INDIAN STARTUP STORIES
ET Exclusive | Sunil Mittal’s next big bets: AI, cloud, space telecom and a billion Airtel users
Sunil Mittal reflects on the Bharti Group's journey and outlines future plans during his 50-year entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes the importance of succession plans and bold investments to ensure growth. Airtel aims to expand into financial services and improve digital infrastructure while keeping cash flow strong. The competitive landscape in telecom presents both challenges and opportunities that Mittal acknowledges.
MeitY flags physical AI data; US data centre woes may help India
Happy Friday! MeitY is examining how home services platforms collect household data to train physical AI models.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Rs 35 lakh revenue from Rs 500 service: Two Hyderabad childhood friends built an app helping NRIs hire personal assistants in India
Two Hyderabad childhood friends, Nishant Parepalli and Shashank Veer Pothaduri, launched Shoppin in 2023. The startup connects customers in over 20 countries with personal shoppers and assistants in India. Starting at Rs 500, its services include shopping, property checks and paperwork. The company reported Rs 33 lakh revenue in FY26 and Rs 35 lakh between April and October 2026.
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.
₹85,000 Temple: Deepinder Goyal’s wearable is a health-tech gamble
Deepinder Goyal’s ₹85,000 Temple wearable aims to track real-time body performance and brain blood circulation, but its technology lacks meaningful scientific validation. While doctors question its claims, the device could open new possibilities in preventive healthcare. Its long-term success may depend on credibility, clinical evidence and affordability.
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.
ETtech Deals Digest: Eloelo leads as weekly funding rises to $142 million, down 35% on-year
Eloelo led deal activity with $80 million, followed by Peppermint Robotics at $10.6 million, altM at $10.3 million, Two Point O Capital at $10 million, and PowerUp Money at $10 million. Crane Venture Partners was among the most active investors, backing Peppermint Robotics and Armatrix. Omnivore invested in altM and Two Point O Capital, while Flourish Ventures backed PowerUp Money.
TReDS sees a festive boost; Nykaa’s growth strategy
Happy Friday! Festive inventory demand has lifted invoice financing on TReDS platforms. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
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.
OpenAI’s India user base doubles; Rapido GOV quadruples
Happy Tuesday! India has become ChatGPT’s largest market globally, with its user base doubling. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Fintechs fortify cyber defences; Logistics cos in the speed lane
Happy Monday! Fintechs are stepping up security as AI-powered cyberattacks become more sophisticated. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Gen Z rewrites festive gifting with AI-assisted picks, artisanal hampers and self-gifting
Gen Zers are embracing self-gifting while shopping for family and friends. Personalised gifts reflecting interests and lifestyles are becoming the norm during festivals. There is an increasing focus on supporting small businesses and understanding product provenance.
Rising tech costs drive EMI sales; Shadowfax Q2 profit soars
Happy Friday! Shoppers are turning to EMIs as electronics prices rise. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
You make your own reality: Amrit Acharya left US job to build Zetwerk in India despite his father’s initial scepticism; years later, his father stood beside him as company went public
Amrit Acharya, CEO of Zetwerk, marked the company's public listing at the National Stock Exchange. Acharya faced skepticism from his father initially, but his views changed over time. After returning to India with his wife, he co-founded Zetwerk, focusing on a global manufacturing platform. The company reported significant revenue growth, yet faced a net loss mainly from a discontinued business.
Cognizant eyes Sarvam stake; Ather aims for higher market share
Happy Wednesday! Cognizant has held discussions to invest in homegrown AI startup Sarvam. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Sarvam enters defence AI with projects across Army, Navy and Air Force
Chanakya, Sarvam's firewalled division for national security and defence, will carry out the projects. The unit will use Sarvam's AI stack, including its Sarvam 105B foundation model.
Why Walmart would rather keep Flipkart private, for now
Over the past few weeks, much has been written about former employees of the online commerce company writing to Walmart's board, asking for liquidity on the stock options they were granted 10 to 15 years ago. On October 1, at least eight former senior executives, among them former Myntra CEO Mukesh Bansal and former chief business officer Ankit Nagori, wrote to Walmart chairman Gregory Penner, other board members and Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, seeking a complete exit for all former employees holding vested options.
VerSe valuation sinks; Paytm Q2 profit rises
Happy Tuesday! Dailyhunt parent VerSe Innovation’s valuation has taken a sharp hit. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Tech reporter’s remarks on Indian VCs set off debate on India’s deeptech startup scene
The discourse surrounding Ashlee Vance's comments on Indian VC risk aversion has generated a flurry of insights online. Vance suggested that Indian venture capitalists often overlook startups with immense potential, such as Ather, valued at nearly $7 billion. Anu Hariharan’s analysis pointed to operational issues deterring investors from engaging in India's startup scene.
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