Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 17th December 2025: Cellarim Labs, Tagbin, Decode Age Raise Fresh Capital; Meesho Billionaire Moment & Zepto IPO Buzz
India’s startup ecosystem remained vibrant on 17th December 2025, marked by fresh funding rounds across biotechnology, creative AI, and longevity science, alongside major IPO-driven milestones. Early-stage biotech startup Cellarim Labs, experiential tech player Tagbin, and longevity-focused Decode Age collectively raised capital to scale innovation, research, and market expansion. Meanwhile, public market action grabbed headlines as Meesho co-founder Vidit Aatrey joined the billionaire club following a strong IPO debut. Adding to the momentum, quick-commerce unicorn Zepto signaled its public market ambitions, with plans to file draft IPO papers imminently. Together, these developments highlight sustained investor confidence across private and public markets.
Daily Indian Startup Funding Roundup - 17th December 2025
| Company | Amount | Round | Lead investor(s) | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cellarim Labs | INR 6 crore | Seed | 3i Partners; Venture Catalysts; Momentum Capital; Jashan Bhumkar; Gayathri Kuppendra Reddy | Biotechnology / Beauty ingredient tech |
| Tagbin | $10 Mn | Funding round | SageOne Flagship Growth OE Fund; Jyotivardhan Sonthalia; Sanjay Kaul; Ramesh Damani; Moheet Agarwal; Siddharth Iyer; Abhinandan Lodha; Kurl-on Group | Creative tech & AI |
| Decode Age | $1.7 Mn | Pre-Series A | Krishna Prasad Chigurupati (Chairman & MD, Granules India) | Longevity science / Biomarker research |
Cellarim Labs raises INR 6 crore in seed round led by 3i Partners & Venture Catalysts
Biotechnology startup Cellarim Labs has raised INR 6 crore in a seed funding round co-led by 3i Partners and Venture Catalysts, with participation from Momentum Capital, Jashan Bhumkar, and Gayathri Kuppendra Reddy. The funds will be used to build a pilot-scale biomanufacturing facility, accelerate commercial production of its NeuHyal™ hyaluronic acid portfolio, and expand its B2B ingredient supply to beauty and personal care brands. The startup’s cell-free biomanufacturing platform aims to transform cosmetic ingredient production with more sustainable, consistent, and efficient processes.
Tagbin raises $10 Mn, eyes IPO by 2027
Experiential tech and applied AI company Tagbin has secured $10 million in a funding round led by the SageOne Flagship Growth OE Fund and supported by veteran investors including Jyotivardhan Sonthalia, Sanjay Kaul, Ramesh Damani, Moheet Agarwal, Siddharth Iyer, Abhinandan Lodha, and the Kurl-on Group. The fresh capital will fuel expansion into domestic and global markets, strengthen its AI and creative technology offerings, and support preparations for a potential IPO by 2027. Tagbin builds immersive digital experiences and AI platforms for sectors ranging from government to private enterprises.
Decode Age raises $1.7 Mn in pre-Series A round
Bengaluru-based longevity science startup Decode Age has raised approximately $1.7 million in a pre-Series A round led by Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman and Managing Director of Granules India. The investment will be used to scale the company’s biomarker discovery programs, boost multi-omics and microbiome research efforts, and upgrade scientific infrastructure. Decode Age focuses on translating biological signals related to aging into measurable insights for research, testing, and precision interventions.
Key Business News for 17th December 2025
Meesho founder Vidit Aatrey becomes billionaire after blockbuster IPO listing
Meesho co-founder and CEO Vidit Aatrey entered the billionaire club as the company’s stock surged sharply after its public listing, climbing about 74 % above its IPO price and boosting the value of his stake past the US $1 billion mark. Meesho’s strong debut reflects robust investor demand and highlights the rapid success of its social commerce model that empowers small sellers and resellers across India.
Zepto may submit draft IPO papers in the next 7–8 days
Quick-commerce unicorn Zepto is reportedly preparing to file draft IPO papers within the next seven to eight days as it eyes a public debut next year. The Bengaluru-based company is expected to pursue a roughly $500 million IPO via a confidential filing route, with proceeds earmarked for scaling its rapid delivery operations amid intensifying competition.
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