Indian startups raise $70.4M across 18 deals; Cult.fit and Rentomojo file for IPOs
Weekly retail signals: Flipkart extends zero commission to all 90,000 fashion sellers, Cult.fit files IPO papers (Rs 950 Cr fresh issue), Rentomojo eyes public listing, jewellery brand Aukera raises $10M, and quick-fashion player Klydo shuts its consumer arm.
What happened
Weekly Indian startup roundup with retail-relevant items: Flipkart expands zero commission to all fashion sellers, Cult.fit and Rentomojo file for IPOs,
Key facts
- $70.4M raised across 18 startups
- 6 acquisitions
- Aukera $10M
- Flipkart 90,000 fashion sellers
- Cult.fit Rs 950 Cr fresh issue + 17.86 Cr OFS
- Rentomojo Rs 150 Cr fresh issue
- Swiggy Rs 250 target price
Why this matters
Klydo's consumer-arm shutdown against 6 acquisitions this week highlights consolidation pressure in quick-fashion, so scan distressed assets and Aukera-style niche brands ($10M raised) for accretive M&A targets.
What to watch
- SEBI approval and grey-market premium for Cult.fit/Rentomojo
- Myntra or Meesho announcing commission cuts
- Additional consumer-arm shutdowns or layoffs in quick-fashion
- Weekly deal count dropping below 15 or rising above 25
- Jewellery/omnichannel raises exceeding $15M rounds
- Track Cult.fit's IPO pricing band and anchor book to gauge public appetite for consumer subscription models
- Monitor competitor take-rate responses to Flipkart's zero-commission move
- Screen distressed D2C brands post-Klydo for acquisition targets
- Assess Aukera's unit economics as a template for capital-efficient jewellery bets