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Google Acquires AI Startup Halli Labs
American search giant Google, has acquired four month old artificial intelligence and machine learning startup, Halli Labs. This marks the first Indian acquisition by the multinational company.
Excited to share that the @halli_labs team is joining @Google. https://t.co/RHxmXKKxZR
— Pankaj Gupta (@pankaj) July 12, 2017
In a medium blog post, Halli Labs announced their team would be joining Google’s Next Billion Users team to help get more technology and information into more people’s hands around the world. Halli Labs was founded by Pankaj Gupta with the goal of applying modern AI and ML techniques to old problems and domains. Gupta previously worked as the chief product officer and the chief technology officer in the now defunct homestay startup Stayzilla.
While the details of what Halli Labs would be working on are still not clear, Caesar Sengupta, Google’s Vice President of Product Management confirmed the acquisition through a tweet. The details of the acquisition were also not disclosed.
Welcome @Pankaj and the team at @halli_labs to Google. Looking forward to building some cool stuff together. https://t.co/wiBP1aQxE9
— Caesar Sengupta (@caesars) July 12, 2017
The Halli Labs team has been working on speed recognition and language processing, but so far has not shipped any technologies to customers. This Bengaluru based company was launched in April this year with the aim of giving “superhuman powers to all of us humans in letting us do whatever we want to do, better.”
Products such as YouTube Go, Google Station, Android Go among others are part of the Google’s Next Billion Users which, like the name states is about reaching and bringing on the internet’s next billion users.
India has emerged as one of the leading markets for startups working in the Internet and Technology sector. Multinational companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Apple have also acquired various Indian startups that are working on building products that solve problems for consumers, both in India and abroad.
Facebook acquired Bengaluru based Little Eye Labs startup that tracks and optimizes the performance of Android based mobile apps, in 2014. Twitter acquired another Bengaluru based startup ZipDial that uses India’s habit of giving missed calls to connect others. Most recently Hyderabad based AI startup, Tuplejump was acquired by Apple in 2016.
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.
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₹290 Crore Boost: Rozana’s Series B Funding Scales Rural Retail Network Nationwide
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