India’s consumer-brand market is attracting investment at two very different stages. Rotoris, a premium watch company, has raised Rs. 70 crore to build a global luxury brand from India. Qiroko, a young fashion accessories startup, has secured Rs. 1.5 crore to widen its product range and distribution.

The funding amounts are very different, but both companies are working on the same basic challenge – creating a strong brand in a crowded consumer market.

Rotoris raises Rs. 70 crore to build an Indian luxury watch house

Gurugram-based Rotoris has raised Rs. 70 crore in a Series A round led by Blume Ventures. The round also included 9Unicorns, Centricity, family offices, and individual investors, including Diwakar Goel, Atul Singh, Adhiraj Burman, and actor Rannvijay Singha.

Rotoris was founded by Aakash Anand and Prerna Gupta. The startup sells limited, numbered watch collections and is trying to create an independent luxury watch brand from India for international customers.

Luxury watch buyers often look at more than timekeeping. They consider design, craftsmanship, brand history, materials, and exclusivity. Rotoris is building its brand around this idea, selling watches through an invitation-led membership system called the Registry.

The company’s first launch of 2,100 numbered watches reportedly sold out within days. Rotoris says it has since received registrations from nearly 100,000 potential buyers, with a significant share of interest coming from outside India.

As per report, the fresh funding will be used for research and development, larger production capacity, and expansion of its physical retail presence in India and overseas. Rotoris is setting up a dedicated watch-assembly facility in Gurugram and plans to expand its appointment-led Rotoris House experience beyond Delhi.

The startup faces a difficult challenge. It is competing for attention with established global watch brands such as Tissot, Seiko, Rado, and Swiss luxury houses that have spent decades building trust. Rotoris will need consistent quality and strong service, not just limited-edition launches, to earn long-term credibility.

Qiroko raises Rs. 1.5 crore to grow beyond accessories

Bengaluru-based Qiroko has raised Rs. 1.5 crore in a Pre-Seed round led by ISV Capital, with participation from angel investors.

Founded in 2025 by Shivam Vasisht and Ashwin Krithik, Qiroko sells affordable everyday fashion accessories. The startup has remained bootstrapped until this round, meaning the founders ran it without external institutional funding.

As per Entrackr, Qiroko plans to use the money for new product development and expansion into watches and bags. It also wants to improve its reach through its own website, online marketplaces, and quick-commerce platforms.

The brand currently sells through its direct-to-consumer website, Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and Blinkit. Quick-commerce availability could be useful for small-ticket products, where buyers may make an impulse purchase and expect fast delivery.

The company says it has achieved an annualized revenue run rate of Rs. 6 crore within its first year. This is a company-reported figure, and detailed financial performance has not been disclosed publicly.

Qiroko’s challenge is different from Rotoris’s. It is not trying to sell exclusivity. It is aiming for wider adoption by offering wearable, affordable products across jewellery, watches, and bags. Its competition includes large fashion marketplaces, established accessories brands, and countless online sellers.

Karbonn is preparing to return to India’s smartphone market with the new Rebel series. The company has teased two models – the Karbonn Rebel Pro and the standard Karbonn Rebel – through a dedicated Amazon India page.

The phones are clearly aimed at buyers who want useful daily features without paying flagship-level prices. Karbonn has not announced the launch date or prices yet, but the latest teaser reveals enough to understand how the two models may differ.

Karbonn Rebel Pro – The more feature-rich model

The Karbonn Rebel Pro appears to be the higher-end phone in the upcoming lineup. It is confirmed to feature a 6.7-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 720 nits.

A 120Hz display refreshes the screen more often than a standard 60Hz panel. In everyday use, this can make scrolling through social media, switching apps, and browsing webpages feel smoother.

The Rebel Pro will also pack a 6,000mAh battery with support for 20W wired charging. Karbonn says the phone will ship with a compatible charger and USB Type-C cable in the box. That matters because many phone brands now sell chargers separately.

The teaser images show a flat rear panel, flat side frame, and a vertical camera section in the upper-left corner. The Pro model is expected in Blue, Burgundy, Gold, and Gray colour options.

Karbonn Rebel – Bigger battery, simpler display

The standard Karbonn Rebel is positioned as the more basic model, but it has one feature that may attract heavy users – a 7,000mAh battery.

That is larger than the battery found in many mainstream smartphones. For someone who spends long hours on calls, videos, navigation, or social media, a bigger battery can reduce the need to carry a power bank. Actual battery life will still depend on the processor, screen use, mobile network, and installed apps.

The Karbonn Rebel will support 18W wired charging. Its display is confirmed to be a 6.75-inch HD+ panel with up to 650 nits of peak brightness. Unlike the Pro model, Karbonn has not confirmed a high refresh rate for this version.

Its rear design is also different. The standard Rebel has been shown with a horizontal camera section and three camera cutouts arranged in a triangular pattern. It will be available in Blue, Gold, and Silver shades.

Software and availability

Both Karbonn Rebel phones are confirmed to run Android 16. Karbonn is also promising a zero-bloatware experience, meaning the company says it will avoid filling the phones with unnecessary pre-installed apps.

The brand has promised two Android operating-system upgrades and two years of security updates for both devices. If delivered as stated, this could be useful for buyers who plan to keep the phone for several years.

The Rebel series will be sold through Amazon in India. However, Karbonn has not announced an exact launch date, sale date, chipset, RAM, storage options, camera specifications, or 5G band support.

Those missing details are important. A large battery and smooth display are attractive, but buyers should also wait for information on camera quality, real-world performance, charging time, and final price.

Who will Karbonn compete with

Karbonn will enter a tough budget-phone market dominated by brands such as Redmi, Realme, Motorola, Samsung, Lava, and Poco. To stand out, it will need competitive pricing, dependable software support, and strong after-sales service.

The Rebel Pro could appeal to buyers who want a large screen and smoother display. The standard Rebel may attract users who value battery life above everything else.

Facts & Image

Diwali gifts do not need to be expensive to feel memorable. The best ones usually show that you noticed something about the person – their favourite snack, a hobby they enjoy, a problem they keep talking about, or a small luxury they would not buy for themselves.

This Diwali, skip last-minute generic shopping. Use this simple roadmap to choose gifts that feel festive, useful, and personal for every age group.

Start with the person, not the price

Before choosing a gift, think about how the recipient spends their day. A student may enjoy headphones, art supplies, or a useful backpack. A parent may prefer something that makes home life easier. A colleague might appreciate a premium snack hamper or desk accessory.

Gender does not have to decide the gift. Interests work better. Someone who loves cooking may enjoy spice blends or cookware, while a fitness enthusiast may prefer a water bottle, smartwatch strap, or healthy snack box – regardless of gender.

A useful rule is simple – give something they will use, enjoy, eat, wear, or remember.

Diwali gift ideas for children and teenagers

Children enjoy gifts that create excitement beyond a single day. Board games, storybooks, science kits, building blocks, craft boxes, and personalized name items are all strong choices.

For teenagers, focus on their interests. A sketchbook and good pens can delight an aspiring artist. A phone stand, gaming accessory, wireless earphones, or a gift card may work better for a tech-loving teen.

Add a small pack of chocolates or festive sweets to make the gift feel like Diwali. If you are giving cash, place it in a handmade envelope with a warm note instead of handing it over casually.

Gifts for parents, grandparents and family

For parents and grandparents, comfort and thoughtfulness often matter more than trends. Consider a shawl, a soft blanket, a family photo frame, wellness hamper, dry-fruit box, indoor plant, or personalized mug.

A practical gift can also be special. For example, a parent who enjoys morning tea may love an elegant tea set with their favourite blend. A grandparent may appreciate a simple digital photo frame filled with family pictures.

For couples or siblings, think of shared gifts. A festive hamper, home décor piece, coffee machine, movie-night box, or dinner voucher can create an experience rather than add another unused item to the shelf.

Friends, partners and colleagues

Friends are easier to shop for when you lean into shared memories. Give a custom photo book, quirky T-shirt, favourite perfume, book, café voucher, or a small hamper based on their personality.

For a partner, choose something that feels personal rather than overly grand. A handwritten letter, a planned date, a memory jar, or a gift related to a hobby can feel more meaningful than an expensive item picked without thought.

For colleagues, keep gifts professional but warm. Premium sweets, dry fruits, reusable bottles, desk plants, notebooks, scented candles, or coffee hampers are safe choices. Avoid overly personal gifts unless you know the person well.

Make every gift feel special

Presentation changes the experience. Use a reusable fabric bag, a festive box, or simple wrapping paper with a handwritten tag. Mention why you chose the gift in one line.

For example – “You always make the best chai, so this tea set felt perfect for you.”

You can also pair one useful item with one festive item. A notebook plus chocolates, a plant plus diyas, or a scarf plus dry fruits feels complete without becoming excessive.

Set a clear budget before shopping. A thoughtful Rs. 500 gift can feel more valuable than a rushed Rs. 5,000 purchase.

Or else, You can comment below in the article if you have any unique gifting idea!!!

Google has announced Gemini 4 Carbon, a new high-end artificial intelligence model focused on difficult software engineering work and cybersecurity defence.

Carbon is part of Google’s Gemini 4 model family and follows Gemini 4 Argon, which was introduced earlier in October. The important detail for users is that Carbon is not yet widely available. Google is first giving access to a limited group of trusted cybersecurity defenders and partners before opening it to developers, businesses, and consumers.

What is Gemini 4 Carbon

Gemini 4 Carbon is designed to handle long, complex tasks that can involve many steps. Instead of answering a simple question or generating a short email, it is intended to work through larger software and security problems.

For example, a developer may ask the model to examine a large codebase, find the source of a hard-to-detect bug, suggest a fix, and explain why the problem occurred. In cybersecurity, it may help defenders identify weaknesses in software and propose ways to patch them.

Google says Carbon can continue working on complex engineering tasks over a long period, including multi-step bug investigation and code repair. The company also claims stronger performance in web development, scientific tasks, coding, and understanding different types of content such as text, images, and files.

The term “frontier model” simply means an AI model designed to perform at the highest available level for advanced tasks. It does not mean that the model is suitable for every everyday use case.

Carbon’s biggest focus is cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the central theme of Gemini 4 Carbon. Google says the model performs strongly at finding software vulnerabilities, checking whether a weakness can be exploited, and helping create code fixes.

This can be useful for security teams that manage large amounts of software. A business may have thousands of lines of code and many third-party tools. Manually reviewing every possible weakness takes time. AI can help security experts prioritize what needs attention first.

However, the model should not be treated as a replacement for human security teams. Security decisions need careful review because an incorrect fix can create a new problem or affect a company’s systems.

Google says it has added safeguards to reduce misuse, resist prompt injection attacks, and lower the chance of unsupported claims. Prompt injection is an attempt to trick an AI system into ignoring its intended instructions.

Who can use Gemini 4 Carbon now

At launch, Gemini 4 Carbon is available only to a small set of cybersecurity defenders and trusted partners through Google’s Fairwind Program.

Google has said it will gradually expand access after collecting feedback and testing its safeguards. Developers, businesses, and regular consumers will have to wait for wider availability. Google has not shared a confirmed public release date.

This restricted launch makes sense because a model that is highly capable at cybersecurity work needs stronger safety checks than a general-purpose writing assistant.

Gemini 4 Carbon price

Google has announced an introductory API price of $2 per one million input tokens and $10 per one million output tokens.

A token is a small piece of text processed by an AI model. Input tokens are the words, files, or instructions sent to the model. Output tokens are the model’s response, including its internal reasoning and generated text.

Google says cached input tokens will receive a 95 percent discount. After the introductory period, the listed price is expected to rise to $4 per one million input tokens and $20 per one million output tokens.

This is developer pricing, not a consumer subscription price. Since Carbon is not yet broadly available, users cannot simply buy access through the Gemini app today.

Competition and real-world impact

Gemini 4 Carbon enters a competitive market where OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and other AI companies are also developing models for coding, research, and security work.

Its success will depend less on benchmark scores and more on whether developers and security teams find it reliable in real environments. If it can help find bugs faster, improve secure coding, and reduce repetitive security work, Carbon could become an important tool for enterprises.

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Hyundai Motor India is looking beyond its own research teams for the next set of mobility ideas. The carmaker has shortlisted 16 startups under its inaugural Hyundai Innovation Challenge 2026, a six-month programme created to find practical technology for future vehicles and business operations.

The selected companies come from a pool of 980 applications received from across India. Their ideas cover areas such as electrification, artificial intelligence, connected mobility, vehicle safety, logistics, and customer experience.

What the Hyundai Innovation Challenge is about

Hyundai Motor India launched the Innovation Challenge in June 2026 with support from Hyundai Motor Group’s global open-innovation platform, ZER01NE.

The programme was designed for startups working on 15 focus areas. These include electric-vehicle technology, advanced driver assistance systems, in-car experiences, connected vehicles, sustainable materials, smart manufacturing, and AI-based tools.

Advanced driver assistance systems, often called ADAS, are vehicle features that help drivers avoid accidents. Examples include lane warnings, automatic emergency braking, and parking assistance. Hyundai is also looking at ideas that make such systems better suited to India’s changing traffic conditions, roads, and driving patterns.

The aim is not merely to find interesting concepts. Hyundai wants to test whether the startups’ technology can solve real problems and be commercially useful.

Meet the 16 shortlisted startups

The shortlisted startups are Pulse Energy, Novus Hi-tech, CraftifAI, AmpereHour, Enmovil, GoComet, Haulog Technologies, Syook, Unbox Robotics, Motiv AI, AMI Technologies, Dasham Labs, AltMat, Simlioncis, Ravity, and EmpFly Services.

These companies presented their solutions to teams from Hyundai Motor India and Hyundai Motor India Engineering during the Grand Pitch Day held on October 29, 2026.

The selected startups work across different technology areas. Some are likely to be relevant to electric mobility and charging, while others focus on logistics, automation, artificial intelligence, materials, and connected systems.

For example, better battery-management tools could help EV owners understand charging needs and vehicle range. A logistics platform could help Hyundai improve the movement of parts between suppliers, factories, and dealerships. Robotics or automation solutions could support quicker and safer operations inside manufacturing facilities.

What the startups may receive next

Shortlisting does not mean that every startup has secured a commercial deal with Hyundai. The next stage involves evaluating their technology through paid proof-of-concept projects, validation programmes, and pilot deployments.

A proof of concept is a limited test that checks whether an idea works in a real business situation. For a startup with a new AI tool, Hyundai may test it with a defined set of vehicle or customer data. For a hardware company, it could mean testing a solution at a plant, charging site, or logistics facility.

The programme offers access to Hyundai’s technical teams, expert guidance, and possible proof-of-concept grants. It could also lead to future investment, market access, or longer-term partnerships if a solution proves valuable.

For early-stage startups, this kind of pilot can be more useful than publicity. A successful test with a large carmaker can help a company improve its product, gain credibility, and approach other customers.

Why this matters for India’s auto sector

India’s vehicle market is moving toward electrification, connected features, smarter factories, and software-led services. Carmakers cannot build every technology alone, especially when innovation is happening quickly across batteries, AI, automation, and digital services.

Hyundai’s challenge places it in the same broader innovation race as other automobile companies working with startups to develop new mobility solutions. The real measure of success will be how many of these 16 companies move from a pitch presentation to a working commercial project.

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Docterz, a healthtech company for doctors and clinics, has received backing from people who already use its platform. At the other end of the market, One Planet Partners and Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank are setting up a large private-equity fund for growing Indian businesses.

One story is about a startup raising a relatively small round with strong customer support. The other is about creating a much larger pool of money for companies that are ready to scale.

Docterz gets backing from doctors who use its platform

Healthtech startup Docterz has raised Rs. 5 crore from around 35 investors. Nearly 60 percent of the money came from doctors who already use the company’s services. The round also included SUGAR Cosmetics co-founder Vineeta Singh and CaratLane co-founder Avnish Anand.

Docterz was founded more than a decade ago by Dr. Atish Laddad. Its technology helps doctors and clinics manage day-to-day work, including patient appointments, digital medical records, billing, vaccine inventory, queue management, and communication with patients.

As per ET, the company says its platform supports more than 5,000 doctors across India. That makes the funding round notable because some of its own users have chosen to invest in the business. A doctor who uses the platform every day may understand its value more clearly than an outside investor looking only at numbers.

For a small clinic, software like Docterz can reduce paperwork and help staff spend less time coordinating appointments or maintaining records. A doctor can also use it to track follow-ups, manage billing, and communicate with patients in one place.

The startup plans to use the capital for organic expansion, possible acquisitions, and practical AI features for doctors. It also wants to reach more independent practitioners, clinics, and healthcare organisations.

Docterz operates in a competitive market that includes clinic-management software companies, appointment-booking platforms, and teleconsultation services such as Practo. Its advantage may lie in being built around the daily working needs of doctors rather than only patient discovery.

One Planet Partners aims for bigger growth investments

Mumbai-based One Planet Partners has launched its first private-equity fund in partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, commonly known as SMTB. The fund is targeting more than Rs. 3,000 crore.

It is important to understand the difference between a fund target and money already available. The Rs. 3,000 crore figure is the intended size of the fund, not the confirmed amount raised so far. The firm plans to achieve its first close by mid-2027.

Founded in 2024, One Planet Partners was established by Mukund Rajan, Bobby Pauly, Mrinalini Mirchandani, and Sheetal Thakkar. SMTB has made a strategic investment in the firm and is also anchoring the fund.

As reported, the fund will focus on Indian mid-market businesses that can benefit from energy transition, new mobility, and manufacturing growth. It intends to invest between Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 500 crore in companies with annual revenue ranging from Rs. 200 crore to Rs. 2,000 crore.

This is growth capital, not early-stage startup funding. For example, an electric mobility company with a proven product and a growing customer base may need capital to expand manufacturing, build charging infrastructure, or enter new cities. A private-equity fund can support that next phase.

One Planet Partners has already participated in the Series C round of Bengaluru-based electric mobility company Yulu.

Robots have been used in factories for years, but most are built for one fixed task in one controlled space. Tensrai wants to make industrial machines more flexible, capable, and easier to deploy.

The Hyderabad-based startup has raised Rs. 3.4 crore in a Pre-Seed round to develop what it calls physical AI – technology that allows robots and industrial vehicles to understand their surroundings and carry out real-world work with less human control.

What Tensrai is building

Tensrai was founded in 2022 by Sai Nikhil Rao Gona, Venkata Sai Charan Chalamalasetty, Harshith Uppalapati, and Vivek Datta.

The company is developing an autonomy platform for robots, industrial vehicles, and machines. In simple words, it wants to give machines the ability to move safely, understand their environment, and complete useful physical tasks.

For example, a robot in a warehouse may need to move boxes from one area to another. In a factory, it could transport components between workstations. In an airport or hospital, it could support cleaning or material movement.

Tensrai’s platform is designed to work with new robots as well as existing industrial equipment. This retrofit approach is important because businesses may not want to replace every forklift, trolley, or machine they already own. Instead, they may be able to add autonomous features to suitable equipment.

Where the Pre-Seed money will go

As per Newzchain, the Pre-Seed round was backed by India Accelerator, Finvolve, Hyderabad Angels, and other angel investors. Tensrai plans to use the capital for technology development, engineering, deployment capabilities, and expansion in India and overseas markets.

The funding should help the startup improve the hardware and software needed to make its robots work in real environments. A warehouse floor is not always smooth, quiet, or predictable. There can be people walking around, moving vehicles, uneven surfaces, and changing layouts.

This is where physical AI differs from a regular software tool. A chatbot works with information on a screen. A physical AI system must understand the world around it and take action safely. Tensrai says its technology uses cameras and software to help machines navigate, identify surroundings, and perform tasks with limited human intervention.

The company also plans to earn money through robot sales, retrofitting existing machines, customized projects, and Robot-as-a-Service. Under the Robot-as-a-Service model, a customer pays for the use of a robot instead of buying it outright. That could make automation more affordable for businesses that do not want a large upfront investment.

The problem Tensrai wants to solve

Factories, warehouses, and large commercial sites often face shortages of skilled operators for repetitive or physically demanding work. Manual material movement can also be slow, especially when operations run around the clock.

Tensrai’s aim is not simply to replace workers. The stronger use case is helping people avoid repetitive, heavy, or potentially hazardous work while allowing teams to focus on supervision, maintenance, and higher-value tasks.

The startup will compete with warehouse-automation firms, industrial robotics companies, and makers of autonomous mobile robots. Its key challenge will be proving that its systems remain reliable across different sites and work conditions.

A robot that works well in a controlled demonstration must also work safely in a busy factory or uneven outdoor industrial yard. That is where practical deployment matters more than ambitious claims.

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond chatbots and basic writing tools. India’s technology companies are now trying to use it for everyday business work, from building software and managing IT operations to handling customer data and forecasting demand.

HCLTech, Coforge, and Google Cloud have announced new offerings with that goal. Their ideas are different, but each is aimed at reducing slow, repetitive work that often holds businesses back.

HCLTech’s nano GCC is a smaller route to enterprise AI

HCLTech has launched an AI-powered nano Global Capability Centre, or nano GCC, with Amazon Web Services. A GCC is usually a dedicated technology and operations hub set up by a large company in another country. It can handle software development, data work, finance support, customer operations, and more as per its Press release.

A traditional GCC can take time and money to build. HCLTech’s nano GCC model is designed to start smaller, with focused teams working on one defined business problem. If it works well, the company can expand the model gradually.

For example, a mid-sized overseas retailer may want to use AI to predict product demand or automate IT support but may not be ready to set up a large India office. HCLTech’s nano GCC could offer a lower-risk starting point.

The service combines HCLTech’s consulting and delivery teams with AWS cloud services. It will initially be supported through HCLTech’s India delivery network and its Lucknow centre of excellence. The larger impact could be faster adoption of AI by companies that previously saw large technology projects as too expensive or complex.

Coforge wants software development to work like a factory

Coforge has introduced what it calls an Autonomous Software Factory. The name sounds futuristic, but the central idea is straightforward reported the company.

Software projects involve many repeated tasks – writing code, testing it, checking for bugs, reviewing changes, and preparing releases. Coforge says its new model uses specialized AI agents to handle some of these tasks in parallel within a controlled environment.

An AI agent is software designed to carry out a specific task with limited human input. In this case, one agent may help write code while another checks tests or reviews quality. Human engineers would still make key decisions about product design, security, and final approval.

The potential benefit is speed. A bank updating a mobile app, for instance, could reduce the time spent on routine testing and code checks. But the real test will be quality. Faster software delivery means little if errors, security gaps, or compliance problems increase.

Coforge is competing in a market where global IT firms are also building AI-led engineering services. Its success will depend on whether its system produces reliable results for large enterprise clients.

Google Cloud focuses on small and mid-sized businesses

Google Cloud used its Cloud Day India 2026 event to show how small and mid-sized businesses can apply AI without needing a huge technology team.

Many smaller companies still struggle with data spread across spreadsheets, emails, billing systems, and customer records. Google Cloud’s pitch is that AI tools can connect this information and help staff get answers or complete tasks faster.

The company demonstrated a mix of Gemini models, Google Workspace, analytics tools, and cloud services. An apparel company such as Siyaram’s, for example, is using AI-based analytics to forecast demand across more than 40,000 products and support marketing work.

For a smaller business, the practical use could be simpler. A wholesaler could study sales patterns before placing an order. A service company could summarize customer requests and identify common complaints. The benefit is not replacing people. It is cutting time spent on repetitive work and helping teams make quicker decisions.

The bigger impact

These announcements show that business AI in India is becoming less about experimentation and more about solving specific operational problems.

HCLTech is offering a compact path for enterprises to build AI operations. Coforge is targeting the software-development cycle. Google Cloud is looking at the needs of smaller businesses that need useful tools without major IT investment.

The competition will be intense, with cloud providers, IT service firms, and software companies all chasing the same opportunity. For customers, the best choice will not be the tool with the biggest claim. It will be the one that saves time, protects data, and delivers a clear business result.

India’s startup funding area is moving across very different sectors at once. New capital is flowing into electric-vehicle technology, climate solutions, esports, and deep-tech investing.

The latest updates include Viridian Ingni’s Pre-Seed round, Carbelim’s investment from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund, Let’s Game Now’s esports push, and Aavishkaar Group’s plan for a large new fund. Each story has a different goal, but all point to growing interest in technology-led businesses with long-term potential.

Viridian Ingni bets on homegrown EV propulsion

Chennai-based Viridian Ingni Propulsion has raised Rs. 1.47 crore in a Pre-Seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The startup was founded in February 2024 by Sriram G, who is also its chief executive.

Viridian Ingni develops electric propulsion systems, which include the motor, controller, and the software that manages their performance. These systems can be used in electric two-wheelers, e-rickshaws, drones, robots, and industrial machines.

As per Business Fortnight, the funding will help the company move from working prototypes to pilot production. It plans to spend on motor tooling, a small manufacturing setup, testing and certification, controller software validation, and initial customer deliveries.

The startup’s larger aim is to reduce dependence on imported EV components. Its competition includes established motor makers and overseas suppliers, but a locally designed system could be useful for Indian vehicle makers looking for customized solutions.

Carbelim takes its climate technology forward

Carbelim has secured Rs. 10 crore from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. The Kerala Startup Mission-backed company was founded by Dr. Karthika Gopi and Rahul Babu.

Carbelim works on microalgae-based carbon-capture and air-purification systems. In simple terms, its technology uses algae to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The company is developing solutions for cities and industries that want cleaner air and lower emissions.

As per Sahyadri Startups, the new funding is expected to support technology development, production scale-up, and international growth. Carbelim says it has filed 13 patents, including Indian and US applications, for its work.

Climate technology is a demanding field because a product must work reliably outside the lab. Carbelim will compete with conventional air-purification companies, carbon-capture businesses, and other climate-tech startups. Its use of algae-based systems gives it a distinct place in that market.

Let’s Game Now builds an esports league

Esports platform Let’s Game Now has raised Rs. 30 crore in a round co-led by Anand Mahindra and Bestvantage Investments. A UAE-based family office also participated.

Founded in 2018 by Santanu Basu, Let’s Game Now runs gaming tournaments, offline events, live broadcasts, and brand campaigns. Basu has also co-founded the Indian Super Gaming League with Gautam Badalia.

As per the Talk eSport, the capital will be used to develop the Indian Super Gaming League, or ISGL. The league is designed around a franchise format, similar to professional sports leagues. Instead of only hosting one-off tournaments, it aims to create a more organized path for players, teams, coaches, analysts, broadcasters, and sponsors.

The company faces competition from gaming platforms, tournament organizers, and esports publishers. Still, backing from investors with experience in building major sports properties could help ISGL attract teams and commercial partners.

Aavishkaar Group prepares its next big pool of capital

Aavishkaar Group is targeting Rs. 2,000 crore for its seventh fund. This is a fundraising target, not money that has already been collected or invested as per Venture Intelligence.

Founded in 2001 by Vineet Rai, Aavishkaar has long focused on businesses that combine commercial growth with social or environmental impact. Its proposed fund is expected to concentrate on deep-tech areas such as advanced materials, agriculture, technical textiles, tissue culture, and space technology.

Unlike the other three stories, Aavishkaar is not raising money for one startup. It is building a fund that could support several emerging companies over time. The group reportedly aims to announce at least six deep-tech investments before December.

India’s startup funding news covers a wide mix of businesses. There is a company helping factories build critical parts, a nutrition brand investing in product research, an underwater robotics startup working with defence customers, and an entertainment software firm seeking its next major round.

The common thread is clear. Investors are backing companies with focused plans for the money, whether that means building factories, improving products, expanding care facilities, or selling software to businesses.

Venttup and Ace Blend focus on building stronger products

Venttup has raised $3 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Unicorn India Ventures. Founded in 2021 by Sandeep Nair, M. Wasim Ankli, and Joseph Panakkal, Venttup works with businesses that need precision-engineered components.

Its role goes beyond simply connecting a buyer with a supplier. The company helps with design, prototype development, testing, validation, and final production. For example, a firm developing an electric vehicle component may need a part redesigned, tested, and manufactured at scale. Venttup aims to make that process easier.

As per ET Entrepreneur, the startup plans to use the fresh funds to expand its engineering team, build precision manufacturing capacity, and improve prototype infrastructure. It is also setting up a Bengaluru facility. The company is targeting sectors such as energy, defence, aerospace, electronics, and future mobility.

Ace Blend has reportedly raised $9.91 million in a Series A2 round. The Mumbai nutrition company was founded in 2018 by Shivam Hingorani and Saif Mekhri. It sells protein products, supplements, and functional coffees.

Ace Blend’s funding plan is different from that of many consumer brands. The company says it expects to direct much of the capital towards product research, clinical studies, and quality testing instead of spending heavily on advertising. In a crowded nutrition market, that could help it compete with larger supplement brands by building consumer trust around its products as per Stopdown.

Coratia brings funding to underwater robotics

Coratia Technologies has secured Rs. 18 crore in a bridge round led by MGF Kavachh. Founded in 2021 by Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain, the company develops underwater robotic systems for defence and industrial uses.

Its remotely operated vehicles can inspect areas that are risky or difficult for people to reach, including ship hulls, ports, pipelines, dams, and other underwater structures. Such inspections are important because minor damage can become a costly problem if it is missed.

As per ET Entrepreneur again, the company plans to use the money to strengthen research, increase manufacturing, and support deployments. Coratia also has an Indian Navy programme, giving the startup a strong use case in the growing defence technology space. Its competitors include imported underwater inspection systems and other robotics firms working in industrial and defence applications.

Jagruti and Dashverse show two different growth paths

Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, founded in Pune by Dr. Amar Shinde in 2008, has raised Rs. 28 crore Series A funding as reported in Localsamosa. The centre provides mental-health, addiction-recovery, dementia, and rehabilitation services.

Dashverse, meanwhile, is reportedly seeking $30 million to $40 million in new funding as per VentureIntelligence. Founded by Sanidhya Narain, Lalith Gudipati, and Soumyadeep Mukherjee, the company is moving away from its consumer micro-drama app, DashReels.

Its next focus is Frameo AI, software designed to help entertainment companies produce videos. The proposed funding would help Dashverse grow this business-to-business offering. Unlike Venttup, Ace Blend, and Coratia, this is not a closed funding round yet. The final amount and investor participation may change as discussions continue.

As discussed earlier, Apple has finally brought touch controls to the MacBook Pro. It is a big shift for a company that stayed away from touchscreen laptops for years, even while Windows makers made them common.

The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is aimed at people who edit videos, design graphics, make music, or work with demanding software. It is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with prices in India starting at Rs. 3,49,900, as per the press release.

However, there is an important detail for buyers. Apple has also launched a separate 14-inch MacBook Pro with the newer M6 chip. The touchscreen model does not use M6. Instead, it comes with the higher-end M5 Pro or M5 Max chips.

Touchscreen MacBook Pro – What is new

The biggest talking point is simple – you can now tap, swipe, scroll, and pinch directly on a MacBook screen.

For everyday use, that could mean quickly zooming into a photo, moving a slide in a presentation, or scrolling through a long webpage with a finger. For creative users, the benefit may be larger. A video editor could make a quick adjustment on a timeline, while a designer could work directly on artwork without relying only on the trackpad.

Apple pairs touch support with its new PROLED XDR display. It uses tandem OLED technology, which is designed to deliver deep blacks, strong contrast, and better brightness control. Apple says the screen can reach up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

The touchscreen MacBook Pro also brings Dynamic Island to the Mac. It can show quick updates, music controls, calls, and other small tasks near the top of the display.

M5 Pro and M5 Max power the touch models

The touchscreen MacBook Pro is built around M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, not the standard M6 chip. That may sound confusing at first, but the product positioning is quite clear.

The M5 Pro and M5 Max versions are made for heavier professional work, such as 8K video editing, 3D animation, large design projects, and software development. Apple offers up to 128GB of unified memory and up to 16TB of storage on these models.

In India, the 14-inch touchscreen MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at Rs. 3,49,900. The 16-inch M5 Pro version starts at Rs. 4,09,900. M5 Max configurations cost more, beginning at Rs. 5,49,900 for the 14-inch model.

How it differs from the MacBook Pro with M6

The M6 MacBook Pro is a separate 14-inch model for buyers who want newer processor technology at a lower entry price. It starts at Rs. 2,39,900 in India.

Unlike the touchscreen version, the M6 model retains a non-touch Liquid Retina XDR display. Its main appeal is performance, battery life, and newer wireless connectivity rather than a redesigned screen experience.

Apple says the M6 chip offers faster graphics and improved on-device AI processing compared with M5. It also includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and up to 24 hours of claimed battery life.

Put simply, the touchscreen MacBook Pro is the more premium display-and-creative-work machine. The M6 MacBook Pro is the more practical option for students, developers, office users, and creators who want strong performance but do not need touch controls or the OLED panel.

Competitors and buying view

Windows laptops from brands such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, and ASUS have offered touchscreens for years, often at much lower prices. Apple’s advantage is not that it introduced touch first. Its bet is that macOS, Apple silicon, OLED quality, and a refined touch experience together will appeal to professionals.

For most people, the M6 MacBook Pro looks like the sensible choice. But if you work with colour-sensitive visuals, detailed creative tools, or simply want Apple’s first touchscreen laptop, the PROLED XDR model is the more exciting machine.

Wobble has confirmed that its next smartphone, the Wobble Speed 5G, is coming to India. The early teaser does not reveal a full specification sheet, but it signals the brand’s intention to compete in the crowded sub-Rs. 20,000 5G smartphone segment.

That is an ambitious space. Buyers in this price range usually compare display quality, camera performance, battery life, gaming ability and software experience closely. Wobble says its new phone will aim for a more balanced package instead of making major compromises in one area to improve another.

What is Wobble and who is behind the brand

Wobble is a consumer technology brand owned by Bengaluru-based Indkal Technologies. The company had already built a presence in televisions and displays before entering the smartphone market with the Wobble One in 2025.

The Wobble One focused on a clean Android experience, an AMOLED display and camera features. With the Speed 5G, Wobble appears to be extending its phone lineup into a more accessible price category as per Fonearena.

For a newer smartphone brand, the goal is not only to offer attractive specifications. It also needs to win trust through software updates, after-sales service, spare-parts support and reliable day-to-day performance.

What the Wobble Speed 5G teaser confirms

The Wobble Speed 5G name and India launch have been confirmed. The teaser also shows a refreshed exterior design, including a different rear finish and a redesigned camera module.

Wobble has said the device is being developed around four areas that matter to most phone buyers – performance, display, cameras and battery life. This gives a broad idea of the brand’s focus, but it should not be mistaken for confirmed hardware details.

The phone will support 5G, as its name makes clear. This is useful for buyers planning to keep their next device for several years as 5G coverage expands across India.

Specifications that are still awaited

Wobble has not yet disclosed the processor, RAM and storage options, display size, refresh rate, battery capacity, charging speed or camera sensors for the Speed 5G.

The official launch will also need to answer important questions about the price, sale date, colour choices, warranty terms and online or offline availability. Until then, claims about a particular chipset, megapixel count or battery size should be treated as unconfirmed.

This distinction matters. A large battery sounds good, for example, but charging speed and software efficiency also affect the real experience. Similarly, a high-megapixel camera does not automatically guarantee better photos in low light or while recording moving subjects.

Where it may compete

If Wobble prices the Speed 5G below Rs. 20,000, it could face phones from Redmi, Realme, Motorola, iQOO, Poco and Lava. These brands already offer strong options in performance-led and camera-led models.

Wobble’s possible advantage could be a cleaner software experience and a design that looks different from the usual budget-phone formula. Still, the final comparison can only begin after Wobble announces the complete specifications and price.

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India’s startup funding story is not only about large AI valuations and late-stage companies. Early-stage investors are also backing products that people can play, chips that can help machines see, and software that can make business systems easier to build.

Dubdub raised a $1.3 million seed round, Nova Spectral AI secured Rs. 21.15 crore for an indigenous infrared sensor chip, and QwikBuild announced a $2.3 million pre-seed round with a Japan-focused expansion plan.

Dubdub wants to make the feed more interactive

Consumer startup dubdub has raised $1.3 million in a seed round co-led by 3one4 Capital, Antler and Stellaris Venture Partners. Founded in 2026 by Kaustubh Priye and Supan Shah, the company runs a swipe-based platform for trivia, mini-games and puzzles as per Stopdown.

The idea is simple. Instead of only watching a short video or scrolling through posts, a user gets a quick question, puzzle or challenge to answer. The app covers areas such as cricket, Bollywood, general knowledge and logical reasoning. It also allows users to challenge friends and compare scores.

The seed money will be used to hire product and engineering talent, introduce new interactive formats and make the feed more personalized. This means a cricket fan may gradually see more sports-led challenges, while someone interested in films may receive more entertainment questions.

dubdub is competing for the same limited screen time as casual games, quiz apps and short-form entertainment platforms. Its challenge will be keeping users interested after the first few sessions.

Nova Spectral AI is building a chip for difficult visibility

Bengaluru-based Nova Spectral AI has raised Rs. 21.15 crore in a seed round led by Shastra VC. Equirus InnovateX Fund and angel investors also participated. The startup was founded earlier in 2026 by Dr. Anish Priyadarshi and Sanjeev Kumar reported inc42.

The company is working on short-wave infrared, or SWIR, image sensor chips. In plain language, this technology can help cameras and machines identify things in low light, smoke, haze or dust where a regular camera may struggle.

Its first target is defence and surveillance, but the long-term uses could include drones, robots, industrial inspection and vehicles. Nova Spectral AI says many high-end infrared sensors are imported, so a locally designed alternative could be strategically important.

The new money is expected to help the team develop a field-ready prototype within 18 months and expand its technical team. Hardware startups face a tougher path than software firms because they must prove that a working product can be reliably manufactured, tested and used in real conditions.

QwikBuild pairs funding with a route into Japan

Enterprise AI startup QwikBuild has raised $2.3 million in a pre-seed round led by Japan-listed Globalway. Blume Ventures, DeVC, Marsshot and angel investors, including Groww founder Lalit Keshre and Curefoods CEO Ankit Nagori, also joined the round as per IndianStartupNews.

Founded in 2025 by former Slice executive Pradeep Ayyagari, QwikBuild helps businesses create custom software and automate workflows using AI agents. These are software tools designed to complete multi-step work, such as moving data between systems or preparing routine business reports.

The capital will support go-to-market activity, including a team in the United States and expansion across Southeast Asia. QwikBuild has also announced a joint venture with Globalway to take its platform into Japan’s enterprise software market.

QwikBuild will compete with traditional software-development firms, automation providers and large enterprise software platforms. Its pitch is speed – helping businesses build or modernize software without waiting months for a conventional project.

Bank of Baroda has opened two fresh recruitment drives for experienced professionals, offering a combined 15 openings in risk management, MSME banking, finance and senior technology leadership.

The applications opened on October 28, 2026, and the last date for both notifications is November 17, 2026. These are not entry-level bank jobs. Most roles require professional qualifications and relevant work experience, so applicants should carefully match their profile with the official advertisement before applying.

Two recruitment notices, 15 openings

The first notice, Advertisement No. BOB/HRM/REC/ADVT/2026/19, is a special recruitment drive for 11 backlog vacancies on a regular basis. It is open only to eligible SC, ST and OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates.

The jobs are spread across Risk Management, MSME Banking and Finance. The positions include Senior Manager roles in project finance, MSME credit risk, operational risk, fraud analysis, MSME relationship management and business finance. There are also two Manager openings in Digital Fraud and two Chief Manager openings in Internal Controls.

The second notice, Advertisement No. BOB/HRM/REC/ADVT/2026/18, has four contractual senior IT roles based in Mumbai. These are Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Head AI, Deputy Head Cloud Centre of Excellence and Deputy Head Platform Engineering. The contract is initially for three years and may be extended under the bank’s terms.

Important dates and how to apply

• Applications opened – October 28, 2026
• Last date to submit the form – November 17, 2026
• Application mode – Online through Bank of Baroda’s Careers and Current Opportunities page
• Recruitment notices – 2026/19 for regular specialist roles and 2026/18 for senior IT contract roles

Candidates can apply for only one post under the special recruitment drive. Before submitting the form, keep degree certificates, work-experience documents, category certificates and a recent photograph ready.

A useful example – a candidate with banking-sector experience in fraud prevention may fit the Manager – Digital Fraud role. But a general graduate without the required digital banking experience is unlikely to qualify. The precise educational and experience requirements vary by post.

Pay scales and remuneration

For the 11 regular specialist openings, the basic pay scale depends on the grade.

Manager roles in MMG/S-II carry a scale of Rs. 64,820 to Rs. 93,960. Senior Manager roles in MMG/S-III have a scale of Rs. 85,920 to Rs. 1,05,280. Chief Manager roles in SMG/S-IV carry a scale of Rs. 1,02,300 to Rs. 1,20,940. Eligible officers may also receive allowances and benefits under the bank’s rules.

For the four senior IT positions, Bank of Baroda has not published a fixed standard pay scale. Remuneration will be decided based on qualifications, experience, the role and market benchmarks. This means applicants should not assume that the regular-bank-officer pay scale applies to these contractual technology jobs.

Fees and selection

For the special recruitment drive, the fee is Rs. 850, including GST, for OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates. SC, ST, PwD, ex-servicemen and women candidates need to pay Rs. 175, including GST, plus applicable payment gateway charges.

The bank may use application screening, an online test, psychometric assessment, group discussion and or interview rounds depending on the role. The final process will be communicated to shortlisted candidates.

Facts Input- Online Notification, Notification PDF 1, Notification PDF 2, Notification PDF 3, Apply Online

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Vacancy numbers, eligibility, salary, fees, dates and selection steps may change. Please read the latest official Bank of Baroda notification and apply only through its official careers page.

Bharat Electronics Limited has opened applications for 350 Probationary Engineer positions, giving eligible engineering graduates a chance to begin a career with a major defence electronics public sector company.

The recruitment covers Electronics and Mechanical disciplines. Applications opened on October 28, 2026, and interested candidates have until November 18, 2026, to submit the online form. Candidates should read the detailed advertisement on BEL’s official website before paying the fee or applying.

What the BEL recruitment drive offers

BEL is hiring Probationary Engineers in E-II grade for its production and support services teams across India. Of the 350 posts, 200 are for Electronics engineers and 150 are for Mechanical engineers. The total includes backlog vacancies.

The role may appeal to fresh engineering graduates who want to work on electronics systems used in areas such as defence communication, radars, naval systems and related technology. Posting can be at BEL units and offices in cities including Bengaluru, Ghaziabad, Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Chennai, depending on organizational requirements.

Important dates to remember

• Application start date – October 28, 2026, from 2 PM
• Last date to apply – November 18, 2026, until 11.59 PM
• Tentative computer-based test date – December 22, 2026
• Age cut-off date – October 1, 2026

Do not wait until the closing day. Application portals can become slow near deadlines, and candidates need time to check their documents, degree details and category certificates.

Who can apply

Applicants need a four-year B.E., B.Tech. or B.Sc. Engineering qualification in the prescribed Electronics or Mechanical disciplines. General, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates need a first-class qualification. SC, ST and PwBD candidates can apply with a pass-class degree, subject to the notification’s conditions.

The upper age limit for General and EWS candidates is 25 years as of October 1, 2026. Reserved-category candidates can receive age relaxation according to the recruitment rules.

For example, a 24-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate with the required academic result can check the notification and apply. But a degree title that does not match BEL’s listed disciplines may not qualify, so this detail deserves extra attention.

Salary and remuneration

Selected candidates will join BEL in E-II grade with a basic pay scale of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1,40,000. BEL has indicated an approximate annual cost to company, or CTC, of Rs. 13 lakh.

CTC is not the same as monthly in-hand salary. It can include benefits and employer-side costs. The package also includes applicable allowances such as dearness allowance, house-rent allowance, conveyance support, performance-related pay and medical reimbursement. The actual amount received each month will depend on the posting location, deductions and company rules.

Selection process and fee

The selection process is expected to include a computer-based test worth 85 marks and an interview worth 15 marks. The test is reported to have 125 questions to be completed in 120 minutes, with negative marking for wrong answers.

General, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates need to pay Rs. 1,180, including GST. SC, ST, PwBD and ex-servicemen candidates are exempt from the application fee, but you need to be double sure by visiting the official website/notification PDF etc.

Facts Input- Advertisement/Notification PDF, Apply Online

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Recruitment dates, eligibility, salary, vacancies and selection rules may change. Please verify all details and apply only through the official BEL website before submitting your application or paying any fee.

Discussing four very different stories, one involves a possible multi-billion-dollar valuation for an AI company, another focuses on aerospace engines, while a healthcare startup may receive fresh capital. Separately, ixigo co-founder Rajnish Kumar has announced a small but meaningful fund for student founders.

An important point – three of these are reported funding talks, not completed deals. Terms, valuations and investor participation can change until companies make official announcements.

Sarvam AI’s big valuation discussion

Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI is reportedly in talks with Cognizant for an investment that could value the company at around $3.5 billion to $4 billion. Reports suggest Sarvam is exploring a larger fundraising round of about $300 million. Neither company has announced a final transaction reported Elets CIO.

Sarvam AI was founded in 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar. Its aim is to build AI models and tools that work well for India, including Indian languages and business use cases. For example, a bank could use such technology to assist customers in regional languages, while a government department could use it to make digital services easier to access.

If the reported investment moves ahead, the money could help Sarvam expand computing capacity, hire AI researchers and build more enterprise products. Sarvam competes for attention with global AI firms as well as Indian players building language-focused AI products.

Parsec Aerospace looks to fund deep-tech work

Parsec Aerospace, a Bengaluru startup founded in September 2025 by former Pixxel engineer Effy John, is reportedly discussing a $10 million funding round. Nexus Venture Partners may lead the round, with existing investor Lightspeed also expected to participate as per Venture Intelligence.

The company is operating quietly and is said to be developing next-generation engines for aerospace applications. Building hardware for aviation or space is expensive and slow compared with launching an app. It requires engineering talent, prototypes, testing and strict safety work.

Parsec has not publicly shared a detailed use of funds. So, it would be premature to say exactly where the capital will go. Still, a fundraise of this size could support early research, testing infrastructure and team-building. The company will eventually face competition from established aerospace suppliers and other deep-tech engine makers.

Lumov may bring orthopaedic products into focus

Health-tech startup Lumov is reportedly in talks to raise Rs. 32 crore in a round led by Peak XV Partners. The round may also include the founders of Minimalist and Mokobara, along with Panthera Peak Ventures, according to people familiar with the discussion reported ET.

Founded in 2024 by Saumaric Dangwal and Ankit Gupta, Lumov makes orthopaedic recovery and rehabilitation products. These can support people recovering after surgery, managing pain or needing mobility assistance.

Lumov had previously raised Rs. 10 crore in a seed round. Its earlier stated plans included product development, surgeon collaboration, manufacturing and expansion into more cities. The purpose of the proposed new round has not been officially announced, so it should not yet be treated as confirmed informed Venture Intelligence.

Rajnish Kumar’s Rs. 1 crore push for IIT Kanpur students

Unlike the three reported deals, ixigo co-founder and Group CEO Rajnish Kumar has announced the Made in Fire Fund. The Rs. 1 crore fund is designed to support up to 10 technology-led startups from each graduating IIT Kanpur batch with Rs. 10 lakh each in non-dilutive prototype funding as per Moneycontrol.

Non-dilutive means founders can receive the money without giving away company ownership. Beyond cash, the programme plans to offer mentorship, product feedback and introductions to potential customers and investors. It could be useful for a student team with an early idea but no money to build a working version.

Bengaluru-based Simplismart has raised $14 million, or around Rs. 133 crore, in a Series B funding round as more companies look for cheaper and faster ways to run AI models in real business applications. Earlier also, Nvidia was in advanced discussions to lead a $20 million funding round in Simplismart, with the startup being valued at around $100 million

Dallas Venture Capital led the round. NVIDIA, Accel, Shastra VC, Micromax, and angel investors also participated. The funding puts Simplismart in a growing group of Indian AI infrastructure startups working behind the scenes of chatbots, voice tools, video apps, and enterprise software.

What Simplismart does

Simplismart was founded in 2022 by Amritanshu Jain and Devansh Ghatak.

The company helps businesses deploy, run, monitor, and optimize open-weight AI models.

An open-weight model is an AI model whose core parameters are available for companies to use and adapt. This gives businesses more control over where their AI system runs, how it handles data, and how much it costs.

The difficult part is not always building an AI model. It is running that model reliably once thousands or millions of requests begin arriving. A voice assistant needs a quick response, while an overnight document-processing task can accept a slower response if it reduces the bill.

Simplismart’s software helps companies make those trade-offs. It works on the layer between an AI model and the GPU hardware used to run it.

Why the $14 Mn round matters

The Series B will support development of Simplismart’s inference engine and orchestration platform as per its Press release. Inference means the stage when a trained AI model receives a request and produces an answer, image, voice response, or other output.

The startup also plans to expand partnerships with cloud providers and enterprises, with North America among its growth priorities. Simplismart does not build or own a fleet of GPUs. Instead, it provides software that lets cloud providers turn their existing GPU capacity into managed AI services under their own brand.

For example, Yotta uses Simplismart to power the serverless inference layer of Shakti Studio. This allows customers to run AI models without having to manage all the underlying infrastructure themselves.

Simplismart says companies including HeyGen, Higgsfield, InVideo, Shiprocket, Apna, and Ema use its platform for video, voice, multimodal, and enterprise AI workloads.

NVIDIA’s role in the deal

NVIDIA’s participation is important because its GPUs are widely used to train and run AI models. Simplismart says its engineers work with NVIDIA Solutions Architects and use that technical collaboration to improve deployment and scaling for customers.

For Simplismart, NVIDIA is more than a financial backer. The company can also provide technical knowledge and industry connections as Simplismart works with cloud providers and large enterprises.

The startup said its annualized revenue run rate increased 14 times over the past six months. That is a company claim, but it suggests strong demand for infrastructure that can make AI applications more economical in production.

What about the reported $40-50 Mn round

Earlier reports said Simplismart was in discussions for a much larger funding round of around $40 million to $50 million, potentially at a higher valuation.

However, Simplismart’s chief executive Amritanshu Jain has clarified that the newly announced $14 million Series B is a separate, closed round. He also said the company is not actively raising money at present.

This means the larger round should be treated as earlier reported fundraising discussions, not as a confirmed future fundraise.

Competitors and market position

Simplismart competes in a crowded AI infrastructure market that includes cloud platforms, model-serving tools, and companies such as Modal. Major cloud providers also offer their own AI deployment services.

Simplismart’s pitch is that businesses should not have to choose only between the lowest cost and the fastest response. Its platform aims to balance speed, cost, data location, and reliability for each workload.

India’s premium smartphone market is becoming more crowded. OPPO has launched the Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max in India, bringing high-resolution cameras, large 8,000mAh batteries, and flagship MediaTek chips.

Motorola is also building interest around its upcoming Signature 27 in India. Meanwhile, the Moto G47 Power has launched in Europe with a 7,000mAh battery, giving buyers another example of how quickly battery capacity is rising in the mid-range segment.

OPPO Find X10 series price and availability

The OPPO Find X10 starts at Rs. 1,39,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage version. Its 12GB and 512GB model costs Rs. 1,69,999 as per them.

The Find X10 Pro Max is priced at Rs. 1,99,999 for its 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant. Both phones are scheduled to go on sale in India from October 29 through OPPO’s online store, Flipkart, Amazon, and retail channels.

These are premium flagship phones, clearly aimed at buyers who prioritize photography, display quality, charging speed, and long-term performance over a lower purchase price.

Cameras and specifications that stand out

The standard Find X10 has a 200MP main camera, a 200MP telephoto camera with 2.8x optical zoom, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP selfie camera.

The Find X10 Pro Max goes further with three 200MP rear cameras – main, ultra-wide, and telephoto. Its telephoto lens supports 3x optical zoom. Both phones have Hasselblad-tuned imaging, which is OPPO’s attempt to improve colour processing and camera output.

The Find X10 has a 6.59-inch display and runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9600M chip. The Pro Max has a larger 6.78-inch display and uses the more powerful Dimensity 9600 Pro chip.

Both phones have LTPO displays that adjust refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz, with support for up to 144Hz in selected games. They also include IP66, IP68, and IP69 durability ratings, which cover dust resistance and different levels of water protection.

The 8,000mAh battery is another major talking point. Both models support 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. For a frequent traveller or someone who uses the camera, maps, and mobile data heavily, that larger battery could be more useful than a minor processor upgrade.

Motorola Signature 27 India microsite goes live

Motorola has made the Signature 27 microsite live on its India website, confirming that its India launch is getting closer.

The microsite confirms Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor, a 50MP Sony LYTIA camera, diamond-infused thermal gel, a 3D vapour chamber, and Bang & Olufsen-tuned audio.

There is an important camera clarification. Global coverage has reported a 200MP periscope telephoto camera for the Signature 27. However, the India microsite currently confirms a 50MP Sony LYTIA camera, while Motorola has not yet published the complete India camera specification list or price.

Buyers should wait for Motorola’s final launch announcement before treating any leaked pricing or full camera claims as confirmed.

Moto G47 Power brings a 7,000mAh battery

Motorola has launched the Moto G47 Power in Europe. Its main attraction is a 7,000mAh battery, with 30W charging and 6W reverse wired charging for topping up another device.

The phone has a 6.67-inch 120Hz LCD display, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB storage with microSD expansion. It also gets a 108MP main camera, 2MP macro camera, 8MP selfie camera, IP64 splash resistance, stereo speakers, and a headphone jack.

Motorola has not announced Indian availability for the Moto G47 Power. Its European price is EUR 339.

Competitors to watch

The OPPO Find X10 series will compete with premium phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Google Pixel 11 Pro, and Xiaomi’s flagship models. OPPO is using camera hardware and battery size as its strongest points.

Motorola Signature 27 is expected to compete in the upper-premium Android segment. The Moto G47 Power, if launched in India, would face battery-focused phones from Redmi, Realme, Samsung, and Vivo.

Conclusion

OPPO is raising the bar in India’s premium segment with the Find X10 series, especially through its 200MP camera systems and 8,000mAh battery. Motorola, meanwhile, is preparing its Signature 27 for India while testing a bigger-battery approach with the Moto G47 Power abroad.

The next few weeks should bring more clarity on Motorola’s India price, complete Signature 27 specifications, and whether the Moto G47 Power will reach Indian stores.

As discussed earlier, Samsung has expanded its affordable Galaxy A lineup in India with the Galaxy A08. Priced at Rs. 18,499, the phone focuses on battery life, a large display, basic everyday performance, and unusually long software support.

The Galaxy A08 is not aimed at users looking for a 5G gaming phone. Instead, it is built for buyers who want a familiar Samsung experience for calls, payments, social media, videos, photos, and regular daily work.

Price and availability in India

The Samsung Galaxy A08 comes in one India variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. It is priced at Rs. 18,499 and is available in Dark Blue, Green, and Silver colours.

Buyers can purchase it through Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive Stores, partner retailers, and other online platforms. Samsung is also offering select no-cost EMI options through eligible bank cards and NBFC partners.

The 64GB storage may feel limited for users who save a lot of videos, games, and WhatsApp media. However, the phone has a microSD card slot that supports storage expansion of up to 2TB.

Display, performance and battery

The Galaxy A08 has a 6.7-inch HD+ PLS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. A 90Hz screen refreshes more often than a standard 60Hz screen, which can make scrolling through social media feeds and menus feel smoother.

Samsung uses the MediaTek Helio G99+ processor, paired with 4GB of LPDDR5 RAM. It should handle routine tasks such as browsing, streaming, online classes, messaging, and casual games comfortably. Heavy games and demanding multitasking may still reveal the limits of the phone’s entry-level hardware as per Samsung Newsroom.

The biggest highlight is the 6,000mAh battery. For many users, it should comfortably last a full day and may stretch into a second day with lighter use. It supports 25W wired charging.

A student who watches lectures, uses messaging apps, and browses through the day may find the large battery more useful than benchmark numbers. The same applies to delivery workers, shop owners, and travellers who need a phone that does not need frequent charging.

Camera and build quality

Samsung has included a 50MP main rear camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The depth sensor is mainly used to improve portrait images by separating the subject from the background.

For selfies and video calls, the phone has an 8MP front camera. In good daylight, the main camera should be suitable for family photos, documents, food pictures, and social media posts. Buyers should keep expectations realistic for low-light photography, where phones in this segment can struggle.

The Galaxy A08 has Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front and an IP64 rating. This means it has protection against dust and water splashes, but it is not designed to be submerged in water.

Other useful features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C charging, and dual 4G SIM support.

Software is the strongest selling point

The Galaxy A08 runs One UI 9 based on Android 16. Samsung promises six operating system upgrades and six years of security updates.

That is a major advantage for buyers who plan to keep the phone for several years. Regular security updates can help protect a device from newly discovered threats, while Android upgrades bring new system features over time.

The phone also supports Circle to Search, Gemini, Perplexity, Quick Share, and Samsung’s Modes and Routines feature for automating selected settings.

Competitors to consider

At Rs. 18,499, the Galaxy A08 will compete with phones from Redmi, Realme, Motorola, Poco, and Tecno. Many rival phones in this range offer 5G connectivity, higher-resolution displays, or more storage.

The Galaxy A08 answers with a large battery, Samsung Knox security, splash resistance, and its six-year software support promise. Buyers who need 5G should compare alternatives carefully, because the Galaxy A08 supports 4G only.

Apple has refreshed two of its most popular Macs in India with the new M6 chip. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 and the 24-inch iMac with M6 are now available for pre-order, with deliveries and store availability set to begin on November 6.

The two Macs are meant for different buyers. The MacBook Pro is for people who need performance away from a desk, while the iMac is built for users who want a large display and an all-in-one desktop for their work from home setup.

14-inch MacBook Pro with M6

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at Rs. 2,39,900 in India. It uses Apple’s M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU.

Apple says the M6 delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics performance and up to 25 percent faster on-device AI work than the previous M5 chip. For buyers moving from an M1 MacBook Pro, the difference should be much larger, especially in editing, coding, 3D work, and demanding multitasking.

The laptop supports up to 24 hours of battery life, according to Apple. It also adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for newer wireless connectivity.

Other familiar MacBook Pro features remain in place, including the Liquid Retina XDR display, a 12MP Center Stage camera, six-speaker audio, and a choice of Space Black or Silver finishes.

For a video editor, this machine could make it easier to edit footage while travelling. A developer may benefit from faster code compilation, while a student can use the extra battery life for a full day of classes and project work.

24-inch iMac with M6

Apple has also updated its 24-inch iMac with the M6 chip. It starts at Rs. 1,74,900 for the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU version. A model with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU starts at Rs. 1,99,900.

The iMac keeps its slim all-in-one design, which means the computer, display, camera, speakers, and microphones are built into one unit. This makes it a simple option for a home office, shop counter, small business, or student desk.

It has a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with 500 nits of brightness. Apple says the M6 iMac can offer up to 1.5 times faster performance than the M4 iMac in selected tasks, while graphics work such as photo editing can see a bigger jump.

The new iMac also adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and a three-microphone array. It is available in seven colours – blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.

Apple’s focus on local AI and the future

Both new Macs are built around Apple’s push for on-device AI. In simple words, the computer can handle some AI tasks directly on the device instead of sending every request to a cloud server.

The M6 chip includes faster graphics hardware and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, which is designed to speed up AI-related work. Apple is pairing the new hardware with macOS 27 and its next-generation Apple Intelligence features.

Apple has not announced its next Mac roadmap for India. Still, these launches show where the company is heading – faster Apple silicon, more AI work on the device, and newer wireless standards across its Mac lineup.

Competition in India

The MacBook Pro will compete with premium Windows laptops such as Dell XPS models, ASUS ProArt laptops, and high-end HP Spectre devices. These machines often offer powerful processors and dedicated graphics options, but Apple’s advantage is its close connection between Mac hardware, macOS, iPhone, iPad, and other Apple services.

The iMac faces a different kind of competition. Buyers can choose an all-in-one Windows PC or build a desktop with a separate monitor. The iMac stands out for its clean design, colour choices, display quality, and simple setup, though it offers fewer upgrade options after purchase.

Conclusion

Apple’s M6 refresh gives Indian buyers two clear choices. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is for users who need a powerful portable computer, while the 24-inch iMac is for those who want an elegant desktop with a large display.

Pre-orders begin at 10.40 PM IST on October 28, and both models will be available from November 6.

Key takeaways

• The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 starts at Rs. 2,39,900.
• The 24-inch iMac with M6 starts at Rs. 1,74,900.
• Pre-orders in India begin on October 28.
• Both models will be available from November 6.
• The M6 chip brings faster performance, on-device AI features, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.
• The MacBook Pro is designed for portable professional work, while the iMac suits fixed desktop setups.