Latest News
5,350 Startups Recognized Under Startup India Initiative
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) stated as of 1 December 2017, a total of 5,350 startups have been recognized under the Startup India programme. Till date, close to 5,898 have been recognized by the DIPP for availing benefits.
The ministry further added, “Under DIPP recognized 5,350 startups at least 40,000 people have been employed.” The 5,350 recognized startups have successfully created almost 40,000 jobs in the country, according to DIPP. However, the government had initially promised the Fund of Funds would help in creating close to 1.8 million jobs by 2020. The Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme, which helps startups get 80% waiver in funding over the Intellectual property claims and patents, has received 975 applications so far.
Under the Fund of Funds scheme, on the other hand, 75 startups have received close to $ 52 million and a total of 74 startups have been recognized to avail tax exemption under Section 80 IAC of the Income Tax Act. Rs. 500 crores was initially released to Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in 2015- 2016 under the Fund of Funds initiative. In 2016 – 2017, Rs. 100 crores were further released to the fund.
Further, the Startup India Hub, established as a single point of contact for the entire startup ecosystem, has resolved 75,643 queries pertaining to starting a business, access to incubation and raising funds, among other things. Established in June this year, the hub claims to have more than 15,000 active users. According to reports, DIPP has stressed on the fact that a corpus of $ 78 million has been handed over to SIDBI under Funds of Funds.
India currently ranks as the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. Recently, the daughter of the President of United States, Ivanka Trump also visited Hyderabad for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit which was aimed at promoting startups and women entrepreneurs.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
Elon Musk: xAI Rebuild Urgent After Co-Founders Exit, SpaceX IPO 2026 Looms
Apple MacBook Air M5 Launched: M5 Chip, 22-Hour Battery in India
