Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (April 21, 2026)

YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Featured Stories

KRAFTON, Naver launch Rs 6,000 Cr India-focused Unicorn Growth Fund

KRAFTOn Inc and Naver Corporation, two of the leading technology companies from South Korea have partnered with Mirae Asset Venture Investments to launch a Rs 6,000 crore India-focused Unicorn Growth Fund.

The new fund will focus on themes that are expected to shape the next decade of Indian technology economy such as consumer internet, digital marketplaces, consumer discretionary sector which includes digitally native brands and new age consumer businesses, AI and software, and deep-tech which includes startups building in semiconductors, space-tech, robotics, advanced materials, and frontier science.

Read more

Funding news

NudgeBee bags $3M funding led by Kalaari Capital

NudgeBee, a platform specialising in AI for cloud operations, has raised $3 million in seed funding led by Kalaari Capital, with participation from tech founders, to advance its core technology.

This capital injection is intended to support the development of its enterprise context layer and the expansion of its partnership-led distribution model. By investing in customer success and deployment capabilities, the company aims to speed up the time it takes for large organisations to see real value from their investment.

Read more

Lawyered raises $2.5M co-led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Turbostart

Lawyered, a legal infrastructure platform for mobility, has raised $2.5 million in a pre-Series A round of funding co-led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Turbostart. Existing investor Finvolve has doubled down with a follow-on.

According to a statement, Lawyered covers over 2 million vehicles and works with 800+ businesses across India. Its platforms, LOTS247 and ChallanPay, have resolved over 200,000 legal matters, helping users avoid more than $6 million in penalties and downtime.

According to a statement, India has rapidly digitised its enforcement systems and challans are issued in real time, vehicle compliance is increasingly automated. But the legal resolution layer has not kept pace. The result is a structural gap that affects millions of vehicle owners, drivers, and fleet operators daily. Lawyered is building the infrastructure to close that gap: not as a legal service, but as an always-on compliance layer embedded into how mobility operates in India.

CureMeAbroad raises $600,000 in pre-seed round

CureMeAbroad, an AI-powered medical tourism discovery platform, has raised $600,000 in a pre-seed round of funding led by angel investors who are primarily startup founders. The fresh capital will be deployed across three areas: technology investments, hiring and market expansion

CureMeAbroad

CureMeAbroad team

Founded in June 2025 by Aditya Oza and Mikhail Bohra, the Pune-headquartered startup claimed that it has hit $3.5 million in annual run rate within its first two quarters of operations. The tech platform of CureMeAbroad matches international patients to the right hospital, surgeon, and destination. It is currently working with over 380 accredited partner hospitals across Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, India, Georgia, and other leading medical destinations, and maintains a curated directory of over 6,000 hospitals spanning 47 countries and 45 specialities.

Digital Paani raises funding from AWE Funds

Digital Paani, a water tech platform has raised an undisclosed round of funding from AWE Funds, an early-growth venture equity platform. This startup will use this funding round to strengthen its technology stack, enhance real-time monitoring and predictive capabilities, and support expansion across utilities, municipalities, and enterprise clients.

The platform of Digital Paani creates real-time visibility across assets, applies analytics to diagnose issues and predict failures, and enables automated, outcome-driven operations. This helps utilities, municipalities, and enterprises reduce losses, optimize systems, and transform underutilised infrastructure into reliable water resources.

Other news

Ekart expands IKEA last-mile delivery to Chennai

Ekart has expanded its partnership with IKEA to manage last-mile deliveries in Chennai, marking its second major collaboration city after NCR-Delhi. The logistics firm will deploy a fully electric vehicle fleet to fulfil orders placed via IKEA’s digital platforms, reinforcing sustainable delivery operations.

Ekart will handle end-to-end logistics for over 600 products, including large-format furniture requiring specialised handling. Leveraging advanced routing and a technology-led fulfilment network, deliveries will be completed within 48 hours with real-time tracking. The partnership highlights Ekart’s growing role in enterprise-grade logistics and aligns with both companies’ commitment to zero-emission urban supply chains.

Shadowfax launches ‘Shadowfax 360’ platform for SMEs

Shadowfax Technologies has introduced Shadowfax 360, a unified shipping platform aimed at empowering SMEs and D2C brands across India. The platform offers access to a nationwide logistics network covering over 15,000 pincodes and 2,500 cities.

Key features include flat-rate pricing, one-click integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce, and an AI-driven RTO predictor to reduce returns. It also enables rapid onboarding with no minimum order requirements and fast COD remittances. The launch marks Shadowfax’s strategic push to diversify beyond enterprise clients and expand into the growing SME and digital-first seller ecosystem.

Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar as COO

Pocket FM has promoted Lalit Gangwar to Chief Operating Officer to lead its global audio business operations. A founding member, Gangwar played a key role in scaling the platform in India and expanding into the US. As COO, he will focus on global growth, monetisation, and operational efficiency.

Pocket FM COO

Lalit Gangwar

The move comes as the company strengthens its foundation for long-term international expansion and invests in AI-powered storytelling and creator ecosystems.

A founding team member, Lalit has played a key role in building Pocket FM’s business across markets. He built the early growth and marketing playbook for India and later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the US. This included setting up teams, defining the growth playbook, and driving scale. As COO, Lalit will focus on scaling global markets, driving operating discipline, and building the systems, talent, and processes required for the next phase of growth.

KRAFTON India onboards new creators in Rising Stars programme

KRAFTON India Esports has announced Cohort 2 of its Rising Stars Programme 2026, onboarding nine emerging gaming creators. The initiative provides structured support, including mentorship, tournament exposure, and in-game resources.

With over 2,500 applications received, the programme reflects growing demand for professional esports development pathways. Participants can progress to elite tiers based on performance, ensuring a merit-driven ecosystem. The initiative builds on its 2025 launch, which saw significant content creation and player success.

The Standard opens GCC in Bengaluru

US-based financial services provider The Standard has launched its Global Capability Centre in Bengaluru’s Embassy Tech Village. The facility will support AI, cloud, and digital transformation initiatives, marking a strategic expansion in India. The centre reflects the company’s long-term investment in technology and talent to drive global growth.

The Standard new office

GCC of The Standard inaugurated by Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge in Bengaluru on Tuesday

The facility, inaugurated by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, supports the continued expansion of capabilities across AI engineering, cloud platform development, data and analytics, digital transformation and insurance operations aligned with the company’s global strategy.

The Standard India will significantly contribute to advancing companywide priorities. It will also support the transition of select technology work from vendor-led delivery to in-house engineering teams — strengthening agility, operational efficiency and long-term innovation capabilities.

AWS and SHI India partner to advance IndiaAI Mission

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has partnered with SHI India to support indigenous AI development under the IndiaAI Mission. The collaboration will enable government bodies, startups, and enterprises to build and deploy AI models using tools like Amazon SageMaker and Bedrock. The initiative simplifies large-scale AI training by automating infrastructure management, reducing complexity and costs.

AWS India President Sandeep Dutta said the partnership will help transform AI from experimentation to real-world impact. SHI India will provide local implementation expertise, ensuring regulatory alignment and enterprise readiness. The collaboration is expected to accelerate AI adoption and strengthen India’s push toward technological self-reliance and innovation leadership.

Salesforce powers Dairy Day’s digital sales transformation

Salesforce has partnered with Dairy Day to digitise its sales operations using Agentforce Sales and Service platforms. The move enables real-time market visibility, inventory tracking, and improved field execution as the ice cream brand expands into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Dairy Day aims to double its retail footprint and achieve ₹1,000 crore revenue in the coming years. The platform provides a unified ecosystem to enhance operational efficiency and scalability. Salesforce said the collaboration demonstrates how AI-powered CRM tools can drive growth for consumer brands. Dairy Day expects the solution to strengthen market execution and support its next phase of expansion.

TO THE NEW expands Noida GCC

Digital transformation firm TO THE NEW has launched a second Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Noida, expanding its global delivery capacity. The new facility will house over 300 IT professionals supporting cloud, data, and AI-led transformation programs. The move aligns with rising enterprise investments in digital technologies and India’s growing role as a global talent hub. CEO Narinder Kumar said the expansion strengthens delivery capabilities and supports increasing global client demand. Noida remains a strategic base due to its deep talent pool. The expansion will also enable the company to better serve markets across North America, APAC, the Middle East, and India while creating room for future workforce growth.

Atomgrid opens R&D centre in Bengaluru

Specialty chemicals platform Atomgrid has inaugurated a new R&D centre in Bengaluru’s Jigani industrial area to boost innovation-led growth. The facility will focus on process development, formulation, and commercial-scale manufacturing support. With an initial team of 15 scientists, the company plans to expand capacity and build a strong IP portfolio. The move aligns with global supply chain diversification trends favouring India. Backed by a $7 million Pre-Series A round, Atomgrid aims to strengthen its global footprint and accelerate product development.

CENT launches advanced preventive healthcare centre in Bengaluru

Healthcare startup CENT has opened its first clinical prevention centre in Bengaluru and deepened its partnership with Siemens Healthineers. The facility offers a standardized screening protocol combining MRI, CT, DEXA, ECG, and extensive biomarker testing within a 120-minute session. Powered by AI, the system generates organ-level risk reports. Designed for early detection in asymptomatic individuals, the centre aims to redefine preventive healthcare delivery in India with high diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Read more

L&T Semiconductor signs pact with Newen Systems

L&T Semiconductor Technologies has entered a Master Supply Agreement with Newen Systems to develop Silicon Carbide-based power modules for renewable energy applications. The partnership will focus on high-efficiency solutions for solar, battery storage, and data centre applications. The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem while supporting energy transition initiatives.

HCLTech appoints Kimsuka Narsimhan as independent director

HCLTech has appointed Kimsuka Narsimhan as an Independent Director, bringing over 35 years of global experience in finance and strategy.

She has held leadership roles at PepsiCo, Unilever, and Kimberly-Clark and serves on multiple corporate boards. Her appointment strengthens HCLTech’s governance and diversity, with women now comprising over 54% of the board.

HCLTech Kimsuka

Kimsuka Narsimhan

A chartered and cost accountant by qualification, Kimsuka brings with her over 35 years of experience in the consumer goods industry.

She has held senior leadership roles across finance, risk management, strategy, and business transformation with leading global organisations. She has worked across multiple geographies, including Europe, the Middle East & Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

Sotrue Hits ₹100 Cr ARR milestone

Beauty brand Sotrue has achieved ₹100 crore in annual recurring revenue shortly after launch, driven by its product-led strategy and digital-first approach. With 90% of revenue coming from online channels, the brand has focused on simplicity and authenticity, particularly through its popular strobe cream product.

Gautam Khosla, Founder Sotrue, said, “Reaching ₹100 crore ARR so quickly is a reflection of staying true to one clear vision, building for real women with real needs. We focused on creating products that deliver instant results while being rooted in authenticity and trust. As we scale, our mission remains the same: to build India’s most loved glow-first beauty brand without compromising on what makes us relevant to our consumers.”

Auraska Ventures launches platform for India’s cultural economy

Auraska Ventures has launched a new-age investment and advisory platform targeting India’s rapidly growing cultural economy. The platform combines strategic advisory, a planned ₹500 crore Category II AIF, and a venture-building arm focused on media, gaming, sports, and consumer brands. Founder Vishal Mahajan said the initiative aims to bridge the gap in institutional capital for creative sectors. With India’s media and entertainment industry projected to cross ₹3 trillion by 2027, Auraska seeks to back high-growth opportunities driven by digital creators and IP-led businesses. The platform also leverages a network of HNIs and celebrities to provide both capital and market influence to portfolio companies.

BHIVE names Milind Soman as brand ambassador

BHIVE Workspace has appointed Milind Soman as its brand ambassador, becoming the first campus-format coworking firm to do so. The partnership reflects BHIVE’s focus on integrating fitness, lifestyle, and workspaces. The company aims to build a high-performance community and promote participation in endurance events like Ironman 70.3 Goa.

According to a statement, the association reflects a broader vision to build workspaces that inspire not just productivity, but a more balanced, performance-driven, and active lifestyle. Milind Soman’s philosophy of fitness and endurance aligns seamlessly with BHIVE’s vision of fostering a high-performance, fitness-driven environment. BHIVE’s campuses are already home to running and endurance clubs, pickleball courts, cricket and football turfs, and large-scale community tournaments including the BHIVE Premier League (BPL).

TechnoStruct hosts BIM placement drive to boost AEC talent

TechnoStruct Group conducted a BIM-focused placement drive at Aryabhatt Institute of Technology in collaboration with Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU). The initiative aims to equip engineering students with advanced digital construction skills and connect them with industry opportunities in the AEC sector.

The programme aligns with national skilling priorities and emphasises high-value, technology-driven capabilities. Industry leaders highlighted BIM’s growing importance in infrastructure development and global project execution. The drive also reflects increasing industry-academia collaboration to enhance employability. TechnoStruct, known for global projects like Google’s BayView Campus, continues to invest in building a globally competitive talent pool in digital engineering.

MIC Electronics wins railway contracts to enhance passenger systems

MIC Electronics has secured new contracts from Central and Southern Railways to modernise passenger information systems. The company will implement telecom and display systems at Wardha station under a ₹1.12 crore project and expand work in Tamil Nadu under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with the project value revised to ₹6.76 crore.

The initiatives aim to improve real-time passenger communication through advanced digital displays and integrated systems. CEO Rakshit Mathur said the projects align with the vision of smart, passenger-friendly stations. The contracts strengthen MIC’s position in railway digital infrastructure and highlight growing investments in modernizing India’s transport ecosystem.

Redacto names Jaya Krishna as chief business officer

AI-driven privacy platform Redacto has appointed Jaya Krishna as Chief Business Officer to lead business development and digital marketing.

Redacto

Jaya Krishna

His mandate includes driving enterprise adoption as companies prepare for compliance with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act.

Krishna brings over a decade of experience in B2B marketing and enterprise growth.

He will integrate go-to-market strategies across Redacto’s product suite and strengthen client relationships across sectors like BFSI and healthcare.

The appointment comes amid rising demand for data governance solutions in India.

Third Bracket appoints Paiterasp Cooper as co-founder

Talent intelligence platform Third Bracket has appointed Paiterasp Cooper as Co-founder to lead talent strategy and enterprise engagement. His role will focus on advancing capability intelligence, aligning hiring and workforce transformation, and strengthening enterprise partnerships.

The move signals the company’s transition from a hiring-focused platform to a comprehensive talent lifecycle solution. With expertise in skill intelligence, Cooper is expected to drive innovation in capability measurement. Founded in 2023, Third Bracket aims to expand globally, particularly in the MEA region, while enhancing its AI-driven analytics offerings for enterprises and GCCs.

Source link


Discover more from News Link360

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from News Link360

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading