Latest startup and business news from India — funding rounds, IPO, acquisitions, layoffs, and corporate updates.
Demi-fine jewellery startup Palmonas raises $40M in Series B funding led by Xponentia Capital and Vertex Growth Fund to expand offline stores and strengthen its omnichannel retail presence.
The cash-rich Indian Premier League, as a product and brand, has emerged as one of the most profitable arms of cricket. Since its inception in 2008, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s brainchild has risen by leaps and bounds to be adequately represented by the title sponsors&
The tech giant has started what analysts believe could be the largest workforce reduction in its 47-year history, driven by its aggressive and debt-heavy push into AI infrastructure.
Indian startups witnessed steady funding momentum on 31 March 2026, with capital flowing into fintech, AI, and wealthtech ventures. The day was led by OpenFX’s $94 million raise and Gnani AI’s $10 million Series B round, highlighting continued investor interest in deep-tech and financial infrastructure. Meanwhile, key developments
The company has previously partnered with Arka Media Works, enabling fans to rewrite alternate storylines from the Baahubali universe. Fanon, a platform built exclusively for fandom storytelling and discussion, has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding in a round co-led by Kalaari Capital and Gruhas. The round marks Fanon’s
Fifth edition of the annual summit to feature 600+ attendees, three parallel tracks, and a six-week road to HSX across multiple cities.
Government advisories on platforms like Meta, Google, and X might become legally compulsory according to India's planned tougher IT regulations. The government notice seeking public opinion outlines the action, which might result in the loss of safe harbour protections if directions issued by the IT ministry are not
Epic Games said last week that it would be laying off over a thousand workers in an effort to remain financially stable. Mike Prinke, a programmer who has over seven years of experience at the Fortnite creator, was one of those impacted. Jenni Griffin, Prinke's wife, posted a
In a strategic investment round spearheaded by Alpha Wave Global and current supporter Carlyle, Bharti Airtel's data centre affiliate Nxtra is acquiring $1 billion (around INR 9,400 crore). Alpha Wave and Carlyle have each committed $435 million (INR 4,107 crore) and $240 million (INR 2,266
Aavishkaar Capital, the impact-focused fund manager and part of Aavishkaar Group, one of the world's foremost impact investing platforms, today announced a Series B investment of USD 10 Million in Gnani.ai, a Bengaluru-based voice-first Agentic AI company redefining how enterprises engage with customers at scale. The investment
Founded in 2020 in the middle of a global pandemic, Thinkdom began as a small experiment in reimagining corporate learning. Today, the Bangalore-headquartered, remote-first Learning Experience Design and Performance Consulting firm has delivered close to 1100 projects, impacted over 500,000 learners, and grown largely through organic and referral-driven business.
Cricket has always been a game of instinct, repetition, and the trained eye of a coach. But as the sport evolves, so do the tools that shape its players. One of the emerging names in this space, Kabuni, is offering a glimpse into how technology is beginning to influence the
ITC shares fell to a 52-week low of around ₹287 in recent sessions amid sustained selling pressure and a broader downtrend. Despite strong fundamentals, shifting investor sentiment and sector rotation have weighed on the stock, with markets closed on Mahavir Jayanti.
The Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) has seen 29 more proposals approved by the Ministry of Information Technology (MeitY). Investments of INR 7,104 Cr, 14,246 direct jobs, and an anticipated production pipeline worth INR 84,515 Cr are all part of the revised proposals. With this, MeitY has
Welcome to StartupTalky’s 2026 Indian startup funding updates. This article provides a clear and easy overview of the latest startup funding news in India throughout the year. Our weekly funding tables, updated regularly, track how much funding each startup has raised, the sectors they operate in, the key investors
Epik, a Try and Buy quick commerce startup focused on consumer electronics and home appliances, has announced that it has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by InfoEdge Ventures. This marks a bet on the company being a pioneer in quick commerce that uniquely blends convenience of
Bajaj Finserv is gearing up to establish an AI-centric private equity fund. According to the business, these investments have the potential to become one of the biggest alternative investment funds in India devoted to artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Bajaj Finserv will use its own funds to put money into AI firms
Daily Indian startup funding roundup for March 30, 2026: Indifi raises ₹40 crore debt from BlackSoil, Skillsvest secures ₹5.5 crore pre-seed funding, and Zetwerk files for a $450 million IPO, alongside key startup news and business updates from India’s startup ecosystem.
Gold and silver prices in India closed on a mixed note on March 30, 2026, with gold witnessing a mild correction while silver remained largely unchanged. The domestic bullion market reflected cautious sentiment amid global uncertainty, slight dollar strength, and intermittent profit-booking. MCX trends indicated limited downside in gold, while
Indifi has raised ₹40 crore in debt from BlackSoil Capital to strengthen its digital lending platform and expand credit access for SMEs across India. The funding will support its growth across underserved sectors, as demand for alternative financing continues to rise.
Using the secret route, B2B manufacturing firm Zetwerk allegedly filed DRHP for its $450 Mn (approximately INR 4,200 Cr) IPO. In a pre-IPO investment round, the business aims to raise $50-60 millions. In the past, Zetwerk's public listing was guided by Mahindra Capital, Avendus Capital, JM Financial,
AI is reshaping IPL sponsorships as companies like Google Gemini and ChatGPT enter cricket marketing. Discover how AI is driving fan engagement, brand visibility, and the future of sports marketing in India.
Jubilant FoodWorks, a restaurant franchise, recently told the exchanges that a portion of its store networks is experiencing a limited shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. The brand is facing this limited shortfall due to the war in West Asia and its effects on the market. Dunkin' Doughnuts
Nokia is in the process of implementing a significant global restructuring that could result in the elimination of up to 14,000 positions on a global scale. As a result of the company's response to slowing growth and operational inefficiencies, India is anticipated to be one of the
* The round also saw participation from Climate Angels and a-IDEA, NAARM * Funds raised to be strategically deployed for geographical expansion, product development and building infrastructure for reaching Rs 100 crore ARR in the next 24 months * Cropcoin has grown 3X in revenues and expanded its farmer network from 20,000
Welcome to StartupTalky’s 2026 US funding updates. This article offers a clear and structured overview of the latest investment activity in the United States throughout the year. Our weekly funding tables, updated regularly, track how much funding companies have raised, the industries they operate in, key investors involved, and
Gold and silver prices in India remained largely flat on Sunday, 29 March 2026, as global cues kept markets in a wait-and-watch mode. The precious metals market continues to be influenced by geopolitical tensions involving the Israel-US-Iran conflict, elevated US Treasury yields, volatile crude oil prices, a strong US Dollar
Pine Labs, a prominent fintech company, was fined INR 3.1 lakh by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for noncompliance with regulations pertaining to PPIs. Officials from the central bank issued a statement saying they discovered Pine Labs broke PPI rules by giving out full-KYC PPIs without doing the
Google is about to power a data center in Texas that Anthropic has leased for a price tag in the multibillions. In the next weeks, Google is likely to confirm its support for the project. As part of this new arrangement, the firm may provide Nexus Data Centers, the site
Rentomojo has filed its DRHP with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for a ₹150 crore IPO, which includes a fresh issue and an Offer for Sale (OFS) of up to 2.84 crore equity shares, as the company prepares for its public market debut.
KPMG's audit division in the United Kingdom has informed nearly 600 employees that their positions are at risk. The results of a redundancy consultation will determine whether or not affected employees are laid off. Up to 440 employees may leave the organization if the redundancy consultation goes ahead
Gold and silver prices in India remained largely stable with a positive bias on 28 March 2026, supported by global uncertainty, steady retail demand, and currency movements. While gold continued to trade in a narrow range, silver prices recorded a noticeable uptick, indicating improving sentiment in the bullion market. Gold
Building a lasting brand goes beyond visibility. Explore 5 key principles that help founders create meaningful, consistent, and trusted brands that stand the test of time.
Manus AI to shut its operations in China. China isn’t letting its AI talent slip away without a fight. An investigation is underway, and founders are asked not to leave the country.
As part of a reorganisation associated with the growth of its offshore businesses in Vietnam and India, National Australia Bank (NAB) is planning to eliminate approximately 170 positions. As part of a larger operational reset, the bank is reorganising its functions, which is leading to layoffs in the business banking
From AI-native lending platforms to equipment rental solutions, Indian startups continued to attract fresh capital across sectors today. The day saw Uncia raising $3 million to scale its AI-driven lending stack, while Mtandt Rentals secured INR 100 crore to accelerate expansion in the equipment rental ecosystem. Here’s a quick
Gold and silver prices in India declined on 27 March 2026, tracking weak global cues and a stronger US dollar. 24K gold stood at ₹139,810 per 10g, 22K at ₹133,150, while silver dropped to ₹2.45 lakh per kg. Check city-wise rates, price comparison, and market outlook.
Pavestone, a Hyderabad-based venture capital firm, completed its investment of $3 Million (₹25 Cr) into Uncia, an AI-powered Lending Solutions platform. In an era defined by heavily funded fintechs and venture-backed growth stories, Uncia represents something increasingly rare: a technology company that chose to let its product do the talking
AI Shopify SEO tools help you fix errors, improve rankings, and grow your store faster. Explore top tools that automate SEO, save time, and boost performance.
James Quincey (of Coca-Cola) and Doug McMillon (of Walmart) have stepped down, saying it's the right time for new AI leadership.
As it grows its global competence centre in India, European fintech company Revolut aims to employ over 40% of its worldwide staff in the country by the year 2026. With 1,600 positions filled in its India centre through 2026, the company's workforce in the nation will reach
MTandT Rentals Limited (“MRL”), a leading provider of aerial work platforms and ground protection access solutions in India, announced an investment of INR 100 Crore from ValueQuest S.C.A.L.E. Fund II. The investment will support MRL’s next phase of growth and expansion across India. Enabling Safer
Netflix will charge $1-$2 more per user. Says it’s investing more in video podcasts and live sports events. Fair or unfair?
Infosys has announced twin acquisitions in the US, buying Optimum Healthcare IT for $465 million and Stratus for $95 million. The $560 million deal marks a strategic push into healthcare and insurance technology, strengthening its domain expertise amid growing AI-led disruption in IT services.
HEG and Graphite India shares surged up to 14% despite a weak market after GrafTech International raised electrode prices. The move lifted sentiment in graphite stocks, signalling a possible pricing recovery after prolonged pressure.
A tax demand of INR 384 crore, including interest of INR 100 crore for the Assessment Year (AY) 2023-24, was imposed on Go Digit General Insurance by an Income Tax Order dated March 25, 2026. The majority of the changes are related to challenges that affect the entire sector. These
Rejected deal from last year comes back with $100/hour top pay, $740 million in bonuses across staff, and more. However, the approval is pending at the workers' end.
Moving Tech Innovations, the parent company of Namma Yatri, has expanded into the European market through the acquisition of Automicle, a mobility startup based in the Netherlands. No information on the deal's financial details was made public. The acquisition will allow the firm to expand its zero-commission mobility
A 20-year-old Kaley complained that social media ruined her mental health by getting her addicted to it. Parents and commentators were relieved after the landmark win.
From health insurance and AI post-training to biotech probiotics, Indian startups secured significant funding across varied sectors today. The day was topped by Plum's ₹193 crore Series B round and Deccan AI's $25 million Series A, with Elmed Life Sciences' $2.7 million raise also
Priyanka Aeron of Thrive Global AI shares how AI-first marketing is transforming brand growth with real-time insights and predictive analytics, while encouraging more women to lead innovation in AI and tech.
Meta reduces headcount while increasing spending on artificial intelligence and executive compensation in response to escalating technological competition. Even though it expects its expenditures to reach $169 billion by 2026, Meta has cut off almost 700 workers to speed up its investment in artificial intelligence. Amidst the company's
The shuttle service in Delhi NCR has been terminated by the ride-hailing company Uber. This action is in continuation of the previous year's shutdowns in places such as Hyderabad and Mumbai. Low ridership and expensive running costs are the factors behind Uber's decision. The company wanted
Licious has launched momos, marking its entry into India’s ₹30,000 crore category dominated by unorganised players. The brand aims to address trust issues around hygiene, sourcing, and quality by applying its proven supply chain and processing standards to a fast-growing comfort food segment.
Moving Tech Innovations has acquired Netherlands-based Automicle, marking Namma Yatri’s entry into Europe. The deal expands its zero-commission mobility model globally, aiming to build open, city-first transport systems and strengthen India–EU collaboration in sustainable urban mobility.
Zerodha has doubled F&O brokerage fees to ₹40 for select trades from April 1, 2026. The change applies only to certain intraday positions with low margin, affecting traders who do not maintain sufficient collateral.
Plum secures ₹193 Cr Series B led by Peak XV to scale India’s top employee health benefits platform. With 500K+ claims processed, faster reimbursements, and 6,000+ client organisations, Plum is now EBITDA positive and expanding into holistic healthcare services.
Akriti Chopra’s journey from a Chartered Accountant to Zomato’s co-founder is truly inspiring. Discover her career growth, IPO role, achievements, and leadership story.
Qweebi, an online STEM learning platform that enables schools to run hands-on engineering and robotics projects entirely through a web browser, has raised $500,000 in a seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). The round also saw participation from global leaders including Jeroen Tas, former Co-founder of
A 'Pay Later' option and real-time photos of fresh food were among the new in-app features released by the fast commerce platform Zepto on 24 March. A change in focus from rapid shipping to "behaviour-led commerce" is behind Zpeto's decision to make these changes.
From health and wellness to enterprise SaaS and sustainable materials, Indian startups attracted fresh capital across diverse sectors today. The day was led by Fullife Healthcare’s ₹300 crore Series D round and Rocketlane’s $60 million raise, while key developments like OpenAI’s APAC leadership hire and Cashify’s
Gold and silver prices in India rose sharply on 25 March 2026, supported by global trends, currency movements, and renewed investor demand. After recent declines, both metals rebounded strongly by market close. Gold jumped by around ₹5,800 per 10 grams (22K) and ₹6,090 per 10 grams (24K), while
Backed by India Quotient, the SEBI-RIA licensed platform is building a personal CFO app, powered by a purpose-trained AI layer for smart financial decisions and growing wealth.
Meesho launched their conversational voice assistant, "Vaani" (meaning "voice" in Hindi), on March 25th. The recent inclusion marks the goal of the firm to provide a real-time purchasing experience for people who like more natural, conversational encounters. This change represents a more systemic change in the
As the popularity of its main game, Fortnite, continues to dwindle, Epic Games will be cutting costs by laying off over a thousand workers. There has been a massive reduction in the gaming industry's workforce as a result of this decision. So, even if flagship games are still
Explore top AI tools that make subscription cancellation simple and stress-free. From tracking hidden charges to automating cancellations, these tools help businesses and individuals save time and money.
Reportedly, an Amazon facility in Bahrain was struck by an Iranian drone on 24 March, causing disruptions to Amazon Web Services in the area. In the continuing US-Iran confrontation, Amazon was bombed twice. The UAE was the site of an attack on an Amazon data centre on March 1. So
Telecom firms asked to highlight 30-day plans more clearly to protect users from overpaying. Raghav Chadha places demands to…
Troubles persist as Robin Liu's resignation hits the news, and here's what it could mean to the customers in India.
The collaboration marks a design-first take on cricket fandom, built for a new generation of fans Hexafun, a Gen-Z–focused fashion accessories brand, has partnered with one of the most decorated cricket teams, the Mumbai Indians, to launch its first-ever cricket-inspired accessories collection, marking the brand’s entry into one
Startup funding activity stayed strong on 24 March 2026, with deals across EV mobility, quick commerce, deeptech, climate fintech, and consumer-focused platforms. The day was led by Euler Motors’ $47 million (₹437 crore) Series E round, followed by Swish’s $38 million raise, highlighting continued investor interest in mobility and
Harley-Davidson has started reducing its worldwide workforce through layoffs. Following the announcement of a precipitous drop in profits, the company made this daring move. Thus, indicating a more comprehensive rethinking of its commercial approach. On March 23, the corporation announced the layoffs, saying that they had informed some workers of
Gold and silver prices in India on 24 March 2026 reflected a mixed trend at market close, with gold extending its recent decline while silver registered a modest uptick. The ongoing global uncertainty, shifting interest rate expectations, and currency movements continue to influence bullion markets. Despite geopolitical tensions, including concerns
This year, OpenAI intends to increase its workforce by approximately 80% in order to better compete for enterprise customers. Positioned to benefit from the ever-changing artificial intelligence sector, this move will solidify OpenAI's position. By the end of 2026, the company's goal is to have increased
In this insightful conversation, Clelia Cecilia Angelon shares how Surya Brasil integrates purpose, sustainability, and Ayurveda to build a conscious global beauty brand. From ethical sourcing to long-term impact, she explains why values-driven growth creates lasting trust and success.
About fifteen people have lost their jobs as a result of Spotify's 3% reduction in its podcast workforce. The company is reorganising its operations in an effort to boost team collaboration and efficiency. Earlier this week, employees at Spotify Studios and The Ringer got laid off. Instead of
India’s food delivery market is seeing another round of price increases. Days after Zomato raised its platform fee, Swiggy has now followed suit, increasing the charge customers pay per order. The move reflects a broader trend in the industry as companies look to improve margins amid rising costs. Swiggy
In this interview, Priyal Bhardwaj talks about blending fashion, social work, and leadership to create impact. From supporting artisan communities with Label PB to empowering women through Sangini Saheli, she highlights the power of women-led development and sustainable ecosystems.
Mining and metals major Vedanta Ltd has announced its third interim dividend of ₹11 per share for the financial year 2025–26, offering another round of returns to shareholders. The announcement came after a board meeting held on 23 March 2026, and is part of the company’s ongoing strategy
Indian workers of Accenture Plc have been informed that they will be subject to disciplinary action if they show up to work without reserving a seat in advance. Therefore, it appears that the company's office spaces are at capacity. The return-to-office team at Accenture requested that workers reserve
In this interview, Aavika Chhawchharia talks about building Honey & Dough, evolving from a bakery to a café chain, understanding customer preferences, and maintaining quality while scaling in India’s competitive café and bakery industry.
Startup Rapido plans to leverage its street smarts to dominate the food-delivery area, just like it did in India's bike-taxi business. The Bengaluru-based startup is putting its subscription-based meal delivery service, Ownly, out there in the hopes of competing with Zomato Ltd and Swiggy Ltd. The business is
Apollo says ‘no’ to 11.2% withdrawal demand from investors, citing a need to protect long-term investors.
In this StartupTalky International Women’s Day 2026 feature, Ranjita Raman, CEO of Jaro Education, discusses democratizing access to higher education, building a sustainable ed-tech business, and how women leaders are shaping the future of learning in India.
Neetu Sharma and Ranu Sharma, founders of Vastra Potli, are blending Rajasthan’s textile heritage with modern design while empowering women artisans. This StartupTalky International Women’s Day 2026 feature highlights their journey of building a purpose-driven, women-led brand.
Tim Cook has no plans to retire anytime soon, but Apple's search for the next is on. John Ternus, Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Apple Inc., is "well-liked" and a perfect fit for the role, insiders say.
Nikhil Kamath, Quant MF Lead, Swan Defence share buy, and now own nearly half of the OFS. The deal is driving in 1.2 times more subscribers.
Nearly 20,000 workers at Flipkart would receive a 105% bonus in 2025, according to the company's announcement. The company's excellent financial and operational performance throughout the year is evident in this move. The company's success across key criteria is the basis for the
The Indian startup ecosystem remained active on 23 March 2026, with funding across manufacturing, fintech, mobility, and enterprise automation. The day was led by Bidso’s ₹63 crore Series A round, reflecting strong investor confidence in India’s manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem. Early-stage deals dominated activity, particularly in fintech
Gold and silver prices in India witnessed a notable decline on 23 March 2026, reversing the higher levels seen in the previous session. The fall reflects global pressure on bullion, driven by currency strength and cautious investor sentiment. This movement clearly points to a short-term correction rather than stability. Gold
Explore how Aishwarya Bansal is redefining India’s real estate landscape through Smartworld Developers. From millennial-focused housing to design-led communities, discover insights on innovation, inclusivity, and the future of urban living.
Google Firebase Studio will be decommissioned by March 22, 2027, according to the company. The move is a component of a larger strategy to improve its environment for artificial intelligence developers. Antigravity and Google AI Studio are two examples of more modern platforms that are getting attention in this paradigm
Through initiatives like Pedals of Hope and Project Drishti, Chitralekha Patil is enabling education access and empowering women in rural India, proving how simple interventions can drive lasting change.
Kotak wants to expand its MSME lending and wealth management for the rich with this deal.
New demonstrations have broken out as a result of a long-running disagreement about employment suspensions at Samsung India. On March 22, more than 27 employees and their families were arrested in Chennai. The workers' goal was to reach the State Secretariat via Sriperumbudur. In the Kancheepuram area, where the
The Fund aims to offer a disciplined core equity solution for long-term investors Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited (“JioBlackRock Asset Management”), a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and BlackRock Inc [NYSE: BLK], today announced the launch of the JioBlackRock Large Cap Fund, powered by
Bharti family office’s hospitality and dining arm has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as the Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Rohan will drive the strategic direction and operations of the group’s restaurant business, which includes internationally acclaimed brands such as PizzaExpress, Chili’s, P.F. Chang’
Workroom Automation secures seed funding, plans to accelerate AI-driven production planning and orchestration, scale enterprise deployments, and accelerate the shift towards autonomous factory operations.
Ingka Group, the biggest franchisee of Ikea, has said that it is reorganising and may lose 800 positions. The goals of the layoffs are to improve operational efficiency and decrease costs. The store is planning to streamline its operations and make decisions more quickly, which will lead to layoffs in
Aastha Mahawar, Chief Operating Officer of Skill Bud, discusses building a skills-driven tech company, staying ahead in AI and emerging technologies, and fostering inclusive innovation as part of StartupTalky’s International Women’s Day 2026 series.