INDIAN STARTUPS 2026
Goyal in Egypt: Both sides to discuss increasing cooperation in infra, mnfg, logistics
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Egypt for two days to enhance trade relations. He will engage in discussions to facilitate business participation in each other's markets and review the progress of bilateral trade. Over 140 Indian business leaders will accompany him to explore opportunities in various sectors. Meetings with Egyptian officials and business representatives are scheduled to reinforce economic cooperation.
FICCI calls for comprehensive India-Africa trade framework
India and Africa are encouraged to develop a comprehensive trade arrangement to enhance economic cooperation. Ficci emphasizes the importance of a predictable framework to address trade barriers and promote investment. With the upcoming visit of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to Egypt, both regions aim to strengthen ties. Egypt's strategic location provides opportunities for Indian companies in various sectors.
Focus, discipline and realised returns to define India's next generation of fund managers: Report
Grant Thornton Bharat and IVCA have unveiled a significant report shedding light on the role of emerging managers within India's dynamic venture capital arena. The findings reveal that domestic venture fundraising skyrocketed to $5.4 billion in 2025, underscoring the pivotal role of these managers in identifying and nurturing innovative enterprises.
Karnataka: CM DK Shivakumar urges Centre to clear Mekedatu, drop Kasturirangan report and align CSR norms
Shivakumar placed three major demands before the Centre, underscoring the need for cooperative federalism to address pressing developmental challenges while speaking at the inauguration of the Centre of Space and Modern Optical Sciences (CoSMOS) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mysuru.
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.
AI-led hiring slowdown is temporary; jobs demand to surge in 3-5 years: Infosys cofounder Gopalakrishnan
His comments come as widespread layoffs occur across large tech companies including Qualcomm, Oracle, Microsoft and Amazon, triggering fears of large-scale job losses also in software services, which has been India’s largest employment-creating sector over the past two decades.
Valuation of top diaspora-led firms jumps 53 pc to USD 15 trillion on AI boom: Report
The valuation of top global companies led by the Indian diaspora has surged to USD 15 trillion. The sharp increase is largely attributed to the recent artificial intelligence boom in the market. Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Sanjay Mehrotra lead the ranking of these companies. A significant number of firms on the list are AI-driven or AI-integrated.
Skyroot Aerospace partners with Brazil's Concert Technologies for satellite launch vehicle development
Skyroot Aerospace and Brazil's Concert Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration. This agreement focuses on developing a satellite launch vehicle for payloads of at least 100 kilograms. The partnership aims to provide affordable access to space for both countries in conjunction with the global space industry. They plan to evaluate technological requirements and commercial prospects over the next two years.
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.
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.
₹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.
India well on track to achieve $1 trillion exports target for FY27: Piyush Goyal
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India is on track to achieve its $1 trillion goods and services export target in FY27, having already recorded nearly $480 billion in exports during April-September. He highlighted opportunities from free trade agreements, particularly the proposed India-EU pact, for the automobile and mobility sectors. Goyal urged manufacturers to expand globally, boost competitiveness and leverage international partnerships to drive exports, investment and employment.
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.
ET Wealth Expo 2026 | From HNIs to family offices, why 2026 is teaching investors the importance of de-risking: Dheeraj Gaur
Speaking on the sidelines of ET Wealth Expo 2026 in Mumbai, Gaur said the experience of 2026 has reinforced the importance of de-risking portfolios, particularly for high-net-worth investors and family offices that have built significant investable wealth over the years.
Fairness, churn, and India's rise: India has lifted millions out of poverty, but the next big challenge is helping people climb further
India's poverty rate has fallen sharply, with nearly 496 million people moving above the World Bank's lower-middle-income poverty line between 2011-12 and 2023-24. However, the next challenge is to expand economic mobility, improve wages and create opportunities. The article examines why growth, fair access and social mobility matter more than focusing on inequality alone.
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.
India has never allowed import of GM products, will never open dairy sector: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized India’s commitment to safeguarding its dairy sector from free trade agreement pressures. He reiterated the nation's opposition to imports of genetically modified products, considering them sensitive. Goyal mentioned efforts to unlock new employment opportunities and promote domestic agriculture for competitive exports.
Gulf investors eye India’s AI infrastructure and space tech even as broader interest stays subdued
Gulf-based investors are exploring opportunities in India's artificial intelligence and space technology sectors, despite overall subdued interest. Yotta, a data centre operator, successfully raised $150 million earlier this year for expansion plans. Pixxel Space Technologies is also seeking funding in the UAE to capitalize on growing investor interest in technology. The Indian rupee's depreciation has contributed to the cautious investment sentiment among broader market participants.
IIT and IIM graduates shun startups as AI jobs gain appeal amid rising startup activity in India
Only 79 IIT alumni and 20 IIM alumni launched new tech startups between January and August this year, compared to 307 IIT graduates and 71 IIM graduates who founded startups in the entire 2025, according to Tracxn data collated for ET. The platform tracks only the year of incorporation for tech startups, so it does not have comparable January-August 2025 data.
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