OUTZIDR’s Playbook, Eternal Gets Notice, and WazirX’s Sorrows

India’s D2C fashion story isn’t cooling down. If anything, it’s getting bolder, louder, and unmistakably more feminine. Take OUTZIDR - a fast-rising women’s fashion brand that just raised ₹27 crore (~$3.2M) from RTP Global and Stellaris Venture Partners. Specializing in trend-forward western and party wear for Gen Z and millennial women, the brand has scaled to ₹80 crore in annual revenue within just two years, while staying profitable at the brand level.

But OUTZIDR’s rise isn’t a standalone success. It’s part of a broader wave reshaping Indian fashion, where D2C brands focused on young, fashion-conscious women are thriving.

Consider the broader context: India’s online women’s western wear market is pegged to cross $6 billion by 2027, with Tier 2 and 3 cities driving a large chunk of that growth. What used to be a niche market - party wear, co-ord sets, cutout dresses - is now exploding on Instagram reels and small-town carts alike. Social media has mainstreamed edgy fashion, and women across income brackets are now looking for clothes that make a statement, not just fit the basics.

This is where brands like OUTZIDR shine. They aren’t trying to be everything to everyone. They’re focused on capsule drops, rapid trend cycles, and aesthetic curation that speaks directly to a certain kind of woman: bold, digital-native, and expressive.

And they’re not alone. Startups like Freakins, Sazo, July Issue, and Flatheads Women (new vertical) are riding the same wave. Each of them has carved a niche in Gen Z styling - whether it’s Y2K throwbacks, streetwear silhouettes, or gender-fluid collections. Even broader D2C names like Snitch, The Souled Store, and Rare Rabbit are exploring or launching women-focused verticals to capture this momentum.

For VCs, this is a compelling play. Unlike men’s fashion, where standardization dominates, women’s fashion thrives on novelty and frequency. That means more repeat purchases, stronger community loops, and better margin retention.

Yes, the challenges are real. High return rates, short trend cycles, and the pressure to always “be on trend” can sink even the most promising brands. But the successful ones are countering this with:

• Limited-edition drops that build urgency

• Community-led design inputs (influencers, polls, creators)

• Supply chain control to manage SKUs and reduce deadstock

• Omnichannel expansion with pop-ups and curated offline experiences

OUTZIDR is already playing this playbook well. It runs a lean 35-member team, tightly manages collections, and reinvests profits into brand-building rather than discounting. The result? Low burn, high resonance.

The playbook is evolving. And investors are paying attention. Stellaris and RTP’s backing signals continued appetite for fashion bets - provided there’s a brand narrative, some capital discipline, and evidence of customer love.

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.

“Mala Zau De Saab”: Eternal Gets INR 1.34 Cr Tax Demand Order For FY22

Eternal has received a tax demand order of INR 1.34 Cr for FY22 from the Deputy Commissioner of State Tax, Lucknow, under Section 74 of the CGST and UPGST Acts.

The order cites short payment of output tax and excess input tax credit claims, resulting in a demand of INR 67.25 Lakh in tax and an equal amount as penalty, along with applicable interest. Issued on August 6, the notice adds a significant compliance burden to the startup’s financials.

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“Apne Aap Ko Kanoon Ke Hawale Kar Do”: Delhi HC Orders WazirX Parent To Disclose Binance Acquisition Papers

WazirX’s parent firm Zettai Pte Ltd has been asked by the Delhi High Court to hand over the Binance acquisition documents.

The order, dated August 5, comes as part of ongoing proceedings after last year's massive $234.9 Mn security breach. All eyes are now on the next hearing slated for August 26, as the crypto drama unfolds.

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“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: Livspace Picks Up Stake In Furniture Manufacturing Startup TPlusA

Livspace has picked up a stake in furniture manufacturer TPlusA, aiming to cut costs and strengthen its full-stack supply chain game.

With the backing, TPlusA will set up a new unit in Madhya Pradesh and scale operations to better sync with Livspace’s interior ambitions. From fittings to fixtures, this deal is all about locking in supply-side muscle.

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“Suswagatam Suswagatam”: IPO-Bound Pine Labs Onboards Former Avendus Exec Sameer Kamath As CFO

IPO-bound Pine Labs has roped in Sameer Kamath, ex-CFO of Avendus and Motilal Oswal, as its new Chief Financial Officer.

Kamath will steer the fintech unicorn’s global finance strategy and investor relations just as it preps for a ₹2,600 Cr public debut. With the SEBI draft already filed in June, this move signals serious gearing up for the big market splash.

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“Aaj Main Upar, Aasman Neeche”: Paytm Expects Global Expansion Spree To Yield Results In 3 Years

Paytm is eyeing global turf, but with a desi twist expecting its tech-driven merchant services to bear fruit in about three years.

CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma says the focus is on underserved small businesses abroad, while back home, the plan is to roll out insurance and wealth tools for grassroots entrepreneurs. It’s a long play, but Paytm seems set on planting deep roots, absolutely glocal.

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“Baad Mein Aana, Haan Bhai”: Clear Fires Over 100 Employees Amid AI Push

Clear has let go of over 130 employees as part of a quiet restructuring tied to its growing focus on AI.

Just weeks after launching ‘ClearTax AI’ to simplify ITR filing, the SaaS startup seems to be trading headcount for automation. While FY24 saw shrinking losses and surging revenue, the human cost of efficiency is beginning to show.

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1. RENEE Cosmetics has raised $30 Mn in a Series C round led by Playbook, pushing its valuation to $200 Mn. The beauty brand's worth has surged nearly 50% since its last fundraise just over a year ago.
   Read more here

2. Women’s fashion startup OUTZIDR has raised ₹27 Cr from RTP Global and Stellaris to fuel its expansion plans. Targeting Gen Z with western and party wear, the brand is stitching together a bold growth story.
   Read more here

3. Smart appliance startup Nuuk has closed its Series A round at $6.6 Mn with a fresh $2 Mn infusion from Vertex Ventures and Good Capital. The funds will power product innovation and wider market expansion across its growing home-tech lineup.
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4. Bengaluru-based Xovian Aerospace has secured $2.5 Mn to develop AI-powered RF satellite infrastructure and launch its multi-frequency payload. Backed by Piper Serica and Turbostart, the startup aims to transform raw RF data into real-time intelligence from space.
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5. Chennai-based MangoPoint has raised $1 Mn in a pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures to scale its chemical-free mango business. The funds will help boost infrastructure, expand into new markets, and sweeten its product lineup.
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6. Fashion startup Tryo has raised ₹3 Cr in a pre-seed round led by Zeropearl VC to reimagine how India shops for clothes. With a try-before-you-buy model, the Bengaluru-based platform aims to tackle online fashion’s biggest pain points, fit, fabric, and trust.
   Read more here

7. True Colors Limited has raised ₹13.5 Cr from Niveshaay Hedgehogs Fund and Finavenue to ramp up its digital textile printing and processing operations. The funding will fuel expansion and tech upgrades in its fabric innovation journey.
   Read more here