STARTUP
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.
From Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 crore: Three Pune brothers turn college kabada project into goldmine, sold 20 lakh kg scrap
Three Pune brothers have transformed a college project into a Rs 2.5 crore scrap collection business. Jayesh, Ganesh and Vaibhav Pakhale started ScrapDeal in Pune with an initial investment of just Rs 25,000. The startup has recycled 20 lakh kg of scrap, serves over 1 lakh individual customers and works with more than 100 businesses. The brothers are targeting Rs 5 crore in revenue in FY27.
Quantum could solve AI energy drain, says tech founder
Quantum computers could curb the vast energy demands of artificial intelligence data centres with their ability to run complex calculations, one of the tech's pioneers told AFP. Australian startup Diraq is conducting the first field test worldwide putting a small quantum computer based on a silicon chip in a commercial data centre in Sydney. Diraq's computer installed in Equinix's Sydney data centre has eight quantum bits, or qubits, on a silicon chip.
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.
Sarvam names Google Cloud India head Sashikumar Sreedharan as president & chief business officer
Sashikumar will additionally join Sarvam's board of directors. He will lead the company's business across enterprises and government, while expanding its engagement with digital-native companies, developers and partners.
'Temple is not made for India': Deepinder Goyal responds to criticism in Diwali posts, promises to publish ‘detailed note’
Goyal said the company did not want people to support Temple simply because it was an Indian startup, adding “We don’t need/want nationalist support.”
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Failed UPSC dream to Rs 130 crore success: How Bengaluru man turned Rs 1 crore investment into a healthy food business
Sandeep Jangala's journey began with a dream of becoming an IAS officer, but the road to success was not without its obstacles after his UPSC attempt fell short. Undeterred, he pivoted to entrepreneurship, successfully launching a tech startup that caught the attention of investors. In 2022, he and his wife co-founded Yummy Bee, a company dedicated to providing children with healthy food choices.
Anthropic strikes $3.4bn deal to generate gas-fired power for data centres: Report
The AI startup bought commitments for 1.7 gigawatts of heavy-duty generators for $3.4 billion in late September from OnePWR Solutions, a San Antonio, Texas-based equipment supplier, the report said.
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.
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.
Deepinder Goyal teases big reveal on Temple, will explain 'why I left $35 billion Eternal for Temple'
Deepinder Goyal has revealed his upcoming departure from Eternal to pursue Temple, a health wearable startup. He plans to provide a detailed note explaining his decision and the vision for Temple. Goyal's message will also address the startup's objectives and what it aims to achieve for humanity's betterment. Additionally, he has expressed his discontent towards certain doctors who criticize the health sector. Goyal is expected to share this information shortly.
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.
Ex-Ultrahuman executive launches AI ring startup Aina for agentic interactions
The startup said it is positioning the device as an alternative interface to smartphones for everyday interactions with AI systems. It has spent the past 15 months developing the product and is now opening pre-orders globally, with prices starting at $399 (about Rs 36,000), the startup said in a statement.
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.
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.
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.
AI sales startup Nooks secures $500 million in funding for expansion
Unlike traditional investors that buy a stake in a company, General Catalyst's commitment involves taking a share of the returns its capital helps generate, Nooks CEO Dan Lee said. He declined to give details on the terms of the deal.
L&T Finance Pitch Point 2.0: Where an AI startup’s big idea meets enterprise scale
Pitch Point, L&T Finance’s contest for AI startups, is back for a second edition. Last year’s winners, Arrowhead AI and SpoofSense, talk about what they got out of it and what they would tell this year’s new applicants.
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.
Azim Premji Foundation launches Social Startups Programme to build grassroots NGOs
The initiative seeks to address a key gap in the social sector where many professionals have extensive experience working with communities but often lack the financial backing, mentorship and institutional support needed to start their own organisations, the Foundation said in a press release.
His grandfather died of pancreatic cancer: This Hyderabad startup founder is using AI to develop a personalised cancer vaccines
Hyderabad-based biotech startup PopVax, founded by Soham Sankaran, is developing AI-powered personalised cancer vaccines using mRNA technology. Inspired partly by his family's experience with pancreatic cancer, he aims to help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells using treatments designed around individual patients' tumour genetics.
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.
Tax-wise, $-foolish: Saving Dalal Street could come at a cost to Startup Street
India's financial landscape is experiencing pressure with foreign portfolio investors becoming net sellers in the market. There are discussions about implementing tax cuts to stabilize the situation, which could disadvantage domestic investors. A focus on only listed shares may divert investments from private markets and harm the startup ecosystem. Expert suggestions advocate for a universal tax reduction applicable to both listed and unlisted shares.
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.
Get $20 an hour to walk robot dogs, no work experience needed: San Francisco startup has an unusual job offer, but there is a catch
A San Francisco startup is offering $20 an hour to people willing to walk robot dogs through city streets. The job requires no previous experience and includes paid training, but workers must be prepared to carry the 33-pound machines back if they overheat or stop working. The unusual hiring exercise is part of Dimensional's effort to train AI systems to control robots and navigate real-world environments independently.
EPFO plans to invest in startups, AIFs five years after govt approval
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is working on guidelines for investing in alternative investment funds for better portfolio diversification. The proposed allocation could be up to 3% of fresh annual accretions to these funds. This decision follows recommendations for EPFO's participation in the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0. Proposed safeguards will include limits on individual fund exposures and minimum corpus requirements.
Government working to utilise procurement process for promoting startups: DPIIT Secretary
The Indian government aims to use procurement processes to promote startups within the nation effectively. Over 2.5 lakh startups exist in the country, with many in smaller towns. National Startup Awards 6.0 will award winning startups a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh across various categories. The initiative seeks to enhance support through mentorship, investor connections, and market access.
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