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Kerala Government Extends Support For Startups
The Kerala Government will now be providing financial support to startups for seven years. The Government announced financial support for startups will be extended by 2 years from the existing five years, in line with Startup India’s definition of startups.
Benefits such as access to subsidized office facilities will also be extended as a part of the move to give a boost to tech based product development startups currently operating in Kerala. At present, there are 757 technology startups registered with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM,) the implementing agency for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities. According to a recent study, only a few startups have managed to earn a profit. Therefore, this decision to extend the benefits aims to help the startups and reduce their extra financial burden as well.
Speaking about the extension, KSUM Manager Ashok Kurian Panjikaran said, “KSUM focuses on developing product based companies and the extension will suit our requirements.” According to startup entrepreneur Robin Alex Panicker, product development companies take longer to build when compared to services companies. Without subsidized office facilities and other benefits, the cost of a startup company will increase significantly after the incubation period.
KSUM is also read to launch the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP.) Armed with State funding of Rs. 20 crores, YEDP aims at developing technology led innovation and entrepreneurship among schools, college students and aspiring entrepreneurs. The selected startups will also be receiving the funds by next month.
Kerala was one of the first states to adopt a Startup Mission for implementing the entrepreneurship development programmes in the state. The technology startup policy was also launched in 2014 with the aim of building an entrepreneurial society in Kerala. In July this year, the Kerala Government also allotted 12 new projects as a part of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP.) Over 2,000 startups operating in the State will be offered financial as well as technical support under this initiative. With this programme, Kerala became the first state in India to have introduced SVEP project in all its districts.
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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