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  • Indian Startups Raise $935.7 Million in March 2026, a 56% Decline from Previous Year

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    In March 2026, Indian startups raised approximately $935.7 million in funding, indicating a significant 56% decline from the same period in 2025 when they amassed $2.1 billion across 237 rounds. Despite this decrease, startups managed to secure funding through 94 rounds across various stages, as reported by market intelligence platform Tracxn. This figure represents a 26.1% drop from the previous month’s activities.

    During the week of March 14 to 20, startups garnered about $343 million, a substantial 69% decrease compared to the $1 billion raised during the equivalent period last year. Notably, housing finance platform Weaver Services received the largest investment of the month, securing around $156 million from Premji Invest and Lightspeed Venture Partners to aid in acquiring a controlling interest in Centrum Housing Finance Limited (CHFL).

    Rocketlane, a Chennai-based B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup, raised $60 million in a funding round led by Insight Partners to bolster its offerings, bringing its total funding to $105 million. Additionally, electric vehicle manufacturer Euler Motors received $47 million in Series E funding, aimed at doubling its production capacity, with plans for a new manufacturing facility in the next six months.

    In a Series F round, fitness platform Cult.fit secured $47 million from Temasek, marking its first capital raise in two years. With previous investments totaling over $650 million, Cult.fit continues to attract funding from investors like Accel, Temasek, Chiratae, and Kala.

    Source: Tech-Economic Times

  • Info Edge Invests ₹250 Cr in A88 Fund to Support Early-Stage Deeptech Startups

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Info Edge, the parent company of Naukri, has committed ₹250 Cr ($26.5 Mn) to A88 Fund I, established by A88 Trust to fund early-stage deeptech startups in India. The fund, registered with SEBI as a Category II AIF, was launched in February and will be managed by Info Edge’s subsidiary Smartweb. A88 Fund I aims to offer long-term growth opportunities to Indian startups, primarily focused on deeptech.

    Additionally, Info Edge has transferred its 26.14% stake in ShopKirana E Trading Pvt Ltd to Udaan for $32.97 Mn. This move follows Udaan’s acquisition of ShopKirana to enhance profitability.

    This investment in A88 Fund I signifies Info Edge’s growing interest in India’s deeptech startup ecosystem. The company’s executive directors have also approved a ₹15 Cr investment in SIHL, its investment arm, and a ₹100 Cr investment in Redstart Labs, focusing on deeptech and SaaS startups.

    Source: Inc42 Media

  • Sony Raises PlayStation 5 Prices Amid Surging Memory Chip Costs

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Sony Group has announced a second price increase for its PlayStation 5 consoles, citing the rising costs of crucial components like memory chips. The standard PS5 price in the U.S. will jump by $100 to $649.99, with similar adjustments in Europe and Japan. This decision reflects the broader impact of escalating memory chip prices on consumer electronics supply chains.

    The tech industry’s heightened demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure has driven memory manufacturers to prioritize data-center chips over those for consumer products. Consequently, the supply of memory chips for devices like gaming consoles is constricted, prompting Sony to adjust its pricing strategy to offset increased production costs.

    Alongside the PS5 price increments, other PlayStation accessories, such as the PlayStation Portal remote player, will also see price hikes. These adjustments are part of Sony’s response to the cost pressures prevalent in global supply chains, indicating a broader trend affecting the consumer electronics landscape.

    Analysts anticipate that the raised console prices could potentially dampen growth in the video game market this year. The recent decline in PlayStation 5 sales during the holiday quarter, coupled with adjustments made by competitors like Microsoft to the pricing of Xbox consoles, underscores the industry-wide challenge posed by soaring component costs.

    Source: Tech-Economic Times

  • NoPaperForms’ Meritto Secures SEBI Approval for IPO, Signaling Tech Startup’s Growth and Market Expansion

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    NoPaperForms, the parent company of Meritto, a startup specializing in Enterprise SaaS for educational institutions, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to proceed with its initial public offering (IPO). This move marks a significant milestone in the tech startup’s journey towards market expansion and financial growth.

    Notably, the company submitted its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) confidentially in November 2025, leading to SEBI’s issuance of an observation letter on March 25, enabling Meritto to progress with its public issue in the upcoming months. The IPO is anticipated to encompass both a fresh share issue and an offer for sale (OFS).

    With plans to raise between ₹500 Cr to ₹600 Cr at a valuation of approximately ₹2,000 Cr, Meritto aims to leverage this opportunity for further investment and strategic development. Investor Info Edge is set to divest a portion of its stake through the OFS, potentially reducing its shareholding below 25% post-listing.

    In the fiscal year 2025 (FY25), Meritto’s financial performance demonstrated remarkable growth, as its net profit surged to about ₹1.9 Cr from ₹4 Lakh in the previous year, accompanied by a 31% year-over-year (YoY) increase in operating revenue to ₹92.3 Cr. The startup’s core offerings of enrolment automation and CRM tools have evidently resonated with educational institutions, propelling its success in the market.

    Founded in 2017, Meritto’s commitment to enhancing student recruitment, admissions, and fee management processes through innovative SaaS solutions underscores the pivotal role technology plays in reshaping the education sector. The company’s IPO approval signifies not just a financial milestone but also a testament to the evolving landscape of tech-driven solutions within the educational domain.

    Source: Inc42 Media

  • Indian Startups Attract Steady Venture Capital Funding

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    The Indian startup ecosystem has seen a consistent influx of venture capital funding in the final week of March, according to a report by YourStory. This sustained high level of VC inflow underscores the attractiveness of Indian startups to investors and the positive growth opportunities perceived within the region’s entrepreneurial landscape.

    The ongoing support from venture capitalists highlights the resilience and potential of the Indian startup ecosystem. As startups continue to attract substantial funding, the tech industry in India is poised for further expansion and innovation. The consistent flow of venture capital not only provides financial support for emerging tech companies but also fosters a conducive environment for experimentation, growth, and market disruption.

    This trend signifies the increasing maturity and global appeal of Indian startups, positioning the country as a key player in the international tech landscape. The steady inflow of funding serves as a catalyst for technological advancement and business development within the Indian tech sector.

    Source: YourStory RSS Feed

  • RBI Fines Pine Labs for KYC Lapses on Prepaid Payment Instruments

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fined Pine Labs ₹3.1 lakh for Know Your Customer (KYC) lapses related to prepaid payment instruments. This action comes after a statutory inspection of Pine Labs’ operations conducted between July 2024 and May 2025. The RBI emphasized that this penalty is a result of regulatory compliance failures and does not impact the validity of any transactions or agreements between Pine Labs and its customers.

    Regulatory compliance in the fintech sector is crucial to ensure the security and integrity of digital payment systems. KYC procedures play a vital role in verifying the identities of users and preventing fraudulent activities. The RBI’s enforcement actions underscore the importance of strict adherence to KYC norms by financial institutions and fintech companies.

    This development serves as a reminder for tech companies to prioritize regulatory compliance and implement robust KYC processes to enhance customer trust and safeguard against potential penalties. It also highlights the regulatory oversight in the evolving landscape of digital payments, where adherence to compliance standards is paramount for maintaining the credibility of financial services.

    Source: Tech-Economic Times

  • Facebook Removes Kerala Opposition Leader’s Interview Segment After Police Request

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Facebook has taken down an interview segment featuring Kerala Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan after a request from the state police. The police flagged vulgar comments in the video and requested the removal of the objectionable part, leading to the entire content being taken down. Subsequently, authorities have reached out to Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to have the remaining portion of the interview reinstated.

    Source: Tech-Economic Times

  • Swiggy Raises Platform Fee to Boost Margins in Competitive Food Delivery Market

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Amid escalating competition, Swiggy has increased its platform fee by 17% to Rs 17.58, following Zomato’s similar move last week. This adjustment aims to enhance margins in the fiercely competitive food delivery sector.

    Swiggy’s platform fee, now inclusive of GST, mirrors Zomato’s fee when compared on a similar basis. This fixed charge, added to delivery fees and taxes, has steadily risen over time, reflecting the companies’ strategy to boost per order contribution margins beyond restaurant commissions.

    As food delivery costs rise, customers are experiencing the impact of Swiggy and Zomato’s revenue-focused approach. Swiggy’s continuous fee adjustments since its Rs 2 introduction in April 2023 highlight a shift towards improving unit economics.

    In Q3 FY26, Swiggy witnessed a substantial 54% year-on-year growth in operating revenue, reaching Rs 6,148 crore. However, this growth was accompanied by widened losses amounting to Rs 1,056 crore during the same quarter.

    Despite Swiggy’s shares trading lower than their listing price, the company’s market capitalization remains significant at approximately Rs 77,372 crore ($8.2 billion).

    Source: Entrackr : Latest Posts

  • OZi Secures $6.2 Million in Series A Funding to Expand Its Kids-Focused Quick Commerce Platform

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    OZi, a quick commerce platform specializing in baby and kids’ products, has secured $6.2 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by RTP Global, with contributions from established investors such as Blume Ventures, Huddle Ventures, and Zeropearl VC. The round also included participation from notable angel investors, including Kishore Biyani and founders of various successful startups.

    The Series A financing follows OZi’s previous $3.3 million seed round, which was led by Blume Ventures. OZi plans to use the new capital to expand its operations in Gurugram and the National Capital Region, enhance brand visibility and credibility, strengthen its technological and operational capabilities, and diversify its product offerings.

    Established in 2025, OZi caters to parents by providing a wide array of curated baby and kids’ products, spanning categories like apparel, toys, baby gear, and daily essentials. The platform’s rapid delivery model, designed for modern families, aims to streamline the shopping experience.

    With a product range exceeding 15,000 items for children aged 0 to 12 years, OZi covers fashion, toys, nursing essentials, school supplies, pharmacy products, gifts, and more. Operating round-the-clock, OZi ensures deliveries within 60 minutes, offering scheduled delivery options for added convenience. The platform has seen exponential growth since its Gurugram launch and recently expanded its services to Noida.

    Source: Entrackr : Latest Posts

  • Tech Giants Face Heightened Scrutiny Over Children’s Online Safety

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Recent legal actions have held Meta and YouTube accountable for harm caused to children on their platforms. A Los Angeles jury found both companies responsible, while another jury in New Mexico determined that Meta knowingly impacted children’s mental health and obscured information about child exploitation on its services.

    These verdicts highlight the growing scrutiny of tech giants regarding child safety online. The cases raise questions about the adequacy of existing measures to protect young users from harmful content and interactions.

    For the tech industry, these outcomes underscore the need for more robust safety mechanisms and transparency practices. Companies like Meta and YouTube may face increased pressure to enhance moderation tools, implement stricter content policies, and improve reporting procedures to safeguard minors using their platforms.

    As discussions around online safety intensify, it becomes crucial for tech firms to prioritize the well-being of young users and collaborate with regulators to establish comprehensive safeguards. Adapting to evolving digital threats and societal expectations is paramount for maintaining a trustworthy online environment for children.

    Source: Tech-Economic Times