CRED’s Network Bet, Cashify To Go Public, and Garuda Aerospace Partners TAS

CRED’s latest product is built around a simple observation: its members already pay for financial products, travel, shopping and other services, but many of them also pay informally for access to people who can help with a career move, money decision or personal problem. Circle, CRED’s new service, tries to organise that behaviour inside the CRED ecosystem.

The invite-only app connects members with more than 100 vetted “Residents” across careers, money, wellness and relationships. Users can speak through text, audio or video between 6 pm and 10 pm, with pricing starting at ₹25 a minute.

The idea fits CRED’s current direction. The company generated ₹2,735 crore of operating revenue in FY25 and had around 1.26 crore monthly transacting users. Instead of chasing every Indian internet user, it is trying to earn more from a relatively affluent base that already uses multiple CRED products.

Circle is also inexpensive to operate compared with lending, commerce or travel. CRED handles discovery, identity and payments, while the Resident provides the actual service.

Similar behaviour already exists elsewhere. Topmate lets professionals sell calls, mentoring and digital products, while US platform Intro offers access to well-known founders and operators, sometimes for hundreds or thousands of dollars. At the institutional end, GLG and AlphaSights built large businesses by connecting investors and consultants with industry experts.

CRED’s advantage is distribution. Most advisory marketplaces have to find experts and paying users at the same time. CRED already has millions of members accustomed to transacting inside its app.

Keeping strong Residents may be harder. At the starting rate of ₹25 a minute, an hour produces ₹1,500 before any platform share. That is unlikely to keep senior founders or executives regularly available for financial reasons alone. If the supply gradually shifts towards full-time coaches, Circle starts looking much closer to Topmate.

There are also limits to how frequently people need this service. Career advice, a dating-profile review or a conversation about fundraising is not a weekly purchase for most people.

That is why consultation revenue may not be the biggest opportunity. If CRED can understand which members have useful expertise, who people trust and which introductions repeatedly work, it can gradually turn a financial membership base into a useful professional network. Without that network, Circle remains a paid consultation marketplace with a CRED login.

Let’s go through what else is happening in Indian startup world - Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Taiyaari Jeet Ki”: Cashify to Become Public Entity

Used electronics re-commerce pioneer Cashify is officially levelling up for the stock market by dropping "Private" from its name, hiring top IPO bankers, and loading its board with seasoned independent directors.

Launched in 2013, Cashify allows users to buy and sell used electronics, with a primary focus on phones and laptops.

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“Bharat Milap Ka Drishya”: CRED Launches Circle App For Paid Expert Conversations

CRED has launched Circle by CRED, a new app where members can speak one-on-one with experienced professionals, founders and specialists across careers, money, wellness and relationships.

The beta has more than 100 Residents for select CRED members, with text, audio or video access between 6 PM and 10 PM. Pricing starts at Rs 25 per minute.

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“Ash Tu Kar Yaara”: Roamiyo Launches Travel App

Travel startup Roamiyo has launched an all-in-one app designed to end group chat chaos by bundling personalized itinerary planning, shared coordination, and live trip management into a single platform.

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“Janmo Ke Saathi”: Garuda Aerospace Partners With TAS

IPO-bound Garuda Aerospace has partnered with Australia's Timed Automation Solutions to co-develop next-gen autonomous drone technologies and fleet management systems.

Combining Garuda’s manufacturing muscle with TAS’s smart software, the alliance aims to roll out drone-in-a-box solutions and AI image analysis.

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“Kuch Naya Ho Jaaye”: MJ Digital Services Launches Cashlo App

MJ Digital Services has launched Cashlo, an all-in-one digital platform that empowers local shopkeepers to offer essential financial and utility services right from their counters.

From UPI cash withdrawals and bill payments to FASTag top-ups, the app turns neighborhood stores into one-stop digital hubs while unlocking fresh revenue streams for merchants.

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“Listing Pe Seeti Maar”: Shiprocket Lists 35% Above IPO Price

Shiprocket made a strong market debut on August 19, listing at Rs 131 on the NSE, a 35% premium over its Rs 97 issue price. Its shares listed at Rs 130 on the BSE.

The Rs 1,617 Cr IPO was subscribed 99 times, with QIBs leading demand.

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“Naya Captain, Nayi Fielding”: Avanade Appoints Achal Kataria As India MD And CEO

Avanade has appointed Achal Kataria as Managing Director and CEO for India, effective immediately. He will lead business strategy and operations, with focus on digital and AI transformation.

Kataria joins from Cognizant, where he led the India business, and brings more than 30 years of experience across technology services and enterprise transformation.

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“Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar”: KKR acquires Minority Stake in BookMyShow

KKR has signed definitive agreements to acquire a minority stake in BookMyShow for an undisclosed amount. The investment will support the company’s live entertainment business and expansion across India.

BookMyShow has moved beyond movie ticketing into live events and experiences, with a presence across 700 towns and cities and more than 7,000 cinema screens.

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1. Hyperscale data centre giant CtrlS just scored a big ₹250 crore funding boost, headlined by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and serial entrepreneur Sreeram Reddy Vanga.

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2. Deep tech powerhouse AlgoFET just secured a crisp ₹15 Cr pre-Series A boost led by Piper Serica to supercharge its next-gen infrastructure products.

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3. Jaipur-based B2B quick-commerce startup Digidukan just snagged ₹2 Cr in angel funding from United Plywood Group directors Vinay and Shubham Gupta.

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4. Child healthcare platform Butterfly Learnings has netted ₹65 Cr ($7.65 Mn) in a pre-Series B round led by Inflexor Ventures to scale its neurodevelopmental care network.

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5. Specialty chain First Coffee just brewed up $1.3 Mn in pre-Series A funding led by Japan’s DG Daiwa Ventures, bringing its total raised to $2.5 Mn.

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6. Clean-tech startup Neuromod Aqua bagged pre-seed cash from Sportskeeda founder Porush Jain to roll out factory-made, modular sewage treatment units.

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7. Sachin Bansal-led Navi has raised $100 Mn from Prosus in its first institutional funding round.

8. Reusable packaging platform, Yantra Packs has raised Rs 12 Cr in a seed round led by Caret Capital.
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