Hello, and welcome to today's edition of Founders International, your daily newsletter where we cover the stories, trends, and companies in tech and startups from outside of the US.

Here's what we have in store for you today:1. From reporting, to the one being reported on2. The DTC businesses in India to keep an eye on3. Fintech Friday: Zeller moves into small business banking

Read time: 3 minutes and 6 seconds

The media coverer, becomes the covered

Overstory Media Group, a Canadian media startup founded by Andrew Wilkinson and Farhan Mohamed, is trying to change local news in British Columbia by focusing on "high-quality journalism, starting with a daily newsletter to regularly deliver the local news and events."

They are planning to do this by creating or acquiring local news publications into their brand, and using each publications growth to help build the rest of them. A playbook Andrew himself has run to build his company Tiny, into a portfolio of companies that recently announced plans to go public at a reported market cap of just shy of $1 billion.

But, OMG is now the one being covered. The hunter, has become the hunted.

Just kidding, that's a little extreme.

They recently laid off 4 of the people from one of their biggest media publications, the Capital Daily, in order to cut costs and extend the runway of the company. However, apparently this also came amidst talks of the workers at the publication unionizing. Some think the layoffs were to avoid the unionization and combat that effort, and that is why they are under fire.

Andrew and Farhan have been vocal at denying these claims saying it wasn't because of the unionization and that they've known about it since this spring. But, they have taken the blame for it saying they over projected growth in this year, and as ad rates have come down, needed to focus on the company's survival.

You can also read their full statement by following this link.

There was also a wrinkle thrown in with the main reporter who reported on the stories supposedly coming off biased in reporting, evidenced by an email exchange with Farhan, which you can read here.

Frankly, not a great look for that guy, and could affirm why OMG's mission is a good one.

I have a feeling this story may be widely covered in the coming weeks, but that leads to a conclusion as of now:

News is hard. Running a business is hard. And it makes me respect everyone involved knowing the hardest thing I ran into today, was the yolk broke when I was trying to fry my eggs.

The fastest growing DTC startups in India

Inc42, a news publication focusing on the Indian startup ecosystem, released their list of the fastest growing DTC (direct-to-consumer) startups for 2023.

The list was 42 companies long (Ah! Inc... 42, get it??), and ranged from wellness products, to beauty, to mattresses, to... power gummies?? They're just gummy vitamins really, but still, the name definitely catches your eye.

So, because there were so many, we narrowed it down to 3 that we think you would want to know too.

1. The fastest grower of the group growing 300% in the last year, was Rage Coffee. Rage Coffee is cool because they use a "proprietary crystallization technique to preserve the natural flavor and aroma of coffee beans." What that means, I have no idea, but it sure sounds unique. They have coffee, bars, and much much more.

I am a little biased, but I like my coffee locally roasted, and even better when it's made by friends so check out a new coffee company launched by one of my best friends and his wife, Rejoice Coffee Company.

2. The second company, may just be overtaking my wardrobe. Growing 263% year over year, The Pant Project, is, well, making some nice freakin pants. They make pants fitted just for you, offering free alterations to help you get to your best fitting pants. They have a wide selection from chinos, to cargos, to dress. And from someone who only buys pants from one place (lululemon <3) they have me seriously considering upgrading my wardrobe. These and a Cuts sweatshirt, the new daily fit??

3. The Sleep Company - the Pant Project, now this, these Indian brands love a clear brand name - is trying to disrupt India's sleep industry. Growing at a 189% rate, they offer mattresses, pillows, and even a pretty cool office chair. They are aiming to be up to 25 brick and mortar stores by March of this year, and with that kind of growth in that big of a market, we may have a new Casper on our hands.

Some honorable mentions also include: Juicy Chemistry, a organic skin care brand. ShineXPro, because I once started a car washing business and this area has a lot of dedicated customers willing to spend $$. And, Gramiyaa, because us Americans apparently need to switch up our oils.

Fintech Friday: This unicorn is getting into small business banking

Zeller, a fintech company based out of Melbourne, is dipping their toes into small business banking in neobank-esque fashion.

Previously focusing on face-to-face payments, with an EFTPOS terminal, business transaction account, and Mastercard, the company has decided to switch gears and focus on business banking instead, aiming to provide standalone business transaction accounts, debit cards, and an online invoicing solution.

Apparently this company is only 3 years old, and is already serving 30,000 businesses in Australia. Yes, three years old and already a unicorn. Crazy, and little fishy, but really cool nonetheless.

After raising $100 million in a Series B last year, they now have turned their gaze to expanding their offerings and providing better banking options for Australian businesses, away from the big 4 banks (JPM, Citi, WF, BoA) that are usually the only ones used.

An uphill battle? Yes. Possible? Absolutely.

And that's all for today, if you want to get more follow us @Founders_Intl, or respond to this email. Yes, we respond to all emails, including yours. Try us.

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💯 Freaking sick dude🤷‍♂️ Meh, do better next time😑 Bruh, I might unsubscribe after reading that