Top Startup News Today: AI Innovation, Fashion Disruption, EV Push & Festive Season Surprises | 17th October

As India’s vibrant startup ecosystem continues to expand its horizons, every day brings a new story of innovation, ambition, and transformation. From cutting-edge AI platforms reimagining enterprise support, to homegrown brands rewriting fast fashion and clean mobility narratives — the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship remains unstoppable.

Here’s a look at the biggest developments shaping the country’s startup scene.

Top Startup News Today

Weya AI reimagines enterprise customer support with voice-first intelligence

Customer communication is the beating heart of modern enterprises, and Noida-based Weya AI is giving it a futuristic upgrade. Founded in December 2024 by Hasan Ali, Atul Singh, and Himanshu Tiwari, the conversational AI startup has built memory-driven intelligent voice agents capable of handling complex customer interactions seamlessly across voice, WhatsApp, and email.

What sets Weya apart is its human-like contextual recall and multilingual support — it can converse in 10 Indian and 26 global languages, catering to clients across the UAE, Australia, Indonesia, and the US. Focused primarily on the BFSI sector, Weya already counts Kotak Mahindra Bank, TVS Motors, and Cars24 Australia among its clients.

By blending local language fluency with enterprise-grade automation, Weya AI is not just building bots — it’s crafting the future of customer experience.

NEWME: India’s answer to Shein is here

In a world where fast fashion often comes with the baggage of overproduction, Bengaluru-based NEWME is rewriting the playbook. Founded in 2022 by Sumit Jasoria, Himanshu Chaudhary, Vinod Naik, and Shivam Tripathi, the brand has positioned itself as India’s answer to Shein — but with a responsible twist.

NEWME’s mission is clear: serve Gen Z consumers with trendy yet sustainably produced clothing. With a 200-member team spread across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Guangzhou, the company relies heavily on data and technology to predict emerging fashion trends before global giants like Zara catch up.

With 13,000 live styles priced between ₹199 and ₹2,199, NEWME has already served over 1.7 million customers and boasts an impressive 50% retention rate. Backed by 14 physical stores, the brand is gearing up for an international leap — targeting markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Funding Frenzy: AI, Deeptech and D2C take the spotlight

FireAI ignites with ₹4 Cr seed funding

AI is fast becoming the backbone of business intelligence, and FireAI is leading that charge. The startup has raised ₹4 crore in seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures to enhance its AI-powered analytics platform. Founded by Vipul Prakash, FireAI plans to use the funds to develop proprietary ETL tools, improve scalability and speed, and launch new innovations like Casual Chain and Text-to-SQL capabilities.

Currently operating across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Africa, and Kenya, FireAI is a certified OEM vendor helping enterprises convert raw data into actionable insights.

RARA Barefoot raises $500K, launches debut sneaker line

India’s performance footwear market is heating up — and RARA Barefoot is stepping in with purpose. The homegrown startup raised $500,000 in a pre-seed round with participation from founders and senior executives of Zomato, Urban Company, Tata 1mg, Shyft, HexaHealth, ChrysCapital, and BCG.

Founded in 2024 by Varun Mimani and Manas Tripathi, RARA Barefoot has also unveiled its first sneaker collection, designed for performance and comfort. The funds will power its D2C rollout, offline retail expansion, and local manufacturing scale-up, as it aims to create India’s own athletic footwear identity.

Flowatt Battery raises ₹2.2 Cr to supercharge EV batteries

Deeptech startup Flowatt Battery Science, based in Bengaluru, secured ₹2.2 crore in a pre-seed round led by PedalStart. The company is developing a next-generation electric battery system powered by IoT-enabled tracking and predictive analytics for fleet and last-mile delivery operators.

Flowatt aims to deploy 20,000 high-performance batteries under its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, target ₹2.5 crore MRR, and expand to 15+ Indian cities by FY2026-27. The capital will also be used to build partnerships with insurers, OEMs, and EV financiers — a move that could redefine energy efficiency in India’s EV landscape.

Clean mobility and social impact: ETO Motors drives change in Amaravati

In Andhra Pradesh’s capital region, a quiet revolution is rolling out on three wheels. Hyderabad-based ETO Motors has partnered with the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to deploy a fleet of electric three-wheelers, fully operated by women drivers.

The initiative not only promotes last-mile connectivity and clean transport but also creates employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women and marginalized groups. In the first phase, ETO plans to introduce 300 e-autos, 100 e-cars, and 20 shuttle buses, blending sustainability with inclusivity.

Snabbit relocates to Bengaluru, expands leadership

Quick-service app Snabbit, known for providing verified domestic help within 10 minutes, has officially shifted its headquarters from Mumbai to Bengaluru’s Koramangala — the heart of India’s startup action.

To strengthen its technology and product backbone, Snabbit has onboarded Ishan Kansal as Head of Product and Ankit Srivastava as Head of Technology. The relocation and hiring spree are part of Snabbit’s ambitious plan to double its workforce by next year and accelerate nationwide expansion.

Nykaa x Snapchat: Grooming India’s next-gen beauty creators

Ecommerce major Nykaa and social media giant Snapchat have teamed up for a unique initiative — the Nykaa Snap Star Beauty Incubator Program. The collaboration will identify and nurture emerging beauty creators across India, offering them training, tools, and creative support.

Creators will receive mentorship from Nykaa’s beauty experts and platform amplification from Snapchat, helping them produce standout content in categories like makeup, skincare, fragrance, and personal care — a push that bridges content, commerce, and community.

Simple Energy rides into ecommerce with Amazon and Flipkart

In a festive season surprise, Bengaluru-based Simple Energy has entered the ecommerce space through partnerships with Amazon India and Flipkart. Its flagship Simple One Gen 1.5 and Simple OneS scooters are now available for online booking and doorstep delivery.

To celebrate the launch, Simple is offering discounts up to ₹16,434 on Amazon and ₹7,500 on Flipkart, alongside bank offers and no-cost EMI. With 57 showrooms currently and a goal of 150 stores and 200 service centres by FY2026, the company is shifting gears to make EV ownership simpler and more accessible.

Lightrock partially exits Porter, reaffirms long-term vision

Global investment firm Lightrock has announced a partial exit from its stake in Porter, the on-demand logistics platform that streamlines intra-city deliveries for MSMEs. Since its investment in 2020, Lightrock has played a key role in helping Porter expand to three countries, improving driver utilization and logistics efficiency.

Even as new investors come onboard, Lightrock has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Porter’s next growth chapter, which focuses on tech innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable expansion.

Uber and AB InBev India launch campaign for responsible celebrations

As festive nights light up India, Uber and AB InBev India have launched the campaign “Your Night, Our Ride” to promote safe and responsible celebrations. The initiative rewards customers who use Uber to and from select pubs in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR, offering discounts on rides and beverages.

A recent Uber survey showed 92% of respondents view impaired driving as extremely risky, underscoring the campaign’s relevance. The initiative aligns with AB InBev’s global program ‘Cheers to Moderation’, aiming to make safety a core part of India’s nightlife culture.

Rapido expands into travel bookings with Goibibo, redBus, and ConfirmTkt

Two-wheel ride-hailing leader Rapido is evolving into a one-stop travel platform by integrating bookings for flights, hotels, buses, and trains through new partnerships with Goibibo, redBus, and ConfirmTkt.

The move allows users to access exclusive deals — up to ₹4,000 off on flights, 55% off on hotels, and 20% off on bus tickets — all within the Rapido app. With operations in 400+ cities and plans to expand to 1,000+ locations, Rapido is positioning itself as India’s homegrown travel super-app, particularly for Tier II and III markets.

Multi-Act Fintech Fund clocks 118% IRR on Dhan exit

Investment firm Multi-Act Fintech Fund I announced a partial exit from its portfolio company Raise Fintech Ventures, the operator of trading platform Dhan, achieving a 40x return and an impressive 118% IRR.

Despite the exit, the fund retains 70% of its holding, citing strong confidence in Dhan’s leadership and growth trajectory. Building on this success, Multi-Act is gearing up to launch Fintech Fund II, targeting AI-driven fintech and enterprise SaaS solutions for the BFSI sector.

UnboxingBLR launches Namma Bengaluru Challenge 2026

In a city battling climate challenges, UnboxingBLR has launched the Namma Bengaluru Challenge 2026, a startup accelerator focused on climate resilience and sustainability.

Supported by Social Alpha, WTFund, and backed by the Government of Karnataka and Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the program invites innovators to tackle pressing urban issues like air pollution, waste management, and water sanitation.

Selected startups will receive ₹25 lakh each to deploy pilot-ready solutions in the city and stand a chance to access an additional ₹1 crore for scaling. Winners will also join a six-month pilot program with Bengaluru’s leading infrastructure partners.

Mindsprint launches Agentic AI cybersecurity platform – GuardianEye

Tech company Mindsprint has unveiled GuardianEye, a next-generation Agentic AI cybersecurity testing platform. The system merges automation with human validation to give enterprises real-time visibility into vulnerabilities and attack surfaces.

It enables automated risk detection, exploit validation, configuration audits, and continuous compliance tracking, helping businesses stay ahead of cyber threats in an increasingly digital-first economy.

WeWork India introduces AI-powered mobile app for smarter workspaces

Flexible workspace operator WeWork India has rolled out an AI-powered mobile app that streamlines workspace booking, digital access, and community engagement for members and non-members alike.

With digital keycards, smart reminders, AI support, and integrated booking tools, the app is designed to make hybrid work simpler and more intuitive — allowing users to book desks, manage memberships, or unlock private offices with a tap.

CoverSure launches ₹5 Firecracker Insurance for a safer Diwali

In a festive innovation that combines safety and accessibility, insurtech startup CoverSure has launched a Firecracker Insurance plan priced at just ₹5. The plan offers ₹50,000 coverage for accidental death and ₹10,000 for fire-related burns, valid for 10 days during the festive season.

The quick, app-based plan ensures families can celebrate Diwali without worry, reflecting CoverSure’s mission to make insurance simple, affordable, and relevant to real-life moments.

India’s startup ecosystem continues to demonstrate why it’s one of the most dynamic in the world — seamlessly blending innovation, inclusivity, and impact. From AI and deeptech breakthroughs to sustainable EVs and creative brand partnerships, the day’s headlines reflect an ecosystem that’s not just chasing growth, but building the future — one idea at a time.