9 FINANCEOUTLOOKINDIANOVEMBER, 2026HALDIRAM IPO: COMPANY PLANS RS 10,000 CRORE ISSUE BY LATE 2027RIGI RAISES RS 10 CRORE FUNDING FROM GOOGLE AT RS 670 CRORE VALUATIONWHATSAPP PLANS FINANCIAL SERVICES EXPANSION WITH AI & DIGITAL PAYMENTSHaldiram IPO plans are taking shape as the packaged snacks maker prepares for a stock market debut. The company has appointed EY to manage the proposed public issue. It is targeting a listing in late 2027, according to a media report. ,The proposed Haldiram IPO could be worth around Rs 10,000 crore, with the company targeting a Creator economy startup Rigi has raised Rs 10 crore funding from Google International through an allotment of preference shares. The investment values the company at approximately Rs 670 crore post-money and gives Google a 1.43% stake in the startup. Rigi's board approved the allotment of 1,543 preference shares at Rs 61,796 apiece to raise the fresh capital. The transaction marks Google's entry into the company's shareholder base as Rigi expands its presence in the digital content and entertainment market.The latest Rs 10 crore funding gives Google International a 1.43% stake in Rigi. The Rs 10 crore investment was made through the Meta-owned WhatsApp is looking to evolve beyond messaging by bringing everyday services such as bill payments, financial services and bookings onto its platform. Kunal Shah, the app's global head, has outlined three strategic priorities for its next phase of growth: richer communication, simpler services and artificial intelligence (AI). In a post on X, Kunal Shah said WhatsApp aims to help people stay connected with those who matter while making it easier to complete everyday tasks through the app. The strategy reflects the company's ambition to develop WhatsApp into a broader digital services platform. The first priority is to enhance the app's core communication experience through features such as voice messages, groups, stickers and video. According to Shah, users send more than 10 billion voice messages and over 4 billion stickers on WhatsApp every day. The company plans to make these interactions simpler and more expressive, building on the platform's existing communication capabilities. valuation of more than Rs 1 trillion. The company has also established a project management office (PMO) to oversee compliance and coordinate activities across business functions.Haldiram Snacks Food was formed through the merger of Delhi-based Haldiram Snacks and Nagpur-based Haldiram Foods International. Given its complex business structure, preparations for the listing could take six to 12 months or longer, an executive fa-miliar with the development told the publication. Haldiram has at-tracted investments from global investors, including Singapore's Temasek, UAE-based Internation-al Holding Company (IHC), Alpha Wave Global and US-based L Cat-terton. issuance of preference shares, with the allotment valuing the creator economy startup at around Rs 670 crore on a post-money basis. The funding comes as Rigi looks to build on its presence in the creator economy and strengthen its digital entertainment offerings. Founded in 2021 by Swapnil Saurav and Ananya Singhal, Rigi initially focused on helping content creators, influencers and celebrities monetise their online audiences. (AUM) to $18 billion and will support venture capital and growth equity investments across technology, healthcare and consumer sectors in the US, India and Israel. The fund will back businesses at different stages of growth, with Norwest continuing to expand its investment activity across established sectors and emerging technology categories. Its portfolio includes companies such as Babylist, Gong, Monogram Health, OfBusiness, VAST Data, Vuori and YipitData.Since launching its previous fund, Norwest 17, in April 2024, the firm has made more than 87 investments. During the same period, it supported over 30 portfolio companies in achieving liquidity events through public listings and strategic acquisitions. Companies from its portfolio that went public include India's Amagi Media Labs and Swiggy, along with BillionToOne, MBX Biosciences and Omada Health.
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