Top Startup News: India’s Daily Roundup of Innovation and Big Bets

Every day, India’s startup ecosystem proves why it remains one of the most vibrant entrepreneurial hubs in the world. From space-tech to agri-AI, EVs to recycling, founders across the country are placing bold bets that aim to solve not just business problems, but some of society’s deepest challenges.

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the ecosystem saw fresh funding announcements, sectoral innovations, and even spirited discussions on how states like Bihar can redefine their economic narrative. Here’s a deep dive into today’s most important updates.

Top Startup News

Bihar’s Bold Business Bet: From BIMARU to Breakthrough

For decades, Bihar has been tagged as a “BIMARU” state—an acronym once used to describe backwardness and underdevelopment. But a group of local entrepreneurs is now challenging that label, betting on the state’s potential to script a new economic story.

At a roundtable moderated by YourStory’s founder Shradha Sharma, business leaders spoke candidly about the opportunities and hurdles in Bihar.

“Business in Bihar today is like investing in a company that is yet to get its IPO listed,” said Gaurav Shah, MD of Banke Bihari Foods, highlighting the untapped growth potential.

Joining him were Prince Ranjan of Snowball Ice Cream and Anupam Singh of Anaisha Products and Litchica Foods—all of whom see job creation as their biggest contribution.

Yes, challenges remain: seasonal floods, gaps in skilled manpower, and uneven policy execution. But entrepreneurs believe that industrial parks, ethanol hubs, and improved logistics infrastructure are slowly transforming Bihar into an investment-worthy destination. The consensus was clear—Bihar’s fundamentals are strong, and the state could well be on the cusp of its own growth story.

EV Expansion: Simple Energy’s $10M Bridge Round

India’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution continues to gather speed. Simple Energy, a Bengaluru-based EV manufacturer, announced it has raised $10 million in a bridge round, led by existing backer Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani, Founder of Thyrocare’s Family Office.

Other early investors—including Balamurugan Arumugam and the Haran family office—also doubled down on the company’s vision.

According to Simple Energy, nearly 80% of the funds will be used to expand its offline presence, with an ambitious plan to scale from the current 53 stores to 150 stores and 200 service centres by end-2025. The company also intends to allocate funds towards stronger marketing initiatives.

Fresh Produce, Fresh Approach: Handpickd Raises $15M

In the hyper-competitive grocery delivery space, Handpickd is carving out a different path. The fresh produce delivery startup raised $15 million in a Series A round led by Bertelsmann India Investments, with participation from Titan Capital Winners Fund and existing backers.

Founded in 2024 by Anant Goel (ex-Milkbasket), Nitin Gupta, and Sahil Madan, Handpickd has built its model on “zero wastage.” Unlike most grocery apps, it does not rely on warehouses or dark stores. Instead, orders are first collected from customers, after which the team procures the exact required quantity directly from farmers, ensuring same-day delivery within 6–7 hours.

The newly infused funds will fuel expansion into more cities, hiring, and supply chain tech upgrades, as the startup looks to double down on its unique farm-to-doorstep promise.

Space-tech Breakthrough: Cosmoserve Space Secures $3.17M

From Bengaluru to Hyderabad, India’s space-tech ambitions continue to rise. Cosmoserve Space, founded by ex-ISRO scientist Dr. Chiranjeevi Phanindra, announced a $3.17 million oversubscribed pre-seed round.

The round was led by Alan Rutledge, with participation from AUM Ventures, Shakti VC, and even Ram Shriram—one of the earliest investors in Google.

Cosmoserve is working on autonomous robotic spacecraft to clear orbital debris—a problem that has escalated with the rise in satellite launches.

Dr. Phanindra noted that the funding will “accelerate our mission to develop cutting-edge solutions for space debris mitigation.” Shriram echoed the urgency, saying, “Space fuels human progress, but debris puts it at risk. Cosmoserve is pioneering solutions for a cleaner, sustainable space.”

AI for Farms: Bharat Intelligence Raises ₹7 Cr

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy—and Bharat Intelligence is trying to bring AI directly into the fields. The startup secured ₹7 crore in pre-seed funding, led by Sahyadri Farms, which also brought in over 22,500 farmers as shareholders.

The company is working on AI-driven solutions to address India’s farm labour shortage, using vernacular-first tools that forecast demand and connect farmers with skilled crews.

Founder and CEO Azhaan Merchant put it bluntly:

“India’s economy is agrarian, deeply physical, and cannot be understood from the cloud alone. To build AI for India, it must be embedded in rural life.”

Recycling Reinvented: Recove Bags ₹5.3 Cr

Recove, a plastics recycling startup, announced its first external fundraise of ₹5.3 crore, led by US-based Momentum Capital.

Founded in 2024 by Viral Chhajer, Recove operates a B2B marketplace connecting suppliers of plastic waste with recyclers. The new funds will go towards expansion and pre-processing infrastructure, ensuring recyclers receive high-quality raw materials.

The round also saw participation from notable angels, including Ganesh Natarajan (ex-Aptech, Zensar), Urban Ladder co-founder Ashish Goel, and Shruti Deorah.

Smarter Events: Samaaro Raises $500K

Event marketing is evolving—and Samaaro wants to lead that change with AI. The startup raised $500,000 in a pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures, with support from Silver Needle Ventures, LetsVenture, and others.

Its AI-powered platform integrates attendee management, lead scoring, and analytics, turning events into measurable revenue channels. Already working with enterprises like ICICI Lombard, Apex Group, and Varun Beverages, Samaaro is now looking to expand in India and the UAE while strengthening its product suite.

CEO Purnank Prakash said:

“We are reimagining how enterprises run events by making them smarter, data-driven, and directly tied to revenue.”

Travel-Tech Twist: Yuyiii Raises Angel Funding

In a crowded travel market where fake reviews and overwhelming listings dominate, Yuyiii is betting on trust and curated experiences.

Founded by Nidhi Sharma, the startup raised an undisclosed angel round led by Sridhar Krishnamoorthy (ex-MD of Arjas Steel).

The company offers curated leisure stays, vetted through a 26-point audit, and categorised into Platinum, Gold, or Silver tiers. Yuyiii is also working on an AI Copilot, which suggests stays based on traveller moods and preferences.

“Where you stay shapes how your trip feels,” Sharma said, underscoring Yuyiii’s mission to bring authenticity back to travel discovery.

SIDBI’s New MSME Push

In policy news, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) unveiled the Development of Industry Associations (DIA) scheme, aimed at strengthening MSME clusters across India.

Launched in New Delhi, the programme brought together 125 representatives from 90 associations. According to CMD Manoj Mittal, the initiative will provide infrastructure support, trained resources, and digital tools to make associations more financially sustainable.

He summed it up best:

“Strong clusters need strong industry associations.”

The initiative also includes a networking and research portal, helping MSMEs access technical and financial support more effectively.

From Bihar’s entrepreneurs rewriting old narratives to startups tackling challenges in space, agriculture, energy, recycling, travel, and events, September 25, 2025, turned out to be a day of big bets and bold visions.

If one thing stands out, it’s this: India’s startup ecosystem isn’t just raising money—it’s raising hope, solving deep-rooted problems, and scripting the next chapter of growth.