Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (February 27, 2025)

From startups democratising sports performance tracking to AI giant Nvidia's fourth-quarter performance, YourStory brings you the latest updates from the Indian startup ecosystem.

Featured stories

Data-driven training: SportsSkill wants all athletes to access performance-tracking

Pune-based SportsSkill caters to athletes, parents, coaches, and academies, with 1,000+ downloads and active users across cities including Hyderabad, Indore, and Mumbai. Founded in 2021 by Abhinav Sinha and Chetan Desai, SportsSkill aims to make performance insights accessible to athletes at all levels.

It functions as a performance-tracking and talent-identification platform that integrates video analysis, AI-driven analytics, and scouting opportunities. Its features are designed for athletes, coaches, and parents, allowing them to monitor progress, receive technical feedback, and explore scouting prospects. Read more.

Latest news

NVIDIA reports 78% jump in revenue to $39.3B in Q4

US-based chipmaker NVIDIA has reported $39.3 billion in revenue for its fourth-quarter earnings for fiscal year 2025. This marks a 78% year-over-year growth compared to $22.1 billion in Q4 FY24.

The surge is largely attributed to booming demand for the company’s specialised Blackwell chips, which powers generative AI and other advanced AI workloads.

For the quarter, GAAP earnings per diluted share was $0.89, up 14% from the previous quarter and up 82% from a year ago. Read more.

Uber launches peer-to-peer carpooling service in Assam

Uber has launched peer-to-peer ride sharing in Assam allowing private cars to be onboarded onto the platform. The company has inked an MoU with the Assam government, with Uber pledging an investment of Rs 120 crore over the next three years in Assam and aims to create 20,000 livelihood opportunities during this time period.

The carpooling initiative will onboard women and army veterans to provide earning opportunities in the state. Read more.

Funding news

FanTV raises $3M to drive AI-powered digital content

AI-powered digital content creation platform FanTV has secured $3 million in strategic investment from Mysten Labs, Cypher Capital, CoinSwitch Ventures, and Illuminati Capital.

The platform, developed by Founder & CEO Prashan Agarwal, former CEO of Gaan, has already processed 30 million transactions. FanTV will use the funding for the development of advanced AI tools for creators, the expansion of its global creator network, and enhanced user growth strategies.

This investment follows the company’s previous $5.5 million funding round from investors such as Multicoin Capital, Woodstock Fund, Krafton, IOSG Ventures, Pravega Ventures, and Tykhe Block Ventures.

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Lorien Finance bags $2.25M in pre-series A round

Fintech platform Lorien Finance has raised $2.25 million in Pre-series A funding in a round led by FlatIronX.

The round witnessed participation from Seedstars International Ventures (SIV), Ahimsa Capital, Bhavesh Gupta (Ex-Paytm President & COO), Ashneer Grover (ex-BharatPe MD), Play Holdings, and Silver Ridge Accelerator.

The company plans to use the funds for expansion to Tier II and Tier III cities in India. It will also strengthen its AI-driven risk assessment technology, to enable faster underwriting decisions and more personalised financing solutions for students and lenders.

Astrogate Labs bags $1.3M in pre-Series round

Space tech startup Astrogate Labs raised $1.3 million in a pre-Series round led by Piper Serica Angel Fund.

The startup will use the capital to develop laser communication terminals for space, as well as terrestrial and airborne applications, expand operations, and enhance collaborations with space agencies and defence organisations.

Founded by Nitish Singh, Yogeshwaran J, and Subhajit Chakraborty in Bengaluru, the company has been backed by Speciale Invest, SatSure, and Anicut Capital.

Home decor brand Ritualistic gets $1M investment from Deep & Mohit Bajaj

Contemporary home decor brand Ritualistic bagged $1 million in a mix of secondary and primary funding from angel investors and Co-founders of Sirona Hygiene, Deep Bajaj and Mohit Bajaj.

Ritualistic plans to broaden its product range, expand distribution across online and offline channels, and invest in strategic marketing to strengthen its market presence.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Shashank and Neha Jain, Ritualistic also seeks to collaborate with temples, museums, and cultural organisations to deepen its reach and cultural impact.

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Full circle: Founders buy back Sirona from Good Glamm Group

D2C nutrition brand Earthful raises Rs 5 Cr

Shark Tank-fame startup Earthful raised Rs 5 crore in a round led by Porus Labs's Srinivasan Namala and Ritesh Agarwal (Founder, OYO Rooms) following his investment commitment on Shark Tank.

The plant-based nutrition brand has an ARR of Rs 15 crore, along with a customer base of over 1 lakh, through its presence on major ecommerce and quick commerce platforms and its D2C channel.

It will use the funds for R&D on new products and enhancing brand presence. Additionally, the company aims to build a strong leadership team in marketing and operations.

Pickkup raises $500,000 in seed round

Logistics startup Pickkup raised $500,000 in a seed fundraise led by We Founder Circle (WFC), along with with participation from angel investors from India, Australia, and the USA.

It plans to use the latest capital infusion to expand Pickkup’s electric fleet, enhance its team, and invest in advanced technology to bolster logistics efficiency.  

Founded in 2020 by Ankush Sharma (CEO), Chandra Shekhar (CTO), Upma Sharma (COO) in Chandigarh, Pickkup has deployed a 100% electric fleet, integrating cutting-edge technology to improve delivery efficiency.

FIED at IIM Kashipur grants Rs 60 L to agri-startups

Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED) at IIM Kashipur has provided Rs 60 lakh in funding to promising agri-startups.

FIED comes under the RKVY-RAFTAAR Scheme, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India. The investment supports startups at both pre-seed and seed stages.  

Under the SAHAS-Pre Seed Stage, five startups have each been awarded Rs 5 lakh, including Eco Nexus Innovations, Mountain Millets, AutoKrishi, Onneis and Subhag Himalayan Resources.

Under the SAKSHAM-Seed Stage (MVP & Commercialization Stage), Ojas Animal Feeds as been awarded Rs 20 lakh and Burfu Agriculture Initiatives has received Rs 15 lakh.

Other news

GalaxEye partners with Impulso.Space for global expansion

Space tech startup GalaxEye has partnered with Impulso.Space to facilitate the launch of Mission Drishti, its flagship satellite programme.

Impulso.Space delivers end-to-end launch services from its advanced Florida facility, offering solutions for global clients seeking access to space. Its launch services will simplify Mission Drishti's process and boost project margins through greater efficiency.

The partnership is expected to drive GalaxEye's business expansion by providing high-resolution, all-weather imaging solutions to a wider international clientele.

Somany Impresa Group launches corporate VC arm Tattva

Diversified conglomerate Somany Impresa Group (SIG) is dipping into corporate venture capital (CVC) with the launch of Tattva.

Tattva will invest in startups focused on deep-tech manufacturing, enterprise SaaS, clean technology, and next-gen ecommerce. It will offer capital investment, strategic guidance, access to SIG’s extensive industry network, and operational expertise. 

TalentSprint to provide bootcamps for tech graduates

Deeptech education firm TalentSprint announces three bootcamps for tech graduates to stay relevant in evolving tech landscape.

The bootcamps will offer industry-focused training, hands-on learning, and access to 700+ recruitment partners. They will cover Java Full Stack Developer, AI-Powered Software Developer, and AI ML along with expert mentorship, monthly placement opportunities, and dedicated placement support.

Glance enters into partnership with Google Cloud

Consumer internet company Glance and Google Cloud have entered a partnership, wherein Glance will leverage Google’s AI models to develop consumer-facing AI applications designed to enhance and enrich user experiences on smartphone lock screens and ambient TV screens. 

According to a statement, Glance provides smart lock screen features for more than 450 million Android-based smartphones worldwide. It has an active user base of more than 300 million across India, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and other countries.

Glance will leverage Google Cloud’s Gemini intelligence capabilities and Imagen’s image generation capabilities via Vertex AI to power Glance’s next-gen experiences.

One of the first experiences is an immersive, gen AI-enabled commerce feature for the lock screen. This feature allows users to upload a single image (selfie or upload from gallery), which is then analyzed to infer their interests and preferences. Users can then use gen AI to generate personalized images that place them in relevant contexts, transforming their lock screen wallpapers. As users visualize themselves with various products, they can make real-time purchase decisions from their lock screens.

Lead Angels rebrands as Lead Invest

Angel investment network Lead Angels said it has rebranded itself as Lead Invest. This change reflects the firm’s expanded, ongoing focus on late-stage pre-IPO investments, syndications, and next-generation startup investing, as compared to the previous years where they majorly focused on narrow focussed angel investments only.

Lead Invest has done over 100 investments over the last one decade. This rebranding will see increased capabilities in helping investors participate in companies before they go towards an IPO. It claimed to have a network of over 500 investors and an IRR of more than 34%.

(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)