India’s startup ecosystem continues to see strong investor interest as funding rounds, corporate developments, and product launches shape the market. Today’s roundup covers major funding announcements from Petpooja, Hocco, Kapiva, and Plazza, along with emerging AI and mobility startups. Additionally, YouTube has launched its Premium Lite plan in India, while Tata Motors appoints Shailesh Chandra as its new MD & CEO, steering the company amid key operational challenges.
| Company | Amount | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petpooja | $15.5 Mn | Series C | Dharana Capital; Ashish Gupta; Urban Company | SaaS / Restaurant Tech |
| Hocco | INR 115 Cr | Series B | Sauce.vc | Premium Ice Cream |
| Kapiva | $60 Mn | Series D | 360 ONE Asset; Vertex Growth | Ayurveda Wellness |
| RUGR Fintech | $5 Mn | Pre-Series A | Vikasa India EIF I Fund | Rural Fintech |
| iGoWise Mobility | INR 8.2 Cr | Pre-Seed | ISB Angels; 888VC; Guptaji VC | Electric Mobility |
| Plazza | $1.4 Mn | Seed | All In Capital; Better Capital; others | Quick Medicine Delivery |
| Vaani AI | $400K | Pre-Seed | Venture Catalysts | AI Research |
Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 29th September 2025
Petpooja raises $15.5 Mn to expand restaurant tech solutions
Restaurant SaaS startup Petpooja has raised $15.5 million in Series C funding. The capital will be used to enhance its restaurant management platform, expand AI-driven automation tools, and accelerate growth across India and other markets. The move strengthens Petpooja’s position as a leading cloud-based restaurant technology provider.
Hocco secures INR 115 Cr to grow premium ice cream business
Premium ice cream brand Hocco has raised INR 115 crore in a Series B round at a ₹2,000 crore valuation. The funding will support manufacturing expansion, cold-chain improvements, and new product innovations to capture a larger share of India’s gourmet ice cream market.
Kapiva raises $60 Mn to boost Ayurveda wellness offerings
D2C Ayurveda brand Kapiva has raised $60 million in Series D funding. The funds will be deployed for R&D, brand building, and scaling operations, helping Kapiva strengthen its health and wellness product portfolio. Fireside Ventures has exited during this round.
RUGR Fintech raises $5 Mn in Pre-Series A round
RUGR Fintech, a rural-focused fintech platform, has raised $5 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Vikasa India EIF I Fund. The investment will help the startup expand its technology infrastructure and increase financial access for rural communities.
iGoWise Mobility raises INR 8.2 Cr in Pre-Seed funding
Electric mobility startup iGoWise Mobility has secured INR 8.2 crore in a pre-seed funding round. The capital will be used to reduce production costs, expand customer experience initiatives, and scale operations to meet growing demand.
Plazza raises $1.4 Mn to expand quick medicine delivery
Quick medicine delivery startup Plazza has raised $14 million in a funding round led by All In Capital. The funds will help expand the product range, increase store footprint, and improve last-mile delivery services in key cities.
Vaani AI secures $400K Pre-Seed funding
AI research startup Vaani AI has raised $400K in a pre-seed round led by Venture Catalysts. The funding will be used to advance AI research initiatives and build innovative solutions for enterprise and consumer applications.
Key Business News for 29th September 2025
YouTube Launches Premium Lite in India
YouTube has introduced its Premium Lite subscription plan in India at INR 89 per month. This budget-friendly option offers an ad-free viewing experience on most videos, excluding music content, Shorts, and some search results. Unlike the full Premium plan, Premium Lite does not include features like offline downloads, background play, or access to YouTube Music. This move aims to provide a more affordable option for users seeking an ad-free experience without additional features.
Shailesh Chandra Appointed CEO of Tata Motors Amid JLR Challenges
Tata Motors has appointed Shailesh Chandra as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective October 1, 2025. Chandra, who has been with the company since 2016, currently leads the Passenger Electric Mobility and Corporate Strategy divisions. His appointment comes at a critical time as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors, is recovering from a significant cyberattack that disrupted its manufacturing operations. Chandra will continue to oversee the electric mobility segment while steering Tata Motors through these challenges.
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