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Swiggy To Merge With Zomato?
Food delivery platform, Swiggy, is reportedly in talks for a stock based merger with restaurant discovery and food delivery rival Zomato. According to sources, the management of the two companies met recently to discuss a potential merger. However, the talks failed to progress any further due to differences in business alignment and expected valuations.
A news daily reported, Zomato offered a 1:4 share swap ratio to Swiggy. But, Swiggy is looking for a $ 500 million valuation. The food delivery platform recently raised close to $ 80 million in a Series E funding round from Naspers. Post this investment, Swiggy’s valuation increased to $ 400 million. On the other hand, Zomato wants to strike the deal valuing itself at more than $1 billion. The restaurant discovery platform is also currently in talks with Alibaba’s investment arm Ant Financial to close a $ 200 million investment. The company was valued at $ 1.4 billion by the equity research firm Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Pvt., Ltd.
After the failed merger talks between Flipkart and Snapdeal, Zomato and Swiggy’s merger will be among the most significant moves made towards consolidating a lucrative sector. While Zomato could have continued with its search and restaurant discovery business while continuing as a shareholder in Swiggy, the company was interested in an outright merger. A source close to the development said, “Swiggy was more interested in exploring the merger at existing valuation, but Zomato’s proposed swap ratio would have valued it at $225 million.”
Both the companies dominate the food tech business in India. According to reports, Swiggy completes around 4- 4.5 million orders a month. Zomato, which completes close to 3- 3.2 million online orders, has an upper hand in the restaurant discovery business. Speaking about the speculations, an Alipay spokesperson said, “We don’t comment on market speculation.”
In an emailed statement, Swiggy replied to the allegations stating, “Swiggy has a razor-sharp focus in delivering a superior customer experience as we continue to grow as India’s largest food ordering and delivery company. We would not like to comment on baseless speculations such as this.”
The online food delivery market in India grew exponentially in 2016 with an estimated gross merchandise value (GMV) of $300 million. Recently, global players like UberEATS and Google also entered the Indian online food delivery industry.
Note – This article has been updated after we received an official response from Swiggy.
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
