India’s Startup Momentum dreamDO Empowers Creators, Observe.AI Reinvents CX and VCs Double Down

Welcome “India” Bulls!

Indian startups secured $209 million across 23 deals from April 5–11, reflecting a cautious investment climate. While this marks a slight uptick from the previous week's $202 million, the overall trend indicates subdued enthusiasm among venture capitalists.

Let’s dive into this week’s Startup Drama!

P.S. The Sunday Special is designed to help you discover the most important Startup insights outside of Share Markets. Our regular Share Market updates will resume as usual on Monday.

Startup Menu

• Startups this Week: dreamDO, Observe.Ai & OneAlpha's

• Funding Space

• Policy Talks

• Everything else you need to know

• Life Hack in Video: How to Get Your First Customers

• The Journey: Deepinder Goyal’s Journey from Codemonk to Zomato’s Table-Turning CEO

STARTUPS THIS WEEK

1. dreamDO: Empowering Everyday Innovators: Hyderabad-based dreamDO is revolutionizing product development by transforming individual ideas into market-ready products. Founded in 2024, the platform manages everything from development to sales, enabling creators to earn royalties while ensuring affordability and quality.

2. Observe.AI Transforms Contact Centers: Observe.AI is enhancing customer service by equipping over 350 enterprises with AI-powered tools that assist human agents. By focusing on voice communication, the platform aims to automate complex tasks, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

3. OneAlpha Ambitious Industrial Venture: OneAlpha has announced its debut project in Chennai's Oragadam industrial corridor, aiming to develop Grade-A industrial spaces. The project will be executed in two phases, with Phase I expected to complete by Q1 2026 and Phase II by Q1 2027, signaling a significant investment in India's industrial infrastructure.

FUNDING SPACE

💰 Weekly Funding Spotlight: Major Startup Investments (April 05 -April 11)

The past week witnessed significant investments across various sectors:

▪️ Deployment: The JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF) has just deployed ₹60 Cr into 25 early-stage startups across sectors like deeptech, healthtech, and sustainability.

▪️ Bells: Urban Company Secures ₹528 Cr to Prep for IPO Debut Urban Company’s board has approved a fresh ₹528 Cr primary fundraise, signaling the company’s readiness to finally go public.

▪️ Revolution: Nanotech Startup Vimano Raises ₹25 Cr to Disrupt Clean Tech and Medtech Pune-based Vimano just bagged ₹25 Cr to scale its cutting-edge nanotech solutions-powering everything from smart coatings to biotech breakthroughs.

▪️ Wisdom: AskMyGuru Raises $12M to Digitize Spiritual Wellness Blending ancient philosophy with AI-driven personalization, AskMyGuru has raised $12M to expand its spiritual-tech platform.

▪️ Double: Expert DOJO Doubles India Investment to Back Early-Stage Trailblazers Silicon Beach-based Expert DOJO is ramping up its India play-committing to double early-stage bets in 2025. With over 20 Indian startups already in its portfolio, the VC is chasing “raw hustle” and untapped scale in emerging metros. Is this the beginning of a US-India startup superhighway?

POLICY TALKS

Indian Electronics Sector Gains Momentum as U.S. Tariffs Hit Chinese Goods

With the U.S. slapping steep 145% tariffs on Chinese electronics, India’s manufacturing sector is feeling the tailwind. Industry leaders are already sensing a supply chain shift, as global brands scout for “China+1” alternatives. Could this be India’s breakout moment to dominate the global electronics map?

FROM THE WAR ZONE

Everything else you need to know

🔍 Acquisition: Edtech heavyweight PhysicsWallah is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Saarrthi IAS, signaling a bold pivot into the UPSC prep market. If sealed, this move could sharpen PW’s edge in the fiercely competitive exam prep arena-where even small gains translate to big wins.

💼 Fintra: Mumbai-headquartered Aurionpro just snapped up Fintra Software, a Hyderabad-based fintech player, aiming to double down on trade finance automation.

⚡ RoadsterX: Ola Electric has officially hit the throttle on its next-gen ambitions, rolling out the Roadster X-a sleek new EV that blends power with panache. Unveiled at their Futurefactory, it’s not just a launch; it’s a statement.

📈 Profitability Hack: With Ecom Express reportedly gearing up for an acquisition, eyes are on how this might shift the logistics chessboard. Analysts say this move may boost profits while cutting operational risks-an area where rival Delhivery has often stumbled.

LIFE HACKS

How to Get Your First Customers

THE JOURNEY

Deepinder Goyal’s Journey from Codemonk to Zomato’s Table-Turning CEO

From scribbling menu scans to running one of India’s biggest food-tech platforms, Deepinder Goyal has rewritten the startup playbook with grit and gut. What started as a side hustle at Bain turned into Zomato, a household name that reshaped how India eats. Behind the IPO flashbulbs lies a story of hustle, heartbreak, and hunger-for impact.

🔍 The Journey

• Bootstrapped beginnings: Started Zomato (then Foodie bay) from scanned menus on an office intranet.

• Resilience built-in: Navigated layoffs, fierce Swiggy rivalry, and skepticism around monetization.

• IPO milestone: One of India’s first consumer tech IPOs-marking a coming-of-age moment for Indian startups.

• Relatable leadership: Goyal remains hands-on-coding, tweeting, and showing up at restaurant audits.

💬 Rhetorical Cue:
How often does a guy with a scanner and a side hustle rewrite a country’s food habits?

Your Opinion Matters!

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Thanks for reading.

Until next time!

Mohit & the OneZero-F team

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