Startup Spotlights

In a powerful signal that underscores India’s strategic position in the global artificial intelligence race, two tech titans have joined forces. Google, through its AI Futures Fund, and venture capital powerhouse Accel have announced a landmark partnership to co-invest up to $2 million each into a minimum of 10 early-stage, AI-native Indian startups.

In a significant move to bolster India’s innovation landscape beyond its traditional hubs, the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore) has officially launched a state-of-the-art Incubation and Innovation Centre. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on November 13, 2025, this facility represents a powerful public-private-academic partnership, backed by a ₹10 crore joint investment from the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation and the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC).

In a significant boost for India’s deep-tech spacetech ambitions, Prayagraj-based startup Trishul Space has successfully secured ₹4 crore (approximately $480,000) in a pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by the IAN Angel Fund, with key participation from 8X Ventures and ITEL, marking a strong vote of confidence in a startup tackling one of the most complex and critical challenges in modern spaceflight: next-generation, reusable rocket propulsion.

The headlines might seem alarming at first glance: Indian tech startup funding witnessed a 25% year-on-year plunge in the first half of 2025, dropping to $4.8 billion from $6.4 billion in H1 2024. However, a deeper dive into the data from Tracxn’s ‘India Tech Semi-Annual Funding Report H1 2025’ reveals a more nuanced and ultimately reassuring story. This isn’t a narrative of decline; it’s a tale of an ecosystem maturing, consolidating its strengths, and strategically positioning itself for sustainable, long-term growth.

In a move that could fundamentally reshape how technology is adopted in the public sector, Karnataka’s IT & BT Minister, Priyank Kharge, has unveiled a visionary policy proposal at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025. The state is crafting a groundbreaking framework that will allow deep-tech startups to pilot their advanced solutions—from AI and quantum computing to robotics and blockchain—within government departments.