Delhivery gets CCI Nod, Ola’s Latest Move, and Reddit Ropes Tendulkar

India’s logistics sector witnessed a major shake-up. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Delhivery’s acquisition of Ecom Express. On the surface, this might seem like one logistics company buying another. But underneath, it’s a story of timing, survival, and a sharp strategy.

Ecom Express used to be a promising logistics company, supported by major investors like Warburg Pincus. It built a strong last-mile network, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, and was delivering nearly a million parcels a day at its peak. The company even filed for a ₹4,500 crore IPO in 2022. But then, things started slipping.

First, the macro environment changed. E-commerce volumes didn’t grow as fast as predicted after the pandemic. Then came the losses — ₹374 crore in FY23 on revenue of ₹2,051 crore. Also, Ecom started losing key clients, including major e-commerce platforms such as Meesho, that brought in bulk of the volumes.

The company’s IPO plans were also shelved. Its last private valuation, which stood at over ₹7,000 crore, dropped by more than half. From a prized asset, Ecom became a distressed one.

This is where Delhivery moved in.

Delhivery, which became a public company in 2022, has always been unique. It's moved beyond delivering parcels to become an all-in-one logistics provider, handling warehousing, freight, and express deliveries. To make that idea happen, it needed huge customer bases and a wide reach, and Ecom had both.

By acquiring Ecom at a steep discount (approximately ₹1,400 crore), Delhivery gets immediate access to an additional 500,000 - 600,000 daily shipments, a wider last-mile delivery footprint, and stronger presence in semi-urban India.

It’s a smart move. But it’s not without risk.

Ecom Express is bleeding money. And integrating a loss-making company, with its own tech stack and operating culture, into Delhivery’s system won’t be smooth. There will be overlap, duplication, and resistance. Logistics isn’t plug-and-play. It’s very operational - every delay, every mismatch in process, has costs associated with it.

Then there’s the culture clash. Delhivery is engineering-first, fast-moving, and process-heavy. Ecom's old way of doing things, focused on operations, might need a major change to keep up with Delhivery.

This deal strongly suggests that the logistics market is becoming more concentrated. Amazon and Flipkart are handling more of their deliveries internally. Margins are thin, and growth is slowing. Delhivery's strategy is that a large size combined with technology will make them successful. They're prepared to accept Ecom's current troubles for future control of the market.

We think that the timing is perfect. Ecom's problems made it easy for Delhivery to make a deal. If Delhivery can integrate the businesses well, it could well be a very smart move for them.

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.

“Kya Hua Tera Vaada”: Ola Drivers Need To Pay INR 2,010 A Month To Avail Zero Commission Model

Ola’s latest move puts drivers in the driver’s seat - literally and financially. For ₹2,010 a month (₹67/day), they can now opt into a zero-commission model, keeping 100% of their fares.

Joining Rapido and Namma Yatri, Ola’s nationwide rollout signals a shift toward platform freedom, but at a subscription price.

Read more here

“Ae Vediya, Bat Ka Grip”: Reddit ropes in Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador

Reddit just scored a century, for Sachin Tendulkar is now its brand ambassador. Fans can catch the Master Blaster sharing match insights, personal stories, and exclusive posts through his official Reddit profile.

Looks like r/Cricket’s about to get a lot more legendary.

Read more here

“Don’t Worry Dear, I’m Here”: Simplilearn Launches SimpliMentor GPT

Simplilearn has introduced SimpliMentor GPT, an AI-powered career coach designed to guide professionals through the often confusing path of digital upskilling.

Unlike generic career tools, it offers tailored advice on what to learn next, which certifications hold real value, and how to align skills with evolving market demands.

Read more here

“Tu Bas Bhaag, Milkha”: BikeWo Green Tech partners with Flipkart Group

Flipkart’s delivery game just got a green upgrade - thanks to a new partnership with BikeWo Green Tech.

Over 1,300 EV-based delivery partners are hitting the roads across seven states, marking BikeWo’s biggest electric logistics push yet. It’s a quiet revolution in last-mile delivery, but one that hums with purpose.

Read more here

1. IPO-bound BlueStone is eyeing a unicorn tag with a fresh funding round at a ₹11,500 Cr valuation. With SEBI’s nod in hand, it’s also aiming for a ₹13,000 Cr splash when it hits the public markets.
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2. Physis Capital has raised over ₹200 Cr for its debut fund, halfway to its ₹400 Cr target. The fund plans to back 15–20 startups across fintech, SaaS, edtech, and more, with initial bets of $1-1.5 Mn and follow-on firepower ready.
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3. Oben Electric has wrapped up its Series A round at ₹100 Cr, following a fresh ₹50 Cr infusion. The EV startup has now raised a total of ₹200 Cr to fuel its electric motorcycle ambitions.
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4. ArisInfra has secured ₹225 Cr from anchor investors ahead of its IPO, allocating over 1 crore shares at ₹222 apiece. The pre-issue boost signals strong institutional interest in the infra-tech firm’s market debut.
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5. MakeMyTrip is set to raise over $2 Bn through a primary offering and notes to reduce Chinese ownership. As part of the move, it will repurchase shares from Trip.com, which will still retain its position as the largest minority shareholder.
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6. CLR Facility Services has secured $15 Mn from British International Investment to scale its operations and expand its workforce. The investment marks a boost for India’s growing B2B maintenance and facility management sector.
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