Top Startup News Today: From Gendered Digital Harms to Lenskart’s Lukewarm Debut

In the fast-evolving Indian startup ecosystem, every new day brings a mix of inspiration, disruption, and introspection. As technology continues to shape how India lives, works, and interacts, the country’s entrepreneurial heartbeat beats louder than ever — but not without its share of challenges and reckonings.

This week’s highlights from across the ecosystem span diverse themes — from the rise of deepfake-driven digital harms to the cautious optimism of investors watching Lenskart’s market debut, from Bengaluru’s gendered transport revolution under the Shakti scheme to fresh funding inflows powering India’s next generation of innovators. Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving conversations across India’s startup and innovation circles this Monday, November 10, 2025.

Top Startup News Today

The Dark Side of Digital India: Mapping the Gendered Abuse Crisis

For millions of Indian women, the internet — once seen as a space of freedom and voice — has increasingly become a reflection of the same patriarchal anxieties that exist offline.

A new study by Breakthrough India and Equality Now, released on November 4, has drawn a chilling map of what online abuse really looks like in India today. The report highlights how the digital space mirrors deep-rooted societal hierarchies of caste, class, gender, and sexuality — only now amplified by anonymity and virality.

From doxing (the act of publicly sharing personal information), to impersonation, stalking, and deepfakes, the study reveals a disturbing pattern of abuse that thrives on fear and silence. For survivors, reporting these crimes often feels futile, with shame and mistrust in institutions deterring them from seeking justice.

The findings are a wake-up call in a digital-first economy where social media platforms serve as both workplaces and public squares — and yet remain largely unaccountable for gendered harm. As India races towards a trillion-dollar digital economy, the conversation about safety, inclusion, and accountability can no longer remain on the sidelines.

Muted Market Debut: Lenskart’s Tepid Entry into Dalal Street

Meanwhile, one of India’s most awaited listings — Lenskart — had a debut that fell short of the market’s excitement.

The omnichannel eyewear giant, led by Peyush Bansal, saw its shares open below the issue price on both the NSE and BSE, at ₹395 and ₹390 respectively, compared to the IPO price of ₹402. While the stock recovered slightly to ₹404 during early trade on NSE, investors remained cautious, questioning whether the company’s premium valuation truly reflected its fundamentals.

For Lenskart, this debut was more than just about numbers. It symbolised the transition of India’s new-age consumer brands from startup stardom to public scrutiny — a test of real profitability beyond storytelling. The subdued response serves as a reminder that India’s IPO wave, while strong, is now facing a more discerning market looking beyond hype.

Ola Electric Pushes Back on Leak Allegations

In another headline-grabbing moment, Ola Electric found itself in the middle of controversy after South Korean reports alleged that a former researcher at LG Energy Solutions (LGES) had leaked proprietary pouch cell battery technology to the Indian EV player.

Ola Electric, led by Bhavish Aggarwal, issued a strong rebuttal, calling the allegations “misleading” and “completely baseless.” The company said it had no connection to the alleged leak and reaffirmed that its R&D and cell manufacturing operations are being built through independent innovation and legitimate collaborations.

The statement underscores how India’s EV sector — now a key pillar in the country’s green mobility push — is navigating a complex landscape of global competition, intellectual property, and strategic partnerships.

Empowered Mobility: Shakti Scheme Redefines Women’s Travel in Bengaluru

If data could tell stories of empowerment, Bengaluru’s buses would have plenty to share.

A study by Azim Premji University has revealed how the Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, has transformed gendered mobility patterns across the city.

The report, titled “Gender, Welfare, and Mobility: Impact of Shakti Scheme on BMTC Transport Transformation,” analysed over 2.89 crore bus trips between January 2023 and January 2025. The findings show that women now form the majority of passengers on several of Bengaluru’s busiest routes — especially in the central business district.

Beyond just a welfare scheme, Shakti has become a story of reclaimed space and freedom — reshaping how women access work, education, and public life.

MSME Pharma Units Under Regulatory Scanner

India’s small and medium pharmaceutical players are now facing heightened scrutiny.

According to reports, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has directed state regulators to begin inspections of MSME drug manufacturing units for compliance with the revised Schedule M norms.

The move marks the end of the one-year grace period granted to MSME pharma companies (with annual turnover up to ₹250 crore) to align with stricter quality and safety requirements. The crackdown signals India’s growing emphasis on global compliance standards as it aims to become a reliable pharma export hub post-COVID.

Funding Corner: BabyOrgano, InsightAI, and Tetr’s Student Innovators

Despite market volatility, funding momentum continues across the early-stage ecosystem.

BabyOrgano raises ₹20 crore in pre-Series A

Ahmedabad-based BabyOrgano, known for its Ayurvedic wellness products for children, raised ₹20 crore in a pre-Series A round led by RPSG Capital Ventures, with participation from Sauce.vc.

Founded in 2020 by Riddhi and Ripul Sharma, the brand aims to bring the benefits of Ayurveda to modern parenting. Its flagship product, Baalprashan Swarnaprashan Drop, supports immunity, memory, and overall development in children. The new funds will go into product innovation, marketing, and expanding operations.

InsightAI secures ₹1.1 crore pre-seed

New Delhi-based InsightAI, a startup focused on AI-driven anti-money laundering (AML) investigations, raised ₹1.1 crore in a pre-seed round led by PedalStart and angel investors.

The company plans to use the funds to enhance its AML case investigation tools, strengthen data protection systems, and expand into the Middle East. Founded by IIT alumni, InsightAI is building a deep-tech compliance intelligence suite for financial institutions — a space gaining sharp regulatory attention worldwide.

Tetr College students raise ₹60 lakh on Kickstarter

In an inspiring story from the education space, students of Tetr College raised ₹60 lakh within six hours of launching their projects on Kickstarter.

Their semester-long initiative, Kickstarter Showdown, pushes students to design, pitch, and crowdfund their innovations while studying in Singapore and Malaysia. Products include SlidePass (a travel storage solution), Kando (a modular productivity board), Meridian (a titanium electric cup), and KŌasters (magnetic coasters).

Tetr’s model blurs the line between learning and entrepreneurship — giving students hands-on experience with fundraising, product design, and logistics. Since its founding in 2024, the institution’s 110 students have already launched 44 ventures, collectively generating over $300,000 in revenue.

Leadership Moves and Launches: PwC India and Songpact

In the corporate world, PwC India announced two key appointments to strengthen its Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) practice.

• Navnit Nakra joined as Partner and Leader for the Technology sector. With over 20 years of experience, including as India CEO of OnePlus, Nakra will focus on helping clients scale digital businesses.

• Rajesh Sethi, former Global CEO of Ten Sports and Head of NBA India, has been appointed Partner and Leader for Media, Sports, and Entertainment.

The move reflects PwC’s growing focus on digital transformation and convergence across sectors.

Meanwhile, music-tech platform Songpact officially launched in India to make professional music contracts faster and fairer. Founded by Nick Weaser and Priyanka Khimani, Songpact simplifies legal agreements for artists — letting them create, negotiate, and sign contracts digitally within minutes.

As India’s independent music scene explodes, Songpact’s arrival marks a crucial step towards democratising creative rights and legal clarity for artists at every level.

From the gendered realities of online harm to the audacity of students raising capital across borders, India’s innovation narrative this week captures the full spectrum of its startup journey — hopeful, ambitious, and occasionally messy.

Even as regulatory frameworks tighten and markets get more discerning, the country’s founders, technologists, and creators continue to push the envelope — turning challenges into opportunities.

In every funding round, every study, and every bold idea, India’s startup ecosystem is writing a story that’s uniquely its own — one that refuses to be predictable, and never stops evolving.