Startup Funding Dips, But Innovation Soars: Inside India's Startup Scene

Hello Folks!

Mid-February 2025 saw a sharp dip in venture capital funding for Indian startups, with no big deals in sight, though fintech and healthtech still snagged some attention. Meanwhile, CrisprBits is shaking things up in biotech with PathCrisp, a slick CRISPR-based tool that spots antibiotic resistance in just two hours—talk about a game-changer for hospitals! On another note, Zomato’s rolling out Nugget, an AI-powered customer support platform that’s already handling millions of chats a month and is now up for grabs globally. It’s a mixed bag out there—funding’s tight, but innovation’s still kicking!

Stay tuned for key updates!

Startup Menu

• Startups this Week

• Funding Space

• Life Hack: How influence without using words

• Policy Talks

• Everything else you need to know

STARTUPS THIS WEEK

🔻Dip: The startup funding landscape in India experienced a notable downturn in mid-February 2025, with venture capital inflows dropping sharply due to the absence of large deals. This shift is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting the need to identify sectors still attracting investment amidst this challenging environment.

🦠Crisp: CrisprBits, a Bangalore-based biotech startup, launched PathCrisp, a game-changing platform using CRISPR technology to detect antibiotic resistance in just 2 hours, compared to the usual 24-27 hours. This breakthrough, with 100% accuracy in detecting New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) resistance, could revolutionize hospital infection management, especially in low-resource settings, addressing a critical global health challenge.

🍟Nugget: Zomato unveiled Nugget, an AI-backed customer support platform, handling over 15 million interactions monthly, and is now open to businesses worldwide, achieving a 90% adoption rate. This move is set to transform customer service operations, offering a customizable, cost-effective solution for scaling support, showcasing Zomato's innovation beyond food delivery.

FUNDING SPACE

✈️Flight: ePlane, an Indian electric aircraft startup, signed a $1 billion deal to supply 788 air ambulances to ICATT, using electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with operations targeted for late 2026. This skyrocket in ambition, backed by $20 million raised and a need for $100 million more, positions ePlane as a leader in India's nascent eVTOL market, promising transformative urban medical transport.

🐇Pounce: Rare Rabbit, a premium men's fashion brand, secured INR 150 crore, part of a potential INR 500 crore round, valuing it at INR 2,200 crore, with investors like A91 Partners and Nikhil Kamath. With revenues up 77% to INR 376 crore and profits jumping 84% in FY23, this chic investment is set to fuel further expansion in the competitive D2C fashion market.

⚡Grid: Probus Smart Things, focusing on AI-powered smart grid solutions, raised $5 million to expand operations, enhancing energy efficiency for utilities. This charge forward aims to boost research, team growth, and partnerships, contributing to a sustainable energy future by reducing distribution losses.

POLICY TALKS

🏭Hub: Kerala aims to have 15,000 startups by 2026, having already established 6,200 and created 62,000 jobs, with Rs 5,800 crore in investments, as announced by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

🌽Revolution: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized using AI to improve agriculture and rural lives, noting 894 million rural Indians among 3.6 billion globally, at the AARDO Conference.

🧠Leap: The Indian government received 67 proposals for AI foundational models, with 20 for large language models, under the INR 10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission. Proposers include Sarvam AI and Ola’s Krutrim, with a decision expected in a month, supported by 18,693 GPUs, aiming for completion in 10 months, showcasing a quantum leap in AI innovation.

FROM THE WAR ZONE

Everything else you need to know

🛵Scootsy: Swiggy announced a Rs 1,000 crore investment in its supply chain unit, Scootsy, following a Rs 1,600 crore infusion in December, to support its quick-commerce arm, Instamart.

💃🏻Celebrity: Little Muffet, an online kids' clothing brand specializing in Indian ethnic and party wear, has caught the eye of celebrities like Rishi Sunak, Allu Arjun, Kapil Sharma, and Mira Rajput Kapoor, with organic purchases.

💰Rains: Three Indian companies secured significant funding: The Whole Truth raised $15 million for health food expansion, Dogsee Chew got $8 million for pet treats, and OneTab AI raised $3.3 million for AI development

💵Investment: Flipkart Ventures invested in five AI-driven startups—Xportel, Factors.ai, Expertia.ai, Bharat Krushi Seva, and Visa2Fly—through its Flipkart Leap Ahead program, offering up to $500,000 each.

LIFE HACK

How to Influence without using words: Transform your life in 2025 with these simple steps

Influence isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you carry yourself. Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in shaping how others perceive you. By mastering body language, eye contact, and presence, you can command attention and respect without saying a word.

Here’s how to do it

1. Confident Body Language

▪️ Maintain Good Posture: Stand tall with shoulders back and spine straight to project confidence.

▪️ Use Open Gestures: Keep arms uncrossed and movements relaxed to appear approachable.

▪️ Own Your Space: Occupy your area naturally without encroaching on others.

▪️ Move Deliberately: Avoid fidgeting; purposeful movements convey self-assurance.

2. Effective Eye Contact

▪️ Balanced Gaze: Hold eye contact for 3–5 seconds to show interest without intimidating.

▪️ Engage the Room: Shift your gaze to include everyone, fostering inclusivity.

▪️ Triangle Technique: Alternate focus between each eye and the mouth to create connection.

▪️ Natural Blinking: Maintain a regular blink rate to appear calm and composed.

3. Influential Attire

▪️ Dress Slightly Above the Norm: Elevate your attire modestly to establish authority.

▪️ Choose Power Colors: Opt for deep hues like navy or black to exude confidence.

▪️ Ensure Proper Fit: Well-fitted clothing enhances a polished appearance.

▪️ Prioritize Grooming: Neat hair and clean accessories reflect attention to detail.

4. Controlled Energy and Presence

▪️ Regulate Breathing: Deep, steady breaths help maintain composure.

▪️ Project Positive Energy: A genuine smile and open posture invite engagement.

▪️ Be Present: Focus entirely on the current interaction, minimizing distractions.

5. Strategic Positioning

▪️ Choose Optimal Seating: Position yourself centrally to become a focal point.

▪️ Align with Influencers: Sit near key individuals to associate yourself with authority.

6. Purposeful Silence

▪️ Embrace Pauses: Thoughtful silences can emphasize points and demonstrate confidence.

▪️ Listen Actively: Show engagement through nodding and responsive facial expressions.

7. Memorable Exits

▪️ Depart with Poise: Leave calmly, maintaining your composed demeanor.

▪️ Offer a Final Gesture: A nod or handshake can reinforce your presence.

▪️ Cultivate Mystery: Speaking less while acting decisively piques curiosity.

By integrating these nonverbal strategies, you can effectively influence and command any room without speaking, leaving a lasting impression through your presence alone.

Your Opinion Matters!

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Thanks for reading.

Until next week!

Mohit & the OneZero-F team

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