• Service network across 165+ cities with pick-up and drop support

• Dedicated customer helpline

  • Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

This Republic Day, Dreame Technology continues its mission to make premium, intelligent home solutions more accessible helping Indian households spend less time on chores and more time enjoying comfort, convenience, and progress.

Omaxe Invests Rs. 500 Crore in Ludhiana to Launch Mixed-Use Omaxe Chowk Project

 New Delhi, Jan 15: Omaxe Ltd., one of India’s leading real estate developers, has announced Omaxe Chowk, Ludhiana, a modern mixed-use high-street destination aimed at redefining organised retail and luxury residences in the city. Strategically located in the heart of Ludhiana at Ghumar Mandi, one of the city’s most well-known and established commercial and wedding shopping markets, the project is being developed as an integrated urban destination combining commercial and luxury residential components within a single, well-planned development. The land parcel has been secured through a competitive bidding process conducted by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and is being developed on a leasehold basis. Spread across approximately 5.25 acres with a total investment of Rs. 500 crore, Omaxe Chowk seeks to bring scale, structure, and contemporary planning to an already high-footfall market.

The project reflects a broader shift in how cities engage with commercial spaces today, where shopping is increasingly part of a larger social and lifestyle experience. Conceived as a modern high-street market, Omaxe Chowk brings shopping, luxury residences, and celebrations together in one destination, with a strong focus on wedding shopping, jewellery, fashion, destination dining, and entertainment. The development has been planned to offer a more structured, comfortable, and engaging alternative to traditional market areas, while remaining closely aligned with Ludhiana’s established commercial culture.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Jatin Goel, Executive Director, Omaxe Ltd., said,

“Ludhiana has always been an important market for Omaxe, shaped by strong enterprise and everyday commercial activity. With Omaxe Chowk, our objective is to create a destination that feels contemporary yet familiar, one that brings structure, luxury, ease, and comfort to the way people shop, dine, and spend time. A key focus has been walk-to-shop convenience, where seamless connectivity allows people to move easily from home to office and from home to retail and dining spaces. Consumers today are looking for destinations that offer not just choice, but also convenience, integrated luxury residences, and a welcoming atmosphere, and this project has been thoughtfully planned with those expectations at its core.”

The development will feature a well-balanced mix of premium retail shops, wedding and jewellery showrooms, fashion outlets, destination dining, and an entertainment zone, catering to both local shoppers and NRIs who frequently visit Ludhiana for wedding and occasion-led purchases. Omaxe Chowk is planned to host a large mix of brands and will include a dedicated flagship food and experience zone, Dawatpur, while positioning organised shopping as a core attraction alongside dining and entertainment. Details on brand participation will be announced closer to launch.

Planned with visitor comfort in mind, Omaxe Chowk will benefit from a two-side frontage, with access from Rani Jhansi Road on one side and College Road on the other, enhancing visibility and ease of entry. Positioned within Ludhiana’s established commercial zone, the location attracts a high concentration of serious, high-intent shoppers. The development will offer wide access roads, organised multiple entry and exit points, planned internal circulation, and parking for over 1,000 cars, addressing challenges commonly associated with traditional market areas. The project will also feature wide pedestrian walkways and heritage-inspired architecture with a modern design approach, creating a destination that is both functional and experiential.

Omaxe Chowk is expected to generate significant local employment during construction and create long-term job opportunities across retail, food and beverage, security, maintenance and facility management. By attracting brands, visitors and events, the development is expected to boost surrounding businesses, increase footfall in the area, and contribute to sustained economic growth in Ludhiana. As a PPP project, Omaxe Chowk is being developed under an agreement between RLDA and Ludhiana Wholesale Market Private Limited (a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Omaxe Ltd. The project is scheduled for delivery as per RERA timelines by June 2030. As Ludhiana continues to expand as a high-growth urban centre, Omaxe Chowk is envisioned as a long-term mixed-use development that brings together organised commerce and quality and luxury residential living, supported by modern infrastructure and experience-led planning. The project’s residential offering further strengthens its mixed-use character, adding long-term liveability and sustained urban value to the destination.

From residential neighborhoods to large-format urban destinations, Omaxe played a sustained role in India’s urban growth across 31 cities in 8 states, with a portfolio spanning residential, commercial, integrated townships and public-private partnership developments. Omaxe key projects include The Omaxe State in Dwarka, Omaxe Chowk in Chandni Chowk, World Street in Faridabad, Omaxe New Chandigarh, Omaxe Royal Residency in Ludhiana, Omaxe Hazratganj in Lucknow, Omaxe Sangam City in Prayagraj, Omaxe City 1 and 2 in Indore, and Omaxe Eternity in Vrindavan. In FY 2024–25, Omaxe Ltd. reported a consolidated total income of ₹1,637 crore.

SBI MF, ICICI Prudential MF and HDFC MF Lead Amagi Media Labs’ Rs. 805 Crore Anchor Book Ahead of IPO

Mumbai, Jan 15:  Amagi Media Labs Ltd. (Amagi) has successfully raised Rs. 805 crore from marquee anchor investors ahead of its Rs. 1,789-crore Initial Public Offering (IPO), set to open on 13th January 2026. The company allotted 2,22,95,799 equity shares to 42 anchor investors at Rs. 361 per share, the upper end of the price band.

Amagi’s IPO is CY2026’s first deep-tech, SaaS, and private sector IPO. Leading domestic mutual funds—SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, and HDFC Mutual Fund—have taken the majority of the anchor portion allocation, marking a rare instance where all three top consortium fund houses have participated as anchors.

The company’s strategic anchor allocation includes 35 resident and 7 non-resident investors, encompassing domestic and foreign funds, and long-only insurance companies. Other notable anchor investors include Birla MF, Fidelity, Motilal Oswal MF, HDFC Life Insurance, Tata MF, Franklin Templeton MF, 360One, Baroda BNP MF, Amundi, PGIM MF, Bandhan MF, Susquehanna International (SIG), Bharti Axa, Isometry Capital, Societe Generale, Creaegis, Edelweiss Tokio Life, New Vernon Capital, and Helios (including MF), reflecting strong investor confidence in the company.

The public issue will close on January 16, 2026, extended by four days due to local municipal elections in Maharashtra.

The IPO comprises a Fresh Issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs. 816 crore, and an Offer for Sale of up to 26,942,343 equity shares by the selling shareholders. The fresh issue proceeds will be used for technology and cloud infrastructure investment, inorganic growth through acquisitions, and general corporate purposes.

The Offer for Sale includes shares by institutional investors such as PI Opportunities Fund I & II, Accel India VI (Mauritius) Ltd, Trudy Holdings, Norwest Venture Partners X – Mauritius, as well as shares from individual selling shareholders, including Rahul Garg, Rajat Garg, Kollengode Ramanathan Lakshminarayana, Prem Gupta, and Rajesh Ramaiah.

Amagi’s equity shares are proposed to be listed on BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE).

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, Citigroup Global Markets India Pvt. Ltd., Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Pvt. Ltd., IIFL Capital Services Ltd., and Avendus Capital Pvt. Ltd. are acting as the Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) for the IPO.