Page 4 - Startups

RDI fund's first cohort of startups aims to plug country's deep-tech gaps

The first five startups backed under the government's RDI fund will develop indigenous technologies in space, defence, healthcare, batteries and biotechnology through milestone-based financing

Sterlite Technologies raises ₹1,500 cr via QIP to fund next phase of growth

Broadband technology company Sterlite Technologies Ltd has raised Rs 1,500 crore through a qualified institutional placement to primarily de-leverage debt and pursue the next phase of growth, the company said on Monday. The company allotted 2.57 crore equity shares to qualified institutional buyers, aggregating to Rs 1,500 crore. Following the allotment, STL's paid-up equity share capital increased to Rs 102.78 crore, comprising 51.39 crore equity shares, the company said in a statement. The QIP saw participation from both domestic and global investors, including Motilal Oswal, Nomura, HSBC and Oxbow, among others. "STLhas raised Rs 1,500 crore through a Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP). The entire process saw participation by reputed domestic and global investors including Motilal Oswal, Nomura, HSBC, Bank of India, Oxbow, Think Investments, Bandhan and Manulife, among others," the company said. The proceeds from the QIP will be primarily utilised to substantially de-leverag

India's U30 startups funds mostly deployed for product, expansion: Hurun

More than half of the capital raised by India's leading under-30 entrepreneurs is being deployed towards product development and market expansion, reflecting a growing focus on building sustainable businesses, according to a report released on Wednesday. "But what truly sets this generation apart is not the scale of capital they have raised, it is the discipline with which they are deploying it. Over 50 per cent of all funds raised are going directly into product development and market expansion," said Anas Rahman Junaid, founder and chief researcher at Hurun India. "These are founders who are not building for the next funding round; they are building for the next decade. In a world that often celebrates the raise, this cohort is quietly focused on the result," Junaid added. According to the report, funding deployed by companies on the Avendus Wealth-Hurun India U30 List 2026 is primarily directed towards growth and expansion, with product development accounting for 27 per cent of .

IIMA Ventures launches AI residency programme for student entrepreneurs

The month-long, fully funded programme has selected 43 students from more than 11,000 applicants to help transform AI-led startup ideas into validated ventures

Restrictive digital rules can slow startup formation, VC funding: Report

An Oxford Economics report says a restrictive digital regulatory regime could reduce startup formation by 20 per cent and venture capital investment by 25 per cent

India tech funding rises to $7.2 billion in H1 2026, but deal count shrinks

India's tech startups raised $7.2 billion in H1 2026, but deal volume dropped sharply as investors concentrated capital in fewer companies

UP govt's new startup policy to back deep-tech, women entrepreneurs

Uttar Pradesh is drafting a new startup policy with incentives for deep-tech ventures, women-led firms and innovation-driven entrepreneurship

Air taxi startups find healthcare as first launchpad ahead of wider rollout

Even before India's air taxi rules are finalised, hospitals and air ambulance operators are partnering with eVTOL startups to transform emergency care

Beyond Naukri, Info Edge's ₹41,300-crore startup portfolio shines

Since 2007, the company has made investments of ₹4,900 crore across 135 startups across sectors

Cybersecurity startup Mitigata raises $15 mn in Bessemer-led Series B round

Bessemer-led funding will help the company expand its AI-powered platform as enterprises grapple with rising cyberattacks and growing security risks

Info Edge invested in over 50 AI, deep-tech companies since 2020

Naukri parent has invested more than Rs 1,000 crore across over 50 AI and deep-tech startups since 2020, with its overall startup portfolio now valued at Rs 41,300 crore

Vetic raises $40 million to expand pet-healthcare network

The Bessemer-led funding will help the startup expand clinics and veterinary services, broaden insurance offerings and invest in technology

Policy needed to check foreign tech dominance, says People Group founder

The Shaadi.com founder says India must strengthen digital sovereignty, curb Big Tech dominance and create a policy environment that supports homegrown innovation

Pramaana Labs raises $27 million in seed funding led by Khosla Ventures

AI verification startup plans to use proceeds to train formalisation models, expand research team and scale operations across regulated sectors

Centre clears ₹22 crore aid for startups under Green Hydrogen Mission

The first batch of support under the National Green Hydrogen Mission's startup programme was announced as MNRE launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal

Invest in India before it's too late: Goyal to corporates, investors

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday urged investors, corporates and venture capital funds to "get into action" and start investing in India before it is "too late". He said India's investment ecosystem is ready, the domestic market is vast, and the government would help investors connect with market opportunities, while a supportive policy framework is already in place. "To our investors and venture funds, the time is now, get into action and start investing before it is too late. Indian family offices, Indian venture capital funds, Indian investors, Indian corporates, they all have to come into action. "The ecosystem is ready. Our startups are doing some phenomenal work. There are tried and tested models in India. The market is large. Government will help connect you to the market. The policy framework is available. Get open to ideas on that front and invest in the future that India offers to the world," he said. The minister was speaking at the closing ceremony

Nutrition startup TruNativ raises $30 mn in Series B funding led by OrbiMed

The Mumbai-based nutrition startup plans to expand distribution and grow its ingredient business as demand rises for clean-label and preventive-health products in India

Statsguru: Defence tech firms spread wings as funding surges and R&D rises

India's defence technology sector has seen a sharp rise in startups and funding, supported by growing investments in indigenous manufacturing and innovation

Agri-tech startups must move beyond basic problem-solving: NITI official

NITI Aayog's Himanshu Joshi said Indian agri- and water-tech startups should adopt technologies for new markets and move beyond basic problem-solving to tackle regulatory challenges

Equal AI raises $30 mn to expand AI-powered assistant platform in India

The Series B round, co-led by Prosus Ventures and Tomales Bay Capital, will support the expansion of Equal AI's voice-based assistant and lifestyle services