Tag: Indian Funding Roundup

India’s startup and business ecosystem saw a mix of high-value funding deals, strategic investments, and notable corporate developments on 11 August 2025. From multi-million-dollar raises in AI, biotech, and e-commerce to IPO market activity, EV infrastructure expansion, and regulatory updates, here’s your quick roundup for the top funding deals and key business highlights in India today.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 11 August 2025

Graas.ai – $9.0M pre-Series B for agentic commerce growth

Graas.ai, an AI-native commerce data and automation firm, raised over $9 million in a pre-Series B round led by Tin Men Capital, with participation from Incred Wealth, Orzon and existing backers including Integra Partners and Yuj Ventures. The company says the capital will accelerate its Agent Foundry product and regional expansion across India and Southeast Asia.

Eyestem Research – $10.0M to advance Eyecyte-RPE™ (Phase 2 / US IND prep)

Clinical-stage biotechnology company Eyestem Research Pvt Ltd secured an oversubscribed funding round totalling $10 million to complete its ongoing Phase 2 trial for Eyecyte-RPE™ in India and to prepare for a US FDA IND filing. Company statements highlighted promising Phase 1 safety and early efficacy signals and said proceeds will support trial completion and regulatory readiness.

Truemeds – $85.0M Series C (closed in two tranches)

Mumbai-based e-pharmacy and telehealth platform Truemeds has closed a $85 million Series C, led by Accel and Peak XV Partners; the round was completed in two tranches and included participation from WestBridge Capital and Info Edge Ventures. The company plans to expand fulfilment centres in non-metro areas, scale product and engineering teams, and roll out diagnostics services and an iOS app. Financial context reported: Truemeds doubled revenue to INR 315 crore in FY24 while narrowing losses.

Neuralzome Cybernetic – $2.4M pre-seed to build no-code teachable agents for robots

Bengaluru-based deeptech startup Neuralzome Cybernetic raised $2.4 million in a pre-seed round led by 8X Ventures, with participation from Turbostart, Avinya Ventures, Saka Ventures, Appreciate Capital, Astir Ventures, IIM-Ahmedabad’s CIIE, SIDBI and Heston Castelino. The funds will support R&D in multi-agent autonomy, vision-based navigation, manufacturing scale-up and expansion to North America and Europe. The company follows a Robot-as-a-Service model.

FincFriends – INR 41.5 Cr debt facility to grow lending in smaller towns

RBI-registered NBFC FincFriends raised INR 41.5 crore of debt from existing investors (including IBL Finance, Moneywise Financial Services, Usha Financial Services, Shine Star Build Cap, Realtouch Finance and UC Inclusive Credit) in Q1 of FY26. The company said the capital will be used to scale lending through its RupeeRedee platform, focusing on Tier-II and Tier-III markets.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds – Shilpa Shetty onboarded as investor & brand ambassador

Mumbai-based jeweller Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds announced that actor-entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty has joined as a strategic investor and brand ambassador. Limelight currently operates over 50 stores across more than 45 Indian cities and intends to scale to 100 stores by 2026. Earlier fundraising in February 2025 saw nearly $11 million (INR 90 crore) raised; this recent Shilpa Shetty investment was not disclosed in monetary terms.

Key News Highlights for 11 August 2025

BlueStone Jewellery IPO Sees Strong Debut with QIB Demand

The initial public offering (IPO) of BlueStone Jewellery opened on a positive note, achieving 39% subscription on its first day. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) led the charge with 57% subscription, followed by retail investors at 38% and non-institutional investors at 4%. The employee quota saw no bids on day one. The IPO, open from 11 to 13 August 2025, is priced between ₹492 and ₹517 per share. Strong institutional demand suggests confidence in the company’s growth prospects.

Tesla Expands Supercharger Network in Key Indian Cities

Tesla is accelerating its charging infrastructure rollout in Delhi–NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru ahead of its scheduled vehicle deliveries in September 2025. New Supercharging stations are planned in locations such as Gurugram, Saket, Noida, Lower Parel, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. The initiative follows the recent opening of Tesla’s second experience centre in Delhi Aerocity and is aimed at ensuring early adopters have reliable charging access.

CCI Seeks Additional Evidence in Quick-Commerce Antitrust Review

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has requested more details from the petitioner in its initial review of alleged anti-competitive practices by quick-commerce players Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto. The case is currently in the evidence-gathering stage, and no formal investigation has been launched yet. The request for further documentation indicates that the regulator is assessing whether the matter warrants a deeper probe into potential market dominance issues.

Indian Startup Funding Updates for 2025 (Updated Weekly)

Get weekly updates on Indian startup funding for 2025! StartupTalky is here to provide you with a clear and simple overview of the latest funding news.

StartupTalkyApoorva Bajj

On 7 August 2025, RENÉE Cosmetics made headlines by raising $30 million in its Series C, achieving a $200 million valuation, a testament to its strong growth trajectory and omnichannel ambitions. Meanwhile, in the IT sector, TCS announced upcoming salary hikes for 80% of its workforce, set to take effect from 1 September, even as it proceeds with layoffs, highlighting a careful balancing act between retention and restructuring. Here’s your quick roundup for the top funding deals and key business highlights in India today.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 7 August 2025

RENÉE Cosmetics Raised $30 Million at $200 Million Valuation

Beauty brand RENÉE Cosmetics has raised $30 million in Series C funding, reaching a $200 million valuation. The round was led by Playbook, with secondary transactions involving Midas. RENÉE aims to drive product innovation, expand its omnichannel presence, and scale its technology and marketing initiatives. The company currently posts an ARR of ₹500 crore and plans to double that figure within two years.

MangoPoint Raised $1 Million in Pre-Series A Round Led by IPV

Chennai-based MangoPoint, which offers chemical-free mangoes through a controlled supply chain, has secured $1 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The fresh capital will be used to enhance infrastructure, expand into new markets, develop backend systems, and grow the product portfolio. MangoPoint currently manages over 2,000 MT of mangoes annually.

Outzidr Raised INR 27 Crore (~$3.1 Million) in Pre-Series A Round

Gen-Z fashion startup Outzidr raised INR 27 crore (~$3.1 million) in a Pre-Series A round led by RTP Global, with additional backing from existing investor Stellaris Venture Partners. Founded in 2024 and launched in February 2025, the company boasts over 100,000 customers and has released 8,000 styles. The funds will help Outzidr launch its first exclusive offline store by March 2026 and scale teams across tech, design, and operations.

Nuuk Raised Over $2 Million in Follow-on Round

D2C home appliance brand Nuuk has raised over $2 million (~₹19 crore) in a follow-on round led by Vertex Ventures SEA and Good Capital. Both had previously participated in Nuuk’s Series A round. With total funding now exceeding $10 million, the company will use the new capital to strengthen its domestic supply chain, increase brand visibility, and boost product development.

NPrep Raised Undisclosed Pre-Seed Funding Led by All In Capital

AI-driven nursing education platform NPrep raised an undisclosed pre-seed round led by All In Capital, with participation from IIMA Ventures, Chegg founder Aayush Phumbhra, and other angels. The platform currently supports over 2 million learners monthly and has onboarded 40,000 users in the last six months. NPrep plans to expand course offerings, enhance AI features, and grow its placement partnerships.

Xovian Aerospace Raised $2.5 Million in Pre-Seed Round

Spacetech firm Xovian Aerospace raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Piper Serica and TurboStart, with additional support from Inflection Point Ventures and Eaglewings Ventures. The Bengaluru-based startup focuses on AI-powered RF nanosatellite systems. The funding will support the development of space-ready hardware, R&D, and upcoming orbital trials.

Key News Highlights from 7 August 2025

Kalaari and Iron Pillar Offload INR 443 Crore Bluestone Stakes Ahead of IPO

Early-stage investors Kalaari Capital and Iron Pillar Fund exited a combined INR 443 crore stake in Bluestone through secondary transactions between February and September 2024. Iron Pillar sold shares worth INR 103 crore to 360 One, while Kalaari conducted two tranches, INR 220 crore to Peak XV on 2 September and ₹120 crore to Steadview Capital on 26 September, priced at INR 5,403 per share. These off-market transfers were disclosed in Bluestone’s December 2024 DRHP, ahead of its upcoming IPO, which now targets a valuation near INR 7,800 crore.

PharmEasy CEO Siddharth Shah Steps Down; Rahul Guha to Take Over

Siddharth Shah, co-founder and current CEO of API Holdings (parent of PharmEasy), is stepping down from his executive role to become Vice Chairman and Director, effective 27 August 2025. Rahul Guha, currently MD and CEO of Thyrocare and President of Operations at API, has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of API Holdings. Guha will continue to lead Thyrocare alongside his new responsibilities.

TCS to Hike Wages for 80% of Workforce from 1 September Amid Layoffs

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will implement delayed annual salary increases for 80% of its workforce, specifically eligible employees up to grade C3A, covering freshers to mid‑level staff, effective 1 September 2025. This decision follows a five-month delay in the appraisal cycle amid planned layoffs affecting over 12,000 mid and senior-level employees. Wage hikes are estimated to range from 4.5% to 7%, with some variation by onshore/offshore roles.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 6 August 2025

The Sleep Company secured INR 480 crore in funding, Antfin fully exited Paytm by selling its remaining and more. Here’s your roundup of top funding deals and key business news in India on 6 August 2025.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

India’s startup and business ecosystem remained dynamic on August 6, 2025. Gaming startup SuperGaming raised $15 million in a Series A round led by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital, while The Sleep Company secured INR 480 crore in a mix of primary and secondary funding. In broader news, Antfin fully exited Paytm by selling its remaining INR 3,980 crore stake, and MSRTC announced the launch of its own ride-hailing app, Chhava. Here’s your quick roundup of today’s top funding deals and key business news.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 6 August 2025

HYLENR raised $3 million

Clean energy startup HYLENR, based in Hyderabad, secured $3 million in a Pre-Series A round. The investment was led by Valour Capital and Chhattisgarh Investments Limited, with participation from angel investors Karthik Sundar Iyer and Anant Sarda. The startup develops Low Energy Nuclear Reaction (LENR) systems and aims to transition from lab-scale research to commercial deployment.

SuperGaming raised $15 million

Pune-based gaming company SuperGaming raised $15 million in a Series B funding round led by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital. Other participants include a16z Speedrun, Bandai Namco 021 Fund, Polygon Ventures, and Neowiz. SuperGaming is expanding globally with its battle royale game “Indus” and now holds a valuation close to $100 million.

The Sleep Company raised INR 480 crore

Comfort-tech brand The Sleep Company raised INR 480 crore in its Series D round. The funding was led by ChrysCapital and 360 ONE Asset, with partial secondary exits by Fireside Ventures. The startup plans to expand its offline presence, scale manufacturing, and invest further in its proprietary SmartGRID® technology.

DPDzero raised $7 million

Debt recovery automation startup DPDzero secured $7 million in a Series A round led by GMO Venture Partners. SMBC Asia Rising Fund and Blume Ventures also participated. The fintech platform leverages AI to improve collections for lenders and will now launch its own field collection agents across major Indian cities.

Zype raised INR 90 crore

Mumbai-based fintech platform Zype raised INR 90 crore in an equity funding round. The round was led by Unleash Capital Partners, with participation from existing backer Xponentia Capital. Zype offers digital credit services and will use the capital to strengthen its lending platform and customer acquisition efforts.

EON Space Labs raised $1.2 million

Hyderabad-based EON Space Labs raised $1.2 million in Pre-Series A funding led by MGF Kavachh and HHV Advanced Technologies. The startup, incubated at T-Hub and IIT Madras, is building MIRA, India’s lightest high-resolution space telescope, and other surveillance imaging systems. The funds will support production and launch efforts.

CodeKarma raised $2.5 million

Developer productivity startup CodeKarma raised $2.5 million in a pre-seed round co-led by Prosus, Accel, and Xeed Ventures. The startup is developing AI-driven tools to optimise software development processes for enterprises by reducing redundant code and creating real-time feedback loops.

Cautio raised $3 million

AI-powered fleet safety startup Cautio raised $3 million in a seed round led by investor Amal Parikh, with participation from 8i Ventures, AU Small Finance Bank, and other angels. Cautio offers AI dashcams and analytics for logistics companies, focusing on reducing road risks and improving fleet compliance.

Gladful raised INR 8 crore

Nutrition startup Gladful secured INR 8 crore in a fresh funding round led by Eternal Capital, the investment arm of former BharatPe COO Dhruv Dhanraj Bahl. The brand creates protein-rich snacks and food products for children and plans to grow its D2C offerings and product portfolio with this funding.

House of Biryan received strategic investment

Cloud kitchen brand House of Biryan received a strategic investment from cricketer and entrepreneur MS Dhoni. Founded in 2022, the startup operates over 20 kitchens in India and Dubai. With Dhoni’s support, it aims to expand to 150 outlets globally and achieve a revenue run-rate of INR 450–550 crore in the next three years.

Key News Highlights for 6 August 2025

Ant Financial fully exits Paytm for INR 3,980 crore

Ant Financial (Antfin Netherlands Holding B.V.), affiliated with Jack Ma’s Alibaba Group, sold its entire 5.84% stake in Paytm’s parent, One97 Communications, through two block deals executed on 5 August, totalling approximately INR 3,980 crore. Buyers included global institutions such as Société Générale and MY Asian Opportunities Master Fund; the shares were transacted at around INR 1,067.5 per share. This completes Ant’s phased divestment from Paytm over the past two years.

Z47 and Tiger Global trim holdings in Ola Electric

Early investors Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners India) and Tiger Global Management reduced their equity in Ola Electric during Q1 FY26 (April–June 2025). Z47 sold about 0.81%, trimming its stake to 1.93%, realising between INR 147–192 crore; Tiger Global reduced its holding by ~0.21% to 3.24%, netting roughly INR 39–48 crore. This follows Hyundai and Kia’s earlier exits and forms part of broader secondary share sales by Z47 across its portfolio.

MSRTC to launch “Chhava Ride” app in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is set to launch Chhava Ride, an official government‑run ride aggregator app. Approved in a meeting held on 5 August, the app will integrate multiple transport modes—buses, taxis, auto‑rickshaws and e‑buses—under one platform, as permitted under central and state aggregator guidelines. MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik emphasised that Chhava Ride aims to ensure reliable service for passengers, fair earnings for drivers, and new revenue streams for the state transport body.

Rupee recovers slightly ahead of RBI rate decision amid U.S. tariff threats

The Indian rupee edged up to INR 87.74 per US dollar on 6 August, recovering from around INR 87.80. This comes as investors awaited the Reserve Bank of India’s policy decision and weighed the impact of fresh U.S. tariff threats, including a 25% levy on Indian exports. Weak U.S. jobs data and falling Treasury yields helped boost sentiment. Markets widely expect the RBI to hold the repo rate at 5.50%, as confirmed later that day, with rates maintained amid concerns over global trade risks. The RBI also retained its GDP growth forecast at 6.5% but flagged elevated uncertainty due to the tariffs.

Daily Indian Funding and Business News: 5 August 2025

From Aerospace startup EON Space Labs securing $1.2 million to GameRamp raising $5.4 million, here’s a look at the top funding deals and key business highlights in India from August 5, 2025.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

India’s startup and business ecosystem showed steady momentum on August 5th. Aerospace startup EON Space Labs secured $1.2 million in Pre-Series A funding to advance indigenous optical payload technology. Meanwhile, the corporate world saw significant movements, from Bluestone dialling down its IPO size to Capgemini announcing plans to hire 45,000 people in India. Here’s a crisp look at the top funding deals and key business highlights in India from August 5, 2025.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 5 August 2025

Shortgun Games raised $1 million

The newly launched game-development studio, co‑founded by the creators of Rogue Heist, Shortgun Games, has secured $1 million in seed funding from angel investors. This funding will enable the team to move beyond a polished demo to full-scale production. The company is also planning to raise an additional $5 million in a follow‑on round.

Fraganote raised $1 million

Modern Indian fragrance brand Fraganote has raised $1 million in a pre‑Series A round led by Rukam Capital. The funds will be used to expand the fragrance portfolio, introduce new product formats, and launch immersive retail pilots in key urban markets.

Prozo received a strategic investment from Ranbir Kapoor

Actor and entrepreneur Ranbir Kapoor has made a strategic investment in Prozo, a Gurugram-based supply-chain platform. Prozo supports over 150 brands with tech-enabled warehousing, freight, and fulfilment services. The company operates 42 warehouses across 2.2 million square feet and has a revenue run-rate of INR 250 crore. The investment aims to support the firm’s growth in scalable logistics infrastructure.

EON Space Labs raised $1.2 million

Hyderabad-headquartered deeptech startup EON Space Labs has raised $1.2 million (approximately INR 10.5 crore) in a pre‑Series A round led by MGF Kavachh, with HHV Advanced Technologies joining as a strategic partner. Founded in 2022 and incubated at IIT Madras, the startup builds lightweight EO/IR imaging payloads. The capital will be used to expand manufacturing, grow the engineering team, and launch its ultra-light space telescope MIRA by the end of 2025.

Tryo raised INR 3 crore in pre-seed funding

Bengaluru-based fashion marketplace Tryo has raised INR 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Zeropearl VC. Tryo operates on a “Try First, Pay Later” model, aiming to transform how consumers shop for apparel online. The funds will support the company’s product development, operations, and team expansion in Bengaluru.

Terafac raised INR 6.5 crore

AI-robotics startup Terafac, headquartered in Chandigarh, has raised INR 6.5 crore in a pre-seed round. The funding was led by Inuka Capital, with participation from DEVC and Bharat Founders Fund. Terafac’s AI-Vision platform enhances industrial robots by enabling them to self-adjust in real time. The funding will fuel product development and hiring.

GameRamp raised $5.4 million

GameRamp, an AI-native publishing operating system for mobile games, has secured $5.4 million in a pre‑seed round led by BITKRAFT Ventures, along with participation from South Park Commons, Mixi, and DeVC. The funds will be used to expand AI teams in Bengaluru and San Francisco and to launch its two core platforms, Sentinel, for in-game economy personalisation, and Grow, an embedded financing tool for game developers.

Fibe.India (Formerly EarlySalary) raised INR 225 crore in debt

The NBFC arm of digital lending platform Fibe, has raised INR 225 crore through non-convertible debentures. The round saw participation from institutional investors, including Franklin Templeton AIF, AK Capital, SK Finance, and Vivriti Alpha. The funds will be used to scale lending operations and invest in technology innovation targeted at salaried consumers.

Jeh Aerospace raised $11 million

Hyderabad-based aerospace-manufacturing startup Jeh Aerospace has raised $11 million (approximately INR 97 crore) in a Series A round led by Elevation Capital, with participation from General Catalyst. The startup, which builds software-defined manufacturing tools for the aerospace sector, will use the capital to expand production capabilities and fuel growth.

Polite Powertech received a strategic investment

Polite Powertech has received a strategic investment from Chanakya Opportunities Fund I, an SME-focused AIF under Steptrade Capital. The pre-IPO investment is aimed at supporting the company’s push in green energy and sustainable power solutions for the SME segment.

Indian Startup Funding Updates for 2025 (Updated Weekly)

Get weekly updates on Indian startup funding for 2025! StartupTalky is here to provide you with a clear and simple overview of the latest funding news.

StartupTalkyApoorva Bajj

Key News Highlights for 5 August 2025

Tata Capital files updated IPO draft papers with SEBI

Tata Capital, the non‑banking financial services arm of Tata Sons, filed updated draft papers with India’s Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) on 4 August 2025 to launch an initial public offering (IPO). The updated Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) covers a fresh issuance of 21 crore equity shares and an offer‑for‑sale of 26.58 crore shares, including up to 23 crore shares from Tata Sons and 3.58 crore from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The IPO is projected to raise up to INR 2 billion (valuing the company around $11 billion), with proceeds intended for Tier‑I capital augmentation to support future lending operations. Kotak Mahindra Capital, BNP Paribas and Citigroup Global Markets are named as bookrunning managers.

Bluestone trims IPO fresh issue size to INR 820 crore

Bluestone Jewellery has revised the size of its upcoming IPO on 5 August 2025, reducing the fresh issue to INR 820 crore from a previously planned ₹1,000 crore. The Red Herring Prospectus also includes an offer‑for‑sale of approximately 1.39 crore shares. The anchor book portion is scheduled for 8 August, and the public subscription window runs from 11 to 13 August YourStory.com+1.

Capgemini India to hire up to 45,000 employees in 2025

Capgemini India announced plans to recruit between 40,000 and 45,000 employees by 2025. Around 35–40 per cent of the hires will be lateral entry professionals, aligning with its push to build an AI‑ready workforce. The initiative comes amid broader IT-sector hiring challenges and reinforces Capgemini’s commitment to innovation and digital transformation services in India.

Google AI tool “Big Sleep” uncovers 20 vulnerabilities in open‑source software

Google has publicly reported that its AI-based bug‑hunting tool, Big Sleep, built by DeepMind and Project Zero, has autonomously detected and validated 20 security vulnerabilities in widely used open-source software such as FFmpeg and ImageMagick. The findings were confirmed by Google’s Vice President of Security, Heather Adkins, via a post on X. Each flaw was later reviewed by human analysts before disclosure.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 4 August 2025

Mitigata raised $5.9 million in Series A, and Dhruva Space announced its first commercial satellite mission with SpaceX. Here are the key funding deals and top business news highlights in India from the day.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

On 4th August, cyber resilience startup Mitigata raised $5.9 million in Series A funding led by Nexus Venture Partners. Dhruva Space announced its first commercial satellite mission with SpaceX, and Swiggy launched DeskEats to serve office-goers across 30 Indian cities. Here’s a quick look at the key funding deals and top business news highlights in India from the day.

Mitigata secures $5.9 million in Series A funding

Bengaluru‑based startup Mitigata, which operates a full‑stack cyber resilience platform integrating cybersecurity, risk management, compliance and cyber insurance, has raised USD 5.9 million in its Series A round. The funding was led by Nexus Venture Partners, with continued support from Titan Capital and WEH Ventures.

Mitigata serves over 500 enterprises across 25 sectors, and is the first IRDAI‑regulated broker solely focused on cyber insurance in India. The fresh capital will support the development of its AI‑driven platform (featuring tools like RELIQ for cyber risk quantification), expansion of its services, and growth into global markets. The company plans to establish three Global Security Operations Centres (SOCs) in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi, while scaling its team in security, insurance and compliance domains.

Key News Highlights for 4 August 2025

Dhruva Space to Launch First Commercial Satellite via SpaceX Falcon 9

Hyderabad‑based space tech firm Dhruva Space has confirmed that its LEAP‑1 mission — the startup’s first commercial satellite deployment — is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the third quarter of 2025. The mission will carry two payloads: Akula Tech’s Nexus‑01, an AI module, and Esper Satellites’ OTR‑2, a hyperspectral imager, both mounted on Dhruva’s indigenously developed P‑30 satellite platform — a system that was space‑qualified during ISRO’s PSLV‑C58 POEM‑3 mission in January 2024. The initiative marks a significant Indo‑Australian collaboration with growing US support.

Delhivery Shares Surge to Fresh 52‑Week High on Strong Q1 Performance

Shares of leading logistics firm Delhivery climbed approximately 5–6%, touching a 52‑week high at around ₹456–₹457 on both the BSE and NSE. The stock rally followed a robust 68.5% year‑on‑year net profit rise to ₹91 crore in the June quarter. In light of the solid performance, brokerage firm Motilal Oswal raised its target price for the stock, boosting investor sentiment.

VinFast Launches EV Production in India and Eyes Local Sourcing

Vietnamese EV maker VinFast officially commenced production at its first overseas manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, as part of a $500 million investment (with potential to scale to $2 billion). The plant has an initial capacity of 50,000 vehicles per annum, scalable to 150,000 units, and will manufacture two premium SUV models: the VF 6 and VF 7. VinFast is in talks with several component suppliers — including existing partners and local manufacturers — to localise sourcing and potentially shift production to India, positioning itself as a future export hub for the South Asia region.

Swiggy Rolls Out DeskEats Courting Office‑goers Across 30 Cities

Food delivery giant Swiggy has introduced DeskEats, a new service tailored to working professionals in over 7,000 tech parks, corporate hubs and business complexes across 30 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram, Pune and Kolkata. Accessible via typing “Office” or “Work” in the Swiggy app, DeskEats offers curated meal collections such as Stress Munchies, Deadline Desserts, Value Combos, Healthy Nibbles, One‑handed Grabbies and Teamwork Bites, with over 700,000 menu items from more than 200,000 restaurants. The service builds on Swiggy’s broader corporate strategy, already enrolling over 14,000 companies and 1.5 lakh employees in its workspace rewards programmes.

Indian Startup Funding Updates for 2025 (Updated Weekly)

Get weekly updates on Indian startup funding for 2025! StartupTalky is here to provide you with a clear and simple overview of the latest funding news.

StartupTalkyApoorva Bajj

On 1st August, AI startup Bhindi.io raised $4 million in pre-seed funding to expand its agentic platform. Google proposed allowing all real-money games on the Play Store under legal self-declaration, and UPI hit a new high with 19.47 billion transactions in July. Here’s a quick look at the key funding deals and business news highlights from the day.

Daily Indian Startup Funding Digest – 1 August 2025

Bhindi.io Raises $4 Million in Pre‑Seed Round

Bhindi.io, an early-stage agentic AI startup, has raised US $4 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Cyber Fund. The platform, founded by Sowmay Jain in 2025, enables users to deploy and operate over 300 autonomous AI agents capable of performing complex tasks across domains such as software development, crypto portfolio tracking, research, marketing, and more. These agents are designed to execute user intents with minimal manual input, aiming to eliminate prompt fatigue often associated with traditional AI tools.

The funding will be utilised to accelerate product development, scale operations, and support global go-to-market initiatives. Cyber Fund, the lead investor, had previously backed the founder’s earlier venture, Fluid, a decentralised finance protocol.

Key News Highlights from 1 August 2025

UPI Sets All‑Time High with 19.47 Billion Transactions in July

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed a record 19.47 billion transactions in July 2025, valued at INR 25.08 lakh crore, representing a 5.8% increase in volume and a 4.3% growth in value over June. Daily transactions rose to 628 million, up from 613 million in June. Compared to July 2024, year‑on‑year growth stood at +35% by volume and +22% by value.

Delhivery Q1 FY26 Profit Surges 68.5% YoY to INR 91 Crore

Logistics provider Delhivery delivered a significant turnaround in Q1 FY26 (quarter ending June 2025), posting a net profit of INR 91 crore, a 68.5% year‑on‑year increase. The result was driven by operational efficiency gains and a stable revenue base. This strong performance sets the company up favourably for the upcoming festive season.

Enforcement Directorate Summons Anil Ambani in Latest Probes

Anil Ambani has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear on 5 August 2025 in connection with two financial probes. The first involves an INR 17,000 crore loan fraud case related to Yes Bank funding of Reliance Group companies. The second centres on a INR 68.2 crore fake bank guarantee, allegedly submitted to the Solar Energy Corporation of India using forged documents and a cloned email domain resembling SBI. The ED is investigating the involvement of shell entities and encrypted messaging platforms used to conceal the transactions.

Google Proposes to Allow Real‑Money Games on Play Store

Google has formally proposed to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) that all skill‑based real‑money gaming (RMG) apps be permitted on Google Play in India, provided they are self‑declared as lawful under Indian law and jurisprudence. This commitment aims to address the CCI’s antitrust concerns, particularly regarding prior exclusion of non‑rummy and non‑FSR games from its platform. If approved, compliant RMG developers can expect access to the Play Store within 120 days, with associated advertising policy changes rolled out in 150 days.

Apple iPhone Sales in India Hit Quarterly High

During Q3 of fiscal 2025 (April–June), Apple reported global iPhone revenue of approximately $44.6 billion, up nearly 13–13.5% year-on-year. The company attributed part of the surge to customers purchasing ahead of expected tariff hikes. Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted record quarterly revenue in India across smartphones, Macs, and services. Industry data also notes that the iPhone 16 became the best-selling device in India for the period, contributing to a full‑year record in wholesale smartphone value in the country.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 31 July 2025

Here are the top Indian startup funding deals and business news from July 31, 2025: Metaforms, STAN raise funds, Swiggy posts losses, Tata Motors to acquire Iveco, and more.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

On 31st July, Indian startups and companies made headlines with some major moves. AI startup Metaforms raised $9 million in fresh funding, while STAN secured $8.5 million to grow its gaming community platform. Swiggy reported rising losses in its quarterly results, and Tata Motors plans for a big-ticket global deal to buy Iveco. Here’s a quick look at the top funding deals and key business news in India from the day.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 31 July 2025

Metaforms Raises $9 Million in Series A

AI-powered research automation startup Metaforms has secured $9 million in Series A funding led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Nexus Venture Partners and Together Fund. The Bengaluru-based company aims to transform market research through voice interfaces and large language models.

Snooplay Bags INR 8 Crore in Pre-Series A1

Toy discovery platform Snooplay, headquartered in Noida, has raised INR 8 crore in a Pre-Series A1 round. The round was led by the Pravek Family Office with participation from multiple angel investors. The company connects consumers with educational and development-based toys.

ILine.ai Raises INR 500K in Angel Round

Mobility and AI logistics platform ILine.ai Solutions has raised INR 500,000 in an angel round from climate-tech and EV-focused investors. The Noida-based startup is building tech infrastructure for sustainable last-mile logistics using electric vehicles and real-time AI routing.

Arivihan Secures $4.17 Million from Prosus and Accel

Edtech firm Arivihan, known for its AI-based learning platform for competitive exams, has raised $4.17 million in a Pre-Series A round. The round was co-led by Prosus Ventures and Accel, along with support from GSF Investors. The startup focuses on Tier-II and Tier-III education markets.

STAN Raises $8.5 Million Led by Google AI Fund

Gaming and social community startup STAN has raised $8.5 million in Series A funding. The round saw participation from Google AI Futures Fund, Bandai Namco, Square Enix, and others including Nazara, Reazon, and GFR Fund. STAN enables gamers and creators to monetise fan engagement in real time.

Neo Asset Management Closes INR 750 Crore in First Tranche

Neo Asset Management has made the first close of INR 750 crore for its INR 2,000 crore secondary private equity fund. The fund, led by Hemant Daga and Nitin Agarwal, focuses on buying out stakes in mature, profitable unlisted Indian companies.

Key News Highlights for 31 July 2025

Swiggy Re‑Evaluates Rapido Stake amid Conflict of Interest

Swiggy, which holds roughly a 12% stake in Rapido, has announced that it is actively re‑evaluating its investment following Rapido’s planned entry into the food‑delivery segment. The ride‑hailing startup’s move is seen by Swiggy as a potential conflict of interest, prompting the review. Rapido had raised around $180 million in 2022 from Swiggy and others.

Meanwhile, in its Q1 FY26 results, Swiggy reported a 54% year-over-year rise in overall revenue to INR 4,961 crore. However, its quick‑commerce arm Instamart lost INR 797 crore, and total net loss widened sharply to INR 1,197 crore, nearly doubling from a year earlier.

Ambani Family to Infuse INR 15,825 crore into Jio Financial Services

The Mukesh Ambani promoter group will infuse INR 15,825 crore into Jio Financial Services via a preferential issue of convertible warrants issued to Sikka Ports & Terminals and Jamnagar Utilities & Power. This will raise promoter stake from 47.12% to over 54%. The capital will fuel expansions in lending, insurance, payments, mutual funds and broking services. Shares rose ~3% on the announcement.

IPV Launches $110M Cross‑Border Angel Fund from GIFT City

Early‑stage platform Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) has launched IPV International, a $110 million Category I Angel Fund, registered under GIFT City’s IFSCA framework. The fund is intended to back startups across Indian and global markets at early to pre‑Series A stages, marking IPV’s strategic international expansion.

Bengaluru Engineer Arrested in INR 379 Crore CoinDCX Crypto Heist

Police in Bengaluru arrested Rahul Agarwal (30), a software engineer at CoinDCX, in connection with a $44 million (INR 379 crore) cryptocurrency theft. Investigators allege hackers used his Compromised login credentials to siphon funds to six wallets. The breach is under full forensic and cybercrime probe, with insider involvement suspected.

Tata Motors to Acquire Iveco’s Commercial Vehicle Business for €3.8–3.9 Billion

Tata Motors has reached an agreement to acquire Iveco’s trucking, buses and powertrain operations in an all-cash deal valued at €3.8–3.9 billion ($4.4 billion), marking Tata’s largest-ever acquisition, surpassing its 2008 Jaguar Land Rover purchase. The defence business of Iveco will be separately sold to Leonardo for €1.7 billion, clearing the way for Tata’s offer. The combined entity is expected to generate about €22 billion in annual revenues, positioning Tata as a global heavyweight. The deal is subject to regulatory clearances and is expected to close by early to mid-2026.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 30 July 2025

LittleBox raised $2.1 million in its maiden funding round, while Heizen and FlexPrice secured early-stage funding to fuel growth. Here’s a quick look at the top funding deals and key business news in India from 30 July 2025.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

On 30th July, Indian startups and businesses witnessed notable developments. LittleBox raised $2.1 million in a seed round, while Heizen and FlexPrice secured early-stage funding to fuel growth. Indiqube Spaces made a modest stock market debut, and the Supreme Court dismissed Zostel’s appeal against OYO, concluding the long-standing dispute. Here’s a quick look at the top funding deals and key business news in India from the day.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 30 July 2025

LittleBox Raises $2.1 Million

Fashion tech startup LittleBox has secured $2.1 million in its maiden funding round. The investment was led by Huddle and Prath Ventures, with participation from strategic angels. LittleBox aims to revolutionise how fashion is discovered and accessed by Gen Z consumers through curated and tech-enabled shopping experiences.

DesignX Secures $2 Million from Rockstud Capital

DesignX, a platform that simplifies interior design execution, has raised $2 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Rockstud Capital. The funds will be used to enhance product capabilities, scale partnerships, and strengthen its customer base across India.

Heizen Raises $500K to Disrupt Legacy IT Services

AI-native software delivery startup Heizen has raised $500,000 in pre-seed funding led by Titan Capital. Angel investors Varun Alagh (Mamaearth) and Abhishek Goyal (Tracxn) also participated. The Bengaluru-based company aims to revolutionise legacy IT service delivery using its proprietary AI-native DevOps and delivery platform.

FlexPrice Bags $500K to Simplify B2B Pricing

FlexPrice, a pricing automation platform for B2B businesses, has raised $500,000 in a pre-seed round led by TDV Partners. The funds will be deployed towards enhancing the company’s AI pricing engine and expanding its GTM (go-to-market) operations.

Wah Puchka Wah Litti Raises $230K for QSR Expansion

Quick service restaurant (QSR) chain Wah Puchka Wah Litti has raised $230,000 in a seed round led by WOW! Momo’s Co-founder, Sagar Daryani and other angel investors. The brand plans to expand its physical outlets across India and further develop its traditional Bihari fast-food menu.

Vahan.AI Secures Strategic Investment from Temasek’s Lemmatree

AI-driven skilling and job-matching startup Vahan.AI has received a strategic investment from Lemmatree, a data innovation arm of Temasek. As part of the partnership, Lemmatree has also acquired Learn, an edtech initiative previously incubated by Vahan.AI.

Dhoni Family Office Invests in Acko

The family office of cricketer MS Dhoni has invested in insurtech unicorn Acko, participating in a secondary transaction. While the amount remains undisclosed, the move marks Dhoni’s growing interest in digital-first financial services platforms.

Key News Highlights for 30 July 2025

SC Dismisses Zostel’s Appeal, Upholds Delhi HC Ruling in Oyo Dispute

The Supreme Court of India on 29 July 2025 rejected Zostel Hospitality’s special leave petition (SLP) challenging the Delhi High Court’s May ruling that had set aside a 2021 arbitral award in favour of Zostel. The apex court clarified that Zostel should have appealed under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, rather than filing a special leave petition—this procedural misstep led to the dismissal and Zostel’s eventual withdrawal. The decision firmly establishes that Zostel holds no enforceable rights or claims against Oravel Stays (Oyo’s parent), stemming from a 2015 non‑binding term sheet.

Indiqube Spaces Lists at Discount

Workspace solutions provider Indiqube Spaces made its IPO debut on 30 July 2025 with a weak market performance, listing at a discount of approximately 8.86 % on NSE (INR 216) and 7.7 % on BSE (INR 218.70) relative to the issue price of INR 237. Despite an INR 700 crore IPO that received strong subscription (13× overall, with QIBs at 15.12×), investor sentiment was muted. At around INR 210–INR 218, the stock’s market capitalisation stabilised at roughly INR 4,400 crore (c. USD 521 million). Financials for FY25 show revenues up 27% year-on‑year to about INR 1,059 crore, while losses narrowed substantially to INR 139.5 crore from INR 341.5 crore a year earlier.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 29 July 2025

Zepto bags fresh funds, Lenskart CEO buys back shares, BluSmart faces insolvency, and India caps Starlink users. Here are the key updates from 29 July 2025.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

On 29th July, Indian startups and businesses saw notable developments. Zepto raised fresh capital ahead of a larger round, while Passprt Trips secured $500K to expand its travel tech offering. Lenskart acquired Spain-based Meller in a global push, and the government capped Starlink’s user base in India. Here’s a quick look at the top funding deals and key business news from the day.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 29 July 2025

Zepto Raises INR 7.5 Crore from Elcid Investments

• Zepto received an investment of INR 7.5 crore from existing shareholder Elcid Investments, securing roughly 0.039 % equity at a valuation of INR 19,231 crore ( $2.26 billion).
• The company’s FY25 turnover surged to INR 11,110 crore, up 2.5 × from INR 4,454 crore in FY24, continuing its consistent growth trajectory.
• Zepto is currently pursuing a broader capital raise of approximately  $500 million that could bring its valuation up to $7 billion, led by existing investors like General Catalyst and Avenir.
• The firm has completed a change of domicile to India in preparation for an anticipated IPO in FY26.

Passprt Trips Secures $500K in Pre-Seed Round

• Startup founded in 2023 by Ujjwal Garg and Manoj Rai, operates from Gurugram as an AI-powered personal travel advisor platform.
• Passprt Trips’ fresh $500,000 pre‑seed funding round was led by Aroa Venture Partners, which manages an INR 400 crore fund and has backed firms such as Unacademy, CRED and Magicpin.
• The funds will be deployed in product enhancement, community-building, and launching in 20 destinations across Asia‑Pacific and the Middle East within three months.

Sharpsell.ai Bags INR 30 Crore in Series A Funding

• Sharpsell.ai, founded in 2022 by Hanuman Kamma and Arun Subramanian, delivers AI-powered sales enablement tools used by large-scale Indian enterprises in the BFSI, auto, and pharma sectors.
• Sharpsell.ai secured INR 30 crore in Series A, of which INR 10 crore pertains to Equentis Angel Fund’s largest-ever Category‑I AIF investment in a single company; other backers include Cornerstone Venture Partners and Mistry Ventures.
• Funding will support deepening vertical penetration and international expansion into Southeast Asia and MENA.

Optipro AI Raises Undisclosed Amount

• Bengaluru‑based Optipro AI, founded by Harshendar Reddy, offers SaaS solutions to help restaurants manage delivery operations effectively across platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato.
• The recent, undisclosed funding will be used to enhance product innovation and expand presence nationally, supporting operations across more than 800 restaurant locations, processing over 5 million orders and 500,000 reviews.

Key News Highlights for 29 July 2025

Peyush Bansal Buys Back Lenskart Shares Ahead of IPO

Lenskart’s CEO, Peyush Bansal, has bought back 4.6 crore shares for ₹222 crore, ahead of the company’s IPO. The shares were repurchased at a steep discount, valuing the company below previous estimates. The buyback strengthens Bansal’s control and hints at a strategy to simplify the cap table before going public.

Lenskart Acquires Spain-Based Meller for INR 400 Crore

Lenskart has acquired Spanish eyewear brand Meller from its parent company Stellio for approximately INR 400 crore. This marks Lenskart’s latest move to expand its international presence. The deal aligns with its pre-IPO goals and helps strengthen its position in the European direct-to-consumer eyewear market.

BluSmart Faces Insolvency Due to Governance Issues

EV ride-hailing firm BluSmart is undergoing insolvency proceedings after a petition by Gensol, its vehicle leasing partner. Allegations point to serious corporate governance lapses, including missing board meetings and poor financial oversight. The case highlights broader concerns around internal checks in fast-scaling Indian startups.

CoinDCX Denies Reports of Acquisition by Coinbase

CoinDCX has denied being in acquisition talks with Coinbase after reports surfaced suggesting a potential deal. The company stated that the claims were speculative and misleading. The news comes at a time when India’s crypto sector is facing market pressure and hints of consolidation.

India Caps Starlink at 20 Lakh Users

India’s government has limited Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service by SpaceX, to a maximum of 20 lakh (2 million) users in the country.

The restriction is attributed to Starlink’s current spectrum and capacity constraints, not regulatory supervision. Service speeds are capped at up to 200 Mbps, which officials believe will not significantly affect BSNL or private telecom providers. The government also noted that high upfront equipment costs and a monthly fee of around INR 3,000 are likely to limit mass adoption among Indian consumers.

Starlink is expected to focus on rural and remote areas, aligning with its satellite-based model and where BSNL currently holds presence.

Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News – 28 July 2025

ChatGPT said:
Drizz raises $2.7M, Krutrim lays off 100+ staff, new UPI rules announced, Lenskart board update & more key India news for 28 July 2025.

StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

On 28th July, Indian startups and businesses saw some important updates. Genexis Biotech raised INR 4 crore to grow its biotech work, while Drizz got $2.7 million to improve mobile app testing. In other news, VerSe Innovation hired a new HR head, Krutrim laid off over 100 employees, and new UPI rules were announced to manage system load. Here’s a quick look at the top funding deals and key business news from the day.

Daily Indian Funding Digest – 28 July 2025

Genexis Biotech secures INR 4 crore seed funding

Vadodara‑based Genexis Biotech has closed an INR 4 crore seed round led by GVFL, along with participation from Benzai10. The funds will be deployed to expand bioreactor capacity, build downstream processing infrastructure, launch recombinant proteins (such as amino peptidase, enterokinase, and upcoming transferrin and albumin), and enhance compliance, sales and distribution capabilities.

Genexis Biotech specialises in animal‑origin‑free recombinant protein production using precision fermentation, addressing demand in biopharma, food‑tech, cell culture and cosmetics sectors. The firm operates a Class 10,000 certified facility and is setting up a GMP‑compliant unit.

Drizz raises $2.7 million in seed round

Mobile testing and automation startup Drizz has secured $2.7 million in its seed funding round, with Stellaris Venture Partners leading and other investors participating. The capital will support Drizz’s growth plans and further development of its DevOps testing platform tailored for mobile application testing efficiency.

Drizz provides an AI‑driven mobile app testing platform designed to help developers and enterprises automate quality assurance workflows at scale. With the app ecosystem expanding rapidly, Drizz’s tools aim to streamline testing, reduce time‑to‑market and support continuous integration practices.

Key News Highlights for 28 July 2025

VerSe Innovation appoints Rohit Sandal as CHRO

VerSe Innovation, the AI‑powered parent of Dailyhunt and Josh, has appointed Rohit Sandal as Chief Human Resources Officer. A veteran from Freshworks, Lenovo and Dell, Sandal succeeds Maya John and will lead global talent strategy and culture transformation as VerSe scales internationally. The move aims to reinforce VerSe’s future‑ready workforce and support its AI‑first products, including NexVerse.ai, Dailyhunt Premium and Josh Audio Calling, which serve over 350 million users.

Ola‑backed AI firm Krutrim lays off over 100 staff in second round

Founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, AI unicorn Krutrim has laid off over 100 employees in a second wave of job cuts, primarily affecting its linguistics division. The majority had been hired just six months ago. The restructuring aims at leaner operations amid slower product traction and fundraising delays. At peak, the linguistics team had nearly 600 members working across ten Indian languages.

Lenskart moves ahead with IPO; board reshuffled ahead of float

Lenskart shareholders have approved an IPO to raise INR 2,150 crore (~USD 250 million) via fresh issue; total offer size may reach INR 8,500 crore (~USD 1 billion) including secondary sales. Ahead of listing, independent directors Ashish Kashyap (IndMoney founder, ex‑Goibibo) and Sayali Karanjkar (co‑founder PaySense) have joined the board. The board literacy and governance tweaks align with public market expectations. A DRHP filing is expected imminently.

AI SaaS startup Astra shuts down four months after funding

Astra, an AI‑driven SaaS startup backed by Perplexity AI co‑founder Aravind Srinivas, has unexpectedly shut down operations barely four months after raising capital. The firm had aimed to deploy AI Sales Agents to automate enterprise sales workflows. Despite Srinivas’s investment and strategic backing, Astra cited insufficient traction and operational hurdles as reasons for ceasing business.

Major UPI rule changes effective 1 August to ease system load

From 1 August 2025, the NPCI will enforce limits under new UPI regulations: users can check bank balance only 50 times per day per UPI app and view linked bank accounts only 25 times daily. Autopay mandates and transaction‑status queries will be confined to fixed windows outside peak hours, and API‑based features such as address validation will be regulated. These measures aim to reduce backend congestion and boost system stability.

Indian Startup Funding Updates for 2025 (Updated Weekly)

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