India is rapidly strengthening its artificial intelligence ecosystem with the launch of AIKosh, a sovereign AI repository and innovation platform developed under the IndiaAI Mission. Designed to provide developers, startups, researchers, and institutions with access to high-quality datasets, AI models, and computing infrastructure, AIKosh aims to solve one of India’s biggest AI challenges — the … Read more
Asian startups continued to attract strong investor interest this week as companies across fintech, artificial intelligence, robotics, clean energy, defence technology, and enterprise software secured fresh funding to scale operations and expand globally. From India’s travel fintech platform Scapia to Vietnam-based solar startup Stride and global payroll platform RemotePass, venture capital firms and angel investors … Read more
Vietnam-based solar energy startup Stride has raised US$15 million in a Series B funding round as demand for decentralized clean energy and rooftop solar financing continues to grow across Southeast Asia. The funding round was jointly led by Lightrock and TRIREC through the Accelerate7 platform. Existing investors Clime Capital and UOB Venture Management also participated … Read more
India-based travel fintech startup Scapia has raised US$63 million in a fresh funding round led by General Catalyst, as competition intensifies in India’s rapidly growing travel and digital payments ecosystem. Existing investors Peak XV Partners and Z47 also participated in the funding round. Funding to Support Expansion Across Travel and Financial Services The company said … Read more
Digital fashion startup Meta Fashion has raised approximately US$400,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Lumikai, as demand for virtual fashion, gaming commerce, and creator-led digital ecosystems continues to grow globally. The funding round also saw participation from several angel investors, including Big Bets, the family office of HUUUGE Games founder Anton Gauffin, Akshat … Read more
Industrial automation startup ANSCER Robotics has raised US$5.4 million (approximately ₹45 crore) in a Series A funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, as global demand for AI-driven robotics and smart factory solutions continues to accelerate. The funding round also saw participation from Info Edge along with several angel investors. Funding to Support Global Expansion … Read more
Cybersecurity startup Ocean has raised US$28 million in total funding to strengthen its AI-powered email security platform designed to defend organizations against advanced AI-driven cyberattacks. The funding round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from Picture Capital and Cerca Partners. Several high-profile angel investors also backed the company, including: Assaf Rappaport from Wiz … Read more
Global employment and payroll technology startup RemotePass has raised US$17.4 million in a Series B funding round led by EBRD Venture Capital to accelerate international expansion and strengthen its AI-powered workforce management platform. The funding round also saw participation from 500 Global along with existing investors including Oraseya Capital, 212 VC, Access Bridge Ventures, and … Read more
South Korea’s autonomous driving and artificial intelligence ecosystem is gaining momentum as major technology companies deepen collaborations in the fast-growing physical AI market. In a significant development, LG Innotek and Kakao Mobility have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop autonomous driving AI technology. The collaboration aims to combine LG Innotek’s advanced sensing technology with … Read more
The global wearable technology and mental wellness market continues to attract investor attention as consumers increasingly seek personalized health solutions powered by artificial intelligence. In a major development in the neurotechnology sector, Sychedelic has raised US$3.5 million (approximately ₹31.5 crore) in a seed funding round to accelerate product development and international expansion. The funding round … Read more
India’s agriculture sector is increasingly adopting technology-driven financial and supply chain solutions to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and enhance farmer access to formal credit. In a major development in the agritech and agri-finance space, ONO has raised US$1.2 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Aeravti Ventures. The funding round also saw participation … Read more
India’s independent music ecosystem is witnessing rapid growth as regional artists and non-Bollywood creators gain popularity across digital platforms. In a significant development for the creator economy, Mumbai-based music platform Damroo has raised ₹5 crore (approximately US$600,000) in funding from Hindustan Times. The investment is expected to strengthen Damroo’s technology infrastructure, expand its artist network, … Read more
India’s drone and autonomous aviation sector continues to gain momentum as Endure Air Systems, an IIT Kanpur-incubated startup, has secured ₹30 crore under the Government of India’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative. The funding will support the development and expansion of the company’s next-generation heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle platform, SABAL-200. Funding to Accelerate Drone … Read more
Sumit Jain has resigned from his role as cofounder and CEO of the test-prep business at Unacademy ahead of the company’s proposed merger with upGrad, founded by Ronnie Screwvala. The leadership transition comes as Unacademy and upGrad have already filed for merger approval with the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Sumit Jain to Continue as … Read more
GrowthLabs has acquired Startup Gate in a strategic move aimed at creating a unified digital ecosystem for entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and innovation stakeholders across the Middle East and Africa. The acquisition is expected to strengthen GrowthLabs’ position in the regional startup ecosystem while accelerating its expansion plans across the Gulf and African markets in 2026. … Read more
Exclusive Interview The Founders Who Skipped the Pitch Deck — and Still Hit $500K in 7 Months 8 min read AI · Operations Research · Deep Tech India In an era where every startup races to build an LLM wrapper and survive on investor runway, the founders of OptiFlux made a contrarian bet: solve hard … Read more
South Korea-based WIRobotics has raised KRW 95 billion (approximately $68 million) in a Series B funding round to accelerate the development of humanoid robotics and Physical AI technologies. The funding round was led by JB Investment, with participation from investors including InterVest, Hana Ventures, Smilegate Investment, SBVA, NH Investment & Securities, Company K Partners, GU … Read more
Bengaluru-based Owners ID has raised $260,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Crucifer Investments. The startup plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen product development, enhance AI-powered recovery systems, scale manufacturing capabilities, improve its mobile platform, and expand into international markets. Building a Digital Identity Layer for Physical Belongings Founded in November 2025 … Read more
Delhi-based Cellogen Therapeutics, a biotechnology startup focused on cell and gene therapy, has raised ₹20 crore (approximately $2 million) in funding from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers. The fresh investment will support the company’s efforts to accelerate development of advanced CAR-T cancer therapies, strengthen gene therapy research programs, and scale manufacturing capabilities. Funding to Support CAR-T … Read more
Cornerstone OnDemand has appointed Brenton Smith as Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), strengthening the company’s leadership presence across one of its fastest-growing international markets. The appointment reflects Cornerstone’s continued focus on workforce transformation, AI-driven talent management, and enterprise growth across the Asia Pacific region. Focus on Growth Across Asia Pacific and Japan … Read more
