SEDEMAC’s Q4 Surge & Cellogen’s $2M Funding Boost

SEDEMAC Achieves Robust Q4 Performance Driven by Mobility Sector Growth

SEDEMAC, a prominent deeptech company, has concluded the fourth quarter with a notably strong financial performance, marking a significant upswing in its profitability and revenue. The company’s robust showing is primarily attributed to sustained demand within the mobility sector and an expanding product portfolio. This operational expansion has directly translated into enhanced profitability, with Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) margins improving by over 500 basis points compared to the previous year.

For the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, SEDEMAC reported a substantial 273% year-over-year increase in net profit, reaching ₹32.1 Crore. Operating revenue saw an impressive surge of 60% year-over-year, totaling ₹287.7 Crore. Total expenses for the quarter rose by 47% year-over-year to ₹246.4 Crore. These figures reflect a significant improvement in operational efficiency, with EBITDA margins climbing to 21.3% from 16.1% in Q4 FY25.

Mobility Segment Powers SEDEMAC’s Revenue Expansion

The company’s core mobility division was the primary engine behind its Q4 growth, contributing nearly 90% of its total revenue. SEDEMAC has solidified its position with major automotive manufacturers such as TVS, Bajaj, and Hero MotoCorp as clients. In FY26, the company achieved a significant milestone by scaling its annual Electronic Control Unit (ECU) sales to 39 Lakh units, representing a 63% year-over-year increase. This growth trajectory highlights the increasing demand for SEDEMAC’s advanced automotive electronic components.

Further driving SEDEMAC’s expansion is the ramp-up in integrated starter generator ECUs for internal combustion engine (ICE) three-wheelers. Concurrently, the company is experiencing deeper penetration of its Microcontroller Units (MCUs) in the electric two- and three-wheeler segments. Beyond its strong domestic presence, SEDEMAC is actively pursuing international markets, notably expanding into the North American genset market with its electronic fuel injection ECUs. This diversified approach underscores the company’s strategy to leverage its technological expertise across various applications and geographies.

SEDEMAC Scales Manufacturing and Expands Product Pipeline

Looking ahead, SEDEMAC is positioning itself for its next phase of growth, with a robust pipeline of products for commercial vehicles, electric light commercial vehicles, and power tools. The company is set to commence ECU shipments from its new 1.2 Lakh square feet plant in Pune’s Chakan in Q2 FY27. Additionally, a 9,000 square feet facility is expected to begin shipments of electric machines from Q3 of the current fiscal year. To support its expanding operations and customer base in South India, SEDEMAC has acquired 13 acres of land in Tamil Nadu’s Shoolagiri, signaling a significant push in its manufacturing capabilities and geographical reach.

Cellogen Therapeutics Secures ₹20 Crore Funding for Gene Therapy Advancement

In a significant development for the biotechnology sector, Cellogen Therapeutics has successfully raised approximately ₹20 Crore (around $2 million) in a funding round led by Kotak Alternate Asset Managers. This capital infusion is earmarked to accelerate its clinical programs, broaden its gene therapy pipeline, and enhance its manufacturing and regulatory capabilities. Founded in 2021, Cellogen Therapeutics is an innovative cellular engineering startup focused on developing novel therapies for cancers and blood disorders.

The company aims to disrupt the market by offering its advanced treatments at a significantly lower price point, targeting $60,000 to $70,000 per treatment, a stark contrast to the current industry standard of approximately $500,000. Cellogen Therapeutics is collaborating with CMC Vellore for its Phase I human clinical trials and has also secured a patent for its CAR-T platform, underscoring its commitment to pioneering new therapeutic approaches. This funding is expected to be pivotal in moving its research from laboratory stages to clinical application and market readiness.

NPCI Introduces Unified Soundbox Infrastructure for Merchants

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is developing a unified, interoperable infrastructure for UPI soundboxes, a move designed to enhance the merchant payment experience. This initiative will enable merchants to accept payments from any QR code using a single soundbox device, thereby streamlining transaction acknowledgments. Currently, most soundboxes operate as closed systems, requiring merchants to use separate devices for different payment providers like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay.

While this development promises greater convenience for merchants by eliminating the need for multiple devices, it is anticipated to impact the revenue streams of fintech companies. Many fintech players rely on monthly rental fees from merchants for their proprietary soundbox devices. The introduction of a common infrastructure by NPCI could lead to increased competition and potentially lower revenue for these companies, while offering a more integrated payment acceptance solution for businesses across India.

Indian Fintechs Face New AI-Native Cybersecurity Threats

The financial sector in India is bracing for a new wave of cybersecurity challenges following the recent launch of advanced AI models capable of autonomously identifying and exploiting software vulnerabilities. This emerging threat has prompted the Indian government to urge top bankers to assess associated risks and expedite threat-intelligence sharing between regulatory bodies and agencies like CERT-In. Cybersecurity has thus been elevated to a critical national economic security issue.

However, cybersecurity analysts express skepticism regarding the current readiness of many financial institutions. Critics point out that numerous banks still rely on manual processes for threat triage, possess fragmented visibility of their digital assets, and face slow coordination with vendors. These weaknesses could be ruthlessly exploited by sophisticated AI-driven systems, necessitating a swift and comprehensive upgrade of cybersecurity protocols and infrastructure across the Indian fintech landscape.

Shadowfax Achieves Profitability and Eyes Full-Stack Logistics Dominance

Logistics major Shadowfax has turned profitable in Q4 FY26, coinciding with a record surge in its top-line revenue. Having achieved its first significant quarterly profit, Shadowfax is strategically pivoting towards becoming a comprehensive full-stack logistics operating system. The company is intensifying its focus on vertical quick commerce categories, with plans to expand its dark store network to 100 locations in FY27, while prioritizing high gross margins and sustained profitability.

Beyond scaling its core parcel delivery services, Shadowfax is broadening its operational scope to include specialized logistics segments such as heavy-shipment and high-value deliveries. This strategic diversification is expected to enhance profit margins and foster stronger customer loyalty. The company’s ambition to become an end-to-end logistics solutions provider positions it for significant growth in the evolving e-commerce and delivery ecosystem.

India’s Listed Startup Ecosystem Shows Strong Growth Trajectory

Over 60 new-age Indian technology companies that have listed on stock exchanges collectively boast revenues of $18 billion and a market capitalization of $141 billion. This robust performance highlights the increasing maturity and economic impact of India’s tech startup ecosystem. In 2024, 13 startups went public, followed by 18 in 2025, and six more have listed in the current year so far, indicating a sustained momentum in public market debuts.

Currently, approximately 25 startups, including prominent names like Zepto, Shiprocket, and OYO, are in various stages of their Initial Public Offering (IPO) journey. Delhi NCR leads as the hub for the largest number of listed Indian startups, with the fintech and SaaS sectors dominating the sectoral landscape. This trend underscores the growing investor confidence and the significant potential of India’s technology-driven businesses.

VU Dynamics Develops Indigenous Battle-Ready UAVs

VU Dynamics, an IIT Kanpur-incubated startup, is focused on closing the gap in India’s defense sector by developing indigenous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The company designs and manufactures advanced UAV platforms for both defense and civilian applications, aiming to translate research into rugged, deployable hardware. Their offerings include surveillance and battlefield drones, portable launch systems, and simulation modules for operator training, emphasizing end-to-end systems that are practical for deployment and easy to operate.

The startup’s value proposition centers on endurance, ease of use, and cost-efficiency, critical factors for defense and public-sector procurement. VU Dynamics partnered with PATH Group last year to scale manufacturing and move towards production-grade deployment. With the domestic defense UAV market projected to exceed $1.4 billion by 2030, VU Dynamics is poised to play a crucial role in India’s self-reliance in aerial systems.

Delhi NCR Emerges as India’s Top D2C Hub

Delhi NCR has solidified its position as India’s premier Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) hub, leading in both funding and deal count. The region has attracted over $3.5 billion across 434 deals, surpassing Bengaluru, which secured $3.4 billion through 342 deals. This significant inflow of capital and deal activity highlights the burgeoning growth and investment interest in India’s D2C sector, with Delhi NCR emerging as the epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurial expansion.