In September 2010, a three-person AI startup called DeepMind Technologies launched in London, with the goal of “solving intelligence.” Four years later, Google acquired the company for $500 million. And by 2016, it had achieved a major victory in AI: Mastering the complex game of Go. …
Start Up India
Fintech start-up Perfios raises about Rs 40 cr from Bessemer VP
Fintech company Perfios Software Solutions has raised about Rs 40 crore in its series-A round from Bessemer Venture Partners. The Bengaluru-based firm, founded in 2009 by V R Govindarajan and Debasish Chakraborty, plans to use the funds for organic and inorganic expansion. “We will use the funds…
How focus on spending priorities can benefit start-ups in the long run
Early last month, while going back on how Simplilearn chose its leadership, this column asked if “good business without a knack for building strong teams” could benefit start-ups in the long run? A younger start-up Rubique (set up in late 2014) has chosen to grow by spending the funds it raised “…
Four former Bajaj Auto veterans form start-up to finance used two wheelers
Mumbai: The used-car industry, or its financing, isn’t foreign to a shortage economy. But for buyers of pre-owned motorcycles and scooters, India has never had an organized funding system – a gap in the market that four former Bajaj Auto executives are keen to fill. Led by the erstwhi…
Edtech start-up Testbook raises funding from Matrix Partners
Testbook, an education technology startup, has raised an undisclosed amount from venture capital firm Matrix Partners India. The company will use the funds for geographic and product expansion. Testbook, founded by a team of IIT graduates, leverages technology to make preparation for government …
Eruditus raises Rs 53 cr from Bertelsmann India in series-B round
Bengaluru: Eruditus Executive Education, a provider of executive education programmes, has raised $8 million (about Rs 53 crore) in a series-B funding round from Bertelsmann India Investments. The company plans to use the funds to add new programmes with the existing and new university partners a…
Microlending startup SmartCoin raises $500K from Unicorn India Ventures
Early-stage venture fund Unicorn India Ventures, which is set to close its maiden fund in the range of Rs 100 crore, has made its first investment in the fintech space, leading a round of about half-a-million dollars in Bengaluru-based microlending startup SmartCoin. The startup offers loans star…
Pune now decks up for a spot on India’s startup map
The Pune Smart City Development Corporation (PSCDC) has set up a new subsidiary, Pune Idea Factory Foundation (PIFF), which will serve as a one-stop shop for anything startup related in the city. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that he would like to make the city India’…
NASSCOM’s Thrive30 is here to boost the start-up scene in Eastern India
NASSCOM has launched East India’s biggest start-up showcase programme, to scale up investments in the eastern region. The programme is called ‘Thrive30’ and aims at aim at recognizing and rewarding top 5 startups amongst the identified top 30 so that they get the fame, exposure and support to gro…
Start-ups lead the path in offering solutions to SMEs
Bengaluru: Whether it’s in the form of exchange programmes between SMEs of various economies, foreign investment into Indian SMEs through specific channels, or some of India’s start-ups innovating to help make SMEs more efficient, the landscape for the small business owner is turning promising. O…