Four companies are raising money to grow in very different fields. Gaming startup Matiks has secured $10 million, healthcare data company BioStack has raised $9.5 million, Clinics On Cloud has landed Rs. 120 crore, and Glance has received a strategic investment from L Catterton.

The deals range from early-stage funding to an investment whose financial terms have not been made public. Here’s what each company does and what it plans to do next.

Matiks raises $10 million for brain games

Founded in 2024 by Sudhanshu Bhatia, Mohan Kumar and Sushant Timmapur, Matiks makes mobile games based on maths, puzzles, memory and logic. Players can practice against the app or compete with other people.

General Catalyst led the $10 million pre-Series A round. Ronnie Screwvala and existing investors Info Edge Ventures, Tanglin Venture Partners and Untitled Ventures also participated. Matiks says it will use the funding to expand its platform and enter more markets as per Techcrunch.

The company has also been exploring ways for users to create games. Its aim is to make short brain challenges feel like fun competition, rather than lessons or drills. Matiks reported more than 300,000 daily users in September 2026; that figure was shared by the company.

BioStack secures $9.5 million for medical AI data

BioStack’s product is aimed at the teams building medical AI. The company connects health records that can be spread across different providers, then prepares de-identified information for research and model training. De-identified records have personal details removed or obscured.

The Y Combinator startup, co-founded by Sanat Mishra and Parth Patwa, raised $9.5 million in seed funding. Its announcement named Peak XV, Afore Capital, DCVC, Emerson Collective, SV Angel, Verdict Capital, Streamlined Ventures and Y Combinator among the investors.

As reported, BioStack plans to use the money to grow its hospital network, develop its platform and expand its engineering and research teams. The practical goal is to help medical AI developers work with fuller patient histories, rather than separate test results or notes.

Clinics On Cloud raises Rs. 120 crore

Pune-based Clinics On Cloud was founded in 2018 by Abhay Agarwal and Manashrri Agarwal. It builds health screening and primary-care facilities, including Health ATMs, mobile medical units and clinic spaces that can be set up in workplaces or other locations.

The company raised Rs. 120 crore in a Series A round backed by Dubai-based Model42, at a reported valuation of Rs. 600 crore. It plans to expand internationally, starting with the UAE, and invest in AI-supported diagnostics, research, manufacturing and its microclinic network reported The Tribune.

The idea is to bring basic checks closer to people who may not have a hospital or diagnostic centre nearby. Clinics On Cloud says it has carried out more than 12 million health screenings and has installations in over eight countries.

Glance gets backing from L Catterton

Glance, founded in 2019 by Naveen Tewari and the InMobi team, brings content and shopping experiences to mobile and connected screens. Its newer shopping platform uses AI to suggest products based on a person’s interests and preferences.

Consumer-focused investment firm L Catterton has made a strategic investment in Glance. The companies did not disclose the amount or other financial terms. L Catterton plans to support Glance’s continued expansion, with a particular focus on the US per reports.

The investment reflects a bet that AI may change how people discover products: instead of searching for a specific item, shoppers could receive tailored suggestions as they browse.

What the deals tell us

These investments back four different ways of using technology: turning puzzles into social games, preparing health data for AI research, bringing basic care to more locations, and making online shopping more personal. Each company now has funding to pursue its next stage, but the real test will be whether its services gain lasting users and customers.

Disclaimer

Funding details and company performance figures are based on company announcements and media reports. Glance’s investment terms have not been disclosed. This article is for general information and is not investment advice.

India’s startup funding news this week spans three very different updates: artificial intelligence, defence drones and mobile entertainment. Unacademy co-founders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are planning a new fund, Paar Autonomy has raised Rs 10 crore, and Eloelo is reportedly in talks to raise up to $60 million.

The plans show how investors are looking at both deep technology and consumer apps. The amounts are substantial, but each story is at a different stage: one fund is still being raised, one investment has been announced, and one funding round is still under discussion.

Unacademy founders plan a Rs 700 crore AI and deep-tech fund

Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are raising a Rs 700 crore venture fund called Longshot Capital, according to a report by Newsbyte. The fund is intended to back startups working in artificial intelligence and deep technology. It has reportedly secured commitments of about Rs 300 crore and is targeting an initial close in January 2027. The fundraising target and timing may change.

The fund could give early-stage founders access to capital for ambitious technology projects. For example, a team building specialized AI software or advanced engineering hardware may need funding well before it can earn steady revenue. A dedicated fund could help support that early work, though its investment plans and final size are still taking shape.

Munjal and Saini co-founded Unacademy, an education technology company established in 2015. Their proposed fund marks a move into investing in other startups after their time building the learning platform.

Paar Autonomy raises Rs 10 crore for GPS-independent drone navigation

Bengaluru-based Paar Autonomy has raised Rs 10 crore in a round led by AdvantEdge Founders, according to the Ascendants. Founded in 2024 by Vignesh Sivaram Jayaraman, the startup develops camera systems and AI software for drones and other unmanned vehicles.

The funding is intended to help expand production of its camera systems and develop navigation technology that can work without GPS. This matters in places where satellite signals can be disrupted. A drone that can use cameras and other sensors to understand its surroundings may be better equipped to continue operating when GPS is unavailable.

Paar’s focus is on the systems that help unmanned vehicles “see” and navigate, rather than on building a complete drone. That makes it a specialist supplier in a field that also includes drone makers and companies developing alternative navigation systems. Its progress will depend on how well its equipment performs in real-world conditions and whether it can move from development to repeat orders.

Eloelo is reportedly seeking $50–60 million

Bengaluru-based Eloelo is in advanced talks to raise $50–60 million at a reported valuation of about $400 million, with Hornbill Capital expected to lead the round,  as per ET. The talks are not the same as a completed deal, so the amount and terms could still change.

Founded in 2020 by Saurabh Pandey, Eloelo began as a live social entertainment platform. Its business now includes Story TV, which offers short, mobile-friendly dramas. The reported funding interest follows fast growth in this part of the company, according to people cited in the report.

If completed, the capital could help Eloelo expand its content business and compete for viewers in a crowded market. Rivals in short-form and mobile entertainment include Kuku, Pocket FM and other apps building audiences around short stories, serialized shows and creator-led content. The challenge is to keep viewers returning while making the cost of producing and promoting content pay off.

Three different bets on growth

These stories point to three distinct ideas about where Indian startups may find opportunity. Longshot Capital would invest in companies building new technology. Paar Autonomy is developing tools for drones to operate when satellite navigation is unreliable. Eloelo is betting that audiences will spend more time with short, mobile-first entertainment.

The funding figures also need context. The Unacademy founders’ fund is still being raised, Paar’s round has been reported as secured, and Eloelo’s proposed round remains under discussion. For founders and investors, the next signs to watch are whether Longshot reaches its first close, Paar wins larger deployments, and Eloelo turns its reported audience growth into a completed fundraise and lasting business growth.

Disclaimer
Funding details for Longshot Capital and Eloelo are based on media reports and may change. Eloelo’s proposed round has not been confirmed as completed. This article is for general information and is not investment advice.

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond chatbots and image generators. Two new funding stories show how Indian startups are using it to solve everyday operational problems – hiring frontline workers and connecting fragmented healthcare systems.

haf.vc has invested Rs. 3 crore in Hunar.AI, while Bengaluru-based HeyVoli has announced a $500,000 pre-seed round for its healthcare infrastructure platform. Both startups are taking on areas where manual work, disconnected data and delayed communication remain common.

Hunar.AI gets Rs. 3 crore from haf.vc

Hunar.AI was founded in 2022 by Krishna Khandelwal and Shantanu Bhattacharyya. The startup develops conversational AI tools for companies that hire and manage large frontline workforces.

Its platform uses voice calls and WhatsApp to help businesses communicate with candidates and employees in multiple languages. This is especially useful in sectors such as logistics, retail, delivery, quick commerce and services, where workers may be spread across many cities and may prefer to communicate in regional languages.

For example, a logistics company could use Hunar.AI to call job applicants, ask basic screening questions, arrange interviews, share onboarding details and send training reminders. That can reduce repetitive work for HR teams while giving applicants quicker responses.

haf.vc’s Rs. 3 crore investment will support Hunar.AI’s AI infrastructure, product development, sales and expansion into new markets. The investment is part of the startup’s broader Series A funding activity, which also included Blume Ventures and other investors as per Indianstatuptimes.

Hunar.AI competes with wider voice AI, HR technology and workforce-management platforms. Its focus on multilingual communication for frontline employees could help it stand out in India’s labour-heavy industries.

HeyVoli begins $500,000 pre-seed round for healthcare infrastructure

HeyVoli, founded in 2023, is now focused on building AI-powered infrastructure for connected healthcare. The company is led by CEO Akansha Jalan.

The startup wants to address a familiar problem in healthcare – patient information is often spread across hospitals, laboratories, clinics, devices and separate software systems. When these systems do not communicate properly, medical teams may spend time searching for records or repeating work.

HeyVoli aims to act as a connecting layer between healthcare data, workflows and systems. Its platform is designed for clinics, hospitals, labs and public-health systems. It includes tools for structured health records, data sharing, live operational visibility and workflow coordination.

According to its funding announcement, HeyVoli has kicked off a $500,000 pre-seed round. The company plans to use the capital to develop its healthcare AI solutions and begin pilot programmes at selected high-volume healthcare facilities over the next six months.

Why the funding matters

Hunar.AI is focused on the human side of business operations – helping companies reach, recruit and support workers at scale. HeyVoli is working on the system side of healthcare – helping data move securely between teams and institutions.

HeyVoli may compete with health-tech software providers, hospital-management system vendors and data-integration platforms. Its real challenge will be proving that its system can work safely with existing hospital tools while respecting patient consent and privacy.

India’s startup funding scene has delivered three very different stories this week. A menswear brand is planning a bigger retail push, a food-services company is buying a regional catering operator, and a venture capital platform is preparing to back AI and deep-tech businesses.

The Pant Project, Focus Prism and Fundamentum Frontier Advisors are active in separate markets, but their plans share one theme: using capital to build scale instead of staying small.

The Pant Project plans a wider menswear push

Mumbai-based menswear brand The Pant Project has raised Rs. 109 crore in a Series B round led by Mirae Asset Venture Investments India. Existing investor Sorin Investments also participated. The company has separately secured venture debt from Alteria Capital, though the amount was not disclosed.

The Pant Project was founded in 2020 by brothers Dhruv Toshniwal and Udit Toshniwal. It began with a simple problem: many Indian men struggle to find trousers that fit well without needing alterations. The brand built its name around better-fit pants and now wants to become a broader menswear business.

According to Inc42, the fresh capital will be used to add more stores and widen the product range into areas such as jeans, athleisure and casualwear. The company reportedly plans to grow from 25 stores to 150 over the next two to three years.

That is a meaningful shift. Instead of relying mainly on online sales, the company is betting that customers will still want to touch fabric, try different fits and get help before buying clothes. It will compete for attention with established fashion retailers, direct-to-consumer brands and large marketplaces.

Focus Prism uses funding for FoodExo acquisition

Food-services platform Focus Prism has raised Rs. 145 crore from OAKS Asset Management and acquired Chennai-based catering company FoodExo. The deal highlights a growing trend in business catering, where smaller regional operators are joining larger platforms.

Focus Prism was founded in 2017 by Subramanian Suryanarayanan. The Coimbatore-based firm started with food-cost optimization and technology tools, but has since moved into direct food-service operations.

FoodExo was founded in 2011 by Ganesh Panchanathan. It serves corporate and industrial clients and, following the acquisition, Panchanathan has joined Focus Prism as head of operations for South India.

As reported by Mint, much of the new funding supported the cash-and-stock acquisition, while the balance is expected to help Focus Prism expand. The combined business wants to bring kitchens, procurement, quality checks and data systems onto a common platform.

For clients, this could mean more consistent meals across offices, factories and institutions in different cities. Focus Prism operates in more than 25 cities and manages over 65 kitchens. The company is targeting around Rs. 700 crore in revenue in the current financial year.

Fundamentum’s Rs. 3,000 crore AI and deep-tech fund

Fundamentum Frontier Advisors, also known as F2A, has completed the first close of its Rs. 3,000 crore growth-stage AI and deep-tech fund. The platform was launched in May 2026 and is led by Ashish Kumar, co-founder of Fundamentum.

Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and Fundamentum, is the anchor investor. Debraj Banerjee and Vivek Singla are general partners at F2A.

The fund plans to invest in companies working across consumer AI, enterprise software, deep-tech infrastructure and engineered systems. Deep tech generally refers to businesses built around difficult science or engineering, such as advanced manufacturing, robotics, space technology or specialized AI tools.

F2A is expected to back around 12 to 15 companies with investments of roughly Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 150 crore each. The fund has also received approval to increase its size to Rs. 3,500 crore because of additional investor interest as per ET.

Hyundai Motor Group is making one of its biggest long-term bets on India. The South Korean auto group has announced a $15.5 billion investment plan for the country between 2026 and 2032.

The headline figure is large, but one detail stands out. Hyundai plans to direct around 20 percent of the investment, or roughly $3.1 billion, toward new businesses that include artificial intelligence, venture investments, and startups.

This signals that Hyundai sees India as more than a market for selling cars. It wants the country to become a manufacturing, engineering, technology, and mobility base for the group.

How Hyundai plans to use the $15.5B investment

Hyundai says the seven-year investment will cover manufacturing expansion, research and development, supplier development, localized parts production, and future technology.

According to Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon, about 60 percent of the total investment will be used to upgrade existing facilities and expand production capacity. That works out to approximately $9.3 billion.

As per Yonhap News, around 20 percent, or about $3.1 billion, is planned for new business areas such as AI, venture investment, and startups. The remaining share is expected to support research and development and related areas as per the reports.

Hyundai also plans to establish a dedicated investment entity in India, called HMG India, to coordinate these investments.

Why AI and startups matter to Hyundai

Cars are changing quickly. Modern vehicles are no longer only mechanical products. They increasingly depend on software, connected services, digital displays, battery systems, advanced safety features, and data.

AI can help Hyundai in many ways. It can support factory automation, predict maintenance needs, improve quality checks, analyze supply-chain risks, and create smarter in-car features. In the future, AI could also play a bigger role in driver-assistance systems, connected vehicles, mobility platforms, and charging networks.

Startup partnerships may help Hyundai move faster in these areas. Instead of developing every technology internally, the company can work with young firms building solutions in electric mobility, battery technology, vehicle software, AI tools, recycling, charging, logistics, and hydrogen.

Hyundai had already launched its Innovation Challenge 2026 in India to work with startups in fields such as electrification, connectivity, advanced driver-assistance systems, AI-led tools, and next-generation vehicle technology.

A bigger push for local manufacturing

The majority of Hyundai’s proposed investment will still go into its core automobile business. That includes factory upgrades, higher production capacity, local supplier development, and vehicle manufacturing.

This is important because India is both a major vehicle market and a possible export base. Localizing more parts can reduce dependence on imports, improve supply-chain control, and make vehicles more competitive on price.

Hyundai has also said it will explore opportunities in EV charging, automotive financing, end-of-life vehicle recycling, and other mobility-linked services. These areas could create new business opportunities beyond car sales.

Competition will shape the strategy

Hyundai’s India plan comes as competition becomes stronger. Maruti Suzuki remains a major force in passenger vehicles, while Tata Motors has built a strong presence in electric vehicles. Mahindra is expanding its EV ambitions, and global brands such as Kia, Toyota, MG, and BMW are also increasing their technology focus.

For Hyundai, investing only in factories may not be enough. It needs stronger local technology partnerships, faster software development, competitive EV products, and a reliable charging ecosystem.

The AI and startup allocation does not guarantee success. Hyundai will need to choose useful technologies, support promising founders, and turn pilots into products that customers actually want.

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Shamrock AI has completed a $5 million seed round to help big companies use AI with more confidence. Meanwhile, Skyroot Aerospace is reportedly in talks to raise up to $300 million to expand its rocket-making capacity after its first orbital mission.

One company is working on software inside large businesses. The other is building rockets for small satellites. But both are chasing the same larger goal: turning ambitious technology into something customers can depend on.

Shamrock AI plans to make enterprise AI more reliable

As per BS, Enterprise AI startup Shamrock AI has raised $5 million, or about Rs. 47.34 crore, in a seed funding round led by Endiya Partners. Capria Ventures also participated in the round.

The company was founded by Sarat Addanki, Anuraag Nallapati and Mick Gallagher.

Shamrock AI is building tools that check whether AI systems are working properly inside large organizations. In simple terms, if a company uses AI to handle customer requests, process invoices, or manage supply-chain work, it needs to know whether the system is using correct data and following the right process.

That is where Shamrock wants to help. The startup says it will use the fresh capital to improve its product, hire more people and reach more customers. The opportunity is clear because businesses want automation, but they cannot afford costly mistakes in important operations.

Skyroot Aerospace looks to fund bigger rocket production

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is reportedly discussing a $300 million fundraise in two parts. According to ET, the company may seek $150 million from Indian family offices at a valuation of roughly $2.3 billion to $2.5 billion. It may then raise another $150 million from global investors at a valuation of up to $3 billion.

It is important to note that this is still a reported fundraising discussion, not a completed deal.

Skyroot was founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka. The startup develops launch vehicles for small satellites and wants to make access to space faster and more affordable.

The company’s possible funding push comes after the maiden orbital mission of Vikram-1. Making rockets is expensive work. A growing launch company needs factories, testing facilities, engines, skilled engineers and reliable supply chains. This is likely why Skyroot is looking for a much larger amount than a typical software startup.

India’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund has approved support for 22 technology projects with a combined project cost of Rs. 4,744 crore. The Technology Development Board has approved Rs. 2,192 crore in support under the government’s RDI Fund.

The initiative is part of a much larger Rs. 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme spread over six years. Its main purpose is to help Indian companies and startups develop important technologies and take them from research and prototypes to commercial products as per PIB.

What is the vision of the RDI Fund

The RDI Fund aims to increase private-sector participation in research and development. Many deeptech companies need years of testing and large amounts of capital before they can sell a product. Traditional venture capital may not always support such long development cycles.

The government’s scheme is intended to fill part of this financing gap. It focuses on technologies that can improve India’s economic security, self-reliance and industrial capabilities.

The supported projects cover areas such as quantum computing, robotics, space technology, artificial intelligence, electric mobility, energy transition, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, climate technology and digital infrastructure.

The broader vision is to create more Indian-owned technologies instead of relying heavily on imported systems. It also aims to help local companies become part of global technology and manufacturing supply chains.

What kind of support will companies receive

The RDI Fund is not simply a grant programme. Financial support is mainly provided through long-term, low-cost loans, equity and equity-linked instruments, depending on the approved project structure.

The scheme generally supports projects at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above. In simple terms, this means the technology should have moved beyond basic laboratory research and reached a stage where it can be tested in a realistic environment.

This is important because a working prototype still needs engineering, certification, pilot production, customer testing and commercial deployment. RDI support can help companies cross those difficult stages.

The Technology Development Board acts as one of the second-level fund managers under the scheme. The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council is another approved manager for relevant biotechnology projects as per PIB press release.

Examples of the projects being supported

The selected projects include work in space technology and advanced engineering.

For example, Agnikul Cosmos has received Rs. 200 crore in RDI support for the development of its reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle. The project aims to move the technology from an early development stage towards a more advanced level of testing and readiness as per the report.

GalaxEye Space Solutions has also received Rs. 63.84 crore for a multisensor satellite project. Its proposed satellite will combine optical and synthetic aperture radar imaging to produce detailed Earth-observation data. The project is intended to take the technology from TRL 6 to TRL 9 per report.

These examples show the range of the programme. One project focuses on reusable launch systems, while another targets satellite-based imaging. Other approved projects are working on energy storage, healthcare, electric vehicles, quantum technology and digital systems.

Why the fund matters for Indian startups

Deeptech startups often face a difficult funding journey. They may have strong science but limited revenue, high equipment costs and a long path to market. Government-backed finance can give them the time needed to test their technology properly.

The scheme can also attract private investors. When a public fund supports part of a project, private capital may feel more comfortable joining the development journey.

For India, the expected benefits include new intellectual property, skilled jobs, domestic manufacturing and stronger capabilities in strategically important sectors.

Challenges ahead

The success of the RDI Fund will depend on how efficiently money reaches credible projects and whether companies meet clear development milestones. Deeptech projects can face delays, technical failures and regulatory challenges.

Transparent selection, regular monitoring and proper use of funds will be important. The projects must eventually produce usable technologies, commercial customers and measurable economic value.

Conclusion with key takeaways

India’s RDI Fund has approved Rs. 2,192 crore for 22 projects with a total project cost of Rs. 4,744 crore.

Its mission is to support research-driven companies working in space, AI, quantum computing, robotics, healthcare, energy and other strategic areas. The funding can help technologies move from prototypes to market-ready products.

The real test will be execution. If the selected companies complete their projects successfully, the RDI Fund could play an important role in building India’s next generation of deeptech businesses.

IIM Kozhikode and Walmart Global Tech have joined hands to launch DEEP LEAP, a new incubation programme for deeptech startups in India. The initiative will be operated through IIM Kozhikode’s business incubator, IIMK LIVE.

The programme is designed for startups that are developing advanced technology and already have a prototype or minimum viable product. Its broader goal is to help these companies move from technical development to commercial use.

Deeptech businesses often require more time, research and testing than regular software startups. A company building a satellite sensor, industrial robot or medical device may need help with product validation, manufacturing, regulations and customer access. DEEP LEAP aims to provide support in these areas.

What is DEEP LEAP

DEEP LEAP is IIMK LIVE’s deeptech incubation programme, powered by Walmart. It brings together academic knowledge, business guidance and industry connections to help technology startups become scalable businesses.

The programme focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, robotics, autonomous systems, space technology, aerospace, semiconductors and photonics. These sectors can create important products, but founders often face high development costs and long sales cycles.

According to IIMK LIVE, the programme offers mentorship, structured training, industry collaboration, investor access, funding opportunities and support for business growth. Selected startups can receive funding of up to Rs. 30 lakh, subject to the programme’s terms and evaluation process as per IIMK LIVE site.

Role of IIM Kozhikode and Walmart Global Tech

IIM Kozhikode brings academic expertise, business knowledge and an established incubation environment through IIMK LIVE. It can help founders understand pricing, operations, customer discovery, financial planning and business strategy.

Walmart Global Tech adds an industry perspective. The company develops technology for Walmart’s retail, supply-chain and customer platforms, giving it experience in handling large-scale technology systems.

The partnership may help startups understand how their products can work in real business environments. For example, an AI company may receive guidance on improving its product for enterprise use. A robotics startup may get help in explaining its value to industrial customers. A supply-chain technology company may benefit from feedback on reliability, integration and scalability.

This is Walmart Global Tech’s first formal institutional partnership in India focused specifically on deeptech incubation, according to reports on the launch. The programme is supported by a total commitment of Rs. 2.89 crore, including Rs. 1.5 crore earmarked for equity or seed support for selected startups.

Who can benefit from the programme

DEEP LEAP is aimed at early-stage founders who have moved beyond only having an idea. A working prototype or minimum viable product can help the programme assess whether the technology has a practical use.

A startup developing an autonomous inspection robot, for example, may use the programme to test its product with industry partners, improve the design and prepare for investor discussions. A semiconductor or photonics startup may use mentorship to develop a clearer commercial plan while continuing its technical research.

The programme also plans to help startups become investor-ready. This can include improving their pitch, understanding business metrics, preparing for due diligence and presenting their progress during a Demo Day.

Why this initiative matters

India has a growing pool of engineers, researchers and technology founders. However, deeptech startups can struggle to find early support because their products often need more capital and development time than consumer apps or standard software services.

DEEP LEAP tries to address this gap by combining funding with practical guidance and industry access. The partnership also reflects a wider shift in India’s startup ecosystem towards AI, space technology, robotics, semiconductors and other high-value technology areas.

Conclusion with key takeaways

DEEP LEAP is intended to help Indian deeptech startups turn promising technology into useful, scalable products.

IIM Kozhikode will contribute incubation and business expertise, while Walmart Global Tech will bring industry knowledge and technology experience. Selected founders can receive mentorship, training, funding opportunities, investor access and support for market development.

The programme’s success will depend on how effectively it helps startups complete pilots, attract customers and raise follow-on capital. For deeptech founders, however, it offers an important combination of academic support and corporate guidance at an early stage.

Reference- Walmart Global Tech startup collaboration programme

Peak XV Partners has announced the 12th cohort of its Surge seed programme, bringing 18 early-stage startups into the latest batch. At the same time, the venture capital firm has increased the maximum investment available to each Surge company from $3 million to $5 million as per ET.

The new cohort includes startups working in artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, space technology, fintech, consumer internet and music. Peak XV has reportedly invested more than $50 million across the group, while the 18 startups have collectively raised over $90 million in seed funding.

What is Surge by Peak XV

Surge is Peak XV’s early-stage investment platform for founders building companies from the beginning. It is designed for startups that may still be developing their product, testing demand or building their first customer base.

The programme offers more than funding. Founders receive support in areas such as hiring, product development, marketing, fundraising, engineering and global expansion. Each company also gets a dedicated investment partner who can continue working with the founders as the business grows.

Peak XV says Surge investments can range from $500,000 to $5 million. The $5 million figure is a maximum investment limit, not a guaranteed amount for every startup. The final cheque depends on the company, its progress, capital needs and investment terms as per Surge Peak XV official site.

Why the investment cap has increased

The higher cap reflects the changing needs of young technology companies. Some startups, particularly those working in AI, robotics and space, require more money at an early stage because their products involve research, hardware, computing infrastructure and testing.

A software startup may be able to launch with a small team and limited infrastructure. A company building a satellite sensor, industrial robot or advanced AI system may need engineers, equipment, testing facilities and specialized talent before it can earn meaningful revenue.

The larger investment limit gives Peak XV the ability to support such companies for a longer period. It may also help founders reduce the pressure to raise another round too quickly.

Startups and sectors in Surge 12

As per Peak XV’s Surge site, the 18-company cohort covers a wide range of business ideas. Some of the disclosed startups include Alma, which works on personal computing, August AI, which combines artificial intelligence with medical expertise, and Puralink, which is developing robots for underground pipe systems.

The batch also includes ULOOK, which is working on radio-frequency sensing satellites, Tribe Money, a personal finance platform, and Wingit, a premium beauty business. Other startups are developing tools for enterprise AI, family healthcare, commercial insurance, music collaboration and talent assessment. Not every startup in the cohort has publicly disclosed its full details. However, the mix shows that Peak XV is backing both India-focused businesses and companies aimed at international markets.

What founders receive besides capital

The programme’s main advantage is its long-term support model. Surge is not limited to a short accelerator period that ends with a demo day. Peak XV says founders can continue accessing its network and operating support from the seed stage through later rounds.

For example, an AI startup may need help recruiting engineers, finding early enterprise customers and preparing for a Series A round. A space-tech company may need introductions to industry partners, manufacturing experts and future investors. Surge aims to help with these practical challenges.

The programme has backed more than 400 founders across more than 170 companies, according to its official platform. It also says the top 10 Surge companies together generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Peak XV’s Surge 12 cohort brings together 18 startups from sectors ranging from AI and robotics to healthcare, fintech and space technology.

The increase in the investment cap to $5 million gives Peak XV more flexibility to support capital-intensive startups. It also signals growing investor interest in companies building deep technology and real-world products.

For founders, the programme offers a combination of seed funding, specialist advice, industry connections and potential follow-on support. The larger question now is whether these young companies can turn early funding into products, customers and sustainable businesses.

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WEH Ventures has announced the first close of its third venture capital fund, which has a target corpus of Rs. 250 crore. The firm has not disclosed the exact amount secured in this first close, but it plans to complete the fund’s final close by the middle of 2027.

The new fund will invest in 20 to 25 early-stage Indian startups. Its focus will include advanced manufacturing, agriculture, energy transition, artificial intelligence, healthcare, consumer businesses and fintech.

What is the aim of Fund III

WEH Ventures has traditionally invested in consumer and software-led companies. With Fund III, the firm wants to expand further into what it describes as the physical economy.

This includes businesses working on products that solve real-world problems in manufacturing, farming, robotics, healthcare and clean energy. These startups may take longer to build than a typical software company because they often need equipment, testing, supply chains and regulatory approvals.

For example, an early-stage company developing agricultural robots may need funding for hardware design, field trials and manufacturing partnerships before it can generate significant revenue. A seed-stage investment can help such a company reach its first group of customers and prepare for a larger funding round.

WEH Ventures plans to support startups solving problems in India as well as companies that can eventually serve global markets. The strategy gives founders access to early capital when larger investors may still consider their businesses too young or risky.

Which startups has WEH already backed

WEH Ventures has already started deploying money from Fund III and has committed to eight investments. These businesses cover advanced agriculture, robotics, healthcare diagnostics, retail and edtech.

The disclosed investments include Fragaria, which works in advanced horticulture, Praan Health, which focuses on fitness services and health products, and PlayBlue, a sports retail company. The fund has also reported that one of its portfolio companies has raised a later round at a higher valuation.

The firm’s investor base includes family offices, exited startup founders and senior corporate and technology executives. Early backers include Nordic fund-of-funds Play Capital, Eraya, Twin & Bull Investments and Heritage Investments.

WEH Ventures’ background

WEH Ventures began investing in 2017. Its first fund had a corpus of Rs. 20 crore, while Fund II, launched in 2020, had a target size of Rs. 100 crore. The firm has invested in more than 30 companies, including Smallcase, Jar, Pratilipi, Animall, MasterChow, AppsForBharat, Unbox Robotics and Mitigata.

Deepak Gupta is a co-founder and general partner at WEH Ventures. The firm says Fund I returned 1.4 times the invested capital and that Fund II has already returned capital through one exit. These results may help the firm attract more investors for its latest fund.

How the fund is different

Fund III stands out because it combines familiar startup areas such as consumer and fintech with sectors that require more physical infrastructure. Advanced manufacturing, robotics and energy transition are becoming important parts of India’s technology ecosystem, but startups in these fields often need patient capital.

WEH Ventures will compete with other seed-stage funds seeking promising founders and early technology businesses. Its advantage will depend on how well it can support companies beyond writing cheques, especially in hiring, partnerships, product development and follow-on fundraising.

Conclusion with key takeaways

WEH Ventures Fund III is targeting Rs. 250 crore to invest in 20 to 25 early-stage Indian startups. The first-close amount remains undisclosed, but the fund has already begun making investments.

Its main purpose is to back founders working in areas such as AI, robotics, agriculture, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and energy transition, along with consumer and fintech businesses.

The larger message is clear. Early-stage investors are looking beyond app-based businesses and showing greater interest in startups that build products for farms, factories, hospitals, vehicles and other real-world environments.

References- 1, 2, 3, 4

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The Indian Deep Tech Alliance has made a strong first-year statement. In its first year, IDTA members invested around Rs. 2,170 crore across 56 deep-tech companies in India, according to reports released around Semicon India 2026.

It shows that investors are slowly becoming more serious about Indian companies working on hard technology, such as AI, quantum computing, robotics, space, semiconductors, climate tech and biotechnology. These are not quick app-based businesses. They usually need more money, deeper research and longer time to grow.

What is the Indian Deep Tech Alliance

The Indian Deep Tech Alliance, or IDTA, is an industry-led group of Indian and global investors. It was launched in September 2025 with the aim of supporting India-based deep-tech startups and scale-ups.

As per IDTA’s official website, the alliance is not a government scheme and does not operate as one central fund. Each member invests from its own fund and follows its own decision-making process.

Founding members included Celesta Capital, Accel, Blume Ventures, Gaja Capital, Ideaspring Capital, Premji Invest, Tenacity Ventures and Venture Catalysts. Later, names such as Nvidia, Qualcomm Ventures, Chiratae Ventures, Kalaari Capital, InfoEdge Ventures and YourNest also became linked with the wider alliance.

How IDTA works

IDTA’s working model is quite practical. It brings investors together so they can share deal flow, support technical checks, co-invest in promising startups and engage with policy discussions through a common platform.

In simple words, if a robotics or semiconductor startup needs funding, technical guidance and access to a larger network, IDTA members can help from different sides. One investor may provide capital, another may bring sector experience, while a corporate partner may help with technical knowledge or market access.

This matters because deep-tech startups are harder to build than regular software startups. For example, a space-tech company may need years of testing before a product reaches the market. A biotech company may require lab work, approvals and patient capital. IDTA is trying to make that journey less lonely for founders.

Where the Rs. 2,170 crore went

As per Business Standard and Financial Express, IDTA members deployed Rs. 2,170 crore between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026.

The money went into five broad areas. AI and its applications received about Rs. 639 crore across 16 companies. Quantum computing, robotics and space attracted around Rs. 649 crore across 21 companies. Energy security, energy transition and climate action received nearly Rs. 655 crore across 8 companies.

Biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology and pharmaceuticals received about Rs. 189 crore across 7 companies. The digital economy, including digital agriculture, received around Rs. 38 crore across 4 companies.

Why this is important for India

India has many strong software founders, but deep tech needs a different kind of ecosystem. It needs patient funding, research support, manufacturing links, skilled engineers and policy clarity.

IDTA’s focus also connects with the Indian government’s Rs. 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme. The alliance says its private capital is separate from public money, but both can support similar priority sectors.

IDTA has also shown interest in semiconductor talent development. Along with SEMI, it announced plans around the India Semiconductor Academy, which aims to support industry-ready skills for the semiconductor sector.

Competitors and market context

IDTA does not have a direct “competitor” like a normal company. Its closest comparison would be other venture networks, deep-tech funds, corporate venture arms and government-backed innovation programs that support startups in similar sectors.

The bigger competition is global. Indian deep-tech startups are not only competing with local firms. They are also up against companies from the US, China, Israel, Europe and Southeast Asia in areas like chips, space, AI infrastructure, robotics and climate technology.

MeitY has opened applications for GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence Cohort 3, also called GENESIS EIR 3.0. The programme offers financial support of up to Rs. 10 lakh to early-stage innovators, students, researchers and startup founders who are building technology-led ideas.

The programme was launched at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit, Coimbatore Edition, held at Rathinam Global University on August 4, 2026. Applications are open from August 4 to September 3, 2026.

What is GENESIS EIR 3.0

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is part of MeitY’s wider Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups scheme. The larger GENESIS scheme has a budget outlay of Rs. 490 crore and focuses on growing the startup ecosystem in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

The EIR part is meant for people who are still in the early stage of building. They may have an idea, proof of concept, prototype, MVP or early validation, but may not yet have enough funding, mentoring or incubation support.

In simple words, this programme helps promising tech founders move from “I have an idea” to “I have something I can test in the market.”

Aim of the programme

The main aim of GENESIS EIR 3.0 is to support technology startups outside the usual metro startup hubs. Many talented founders in smaller cities do not get easy access to investors, mentors, labs, networks or early grants.

This programme tries to reduce that gap. It gives selected innovators funding, incubation access, expert guidance and help with product development.

For example, a student in Coimbatore building an AI tool for farmers, or a young founder in Bhilai working on an IoT device for factories, may use this support to build a prototype, test it with users and prepare for the next stage.

Who can apply

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is open to Indian citizens who are aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage innovators, students, researchers, startup founders or co-founders.

The idea should be in electronics, IT, ICT or deep-tech areas. Focus sectors include AI and machine learning, IoT, semiconductor and VLSI, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum technologies, AR and VR, spatial technologies and other emerging technology fields.

The innovation should generally be at Technology Readiness Level 1 to 4. In simple words, this means the idea can be at concept, proof of concept, prototype, MVP or early testing stage.

The startup should be based in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city. If already incorporated, it should be less than two years old on the application date. The applicant should also not have received more than Rs. 10 lakh from any central or state government scheme for the same idea or startup.

What support will selected founders get

Selected applicants can receive up to Rs. 10 lakh in financial assistance. They will also get incubation support through participating GENESIS incubators.

The programme includes one-on-one mentoring, product development support, MVP building help, prototype guidance, market validation support and ecosystem connections.

This matters because early-stage founders often need more than money. They need someone to help them sharpen the product, understand customers, prepare a business plan and avoid basic mistakes.

How to apply

Applicants can apply online through the MeitY Startup Hub portal. The official application window is open until September 3, 2026.

Before applying, founders should prepare a clear note about their idea, problem statement, target users, technology stage, team background, product plan and how the solution can become a startup.

Similar programmes

GENESIS EIR 3.0 sits in the same broad support space as Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Atal Innovation Mission, TIDE 2.0 and state-level startup grants. Its sharper focus is on early tech innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is a useful opportunity for early-stage tech founders who need funding and guidance before approaching larger investors.

The programme offers up to Rs. 10 lakh support, mentoring and incubation access. It is best suited for founders building in AI, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum tech, AR/VR and other emerging technology areas.

Facts Input- PIB, MeitY-GENESIS, MeitY Startup Hub application portal

Micromax Informatics has launched a Rs. 250 crore family office to invest in deep-tech startups in India and global markets. The move marks a fresh chapter for the homegrown electronics company, which is now looking beyond smartphones and consumer devices.

The new investment platform will support startups working in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, defence technology, space technology and robotics. These are not easy sectors. They need more time, deeper research, stronger engineering and patient capital.

What Micromax wants to do

Micromax wants to back startups that are building difficult but useful technologies. Deep-tech simply means technology based on serious science, engineering or hardware innovation.

For example, a startup building a defence drone, a chip design platform, a robotic system for factories, or a satellite component may need years of testing before it becomes a large business. Such companies often need more than money. They need manufacturing help, industry contacts, supply-chain access and technical guidance.

This is where Micromax believes it can add value.

Micromax background

Micromax Informatics was founded in 2000. Its key co-founders include Rahul Sharma, Rajesh Agarwal, Sumeet Kumar and Vikas Jain.

The company became widely known in India for affordable mobile phones and later expanded into electronics, manufacturing and newer technology businesses. Its wider group includes Bhagwati Products and MiPhi Semiconductors, which may help selected startups with manufacturing and semiconductor-related support.

Purpose of the Rs. 250 crore family office

The family office will mainly invest in startups from pre-Series A to Series B stage. That means it will support companies that are past the idea stage but still need capital to build, test, scale and sell their products.

Reports suggest the average initial cheque size may be around Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 20 crore. Micromax has already started deploying capital across its focus sectors.

The purpose is not only to earn financial returns. The move also fits India’s larger push to build more local capability in chips, defence, space and advanced manufacturing.

Why this move matters

Many deep-tech founders struggle because their products take longer to commercialize. A software app can sometimes launch in months. A semiconductor or robotics company may need labs, parts, certifications, factory partnerships and long customer trials.

If Micromax can give startups access to its manufacturing knowledge and supply-chain network, the support can be practical. A young robotics startup, for instance, may know how to build a prototype but may not know how to produce 5,000 units reliably. That is where an industrial backer can help.

Competitors and similar players

Micromax’s family office will operate in a space where other investors are also backing deep-tech and frontier-tech startups. These include Speciale Invest, pi Ventures, Industrial47, Ankur Capital, YourNest, Blume Ventures and Udtara Ventures.

The difference for Micromax could be its hardware and manufacturing background. If used well, that can make it more than just a financial investor.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Micromax’s Rs. 250 crore family office is a clear bet on India’s next wave of hard technology startups.

The aim is to support founders building in AI, semiconductors, defence, space and robotics. The purpose of the move is to combine capital with manufacturing support, industry access and scale-up guidance.

If the strategy works, Micromax could help young deep-tech companies move from lab ideas to real products used in India and abroad.

Facts Input- India Manufacturing Review

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day 2026 speech from the Red Fort to put startups, young entrepreneurs and innovation at the centre of India’s growth story. According to an India Today report published on August 15, 2026, the Prime Minister announced a Rs. 1 lakh crore innovation fund to support young people with ideas and help them turn those ideas into businesses.

The announcement is important because startup funding in India is no longer only about food delivery apps, fintech products or quick consumer platforms. The next phase is expected to be more about deep technology, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, clean energy, semiconductors, biotech, space and advanced research.

For founders, the message is simple. If India wants to build world-class technology at home, promising ideas will need longer-term financial support. That is exactly where the Rs. 1 lakh crore innovation fund fits in.

What PM Modi announced

During his Independence Day address on August 15, 2026, PM Modi said the government had created a Rs. 1 lakh crore mechanism to support ideas, innovation and capability. The larger message was aimed at young entrepreneurs who may have strong ideas but lack the capital to develop them.

India Today reported that the announcement was part of a broader youth-focused push. The Prime Minister also spoke about AI training for one crore young people, free online coaching for competitive exam aspirants, and opportunities linked to Digital India, Skill India, the drone sector and the opening up of space.

This is why the fund should not be seen as a standalone headline. It sits inside a wider policy direction where the government wants Indian youth to build, research, manufacture and create jobs.

Is this a new fund or linked to the RDI Fund

The announcement is closely linked to the government’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund, commonly called the RDI Fund. Official records show that the Union Cabinet approved the Rs. 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme on July 1, 2025. It was formally launched by the Prime Minister on November 3, 2025.

So, the Independence Day 2026 announcement should be understood as a strong public push for the same innovation financing framework, especially for startups and young entrepreneurs.

The RDI Fund is planned over six years. It is designed to support private sector research, deep-tech startups and companies working on high-impact technologies. The fund is not meant only for small grants. It is meant to provide long-term capital for difficult technologies that may take years to become commercially ready.

Why this matters for Indian startups

Most startups need money. But deep-tech startups need a different kind of money.

A regular consumer startup may be able to launch a product, test it with users, change features quickly and show early revenue. A deep-tech startup works differently. It may need a lab, testing equipment, researchers, patents, safety approvals, pilots with large companies and manufacturing partners.

Take an electric vehicle battery startup as an example. It cannot simply build an app and launch it in a few weeks. It has to test battery chemistry, safety, charging performance, lifecycle, heat management and cost. That takes time and patient funding.

The same is true for startups building medical devices, drones, robotics, semiconductor tools, clean energy equipment or space technology. These areas are expensive, but they can also create serious long-term value for the country.

That is why the PM Modi Rs. 1 lakh crore innovation fund could matter. It can reduce the funding gap between an early idea and a product that is ready for the market.

Which sectors can benefit

The official RDI Fund framework focuses on sunrise and strategic sectors. These include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, space technology, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, energy transition, climate action and the digital economy.

AI in agriculture, health and education is also part of the focus area. This is important because India has many large public problems where technology can make a difference.

For example, an AI tool that helps farmers detect crop disease early can improve income and reduce waste. A low-cost medical device can help smaller hospitals. A robotics startup can support factories. A clean energy startup can help industries reduce fuel costs.

The automobile sector may also benefit indirectly. EV batteries, charging systems, vehicle electronics, lightweight materials and hydrogen technology all need research-led innovation. If the funding reaches strong companies in these areas, it can support India’s manufacturing ambitions.

How the process may work

The Rs. 1 lakh crore innovation fund is not expected to work like a simple online cash scheme where any founder can directly claim money.

As per official RDI Fund details, the structure works through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, or ANRF. The Department of Science and Technology is the nodal ministry for implementation.

The fund uses a two-level model. Money is first routed to approved Second-Level Fund Managers, called SLFMs. These fund managers then support eligible startups, companies and research-led projects.

The Technology Development Board and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council have already been approved as SLFMs. In simple language, TDB may support wider technology commercialization, while BIRAC is more focused on biotechnology and life sciences.

This means founders should not only watch government announcements. They should track official calls from TDB, BIRAC, ANRF and future approved fund managers.

What founders should prepare

A startup that wants to apply should first check whether its product has a strong research or technology component. The fund is more suitable for serious innovation than for ordinary trading, resale, content or basic service businesses.

Founders should prepare a clear problem statement. They should explain what they are building, why it is different, what stage the technology has reached and how it can become commercially useful.

They should also keep technical proof ready. This may include prototypes, lab results, pilot data, patent filings, customer letters, testing reports or partnerships with research institutions.

Financial planning will be equally important. A founder should be able to explain how much funding is needed, where the money will go, what milestones will be achieved and how the company plans to earn revenue later.

A practical example would be a startup building an Indian-made medical sensor. A strong application would not only say “we are building a sensor”. It would show test results, target hospitals, expected price, regulatory path, manufacturing plan and why the product is better or cheaper than existing options.

Latest implementation status

The RDI Fund has already started moving from announcement to execution. A PIB update from July 2026 said TDB and BIRAC had each been sanctioned Rs. 1,000 crore under the RDI Fund.

The same update said Rs. 500 crore was disbursed to TDB in March 2026 for investment in eligible technology entities. TDB had approved 22 projects with total project cost of Rs. 4,744 crore, including RDI Fund support of Rs. 2,192 crore. BIRAC had shortlisted eight projects involving support of Rs. 390.35 crore.

This is a useful detail because it shows that the fund is not just a speech point. The funding machinery has started, though founders still need to follow formal calls and eligibility rules.

Conclusion with key takeaways

PM Modi’s Rs. 1 lakh crore innovation fund announcement on Independence Day 2026 gives India’s startup ecosystem a strong policy signal. The government wants more young entrepreneurs to build serious technology, not just quick digital products.

Key takeaways –

• PM Modi announced the Rs. 1 lakh crore innovation fund during his Independence Day 2026 speech.
• The announcement is linked to India’s wider RDI Fund framework for research, development and innovation.
• The fund is focused on deep-tech, AI, biotech, space, robotics, clean energy, medical devices and strategic technology areas.
• Startups may access support through approved fund managers such as TDB and BIRAC.
• Founders should prepare technical proof, clear milestones, funding plans and market use cases before applying.

Meta has released Muse Glimmer, a new open-weight AI model designed to run on regular laptops and PCs. That one line is enough to make the launch interesting, because most powerful AI tools today still depend on cloud servers, paid APIs, or large data centres.

Muse Glimmer is Meta’s latest move in the open AI race. The company wants developers, students, researchers, and smaller businesses to have more control over how they use AI models. Instead of keeping everything locked behind a private system, Meta is again pushing the idea that more people should be able to download, study, and modify powerful AI tools.

With Muse Glimmer, we need to understand where AI is moving next. If useful AI can run directly on personal devices, laptops may become smarter work machines, not just screens connected to cloud apps.

What is Meta Muse Glimmer

Meta Muse Glimmer is a compact AI model from Meta’s Muse family. It is built to handle tasks such as reasoning, coding, planning, and everyday computer-based work.

In simple words, it is an AI model that can help with thinking and doing. It may help write code, organize files, draft emails, check information, plan workflows, or support small software tasks.

The most important part is that Muse Glimmer is described as an open-weight model that can run on a standard laptop or PC. That makes it different from many large AI systems that need expensive server hardware.

Open-weight does not always mean fully open-source. This is an important difference. In an open-weight model, the model’s trained parameters are shared so developers can download and use them. But the full training data, training method, or internal development process may not be completely public.

So, Muse Glimmer gives more freedom than a closed chatbot, but it may not mean everything behind the model is open.

Why running AI on laptops matters

Most people use AI through cloud-based tools. You type a prompt, the request goes to a server, and the answer comes back. This works well, but it has some limits.

First, it needs internet. Second, it can cost money at scale. Third, users may not want to send sensitive files, personal notes, or business documents to a cloud service.

A laptop-friendly AI model can reduce some of these problems. If the model runs locally, it can work faster for some tasks, give more privacy, and allow developers to build tools without paying for every single request.

For example, a small business owner could use a local AI assistant to sort customer queries, prepare invoices, or draft product descriptions. A student could use it to understand code without depending fully on an online chatbot. A developer could build a private helper for internal documents.

This is why Muse Glimmer is not just another model launch. It points toward a future where AI becomes part of the device itself.

How Muse Glimmer is connected to Muse Spark

According to reports, Muse Glimmer was developed using a method called distillation from Meta’s more powerful Muse Spark model.

Distillation is easier to understand with a classroom example. Imagine a senior teacher has deep knowledge, but it is not practical for every small school to hire that teacher. So the teacher’s knowledge is simplified into a useful guide that junior teachers and students can use more easily.

In AI, distillation means a smaller model learns from a larger model. The aim is to keep much of the usefulness while making the smaller model cheaper and easier to run.

Meta had earlier introduced Muse Spark as part of its Meta Superintelligence Labs work. Muse Spark 1.1 is designed for coding, tool use, computer tasks, and multimodal work, which means it can work with more than just text. Meta has also made Muse Spark available through the Meta Model API for developers in public preview.

Muse Glimmer looks like the lighter, more accessible member of this family.

Why Meta is pushing open-weight AI again

Meta has a long history with open AI models through its Llama series. The company gained strong developer attention by releasing models that people could download and build with.

With Muse Glimmer, Meta seems to be returning strongly to that approach. Mark Zuckerberg has argued that AI should not be controlled only by a few companies or governments. His recent essay, “The Future Is for Everyone,” presents Meta’s view that personal AI tools should be widely available.

This is also a business strategy. If many developers build apps using Meta’s models, Meta can become an important part of the AI ecosystem. It may not need to win every paid chatbot battle directly. It can still benefit if its models become widely used across apps, devices, and developer tools.

Who can use Muse Glimmer

Muse Glimmer may be useful for people who want more control over AI.

Developers can test it for local coding assistants, offline tools, automation, and private apps. Researchers can study how smaller models behave. Startups can build prototypes without depending completely on expensive cloud models. Power users can experiment with personal AI workflows on their own machines.

A practical example would be a freelance developer building a local assistant that reads project files and suggests fixes. Another example could be a small accounting firm using a private AI tool to summarize documents without uploading everything to a third-party server.

Of course, performance will depend on the laptop, memory, setup, and the model’s actual size. A normal office laptop may handle smaller tasks, while heavier use may need stronger hardware.

Competitors and market landscape

Meta is not alone in this race. OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, DeepSeek, Alibaba, and several other companies are fighting for developer attention.

OpenAI and Anthropic mainly offer powerful closed models through apps and APIs. Google has Gemini models and strong cloud integration. Mistral has become known for open-weight models in Europe. DeepSeek and Alibaba’s Qwen models have pushed low-cost and open-weight AI from China into global developer discussions.

Meta’s advantage is its large user base, strong AI research teams, and history of developer adoption through Llama. Its challenge is trust. Some developers like open-weight models, but critics worry about safety, misuse, copyright, and the control Meta may still have over the larger ecosystem.

What this means for normal users

For everyday users, Muse Glimmer may not immediately feel like a new app they can download and use in one click. The first wave will likely matter more to developers and technical users.

But over time, laptop-ready AI models can change normal software. Your writing app may get a private assistant. Your coding tool may work better offline. Your personal finance app may analyze spending without sending data outside your device. Your laptop may handle more tasks even when the internet is weak.

That is the real promise of local AI – more useful tools, less waiting, and better control over private data.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Meta Muse Glimmer is important because it brings the AI conversation closer to personal devices. Instead of keeping advanced AI only in the cloud, Meta is showing that smaller, capable models can run on laptops and PCs.

It is still early, and users should wait for more technical details, real-world testing, and independent reviews. But the direction is clear. AI is moving from big servers toward personal machines.

Key takeaways –

• Meta Muse Glimmer is an open-weight AI model built for laptops and PCs.
• It is designed for reasoning, coding, planning, and computer-based tasks.
• Open-weight means developers can access model weights, but it is not always the same as fully open-source.
• Muse Glimmer is reportedly distilled from Meta’s stronger Muse Spark model.
• The model could help developers build more private, local AI tools.
• Meta is competing with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, DeepSeek, Alibaba, and others in the AI model race.

Facts Input- BI, AP News, The Guardian

Accel has raised $550 million for its ninth India-focused early-stage fund, showing that large venture investors still see strong promise in India’s startup market. The new fund comes just 18 months after Accel closed its earlier $650 million India fund.

The timing is worth watching. Startup funding has become more careful over the last few years. Investors are asking harder questions about revenue, margins and public-market exits. Even then, Accel is adding fresh capital for Indian founders, mainly at the seed and early stages.

For young startups, this matters because early capital can decide how fast a company builds its product, hires its first team and finds paying customers. Accel’s new fund is meant to support that first serious phase of company-building.

What Accel’s New India Fund Means

Accel’s ninth India fund is a $550 million pool of capital focused on early-stage startups. In simple words, the firm will use this money to invest in young companies that are still building their product, market and team.

According to report, Accel expects to back around 15 to 30 companies every year through its India strategy. The firm generally prefers to enter early, often when a startup is raising its first institutional money.

That is important because early investors usually do more than provide funds. They help founders think through product direction, hiring, pricing, fundraising and expansion.

For example, a founder building an AI tool for banks may have a strong product idea but may not know how to sell to large financial institutions. A venture fund with experience in fintech and enterprise software can help with early customer introductions, hiring plans and later funding rounds.

Accel – Founders And India Journey

Accel was founded in 1983 by Arthur Patterson and Jim Swartz. The firm is headquartered in Palo Alto and has backed major global technology companies over the years.

Its India journey started in 2005, when the country’s digital economy was still small compared with today. Accel later built a deeper India presence and became one of the best-known early backers of Indian startups.

Accel’s India portfolio includes names such as Flipkart, Freshworks, Swiggy, Urban Company, BlackBuck, BrowserStack, Acko, Zetwerk and BlueStone. These investments gave the firm a strong reputation for spotting companies early and staying with them as they grow.

Why The $550 Million Fund Matters

This fund matters for two reasons.

• First, it shows that India remains an important market for global venture capital. Accel has now raised $1.2 billion for India in about 18 months, including the previous $650 million fund and the new $550 million fund.
• Second, it comes at a time when exits are becoming more visible in India. Accel has seen five of its portfolio companies list in India, with more in the pipeline. Public listings are important because they give investors a route to return money to their own backers.

In venture capital, this is a big deal. Investors do not only need startups to grow. They also need exits through IPOs, acquisitions or secondary share sales. A healthier IPO market makes it easier for funds to keep investing in new companies.

Aim And Purpose Of Accel’s Ninth India Fund

The main aim of Accel’s ninth India fund is to keep backing early-stage founders in India before their companies become obvious winners.

Accel is expected to stay close to its core style – investing early, taking long-term bets and supporting startups through later rounds when needed. The firm has said earlier that it likes to be among the first serious partners for founders.

The new fund also helps Accel stay ready when good opportunities appear. The firm still has a large part of its previous $650 million India fund left to deploy. So this new fund is not about rushing into deals. It is more about keeping capital available for the next cycle of strong companies.

That is a practical move. In startups, the best companies do not arrive on a fixed schedule. A fund needs dry powder, which simply means money available to invest when the right founder and market appear.

Key Sectors Accel Will Focus On

Artificial intelligence will be a major focus area for the new fund. Accel is expected to look at AI across consumer products, financial services and manufacturing.

This is not surprising. AI is changing how products are built. A small team can now create tools that earlier needed a much larger engineering team. That can make startups faster and more capital-efficient.

Fintech will also remain important. India’s digital payments, lending, wealth and insurance markets continue to create space for new companies.

Manufacturing is another area to watch. Accel has backed companies in supply chain, industrial technology and manufacturing before. With India trying to grow its manufacturing base, startups in this field can solve real problems around procurement, automation, logistics, quality checks and financing.

Deeptech and advanced manufacturing are also emerging themes. These areas may take longer to build, but they can create strong companies if the technology works and the market is ready.

Why Accel Is More Careful On Consumer Brands

Accel is still interested in consumer startups, but it appears to be more selective in brands and consumer products.

The reason is simple. Many consumer brands can grow quickly at first, but they may hit a ceiling if the market size, margins or repeat purchases are not strong enough. Venture investors usually look for companies that can become very large.

That does not mean consumer startups are out of favour. It means investors may ask sharper questions. Is the product loved by customers? Can the brand expand beyond one category? Are margins healthy? Can the company grow without spending too much on marketing?

Accel may still back strong consumer outliers, but the bar is higher.

Competitors And Market Context

Accel is not alone in raising fresh India-focused capital. The Indian venture market includes strong players such as Peak XV Partners, Lightspeed, Elevation Capital, Matrix Partners India, Blume Ventures, Stellaris Venture Partners and Nexus Venture Partners.

Elevation Capital recently closed a $500 million ninth India-focused fund, showing that other established funds are also preparing for the next wave of early-stage startups.

Peak XV, formerly Sequoia India and Southeast Asia, remains one of the biggest names in the region. Lightspeed has also been active across consumer, fintech, enterprise and AI-led companies.

For founders, this competition is good. More active funds mean more choices. But it also means founders must be sharper about their business model, customer need and growth plan.

What This Means For Indian Founders

For Indian founders, Accel’s new fund is a positive signal, but not a free pass.

Investors are still selective. A startup needs more than a trendy idea. It needs a real problem, a strong team and some proof that customers care.

A founder building for AI, fintech, manufacturing or enterprise software may find more investor interest if the product solves a painful problem. For example, an AI tool that saves banks hours of manual document review may be more attractive than a generic chatbot with no clear buyer.

The message is clear. Capital is available, but it is chasing quality.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Accel’s $550 million ninth India fund shows that the firm continues to believe in India’s startup story. The fund will mainly back early-stage companies, with strong interest in AI, fintech, manufacturing, deeptech and selected consumer opportunities.

The real purpose of the fund is not just to write cheques. It is to find young companies early and help them grow into large, durable businesses. With more Indian startups reaching IPO stage, Accel has another reason to keep investing in the country.

Key takeaways –

• Accel has raised $550 million for its ninth India-focused early-stage fund.
• The fund comes 18 months after Accel’s earlier $650 million India fund.
• Accel was founded in 1983 by Arthur Patterson and Jim Swartz.
• The firm began investing in India in 2005.
• AI, fintech, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and deeptech are expected to be key focus areas.

Facts Input- ToI

Piper Serica has raised Rs. 300 crore in the first close of its Bharat Tech Fund, a new deeptech-focused investment fund for Indian startups. The fund is targeting a total corpus of Rs. 800 crore.

This is an important update for India’s startup ecosystem because deeptech companies usually need more patient capital than regular software or consumer startups. They often build in difficult areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, defence technology, spacetech, biosciences and fintech infrastructure.

Piper Serica is a Mumbai-based investment firm founded in 2003 by Abhay Agarwal. The firm already manages public market and startup investment strategies, and the Bharat Tech Fund is its larger push into India’s next phase of technology-led businesses.

What is Bharat Tech Fund

Bharat Tech Fund is Piper Serica’s new deeptech investment fund.

The fund plans to invest in startups at the Series A and Series B stage. These are companies that have usually moved beyond the idea stage and now need capital for product development, manufacturing, pilots, certifications, hiring and market expansion.

According to earlier fund launch details, Piper Serica plans to invest in around 22 companies. The expected cheque size is about Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 40 crore per startup.

This is meaningful because many deeptech startups in India struggle after seed funding. They may have strong technology, but need larger capital before customers, defence agencies, enterprises or global buyers can adopt their products at scale.

Why the Rs. 300 crore first close matters

A first close means the fund has secured enough investor commitments to start investing.

By raising Rs. 300 crore in its first close, Piper Serica has shown that Indian family offices, wealthy investors and long-term capital providers are becoming more comfortable with deeptech investing.

This is a shift. Earlier, many investors preferred faster-moving internet businesses because they could scale quickly. Deeptech is different. It takes longer, needs testing, and may involve hardware, research, regulation and complex sales.

But if successful, deeptech companies can build strong intellectual property and global businesses from India.

Aim and purpose of the fund

The main aim of Bharat Tech Fund is to back Indian founders building serious technology companies.

These are not startups that only create an app or resell software. The fund is looking at companies that build original technology, engineering capability and defensible products.

The focus areas include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, spacetech, defence technology, fintech infrastructure and biosciences. These sectors are important for India’s long-term technology independence.

For example, a semiconductor startup may need money for chip design validation. A defence-tech startup may need field trials. A spacetech company may need capital for hardware testing. A bioscience startup may need research partnerships and regulatory work.

Bharat Tech Fund wants to support such companies when they are ready to move from early promise to serious scale.

Why India needs deeptech funds

India has strong engineering talent, but deeptech companies need more than talent.

They need labs, patient investors, manufacturing partners, testing facilities, government connections, enterprise customers and technical mentors. They also need investors who understand that revenue may take time.

A normal consumer startup may launch quickly and improve based on user feedback. A drone, chip, battery, satellite or biotech startup cannot move that way. One product cycle may take months or years.

This is why dedicated deeptech funds are important. They can understand technical risk better than general investors and give founders the right kind of support.

How Piper Serica may find startups

Piper Serica has said it works with institutions and innovation platforms such as IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, iDEX, IN-SPACe and DRDO-linked ecosystems.

This is important because many deeptech ideas begin inside research labs, engineering campuses and government-supported innovation programmes.

The firm also uses its own AI-assisted screening tool, Yoda.ai, to evaluate startups. But in deeptech, software screening alone is not enough. Investors also need technical review, founder assessment, market study and customer validation.

Piper Serica’s approach appears to mix research networks, institutional sourcing and disciplined investment checks.

Competitors

Bharat Tech Fund is entering a growing deeptech investment market.

Other investors active in India’s deeptech space include Speciale Invest, pi Ventures, Endiya Partners, Blume Ventures, 3one4 Capital, Celesta Capital, growX Ventures and deeptech-focused arms of larger firms.

Recent fund launches by firms such as Fundamentum and Shastra VC also show rising investor interest in AI, defence, spacetech, climate tech and advanced engineering startups.

This competition is healthy. India needs more capital at different stages: seed, Series A, Series B and growth. Deeptech founders often struggle most when they move from prototype to commercial deployment. Funds like Bharat Tech Fund can help fill that gap.

Future impact

If Bharat Tech Fund is deployed well, it can help create stronger Indian technology companies in strategic sectors.

The impact may show up in several ways. India may see more startups building chips, defence systems, AI infrastructure, satellite tools, biotech platforms and fintech rails. Some may serve Indian markets first. Others may sell globally.

The fund can also help create high-quality jobs for engineers, scientists, product leaders and manufacturing teams.

But success will depend on selection and patience. Deeptech investing is risky. Not every promising technology becomes a large business. The winners need strong founders, real customer demand, technical depth and capital discipline.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Piper Serica’s Rs. 300 crore first close for Bharat Tech Fund is a strong signal for India’s deeptech ecosystem. The fund is targeting Rs. 800 crore and plans to back Series A and Series B startups working in sectors that can shape India’s technology future.

The larger message is clear. India’s startup market is moving beyond apps and marketplaces. More capital is now flowing toward companies building hard, original and globally relevant technology.

Key takeaways –

• Piper Serica has raised Rs. 300 crore in the first close of Bharat Tech Fund.
• The fund is targeting a total corpus of Rs. 800 crore.
• It will focus on deeptech sectors such as AI, semiconductors, defence, spacetech, biosciences and fintech infrastructure.
• Piper Serica was founded in 2003 by Abhay Agarwal.
• The fund plans to invest in Series A and Series B startups, with expected cheques of around Rs. 25 crore to Rs. 40 crore.

Facts Input- Dealstreetasia

Google has selected 20 AI-powered Indian startups for the 2026 cohort of its Google Play Accelerator India programme. The selected startups are building across education, healthcare, gaming, agriculture, finance, ecommerce, productivity, lifestyle and entertainment.

The programme is three months long and equity-free, which means Google does not take ownership in the startups for participation. Instead, the selected companies get hands-on support from Google teams in areas such as AI integration, app quality, security, growth, monetization and global expansion.

This selection matters because Indian app startups are no longer building only for local users. Many are now using AI to solve everyday problems and also thinking about global markets from day one.

What is Google Play Accelerator India

Google Play Accelerator India is a startup support programme focused on app and game companies.

It is designed for Indian startups that already have a product, users and growth potential. The programme helps them improve their apps, use AI better, protect user data, grow faster and earn revenue through stronger monetization strategies.

For example, a learning app may need help improving AI-based practice sessions. A gaming startup may need support with user retention and in-app purchases. A health app may need better privacy and security systems. Google’s teams can guide founders on such problems through product reviews, technical sessions and growth support.

The 2026 cohort shows how deeply AI has entered India’s app ecosystem.

The 20 startups selected

The selected startups include Chaupal, ChennaiGames, Dalvoy, Frontier Markets, GAPE Labs, Grape, HeyDoc AI, Kisanwala, Lingopanda, LUZO, Machaxi, MetaShot, MindYourLogic Studios, MrMed, Plutus Labs Inc., Regain, Swipe, UrbanPro, Zave AI and Zet.

These startups cover a wide range of sectors.

Chaupal works in regional entertainment. ChennaiGames, GAPE Labs, MetaShot, MindYourLogic Studios and Plutus Labs are in gaming and interactive media. Dalvoy, Lingopanda and UrbanPro are focused on education. HeyDoc AI, Machaxi and MrMed are working in health. Kisanwala serves the agriculture market. Swipe, Zave AI, Zet and Frontier Markets work across finance, ecommerce and small business use cases.

This mix is interesting because it shows AI is not limited to one category. It is now entering farms, classrooms, clinics, games, shopping apps and small business tools.

Why Google selected these startups

Google’s aim is to support high-potential Indian app and game startups at a stage where practical guidance can make a big difference.

Many founders can build a good first version of an app. The harder part comes later. They need to improve speed, reduce bugs, use AI safely, protect user data, keep customers engaged and build a revenue model that actually works.

That is where an accelerator helps.

For instance, an app may have many downloads but poor retention. Another may use AI but give inconsistent results. A gaming startup may have a fun product but weak monetization. A health startup may need stronger security before scaling. Google Play Accelerator can help founders fix such gaps before they become bigger problems.

What kind of support startups get

The selected startups will receive support across AI, product quality, security, growth and monetization.

AI support is important because many startups are adding AI features quickly, but not all AI features are useful or reliable. Google can help founders improve how AI works inside their apps, whether it is for personalization, recommendations, chat, voice, content creation or automation.

App quality support can help with crashes, speed, design and user experience. Security support matters because apps now handle personal data, health information, payments and user behaviour.

Growth and monetization support can help startups understand how to acquire users, keep them active and earn revenue without hurting the user experience.

Why this matters for Indian users

For Indian users, this programme can lead to better apps.

A student preparing for government exams may get more personalized revision through an AI learning app. A farmer may access better input buying and machinery rental through an agritech platform. A family may use AI health tools to manage care better. A small business owner may invoice customers through WhatsApp and receive payments faster.

These are not luxury problems. They are everyday use cases.

If these startups improve through the accelerator, users may get apps that are faster, safer, more useful and easier to trust.

Why this matters for Indian startups

For startups, Google’s selection gives credibility.

Being part of the programme can help a young company attract customers, partners, investors and talent. It also gives founders access to expert advice that may otherwise be difficult or expensive to get.

This is especially useful for startups outside the usual SaaS or fintech bubble. Gaming, education, agriculture, health and regional entertainment companies often need different growth playbooks. Google Play’s app ecosystem knowledge can help them understand what works in India and what can scale globally.

The equity-free nature of the programme is also important. Startups can get support without giving up shares.

The bigger AI trend

The cohort reflects a larger trend in India. AI is moving from buzzword to product feature.

A few years ago, many startups used AI mainly for marketing. Now, founders are using it to improve core products. AI can help learners practise English, assist doctors with patient workflows, help shoppers find the right product, reduce doomscrolling, create games faster, or support rural commerce.

Google’s broader startup programmes in India have also focused on AI-first companies. The company’s 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator India cohort was selected from around 2,500 applications and focused on AI startups in areas such as climate, healthcare, finance, cybersecurity and developer tools.

This shows that India’s AI ecosystem is becoming deeper, not just larger.

Competitors and similar programmes

Google is not the only major player supporting Indian startups.

Microsoft supports startups through Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub and AI-focused cloud programmes. AWS runs startup accelerators and has also supported space-tech and AI startups in India. Meta has worked with Indian startups and developers around digital tools and AI. MeitY Startup Hub, T-Hub, Nasscom, Startup India and several private accelerators also support early-stage companies.

But Google Play Accelerator has a clear advantage for mobile-first startups. Google Play is one of the most important distribution platforms for Android apps in India. That gives Google direct insight into app quality, user behaviour, store performance, safety and monetization.

For app-based startups, that guidance can be very practical.

Challenges ahead

Selection is only the beginning.

The real test will be whether these startups can turn accelerator support into stronger products and real business growth. AI features must be accurate, useful and safe. Apps must protect user data. Gaming startups must balance engagement with responsible monetization. Health and finance apps must build deep trust.

Startups also need to avoid adding AI only because it sounds modern. Users care about outcomes. Does the app save time? Does it solve a real problem? Is it easy to use? Is it worth paying for?

The startups that answer these questions well will benefit most from the programme.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Google selecting 20 AI-powered Indian startups for Play Accelerator India 2026 is a strong signal for the country’s app economy. Indian founders are building beyond simple utility apps and using AI in education, health, gaming, agriculture, finance, ecommerce and entertainment.

The programme’s purpose is to help these startups improve AI integration, app quality, security, growth and monetization. For founders, it can bring sharper product thinking. For users, it can mean better and safer apps. For India, it supports the larger goal of building globally relevant digital products from within the country.

Key takeaways –

1. Google has selected 20 AI-powered Indian startups for Play Accelerator India 2026.
2. The programme is three months long and equity-free.
3. Selected startups will get support in AI integration, app quality, security, growth and monetization.
4. The cohort includes startups across education, healthcare, gaming, agriculture, finance, ecommerce, productivity, lifestyle and entertainment.
5. The selection shows how AI is becoming central to India’s mobile app ecosystem.

Facts Input- Google

India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem is becoming more serious, and IIIT-Hyderabad is playing an important role in that journey. The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or CIE, at IIIT-Hyderabad has selected five deep-tech startups for the Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026.

This is not a normal startup accelerator where founders only attend pitch sessions and networking events. Avishkar is built for startups that are working on difficult technology problems. These may include artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, medtech, mobility, AR/VR, NLP and other research-heavy areas.

The selected five startups are expected to go through a six-month venture studio journey at CIE-IIIT Hyderabad. During this period, they will get access to mentoring, IIIT-Hyderabad faculty, labs, go-to-market support, investor networks and possible seed funding.

What is Avishkar Venture Studio

Avishkar Venture Studio is a deep-tech acceleration programme run by CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad. It is designed for startups that already have a proof of concept, early product or basic MVP.

In simple words, it supports founders who have moved beyond just an idea but still need help turning their technology into a real business.

The programme focuses on startups working in emerging technology areas such as AI, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, NLP, AR/VR, medtech, mobility and mediatech.

According to CIE’s public programme details, Avishkar offers a six-month structured journey. Startups may get up to Rs. 10 lakh seed funding, research connections with IIIT-Hyderabad faculty and labs, go-to-market guidance, revenue modelling support, business planning help, mentor access and investor connections.

The official Avishkar page also mentions that depending on the startup’s stage, pitch and technical validation, seed funding support can go up to Rs. 40 lakh.

Why these five startups matter

The five startups selected for the Summer Cohort 2026 represent a broader shift in Indian entrepreneurship. More founders are now building hard technology products, not just consumer apps or simple software tools.

Deep-tech startups usually solve complex problems. A robotics startup may build machines that work in factories or warehouses. A medtech startup may create a diagnostic device. A mobility startup may work on safer roads, autonomous systems or vehicle intelligence. An AI startup may build tools that understand images, language or large business data.

These ideas take longer to build, but they can create deeper value.

That is why CIE-IIIT Hyderabad’s support matters. A founder building in deep tech often needs access to researchers, labs, testing support, technical mentors and patient investors. Avishkar brings these pieces closer together.

These startups are-

1. Comply Ark Solution Private Limited – It is developing an AI-enabled DPDPA compliance platform.
2. L2 Aero – It is building an AI-powered subsurface detection platform for defence and infrastructure.
3. Mimansa Play – It is creating an AI-powered speech development platform for children.
4. SentraAuth Technologies – It is developing an AI-powered continuous authentication platform using behavioral biometrics.
5. Stylique AI Private Limited (Yoko Styles) – It is building an AI-powered fashion design platform that transforms ideas into production-ready sewing patterns.

What kind of startups Avishkar supports

Avishkar’s Summer Cohort 2026 call focused on proof-of-concept-stage startups in deep-tech and deep-IP areas.

Deep-IP means the startup is not just reselling technology or building a simple interface. It is creating its own technical knowledge, product architecture, algorithm, device, system or intellectual property.

The programme looked for startups in areas such as AI, robotics, computer vision, NLP, AR/VR, medtech, healthcare IT, diagnostics, mobility, road safety, human-machine interface, gaming, adtech and mediatech.

For example, a startup using computer vision to detect road accidents faster can fit into the mobility category. A company building an AI diagnostic tool for early disease screening can fit into medtech. A team creating AR/VR training tools may fit into mediatech or deep tech.

Why IIIT-Hyderabad is a strong fit

IIIT-Hyderabad has a strong research background in computer science, electronics, AI, language technologies, robotics, data engineering, cybersecurity, computer vision and related fields.

CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad was set up in 2008 and has grown into one of India’s important academic incubators. Its own public material says it has supported hundreds of startups over the years and works through incubators such as Avishkar for deep tech, Ojas for medtech and AIC-IIITH for social impact startups.

This research link is important. Deep-tech founders need more than general business advice. They need people who can challenge their technical assumptions and help them validate whether the product can actually work in the real world.

How the selected startups may benefit

The five startups selected for Avishkar Venture Studio can benefit in several practical ways.

First, they can get technical validation. If a startup is building an AI model, robot, medical tool or mobility product, expert review can help improve reliability.

Second, they can refine their business model. Many deep-tech founders know the technology well but struggle with pricing, customer discovery and sales.

Third, they can access IIIT-Hyderabad labs and faculty networks. This can help with prototyping, testing and research-backed product improvement.

Fourth, they can prepare for investors. Deep-tech investors usually ask tough questions about product risk, market size, timelines, patents, competition and customer readiness.

Fifth, they can build early industry connections. For startups, the first few customers or pilots are often harder than the technology itself.

Why this is important for India’s startup ecosystem

India has many software startups, but the country needs more companies that build original technology. Deep-tech startups can help India move from being a technology services market to a technology products market.

This matters in areas like healthcare, defence, mobility, semiconductors, robotics, manufacturing, climate, agriculture and public infrastructure.

For example, a medtech startup can build affordable diagnostic tools for smaller towns. A robotics startup can help Indian factories automate risky or repetitive work. A mobility startup can improve road safety using AI. These are practical problems with large Indian relevance.

Programmes like Avishkar help such founders move from lab thinking to market thinking.

Competitors and similar programmes

Avishkar operates in a growing deep-tech support ecosystem.

Other important programmes and incubators include T-Hub in Hyderabad, i-TIC Foundation at IIT Hyderabad, SINE at IIT Bombay, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, C-CAMP in Bengaluru, NASSCOM DeepTech Club, IKP Knowledge Park and various MeitY-backed startup programmes.

Avishkar’s advantage is its close connection with IIIT-Hyderabad’s research ecosystem. This can be especially useful for startups working in AI, computer vision, robotics, language technologies, AR/VR and data-led products.

Conclusion with key takeaways

CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad selecting five deep-tech startups for Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026 is a positive signal for India’s research-led startup ecosystem.

These startups are not only chasing quick digital growth. They are working on harder technology problems that need patient support, expert guidance and strong validation. Avishkar gives them a structured path to move from proof of concept to a stronger, investor-ready and market-ready business.

Key takeaways –

• CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad has selected five deep-tech startups for Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026.
• The programme runs for six months and supports proof-of-concept-stage startups.
• Focus areas include AI, robotics, computer vision, NLP, AR/VR, medtech, mobility and mediatech.
• Startups can access seed funding, IIIT-Hyderabad faculty, labs, mentors, go-to-market support and investor networks.
• The earlier article’s old cohort startup names have been removed to avoid mixing past Avishkar batches with the 2026 Summer Cohort.

Facts Input

India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem has received a steady push from the Electronics Development Fund, better known as EDF. According to official government data, EDF-backed daughter funds have invested Rs. 1,335.77 crore, or about $139.23 million, across 128 startups and ventures.

EDF works differently. It is a government-backed fund-of-funds, which means it invests in venture funds, and those funds then invest in startups.

The model appears indirect, but it has a clear purpose. It helps bring professional fund managers, private investors and government-backed capital together to support startups working in serious technology areas like electronics, nanoelectronics, IoT, robotics, drones, AI, healthtech and cybersecurity.

What is EDF

The Electronics Development Fund was launched by the Government of India on 15 February 2016. Its main aim is to support research, development and entrepreneurship in electronics, nanoelectronics and information technology.

EDF is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, or MeitY. Canara Bank acts as the trustee and sponsor, while Canbank Venture Capital Funds Ltd. manages the fund.

In simple language, EDF does not usually write cheques directly to startups. Instead, it invests in professionally managed “daughter funds”. These daughter funds are venture capital or angel funds registered in India. They use their own investment judgment to back startups that fit the broader technology mission.

Why this model matters

A fund-of-funds model is useful because the government does not have to pick every startup directly.

Startup investing needs market knowledge, sector understanding and regular portfolio monitoring. Venture funds already have teams for this work. By investing through them, EDF can support more startups while still using professional fund management.

Think of it like this. Instead of one large institution trying to find every promising startup on its own, it backs multiple experienced fund managers. Those fund managers then search for companies in different technology areas.

This helps spread risk and increases reach.

How much has EDF supported

As of 30 September 2025, EDF had invested Rs. 257.77 crore in eight daughter funds. These funds then invested Rs. 1,335.77 crore across 128 startups and ventures.

The larger amount was deployed by the daughter funds, while EDF’s own investment into those funds was Rs. 257.77 crore.

The official data also says these supported startups have created more than 23,600 jobs in high-technology sectors. They have also created or acquired 368 intellectual properties, or IPs. In startup language, IP can include patents, designs, software, technical processes or other protected innovation.

EDF-backed daughter funds have also exited from 37 investments, and EDF has received Rs. 173.88 crore in cumulative returns from exits and partial exits.

Where the money went

EDF has backed eight daughter funds. These include Unicorn India Ventures Trust, Aaruha Technology Fund – 1, Endiya Seed Co-creation Fund, Karsemven Fund, pi Ventures Fund 1, YourNest India VC Fund II, Ventureast Proactive Fund – II and Exfinity Technology Fund Series II.

These funds have invested in startups across several frontier technology areas.

Some startups are working on Internet of Things, where devices are connected and exchange data. A simple example is a smart factory machine that alerts the maintenance team before it breaks down.

Some are in robotics and drones. These can be used in agriculture, warehouses, mapping, defence, inspection and disaster response.

Others are in AI and machine learning, where software learns from data to make predictions or automate decisions. Healthtech and cybersecurity startups are also part of the supported ecosystem.

Why this matters for India

India has become a large electronics and digital market, but the country still wants to build more of its own technology at home.

That is where EDF becomes important. It supports startups that can create local designs, products and intellectual property. This helps India move beyond assembly and services into deeper technology creation.

For example, if an Indian startup builds a cybersecurity product for local enterprises, it can reduce dependence on foreign tools. If another startup creates drone technology for farms or infrastructure, it can serve Indian conditions better than imported products.

The long-term goal is clear. India wants stronger domestic capability in electronics, IT and advanced technologies.

Why startups need this kind of capital

Deep-tech startups are harder to build than many app-based businesses.

A consumer app can be tested quickly. A hardware or electronics startup may need prototypes, labs, testing, manufacturing partners, certifications and longer development time. This usually needs patient capital.

For example, a robotics startup cannot simply launch a website and start selling. It must build hardware, test movement, check safety, improve design, manage parts, and support customers after deployment.

Similarly, a cybersecurity startup needs strong technical validation before customers trust it with sensitive systems.

EDF-backed capital helps such startups survive the early and difficult stages.

Competitors and similar support systems

EDF is not the only startup support mechanism in India. It works alongside other public and private funding channels.

The Startup India Fund of Funds, managed through SIDBI, supports venture funds that invest in startups across broader sectors. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme helps early-stage startups with proof of concept, product trials and market entry. BIRAC supports biotech startups. iDEX supports defence innovation.

Private venture capital firms such as Accel, Peak XV Partners, Blume Ventures, Matrix Partners India, Lightspeed, pi Ventures, Endiya Partners and YourNest also invest in Indian startups.

EDF’s difference is its sector focus. It is more closely linked to electronics, IT and technology-led product development.

Challenges ahead

The EDF numbers are encouraging, but some challenges remain.

1. First, India still needs more deep-tech capital. Hardware, AI infrastructure, electronics and semiconductor-linked startups need larger and longer funding cycles.
2. Second, startups need better access to labs, testing facilities and manufacturing partners. Money alone cannot solve everything.
3. Third, India must turn more research into commercial products. Creating IP is good, but building globally competitive businesses from that IP is the harder part.
4. Fourth, funding should spread beyond a few strong startup hubs. Reports show Karnataka has received a large share of EDF-linked support, which reflects its strong tech ecosystem. Over time, more states will need to build similar capacity.

Conclusion with key takeaways

EDF’s support for 128 startups shows how targeted government-backed capital can help build India’s technology ecosystem. The fund may not make daily headlines like large private VC rounds, but its impact is visible in jobs, IP creation, fund activity and deep-tech startup support.

The most important point is that EDF’s role is indirect but strategic. It strengthens venture funds that then back startups in advanced technology areas. This helps India build a wider innovation base in electronics, IT and future-facing sectors.

Key takeaways –

1. EDF-backed daughter funds have invested Rs. 1,335.77 crore, or about $139.23 million, across 128 startups and ventures.
2. EDF itself has invested Rs. 257.77 crore in eight daughter funds.
3. The fund was launched by the Government of India on 15 February 2016.
4. Supported startups work in areas such as IoT, robotics, drones, AI, healthtech and cybersecurity.
5. EDF-backed startups have created more than 23,600 jobs and 368 intellectual properties.

Facts Input- PIB-Gov