Top Startup News Today: Funding, Policy Bets, New-Age Businesses and Unlikely Heroes

On any given morning in India’s startup ecosystem, the headlines don’t arrive quietly—they rush in. Policy conversations blend seamlessly with funding announcements, consumer businesses rewrite playbooks in real time, and stories of individual grit sit comfortably alongside billion-dollar market debates. Together, they reveal the sheer breadth, depth, and momentum of India’s entrepreneurial journey.

From the corridors of North Block, where expectations are building ahead of the Union Budget, to battle-tested defence drones born out of geopolitical urgency; from quick commerce players redefining convenience to a lone Indian woman running 135 miles across Brazil—today’s startup landscape tells a larger story. One of scale, ambition, and a country increasingly comfortable with taking bold bets.

Top Startup News Today

Budget 2026: Media & Entertainment Looks Beyond Survival to Scale

As Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present Budget 2026–27, India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector is sharpening its pitch—this time not just asking for relief, but for a growth-first policy framework.

After two budgets that offered limited sector-specific interventions, industry leaders believe this is a defining moment to move from regulatory consolidation to growth enablement. The sector is urging the government to place gaming and esports at the heart of India’s creative economy, while also rethinking taxation, content creation incentives, and digital distribution infrastructure.

For fast-scaling digital creators, OTT platforms, and gaming startups, the message is clear: India has the talent and market depth—it now needs policy tailwinds that match its global ambitions.

Quick Commerce: Same Market, Very Different Playbooks

India’s quick commerce space may look crowded, but beneath the surface, strategies are sharply diverging. Players like Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto are no longer competing on speed alone.

According to a recent outlook by investment firm Bernstein, the very definition of quick commerce is set to evolve in 2026. Blinkit, backed by Eternal, is increasingly positioning itself as a “last-minute store”—offering a wider range of products with predictable delivery timelines. Analysts now see it less as a grocery app and more as a digital replacement for neighbourhood kirana stores and local markets, especially for seasonal and general merchandise.

As competition intensifies and new rivals enter the space, differentiation—not just discounts—will decide the next phase of winners.

A Run That Redefined Limits: Pooja Krishnamoorthy’s Historic Finish

Not all breakthroughs are built in boardrooms. Some are earned one painful step at a time.

On January 10, Pooja Krishnamoorthy made history by becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for, attempt, and complete the legendary Brazil 135 Ultra—one of the world’s toughest endurance races.

Covering 135 miles (217 km) in 48 hours, well within the 60-hour cut-off, Krishnamoorthy finished first among women and sixth overall in her category. Many seasoned international runners dropped out. She didn’t.

In 2026, while the official race distance was extended to 150 miles, runners could opt for shorter recognised distances at decision points. Krishnamoorthy chose the 135-mile ultra—and in doing so, placed India firmly on the global ultra-running map.

Funding Watch: Capital Finds Conviction Across Sectors

AssetPlus Raises ₹175 Cr to Deepen Assisted Wealth Management

Digital-assisted wealth platform AssetPlus raised ₹175 crore in a round led by Nexus Venture Partners, with participation from Eight Roads Ventures and Rainmatter by Zerodha. Early supporter Bhupinder Singh continues his backing.

The capital will be deployed to strengthen technology infrastructure, expand product offerings, and advance comprehensive wealth solutions. While mutual funds remain central, AssetPlus is integrating health and term insurance—allowing distributors to deliver holistic financial planning through a single platform.

Salty Raises ₹30.1 Cr to Build a Lifestyle Accessories Brand

Accessories brand Salty raised ₹30.1 crore led by MG Investment, with participation from Anicut Capital, All In Capital, and JK Group.

Salty plans to expand across watches, sunglasses, scarves, belts, bag charms, and its upcoming Salty Bags line. With deliveries spanning 18,000+ pin codes, demand from non-metro India is shaping its next growth phase. Investments will also go into supply-chain upgrades, same-day delivery, and an AI-powered styling and recommendation engine.

Defence-Tech in Focus: insideFPV Raises ₹6 Cr

Ahmedabad-based VC GVFL led a ₹6 crore pre-Series A round in defence drone startup insideFPV.

Founded in 2020 after the Galwan clash, insideFPV builds battlefield-ready FPV, kamikaze, surveillance, and interceptor drones designed for real combat conditions. The startup has already demonstrated high-altitude performance with the Indian Army and won the Him Dron-a-thon in Ladakh. Fresh capital will fuel product development, manufacturing readiness, testing, training, and rapid repair infrastructure.

Culture Raises Seed Capital to Reimagine Social Communities

Hyderabad-based social platform Culture raised ₹2 crore in seed funding from Acuvest Infra through its parent ART Pvt Ltd.

Founded by Anurag Rangineni, Culture focuses on interest-based communities and real-time conversations. The funding will support product development, community initiatives, and safety infrastructure, alongside the rollout of Spaces—a creator-led feature for live discussions, hybrid events, and monetisation through ticketing and partnerships.

Magical Nest Raises ₹4.12 Cr to Build AI-Led Kids’ Interiors

Kids’ room interiors brand Magical Nest, backed by parent Raanro Interior Technology Designs, raised ₹4.12 crore in pre-seed funding led by Anshuman Singh, with participation from founders of CRED, Bluestone, EatFit, and Tata 1MG.

Founded in April 2025 by Rahul Bhatt, Ankush Dixit, and Rohit Rai, Magical Nest is building an AI-powered design-to-execution platform—helping designers and parents plan, budget, and execute children’s room interiors seamlessly.

Beyond Funding: Product Launches & Leadership Moves

Credgenics Enters B2C with FixMyScore

Fintech firm Credgenics has launched FixMyScore, a consumer-facing credit advisory platform. The move marks its expansion from enterprise solutions for banks and NBFCs into the B2C segment.

FixMyScore helps individuals understand credit reports, track scores, identify errors, and receive structured guidance on repayments and credit behaviour—addressing one of India’s most persistent financial literacy gaps.

Myntra Strengthens Leadership with Ritesh Mishra

Fashion and lifestyle platform Myntra appointed Ritesh Mishra as Senior Vice President & Head of Category and Revenue.

With over 25 years of experience across merchandising, supply chain, and P&L leadership—including a stint as Deputy CEO at Lifestyle India and leadership roles at Marks & Spencer India—Mishra will drive Myntra’s next phase of category expansion, brand partnerships, and differentiated customer experiences.

What ties these stories together isn’t just capital or scale—it’s intent. India’s startup ecosystem is no longer defined by a single sector or city. It is policy-aware yet execution-driven, globally ambitious yet deeply local, and increasingly comfortable backing long-term vision over short-term wins.

As Budget 2026 approaches and new founders, funders, and first-time achievers continue to emerge, one thing is clear: India’s startup story is not slowing down—it’s simply getting more layered, more human, and far more interesting.