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Nasscom Plans To Set Up CoE For IoT In Hyderabad
Hyderabad’s IT sector is currently roaring high with many startup companies evolving in the city and also major IT firms grounding in. After the city was selected as the Centre of Excellence (CoE) by Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies) on big data and analytics, now it is all gearing up to set up another CoE for IoT (Internet of Things.)
The first CoE for IoT was set up in Bengaluru, Hyderabad becomes the second city for IoT in India. Nasscom was established in 1988 and is a trade association of Indian Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing Industry.
B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Sector Skill Council Chairman, Nasscom, said in an interview: “We have already set up one of the IoT CoEs in Bengaluru. The Union government is looking at setting up more and Hyderabad is one of the cities. If you look at IoT, it is one of the game-changing technologies that can have a tremendous impact in many verticals such as retail, e-governance, and healthcare among others.”
This set up will be a PPP type (Public Private Partnership) which means, half of the funding comes from the central government and the other half from the industry.
“We are waiting for an approval from the central government, once it is approved, we will request for space from the state government,” said Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, IoT Centre Of Excellence. Nasscom will need 10,000 to 15,000 sqft., Space to establish a CoE.
Key Objectives of the CoE:
- To build a strong startup ecosystem for Internet Of Things.
- To boost research and development area of the startup and to reduce the R&D cost.
- To make India’s leadership position better in the emerging areas by providing indigenous solutions.
Sanjeev Malhotra shares his thoughts saying: “There will be some common layers where there will be labs in all the CoEs where startups can come and work. But each CoE will have a separate focus area. There will also be some specific areas around specific verticals. We are not trying to become another T-Hub. We are only going to deal with startups that will be working on the deep technology.”
Well, if you are IT savvy, then make Hyderabad your destination, we say.
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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