Latest startup and business news from India — funding rounds, IPO, acquisitions, layoffs, and corporate updates.
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
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
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
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.
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,
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
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
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
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
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.
The Middle East war, energy crisis and Tariffs are likely pushing U.S. citizens into high inflation in 2026. Growth may persist, the reports say.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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…
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
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
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
Kotak wants to expand its MSME lending and wealth management for the rich with this deal.
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
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
Sangeeta Sharma, a life transformation and inner alignment coach, explores how emotional healing, generational trauma, and self-awareness shape modern women’s journeys, highlighting the shift from silent struggle to empowered living.
In an effort to "remain competitive", CBS News, a major American media company, will lay off 6% of its employees on March 20. Those affected employees will be contacted by the end of the day, according to the news network owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation. President Tom Cibrowski
Ola Electric Mobility Ltd is shifting funds that were supposed to go into innovation into paying off debt. Consequently, the electric-vehicle producer is under increasing pressure due to weakening sales and stalled financing efforts. The plan for using the INR 5,500 crore that the Bengaluru-based company raised in its
On March 20th, the anticipated demerger was informally approved by the board of directors of online travel provider Thomas Cook India (TCIL). This permission allows TCIL to demerge its resorts and resort management operations into Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited. The audit and independent committees have recommended the demerger and restructure
Alakh Pandey has entered the global billionaire list in 2026, with an estimated net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes. The milestone follows a series of clear financial developments, including a strong IPO debut and steady revenue growth at Physics Wallah. His wealth is largely tied to his equity
Sriram Venkataraman, Flipkart's Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be stepping down from his position on 19 March. The executive will stay on for a transition period to make sure everything stays the same. During this time, Flipkart's CFO Ravi Iyer will be in charge of
The Indian startup ecosystem remained relatively quiet on 20 March 2026, with limited funding activity but notable developments in consumer, foodtech, and regulatory spaces. The day saw a small early-stage deal in the senior care segment, while major business news was driven by pricing changes, acquisition talks, and regulatory pressures.
Global beauty giant L’Oréal is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in Indian beauty and personal care startup Innovist. The deal is expected to value the Gurugram-based company between $350 million and $450 million, according to multiple media reports. If finalised, this would mark a significant
April will see a new round of layoffs at Goldman Sachs. As part of regular performance assessments, the corporation is increasingly focusing on staff who are not meeting expectations. Separate from the bank's yearly workforce reduction effort, these changes are anticipated to impact a modest number of staff.
Just weeks after laying off over 4,000 workers, the Jack Dorsey–led Block has rehired a handful. The company's recent layoffs may indicate a need for rebalancing its operations. A large number of employees were laid off when the fintech company announced massive layoffs last month. Nevertheless,
A 12% staff reduction was revealed by cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com on March 19th. A trend observed across corporate sectors, layoffs are a component of the company's efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into its operations. “We are joining the list of companies integrating enterprise-wide AI. Companies that do
India’s casino and gaming company, Delta Corp, has come under regulatory pressure after receiving a massive tax demand notice of ₹1,752 crore from the government. The development has triggered concerns among investors and led to a sharp reaction in the company’s stock price. Government Issues ₹1,752
As part of a larger effort to reduce costs, Ubisoft has begun laying off more than 100 staff from its Red Storm Entertainment unit and offering them severance benefits. Several news outlets have reported that Ubisoft's continued global savings plan is causing the North Carolina-based studio to consider
The Indian startup ecosystem remained active on 19 March 2026, with steady funding across AI, healthtech, robotics, and consumer brands. The day was led by Assiduus Global’s $25 million raise, while early-stage deals continued to dominate overall activity. Healthtech and AI-driven platforms saw strong traction, alongside growing interest in
As it speeds up an AI-led transition, HSBC is considering a new round of layoffs that would impact up to 20,000 positions, or about 10% of its worldwide workforce. The suggested cuts, which are still being evaluated, would mostly affect administrative and middle-level tasks. Therefore, this marks a more
Meta has refuted rumours that it intends to lay off as much as 20% of its employees. Consequently, it is denying rumours that the increase in spending on AI could have an impact on almost 15,000 jobs. The claim was hypothetical, according to a corporate spokesman who spoke with
As part of its reorganisation, Amazon has laid off some 16,000 workers. CEO Andy Jassy has hinted that the cloud sector could grow substantially in the next years thanks to artificial intelligence. Reductions in layers and complexity inside the organisation are being pursued through internal layoffs, as stated in
The Indian startup ecosystem remained active on 18 March 2026, with multiple funding deals across QSR, fintech, AI, and enterprise SaaS sectors. Leading the day, Burger Singh raised ₹82 crore in Series B funding, while Weaver Services secured a massive ₹1,450 crore investment to strengthen its housing finance play.
There is still no indication that Anthropic and the US government can mend their strained relationship. A top US defence official has revealed that the Pentagon is currently engaged in the process of developing alternative technologies to those of the Anthropic. The Trump administration had already deemed the AI firm
By 2029, Karnataka intends to have established 500 new global capability centres (GCCs), which will help to speed up the development of jobs and solidify its status as a hub for global technology. Approximately 3.5 lakh jobs and approximately $50 billion in economic production are anticipated to be generated
The luxury automaker will react to declining profitability, reduced demand, and a difficult global market climate by laying off about 6% of its worldwide workforce. To safeguard its long-term competitiveness, the Volkswagen-owned business stated it would cut approximately 275 jobs in the UK. This would be achieved in part through
The UK banking group, Close Brothers, will reduce its workforce by approximately 25%, or approximately 600 positions. The financial institution has taken this step in order to reduce costs. This decision is being made in response to a compensation bill of approximately £300 million that is associated with the automotive
India’s startup ecosystem saw activity across deeptech, consumer brands, and AI-driven platforms on 17 March 2026. Velmenni raised ₹30 crore to scale its light-based wireless communication technology, while Grapevine secured $4.1 million to expand its AI-led talent platform. On the business front, Venture Catalysts exited Pee Safe, RBI
The telecom subsidiary of Reliance Industries, Jio Platforms, is scheduled to submit the initial public offering (IPO) paperwork to the capital markets regulator in two or three weeks after finalising its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP). Jio will sell 2.5% of its shares in the initial public offering (IPO)
Accenture has acquired UK AI firm Faculty, integrating its 400+ experts and naming co-founder Marc Warner as CTO, boosting Accenture’s AI capabilities and accelerating safe, large-scale adoption of AI for clients globally.
As the high-end retailer starts to shutter stores around the country, Saks Fifth Avenue will lay off over 1,200 workers. This is a pre-filing phase in the restructuring process that will take place after this year's Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Several WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) applications
As a precautionary measure, PhonePe has put its initial public offering (IPO) preparations on hold due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and certain regions of West Asia, as well as unstable global equities markets. The financial technology firm announced in a statement that it will resume its initial public
India’s startup ecosystem saw strong investment activity on 16 March 2026, particularly in climate‑focused fintech, AI, health and enterprise tech sectors. Ecofy raised $42 million (₹380 crore) to scale sustainable financing solutions, while other startups, including BetterHood, Agnit Semiconductors, OfficeBanao and GrapeVine, also secured fresh capital. On the
Air India has begun corrective actions, including the imposition of sanctions on the accountable workers. The step is taken after discovering widespread irregularities in the implementation of its staff vacation travel programme, which affected more than four thousand personnel. In January 2022, the Tata Group bought the financially troubled Air
In response to bot activity that undermined Digg's relaunch and forced a strategic reset, the link-sharing site laid off a large section of its workers. In a blog post published on 13 March, the company confirmed the layoffs and stated that it will maintain operations with a reduced
India is building a trillion-rupee industry in preventive health. This shift from reactive care to wellness infrastructure is set to revolutionize workforce productivity and economic growth.
XED Executive Development has launched India’s first IPO from GIFT City’s IFSC, opening for subscription from March 16 to March 24, 2026. The $12 million dollar-denominated issue is priced at $10–$10.5 per share and is open to NRIs and global investors. Shares will list on NSE IX and India INX.
Air India has identified misuse of its staff leisure travel policy after an internal audit, placing around 4,000 employees under review. The airline has begun issuing notices and tightening rules around employee travel bookings as part of corrective action.
IDBI Bank shares plunged over 13% to around ₹79 after reports said the Indian government may scrap the proposed majority stake sale due to lower-than-expected bids. The development has raised uncertainty around the bank’s long-planned privatisation process.
Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas endorsed a viral post claiming AI is shifting computer science back to maths and physics. Tools like GitHub Copilot speed up routine coding by 55%, but entry-level jobs shrink amid 2026 tech layoffs.
Accenture, a consultancy business, has made AI proficiency a requirement for career advancement in response to the growing prevalence of AI in everyday business operations at firms worldwide. This suggests that employees who aren't flexible may not be a good fit for the organization. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet
Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, plans to lay off 15,000 employees, about 20% of its workforce, marking the company’s biggest AI-driven workforce reduction ever. Here’s what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what it means for the company and employees.
The National Stock Exchange of India has taken a major step towards its long-awaited public listing by appointing 20 merchant bankers and eight legal firms to manage its upcoming IPO. The exchange is moving ahead with listing preparations, with the public issue expected to launch in 2026.
India’s startup ecosystem saw activity in the retail infrastructure space on 13 March 2026, with OneKiraana raising $1.6 million in seed funding led by Ankur Capital to empower kirana stores with private label capabilities. Meanwhile, key business developments included NSE appointing bankers and law firms for its long-awaited
Visakhapatnam will be home to a new information technology development centre and a Global Capability Centre (GCC) thanks to an invitation from the government of Andhra Pradesh to the international consultancy firm Capgemini. Government officials have estimated that this action might create 20,000 new jobs in the area. Andhra
Block, a global payments business, has laid off dozens of people in the marketing and communications departments in Australia. The step is taken as part of a larger reorganisation that will result in the elimination of about 4,000 jobs globally. Industry estimates place the number of local full-time positions
India’s startup ecosystem saw notable activity across digital health and D2C food brands on 12 March 2026. Consumer health platform Mosaic Wellness raised ₹200 crore from 360 ONE, while boAt co-founder Aman Gupta invested in premium confectionery startup Fulva to support its expansion. Meanwhile, key business developments included Emversity’
The Mohali Development Centre (DC) of IT giant Infosys has been enlarged with the opening of a new 350,000-square-foot integrated development campus, as announced on 12 March. According to the company's statement, the new facility can accommodate around 3,000 employees. A number of dignitaries, including Sanjeev
On 12–13 March, HCLTech gave its Chennai office workers the opportunity to work remotely due to a cooking gas shortage that affected cafeteria operations. Because of the continuing shortage of LPG, a number of cafeteria vendors had to close their doors. As a result, the business decided to let
On March 11th, Atlassian, an Australian software business, announced that it would be laying off around 1,600 workers, or roughly 10% of its staff. This move is part of a larger reorganisation that will increase spending on AI and business sales. In a blog post, CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes explained
India has eased FDI rules for Chinese and neighbouring-country investors, allowing minority, non-controlling stakes via the automatic route. The move aims to revive stalled startup funding, boost manufacturing, and attract global capital while keeping strategic control with Indian entities.
City gas stocks rally as Adani Total Gas Ltd jumps 37% in two days amid global LNG supply concerns linked to Middle East tensions. Gujarat Gas Ltd and Mahanagar Gas Ltd also gain after India prioritised PNG and CNG supply under the new gas regulation order.
In response to the recent tightening of government regulations on the use of LPG in various industries, the IT services giant Infosys has sent an advisory to all of its employees at its Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai campuses. Corporate campuses in India are starting to feel the effects of the
With the acquisition of automotive utility company Vehicle Info, used-car marketplace Cars24 is aiming to establish a full-stack platform for vehicle ownership, going beyond just vehicle transactions. Chirag Pipaliya launched the bootstrapped firm Vehicle Info in 2017. The firm provides a centralised location for important vehicle details like registration information,
India’s startup ecosystem saw funding activity across edtech, fintech infrastructure, food brands, manufacturing, and AI SaaS on 11 March 2026. Major deals included bubble tea chain Boba Bhai raising ₹40 crore, nursing education platform NPrep securing $1.5 million in seed funding, and OpenCFO raising $2 million for its
On March 10, Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce Jitin Prasada informed Parliament that as of January 2026, over 6,700 startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had closed their doors. Prasad stated in a written response presented to the Lok Sabha that
About 50,000 people will lose their jobs at Volkswagen in Germany by the year 2030. This led to layoffs at a number of different companies, including Porsche and Audi. The decision is made as the automaker faces dwindling earnings, increasing expenses, and fiercer competition in the electric vehicle industry.
India’s startup ecosystem witnessed strong investment activity across enterprise tech, agritech, climate tech, fintech, and healthtech on 10 March 2026. Major funding deals included Mozark’s $40 million Series B round, Captain Fresh raising ₹290 crore from Blue Earth Capital, and new capital flowing into food brands, climate solutions,
On 10 March, IDFC First Bank said that it had paid the Haryana government INR 645 crore in response to a fraud investigation at one of its Chandigarh branches. This amount was 55 crore more than the bank had originally estimated. At first, the bank thought the incident's
Robotics engineer Caitlin Kalinowski of OpenAI resigns over the company's handling of its artificial intelligence collaboration with the United States Department of Defence. This action has exacerbated the dispute regarding the role of commercial AI in national security. Caitlin Kalinowski announced her resignation "on principle" after
The digital retail giant Flipkart, which is owned by Walmart, has finally finished transferring its holding company domicile from Singapore to India. In preparation for a possible domestic public offering, it is a critical structural step for the company. A representative from Flipkart said that the company's internal
India’s startup ecosystem saw activity across enterprise tech and fintech on 9 March 2026, with funding flowing into digital transformation and lending platforms. Meanwhile, major business developments included Flipkart completing its reverse flip to India ahead of its IPO, Uber entering the intercity bus ticketing market, and leadership changes
Nutrify Today, Pharma Eurasia, and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health formalise a structured Indo–CIS corridor, with Pharma Eurasia 2026 (Tashkent, 20–22 May) as the commercial execution platform.
Tech Mahindra denied on March 9 that the company is mulling on a plan to drastically cut jobs. Consequently, denying rumours that the IT services provider may be laying off employees. The company clarified in a filing with stock markets that it had received calls and saw online posts about
Welcome to StartupTalky’s 2026 US Funding updates for the month of March. This article provides a clear and easy overview of the latest funding news for startups, scale-ups, and established companies in the United States throughout the year. Our weekly funding tables, updated regularly, track how much funding each
Asian stock markets saw a sharp sell-off on Monday, 9 March 2026, as escalating conflict involving Iran triggered a surge in global oil prices and rattled investor confidence. Major indices across the region fell steeply, with Japan and South Korea recording some of the biggest declines. The market turmoil comes
This International Women’s Day, we feature Meghna Agarwal, co-founder of IndiQube, who has made her mark in India’s male-dominated real estate sector. Since starting IndiQube in 2015, Meghna has focused on building workspaces that combine design, technology, and employee experience. From founding the company to taking it through
Several news outlets have reported that, following performance reviews, Flipkart had asked 250–300 staff to resign this year. As is common practice in the business, around 1-2% of employees are let go each year as part of performance management. This round of layoffs affects about 2% of the workforce.
As part of its ongoing efforts to combine Discover Financial Services and Capital One Financial Corp., which it acquired for $35.3 billion last year, the banking firm intends to let off over 1,100 employees. This is the second big round of layoffs since Capital One finished its acquisition
India’s startup ecosystem saw significant activity in healthtech, D2C, and rural omnichannel retail today. Rozana raised a ₹290 crore Series B to scale rural operations, while health startup Cent, founded by former Practo, Ola Electric, and Lenskart executives, secured early-stage funding. Key business developments included Karnataka’s proposed social