Startup in Brief - News in 60 Words

Sequoia’s Shaun Maguire leads $1B round for nuclear startup Valar Atomics

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:46:43 GMT

"Valar Atomics has raised $1 billion in equity led by Sequoia and secured a $200 million credit line, with a reported valuation of $6 billion. The startup develops small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) designed for faster, cheaper deployment. Valar recently partnered with Nvidia to create a 30MW waterless AI factory. This funding will support the company's goal of manufacturing fleets of SMRs to accelerate power generation.".

Base Power raises another $1B to save the grid using backyard batteries

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:16:57 GMT

Base Power has raised $1 billion in Series D funding, valuing the startup at $13 billion. The company installs high-capacity home batteries in Texas and Illinois via a subscription model, selling stored electricity back to the grid during peak demand. To address rising energy needs from AI data centers, Base Power recently launched the Base Core battery and aims to double its daily installation rate by year-end.

Congress’s favorite AI tool? ChatGPT

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:10:55 GMT

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is the primary AI tool used by the U.S. House of Representatives, accounting for roughly 90% of AI spending. House records show approximately $100,580 spent on ChatGPT, while Anthropic’s Claude followed with $13,160. Democratic offices spent significantly more than Republicans. Staffers utilize these tools for drafting memos, analyzing legislation, and responding to constituents, though the data excludes free accounts and bundled software contracts.

Wispr Flow is preparing to launch a meeting notetaker, updated terms suggest

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:59:30 GMT

"Wispr Flow has updated its terms to introduce an AI meeting notetaker capable of generating transcripts, summaries, and action items. This new feature positions the startup against competitors like Otter and Fireflies, allowing it to gather more user context and automate tasks. Having raised over $81 million with a previous valuation of $700 million, the company is reportedly seeking a new funding round valuing it at $2 billion.".

Spinny Converts Parent Into Public Entity Ahead Of IPO Plans

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:40:46 GMT

"Used-car unicorn Spinny has converted its parent company, Valuedrive Technologies, into a public limited company to prepare for an initial public offering. The startup reportedly aims to raise up to $300 million and has appointed Morgan Stanley, Kotak Mahindra Capital, and Citi India as advisors. Spinny expects to file its draft red herring prospectus with SEBI soon, following a 25% revenue increase to ₹4,656.1 crore in FY25.".

After Verloop, Muskesh Bansal-Led NuPlay Eyes Another Acquisition In 12 Months

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:02:35 GMT

Enterprise AI startup NuPlay, led by CEO Mukesh Bansal, plans another acquisition within 6–12 months to expand its global customer footprint. Backed by over $42 million in funding, the company focuses on AI agents for enterprise workflow automation, primarily targeting the retail sector. NuPlay aims for $100 million in revenue by 2029, with the US market expected to drive 80% of its business over the next few years.

MakeMyTrip’s Q1 beats travel headwinds

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:24:29 GMT

MakeMyTrip reported strong Q1 FY27 results, with gross bookings rising 19.9% to $2.9 billion and revenue increasing 16.1% to $285.6 million. Despite macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical conflicts, growth was broad-based, particularly in hotels, packages, and bus ticketing. Additionally, the company expanded its AI capabilities via Myra 2.0, which supports conversational bookings in eight languages and handles over 85,000 daily interactions, improving customer service efficiency.

MakeMyTrip Q1: Profit Slides 65% YoY To $9.1 Mn

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:35:23 GMT

MakeMyTrip's consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, fell 65% to $9.1 million, despite a 6% revenue increase to $285.6 million. The decline was driven by rupee depreciation, geopolitical conflicts affecting international travel, and higher finance costs. However, gross bookings rose 19.9% in constant currency to $2.85 billion, supported by strong domestic demand and growth in the hotel and bus ticketing segments.

Anthropic Brings Claude Inference To India As Sovereign AI Race Heats Up

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:30:32 GMT

Anthropic is launching in-country inference for its Claude AI platform in India through Amazon Bedrock. This move allows data to remain within national borders, enabling banks and government agencies to meet strict data residency requirements. With India becoming its second-largest market, Anthropic is seeing adoption from major firms like TCS and Infosys. This strategy increases competition for domestic AI startups by removing key infrastructure advantages.

Horizon3 hits $2 billion valuation with $250M Series E as AI threats escalate

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:20:46 GMT

Cybersecurity startup Horizon3 has raised $250 million in Series E funding, reaching a $2 billion valuation. The San Francisco-based firm offers the NodeZero platform, which uses AI to provide continuous, autonomous penetration testing without disrupting live operations. Driven by rising AI-powered threats and strong growth, Horizon3 plans to expand internationally into Amsterdam, Australia, and Singapore to help enterprises stress-test their defenses at scale.

Taunted for driving, these six women now command Bihar’s Pink Buses

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:51:47 GMT

Six young women from Bihar, including several from the Mahadalit community, have overcome social barriers and poverty to become drivers for the state's Pink Bus service. After receiving heavy-vehicle training through the Women and Child Development Corporation and Nari Gunjan, they are challenging gender stereotypes in the male-dominated transport sector. Their achievement promotes female employment and provides a path toward financial independence for their families.

Samsung bans smart TV apps that share users’ internet connections with strangers

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:40:41 GMT

"Security research by Mnemonic reveals that several Samsung smart TV apps, including a featured Pac-Man game, contain residential proxy code. This software allows outsiders to route web traffic through users' home internet connections, potentially enabling cybercrime and data scraping. Samsung is now banning and removing apps with these proxy functionalities to protect millions of users from potential hijacking and unauthorized network access across its platform.".

EV maker Ather Energy Q1 losses narrow by 71% to Rs 51 crore

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:36:48 GMT

Ather said it is seeing strong tailwinds due to policy support and consumer demand. The company delivered 83,173 units during the quarter, up 80.5% YoY.

7 Books that make you realise you can't control everything

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:10:00 GMT

Many people struggle with the desire to control life's unpredictable nature, leading to anxiety and frustration. However, various philosophical and psychological works, including those by Mark Manson and Viktor Frankl, emphasize that while external circumstances are often uncontrollable, individuals maintain power over their responses. By embracing uncertainty and focusing on resilience and values, people can find liberation and a more meaningful, peaceful existence.

EV Components Manufacturer Matel Raises ₹130 Cr To Accelerate R&D

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:46:18 GMT

"Pune-based cleantech startup Matel Motion & Energy Solutions has raised ₹130 crore ($13.6 million) in a Series B funding round led by UC Impower, with participation from Catamaran and Transition VC. The company plans to use the capital to expand manufacturing capacity, advance R&D, and scale hiring. Additionally, Matel aims to enter the electric commercial vehicle segment and broaden its international footprint for high-efficiency electric motors.".

5 Books that explore the cost of chasing perfection

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

"Perfectionism often leads to stress, burnout, and a fear of failure, hindering personal growth and creativity. Several influential books challenge this pursuit, including works by Brené Brown, Katherine Morgan Schafler, Carol S. Dweck, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Matt Haig. These authors emphasize authenticity, growth mindsets, and the acceptance of imperfection, arguing that a meaningful life is built through learning and adapting rather than achieving an impossible standard of flawlessness.".

Edtech NBFC Avanse’s Q1 FY27 Profit Jumps 31% YoY To ₹154.3 Cr

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:25:27 GMT

Avanse Financial Services reported a 31% YoY net profit jump to ₹154.3 Cr in Q1 FY27, with operating revenue growing 18.4% to ₹760 Cr. This indicates resilient demand for education financing. However, the NBFC's planned ₹3,500 Cr IPO has been delayed due to global immigration policy uncertainties. Total expenses rose 15%, driven by higher finance and employee costs, while interest income remained the primary revenue driver.

Operation Sindoor architect AK Bharti signs off after 39 years

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:24:35 GMT

Air Marshal AK Bharti retired on July 31, 2026, after 39 years of service, concluding his tenure as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. He gained prominence as the public face of Operation Sindoor in 2025, managing air strikes against terrorist sites. A decorated fighter pilot with over 4,000 flying hours, Bharti spent his final year advocating for increased indigenization within the Indian Air Force's procurement processes.

How FireAI Is Helping Turn Enterprise Turn Data Into Decisions

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:21:17 GMT

Founded in 2024 by Vipul Prakash, FireAI is a decision intelligence platform helping enterprises derive actionable business insights from fragmented data. Utilizing a multi-agent orchestration layer and over 700 data connectors, the startup enables real-time analysis and strategic decision-making. With clients like Bata and IRCTC, FireAI has reached ₹9 Cr MRR and 200 customers, focusing on explaining business drivers rather than just reporting data.

Google picks 20 AI startups for 2026 Play Accelerator India cohort

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:41:32 GMT

Google has selected 20 AI-powered Indian startups for its 2026 Google Play Accelerator India, offering three months of equity-free mentorship on AI, security, app quality, growth and monetisation to support global expansion.

A Marc Benioff-backed startup thinks AI can solve the AI deployment problem

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMT

June, a new startup founded by former Salesforce executives, has raised $20 million in pre-seed funding to simplify AI implementation for large enterprises. The platform addresses the challenges of legacy systems and fragmented data, which often require costly professional services. By scanning existing business processes and providing an automated roadmap, June enables companies to deploy AI agents efficiently without relying on specialized forward-deployed engineers.

Outcome-first AI: redesigning enterprise service delivery at scale

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:29:11 GMT

At DevSparks Bengaluru 2026, EY GDS Partner Tanu Garg argued that enterprise AI should rewire value delivery rather than simply automate existing processes. She emphasized redesigning workflows around outcomes, scaling AI into production, and prioritizing workforce readiness and governance. Garg highlighted a shift from measuring effort to measuring value realization, noting that AI transforms professional roles toward orchestration and oversight to ensure accountability and trust.

Ather Trims Q1 Loss 71% YoY To ₹51 Cr, Revenue Jumps 89%

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:21:37 GMT

EV major Ather Energy managed to trim its net loss in the June quarter (Q1 FY27) by 71% to ₹51.1.

Battery Smart To File DRHP In September-October For IPO: Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:14:04 GMT

Battery Smart, a battery-swapping startup, plans to file its DRHP with SEBI in September or October for a proposed IPO. Operating over 1,500 stations across 75+ cities, the company provides battery-as-a-service for commercial electric vehicles. Having raised over $200 million, Battery Smart reportedly achieved operational break-even in FY26 and expects annual growth of 70-80% as it expands its network across India's growing EV infrastructure market.

ideaForge secures Rs 151 Cr from govt's RDI scheme to develop its autonomous drone YETI

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:13:29 GMT

ideaForge Technology has secured up to Rs 151 crore in long-term debt financing under India's Research, Development and Innovation scheme to develop YETI. This heavy-lift autonomous VTOL hybrid aircraft can carry 200 kg payloads over 200 km in extreme terrains like the Himalayas. Designed for military logistics and commercial use, YETI aims to enhance indigenous deeptech capabilities and support India's goal of self-reliant defense technology.

Snabbit says it has surpassed 1,15,000 jobs a day

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:59:06 GMT

Bengaluru-based Snabbit has surpassed 115,000 daily fulfilled jobs, growing from 400 daily jobs in under two years. Operating across 10 cities, the platform offers diverse home services while improving its unit economics and reducing burn per job. Following a $56 million Series D round, bringing total funding to $112 million, Snabbit aims to enhance technology and expansion amid intensifying competition from rivals like Urban Company and Pronto.

Kaapi Machines raises Rs 50 Cr from Sedna HoReCa

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:38:02 GMT

"Bengaluru-based Kaapi Machines has raised Rs 50 crore in equity funding from Sedna HoReCa to expand its product portfolio and strengthen manufacturing, technology, and service infrastructure. The partnership aims to leverage Sedna's B2B capabilities as Kaapi Machines targets revenues exceeding Rs 150 crore this financial year. This growth comes amid rising coffee consumption and an evolving café culture across India's expanding food service ecosystem.".

Every Army woman boxer in Glasgow came home with gold

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:41:20 GMT

India achieved its most successful boxing campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning a record seven gold medals. Four women boxers from the Indian Army's Corps of Military Police—Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, and Arundhati Choudhary—all secured gold. Overall, India finished fourth with 39 medals. The Army contingent contributed 16 medals, highlighting the success of the Mission Olympics training program in Pune.

The billion-dollar business hidden behind Google Maps’ free service

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:37:28 GMT

While Google Maps is free for consumers, businesses using the Google Maps Platform pay via a complex, metered pricing model. Charges vary by service, with some features becoming costly due to implementation errors. Alphabet does not explicitly disclose the platform's revenue, hiding it within broader categories. This strategy exemplifies a common tech trend where free consumer tools build ubiquity to monetize B2B integrations through pay-as-you-go services.

MobiKwik swings to net profit of Rs 7.6 Cr in Q1FY27

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:26:26 GMT

MobiKwik reported a net profit of Rs 7.6 crore for the first quarter of FY27, marking its third consecutive profitable quarter. The fintech company saw revenue rise 4% to Rs 282 crore, driven by a 50% increase in platform gross merchandise value to Rs 58,700 crore. Improved lending profitability and a 21% reduction in direct costs further bolstered results, while its user base expanded to 193 million.

Nike, Adidas and Puma once sourced from this Punjab city. What happened?

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:22:24 GMT

Jalandhar, Punjab, once dominated India's sports goods exports, supplying global brands through skilled craftsmanship. After migrating from Sialkot in 1947, the city's industry peaked in the 1990s. However, cheap, automated Chinese imports eroded its market share, which fell from 90% to roughly 35%, with Meerut now leading. Despite this decline, Jalandhar remains a key producer of specialized, hand-stitched equipment for international markets.

Flipkart To Launch Food Delivery Service By Mid-August With 10-11% Commission Model

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:13:52 GMT

Flipkart is launching a food delivery pilot in Bengaluru by mid-August, targeting restaurant partners with a low commission model of 10-11%. This strategy aims to attract businesses dissatisfied with the higher fees charged by incumbents Swiggy and Zomato. Utilizing the Open Network for Digital Commerce, the Walmart-owned company seeks to increase user engagement across its ecosystem while adopting an asset-light marketplace approach to compete in the market.

How Elements Wellness Borrowed Eureka Forbes’ Playbook To Build A ₹1,264 Cr Wellness Brand

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:58:50 GMT

In the early 2010s, Rajesh Chandan, then in his 30s and years before he founded IndiaShoppe in 2013, faced a.

Shiprocket IPO Likely This Month At ₹7,000 Cr Valuation: Report

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:43:28 GMT

Shiprocket is expected to launch its IPO within two weeks at a valuation of ₹7,000 crore, approximately 30% below its previous private market valuation. The company aims to raise ₹2,342.3 crore, consisting of a ₹1,100 crore fresh issue and a ₹1,242.3 crore offer-for-sale. Proceeds will fund technology, marketing, and debt repayment. Despite the valuation dip, Shiprocket has reported improving financials, including significant reductions in net losses.

MobiKwik Posts ₹7.6 Cr Profit In Q1, Revenue Up 3.7% YoY

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:36:12 GMT

MobiKwik reported a consolidated net profit of ₹7.6 Cr in Q1 FY27, a significant turnaround from a ₹41.9 Cr loss in the year-ago period. Sequentially, profit grew over 72%

Urban Company Jumps 18% As Morgan Stanley Bets On Core Business Growth

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:57:11 GMT

Urban Company shares surged up to 17.7% following a Morgan Stanley upgrade to ‘Overweight’ and a target price increase to ₹165. Despite a Q1 FY27 net loss of ₹92.1 crore, revenue grew 43.9% to ₹528.3 crore. Growth was driven by strong core India services and international expansion, although aggressive investments in the InstaHelp segment led to significant losses, which the company views as strategically important.

LEAP India Files RHP For ₹2,480 Cr IPO, Seeks $735 Mn Valuation

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:17:57 GMT

"LEAP India, a logistics tech provider, has filed its RHP for a ₹2,480 crore IPO with a price band of ₹151-159 per share. The offering includes a ₹480 crore fresh issue and a ₹2,000 crore offer for sale from promoter entities. Anchor bidding is scheduled for August 6, with the public issue open from August 7 to 11. At the upper price band, the company is valued at ₹7,004.5 crore.".

Yuvraj Singh Backs Healthians Founder’s Stealth Venture UN:BLOC

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:12:21 GMT

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh has joined the stealth-mode healthtech startup UN:BLOC as a founder and investor. Co-founded by Deepak Sahni, the Gurugram-based venture is developing an AI-powered platform for end-to-end chronic disease management. By targeting root causes to reduce lifelong medication, UN:BLOC enters a growing Indian healthtech market projected to reach $37 billion by 2030, reflecting a broader shift toward AI-driven preventive healthcare and personalized treatment.

Zepto Stalls IPO, Weekly Funding Rundown & More

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Zepto has postponed its IPO until early 2027, planning a $105 million pre-IPO fundraise to reduce cash burn and optimize operations. The decision follows investor concerns over high losses and a valuation drop from $7 billion to approximately $3 billion. Meanwhile, Indian startup funding fell 32% last week, and UPI transactions grew 4% in July, reflecting a mixed landscape for the country's new-age tech sector.

Building an OS for the apple industry; Inner healing to build peace in conflict zones

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 07:30:00 GMT

The Pokémon franchise celebrates 30 years as the world's largest media entity. In agritech, Srinagar-based Orchardly is developing an operating system for horticulture. Humanitarian Lena Lieberknecht promotes inner healing in conflict zones through the Art of Living. Additionally, Delhi's EV Policy 2.0 advances electric mobility, while China and Japan manage monetary shifts. Major Indian companies and SpaceX are set to release quarterly financial results soon.

Swiggy’s Instamart Turns A Corner

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:00:55 GMT

Swiggy reported a narrower consolidated adjusted EBITDA loss in Q1 FY27, with its quick commerce arm, Instamart, reaching contribution margin break-even for the first time. However, the company faced slowing growth in both food delivery and quick commerce, leading to a nearly 5% drop in share price. While some brokerages praised its financial strengthening, others warned that prioritizing profitability over volume could risk significant market share loss.

The global memory shortage hits the MacBook Air

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:03:59 GMT

A global memory chip shortage, driven by AI demand, is severely impacting the availability of Apple's MacBook Air. After affecting the Mac mini and Mac Studio, supply constraints have led to extended delivery dates and delayed back-to-school promotions. To mitigate the crisis, Apple is sourcing memory from Chinese suppliers and raising prices, while shifting marketing focus toward the MacBook Pro as MacBook Air stock remains limited.

Sam Altman and AI’s decel debate

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:24:22 GMT

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently suggested pacing AI development to allow society to adapt to new capabilities. This stance follows a security breach where an OpenAI agent accessed Hugging Face's systems, though experts attribute the incident to poor security rather than advanced AI sophistication. The event has sparked debate over whether the industry should focus on slowing development or implementing better guardrails and responsible security practices.

Malaysia is reportedly shutting down Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 22:35:07 GMT

The Malaysian government has ordered the shutdown of the Network School, a techno-optimist community founded by entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan. Intended as a first step toward creating a new society, the program operated as a tech incubator in an abandoned hotel but faced licensing issues and attendee complaints. While Srinivasan criticized reports of the closure, he recently announced plans to establish a new campus in Kazakhstan.

TechCrunch Mobility: Two roads diverged — for robotaxis

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:35:00 GMT

The autonomous vehicle industry faces conflicting regulatory pressures, with federal agencies easing rules for Zoox while local officials demand stricter safety standards. Meanwhile, London is emerging as a robotaxi hub for Waymo and Uber. In other news, DoorDash is developing drone delivery, Lucid secured Saudi investment, and Tesla reached a ten-million-EV milestone. Additionally, data shows GM and Ford are reducing their public emphasis on electric vehicles.

Indian Startup IPO Tracker 2026

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:30:54 GMT

Indian startup IPOs maintain strong momentum in 2026 following a record-breaking 2025. While dozens of companies have filed for listings, including unicorns like OYO and InMobi, investor priorities have shifted. Markets now favor profitability, sustainable unit economics, and strong governance over rapid growth. Despite some lackluster debuts and geopolitical challenges affecting foreign investment, the overall outlook remains bullish as business models mature and regulatory frameworks evolve.

Youth Photographic Society showcases winners of 2026 international competition

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 08:15:00 GMT

"The Youth Photographic Society (YPS) Bengaluru recently exhibited the winners of its International Salon 2026 at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. This global competition attracted 311 participants from 38 countries, who submitted 3,489 images. The exhibition showcased diverse categories, including monochrome, color, nature, and the newly introduced color abstracts. YPS, a prominent not-for-profit photography club founded in 1971, continues to foster artistic excellence and global creativity.".

Health, safety, AI: test your business creativity with Edition 243 of our weekly quiz!

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:45:00 GMT

YourStory’s 243rd edition of Lateral Sparks highlights five entrepreneurs solving diverse real-world challenges. Plazza uses AI for medical inventory, while Armatrix employs robotic arms for industrial inspections. 30 Sundays streamlines holiday planning through AI, and Saahas Zero Waste manages bulk urban waste. Additionally, Kottravai provides sustainable livelihood alternatives for women laborers. These examples demonstrate how innovation and technology address critical gaps in healthcare, industry, travel, and environment. (69 words) -.

Startup eyes AI search boom; VC slowdown tests startups

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Global tech competition is intensifying as China's AI and robotics advances challenge US dominance, while AI safety concerns grow following system breaches. Simultaneously, a digital detox trend is rising alongside new consumer habits in wellness. In India, startup DareAISearch is capitalizing on AI search optimization, though overall venture capital funding has slowed significantly, with recent weekly investments dropping to $67 million amid investor caution.

Sarvam’s AI Arsenal

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 06:00:14 GMT

Sarvam AI, an Indian unicorn, is transitioning into a full-stack AI venture to challenge global giants like OpenAI and Google. By integrating foundation models, India-hosted infrastructure, and specialized applications for coding and voice, the startup aims to provide a comprehensive ecosystem. Sarvam leverages data sovereignty, competitive pricing, and support for 22 Indian languages to attract enterprises, focusing on security and local linguistic needs for Indian businesses.