Topic
venture capital
Finance Sid's Farm Raises ₹81 Crore in Pre-Series B Round Led by Omnivore and NSFO
Direct-to-consumer dairy and foods brand Sid’s Farm has raised over ₹81 crore in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Omnivore, NSFO, Dodla Dairy, Next Bharat Ventures, and LIO. The capital will be used to strengthen supply chain, expand manufacturing and distribution, and invest in product innovation and farmer partnerships.
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.
Technology Inflexor Ventures Secures Rs 400 Crore for Fund III, Targets 22-25 Technology Startups
Inflexor Ventures has announced the first close of its Fund III at approximately Rs 400 crore, anchored by Indian institutional investors including the SRI Fund and HDFC Asset Management Company. The venture capital firm plans a final close within a year and will invest in 22-25 technology-focused companies over 4-5 years, with initial investments in healthcare, digital infrastructure, and AI. Its portfolio includes logistics tech firm Kale Logistics, linking the fund to supply chain technology.
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 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.
Logistics Private Equity in Trucking: Why Most Deals Fail and the Texas Trans Eastern Exception
Private equity firms often struggle with asset-based trucking investments, as traditional models clash with the industry's cyclical nature. However, the nine-figure Texas Trans Eastern deal demonstrates that understanding market cycles and partnering with experienced owners can lead to success, according to FreightWaves and Spencer Tenney of The Tenney Group.
Finance Nandan Nilekani's Fundamentum Launches Rs 2,200 Crore Fund III for Growth-Stage Indian Startups
Fundamentum Partnership, led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and veteran investor Sanjeev Aggarwal, has launched Fund III with a target corpus of Rs 2,200 crore including a Rs 400 crore greenshoe option. The fund will write initial cheques of Rs 100-150 crore for 10-15% ownership in 8-10 companies, focusing on consumer technology, fintech, and AI-native businesses. Fund II has delivered a 26% gross IRR.
Finance Nilekani's Fundamentum Launches Rs 2,200 Crore Fund III for Growth-Stage Indian Tech
Fundamentum Partnership has launched its third fund with a target corpus of Rs 2,200 crore, including a Rs 400 crore greenshoe option. Co-founded by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and veteran investor Sanjeev Aggarwal, the fund will focus on growth-stage Indian technology companies, with initial cheques of Rs 100-150 crore. The firm reported a 26% gross IRR from Fund II and expects to make 8-10 investments from Fund III.
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.
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.
Finance Sparrow Capital closes third fund at Rs 475 crore, targets larger cheques for startups
Sparrow Capital has closed its third venture capital fund at Rs 475 crore, with 60% of the corpus coming from global institutional investors. The Bengaluru-based firm will invest $1-2 million each in 25-30 startups over the next three years, a significant increase from its earlier cheque sizes. The fund's close comes as Indian early-stage funding sees larger average cheque sizes despite fewer rounds.
Finance PE-VC Deal Value Dips 5% to $17.5 Billion in H1 CY2026 Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty
Private equity and venture capital investments in India fell 5% year-on-year to $17.5 billion in the first half of CY2026, according to Venture Intelligence data. Late-stage companies led with $4.2 billion, while growth and early stages accounted for $3.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Arun Natarajan, founder of Venture Intelligence, noted that investments held up well despite geopolitical uncertainties, with significant capital deployed in data centres and NBFCs.
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.
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.
Technology Manu Chandra's Sauce VC Serves Up 8-10x Return with L'Oréal's Innovist Acquisition
Manu Chandra's Sauce VC is poised to generate an estimated 8-10x return from L'Oréal's ~Rs 4,100 crore acquisition of Innovist, validating the firm's concentrated, follow-on investment strategy. Founded in 2019 with a modest Rs 60 crore fund, Sauce VC has grown to a Rs 750 crore opportunities fund, mirroring the discipline of Union Square Ventures.
Finance Atom XVII Launches ₹75 Crore Consumer Fund to Back Early-Stage Indian Brands
Atom XVII has launched a ₹75 crore consumer-focused fund to invest in early-stage Indian consumer brands from pre-seed to Series A, with a focus on pre-Series A. The fund aims to build a portfolio of 13-15 companies with an average investment of ₹3 crore. It has secured soft commitments of ₹40 crore and targets first close by end-July 2026.
Business Zepto IPO: Can 10-Minute Delivery Sustain Profitability Under Public-Market Scrutiny?
Zepto has filed its draft red herring prospectus for an IPO of up to Rs 80,100 million, revealing revenues of Rs 22,623 crore for FY26 but pre-tax losses of Rs 6,468 crore. The company leads peers on order density per dark store, yet faces declining average order values and negative operating cash flow.
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 joins unicorn club with $234 million funding, eyes enterprise AI
India-based AI startup Sarvam has raised $234 million in a funding round led by HCLTech and Bessemer Venture Partners, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion. The company plans to expand compute infrastructure, hire AI talent, and build an AI-assisted coding platform, while its enterprise AI offerings for voice, document, and agentic AI see growing adoption.
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 The 'Together Tech' Wave: Why In-Person Experiences Could Be 2026's Startup Bet
TechCrunch's Equity podcast explores the 'together tech' wave, where startups like Board (in-person games) and Cyberdeck (DIY computers) are attracting venture capital. The trend is seen as a genuine gravitation toward human connection, not just backlash against AI. Other headlines include Anthropic's IPO filing, Alphabet's $80B AI raise, and raises by Mike Schroepfer and Impulse.
Technology Defense Tech, AI, and Fundraising Take Center Stage at StrictlyVC Los Angeles
StrictlyVC Los Angeles on June 18 at The Aerospace Corporation Campus will feature sessions on defense technology, artificial intelligence, and venture capital. Speakers include Mach Industries founder Ethan Thornton, Founders Fund's Delian Asparouhov, Shinkei Systems' Saif Khawaja, and M13 co-founder Carter Reum. The event offers executives curated access to insights from builders and investors shaping next-generation technology.
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 Startups Building In-Person Games and DIY Computers to Counter Phone Addiction
TechCrunch's Equity podcast explores a growing wave of startups focused on getting users off their phones, including Brynn Putnam's Board for in-person games and viral Cyberdeck DIY computers. The trend is framed as a human-centric counterbalance to the massive AI fundraising boom.
Technology Former DOGE Members Launch AI Startup Special with a16z Funding
Former Department of Government Efficiency members Nate Cavanaugh and Justin Fox have launched a startup called Special, aiming to bring an AI-powered operating system to critical American industries. The venture has secured funding from a16z led by Marc Andreessen, along with other high-profile investors. Their first vertical is senior care under FigureHealth.
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.
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 India Quotient's Gagan Goyal to Exit Amid VC Leadership Shifts
Gagan Goyal, a general partner at India Quotient, is set to leave the firm, marking another leadership change in India's venture capital sector. His exit follows the firm's largest fund closure and the promotion of new partners.
Technology Proliferate: Building the Future of Engineering OS
Proliferate, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is developing an operating system for modern engineering. With a focus on AI and automation, the company aims to revolutionize supply chain and logistics technology.
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.
Business Anveshan Secures ₹150 Crore to Target ₹1,000 Crore Revenue
Anveshan, a clean-label food brand, has raised ₹150 crore in a Series B funding round led by Vertex Ventures and IFC. The company aims to achieve ₹1,000 crore in revenue within the next 2-3 years by expanding its manufacturing and distribution capabilities.