ET STARTUP AWARDS 2020
Bigger cheques, fewer winners in India’s AI boom
Indian AI startups raised $1.6 billion in funding during the first nine months of 2026. While AI infrastructure attracted significant investments, application startups faced declining funding and challenges in securing customers. Large transactions constituted most of the total funding, highlighting a disparity in investment distribution.
Prosus widens India fintech play after years of consumer internet bets
The Amsterdam-listed technology investor is also close to investing in artificial intelligence-led credit management startup Oolka, people familiar with the matter said. Prosus evaluated credit-on-Unified Payments Interface (UPI) startup Kiwi in October and savings platform Jar in 2025 before deciding not to invest. Prosus declined to comment on specific deals.
Lenskart, Meesho deliver gains of nearly $400 million for SoftBank Vision funds
Lenskart saw returns of $273 million, the highest among the Vision funds' listed investments, while Meesho gained $121 million, according to SoftBank's earnings presentation released on Tuesday. The gains come as SoftBank continues to monetise its Indian investments, having sold shares worth more than Rs 9,300 crore in Lenskart and Meesho since June.
Energy infra startups see bigger cheques as investors bet on sovereign play
Bengaluru-based Enerzolve, which makes smart meters, power conversion systems and energy storage systems, is in talks to raise $20 million from existing investors Jungle Ventures and Kae Capital as well as Schneider Electric, people aware of the matter told ET. That’s nearly four times the $5 million it raised in a January round.
Rippling steps up AI hiring in India, looks to expand enterprise push
The firm is hiring principal engineers, senior staff engineers and senior directors among others as the lab focuses on developing core components of Rippling’s global AI platform, Parandekar told ET in an exclusive interaction.
Qcomm’s Diwali boost; Energy startups attract funds
Happy Wednesday! Quick commerce powered a strong festive season for D2C brands. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
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Maatrubhumi trailer out: Salman Khan's intense action Galwan-based story promises a fierce war drama
Salman Khan has shared a new update on his upcoming film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, confirming that its much-awaited trailer will be released this evening. Inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, the war drama also stars Chitrangda Singh and is scheduled to hit theatres on December 4, 2026.

AI innovation in sports: Technology driving the next phase of sports development
Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities across the sports ecosystem, from performance analysis and sports administration to technology development and wider participation. The ET AI Awards 2027 recognises organisations, technology providers and initiatives advancing the application of AI in sports through its AI Innovation in Sports category.

AI is entering the boardroom, warehouse, and checkout. Are businesses ready?
The AI Business Transformation Masterclass & Awards 2026 at IIM Bangalore will focus on integrating AI into businesses on 19 November. The program features sessions on enterprise AI frameworks, real-world use cases, and discussions on Agentic AI in finance, physical AI applications, and contextual commerce, culminating in the ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards.

Is your HR strategy creating measurable impact? This could be the time to get it recognised
The Economic Times HR Excellence Awards 2027 shine a light on exemplary HR practices within various organizations, teams, and leaders. Encompassing 42 categories, the awards highlight significant accomplishments in realms like HR transformation, talent acquisition, employee experience, and workplace culture, showcasing how effective people strategies can directly enhance business performance.

India’s product landscape is changing: Which products are setting the benchmark across technology, finance, and consumer markets?
The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 showcase India's rapidly growing product ecosystem by honoring groundbreaking innovations across diverse sectors such as enterprise technology, financial services, and consumer markets. These awards place emphasis on products that have made a significant market impact, gained customer adoption, and demonstrated exceptional innovation, motivating companies to present their tangible successes and contributions to the industry.

Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, undertakes detailed company analysis for 4,000+ listed stocks. In addition to detailed company analyses, the report also collates analysts’ forecasts and trend analysis for each component. An average score in Stock Reports Plus is calculated by undertaking quantitative analysis of five key investment tools – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum.

EPFO total contributions expected to rise by 25% in 2027-28 due to wage ceiling increase
EPFO is forecasting a major increase in its total contributions for the financial year 2027-28. The wage ceiling has been raised to ₹25,000 from ₹15,000, effective September 17. Total contributions for the current year are estimated to exceed previous budgeted amounts significantly. Additionally, the board will consider investing up to 3% in alternative investment funds.

Piyush Goyal to visit Egypt with big business delegation; India eyes trade, investment partnerships
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Egypt next week with a large business delegation to explore investment and collaboration in sectors including startups, fintech, pharmaceuticals and automobile components. The visit comes as India seeks to deepen its strategic engagement with West Asia and position Egypt as a gateway to African, Arab and European markets.

Scripbox shareholders approve conversion into public company ahead of IPO
At an extraordinary general meeting on October 19, shareholders approved the change of the Accel-backed startup's name from Scripbox Wealth Managers Private Limited to Scripbox Wealth Managers Limited, along with amendments to its constitutional documents, according to regulatory filings reviewed by ET.

Cosmoserve Space raises $6 million, sets up India's first space debris removal facility in Hyderabad
The facility comprises an orbital rendezvous and capture lab, a space robotics innovation lab, an ISO Class 8 satellite integration clean room and a mission simulation and control centre. It will enable the company to design, build and test robotic capture systems and develop capabilities for satellite servicing, including in-orbit repairs and refuelling.

AI Team of the Year: How high-performing AI teams are driving business innovation
The success of AI adoption significantly hinges on the expertise of the professionals implementing these technologies. Teams that blend technical proficiency with business acumen are essential to guarantee that AI applications align with operational requirements and performance benchmarks. Acknowledgment of their contributions becomes crucial, especially for projects that are pivotal to driving business results.

Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, undertakes detailed company analysis for 4,000+ listed stocks. In addition to detailed company analyses, the report also collates analysts’ forecasts and trend analysis for each component. An average score in Stock Reports Plus is calculated by undertaking quantitative analysis of five key investment tools – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum.

Pricol shares jump 8% after Q2 results; net profit rises 33% YoY to Rs 85 crore
Pricol shares rallied after the company reported strong Q2FY27 results, with consolidated net profit rising 33% and revenue increasing 35% year-on-year. The company also highlighted business recognitions, operational priorities and a positive trend across key moving averages.

Ripik.ai in talks to raise Rs 150 crore from Gaja Capital
The startup deploys its hardware and software systems at large manufacturing and industrial units, including cement and steel plants, using cameras, sensors and proprietary AI models to monitor equipment, materials and production processes. It counts Accel and Venture Highway (now merged with General Catalyst) among its existing investors.

From enterprises to SMBs: How Flashfox AI plans to change the hiring game
GetWork’s AI hiring business, now spun off as Flashfox AI, is targeting 500 enterprise clients in the next 24 months as it expands into Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Premji's deeptech bets; Razorpay gets IPO nod
Happy Thursday! Premji Invest is stepping up its bets on defence and aerospace manufacturing.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Michael Douglas did not inherit his father's fortune. Why Kirk Douglas chose philanthropy over family inheritance
Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas reportedly left $50 million of his estimated $61 million fortune to charity instead of passing it on to his son, actor Michael Douglas. The decision reflected a lifelong commitment to philanthropy that Kirk shared with his wife, Anne. From supporting children's education and healthcare to improving public school playgrounds and helping homeless people, the couple spent decades directing their wealth towards charitable causes through the Douglas Foundation, which has donated nearly $120 million to more than 200 organisations.

Chip startup Agrani Labs looks to raise $108 million from Peak XV, Google, Samsung
Peak XV Partners is leading the round and is expected to contribute more than half of the total funding. Google, HCL Tech, Samsung Ventures and Stargazer, an investment firm set up by Groww's founders, are also expected to participate, the people cited above said.

Mahesh Babu picks up stake in gaming startup Shortgun Games
The startup, founded by Jeet Chandan and Vidhit Mehta, is developing its flagship title, Project Takedown, a 10-15-hour action-adventure game set in a near-future Mumbai. The game, designed exclusively for PC and modern console platforms, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, is primarily targeted towards international audiences, including the US, Europe and Japan. The founders expect the game to launch by 2028-end.

As HR takes on a larger business role, are organisations recognising the teams driving that change?
The Economic Times HR Excellence Awards 2027 spotlight the transformative nature of HR within organizations, underlining their crucial role in shaping business strategy, fostering talent development, and enhancing employee experiences. With six distinct award categories such as Talent Acquisition and Employee Experience, this initiative serves to honor HR teams that significantly boost organizational performance and drive workforce change.

The power of signature IPs: A new way for B2B brands to reach decision-makers
Learn how signature IPs, including industry summits, executive programmes, awards and exposure, help B2B brands to engage key decision-makers, deepen industry relationships and open up new business opportunities by connecting with the right audience through targeted, business-focused platforms.

ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.

Gold Glove Awards 2026 winners announced: Red Sox and Arizona tie for highest wins as Mariners’ Cole Young takes first glove, Walker and Olson get fourth
The 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners were announced on November 2, following the conclusion of the season. The Boston Red Sox and Arizona had a notable night, sweeping three awards each. Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanee Rafaela, and Caleb Durbin all excelled in their respective positions to earn Gold Gloves. Additionally, Geraldo Perdomo, and Corbin Carroll also claimed their first Gold Glove awards.
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