Page 3 - Startups

Gifting startups raised $115.9 mn over a decade, funding declined in 2025

Funding activity in India for 2025 so far has been muted, with Indigifts as the sole startup to secure investment

TurboHire raises $6 mn Series A to scale AI-led hiring platform globally

TurboHire plans to strengthen product capabilities and expand its global reach after securing $6 million in Series A funding led by venture capital firm IvyCap Ventures

EVeez raises $5.4 mn to expand electric mobility services for gig workers

EVeez secures $5.4 million in Series A funding to scale its electric two-wheeler subscription service, targeting gig workers across India

Retail chain SuperK raises Rs 100 cr from Binny Bansal, Sacheti and others

SuperK to use Series B funding to expand its tech-driven franchise network across 300 towns, targeting underpenetrated retail markets in AP, Telangana and Karnataka

Maruti Suzuki signs MoU with DPIIT to encourage, support startups

Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday said it has joined hands with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to encourage and support startups to develop technology-driven solutions in automobile manufacturing and mobility space. Startups recognised by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the 'Startup India' initiative will have the opportunity to participate in Maruti Suzuki's innovation programmes, the auto major said in a statement. Upon selection, startups will benefit from expert mentorship, industry insights, and access to auto maker's extensive network and infrastructure, which serves as a valuable testbed for robust validation of their solutions, it stated. Additionally, startups will get a platform to connect to incubators, accelerators, and investors to showcase their solutions, it added. "Through this partnership with DPIIT, we will be able to further accelerate our efforts to support promising startups to create technology-

Berries, blooms: Manipur startups venture beyond caffeinated drinks

Aiming to present tea lovers an alternative to caffeine-based beverages, a number of young Manipur entrepreneurs are experimenting with indigenously grown plants to produce flavoured herbal drinks. Sumac berries, gooseberries and banana peels are among the ingredients that go into the making of these unconventional beverages. For Elizabeth Yambem, the founder of 'Dwellers Teas', the longingness for home and the desire to reconnect with childhood memories prompted her to launch her own brand of beverages. "We produce more than 10 varieties of herbal tea and employ 20 women at our Uripok manufacturing unit in Imphal West district. Our products are sold outside the state, too," Yambem told PTI. She said her company procures locally grown indigenous plants cultivated by farmers from various villages and hill districts, including Phayeng in Imphal West, and Ukhrul. "I wanted to relive the childhood memories of Sumac berries, gooseberries, the vibrant Red Roselle, and the bittersweet ..

OYO's Ritesh Agarwal invests in luxury fashion startup Culture Circle

With 1 million monthly users, Culture Circle eyes global expansion and retail growth after raising fresh funds from Ritesh Agarwal at over ₹100 crore valuation

Khetika bets big on clean-label food chain, looks to expand to 40 cities

The company has raised $18 million to expand tech-enabled farming platform that connects smallholders directly to consumers seeking chemical-free staples

IIT Madras to launch Rs 200 crore VC Fund, target next-gen unicorns

IIT Madras announces the launch of a Rs 200 crore VC fund to nurture startups and target next-gen unicorns. The fund will focus on Series-A and pre-Series A investments in IITM-incubated companies

India allocates additional ₹10,000 crore to support deep tech sector

The additional tranche part of Fund of Funds scheme to promote innovation, absorption of newer technologies and the deployment of newer tech in contemporary fields

India launches initiative to identify top 100 deep-tech startups

The #100DesiDeepTechs initiative, in partnership with Startup India, MEITY Startup Hub, and IIT Madras, aims to identify and support India's top deep-tech startups, fostering policy dialogue

Soham Parekh admits to moonlighting at US startups, blames hardship

While Parekh admitted that he was not proud of his actions and does not endorse them, he explained they were driven by necessity rather than greed

Runs to returns: How Virat Kohli is building a robust portfolio

With over 13 startups in his portfolio, the cricketer's off-field innings is as strategic as his on-field game

RDI scheme a major boost for R&D and deep-tech in India: Industry

With a two-tiered financing structure, the new RDI fund will support deep-tech ventures through the ANRF and aims to attract global talent and long-term capital

Zango raises $4.8 mn to scale AI-native compliance tools, expand teams

Zango, which helps financial firms stay audit-ready with AI agents, will use its $4.8 million seed funding to grow teams in London and Bengaluru and build new product modules

Tech startup ramp up hiring as funding winter warms up, shows data

The tech startups cohort, overall, has moved from a closing headcount of 2.5 lakh in FY21 to 5.9 lakh in FY25, registering a collective 7.1 lakh gross hiring count during the five years

Dubai taps Indian talent as it races to be global AI capital by 2031

As part of its goal to become the AI capital by 2031, Dubai is inviting Indian startups, entrepreneurs and professionals to accelerate its digital and tech transformation

Zilo raises $4.5 million to expand fashion delivery beyond Mumbai

Fashion-tech platform Zilo will use the funding to build its supply chain, expand to other top-tier cities and grow its catalogue to 250 brands by the festive season

Despite slowdown, India ranks third in global tech startup funding: Tracxn

India raised $4.8 billion in tech startup funding in H1 2025, down from H1 and H2 2024, but retained its third global position behind the US and UK, says Tracxn

Agnikul, GalaxEye, ePlane Co among 10 Indian startups on WEF list

Indian startups in AI, space tech, energy and data analytics make it to WEF's 2025 top 100 list, affirming India's rising presence in deep-tech innovation