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

From major mergers reshaping industrial and retail sectors to state-backed initiatives encouraging electronics manufacturing and startup expansion, the ecosystem continues to mature at a rapid pace. Here’s a closer look at the key mergers, acquisitions, and ecosystem updates shaping the next wave of innovation.

SatLeo Labs Raises $3.3 Million

Spacetech startup SatLeo Labs, headquartered in Ahmedabad, has raised $3.3 million in pre-seed funding to advance its satellite imaging capabilities. The company aims to build a cost-efficient, high-resolution imaging infrastructure that can serve diverse applications such as agriculture, defence, and urban planning. 

Ultraviolette Set to Raise Rs. 32.6 Crore

Electric mobility company Ultraviolette Automotive, known for its performance-focused electric bikes, is poised to raise Rs. 32.6 crore (~$3.85 million) in an extension of its Series E1 funding round. This capital comes from a mix of institutional and private backers, including Winever Industrial Enterprises and existing investor Breathe Capital. 

Salt Oral Care Secures $1 Million to Scale Premium Dental Wellness Products

Mumbai-based Salt Oral Care has raised $1 million in pre-Series A funding from Lotus Holdings, the investment arm of Lotus Herbals. The brand, which offers a range of premium dental hygiene products, will use the capital to strengthen its product pipeline, invest in R&D, and grow its presence in offline and online retail channels.

Astronomer Raises $93 Million to Build Smarter Data Infrastructure

US-based Astronomer, the company behind Astro, a modern data orchestration platform, has raised $93 million in Series D funding. The round was led by Bain Capital Ventures with participation from other global investors. Astronomer’s platform enables organisations to automate and streamline the flow of data between systems, making it easier to manage large-scale data operations. 

Fuze Raises $12.2 Million to Expand Regulated Digital Asset Infrastructure

Digital finance startup Fuze has secured $12.2 million in Series A funding, led by Galaxy and e& Capital. The company builds infrastructure that allows traditional financial institutions to integrate regulated digital assets into their offerings. With over $2 billion in transaction volume processed to date, Fuze now aims to expand its footprint in markets like India and the Middle East. 

EZStays Raises Rs. 8.5 Crore to Strengthen Student Housing Ecosystem

Student accommodation startup EZStays has raised Rs. 8.5 crore (approx. $1 million) from Finvolve and India Accelerator. The platform focuses on providing end-to-end housing and lifestyle solutions tailored for students in higher education hubs. The funding will help expand its property network, improve customer experience tools, and introduce community-based amenities.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Reliance Retail has partnered with franchise consulting firm Francorp to fast-track the nationwide expansion of its fashion vertical, Fashion World. 
• In the hospitality-tech space, North American vacation rental management firm Vacasa has completed a multi-phase merger with Casago, transforming Vacasa into a fully owned subsidiary.
• HDFC Mutual Fund has announced the upcoming merger of its fixed maturity plan with an open-ended debt scheme, an internal restructuring effort to streamline fund offerings and simplify investor choices.
• In heavy industry, discussions around a potential merger between the financially distressed Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) have gained renewed traction.

Other news 

• After years of planning, the Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 has officially launched, promising infrastructure support, mentorship programs, and funding access for emerging businesses in the union territory. 
• Hospitality giant OYO is preparing to enter the food and beverage space by rolling out in-house kitchens and quick-service carts at its company-managed properties. 
• The Government of Tamil Nadu has launched a dedicated scheme to attract investment in electronics components manufacturing. 
• MobiKwik’s subsidiary Zaakpay has received final approval from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a payment aggregator. 
• Internationally, Qualcomm, Aramco, and Saudi Arabia’s RDIA have launched a joint accelerator program for AI startups.