Full-stack API platform Decentro raises funding from Y Combinator, Plug & Play

Decentro, an automated API-based platform that enables financial integrations with just a few lines of code, announced today it has closed its first round of funding from YCombinator, Plug & Play Ventures, and a group of angel investors from the Asia Pacific.

Founded in 2020 by serial fintech entrepreneur Rohit Taneja, Decentro offers a full-stack API banking platform where you can come, select your desired modules, play in the sandbox, and launch your product with just a few lines of code. The firm also takes care of all upcoming fixes, iterations, and updates without breaking any flow.

The startup is currently working with three leading banks in India.

“This unified approach not only simplifies your product launch but also the subsequent development cycles and upgrades. One of the biggest hidden challenges in working with legacy institutions directly is the number of touchpoints that you need to coordinate with after completing your integrations,” said Taneja.

Taneja has earlier founded Mypoolin, which was acquired by a leading Califonia-based global payments player in 2017, which in turn got acquired by Naspers backed PayU in 2019.

Part of Y Combinator’s summer batch of 2020, Decentro is also backed by Upsparks VC.

Taneja’s partner Pratik Daudkhane was previously a venture capitalist at Guild Capital.

Blue Ashva Capital hits initial close of its maiden startup fund in India

India-based Blue Ashva Capital has announced the initial close of its maiden SME and startup focused fund in India with commitments of INR 454 crores (~US$60 million).

Investors include family offices and high net worth individuals.

Blue Ashva proposes to raise a sum of INR 400 crores with a greenshoe option of INR 200 crores. It has exercised a part of the greenshoe option at the initial close.

The fund will invest in businesses across sectors including financial services, technology, healthcare, consumer, manufacturing etc. through equity, debt or any combination thereof.

The fund will also back professional-turn-entrepreneurs and partner with global companies to invest in India.

Vaniday relaunches as beauty and wellness platform

Vaniday, an online platform providing booking solutions for beauty salons and services in Singapore, announced today the official relaunch.

The comeback sees the roll out of its new website www.vaniday.com.sg, together with its revamped app.

The firm also added new features, including an online marketplace of beauty and wellness products VaniMall, digital beauty and lifestyle magazine VaniZine, and revamped loyalty programme.

Since its soft launch in February 2020, it claims to have on-boarded 10 per cent more merchants to 1,000 with plans to further grow this pool by 300 per cent in the next 12 months.

“This is the start of a new chapter for Vaniday. I see a huge potential in amplifying the original focus on just beauty and wellness to comprise other areas such as providing relevant wellness, F&B and health offerings for users,” said Ruth Teo, CEO of Vaniday.

“Merchants being made available on the platform have also been expanded to include fitness studios such as gyms, chiropractic services, and acupuncture therapy. We want to help the beauty-conscious community in Singapore discover a wide selection of services and products and connect them with fellow like-minded individuals,” he added.

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Image Credit: Decentro

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