Startup news and updates: daily roundup (July 1, 2021)

VC firm Inflexor Ventures closes its second fund at over Rs 600 Cr

VC firm Inflexor Ventures on Thursday announced that it has marked the final close of its second fund at over Rs 600 crore, surpassing its initial domestic target corpus of Rs 500 crore. Inflexor Technology Fund was launched in early 2020 and had marked its first close at Rs 230 crore in August 2020.

PM Modi set to interact with beneficiaries of Digital India schemes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with beneficiaries of the Digital India programme on Thursday, as the flagship initiative of the government completes six years, according to an official statement. The Digital India initiative was launched with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

[Funding alert] Deeptech startup peAR raises Rs 2.5 Cr in pre-Series-A1 led by Inflection Point Ventures

Deeptech computer vision and augmented reality (AR) specific startup peAR Technologies has raised Rs 2.5 crore in a pre-Series A1 round led by Inflection Point Ventures. According to the official statement, the fresh funds will be utilised in building 3D Modelling technology for augmented reality, so as to advance the B2C app. Along with this, the startup will launch in four cities – Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi/NCR, and Pune.

Govt panel recommends against allowing SII to conduct Covovax trial on children aged 2-17 yrs

On Wednesday, an expert panel of India's central drug authority recommended against granting permission to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to conduct the phase 2/3 trial of COVID-19 vaccine Covovax on children aged two to 17 years, sources said. The SII applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Monday seeking permission to conduct a trial of Covovax on 920 children — 460 each in the 12-17 and two-11 age groups — at 10 sites.

[Funding alert] F&V startup Gourmet Garden raises Rs 25 Cr led by Beyond Next Ventures, M Venture Partners and others

Bengaluru-based fruits and vegetables brand Gourmet Garden — which uses its patented naturoponic farming approach to grow its produce — on Thursday said it raised Rs 25 crore in its latest round led by Beyond Next Ventures, M Venture Partners, and existing investors Incubate India and Whiteboard Capital, among others. 

[Funding alert] The Sleep Company raises Rs 13.4 Cr in Pre-Series A round led by Fireside Ventures

The Sleep Company, a comfort technology company step-changing the way people "sleep" and "sit", has raised Rs 13.4 crore in pre-Series A round. The round was led by Fireside Ventures and also saw participation from LogX Ventures and Mamaearth founder - Varun Alagh (in a personal capacity). 

[Funding alert] B2B ecommerce startup TyrePlex raises undisclosed amount in seed round led by AdvantEdge Founders

TyrePlex, a B2B ecommerce startup in the aftermarket tyre vertical, has announced that it has raised its seed round led by mobility focussed fund AdvantEdge Founders. The round also saw participation from leading angels including Akhil Sikri (Co-founder Zolostays), Amit Lakhotia (Founder Park+), Asish Mohapatra, Ruchi Kalra (Co-founders Ofbusiness), and Sandeep Aggarwal (Founder Droom.in, Shopclues).