About 28 Indian startups have raised USD 800.5 million in funding across 29 deals this week. This represents an increase of 296% from the USD 201.8 million secured by the startups last week across 21 deals, reports Inc42.

Quick commerce unicorn Zepto announced the close of its mega funding round this week. It raised USD 665 million at a valuation of USD 3.6 billion, making it one of the largest funding bags by a company in recent times.

Among the top sectors, consumer services alone raised USD 665 million, fintech raised USD 50.3 million, alcoholic beverages raised USD 25 million, cleantech raised USD 23.9 million, and enterprisetech raised USD 16.7 million.

Microlending platform Aye Finance raised INR 250 crore (USD 30 million) this week in debt funding in a round led by FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank.

Craft beer maker Bira 91 has secured USD 25 million through ECB (External Commercial Borrowing) from its existing investor Kirin Holdings. Over the last three months, the firm has received USD 50 million in funding. In March, it raised USD 25 million from Tiger Pacific Capital.

Meanwhile, a new report by leading market intelligence platform Tracxn showed that Indian tech startups raised USD 4.1 billion in the first half this year (January to June to date), a 4% increase from USD 3.96 billion in the second half of 2023.

The period also featured strategic mergers and acquisitions. Yatra Online Limited acquired the remaining 49% stake in its joint venture, Adventure and Nature Network Private Limited (ANN), making ANN a subsidiary of Yatra Online. Before the acquisition, Yatra Online held a 50% stake in ANN. With the completion of the transaction, the company's ownership will rise to 99%.

Ananta Capital, under its beauty and wellness company Guardian, acquired a 55% stake in Anveya Living for an undisclosed amount. The company currently houses three D2C brands, including ThriveCo, Curlvana, and Anveya.

Article Source – IANS, Inc42