Page 3 - Startups

Startups power Indian quantum computing push with homegrown innovation

About 100 homegrown firms are building advanced hardware and supply chains for tech transformation, reports Shine Jacob

Betting big on deep-tech, IAN Group deploys ₹625 crore in 50 startups

IAN Group has invested nearly Rs 625 crore in around 50 deep-tech startups over two decades, with increasing focus on AI-led ventures and sovereign technologies

Piper Serica launches ₹800 crore Bharat Tech Fund for deep-tech startups

Mumbai-based asset manager plans to invest in 22 semiconductor, defence, AI and space-tech startups through Series A and B rounds over a six-year holding period

Himachal to offer up to ₹5 lakh funding for startups under HIMUDA policy

The Himachal Pradesh state government will be providing funding of up to Rs 5 lakh per proposal to young entrepreneurs under the HIMUDA Start-up and Student Innovation Policy, to boost economic growth and to generate employment opportunities. This was stated by Town & Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani while he chaired a review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) on Saturday. During the meeting, the minister said that the policy aims to build a strong ecosystem for innovation and start-ups in the state. "Keeping in view the geographical conditions of the state, the government was also exploring the possibility of funding start-ups related to disaster management under this policy", said Dharmani. He said that the projects of HIMUDA were aimed not only at meeting the housing needs of the people but also at creating new sources of revenue for the state. "Given the rapid pace of urbanisation, urban development has become a vital ...

Startup funding, exits evolve as investors demand profitability discipline

As startups increasingly tap public markets, investors are becoming more selective and demanding clearer paths to profitability than during the 2021 boom

Skyroot Aerospace raises $60 mn, becomes a unicorn valued at $1.1 bn

Skyroot Aerospace has raised nearly $60 million at a $1.1 billion valuation as the private space company prepares for the maiden launch of its Vikram-1 orbital rocket

Pronto raises $20 million in Series B round as valuation doubles from March

The company will use much of the fresh capital to scale its workforce, CEO Anjali Sardana said, adding the platform is very supply-constrained

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek could be valued at $50 bn in first fundraise

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek eyes up to $50 billion valuation in its first external fundraising round

Samsung expands startup push with 2026 Mobile Advance tech programme

Samsung's India R&D units launch the 2026 Mobile Advance programme to support deep-tech startups, offering funding and integration into its global mobile device ecosystem

Defence-tech startup Armory gets ₹100 crore order from MoD: Amardeep Singh

Company to provide indigenous AI-powered counter-unmanned aerial systems called SURGE

Chosen raises $5 million to expand science-led skincare business

Fireside Ventures leads funding round with participation from L'Oreal's Bold and Alkemi Growth Capital as startup scales R&D, product pipeline for Indian skin needs

Space startup GalaxEye puts world-first OptoSAR satellite into orbit

Mission Drishti to capture imagery in all weather conditions, day and night

Artha Venture's early bets begin to pay off as exit opportunities mount

Artha's Anirudh Damani says disciplined entry valuations-not market timing-are driving its biggest wins

EV startups seek govt intervention: CII writes to PMO, flags PLI flaws

Confederation of Indian Industry flags structural flaws in auto PLI scheme, seeks easier norms to support EV startups and boost innovation

Sahi secures $33 million as retail trading activity grows in India

Startup which builds tools and execution platform for active investors raised Series B in a round led by Accel with participation from Elevation Capital

HyugaLife raises ₹100 crore in Series A round led by IvyCap Ventures

Health and wellness e-commerce platform HyugaLife has raised Rs 100 crore in a Series A funding round led by venture capital firm IvyCap Ventures. The funding round also saw participation from First Bridge Fund. The fresh capital will be utilised to strengthen the platform's AI-powered personalisation capabilities, expand its dark store network for faster deliveries, and establish an offline retail presence, the company said in a statement. HyugaLife operates as a marketplace for proteins, supplements, and health foods. The platform sources directly from brands-eliminating third-party sellers-and conducts independent lab tests for nutrition and heavy metals. The startup, which counts Indian cricketer KL Rahul among its key investors, currently lists over 10,000 products from more than 450 brands. "India's protein and supplements market has a trust problem, and HyugaLife was built to address it. We're doubling down on our authenticity guarantee by expanding lab-tested offerings,

India fourth-highest funded country in FY26, with funding falling 18%

India retained its position as the fourth-highest funded startup ecosystem globally in FY26 despite an 18 per cent drop in funding, with early-stage investments and IPO activity showing resilience

Indian startups raise $1.3 billion in venture debt in 2025: Report

India's venture debt market rose to $1.3 billion in 2025, with deal count increasing to 187, reflecting growing acceptance of non-dilutive capital among startups

Nearly 86% startups increase AI spend, says Elevation Capital report

In addition, more than half expect to double their spend, reflecting a strong and growing conviction in AI's role in driving future growth

Fidelity marks down Gupshup's stake, implies sharp valuation drop

Fidelity cuts Gupshup's implied valuation to $280-300 million from $1.4 billion, reflecting steep markdown amid slowdown and business challenges