Fri Jan 17 23:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Zomato Apologizes for “Veg Mode Enablement Fee,” Inc42 Offers Business Programs

**NEW DELHI, January 17** – Food delivery giant Zomato has apologized for a controversial “veg mode enablement fee” of INR 2, after a user publicly criticized the charge on LinkedIn. Founder Deepinder Goyal called the fee “stupid” and confirmed its immediate removal.

The incident follows a series of recent controversies for Zomato, including backlash over the resale of Diljit Dosanjh concert tickets and the earlier launch of a “pure veg fleet” with green uniforms, which raised concerns about potential discrimination and access restrictions. Zomato also faced criticism and removed an advertisement deemed to promote caste discrimination.

Meanwhile, Inc42, India’s leading startup media and intelligence platform, announced several new programs aimed at fostering growth in the Indian startup ecosystem. These include:

* **D2CX:** A 12-week program designed to help direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands increase their sales tenfold, led by top Indian D2C founders and experts.
* **ManagementX:** A six-month program focused on developing leadership skills in startup managers, transitioning from an “employee mindset” to a “leader mindset.”
* **Angel Investing Program:** A program designed to teach the art and science of angel investing from leading Indian angel investors.

In addition to these programs, Inc42 offers news, funding data, and government policy analysis on the Indian tech startup industry, alongside community features for founders, investors, and operators.

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