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Govt Of India May Exempt Crowdfunding From Companies Act
The Government of India may exempt crowdfunding from the Companies Act to bring it under the regulatory authority of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI.)
According to a news daily, two people with direct knowledge of discussions between the Corporate Affairs Ministry and SEBI, fundraising will be brought under the purview of SEBI to ease the way startups raise funding. The Government will be invoking Section 462 of the Companies Act which will give the Central Government the power to exempt class or classes of companies from the provisions of this act. However, this move requires the Parliament’s approval.
But, certain other sections of the Act stand as hurdles to this move as the Section 42 of the Companies Act limits the number of investors in a private entity to less than 50 at one go or 200 in a year. The companies, according to the section, will have to compulsorily make a public offer and list the securities on a recognized stock exchange if the number of investors is 200 or more in one year.
Crowdfunding uses social networks and internet platforms for fundraising attracting hundreds or thousands of donors who pay small amounts to fund a project. SEBI issued a warning against crowdfunding platforms in October last year calling them unauthorized, unregulated and illegal. However, in August 2017, SEBI tried to finalize norms for such platforms and even asked crowdfunding firms details about their businesses. The regulatory board further instructed such angel funds to exhibit a disclaimer that these platforms are neither stock exchanges nor authorized by the markets regulator to solicit investments.
As of September 2016, crowdfunding platforms in India raised close to $ 60 million in two years. With the unprecedented boom in the startup ecosystem, funding activity in the unlisted space has intensified. While the discussions between the market regulatores have begun, no concrete decision has been taken so far.
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
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.
Willardteake
May 15, 2026 at 9:21 pm
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