Top Startup News Today: From AI Announcements to All-Women Road Trips

If there’s one thing that defines India’s startup ecosystem right now, it’s momentum.

On one end, policymakers and global tech leaders are shaping the future of artificial intelligence in packed conference halls in New Delhi. On the other, a convoy of determined women entrepreneurs is preparing to drive auto rickshaws across 1,000 kilometres of Indian highways to fund vaccines and classrooms. In between, deeptech startups are building hydrogen-powered turbines, SaaS companies are expanding globally, D2C brands are strengthening their offline play, and fintech majors are reshaping leadership teams.

Here’s a detailed look at the biggest developments shaping the ecosystem.

Top Startup News Today

New Delhi Hosts the Global AI Conversation

New Delhi recently became the epicentre of the global artificial intelligence dialogue as the India AI Impact Summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and startups from across the world.

Over several days, the summit saw a series of major announcements—ranging from investments and product launches to partnerships and policy commitments. The event underlined India’s growing influence in shaping AI conversations globally.

The message was clear: India is not just adopting AI—it wants to lead responsibly, at scale, and with inclusion at its core. The announcements made during the summit are expected to have a ripple effect across sectors, particularly as startups continue to embed AI deeply into enterprise and consumer solutions.

35 UK Women Entrepreneurs to Drive 1,000 km for a Cause

In a story that blends entrepreneurship with purpose, 35 women entrepreneurs from the United Kingdom are gearing up for a unique journey across India.

A convoy of auto rickshaws will set off from West Tambaram in Chennai and travel 1,000 kilometres to Goa. The mission is symbolic and practical at once: women steering their own three-wheelers across cities and highways to raise funds for vaccines and classrooms.

The initiative highlights how entrepreneurship today extends beyond balance sheets. For these founders, the road trip is about impact—about funding healthcare and education while challenging perceptions, quite literally, from the driver’s seat.

Funding News

Hycosys Raises $1M to Build Hydrogen-Compatible Micro Gas Turbines

Bengaluru-based deeptech engineering startup Hycosys has raised over $1 million (approximately ₹9 crore) in a seed round led by MountTech Growth Fund–Kavachh.

Founded by aerospace engineering duo Dr Tapish Agarwal and Ugandhar Reddy, Hycosys is building a fuel-flexible micro gas turbine (MGT)—an advanced propulsion system capable of running on 100% hydrogen, natural gas, or blended fuels.

The startup plans to use the fresh capital to:

• Strengthen its engineering team

• Access advanced testing facilities

• Develop the micro gas turbine platform

• Demonstrate a working clean energy alternative to diesel-based power generators by mid-2027

The applications of the MGT span Distributed Power, Aerospace, and Mobility. If successfully commercialised, the technology could provide a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel-based generators, particularly in distributed energy use cases.

At a time when hydrogen is gaining global attention as a transition fuel, Hycosys is positioning itself at the intersection of deeptech and clean energy innovation.

IAN Alpha Fund Leads $3M Round in Mojro for Global Push

IAN Alpha Fund, the second venture capital fund from the IAN Group, has led a $3 million funding round in Mojro, a SaaS platform focused on B2B logistics planning and optimisation. The round also saw participation from 1Crowd and existing investors.

Founded in 2016 by Kishan Aswath, Amit Kulkarni, and Ranganath Seetharamu, Mojro develops software used by mid- to large-sized enterprises across sectors such as consumer goods, retail, courier and parcel services, dairy, and ecommerce.

Its platform helps companies:

• Plan delivery routes

• Manage logistics operations

• Improve operational efficiency

The new funding will support Mojro’s expansion into the United States and Southeast Asia. The company will also further develop its AI-led optimisation platform and strengthen product, engineering, and sales teams in India and overseas.

As global supply chains grow more complex, SaaS solutions that improve visibility and efficiency are increasingly critical—and Mojro appears ready to scale beyond India.

MyDesignation Raises Rs 40 Crore to Expand Offline Retail

Direct-to-consumer fashion brand MyDesignation has raised Rs 40 crore in a Series A funding round led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with participation from existing investor Veltis Capital, which increased its stake. Multiply Ventures and Dominor Investments also participated.

Founded in 2020 by Swaroop Krishnan and Gopika B Raj, MyDesignation operates as a digital-first brand selling primarily through its own website. The company also runs five exclusive brand outlets across Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode.

Unlike many D2C brands that rely heavily on marketplaces, MyDesignation sells directly to customers, managing its own pricing, distribution, and customer experience.

The fresh capital will be used to:

• Expand offline retail through company-owned stores

• Strengthen the leadership team

• Launch new product categories

The move reflects a broader trend among digital-first brands that are increasingly investing in physical retail to deepen customer engagement and brand recall.

Leadership Movement

Pine Labs Appoints Shalini Pillai as Chief Marketing Officer

Global fintech platform Pine Labs has appointed industry veteran Shalini Pillai as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

In her new role, she will lead global marketing strategy, product marketing, marcom, and brand positioning for the company.

Before joining Pine Labs, Shalini served as Marketing Director – India and South Asia at Microsoft. With over a decade at Google and Microsoft, along with entrepreneurial experience, she brings nearly two decades of expertise in scaling consumer apps, digital payments, and enterprise ecosystems.

Her experience in bridging deep-tech innovation with market acquisition is expected to play a key role as Pine Labs sharpens its marketing and growth strategy across its global footprint.

From AI policymaking in New Delhi to hydrogen-powered turbines in Bengaluru, from logistics SaaS scaling globally to D2C brands going offline, and from fintech leadership changes to a 1,000-km impact drive—these developments reflect the many faces of India’s startup ecosystem.

It’s ambitious. It’s experimental. It’s impact-driven.

And the message is clear: India’s startup story isn’t slowing down—it’s diversifying, deepening, and driving forward.