Startup Spotlights Archives

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Sniffing Out Cancer: How Dognosis Is Merging Biology and AI for Early Detection

A Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup, Dognosis, is pioneering a novel approach to cancer screening that combines the extraordinary olfactory abilities of trained dogs with artificial intelligence. The company is developing a low-cost, non-invasive test that analyses human breath to flag early signs of cancer, potentially offering a solution to India’s significant screening gap where a large proportion of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages .

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Samsung Opens AI-Cooling Facility in Pune, Strengthening India’s Role in Sustainable Data Centre Infrastructure

Samsung Electronics has opened a new manufacturing facility in Pune dedicated to producing advanced cooling systems for AI data centres . The facility, operated by FläktGroup—the European HVAC specialist Samsung acquired in November 2025—represents the company’s first new manufacturing plant since the acquisition .

Krafton Doubles Down on India: $60 Million Annual Bet on AI and Venture Capital

South Korean gaming giant Krafton, the maker of India’s top-grossing mobile game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is dramatically expanding its investment footprint in the country. Moving decisively beyond gaming, the company has committed to investing roughly $50–60 million annually in Indian startups and venture capital funds, with a sharpened focus on artificial intelligence and consumer internet platforms .

Google Launches Gemini 3.7 Flash: An AI Workhorse for Developers and Agents

Less than a month after Gemini 3.6 Flash, Google has already released its successor, Gemini 3.7 Flash, an AI model designed to push AI deeper into developer workflows . Positioned as Google’s “most intelligent workhorse model yet” for coding and agents, the model is not just a gradual improvement but a direct response to specific developer needs for robust, accurate, and cost-effective AI tools .

Beyond Chip Design: India’s Semiconductor Startups Diversify with $61.9M in H1 2026

India’s semiconductor startup ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental shift, expanding beyond its traditional focus on chip design into new frontiers like advanced packaging, equipment manufacturing, photonics, and AI-specific semiconductors. This diversification comes as the sector raised $61.9 million in the first half of 2026—equivalent to 81% of the total raised in all of 2025—bringing cumulative funding since 2022 to approximately $206 million across 51 rounds.

Astrotalk Joins Unicorn Club at $1 Billion Valuation Through ESOP Buyback

Astrotalk, the Noida-based astrology and spiritual-tech platform, has officially become India’s 133rd unicorn, crossing the $1 billion valuation mark through an ESOP buyback that provided liquidity to over 100 employees. The milestone is particularly notable because the company funded the buyback entirely from its operational profits, rather than raising fresh capital from investors.

Why Math and Logic Still Matter in the Age of AI Coding Tools

AI coding tools are rewriting the rules of software engineering. Tools like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and Amazon Q are automating repetitive tasks, accelerating debugging, and generating entire code blocks from natural language prompts. For many junior engineers, the technical bar for producing functional code has dropped significantly.

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Google and Lightspeed Launch AI Sprint to Propel Consumer Tech and Fintech Startups

In a significant boost for India’s AI startup ecosystem, Google and Lightspeed have launched the Google for Startups Sprint, a one-day intensive workshop designed to help Seed to Series B founders and CTOs in the consumer technology and fintech sectors move from AI experimentation to scalable business deployment.

Accel Raises $550M for India Fund, Doubles Down on AI

Global venture capital firm Accel has raised $550 million for its ninth India-focused fund, signaling strong conviction in the country’s startup ecosystem even as AI reshapes how investors evaluate early-stage companies .

AI Disruption & India’s IT Services Reset

India’s $300-billion IT services industry, built over three decades on the bedrock of labour cost arbitrage, is facing a defining test. As AI rapidly automates routine coding, testing, and maintenance, the traditional model is splintering. For thousands of freshers and junior engineers, the entry-level jobs that were once the bedrock of the sector are among the most exposed.