Startup News
Steady Returns in Volatile Times: RBI Floating Rate Savings Bond Offers 8.05% for Conservative Investors
India's RBI Floating Rate Savings Bond offers conservative investors 8.05% interest (July-Dec 2025), a rate tied to NSC. This government-guaranteed bond provides high safety, semi-annual payouts, and adjusts with rising rates, making it an ideal choice for stable, income-focused returns despite its taxable nature and 7-year lock-in for most.
India's New Employment-Linked Incentive Scheme: Who Gains from the ₹99,446 Crore Job Push?
India's ₹99,446 crore ELI Scheme aims for 3.5 crore jobs by July 2027. It benefits first-time formal employees with a 1-month EPF wage (up to ₹15K) and employers with ₹3K/month per additional hire for 2-4 years. Focus on manufacturing. This formalizes labor, boosts youth employment, and encourages savings.
Government Partnerships Propel 80% of India's Top Nonprofit Unicorns to Faster Growth: Report
A Change Engine report states 80% of India's top "nonprofit unicorns" achieve large-scale impact via government partnerships. These organizations, reaching 1M+ people, use government for policy, budget, & infra. The study shows partnerships are accessible, proving government collaboration is key for societal change.
Boards Prioritize CEO Succession as Disruption and Complexity Mount: Global Study Reveals
A Korn Ferry study highlights CEO succession as boards' top priority globally, driven by rising disruption. 83% of chairs see it as a strategic imperative, emphasizing high-trust boards, diverse skills (digital, cultural), strong risk management, and tech readiness for future leadership in complex times.
India's Startups Eyeing Over ₹18,000 Crore Through Public Listings in Major D-Street Surge
Indian startups are gearing up for a significant D-Street push, aiming to raise over ₹18,000 crore via IPOs. This surge includes major players like Pine Labs, Shadowfax, Urban Company, Shiprocket, and Wakefit. Driven by scaling and a new focus on profitability, these listings reflect growing confidence in public markets and mark a maturing phase for India's startup ecosystem.
Leadership Boost for Pine Labs: Payments Giant Set to Appoint Avendus' Sameer Kamath as New CFO
Pine Labs, the fintech giant preparing for an IPO, is set to appoint Sameer Kamath, Avendus Capital's Group CFO, as its new CFO. This strategic hire strengthens its leadership ahead of the anticipated ₹2,600 crore public listing, aiming for a $4.5-5 billion valuation. Kamath's vast experience is crucial for this pre-IPO phase.
Bridging the Gap: DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal Calls for More Telecom Unicorns in India
DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal calls for more telecom unicorns in India, backed by the new ₹1 lakh crore RDI scheme. He highlights India's vast digital user base and government support through initiatives like TTDF and "Samarth" incubation. This push aims to foster innovation, reduce import reliance, and position India as a global telecom leader.
India's Demand for Zero Tariffs on Labor-Intensive Exports: A Blend of Economic Imperative and Domestic Political Strategy, Says GTRI
India is strongly pushing for zero tariffs on labor-intensive exports like garments and footwear in its FTA talks with the US, according to GTRI. This demand is a strategic blend of economic growth (boosting MSMEs, employment) and domestic politics (making the deal "sellable"). The US is reluctant to reciprocate fully, raising concerns of an imbalanced trade agreement.
Unlocking Integrated Solutions: Odoo Community Days India 2025 Set to Redefine Business Efficiency
Odoo Community Days India 2025 (Aug 13-14, Gandhinagar) will be a key tech event, showcasing Odoo's integrated open-source platform. Businesses can explore live demos, expert sessions, Odoo 19 features, and network. It's designed to help companies streamline operations and achieve clarity with unified business systems.
Zango AI Emerges from Stealth with $4.8 Million Seed Round, Led by Nexus Venture Partners, to Revolutionize RegTech with AI
RegTech startup Zango AI emerged from stealth, securing $4.8M in seed funding led by Nexus Venture Partners. Founded by Ritesh Singhania and Shashank Agarwal, Zango AI uses regulation-specific LLMs to automate financial compliance for banks and fintechs, aiming to revolutionize GRC with its AI-native platform and human-in-the-loop approach.
India's Finance Minister Pitches Reforms and Opportunities at FFD4 Summit in Spain
FM Nirmala Sitharaman at FFD4 Summit in Spain advocated for private capital mobilization for sustainable development, using India's reform success as a model. She highlighted transparent regulations, ease of doing business, and renewable energy growth, aiming to attract global investment. Bilateral meetings also focused on economic cooperation and promoting India's opportunities.
UrbanVault Accelerates Growth in Gurugram with Two New Coworking Hubs, Commits ₹100 Crore for FY26 Expansion
UrbanVault launches two new coworking centers in Gurugram, adding 35,000 sq ft and 700 seats. This strategic expansion into Delhi-NCR is backed by a committed investment of ₹100 crore for FY26 to fuel pan-India growth. The move capitalizes on surging demand for flexible workspaces, particularly in Gurugram's thriving office market.