Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (December 10, 2025)

From the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ revised definition of a ‘small company’ and Meesho’s strong market debut, to groundbreaking health-tech innovation and substantial investments in nutrition, banking, and South India’s creative economy, here are the top stories today.

Featured stories

More room for growth, ease of compliance: Here’s what MCA’s new definition of ‘small company’ means for entrepreneurs

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) raised the thresholds for classifying a company as a ‘small company’ under Companies Act, 2013. 

Under MCA’s notification G.S.R. 880(E) dated December 1, firms with up to Rs 10 crore in paid-up capital and Rs 100 crore in turnover now qualify as a ‘small company’. Earlier, the limits were Rs 4 crore capital and Rs 40 crore turnover. 

This shift carries significant potential for India’s growing MSME (micro, medium and small enterprises) sector. It could reshape how many mid-sized firms plan their growth, compliance, and long-term strategy. SMBStory asks industry experts to explain the impact of the rising threshold.

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Meesho makes strong debut, shares list at 45% premium over IPO price

One of the most awaited ecommerce IPOs of this year has reached its culmination. Meesho's shares listed at a 45% premium to its issue price of Rs 111, taking the total market cap of the ecommerce platform to Rs 72,751 crore.

The stock opened at Rs 161.20 per share on the BSE, signalling sustained investor appetite for Meesho’s Bharat-focused ecommerce model.

Meesho’s debut mirrors the recent listing gains across new-age companies. Investment platform Groww listed at a 12-14%premium, while digital payments firm Pine Labs debuted at a 9.5% gain over its issue price. Edtech company PhysicsWallah saw a more than 30% premium on listing, making it one of the stronger market debuts among recent tech offerings.

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Year in review: Five books by and about women that we enjoyed this year

In a year rich with powerful storytelling, books by women, and centered on women, offered some compelling reading experiences.

From reflecting lived realities to stories of pain and loss, and finding one’s way, these stories took us through different worlds and experiences.

Read more to find out HerStory's recommendations of five books that defined the literary world this year.

Meesho enters Dalal Street, marking a decade-long journey from Koramangala

“Bharat today has arrived on Dalal Street,” said Meesho CEO and MD Vidit Aatrey, culminating one of the most significant ecommerce initial public listings of India and marking a milestone in the company’s decade-long promise of democratising ecommerce.

The momentum at the National Stock Exchange was hopeful, yet infectious, as early investors, employees, and the management team rang the bell and grabbed the signature bull statue by its horns early Wednesday morning.

IPO proceedings began around 9 AM, with a lamp-lighting ceremony, following speeches from promoters and co-founders, Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Kumar.

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How this innovation uses period blood to make screening of cervical cancer easier

When Vaibhav Shitole moved to Ahmedabad for an MS in pharmaceutical science from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, little did he know that a few years later, he would lay the foundation to develop M-Strip, India’s first patented innovative cervical cancer screening test that uses menstrual blood as a biospecimen. 

After completing his MS programme in 2020, Shitole teamed with Pradeep Kumar and Prasoon Kumar, IIT graduates, to start IOTA Design and Innovations to bring innovation in diagnostics through advanced technology and frugal innovation.

Working on blood diagnosis as the first problem statement, the company received Rs 65 lakh funding from BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) to support initial R&D activity.

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Funding news

Earthful raises Rs 26 crore to expand clean-label women’s nutrition portfolio

Earthful, a clean label plant-based nutrition brand, has raised Rs 26 crore in a pre-Series A round led by Fireside Ventures and V3 Ventures, with participation from Atrium Angels. Founded by sisters and IIT alumni Veda and Sudha Gogineni, the brand focuses on natural, transparent nutrition and has pioneered multivitamins customised for menopausal women. It has also introduced plant-only protein blends with six to seven ingredients.

In two years, Earthful says it has built a 2-lakh consumer base with strong repeat purchases across multivitamins, plant proteins, and targeted skin, hair and sleep solutions.

The company plans to use the funding to expand its women’s health portfolio and teams in Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Earthful, which has been featured on Shark Tank, says it has grown over 3X in the last financial year, following earlier raises from angels and family offices.

Other news

Federal Bank launches forex services on Bharat Connect with NBBL and Digiledge

Federal Bank has partnered with NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited and Digiledge to launch the Forex Category on Bharat Connect via FedMobile and FedNet. The service lets customers send money abroad with fully digital onboarding, transparent pricing, and no need to visit a branch.

Powered by Digiledge’s API-first infrastructure and Bharat Connect’s interoperability, the rollout aims to streamline longstanding challenges such as manual paperwork and limited access. Customers can now book forex deals and complete documentation online; services are also available through Bharat Connect’s digital and agent network.

JioHotstar to invest Rs 4,000 Cr in South India; signs pact with Tamil Nadu government

Entertainment platform JioHotstar plans to invest Rs 4,000 crore to South India’s creative economy. The company announced this at an event attended by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and leading cinema icons. It signed a letter of intent with the Tamil Nadu government to boost regional talent, introduce creator-focused programmes, and scale south-first storytelling formats.

As part of this expansion, JioHotstar unveiled a slew of 25 southern titles spanning originals, films, franchises and unscripted shows, including Kerala Crime Files S3, Save The Tigers S3, Good Wife S2, Kaattaan and Pharma.

The platform said the partnership will generate direct and indirect jobs and elevate regional content to national and global audiences. Leaders from JioStar emphasised long-term investment in talent, infrastructure and new formats.

(The article will be updated throughout the day with latest news and updates)