Startup funding stayed strong in January, with AI and deeptech deals signalling a maturing ecosystem ahead of the Budget.Funding activity continued in full flow for yet another week in January as India’s startup sector looks to be maturing in terms of the kind of ideas that are now getting capital backing.
From AI-powered platforms to deep tech ventures, the country’s innovation agenda shows no signs of stopping despite broader market uncertainties.
ETEntrepreneur brings a roundup of key deals ahead of a much awaited Union Budget.
SpotDraft bags $8 mn in extended Series B from Qualcomm Ventures
Legaltech firm SpotDraft has raised $8 million from Qualcomm Ventures as part of an extension to its Series B funding round. The fresh capital will be used to strengthen the company’s product and artificial intelligence capabilities and to expand its footprint across the US, EMEA, and India.
Founded by Shashank Bijapur and Madhav Bhagat, SpotDraft offers an AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform focused on assisting legal teams to review and manage contracts with enhanced data privacy.
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OneARVO raises ₹12.3 mn pre-seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures
Deep tech startup OneARVO has raised ₹12.3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV).
Founded by Sumit Goswami and Duke Banerjee, the New Delhi-based startup builds supply chain integrity solutions that help brands protect, track and authenticate products using a mix of AI, blockchain and smart product identification technologies.
The company has developed copy-proof codes and AI-based tamper-proof labels aimed at combating counterfeiting and enabling traceability across supply chains.
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Mysa raises $3.4 mn funding led by Blume Ventures and Piper Serica
Fintech startup Mysa has raised $3.4 million in a pre-Series A round led by Blume Ventures and Piper Serica. The round also saw participation from new investors Ikemori Ventures, Raise Financial Services, QED Innovation Labs, and existing investors Antler, IIMA Ventures & Neon Fund.
Founded in 2023, Mysa helps mid-sized companies manage vendors, handle payments, and track expenses across multiple banks and companies such as Dhan, Wint Wealth, Swish and DrinkPrime.
Read the whole story here.
D-Propulse Aerospace raises ₹25 crore from IAN Alpha Fund
D-Propulse Aerospace has raised ₹25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund. The fresh capital will be used to support product development and early testing of the company’s propulsion systems.
The firm is developing a rotating detonation engine-based propulsion systems, a technology that differs from traditional jet engines by eliminating moving parts in the combustion process. According to the company, this enables simpler manufacturing with potential applications across high-speed aerospace platforms.
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Agrani Labs raises $8 mn seed funding led by Peak XV Partners
AI semiconductor startup Agrani Labs has raised $8 million in a seed funding round led by Peak XV Partners, along with participation from several angel investors.
Founded by Dheemanth Nagaraj, Ashok Jagannathan, Sri Nimmagadda and Rajesh Vivekanandham, the startup is building a full-stack AI software stack including frameworks, compilers, libraries and system software to make it easier for companies to adopt newer AI chips.
Read the whole story here.
AI Film Studio TakeTwo bags pre-seed funding at ₹100 crores valuation
TakeTwo, an AI-native film studio, has raised pre-seed funding at a valuation of ₹100 crore from US-based Afore Capital and Canada’s Inovia VC. The total funds raised remain undisclosed. The newly raised capital will be used to strengthen tech capabilities and expand its team of creative technologists.
Founded by Upadhyaya and Raghav Katta, the startup positions itself as a full-stack AI film studio that works directly with directors and production houses to create VFX-based sequences and visual environments.
Read the whole story here.
For Real raises ₹3.2 Cr pre-seed funding from Titan Capital
Online factory outlet marketplace For Real has raised ₹3.2 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Titan Capital. The new funds will be used to build and scale the company’s technology platform and support early user acquisition.
“For Real is India’s first online factory outlet marketplace, built to fundamentally change how brands liquidate inventory and how consumers discover value. We’re building a paradigm shift; a brand-safe channel that separates liquidation from fresh merchandise and cuts the need for brands to hoard unsold inventory for months or dilute their primary channels,” said Anurag Sheth, CEO and co-founder, For Real.
Read the whole story here.
Healthcare startup Nivaan Care raises $7 million in a funding round led by Sorin Investments
Pain management startup Nivaan Care has raised $7 million in a funding round led by early-stage venture firm Sorin Investments.
The round also saw participation by existing investors W Health Ventures, Endiya Partners and Rebright Partners. The startup will use the funds to expand its clinic network across multiple Indian cities, strengthen its clinical and operating infrastructure, and to enhance its minimally invasive pain management procedures.
Read the whole story here.
4baseCare raises ₹90 Cr funding led by Ashish Kacholia, Lashit Sanghvi
Precision oncology startup 4baseCare has raised ₹90 crore in the first close of its Series B funding round, co-led by investors Ashish Kacholia and Lashit Sanghvi, with participation from existing backer Yali Capital.
The Bengaluru-based company plans to use the capital to expand its hospital-linked genomics lab network across India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Central Asia, and to scale its AI-based precision oncology platform, OncoTwin.
Read the whole story here.
The Stack raises ₹5.5 Cr pre-seed funding led by OTP Ventures, Huddle Ventures
Supplements brand The Stack has raised ₹5.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures, with participation from a group of angel investors.
Founded by Shreya Jain and Kshitij Rihal, the startup builds science-backed supplements using clinically studied ingredients and transparent formulations. The company focuses on solving specific health needs such as sleep and gut health.
Read the whole story here.
While cheque sizes remain measured, investor appetite to back firms with clear product differentiation within AI shows continued confidence still remains in the innovation pipeline.
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