Page 7 - Startups

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

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