Bio-tech startup BacAlt Biosciences has raised $2 million (around Rs 18 crore) in a pre-seed funding round led by Avaana Capital, with participation from Lubrizol InnoVentures. Marking a strong early validation for its vision to replace petrochemical ingredients with sustainable, bio-based alternatives. Scaling R&D and Pilot Production The proceeds will be directed towards expanding R&D, building pilot production facilities, strengthening hiring, and developing go-to-market strategies for geographic expansion. The company aims to position itself at the forefront of India’s bio-manufacturing ecosystem. Founders and Vision Founded in 2023 by Shruti Kutmutia and Pranav Nair, BacAlt develops bio-based polymers and specialty ingredients…
Author: Aman Atulya
Cookware startup Ember has raised USD 3.2 million in seed funding to accelerate innovation and expand its presence in India’s premium kitchenware segment. The round saw participation from angel investors and industry experts, with celebrity chef Saransh Goila joining as Chief Brand Officer to guide product design and growth strategy. Funding Snapshot Market Gap & Brand Edge India’s cookware market has traditionally lacked premium, chef-driven options, leaving modern home cooks with limited choice in high-performance kitchen tools. Ember addresses this gap by combining durable materials, ergonomic design, and culinary expertise. Its range includes cookware engineered for efficiency, even heat distribution,…
AI startup Perplexity is reportedly finalizing commitments from investors for a fresh $200 million funding round at a $20 billion valuation, according to The Information, citing a person familiar with the matter. The report has not been independently verified by Reuters, and Perplexity did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Fast-Rising AI Challenger Founded by Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity has quickly positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing players in the AI ecosystem, with ambitions that extend beyond conversational AI. The startup is backed by Nvidia and has rolled out its AI browser Comet, which performs tasks on behalf…
RevRag.AI, an enterprise AI agent platform, has announced the acquisition of GenStaq.ai, a modular LLMOps and workflow orchestration startup, in a move aimed at strengthening its infrastructure and accelerating the deployment of enterprise-grade AI agents. Strategic Integration With this acquisition, RevRag.AI will integrate GenStaq’s plug-and-play LLMOps platform, gaining deeper control across the AI stack—from application-layer agents to infrastructure. The move is expected to give enterprises more secure, scalable, and customizable AI systems. “The future of GenAI belongs to those who control more than just the application layer,” said Ashutosh Prakash Singh, Founder & CEO of RevRag.AI. “By integrating GenStaq’s infra…
TERN Group, a global talent mobility platform for healthcare professionals, has raised $24 million in Series A funding led by UK-based Notion Capital. The round also saw participation from RTP Global, LocalGlobe, EQ2 Ventures, Leo Capital, and existing backers such as Presight, Tom Stafford (DST Global Co-founder), and senior healthcare policymakers. This brings the company’s total funding to $33 million. Building a Global Healthcare Workforce Founded by Avinav Nigam and Krishna Ramkumar, former executives at Urban Company and Cars24, TERN helps Indian nurses and care workers secure global career opportunities through transparent recruitment, AI-led job matching, and zero recruitment fees.…
Asaya, a research-backed skincare brand focused on hyperpigmentation, has raised Rs 28 crore ($3 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by RPSG Capital, with participation from Suyash Saraf and Anisha Agarwal Saraf (co-founders of Dot & Key), along with existing investors OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures. Research-Led Skincare Innovation Founded by Neeraj Biyani, Anupam Sinha, and Ritu Malhotra, Asaya develops products tackling hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone key concerns for Indian consumers. Its portfolio spans serums, creams, face masks, and targeted treatments. At the heart of Asaya’s differentiation is its proprietary patented molecule, MelaMe™, which the company claims…
Online dispute resolution (ODR) platform Presolv360 has secured $4.7 million in a fresh funding round led by Elevation Capital, with participation from existing backer MGA Ventures and other angel investors. This marks a significant scale-up for the Mumbai-based startup, which had earlier raised $1.08 million in seed funding in February 2022. Building Accessible Legal-Tech Founded in 2017 by Bhaven Shah, Namitha Shah, and Aman Sanghavi, Presolv360 offers a technology-first platform for arbitration and mediation. By integrating AI-driven tools and digital modules, the company aims to make dispute resolution faster, cost-effective, and more accessible for businesses and individuals. The platform connects…
EndureAir Systems, a deep-tech UAV and aerial robotics company, has raised ₹25 crore ($2.85 million) in funding led by IAN Alpha Fund with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The startup plans to channel the fresh capital into strengthening its defense-focused UAV capabilities, expanding into enterprise use cases, and fast-tracking the development of next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics platforms. Indigenous Edge in UAVs Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir has built a reputation for designing rugged, fully indigenous UAVs tailored for logistics, defense, surveillance, and disaster response. Unlike drone…
A Junior VC (AJVC), the pre-seed venture capital firm led by Aviral Bhatnagar, has announced the final close of its maiden fund at commitments exceeding ₹200 crore, more than double its initial target of ₹100 crore. The firm had closed its first ₹100 crore tranche in March 2024, with the fresh close underscoring strong investor confidence in India’s emerging founder pipeline. Backing Early-Stage Innovation AJVC has quickly established itself as one of the most active pre-seed investors in India. In just a year, it reviewed over 11,000 founder applications and funded 25 startups, with plans to support an additional 60–70…
Home services marketplace Urban Company has raised ₹853.87 crore ($97 million) from marquee anchor investors ahead of its much-awaited ₹1,900 crore IPO, marking a strong vote of confidence in India’s consumer-tech story. Funding Snapshot IPO Details The IPO will open on September 10 and close on September 12, with a price band of ₹98–103 per share. The minimum bid lot is set at 145 equity shares. Investor Returns Urban Company’s early backers are poised for outsized gains. Accel, holding a 10.51% stake, is set to gain 28.5X returns, while Elevation Capital (10.84%) and Bessemer Venture Partners are expected to reap…