India Startup Funding Falls 23% — But 3 Sectors Are Surging
Total VC deployment into Indian startups slid to $4.1 billion in Q1 2026, down nearly 23% year-on-year. The story beneath that number tells you exactly where the conviction is.
Startups
MS Dhoni invests in AI-driven storytelling platform Kuku TV, joins as brand ambassador
MS Dhoni steps into the world of digital entertainment, investing in Indian short-form platform Kuku TV and endorsing its AI-powered storytelling vision.
Granola went from 5,000 weekly users to a $1.5B unicorn — without a meeting bot
London-based Granola raised $125M Series C at a $1.5B valuation. Its edge: no visible bot, no cloud upload — and now a full enterprise AI context layer.
Abhishek Middha launches Middha Ventures with Rs. 1.05 crore bets on Ruskle, Fitreak
Mumbai-based investor enters early-stage ecosystem with first investments across consumer and fitness startups
Bengaluru food delivery startup Swish raises $38M Series B
Eighteen-month-old Swish secures fresh capital led by Hara Global and Bain Capital Ventures, more than doubling its valuation as it grows hyperlocal kitchens across Bengaluru.
Saudi Edtech GAGA Raises $2.5M Pre-Series A to Scale Live Learning Platform
Phoenix Venture Partners-backed GAGA offers live, gamified learning across 1,000+ programmes — and now has $4.2M in total funding to accelerate its Saudi Arabia push.
‘10–12 Hours, No Weekends’: PIF Executive Roberto Croci Slams Startup Hustle Culture
A recent post by PIF executive Roberto Croci exposes the growing normalization of overwork in startups—raising deeper questions about burnout, growth, and the true cost of billion-dollar valuations.
Shorooq backs Yann LeCun’s AI startup AMI Labs in $1.03B seed round
The UAE-based investment firm joined a global investor group backing the Paris-headquartered artificial intelligence startup founded by former Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun.
Fino Payments CEO Arrest Sends Shockwaves: What It Really Means for India’s Fintech Boom
One enforcement action isn’t just a headline — it’s a wake-up call for founders, investors, and the entire fintech ecosystem.
CCPA Fines Raising Superstars ₹8 Lakh for Misleading Child Development Claims
The Central Consumer Protection Authority penalizes Raising Superstars for unverified claims on infant milestones, highlighting tighter scrutiny of edtech advertising.
How Three Indian Women Built an AI Platform Helping Hospitals Diagnose Patients Faster
From a ₹7 lakh grant to processing more than 1,000 medical scans a day across India, Easiofy’s AI imaging platform is helping hospitals speed up diagnostics in smaller cities and underserved regions.
From Oil to Microchips: Saudi Arabia’s Ambition to Join the Global Semiconductor Race
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its push into deep technology with a national semiconductor initiative designed to attract chip startups, train engineers, and position the Kingdom within the global semiconductor supply chain.