Daily Indian Startup Funding Roundup & Key News - 6 March 2026: Rozana Raises ₹290 Cr, Cent Secures Funding, & More
India’s startup ecosystem saw significant activity in healthtech, D2C, and rural omnichannel retail today. Rozana raised a ₹290 crore Series B to scale rural operations, while health startup Cent, founded by former Practo, Ola Electric, and Lenskart executives, secured early-stage funding. Key business developments included Karnataka’s proposed social media restrictions for children under 16, the delay of Reliance Jio’s IPO due to regulatory changes, and MakeMyTrip’s acquisition of a majority stake in Flamingo Transworld.
Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest - 6 March 2026
| Startup | Sector | Funding | Round | Lead Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rozana | Rural Omnichannel Retail | ₹290 Crore (~$31.5M) | Series B | Bertelsmann India Investments |
| Bonkers Corner | D2C Streetwear | ₹95 Crore (~$10.5M) | Series A | India SME Investment Fund & others |
| Cent | Healthtech / Early Detection | Undisclosed (~$5M) | Seed | OneFlow Holdings, South Park Commons |
Rozana Raises ₹290 Crore in Series B to Scale Rural Omnichannel Retail
Rural‑focused omnichannel retail platform Rozana secured ₹290 crore in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments, with participation from Fireside Ventures, Spark Growth Ventures, Bikaji Family Office and FE Securities.
The capital will be used to strengthen technology infrastructure, expand product categories, build private label offerings, and deepen brand partnerships while scaling the retailer’s hybrid commerce network across more than 21,000 villages.
Bonkers Corner Raises ₹95 Crore Series A at ~$48M Valuation
Streetwear and omnichannel fashion brand Bonkers Corner secured ₹95 crore (≈$10.5 million) in its Series A round, led by India SME Investment Fund, with participation from Namita Thapar (via Thapar Vision LLP), Radhakrishna Ramnarain Pvt Ltd, Rajesh Raheja and multiple angel investors.
The Mumbai‑based brand focuses on Gen‑Z streetwear apparel and will use the capital to expand product lines, strengthen distribution and deepen physical and digital retail operations.
Cent Secures Seed Funding from OneFlow & South Park Commons
Founded by Shashank ND (Practo) along with executives from Ola Electric and Lenskart, healthtech startup Cent has raised an undisclosed seed funding round from OneFlow Holdings (Shashank ND’s family office) and South Park Commons, with industry reports indicating around $5 million raised.
Cent is building an AI‑driven early disease detection platform enabling proactive health screening for conditions such as cancer, cardiac, neurological and metabolic diseases. The funds will support platform development and the expansion of diagnostic services.
Key Business News for 6 March 2026
Karnataka Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Below 16
The Karnataka government announced plans to restrict social media usage for children under 16 years, aiming to curb exposure to harmful online content. The proposed guidelines are expected to impact social platforms operating in the state, prompting startups and tech companies to review compliance and moderation policies.
Reliance Jio IPO Faces Delay Amid Regulatory Changes
The much-anticipated Reliance Jio IPO has been delayed due to new government listing rules, postponing India’s largest IPO. Analysts expect the delay to influence investor sentiment and the overall telecom sector, while Jio continues strategic preparations for a future listing.
MakeMyTrip to Acquire Majority Stake in Flamingo Transworld
Travel and hospitality platform MakeMyTrip announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Flamingo Transworld, expanding its presence in experiential travel services. The acquisition aims to enhance MMT’s luxury and curated travel offerings, leveraging Flamingo’s existing customer base and network.
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