Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (February 11, 2026)

From AI-led GCC expansion to manufacturing tech, sustainable waste startups, and fresh funding across fintech, robotics, homeware, and apparel, YourStory brings you the latest from India’s tech and enterprise world.

Featured news

India’s startup wave in manufacturing is reshaping demand for digital design tools: Dassault

India’s push toward becoming a manufacturing-driven economy is increasing demand for digital product design and simulation tools, according to executives at Dassault Systèmes.

The company said Indian manufacturers are accelerating technology adoption post-pandemic, investing more in research and shortening product development timelines.

Alongside this trend, India is witnessing a rise in deeptech hardware startups focused on sectors such as electric vehicles, medical devices, drones, and automation. Many of these ventures are emerging from smaller cities and solving industry-specific problems.

Dassault said it supports startups through software access, mentorship, and ecosystem partnerships rather than direct investments, with artificial intelligence expected to further accelerate design innovation. Read more.

GCCs in India embrace AI to drive innovation: Study

A report by NTT Data and The Mainstream says over 70% of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India are investing in AI and GenAI, with 35% ranking GenAI as their top technology priority. Cloud and cybersecurity follow at 15%.

India hosts around 1,900 GCCs employing two million professionals, a figure projected to reach 2,500 centres and 4.5 million employees by 2030, with the market size expected to grow from $65 billion to $110 billion.

Nearly 40% of GCCs now position innovation as their core value proposition, up from 18% in FY13. About 45% are deploying AI across functions or building AI-native processes.

However, legacy systems, budget constraints, and talent gaps remain key hurdles as centres transition from cost-focused units to innovation-led hubs. Read more.

How these social enterprises are turning India’s waste crisis into livelihoods

A growing number of social enterprises in India are transforming waste management by creating circular economy models that also generate livelihoods.

Startups such as Phool convert temple flower waste into incense and plant-based leather, while Code Effort recycles cigarette butts into compost, textiles, and paper products, working with thousands of waste pickers. Saahas Zero Waste manages segregation, composting, and recycling across multiple locations while formalising waste workers into safer jobs.

Plannex Recycling focuses on complex waste streams like plastics, tyres, batteries, and solar panels, integrating informal workers into structured employment. Swachha Eco Solutions processes post-consumer and industrial plastics, producing recycled materials and employing thousands of workers, many of them women, while diverting large volumes of waste from landfills. Read more.

Funding news

Healthcare fintech firm Care.fi raises $8M in Series A round led by July Ventures

Gurugram-based healthcare fintech Care.fi has raised $8 million in a Series A round led by July Ventures, with participation from Peak XV Partners, Accion Venture Lab, and Sadev Ventures, along with $3 million in debt from Trifecta and Vivriti.

The company provides an AI-powered revenue cycle management platform for hospitals, handling documentation, coding, claims processing, and collections, alongside working capital through its NBFC arm.

Care.fi said it is deployed across Ayushman Bharat and other insurance programmes. It plans to expand across Indian cities and internationally in the US and the Middle East. The firm reported over 10% year-on-year growth in its loan book and employs more than 250 people. It recently acquired Aldun to reduce hospital discharge times. Read more.

Showroom B2B raises $17M in Series A funding to scale apparel manufacturing

Apparel sourcing and manufacturing platform Showroom B2B has raised $17 million in a Series A round led by Cactus Partners, with participation from Zephyr Peacock, Jungle Ventures, Accion Ventures, NBD Ventures, Lighthouse Canton, and Alteria Capital.

Founded in 2020 by Abhishek Dua and Shubham Gupta, the Gurugram-based startup operates a design-to-delivery sourcing model serving organised retailers, brands, and buying houses.

Clients include Reliance Trends, Vishal Megamart, V-Mart, Myntra, and over 7,000 small retailers. The company plans to use the funds to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen operational systems, and deepen enterprise partnerships. It works across categories including denim, knits, woven, and kidswear, and has begun expanding into the US and the Middle East. Read more.

Nester raises Rs 19 Cr in pre-Series A round led by Fireside Ventures, OTP Ventures

Homeware brand Nester has raised Rs 19 crore in a Pre-Series A round led by Fireside Ventures and OTP Ventures, with participation from Sadev Ventures and Titan Capital, the company said.

The Gurugram-based startup plans to use the funds to deepen product development and expand its portfolio of design-led home appliances. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Abhinav Singh said the capital will help the company “innovate products with high functionality that simplify routines.”

Investors cited premiumization trends and demand for higher-quality home products. Nester uses tech-engineering to solve consumer pain points and builds multi-functional appliances, including an air fryer featuring what it calls SteamLock that prevents food from drying.

Articulus Surgical raises seed funding led by Kalaari Capital

Articulus Surgical has raised a seed round led by Kalaari Capital to support the commercial rollout of its India-built surgical robotics platform, the company said.

The funds will be used to expand hospital deployments and surgeon training as the firm transitions from product development to market scale.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Saurya Mishra said the funding allows the company to “shift focus to scale and adoption.” Robotic surgery penetration remains about 5% globally and under 1% domestically, the company said.

Articulus’ portfolio includes its Pulsar modular robotic system, Galaxi surgical optics robot and Nebula training platform. The company plans broader deployments over the next 12 to 18 months.

Formula Group secures strategic investment from Relo Group

Relocation management firm Formula Group has entered a strategic partnership with Japan-based Relo Group Inc., which has acquired a significant minority stake in the company, according to a statement.

The investment is aimed at supporting Formula Group’s global expansion and strengthening its position in corporate mobility and employee relocation services in India.

The collaboration combines Formula Group’s domestic operational network with Relo Group’s international relocation expertise. Grant Thornton acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Formula Group.

Ankit Ahuja, partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, said the deal will “further strengthen Formula Group’s leadership in relocation and integrated corporate mobility” while helping Relo Group expand its presence in India’s growing employee mobility market.

Other news

Juspay opens DIFC headquarters to expand Middle East operations

Juspay has opened a regional headquarters in Dubai International Financial Centre as part of its Middle East expansion, the payments infrastructure firm said. The move is aimed at serving enterprise merchants, banks and financial institutions across the Gulf region.

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Sheetal Lalwani said the company plans to partner with regional institutions to build “secure, scalable payments infrastructure.” Juspay provides payment orchestration, authentication, tokenisation and fraud management solutions, processing more than 300 million transactions daily, according to the statement. The company said it will expand its regional team, focusing on business development and solution engineering.

PharmEasy expands online doctor consultation services across India

PharmEasy is expanding access to digital doctor consultations through its app as demand for telehealth services increases, the company said. The service connects users to more than 70 licensed doctors across over 20 medical specialties via audio and video consultations.

The company said general physician consultations account for nearly 85% of total usage, with rising demand in areas such as dermatology, women’s health, childcare, and sexual wellness. PharmEasy plans to add dedicated mental healthcare specialists to meet growing demand for stress and well-being support.

Chief Business Officer Gaurav Verma said, “Online consultations are helping bridge this gap by offering timely and affordable access to quality doctors, especially in Tier 2 cities.” The service has reported about 15% average monthly growth in recent months.