Brands
Demonetisation: Paytm & SBI most talked about on Twitter and Insta
MUMBAI: It’s been close to a month since PM Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of higher currency notes and the buzz around the topic hasn’t receded still. After all, several sections of the market remain affected by the scarcity of liquidity in the economy.
While the country debates on whether the move has been successful in curbing black money or not, one thing is for certain, it caught everyone’s attention.
Maxus Kaleidoscope has released data that reveals the location-wise mood of India from Twitter and Instagram.
The conversations were mapped between the 8 to the 24 of Nov 2016 by when we would get a clear picture of the how the initial euphoria of the demonetization panned out over time.
Location based Tweets and Instagram Posts oscillated largely between Action oriented and Calm Moods in the fortnight since the demonetization from an All India basis. Calm moods were dominant in the North Eastern states of Mizoram and Meghalaya as depicted in the map below.
Nearly 5 Lakh conversations on Twitter & Instagram made up the top 10 trending topics. Demonetization accounted for 6 of the top 10 trending topics since the announcement, of which the PM accounted for half of the trending topics. #IamwithModi and #Modi were the topics that made up for 19% of the conversations within the top 10 trends. Cricket shared a bit of the spotlight from demonetization thanks to the ongoing England-India test series.
Brands too shared some of the light light that demonetization drew. A total of 23 brands of were linked to the top 10 trending topics during the past fortnight. These brands factored in slightly over 30 per cent of the total conversations. PayTM leading the bunch (avg. 53% association) and SBI (avg. 16% association) carved out the larger part of the Brand Share of Conversation.
The top 5 metros reflected similar patterns of Moods where Action dominated the moods however there were some days especially like 17 Nov in Delhi when the expression of Calm gave way to Action. Additionally Tamil Nadu showed a blip towards Anxiety on the 18, 19 and 21 Nov 2016 when subsequent announcements of the demonetization easing by the government and news of the CM Jayalalithaa seemed to have driven up the specific mood.
According to Maxus Kaleidoscope’s mapped data over Twitter and Intagram, there is a sense of patient restraint in cities across India as the demonetization moves on into the 3rd week and nears the critical end of the month period when cash flows really come into play.
Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
