Indian auto tech startups raised $1.3 billion across 97 rounds between January and mid-October 2026, according to Tracxn, well short of the $2.1 billion raised in all of 2025. Rapido, Simple Energy and Rideriver led the largest deals, Bengaluru took about 70% of funding, and no new unicorns emerged.
Online travel giant MakeMyTrip is in talks to acquire Bengaluru-based car and bike pooling platform Quick Ride through its bus ticketing arm redBus, according to Entrackr. The deal, at the due diligence stage, is expected to involve cash and equity and could extend MakeMyTrip from holidays and intercity travel into everyday urban commuting.
Bengaluru-based Hunar.AI has raised ₹40 crore (about $4.2 million) in a Series A led by Blume Ventures to scale conversational AI agents that recruit, onboard and train frontline workers in more than 20 languages. Its agents handled over 1.5 crore conversations through September for clients including Swiggy, Zepto and Starbucks.
Venture capital investment in Indian startups reached $10.9 billion between January and mid-October 2026, up 6.8% on a year earlier, but the number of rounds fell by more than a third to 1,253 as investors concentrated capital in deeptech, AI and infrastructure, according to Tracxn data.
Mumbai-based menswear brand The Pant Project has raised ₹109 crore in a Series B round led by Mirae Asset Venture Investments, with Sorin Investments returning and venture debt from Alteria Capital. The six-year-old company plans to expand from 25 exclusive stores to more than 150 within two to three years.
Study-abroad platform Leverage Edu more than doubled its operating revenue to ₹364.4 crore in FY26 and turned EBITDA positive, while cutting its net loss by 82% to ₹19.4 crore. Founder Akshay Chaturvedi says the company will sharpen its focus on AI, customer experience and new international markets.
Moody's Ratings has changed its outlook on Prism, the parent of hotel platform OYO, to positive from stable while keeping its B2 rating, citing FY26 EBITDA of ₹2,630 crore, more than double the previous year, and the company's first positive free cash flow. OYO plans a ₹6,650 crore IPO.
India spends about $18 billion a year on research and development, or 0.65% of GDP, and must raise that to at least $100 billion to compete in strategic technologies, Peak XV Partners managing director Rajan Anandan said. He also called for smarter regulation, citing "regulatory cholesterol" that slows founders down.
Shopify is reportedly preparing to launch its Shop Pay accelerated checkout in India by early 2027, a move that would put it in direct competition with GoKwik, Shopflo, Razorpay's Magic Checkout and other Indian checkout providers serving D2C brands.
B2B e-commerce platform Udaan returned to growth in FY26, lifting gross revenue 12.6% to ₹5,134 crore and cutting its net loss 19% to ₹852 crore as it prepares for a stock market listing.
What does it really take to become a successful entrepreneur?<div><br></div><div>In Episode 2 of the Kolapasi series, the founder shares the principles, mindset, and strategies that helped build a successful restaurant brand. From overcoming challenges to making smart business decisions, this episode is packed with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.</div><div><br></div><div>Whether you're starting your first venture or looking to grow an existing business, these lessons can help you build a strong foundation for long-term success.</div><div><br></div><div>In this episode, you'll learn:</div><div>The success formula for aspiring entrepreneurs</div><div>How to develop the right entrepreneurial mindset</div><div>Lessons learned while building Kolapasi</div><div>Common mistakes new business owners should avoid</div><div>Leadership and decision-making strategies</div><div>Business growth and scaling tips</div><div>Advice for startups and young entrepreneurs</div><div><br></div><div>If you found this episode valuable, Like, Share, and Subscribe for more entrepreneur interviews, startup stories, business strategies, and inspiring success journeys.</div><div><br></div><div>#Kolapasi #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #Startup #BusinessGrowth #RestaurantBusiness #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #SuccessStory #TIGI</div>
What does it take to build a successful restaurant brand? In this exclusive episode, discover the inspiring journey of Kolapasi and learn the key strategies behind creating one of the most recognized restaurant brands.<div><br></div><div>From selecting the right business model and maintaining food quality to building customer trust and expanding the brand, this conversation is packed with valuable insights for aspiring restaurateurs and entrepreneurs.</div><div><br></div><div>In this video, you'll learn:</div><div><br></div><div>How to start a successful restaurant business</div><div>The inspiring journey of Kolapasi</div><div>Building a strong restaurant brand</div><div>Restaurant operations and customer experience</div><div>Marketing strategies that drive growth</div><div>Common challenges in the food industry</div><div>Tips for aspiring restaurant entrepreneurs</div><div><br></div><div>Whether you're planning to open a restaurant, cloud kitchen, or food startup, this episode provides practical lessons from a successful brand.</div><div><br></div><div>👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more entrepreneur stories, business podcasts, startup journeys, and industry insights.</div><div><br></div><div>#RestaurantBusiness #Kolapasi #FoodBusiness #RestaurantSuccess #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantOwner #Hospitality #StartupStory #BusinessPodcast #TIGI</div>
The inspiring journey of Space Kidz continues in Episode 2! Discover how a bold vision evolved into a globally recognized organization that is inspiring students, promoting innovation, and contributing to the future of space education and satellite missions.<div><br></div><div>In this episode, we dive deeper into the milestones, challenges, achievements, and future vision of Space Kidz. Learn how determination, leadership, and innovation helped transform an ambitious dream into a movement that motivates thousands of young minds to explore science and space technology.</div><div><br></div><div>In this episode, you'll learn:</div><div><br></div><div>The continued journey of Space Kidz</div><div>Major milestones and achievements</div><div>Challenges faced while building the organization</div><div>Inspiring students through space education</div><div>Leadership and entrepreneurial lessons</div><div>The future vision of Space Kidz</div><div>Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators</div><div><br></div><div>Whether you're passionate about space technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, or inspiring success stories, this episode is packed with valuable insights.</div><div><br></div><div>👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more entrepreneur interviews, startup stories, business insights, and inspiring journeys.</div><div><br></div><div>#SpaceKidz #SpaceTechnology #SuccessStory #Satellite #WomenEntrepreneurs #SpaceEducation #Innovation #StartupStory #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #TIGI</div>
Discover why Kombucha, the naturally fermented probiotic drink, is gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers around the world. In this video, we explore what makes Kombucha unique, its growing demand, and the inspiring journey of Abhas Probiotics in bringing this wellness beverage to more people.<div><br></div><div>Whether you're interested in healthy living, food innovation, or beverage entrepreneurship, this video offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing functional drink categories.</div><div><br></div><div>In this video, you'll learn:</div><div><br></div><div>What Kombucha is and how it's made</div><div>Why probiotic drinks are becoming so popular</div><div>The story behind Abhas Probiotics</div><div>The growing Kombucha market in India</div><div>Health and wellness trends driving demand</div><div>Business opportunities in the functional beverage industry</div><div><br></div><div>If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe for more business success stories, startup journeys, and industry insights.</div><div><br></div><div>#Kombucha #AbhasProbiotics #ProbioticDrink #HealthyDrinks #HealthAndWellness #FunctionalBeverages #StartupStory #BusinessIdeas #Entrepreneurship #TIGI</div>