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Investors favour late-stage Indian fintech firms over early and seed-stage ones

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Investors favour late-stage Indian fintech firms over early and seed-stage ones


Despite the absence of $100 million+ funding rounds and unicorns in Q1 2025, the report remains optimistic about the sector’s long-term growth potential [File]
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Investors in Indian fintech firms are backing late-stage firms over their early and seed-stage counterparts as the country emerged as the third-largest recipient of fintech funding globally, trailing only the US and the UK.

Per market intelligence platform Tracxn’s latest report on fintech funding in India, in Q1 2025, Indian fintech firms raised $366 million, marking a 35% decline from the $571 million secured in the same quarter of the previous year. However, this figure is consistent with the $365 million raised in Q4 2024, suggesting a stabilisation in funding levels after a period of fluctuation. The distribution of funding across different stages reveals significant shifts as late-stage funding saw a notable 47% increase, reaching $227 million, compared to $154 million in Q4 2024.

This trend indicates that investors are increasingly willing to support mature fintech companies with substantial growth potential. Conversely, early-stage funding experienced a substantial 56% drop, with only $92.6 million raised, compared to $210 million in Q1 2024. This decline suggests that early-stage ventures are facing challenges in attracting capital, possibly due to heightened competition and market saturation.

Seed-stage funding also saw a decline, with $45.9 million raised, a 39% decrease from $75.5 million in Q1 2024. This trend underscores the difficulties faced by nascent fintech startups in securing initial funding, which is crucial for their development and growth.

The overall decline in funding can be attributed to various macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including bearish stock trends, U.S.-imposed tariffs, global trade tensions, and rising inflation, all of which have discouraged venture capital inflows into the sector.

Despite these challenges, Tracxn’s report notes that India’s GDP growth is projected to remain robust at approximately 6.5% for FY 2025. Additionally, the increasing acceptance of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) beyond India’s borders, in countries like Singapore, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, presents a promising opportunity for Indian fintech firms to expand internationally and attract more capital. This global expansion could potentially mitigate the impact of domestic funding constraints.

The report also identifies significant growth in specific segments of the fintech sector. Banking Tech emerged as the highest-funded sector, with $108 million raised, marking a 9% increase from Q1 2024 and a substantial 1700% rise from Q4 2024. This growth was driven by the increasing demand for digital banking solutions and the expansion of financial services to underserved populations. Zolve, a cross-border neo-bank, raised $51 million in Series B funding, accounting for 47% of the funding in this space.

Next, Insurance Tech platforms saw a remarkable 1391% increase in funding, reaching $87 million, with InsuranceDekho, an insurance comparison platform, securing $84.5 million across multiple rounds. This surge in funding reflects the growing importance of digital insurance solutions in enhancing accessibility and convenience for consumers.

Investment Tech, the third-highest funded sector, received $76.6 million, a 38% decline from Q1 2024 but a 53% increase from Q4 2024. Smallcase, an online platform offering smart investment portfolio products, raised $50 million in a Series D funding round, highlighting the continued interest in digital investment solutions.

The report also notes a 67% increase in acquisitions, with ten deals recorded in Q1 2025 compared to six in Q1 2024. Notably, two acquisitions exceeded $100 million, including Magma General Insurance’s acquisition by DS Group and Patanjali Ayurved for $516 million and Axio’s acquisition by Amazon for $150 million. These acquisitions underscore the strategic importance of mergers and acquisitions in consolidating market positions and expanding product offerings.

Despite the absence of $100 million+ funding rounds and unicorns in Q1 2025, the report remains optimistic about the sector’s long-term growth potential.



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Samsung may shift production to India from Vietnam amidst Trump’s tariff moves; wants one more year of PLI sops – Times of India

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Samsung may shift production to India from Vietnam amidst Trump’s tariff moves;  wants one more year of PLI sops – Times of India


Samsung is expected to receive approximately ₹3,200 crore in incentives for its four-year participation in the scheme. (AI image)

Samsung has sought an extension of one year for receiving incentives under the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphones, according to officials familiar with the matter. The South Korean electronics company missed out on incentives for one year of its five-year period, which concluded this March.
Under the current PLI scheme for smartphones that started in FY21, the Korean company’s tenure ended on March 31. Samsung failed to receive incentives in the scheme’s second year due to unmet production targets. The company is now requesting an additional year to compensate for the missed period, aiming to secure benefits for a full five years.
“They (Samsung) want to get incentives for five years…we are examining the issue and will decide accordingly,” one official told ET.
Currently, Samsung is expected to receive approximately ₹3,200 crore in incentives for its four-year participation in the scheme, according to officials.
Also Read | Goodbye China, Namaste India! Laptop brands shift production as PLI scheme bears fruit, Trump’s tariffs loom large
The enterprise is currently evaluating options to shift some production from Vietnam to India, considering the US-led tariff disputes. The organisation is assessing potential fiscal incentives available in the current period, according to an official. Whilst Samsung’s scheme tenure has concluded, other PLI scheme participants, including Apple’s vendors, are in their final year.
Additionally, Samsung presently fulfils most US requirements from its Vietnamese facilities, whilst Indian-manufactured devices are shipped to other global markets. The organisation aims to decrease its Vietnamese manufacturing concentration to prevent potential future tariff implications, according to industry specialists.
The US administration had initially imposed 46% tariffs on Vietnam, considerably higher than India’s 26%, due to Vietnam’s substantial trade surplus with the United States. These reciprocal tariffs were subsequently suspended for 90 days.
Following the suspension, both India and Vietnam now face equivalent tariff structures.
Also Read | ‘India a very hot market but…’: Elon Musk-led Tesla says 100% car tariffs make customers anxious
India presents a viable alternative for Samsung’s manufacturing needs. Based on industry data, while Samsung’s Indian facilities can produce 70 million phones yearly, current production stands at 43-45 million units, with 23-25 million serving domestic needs and the remainder going to exports. The company maintains flexibility to boost capacity within two to three months if needed.
In FY25, Samsung’s smartphone exports from India reached ₹30,000 crore ($3.5 billion), compared to Vietnam’s $35 billion, with $10 billion specifically destined for the US market.
“A majority of this ($10 billion) can now be shifted to India in the short term, starting in the current quarter,” said one of the persons cited.
Despite Samsung’s long-standing presence in India and its participation in the smartphone PLI scheme, the company’s export figures have remained unchanged.





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‘Gold lasts 5 generations’: Harsh Goenka’s witty post on wife’s gold buying is a lesson in investment strategy | India-Business News – Times of India

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‘Gold lasts 5 generations’: Harsh Goenka’s witty post on wife’s gold buying is a lesson in investment strategy | India-Business News – Times of India


Gold prices are hitting lifetime highs and India Inc veterans have been hailing Indian homemakers for their wisdom in storing the yellow metal. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) industrialist Harsh Goenka lauded his wife’s gold investment strategy. This comes at a time when gold prices have crossed the Rs 1 lakh mark.
The RPG group chairman took to X, and shared a conversation with his spouse. The post said, ”10 years ago, I bought a car for ₹8 lakh. She bought gold for ₹8 lakh. Today, the car is worth ₹1.5 lakh. Her gold is worth ₹32 lakh.”
He further added that wives are smarter.
Sharing another conversation, he wrote on X, “I said, ‘Let’s skip gold and go on a vacation?’ She replied, ‘Vacation lasts 5 days. Gold lasts 5 generations.’ I bought a phone for ₹1 lakh. She bought gold. Now, the phone’s worth ₹8,000. Her gold is ₹2 lakh.”
Raj Nayak, an influencer, commented on Goenka’s post, saying,”Gold may last generations. But we don’t.That five day vacation? It turns into stories, smiles, and moments that lights up your soul for a lifetime.The phone might be worth ₹8K now, but that late night call to your son, daughter, or mother… that photo you clicked by the ocean… that memory? Priceless.You can buy what appreciates in value, or you can invest in what makes you feel alive.”
A few days ago Uday Kotak, Founder & Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank had also hailed Indian housewives as the ‘smartest fund managers’. “The performance of gold over time highlights that the Indian housewife is the smartest fund manager in the world. Governments, central banks, economists, who support pump priming, high deficit funding, may need to take a leaf from India, a net importer of store of value forever!,” he wrote on X.
Gold MCX futures have surpassed Rs 1 lakh, marking an unprecedented milestone. Gold continues to serve as a reliable investment during periods of market instability. The rise in gold prices is attributed to global economic uncertainties, growing tensions between China and the US, whilst a declining dollar has further strengthened this upward trend.
Market analysts suggest that current valuations reflect heightened geopolitical risks, influenced by US President Donald Trump’s trade policies and concerns about economic stagnation with inflation. These factors are expected to contribute to additional gains in gold prices.
Global central banks have consistently increased their gold acquisitions over multiple quarters, building their reserves to record levels. Notably, the RBI has been actively purchasing gold and relocating substantial amounts back to Indian territory.





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Stock markets decline in early trade after 7-day rally

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Stock markets decline in early trade after 7-day rally


Representative image
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Thursday (April 23, 2025) amid profit-taking after a seven-day rally and muted trend in Asian markets.

The 30-share BSE benchmark declined 242.01 points to 79,874.48 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went down by 72.3 points to 24,256.65.

In the past seven trading days, the BSE benchmark gauge zoomed 6,269.34 points or 8.48% and the Nifty jumped 1,929.8 points or 8.61%.

From the Sensex firms, Eternal, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Reliance Industries, and HDFC Bank were among the laggards.

IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra, Nestle, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, and Tata Motors were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi index, Shanghai SSE Composite, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng were trading lower while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 quoted in the positive territory.

U.S. markets ended sharply higher on Wednesday (April 23, 2025). Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.50%, S&P 500 surged 1.67% and Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.07 per cent.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.12% to $66.20 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth ₹3,332.93 crore on Wednesday (April 23, 2025), according to exchange data.

The BSE benchmark jumped 520.90 points or 0.65% to settle at 80,116.49, the highest closing level since December 18, on Wednesday (April 23, 2025). The Nifty rallied 161.70 points or 0.67% to 24,328.95.



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