Ola Krutrim Faces Flak, Cult.fit Flexes Hard, and GrowX Ventures’ Spectacular Return

Ola Krutrim faces serious scrutiny after an engineer’s tragic death sparks talk of toxic work culture, while BYJU’S founders allege threats and mounting pressure behind closed doors. On a brighter note, Cult.fit is flexing hard into retail with plans for 15–20 new stores, and GrowX Ventures just bagged a stellar 17X return on its partial exit from space-tech firm Pixxel.

Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Rest In Peace”: Ola Krutrim Engineer’s Death By Suicide Raises Toxic Workplace Red Flags

A tragic note from Ola Krutrim: an employee from its data science team died by suicide on May 8, with social media posts pointing to intense work pressure and harsh deliverable expectations.

The company has confirmed the incident but hasn’t addressed the allegations directly. This comes at a time when Krutrim is already facing internal churn, with a wave of senior leaders stepping away.

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“Ye Pehle Sochne Ka Tha Na”: BYJU’S Cofounders Allege Threats & Pressure Tactics

In a tense podcast interview, BYJU’S cofounders opened up about alleged threats and intimidation faced by their team, with strangers reportedly showing up at executives' homes.

Divya Gokulnath called it a deeply unsettling time for the company’s leadership. Meanwhile, Byju Raveendran admitted that taking a $1.2B term loan in 2021, despite equity options, was a costly misstep.

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“Abhi Toh Aur Badhega”: Cult.fit goes in on fitness retail boom, looks to add 15-20 new stores this year

Cult.fit is quietly intensifying its retail play, with plans to open 15–20 new stores this year across India. With 14 outlets already running in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, the brand is steadily expanding its presence in fitness apparel and equipment through Cultsport.

It's a measured shift, less about the buzz, more about building a long-term fitness lifestyle ecosystem.

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“Shooting For Stars”: GrowX Mints 17X Returns On Partial Exit From Pixxel

Talk about shooting for the stars—growX Ventures just booked a 17X return on its partial exit from space-tech startup Pixxel.

This marks the first cash-out moment for its $25M Fund I, clocking a stellar 68% IRR over 5.5 years. And they’re not done yet—growX still holds a hefty stake as Pixxel keeps building its hyperspectral satellite fleet.

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1. Euler Motors has revved up with fresh funding in its Series D round, pushing its total raise to INR 1,420 Cr. The EV startup plans to channel the capital into scaling its distribution network and sharpening product development.

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2. Folks Motor has secured ₹100 Cr in the first close of its ₹500 Cr “Folks Funds,” India’s first ESG-focused AIF for EVs. The fund aims to power up local manufacturing and streamline the country’s growing EV supply chain.

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3. Vivriti Asset Management has secured a $20M boost from Austria’s OeEB for its VIRAF fund, raising its capital base to $165M. The fund, focused on MSME and small-ticket retail loans, aims to empower women borrowers and strengthen inclusive finance in India.
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