Topic
funding
Finance Zepto Delays Listing, Looks to Raise Rs 1,000 Crore in Pre-IPO Funding at Reduced Valuation
Zepto is raising about Rs 1,000 crore (~$105 million) in pre-IPO funding at a $4–4.5 billion valuation, over 30% below its last round, postponing its public listing. The company aims to close the round in a couple of weeks and then file its RHP with Sebi, amid valuation gaps between domestic and foreign investors and intensifying competition.
Manufacturing Arboreal Bioinnovations Raises ₹230 Crore Series A for Factory Expansion and R&D
Arboreal Bioinnovations, a specialty food and nutraceutical ingredients technology company, has raised ₹230 crore in Series A funding led by EAAA (Edelweiss alternatives arm) with participation from Omnivore and Rainmatter. The company will use the capital to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen R&D, and accelerate commercialisation of next-generation ingredients including proteins, sweeteners, and fibres.
Logistics Freight Hero Raises $5 Million to Run Freight Broker Back-Office Operations
Freight Hero, a Durham, N.C. startup, has raised $5 million in seed funding led by Field Ventures to expand its back-office service for freight brokers. Unlike typical AI software, the company charges a flat fee per load and handles rate confirmation through proof of delivery, with AI agents managing over 90% of load touches and human operators handling exceptions. The company has managed more than 50,000 loads and counts Ally Logistics as a client, which saw 82.4% revenue growth without a proportional headcount increase.
Technology SUIND raises ₹20.5 crore in seed funding to scale unmanned aerial systems for agriculture and beyond
SUIND, a developer of near-earth autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has raised ₹20.5 crore in a seed funding round led by Transition VC with participation from IIMA Ventures. The company will use the capital to scale commercial deployment of its Bumblebee spraying UAS and accelerate development of the Wasp aerial intelligence platform, focusing on vision-based autonomy for GPS-denied environments.
Technology Is AI facing a big financial reckoning? Chip stocks tumble as investor euphoria fades
Sharp falls in chip maker stocks have triggered investor concerns that the AI euphoria is fading. Korean chip makers SK Hynix and Samsung dropped 46% and 35% in a month, while US firms Micron and Intel fell 28% and 35%. China's reported chip breakthrough and worries over AI monetization add pressure. Despite the sell-off, Eileen Burbidge calls it a healthy correction after massive gains.
Finance Poonawalla Vision Fund Invests ₹230 Crore in Lohum Cleantech for Critical Minerals
Poonawalla Vision Fund-1 (PVF1) and family offices have invested ₹230 crore in Lohum Cleantech, a leading sustainable critical minerals platform outside China. The fund, managed by Ambit, has deployed 60% of its ₹1,050 crore corpus within three months, tracking a ~40% IRR. The investment highlights the strategic focus on critical minerals for energy transition and supply chain resilience.
Technology India Gold Metaverse Raises ₹300 Crore to Build Digital Infrastructure for Gold Economy
India Gold Metaverse (IGM) has raised ₹300 crore in equity and secondary placement to develop the first integrated digital infrastructure for India's gold economy. The platform combines blockchain, AI, and financial market technologies through four interconnected products: Elanzia, RamMudra, GoldSense, and BullionX. The investment was led by marquee investors including Ashish Kacholia and family offices, with Pantomath Group facilitating the transaction.
Finance Aston Martin Secures £550m Loan Package to Bolster Balance Sheet Amid US Tariffs and Weak China Demand
Aston Martin has secured £550m in loans managed by HPS Investment, including a £450m senior secured-term loan and a £100m delayed draw facility, to strengthen its balance sheet and fund future product plans. The move comes after the company cut 600 jobs and reported a net loss of £493.2m for the last fiscal year, attributing the poor performance to US tariffs and weak demand in China. CFO Doug Lafferty said the financing 'significantly strengthens our liquidity.'
Technology Ex-Tech Executives' Startups Gain Favor with Venture Capital Investors, Report Finds
A joint report by Tracxn and RTP Global reveals that startups founded by former tech employees (operator-led startups) are securing a growing share of venture capital funding, nearly doubling to 11% of total ecosystem funding in 2025 from 5.8% in 2023. Despite comprising less than 1% of all tech startups founded between 2023 and 2025, these ventures attract larger cheques and higher valuations, driven by the founders' experience scaling teams and navigating constraints.
India to Take Equity Stakes in Semiconductor Startups Under Semicon 2.0
The Indian government has approved Semicon 2.0 with a Rs 1,27,500 crore outlay, moving from one-time grants to milestone-linked funding and equity investments in semiconductor startups. The India Semiconductor Mission CEO Amitesh Kumar Sinha outlined a phased funding model where the government will generally keep its equity stake below 50%, avoid board representation, and allow founders to buy back shares. The policy addresses the challenge startups face in raising capital after the design stage.
Technology Agri-tech Platform Rize Secures $31 Million Series B to Scale AI-Powered Farming Tools in Southeast Asia
Rize, a Singapore-headquartered agri-tech platform, announced a $31 million Series B round ($20M equity, $11M debt) led by BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, with participation from The Rockefeller Foundation, Temasek, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The funds will be used to scale AI-powered tools for farmers, expand into new markets, and strengthen export linkages across Southeast Asia, building on a tenfold growth in operations since its Series A two years ago.
Technology OpenAI Staffers Fund Rival Super PAC to Push for Stricter AI Regulation
Seven current and one former OpenAI employee have donated more than $215,000 to Guardrails Alliance, a new super PAC advocating for stricter AI regulations. The PAC aims to counterbalance Leading the Future, a pro-industry group backed by OpenAI president Greg Brockman with over $100 million. The donations reveal growing internal conflict at OpenAI over AI policy and regulation.
Logistics DOT grants $25 million to transform Indiana's Jeffersonville port with major expansion
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $25 million BUILD grant to Ports of Indiana to support a $32 million expansion of the Jeffersonville port. The project will more than double the general cargo footprint, increase lift capacity from 35 to 300 tons, and add new crane, dock, and warehouse infrastructure. Completion is expected in 2028.
Technology IPO-Bound Startups Face Investor Skepticism Over High Valuations and Profitability
Startups targeting public listings are encountering increasing investor resistance over valuation expectations, with examples such as Zepto and PhonePe facing delays or valuation cuts. Market uncertainty, competition from mega listings like NSE and Jio Platforms, and a focus on profitability are reshaping the IPO landscape.
Business Debt's the Way for Indian IT Acquisition Funding: Persistent Systems Leads $1.5B Bridge Financing
Persistent Systems' $1.5-billion bridge financing from Barclays for its proposed acquisition of German IT firm Nagarro signals a broader trend of Indian IT companies increasingly using debt for transformative acquisitions, departing from their traditional cash-rich, debt-free balance sheets. Industry experts warn of risks but note the strategic necessity to build AI capabilities and gain scale.
Business Centre releases ₹25,863 crore first instalment under VB-G RAM G Yojana
The Centre has released the first instalment of ₹25,863 crore to all states under the Viksit Bharat G-RAM-G Yojana, which replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2026. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the release, highlighting the smooth transition and enhanced 125-day employment guarantee.
Technology Startup Backers Cash Out Rs 97,000 Crore as Public Markets Become Primary Exit Route
A Business Today report reveals that early investors in Indian listed startups have sold shares worth nearly Rs 97,252 crore since 2021. The exits, spanning IPOs and block deals, underscore public markets as the primary exit route for venture capital and private equity investors after years of backing high-growth companies.
Technology Property title search engine Landeed to invest ₹30cr in FY27 for business growth
Property title search engine Landeed will invest ₹30 crore in FY27 to expand its business. The company, which raised around ₹100 crore from investors including Y Combinator, will focus on GPU infrastructure, small language models, and Indic OCR to convert fragmented property records into structured intelligence.
Technology Ninjacart Raises $6 Million in Funding, Turns EBITDA-Profitable and Eyes Public Listing
Ninjacart has closed $6 million in funding led by existing investors Accel, Nandan Nilekani, and Tiger Global. The company reported achieving EBITDA profitability and is preparing for a public listing over the next two years. Its technology and data-driven approach has reduced supply chain costs and minimized wastage, driving threefold growth in core businesses.
Finance Nisus Finance invests ₹70 crore in three Bengaluru residential projects via real estate fund
Nisus Finance Services has deployed ₹70 crore from its ₹1,700-crore Real Estate Special Opportunities Fund I into three Bengaluru residential projects developed by Sumukha Housing Pvt Ltd. The projects have a combined gross development value of ₹300 crore and are located in key residential corridors. The investment reflects the firm's conviction in Bengaluru's stable residential demand.
Finance IIFCL Plans $1 Billion Overseas Loan and Eyes $400 Million ADB Funding to Support India's Infrastructure Push
According to a Business Today report, India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) plans to raise $1 billion through an overseas loan and is also in talks for $400 million in funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support infrastructure development in India.
Finance India's Debt Market Not Equipped to Fund $7.3 Trillion Growth Target, Deloitte Warns
Deloitte's State of Financial Services in India report says the debt market is not equipped to finance the next growth phase, citing weaknesses in price discovery, risk differentiation, and offshore NDF trading. It proposes three structural reforms: deepening the market, making rates market-driven, and attracting global investors.
AllHome Raises ₹200 Crore Series B Funding to Expand B2B Building Materials Platform
AllHome, a technology-led building materials startup founded by PharmEasy co-founders, has raised ₹200 crore in Series B funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Strides at a ₹2,000 crore valuation. The funds will be used to enhance its proprietary technology platform, expand experience centres, and invest in manufacturing as it targets ₹1,000 crore in revenue within four to six quarters.
Technology PharmEasy Founders’ New Venture All Home Raises Rs 200 Crore, Valuation Doubles
All Home, a full-stack interior design and architecture startup by PharmEasy founders, has raised Rs 200 crore in a funding round that doubled its valuation. The company reported FY2026 revenue of Rs 180 crore and an annualized run rate of Rs 400 crore, with plans to strengthen its tech stack, expand experience centres, and build manufacturing facilities.
Commodities Geothermal Energy Investment Needed to Develop Next-Generation Technologies
The BBC reports bipartisan US political support for geothermal energy, with new technologies like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and millimetre-wave drilling aiming to access deeper, hotter resources. Investment is critical to commercialize these next-generation systems, which could expand geothermal power beyond traditional hotspots.
Technology Square Yards turns unicorn with $95 million fundraise, eyes another $50-60 million ahead of IPO
Square Yards, a real estate and mortgage platform, has raised ₹900 crore ($95 million) in a debt-equity round led by EAAA Alternatives and Muzinich & Co., achieving unicorn status. The company plans to raise another $50-60 million in the next quarter ahead of its IPO. In FY26, revenues grew 48% to ₹2,086 crore with EBITDA surging 3.7x to ₹176 crore.
Commodities Scotland Awards £1.7M for Offshore Wind Skills Training Pipeline
The Scottish Government has awarded almost £1.7 million ($2.25 million) to three projects to boost training and skills for the offshore wind sector, including a regional skills hub, expanded engineering construction programmes, and new courses at North East Scotland College. The funding, part of the Offshore Wind Skills Programme, is expected to attract similar private investment and support an estimated 49,000 jobs in Scotland's offshore wind industry.
Logistics Shipowners and Airlines Urge EU to Use ETS Revenues for Green Fuel Transition
European shipowners and airlines jointly called on the EU to channel Emissions Trading System (ETS) revenues back into shipping and aviation for green fuels and technologies. Shipping contributes around €9bn and airlines €2.3bn annually, but the funds are not being reinvested, risking decarbonisation efforts. Europe lags Asia in fuel production capacity.
Commodities Paddy Straw-Based Compressed Biogas Deserves Special Funding to Combat Stubble Burning Crisis
Every winter, stubble burning in northern India worsens air quality in Delhi-NCR. Converting paddy straw into compressed biogas (CBG) addresses both environmental and agricultural challenges, but high collection, pre-processing, and capital costs hinder viability. The article argues for enhanced capital subsidies, viability gap funding, and access to carbon markets to scale up CBG production.
Finance Wolverhampton Finance-Help Scheme Unlocks Nearly £1.4m for More Than 200 Residents
Wolverhampton City Council's Boost scheme, launched at the start of the year, has helped over 200 residents access nearly £1.4m in unclaimed benefits and grants, while also generating £64,468 in annual savings on bills. Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton has joined as a partner to expand the programme's reach.
Technology Malaysia's AI Agent-Powered Messaging Platform Respond.io Raises $62.5M, Targets Acquisitions
Respond.io, a Malaysian AI-powered customer conversation management platform, has raised $62.5M in Series B funding led by Camber Partners. The company has grown to $35M in annual recurring revenue with 169% year-over-year growth and a 30% profit margin. It plans to use the capital for hiring, organic growth, and acquisitions in North America and Europe.
Technology Sarvam AI Raises $234M Led by HCLTech, Becomes India's Newest Unicorn
Sarvam, a Bengaluru-based AI startup, raised $234 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, led by HCLTech, becoming India's newest AI unicorn. The funding supports sovereign AI development with models tailored for Indian languages, deployed across banking, insurance, government, and defense.
Technology NewCore Emerges with $66M to Give AI Agents Identities as Digital Workers
Cybersecurity startup NewCore emerged from stealth with $66 million in seed funding led by Cyberstarts to provide identity management for AI agents, treating them as first-class digital employees with permissions and lifecycle controls. The company claims existing identity platforms are ill-suited for the growing workforce of human and AI agents.
Technology Orbio raises $21 million to automate hiring and onboarding for frontline workers
Orbio, an enterprise startup using AI agents to automate hiring and onboarding for frontline workers, announced a $21 million Series A led by Dawn Capital. Customers include YUM! Brands and Poke, with one behavioral health provider seeing 20% more candidates hired. The company competes with Paradox and WorkJam and plans to use the funds to develop more AI agents.
E-Commerce & Marketplaces Ex-Anduril Engineer Raises $42M to Build the Amazon of Composite Parts for B2B Manufacturing
Layup Parts, a startup founded by former Anduril engineer Zack Eakin, has raised $42 million in Series A funding to build a digital marketplace for custom composite parts. The company aims to streamline ordering of carbon fiber and fiberglass parts, similar to how Amazon simplifies consumer purchases, targeting B2B customers in motorsports, design, and manufacturing.
Technology Focused Energy Raises $240M Series A for Laser-Powered Fusion, One of Largest Early-Stage Rounds
Focused Energy, a Germany-based fusion startup, announced an oversubscribed $240 million Series A round, one of the largest early-stage rounds for a fusion power company. The company is developing a laser-powered inertial confinement reactor inspired by the National Ignition Facility, with plans to build its first demonstration system at a decommissioned nuclear plant in Germany. RWE was the main investor.
Technology Board, the new game startup from Mirror founder Brynn Putnam, raises $20M, has already sold thousands
Board, a New York-based startup building physical-digital board games, has raised $20 million in Series A funding led by Union Square Ventures. The company reports strong traction with tens of thousands of units sold across all 50 states and plans to launch an AI-powered game creation platform later this year.
Technology Quick-commerce FirstClub doubles valuation to $255M in 9 months on quality-first grocery bet
FirstClub, an Indian quick-commerce startup focused on curated quality groceries, raised $55M in Series B funding co-led by Peak XV Partners and Sofina, doubling its valuation to $255M in nine months. The company plans to expand beyond Bengaluru and into new categories.
Technology OpenAI Files Confidential IPO Paperwork, Eyes Wall Street Debut Amid AI Race
OpenAI has confidentially filed paperwork with the US SEC for an initial public offering, according to a Business-Today report. The ChatGPT maker's move comes amid a wave of AI public listings, with rival Anthropic and SpaceX also planning debuts. OpenAI's latest valuation stands at $852 billion, but the company faces pressure to justify its worth amid high compute costs.
Technology Coralogix raises $200M on bet that someone needs to watch the AI agents
Coralogix has raised $200 million in Series F funding, valuing the observability startup at $1.6 billion. The round, led by Advent and CPPIB, comes as enterprises increasingly deploy AI agents that require new monitoring tools. The company's revenue grew over 60% in the past year, and more than half of enterprise customers now use its AI agent Olly or other AI interfaces.
Technology Supabase Raises $500M at $10B Valuation, Doubling in 8 Months on Vibe-Coding Boom
Supabase, the open-source Postgres database platform, raised $500 million at a $10 billion pre-money valuation, doubling its valuation in eight months. The company attributes its growth to the rise of vibe-coding tools like Claude Code and Codex, which have driven database launches up 600% year-over-year, with over 60% launched by AI tools. Supabase also launched Multigres, an operating system for Postgres, to ease scaling complexity.
Technology Founders from Goldman and Meta build voice AI for Africa and Middle East markets
AethexAI, a startup founded by former Goldman Sachs and Meta employees, has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding to build voice AI for customer service in Africa and the Middle East. The company uses its own small models (Kora series) to handle local dialects of English, French, and Arabic, addressing latency and accuracy issues plaguing larger models in these regions. It currently processes over 17,000 calls per day.
Technology Jeff Bezos Funds Flourish's $2.5 Billion Quest for a Synthetic Brain That Runs on 50 Watts
Jeff Bezos has invested $50 million (later nearly doubled) into Flourish, a neuro AI startup founded by former Amazon executive Rob Williams and neuroscientist Thomas Reardon. The company aims to build a synthetic intelligence system called Cortex AI that matches the human brain's learning efficiency and power budget of 50 watts or less, addressing the energy inefficiency of large language models. Flourish has raised $500 million at a $2.5 billion valuation from investors including Lux Capital, Google Ventures, and Catalio.
Technology Theker Secures $85M to Build Reconfigurable Factory Robots for Generalist Tasks
Theker, an AI robotics startup in Barcelona, raised $85M in a Series A round, claimed to be Europe's largest robotics Series A. The company builds reconfigurable robots for warehouse and factory tasks, with early backing from Inditex (Zara's parent). Investors include CRV, Samsung, and Aglaé Ventures.
Technology Jedify Secures $24M to Enhance AI Contextual Understanding
Jedify, a New York-based startup, has raised $24 million in a Series A funding round to enhance AI agents with contextual understanding of businesses. The funding, led by Norwest, will support product development and expansion efforts.
Commodities India's Agriculture Budget Soars to Rs 1.4 Lakh Crore
The Modi government has increased India's agriculture budget five-fold to Rs 1.4 lakh crore over 12 years. Key initiatives include climate-resistant crops, soil health cards, and increased fertiliser subsidies.
Business Regional Retailers Eye IPOs to Fuel Expansion
Regional retail companies in India are planning IPOs to fund expansion as small towns become retail growth hubs. Companies like Sathya Agencies and SS Retail have filed for IPOs, aiming to capitalize on rising incomes and digital connectivity.
Business Evotrex Secures $30M to Launch Hybrid RVs
Evotrex, a startup backed by Anker, has raised $30 million in a Series A funding round to develop its hybrid RVs. The company plans to produce 1,000 units annually, leveraging its unique hybrid system to stand out in the competitive RV market.
Business Lottery Grant Boosts Fenland Paint Recycling Startup
Remo, a paint recycling enterprise in Cambridgeshire, has secured a £400,000 National Lottery grant. This funding will enable the company to expand operations, hire more staff, and increase service availability.
Trade India Approves Rs 39,290 Crore Infrastructure Package
India's Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 39,290 crore package to enhance aviation, highway infrastructure, and transport modernization. Key projects include a Rs 10,000 crore ATF Price Stabilisation Fund and a Rs 8,301 crore coastal highway project.
Commodities Kpler Secures $1bn Investment for Strategic Growth
Kpler, a leader in maritime analytics, has secured over $1bn from Sixth Street to enhance its market position and product offerings. This investment supports Kpler's expansion into new markets and strengthens its role in global trade intelligence.