Startup news and updates: daily roundup (January 19, 2026)
Featured stories
Budget 2026: From gaming to streaming, M&E sector urges government for tax relief, infrastructure push
As Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present Budget 2026-27 next week, India’s media and entertainment (M&E) sector is sharpening its expectations pitch. For FY27, the sector’s broad asks from the government include placing gaming and esports at the centre of India’s creative economy, along with enabling policy changes around taxation, content creation, and digital distribution.
After two Union Budgets that offered limited sector-specific relief, industry leaders say the upcoming Budget represents a moment to move from regulatory consolidation to growth enablement, especially for fast-scaling digital and creative businesses. Read more here.
Quick commerce giants split strategies as new rivals close in
The phrase “same same but different” applies to Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit and Zepto as each player has found a unique approach to win customers in the highly-competitive quick commerce segment.
According to a recent outlook report by investment management firm Bernstein, the very definition of quick commerce will evolve in 2026.
Eternal’s Blinkit has emerged as a last-minute store, relying on the promise of a wider range, quality and delivery timelines. Analysts are looking at it as a replacement for the neighbourhood mom & pop stores as well as local markets for seasonal general merchandise. Read more here.
How Pooja Krishnamoorthy made history as the first Indian woman to complete the Brazil 135 Ultra
On January 10, Pooja Krishnamoorthy made history by completing the Brazil 135 Ultra, becoming the first Indian woman to qualify, attempt, and finish the gruelling 135-mile (217 km) race in its 21-year history.
Krishnamoorthy completed the race in 48 hours, well within the cut-off time of 60 hours, standing sixth overall in her category and finishing first among women, a feat that placed her among world-famous runners, many of whom had dropped out.
While the official distance in 2026 is 150 miles, participants can choose to stop at designated “Decision Points” and receive recognition for shorter distances. Krishnamoorthy opted for the 135-mile ultra-run. Read more here.
Funding news
AssetPlus raises Rs 175 Cr led by Nexus Venture Partners to strengthen assisted wealth management
AssetPlus, a fully digital-assisted wealth management platform, on Monday said it raised Rs 175 crore in a funding round led by . The startup is also backed by Eight Roads Ventures and Rainmatter by Zerodha, with Bhupinder Singh continuing as an early supporter.
AssetPlus plans to use the new capital to strengthen its technology infrastructure, expand its product suite, and advance initiatives supporting comprehensive wealth management. Mutual funds remain central to the platform, complemented by health and term insurance products, which allow distributors to provide integrated financial planning through a single system. Read more here.
Salty raises Rs 30.1 Cr to expand product lines and retail presence
Accessories brand Salty has raised Rs 30.1 crore in a funding round led by MG Investment, with participation from existing investors Anicut Capital, All In Capital and JK Group, along with new angel investors.
The fresh capital will be used to expand Salty’s product portfolio across categories such as watches, sunglasses, scarves, belts and bag charms, and to launch its upcoming Salty Bags line. The brand also plans to strengthen its team, scale its e-commerce and quick-commerce presence, and open its first flagship physical store.
Salty shipped orders to over 18,000 pin codes across India last year, indicating strong demand beyond metro cities. The company will also invest in supply-chain upgrades, same-day delivery expansion and new digital tools such as an AI-based styling and recommendation system to improve customer experience.
GVFL leads Rs 6 Cr funding round in defence drone startup insideFPV
Ahmedabad-based venture capital firm GVFL has led a Rs 6 crore pre-Series A funding round in insideFPV, an indigenous defence drone technology startup. The investment will be used for product development, engineering capability building and scaling manufacturing readiness for defence-grade drone platforms.
Founded in 2020 after the Galwan clash, insideFPV focuses on building battlefield-ready drones designed for real combat conditions. Its portfolio includes FPV drones, kamikaze and surveillance systems, and interceptor drones. The company will also invest in testing, validation, operator training, spare parts and rapid repair support to ensure operational reliability.
insideFPV’s drones have demonstrated performance in high-altitude environments with the Indian Army, and the startup won the Him Dron-a-thon competition in Ladakh. The company plans to scale production and expand its product range over the next year.
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
Edited by Suman Singh
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