India’s Kitchen Tech Era, Nazara Eyes ₹500 Cr & More

India’s ‘Kitchen Tech’ Market Heats Up

India’s kitchens rarely change overnight. However, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have disrupted LPG supply, forcing millions of Indian households to suddenly rethink how they cook. Is this crisis shifting the country towards an electric cooking ecosystem?

From Gas To Electric Tops: As concerns around LPG availability began to circulate, a behavioural reset swept the country. Consumers did not abandon gas entirely, but hedged their bets by buying electric alternatives. As a result, Tata-owned Croma saw its highest single-day sale for induction cooktops, while ecommerce giant Amazon witnessed an 18X surge in induction cooktop sales over just a few weeks. 

Consumer habits, which usually take years to change, are now happening in mere days across both major metros as well as tier II and III markets.

The Ripple Effect: The disruption is not just limited to cooktops. Sales have also surged for electric alternatives like rice cookers and air fryers. Simultaneously, the demand for ready-to-eat and packaged meals is also seeing a big spurt. Cooking is actively being redefined into a flexible activity assisted by automated appliances and convenience foods.

Supply Chains Under Strain: This overnight demand spike is severely testing the limits of existing manufacturing lines. Since appliances operate on longer production and distribution cycles, supply cannot simply be shored up. Brands and ecommerce platforms are now scrambling to restructure logistics and curate dedicated offerings to prevent stockouts.

The Way Forward: Going forward, experts do not see the deeply entrenched LPG cylinders vanishing. However, they see the ongoing crisis forging a hybrid kitchen model, where electricity coexists with gas. But issues related to electricity reliability and cost perceptions could play a spoilsport for the transition to electric kitchens. 

While the jury is still out on whether brands can meet this sudden appetite for electric cooking, here is how kitchen tech startups are stepping up to fill India’s LPG gap…

From The Editor’s Desk

Nazara Eyes ₹500 Cr

• The gaming major’s board has approved a proposal to raise over ₹500 Cr via a preferential issue. Besides promoter Plutus, investors like Riambel Capital, S Gupta Family Investments and Classic Enterprises will participate in the fundraise. 
• The proceeds will be used for strategic acquisitions and to accelerate growth across its existing business verticals. Meanwhile, Nazara also intends to grant a loan of ₹4 Cr to its subsidiary Smaash Entertainment.
• Founded in 2000, Nazara is a developer and publisher of mobile games. On the financial front, the listed company swung back to the black with a net profit of ₹8.8 Cr in Q3 FY26, despite the top line declining 24% YoY to ₹406 Cr.

Govt Moves To Amend IT Rules

• The Centre has proposed new changes to IT Rules, 2021 to make advisories and ‌clarifications legally binding on social media platforms like Meta, Google and X. 
• The draft framework also tightens content takedown obligations for big techs. Platforms, which host data that may be used to commit “unlawful” acts, will be required to remove such content within three hours of receiving actual knowledge.
• The amendments also expand the scope of the framework to include news and current affairs content posted by users on social media platforms. The IT ministry has invited stakeholders to submit their feedback on the draft rules by April 14.

MS Dhoni Backs Kuku FM

• The audio OTT soonicorn has roped in ex-Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as an investor as well as a brand ambassador for its microdrama app Kuku TV. There was no clarity on how much Dhoni invested in the company.
• Founded in 2018, Kuku FM is an audio OTT platform that offers audiobooks, podcasts, and original shows across multiple languages. It entered the microdrama segment last year. The startup has raised $156 Mn to date.
• With the partnership, the soonicorn is looking to leverage Dhoni’s fanbase to prop up its microdrama app and create alternate streams of revenue. This comes as the company has lined up bankers for its proposed $200 Mn IPO. 

Zetwerk Files DRHP

• The B2B manufacturing startup has filed its DRHP with SEBI via the confidential pre-filing route for a $450 Mn public listing. The company is also planning to raise $50-60 Mn in a pre-IPO funding round.
• This follows reports that Zetwerk’s IPO would comprise a fresh issue of shares worth nearly $300 Mn, with the OFS component accounting for the remaining.
• Founded in 2018, Zetwerk is a full-stack manufacturing platform that operates 100+ facilities to produce industrial components, electronics and other equipment. It also handles procurement and logistics for its clients. It has raised $700 Mn to date. 

Bajaj Finserv To Float AI Fund

• The financial services arm of the Bajaj Group is planning to launch a dedicated PE fund to back AI ventures in India. Simultaneously, Bajaj Finserv will also invest directly in early-stage AI startups through its own balance sheet.
• The company is looking to invest anywhere between ₹400 Cr to ₹450 Cr into AI-focused ventures in FY27. The move is part of Bajaj Finserv’s strategy to expand its alternative investments platform and tap into India’s growing startup ecosystem. 
• At the heart of all this is India’s growing AI ecosystem, which is projected to become a $126 Bn opportunity by 2030 and is expected to contribute $1.7 Tn to the country’s GDP by 2035.

Inc42 Markets

Inc42 Startup Spotlight

Retail Planning Gets An AI Makeover 

Consumer brands still rely on spreadsheets for demand forecasting, leaving the process slow, inaccurate and manual. This leads to stockouts, excess inventory and cash tied up in the wrong places. TrueGradient wants to replace this chaos with its AI-powered solution.

Built For D2C Brands: Founded in 2023, TrueGradient offers a no-code operating system (OS) that gives planners a single interface to manage demand, inventory and pricing decisions. The startup leverages deep learning and AutoML to read demand signals and operational data, helping businesses optimise inventory, replenishment, pricing and promotions.

Fixing Data Science Gap: With a no-code workflow, it allows businesses to make faster planning calls without depending on scattered files or technical specialists. The upside is also better forecast accuracy, less waste, faster replenishment and improved margins. 

The Bengaluru-based startup is eyeing a piece of the homegrown AI-enabled demand forecasting and supply chain analytics market, which is projected to become a $2.4 Bn opportunity by 2034. Can TrueGradient become the go-to planning layer for brands?

Infographic Of The Day

From open-source frameworks to full-stack agents, India’s agentic AI ecosystem is fast taking shape. So, who is building the future of AI agents?

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