Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (March 26, 2026)

YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Funding news

Plum Insurance raises Rs 193 Cr in Series B round led by Peak XV Partners

Plum Insurance has raised Rs 193 crore in a Series B funding round led by Peak XV Partners. The round also saw participation from Tanglin Venture Partners and GMO VenturePartners, a Japan-based global fintech investor.

The Bengaluru-based insurtech startup will use the capital for hiring, technology upgrades, enterprise-grade security, AI-driven claims operations, and deeper integrations with HR and payroll systems.

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Other news

Bharat PET Files ₹760 Crore IPO Papers With SEBI

Bharat PET Limited has filed draft papers with the Securities and Exchange Board of India to raise up to ₹760 crore through an initial public offering, according to its Draft Red Herring Prospectus.

The proposed offering comprises a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 120 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 640 crore by existing promoter shareholders, including Deepak Gupta, Ankur Gupta, Rahul Gupta, Sonu Gupta, Stuti Gupta, Ruchi Gupta, Mitali Gupta and Santosh Devi Gupta.

The company said it may also consider a pre-IPO placement of up to Rs 24 crore, in consultation with its book-running lead managers, subject to regulatory approvals.

Proceeds from the fresh issue are slated to be used to repay borrowings of up to Rs 50 crore, fund capital expenditure of about Rs 35.8 crore towards machinery and equipment, and support general corporate purposes, the filing showed.

Bolt.Earth, Ather partner to expand fast-charging access

Bolt.Earth has entered into a strategic partnership with Ather Energy to expand access to fast-charging infrastructure for electric scooter users.

Under the arrangement, Ather riders will be able to discover LECCS-enabled Blaze DC fast chargers through the Ather app and scooter dashboard, and book and use the chargers via the Bolt.Earth charging app. LECCS stands for Light Electric Combined Charging System. The integration is aimed at simplifying access to public charging and improving reliability for electric two-wheeler users.

The partnership makes more than 195 Blaze DC 3 kW fast chargers with Type 7 (LECCS standard) connectors available across over 100 cities, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers of Indian Army partners with IITM Pravartak

The Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers of the Indian Army has partnered with IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation to strengthen indigenous engineering capabilities and reduce reliance on external sources for critical military technologies.

The collaboration is expected to create a structured framework for jointly identifying, developing, and deploying solutions tailored to the Army’s operational and maintenance requirements. The focus will be on addressing gaps between on-ground needs and available technological solutions.

The partnership will seek to integrate academic research, industry expertise, and military inputs, with the aim of accelerating the development of locally built systems. Officials said the initiative is designed to better align cutting-edge research with real-world deployment scenarios within the armed forces.

ELMED Life Sciences raises $2.7 M in Series A funding from NABARD-backed fund

ELMED Life Sciences has raised $2.7 million in a Series A funding round led by AgriSURE Fund, which is managed by NABVENTURES, the investment arm of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The company said the proceeds will be used to expand its manufacturing capabilities, strengthen research and development, and scale distribution across key markets.

Founded by Pruthivin Reddy Madduri and co-founded by Nikhil Konkathi, ELMED develops probiotic and biological solutions spanning animal health, aquaculture, agriculture, and human health.

The company focuses on improving productivity, immunity and sustainability across farm ecosystems, offering products tailored for poultry, dairy and livestock, as well as shrimp and fish farming. It also provides biological solutions aimed at enhancing soil and plant health.

NSRCEL, Maruti Suzuki launch sixth cohort of incubation programme for mobility startups

NSRCEL, the incubation arm of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, has partnered with Maruti Suzuki India Limited to launch the sixth cohort of its incubation programme focused on mobility startups.

The latest cohort brings together early-stage ventures working across areas such as mobility services, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, manufacturing technologies, and circular economy solutions, reflecting the evolving landscape of India’s transportation sector.

The programme is aimed at startups at the minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype stage and will offer support to help them build, test and scale their solutions. Participants will benefit from industry engagement, mentorship and access to resources through the collaboration.

750AD Healthcare partners with ZENA Professional Skincare

750AD Healthcare Pvt Ltd has entered into a strategic partnership with ZENA Professional Skincare to expand access to advanced aesthetic and clinical skincare treatments in India.

The collaboration is aimed at integrating international skincare technologies with the country’s growing demand for medically supervised aesthetic procedures. The companies said the partnership will focus on introducing advanced treatment protocols across hospitals, dermatology clinics, and aesthetic centres.

As part of the arrangement, ZENA’s portfolio—including chemical peeling solutions and skin regeneration therapies—will be made available to Indian practitioners through 750AD Healthcare’s distribution and clinical network. The companies said this would enable providers to offer more specialised and results-driven treatments.