Brands
Byju’s to dismiss 4,000 employees post CEO switch
Mumbai: One of India’s largest ed-tech startups, Byju’s, plans to give pink slips to about 4,000 employees, suggest media reports. This decision comes in light of the appointment of Arjun Mohan as the company’s new CEO for India.
As per this round of layoffs, senior executives will be under the radar; the firm is looking at cutting high expenses related to senior management.
Media reports bring out that there is a concern at Byju’s with regard to the cash flow, and this step will help resolve the same by the end of October.
Byju’s also plans to reduce the overlays between its online and offline staff and its staff in its regional sales offices. Instead of 19 regional offices, the company will now have offices only at four or five locations.
Mohan was roped in as the new India chief on 20 September. He is a former upGrad executive who had previously worked at Byju’s, and will be responsible for over 75 per cent of the company’s revenues. Though he joined Byju’s a month ago, he has been working with them in an informal capacity for a while.
Byju’s parent company Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd, excluding the subsidiaries, had over 19,000 employees, including contract staff, at the end of August. Post layoffs, this is expected to be reduced to 15,000.
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.
