Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (April 9, 2025)
YourStory presents daily news roundup from the Indian startup ecosystem and beyond. Here's the roundup for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
From how startups are solving tedious PF processes to IndiaAI Mission's push to support AI startups, YourStory brings you today’s top stories.
Featured News
How FinRight is making PF withdrawals easy and error-free
Mumbai-based FinRight is a one-stop platform for resolving various issues and queries related to PF. Targeted at individual users, the AI-driven automation platform streamlines PF withdrawals, ensuring faster, error-free processing of claims, while reducing dependency on traditional intermediaries.
The platform digitally verifies credentials, automates tasks like PF claims and loans, and removes the need for middlemen, thus ensuring faster, hassle-free and more transparent processing. The startup also employs a team of financial experts who offer unbiased assistance to users.
Latest News
IndiaAI Mission is trying to address gaps in India's AI story: MeitY's Abhishek Singh
Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, outlines the government’s push to democratise tech, fuel responsible AI innovation, and support inclusive solutions unique to India.
To make high‑performance hardware affordable, the IndiaAI Mission recently announced a pool of 14,000 GPUs at a subsidised rate of Rs 67 (under $1) per GPU‑hour for researchers, startups and entrepreneurs. MeitY has also launched AI Kosh–a dataset platform offering curated datasets for training and deploying AI models and applications.
Funding News
Snacking brand Let's Try bags $2.5M from SWC Global
Shark Tank fame Let's Try has raised $2.5 million in a round led by Singapore-based SWC Global to expand its operations.
The round also witnessed participation from existing investors Wipro Consumer, 100Unicorns, Venture Catalysts, and Aman Gupta (Founder of Boat Lifestyle).
The latest capital infusion will primarily be used to support distribution expansion in Tier I, II, and III cities, and strengthen its supply chain and backend operations. It is also planning to launching health-forward snacking options, and investing in digital and offline brand-building.
In three years, it has scaled to Rs 120 crore in ARR and now expects to cross Rs 1,000 crore by 2028. It plans to introduce several new SKUs in modern trade and regional formats to appeal to a wider consumer base.
Spiritual-tech platform Bhagva raises $1 million in pre-series A
Digital spiritual platform Bhagva has raised $1 million in pre-series A round led by Australian HNI Pradeep Nain, among other investors.
The platform offers online pujas, pandit booking services, and virtual temple experiences. It also provides Panchang and horoscope features, positioning itself as a one-stop solution for spiritual needs.
It plans to use the fundraise to expand its technological infrastructure and optimize operations.
Amicco raises $1 million in seed fundraise
B2B Automotive marketplace Amicco has raised $1 million in seed fundraise in a round led by Eximius Ventures along with participation from FJ Labs.
The new capital infusion will allow Amicco to expand its garage network, streamline its procurement platform, and refine go-to-market strategies.
Founded in 2024 by former Spinny exec Vivek Aalok, the platform has been gaining traction in Gurgaon. The funding will help company build tech infrastructure, strengthen its team, and expand to garages across Gurgaon and key cities.
Shark Tank fame Eat Better Co raises Rs 17 crore in pre-series A
Snacking brand Eat Better Co has raised ₹17 crores in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Prath Ventures and Spring Marketing Capital along with infusion from existing investors.
Founded by Founded by Mridula, Vidushi, and Shaurya Kanoria, Eat Better Co plans to use the fundraise to expand its product lines and double down on quick commerce.
Grest raises seed round led by India Accelerator
Refurbished iPhones stores owner Grest has received undisclosed amount of funding from iAngels.
Since its inception in 2018, Grest has scaled its offline distribution, strengthened tech, and optimized its supply chain.
A portion of the funds will go toward revenue-focused initiatives, operational efficiency, and customer engagement. It looks to to double revenue in the next two quarters while building a strong foundation for long-term scalability.
Other News
TiE Mumbai names Apoorva Ranjan Sharma as President
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Mumbai announced that Apoorva Ranjan Sharma will be taking over as the President of TiE Mumbai from April 2025 for a period of two years.
TiE curates high-impact events, investor-startup engagements, provides mentorship, and helps support early- and growth-stage startups. The new leadership will further leverage TiE Mumbai’s presence to strengthen connections with investors, government, corporates, and trade networks.
IBM Software Labs to be set up in Lucknow
IBM has announced plans to establish a Software Lab in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh focused on advancing Generative AI and Agentic AI technologies. This lab will focus on developing AI-powered solutions using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs) to address the evolving needs of businesses in India and globally.
Currently, IBM Software Labs operates from Bengaluru, Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Kochi, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai in India. The Lucknow Lab will offer roles including software engineers, application developers, technical testers, UX designers and more, among others.
IBM India Software Labs, one of the largest software development centers for IBM and plays a key role in the development of generative AI, data and AI, automation, cybersecurity and sustainability solutions.
JIIF invests Rs 60 crore in startups during FY25
JIIF, an early-stage business incubator and angel network, has invested over Rs 60 crore in
more than 20 startups during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Over the last seven years, it has backed 108 startups with investments exceeding Rs 260 crore and 20 startups raising their next rounds this year alone.
According to JIIF, its network has attracted over 750 investors across 30-plus cities and more than five countries, driving about 108 investments through 7,000-plus deals. It has incubated 25 startups through three cohorts, out of which more than 30% have already raised their seed round.
Tata Technologies, RVCE sign MoU for upskilling centre
Tata Technologies and RV College of Engineering (RVCE), Bengaluru, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Center for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) at the latter’s campus. The collaboration is aimed at equipping students with skills aligned to smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Tata Technologies has pledged approximately Rs 50 crore, while the Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust (RSST), which governs RVCE, has committed around Rs 10 crore to develop the training centre.
The centre is designed to bridge the divide between classroom theory and practical industrial application by offering immersive, hands-on training. It will serve as a sustainable skill development hub, offering long-term benefits to students, faculty, and regional industries through continuous training programs, start-up incubation, and mentorship opportunities for young innovators.
Claypond Capital appoints Sekhar Garisa as MD
Claypond Capital, the family investment office of Ranjan Pai, has appointed Sekhar Garisa as Managing Director. Sekhar has about two decades of experience across entrepreneurship and corporate leadership roles in FMCG, consumer internet, high-tech, and consulting. He joins Claypond Capital from Quess Corp where, as President of Product Businesses. Prior to this, he held leadership positions at Microsoft, Mckinsey, and P&G.
Real estate advisory platform Grahm launched in Bengaluru
Grahm, a real estate advisory platform has launched its operations in Bengaluru. This platform aims to reshape the home-buying experience by bridging the gap between buyers, builders, and lenders with a one-stop advisory platform.
The services offered include expert guidance, personalised solutions, financial and legal support, and post-purchase support. This includes property searches to paper documentation, financing, and post-sale services.
Grahm claimed it has onboarded 100-plus developers and partnered with over 350 projects in Bengaluru already. It is also looking to expand into other metros in the country.
Amazon Q Developer expands language support to Hindi
Amazon Web Services (AWS) said it has expanded the language support for its GenAI platform - Amazon Q Developer and now it includes Hindi. According to a blog post, Amazon Q Developer now enables developers to have more natural, fluid conversations about complex technical concepts in their preferred language, whether they’re designing system architecture, generating documentation, or planning application localisation strategies.
ParkMate appoints TrueWheels founder as head of engineering
ParkMate, a smart parking and mobility platform has announced the appointment of Neeraj Pandey, founder and former CEO of TrueWheels, as the company’s new Head of Engineering. Pandey, who faced a personal tragedy, had initially planned to revive TrueWheels but decided to join hands with ParkMate.
Sunfox Technologies bags award at Startup Mahakumbh 2025
Sunfox Technologies, the makers of portable ECG devices has been awarded as Startup Maharathi in Health & Bio Track at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025. It bagged the award at the Startup Maharathi Challenge 2025, positioning them as a leading innovator in the health-tech space. The flagship product of Sunfox is Spandan ECG, which aims to improve cardiac care, especially in rural and remote areas.
(The copy will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti