#StartupsVsCovid19: Unicorns Unacademy, Paytm, Dream11 Join India’s Fight Against Covid

The Indian startup ecosystem has been on the forefront leading relief efforts and resources for the current medical infrastructure crisis facing India. With approximately 240+ people testing positive of Covid-19 every minute. There are no beds available in many private hospitals, limited supply of oxygen and medicines and, worst of all, no place in crematoriums and morgues. As the government has started reaching out for global support, many startups have pitched in massive efforts to aid relief. 

A line of unicorns joining the fight by providing sufficient resources.

Paytm To Airlift 2,100 Oxygen Concentrators

Fintech decacorn Paytm announced that under the #OxygenForIndia initiative, it is all set to airlift 21,000 Oxygen Concentrators (OCs) which is expected to reach India in the first week of May. These devices would be immediately sent to government hospitals, Covid care facilities, private hospitals, nursing homes as well as Resident Welfare Associations. The company has already raised INR 5 Cr from citizens for the initiative and has matched rupee for rupee making it INR 10 Cr. Encouraged by the overwhelming support and contribution from people across the country, Paytm is now aiming to raise over INR 14 Cr to source over 3,000 OCs over the next few days.

“We would like to thank each and every citizen who acted selflessly and contributed to the noble cause of solving India’s oxygen crisis. We look forward to winning this battle in collaboration with various organisations and foundations to jointly source as many OCs to provide immediate aid to our country, “ said a Paytm spokesperson.

Unacademy Donates INR 7 Cr To Zomato’s Feeding India Initiative

Zomato’s not-for-profit Zomato Feeding India has kickstarted the “Help Save My India” initiative in association with logistics startup Delhivery to source oxygen and related supplies for hospitals and families in need. Edtech unicorn Unacademy has contributed INR 7 Cr to restaurant aggregator Zomato’s Feeding India initiative to procure medical supplies. 

Dream11 Donates INR 15 Cr To GiveIndia And ACT Grants

Fantasy gaming unicorn Dream11 has donated INR 15 Cr GiveIndia and ACT Grants (a million each) to help with emergency Covid response efforts in India. “Half of this will be spent on solving the current problem of supplying medical equipment and hospital beds, and the other half will go towards supporting large scale vaccination drives. We will also be enabling donations through the Dream11 App very soon so that all Sportans (our employees), the 10 Crore+ users, and anyone else can contribute to this cause and expedite the war against Covid-19,” the company said in a public statement.

Earlier this week, CRED also announced a similar initiative where it is sourcing 1 Bn litre oxygen and for the same it allowed its customers to contribute via CRED coins. Meanwhile, Cred founder Kunal Shah donated INR 2 Cr to ACT Grants in personal capacity. Bengaluru-based Zerodha has also joined India’s fight against Covid and is aiming to provide 50 fully equipped ambulances in Bengaluru & Mumbai to start with.

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