MAM
Bridgers teams up with IIT Kanpur for Upstart 2025
MUMBAI: From ideas to impact, Bridgers is bridging the gap. India’s leading integrated communications agency has signed a strategic MoU with IIT Kanpur’s Entrepreneurship Cell, becoming the official media partner for Upstart 2025, the flagship pitching event designed to empower India’s budding entrepreneurs.
The Nationals kick off in Delhi on 11th October, followed by Hyderabad (1st November), Bengaluru (8th November), and Mumbai (6th December), culminating in the finals at IIT Kanpur from 23rd–25th January 2026. Bridgers will provide end-to-end communications solutions, helping amplify the event’s reach and spotlight the most promising startups across India.
“Startup communication is our forte,” said Bridgers founder Anubhav Singh. “Partnering with IIT Kanpur E-Cell lets us support tomorrow’s founders while contributing to India’s Viksit Bharat vision by 2047.”
IIT Kanpur E-Cell’s Laksh Bansal added, “Bridgers’ expertise ensures Upstart 2025 gets the attention it deserves, highlighting the impact of this event and empowering our country’s future unicorns.”
The collaboration spans strategic campaigns, community storytelling, reputation management, and media engagement across cities and national and regional platforms, bringing India’s next generation of entrepreneurs into the spotlight.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
