Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (July 9, 2026)

From India’s surging mobile gaming market to Hakimo’s $12M AI-powered security boost, YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Latest news

India’s mobile gaming revenue set to reach $2.4B by 2029: Report

India's mobile gaming industry is entering a more mature growth phase, with player spending on the rise and industry revenue projected to more than double over the next four years, according to a new report by MIXI Global Investments (MGI).

Titled India's State of Play, the report, authored by Naavik, powered by Sensor Tower, and supported by AppsFlyer, estimates that the country's combined in-app purchase (IAP) and advertising revenue will grow from approximately $1.1 billion in 2025 to $1.5 billion in 2026, before reaching $2.4 billion by 2029.

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Funding news

AI-powered physical security startup Hakimo raises $12M

Hakimo, a California-based AI-driven physical security company, has raised $12 million in a growth funding round led by existing investor Zigg Capital, a New York venture capital firm focused on technology transforming the built environment.

Existing backers Neotribe Ventures, Vertex Ventures, Defy.vc, and Rocketship.vc also participated in the round, taking Hakimo’s total funding to $32 million.

The company said the capital will be used to accelerate product innovation, expand into new industry verticals and geographies, and strengthen its workforce.

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thumpN raises $3.75M to launch AI-powered live events platform

thumpN has raised more than $3.75 million in a pre-seed funding round backed by artists including Arijit Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan and Badshah, along with investors including Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Madhur Deora. The startup has launched an AI-powered platform for discovering and booking live events across concerts, comedy, sports, festivals and theatre. 

Its conversational AI assistant, Shadow, provides personalised event recommendations based on user preferences and curator insights. The platform also offers organisers AI-driven tools for audience insights, event management and marketing across India.

SAVE Microfinance raises Rs 40 Cr in debt funding

SAVE Microfinance has raised Rs 40 crore in debt funding, comprising Rs 25 crore from Indian Overseas Bank and Rs 15 crore from Northern Arc Capital. The funding will strengthen the company's lending capacity and support expansion of its microfinance operations, with a focus on underserved communities, women entrepreneurs, and rural households.

SAVE Microfinance also plans to explore funding under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions 2.0 to diversify its funding sources and support growth of its loan portfolio.

BAAS Technologies raises Rs 5 Cr in pre-seed funding

BAAS Technologies has raised Rs 5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures, with participation from SINE IIT Bombay and angel investors. The funding will support research and development of rocket propulsion systems, expansion of manufacturing and testing infrastructure, team growth, and upcoming engine and flight tests.

Founded in 2024, the startup develops reusable sub-orbital and orbital launch vehicles and indigenous solid and liquid propulsion systems. It is also building a 100 kN rocket propulsion testing facility in Pune to support engine validation and commercial testing.

Other news

Quess Corp, IOM partner to support safe overseas employment

Quess Corp has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Organization for Migration to support safe, compliant, and transparent overseas employment for workers across India and Southeast Asia. The partnership will establish a Tele-Migrant Resource Centre offering multilingual guidance on documentation, legal migration pathways and grievance support, alongside physical walk-in centres. 

The initiative aims to reduce reliance on unauthorised recruitment agents by providing verified information and government-aligned support. It will focus on growing overseas employment opportunities in sectors including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, construction, logistics and hospitality.

MLB names Suryakumar Yadav as ambassador for India

Major League Baseball (MLB) has appointed Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav as an MLB ambassador to help grow baseball's presence in India through fan engagement, original content and events in India and the United States. He will participate in initiatives including MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia. 

MLB has also renewed its media rights partnership with JioStar, which will continue broadcasting selected regular season games, the MLB All-Star Game and the World Series across linear and digital platforms. The agreements build on MLB's strategy to expand its reach among Indian sports fans.

Nurix AI acquires Verloop.io to expand enterprise AI platform

Nurix AI has acquired enterprise conversational AI company Verloop.io to strengthen its voice and chat automation capabilities in India and the Middle East. The acquisition combines Nurix's voice AI platform with Verloop.io's chat automation technology, which handles more than 20 million customer interactions each month.

Verloop.io founder Gaurav Singh will join Nurix's leadership team to support product strategy and enterprise growth. The combined platform will help businesses deploy AI agents across voice and chat to automate customer engagement and business workflows.

Snapdeal launches seller programme ahead of festive season

Snapdeal has launched a seller engagement programme to help businesses prepare for the festive shopping season through training, AI tools and operational support. The initiative includes Project Gati, a 45-day acceleration programme for new sellers offering AI-powered catalogue creation, free advertising credits, faster payment cycles, marketplace insights and priority support.

The company said the programme is designed to help sellers improve product visibility, manage inventory more efficiently, and prepare for higher demand during the festive season while continuing to benefit from Snapdeal's zero-commission marketplace model.

BlackSoil acquires Credit Fair's solar financing business

BlackSoil has acquired the solar financing business of Credit Fair, subject to regulatory approvals, marking its entry into renewable energy financing. The acquisition includes Credit Fair's management team, technology platform, brand and operating infrastructure.

Credit Fair has assets under management of Rs 152.6 crore and has disbursed more than Rs 1,300 crore through over 3.5 lakh loans since 2018. The deal expands BlackSoil's partner-led lending business and strengthens its presence in residential rooftop solar and MSME financing across more than 20 states.

Airties to acquire Aprecomm to expand AI broadband business

Airties has entered into an agreement to acquire Bengaluru-based broadband software company Aprecomm, with financial terms undisclosed. The acquisition will expand Airties' presence in high-growth markets and strengthen its AI capabilities for broadband operators.

Founded in 2016, Aprecomm provides AI-powered self-healing Wi-Fi and broadband management software to more than 50 internet service providers, covering over 7 million homes and businesses worldwide. Following completion of the deal, Aprecomm will operate as a subsidiary of Airties while continuing to serve its existing customers.

Saicon acquires AI engineering firm Pragmatyc Group

Saicon Consultants has acquired Nagpur-based Pragmatyc Group to strengthen its capabilities in AI, AIoT, intelligent automation, and digital engineering. Pragmatyc specialises in enterprise AI, computer vision, predictive analytics and data engineering, supporting connected and data-driven operations.

Founded in 1998, Saicon provides technology and consulting services to more than 80 customers through operations in the US and India. The acquisition follows Saicon's purchases of SilverSearch in the US and Valethi Technologies, supporting its strategy to expand AI expertise and global delivery capabilities.

Lava and Flipkart partner to launch online-first smartphone series

Lava International has partnered with Flipkart to launch the Virat smartphone series, aimed at online-first consumers across India. The range will include 4G and 5G models priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000, with features including long battery life, AI-powered cameras, and performance-focused hardware.

The partnership marks Lava's expansion in the online smartphone market, following 74% growth in its online business in 2025. The devices will be manufactured in India and sold exclusively through Flipkart, with pricing and full specifications to be announced before launch.

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