Startup news and updates: daily roundup (July 3, 2026)

From Narasu’s century-long coffee legacy to Microsoft’s $2.5B enterprise AI bet, YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Featured stories

100 years strong: How Narasu’s built a Rs 641 Cr coffee business without external funding

Making filter coffee is a delicate art. The perfect brew requires patience. Stirring to hasten the process is a strict no-no. Hanging around restlessly too doesn’t help.

It appears to take forever as hot water pours over powder and trickles down through the pores of the filter, one drip at a time. But the final infusion—the decoction in all its bitter glory—is worth the wait.

Who knows the art of making the perfect coffee better than Narasu’s, the popular coffee brand from Salem—one of Tamil Nadu’s key commercial centres—with 100 years of legacy under its belt. 

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Latest news

Microsoft launches new enterprise AI business with $2.5B investment

Tech giant Microsoft has launched Microsoft Frontier Company, a new business backed by a $2.5 billion investment that aims to help organisations deploy AI more effectively by combining AI engineering with industry expertise.

The move highlights a growing shift among businesses from experimenting with AI to demanding measurable returns while protecting their data and intellectual property.

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Garuda Aerospace, Micron Instruments join forces to expand indigenous defence drone capabilities

Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace and precision engineering company Micron Instruments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop next-generation unmanned defence systems.

The collaboration highlights a wider push to strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities as the country seeks to reduce dependence on imports while building advanced military technologies.

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Funding news

CUNIN raises $450,000 in pre-seed round of funding

CUNIN, a culture-led lifestyle brand has raised $450,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by ALL IN Capital and Huddle Ventures. It will use this funding round to accelerate product development, strengthen the team, invest in brand building and expand offline, beginning with the company's debut category of Fragrance and Carryable Perfume Accessories.

Founded by Kunal Shukla, Amish Bibhu and Afsal, CUNIN believes that the next generation of consumer brands will be built through culture as much as commerce, CUNIN is entering India's growing fragrance market with a differentiated approach. Rather than positioning itself as another perfume offering, the company aims to build a global lifestyle brand where products become an extension of identity, community and storytelling.

The founders of CUNIN believe that while products may attract consumers, culture is what creates enduring brands. It has first introduced Carryable Perfume Accessories and in the long term the plans are to expand into adjacent lifestyle categories, with the long-term ambition of creating a globally recognised lifestyle brand originating from India.

Other news

Simplilearn launches AI-first SkillUp learning platform

Simplilearn has launched SkillUp, an AI-first learning platform featuring more than 1,000 courses across AI, data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity, software development, digital marketing and business. The platform includes Alby, an AI mentor that provides personalised course recommendations, learning guidance, project support and interview preparation. 

SkillUp serves both individual learners and enterprises, offering AI-driven learning paths, assessments and certification. Simplilearn said the platform has already reached more than 6 million learners and issued over 1.5 million course completion certificates, with enterprise tools for workforce upskilling and learning management.

Ramco Systems appoints Sandesh Bilagi as CEO

Ramco Systems has appointed Sandesh Bilagi as Chief Executive Officer. Previously President and Chief Operating Officer, he led the company's operational turnaround, delivering six consecutive quarters of operational profit through FY26. Bilagi will now lead Ramco's global growth strategy and its transition towards AI-native enterprise software. 

With more than 20 years of experience in enterprise technology, he has held leadership roles across sales, delivery and operations, including establishing Ramco's Australia and New Zealand business. Before joining Ramco, he held senior positions at HCL Technologies and Tech Mahindra.

Mynd Fintech partners with C2FO India to expand supply chain finance

Mynd Fintech has partnered with C2FO India Technologies to strengthen its early payment and supply chain finance business. The combined business is expected to process more than Rs 50,000 crore in annual transactions, serving over 140 large corporates, including nearly half of the Nifty 50, and more than 200,000 suppliers. 

As part of the partnership, Mynd Fintech will license C2FO's early payment platform and retain its India team. The combined offering integrates early payment, receivables financing and TReDS-based funding to improve working capital access for corporates and MSMEs.

o9 Solutions promotes Ashwin Rao to Chief Technology Officer

o9 Solutions has promoted Ashwin Rao to Chief Technology Officer to lead its AI and enterprise technology strategy. Previously Executive Vice President for Next-Gen AI and Technology, Rao joined the company in November 2025 and has led development of its APEX platform, which combines AI, enterprise knowledge graphs and automation to improve planning and decision-making. 

He previously held leadership roles at QXO, Target, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and is an adjunct professor at Stanford University. The appointment supports o9's strategy to advance AI-driven enterprise planning and execution.

Global Biofuels Alliance selects 15 researchers for fellowship

The Global Biofuels Alliance has selected 15 early-career researchers from universities and research institutions across 32 countries for its Global Biofuel Champion Fellowship. Each fellow will receive a $15,000 research grant and work with the alliance over the next two years on sustainable biofuels research, knowledge exchange and international collaboration. 

The inaugural cohort includes researchers from institutions such as the University of Michigan, the University of Manchester, Monash University and Polytechnique Montréal. The programme aims to strengthen links between academic research, industry and policy to advance scalable bioenergy solutions.

Netflix launches NextGen India Writers' Program

Netflix has launched the NextGen India Writers' Program, its global talent development initiative, in India for the first time. Open to writers with up to three years of professional experience, the two-month hybrid programme will offer mentorship, workshops and industry guidance to help participants develop original series ideas into professionally developed series bibles. 

Applications are open from July 1 to September 1, 2026. India is the third country, after France and the Netherlands, to host the initiative, which aims to identify and support emerging storytelling talent.

Swiggy launches Late Night Eats for overnight workers

Swiggy has launched Late Night Eats, a programme offering curated meals, discounts and faster deliveries for professionals working late hours. Available from 10 pm to 5 am, the service covers more than 4,000 office locations and 30,000 restaurants across 30 Indian cities. It includes themed meal options and the "2 AM Club", featuring restaurants open until at least 2 am. 

Swiggy said one in four corporate employees in covered locations orders food after 10 pm, with late-night demand growing rapidly in cities including Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Lucknow, Visakhapatnam and Ahmedabad.

NEWME launches paid Fit Check internship for Gen Z

NEWME has launched the Fit Check Internship, a two-month paid programme for Gen Z fashion enthusiasts. The company will invest Rs 20 lakh to recruit 60 interns across 30 stores nationwide. Interns will receive a monthly stipend, Rs 5,000 in shopping credits each month and one year of free wardrobe access. 

The programme includes training in retail, merchandising, trend forecasting, content creation and brand building, with interns creating social media content and providing customer insights. High-performing participants may progress to leadership roles and full-time opportunities with the company.

Sachin Tendulkar joins SML as brand ambassador

SML has appointed Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador to strengthen engagement with farmers and promote its agricultural solutions. The partnership will support awareness of the company's crop nutrition, crop protection and biological products through an integrated campaign across television, digital, print and on-ground outreach. 

The campaign, titled "SML, Fasal Ka Master Blaster", draws on Tendulkar's sporting legacy to highlight science-led and sustainable farming practices. SML said the association aligns with its focus on agricultural innovation, farmer outreach and expansion in domestic and international markets.

Balwaan Krishi expands into South India

Balwaan Krishi, an agritech and farm equipment company, has launched a new logistics and distribution hub in Chennai and Vishakhapattanam as it looks to expand into South India. Spanning 14,000 sq ft, the Chennai facility will anchor supply-chain operations for Tamil Nadu, covering all 38 districts through a dealer network of 34 partners. Simultaneously, it will serve as the primary distribution gateway into Andhra Pradesh, supporting 59 dealer partners from Visakhapatnam in the north to key agri-belts in the south. Each operational cluster is projected to generate 5–8 direct and indirect jobs across warehousing, logistics and field support.

In Tamil Nadu, the facility aims to unlock demand for power weeders, brush cutters, sprayers, water pumps and harvesting equipment. In Andhra Pradesh, the focus will be on power tillers, power weeders, and battery-operated sprayers and harvesters.

GoTrust expands presence in UAE

GoTrust, a privacy, security, and governance company has strengthened its international presence through its expansion in the United Arab Emirates. Operating from the DIFC Innovation Hub in Dubai since January 2025, GoTrust is supporting enterprises across the region. The UAE has emerged as a key growth market for GoTrust, driven by the implementation of the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), increasing digital transformation initiatives, and rising demand for enterprise-grade compliance solutions.

As part of its market-entry strategy, GoTrust has adopted a channel-first approach, partnering with regional technology and consulting leaders to accelerate adoption. It is also pursuing collaborations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the Netherlands.

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