e-commerce
Unbxd raises $ 12.5 mn to fuel innovation
MUMBAI: Unbxd, the cloud-based product discovery platform for e-commerce, has raised $12.5 million in Series C funding led by Eight Roads Ventures, the proprietary investment arm of Fidelity International Limited, and from existing investors IDG Ventures, Inventus Capital Partners and Nirvana Ventures. Unbxd will further invest in its artificial intelligence (AI) powered platform that enables online retailers to capture the 15%-40% in revenue that is lost due to a poor product discovery experience.
Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan also invested in the round. Avendus Capital was the exclusive financial advisor to Unbxd’s Series C round.
Retail’s success in e-commerce has become more critical now than ever and heavily hinges on customer experience. The Unbxd AI powered personalized product discovery platform uniquely understands users’ intent to significantly enhance their online shopping experiences, increasing conversions and revenue.
“Traditional rules-based e-commerce technology is hard for retailers to manage while also delivering a poor experience for their shoppers. With a better AI solution in place, retailers are more competitive because shoppers can more easily buy what they seek,” said Unbxd CEO Pavan Sondur.
“Unbxd has a great product/market fit, and now is the right time to accelerate its go-to-market strategy. E-commerce product discovery tools represent a multi-billion-dollar opportunity globally and Unbxd is well positioned to emerge as a leader in the space,” said Eight Roads Ventures managing partner Raj Dugar.
The funds raised will be invested in enhancing Unbxd’s proprietary Intelligence Engine. The Unbxd Intelligence Engine today captures and processes more than 50 shopper data signals, to power personalized search, navigation and product recommendations on e-commerce sites. Unbxd will also open new offices, to be closer to its customers in Chicago and New York.
Unbxd revenue grew 400% in the past year and it strengthened its Internet Retailer 500 customer base by adding leading retailers including Ashley HomeStore, Express and FreshDirect.
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.
