Preventive healthcare and artificial intelligence sectors are in focus. Healthtech startup Cent has reportedly raised $15 million, while Peak XV and Lightspeed are among the venture firms reported to be discussing investments in Indian AI startups.

Cent’s plan to make health screening more accessible

Founded in 2025, Cent was started by Practo co-founder Shashank ND, former Ola executive Anshul Khandelwal and former Lenskart product leader Arpit Garg. The Bengaluru-based company brings together medical scans, blood tests and doctor consultations to help identify potential health risks earlier. Its screening covers cardiac, cancer, neurological and metabolic risks.

As reported by PharmaBiz, Cent has raised $15 million in a Series A round. The new funding is intended to support the company’s growth and its preventive screening work. In practical terms, that could mean expanding its screening centres and improving the technology and services used to bring tests and medical guidance together.

Cent is entering a field that includes established diagnostic providers such as Thyrocare, as well as newer preventive health businesses. Its challenge will be to build trust and show that customers find value in a detailed screening service.

Peak XV and Lightspeed look toward AI

A separate report from EquityPandit says Peak XV and Lightspeed are in talks to invest in Indian AI startups. These discussions point to investor interest in companies building AI products and the tools businesses need to use them.

That could include software that helps a company run an AI service or tools that apply AI to a specific industry. But an investment under discussion is not a completed deal. The startups, amounts and final terms may only become clear if the parties announce agreements.

Why these stories matter

Cent’s reported funding reflects a bet on people paying for more detailed health checks before symptoms appear. The AI discussions reflect another kind of bet: that Indian startups can build useful products for businesses and consumers. In both cases, funding gives companies room to grow, but long-term success will depend on whether customers adopt their services and the businesses can deliver on their plans.

Disclaimer

Funding discussions and company plans can change. This article is for general information only and is not medical or investment advice.

India’s startup funding market is seeing activity across both consumer products and deep technology. Beyond Appliances has raised $10.4 million in Series B funding, while quantum technology company QpiAI has secured Rs. 50 crore through debt financing from InnoVen Capital.

Although both companies have raised money, their needs are very different. Beyond Appliances is focused on building and selling smart kitchen products for Indian homes. QpiAI is working on advanced computing systems that combine artificial intelligence with quantum technology.

Beyond Appliances funding and business focus

Founded in 2024 by Eshwar K. Vikas and Rakesh Patil, Bengaluru-based Beyond Appliances makes technology-led kitchen products.

Its portfolio includes smart chimneys, hobs and cooktops designed around the way Indian households cook. The founders previously worked on Mukunda Foods, a company that develops automation solutions for commercial kitchens.

The company’s latest Series B round is worth Rs. 110 crore, or around $10.4 million. Fireside Ventures led the round, with participation from Dharana Capital and other investors. Fireside had also backed the company in earlier funding rounds as reported in Entrepreneur India.

The money will be used for research and development, a new manufacturing plant and expansion into more kitchen categories. The company is also preparing to enter the oven segment and plans to grow its offline presence beyond its current markets.

This is important because kitchen appliances require more than a good online campaign. Customers often want to see the product, understand installation and receive reliable after-sales service before buying. Beyond Appliances is therefore combining online sales with retail stores and experience centres.

Its competition includes established brands such as Faber, Elica, Glen, IFB and Prestige. However, Beyond Appliances is trying to stand apart through smart features, local product design and a direct relationship with customers.

QpiAI debt financing and technology plans

QpiAI was founded in 2019 by Dr. Nagendra Nagaraja. The Bengaluru-based company develops quantum computers, quantum software and artificial intelligence tools for areas such as drug discovery, manufacturing, finance and materials research.

The company has raised Rs. 50 crore in debt financing from InnoVen Capital. Reports based on company filings say the amount was structured through non-convertible debentures carrying an annual coupon of 13.85 percent and maturing in December 2028 as reported in BharatFast.

Unlike equity funding, debt does not immediately give the lender ownership in the company. It works more like a business loan that must be repaid with interest. The company has not publicly disclosed the exact use of this funding.

Still, the capital could support hardware development, research, hiring and the building of quantum computing infrastructure. QpiAI has previously worked on a 25-qubit quantum computer and has outlined a long-term plan to expand its systems.

Comparable Indian deep-tech companies include BosonQ Psi and QNu Labs, although they work on different areas of the quantum technology ecosystem. QpiAI’s distinctive focus is the combination of quantum hardware, software and AI applications.

Why these two deals matter

Beyond Appliances represents India’s growing consumer manufacturing opportunity. Its funding will help move the company from a small product range to wider manufacturing and distribution.

QpiAI’s debt round shows that investors are willing to support capital-intensive deep-tech businesses through instruments beyond traditional equity. However, debt also creates repayment pressure, making revenue growth and future fundraising important.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Beyond Appliances will use its $10.4 million Series B funding to improve products, build manufacturing capacity and expand across Indian kitchens.

QpiAI’s Rs. 50 crore debt financing will provide additional capital for its quantum computing and AI roadmap, although the company has not specified the exact spending plan.

The two deals highlight two sides of India’s startup economy – practical consumer innovation and long-term deep-tech research.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched the MeitY IndiaAI Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Thiruvananthapuram. The centre is being established under the IndiaAI Mission to strengthen research, entrepreneurship and real-world use of artificial intelligence in Kerala and across India.

The launch includes the centre’s first cohort of 15 AI startups. These companies will take part in pre-incubation, incubation and acceleration programmes designed for different stages of growth.

What is the IndiaAI Centre of Excellence

The centre is known as the Centre for AI in Keralam, or CAIK. It brings together government departments, Digital University Kerala, researchers, technology companies, mentors, investors and startups.

Its main purpose is to help founders turn AI research into useful products. Instead of focusing only on experiments or demonstrations, the centre wants startups to work on problems that affect people, businesses and public institutions.

The centre’s focus areas include healthcare, climate and disaster management, sustainability, e-governance, public systems and agriculture. AI startups outside these areas may also be considered if they fit the centre’s broader objectives.

What support will startups receive

The 15 selected startups will receive support based on their stage and requirements. The programme offers three pathways.

Pre-incubation is aimed at founders who are still validating a problem, testing whether AI can solve it and shaping an early product. Incubation is for startups building and testing a product, running pilots and preparing a commercial plan. Acceleration is meant for companies looking to increase adoption, work with enterprises or government departments and prepare for investment.

Support may include technical and product mentorship, access to computing resources, industry connections, government problem statements, pilot opportunities and investor introductions.

However, selection does not automatically guarantee funding, grants, government contracts, customers or unlimited access to computing facilities. The centre says support will depend on technical fit, programme needs, availability and partner interest.

How the centre can help in practical situations

A healthcare startup could develop an AI tool to help hospitals manage patient records, improve diagnosis support or reduce administrative work.

An agriculture startup might use AI to identify crop disease, predict harvest conditions or improve supply-chain planning. A climate-focused company could work on flood alerts, environmental monitoring or disaster-response tools.

For an e-governance startup, the centre could provide access to public-sector problem statements and help the team build a solution that works at a larger scale.

This connection between startups and real users is important. Many AI products work well in demonstrations but face challenges when they are introduced into hospitals, government offices, farms or businesses.

Why the launch matters for Kerala

Kerala has a strong base of universities, technology professionals and public institutions. The centre can help connect this talent with companies and investors that can support commercial development.

It may also encourage researchers and students to build startups instead of keeping their work limited to academic projects. By working with Digital University Kerala and industry partners, CAIK aims to create a stronger local AI ecosystem with national and global relevance.

The centre will also operate alongside other national and state initiatives in artificial intelligence. Its distinction is the focus on applied AI, public value and collaboration between government, academia and industry.

Conclusion with key takeaways

The MeitY IndiaAI Centre of Excellence in Thiruvananthapuram has been launched with a first cohort of 15 AI startups.

Its mission is to help founders move from research and early ideas to tested products, pilots and commercial opportunities. The centre will focus on healthcare, agriculture, climate action, e-governance and other areas with public impact.

The initiative may become an important link between Kerala’s technology talent and India’s wider AI ambitions. Its success will depend on whether the startups can turn mentorship, computing access and industry connections into solutions that work outside the laboratory.

Facts Input- ToI, CAIK official, CAIK first cohort information