Swadesi Startups Speaks

India’s Startup Revolution: From Space Tech to AI, Women-Led Ventures & the VC Boom Powering Atmanirbhar Bharat

Bessemer closed a $350M India fund to back AI, SaaS, and fintech startups. Digantara’s SCOT satellite started tracking space debris. India recognized 1.61 lakh startups, with Maharashtra leading. Change Engine launched a $5M AI accelerator. ADIF urged quick approval of the Digital Competition Bill to curb tech monopolies. India ranked second in women-led startup funding at $26.4B. Sola raised $30M for a self-serve cybersecurity platform, highlighting India’s growing innovation and investment trends.
Reference:    https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

Mercedes-Benz India & DPIIT Join Forces for Startups & Road Safety

India’s VC funding hit $13.7B in 2024, with fintech and SaaS leading. China’s local startup policies offer insights for India. Aspiring founders can access 10 free IIT courses via Startup India. ElevenLabs sees India as its top market for AI voice tech. Key government schemes like Startup India, MUDRA, and PLI drive entrepreneurship. DPIIT and Mercedes-Benz India signed an MoU to support startups. Green sectors and policy reforms are fueling India’s startup growth.
Reference:     https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

Reverse Flipping: Why Startups Are Moving Back to India

India’s startup landscape is booming with AI, IT, space, and fintech opportunities. Founder salaries dropped 25% in FY24 due to funding slowdowns, while space startups get a $100M boost. Fusion energy startups like Pranos Fusion push for nuclear innovation. The "reverse flipping" trend sees 70+ startups relocating back to India. Paytm and the government drive fintech growth, while AI cybersecurity startup Knostic secures $11M to protect AI tools. India’s startup story is evolving fast!
Reference:    https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

India’s $5 Trillion Startup Dream: Fintech, AI Brain Drain & The Road to Global Domination

India’s startup ecosystem is evolving with KIT Global’s AI-driven scaling platform, Paytm-DPIIT’s fintech collaboration, and ₹30 crore in funding from Startup Maha Rathi. While Tier 2 & 3 cities emerge as startup hubs, AI firms struggle and move abroad. India’s silver economy grows, but affordability remains an issue. With 280 unicorns expected by 2030, India needs 100,000 fintech startups to drive financial inclusion and fulfill its $5 trillion GDP dream.
Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

"India’s Startup Evolution: Funding Shifts, AI Bets & the Road Ahead"

Indian startups raised $1.65B in Feb 2025, with AI funding surging 52% YoY. VC firms back AI-driven automation, while PwC India launches an accelerator for emerging tech startups. PM Modi’s France visit secures AI, nuclear energy, and startup collaborations. Women entrepreneurs lead credit growth, and Harvard’s India Conference awards top startups. With IPOs slowing, PE firms drive late-stage funding, but early-stage startups face investor caution. The funding game is changing—are startups ready?
Reference:  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

**"India’s Startup Resurgence: PE-VC Boom, Global UPI Expansion & AI’s Next Big Bet!"**

India’s PE-VC funding surged to $1.1B in Jan-Feb, showing strong investor confidence. UPI is rolling out in Qatar, boosting fintech ties. Unicorn founders are diluting stakes as the ecosystem matures. Pre-seed startups get a ₹100 crore boost with AJVC, while Together Fund targets $150M for AI startups. Indian startups are leveraging open-source AI models to compete globally. With Qatar committing $10B to India, startup collaborations are set to rise!
Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

Indian Startups Eye Global Expansion with SEPC

Late-stage startup funding in India has fallen to near 2016 levels. India aims to build its own AI models but faces data and funding challenges. The Indian Embassy in Egypt hosts Know & Connect to boost startup ties. SEPC explores global expansion for Indian startups. BMU launches the Singapore India Startup Corridor at Propel Pitchfest25. The Indian ambassador at Web Summit Qatar highlights India-Qatar startup synergies. India’s startup ecosystem is evolving—are we ready for global dominance?
Reference:  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

AI & ML Startups: Is India Falling Behind or Gearing Up?

IIM-V launches India’s first student-run VC fund, giving students real-world investment experience. AI/ML startups face fluctuating funding, but early-stage deals are rising. PM Modi praises India’s booming space sector and startup ecosystem. Chalo Mobility is transforming public transport from Goa. Groq CEO urges India to fine-tune AI models instead of building from scratch. Meanwhile, crypto scams surge, Binance Pay hits $72.4B in transactions, and Russia tackles illegal crypto mining.
Reference:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

Startup Policy Reforms: What Founders Need to Know

In this episode, DPIIT partners with SPF to align policies with startup needs. India’s space ambitions get a boost with a ₹5B fund for startups and private SSLV production. KPMG’s framework highlights MSMEs' role in defense innovation. The push for self-reliance strengthens funding for space and defense startups. We also spotlight India's top bootstrapped companies like Serum Institute, Zoho, and Zerodha, showcasing entrepreneurial success without external funding.
Reference:  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/

India’s Startup Boom: AI, Fintech & Green Energy Take Charge

India’s startup ecosystem is evolving with major reforms and innovations. The abolition of angel tax will boost investments, while fintech firms can leverage the ₹20,000 crore R&D fund for AI and blockchain. India’s AI mission ensures local infrastructure growth, but only 3% of startups focus on foundational AI. T-Hub’s MoU with Brazil’s Goias Hub fosters global collaboration. Meanwhile, renewable energy startups like Ecozen and Lohum drive India’s green economy forward.
Reference:  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7126277231521239040/