Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (June 15, 2026)

YourStory presents the daily news roundup from the Indian startup ecosystem and beyond. Here’s the roundup for Monday, June 15, 2026

Monday June 15, 2026 , 12 min Read

The government's initiative to promote biotech startups through BIRAC and former badminton star Aparna Popat's life lessons, YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Funding news

AutoVRse raises $2.4M co-led by Singularity and Lumikai

Industrial AI transformation platform AutoVRse has raised $2.4 million in a funding round co-led by Singularity AMC’s Large Value Fund III and Early Opportunities Fund, alongside existing investor Lumikai. The company plans to use the capital to enhance product development, strengthen customer integrations, and expand its presence across North America, Europe, the GCC, and India. AutoVRse provides VR-based training and smart glasses-enabled field guidance solutions across manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors. The company serves over 500,000 users across 50 enterprise customers globally and has crossed $8 million in annual recurring revenue within a year of its global rollout, with revenue growing 250% year-on-year.

IHLD MedTech raises $3M from from UltraGreen.ai

IHLD MedTech has secured a strategic investment from Singapore Exchange-listed UltraGreen.ai to expand its AI-powered healthcare platforms. The deal includes an initial investment of $3 million, with total funding commitments potentially reaching $12 million. The partnership combines UltraGreen.ai’s expertise in fluorescence-guided surgery and digital health technologies with IHLD MedTech’s care delivery ecosystem. The company is developing solutions targeting chronic diseases, preventable hospitalisations, and non-healing wounds. The funding will support expansion across India and international markets, capitalising on the rapidly growing digital health sector, which is expected to expand at over 25% CAGR through 2033, driven by rising AI adoption and demand for remote patient monitoring solutions.

Maya Research raises $1.9M led by South Park Commons

AI startup Maya Research has raised $1.9 million in a seed funding round led by South Park Commons. Founded in 2025 by BS Dheemanth Reddy and Bharath Kumar Kakumani, the company is developing voice-first AI interfaces aimed at users who interact with technology primarily through conversation rather than text. Maya Research has achieved over 440,000 model downloads on Hugging Face and recorded 3 million app downloads across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa region. Its open-source voice model, Maya 1, ranks among the leading global open-weight voice models on Speech Arena. The company believes voice-based AI systems will drive the next wave of digital adoption worldwide.

Other news

N-able opens Global Capability Centre in Bengaluru

US headquartered cybersecurity firm N-able has launched a new Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru as part of its strategy to expand its global security operations and AI-driven innovation capabilities. The centre will support engineering, product management, user experience, and security operations functions. N-able currently employs over 100 professionals at the facility and plans to increase headcount by more than 50% by the end of 2026. The investment reflects the company’s focus on helping businesses strengthen cyber resilience and compliance readiness amid evolving cyber threats. N-able said the Bengaluru centre will play a key role in developing next-generation cybersecurity solutions and supporting its global customer base.

“With deep expertise under one roof in Bengaluru, we’re fast-tracking the next generation of capabilities from AI-powered innovation to modernized security operations,” said Mike Adler, Chief Technology and Product Officer at N-able. “We’re enabling the IT professionals and security experts to work smarter, respond faster, and confidently stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat landscape.”

byteXL partners with KPMG in India for skill development programmes

Edtech platform byteXL has partnered with KPMG in India to design and deliver industry-focused skill development and certification programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Under the collaboration, byteXL will lead programme execution and management, while KPMG in India will contribute specialised modules, assessments, industry engagement, and project-based learning interventions. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements through industry-integrated curricula, scenario-based capstone projects, and career readiness programmes. The partnership seeks to improve employability outcomes and equip students across India with practical skills aligned with evolving workforce demands.

CuberaTech India partners with Grant Thornton Bharat for AI-led growth

CuberaTech India, the Indian arm of US-based Eleos Social Inc., has entered into a strategic partnership with Grant Thornton Bharat to accelerate growth in AI-driven advertising and audience intelligence. Under the collaboration, Grant Thornton Bharat will provide management consulting and technology advisory services to support Cubera’s expansion plans.

The partnership combines Cubera’s advertising technology and data management platform capabilities with Grant Thornton Bharat’s expertise in business strategy, corporate development, and digital transformation. The companies aim to drive scalable growth and strengthen Cubera’s position in global markets by leveraging advanced analytics, AI, and audience intelligence solutions. The alliance is expected to support innovation and operational excellence across Cubera’s expanding international business.

iCreate, France’s Hauts-de-France Region launch deeptech corridor

Deep-tech incubator iCreate has signed an MoU with France’s Hauts-de-France Regional Council to establish the India–Hauts-de-France Bilateral Corridor for Deep Tech Innovation. Announced at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, the initiative aims to facilitate startup collaboration, market access, pilot deployments, and technology commercialisation between India and France.

The corridor will focus on sectors including HealthTech, ClimateTech, AgriTech, FoodTech, e-Mobility, Aerospace, Defence, and Physical AI. Over the next 18 months, the programme plans to support more than 12 startups, facilitate at least three joint pilot projects, and launch a bilateral startup cohort. The initiative is expected to strengthen innovation ecosystems and unlock cross-border investment opportunities.

Quest Global launches Neprion for AI and AR wearables

Engineering services company Quest Global has introduced Neprion, a new product realisation and system validation framework designed for AI, AR, and XR smart wearables. The offering aims to help OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and ecosystem partners accelerate product validation, improve launch readiness, and ensure production-grade quality for next-generation wearable devices. As demand for immersive technologies rises globally, Quest Global said Neprion will support customers across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific in bringing AI-powered smart glasses and wearable devices to market faster. The framework provides a single-partner execution model, helping companies manage engineering complexity while ensuring safety, interoperability, and quality standards throughout product development.

Hero FinCorp deploys Salesforce Agentforce for faster loan processing

Hero FinCorp has partnered with Salesforce to modernise its lending operations using Agentforce and related AI-powered technologies. The NBFC has implemented Agentforce, Data 360, MuleSoft, Agentforce Sales, and Agentforce Service to automate key stages of the loan approval process, including document verification, credit checks, e-signatures, and loan disbursals. The company reported a 72% improvement in turnaround time for two-wheeler loans, while 92% of applications now pass through Agentforce-enabled workflows. Hero FinCorp has also reduced Not In Good Order (NIGO) cases by 77% at the sales stage. The solution currently supports over 6,400 dealers across India and is helping expand access to credit while improving customer and dealer experiences.

InCred Capital opens New York office, appoints Arunava Das

InCred Capital has expanded its international footprint with the launch of a New York office, strengthening its presence across India, Singapore, Dubai, and London. The new office will cater to institutional investors, family offices, and sophisticated clients seeking access to India-focused investment opportunities. The firm has appointed industry veteran Arunava Das as CEO for North America. Das brings more than two decades of experience across institutional equities, capital markets, and wealth management, having previously held leadership roles at JM Financial Securities, JPMorgan Chase, and Edelweiss Capital. The New York office will offer research, execution, corporate access, private market opportunities, and customised investment solutions focused on India’s growth story.

DashLoc partners with Jaquar to strengthen hyperlocal digital presence

Martech discovery platform DashLoc has partnered with Jaquar to enhance the digital visibility of the company’s retail and dealer network across India. Through the collaboration, DashLoc will deploy solutions including listing management, location microsites, review management, lead generation, call tracking, and local content optimisation. The initiative aims to improve customer discovery, engagement, and conversions by helping consumers connect more easily with nearby Jaquar retailers and experience centres. As consumer journeys increasingly begin online, the partnership is expected to boost local search visibility, drive higher footfalls, and support dealer growth. The companies believe the move will strengthen Jaquar’s omnichannel customer experience and retail ecosystem.

Smartworks expands Singapore presence with new managed office facility

Managed workspace provider Smartworks has expanded its Singapore operations with a new managed office centre at Manulife Tower in the city’s Central Business District. The addition increases the company’s footprint in Singapore to more than 50,000 square feet. The new facility spans over 15,000 square feet and is designed to serve enterprises ranging from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies and Global Capability Centres. The centre joins Smartworks’ existing locations at Great Eastern Centre and Keppel Bay Tower. The company said the expansion reflects growing demand for premium managed office solutions and reinforces its position as the only Indian-origin listed flexible workspace provider with an international presence.

UNIVO appoints Nitin Golani as chief executive officer

Online higher education platform UNIVO has appointed Nitin Golani as its Chief Executive Officer to lead the company’s next phase of growth. Golani brings more than two decades of experience across education, technology, and consumer sectors, having held leadership roles at Aakash Educational Services, OYO, Ola Electric, Accenture Strategy, and MetLife. At UNIVO, he will focus on strengthening learner outcomes, expanding university partnerships, and leveraging AI for personalised and adaptive learning experiences. The appointment comes as the company seeks to deepen its presence in India’s rapidly evolving online higher education market and broaden access to industry-relevant, outcome-driven learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

RouteMatic unveils new brand identity reflecting mobility evolution

Corporate mobility solutions provider RouteMatic has introduced a refreshed brand identity to reflect its transformation into a comprehensive enterprise mobility ecosystem. The new identity highlights the company’s focus on combining artificial intelligence, integrated fleet operations, and on-ground execution to deliver safe and efficient employee transportation services. At the centre of the redesign is an arrow-inspired symbol representing movement, intelligence, and accountability. RouteMatic has also introduced a new colour palette designed to convey reliability, innovation, and operational excellence. The rebranding reinforces the company’s positioning around its promise of “Powered by Intelligence. Driven by Care,” as it continues to support enterprises with data-driven and scalable mobility solutions.

Purplle selects New Relic to enhance customer experience

Beauty and personal care platform Purplle has chosen New Relic as its observability partner to improve digital experiences and strengthen platform reliability. By implementing New Relic’s Digital Experience Monitoring capabilities, Purplle expects to reduce incident resolution times by 60–70% while gaining greater visibility into critical business and performance metrics. The company’s engineering teams now use unified dashboards to proactively identify and address issues before they affect customers. According to New Relic, Purplle has already been able to detect and resolve some platform issues within five minutes. The deployment is expected to improve developer productivity, minimise downtime, and help the retailer maintain seamless customer experiences in a highly competitive e-commerce environment.

Skye Air partners India Post for drone-based mail delivery

Skye Air Mobility has signed an agreement with the Department of Posts to operate drone-based mail delivery services across 150 routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam. The initiative aims to improve postal connectivity in regions where difficult terrain and adverse weather often disrupt conventional delivery networks. Operations began in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, within 72 hours of the agreement being signed. The company’s drones use Physical AI technology, integrating machine learning, advanced sensors, predictive battery management, and real-time navigation capabilities. Unlike traditional drones that follow fixed routes, Skye Air’s systems can adapt to changing terrain and weather conditions autonomously, enhancing safety and efficiency while enabling large-scale deployment of autonomous logistics services.

GenXAI partners ShortOrbit Defence for AI-powered solutions

AI and enterprise performance management company GenXAI has entered into a strategic partnership with deep-tech firm ShortOrbit Defence to deploy indigenous artificial intelligence solutions across defence applications. As part of the collaboration, ShortOrbit has integrated a specialised Vision AI model from GenXAI into SDRStrike Pro, a software-defined radio testing platform being delivered to India’s Ministry of Defence. The partnership also extends to other products, including the post-quantum cryptographic platform CipherStrike Pro and secure documentation system CryptoDoc. The companies said the alliance demonstrates the potential of Indian-developed AI technologies to meet stringent defence requirements while supporting innovation in security, precision, and mission-critical applications.

Lumos Health Opens applications for second startup cohort

Healthcare accelerator Lumos Health Advisory has opened applications for the second cohort of its healthcare speed-scaling programme, inviting early-stage healthtech and medtech startups to apply by June 25, 2026. Founded by Anjali Ajaikumar and Prasad Vanga, the initiative aims to provide startups with access to advisory support, clinical infrastructure, and strategic partnerships needed to accelerate growth. Lumos Health operates through a partnership between healthcare provider HCG and venture capital firm Anthill Ventures. Participating startups gain access to clinical trial support, real-world validation opportunities, investor networks, and commercialisation pathways. The programme is open to startups globally and seeks to help innovators bring healthcare technologies to market faster and more effectively.

This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.

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