Indian Startups

Fewer IIT, IIM alumni turn entrepreneurs despite rise in startup formation

According to a new report, 79 IIT and 20 IIM alumni founded tech startups in January-August 2026, against 307 and 71, respectively, in the whole of 2025

Chasing US capital, Indian AI startups weigh cost of moving amid challenges

VC firms such as Antler India and All In Capital have launched programmes to help homegrown AI startups establish a foothold in the US

India's VC funding for startups stays flat at $10.9 billion in 2026 so far

Venture capital funding for Indian startups reached $10.9 billion across 1,253 rounds in 2026 so far, with investors concentrating funds in fewer companies and deeptech ventures.

India's family offices bet on homegrown AI firms to catch up with US, China

Azim Premji's family office, QED Innovation Labs and Ranjan Pai's family office are backing homegrown AI firms, even as India's AI investment of over $15 bn between 2013 and 2025 trails US and China

Circle raises ₹25 crore from Nexus to expand pre-owned marketplace

The startup plans to expand beyond Bengaluru and invest in AI, verification and logistics after facilitating ₹25 crore in sales in its first year

Google picks 4 Indian startups for inaugural DeepMind AI accelerator

Google selects four Indian startups for its first DeepMind climate accelerator, backing AI-led solutions in agriculture, carbon removal and biodiversity

TILT Capital launches ₹250 crore fund to back next-generation startups

The/Nudge Foundation's investment platform will provide ₹2 crore to ₹16 crore in patient capital to seed-to-Series A ventures serving India's Next Billion across livelihoods and climate resilience

Over 85% of India's deeptech funding raised in past six years: IVCA

More than 85 per cent of India's $11.4 billion deeptech funding since 2015 was raised in the past six years, as the sector moved from early-stage proof points to commercial validation

Three in four spacetech startups yet to raise equity capital: Tracxn data

Overall annual funding grew fivefold over four years, rising from $43 million across 12 rounds in 2021 to $200 million across 53 rounds in 2025

In an age of social media, founder-led brands are the new business model

Interestingly, founder-led brands follow a very different marketing formula

Ex-Swiggy, Zomato executives launch AI startup Profound, raise $1.5 mn

Profound helps users find career opportunities, make introductions and connect with employers

CARPL.ai raises $10 million from IFC to expand radiology AI platform

World Bank Group's private-sector arm leads Series A round as the startup expands its AI marketplace for hospitals and diagnostic centers across global markets

Funding for operator-led startups nearly doubles in two years to 11%

Funding for startups founded by experienced business operators rose nearly 12 times between 2023 and 2025, while seed-stage investments increased 17.5 times

PE investments in India clock $8.7 billion in the first half of 2026

Private equity investments in India surged 48% to $8.71 billion in H1 2026, led by software and internet firms, even as the number of deals declined

From Cure.fit to Cult.fit: A look at a decade of pivots before the IPO

The founding of Cult.fit goes back to 2015, when health content creator and entrepreneur Rishabh Telang launched Cult in Bengaluru as a machine-free fitness studio

Indus Valley raises $17 million in funding round led by Gaja Capital

Indus Valley, a toxin-free kitchenware brand, on Tuesday said it has raised USD 17 million (about Rs 161 crore) in a funding round led by private equity firm Gaja Capital. TheSeries B funding round also included participation from existing investors DSG Consumer Partners, Rukam Capital, and The Chennai Angels, the Chennai-based firm said in a statement. "This investment will help us accelerate product innovation, strengthen our omnichannel distribution, deepen our brand presence, and expand our leadership across safer kitchen categories," Jagadeesh Kumar co-founder and CEO of The Indus Valley said. DSG Consumer Partners MD & Head of India Hariharan Premkumar said the investment will deepen product and distribution capabilities. Founded in 2016 by Jagadeesh Kumar and Madhumitha Uday Kumar, Indus Valley is a cookware company which offers toxin-free, non-coated cookware solutions across cast iron, iron, stainless steel, triply cookware, and pressure cookers.

India tech funding rises 12% to $7.2 bn in H1 2026 but deal count shrinks

Technology startups raised $7.2 billion in the first half of 2026, with larger funding rounds driving growth even as deal volumes, investor participation and first-time funding declined

Health-tech start-up SuperLiving raises $7 million led by Lightspeed

Health-tech start-up SuperLiving has raised $7 million in a Series A round led by Lightspeed to expand its AI-driven wellness and preventive healthcare platform

Best of BS Opinion: Policy of incentives for NRIs must be debated

Today's opinions examine RBI incentives for FCNR deposits, the economic legacy of Brexit, India's trade strategy, institution-building for growth and lessons from successful founders

The Founder Manual: A practical guide to building enduring Indian start-ups

Utsav Somani's The Founder Manual offers practical, India-focused guidance on building, funding, scaling and exiting startups without the hype