Brands
Astranova and Zingbus power up electric bus push on key route
MUMBAI: Astranova Mobility has shifted its expansion plans into a higher gear, joining hands with Zingbus to roll out fully electric intercity buses on the busy Delhi to Dehradun route. The first batch is already on the road, giving travellers a quieter, cleaner journey while helping operators cut costs from day one.
Zingbus says passenger response on its electric routes has been strong, thanks to smoother rides, high uptime and lower per-kilometre costs than diesel. The company is now preparing for a larger electric leap as it works towards a 1,000-bus green fleet over the coming years.
For Astranova, the partnership marks a major milestone. The company becomes the only Indian EV financing platform offering end-to-end leasing solutions across everything from scooters and cars to chargers, trucks and now buses. Over the next year, it plans to deploy EV buses worth more than Rs 200 crore through operators such as Zingbus on selected high-traffic routes.
Astranova Mobility founder and CEO Kunal Mundra, said the move tackles one of India’s biggest transport challenges. “Intercity buses contribute a disproportionate share of emissions. Electrifying even a slice of these seats creates outsized climate gains. We have invested in the right engineering and data systems to support operators at scale, and we are delighted to expand this model with Zingbus across India.”
Zingbus CEO and co-founder Prashant Kumar said Astranova’s leasing model helps speed up the shift. “Our electric corridors already cost less per kilometre than diesel, and passengers are choosing the smoother, cleaner ride. This partnership strengthens our long-term, profitable EV strategy built on technology-driven mobility.”
The collaboration aims to break the three biggest hurdles for operators considering electric fleets: steep upfront costs, range and charging concerns, and worries around asset value. Astranova’s long-tenure leasing, OEM partnerships and buy-back and refurbishment programmes combine to make the switch far easier.
As India edges closer to its net-zero goals, large commercial vehicles remain a crucial frontier for electrification. The Delhi–Dehradun deployment signals a broader shift as intercity operators begin looking seriously at electric solutions for busy, high-frequency routes.
Brands
Big Bowl appoints Lyxel & Flamingo as social and media partner
QSR brand eyes next growth phase after crossing Rs 100 crore ARR milestone
MUMBAI: Big Bowl, one of India’s largest bowl-format quick service restaurant brands from Lenexis Foodworks, has appointed Lyxel & Flamingo (L&F) as its social and media partner as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The partnership comes after the brand crossed the Rs 100 crore annual recurring revenue milestone in 2025 and aims to help accelerate its journey towards Rs 150 crore ARR in its fifth year since launch.
Big Bowl currently operates more than 250 kitchens across 50 cities and has emerged as a major player in India’s organised bowl-format food segment. Built around hearty portions and delivery-first convenience, the brand offers a wide mix of Indian, Chinese and fusion bowls designed for quick, affordable and portable consumption.
As urban consumers increasingly gravitate towards easy-to-carry and value-driven meal formats, the company sees the bowl category as a scalable format aligned with modern eating habits.
With the appointment of Lyxel & Flamingo, Big Bowl plans to consolidate its social media and digital media operations under a single partner. The move is intended to sharpen its digital reach, strengthen youth-focused storytelling and improve performance marketing outcomes.
Lyxel & Flamingo, one of India’s largest independent digital-first agencies, manages more than 350 brands and oversees advertising spends exceeding $100 million across its network.
Under the mandate, the agency will handle Big Bowl’s social media strategy, content development, digital performance marketing, media planning and buying, as well as campaign amplification across platforms.
Commenting on the partnership, Lenexis Foodworks founder and director Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal said, “Big Bowl has scaled rapidly to cross Rs 100 crore ARR and established itself as one of the largest bowl-format brands in the country. As a delivery-first, digitally native brand, our next phase of growth will be driven by sharper performance systems and stronger brand storytelling. Consolidating social and media with Lyxel & Flamingo allows us to integrate data, creativity and media precision as we scale towards our next revenue milestone.”
Lenexis Foodworks marketing head Vikas Iyer, added that the delivery-led category requires content, media and performance marketing to work closely together.
“With Lyxel & Flamingo, we aim to build a sharper social voice, stronger acquisition systems and measurable impact, ensuring the brand scales not just in presence but also in precision,” he said.
Lyxel & Flamingo chief executive officer Dev Batra, said the agency will combine data-driven marketing with creative storytelling to support Big Bowl’s growth. “Big Bowl brings the flavour, and L&F brings the fire. Our strategy combines data-led performance with engaging storytelling to help build a strong digital brand presence while delivering measurable business results,” he said.
With this partnership, Big Bowl is looking to strengthen its position as a digitally driven QSR brand, blending brand-building with performance marketing as it scales within India’s rapidly growing organised food delivery market.
