Last Week's Start-up Week Wrap & the Great Indian Budget StoryThis week turned out to be sensational for the Indian start-up ecosystem. Over and above everything, the Union Budget had a lot to offer for start-ups

This week turned out to be sensational for the Indian start-up ecosystem. Over and above everything, the Union Budget had a lot to offer for start-ups.

The Great Indian Budget Story

The Finance Minister gave out an elaborate plan to foster entrepreneurship, accelerate the growth of start-ups and ace technological advancement and innovation. The biggest hit of the #UnionBudget2019 was when Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government aims to make India a "global hub of manufacturing electric vehicles" inclusive of solar batteries and charging stations. She also emphasized that EV purchasers will get incentives as well. This move comes at a time when the world at large is struggling with environmental issues. Promoting and advocating the use of EVs will enable people to choose a more sustainable, affordable and environment-friendly alternative.

Indian start-ups were in for a pleasant surprise which gave them an enormous sigh of relief when the Finance Minister announced that Indian start-ups will escape the scrutiny (of Angel Tax) of the income tax department if they submit all the documents.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships

Singapore-based Affle International Pte. Ltd acquired the mobile advertising platform, RevX Inc in an all-cash deal. The company is also yet to announce its IPO timelines, according to a media report.

Edtech company upGrad acquired Bengaluru-based online community platform CohortPlus for an undisclosed amount.

OYO Expands to Vietnam

OYO is on a roll. The hospitality start-up made its foray into yet another territory of the South Asian subcontinent with Vietnam. The unicorn has also pledged $50 Mn to transform the hospitality ecosystem of the country.

Funding Report

This week saw many start-ups raising funds. Notable ones included:

Independent power producer (IPP) start-up ReNew Power raised $300 million through a rights issue.

Ola Electric Mobility has raised $250 million from SoftBank as part of its Series B round and clinched the unicorn tag according to media reports.

Speech analytics start-up Uniphore has raised around $38 Mn as part of its Series C round of funding led by California-based venture capital firm March Capital Partners, according to reports

Gurugram-based insurance tech startup RenewBuy raised $19 millionin funding from Lok Capital, IIFL AMC and existing investors including Amicus Capital in a Series B round.

Bengaluru-based cab-hailing unicorn Ola raised $11.37 million in fresh funding as part of its ongoing Series J round.

B2B logistics technology start-up, Freight Tiger, raised $8 Mn led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from Alsthom Industries (one of the Dalmia Group Companies) and Pawan Munjal Family Trust.