Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (May 29, 2026)

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

Featured stories

Anthropic hits $965B valuation, overtaking OpenAI after $65B funding round

The latest fund raise by Anthropic is literally mind boggling as the money raised is quite close to a trillion dollar valuation. It is literally unheard of for a private company to raise at this level of valuation but this also reveals the deep bets that companies are making into artificial intelligence as this is seen as a technology that will be as revolutionary as the internet.

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Other news

ZeroDrag raises Rs 6.5 Cr from Transition VC

Drone avionics and UAV components startup ZeroDrag has secured Rs 6.5 crore in funding from Transition VC to accelerate the development of indigenous drone electronics and strengthen India’s UAV ecosystem. The company plans to use the capital to expand research and development, scale manufacturing, enhance testing infrastructure, and improve supply chain resilience.

Founded by Amit Nimje and Shantanu Bhede, ZeroDrag develops critical drone technologies including autopilots, motor controllers, GNSS modules, communication systems, and telemetry solutions. The startup aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported drone electronics by providing cost-effective, locally developed alternatives. ZeroDrag is also backed by Japanese investors through Enrission India Capital and has received support from Startup India, NIDHI, and MeitY-backed programs.

SBM Offshore opens new Bengaluru office

SBM Offshore India has inaugurated a new office in Bengaluru, strengthening its commitment to India as a strategic hub for engineering, digital innovation, and global operations. The company currently employs around 790 professionals in India and plans to add another 200 roles in the near future. SBM Offshore India contributes 70-80% of detailed engineering work and supports nearly 60% of the company’s global engineering activities.

The new facility will house key functions including digital solutions, information management, operations support, and asset integrity services. The office also enhances capabilities in digital twins and brownfield project execution, reflecting the company’s transition from a delivery centre to a global capability hub supporting integrated project delivery and innovation.

Narasu’s Coffee accelerates South India expansion

Sri Narasu’s Coffee Company has announced an aggressive expansion strategy across southern India, including the opening of its first store in Bengaluru and a planned outlet in Amaravati. The century-old coffee brand currently operates 78 company-owned stores and offers more than 180 products across coffee, tea, and FMCG categories.

The company aims to strengthen its presence in Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh after establishing a strong base in Tamil Nadu. Narasu’s also plans to expand its distributor network from 42 to 150 by the end of the fiscal year. The expansion is driven by rising coffee consumption in southern markets and the company’s ambition to increase market share with its premium coffee offerings.

Flipkart launches ‘GRWM GRWM’ fashion campaign

Flipkart has launched ‘GRWM GRWM’, a fashion-focused sale campaign inspired by the popular Gen Z trend “Get Ready With Me,” reimagined with an Indian twist as “Garam Garam.” The initiative aims to transform the platform’s end-of-season sale into a trend-driven shopping experience for digital-first consumers. The campaign features over 10 lakh fashion products from more than 50 international and homegrown brands, including emerging D2C labels and marketplace sellers.

Shoppers can access rewards such as scratch cards and SuperCoins while exploring categories ranging from baggy jeans and Korean trousers to ethnic wear and dresses. Flipkart said the campaign reinforces its commitment to bringing the next 200 million Indians online for fashion shopping.

TelePIX, Bellatrix partner on VLEO satellite mission

Space AI solutions company TelePIX has signed an MoU with propulsion startup Bellatrix Aerospace to jointly develop a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) Earth observation satellite. The mission will combine TelePIX’s high-resolution optical payload, Chouette, with Bellatrix’s VLEO satellite platform powered by its proprietary Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion system. Bellatrix will provide the satellite bus, propulsion, thermal and power systems, while TelePIX will contribute the payload and integration support.

The partners are targeting a 2028 launch and will collaborate on mission management, launch operations, and future satellite constellation opportunities. The initiative aims to deliver high-quality geospatial data while advancing next-generation space technology capabilities.

Cognizant, Travelport collaborate on AI Transformation

Cognizant is partnering with Travelport to deploy Anthropic’s Claude AI models across Travelport’s travel retailing and distribution platforms. The collaboration aims to modernize software development, testing, and maintenance processes while embedding AI capabilities into Travelport’s services. The initiative seeks to help travel agencies, airlines, and online travel companies automate complex tasks such as itinerary planning, rebooking, and disruption management. Travelport’s new architecture will also enable AI-generated travel requests to be converted directly into confirmed bookings using live inventory data. The companies expect the transformation to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual workloads, and accelerate innovation across the global travel ecosystem.

C2i Semiconductors achieves AI chip tape-out

Indian semiconductor startup C2i Semiconductors has announced the tape-out of its smart power stage chip designed for AI infrastructure. The milestone marks the completion of the chip’s design phase before fabrication and validates the company’s capability to develop complex semiconductor products entirely in India. The chip is intended to support power regulation and optimization in AI-driven data centres, where energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical. C2i said the achievement demonstrates India’s growing ability to create advanced silicon intellectual property for global markets. The startup believes the development will contribute to strengthening the country’s semiconductor ecosystem and support future AI infrastructure requirements.

CRED introduces AI-powered engineering platform

CRED has unveiled CRED codelens, an AI-driven engineering intelligence platform designed to provide developers with contextual insights across the company’s technology ecosystem. The platform integrates information from code repositories, Slack, Confluence, Jira, and other tools to create a unified knowledge layer. It uses more than 400 specialized AI agents to support code generation, testing, infrastructure debugging, documentation, and code reviews. Built using Amazon Bedrock and Amazon EKS, CRED codelens automatically analyzes code changes and generates updated documentation within minutes. The company said the platform significantly reduces development timelines and improves productivity across its engineering teams by making complex systems easier to understand and manage.

Netrasemi launches AI System-on-Chip A2000

Fabless semiconductor startup Netrasemi has launched its flagship AI system-on-chip, A2000, and successfully completed silicon bring-up ahead of commercial production. Built on TSMC’s 12nm process node, the chip delivers smart vision and real-time video analytics capabilities for edge AI applications. The A2000 integrates Netrasemi’s proprietary neural processing unit, vision processing unit, image signal processor, and security engines. Designed for smart cameras, surveillance systems, and intelligent video gateways, the chip enables on-device AI processing with high efficiency and security. Netrasemi plans to collaborate with OEMs on product development, with commercial production expected to begin next year and volume manufacturing targeted for 2027.

AI skill demand in CDMO sector surges: CIEL HR

Demand for AI-related skills in India’s Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) sector has risen 178% over the past two years, according to a study by CIEL HR. AI-linked talent demand increased from 6.2% in 2023 to 17.2% in 2025, reflecting a significant shift in workforce requirements. The report found overall talent demand in the sector grew 52% during the same period, driven by capacity expansion and increasing operational complexity. However, it highlighted a major shortage of AI-skilled professionals, particularly in research and development, where demand has reached 24% while available talent remains below 1%. The study underscores the growing need for workforce upskilling across pharmaceutical manufacturing and related industries.

ESDS launches database monitoring platform

ESDS Software Solution has launched Enlight Jatayoo, a Database Activity Monitoring (DAM) platform designed for regulated industries in India. The solution provides continuous visibility into database activity and supports compliance with regulations from CERT-In, RBI, and SEBI. Built on a fully on-premises, air-gapped architecture, the platform allows deployment without database restarts, minimizing operational disruptions.

ESDS said Enlight Jatayoo addresses growing concerns around database security by delivering forensic-grade monitoring while ensuring sensitive data remains within customer infrastructure. The company believes the platform will help enterprises strengthen security, improve compliance reporting, and mitigate risks associated with privileged access and data breaches.

JIIF concludes cohort 14 startup bootcamp

The JITO Incubation & Innovation Foundation (JIIF) has concluded its Cohort 14 Bootcamp in Mumbai, bringing together over 80 early-stage startup founders. JIIF said it has incubated more than 70 startups and facilitated investments exceeding ₹275 crore across 114 companies since inception. The organisation operates under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme and collaborates with the Maharashtra State Innovation Society. The bootcamp focused on brand building, sustainable growth, fundraising readiness, and investor engagement. Industry experts Bharat Oswal, Sachin Oswal, and Apoorv Gautam shared insights on storytelling, business sustainability, and fundraising strategies. The initiative comes amid growing global interest in India’s startup ecosystem and increasing participation from international accelerators.

Taali partners with Pokémon for new snacking initiative

Indian snacking brand Taali has partnered with Pokémon to introduce a new consumer engagement initiative in the snacks category. Founded by Aarti and Aditya Kaji and backed by Y Combinator, Taali has built a presence across modern retail and quick commerce channels with products focused on taste and healthier ingredients. The collaboration seeks to combine Pokémon’s global popularity and cross-generational appeal with Taali’s modern snacking portfolio.

Both brands aim to create engaging consumer experiences that resonate across age groups while reflecting evolving preferences for innovative and interactive food products. The partnership highlights the growing trend of consumer brands leveraging entertainment properties to strengthen emotional connections with customers.

(The copy will be updated with the latest news)