Startups

Stay updated with the latest startups news, analysis, and trends

A group of Indian cybersecurity professionals in a cluttered office, intently focused on multiple computer screens displaying code and data, some showing visible stress.

AI Cyber Threats: Indian Banks & Fintechs Preparedness

Explore how Indian banks and fintechs are bracing for AI-driven cyber threats like Anthropic’s Mythos and Google’s exploits. Assessing preparedness in the evolving digital landscape.

By ThePip Desk•

Her Ease Launches Menstrual Wellness Solution; Rapido Secures Major Funding

Her Ease: Student-Made Menstrual Wellness Solution & Rapido Funding

Haryana students launch ‘Her Ease’ menstrual wellness solution. Ride-hailing giant Rapido secures major funding, boosting India’s startup ecosystem.

By ThePip Desk•

Two founders intently discussing data on a tablet amidst cables and coffee cups, with a third team member tending to plants in the background.

YourStory Quiz 232: AI, Food, Energy Startup Challenges

Test your business acumen with YourStory’s Lateral Sparks Quiz 232. Explore AI, food, and energy startup challenges and innovative solutions.

By ThePip Desk•

Three colleagues stand around a messy desk with laptops and papers, engaged in animated conversation in a naturally lit office.

Nectar Social Raises $30M Series A Led by Menlo Ventures

Nectar Social, an AI marketing platform, secures $30 million in Series A funding led by Menlo Ventures, signaling strong demand for advanced marketing solutions.

By ThePip Desk•

Candid shot of logistics workers moving through aisles of a dark store, picking items for quick commerce delivery.

Shadowfax Eyes 30% FY27 Growth With Dark Store & Q-Commerce Push

Logistics startup Shadowfax targets 30% growth in FY27 by expanding its dark store network to 100 locations and boosting quick commerce operations.

By ThePip Desk•

A man looking stressed and holding his head in a busy, modern office with multiple computer screens displaying stock market graphs.

New-Age Tech Stocks Dip Amid Q4 Earnings; Pine Labs, Zaggle Fall

New-age tech stocks faced a downturn this week, with 46/57 companies declining. Pine Labs and Zaggle led losses amid Q4 earnings season and IPO lock-in expiries.

By ThePip Desk•

A candid, editorial photo of medical professionals in scrubs gathered around a cluttered meeting table, with more staff standing in the background.

Athena Behavioral Health Opens NE India’s Largest Psychiatric Hospital in Guwahati

Athena Behavioral Health launches Northeast India’s largest integrated psychiatric hospital in Guwahati, expanding access to vital mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment in the region.

By ThePip Desk•

Three young Indian entrepreneurs, two men and one woman, gather around a cluttered wooden table in a warehouse, discussing products.

India D2C Brands: Strategies to Reach Beyond Elite Shoppers

Discover strategies for India’s D2C brands to grow beyond the top 2% of power shoppers who drive 60% of e-commerce GMV. Tap into a wider online consumer base.

By ThePip Desk•

A candid, eye-level photograph captures a young woman artisan at a pottery wheel, surrounded by onlookers at an outdoor market.

Bengaluru’s Artisan Economy: Sunday Soul Sante Drives Growth

Discover how Bengaluru’s Sunday Soul Sante empowers artisans and fuels entrepreneurship, showcasing creativity and driving the city’s vibrant economy.

By ThePip Desk•

Indian Startups Secure $303 Million in Funding Amidst Strong Momentum

Indian Startups Raise $303M: Rapido Fuels Funding Surge

Indian startups secured $303 million in funding across 15 deals (May 11-15), a significant rise driven by Rapido’s major investment. Investor confidence remains strong.

By ThePip Desk•

A candid, editorial shot of the Rapido team in a server room, discussing expansion on a whiteboard, with some working on laptops.

Rapido Raises $240M at $3B Valuation for Expansion

Ride-hailing unicorn Rapido secures $240M at $3B valuation, fueling market expansion and strengthening its diverse on-demand services, including bike taxis, autos, and delivery.

By ThePip Desk•

Two engineers, a man and a woman, intently review data on a tablet in a busy, cluttered office, with city views and a rocket model in the background.

OpenAI Trial Ends, Musk’s SpaceX Eyes Historic IPO

OpenAI trial concludes, questioning AI leadership trust. Meanwhile, SpaceX nears a historic IPO, showcasing founder-driven innovation.

By ThePip Desk•

Three founders, two men and one woman, in a naturally lit, slightly cluttered office, engaged in a discussion around a table with laptops and a whiteboard in the background.

Meridian Ventures Launches $35M Fund for MBA-Deferred Founders

Meridian Ventures launches a $35M fund targeting enterprise tech startups founded by individuals with deferred MBA enrollment, focusing on ambitious entrepreneurs.

By ThePip Desk•

Three toy designers, two men and one woman, collaborate around a large blueprint-covered table in a naturally lit, cluttered workshop.

Legend of Toys Raises ₹21 Cr for Expansion

Indian toy brand Legend of Toys secures ₹21 crore in Pre-Series A funding to expand product lines, boost marketing, and enhance digital presence.

By ThePip Desk•

Shadowfax Stock Surges to Record High on Robust Q4 Performance and Strategic Growth

Shadowfax Stock Hits Record High on Strong Q4 Results

Logistics firm Shadowfax’s shares surged to an all-time high, crossing ₹10,000 crore market cap, driven by robust Q4 FY26 profits and strategic growth.

By ThePip Desk•

Three engineers in a workshop, two standing over a stacked hexagonal satellite platform, one looking at a tablet.

Dhruva Space Gets ₹105 Cr for Satellite Platform

Dhruva Space secures ₹105 crore from Centre’s RDIF for Project Garud, aiming to boost India’s satellite manufacturing capabilities with a standardized, high-volume platform.

By ThePip Desk•

A group of diverse professionals in a sunlit modern office, deeply engaged in a business meeting around a large table.

D2C Insider Launches ₹150 Cr VC Fund, ConsumerX Ventures

D2C Insider announces ConsumerX Ventures, a ₹150 Cr VC fund targeting ~25 early-stage D2C brands at pre-seed and seed stages.

By ThePip Desk•

India's E-commerce Market to Hit 22% of Retail GMV by 2031

India’s E-commerce to Reach 22% of Retail GMV by 2031

India’s e-commerce market is set to capture 22% of total retail GMV by 2031, doubling its current share. Explore the transformative growth drivers.

By ThePip Desk•

Shadowfax Achieves Profitability in Q4, India's D2C Landscape Evolves

Shadowfax Turns Profitable in Q4, India’s D2C Market Matures

Logistics firm Shadowfax achieves Q4 FY26 profitability with AI automation and scale. India’s D2C landscape shows evolving consumer habits and investment trends.

By ThePip Desk•

Atech Secures $800K Pre-Seed Funding for Hardware Vibe Coding

Atech Raises $800K for Vibe Coding in Hardware

Hardware startup Atech secures $800K pre-seed funding from a16z and Sequoia Scout Fund to pioneer ‘vibe coding’ for enhanced user experiences.

By ThePip Desk•

A group of young Indian content creators in a rustic room, intensely focused on a smartphone recording, with a BDO report visible.

India’s Microdrama Market: Scaled Winners to Dominate, Says BDO

India’s microdrama market is set for growth, with BDO reports indicating scalable models focused on viewer engagement will lead the way. Discover key drivers.

By ThePip Desk•

Quick Commerce India: $68B GMV Potential & Brand Strategy Shifts

India’s quick commerce market is set to hit $68B GMV by 2031, forcing brands to revolutionize product, logistics, and customer engagement strategies.

By ThePip Desk•

A diverse team of professionals actively discussing a complex workflow diagram on a whiteboard in a modern office.

Numero AI Acquires Royu to Boost Finance Automation

Numero AI acquires Indian finance automation firm Royu in a strategic cash-and-stock deal to enhance its agentic platform for enterprise finance and controller functions.

By ThePip Desk•

A group of four diverse legal tech professionals in a modern office, engaged in a discussion over laptops and tablets displaying digital workflows.

Clio Reaches $500M ARR, Leading Legal Tech Growth

Legal tech leader Clio achieves $500M ARR, showcasing strong customer adoption and sector growth. Discover what this means for the future of legal innovation.

By ThePip Desk•

A group of young Indian entrepreneurs working intently in a bustling university co-working space, with one woman presenting at a whiteboard.

VGU Champions: Rajasthan’s Tier II Startup Renaissance

Vivekananda Global University (VGU) empowers Tier II founders in Jaipur, driving innovation and capital infusion in Rajasthan’s booming startup ecosystem. Discover the shift from metro-centric growth.

By ThePip Desk•

Dhan Expands Fintech Reach with Insurtech Acquisition

Dhan Acquires Insurtech Firm Greenlife Insurance

Fintech platform Dhan expands into insurtech by acquiring Greenlife Insurance, aiming to build a comprehensive, full-stack financial services offering in India.

By ThePip Desk•

A delivery rider on a scooter waits in a crowded warehouse with shelves stocked full of various packaged goods. Staff are busy picking items.

Swiggy Targets Indian Ownership: Shareholder Vote on Control Shift

Foodtech leader Swiggy seeks shareholder approval to amend its articles and board structure, aiming to become an Indian-owned and controlled company (IOCC) under FEMA regulations.

By ThePip Desk•

Two male founders, one pointing at a workflow diagram on a glass wall, the other holding a tablet, in a busy open-plan office.

Numero Acquires Royu: AI Finance Automation Boost

US AI finance platform Numero acquires Indian startup Royu in a cash-and-stock deal to enhance its AI-driven financial solutions for CFO offices.

By ThePip Desk•

Four Indian engineers in an automotive factory, two kneeling around a small yellow robot, two standing observing, with car parts and screens in the background.

Maruti Suzuki Selects 6 Startups for 10th Accelerator Cohort

Maruti Suzuki chooses six Indian startups for its 10th Accelerator Programme, focusing on AI solutions for plant operations, product development, and customer experience.

By ThePip Desk•

Three engineers in jumpsuits work on an advanced autonomous drone in a large, industrial workshop with screens in the background.

Anduril Raises $5B, Valuation Hits $61B

Defense tech leader Anduril secures $5 billion in funding, boosting its valuation to $61 billion. Driven by record revenue, this marks significant investor confidence in advanced defense solutions.

By ThePip Desk•