Top Startup News Today: Funding, Tech Breakthroughs, and New Ideas | 29th October

As the Indian startup ecosystem marches into another week of innovation, a new wave of energy ripples through the sectors that define modern India — sports, AI, fintech, EVs, and design. From homegrown sports tech startups fixing the country’s youth sports problem to the next big wave in voice AI and home automation, the ecosystem is brimming with ideas that promise to shape the nation’s digital and economic future.

Here’s a look at what made headlines across India’s startup landscape today.

Top Startup News

Bridging India’s Sports Gap: KhiladiPro Steps Up for Young Athletes

India may be a country obsessed with cricket, but beyond the glamour of stadium lights lies a hard truth — for most children, sports remain an afterthought. Despite having over 436 million children under the age of 18 (UNICEF data), structured youth sports programs are few and far between.

Enter KhiladiPro (KPro), a startup born out of frustration and hope. Founded in August 2023 by Yadav, Akash Khunt, Nirav Shah, and David Gladson, all of whom have personally navigated India’s patchy sports infrastructure, the company is determined to rebuild the grassroots sports ecosystem from the ground up.

Their mission is simple yet powerful: make access to quality sports infrastructure and coaching as easy as logging into an app. KhiladiPro isn’t just creating athletes — it’s nurturing discipline, teamwork, and confidence in India’s youth.

Wozart: From Hyderabad to the World, Redefining Smart Living

Back in 2016, a small Hyderabad-based startup had an ambitious dream — to make Indian homes smarter, safer, and more intuitive. That idea became Wozart, and nine years later, it’s powering the smart home revolution across the country.

Wozart’s first major breakthrough came with India’s earliest Apple HomeKit-supported smart switches, giving homeowners the power to control their spaces with a simple voice command. Fast-forward to today, and Wozart has achieved another industry milestone — becoming the first Made-in-India startup to launch a Matter-certified Thread device, the Switch Controller Mini.

With this, Wozart isn’t just competing with global giants; it’s shaping the future of connected living — proudly made in India.

Funding Momentum: AI, Fintech, and Lending Startups Fuel Growth

Smallest.ai raises $8 million to expand voice AI across the globe

In a big win for enterprise AI, Smallest.ai has secured $8 million in seed funding, led by Sierra Ventures, with participation from 3one4 Capital and Better Capital.

The startup builds full-stack enterprise voice AI solutions, and with this funding, it plans to deepen its presence in North America and India, while targeting high-regulation sectors like banking, healthcare, and retail. Expect more innovation in how enterprises listen, respond, and interact — powered by Indian intelligence.

Optimo Capital secures Rs 150 crore Series A, led by EaseMyTrip’s Prashant Pitti

In the fintech space, digital lending platform Optimo Capital closed a Rs 150 crore Series A round, led by Prashant Pitti, the co-founder of EaseMyTrip, alongside Blume Ventures and Omnivore.

Additionally, Optimo raised Rs 110 crore in debt from IDFC and Axis Bank, strengthening its lending capacity. The company plans to channel this capital into AI infrastructure, co-lending partnerships, and expanding its reach into Tier III cities — where access to credit still remains a challenge.

Purple Finance raises Rs 39 crore from Intellect Money Finvest

Mumbai-based NBFC Purple Finance has raised Rs 39 crore through the private placement of equity share warrants at Rs 39 per share. The funds will bolster its capital base and fuel its loan disbursement ambitions.

According to Amitabh Chaturvedi, Executive Chairman and Director, the fresh infusion will enhance Purple’s ability to serve India’s growing credit needs with agility and precision.

Cybrilla raises pre-Series A from 360 ONE Asset, Peak XV, and Groww

Fintech infrastructure player Cybrilla has raised an undisclosed pre-Series A round led by 360 ONE Asset, Peak XV, and Groww.

Cybrilla’s flagship product, Wealth OS, helps Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and distributors launch and manage investment products efficiently. With partnerships spanning over 25 leading AMCs, the startup aims to make financial product distribution faster and more compliant.

This also marks 360 ONE Asset’s third early-stage investment, reinforcing its belief in India’s fintech infrastructure boom.

Swiggy’s DeskEats 2.0 is Here for India’s Busy Workforce

For working professionals juggling meetings and deadlines, Swiggy’s latest innovation might just be a lifesaver. The food delivery giant has rolled out DeskEats 2.0, a revamped version of its earlier offering designed for office-goers.

Featuring a curated selection of over 2 lakh desk-friendly food items, DeskEats now serves 5,000 co-living spaces and 7,000 tech parks across 30 Indian cities.

Tied to Swiggy’s Corporate Rewards programme, which already boasts 27,000 companies and 2.5 lakh employees, DeskEats aims to make everyday work meals more convenient — and a lot more delightful.

Ola Electric’s 4680 Bharat Cell Gets ARAI Certification

India’s EV ambitions took a major leap this week as Ola Electric’s 4680 Bharat Cell received certification from ARAI.

This indigenously developed 5.2 kWh cell will soon power Ola’s flagship S1 Pro+, marking a first in India’s EV space. Until now, Ola relied on imported cells; this homegrown innovation signifies a pivotal step toward self-reliance in battery manufacturing — and possibly, a sharper edge in global EV competitiveness.

IDP Education and Genesys Redefine Global Student Engagement

Global education giant IDP Education has partnered with Genesys to overhaul its student engagement strategy using Genesys Cloud.

The move will unify operations across 25+ countries, enabling smoother communication and quicker support for students — from IELTS scheduling to post-test assistance. The partnership aims to create a seamless, AI-driven experience that enhances student satisfaction and response times across IDP’s global network.

Uber for Business Gets a New Leader: Rituraj Chaturmohta

Uber for Business, the enterprise arm of Uber India, has appointed Rituraj Chaturmohta as Senior Country Manager for India and South Asia.

With prior leadership roles at Airbnb and experience as an entrepreneur in the hyperlocal delivery space, Chaturmohta brings both strategic and operational expertise. He aims to expand Uber’s corporate partnerships, innovate employee transportation models, and make Uber an indispensable mobility partner for Indian enterprises.

DesignUp25 Returns to Bengaluru, Celebrates ‘The Design Currency’

DesignUp25, one of India’s most anticipated design and innovation festivals, returns to Bengaluru from November 3–5 with the theme “The Design Currency.”

Now in its 9th edition, the festival explores design’s impact beyond aesthetics — highlighting how it drives business growth, social change, and tech innovation in the age of AI. Workshops, keynotes, and the Futures Challenge 2025 competition will bring together young designers to reimagine “currencies” of the future — from trust and reputation to energy and empathy.

Enlight Metals to Invest Rs 80 Crore in AI-Powered Dark Stores

In a bold move blending manufacturing and AI, Enlight Metals announced an Rs 80 crore investment to establish 10 AI-driven dark stores across India’s major industrial hubs — including Aurangabad, Nashik, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Indore, and Chennai.

These tech-enabled hubs will use AI-based stock orchestration and predictive analytics to boost supply chain efficiency for over 1,500 OEMs. Half of the investment will go toward automation and infrastructure, while the rest will fuel AI systems, digital platforms, and workforce expansion.

General Mills Expands its India Footprint with New Pune Office

American food giant General Mills has expanded its presence in India by opening a new satellite office in Kalyani Nagar, Pune.

The General Mills India Centre (GIC), headquartered in Mumbai, operates as a Global Capability Centre (GCC) — driving digital, supply chain, and innovation capabilities for the company worldwide. The new office reinforces General Mills’ commitment to leveraging India’s tech talent and expanding its digital transformation journey.

October 28, 2025, reflected a quintessential day in India’s innovation calendar — a mix of daring ideas, decisive funding, and deep-rooted ambition. From startups rethinking fitness and finance to corporates embracing design, automation, and AI, the pulse of India’s startup ecosystem beats louder than ever.

Every story today — whether it’s KhiladiPro giving kids a sporting chance, or Ola Electric powering India’s EV dreams — reminds us of one thing: India is not just building startups; it’s building the future.