Indian sneaker startup Comet has raised Rs. 100 Cr in a Series B funding round led by global investment firm Verlinvest. Existing backers Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners also joined the round, showing continued confidence in the young D2C footwear brand.

The funding comes at a time when Indian shoppers are looking beyond basic shoes. Sneakers are now part of personal style, college fashion, office casual wear, and weekend dressing. Comet wants to use this shift to build a homegrown sneaker brand that can stand beside global names, but with designs and pricing made for Indian consumers.

What is Comet and who founded it

Comet is a Bengaluru-based lifestyle sneaker brand founded by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani in 2023 with the idea of creating a homegrown sneaker label focused on design, quality, comfort, and storytelling.

The brand sells sneakers and slides through its own website and is also building a stronger offline retail presence. Its products are positioned for young Indian buyers who want fashionable sneakers without always going for expensive international labels.

In simple terms, Comet is trying to make sneakers feel less like a foreign trend and more like an Indian lifestyle product.

Why this Rs. 100 Cr funding matters

The fresh Series B round gives Comet more money to grow faster. According to reports, the company plans to use the funding for retail expansion, product development, technology, and research and development.

A big part of the plan is physical retail. Footwear is one category where many customers still prefer trying the product before buying. A sneaker may look good online, but the real decision often happens when someone checks the fit, cushioning, grip, and comfort in a store.

Comet is expected to reach 10 stores this month and aims to expand to 20 stores by the end of FY27. This shows that the brand is not depending only on online ads and website sales. It wants to build an omnichannel business, where customers can discover products online and also experience them offline.

What Comet wants to build next

Comet is also investing in its own sole moulds and tooling. This may sound technical, but the idea is simple. Instead of using standard shoe parts, the brand wants more control over how its sneakers feel, fit, and perform.

At present, Comet has four footwear models. The company plans to double this to eight models by next year. It is also working on a sneaker model designed especially for women, with its own sole tooling.

This is important because many sneaker brands still treat women’s footwear as a smaller version of men’s shoes. If Comet builds products around real comfort, fit, and style needs, it could find a strong audience among women buyers too.

The bigger aim of the startup

Comet’s aim is not just to sell shoes. It wants to create an Indian sneaker culture around design, identity, and community.

That is why its branding matters. The company has built a strong social media following and uses drops, collaborations, and limited designs to keep customers interested. This approach is common in global sneaker culture, where people do not just buy shoes for utility, but also for expression.

For example, a college student may buy Comet because it feels stylish and different. A young working professional may choose it because it looks premium but still feels more accessible than some imported sneaker brands. This is the market gap Comet is trying to own.

Who are Comet’s competitors

Comet operates in a crowded footwear market. Its competitors include global sneaker brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, along with Indian footwear players like Redtape, Campus, and Sparx.

It also competes with new-age and homegrown footwear brands such as Neeman’s, 7-10, and other D2C lifestyle labels. The challenge is clear. Comet has to offer strong design, comfort, quality, and brand value while keeping prices attractive for Indian buyers.

Still, the opportunity is large. India has a young consumer base, growing sneaker interest, and a rising comfort-fashion trend. If Comet can keep its product quality consistent while expanding stores, it may become one of the stronger Indian names in the lifestyle footwear space.

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Creedom has raised Rs. 4.1 crore in a seed funding round at a valuation of Rs. 42 crore. The Bengaluru-based AI content creator platform is building tools for creators who want to grow on platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok without depending only on guesswork.

The round was led by angel investors Leigh Hopkins, Raghunandan G and Kartheeswaran KK, co-founder and CEO of Ninjacart. Raghu Nathan Sethuraman, Senthil Kumar T P and Govindaswamy Megavarnan also participated through Startup Singam.

What Creedom does

Creedom is an AI growth coach for social media creators. In simple words, it studies a creator’s content, audience behaviour and performance data, then gives suggestions on what to improve.

Many creators face the same problem. They post regularly, follow trends and still do not understand why one reel gets views while another one fails. Creedom wants to answer that “why” in a simple way.

Its AI companion, called Cree, lets creators ask questions about their content in normal language. Instead of reading a complicated analytics dashboard, a creator can ask what went wrong with a post, what topic to try next, or which content format is working better.

Founder and founding year

Creedom was founded by Naveen Murugan, Naveen Sowriraj and Aswin Dhananjai Krishnaswamy in 2024,

Naveen Murugan is the co-founder and CEO. The founding team has links to Ninjacart, which also explains why Kartheeswaran KK’s participation is notable.

Aim of the startup

Creedom’s aim is to make creator growth more informed and less stressful.

A beginner creator may know how to shoot a reel, but may not know why people stopped watching after the first three seconds. A small business owner may post daily but may not understand which videos bring followers or sales. Creedom tries to give this feedback in plain language.

For example, if a food creator posts five videos in a week, Creedom can study which hook worked, which video had better retention, and what kind of script may perform better next time. This makes the platform more like a coach than a simple caption-writing tool.

Purpose of the funding

The fresh seed funding will likely help Creedom improve its AI product, strengthen creator analytics, expand its team and reach more users in India and overseas markets.

The company says it connects through official platform channels and has highlighted Meta and YouTube partner status in its own updates. This matters because creators are often cautious about giving third-party tools access to their social accounts.

Funding can also support new features such as better content feedback, script support, trend signals, competitor tracking, comment replies and DM automation.

Competitors in the market

Creedom competes with creator tools like YouTube Studio, Instagram Insights, VidIQ, TubeBuddy, ChatGPT, Gemini, Canva and other AI content tools.

Its challenge is clear. Free tools already give basic numbers. General AI tools can write captions and scripts. Creedom has to prove that personalized creator feedback is useful enough for creators to pay for it.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Creedom’s Rs. 4.1 crore seed funding shows growing investor interest in India’s creator economy and AI tools.

The startup wants to help creators understand their own content better, not just create more posts. Its focus on analytics, feedback and personalized growth advice could appeal to serious creators who want clarity instead of random posting.

The real test will be whether Creedom can turn creator data into practical advice that helps users grow consistently.

Facts Input- 1, 2

YOGa Clean Air has raised Rs. 20 crore in a Series A funding round led by Info Edge Ventures. The round also saw participation from Deepinder Goyal, founder of Eternal, and Three Words Capital.

The Gurugram-based startup is working on a problem many Indian families understand too well which is that polluted air entering homes, schools, offices, hospitals and gyms. Instead of selling a regular air purifier, YOGa Clean Air is building full-space clean-air systems that try to stop polluted air from entering indoor spaces in the first place.

What YOGa Clean Air does

YOGa Clean Air builds indoor air-quality systems for homes and institutions. Its main product is called the Clean Air Bubble system.

In simple terms, the system filters outdoor air before bringing it inside. It also keeps slightly higher air pressure inside the room or building. This helps reduce polluted outside air from leaking in through small gaps, doors or windows.

The company also manages carbon dioxide levels indoors. This matters because a closed room may feel clean, but if fresh air is not managed well, CO2 can rise and make people feel tired or uncomfortable.

Founder and founding year

YOGa Clean Air was started by Sachin Panwar in 2010. The company was formally established as YOGAN Solutions Pvt Ltd in 2019 with co-founders Deepak Raina and Gaurav Nagar.

Sachin Panwar is the co-founder and CEO of the startup. The company has built its presence slowly and now serves homes, schools, hospitals, offices and gyms across multiple Indian cities.

Purpose of the funding

The fresh Rs. 20 crore funding will be used mainly for expansion.

YOGa Clean Air plans to grow deeper in its existing markets and enter more Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The company also wants to take its clean-air systems into newer use cases, including public transport and outdoor-linked environments.

This is an important step. Cleaning air inside a home is one challenge. Making clean-air systems work in buses, trains, stations or other public spaces is much harder. It needs better engineering, stronger installation support and long-term maintenance.

Why this startup matters

Air pollution is not only an outdoor problem. Polluted air can enter homes, classrooms and offices too. Many people buy room purifiers, but those usually clean air only inside a limited space.

YOGa is trying to solve the issue at a room or building level. For example, a school in Delhi-NCR may want cleaner air across classrooms, not just in one corner. A hospital may need controlled air quality for patients. A family living near a busy road may want the whole home to remain safer during high-pollution days.

That is where a system-led approach can be useful.

Competitors in the market

YOGa Clean Air competes with indoor air-quality and air-purification companies such as Airth, Clairco, Ubreathe and Atovio. It also faces competition from large consumer air purifier brands that sell standalone machines.

Its difference is that it is not positioning itself as just another purifier brand. It wants to offer a service-led clean-air setup for full spaces.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

YOGa Clean Air’s Rs. 20 crore Series A funding shows growing investor interest in India’s clean-air and climate-tech market.

The startup’s aim is simple but serious: make indoor air cleaner for families, students, patients, office workers and public-space users. The funding will help it expand to more cities, improve reach, and test its technology in larger environments like public transport.

Facts Input- ET, Inc42, StartupTalky

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

Industrial47 has raised Rs. 85 crore in the first close of its debut venture fund, giving a fresh push to India’s early-stage deeptech startup ecosystem. The fund is targeting a base corpus of Rs. 150 crore, with a Rs. 50 crore green shoe option, which can take the total size to Rs. 200 crore.

The Bengaluru-based pre-seed VC firm is focused on frontier technology. In simple words, it wants to back startups building serious technology in areas like defence, space, energy, maritime intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

What Industrial47 wants to build

Industrial47 is not chasing quick consumer apps or copy-paste business models. Its focus is on startups solving harder problems that may take longer to build but can become important for India’s future.

The firm’s larger aim is to support India’s technological self-reliance. That means backing founders who are building critical technology inside India instead of depending only on imported systems.

For example, a startup building satellite intelligence, autonomous marine systems, drone defence tools, or cleaner energy technology may not show fast revenue in the first year. But if the technology works, it can become valuable for industries, government use, national security, and global markets.

Founder and founding year

Industrial47 was founded by Rahul Seth, who is also the Founder and General Partner of the firm and it started in 2024.

Rahul Seth previously worked with Antler India and has also served with the Indian Army Reserves. This background fits the fund’s focus on defence, space, national security, and strategic infrastructure.

Who invested in the first close

The first close saw participation from family offices, industrial groups, founders, and operators. Swiggy co-founder Nandan Reddy also participated in the round.

This mix is important because deeptech startups often need more than money. They need patient investors, industry access, technical understanding, and partners who are comfortable with longer product cycles.

Purpose of the Rs. 200 crore fund

Industrial47 plans to invest in around 15 to 20 startups. Its cheque size will range from Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 10 crore.

The fund will mainly support pre-seed companies. This is the stage where founders often have strong technical ability but still need capital to build prototypes, hire early teams, test products, file patents, and speak to first customers.

A defence-tech startup, for instance, may need funds for hardware testing and certification. A space-tech startup may need money for simulation, payload development, or mission partnerships. A clean energy startup may need lab equipment and specialized engineers. These are not cheap problems to solve, even at the beginning.

Portfolio and market focus

Industrial47’s portfolio already includes Pranos Fusion, Armory, and RekiSe Marine. Rahul Seth’s personal investments also include names such as Pixxel, Digantara, PierSight, Alt Carbon, Flam, and Anthriq.

The fund will compete and co-invest with other deeptech and early-stage investors in India such as Speciale Invest, pi Ventures, Ankur Capital, YourNest, growX Ventures, 8X Ventures, and Blume Ventures.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Industrial47’s Rs. 85 crore first close shows that investors are paying more attention to India’s hard-tech founders.

The fund’s purpose is clear: back early startups that can build important technology for India in space, defence, energy, maritime systems, and advanced manufacturing. If it can find the right founders early, Industrial47 could play a meaningful role in India’s next deeptech wave.

Facts Input- YourStory

InstaAstro has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Singularity AMC and Artha Venture Fund. The Noida-based startup is part of India’s growing faith-tech space, where astrology, rituals, spiritual products and digital payments are coming together on one platform.

The funding comes at a time when many users are no longer seeing spirituality as something limited to temples, family priests or local astrologers. For a large section of young Indians, spiritual guidance is now available through chat, calls, video consultations and app-based bookings.

What InstaAstro does

InstaAstro connects users with astrologers and spiritual experts through its app and website. People can take consultations related to astrology, tarot, numerology, vastu and other spiritual services.

The company has also expanded into Pooja Seva, remedies, wellness products and spiritual commerce. Pooja Seva allows users to book rituals and offerings at sacred places in India without being physically present there.

For example, a person living in Bengaluru, Dubai or London may want to arrange a puja at a well-known temple in India. Instead of calling multiple people or depending on informal contacts, they can use a digital platform to book the service, make payment and receive updates.

Founder and founding year

InstaAstro was founded in 2021 by Nitin Verma, who is also the founder and CEO of the company.

The startup began mainly as an astrology consultation app. Over time, it has grown into a broader spiritual wellness platform. According to reports, InstaAstro now serves users across 183 countries and has more than 5,000 verified experts on its network.

Purpose of the $12 million funding

The fresh funding will be used for three main areas.

1. First, InstaAstro plans to improve its AI-led product features. This includes tools such as sentiment analysis, which can help experts understand user concerns better during consultations. The company also wants to improve multilingual support so users can speak in the language they are most comfortable with.
2. Second, the startup wants to expand in more Indian regions and global markets. This is important because faith-based services are deeply local. A user in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh or overseas Indian communities may have different language needs, festival practices and spiritual preferences.
3. Third, InstaAstro will scale its Pooja Seva and spiritual commerce business. This could include more temple-linked services, spiritual products, remedies and related offerings.

How faith and tech are combining

The faith-tech model works because it solves a simple access problem. People still value traditional guidance, but they want it with modern convenience.

Instead of waiting for a local expert, users can connect with astrologers online. Instead of travelling for every ritual, they can book some services digitally. Instead of searching offline shops, they can buy spiritual products through an app.

Technology also helps platforms build trust through expert verification, ratings, payments, customer support and repeat usage. In a sensitive category like spirituality, trust is the real product.

Competitors in the market

InstaAstro competes with platforms such as Astrotalk, Astroyogi, AstroSage, ClickAstro and other online astrology and spiritual wellness platforms.

Astrotalk is one of the most visible names in this category, while Astroyogi has been present in the online astrology market for many years. InstaAstro will need to stand out through quality experts, better language support, reliable puja services and user trust.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

InstaAstro’s $12 million Series A round shows that faith-tech is becoming a serious digital business in India.

The startup is trying to combine traditional spiritual practices with modern tools such as AI, online consultations, digital payments and regional language access. If it can maintain quality and trust while expanding, InstaAstro could become a strong player in India’s fast-growing spiritual wellness market.

Facts Input- ET Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur India

Indian spacetech startup InspeCity has raised Rs. 100 crore in a pre-Series A funding round, giving a strong push to its plan of building “service stations” for satellites in space.

The round was led by Speciale Invest and investor Ashish Kacholia. Antler Elevate, Antler India, Manish Gandhi, Shastra VC and others also joined the round.

This is an important moment for India’s private space sector because InspeCity is not building rockets or satellites in the usual way. It is working on something more specialized which is that helping satellites live longer, move better, and safely exit orbit when their job is done.

What InspeCity does

InspeCity is building technology for in-space servicing. In simple words, it wants to help satellites after they are already in orbit.

Today, if a satellite runs out of fuel, faces a technical issue, or reaches the end of its life, there are limited options. Many satellites become useless even when some parts are still working. Some also add to the growing problem of space debris.

InspeCity wants to change that with systems that can inspect, approach, dock with, refuel, repair, or safely remove satellites from orbit. Think of it like roadside assistance, but for spacecraft.

Founder and founding year

InspeCity was founded in 2022 by Arindrajit Chowdhury and Tausif Shaikh.

Arindrajit Chowdhury is a professor at IIT Bombay and serves as the founder and CEO of the company. Tausif Shaikh is also linked to IIT Bombay. The startup has been incubated in the IIT Bombay ecosystem and is based in Maharashtra.

Purpose of the Rs. 100 crore funding

The fresh funding will mainly be used to move InspeCity from testing individual technologies to proving them in real space missions.

The company plans to carry out four in-orbit missions over the next 12 to 18 months. These missions will help test important capabilities such as propulsion, sensing, autonomous movement, robotics, docking, and refuelling.

InspeCity is also expected to expand its engineering and manufacturing teams. It will work on commercializing its propulsion systems and other space-service offerings for satellite operators.

Its key platform is called VEDA, short for Vehicle for Life Extension and Deorbiting Activities. The company is also working on systems such as GITA for propulsion, CHAKSU for sensing and navigation, RAMA for robotic work, and SPARSH for docking and fuel transfer.

Why this matters

Satellites are expensive. They support communication, defence, internet, weather tracking, navigation, banking, agriculture, and disaster response. If a satellite can work for a few extra years through servicing or refuelling, the operator can save money and reduce waste in orbit.

There is also a safety angle. Old satellites and broken parts can collide with working satellites. A company that can help remove or manage such objects may become valuable as space becomes more crowded.

Competitors and market space

Globally, companies such as Astroscale, Starfish Space, Orbit Fab, and Northrop Grumman are working on satellite servicing, debris removal, refuelling, and life-extension technologies.

In India, InspeCity is part of a growing spacetech wave that includes companies working on rockets, satellites, propulsion, imaging, and space infrastructure. Its focus on in-orbit servicing makes it different from many startups that are mainly building launch vehicles or satellite platforms.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

InspeCity’s Rs. 100 crore pre-Series A round shows that investors are taking India’s deep-tech space startups more seriously.

The startup’s aim is clear: make satellites more useful after launch and reduce the problem of space debris. The funding will help it run four space missions, strengthen its team, and bring its servicing technology closer to commercial use.

If InspeCity can prove its systems in orbit, it could become an important Indian company in the future space economy.

Facts Input- YS, Entrepreneur, MC

The/Nudge Foundation has launched TILT, a Rs. 250 crore impact-focused venture fund for early-stage startups in India. The fund is meant for businesses that are not only chasing growth, but also trying to solve everyday problems for low-income and underserved communities.

TILT will mainly invest in Seed to Series A startups. Its cheque size will range from Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 16 crore, which gives young companies enough room to build, test, hire, and expand without rushing only for short-term numbers.

What is TILT impact fund

TILT is an impact-first investment platform backed by The/Nudge Foundation. In simple words, it is a fund for startups that want to create social value along with business value.

The fund will look at companies working in areas such as livelihoods, agriculture, MSMEs, climate resilience, employability, financial inclusion, informal work, market access, and tech-led solutions for income growth.

This means TILT is not looking only for apps made for urban users. It is more interested in startups that can help farmers earn better, small businesses become more productive, workers find reliable jobs, or families access useful financial services.

The/Nudge founder and background

The/Nudge Foundation was founded in 2015 by Atul Satija. The Bengaluru-based organization works on poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement.

Over the years, The/Nudge has supported many social enterprises through grants, mentoring, and ecosystem support. According to reports, it has backed over 190 social enterprises and deployed around Rs. 180 crore in grants. TILT now takes that experience into a venture investment model.

Richa Singh is the co-founder and managing partner of TILT, while Atul Satija is also associated with TILT as founder and managing partner.

Who can benefit from this fund

The biggest beneficiaries will be early-stage founders building for India’s “next billion” users. These are people who may not always be served well by mainstream digital products, banks, job platforms, or supply chains.

For example, a startup helping small shop owners manage inventory and credit could benefit. So could a company building climate-resilient tools for farmers, a platform connecting rural youth to jobs, or a fintech startup making credit easier for low-income workers.

Startups serving MSMEs may also find this fund useful. Many small businesses in India still depend on informal systems for finance, sales, and operations. If a startup can improve their income or efficiency with a practical product, it fits the larger TILT vision.

Purpose of the Rs. 250 crore fund

The purpose is not just to write cheques. TILT wants to offer patient capital, which means funding that gives startups more time to build in difficult markets.

Impact startups often need longer timelines because their customers may be spread across rural areas, low-income groups, or informal sectors. Distribution is harder, trust takes time, and revenue may grow slowly at first.

Along with capital, TILT plans to support startups with research, partnerships, market access, and ecosystem-building help. That extra support can matter a lot when a founder is working in agriculture, jobs, climate, or financial inclusion.

Competitors and similar funds

TILT will operate in a space where funds like Aavishkaar Capital, Omnivore, Elevar Equity, Acumen, Ankur Capital, and Unitus Ventures have also backed impact-led or inclusion-focused startups.

The difference TILT may try to bring is The/Nudge’s long experience with livelihood-focused social enterprises and its network across philanthropy, entrepreneurs, and development work.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

The/Nudge’s Rs. 250 crore TILT impact fund could become an important funding source for founders solving practical problems for underserved India.

It will benefit early-stage startups working in jobs, agriculture, MSMEs, financial inclusion, climate resilience, and market access. For founders building serious businesses with social impact at the core, TILT brings both capital and patient support.

CarbonStrong has raised Rs. 12.5 crore in seed funding to scale its low-carbon cement alternative. The Bengaluru-based climate-tech startup is working on a simple but important problem which is how to make concrete with less cement, lower emissions, and without forcing builders to change their existing production setup.

The round was co-led by IAN Angel Fund and Rainmatter. Social Alpha, Full Circle Ventures, Momentum Capital, and Spectrum Impact also took part in the funding round.

For India, this matters because the country is still building at a huge pace. Homes, roads, offices, metro projects, factories, and public infrastructure all need concrete. If even a part of that concrete can be made with lower emissions, the impact can be meaningful.

What CarbonStrong does

CarbonStrong makes low-carbon binders from industrial waste. In simple words, a binder is the material that helps hold concrete together. Normal concrete depends heavily on cement, and cement production creates a large amount of carbon emissions.

CarbonStrong takes waste materials from industries such as coal and steel and turns them into cement-like materials. These materials can replace a part of regular cement in concrete while still keeping the required strength and performance.

The company says its solution can replace up to 50% of cement in concrete mixes. It is also designed to work with existing concrete plants, which is useful because manufacturers do not want expensive changes in machinery before trying a new material.

Founder and founding year

CarbonStrong was founded in 2022 by Harsh Jain and Vikramaditya Singh.

Harsh Jain is the co-founder and CEO, while Vikramaditya Singh is the co-founder and COO. The startup is based in Bengaluru and works in the climate-tech and advanced construction materials space.

Purpose of the funding

The main purpose of this Rs. 12.5 crore funding is to help CarbonStrong move from trials to commercial production.

The company plans to use the fresh capital to set up its first production facility. It will also expand its team, continue product development and testing, and build the capacity needed to serve customers at a larger scale.

CarbonStrong is aiming to reach up to 100,000 tonnes of annual production capacity within the next two years. That is an important step because construction materials cannot stay only at lab or pilot level. Builders and concrete makers need steady supply, predictable quality, and reliable pricing.

Why this startup is solving a real problem

Cement is one of the harder industries to clean up because emissions come not only from fuel use but also from the chemical process used to make cement. The International Energy Agency has said that alternative raw materials and supplementary cementitious materials will play a role in reducing emissions from cement and concrete.

A practical example makes this easier to understand. Suppose a paver block maker or ready-mix concrete company can replace a large part of cement with CarbonStrong’s material. If the concrete still performs well, the manufacturer may reduce emissions and possibly manage costs better without buying new equipment.

That is the type of “drop-in” solution the market usually prefers.

Competitors and market space

CarbonStrong is not alone in this low-carbon construction materials market. Startups such as GreenJams and CarbonCraft are also working on cleaner building materials using waste, crop residue, or alternative processes.

The broader competition also includes traditional cement companies that are developing blended cement, green cement, and lower-carbon concrete solutions. This means CarbonStrong will need to prove three things clearly: quality, cost advantage, and the ability to supply at scale.

Facts Input- Indian Startup Times

Nexedge Capital has raised $20 million in its first funding round, giving India’s wealthtech space another serious name to watch. The round was led by Mirae Asset Venture Investment and Elev8 Venture Partners.

For a young company launched only in February 2025, this is a strong start. Nexedge Capital is trying to serve wealthy individuals, families, and businesses with a broader style of wealth management. Instead of looking only at where a client should invest money, the startup wants to help manage the full financial picture of a family.

What Nexedge Capital does

Nexedge Capital is a wealth management and multi-family office firm. In simple words, it works with high-net-worth individuals, ultra-rich families, and corporates that need professional help to manage money, investments, estate planning, business needs, and global financial goals.

A regular investor may use a mutual fund app or a brokerage platform. But wealthy families often need more than that. They may need advice on portfolio planning, succession, tax-aware structures, global mobility, business expansion, and family wealth protection.

That is the space Nexedge wants to operate in.

Founder and founding year

Nexedge Capital was founded in February 2025 by Anirudha Taparia. He earlier served as co-founder and joint CEO of 360 ONE Wealth, one of India’s well-known wealth management firms.

He is joined by co-founders Sidhartha Shaw, Vijeeta Sharma, and Pankaj Walia. The company also has a group of founding partners with long experience across firms such as Citibank, Kotak Wealth, 360 ONE, and Standard Chartered.

This background matters because wealth management is heavily built on trust. Clients usually do not move large sums of money to a new platform unless the team has strong experience and credibility.

Purpose of the $20 million funding

The fresh funding will be used for four main goals.

1. First, Nexedge Capital plans to strengthen its technology platform. This can help clients and advisors track portfolios, manage financial records, and make decisions with better data.
2. Second, the company wants to expand its network of senior bankers. In wealth management, experienced relationship managers are important because clients expect personal advice, not only app-based service.
3. Third, Nexedge aims to grow across more Indian cities, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. This is important because wealth creation in India is no longer limited to Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru. Many business families in smaller cities now need advanced financial planning.
4. Fourth, the company plans to build new offerings, including a dedicated NRI proposition and an NBFC business. The NRI focus could help Indians living abroad manage India-linked wealth, while the NBFC vertical may support lending or credit-related services.

Why investors are interested

Nexedge has reportedly crossed more than $3 billion in assets under management across over 1,300 clients within 18 months of launch. It has also onboarded more than 95 senior bankers.

For investors, this shows early demand. The company is not only selling a digital product; it is building a service-led platform where technology supports experienced advisors.

The bigger bet is India’s growing rich and upper-rich population. As more founders, professionals, business owners, and families build wealth, demand for serious wealth management is rising too.

Competitors in the market

Nexedge Capital will compete with established wealth management firms such as 360 ONE Wealth, Nuvama Private, Kotak Wealth Management, Avendus Wealth, and ASK Private Wealth.

Its challenge will be clear. Bigger players already have brand trust, large teams, and existing client relationships. Nexedge will need to prove that its model is more personal, more complete, and more useful for families that want one platform for their wider financial needs.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Nexedge Capital’s $20 million maiden funding round is more than a simple startup funding update. It shows how India’s wealth management market is becoming deeper and more competitive.

The startup wants to build a full net-worth management platform, not just another investment advisory service. With experienced founders, fresh capital, and plans to expand technology, bankers, NRI services, and smaller-city presence, Nexedge has started with momentum.

The real test will be trust. In wealth management, clients stay when advice is consistent, service is personal, and outcomes are handled carefully over many market cycles.

Facts Input- Mint

Wispr Flow has raised $280 million in a Series B funding round at a valuation of $2 billion. The voice AI startup now has fresh capital to build deeper speech technology and expand the number of tasks people can complete by speaking instead of typing.

The India angle makes the story even more interesting. India has become Wispr Flow’s second-largest market for both users and subscribers, the report said. For a voice-led product, that is not a small detail. India is mobile-first, multilingual and full of professionals who switch naturally between English, Hindi and local languages during the day.

Wispr Flow is not trying to be only another dictation app. Its larger aim is to make voice a normal way to work on phones and computers. In simple words, it wants people to talk to their devices and get clean, ready-to-use text, notes and tasks without fighting with the keyboard.

What Wispr Flow does

Wispr Flow is an AI-powered voice-to-text app. It listens to what a user says and turns it into polished written text.

Traditional dictation tools often type exactly what they hear. That can be useful, but real speech is messy. People pause, repeat words, change sentences midway and use filler words like “um” or “you know.”

Wispr Flow tries to clean that up. Its product page says Flow can remove filler words, structure thoughts and format text across apps. So instead of giving users a raw transcript, it tries to create text that is closer to what the person actually meant to write.

For example, a founder may say, “can you write to the investor that we have closed the pilot and I’ll send the deck tomorrow morning.” A simple dictation tool may type it as spoken. An AI-assisted voice tool can turn it into a smoother message: “We have closed the pilot. I’ll send the deck tomorrow morning.”

That is the real difference. It is not only speech-to-text. It is speech-to-clear-writing.

Who founded Wispr

Wispr was founded in 2021 by Tanay Kothari and Sahaj Garg.

Tanay Kothari is the co-founder and CEO. Wispr’s media kit says he studied computer science and artificial intelligence at Stanford and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023.

Sahaj Garg is the co-founder and CTO. According to Wispr’s media kit, he earlier worked at Luminous Computing and has a background in AI, engineering and research.

The company began with a broader human-computer interface idea and later built Wispr Flow as its flagship voice productivity product.

Funding details

Wispr Flow has raised $280 million in Series B funding at a $2 billion valuation.

The round included participation from existing investors such as Notable Capital, NEA and Neo. Acrew, Forerunner, Goodwater and Peak XV were also named among the investors, with Peak XV joining as a new investor.

The same report says Wispr Flow’s total funding has now reached $361 million. It also noted that the company had raised $25 million at a $700 million valuation less than a year earlier. That means its valuation has jumped sharply in a short time.

What is AI-assisted voice-to-text

AI-assisted voice-to-text means using artificial intelligence to turn spoken words into useful written output.

A basic voice typing tool mainly hears your words and types them. An AI-assisted tool goes further. It understands context, improves grammar, removes repeated words, adds punctuation and shapes the output for the place where you are writing.

If you are writing an email, it can make the message cleaner. If you are sending a Slack-style update, it can keep it short. If you are dictating meeting notes, it can turn scattered points into readable notes.

This is why voice AI is becoming important. It saves time, but it also reduces the effort of turning thoughts into text.

Why India matters for Wispr Flow

India being Wispr Flow’s second-largest market is a strong signal.

Many Indian users work across phones, laptops and chat apps all day. They write emails, LinkedIn posts, WhatsApp messages, office updates, customer replies and AI prompts. Voice can make this faster, especially for people who think better while speaking.

There is also a language angle. Earlier reports said Wispr Flow launched in India with Hinglish and Android support. That matters because many Indian professionals do not speak in textbook English. They mix English with Hindi or other Indian language patterns in daily work.

For a product like Wispr Flow, understanding this natural speaking style can become a major advantage.

Funding purpose

The fresh funding is expected to support Wispr Flow’s product and speech AI expansion.

The company wants to deepen its speech AI technology and move beyond simple dictation into more workplace tasks, including meeting notes and other use cases.

Wispr’s own funding update from 2025 also shows the same direction. The company wants to build what it calls a voice-native computing system, where speech becomes a serious interface for work, not only a shortcut for typing.

In practical terms, the money may help Wispr improve speech recognition, build its own models, support more platforms, add enterprise features, strengthen privacy and hire more AI and product talent.

Competitors

Wispr Flow is entering a busy market.

Otter.ai is known for meeting transcription and summaries. Granola has become popular for AI meeting notes. Superwhisper is used by many Mac users for fast dictation. Notta also offers transcription and meeting-note tools.

Large tech companies are also part of the competition. Apple, Google and Microsoft already offer built-in dictation features. OpenAI’s Whisper model and ChatGPT Voice also show how serious the voice AI space has become.

Wispr Flow’s challenge is to prove that its experience is better than free or built-in tools. It has to be faster, cleaner, more accurate and useful across daily apps.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Wispr Flow’s $280 million Series B round shows that voice AI is no longer a small productivity feature. Investors are betting that speaking may become one of the main ways people write, prompt, take notes and work with software.

The startup’s growth in India also makes the story more relevant for Indian users. If voice tools can understand natural speech, mixed-language habits and workplace needs, they can become useful for students, founders, creators, sales teams, customer support teams and office workers.

Key takeaways –

• Wispr Flow raised $280 million in Series B funding at a $2 billion valuation.
• India is now its second-largest market for both users and subscribers.
• The startup was founded in 2021 by Tanay Kothari and Sahaj Garg.
• Wispr Flow turns spoken words into cleaner written text across apps.
• The funding is aimed at expanding speech AI, product capabilities, meeting notes and wider workplace use cases.

Facts Input- Ascendants, ET

Rezolv has raised $12.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Norwest, giving the young lending-tech startup fresh capital to expand its AI-led platform for banks, NBFCs and other financial institutions.

The round also saw participation from Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, along with existing investor 3one4 Capital. For a company that was co-founded only in October 2024, this is a meaningful jump. Rezolv had earlier raised $3.5 million in seed funding led by 3one4 Capital.

At its heart, Rezolv is trying to solve a problem that many lenders face every day. Giving a loan is only one part of the business. The bigger challenge often starts after that, when lenders have to manage customer calls, repayment reminders, risk checks, underwriting support, missed EMIs, collection teams and recovery workflows.

What Rezolv does

Rezolv is an AI-native lending technology platform. In simple words, it helps lenders run loan-related work in a more organized and automated way.

The company works with banks and NBFCs that handle large loan portfolios. These lenders may have lakhs or even millions of borrower accounts. Some customers pay on time, some need reminders, some may need restructuring, and some cases may move into deeper collection stages.

Doing all this manually can become slow, expensive and messy. Rezolv’s platform helps lenders manage these workflows with automation, analytics and digital communication tools.

For example, if a borrower is likely to miss an EMI, the lender may want to send an early reminder. If another borrower has already missed payments, the lender may need a call, field visit, settlement offer or legal workflow. Rezolv wants to help lenders decide the right action at the right time.

Who founded Rezolv

Rezolv was co-founded in October 2024 by Karan Mehta and Sonali Jindal.

Both founders are also known for building Kissht, a digital lending startup. That background is important because lending technology is not only about software. It also needs a clear understanding of borrower behaviour, risk, repayment patterns, lender operations and compliance.

With Rezolv, the founders are focusing on the operational side of lending. Instead of giving loans directly to customers, the startup is building tools that help lenders manage the loan journey better.

Funding details

Rezolv’s $12.5 million Series A round was led by Norwest.

Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India also joined the round, while 3one4 Capital continued its support as an existing investor.

The company plans to use the fresh funding to strengthen its AI capabilities across different parts of lending. These include sales, risk, underwriting and collections.

This means Rezolv is not looking at debt collection as a separate activity only. It wants to build a wider lending workflow platform where lenders can manage several important steps from one system.

Why lenders need platforms like Rezolv

India’s credit market has grown quickly. Banks, NBFCs and fintech lenders now offer personal loans, vehicle loans, credit cards, business loans and consumer finance products to a much wider audience.

But as lending grows, the work behind it also becomes more complex.

A lender has to check risk before giving a loan. It has to onboard customers properly. It has to monitor repayment behaviour. It has to remind customers before payment dates. And when payments are missed, it has to recover dues in a fair and compliant way.

Older systems often depend on different teams using different tools. One team may manage calls, another may track field visits, another may handle legal cases, and another may look at dashboards. This can create gaps.

Rezolv is trying to reduce these gaps by giving lenders a more connected platform.

The role of AI in Rezolv’s platform

AI is often used as a buzzword, but in lending it can have practical use when applied carefully.

For Rezolv, AI can help lenders study borrower data, repayment history, call outcomes and collection patterns. Based on this, the platform can help teams decide which borrower needs a soft reminder, which account needs faster attention, and which case may require a different strategy.

Rezolv’s own website describes its platform as a full-lifecycle debt management system that uses workflow automation, AI-powered strategies and analytics. It also says the platform supports different collection channels such as digital communication, calling, field visits and legal actions.

A simple example makes this easier to understand. If two borrowers miss an EMI, both may not need the same treatment. One may pay after a WhatsApp reminder. Another may need a call because of a temporary cash-flow issue. A third may need a settlement discussion. AI-led tools can help lenders sort these cases better, instead of treating every missed payment in the same way.

Rezolv’s current traction

According to Entrackr, Rezolv says it has partnered with more than 22 banks and NBFCs. The reported client names include AU Small Finance Bank, ICICI Bank, Poonawalla Fincorp, Bajaj Auto Credit and Five-Star Business Finance.

The company also claims that its platform supports collections across more than 12 million loan accounts and powers 6.5 million minutes of borrower conversations every month.

Rezolv further claims that its platform has helped improve bounce and resolution rates by 35%. In lending language, bounce generally refers to a failed repayment attempt, while resolution means the case has been handled or recovered as per the lender’s process.

Competitors in the market

Rezolv operates in a competitive lending-tech and debt collections technology market.

Some of the known names in this space include Credgenics, Nucleus Software and Mobicule. These companies also work with lenders on loan management, collection workflows, digital recovery, automation or lending software.

Credgenics is known for debt resolution and collection technology. Nucleus Software has a long presence in lending and transaction banking software. Mobicule works in digital transformation and field force automation, including lending and collection use cases.

Rezolv’s edge will depend on how well it can combine lending experience, AI tools, security, integration speed and measurable recovery improvement for financial institutions.

What this means for borrowers

For borrowers, better technology in collections can be useful if lenders use it responsibly.

A well-managed system can reduce repeated calls, improve communication timing and offer clearer repayment options. It can also help lenders keep a proper record of customer interaction, which is important for compliance and customer protection.

But technology alone does not guarantee fair treatment. Lenders still need to follow RBI rules, privacy standards and respectful collection practices. A platform like Rezolv can support better workflows, but the lender’s own policies also matter.

Why this funding is important

Rezolv’s Series A round shows that investors continue to see value in fintech infrastructure, especially in areas beyond loan disbursal.

The first phase of India’s fintech boom focused heavily on payments, digital lending and quick customer onboarding. Now, investors are also looking at the systems that make lending sustainable. These include risk tools, underwriting support, repayment intelligence, collections, compliance and customer servicing.

For lenders, better collections can improve cash flow and reduce bad loans. For borrowers, a more organized system can make the repayment journey less confusing. For investors, this is a large business-to-business opportunity because banks and NBFCs need reliable software at scale.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Rezolv’s $12.5 million Series A round is not just another funding update. It shows how lending technology is moving deeper into the daily operations of banks and NBFCs.

The startup is trying to make lending workflows smarter, faster and more connected. Its main focus is on helping lenders use AI and automation across sales, risk, underwriting and collections.

Key takeaways-

1. Rezolv raised $12.5 million in Series A funding led by Norwest.
2. Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India and 3one4 Capital also participated in the round.
3. The startup was co-founded in October 2024 by Karan Mehta and Sonali Jindal.
4. Rezolv plans to use the funding to strengthen AI across lending workflows.
5. The company serves banks and NBFCs and competes with Credgenics, Nucleus Software and Mobicule.

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.

Info Edge India has approved two fresh strategic investments worth around Rs. 98.90 crore. The company will invest about Rs. 8.90 crore in Udyogtech Ventures Private Limited, which operates the industrial workforce platform Factrika. It will also invest Rs. 90 crore in Startup Investments Holding Limited, its wholly owned subsidiary.

This may look like a regular corporate filing at first. But the move is worth watching because Info Edge is one of India’s most experienced internet companies. It owns Naukri.com, 99acres, Jeevansathi and Shiksha, and it has also built a strong record as a startup investor.

The primary keyword is Info Edge Factrika investment, but the larger story is about India’s factory jobs market, blue-collar hiring and how digital platforms are slowly entering the manufacturing workforce space.

What Info Edge has approved

Info Edge’s Committee of Executive Directors approved the investments on August 14, 2026. The meeting started at 2.45 pm and ended at 2.55 pm, according to the disclosure details reported by InvestyWise.

The first investment is around Rs. 8.90 crore in Udyogtech Ventures Private Limited. This company runs Factrika, an online platform for industrial workforce hiring.

The second investment is around Rs. 90 crore in Startup Investments Holding Limited. This is a wholly owned subsidiary of Info Edge and is mainly involved in direct and indirect investments in technology companies. It also invests in Alternative Investment Funds, commonly called AIFs.

In simple language, Info Edge is putting money into one operating startup and also strengthening its own investment arm.

What is Factrika

Factrika is an on-demand industrial workforce platform. It connects manufacturers with skilled workers for factory and shop-floor roles.

The company’s website says it supports more than 50 job roles. These include trainee, production supervisor, welder, fitter, electrician, machine operator, packaging machine operator, CNC worker and other manufacturing-linked roles.

For workers, Factrika offers verified job openings, no middlemen and joining support. For manufacturers, it offers access to screened workers and hiring tools.

This is useful because factory hiring is often urgent. A manufacturer may suddenly need more workers for a new production line or extra shift. A worker may want a real job without paying hidden charges to local middlemen. Factrika is trying to make that process faster and more trustworthy.

Founders and founding year

Factrika is operated by Udyogtech Ventures Private Limited, which was incorporated on July 2, 2024 by Gaurav Asthana and Kshitij Puri.

This is still a young company, but it is working on a real problem. Hiring for factories is not only about posting jobs online. It needs worker verification, skill matching, training support, factory relationships and ground-level execution.

Deal structure in simple words

Info Edge’s Rs. 8.90 crore investment in Factrika will happen in two tranches.

In the first tranche, Info Edge will subscribe to 1 equity share and 3,098 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares, or CCPS. After this, it will hold 18.58 percent of Factrika on a fully converted and diluted basis.

CCPS may sound technical, but the idea is simple. These are preference shares that can later convert into equity shares. Startups often use this structure during funding rounds because it gives investors economic rights while keeping the deal flexible.

Info Edge also has the right to invest in a second tranche. If that happens, its shareholding in Factrika may rise to around 26 percent. The second tranche depends on certain conditions and performance milestones.

The transaction is being done on an arm’s length basis. That means the deal is treated like a normal business transaction between independent parties.

Why Info Edge is interested in Factrika

Info Edge already understands hiring very well. Naukri.com is one of India’s biggest white-collar job platforms. JobHai, another Info Edge platform, focuses on blue-collar jobs.

Factrika adds another angle – industrial workforce hiring.

India is pushing manufacturing through sectors like auto parts, electronics, textiles, packaging, machinery, infrastructure and e-commerce warehousing. These sectors need reliable workers. But many employers still struggle to find people quickly, especially for shift-based and skilled shop-floor jobs.

Factrika’s platform can help manufacturers find workers who are verified and ready for the job. If this model works at scale, it can reduce hiring delays and improve worker access to genuine jobs.

A practical example

Imagine an auto-parts factory gets a large order and needs 80 additional workers within two weeks. Traditional hiring may involve multiple contractors, phone calls, manual screening and uncertainty.

A platform like Factrika can make this easier. The factory can post its requirement, screen available workers and fill roles faster. Workers also get clearer information about the job, pay, location and joining process.

That is the real value of such a platform. It does not only digitize hiring. It reduces confusion for both sides.

What the Rs. 90 crore subsidiary investment means

The Rs. 90 crore investment in Startup Investments Holding Limited is also important.

This subsidiary helps Info Edge explore technology investments and related opportunities. By putting more money into it, Info Edge is giving itself more room to back startups, invest in funds and support new businesses.

Info Edge has used startup investing as a long-term strategy for years. It was an early investor in companies such as Zomato and Policybazaar. Not every startup investment becomes a major success, but Info Edge has shown patience in building a portfolio.

The latest investment in Startup Investments Holding suggests the company wants to keep that strategy active.

Competitors

Factrika operates in the broader blue-collar and workforce hiring space. Its direct focus is factory and industrial jobs, but it will still compete with larger platforms.

Apna, founded in 2019 by Nirmit Parikh, is a major professional networking and hiring platform for India’s rising workforce. WorkIndia, founded in 2015, connects blue-collar job seekers with employers. BetterPlace, founded in 2015 by Pravin Agarwala and Uday Singh, works in frontline workforce management, hiring and verification.

Factrika’s edge may come from focus. Instead of trying to serve every job category, it is building around manufacturing and industrial roles. That focus can help it understand factory needs better.

What it means for Info Edge shareholders

For shareholders, this is not a huge investment compared with Info Edge’s total business size. But it shows where the company is looking for future growth.

Recruitment is changing. AI tools are affecting office hiring. Manufacturing is creating new workforce demand. Informal hiring is slowly moving online. Platforms that can solve trust, speed and skill matching may find a strong market.

Info Edge’s investment in Factrika gives it a seat in this developing space. The Rs. 90 crore infusion into Startup Investments Holding also gives it more flexibility to keep backing technology-led opportunities.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Info Edge’s Rs. 8.90 crore investment in Factrika and Rs. 90 crore investment in Startup Investments Holding show a clear strategy. The company wants to stay close to new hiring models and keep building its startup investment pipeline.

Factrika is still early, but the problem it is solving is practical. India’s factories need reliable workers, and workers need verified jobs without middlemen. If Factrika can build trust at scale, it may become a useful platform in India’s industrial employment market.

Key takeaways –

• Info Edge has approved investments worth around Rs. 98.90 crore.
• It will invest around Rs. 8.90 crore in Udyogtech Ventures Private Limited, which operates Factrika.
• Factrika is an on-demand industrial workforce platform.
• Info Edge will initially get 18.58 percent shareholding in Factrika.
• The company has the option to raise its stake to about 26 percent in a second tranche.
• Info Edge will also invest Rs. 90 crore in Startup Investments Holding Limited, its wholly owned subsidiary.
• The move fits Info Edge’s broader interest in hiring, technology startups and digital workforce platforms.

Quarkitech has raised Rs. 2 crore in pre-seed funding, giving the Chennai-based deep-tech startup fresh capital to build its early product and test it with real customers.

The company is working in a space that may sound difficult at first – quantum-inspired computing. But the simple idea is this. Many businesses face problems where there are too many possible choices. A normal system can take too long to find the best answer. Quarkitech wants to make that process faster and more useful.

This Quarkitech funding round matters because India’s quantum startup scene is still young. A Rs. 2 crore pre-seed cheque may not look huge compared with later-stage startup rounds, but for a research-heavy company, it can help turn a promising idea into a working product.

What Quarkitech does

Quarkitech, also known as Quarki Technologies, is building advanced solvers for hard decision-making problems. The company says its work focuses on quantum-inspired optimization.

In simple words, optimization means finding the best option among many possible options.

For example, a finance company may want to balance risk and returns across thousands of investments. A logistics company may want to reduce delivery cost. A manufacturer may want to plan production without wasting time, material or energy.

These problems can become too large for basic software. Quarkitech’s aim is to use smarter algorithms to solve such problems faster and at a larger scale.

Founders and founding year

Quarkitech Research and Development Private Limited was incorporated on January 29, 2025.

It was founded by Sanyam Parashar as Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Rajesh Narayanan as Co-founder and Chief Scientist, and Dr. Shashikant Kunwar as Co-founder and CTO. Dr. Vishnnu PK is also working as a founding member and quantum algorithms lead.

The startup is connected with the IIT Madras Research Park ecosystem, which is important for a company working in deep technology. Startups in this area often need research support, technical talent, mentors and industry links before they can become commercial businesses.

Aim of the Rs. 2 crore funding

The main aim of this pre-seed funding is likely to be product development, team building and early customer pilots.

At this stage, Quarkitech needs to prove that its technology can solve real business problems, not just research problems. That means working with companies, testing its solvers on practical data and showing measurable benefits.

In finance, this could mean better portfolio planning, faster risk checks or improved decision models. In logistics, it could mean better route planning. In telecom or infrastructure, it could help with network planning and resource use.

The bigger goal is simple – make complex decision-making easier for businesses.

Why this funding is important

Pre-seed funding is usually the first serious outside capital a startup receives. Investors at this stage are not only looking at revenue. They are mainly betting on the team, the idea and the size of the problem.

For Quarkitech, the timing is interesting. India is paying more attention to quantum technology after the launch of the National Quantum Mission. The mission has a budget outlay of Rs. 6,003.65 crore for 2023-24 to 2030-31 and aims to support quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and related areas.

That creates a better environment for startups like Quarkitech. More investors, enterprises and government-backed programmes are now looking seriously at quantum and deep-tech companies.

Competitors and market landscape

Quarkitech is entering a field where India already has a few serious players.

QpiAI is one of the better-known names. It works on quantum computing, AI and high-performance computing for industries such as finance, logistics, materials and life sciences. In 2025, QpiAI raised USD 32 million in Series A funding.

BQP, earlier known as BosonQ Psi, works on quantum-powered simulations for sectors such as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and biotech. It joined the IBM Quantum Network startup programme in 2023.

QNu Labs is another important Indian quantum company, though its focus is different. It works mainly on quantum-safe cybersecurity and secure communication.

Quarkitech’s focus appears to be more around optimization and decision intelligence. That gives it a specific space, but it will still need to show clear business value.

What happens next

The next phase will be crucial for Quarkitech.

The startup will need to move from technology promise to customer proof. That means building a product that companies can understand, test and pay for. Deep-tech startups often face this challenge. The science may be strong, but the product must be simple enough for business teams to use.

If Quarkitech can show that its solvers reduce cost, save time or improve decisions, it can attract stronger customers and possibly a larger seed round later.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Quarkitech’s Rs. 2 crore pre-seed funding is an early but important step. The startup is young, but it is working in a space that could become valuable as Indian companies handle bigger data and more complex decisions.

Key takeaways –

1. Quarkitech has raised Rs. 2 crore in pre-seed funding.
2. The Chennai startup is working on quantum-inspired optimization tools.
3. It was incorporated in 2025 and is linked with the IIT Madras Research Park ecosystem.
4. Its leadership team includes Sanyam Parashar, Dr. Rajesh Narayanan and Dr. Shashikant Kunwar.
5. The funding should help with product development, hiring and early pilots.
6. Its possible use cases include finance, logistics, infrastructure and industrial planning.

Facts Input- The Hindu

Bluehill.VC has closed its maiden fund at Rs. 400 crore, including a Rs. 50 crore greenshoe option. The Chennai-based venture capital firm will use the fund to back early-stage startups working in frontier-tech areas such as defence, space, semiconductors, energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics and industrial technologies.

This is an important moment for India’s deeptech ecosystem. For years, venture capital in India was mostly known for consumer internet, fintech, ecommerce and software startups. Bluehill.VC is placing its bet on a different kind of founder – someone building hard technology that may take longer to develop but can create stronger long-term value.

The fund has investors including SIDBI and the governments of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. Family offices, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals from India and the Middle East have also invested in the fund.

What Bluehill.VC Does

Bluehill.VC is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on frontier technology. Frontier-tech means new, difficult and research-heavy technology that can create large real-world impact.

In simple words, Bluehill is not looking for another app that copies an existing model. It wants to back companies building original technology through science, engineering and intellectual property.

For example, a startup building reusable launch vehicles for space missions fits this fund’s interest. So does a company working on counter-drone systems, semiconductor chips, advanced materials or new energy systems.

These are not easy businesses. They often need labs, testing, hardware, manufacturing, government approvals and patient capital. That is why specialized investors matter.

Founders And Founding Year

Bluehill.VC was founded in 2024 by Manu Iyer and Sridhar Parthasarathy.

Manu Iyer is the managing partner and co-founder. He has been involved in India’s deeptech ecosystem for years and has worked closely with technical founders.

Sridhar Parthasarathy is also managing partner and co-founder. He has spoken about the need to back founders who build from first principles rather than making small improvements to existing products.

Their investment style is built around technical depth. In frontier-tech, this matters because investors need to understand whether a startup is building something truly defensible or only making a good presentation around a difficult topic.

Fund Purpose

The main purpose of Bluehill.VC’s maiden fund is to support early-stage Indian startups building foundational technology.

The fund will invest from seed to Series A stages. Its initial cheque size will usually range from $1 million to $2 million. Bluehill plans to build a focused portfolio of 15 to 16 companies.

This concentrated approach is useful in frontier-tech. These startups often need more hands-on support than regular software companies. They may need help with technical validation, customer pilots, government relationships, manufacturing partners, follow-on investors and hiring.

Bluehill has already deployed more than Rs. 100 crore across seven companies. It also plans to invest another Rs. 80 crore over the next six months.

What Kind Of Startups Will Get Backing

Bluehill.VC will focus on startups where technology and intellectual property sit at the core of the product.

Its areas of interest include space, defence, nuclear energy, electric vehicles, semiconductors, advanced materials, robotics, water, industrial technology and manufacturing.

A practical example makes this easier to understand. A normal software startup may build a delivery app and grow quickly if users like it. A frontier-tech startup may spend years building a new propulsion system, chip design or industrial robot before revenue becomes large.

But if the technology works, the company can become very hard to copy. That is the kind of long-term value Bluehill wants to find.

Current Portfolio of Bluehill

Bluehill has already invested in companies such as EtherealX, Zebu Intelligent Systems, Sophrosyne Technologies, optoML and Helex.

EtherealX is a space-tech startup working on reusable launch vehicles. Zebu Intelligent Systems is building counter-drone technology. Sophrosyne Technologies and optoML operate in the semiconductor space. Helex is a biotech company working on advanced therapeutics.

These investments show the fund’s real direction. It is not using deeptech as a buzzword. It is backing companies where science and engineering are central to the business.

Why This Fund Matters For India

India is trying to build strength in areas like defence manufacturing, space technology, electronics, semiconductors and clean energy. These sectors need more than policy support. They also need risk capital.

Banks usually do not fund very early deeptech companies because the risk is high and the timelines are long. Traditional venture funds may also hesitate because hardware-heavy startups can take longer to show results.

That is where funds like Bluehill can play an important role. They can provide early capital when the technology is promising but still needs validation.

For India, this is important because frontier-tech companies can reduce import dependence, create high-skilled jobs and build products for both domestic and global markets.

Competitors And Market Landscape

Bluehill.VC is part of a growing group of Indian funds that are looking seriously at deeptech and frontier-tech startups.

Its peers and competitors include Speciale Invest, Ideaspring Capital, MGF-Kavachh, pi Ventures, YourNest, Endiya Partners and some deeptech-focused programs backed by government institutions.

MGF-Kavachh, for example, focuses on defence, space and deeptech. Speciale Invest has backed startups in space, climate, semiconductors and enterprise technology. Ideaspring Capital has also invested in early-stage technology companies with strong IP.

This competition is healthy. Frontier-tech founders need more investors who understand long build cycles, technical risk and the need for patient support.

Challenges Ahead

Bluehill.VC has closed a strong maiden fund, but the real test starts now.

Frontier-tech investing is difficult. Some products may fail during testing. Some may need more capital than expected. Some may face slow customer adoption, especially if they sell to large enterprises or government-linked sectors.

Exit timelines can also be longer. A consumer app can scale quickly if users love it. A semiconductor, biotech or space-tech startup may need many years before it reaches commercial scale.

Still, the upside can be meaningful. If even a few companies from the fund become category leaders, Bluehill can build a strong position in India’s next wave of technology investing.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Bluehill.VC’s Rs. 400 crore maiden fund is a strong signal for India’s frontier-tech market. The firm is backing early-stage startups that are solving hard engineering and scientific problems, not just building copycat internet businesses.

The fund’s purpose is clear – support Indian founders building original, IP-led technology in sectors such as space, defence, semiconductors, energy, robotics and advanced manufacturing.

Key takeaways –

• Bluehill.VC has closed its maiden fund at Rs. 400 crore, including a Rs. 50 crore greenshoe option.
• The firm was founded in 2024 by Manu Iyer and Sridhar Parthasarathy.
• The fund will invest from seed to Series A stages.
• Initial cheques will typically range from $1 million to $2 million.
• Bluehill plans to build a focused portfolio of 15 to 16 companies.
• Its portfolio already includes EtherealX, Zebu Intelligent Systems, Sophrosyne Technologies, optoML and Helex.

Facts Input- ToI, BS, YS

Lane has raised Rs. 8.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Kae Capital. The round also saw participation from DeVC, Antler India, Panthera Peak and several angel investors.

The Bengaluru-focused startup is trying to fix a very familiar problem in India. Many people get a driving licence, but still feel nervous behind the wheel. Some learn from family members, some go to local driving schools, and many never get enough real road practice to feel confident.

Lane wants to change that by building a digital platform for driving education, instructor access, RTO support and future mobility services. In simple words, it wants to become a trusted place for a person’s full driving journey, from the first lesson to buying and managing a car.

What Lane Does

Lane is an online platform that connects learners with certified driving instructors. Its focus is not only on helping people pass a driving test. The company wants learners to become confident, responsible and safer drivers on real Indian roads.

This is important because driving in India is not the same as driving inside an empty ground. New drivers have to deal with traffic, signals, two-wheelers, sudden turns, parking pressure, narrow lanes and highway fear.

Lane says it uses a structured curriculum and instructor screening to make training more reliable. As per companies LinkedIn announcement, it has taught over 4,000 learners across more than 38,000 hours on Bengaluru roads.

The startup also says its instructor partners must clear a 15-parameter assessment before teaching learners.

Founder And Founding Year

Lane is operated by Inlane Technologies Private Limited. Inlane Technologies was incorporated on April 4, 2024, by Samiksha Agarwal and Sanchit Agarwal.

The company was incorporated in 2024 and began scaling its driving education operations in 2025.

Who Led The Funding

The Rs. 8.5 crore pre-seed round was led by Kae Capital.

Kae Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in India. It has backed several Indian startups over the years and usually invests early, when companies are still building their first strong market base.

Other participants in Lane’s round include DeVC, Antler India and Panthera Peak. The company also mentioned participation from prominent angel investors.

For a young startup, this kind of round is useful because it brings capital, investor guidance and credibility. Driving education is a trust-heavy category, so reputation matters.

Purpose Of The Funding

Lane plans to use the funding for three main goals.

1. The first goal is to deepen its presence in Bengaluru. This means improving supply of trained instructors, adding more learners, building stronger local operations and making the learning experience more consistent.
2. The second goal is expansion into more Tier 1 cities. Driving education is not a Bengaluru-only problem. Cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai also have a large number of first-time drivers, working professionals, students and families who need better training.
3. The third goal is building sensor-based infrastructure. This is one of the more interesting parts of Lane’s plan. Sensor-based systems can help make driving behaviour more measurable. Instead of relying only on an instructor’s opinion, a learner’s braking, turning, speed control or parking behaviour can be tracked more objectively over time.

For example, if a learner brakes too late at signals or struggles during reverse parking, a data-backed system can help identify the pattern. The instructor can then focus on that exact weakness.

Why Driving Education Needs A Fresh Approach

India’s road safety problem is serious. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India recorded 4,61,312 road accidents in 2022, leading to 1,68,491 deaths and 4,43,366 injuries.

Better roads, stricter enforcement and safer vehicles are all important. But driver training is also a big part of the picture.

Many learners finish a driving course without enough exposure to real traffic. Some are trained mainly to handle the test route. Others learn clutch and steering basics but do not learn defensive driving, highway judgement, parking confidence or calm decision-making.

Lane is trying to make learning more structured and less stressful. This is especially useful for adults who may have failed to learn earlier or feel anxious while driving alone.

Beyond Driving Classes

Lane’s ambition goes beyond lessons.

The company says driving education is its entry point. After that, it wants to help users with RTO and licensing services, car commerce, insurance, servicing and upgrades.

This makes sense from a business point of view. A person learning to drive is often close to buying a car or helping their family manage one. If Lane earns trust during the learning stage, it can later support decisions around used cars, insurance, financing, service and documents.

For example, a learner who becomes confident after 20 lessons may ask what type of car to buy, whether automatic makes sense, or how to transfer ownership of a used car. Lane wants to be present for those next steps too.

Instructor Partners Also Matter

Lane’s model also focuses on instructors.

The company said its instructor partners can earn up to Rs. 90,000 a month, work close to home and receive weekly payouts. If this model scales well, it could bring more structure to a market that is often unorganized.

Driving instructors play an important role, but many do not get stable income, proper systems or respect for their skill. A platform model can help create better standards, though Lane will need to ensure quality remains strong as it grows.

Competitors And Market Landscape

Lane will compete with traditional local driving schools and larger organized players such as Maruti Suzuki Driving School.

Maruti Suzuki Driving School is one of India’s most recognized organized driving training networks. Its official website says it has 540-plus training schools, 2,100-plus trainers and more than 22 lakh students trained.

Lane’s difference is its platform-first approach. It is not only positioning itself as a driving school. It wants to become a connected driving services platform, with education as the starting point.

The challenge will be execution. Local driving schools are cheaper and widely available. Maruti has strong brand trust. Lane will need to prove that its training quality, convenience and post-learning services are worth choosing.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Lane’s Rs. 8.5 crore pre-seed funding is a notable early bet on India’s driving education and mobility services market. The startup is working on a real problem – the gap between having a licence and actually feeling ready to drive safely.

If Lane can combine trained instructors, structured lessons, sensor-based feedback and useful mobility services, it may build a strong position in a category that has stayed informal for too long.

Key takeaways –

• Lane has raised Rs. 8.5 crore in pre-seed funding.
• The round was led by Kae Capital.
• DeVC, Antler India, Panthera Peak and angel investors also participated.
• Lane is operated by Inlane Technologies Private Limited, incorporated in 2024.
• The funding will support Bengaluru growth, Tier 1 city expansion and sensor-based driving infrastructure.

Facts Input- D2CInsider Pulse

Mirae Asset Venture Investments India has hit the first close of its new India-focused fund at around $118 million, or about Rs. 1,125 crore, according to recent reports. The fund will be used to back Indian startups that have moved beyond the idea stage and are ready for serious growth.

This comes at a time when startup funding in India is more selective than it was during the 2021 boom. Investors are no longer writing large cheques only for fast user growth. They want clearer business models, stronger revenue, better margins and a real path to exits.

For Indian founders, Mirae Asset’s fresh fund is a positive signal. It shows that large global investors still believe India can produce strong technology companies, especially in sectors where digital adoption, consumption and financial services are growing steadily.

What Mirae Asset’s New Fund Means

A first close means the fund has secured its first set of committed capital from investors and can begin deploying money. The fund may raise more capital later before reaching its final close.

In simple words, Mirae now has a fresh pool of money ready for Indian startups. The focus will be early-growth companies. These are startups that already have a product, customers and some market proof, but need capital to grow faster.

For example, a fintech company that has built a lending product and found strong customer demand may need funds to improve technology, meet compliance needs and expand to more cities. A logistics startup may need money to strengthen operations, hire teams and build better software. That is the type of stage where a fund like this can become useful.

Fund Purpose – Why Mirae Is Raising Fresh India Capital

The main purpose of this fund is to support Indian startups during the early-growth phase.

This stage is important because many startups struggle after the first few years. They may have product-market fit, but they need money and guidance to build larger teams, improve systems, enter new markets and prepare for future funding rounds.

Mirae Asset has already backed Indian companies such as Shadowfax, Dhan, Snabbit and KreditBee. These names show the firm’s interest in sectors like logistics, fintech, consumer services and digital platforms.

The new fund gives Mirae more room to continue this strategy. It can invest in companies that are growing but still need long-term capital and patient support.

Mirae Asset – Background And India Journey

Mirae Asset is part of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a South Korea-headquartered financial services group founded in 1997. The group has built a global presence across asset management, venture capital, ETFs and alternative investments.

Mirae Asset Venture Investments India operates as the group’s venture investment arm in India. Its public profile describes it as a multi-stage technology venture capital firm based in Mumbai.

The firm has been active in India’s startup market for years. Its India portfolio has included companies such as Ola, BigBasket, Zomato, Shadowfax, KreditBee, Dhan, ShareChat, Unacademy, Jupiter and Jai Kisan.

This background matters because venture investing is not only about one new fund. A firm’s past portfolio, founder network and follow-on support often decide how useful it can be for startups.

Why This Fund Matters Now

The timing of the fund is important.

Over the last few years, Indian startups have faced a tighter funding market. Many companies had to cut costs, focus on profitability and slow down expansion. Investors became more careful after seeing high valuations fall in several sectors.

In this environment, a fresh India-focused fund tells founders that money is still available, but it is chasing better-quality businesses.

For startups, this can be healthy. Instead of chasing growth at any cost, founders may focus on building stronger companies. Investors like Mirae can then back businesses that have real demand, better economics and a clearer route to scale.

What Kind Of Startups Could Benefit

Mirae Asset is likely to look at technology-led companies in sectors where India has large market opportunities.

Fintech is an obvious area. India has seen strong growth in payments, credit, stockbroking, wealthtech and insurance platforms. Mirae’s investment in KreditBee and Dhan fits this direction.

Logistics and mobility are also important. Shadowfax is one example from its portfolio. As ecommerce, quick commerce and direct-to-consumer brands grow, logistics startups can solve real operational problems.

Consumer internet and digital platforms may also remain attractive, but investors are now more careful in this space. Startups need repeat users, strong revenue and lower dependence on discounts.

AI, enterprise software and digital infrastructure may also interest funds like Mirae, especially if the startups are solving business problems instead of only building trendy tools.

How This Helps Indian Founders

For founders, a fund like this can help in more than one way.

• First, it provides growth capital. Startups can use the money to hire stronger teams, improve technology, expand distribution and enter new markets.
• Second, it can help with credibility. When a recognized investor backs a startup, later investors, enterprise customers and partners may take the company more seriously.
• Third, Mirae’s global network can help companies that want to expand beyond India. This is useful for startups in fintech, SaaS, logistics technology and consumer brands with international ambitions.

Competitors In India’s Venture Capital Market

Mirae Asset will compete with several active venture capital firms in India.

Its competitors include Peak XV Partners, Accel, Lightspeed, Elevation Capital, Matrix Partners India, Blume Ventures, Nexus Venture Partners, 3one4 Capital and Stellaris Venture Partners.

Some of these funds focus heavily on seed and early-stage startups. Others invest across stages. Mirae’s advantage is its global financial backing and its experience investing in growth-stage Indian technology companies.

The competition is good for founders. More active funds mean more choices. But it also means startups must be clearer about their numbers, customer demand and long-term plan.

What Investors Are Looking For Now

The mood in venture capital has changed.

A few years ago, many investors were comfortable funding fast growth even if losses were very high. Today, the questions are sharper. Is the startup solving a real problem? Can it make money from each customer? Is the market large enough? Can it survive without constant discounting?

This makes Mirae’s new fund more interesting. It is arriving in a market where good founders may get serious attention, but weak business models may struggle.

For example, a startup with loyal paying customers and improving margins may raise capital more easily than a startup with only app downloads and no clear revenue.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Mirae Asset’s first close of its new India-focused fund at around $118 million is a strong sign of confidence in India’s startup ecosystem. The fund is expected to back early-growth companies that already have traction and are ready to scale.

The larger message is clear. Indian startups still have investor interest, but the bar is higher now. Founders need real products, paying customers, disciplined spending and a clear growth plan.

Key takeaways –

1. Mirae Asset Venture Investments India has hit the first close of its new India-focused fund at about $118 million, or around Rs. 1,125 crore.
2. The fund will focus on early-growth Indian startups.
3. Mirae Asset Financial Group was founded in 1997 in South Korea.
4. Mirae’s India portfolio includes Shadowfax, Dhan, Snabbit, KreditBee, Ola, BigBasket and Zomato.
5. The fund comes during a more selective funding market, where investors are looking for stronger business fundamentals.

Facts Input- BWDisrupt

Astrotalk has reportedly entered India’s unicorn club with a valuation of around $1 billion after employee ESOPs buyback. For a startup working in online astrology and spiritual services, this is a big moment. It also says something interesting about India’s consumer internet market – not every large digital business has to look like ecommerce, fintech or food delivery.

A unicorn is a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more. In Astrotalk’s case, the journey is unusual because the company has grown with strong revenue and profits, not only with investor money.

The Noida-based platform connects users with astrologers through chat, voice and video calls. Astrology is a belief-based service and the business demand around it is very high. Astrotalk has turned that demand into a fast-growing digital platform.

What Astrotalk Does

Astrotalk is an online astrology and spiritual-tech platform. Users can open the app or website and consult astrologers for topics like marriage, career, relationships, health, finance and personal guidance.

The company earns money by charging users for consultations. Astrologers on the platform get paid for their time, while Astrotalk keeps a platform fee.

This is similar to a marketplace model. Just like food delivery apps connect restaurants and customers, Astrotalk connects astrologers and users. The difference is the category – instead of food, cabs or shopping, the product here is personal guidance through astrology.

Founders And Founding Year

Astrotalk was founded in 2017 by Puneet Gupta and Anmol Jain.

Puneet Gupta is the co-founder and CEO. Before Astrotalk, he had built CodeYeti Software Solutions, an IT services company. CodeYeti was later pivoted into Astrotalk in October 2017, according to the report.

Anmol Jain is the co-founder and has played an important role in scaling the platform and its astrologer network.

The company’s growth story is also interesting because it did not start with massive venture funding. Astrotalk raised institutional capital much later, after building strong traction.

How Astrotalk Became A Unicorn

Astrotalk’s rise to a $1 billion valuation did not happen because of one sudden trend. It came from a mix of timing, business model, user behaviour and profitability.

• First, online astrology became more acceptable after smartphones and digital payments became common. Earlier, users had to visit an astrologer physically or rely on local references. Astrotalk made the service available instantly through mobile chat and calls.
• Second, the company built repeat usage. Many users do not come only once. They may return for follow-up questions, festival-related rituals, relationship doubts or career concerns. This repeat behaviour helps revenue grow without depending only on new users.
• Third, Astrotalk has been profitable. Inc42 reported that the company’s FY25 revenue was around Rs. 1,200 crore, with profit of about Rs. 250 crore. Moneycontrol reported that Astrotalk crossed Rs. 1,176 crore in revenue from operations in FY25.

For investors, this is important. Many startups reach high valuations while still burning money. Astrotalk’s case is different because it has shown strong revenue and profit growth together.

The Role Of Funding

Astrotalk has not raised as much money as many other unicorns. Its earlier institutional rounds included funding from Left Lane Capital, Elev8 Venture Partners and others.

In 2024, Astrotalk raised about $34 million across its Series A rounds. At that time, its valuation was reported around $300 million.

Later reports said the company was in talks to raise fresh capital at a valuation above $1 billion. The new unicorn status appears to come from that valuation jump, supported by strong revenue, profit and IPO expectations.

One point to keep in mind – startup valuations can be based on fresh funding, secondary share sales, or a mix of both. A secondary sale means existing shareholders sell part of their stake to new investors. It does not always mean all the money goes into the company.

Why Investors Like Astrotalk

Investors usually like three things – growth, profit and a large market. Astrotalk has managed to show all three.

India has a large astrology and spiritual services market, but it has traditionally been unorganised. People buy gemstones, rudraksha, puja services, horoscope reports and consultation services from many small vendors. Astrotalk is trying to bring this into one digital ecosystem.

The company is also expanding beyond consultations. Its ecommerce arm, Astrotalk Store, sells spiritual products such as gemstones, rudraksha, bracelets, idols and ritual items. As per report, Astrotalk Store generated more than Rs. 140 crore in revenue in 2025 and was running at an annualized rate of over Rs. 200 crore.

This gives Astrotalk a second revenue engine. A user may first come for an astrology consultation and later buy a recommended product or service from the platform.

Competitors In The Spiritual-Tech Space

Astrotalk competes with platforms such as Astroyogi, InstaAstro, AstroSage and GaneshaSpeaks in online astrology.

It also faces competition from broader spiritual-tech startups like AppsForBharat and Vama, which focus more on devotional content, online puja and temple-related services.

Astrotalk’s advantage is its strong consultation business, brand recall and profitable scale. Its challenge will be trust. In a sensitive category like astrology, users want reliable service, transparent pricing and protection from poor-quality advice.

Other Indian Unicorns So Far

India’s unicorn list has grown more slowly than during the 2021 funding boom, but new names are still entering the club.

In 2026, Indian unicorns include Juspay, Neysa, KreditBee, Skyroot Aerospace, Sarvam AI, Square Yards and Emergent. Astrotalk now adds a very different category to the list – spiritual consumer internet.

This makes the market more diverse. One side has AI companies like Sarvam AI and Emergent. Another side has space-tech companies like Skyroot. Fintech names like Juspay and KreditBee show the strength of digital finance. Astrotalk shows that culture-led consumer platforms can also become large businesses.

What Happens Next

Astrotalk’s next big milestone could be its IPO. The company has been preparing for a public listing, and earlier reports said it may look at going public around 2027.

Before that, it will need to keep proving that its growth is sustainable. Public market investors will look closely at revenue quality, profit margins, customer repeat rates, marketing costs, compliance and category risks.

The company may also continue expanding into international markets, offline stores and spiritual commerce. If it can become a trusted spiritual services brand, not just an astrology app, its market can become much wider.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Astrotalk’s reported $1 billion valuation is a major moment for India’s spiritual-tech market. The company has shown that a culturally rooted service can become a large digital business when it is organised well, priced clearly and delivered through a convenient app.

Its rise has come from strong consultation revenue, repeat users, profitability, ecommerce expansion and investor belief in its IPO path.

Key takeaways –

• Astrotalk has reportedly become India’s latest unicorn at around $1 billion valuation.
• The company was founded in 2017 by Puneet Gupta and Anmol Jain.
• Astrotalk connects users with astrologers through chat, voice and video calls.
• The company reported strong FY25 revenue and profit growth.
• Its ecommerce arm, Astrotalk Store, is becoming an important second business.
• Other recent Indian unicorns include Sarvam AI, Emergent, Skyroot Aerospace, Juspay, KreditBee, Neysa and Square Yards.

Facts Input- APACNews

Wippi has raised $1.2 million in seed funding to build screen-free AI products for children. The round was led by 12 Flags, with participation from Warmup Ventures, Ventana Ventures and Ruvento Ventures.

The Bengaluru-based startup is working on a problem many parents know too well. Children are spending more time on screens, and parents want a better option that can keep them engaged without endless scrolling or passive video watching.

Wippi’s answer is an AI-powered audio companion for kids. It uses stories, character cards, voice conversations and a parent app to make learning feel more interactive, while keeping the experience screen-free.

What Wippi Does

Wippi builds screen-free AI products for children aged four to 10. Its main product is a physical AI companion that talks to children, plays stories, answers questions and brings characters to life through audio.

The idea is simple. Instead of giving a child a phone or tablet, parents can give them a device that encourages listening, speaking, imagination and learning.

For example, a child can pick a story card, place it in the device, and then listen to a story where characters can respond. If the child asks a question about the story, Wippi can answer in a child-friendly way.

This makes the product different from a normal speaker. It is not just playing pre-recorded audio. It is trying to create a two-way conversation.

Founders And Founding Year

Wippi was founded in late 2024 by Rishabh Singhi and Siddhartha Jain.

Rishabh Singhi’s reason for building Wippi came from a personal parenting problem. After becoming a father, he noticed how easily screens entered a child’s daily routine. The founders wanted to create something engaging enough to compete with screen time, but without turning childhood into another app-based experience.

The company behind Wippi is Genalpha-Kids First Mediatech Private Limited, which public company records show was incorporated in July 2024.

Who Led The Funding

The $1.2 million seed round was led by 12 Flags as per ET Entrepreneur.

Warmup Ventures, Ventana Ventures and Ruvento Ventures also joined the round. This is Wippi’s first institutional funding round after being bootstrapped by its founders.

That detail matters because it shows the startup has moved from founder-funded product building to investor-backed commercial scaling. For a hardware and AI startup, that shift is important. Building devices, testing firmware, creating content and managing inventory all need capital.

Aim And Purpose Of The Funding

Wippi will use the fresh capital for several core areas.

1. The first purpose is to strengthen its conversational AI technology. Since the product is made for children, the AI has to understand unclear speech, short questions, mixed language and playful conversation. A child may not speak like an adult, so the system needs to be more patient and context-aware.
2. The second purpose is hardware and firmware research and development. Firmware is the software that helps the physical device work properly. For a children’s product, reliability matters a lot. The device should wake up smoothly, respond quickly, handle regular use and stay safe for kids.
3. The third use of funds is production and inventory. Unlike a pure software startup, Wippi has to manufacture physical devices and playsets. That means spending money before sales happen.
4. The fourth purpose is business expansion. Wippi launched commercially in June 2026 after running a pilot with 100 families. The company now wants to sell 15,000 to 20,000 units over the next 12 months.

How The Product Works

Wippi combines three main parts – hardware, AI and content.

• The hardware is the physical Wippi device. It is designed for children and works through audio interaction. The official product page says the starter kit includes the device, story cards, access to stories, free delivery and a one-year warranty.
• The AI layer helps children talk to the device. Wippi uses a mix of publicly available large language models with its own middleware layer. In simple words, this layer sits between the AI model and the child to make responses safer, more age-appropriate and more consistent.
• The content layer includes stories, games, characters and playsets. Wippi’s character experiences include names like Ram, Krishna, Alice, Cinderella and Aladdin. This mix of Indian and global characters may help the product appeal to families that want both familiar cultural stories and classic fantasy tales.

Why Screen-Free AI Is Becoming Interesting

Parents are not only asking whether children should use AI. They are asking how children should use it.

A phone or tablet can quickly lead to videos, ads, games and random recommendations. Wippi is trying to offer a more controlled path. The child still gets interaction and curiosity, but without staring at a screen.

This does not mean AI toys should replace parents, books, outdoor play or real friendships. They should not. But if built carefully, they can become one useful part of a child’s routine.

For example, Wippi can be used during quiet playtime, bedtime storytelling or after-school learning. A parent may set a goal like improving punctuality or cleanliness, and the device can use stories and gentle reminders around that theme.

Pricing And Business Model

Wippi’s business model goes beyond selling one device.

As per report, the starter kit is priced at Rs. 6,499 and includes the device and one playset. The essential kit is priced at Rs. 9,099 with three playsets. The royal kit is priced at Rs. 11,699 with five playsets.

Wippi also plans to offer an AI subscription. This can create recurring revenue for the company, along with repeat purchases of playsets.

That makes the business closer to a hardware-plus-content model. The first sale brings the device into the home. After that, parents may buy more stories, character cards and AI access if the child keeps using it.

Competitors And Similar Products

Wippi is entering a new but growing category – AI companions and screen-free learning devices for children.

Globally, companies such as Bondu and Curio are working on AI-powered companion toys for kids. In India, startups such as mywonder are also exploring screen-free AI learning experiences for young children.

Wippi’s advantage may come from its India-first approach. It is building for Indian homes, Indian languages, familiar stories and local parenting concerns. The official website says Wippi supports 140-plus languages, which could become useful in a country where children often grow up hearing more than one language at home.

The challenge is trust. Parents will want to know whether the AI is safe, whether conversations are controlled, and whether the product genuinely reduces screen time instead of becoming another digital habit.

Challenges Ahead

Wippi has an exciting idea, but the road is not easy.

Children’s products need a higher level of care. The device must be safe, durable and easy to use. The AI must avoid harmful, confusing or unsuitable responses. The parent app must give enough control without making setup complicated.

Hardware is also hard to scale. Manufacturing delays, quality checks, returns, warranty support and inventory planning can create pressure for a young startup.

Still, Wippi has picked a real problem. Many parents want their children to spend less time on screens, but they also need practical alternatives. If Wippi can hold a child’s attention in a calm, safe and useful way, it may find a strong market.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Wippi’s $1.2 million seed funding round shows growing investor interest in AI products made specifically for children. The round, led by 12 Flags, will help the startup improve its conversational AI, build better hardware, fund production and expand commercially.

The company is trying to create a middle path between traditional toys and screen-heavy digital entertainment. Its success will depend on safety, content quality, product reliability and whether children actually return to it every day.

Key takeaways –

• Wippi has raised $1.2 million in seed funding.
• The round was led by 12 Flags, with participation from Warmup Ventures, Ventana Ventures and Ruvento Ventures.
• Wippi was founded in late 2024 by Rishabh Singhi and Siddhartha Jain.
• The startup builds screen-free AI products for children aged four to 10.
• The funding will support AI development, hardware R&D, production, inventory and commercial growth.