Game-Changers Across Industries: Major Funding Wins, Quick Commerce Shake-Up, and Leadership Transitions.

2) Elchemy Secures $5.6M to Revolutionize Global Specialty Chemical Exports. Funding Boost: Elchemy raises $5.6 million in a Series A round led by Prime Venture Partners, with support from InfoEdge Ventures.

• Expansion Plans: The funds will fuel Elchemy’s US expansion, strengthen its tech team, and enhance supply chain visibility solutions.
• Tech Upgrades: The startup aims to improve quality management, real-time tracking, and automated documentation processes.
• Global Reach: Since its founding in 2021, Elchemy has connected Indian manufacturers with buyers in over 13 countries, shipping specialty chemicals to more than 50 global ports.
• Vision 2026: Elchemy aims to drive $5 billion in business for Indian small chemical manufacturers by 2026.
• Market Competition: This funding follows Mstack's $40M raise to expand in North America, Latin America, and Asia.

Elchemy is redefining cross-border specialty chemical distribution with innovative solutions and global ambitions.

2) Biomaterials Startup Ukhi Raises $1.2M to Revolutionize Sustainable Packaging. Funding Success: Ukhi, a Delhi-based biomaterials startup, has secured $1.2 million in a pre-seed funding round. The round included equity investments led by 100Unicorns, Venture Catalysts, and angel investor Avtar Monga, along with debt funding from SIDBI.

• Previous Funding: Earlier, the company raised $69.6K in an angel round.
• Capital Allocation: The funds will be used to scale production, advance research in biomaterials, and expand sustainable packaging solutions globally.
• Eco-Friendly Innovation: Co-founded in 2019 by Priyanka Chauhan, Vishal Vivek, and Sundeep Kumar Tyagi, Ukhi develops biodegradable materials from agricultural residues, offering sustainable alternatives to plastics.
• Patent-Pending Tech: Ukhi's technology uses agricultural waste to create compostable biomaterials, reducing plastic pollution, curbing crop burning, and supporting a circular economy.
• Global Impact: With operations in Haryana and Uttarakhand, Ukhi aims to help industries reduce their environmental footprints and transition to eco-friendly packaging.
• Market Competition: Ukhi competes with players like Traceless and Advanced Biomaterial Company in the growing biomaterials space.

Ukhi’s innovations could lead to a greener future by addressing critical environmental challenges while driving industry transformation.

3) Amazon Tez Set to Shake Up India's Quick Commerce Market. Amazon's Big Move: Amazon India is gearing up to launch its quick commerce service, code-named Tez, by late December or early next year, aiming to compete with Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.

• Fast-Track Launch: Originally planned for 2025, Tez is being accelerated and may debut after Amazon's December review meeting.
• Focus on Essentials: The service will initially focus on groceries and daily essentials, supported by dark stores, robust logistics, and a dedicated team already being hired.
• Rivalry Heats Up: Competitors like Flipkart (Minutes), Tata (Neu Flash), BigBasket, Zepto, and Blinkit are expanding rapidly in the $7 billion Indian quick commerce market.
• Market Potential: The sector could grow to $25-55 billion by 2030, with ultra-fast delivery services projected to surpass food delivery in value by 2026.
• Investment Surge: Players like Zepto and Blinkit are securing massive funding, highlighting the fierce competition in this booming segment.

Amazon's Tez aims to deliver speed and convenience in a market that’s revolutionizing the way India shops for essentials.

4) Apurva Sircar Steps Down as Bandhan Bank's Marketing Head After 7 Remarkable Years. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Apurva Sircar, Head of Marketing at Bandhan Bank, announced his decision to step down after an incredible seven-year journey. Sircar reflected on his professional and personal growth during his time at the bank, emphasizing the privilege of working with a visionary leader like Chandra Shekhar Ghosh and contributing to building a purpose-driven brand.

Having initially planned to stay for just two years, Sircar described his experience as transformative, calling Bandhan Bank the "greenest pasture" of his career. He praised the marketing team he led, calling them a "cracker team" that delivered exceptional results while fostering camaraderie and fun.

As he embarks on his next chapter, Sircar hinted at an exciting future where he will be collaborating with a "legend" to create businesses that drive real on-ground impact. Though the specifics remain undisclosed, Sircar assured his network to "watch this space for more."

This announcement marks the end of a significant chapter for Bandhan Bank and a promising new beginning for Apurva Sircar.