StartupTalky

Tag: #news

  • LISSUN Acquires Being Cares to Expand AI-Powered Children’s Mental Health Services

    To increase its presence in children’s psychological needs, AI-focused mental health startup LISSUN acquired US-based digital mental health provider Being Cares Inc. The business did not, however, provide the deal’s financial details.

    According to LISSUN, the acquisition will enable it to broaden its offerings to address child-centric issues such as learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, and speech difficulties, among others. Through this acquisition, the healthtech business based in Gurugram has acquired the intellectual property rights to Being Care’s complete workforce and its technologies.

    AI-Driven Care: What LISSUN Plans with Being Cares’ Technology?

    Varun Gandhi and Abhishek Sharma, the founders of Being Care, have both joined LISSUN as chief technology officer and chief product officer, respectively. According to LISSUN’s founder Tarun Gupta, the company is developing a system that uses Bing’s AI and LISSUN’s clinical knowledge to address families’ worries from the first indications, provide digital assistance, and smoothly switch to in-person care when necessary.

    Sunshine Division Set for Major Expansion

    Sunshine is a special division of LISSUN that deals with children’s mental health issues. In the next two to four years, the business also hopes to increase the number of Sunshine centres from the existing 20 to 200. LISSUN was established in 2021 by Gupta and Krishna Veer Singh with the goal of addressing current mental health concerns by providing professional advice, treatments, and all-inclusive solutions for mental and emotional wellness.

    The business established an internal clinical team and hired therapists as full-time staff members. It states that it has worked with over 350 B2B partners and over 75,000 clients. According to LISSUN, it has collaborated with businesses like Uber, Zerodha, and Unacademy to improve mental health in the workplace.

    Being Cares, a mental health mapping business, on the other hand, assists users in mapping their physiological issues and offers remedies such as journaling sessions powered by AI, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and fast analysis services.

    Growing Tech Nexus in India’s Mental Health Sector

    People have begun to prioritise their mental health in addition to their physical health as they navigate a fast-paced society. Once restricted to prescription drugs and physical therapy sessions, the market is increasingly expanding into tech-based alternatives. In India, a number of up-and-coming firms are offering tech-based solutions for mental health.

    For example, Siddhant Bhargava, Shalmali Kadu, and Mitansh Khurana launched the firm InnerGize, which makes the claim that it uses technology to treat mental health conditions. The company uses a state-of-the-art technique called Neuroacoustic Vagal Modulation, which stimulates the vagus nerve—the body’s natural relaxation switch—gently.

    It promises to provide a wearable gadget that helps lower stress, anxiety, and other health problems by sending soothing signals to the brain’s relaxation regions. The business just raised INR 4.5 Cr in investment. In a similar vein, the wearable device Arc, developed by Bengaluru-based startup Mave Health, provides non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) as a treatment for depression.

  • LEAP India Transforms into Public Company, Appoints Independent Directors Ahead of IPO

    According to documents filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), supply chain solutions provider Leap India is prepared to become a publicly traded business. The company has given its consent to be converted from a “private company limited by shares” to a “public company limited by shares” in accordance with LEAP India’s MCA filings. As a result, the company’s name has been changed from Leap India Private Limited to Leap India Limited, and the word “Private” has been removed.

    Independent Director Appointments Signal Corporate Maturity

    Additionally, the startup has nominated Sanjiv Gupta and Harinarayan Nair as two independent directors for a five-year term. Notably, news of LEAP India’s 2022 IPO revealed that the business was raising close to INR 1,000 Cr through the sale of shares. But in 2023, the international investment giant KKR bought the bulk of LEAP India.

    In order to raise INR 535 Cr in a fundraising round headed by private equity giant KKR through its subsidiary Vertical Holding, LEAP India subsequently filed with MCA in December 2024. The round was also anticipated to include participation from Madhurima International, FirstBridge India, and Sixth Sense Ventures, among others.

    LEAP India’s Strategic Acquisition of CHEP India

    For an undisclosed sum, LEAP India purchased CHEP India earlier this year in order to increase its reach and fortify its supply chain presence in the nation. CHEP India assists companies with supply chain optimisation and the reduction of throwaway packaging. According to VCCircle in January, the company acquired ownership of CHEP India’s warehouses, clientele, and staff as part of the agreement.

    Supply Chain Sector in India Sees IPO Boom

    Established in 2013 by Sunu Mathew, LEAP India offers a broad range of supply chain solutions to a diverse clientele from various industries, including equipment pooling, returnable packaging, inventory management and movement, transportation, and repair and maintenance. The supply chain and logistics industry in India is flourishing due to rapid commerce, e-commerce, and technology improvements.

    The supply chain industry is changing along with other industries thanks to robotics, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). Shiprocket, an IPO-bound logistics platform, introduced Shunya.ai earlier this year. It is an agentic AI stack designed to enable D2C and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) by enabling multilingual commerce.

    The logistics titan filed the DRHP through a private process and is considering an INR 2,500 Cr IPO. In preparation for its first public offering (IPO), Shiprocket also became a publicly traded business in January. Most recently, as it prepares for an IPO, the board of Bengaluru-based fintech KreditBee allegedly approved the company’s conversion to a public business.

  • SharePoint Vulnerability: 400+ Organizations Breached in Massive Microsoft Hack

    According to a research group, the number of businesses and organisations impacted by a security flaw in Microsoft Corp.’s SharePoint servers is growing quickly, with the number of victims more than six times increasing in a matter of days.

    Dutch Firm Reveals Surge in SharePoint Exploits

    According to estimates from Eye Security, a Dutch cybersecurity firm that detected an early wave of the attacks last week, hackers have gained access to approximately 400 government organisations, businesses, and other organisations.

    Its prior estimate, which it gave to Bloomberg News on 22 July, was about 60. The majority of victims are in the United States, followed by Mauritius, Jordan, South Africa, and the Netherlands, according to the security firm. According to a previous Bloomberg article, one of those compromised was the National Nuclear Security Administration, the US organisation in charge of creating and managing the country’s nuclear weapons stockpile.

    Geopolitical Context: US-China Cyber Tensions Rise

    The hacks, which coincide with increased tensions between Washington and Beijing over international security and trade, are among the most recent significant breaches that Microsoft has at least partially attributed to China.

    Over the course of several decades, the US has frequently denounced China for purported efforts that have stolen corporate and government secrets. In an email to Bloomberg News, Vaisha Bernard, a co-owner of Eye Security, indicated that the company believes the actual figure may be significantly higher because there may be numerous additional covert techniques to breach systems that do not leave any evidence.

    Other opportunistic adversaries continue to take advantage of servers that are weak, and this is continually evolving. According to Bernard, many companies involved in government, education, and technological services are among those hacked in the SharePoint hacks. In South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the number of victims was lower.

    How the SharePoint Flaw Was Exploited?

    The security holes provide hackers access to SharePoint servers and the keys they need to pretend to be users or services, which might give them deep access to infiltrated networks and allow them to steal private information.

    Although experts warned that hackers might have already gained access to numerous servers, Microsoft has released updates to address the vulnerabilities. On July 22, Microsoft accused Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon, two Chinese state-sponsored hackers, of being responsible for the attacks. According to Microsoft, these were also abused by another Chinese hacker collective known as Storm-2603.

    The Redmond, Washington-based business has frequently accused China of being behind significant hacks. Tens of thousands of Microsoft Exchange servers were infiltrated in 2021 by a claimed Chinese operation. Another purported Chinese attack on Microsoft Exchange in 2023 exposed the email accounts of top US leaders. Following the 2023 incident, a US government review accused Microsoft of a “cascade of security failures.”

  • Tilaknagar Industries Acquires Imperial Blue Whisky from Pernod Ricard for INR 4,150 Crore in Landmark Deal

    According to a formal announcement, Tilaknagar Industries, the company behind Mansion House, the best-selling brandy brand in India and the second-best-selling brand worldwide, has finalised the agreement to purchase the Imperial Blue whisky business division from the Indian branch of the French liquor giant Pernod Ricard for INR 4,150 crore.

    Moneycontrol was the first to disclose on 7 July that a listed spirits company located in Mumbai had beaten out other bidders and started exclusive talks with Pernod Ricard to acquire Imperial Blue whisky. According to the article, a final agreement between the parties might be reached later this month provided the negotiations continue according to plan. Moneycontrol has reported that Tilaknagar Industries intends to use a mix of loan and equity to finance the planned deal.

    Imperial Blue: A Top Contender in India’s IMFL Sector

    Tilaknagar gave an explanation of its acquisition strategy, stating that it aims to establish a nationwide Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) industry. The establishment of a pan-India IMFL business is one of the company’s main goals in relation to the acquisition of the Imperial Blue business venture, according to its official statement.

    The purchase represents the company’s entry into the Indian whisky market. With the acquisition, Imperial Blue, which is now the third-largest brand in the Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) market, will rise to prominence in the brandy and whisky markets, which are the two biggest IMFL markets, according to the business.

    Imperial Blue will be the foundation of Tilaknagar Industries’ premium portfolio approach, the business announced. Additionally, this acquisition would improve the company’s distribution network.

    What this Acquisition Means for the Indian Liquor Industry?

    Having established supremacy in the brandy market, it is now time to diversify the company’s product line and serve India’s varied and changing customer base, according to Amit Dahanukar, chairman and managing director of Tilaknagar Industries Ltd.

    He further added that the company can now join the whisky market with one of the most reputable and well-liked brands in the nation thanks to this smart acquisition, even though the brand is still expanding organically. According to Pernod Ricard, the deal will allow it to promote sustainable growth and fully capitalise on premiumization trends.

    The deal, as per Pernod Ricard, enhances the company’s portfolio in India, allowing it to capitalise on premiumization trends and foster steady, sustainable growth. India is a strategic priority for Pernod Ricard as its second-largest market, and this reorganisation enhances the capacity to leverage the nation’s solid macroeconomic foundation and long-term prospects.

    It is anticipated that the purchase will instantly and significantly increase Pernod Ricard India’s operating profit and net sales growth rate after it closes.

  • Bharatsure Raises ₹6 Crore from IPV and Capital A, Partners with Battery Smart to Launch Insurance Cover for EV Stations Across India

    Mumbai, 24th July 2025 – Bharatsure, one of India’s leading Insurtech companies offering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions has raised INR 6 Crores from Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) and other investors including Capital A and Atrium Angels.

    Bharatsure is pioneering transformation in India’s insurtech landscape, unlocking vast market potential while advancing health security and insurance penetration. As an Infra-as-a-Service (IaaS) Insurtech, Bharatsure empowers ecosystem partners with seamless group and embedded insurance distribution solutions.

    Bharatsure has doubled its revenues in FY25 breaking even at CM3 and is gradually progressing toward EBITDA profitability by the end of this year. With a clear growth trajectory, Bharatsure has set ambitious revenue milestones, targeting INR 100 Cr by FY28 and INR 1000 Cr by FY34, reflecting its bold vision and long-term scalability in the market.

    Anuj Parekh and Sanil Basutkar are the co-founders of Bharatsure. Anuj, a CA and IIM-Bangalore alumnus, brings deep expertise in finance and scaling ventures, while Sanil, a CA and an ISB alumnus, employs his fintech background to drive product innovation and distribution.

    Coinciding with the fundraise, Bharatsure announced a new partnership with Battery Smart, India’s largest battery-swapping network for electric two- and three-wheelers, to launch natural calamity insurance exclusively for its station partners. The initiative offers protection against events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, and storms alongside personal accident coverages to safeguard individual livelihoods. 

    Mitesh Shah, Co-founder, IPV says, “As India moves towards a greener and sustainable future with the widespread adoption of EVs, and the infrastructure that supports it, it is time that we adapt our insurance frameworks to suit the changing needs. Bharatsure’s futuristic mindset and farsight offers financial protection and peace of mind in the face of unexpected events. In a world that doesn’t always go according to plan, insurance doesn’t just offer protection, it also carries the burden of social responsibility.”

    Anuj Parekh, Co-Founder & CEO of Bharatsure, added: “These station partners play a frontline role in advancing sustainable mobility, and we’re proud to design coverage that genuinely addresses their needs. The funding allows us to further develop our infrastructure too ” 

    With over 1,500 stations and 70,000+ drivers across 50+ cities, Battery Smart’s station partners form the backbone of India’s growing EV infrastructure. This insurance plan ensures partners are equipped with financial protection to overcome unforeseen disruptions while continuing to power the country’s EV transition. 

    “Our station partners are at the heart of our operations,” said Ms. Sumi Jain, AVP – Network Strategy and Operations, Battery Smart. “This insurance partnership is not just about protecting assets, it’s about empowering the individuals who are driving India’s EV revolution. Together with Bharatsure, we are fortifying the backbone of our network.” 

    As EV adoption picks up pace in India particularly across two- and three-wheelers, battery swapping stations are emerging as a critical part of the ecosystem. To strengthen safety for its partners, this insurance initiative complements Battery Smart’s existing safety framework, which includes a 24×7 support helpline, in-app issue reporting, mandatory onboarding training and ongoing awareness campaigns. 

    About Battery Smart: 

    Battery Smart is India’s largest and fastest-growing battery-swapping network for electric two and three-wheelers. The company was co-founded by IIT-Kanpur graduates Pulkit Khurana and Siddharth Sikka in 2019 – to make EV adoption simple, economical, and accessible through a unique partner-led model. Battery Smart has completed over 75 million+ battery swaps, set up 1500+ swap stations, and works with over 70,000+ drivers across 50+ cities.

    About Bharatsure: 

    Bharatsure is a leading Insurtech company transforming how businesses and their users access insurance in India. Its Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform enables organizations—ranging from SMEs to large institutions—to offer modular insurance solutions that are scalable, and easy to deploy. Powered by a partner-first distribution model, Bharatsure embeds protection directly into business ecosystems, helping insurance distributors and institutions deliver impactful group covers, employee benefits, and wellness solutions. 

    About Inflection Point Ventures and Physis Capital:

    Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) is an angel investing platform with over 24,000+ CXOs, HNIs,and Professionals to together invest in startups. The firm supports new-age entrepreneurs by providing them with monetary & experiential capital and connecting them with a diverse group of investors. IPV has launched a $50 Mn CAT 2 VC fund, Physis Capital, to invest in Pre-Series A to Series B growth-stage start-ups. The fund has already deployed capital in six startups so far, with a few deals in advanced stages of pipeline.

  • Semicon startup Netrasemi raises Rs 107 Crore in Series A round from Zoho Corporation & Unicorn India Ventures to build advanced Edge-AI SoCs

    Mumbai/Chennai/Thiruvanthapuram, 24th July 2025, Kerala-based Semiconductor startup Netrasemi has raised Rs 107 crore in Series A round from Zoho Corporations Ltd & Unicorn India Ventures. Funds raised will be used for accelerating research and development initiatives, expand manufacturing capabilities, enhance marketing efforts to capture larger domestic and global market share, bring four system-on-chip variants with advanced AI and video analytics features into production and address compute platform requirements of original equipment manufactures (OEMs) for surveillance, industrial robotics, and smart infrastructure products.

    The company has successfully completed development of two SoC products currently in the tapeout stage targeting TSMC’s 12nm technology node.

    Founded in 2020 by Jyothis Indirabhai, Sreejith Varma and Deepa Geetha, Netrasemi is an Indian Edge AI semiconductor technology company building system-on-chips (SOC) to enable the new-age need for optimal computing for smart IoT products. The company is focused on developing system-on-chips (SoCs) that enable optimal computing for smart IoT products, particularly for addressing complex workloads like video processing. The company’s chips are designed to perform advanced AI-based analytics directly on devices, eliminating the need to send data to servers or the cloud. This capability is powered by Netrasemi’s energy-efficient deep-neural AI acceleration core (NPU) and comprehensive portfolio of in-house silicon intellectual properties.

    In the last 12 months, the company has completed development of two Edge-AI chips with advanced video capabilities, initiated development of CCTV AI camera chip for Indian market, established partner agreements for evaluation boards and platform development, signed multiple MOUs with global partners for sample release and product R&D and secured interest and requirements from multiple OEMs for platform development using Netrasemi SoCs.

    “Supporting the growth of a strong deep-tech ecosystem in India is a key focus for Zoho, and our investment in Netrasemi reflects that ongoing effort. Developing advanced technological capabilities and expertise within the country can drive long-term progress in critical sectors, ultimately contributing to economic resilience and self-reliance. Our interests with Netrasemi also align on the R&D front especially in areas such as Robotics,  AI and Edge processing. Through this investment, we are supporting the development of indigenous IP and innovation, paving the way for globally competitive products to be built in India,” says Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO, Zoho Corporation. Zoho Corporation has been promoting rural development with R&D, by creating opportunities for youth to work in technology sector in villages and Tier 2/3 towns, nurturing and developing the local talent. As part of that effort, it recently opened an R&D centre in Kottarakara, Kerala. The company will be collaborating on R&D projects with Netrasemi at this campus.

    Commenting on the investment, Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures says, “The global edge AI market is evolving at a rapid rate with profound transformations and driving demand for specialized energy efficient semiconductor solutions capable of running AI workloads in real time. We believe Netrasemi has opened up new markets and will be leading the next wave of innovation in the semiconductor industry. The company has witnessed remarkable progress with its smart computing and domain specific AI chips and has been growing significantly. The funding will help the company build advanced Edge AI SoC and also scale its services globally.”

    Netrasemi plans to double the current workforce from 83 to 166 chip engineering professionals, target diverse applications across surveillance, industrial robotics, smart home devices, smart city infrastructure and retail sectors. Additionally, the company also plans to increase customer and partner engagement activities along with a focus on next generation chips with superior performance and features. Netrasemi is currently in R&D and prototyping stage of their upcoming launches which is expected in early 2026.

    Jyothis Indirabhai, Co-founder & CEO, Netrasemi, says, “In the new age of AI-based automation and next-generation smart devices, domain-specific optimization is no longer a nice-to-have feature—it’s a necessity. Netrasemi’s efficient Domain Specific Architecture (DSA) and optimal intellectual property silicon cores enable both performance and energy efficiency needed for real-time on-device, on-premise computing at the edge. Our chips are designed based on various end-customer application requirements and are both power-efficient and cost-effective. Netrasemi chips enable solution players to develop advanced ML and vision application use cases faster and with ease. We not only make advanced System-on-Chips, but own the IP cores that go inside to make them achieve edge-efficient computing.”

    Being backed by Zoho, it will help us leverage their rich market knowledge and would help us enter new industry segments through strong R&D collaboration and joint vision. We highly value Unicorn India Ventures reinvestment and their confidence in our progress and growth potential. The aspiration for a semiconductor-based product economy in India and continuous support from institutions like Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) serves as a true catalyst for Netrasemi’s progress in building future-ready Indian semiconductor chips for the world. We are also thankful for the infrastructure and other support received from institutions like TrEST research park, IIM-K, KSUM, he adds.

    In the next 12-18 months Netrasemi aims to complete full mask production of all three SoC families and initiate R&D for next-generation ultra-high performance SoC potentially addressing edge-servers and smart NVR compute requirements.

    About Zoho Corporation Ltd:

    Zoho Corporation is a privately-held, profitable technology company. Founded in 1996, it is headquartered in Chennai, India. Zoho Corporation has more than 18,000 employees globally. It is the parent company of prominent technology brands including ManageEngine, Zoho, TrainerCentral, Qntrl, and Zakya.

     

    About Unicorn India Ventures:

    Started in 2016 by Bhaskar Majumdar and Anil Joshi, Unicorn India Ventures is a technology focused early-stage venture fund that invests in emerging and visionary startups. Unicorn India Ventures launched its first fund with a corpus of Rs 100 crore and invested in 17 companies like SmartCoin, Open Bank, Sequretek, Pharmarack, Genrobotics, Clootrack, FutureCure to mention some. The Fund has emerged as the best performing early-stage fund in India with the stellar exits provided by the fund to its LPs.

    Fund II is a Rs 300 Cr fund launched in 2020 that has invested in 20 companies so far like Gamerji, Probus, Daalchini, Windo, HiWi. Most of the portfolio is scaling up fast and has had several uprounds.

    Unicorn India Ventures is closing its Rs 1000 Cr Fund III. The first close was reached at Rs 225 crore. The Fund is expected to reach its final close this year.  With this Fund, UIV aims to build a portfolio of 20 startups that are focused mostly in the deep tech sector that includes semiconductor, space tech, and medical diagnostics apart from SaaS and India digital platforms. Unicorn has already made 14 investments from this fund and includes companies like Netrasami, Qubehealth, Orbitaid, Aurassure amongst others.

    About Netrasemi:
    Netrasemi is a semiconductor technology startup focused on developing system-on-chips (SoCs) that enable optimal computing for smart IoT products, particularly for addressing complex workloads like video processing. The company’s chips are designed to perform advanced AI-based analytics directly on devices, eliminating the need to send data to servers or the cloud. This capability is powered by Netrasemi’s energy-efficient deep-neural AI acceleration core (NPU) and comprehensive portfolio of in-house silicon intellectual properties. The company was founded by a team of technologists with significant global experience in designing complex semiconductor chips as part of Intel, Conexant, Hitachi and multiple renowned semiconductor startups.

    Netrasemi has received substantial financial and infrastructure support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) and Chips to Startup (C2S) semiconductor programs.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 23 July 2025: Kluisz.ai Raises $9.6M, ED Probes Myntra Over ₹1,654 Cr FDI Violation & More

    From Kluisz.ai securing $9.6 million in a standout AI seed round to the Enforcement Directorate filing a FEMA case against Myntra over alleged FDI violations worth INR 1,654 crore, the day saw notable developments across tech, retail, and fintech. On the funding side, Gupshup, iTuring.ai, and others drew strong investor interest. Here’s your quick roundup of the top funding deals and key business news in India for 23rd July 2025.

    Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest – 23 July 2025

    Company Funding Amount Round Type Lead Investor(s)
    Kluisz.ai $9.6 million (~₹83 cr) Seed RTP Global
    Gupshup $60 million+ Equity + Debt Globespan Capital Partners, EvolutionX Debt Capital
    iTuring.ai $5 million Series A Dallas Venture Capital, Mela Ventures
    Magma Not disclosed Extended Series A GVFL Ltd
    Coluxe Undisclosed Friends & Family —
    Inbound Aerospace $1 million+ Pre-seed Speciale Invest
    Grexa AI ₹15.5 crore (~US $1.85 m) Seed Utsav Somani
    Veranda Learning ₹357.4 crore QIP Institutional Investors via QIP

    Kluisz.ai raised $9.6 million seed round

    Enterprise-focused Gen‑AI cloud startup Kluisz.ai has secured $9.6 million in its seed round, one of 2025’s largest AI seed raises, led by RTP Global. The round also included participation from Unicorn India Ventures, Blume, Climber Capital, and prominent angels such as Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Ritesh Malik (Innov8), and Aditya Virwani (Embassy Group).

    Gupshup secured $60 million

    Conversational‑AI leader Gupshup has raised over $60 million through a mix of equity and debt financing, led by Globespan Capital Partners and EvolutionX Debt Capital. The funds will support its go‑to‑market expansion across India, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

    iTuring.ai raised $5 million in Series A funding round

    BFSI‑focused machine‑learning platform iTuring.ai has secured $5 million in its Series A round, led by Dallas Venture Capital and Mela Ventures. Previous contributions in the round include SenseAI and Pentathlon Ventures. The funds will boost its zero‑code AI/ML platform rollout in banking, insurance, and financial services.

    Magma bags strategic investment

    Ahmedabad‑based industrial‑solutions provider Magma has added GVFL Ltd to its Series A extension round, joining initial backers like Capria Ventures, General Catalyst, and Accion Venture Lab. Total capital raised to date exceeds $8 million.

    Coluxe closed friends and family funding round

    Fine‑jewellery brand Coluxe has closed a friends & family funding round to launch its everyday fine‑jewellery platform featuring lab‑grown diamonds. Investors include founders and angels such as Startup Sherpas, Ajai Chowdhry, Tej Kapoor, and Sairee Chahal.

    Inbound Aerospace raised pre-seed round

    IIT‑Madras incubated spacetech startup Inbound Aerospace has raised over $1 million in a pre‑seed round led by Speciale Invest, with participation from Piper Serica. The funds will help develop autonomous re‑entry vehicles for microgravity research and in‑orbit manufacturing.

    Grexa AI secured INR 15.5 crore in the seed round

    Thane‑based marketing‑tech firm Grexa AI, founded by the creators of Testbook, has secured an INR 15.5 crore seed round led by Utsav Somani, with Bharat Founders Fund, DeVC, and angels backing. The startup will use the capital for product innovation and expansion.

    Veranda Learning raised INR 357.4 crore via its first QIP

    Edtech player Veranda Learning Solutions Ltd has raised INR 357.4 crore via its maiden Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), allotting 1.58 crore shares at INR 225.20 each. The capital will be employed to pay down debt (including the Ascertis credit facility) and drive vertical growth. Systematix Corporate Services acted as the sole book‑running lead manager.

    Key News Highlights for 23 July 2025

    ED launches FEMA case against Myntra

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a case under Section 16(3) of FEMA against Myntra Designs Pvt Ltd, its associates, and directors, alleging INR 1,654.35 crore of FDI violations. The probe found that Myntra routed 100% of its sales through its affiliate Vector E‑Commerce Pvt Ltd via “wholesale cash & carry” channels—exceeding the 25% related‑party cap—thus flouting FDI norms. Myntra has stated that it “has not received the complaint” and will fully cooperate.

    Good Glamm Group to be split brand‑wise

    The Good Glamm Group is being dismantled into separate brand entities after lenders enforced charges against individual brands, ending its unified “house of brands” model. CEO Darpan Sanghvi confirmed on LinkedIn that, following failed refinancing and partial sale efforts, each brand will now be sold independently under separate ownership.

    PhonePe and SBI launch co‑branded credit cards

    PhonePe has partnered with SBI Card to launch two new co‑branded credit cards-SELECT BLACK and PURPLE, on RuPay and Visa networks. The SELECT BLACK version offers up to 10% reward points on PhonePe app spends (up to INR 2,000 per month) and 5% on other online purchases; both variants support UPI integration, tokenisation, and lounge access.

    TCS confirms no withdrawal of offers, only delayed onboarding

    Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has clarified that it has not revoked any job offers, despite a pause in onboarding around 600 experienced lateral hires. The company attributed delays to typical workforce planning adjustments and did not offer cancellations. Affected candidates had already resigned elsewhere and voiced concerns via the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) with the Ministry of Labour.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News: 22 July 2025
    From Milky Mist filing for an INR 2,035 crore IPO to Escape Plan securing fresh capital, here’s your quick roundup of the top funding deals and key business news in India for 22nd July 2025.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Delhi Govt Extends EV Policy Till March 2026 to Boost Green Mobility

    Since the new policy’s draft would be subject to public input, which is anticipated to take time, the Delhi government has reportedly prolonged the present electric vehicle regulation until March 31, 2026, or until a revised version is announced.

    According to a PTI report, the decision was made 22 July  at a cabinet meeting at the Delhi secretariat, which was chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Prior to implementing the revised policy, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh emphasised the necessity of “broader dialogue.”

    Why the Policy Extension Was Needed?

     According to Sing, the extension will allow the transport department to perform thorough talks with all parties involved, including the general public, business executives, academics, environmental organisations, and both public and private institutions.

    He added that the main topics of these talks will include improving EV charging infrastructure, evaluating current subsidies and incentives, putting in place reliable systems for disposing of batteries and e-waste, and precisely defining the responsibilities of the public and private sectors in Delhi’s developing EV ecosystem.

    What the New EV Policy Aims to Address?

    By setting up battery collection facilities and a network of charging and swappable battery stations, the new strategy also seeks to develop an all-encompassing ecosystem for electric vehicles. Three months were added to the policy’s deadline in April, which was originally set to expire on January 1, 2025.

    Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the environment minister for Delhi, stated in April that 20,000 new jobs are anticipated to be created by the second phase of the city’s EV policy. These positions are expected to cover a range of responsibilities within the EV ecosystem, from supervising battery recycling procedures to maintaining charging stations.

    Sirsa’s remarks are in line with the Delhi government’s overarching objectives to encourage EV use and lessen traffic pollution in the city.

    Key Incentives Under the EV Policy

    A possible ban on new petrol car registrations in the city is anticipated by the new Delhi EV policy, which is now pending Centre approval. Its main goal is to switch to all electric mobility by banning fossil fuel vehicles. Additionally, it requires public transportation fleets to be electrified and suggests installing 13,200 public charging stations.

    The capital also intends to provide a purchase subsidy of up to INR 30,000 for EV two-wheeler purchases under this program. The Delhi government implemented the current EV policy in August 2020 in an effort to curb the city’s escalating air pollution and promote EV usage.

    By 2024, the plan aimed to have one EV for every four cars sold in Delhi. According to Vahan data, 1.75 lakh EVs of all vehicle kinds were registered in June, an increase of more than 20% year over year.

  • Coffee Mechanics Debuts Immersive Café in Bengaluru, Blending Design, Ritual, and 180 Years of Heritage

    The brand unveils a rooted yet modern space designed to foster community, connection, and slow mornings—staying true to its experience-first approach

    Drawing on 180 years of family-run coffee estate heritage, Coffee Mechanics—Bengaluru’s cherished homegrown brand—proudly unveils its flagship, experience-led outlet in Bellandur. More than just a café, this new venue reimagines Indian coffee in its purest and most immersive form, inviting guests to discover every nuance from bean to cup.

    Thoughtfully nestled in one of Bengaluru’s most dynamic and fast-evolving neighbourhoods, the new Coffee Mechanics café in Bellandur is more than just a coffee destination—it’s a spatial experience. Designed as a living dialogue between architecture and atmosphere, the space is crafted to evoke pause, presence, and ritual. Every detail—from the earthy material palette to the interplay of shadow and natural light—invites guests to slow down and reconnect. Warm, grounded textures are brought to life with bold cherry red accents, while quiet nooks and sculpted seating areas invite lingering conversations and moments of contemplation. This flagship is a celebration of the brand’s nature-rooted, refined aesthetic—where elegance meets ease, and each corner tells a new story.

    The menu celebrates simplicity layered with depth, guests can explore single-origin filter brews, cold brews, manual pour-overs, and signature house blends, all curated to spotlight the richness of Indian-grown coffee. Comfort-forward plates—like Turkish eggs, artisanal sandwiches, and reimagined Indian desserts, complement the beverage experience with flavour, nostalgia, and nuance.

    While Coffee Mechanics is anchored in 180 years of coffee-growing tradition, its focus reaches beyond heritage—blending science and craft to create distinctive beverages and memorable experiences for its community.

    Breaking new ground, Coffee Mechanics introduces:

    • Brew Tech: Featuring state-of-the-art cold brewing technology, Nitro coffees, and innovative infusion beverages that push the boundaries of coffee enjoyment.
    • Fun Flavours of Soft Serves: Playful creations designed for the community to enjoy.
    • In-house Bakery: Freshly baked breads, bagels, pastries, cakes, and pizzas—all made onsite, ensuring unmatched freshness.
    • Breakfast-forward Menu & Meal Bowls: Hearty meal bowls and a robust breakfast offering designed for every mood and moment.
    • A Platform for Experiences: A versatile space for coffee and culinary events, from estate storytelling sessions and guided cupping experiences to sensory evenings and creative gatherings.

    Building on the success of Kana by Coffee Mechanics, their intimate café format known for quiet, tasting-led experiences, this Bellandur café offers an expansive canvas for community-building. From morning pour-overs and estate storytelling sessions to guided cupping experiences and sensory evenings, the brand is creating a platform that nurtures connection and cultural exchange.

    At its core, Coffee Mechanics stands apart as one of India’s only fully vertically integrated coffee brands, overseeing every step from growing and processing to roasting and brewing. This direct estate-to-cup control ensures unmatched freshness, traceability, sustainability and authenticity in every cup served.

    Coffee Mechanics Founders - Ganga Prabhakar and Pavan Hanbal
    Coffee Mechanics Founders – Ganga Prabhakar and Pavan Hanbal

    With our new flagship outlet, we are expanding on a dream that began with our first cafe – a dream to bring our plantations closer to people,” says Ms. Ganga Prabhakar, Founder. “This cafe is where the story deepens: where our estate-grown coffee, our heritage, and our heart come together in the city’s vibrant rhythm. It’s more than just our fourth location – it’s a significant step forward in our journey to create spaces that invite people to not just drink coffee, but to truly experience it. We’re humbled and thrilled to welcome more of the community into our world, one rooted in craft, connection, and culture. And we know this is still just the beginning.”

    Co-Founder Mr. Pavan Hanbal, further adds, “We’ve always believed that great coffee is grown, not just brewed. With this space, we’re creating room for conversations, rituals, and relationships to form around something we’ve nurtured for generations —accompanied, of course, by great food that complements every cup. It’s our way of bringing Chikmagalur into the everyday lives of our guests—and we can’t wait to see where this journey leads.”

    To experience Coffee Mechanics, visit:

    • Where:  77/6, Kaverappa Layout, Kadubeesanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560130
    • When: 10:00 AM onwards
    • Cost: INR 400–700 (approx.) for two
    • Social: Instagram: @coffeemechanics

    How to Start a Coffee Shop in India (2025 Guide)
    Step-by-step guide to start a coffee shop in India. Learn setup costs, licenses, equipment, and tips to launch your café business on any budget.
    StartupTalkySakshi Jadhav

  • Myntra Under ED Investigation for Alleged INR 1,654 Crore FEMA Breach

    For suspected violations of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations of INR 1,654.35 crore, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a complaint against Myntra, an Indian fashion e-commerce company, as well as its affiliated businesses and directors.

    According to the probe agency’s statement, the case was filed in its Bengaluru Zonal Office based on reliable information indicating that Myntra Designs Pvt. Ltd. and its affiliated companies were violating India’s FDI policy by engaging in Multi-Brand Retail Trading (MBRT) while posing as “Wholesale Cash & Carry” businesses.

    The Alleged FDI Violation Explained

    According to investigations, Myntra was given FDI totalling INR 1,654.35 crore under the guise of running a wholesale company. However, it was discovered that a sizable amount of the merchandise was sold only to M/s Vector E-Commerce Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the same business group, who subsequently marketed the merchandise to final customers.

    According to the ED, this structure was purposefully designed to divide direct business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions into a business-to-business (B2B) agreement between Vector and Myntra and then a business-to-consumer (B2C) model between Vector and the retail customers. As per the agency, this essentially got around the FDI regulations’ limitations on multi-brand retail.

    FEMA and FDI Policy Breaches Detailed

    Additionally, enterprises using the wholesale model are only allowed to sell up to 25% of their goods to linked group companies under the FDI policy changes of April 1, 2010, and October 1, 2010. But according to the ED, Myntra exceeded this cap by giving Vector E-Commerce 100% of its sales.

    Myntra Designs Pvt. Ltd. and others were found to have breached section 6(3)(b) of FEMA, 1999, as well as pertinent laws of the Consolidated FDI Policy, according to the inquiry agency’s findings.

    A complaint has now been filed under Section 16(3) of FEMA for additional legal action in light of these findings, according to ED. Myntra did not respond to the situation right away. The case’s registration demonstrates the increased regulatory scrutiny of FDI norm compliance in the e-commerce industry.

    Myntra’s Recent Financial Activity

    This year, Myntra has been raising a lot of money from its parent company in Singapore. Myntra raised an additional INR 1,062 Cr from Singapore parent company FK Myntra Holdings in May, following a new capital infusion of INR 709 Cr from Flipkart in February.

    In the highly competitive fashion e-commerce sector, the fashion e-commerce company is currently seeking to increase its revenue streams. Myntra has started two costly business experiments in the last several months: Singapore became the first foreign market under Myntra Global when the business launched its e-commerce platform there in May.

    Expansion Moves Amid Regulatory Heat

    With 6.5 lakh Indians living in Singapore, the Flipkart-owned portal hopes to reach 12% to 15% of the population. With its new platform M-Now, the corporation has been experimenting with the delivery structure of rapid commerce. In June, Myntra brought M-Now online in Delhi and Mumbai after introducing the 10-minute delivery option in Bengaluru.