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

In this week’s startup roundup, Indian startups witnessed a strong inflow of capital across sectors like AI, fintech, and consumer products. From MoEngage’s $100 million mega round to BabyOrgano’s growth in baby care, here’s a look at the most notable funding deals, mergers, and other key developments in the startup ecosystem.

Spacewood raises Rs. 300 crore from A91 Partners

Home and office furniture maker Spacewood has raised Rs. 300 crore from A91 Partners to expand its manufacturing capacity, product range, and retail presence across India. The Nagpur-based company plans to strengthen its position in the modular furniture market with this investment.

MeshDefend raises $2.3 million to bring AI intelligence to enterprise data

Cybersecurity startup MeshDefend has secured $2.3 million in funding to enhance its AI-driven data security solutions. The funds will be used to scale operations, strengthen R&D, and expand the team to meet growing enterprise demand.

Game State Labs raises $2 million from PeerCapital and Neon Fund

Gaming startup Game State Labs raised $2 million in a round led by PeerCapital and Neon Fund. The company aims to revolutionise gaming experiences by building immersive and socially connected game worlds.

Peak XV leads Lighthouse Canton’s $40 million round

Global investment management firm Lighthouse Canton has raised $40 million, led by Peak XV Partners. The fresh capital will be deployed to expand the firm’s alternative asset management business and strengthen its India presence.

Voice AI startup Giga raises $61 million to take on customer service automation

Giga, a voice AI startup, has secured $61 million in a Series A round to enhance its customer service automation solutions. The funds will accelerate product development and market expansion in the US and Asia.

Stackbox bags $4 million to automate warehouse operations

Logistics automation startup Stackbox has raised $4 million to develop advanced robotics and AI-driven systems for warehouse automation. The company plans to expand into Southeast Asia and the Middle East markets.

BabyOrgano raises Rs. 20 crore in pre-Series A round led by RPSG Capital Ventures

Ayurvedic baby care brand BabyOrgano has raised Rs. 20 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by RPSG Capital Ventures. The startup plans to expand its product line and strengthen its retail and e-commerce channels.

ChrysCapital closes record $2.2 billion fund

Private equity firm ChrysCapital has closed a $2.2 billion fund — the largest ever raised by an India-focused firm. The fund will focus on investments in financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors.

MoEngage raises $100 million from Goldman Sachs and A91 Partners

Customer engagement platform MoEngage has raised $100 million in a funding round co-led by Goldman Sachs and A91 Partners. The funds will be used to expand globally and invest in AI-driven personalisation tools.

Fintech startup Zynk bags $5 million to scale cross-border payments

Zynk, a fintech company, has raised $5 million to strengthen its cross-border payment infrastructure. The company aims to streamline global money transfers for SMEs through blockchain-enabled solutions.

GVFL leads $2 million pre-Series A round in Protouch

HR-tech platform Protouch secured $2 million in a pre-Series A round led by GVFL. The funds will be utilised to enhance its digital learning solutions and expand into new enterprise markets.c

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Manipal Group eyes full takeover of Byju’s under insolvency process, submitting an Expression of Interest to acquire the edtech giant.

• Zupee acquires Australian AI startup Nucanon to expand its footprint into interactive storytelling and gamified learning.

• SNVA EduTech acquires three entities of Veranda Learning to build global learning pathways for students worldwide.

Other News

• Porter lays off 300 employees as part of a workforce restructuring to streamline operations amid challenging market conditions.

• Meesho, Shiprocket, and five other companies secure SEBI approval for their upcoming IPO launches, signalling a strong pipeline of tech listings.

• Shadowfax Technologies files updated SEBI papers for its Rs. 2,000-crore IPO, aiming to expand its logistics network and improve last-mile delivery capabilities.

• Online investment platform Groww’s Rs. 6,632-crore IPO was subscribed nearly 2x on Day 2, with the retail segment oversubscribed 5x, reflecting strong investor enthusiasm.