ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL Backs Pico Xpress to Accelerate Quick Commerce Growth
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
In a significant boost to India's fast-growing quick commerce sector, ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL has invested in Pico Xpress in a Pre-Series A funding round.
The fresh capital will be used by Pico Xpress to strengthen its technological infrastructure, expand delivery operations, and scale its reach across urban India.
Founded in 2023 by Aniruddha Gangopadhyay and Kamal Syal, Pico Xpress is a Bengaluru-based logistics startup redefining how essential goods reach consumers. The company specialises in last-mile delivery, time-bound quick commerce logistics (within 30, 60, and 120 minutes), and omni-channel fulfillment through dark stores.
With a presence in over eight cities, Pico Xpress is building the backbone for India's convenience-driven commerce future.
Aniruddha Gangopadhyay, Co-founder of Pico Xpress, said, "ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL's investment fuels our mission to build India's leading quick commerce logistics backbone. This capital infusion allows us to rapidly enhance our technological capabilities and expand our operational footprint."
Co-founder Kamal Syal added, "Our goal is to create a seamless and highly efficient quick commerce delivery experience. With ENRISSION's support, we are poised to innovate and set new standards in logistics speed and reliability."
Harsh Deodhar, Principal at ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL, stated, "Pico Xpress is at the forefront of India's quick commerce revolution. We are excited to support their vision of delivering essentials with unmatched speed and reliability, and shaping the future of convenience retail."
As India's demand for faster deliveries surges, Pico Xpress is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the shift, offering businesses and consumers a dependable and scalable logistics partner for the digital age.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Skift
an hour ago
- Skift
Onboard IndiGo's Long-Haul Debut: The Start of a Global Ramp-Up
IndiGo is making a bold pivot from budget regional dominance to global player. Its 'fit-for-purpose' approach may not rival full-service carriers yet, but its pricing and partnerships could redefine value on Indo-Europe routes. Earlier this week, IndiGo turned a new page in its almost 19-year history. On July 1, its first long-haul flight established connectivity between Mumbai and Manchester. The next day, it touched down in continental Europe, flying from Mumbai to Amsterdam for the first time. The carrier will now operate on alternate days between the two routes, three times weekly. Don't be fooled by the modest start – something much bigger is in the works. IndiGo has been plotting global dominance for some time. Rahul Bhatia – CEO of parent company InterGlobe – brought former KLM chief Pieter Elbers on board in 2022. The brief was to lead the organization in its shift from a domestic and regional carrier to a true long-haul operator. The airline has ordered more than 60 Airbus A321 XLR aircraft, which are scheduled to join the fleet later this year. It also ordered 30 widebody A350-900s in 2024, later doubling the order to 60 jets. But these plans go beyond planes. Last year, the airline launched a series of initiatives including a loyalty program and a domestic business class product. IndiGo has also confirmed that the upcoming XLRs will have 12 factory-fitted business class seats on board. Already India's largest airline, IndiGo was not going to wait for 2027 to enter its widebody long-haul flying era. The carrier gained familiarization with larger aircraft through a leasing deal with Turkish Airlines. The Boeing 777s have a dense configuration with just seven business class seats and an incredible 531 economy class seats. IndiGo has now contracted Norse Atlantic Airways to wet-lease six of their Boeing 787-9 aircraft for up to 18 months. The first arrived in February and was flown on the busy route between Delhi and Bangkok for three months. As of this week, the aircraft are being put to better use on European services. Shaking off its No Frills Roots With the introduction of Dreamliner jets, IndiGo comes closer to a full-service airline. It is offering a new product and service offerings on these intercontinental flights, which are a taste of what passengers can expect when the A350s arrive. Elbers has been vocal that the onboard product needs to be 'fit-for-purpose' and not just a copy of whatever already exists. This was apparent at the launch of the domestic IndiGo Stretch product, where the airline offers no lounge access or hot meals, which it feels are unnecessary for short-haul flights. IndiGo now has a different mindset at play. Still anchored in its 'fit-for-purpose' mentality, the airline decided to offer hot meals on board its new long-haul flights. The airline is also integrating with Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM to offer easy transfers in the UK and the Netherlands. The goal is to provide passengers with straightforward connections into the U.S. and around Europe. A comprehensive codeshare deal is expected to go live shortly. More Perks Than Expected? The generous nature of its 'value-for-money' IndiGo Stretch product has surprised some. The Norse Atlantic aircraft only have recliner seats, but these come with a generous seat pitch. In practice, this allows IndiGo to offer something closer to business class, albeit without the lie-flat beds. The airline has 56 seats in the 787's Stretch cabin. IndiGo's premium cabin on the leased Boeing 787. credit: ajay awtaney IndiGo is also offering lounge access at both ends of the route – unusual for a carrier known for strict cost control, these upgrades signal a willingness to compete on comfort as well as price. Premium customers also have a large baggage allowance that mirrors legacy business class, and over 200 hours of in-flight entertainment. There are five meal choices (two international, two Indian, and one vegan) for Stretch customers, and unlimited beverages (including alcohol). Elbers confirmed that the airline won't be offering champagne and caviar, but the airline's catering, outsourced to Oberoi Flight Services, clearly punches above its weight. Elsewhere, there are no amenity kits, but there is an 'amenities basket', which features dental kits and compression socks. A plush pillow, with a map of the globe and a blue dot marking IndiGo's headquarters in Delhi NCR, is also available for Stretch passengers. IndiGo's long-haul premium product offers a range of legacy-style perks. credit: Ajay Awtaney In a nod to Elbers' KLM days, the airline is also offering warm overlays that it allows passengers to take away with them and reuse. There are 18 designs available, with customers encouraged to collect them all, just like KLM does with ceramic Delft houses. Further back on the aircraft, IndiGo is offering economy passengers two hot meals. Alcoholic drinks and the overlays are available for purchase. The airline is currently pricing its European flights around 30% cheaper than comparable one-stop options via the Middle East. There is no direct competition on the Mumbai to Manchester route, but KLM operates to Amsterdam. What's Ahead: U.S. Routes and A350 Intrigue When asked if this was the final product definition that would be mirrored on the new A350s, Elbers insisted this was not the case. He declined to elaborate further, but it leaves open the possibility that IndiGo may consider a three-cabin setup, with economy, premium economy, and business class. IndiGo representatives onboard the inaugural flight suggested to Skift that the airline will eventually look beyond Europe and is considering flights to the United States. Occupancy was low on the first flights, but IndiGo is not so worried. It knows that a new route can take time to warm up, especially since travel to Europe usually involves visas. The airline has already confirmed that bookings look stronger in the coming weeks, and as it plugs into its strategic tie-up with transatlantic partners such as Delta and KLM, a further lift is expected. While IndiGo's initial European routes do not directly challenge Air India's network, it remains to be seen how many people will switch from a legacy full-service product to a slightly lesser offering, in exchange for lower fares. Air India operates flights between Delhi (rather than Mumbai) and Amsterdam with the Boeing 787. However, this aircraft has seen its issues with common reports of non-functioning entertainment screens and an outdated cabin. As is customary for a legacy carrier, Air India offers a full package of meals and comfortable seats, but it doesn't offer the low fares found at IndiGo. It remains to be seen how the Middle Eastern carriers will react to the entry of IndiGo, and if the ambitious Indian operator will be able to chip away traffic as its network ramps up. Watch Pieter Elbers at the Skift India Forum 2025: recorded march 2025. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
July Market Recap – What Small Carriers Did Right (and Wrong)
July didn't pull any punches. Volatile rates. Tightening capacity. Diesel spikes that tested everyone's cash flow. For small carriers, it was either a month of smart moves—or hard lessons. What separated those who protected margins from those who scrambled to survive? Discipline. Strategy. Execution. In this recap, we break down what small carriers got right, where they went wrong, and how to use July's market as a launchpad for smarter, leaner operations heading into peak season. The carriers who won in July didn't chase freight across five states. They stayed close to home, worked repeat lanes, and locked in consistent power-only or short-haul freight that kept wheels moving and fuel costs manageable. Real example:One 6-truck fleet in Tennessee turned down 800-mile loads in favor of a tight 250-mile triangle. By week three, they had locked in a daily run with a regional food distributor—high frequency, predictable rates, and lower maintenance risk. Rates weren't great, but downtime was gold for carriers who used it wisely. July was when smart owners picked up the phone—not just for loads, but to follow up with brokers, check in with old shippers, and build actual relationships. Tactical move:Carriers that updated their shipper list, ran lane reports, and scheduled two weekly prospecting hours are already seeing better offers roll in. July's heat didn't just test engines—it tested drivers too. Smart carriers saw an uptick in harsh braking, speeding violations, and HOS mistakes. But instead of punishing, they coached. Winning script:'Let's review your last roadside. That 68 in a 55 dinged our CSA—next time, ease it down through that construction zone. If we drop that unsafe driving score, we qualify for a better contract I'm bidding on now. You're key to that.' Small tweaks in conversation led to real results. Fewer violations. Stronger scores. Gross doesn't mean anything if the net ain't right. Carriers that tracked cost-per-mile daily in July were able to spot trouble early—especially when diesel jumped mid-month. One carrier insight:'We noticed we were spending $0.12 more per mile after switching fuel cards. We swapped vendors mid-cycle and got back on track before the damage got worse.' The lesson: eyeball every line item. Especially when rates are thin. The ones who finally ditched Excel and stopped printing BOLs from the truck stop? They ran tighter ops, tracked KPIs weekly, and didn't wait until invoicing to know how much they made. If you're still writing odometer readings by hand, July exposed who cleaned up dispatch and billing with real TMS tools didn't just move freight—they moved forward. Many carriers jumped on cheap freight thinking 'at least we're moving.' But they didn't map out round-trip profitability. They didn't calculate true cost after tolls, fuel, or layover risk. And they got burned. Reminder: A load that pays $3.50/mile out but nothing back is a trap—especially in July. You don't fix CSA scores in court—you fix them in the cab. The carriers who skipped safety meetings or waited for violations to add up are now looking at inspections that cost them business. Harsh but true:If you haven't talked CSA with your drivers in the last 30 days, you're already behind. If you spent July refreshing the load board instead of making at least five new shipper contacts a week, you wasted a golden window. Brokers were overloaded. Shippers needed help. But they only awarded contracts to carriers who showed up. Missed opportunity:Small carriers who emailed lane data, FMCSA snapshots, and insurance certs to local shippers? They got callbacks. Some carriers panicked when they saw market softening and took anything above $2.00/mile—even if it wrecked their week. Others got greedy on hot lanes and sat empty while better offers passed them by. Truth: Strategy beats emotion. Always. The diesel spike in late July shouldn't have surprised anyone—but many small carriers got caught off guard, especially those who skipped monthly fuel projections. One owner's mistake:'I budgeted off spring fuel prices and didn't re-forecast. We were $6,000 short by the 20th of the month.' What to Do Now: Turning July Lessons Into August Strategy Audit every mile you drove: Where did you run hot? Where did you lose? Schedule weekly safety talks: Make CSA part of the culture, not a reaction. Build a Q3 shipper list: You need 25 contacts minimum. Reach out weekly. Re-run your cost per mile: Adjust for July fuel trends and overhead spikes. Block time for outreach: Minimum 2 hours/week cold calling or emailing. July gave small carriers a choice—adjust or absorb the damage. Some leveled up their back office, coached their drivers, and trimmed the fat from their lanes. Others spun their wheels, hoping for a rate bounce that never came. Don't let the next month catch you with the same bad habits. Take the wins, fix the misses, and make August your best-run month yet. This market ain't easy—but with the right systems, the right mindset, and the right action, it's still winnable. The post July Market Recap – What Small Carriers Did Right (and Wrong) appeared first on FreightWaves. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Xi Jinping's surprise no-show at BRICS Summit fuels speculation about China's global standing
Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend this week's BRICS Summit in Brazil, marking the first time the Chinese leader has missed the gathering of major emerging economies. The abrupt decision has triggered widespread speculation about internal political dynamics within China and the fraying cohesion of BRICS itself. China's official explanation — a "scheduling conflict" and the fact that Xi already met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva earlier this year, according to the South China Morning Post — has been met with skepticism. Premier Li Qiang will attend the summit in Xi's place, continuing a recent trend of Xi scaling back his appearances on the global stage. "That doesn't make sense," said Gordon Chang, an expert on U.S.-China relations. "There are many other countries at the BRICS summit, not just Brazil. To me, it's extremely significant that Xi Jinping is not going. It suggests turbulence at home — there are signs he's lost control of the military and that civilian rivals are reasserting power. This is a symptom of that." Russia's Putin Hosts China's Xi At Massive Moscow Military Parade On Red Square Bryan Burack of the Heritage Foundation agrees that Xi's absence underscores deeper issues: "It's another indication that BRICS is not going to be China's vassalization of the Global South." He noted that countries like Brazil and Indonesia have recently imposed tariffs on China over industrial overcapacity and dumping, moves that suggest widening rifts within the group. "China is actively harming all those countries for the most part, maybe with some exceptions, through its malign trade policies and dumping and overcapacity." Read On The Fox News App Some analysts point to rising China-India friction as a contributing factor in Xi's decision to skip the summit. "China has been at war with India for decades, essentially," Burack said. "These are fundamentally opposing interests. It's difficult to see China changing its behavior in the near term, and that will keep tensions high." India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take a leading role at the gathering, potentially another deterrent for Xi's attendance. Another key leader — Russian President Vladimir Putin — is only expected to address the group by video. After Trump's Departure, G7 Leaders Fail To Reach Agreements On Key Issues Formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China and later joined by South Africa, BRICS was envisioned as a non-Western counterweight to G7 dominance. It has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and, most recently, Indonesia, strengthening its economic footprint. Economist Christian Briggs highlighted BRICS's massive scale: "BRICS now comprises 12 full members and up to 23 when counting partners. Collectively, they account for over 60% of the world's GDP and around 75% of the global population. They control vast natural resources and a growing share of global trade flows." Yet despite its scale, the bloc remains ideologically and strategically fragmented. "It's a group of countries that hate each other," Burack said bluntly. "China is harming many of them through unfair trade practices. There's not a lot of incentive for real unity." The alliance's aspirations to challenge the U.S. dollar through alternative payment systems and a potential BRICS currency have gained media traction — but experts caution against overestimating this threat. "There's been a lot of fearmongering about a BRICS currency," said Burack. "But the interests of these countries are completely divergent. There's more smoke than fire when it comes to a currency challenge to the dollar." Chang echoed this skepticism: "The only country that can challenge the dollar is the United States. Weakness in the dollar is due to what we are doing domestically, not what the BRICS are doing." Still, Briggs offered a counterpoint, arguing that BRICS members are already reshaping global currency flows. "They're moving away from the dollar into digital yuan, rupees, rubles. China has launched a SWIFT alternative already adopted by the Caribbean banking sector — trillions of dollars are shifting." Macron Chides Trump, China Over Trade, Ukraine, Gaza: Policies 'Will Kill Global Order' While its cohesion remains questionable, BRICS poses a long-term challenge to U.S. influence — particularly in regions where Washington has retreated diplomatically and economically. "China filled the void left by the U.S. in places like Africa," said Briggs. "Now it controls about 38% of the world's minerals. Meanwhile, Russia's economy has doubled despite sanctions, because they preemptively reduced reliance on the dollar." Yet Chang sees India as a brake on any aggressive anti-Western tilt. "BRICS has an 'I' in it—and that's India. Modi doesn't want to be part of an anti-Western bloc. As long as India's in BRICS, the rest of the world is safe." To some, Xi's no-show signals instability in Beijing. To others, the opposite: it demonstrates confidence in China's dominance over the other BRICS members. "He doesn't have to be there," Briggs contended. "Xi's power allows him to delegate. China is trading with nearly 80% of the world now. He's moving the agenda forward even in absentia." What's clear is that BRICS continues to evolve — its internal contradictions as visible as its geopolitical ambitions. Whether Xi's absence marks a retreat or a recalibration remains one of the key questions hovering over the summit in article source: Xi Jinping's surprise no-show at BRICS Summit fuels speculation about China's global standing
