Inc42's Indian AI Startup Tracker covers 170+ companies that have raised over $2.6 billion. From Sarvam AI's multilingual language models to OrbitShift's sales intelligence platform, India's AI ecosystem is more diverse, more globally focused, and more technically ambitious than any previous snapshot has captured.
India raised $8.09 billion across 806 equity rounds in H1 2026, down 17.88% from H1 2025. But the real story is not the decline — it is the structural shift toward quality, capital efficiency, and deep-tech that is making India's startup funding ecosystem genuinely world-class.
For five years, Ethereal Machines built world-class five-axis CNC machines that matched German and Japanese precision at half the price. No one bought them. The skepticism ran so deep that customers would watch the machine work perfectly and still refuse to believe an Indian company could have built it. So Ethereal pivoted—from selling machines to selling precision components. Today, with $28.5 million in fresh funding and exports accounting for 70% of revenue, that pivot has become a blueprint for India's deep-tech manufacturing future.
For years, tech giants prided themselves on funding growth from operating cash flow. No debt. No dilution. Just the bottom line. That era is over. Alphabet just sold $84.75 billion in stock. Amazon just borrowed $17.5 billion. And Microsoft and Meta are following suit. The AI arms race is too expensive for even the richest companies to fight alone.
MS Dhoni’s investments include sports tech, fitness brands, and a production house. Sachin Tendulkar has a venture fund. Virat Kohli owns a fashion brand and a gym chain. Indian cricketers are no longer just athletes—they are business moguls. This article profiles how cricketers are building lasting wealth beyond the pitch.
Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps) runs Monk Entertainment, Level Supermind, and BigBrainCo. Ankur Warikoo turned from CEO to edtech founder. Tanmay Bhat manages a comedy empire. This article analyzes how India's top digital creators are turning their influence into multi-crore businesses.
Zepto files Rs 8,010 Cr UDRHP with FY26 revenue doubling to Rs 22,623 Cr and 1,139 dark stores. How Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra built India’s biggest quick-commerce company from a 10-minute grocery idea in 2021.
Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps) isn't just a podcaster—he’s the co‑founder of Monk Entertainment, Level Supermind, and BigBrainCo. Ankur Warikoo turned from CEO to edtech founder. Tanmay Bhat and his team built a content and talent management empire. This article analyzes the business empires behind India’s top digital stars, how they’re monetizing their influence beyond ads and sponsorships, and why venture capitalists are now hunting for creators, not just founders.
After a lull, the Indian IPO market is heating up again. Ola Electric is public. Mobikwik just listed. Now, investors are watching fintechs, SaaS companies, and consumer brands. This article profiles the top 5 startups expected to file for IPOs in 2026, analyzing their valuations, financial health, and the market conditions that will determine their success.
Hrithik Roshan’s activewear brand HRX is a household name. Anushka Sharma’s clothing brand Nush is thriving. But beyond their own brands, many Bollywood stars are becoming full-spectrum investors, backing fintech, edtech, and consumer internet startups. This article looks at how actors are transitioning from passive brand ambassadors to active venture partners, the deals they’ve made, and why founders are increasingly eager to have a celebrity on their cap table.