A 69-year-old CEO of a US-based chicken finger chain has said that he turned 19 of his employees into millionaires after selling a majority stake to a private equity firm for $1 billion. "I've a duty to the people that created this business," said CEO Bill Phelps. He said investors told him he's "giving away too much money".

Starting a home-based candle business in India requires an investment of ₹8,000-₹32,000. Eco-friendly and custom candles can be sold at a profit of ₹150–₹500 each. Selling just 100 candles a month can help a person ₹15,000–₹50,000. With low investment, growing demand, and creative freedom, it’s a profitable and fulfilling venture.

Kisah Apparels has raised ₹13 crore in pre-Series A funding, led by Wow! Momo’s Sagar Daryani. The profitable, data-driven brand plans to expand its offline retail, D2C channels, and marketing efforts. Targeting India’s $20 billion ethnicwear market with stylish menswear, Kisah aims to scale its omnichannel presence sustainably, with three new stores planned and global ambitions in sight.

Cybersecurity startup Repello has raised $1.2 million in seed funding led by Venture Highway, with support from Pi Ventures and others. Focused on protecting generative AI from evolving threats, Repello offers tools like ARTEMIS and Repello Guard. With operations in India and the US, the company plans to scale globally, enhance threat simulation, and partner with AI model providers.

Pine Labs is set to file its DRHP with SEBI by June-end, aiming to raise ₹5,000-₹6,000 crore through its IPO. Valued at $4-5 billion, the fintech firm’s listing follows its shift to India and governance changes. The IPO includes fresh issue and OFS, marking a major fintech listing after Paytm.

Indian markets inched up on Wednesday with IT and oil stocks leading gains. Global sentiment improved after Donald Trump announced a tentative trade deal with China, lifting oil to a 7-week high. Gold also rose as US inflation eased. Meanwhile, India's monsoon stalled, heatwaves gripped Delhi, and government foodgrain stocks hit new highs for June.

Bengaluru-based Iom Bioworks has raised ₹4 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The funds will help grow its team, secure IP, and expand its gut microbiome healthcare platform. Founded in 2022, the startup offers personalised health solutions using AI and microbiome science.

The line between content and commerce is vanishing. With in-app shopping features like Instagram Checkout, TikTok Shops, and WhatsApp Commerce, social platforms are now full-fledged sales funnels. Discovery, engagement, and transaction all happen seamlessly - without switching apps. Brands that optimise their storefronts for mobile-first social shoppers are winning big.

UGC - reviews, tutorials, and testimonials from real users, has become a core driver of trust and engagement. Consumers are 3x more likely to convert after seeing relatable, unpaid content from peers. Smart brands are running UGC challenges, reposting customer stories, and embedding social proof directly into product pages and ads.

Brands are increasingly shifting influencer budgets from celebrities to nano-influencers, creators with 1,000 to 10,000 highly engaged followers. Their content feels more authentic, and their communities are tight-knit, leading to higher trust and conversions. For D2C, SaaS, and regional players, nano-collaborations now outperform traditional influencer campaigns in cost-efficiency and impact.