e-commerce
Ronnie Screwvala’s Unilazer pumps Rs 7 crore in MeraDoctor
MUMBAI: MeraDoctor, a platform for virtual consultations between doctors and patients, has closed a Rs 7-crore Pre-Series A financing round led by Ronnie Screwvala’s Unilazer Ventures.
MeraDoctor, which was launched earlier this year, has so far helped over 300,000 people connect with carefully screened doctors across India through a simple chat interface. Most health platforms create a big bazaar experience in which neither patients nor doctors are comfortable. Instead, as a doctor-led company, MeraDoctor builds trust and loyalty by smoothly connecting patients with reputable physicians only, and ensures that both sides have a high-quality experience.
MeraDoctor CEO & co-founder Dr. Ajay Nair says, “We’re honoured to have partnered with Ronnie Screwvala and some of the country’s best entrepreneurs and investors to take MeraDoctor to the next stage. Within the country’s rapidly evolving healthcare industry, our focus is clear – we make it easy for everyone in India to have high quality health conversations on their phone. In just a few months after launching our app for live messaging with doctors, we’ve helped over 300,000 people connect with quality care.”
The new investment will help MeraDoctor extend its technology platform, scale up its doctor base, add to its technology and management teams.
Screwvala’s Unilazer Ventures led the round, with participation from existing investor early-stage fund IndiaQuotient. Previous investors in the company include Aaavishkaar and Accion Venture Lab.
“MeraDoctor’s leadership team is unique in combining a deep understanding of healthcare with a fine-tuned sense of customer needs and a relentless drive to build a large, enduring business. Mobile adoption is disrupting the way healthcare is being delivered. The very large untapped market and the team’s deep healthcare experience is a winning combination. I’m delighted to support their vision and contribute as best I can, as Ajay and Gautam tackle one of the biggest opportunities in India today,” adds Screwvala.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
