Startup news and updates: daily roundup (August 21, 2026)
YourStory presents the daily news roundup from the Indian startup ecosystem and beyond. Here's the roundup for Friday, August 21, 2026.
From Red Balloon Aerospace building India’s near-space infrastructure to Atomberg filing draft IPO papers for Rs 450 crore fresh issue, YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.
Featured stories
How Red Balloon Aerospace is building India’s near-space infrastructure
Before a payload goes to space, it needs to be tested in near-space conditions. But access to such facilities is limited in India, says CVS Kiran, who spent years building space vehicles designed to reach orbit.
The few facilities available are oversubscribed, with long waitlists that can add to development timelines.
Kiran, a former scientist at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and former VP at Skyroot Aerospace, saw an opportunity in the space between aviation and satellites.
Latest news
Atomberg files draft IPO papers for Rs 450 Cr fresh issue
Consumer appliance company Atomberg Technologies Limited has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its IPO. Sellers include A91 Emerging Fund I LLP, V-Sciences Investments Pte Ltd, JV4, Inflexor Opportunities Fund 1, Steadview Capital Mauritius Limited, Inflexor Technology Fund, and Survam Partners LLP.
The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each, aggregating up to Rs 450 crore, and an offer for sale of 7,65,42,051 equity shares of face value Rs 10 each.
Quadria Capital-backed Nobel Hygiene eyes Rs 150 Cr IPO
Quadria Capital-backed Nobel Hygiene has filed its draft red herring prospectus for an initial public offering to raise fresh capital of Rs 150 crore alongside a secondary share sale. The company plans to use these funds to expand production capacity at its Halol facility and repay existing bank debt.
The IPO comprises a fresh issue of up to Rs 150 crore of equity shares of face value Rs 2 each and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 1.55 crore equity shares. In consultation with its book running lead managers, the company may also consider a pre-IPO placement of up to Rs 30 crore (not exceeding 20% of the fresh issue), which would reduce the fresh issue size correspondingly.
Other news
MINISO launches on Instamart with 90-plus lifestyle products
Instamart has launched MINISO on its quick-commerce platform, offering more than 90 products across bags and accessories, kitchen and dining, stationery, hobbies and toys. The assortment includes everyday products such as backpacks, water bottles and stationery, alongside merchandise featuring Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, BT21 and Disney's Stitch.
MINISO will initially be available across key Indian metros from August 21, with plans to expand its catalogue and city coverage. The launch is part of Instamart's expansion beyond groceries and daily essentials into categories including electronics, toys, beauty, lifestyle and gifting. Opptra is supporting MINISO's digital distribution and fulfilment in India.
SDN Trust, Knimbus partner to expand campus employability learning
Skills Development Network Trust, supported by Wadhwani Foundation, has partnered with Knimbus to provide employability and job-readiness programmes through institutional digital libraries across India. Under the MoU, Wadhwani JobRise and Wadhwani JobConnect will be made available through Knimbus-powered platforms, giving students access to workplace skills, interview preparation and job opportunities alongside existing academic resources.
The rollout will take place in phases with participating institutions. The partnership aims to use existing digital library infrastructure to expand access to career-focused learning and AI-enabled employability tools without requiring separate systems or registrations.
R for Rabbit launches 10-product BioMimic kids’ care range
R for Rabbit has launched BioMimic, a 10-product baby and kids’ care range based on biomimicry, using natural mechanisms of children’s skin and hair as the basis for product development. The range covers skincare, bathing, oral care and grooming, including creams, lotions, washes, shampoo, toothpaste and diaper rash cream. Products draw inspiration from mechanisms such as aquaporins, vernix caseosa, sebum and plant starches.
R for Rabbit said the products are paraben-free, sulphate-free and pH-balanced. The range has undergone clinical and dermatological testing, with additional evaluation by paediatricians and ophthalmologists, while the toothpaste has been dentist-approved.
Nemetschek, ICT Academy launch national design competition for students
Nemetschek India and ICT Academy have launched Design for Reality, a nationwide competition for architecture and civil engineering students focused on practical digital skills. The initiative will reach students across ICT Academy's network of more than 1,000 institutions. Participants will have eight hours to solve industry-inspired challenges through two tracks, sustainable design for architecture and BIM-based workflows for civil engineering.
Submissions will be assessed on technical accuracy, practical feasibility, digital proficiency and real-world applicability. The partnership will also include train-the-trainer programmes to help institutions develop capabilities in digital design and engineering tools. Top-performing students and faculty mentors will receive industry recognition, mentorship and career engagement opportunities.
PhonePe, DPIIT partner to support Indian startups
PhonePe and the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade have signed a two-year MoU to support DPIIT-recognised startups with digital payments, technology and scale-up capabilities. The partnership will provide eligible startups with priority onboarding, commission-free app delivery channels, preferential payment gateway processing terms and access to Indus Appstore for app distribution.
It will also offer founder mentorship through the government's MAARG portal, quarterly go-to-market masterclasses and promotional opportunities for selected startups. The initiative is intended to reduce technology and distribution barriers for early-stage businesses and expand access to digital infrastructure across India's startup and MSME ecosystem.
Bihar govt partners with ConveGenius.AI
The Bihar government has signed an MoU with ConveGenius.AI to develop state-controlled AI infrastructure covering education, skilling and citizen services. The proposed AI stack will be built within Bihar, with the state retaining control over data, governance and policy. A key component will be B-ONT, a knowledge graph mapping state schemes and services to help AI agents navigate information across departments.
The infrastructure is also intended to support contextual AI-skilling programmes for young people, workers and enterprises. ConveGenius.AI will establish the infrastructure in Bihar, drawing on technology from partners including AWS, Adobe, Intel, Google and Snowflake.
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)