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Source: Startup

Shark Tank Fame Medial Shuts Down Amid Mounting Cash Crunch

Business • via Startup • Lokesh Choudhary

"Medial, a startup-focused social networking platform founded in 2023, is shutting down operations. CEO Niket Raj Dwivedi announced the decision following a cash crunch and failure to secure fresh funding or a sustainable monetization model. Despite reaching over 500,000 users across 30 countries and receiving backing from OG Capital and Ritesh Agarwal, the platform struggled to survive in a challenging market for Indian social networking startups.".

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Source: Startup

Claude Rolls Out India Pricing As Anthropic Bets Big On Its Second-Largest Market

Business • via Startup • Lokesh Choudhary

"Anthropic has launched rupee-denominated pricing for its AI chatbot Claude in India, its second-largest global market. The Pro plan starts at ₹2,000 monthly when billed annually, while the Max plan begins at ₹11,999. This move aims to reduce payment friction and attract more paying users, following similar strategies by OpenAI. Anthropic is further expanding its local presence with a new office in Bengaluru.".

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Elevation Capital launches $500M fund with focus on Indian AI startups

Startups

Elevation Capital has launched a $500 million fund, Fund IX, specifically targeting early-stage AI startups in India. Focusing on Seed and Series A investments, the firm aims to support Indian founders in creating global category leaders. Citing India's massive online population and high AI adoption rates, Elevation Capital believes the region is uniquely positioned to innovate in healthcare, education, and financial services for a global market.

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Source: Startup

Singapore HC Rejects Byju Raveendran’s Plea To Halt Six-Month Jail Sentence

Business • via Startup • Shrishti Bisht

"The Singapore High Court has rejected BYJU’S cofounder Byju Raveendran’s attempt to stop a six-month jail sentence for contempt. The ruling follows his failure to comply with court orders to disclose assets, a case initiated by the Qatar Investment Authority. While Raveendran is currently outside Singapore, the sentence remains active. This legal setback adds to the edtech founder's ongoing insolvency and financial disputes across India and the US.".

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Source: Startup

CCI Fines HP India ₹140 Cr For Rigging Tenders On GeM Portal

Business • via Startup • Gaurav Bagur

"The Competition Commission of India fined HP India ₹138.9 crore for anti-competitive practices and cartelisation on the Government e-Marketplace platform. HP was found dictating bid prices and coordinating cover bids for personal computer systems and printing supplies. While five resellers also faced penalties, HP received a reduced fine for voluntarily self-reporting its illegal activities. The regulator ordered all parties to cease these practices and undergo compliance training.".

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Source: Startup

Temasek Offloads Lenskart 3.56 Cr Shares In Multiple Tranches

Business • via Startup • Anne Florentyna

Singapore-based Temasek Holdings has sold a 2.05% stake in omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart through multiple open-market transactions. The sale of 3.56 crore shares is valued at approximately ₹1,937.3 crore, reducing its subsidiary MacRitchie’s stake to 4.71%. This divestment follows similar moves by other backers like SoftBank and ADIA. Despite a 7.5% dip in Q4 FY26 net profit, Lenskart reported a 46% increase in operating revenue.

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BSNL launches satellite phone service in India: How it works

Startups

BSNL is offering a rugged satellite phone service, likely using the IsatPhone 2, priced at ₹1,34,166. Designed for remote areas and disaster zones, the device bypasses mobile towers by connecting directly to satellites. It supports encrypted voice calls, SMS, and GPS tracking for professionals in defence, mining, and emergency response. Users must obtain Department of Telecommunications approval and pay monthly service fees for this niche communication tool.

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Source: Startup

IPO-Bound Zepto Eyes Premium Grocery Segment To Take On Blinkit, Instamart

Business • via Startup • Shrishti Bisht

Zepto is preparing to launch "Select," a premium grocery service featuring imported and gourmet products via a dedicated in-app tab. This strategic move aims to attract wealthier consumers and increase average order values ahead of the company's planned IPO later this year. Zepto intends to use IPO proceeds to expand its dark store network and infrastructure, competing with rivals like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart in the premium market.

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Source: Tech Crunch

Pinwheel launches a retro-inspired landline phone for kids

Startups

Pinwheel has launched Pinwheel Home, a Wi-Fi-enabled landline designed for children ages 5 to 10. Aiming to reduce screen time and social media distractions, the device focuses solely on voice calls. Parents can manage contacts and schedules via a dedicated portal. Available in Spark and Classic models starting at $68, the phone offers a screen-free alternative to smartphones, with calling plans starting at $6.99 monthly.

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Why supply chains will power India’s next wave of MSME exporters

Startups

At MSME Sparks 2026, Hexalog CEO Dibyanshu Tripathi emphasized that reliable logistics are crucial for Indian MSMEs scaling globally. While these businesses contribute 45% of India's exports, they often struggle with customs and compliance. Tripathi argued that technology must bridge information and access gaps to ensure consistent delivery. He advised first-time exporters to focus on single markets and carefully plan for international costs and regulatory risks.

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IRCTC doesn't run a single train, and still earns crore-level profits every quarter

Startups

IRCTC dominates India's railway booking market, controlling 89% of reserved tickets. While catering generates the highest revenue, the digital ticketing platform provides superior profit margins due to low operational costs. By acting as a commercial gateway, IRCTC leverages its ticketing ecosystem to sell ancillary services. In FY2025-26, the company reported ₹5,215 crore in revenue and ₹1,393 crore in profit, capitalizing on its strategic position.

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Source: Startup

Avendus Eyes Final Close Of Future Leaders Fund III At ₹1,800 Cr By July-End

Business • via Startup • Shrishti Bisht

Avendus will finalize the close of its Future Leaders Fund III at approximately ₹1,800 crore by the end of July. Targeting late-stage companies nearing IPOs, the fund has deployed 30% of its capital, including a ₹140 crore investment in Parag Parikh Financial Advisory Services. Avendus plans to back five to six additional firms next year, reflecting strong investor appetite for mature Indian startups with clear liquidity paths.

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Why some years change your life and others simply disappear

Startups

The essay explores the distinction between the duration of one's life and the quality of the experiences within it. Referencing a quote by Edward J. Stieglitz, the author argues that many people live on autopilot, repeating routines without growth. To avoid a blurry existence, individuals should prioritize intentionality, meaningful risks, and personal development, as the content of one's years is more controllable than their length.

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How Banofi is turning banana waste into India's answer to leather

Startups

Banofi, a climate-tech startup founded by Jinali Mody, converts banana stem waste into a sustainable leather alternative. Based in India, the company reduces water and carbon emissions significantly compared to traditional leather while providing new income streams for small-scale farmers. After winning the $1 million Hult Prize and a UN award, Banofi has piloted its material with over 150 brands, including a grant from Mercedes-Benz.

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When data speaks your language: How Gemini Enterprise is helping businesses move faster

Startups

At the MSME Sparks 2026 finale in Bengaluru, Google Cloud's Nikhila Gudipati highlighted how Gemini Enterprise addresses the "toggle tax" caused by siloed business applications. By utilizing AI agents to automate routine workflows and data analysis, businesses can focus on strategic decisions. Gudipati advised MSMEs to begin with low-stakes, reversible tasks, emphasizing that security remains a primary differentiator for the platform's enterprise AI offerings.

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How Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise is helping MSMEs build AI agents without writing code

Startups

Google Cloud's Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience enables MSMEs to build intelligent, no-code AI agents in under an hour. These agents automate customer queries, order tracking, and lead qualification, allowing lean teams to deliver enterprise-grade support. By removing technical and financial barriers, the platform democratizes AI, helping smaller businesses improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction while competing more effectively with larger enterprises through rapid, visual configuration.

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Source: Startup

Elevation Capital Launches Fund IX With $500 Mn Corpus To Back AI-Led Startups

Business • via Startup • Anjali Jain

"Elevation Capital has launched Fund IX with a $500 million target corpus to invest in early-stage Indian startups. Focusing on seed and Series A rounds, the fund targets sectors like consumer tech, fintech, and healthcare, with a strong emphasis on AI-first products. This initiative complements the firm's $400 million late-stage fund, enabling Elevation Capital to support startups from their inception through to the pre-IPO phase.".

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Source: Startup

Centre Asks Sarvam AI, BharatGen To Develop Mythos-Like Cyber AI Models

Business • via Startup • Shrishti Bisht

"The Indian government has tasked Sarvam AI and BharatGen with developing advanced cybersecurity capabilities similar to Anthropic’s Mythos to protect critical infrastructure. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign AI models by creating sovereign, on-premises defenses hosted on isolated compute infrastructure. While CERT-In currently utilizes indigenous and open-source tools, the push for domestic capabilities responds to rising cyberattacks and faster vulnerability exploitation.".

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Avendus Future Leaders Fund III invests Rs 140 Cr in PPFAS, eyes Rs 1,800 Cr final close

Startups

Avendus Future Leaders Fund III (FLF) has invested approximately Rs 140 crore in Parag Parikh Financial Advisory Services (PPFAS) through a secondary transaction. PPFAS, an equity-oriented asset management company, manages a flagship fund with Rs 1.43 lakh crore in assets. Meanwhile, FLF is on track to reach a final close of Rs 1,800 crore this month, having already deployed 30% of its capital into market-leading businesses.

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Foam Home celebrates 50 years with Circadia, redefining sleep for India

Startups

Foam Home, a trusted Indian mattress brand celebrating 50 years, has launched Circadia to address India's growing sleep crisis. Moving away from standardized specifications, Circadia focuses on personalized sleep solutions based on individual body types and lifestyles. Developed with Technogel Italy, the collection blends five decades of craftsmanship with global material science, offering an ergonomic approach to restorative sleep and long-term wellbeing for discerning consumers.

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