Startup Spotlights

In a powerful endorsement of India’s high-tech manufacturing ambitions, Bengaluru-based electric motorcycle pioneer Ultraviolette Automotive has secured a $45 million infusion as part of its ongoing Series E round. This strategic investment comes from two formidable partners: Indian software titan Zoho Corporation, led by Sridhar Vembu and his siblings, and the European investment firm Lingotto, which is linked to Exor Group—the holding company of iconic brands like Ferrari and Stellantis.

In a landmark deal that underscores India’s rising prowess in deep-tech hardware, Chennai-based unicorn Planys Technologies has secured a massive ₹100 crore (approximately $11.1 million) in primary funding. The round was led by renowned investors Ashish Kacholia and Lashit Sanghvi, alongside a strong syndicate of existing backers. This investment is not just capital; it’s fuel for a dual mission: to conquer global industrial markets and to launch a strategic foray into India’s defense sector, cementing its position as a sovereign leader in underwater robotics.

A fundamental shift is redefining the rules of venture capital in India. Gone are the days when a charismatic pitch and a soaring user graph were enough to secure a mega-round. In 2025, the smart money is moving decisively upstream, chasing research-intensive, patent-powered, and technology-heavy startups emerging from the hallowed labs of IITs and other premier research institutions. This pivot from “growth at all costs” to “technology at the core” marks the maturation of India’s startup ecosystem into a globally competitive deep-tech hub.

Entrepreneurship is a journey marked by bold vision and inherent risk. Recent data shared with Parliament provides a rare, sobering glimpse into this reality: as of October 31, 2025, a total of 6,385 startups recognized under the DPIIT Startup India initiative have been categorized as “closed.” These companies have been officially dissolved or struck off the official register.

In a powerful counter-narrative to global economic uncertainty, India’s venture capital landscape has delivered a thunderous vote of confidence in 2025. A staggering 81 new funds—spanning VC, PE, micro-VC, and government-backed vehicles—have been launched, amassing a collective war chest of over $12.1 billion (₹1.12 lakh crore). This represents a robust 39% year-on-year surge from the $8.7 billion raised in 2024 and stands as a definitive signal that sophisticated investors are betting big on India’s long-term innovation story.