Bombay Shaving Company raises INR 136 crore expand omnichannel presence and strengthen brand leadership
Bombay Shaving Company raised Rs 136 crore ($15.3M) led by Sixth Sense Ventures, with Patni Family Office, Rahul Dravid, and founder Shantanu Deshpande participating. The funds will boost omnichannel growth and brand leadership ahead of an IPO. The profitable brand reports a INR 550 crore revenue run rate.
Haus & Kinder secures $3.3M to expand its quick commerce presence
Haus & Kinder, a D2C home and lifestyle brand founded by Saket Dhankar and Kanupriya Anand, raised $3.3 million led by Sauce VC. The funds will boost its quick commerce presence. Targeting millennial moms, it offers affordable cotton bedding and baby essentials across major e-commerce platforms.
FES Cafe raises $1M pre-Series A to drive expansion in Delhi NCR, strengthen delivery and operations
FES Cafe, an eggless dessert chain founded by Vidur Mayor, raised $1 million in a pre-Series A round led by 12 Flags and Wolfpack Labs. The funding supports Delhi NCR expansion, delivery upgrades via a central kitchen, and talent acquisition, positioning it as a Gen Z and millennial hangout.
Deep-tech startup Coratia Technologies raises INR 5 crore from Piper Serica to accelerate the adoption of underwater robotics
Coratia Technologies, an Odisha deep-tech firm, raised INR 5 crore from Piper Serica to expand underwater robotics R&D, manufacturing, and global reach. After a INR 66-crore Navy contract for UWROV Jalasimha, it advances systems like Jaladuta and Oceanus for defense and civilian use, bolstering India’s blue economy and subsea autonomy.
Nyayanidhi raises $2M to enhance its AI-driven legal tech solutions, aiming to expand advocate networks and deepen partnerships
Nyayanidhi, a legal tech startup, has secured $2 million in seed funding led by 3one4 Capital. The Bengaluru startup plans to use the funds to expand its advocate network and enhance its AI product suite. Additionally, the funds will deepen government partnerships as AI continues to reshape the Indian legal industry.
Deepinder Goyal-Backed Aerospace Venture Expands R&D in Gurugram
LAT, backed by Deepinder Goyal, has opened a 50,000 sq. ft. R&D facility in Gurugram with in-house labs for powertrains and HIL systems. Focused on indigenous, cost-efficient STOL aircraft, LAT develops hybrid-electric systems and Monte Carlo simulators, advancing India’s private aerospace innovation and regional connectivity.
Microsoft taps Social Media influencers to boost Copilot, Amid ChatGPT’s Consumer Dominance
Microsoft is leveraging social media influencers to promote Copilot as a lifestyle assistant, competing with ChatGPT and Gemini. Despite 150 million monthly users, Copilot trails ChatGPT’s 800 million weekly and Gemini’s 650 million monthly. Influencers like Alix Earle showcase Copilot in daily content. Analysts remain skeptical of lasting impact, noting true loyalty demands deeper user engagement.
Piyush Goyal Drives Policy Dialogue on AI and Data Infrastructure Expansion in India to Strengthen Viksit Bharat Vision
India plans to become a global AI and data hub through regulatory reforms and infrastructure expansion led by Minister Piyush Goyal. Under the Viksit Bharat initiative, data center capacity will grow from 1.2 GW to 8 GW by 2030, needing $156 billion investment. Mumbai emerges as a key hub, with Google, Reliance, and Adani supporting AI startups in key sectors.
GreenFi raises $2M seed round to globally scale its AI-powered ESG risk management platform
GreenFi raised $2 million in seed funding from Transition VC to expand globally and strengthen its AI-driven ESG risk management platform. Founded by Barun Chandran, it automates ESG workflows for clients like UOB, KIIFB, and Wattsun Energy. Recognized by the UN Climate Tech Accelerator, GreenFi focuses on intelligent risk assessment and compliance automation for enterprises.
QuickShift raises $2.6M to expand across India & strengthening omni-channel programs
QuickShift raised $2.6 million in pre-Series A funding from Atomic Capital and Axilor Ventures to enhance its AI-led fulfillment platform and expand across India. Founded by Anshul Goenka, it handles 300K B2C shipments and 700K marketplace orders monthly for 100+ brands. The funds will scale omni-channel operations in key cities and deepen integrations with major e-commerce platforms.
Praan Health raises INR 8.5 Cr seed funding led by Rainmatter Investments
Praan Health raised ₹8.5 crore in seed funding from Rainmatter, WEH Ventures, and angels including Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari. Founded in 2024 by Navneeth Ramprasad, it helps young adults manage parents’ chronic care via its app, offering tests, consultations, and lifestyle tracking. Serving 1,500 families, Praan plans nationwide expansion and product upgrades.
Finnable raises INR 500 Cr led by Z47 and TVS Capital to power responsible credit access for India’s professionals
Finnable raised ₹500 crore from Z47 and TVS Capital to expand credit access for emerging professionals. Founded by Nitin Gupta and Amit Arora, it uses data intelligence and a phygital model to offer responsible loans. With 65% first-time borrowers, low GNPA of 1.1%, and ₹3,100 crore AUM, Finnable plans product expansion and tech upgrades following this investment.
CarTrade Nears $1.2 Billion Deal to Acquire CarDekho
CarTrade Tech, owner of CarWale and OLX India, is nearing a $1.2 billion cash-and-equity acquisition of CarDekho. The merger will create India’s largest online auto marketplace across listings, finance, insurance, and after-sales. It intensifies competition for Cars24, Spinny, and Droom, marking consolidation in auto-tech with a focus on profitability, data, and ecosystem dominance.
Jefferies raises Reliance Jio’s valuation to $180B citing strong growth
Jefferies raised Reliance Jio’s valuation to $180 billion, highlighting strong telecom innovation and digital monetization prospects. The firm projects 18% revenue and 21% EBITDA CAGR through 2028, driven by tariff hikes and broadband growth. With 506 million users and ₹211.4 ARPU, Jio’s 5G base of 234 million drives half of wireless traffic. A public listing is expected in early 2026.
UIDAI launches new Aadhaar app for 1.4B Indians
UIDAI has introduced a new Aadhaar app for India’s 1.4 billion residents, enabling secure digital identity management on Android and iOS. It replaces physical cards with digital storage, verification, and face authentication. Users can manage five family Aadhaar records. The upcoming e-Aadhaar app, launching by December 2025, will support remote demographic updates through AI and Face ID.
Tech Giants Debt-Fueled AI Infrastructure Race Sparks Bubble Concerns
Tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google spent $112 billion on AI infrastructure in Q3 2025, up 77% year-over-year. Regulators warn of a possible AI bubble as returns lag. A $18 billion loan led by major banks funds Oracle and OpenAI’s Stargate project. With only 3% of consumers paying for AI services, circular financing raises sustainability and market stability concerns.
Maharashtra named India’s startup capital, boasting 45% women-led ventures
Maharashtra has been declared India’s startup capital, with 45% women-led ventures. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced this at Innovation Mahakumbh 2025, highlighting its role in India’s USD 5 trillion goal. The 2025 policy targets 50,000 startups and 125,000 entrepreneurs, backed by a Rs 500 crore Maha-Fund and 300-acre Innovation City, surpassing the national 7.5% women-led average.
The Kenko Life Raises Seed Funding to Redefine Everyday Nutrition in India
The Kenko Life, founded by Neeraj Kumar and Vivek Chandran, raised seed funding from Rainmatter and Aniketh Jain to expand beyond Bengaluru. Serving 800+ subscribers with 21,000+ monthly meals, it plans entry into Hyderabad, launching a mobile app, clean desserts, and Indian Thalis. The funding supports tech growth, eco-friendly packaging, and leadership in India’s $2–3 billion health food market.
Google’s Project Suncatcher Aims to Launch Solar-Powered AI Data Centers in Space
Travis Beals of Paradigms of Intelligence unveiled Project Suncatcher, aiming to scale AI through solar-powered satellite constellations with TPUs and optical links. Operating in low Earth orbit, the system achieved 1.6 Tbps transmission and shows stable orbital models. With Google’s radiation-tolerant v6e TPUs, a 2027 Planet mission will test hardware as launch costs near competitiveness by the 2030s.
Tiger Global Fully Exits Ather Energy With INR 1,204 Crore Stake Sale
Tiger Global fully exited Ather Energy, selling its 5% stake for ₹1,204 crore. Its 2015 $12 million investment exit reflects a shift from venture to institutional EV investment, aligning with the fund’s focus on AI, software, and fintech. Ather’s growth continues, with October registrations up 53% to 28,061 units and a 19.5% market share, per Vahan data.
Astrophel Aerospace Unveils India’s First Indigenous Cryogenic Pump for Reusable Rockets at BRICS Innovation Summit in Russia
Astrophel Aerospace unveiled an indigenous 25,000 RPM cryogenic pump at the BRICS Innovation Summit, aiming for global exports and reusable launch services. Co-founders Suyash Bafna and Immanuel Louis are working with ISRO for validation and dual-use certification. With ISRO’s interest in its cost-effective valves, Astrophel targets positioning India as a major cryogenic supplier by 2030.
WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames in 2026
WhatsApp will launch usernames in 2026, letting users replace phone numbers for in-app communication. Businesses will still show phone numbers but get a unique Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID) to identify users. BSUIDs enable messaging without phone numbers and affect API requests, responses, and webhooks, ensuring unique IDs for each business portfolio-user pair.
Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos raises INR 67 Cr
Agnikul Cosmos raised INR 67 Cr ($7.6M) via equity and debt from Advenza Global, Atharva Green Ecotech, and Pratithi Investments, after a INR 200 Cr Series B in 2023. Founded in 2017, it develops small-lift rockets like Agnibaan, powered by 3D-printed Agnilet engines. Its Sriharikota tests and SOrTeD mission mark steps toward commercial launches amid rising spacetech investment.
Andhra Pradesh approves INR 1.02 Lakh Crore in investments, potentially creating 85,870 jobs
SIPB, led by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved ₹1,01,899 crore for 26 projects, creating 85,870 jobs and raising total investments to ₹8,08,899 crore with over 7 lakh jobs. Naidu emphasized timelines, 15 industrial zones, and a land bank. Visakhapatnam hosts Google’s ₹87,520 crore AI data center, while three IAS officers manage corridors leveraging central incentives.
Technical glitch at Delhi Airport’s ATC causes major flight delays, affecting over 400 flights
A software glitch in Delhi Airport’s ATC system disrupted over 400 flights, causing delays of 50-55 minutes across northern India. The AMSS failure forced manual operations, impacting airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. The Airports Authority of India confirmed it wasn’t a cyberattack and is restoring the system. Passengers are advised to check airline updates.
Miko secures $10.5M funding led by iHeartMedia & partners to integrate audio content into its AI robots like Miko 3
Miko, co-founded by Sneh Vaswani, Prashant Iyengar, and Chintan Raikar, raised $10.5 million led by iHeartMedia after a $15.8 million Series D round. Its AI robots like Miko 3 are sold in 90+ countries. A new partnership brings iHeart’s audio to Miko devices, enhancing engagement. Miko now operates in 140 countries and recently launched in Costco North America.
Karnataka’s new Startup Policy 2025-2030 allocates INR 518 Cr to boost startups
The Karnataka cabinet approved the Startup Policy 2025-2030 with INR 518 Cr funding to create 25,000 startups, including 10,000 outside Bengaluru. Focus areas include AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. Support covers funding, incubation, mentoring, and market access. Bengaluru startups raised $544 Mn in Q3 2025, aligning with the state’s deeptech and quantum investment plans.
Google rolls out AI Mode button to Chrome on mobile devices
Google Chrome introduced an AI Mode button on November 5 for iOS and Android, enabling Gemini 2.5-powered AI search. Initially available in the US and expanding to 160 countries, it supports complex queries and real-world tasks like ticket booking. The update advances Chrome from information retrieval to task completion, enhancing user convenience and automation.
Paytm Bets on AI in Travel, Launches Dedicated AI travel Booking App ‘Paytm Checkin’
Paytm launched ‘Paytm Checkin’, an AI-driven travel app offering conversational booking, personalized itineraries, and integrated reservations for flights, trains, buses, and metros. Users get zero convenience fees, ₹99 flight cancellations, and a ₹249 Travel Pass. Features like ‘Paytm Assured’ and ‘Ticket Assure’ enhance reliability. Vikash Jalan emphasizes its AI-first design for smarter, personalized travel solutions.
India’s Solar Module Capacity to Exceed 125 GW by 2025
India’s solar capacity is projected to surpass 125 GW by 2025, exceeding the 40 GW demand. Incentives fuel growth, but a 29 GW surplus may arise as exports fall. Major firms pivot domestically, leaving space for startups in storage, recycling, deployment, smart grids, leasing, and AI forecasting. Key opportunities lie in energy analytics, rooftop solutions, and community solar projects.
