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In a bold pivot from dependence on China, Indian startups like SGEM and Conifer are racing to pioneer rare-earth-free EV motors some even tapping physics-class nostalgia to rethink magnetic force. With China controlling 85% of the market, India's new wave of innovation and rare earth recycling feels less like a trend and more like a geopolitical necessity. Could ferrite magnets be India’s next moonshot?

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P.S. The Sunday Special is designed to help you discover the most important Startup insights outside of Share Markets. Our regular Share Market updates will resume as usual on Monday.

Startup Menu

• Startups this Week

• Funding Space

• Psychology

• Everything else you need to know

• Life Hack in Video

• Special

STARTUPS THIS WEEK

🚚 Uncle Delivery: Rewriting the Gig Playbook with Empathy at Its Core

In an ecosystem where gig work often means relentless targets and low autonomy, Uncle Delivery is charting a bold new path one centered not on speed, but on self-respect and driver empowerment.

This logistics startup is doing more than just matching deliveries to drivers. It’s redefining what it means to work in India’s gig economy. With flexible schedules, real-time earnings visibility, and zero penalties, Uncle Delivery treats its driver-partners as humans, not headcounts.

One standout initiative? The Driver Premier League a gamified platform that celebrates consistency, safety, and service, offering recognition and rewards without the fear of deactivation.

There’s no micromanagement, no hidden deductions just trust, tools, and transparency. Drivers are encouraged to set their own hours and accept only the gigs they choose. In return, the company gets loyalty, efficiency, and organic growth powered by word of mouth.

As India’s delivery economy continues to boom, startups are racing toward automation and scale. But Uncle Delivery is asking a deeper question: What if the real disruption isn’t more control but more care?

In a time where “platform” often equals pressure, this model stands out. It’s not just logistics it’s leadership through empathy. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the future of work.

FUNDING SPACE

💰 Weekly Funding Spotlight: Major Startup Investments (Jun 07 - Jun 13)

The past week witnessed significant investments across various sectors:

India’s innovation engine is shifting into high gear this past week alone, over $110 million flowed into startups across a diverse spectrum, signaling unwavering investor confidence even amid global headwinds.

Leading the charge is Spinny, which secured $30.6M to scale its online-to-offline (O2O) used car retail platform a clear nod to India’s rising digital trust in big-ticket purchases. Meanwhile, POP, a fintech-meets-e-commerce disruptor, raised $30M to reimagine transactions with a rewards-first twist.

But the action didn’t stop there. NBFC Techfino pulled in fresh funds to expand its lending play, Oben Electric drew attention with its smart EV portfolio, and Soptle raised capital to digitize the wholesale FMCG space for Bharat’s kirana networks.

What’s striking? The diversity of sectors from electric mobility and embedded finance to rural commerce and smart logistics. It’s not just unicorns in the making it’s a showcase of India’s multi-sector startup resilience.

This isn’t a moment. It’s momentum and it's proof that India’s startup ecosystem is maturing beyond vanity valuations and into sustainable, sectoral growth.

For founders, this week’s funding spree is a signal: India is still open for innovation and investors are doubling down on the long game.

PSYCHOLOGY

🚀 Growth Playbook: Scale With Strategy, Not Chaos

Scaling a startup isn’t just about pouring fuel on the fire it’s about building a fire that lasts. The Hartford’s latest insights remind founders that sustainable growth is a strategy, not a scramble.

📍 Step 1: Market Expansion with Purpose
Don’t chase every shiny opportunity. Smart startups analyze where demand is underserved, then test before committing resources.

👥 Step 2: Hire Intentionally, Not Hastily
Growth often means adding people but the right people. Focus on talent that complements your weaknesses and fits your culture, especially during early scaling.

⚙️ Step 3: Systematize Operations
From onboarding to fulfillment, operational consistency is the backbone of scale. Document processes, automate where possible, and invest in tools that support repeatability.

💸 Step 4: Manage Cash Like a Hawk
Growth burns cash fast. Monitor burn rates, extend runways, and build revenue resilience to avoid fundraising panic.

The big takeaway? Scaling isn’t just speed it’s structure + discipline. It’s how scrappy startups become sustainable businesses.

Whether you're preparing for Series A or hitting your first 100 customers, build with intention. Because true growth doesn’t just expand your reach it strengthens your foundation.

FROM THE WAR ZONE

Everything else you need to know

🚖 Game-Changer: Ola is flipping the script with a zero-commission model drivers now pay a flat subscription fee and keep 100% of their fares. More control, more earnings.

🧠 Power Play: Krutrim just sealed a strategic deal by acquiring BharatSahayak from Samagra, ramping up its Indic-language AI push. It's not just building intelligence it’s building relevance.

☁️ Big Bet: TCS is leveling up its collab with Microsoft to develop next-gen AI + cloud solutions for enterprises. Think smarter workflows, faster decisions powered by built-in generative AI. The AI arms race just found a new heavyweight duo.

✈️ Bold Pivot: Swiggy is stepping off the food track with Crew, a luxe concierge service offering travel bookings, dinner reservations, and more. From biryani to boarding passes Swiggy wants to be your next super app sidekick.

LIFE HACKS

SPECIAL

📦 How OLX Perfected the Art of Scaled Barter

In a world obsessed with shiny new things, OLX has quietly built a thriving global business by doing the opposite helping people buy and sell secondhand.

With over 200 million active users, OLX isn’t just a classifieds site it’s a digital marketplace powerhouse that’s monetizing the art of bartering at scale.

🔑 The Model
At the heart of OLX’s business is a simple idea: empower users to list items for free, then offer paid upgrades like premium listings, featured ads, and top search placement to boost visibility. Think of it as freemium meets flea market.

💰 Where the Money Flows
Revenue doesn’t stop at visibility. OLX also earns from targeted ad placements, in-app payments, and logistics services that make peer-to-peer commerce safer and smoother.

📱 Mobile-First, Global-Ready
Their mobile-first strategy and localized interfaces cater to emerging markets, allowing OLX to scale rapidly across geographies like India, Brazil, and Eastern Europe.

🔄 What This Means
In an era of conscious consumption, OLX is proving that sustainability can be profitable and that a well-oiled marketplace engine can turn secondhand into first-class business.

Your Opinion Matters!

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Thanks for reading.

Until tomorrow!

Hanoomaan India Business team

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