Arctus Aerospace Prepares $3M Launchpad to Elevate Earth-Observation Drones

Deep-tech startup Arctus Aerospace is preparing to raise between $2.4 million and $3 million in a pre‑seed round led by an overseas VC, with South Park Commons and gradCapital also participating. The pre‑revenue company will channel funds into product development of AI-powered UAVs that deliver Earth‑observation imagery data for sectors like agriculture, mapping, and industrial monitoring.

Vutto Accelerates: Snags $7M to Supercharge Pre-Owned Two-Wheeler Platform

Bengaluru- and Delhi-based pre‑owned two-wheeler startup Vutto raised $7 million in a Series A round led by RTP Global, with continued support from Blume Ventures. Founded in 2024, Vutto offers refurbished bikes supported by warranties, servicing, and paperwork assistance. The funding will enhance supply, refurbishment capacity, customer experience, and expansion beyond Delhi NCR.

Groww Gets SEBI Go-Ahead for Mega IPO: Eyes $1B Raise at $7–8B Valuation

Fintech unicorn Groww, operating under Billionbrains Garage Ventures, has received SEBI approval for its much-anticipated IPO, expected to raise between $800 million and $1 billion, valuing the company at $7–8 billion. The IPO will include both fresh capital and an Offer-for-Sale, positioning Groww for expansion into public markets.

Elevation Capital Unveils $400M Late-Stage Fund to Support IPO-Ready Startups

Elevation Capital has launched a $400 million late-stage fund—Elevation Holdings—to back 10–15 tech-driven startups in consumer and financial services nearing IPO. With cheque sizes ranging from $20–50 million, the fund emphasizes long-term investment and will hold post-listing. This marks a strategic shift from the firm’s early-stage focus amid tightening growth capital.

TransBnk's $25M Fuel: Building a Global API Pipeline for Corporate Banking

Mumbai-based API banking infrastructure startup TransBnk has secured $25 million in its Series B round, led by Bessemer Venture Partners with support from Arkam Ventures, Fundamentum Partnership, and existing backers. The funding will accelerate international expansion—targeting Southeast Asia and the Middle East—and bolster its technology and product development. TransBnk connects fintechs and corporates with over 40 banks via a unified API interface.

Cumin Co Cooks Up $1.5M to Reinvent Toxin-Free Kitchenware

Health-first kitchenware startup Cumin Co has raised $1.5 million (~₹13.16 crore) in its first institutional round led by Fireside Ventures, with support from Huddle Ventures. The funds will back R&D, enamel-based manufacturing, supply chain scaling, and D2C expansion. Founded by ISB Hyderabad alumni in early 2025, the brand boasts patent-backed toxin-free cookware and aims to reach over 100,000 homes within a year.

Veranda Learning’s Promoter Trim Spurs Institutional Entry from Goldman and Authum

Promoters of edtech company Veranda Learning sold approximately 22 lakh shares each—about 17% of their collective stake—raising around ₹152 crore (~$18 million) at ₹230 apiece. Institutional buyers stepped in: Authum Investment & Infrastructure acquired 58 lakh shares for ₹133.5 crore, while Goldman Sachs (Singapore) took 7.6 lakh shares worth ₹17.5 crore. Veranda posted Q1 FY26 revenue of ₹139 crore and a ₹6 crore profit.

Capacity Built: Delhi Unveils ₹200 Crore VC Fund to Launch 5,000 Startups by 2035

The Delhi government’s draft Startup Policy 2025 proposes a ₹200 crore Delhi Startup Venture Capital Fund to back early-stage startups via equity and structured debt, with private co‑investment inviting. The initiative aims to establish 5,000 ventures by 2035, alongside incentives like lease, IP, exhibition reimbursements, and ₹2 lakh monthly operational grants. The policy is open for feedback until September 3.

Harajuku Tokyo Café Cooks Up ₹19 Cr Seed Fund to Fuel Nationwide Expansion

Japanese-themed QSR and casual dining chain Harajuku Tokyo Café has raised ₹19 crore (around $2 million) in its seed funding round. The capital—led by Indian Angel Network with participation from Samved VC, LetsVenture, and Capitar Ventures—will support aggressive growth: scaling from seven outlets today to 90 across 20 cities by 2027, while targeting ₹200 crore in revenue.

Matiks Powers Up: $3.14M Fuel to Expand Math‑Gaming Reach

Matiks, the Bengaluru‑based mobile gaming startup, has secured $3.14 million in a pre‑Series A round led by Tanglin Ventures, alongside Info Edge Ventures, Aman Gupta (boAt), Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, and others. The funds will support team expansion, marketing, broader product development, and entry into new markets. Founded in September 2024, Matiks blends math practice with interactive challenges to boost engagement.