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From streaming to software, microdrama startups rewrite their growth pitch
Peak XV Partners-backed Dashverse has discontinued its consumer platform DashReels and is looking to raise $30-40 million, largely for Frameo AI, its video production software for businesses. Eloelo, which raised $80 million this week led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, is investing in Dolphin AI, its new production suite, alongside content creation and international expansion.
IPO-bound BRND.ME’s Villain enters new category to tap a multi-billion fragrance market
BRND.ME is diversifying its Villain fragrance brand into the unisex market. The release of two new Eau de Parfums, named Muse and V-Code, marks a significant milestone in meeting the preferences of the younger Gen Z audience that favors inclusive scents. Supported by strong distribution and a powerful online presence, this expansion signifies BRND.ME's ambitious plans for an IPO and further global reach.
Sebi sets up working group to review Innovators Growth Platform framework
SEBI has formed a working group to review Innovators Growth Platform regulations and improve capital access for startups. The panel will examine listing eligibility, fundraising, investor participation, disclosures and migration to mainboards while safeguarding investor interests.
Wealthtech firm PowerUp Money raises $10 million led by Flourish Ventures
PowerUp Money was founded in 2024 by Jindal, who had previously cofounded Uni Cards. It offers mutual fund advisory services to retail investors, at time when the Indian mutual fund industry is seeing record SIP inflows. The company has more than 1.5 million customers tracking portfolios worth over Rs 2.5 lakh crore on its platform.
ETtech Deals Digest: Even Healthcare, Different lead October funding to $694 million, down 51% on-year
Even Healthcare led deal activity during the month with $50 million, followed by Different at $48 million, Boldfit at $41.5 million, Baba Care at $40 million and GreenCell Mobility at $34.5 million. Early-stage deals accounted for 61.9% of the capital raised during October, while late-stage transactions made up 19.4%. Seed-stage companies comprised the remaining 18.7%.
AI startup Simplismart raises $14 million from Dallas Venture Capital, Nvidia as demand for inference grows
As enterprise adoption of AI models scales, companies are seeking more cost-efficient ways to operate AI tools. Simplismart, founded by former Oracle and Google engineers Jain and Devansh Ghatak, provides software that helps enterprises select and deploy AI models suited to their specific workloads and run things more efficiently.
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HomeLane revenues dip to Rs 745 crore in FY26, loss widens to Rs 137 crore
Fiscal year 2026 was HomeLane's first year of operations after integrating with DesignCafe, and the company prioritised profitability over revenue growth, founder Srikanth Iyer told ET.
Zetwerk’s early backers sit on up to 36x returns post listing
The listing provides liquidity for investors who backed an industrial business when venture funding largely favoured software and consumer internet companies. The shares closed at Rs 138.30 on the BSE, 8.4% below the Rs 151 issue price, valuing Zetwerk at Rs 23,432 crore. They opened at Rs 159, a 5.3% premium.
Legal AI startup Legora raises $550 million at $8.8 billion valuation in Atreides-led round
The round was led by Atreides Management. New investors, including Baron Capital, Capital Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Glade Brook Capital Partners and JP Morgan, joined the round.
AI startup Simplismart in talks to raise $40-50 million; valuation may triple
Simplismart, an innovative AI infrastructure startup, is in talks to secure between $40 and $50 million in funding, which could potentially boost its valuation from $100-120 million up to $300-400 million. Notable investors like Peak XV Partners and Damac Digital are eyeing stakes in the company, which was established by ex-Oracle and Google engineers.
How Byju’s parent funded Aakash rights issue; Zetwerk IPO fully subscribed
Happy Dussehra! Byju’s parent used money repaid by Great Learning to back Aakash’s rights issue. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Zetwerk IPO fully subscribed; Super.money triples revenues
Zetwerk’s Rs 5,012-crore IPO was subscribed 3.06 times on Monday, the last day for bids. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Zetwerk IPO subscribed 3 times, retail portion falls short
Industrial and consumer goods manufacturer Zetwerk counts wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa, Acer India, NTPC Renewable Energy, and the Indian Air Force among its major clients
India's cooling problem is becoming an electricity-cost problem, and the AC industry is trying to solve it
India’s rising temperatures and growing AC adoption: The country's AC market is predicted to grow significantly in the coming years due to rising temperatures and urbanization. A recent survey indicates that air conditioners are an essential part of household electricity consumption. Many consumers are prioritizing energy efficiency when purchasing air conditioning units to reduce their electricity bills. Companies are responding by introducing advanced technology and enhancing energy-saving features in their products.
Snabbit reports net loss of Rs 168 crore, revenue of Rs 12 crore in FY26
Backed by investors including Nexus Venture Partners, Elevation Capital and Lightspeed, the Bengaluru-based company started operations in August 2024, making FY26 its first full year of operations.
Urban Company announces plans to enter residential air conditioner segment
Urban Company currently sells water purifiers and smart locks under the Native brand. ET had first reported in October 2025 about the company exploring its foray in this space. With this Urban Company will join a list of new-age firms to sell air conditioners - a market that is currently dominated by legacy brands such as Samsung, Daikin, Godrej and Voltas.
ETtech Deals Digest: Boldfit, GreenCell lead as weekly funding hits $232 million, down 45% on-year
Boldfit led deal activity with $41.5 million, followed by GreenCell Mobility at $34.5 million, Inner Sky Labs at $30.9 million, and Scimplify at $25 million. Accel was among the most active investors, backing Scimplify, Origin, and CosmoChute. Elevation Capital invested in Mesa School of Business and Spill Games, while Pantera Capital backed Fission Labs.
10-minute househelp startups & their crore-sized losses
Latest financials reported by Snabbit and Urban Company on Friday point to heavy cash burn in the race to deliver household services within 10 minutes. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
AI agent startup RapidCanvas raises $29 million from Vertex Ventures, others
Hitachi Ventures and existing investors Accel, Peak XV Partners, Valley Capital Partners and Titanium Ventures participated, taking the startup’s total funding to $52.5 million.
Origin raises $20 million to scale construction robots, targets 150 deployments by 2027
The San Francisco and Bengaluru based company, which emerged from stealth, will use the capital to build out its robot fleet and conduct customer pilots, including with two of the largest drywall finishing contractors in the US. Further pilots are planned in Germany, Sweden, France and Saudi Arabia.
Can Zetwerk Manufacturing IPO deliver long-term growth for high-risk investors?
Zetwerk Manufacturing is planning to raise ₹2,830 crore through an IPO while also aiming for ₹2,182 crore from an offer for sale. The company, which was incorporated in 2017, has various clients and operates a universal factory model. Although revenue grew significantly, the operating margin remained thin and net losses increased in recent years. Investors are cautious due to rising debt and negative operating cash flow trends.
Zetwerk raises Rs 2,251 crore from anchor investors ahead of IPO
The Bengaluru-based company allotted 149.1 million equity shares at Rs 151 apiece, the upper end of its IPO price band of Rs 143-151, according to a stock exchange filing on Wednesday.
Speciality chemicals startup Scimplify raises $25 million to expand US operations
The Bengaluru-based company plans to invest around $10 million over the next two years in the US, where it is looking to expand its presence in the market for advanced materials, which are used in semiconductors, batteries and critical minerals.
DealShare CEO Kamaldeep Singh quits amid acquisition talks with Truemeds
Singh, a former Big Bazaar chief executive who took charge of DealShare in January 2024, has joined Indofast Energy, a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation and Sun Mobility, as its CEO.
VCs clip all love & cash on agentic AI
As personal AI agents transform the consumer internet, Indian VCs are shifting the focus from attention-grabbing apps to intent-driven assistants, writes Himanshi Lohchab. From AI financial advisers, health companions to personal concierges, investors are betting that the next generation of consumer businesses will be built around intent, personalisation and delegation, rather than attention and app engagement.
Zetwerk’s early backers stand to make returns of up to 38-fold at IPO price
Venture capital (VC) firms Kae Capital, Accel, Peak XV Partners and Lightspeed Venture Partners will together sell 76.3 million shares, accounting for more than half the 144.5 million shares offered by existing shareholders.
AI startup Sarvam in talks for $300 million top-up; valuation may double to $3 billion
The startup builds Indian-language AI models and applications for government agencies and businesses, including banks and insurers. Its customers include Life Insurance Corp. of India, SBI Life, IDFC First Bank, Tata Capital and Cred. Maharashtra has approved deployment of Sarvam’s Indus AI workspace across departments for drafting, translation and document analysis, with government data hosted within India.
Moneyview shares rally 93% from IPO price in 7 sessions. What lies ahead?
Moneyview shares have surged since listing, but sustaining the rally will depend on the company’s financial performance and asset quality. Analysts say investors should track revenue growth, loan disbursals, managed assets under management (AUM), profitability, margins and operating cash flow. The digital lending platform’s ability to sustain growth while maintaining asset quality will be key to its long-term prospects.
ET Startup Awards 2026: Deeptech wants government to step up as the first customer
At the discussion, titled ‘Building the Hard Stuff in India’, moderated by Accel partner Prashanth Prakash, founders from the space, semiconductor and healthtech sectors discussed the challenges of building capital-intensive technologies, developing domestic capabilities and taking complex products to market.
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