Start- Ups

India's startups build humanoids with local code, globally sourced hardware

Indian robotics startups are developing humanoid and quadruped robots using locally built software while relying on global supply chains for critical hardware, as deployments steadily rise

From funding winter to liquidity surge, 2025 turns pivotal for startups

After a prolonged funding slowdown, 2025 emerged as the year of liquidity for Indian startups, marked by a revival in public listings, improved deal quality and a decisive shift toward disciplined growth. If 2023 was defined by a "funding winter" and 2024 by cautious optimism, 2025 will be remembered for a historic rise in exits, particularly through the public markets. While overall funding volumes declined, the average median deal size nearly doubled to about USD 1.4 million in 2025, from roughly USD 700,000 in 2024, signalling greater investor selectivity and maturity. India's technology startups raised USD 10.5 billion in 2025, down 17 per cent from USD 12.7 billion in 2024 and 4 per cent from USD 11 billion in 2023, according to Tracxn. The number of USD 100 million-plus funding rounds fell to 14, compared with 19 in 2024, though large deals included Erisha E Mobility (USD 1 billion), Zepto (USD 450 million) and GreenLine (USD 275 million). Despite lower funding, liquidity eve

Licious crosses ₹100 crore monthly revenue mark for the first time

Omnichannel expansion and repeat demand fuel the meat retailer's post-pandemic growth rebound

SPF plans to work with govt to retain, draw deeptech talent back to India

The Startup Policy Forum is working with the government on a scheme to retain and bring back high-tech talent, while deeptech start-ups seek fixes to procurement rules and certification delays

Insights on visa processing from the co-founder of StampMyVisa

In this session, Rahul Borude, Co-founder & CEO of StampMyVisa shares his rich insights on visa processing and provides career tips to BSchool students

Dream Sports open-sources core stack under Dream Horizon to aid scale

Dream Sports' Dream Horizon will release its in-house tech stack-tested at peak scale-to help developers and startups build large systems, as the company refocuses after the real-money gaming ban

Arctus Aerospace raises $2.6 mn to build high-altitude, unmanned aircraft

Arctus Aerospace has secured $2.6 million in pre-seed funding to build long-endurance, high-altitude unmanned aircraft aimed at delivering affordable, real-time, high-resolution Earth intelligence

Hyderabad Angel Fund launches ₹100 crore VC initiative for Indian startups

Hyderabad Angel Fund (haf.vc) on Thursday announced a Rs 100 crore venture capital initiative to back high-potential startups across the country in areas such as generative AI, gaming, spacetech, and drones. The fund plans to invest in 15-20 startups across emerging and high-growth sectors. On its radar are areas such as generative AI, gaming, SpaceTech, drones, HealthTech, consumer tech, FinTech, enterprise SaaS, and sustainability. "As India's early-stage investment landscape begins to rebound after a cautious 2024, Hyderabad Angel Fund (haf.vc) has announced a Rs 100 crore venture capital initiative to back high-potential startups across the country," the release said. The investments would typically range from Rs 2-4 crore per company, with reserves for follow-on rounds to support scaling ventures. "Haf.vc has already identified 3 potential startups with termsheet and completed investment in one," the Sebi-registered Venture Capital Fund said. Kalyan Sivalenka, Managing Direc

IFC invests $60 million in Everstone Capital's new Fund V initiative

IFC's $60-million investment in Everstone Capital's Fund V will target high-growth sectors such as healthcare, technology, consumer goods, and financial services across India and Southeast Asia

Deepseek's Chen Deli makes first public appearance, warns of AI risks

The company has also emerged as a key player in China's efforts to build its own AI ecosystem and advance the domestic chip sector

Where are India's millionaires investing? Experts discuss at BFSI event

From private equity to investment in digital infra, India's HNIs and ultra-rich are driving the next wave of wealth creation, said wealth managers at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025

E-commerce giants adopt fiscal discipline to trim losses, stave off rivals

Firms are tightening spending, optimising supply chains, and expanding into smaller cities, positioning themselves for public listings as post-pandemic demand growth slows

Momentum Capital invests in climate, health startups with Rs 60 crore fund

India is among the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, but attracts less than 4 per cent of global climate-tech VC funding, with most of it concentrated in mobility

Venture funding slowed in September quarter; exit activity at 7-year high

Geopolitical uncertainty weighs on new investment, but strong IPO activity drives record exit value, says KPMG report

Venture funding slowed in September quarter; exit activity at 7-year high

Geopolitical uncertainty weighs on new investment, but strong IPO activity drives record exit value, says KPMG report

Biopeak bets bespoke longevity plans can go beyond bold-and-beautiful set

The company uses AI and cellular diagnostics to optimise performance for professionals by going to the root causes of poor health, with individually-targeted programmes starting at ₹40,000

AI-first FMCG startup Meolaa raises $6 mn in pre-Series A funding

The Bengaluru-based startup plans to deploy funds into AI infrastructure, brand expansion and supply chain agility to compress FMCG product cycles from years to months

Quest Global aims to triple revenue by 2030, work on 2-nm chip design, fab

The Singapore-headquartered product engineering firm's client roster spans automotive, aerospace and defence, energy, high-tech, industrial equipment, railways, and semiconductor sectors

Startups get a makeover, rename parent firms to signal scale, IPO readiness

The latest to join this rebranding wave is Oravel Stays Limited, the parent company of OYO, which earlier this month unveiled a new corporate identity - PRISM

Space startup Agnikul unveils plans to build fully-resusable rockets

Space start-up Agnikul Cosmos announced on Monday that the rockets it plans to build will be fully reusable, allowing it to offer satellite-launch services at globally-competitive prices. The Chennai-based start-up made the announcement at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney and asserted that it is aiming to ensure that no part of its rockets is fully expended or left behind. Agnikul carried out its maiden sub-orbital test flight of its 3D-printed rocket, Agnibaan SOrTeD, last year and plans to carry out its orbital launch soon. "We have consistently designed our vehicles to ensure that affordability and flexibility are never afterthoughts but are built in from day one," Srinath Ravichandran, co-founder and CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, said. "We are grateful to the critical support from IN-SPACe and ISRO. Their willingness to allow us to explore rocket-stage recovery and reuse has empowered us to attempt this feat both from a policy friendliness and tech support standpoint