Page 5 - Startups

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

Chennai-based Raptee lines up its own operating system for T30 bikes

Chennai-based Raptee.HV will begin delivery of India's first high-voltage EV motorcycle, the T30, featuring its own Linux-based OS and price parity with ICE rivals

Startup Fabheads raises $10 mn to automate composite manufacturing

Accel leads Series A as Fabheads aims to modernise carbon fibre production; eyes aerospace and clean energy sectors

Best of BS Opinion: Startups get a boost, higher education needs a leg-up

From Sebi's bold moves to the crisis in higher education, sustainability in rice farming to Iran's nuclear ambitions, today's pieces touch upon key issues that policymakers must grapple with

MakeMyTrip raises $3.1 bn in APAC's biggest equity-bond deal since 2022

MakeMyTrip raises $3.1 billion via equity and convertible notes to reduce Trip.com stake below 20 per cent, marking APAC's largest concurrent offering since 2022

VC firm Speciale Invest plans launch of new fund for deep-tech investments

Deep-tech investor Speciale Invest to roll out Fund III, slightly bigger than its ₹300 crore Fund II; expects to back 5-6 startups in first year with $0.75-1 mn tickets

Zepto scales fresh supply chain, sells 22 lakh units daily in May

Zepto quadruples daily fresh produce sales to 22.1 lakh units in May by sourcing directly from farmers via 70+ hubs and using tech to optimise procurement and delivery

Startups tap technology to tackle anxiety with new tools and solutions

Other emerging tools also include virtual reality, which is being explored for exposure therapy and immersive stress reduction

We're the largest gig worker employer in the country: Rapido cofounders

We're currently in over 35 cities with taxis and aim to be present in every district headquarters, says Rapido

Liquor market: Microbreweries get a fresh fund pour to scale up biz

A microbrewery is a small-scale brewery that produces limited quantities of beer, typically upto 10 hecta litres per batch

VC firm Seafund eyes up to 25 deep-tech investments, aims for follow-up too

The investments will be made over the next two to three years as part of the firm's second fund, a Category-II AIF (alternate investment fund)

IPO-bound ed-tech firm Imarticus Learning acquires MyCaptain in ₹50 cr deal

Prior to MyCaptain, in April 2023, Imarticus Learning acquired Hero Mindmine, the training arm of Hero Group

Citykart raises Rs 538 crore in Series B round led by TPG NewQuest, A91

The funding will support Citykart's expansion across India's underserved markets or Bharat, with plans to scale operations, invest in innovation, and strengthen organisational capabilities

Razorpay, MeitY Startup Hub partner to boost India's deep-tech startups

Initiative aims to support early-stage ventures with fintech tools, mentorship and infrastructure - especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities