20 Latest Startup Funding News and Updates

• Debt funding is reshaping growth strategies: Unicorns like PharmEasy and Rebel Foods are increasingly turning to structured debt, highlighting investor caution around dilution and shifting capital preferences in 2025.
• Clean-tech and energy startups attract late-stage backing: Deals for Chakr Innovation, Offgrid Energy Labs, and Oolka show investors betting on India’s energy transition and supply chain independence.
• Sector spread reflects ecosystem maturity: With startups spanning 56 industries, funding is no longer concentrated in consumer tech alone, pointing to diversification and resilience in India’s innovation economy.
• Mega-rounds reinforce mobility dominance: Rapido’s $550 million raise amid Swiggy’s exit highlights consolidation in ride-hailing, proving investor appetite remains strong for scale-driven urban transport solutions.
• VC appetite is shifting toward quality: Q2’s $3.5 billion inflows show a “fewer but bigger” deal strategy, where investors prioritize profitability and sustainable models over raw growth.

New funding announcements drop weekly across India's startup ecosystem. Major rounds close while fresh unicorns join the billion-dollar club at an impressive pace. If you need the latest intel on which companies are raising capital and where smart money is moving, you are in the right place. 

India currently hosts 67 unicorns, with 46 gazelles expected to hit unicorn status in the next three years and 106 cheetahs tracking toward that goal within five years. The momentum is undeniable. Yet behind the numbers lies a more pressing issue: which sectors are truly positioned to thrive with long-term investor support? 

Startups now span 56 industries, from IT services and healthcare to education, agriculture, and food. Still, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Funding updates reveal more than headlines; they uncover patterns, priorities, and opportunities. 

This editorial will cover the latest developments shaping India’s dynamic startup economy.

The past few weeks have been particularly active for India’s startup ecosystem. From early-stage seed rounds to massive pre-IPO funding, capital is flowing across sectors like energy, consumer internet, healthcare, and mobility. 

The numbers show depth, but the deals themselves reveal where investors are placing conviction. Below are 15 of the most significant funding updates you should know:

1. Curefoods raises ₹160 crore in pre-IPO placement

Curefoods secured ₹160 crore ($18 million) in pre-IPO funding from Binny Bansal's 3State Ventures, signaling the cloud kitchen operator's aggressive IPO timeline. 

The Bengaluru-based company operates multiple food brands, including EatFit and Sharief Bhai, serving over 15 cities. This strategic capital injection strengthens Curefoods' market position ahead of its anticipated public debut in early 2026.

2. PharmEasy Taps ₹1,700 Crore Debt to Manage Obligations

Mumbai-based healthtech unicorn PharmEasy has raised fresh capital through a debt round led by 360 One, with Alkram Ventures, MVS Ventures, and Bennett Coleman also participating. 

This marks the company’s third debt infusion in four years, underscoring its reliance on high-cost borrowing to manage existing obligations. 

The funds will be used to repay its outstanding Goldman Sachs loan, which was taken in 2022 to refinance earlier debt linked to the Thyrocare acquisition. 

While the Goldman facility came with restrictive covenants that were breached last year, PharmEasy has continued to service repayments on schedule.

3. Indian Startups Raised $360 Million in Five Days

Between September 15 and September 20, 2025, 21 startups across India secured more than $360 million in funding. The capital flowed into sectors ranging from mobility and fintech to healthcare and energy, reinforcing investor confidence in the country’s entrepreneurial strength. 

The pace of deal-making highlights not only the diversity of ideas being backed but also the resilience of India’s startup economy despite broader global funding pressures.

At S45 Club, our focus extends beyond quick capital injections. We ensure MSME founders are supported with both funding and seasoned expertise to create businesses built for longevity. 

The goal is sustainable, purposeful growth, helping Indian entrepreneurs scale while staying true to their vision. By walking beside founders, not above them, S45 Club nurtures innovation that leaves a lasting legacy. 

Connect with us today to explore how we can grow your journey together.

4. FinBox Secures $40 Million for Credit Infrastructure

Bengaluru-based FinBox closed a $40 million Series B round led by existing investors to accelerate its credit infrastructure platform. 

The fintech startup plans to deploy advanced AI-driven risk assessment tools and expand partnerships with traditional banks. FinBox's technology processes over 10 million loan applications monthly, serving underbanked populations across India.

5. Chakr Innovation Fetches $23 million Series C

Chakr Innovation’s Series C, led by Iron Pillar, reinforces clean-tech’s rise as a mainstream investment sector. The $23 million infusion supports emission-control solutions for diesel generators, addressing pressing environmental concerns in India’s cities. 

The round illustrates how climate-focused startups are attracting late-stage capital, with investors betting on both regulatory tailwinds and corporate demand for greener operations.

6. InCred Money Raises ₹250 Crore at $200 Million Valuation

InCred Money, the retail investment arm of InCred Group, secured ₹250 crore ($30 million) from prominent investors, including Manipal Group chairman Ranjan Pai and former Deutsche Bank executive Ram Nayak. 

The funding round valued the Mumbai-based wealth management platform at ₹1,650 crore ($200 million). This strategic capital injection from family offices positions InCred Money to expand its investment advisory services targeting affluent millennials.

7. Oolka Nets $7 Million Seed

Oolka’s $7 million seed round, led by Lightspeed India Partners, signals investor faith in emerging energy-tech ventures. With participation from Z47 and 8i Ventures, the early backing gives Oolka the resources to accelerate R&D. 

The deal reflects a trend where seed investors are increasingly targeting climate and energy startups, viewing them as future cornerstones of India’s industrial growth.

8. EcoSoul and Indkal Technologies Each Secure $20 Million

EcoSoul raised $20 million to scale its sustainable home products across 50 Indian cities, targeting eco-conscious consumers with biodegradable alternatives. 

Meanwhile, Indkal Technologies secured $20 million to strengthen its consumer electronics manufacturing capabilities and expand into Southeast Asian markets. 

Both rounds indicate investor confidence in the sustainability and manufacturing sectors despite broader market volatility.

9. Foreign VCs Step Up India Bets with $3.5 Billion in Q2

Venture capital investments in India climbed to $3.5 billion across 355 deals in Q2 2025, up from $2.8 billion in Q1, according to KPMG. Foreign funds are driving many of the largest rounds, with fintech, healthtech, and logistics attracting the most attention. 

The trend reflects a “fewer but bigger” deal strategy, as investors prioritize scalability and profitability.

At S45 Club, we combine capital with expertise to support founders shaping enduring businesses. We focus on steady, sustainable growth rather than short-term spikes. We walk beside entrepreneurs, helping innovation translate into legacy.

10. Rapido Finalizes $550 Million Raise as Swiggy Exits

Rapido is closing a $500–550 million funding round, one of India’s largest this year, through a mix of primary and secondary deals. 

The round is anchored by Prosus and WestBridge Capital, which are also buying Swiggy’s 11.8% stake for $270 million. The transaction values Rapido at $2.3 billion, more than double its February valuation, strengthening its ride-hailing dominance.

11. SpaceFields Deeptech Startup Raises $5 Million

SpaceFields closed $5 million in pre-Series A funding co-led by Globaz Technologies, Rockstud Capital, and Venture Catalysts to advance its satellite-based agricultural monitoring technology for precision farming. 

The Hyderabad-based deeptech company leverages AI and remote sensing to provide real-time crop health analytics to farmers and agribusiness companies. 

SpaceFields competes with global players like Planet Labs, targeting India's $400 billion agriculture sector through data-driven insights.

12. Indian Startup Funding Surges 66% to $340M Weekly Record

Twenty-nine Indian startups raised a record $340.55 million during August 10-16, 2025, marking a staggering 66% weekly jump that energized the entire ecosystem. 

Nine growth-stage deals accounted for $244.11 million, led by Truemeds' $85 million Series C and Zepto's $46 million strategic round. 

This surge signals renewed investor confidence in AI, healthtech, and consumer-tech sectors, with Bengaluru startups dominating deal activity.

13. Emergent Secures $23 Million for No-Code Platform

Emergent AI closed a $23 million Series A led by Lightspeed Venture Partners to democratize software development through its no-code platform. 

Founded by brothers Mukund and Madhav Jha, the Bengaluru startup enables non-technical users to build complex applications using natural language processing. 

The platform has already attracted over 10,000 developers and competes with global players like Bubble and Webflow.

14. Offgrid Energy Labs Bets on Non-Lithium Future with $15 Million

Offgrid Energy Labs’ $15 million round, led by Archean Chemical, shines a spotlight on alternative battery technologies. With global lithium supply challenges and costs rising, non-lithium innovations offer India strategic advantages. 

The investment signals a maturing clean-energy market, where investors are backing companies with the potential to reshape supply chains and make EV adoption more sustainable.

15. Xbattery Raises $2.3 Million to Strengthen EV Infrastructure

Xbattery’s $2.3 million seed round, led by Bipin Patel Family Office, underlines rising attention on battery management systems. With EV adoption expanding, efficient energy storage and monitoring solutions are critical. 

This investment demonstrates how capital is shifting toward enabling technologies, supporting infrastructure that strengthens the entire mobility ecosystem rather than just end-product manufacturers.

16. Vedantu Stays Afloat with $11 Million Top-Up

Vedantu has secured $11 million from existing investors, including Accel and Omidyar Network India. The move comes as the edtech sector adjusts after a period of over-expansion and consolidation. 

By backing the company again, investors are showing continued faith in hybrid learning models, highlighting that long-term prospects for digital education remain intact despite short-term turbulence.

17. Pascal AI Labs Raises $3.1 Million for AI Solutions

Pascal AI Labs secured $3.1 million in seed funding to develop specialized AI models for healthcare diagnostics and drug discovery applications. The Bengaluru-based startup focuses on computer vision algorithms that can detect anomalies in medical imaging with 95% accuracy. 

Pascal AI targets partnerships with hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, competing with established players like PathAI and Zebra Medical Vision.

18. Amaani Beauty Startup Secures $3 Million Seed

Amaani raised $3 million in seed funding to launch its halal-certified beauty and skincare products targeting Muslim consumers across India and the Middle East. 

The Mumbai-based startup plans to establish manufacturing facilities and expand its product line beyond cosmetics into personal care. 

Amaani addresses the underserved halal beauty market worth $52 billion globally, competing with international brands like Wardah and Iba.

19. Equilibrium Climatetech Secures $3 Million

Equilibrium closed $3 million in seed funding to develop carbon capture technology for industrial manufacturing plants across India. 

The Bengaluru-based climatetech startup has developed proprietary solutions that reduce industrial emissions by 40% while generating carbon credits for clients. 

Equilibrium targets partnerships with cement and steel manufacturers, positioning itself in India's growing $2.5 billion carbon management market alongside competitors like CarbonCure and Climeworks.

20. BeyondSquare IT Startup Raises $4 Million

BeyondSquare closed $4 million in Series A funding to scale its IT infrastructure management platform targeting mid-market enterprises. The Pune-based startup automates server monitoring and cloud migration services for companies transitioning to hybrid work models. 

BeyondSquare has signed 150+ enterprise clients, including manufacturing and healthcare companies, competing with established players like ServiceNow and BMC Software.

India’s startup ecosystem continues to prove its strength, with funding flowing steadily across sectors from clean energy to healthtech and mobility. 

Mega-rounds, strategic debt infusions, and diversified sector participation highlight both opportunity and evolving investor priorities. 

For founders, staying updated on these shifts is essential to align growth strategies with where capital and confidence are moving.

At S45 Club, the focus is on walking beside founders, offering not just funding but the expertise needed to scale responsibly. The approach emphasizes steady growth, legacy-building, and meaningful innovation.

What we offer:

• Capital + Expertise: Financial support backed by seasoned strategic guidance.
• Sustainable Growth: Encouraging measured expansion over unsustainable scaling.
• Innovation with Legacy: Supporting businesses that blend future-focused ideas with enduring value.
• Trusted Partnerships: Prioritizing transparency and trust as the foundation of collaboration.
• Founder Community: Building networks where entrepreneurs learn, share, and rise together.
• Steady Summits: Helping businesses climb step by step toward consistent, long-term success.
• Strategic Pathways: Guiding founders through market shifts with bespoke roadmaps.

Join our community today to build with purpose, grow with confidence, and shape a lasting legacy.