Page 7 - Startups

Tighter norms, rising compliance failures driving scrutiny for startups

Jaggi brothers case spotlights rising governance issues in startup ecosystem

India's D2C segment sees funding decline to $757 million in 2024

The decline in funding can be attributed to investor caution amid global economic slowdown, oversaturation of similar brands, and fluctuating unit economics driven by high customer acquisition costs

Startups face I-T department heat over funding through Singapore

Showcause notices issued to startups under Section 68 for capital raised over the past five years, demanding documentation on foreign investments

India can be global hub for IP-led innovation: Accel's Prashanth Prakash

Asserting that there is "limitless headroom for entrepreneurs", Prashanth Prakash, partner at Accel says the venture capital firm will use its recently announced USD 650 million fund over the next two-three years to back start-ups focused on AI and tech-led industrialisation. The company is eyeing 20-25 start-up investments this year as it mounts an aggressive push to tap into India's growing innovation landscape. "If you're a start-up entrepreneur, there's no better time to begin. The number of sectors that start-ups are impacting is also 10-fold...it is more multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral," Prakash told PTI in an interview. "There are a lot of opportunities for founders who have the capability to imagine and envision what products India and the world need. There is limitless headroom for entrepreneurs," he said. While US tariff impact remains uncertain, India does have a strong potential to position itself as a global hub for IP-led innovation and high-value manufacturing,

Ecom means biz with AI: Technology repurposed to serve Indian customers

As more people in towns and rural areas shop online, firms are localising and training AI tools for cultural nuances

IIMA Ventures to back 30 deep-tech startups with Rs 40 crore fund

In August 2023, both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a jointly funded initiative with equal contributions from each side

Xindus raises $10 mn in Series A funding round to scale up operations

Full stack cross-border trade startup Xindus on Thursday said it has secured USD 10-million capital in Series A funding round for scaling up its operations. The latest round was led by 3one4 Capital, co-led by Orios Venture Partners, with participation from Shastra VC and Caret Capital, Xindus said. Founded in 2022 by Saurabh Goyal (CEO and co-founder), with Madan Mohan, Jaikaar Singh and Saptarshi Datta asco-founders, the platform enables SMEs looking to access global markets in streamlining order fulfillment, worldwide shipping, trade compliance, and seamless management of financial flows. The freshly raised funds will be utilised to scale operations significantly, as it aims to onboard 10,000 customers over the next 18 months while driving GMV ( gross merchant value) to USD 200 million, it said. The company said it also plans to strengthen its foothold in India -US corridor while expanding market reach across key regions like the UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, and the Middle ...

Piyush Goyal's dig at startups, Modi-Yunus meet, China's tariffs on US & more

Speaking at the Startup Maha Kumbh, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal took a swipe at India's startup ecosystem, stating that while Indian startups are fixated on food delivery.

Piyush Goyal asks startups to focus on high-tech sectors, not on grocery delivery and ice creams

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday asked the Indian startup community to shift their focus from grocery delivery and ice cream making to high tech sector like semiconductor.

Startup Mahakumbh: 'India's rural, agri-tech startups lagging behind'

Industry experts said that to boost startups in the agri-tech space, there is a need for collaboration between different players in the ecosystem

Why Indian startups are stuck in delivery while China races ahead in deep tech

India's startups excel in food delivery and e-commerce, but lag behind China's in deep tech, AI, and EVs. As global rivals scale up, India faces key innovation hurdles

Easy to criticise startups: Zepto CEO highlights impact after Goyal's jibe

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's scathing remarks on Indian startup ecosystem and its innovation priorities have drawn sharp reaction from the industry, with Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha putting up a strong defence citing the company's contribution to jobs, FDI and terming it a "miracle in Indian innovation". Underlining the role played by consumer internet companies in pushing technology-led innovation, Palicha - one of the most recognised faces in the startup circles, and the co-founder of quick commerce company Zepto - argued that the startup ecosystem, the government, and the owners of large pools of Indian capital need to actively support the creation of these local champions, "not pull down the teams that are trying hard to get there". "It is easy to criticise consumer internet startups in India, especially when you compare them to the deep technical excellence being built in US/China. Using our example, the reality is this: there are almost 1.5 Lakh real people who are earning ...

Shift focus from grocery delivery to high-tech sectors: Goyal to startups

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday asked the Indian startup community to shift their focus from grocery delivery and ice cream making to to high tech sector like semiconductor, machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence. He also said there is a need for more Indian investors into the startup ecosystem. "Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls... Is that the destiny of India... this is not startup, this is entrepreneurship... What other side is doing -- robotics, machine learning, 3D manufacturing and next generation factories factories," he said here at the Startup Mahakumbh. The minister said the new startups should focus on preparing the nation for the future. "Do we have to make ice cream or chips?" he asked. He also underscored the evolving role of startups in driving India's economic and technological growth. He assured that the government will handhold and support those who face challenges in their startup journey, encouragin

3000 startups to participate in Startup Mahakumbh 2025: DPIIT joint secy

The second edition of 'Startup Mahakumbh' is set to take place at Bharat Mandapam from April 3-5

Panasonic expands startup partnerships to adopt new tech in its products

Panasonic aims to co-create scalable solutions, integrating startup innovations into its product line-up to lead the next wave of intelligent living, according to the company chief innovation officer

Gruhas leads Rs 12.5 crore investment in content commerce startup LehLah

LehLah operates as a creator-driven platform that allows influencers to monetise their content through curated product recommendations

Ather Energy to Zepto: More than 20 startups prepare for IPOs in 2025

Companies increasingly prefer to make India their base, driven by strong liquidity, a booming digital economy and global investor interest in the country

India's VC funding surges 40% in early 2025, defying global slowdown

Deal volume also increased 11 per cent during the same period, underscoring growing investor confidence in the country's innovation-driven startup ecosystem

AMPIN Energy Transition secures $50 mn fund from Siemens Financial Services

Homegrown AMPIN Energy Transition (AMPIN) on Wednesday said it has secured USD 50 million (over Rs 428 crore) funding from Siemens AG's financing arm Siemens Financial Services. The funds will fuel the company's growth in both Commercial & Industrial (C&I), utility-scale renewable energy projects as well as its energy transition value chain business, AMPIN said in a statement. This marks AMPIN's third major investment transaction this financial year, bringing the total equity capital raised to USD 270 million this year. "This equity investment from Siemens reaffirms AMPIN's unique business model powering energy transition. It is now the only energy transition company in India to attract leading investors from Europe, North America and Asia," Pinaki Bhattacharyya, Founder, MD, and CEO of AMPIN Energy Transition, said. Headquartered in New Delhi, AMPIN Energy Transition is India's leading renewable energy transition company with a total portfolio of 5 GW spread across 22 states .

STPI-supported 134 startups raise Rs 286 crore fund from investors

State-run STPI-supported 134 startups have raised Rs 286 crore in funding from investors, a top official of the organisation said. While speaking at an event, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Director General Arvind Kumar said the organisation, formed under the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, has given early-stage seed capital of Rs 30.87 crore to 136 startups and financially incentivised 359 others through a stipend amount of Rs 3.57 crore. "Amongst these supported startups, 134 have also been able to raise external funding from an investor community comprising angels and venture capitalists of about Rs 286 crore, which is not only a validation of their business but also the testament of the progress made by these startups," Kumar said during the STPI Sangam event on Friday. "I am proud to share that 44 per cent of STPI's startup portfolio consists of women entrepreneurs, many of whom come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. We ar