India’s startup and business ecosystem saw major developments on 21 August 2025, with fresh funding rounds boosting growth-stage ventures, Parliament passing a landmark bill to regulate online gaming, bike-taxis making a comeback in Bengaluru, and more. Here’s your quick roundup of the top funding deals and key business news in India today.
Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 21st August 2025
| Date | Company | Amount (INR) | Round / Type | Lead Investor(s) | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Aug 2025 | Mitra | ₹14 crore | Bridge (equity) | Bestvantage Investments | FMCG / Packaged foods |
| 21 Aug 2025 | Edgehax | ₹1.39 crore | Seed | Inflection Point Ventures | Edge AI hardware |
Mitra raises INR 14 crore in a bridge round led by Bestvantage Investments
FMCG brand Mitra secured INR 14 crore in a bridge round led by Bestvantage Investments, with participation from existing backers, including Mr. Surya (Dubai-based family office). The company plans to expand production capacity, launch a 3,000-ton refined flour plant (maida) in October, enter millet and other health-oriented categories (e.g., gluten-free, sugar-free, diabetic-friendly flours, and organic spices), and strengthen distribution across India and GCC markets. The business is already EBITDA-positive and is preparing for a Series A in April 2026, targeting a valuation of INR 500 crore.
Edgehax secures INR 1.39 crore seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures
Bengaluru-based Edgehax, an edge AI computing startup building modular single-board platforms that combine compute, connectivity and storage, raised INR 1.39 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). The funds will support scaling production, product development, and international expansion (Singapore, the US and Europe). Edgehax reports adoption among startups, OEMs and enterprises, and highlights wins such as the NXP Silicon Seeds Startup Programme 2025 with a planned product launch by December.
Key Business News for 21st August 2025
Parliament Clears the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025
- The Rajya Sabha approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 via a voice vote today, following its passage in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
- The legislation aims to prohibit real-money online gaming, including both betting and other forms of monetary gaming, citing concerns over addiction, financial fraud, and societal harm.
- Key provisions include licensing and regulation of online gaming platforms, age restrictions, in-game purchase oversight, and recognition of esports and social/educational games, while establishing penalties including imprisonment (up to three years) and fines (up to ₹1 crore) for violations.
- The bill’s passage is expected to impact major fantasy gaming platforms such as Dream11 and Mobile Premier League, with concerns about job losses, app closures, and potential erosion of foreign investment.
- Legal scrutiny is already underway: a Mumbai-based technology-law lawyer, Jay Sayta, has written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to withhold assent and return the Bill to Parliament under Article 111 of the Constitution.
Uber and Rapido Resume Bike-Taxi Operations in Bengaluru
- Uber and Rapido have restarted bike-taxi services in Bengaluru after a two-month suspension, which began on 16 June due to a state-wide ban.
- The Karnataka High Court intervened, labelling the ban “arbitrary” and “unconstitutional”, and granted the state government a month’s window to form a proper policy framework, while implicitly allowing interim resumption of services.
- Despite the resumption, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified the Court did not officially permit operations, indicating that legal clarity remains pending.
Commuters and local users have taken to platforms like Reddit, expressing excitement:
“RAPIDO BIKE TAXI IS BACK!!!!!! I’m one of the first customers, I guess?,” a Reddit user wrote.
TCS Layoffs Spark Worker Protests in Chennai
- The Union of IT & ITES Employees (UNITE) has held protests, including a demonstration in Chennai, alleging that up to 30,000–40,000 jobs could be lost at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), with claims of replacing mid- and senior-level staff with fresh graduates at 80-85% lower pay.
- According to a statement by UNITE, TCS may have already laid off around 12,000 employees (mid-management and senior staff), and could extend this further.
- TCS refutes these claims, describing them as “incorrect and misleading”, and asserts that the reduction only affects approximately 2% of its global workforce, amounting to roughly 12,000 roles, as part of routine restructuring measures.
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