TICE Dispatch: India FY25 Growth Forecast, Startups & Finance Updates

TICE, India’s premier startup, entrepreneurship, and business & economy news platform, brings you the latest developments shaping the nation’s innovation ecosystem. Today’s dispatch highlights India’s economic momentum, clean tech funding, MSME finance, edtech launches, D2C growth, deep-tech innovation, and key leadership appointments driving a future-ready economy.

World Bank Upgrades India’s FY25 Growth Forecast to 6.5%

The World Bank has revised India’s FY25 GDP growth forecast to 6.5%, up from 6.3%, reaffirming India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy globally. Strong domestic consumption, resilient investment, and rural income recovery underpin the upward revision, even as global headwinds persist.

Key Highlights – South Asia Development Update (Oct 2025):

• Q1 FY25 Growth: 7.8% YoY in April–June 2025, led by private consumption, infrastructure spending, and investment activity.
• Policy Support: RBI’s 100 bps rate cut in 2025; inflation steady at 2.1% in August.
• Structural Reforms: Simplified GST compliance and large-scale public infrastructure projects boost business confidence.
• Trade Challenges: Higher US tariffs on exports may weigh on FY26–27 growth, revised to 6.3%.

AI, Trade & Technology Driving Productivity

The report highlights AI adoption, digital transformation, and trade openness as key drivers for productivity, investment, and inclusive job creation. AI-skilled professionals earn ~30% higher wages, stressing the need for workforce upskilling.

Rural Recovery & Consumption Momentum

Rising agricultural output and rural wages reinforce consumption-led growth, keeping India’s economy resilient amid global uncertainty.

South Asia Context

• Region-wide Growth: 6.6% in 2025, moderating to 5.8% in 2026.
• Country Projections: Bangladesh 6.3%, Bhutan 7.3%, Maldives 3.9%, Nepal 2.1%, Sri Lanka 3.5%.

World Bank Commentary:

“India is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, supported by continued strength in consumption growth, improved agricultural output, and policy stability.” — Johannes Zutt, World Bank VP for South Asia

Investor Takeaway: Robust domestic demand, policy reforms, and technological adoption position India as a global investment hotspot, particularly in renewables, clean tech, MSME finance, edtech, and D2C sectors.

EcoEx Raises USD $4 Million to Power Clean Tech Expansion

EcoEx, a leading clean technology and waste management platform, has secured USD $4 million in a strategic funding round led by Dovetail Global Fund PCC, Navbharat Investment Fund, and Narnolia Velox Fund, with participation from global and domestic investors ahead of IPO preparation.

The funding will strengthen EcoEx’s tech platform, talent acquisition, and Clean Tech solutions, particularly scaling its Waste Commodity App, India’s first mobile platform for fully traceable, compliant digital waste trade.

Founder & Director Nimit Aggarwal said the company is “on track to cross USD $20 million in transaction value in FY 25–26,” transforming waste into a “climate and economic opportunity.”

With over 3,000 recyclers onboarded and 1 million metric tonnes of EPR credits facilitated, EcoEx has emerged as a market leader in Plastic Waste Credit and EPR services, combining traceability, compliance, and profitability for a circular economy.

Satin Finserv Raises INR 60 Crores via NCDs to Boost MSME & Green Finance

Satin Finserv Limited (SFL), the MSME-focused arm of Satin Creditcare Network Limited (SCNL), has raised ₹60 crores through listed, secured Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs), issued in two tranches of ₹30 crores each.

Rated A- (Stable) by ICRA, the issuance underscores investor confidence in SFL’s strong fundamentals. The funds will expand MSME lending and Green Finance initiatives, strengthening financial inclusion across 11 states.

Dr. H.P. Singh, CMD of SCNL, said: “This issuance highlights the trust placed in our growth story by marquee lenders and our commitment to inclusive, sustainable finance.”

IPO-Bound Imarticus Learning Launches ISFB – India’s First School of Finance & Business

Imarticus Learning, a leader in professional education, has launched the Imarticus School of Finance & Business (ISFB) — India’s first institution dedicated to practical, industry-aligned finance education.

With its R.E.A.L. pedagogy (Reflect, Experience, Apply, Learn), ISFB integrates classroom rigor, real-world simulations, and global immersions (in collaboration with SP Jain Global and IIM Visakhapatnam).

Led by Joy Parekh (CEO) and guided by an advisory council chaired by Nikhil Barshikar and Ajay Srinivasan, ISFB partners with Ambit, Motilal Oswal, and Cognizant to ensure job-ready graduates.

StartFresh Backs Trozo to Reimagine Deep-Tech Consumer Engagement

StartFresh Ventures, a new-age deep-tech venture fund, has led the Seed round in Trozo, a deep-tech engagement platform founded by Pavan Govindan, Janardhan J.V., and Dilip Adiga.

Trozo helps F&B, retail, and D2C brands build data-driven customer relationships and direct consumer intelligencebeyond transactional platforms.

“Trozo is solving one of the most urgent problems for brands — the lack of customer insights,” said BM Manjunath, Founder, StartFresh.

The platform plans to onboard 100+ brands and reach 100,000 users across India and the Middle East within three months.

DecorTwist Raises $200K in Bridge Pre-Series A Round to Scale Home Décor Offerings

D2C home décor brand DecorTwist has raised $200,000 in a Bridge Pre-Series A round led by investor Tejas Paresh Lodaya.

The funding will expand inventory, launch new products, and enable entry into quick commerce platforms.

Founded by Anupam Rajey in 2022, DecorTwist has generated ₹12.5 crore+ revenue and served 100K+ customers via Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.

“Our goal is to make design accessible, sustainable, and timeless — every Indian home deserves that,” said Rajey.

Entrepreneur Ragini Das Appointed Head of Startups at Google India

Ragini Das, co-founder of leap.club, has been appointed Head of Startups at Google India, where she will lead programs empowering Indian founders with access to mentorship, tools, and capital.

With 12+ years of experience at Zomato, Trident Group, and leap.club, Ragini has scaled consumer-tech ventures and championed women’s leadership.

Calling it a “full-circle moment,” she shared that Google had once rejected her in 2013 — now, she leads its startup initiatives.

Her appointment reinforces Google’s commitment to strengthening India’s startup ecosystem and inclusivity through Google for Startups.

TVS Capital Funds Announces Leadership Promotions in Investment and Finance

TVS Capital Funds has promoted Suraj Majee and Ravi Krishnan to Principal, recognizing their leadership in investment strategy and financial operations.

• Suraj Majee, promoted from VP to Principal in Investments, has shaped TVS Capital’s strategy in financial services since 2016.
• Ravi Krishnan, elevated from VP to Principal in Finance, has strengthened governance, fund finance, and compliance frameworks.

Krishna Ramachandran, Managing Partner, stated: “Their promotions reflect our commitment to nurturing internal talent who embody our values and help build enduring businesses.”

Parag Parikh Appointed CEO of GPSR Arya & Group CFO of GPS Renewables

GPS Renewables (GPSR), a full-stack renewable oil & gas company, has appointed Parag Arvind Parikh as CEO of GPSR Arya and Group CFO of GPS Renewables.

With 25+ years in infrastructure and energy (ex-Adani Total Gas, GMR, Gammon), Parag will lead GPSR Arya’s project development and financial strategy.

CEO & Co-founder Mainak Chakraborty welcomed him, stating: “Parag’s experience will accelerate our growth as we scale into bioLNG, Green Methanol, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).”

GPSR currently manages 30+ biogas projects and has partnerships with IOCL and BPCL, positioning it at the forefront of India’s renewable energy transition.

India’s Innovation and Economic Momentum

From clean tech, MSME finance, edtech, renewable energy, deep-tech, D2C growth, leadership appointments, to robust macroeconomic forecasts, India continues to demonstrate innovation-driven growth and economic resilience. Strategic investments, emerging technologies, and inclusive policy frameworks position the country as a global engine for sustainable growth and entrepreneurship.