[Weekly funding roundup Sept 5-11] VC inflow doubles this week

Venture capital funding into Indian startups doubled this week, highlighting continued investor interest across sectors such as spacetech, restaurants, and women’s health.

The week also saw Pixxel raise $100 million, while bootstrapped restaurant chain Popo Global secured $56 million, among other notable deals.

Indian startups raised a total of $392 million across 27 deals in the second week of September compared to the $196 million raised in the previous week. The increase offers some respite for the ecosystem, with weekly VC funding having largely remained in the $100–200 million range since the first week of August.

Funding this week was also spread across various stages, with Series A startups accounting for $104 million. The activity indicates that investors continue to back Indian startups at the early stage, even as the overall funding environment remains measured.

Also, the mix of investors this week was also interesting as it expanded beyond the traditional venture capital firms to private equity investors and development finance banks.

However, this does not mean that this momentum is likely to continue in the near future as there are no trends which could bring in higher volumes of capital on a steady basis.

Key transactions

Spacetech startup Pixxel raised $100 million from Temasek, Seraphim, 360 ONE Asset, IMM Investment, Radical Ventures, and growX Ventures.

Bengaluru-based restaurant chain Popo Global raised Rs 532 crore ($56 million approx.) from Artal Asia.

Women’s wellness brand Nua raised $50 million from Peak XV, Filter Capital, Mirabilis Investment Trust and Footpath Ventures.

HerSpace Manufacturing, a low cost employee accommodation maker raised $40 million from Gray Matters Capital.

Greenwave Circularity, a circular economy venture raised $31.5 million from OeEB, the Development Bank of Austria.

Quick-service food delivery platform Swish raised $24 million from Bertelsmann India Investments, Accel, Bain Capital Ventures, and Hara Global.

Quantum cybersecurity startup QNu Labs raised Rs 200 crore ($20.9 million approx.) from National Quantum Mission, Speciale Invest, Sony Innovation Fund, Gaja Capital, and Artha Ventures.

Tech startup Piston raised $15 million from FPV Ventures, Spark Capital and Pear VC.

Tech startup Graph AI raised $13.3 million from Insight Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners.

Carrum Mobility, a B2B fleet management mobility platform raised $10 million led by Uber.

Fashion brand Theater raised Rs 75 crore ($7.8 million approx.) from Niveshaay, Physis Capital and Prath Ventures.