Startups, Mergers, Acquisitions and Funding Round-up this week

This week saw significant developments in the startup landscape, with several companies securing funding to boost their operations. While mergers and acquisitions were few, investors have continued to show strong confidence in other sectors. Here’s a roundup of the latest funding and acquisition news.

Sisir Radar acquires seed funding to advance high-resolution SAR Imaging Technology

Kolkata-based spacetech startup Sisir Radar has successfully raised seed funding in a round led by Shastra VC, with participation from Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT. Established in 2022, the company specializes in advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems for airborne and spaceborne applications across multiple satellite frequency bands. The newly acquired funds will be directed towards enhancing its research and development capabilities and facilitating the launch of the world’s highest-resolution L-band SAR satellite by the end of 2026.

Boss Wallah acquires ffreedom to strengthen the Entrepreneurial Learning Ecosystem

Boss Wallah, an upcoming platform founded by Sashi Reddi, has acquired edtech platform ffreedom to enhance its offerings for aspiring small entrepreneurs. ffreedom provides nearly 1,000 courses across farming, business, and personal finance in multiple Indian languages, aiming to make skill development more accessible. While Boss Wallah is yet to be operationalized, it envisions creating a knowledge-sharing ecosystem connecting entrepreneurs with domain experts. Reddi, known for founding and successfully exiting AppLabs, continues to expand his footprint in the technology and education sectors with this strategic acquisition.

DroneAcharya secures DGCA Certification for AgriVeer, prepares for nationwide launch

DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations has obtained type certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its multipurpose drone, AgriVeer. This certification paves the way for the commercial rollout of AgriVeer across India, reinforcing the company's position in the drone technology sector. The milestone follows DroneAcharya’s recent term sheet agreement for a strategic merger with agri-drone company AITMC Ventures, further expanding its capabilities in agricultural and industrial drone applications.

Astrogate Labs Secures Seed Funding to Advance Laser Communication Technology

Spacetech startup Astrogate Labs has raised seed funding in a round led by Shastra VC, with participation from Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT. The Kolkata-based company aims to leverage the funds to enhance its research and development efforts and accelerate the development of its state-of-the-art laser communication terminal. Founded in 2022, Astrogate is focused on pioneering high-speed, secure optical communication solutions for satellite and space-based platforms, positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation space communication technology.

IIT Madras and Startup Policy Forum forge partnership to enhance startup policy research and advocacy

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Startup Policy Forum (SPF) to advance data-driven policy research and advocacy within India's startup ecosystem. This collaboration will see SPF working closely with IIT Madras's Centre for Research on Start-Ups and Risk Financing (CREST), a dedicated unit focusing on startup financing research. Together, they aim to co-host policy discussions, research workshops, and roundtables to develop forward-thinking policies that empower Indian startups and entrepreneurs. 

FanTV secures $3 million to enhance AI-driven content creation

FanTV, an AI-powered content platform operating on the Sui blockchain, has raised an additional $3 million in strategic investment. The funding round was led by Mysten Labs, with participation from Cypher Capital, CoinSwitch Ventures, and Illuminati Capital. This investment builds upon a previous $5.5 million raise from investors including Multicoin Capital, Woodstock Fund, Krafton, IOSG Ventures, Pravega Ventures, and Tykhe Block Ventures. 

KiranaPro collaborates with ZuperAI to enhance AI-driven retail solutions

KiranaPro, an ONDC-based quick commerce platform, has announced a strategic partnership with ZuperAI to integrate advanced AI-powered retail market solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance product discovery, inventory optimization, and supply chain efficiency for local retailers, thereby creating a more personalized shopping experience for consumers. By incorporating ZuperAI's "Matchmaking AI" technology, KiranaPro seeks to bridge the gap between consumer needs and retailer capabilities, enabling seamless product discovery and business scalability. This initiative underscores KiranaPro's commitment to equipping neighborhood retailers with next-generation technology, and redefining how products are discovered, sold, and delivered within the ONDC ecosystem.

Startup Mahakumbh launches ₹30 Crore 'Startup Maha Rathi' challenge to empower Indian entrepreneurs

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in collaboration with Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), IVCA, and HDFC, has unveiled the 'Startup Maha Rathi' challenge as part of the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh. This flagship initiative aims to bolster Indian startups by providing ₹30 crore in funding, mentorship from industry experts, and networking opportunities with global investors. The program focuses on 11 key sectors: AI & DeepTech, BioTech & HealthTech, Gaming & Sports, FinTech, Incubators & Accelerators, Mobility, AgriTech, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, D2C, ClimateTech, and Defence & SpaceTech. Applications opened on February 26, 2025, with the competition culminating in a live pitching finale from April 3-5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Selected startups will receive financial grants, expert mentorship, and access to a jury comprising over 100 leading venture capitalists, angel investors, and domain specialists

upGrad launches ₹100 crore AI incubator to foster innovation in learning and skilling

Mumbai-based edtech leader upGrad has unveiled the 'upGrad AI Incubator,' dedicating ₹100 crore to nurture and scale homegrown artificial intelligence startups. This initiative aims to drive product innovation by providing emerging startups with essential resources, including infrastructure and seed capital. Over the next few months, upGrad plans to invest in 5-6 AI startups, acquiring minority stakes to support innovation while allowing these ventures to operate independently. The incubator will focus on developing plug-and-play AI technologies tailored for learning, skilling, and workforce development, ensuring compatibility across various industries for enhanced scalability and efficiency. As its inaugural investment, upGrad has backed Bengaluru-based ZuAI, a startup offering a 24/7 AI-powered personal tutor for students. This move aligns with upGrad's commitment to strengthening AI-driven workforce development and solidifying India's position as a global technology disruptor.

Zepto expands Tamil Nadu operations with over 20 dark stores and launches first all-women facility

Quick commerce company Zepto has significantly expanded its footprint in Tamil Nadu, now operating more than 20 dark stores across key cities including Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Vellore, and Salem. Each store is strategically positioned within a 2-3 km radius to optimize delivery routes, enabling delivery partners to maintain safe and efficient speeds of 15-20 km/h while upholding Zepto's 10-minute delivery promise.