Top Startup News: Bold Bets, Talent Crunches, and the Next Big Ideas

The Indian startup ecosystem is buzzing with fresh ideas, bold bets, and ambitious expansion plans. From homegrown apps taking on global giants, to space-tech firms chasing the next frontier, and EV companies struggling to plug talent gaps, Monday’s updates offer a snapshot of the dynamism—and challenges—that define the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Here’s a detailed look at the stories making headlines today, September 29, 2025.

Top Startup News

Zoho’s Arattai Surges in Downloads – But Can It Last?

There’s a new name making noise in India’s crowded messaging app space: Arattai, the instant messaging platform built by Zoho Corporation.

Positioned as a homegrown alternative to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, Arattai comes packed with features—voice and video calls, file sharing, one-to-one and group chats, even “stories” and channels. It’s available across Android, iOS, and desktop platforms, giving it the scale to compete globally.

The buzz is real: downloads are climbing fast. But here’s the challenge—India has seen multiple attempts at “homegrown” messaging apps before, and most struggled to retain users beyond the initial hype. With global giants entrenched in habits and ecosystems, the real question for Arattai is not adoption, but sustained engagement. Can it hold ground, or will it join the list of short-lived challengers?

EV Charging Sector Faces Talent Crunch

India’s ambitious goal of 30% EV penetration by 2030 is driving a gold rush in charging infrastructure. Yet, while demand is surging, the sector faces an invisible roadblock: a shortage of skilled talent.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) estimates India will need between 1–2 lakh engineers, scientists, and technicians to meet its targets. At present, the supply is far below demand, and companies are struggling to hire the right mix of skills.

For startups building EV charging solutions, this isn’t just a hiring headache—it’s a growth bottleneck. Without skilled professionals, scaling infrastructure and maintaining quality could derail India’s EV journey.

Funding Highlights: Capital Flows Across Sectors

If there’s one thing Indian startups never run short of, it’s ambition—and investors are responding with fresh capital across sectors.

• Petpooja: The Ahmedabad-based restaurant management software startup raised ₹137 crore, led by Dharana Capital, with participation from marquee names like Helion’s Ashish Gupta and the Urban Company founders. The funds will boost AI-driven automation and expand customer support.

• Akashalabdhi: A space-tech player with big dreams, Akashalabdhi secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding from Riceberg Ventures, 1Crowd, LVX, and others. The money will fuel projects like inflatable solar arrays and orbital launches—pushing India deeper into the space-tech frontier.

• Wit & Chai: The creative media agency closed a seed round at a ₹40 crore valuation, with investors including Rohan Vijay Mantri (Mantri Landmarks) and Monish Darda (Icertis). The agency is eyeing international expansion with new footprints in London and the UAE, while also exploring acquisitions.

• Vaani AI Research: Backed by Venture Catalysts and a mix of top tech leaders from Meta, Apple, and Sony Pictures India, the firm raised $400,000 in a pre-seed round. Its focus? Scaling enterprise-ready voice AI solutions.

• iGo: The smart electric trike developer brought in ₹8.2 crore in pre-seed funding, backed by ISB Angels and others. Funds will go towards tooling, automation, and new variants to meet order book demands.

• Bartronics India – Huwel Life Sciences Deal: In a strategic bet, Bartronics India will invest ₹50 crore in Hyderabad-based Huwel Life Sciences, acquiring 15% equity with an option to double it. Huwel has developed over 100 diagnostic products spanning TB, cancer, and infectious diseases—a partnership that marries innovation with scale.

Beyond Funding: Fresh Moves and Bold Bets

The day also brought a flurry of product launches and partnerships across industries:

• Zomato rolled out “Healthy Mode” in Gurugram, offering AI-powered nutritional insights and a “Healthy Score” for dishes—making healthy food discovery easier.

• Agnikul Cosmos announced plans for reusable rockets, pushing the boundaries of cost-efficient spaceflight.

• PhonePe + Mastercard teamed up to enable tap-to-pay transactions for Mastercard cardholders via the PhonePe app.

• Tulips entered the adult hygiene category with adult diapers, backed by actor Boman Irani as brand ambassador.

• Magenta Mobility appointed Sujit Cherian as CEO, with co-founder Maxson Lewis moving into the chairman role.

• Blue Dart announced its annual shipment price hike (9–12%) effective January 2026, citing inflationary pressures and global supply chain challenges.

• Tekion set up an AI innovation lab at Anna University, boosting hands-on AI learning and entrepreneurship in Chennai.

• ServiceNow launched ServiceNow University in India, aiming to upskill 1 million learners in AI by 2027.

• Dhillon Freight Carrier Ltd (DFCL) opened its ₹10.08 crore IPO, eyeing fleet expansion and acquisitions.

• IIT(ISM) Dhanbad received recognition under the National Critical Mineral Mission, cementing its role as one of seven Centres of Excellence driving innovation in the critical minerals sector.

If today’s updates show us anything, it’s the breadth of India’s startup ambitions. From solving everyday problems like restaurant management and food choices, to tackling futuristic challenges like reusable rockets and critical mineral research, the ecosystem is spreading its wings wide.

Yet, challenges remain. Whether it’s the talent crunch in EVs, the battle for user retention in apps like Arattai, or the scaling hurdles of early-stage startups, the road ahead demands more than capital—it demands resilience, innovation, and sustained execution.

India’s startup story continues to unfold—and every day brings a reminder that this ecosystem is not just surviving, but steadily rewriting the rules of business and innovation.