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Astrophel Aerospace Unveils India’s First Indigenous Cryogenic Pump for Reusable Rockets at BRICS Innovation Summit in Russia

Astrophel Aerospace unveiled an indigenous 25,000 RPM cryogenic pump at the BRICS Innovation Summit, aiming for global exports and reusable launch services. Co-founders Suyash Bafna and Immanuel Louis are working with ISRO for validation and dual-use certification. With ISRO’s interest in its cost-effective valves, Astrophel targets positioning India as a major cryogenic supplier by 2030.

WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames in 2026

WhatsApp will launch usernames in 2026, letting users replace phone numbers for in-app communication. Businesses will still show phone numbers but get a unique Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID) to identify users. BSUIDs enable messaging without phone numbers and affect API requests, responses, and webhooks, ensuring unique IDs for each business portfolio-user pair.

Spacetech startup Agnikul Cosmos raises INR 67 Cr

Agnikul Cosmos raised INR 67 Cr ($7.6M) via equity and debt from Advenza Global, Atharva Green Ecotech, and Pratithi Investments, after a INR 200 Cr Series B in 2023. Founded in 2017, it develops small-lift rockets like Agnibaan, powered by 3D-printed Agnilet engines. Its Sriharikota tests and SOrTeD mission mark steps toward commercial launches amid rising spacetech investment.

Andhra Pradesh approves INR 1.02 Lakh Crore in investments, potentially creating 85,870 jobs

SIPB, led by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved ₹1,01,899 crore for 26 projects, creating 85,870 jobs and raising total investments to ₹8,08,899 crore with over 7 lakh jobs. Naidu emphasized timelines, 15 industrial zones, and a land bank. Visakhapatnam hosts Google’s ₹87,520 crore AI data center, while three IAS officers manage corridors leveraging central incentives.

Karnataka’s new Startup Policy 2025-2030 allocates INR 518 Cr to boost startups

The Karnataka cabinet approved the Startup Policy 2025-2030 with INR 518 Cr funding to create 25,000 startups, including 10,000 outside Bengaluru. Focus areas include AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. Support covers funding, incubation, mentoring, and market access. Bengaluru startups raised $544 Mn in Q3 2025, aligning with the state’s deeptech and quantum investment plans.

Google rolls out AI Mode button to Chrome on mobile devices

Google Chrome introduced an AI Mode button on November 5 for iOS and Android, enabling Gemini 2.5-powered AI search. Initially available in the US and expanding to 160 countries, it supports complex queries and real-world tasks like ticket booking. The update advances Chrome from information retrieval to task completion, enhancing user convenience and automation.

Paytm Bets on AI in Travel, Launches Dedicated AI travel Booking App ‘Paytm Checkin’

Paytm launched ‘Paytm Checkin’, an AI-driven travel app offering conversational booking, personalized itineraries, and integrated reservations for flights, trains, buses, and metros. Users get zero convenience fees, ₹99 flight cancellations, and a ₹249 Travel Pass. Features like ‘Paytm Assured’ and ‘Ticket Assure’ enhance reliability. Vikash Jalan emphasizes its AI-first design for smarter, personalized travel solutions.

India’s Solar Module Capacity to Exceed 125 GW by 2025

India’s solar capacity is projected to surpass 125 GW by 2025, exceeding the 40 GW demand. Incentives fuel growth, but a 29 GW surplus may arise as exports fall. Major firms pivot domestically, leaving space for startups in storage, recycling, deployment, smart grids, leasing, and AI forecasting. Key opportunities lie in energy analytics, rooftop solutions, and community solar projects.

Google Maps India gets a major upgrade with Gemini AI

Google Maps integrated Gemini, Google’s AI platform, to offer a hands-free conversational interface in nine Indian languages. The update introduces Accident-Prone Area Alerts in collaboration with traffic authorities for cities like Gurugram and Hyderabad. Using real-time data from NHAI, it provides proactive traffic updates and local tips, enhancing navigation through AI and government partnerships.

Maharashtra partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite-based internet across government institutions and rural areas

Maharashtra partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite-based internet for government institutions and rural areas under the Digital Maharashtra mission. The LoI, signed on November 5, 2025, focuses on improving connectivity in remote regions like Gadchiroli. Pending DoT approvals, Starlink will set up gateway stations as the state oversees phased rollout for education, healthcare, and disaster response.

MeshDefend raises $2.3M pre-seed funding to build its AI-native operating system for enterprise data infrastructure

MeshDefend raised $2.3 million in pre-seed funding led by Kalaari Capital to develop its AI-native operating system for enterprise data infrastructure. Founded in 2025 by ex-Dell executives Tejas Pandit and Ravi Chitloor, it automates data protection with the Agent Mesh platform. Funds will support product growth, global expansion, and vendor partnerships across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

The Artment raises INR 10 Cr pre-Series A funding to fuel category expansion & tech innovation via their ‘Art Lab’ platform

The Artment raised ₹10 crore in pre-Series A funding led by Inflection Point Ventures, joined by Siyaram Family Office. The funds will expand categories and develop Art Lab, a tech platform for data analytics. Founded by Aditya and Aanchal Agarwal, it offers artistic home furnishings and targets ₹100 crore ARR in six months within India’s growing home and living market.

Game State Labs raises $2M Seed Funding led by PeerCapital and Neon Fund

Game State Labs, founded by Aashbir Bhatia, Jagveer Gandhi, and Ashwin Ramakrishnan, raised $2 million in seed funding from PeerCapital and Neon Fund. The AI gaming analytics startup will expand its product and engineering teams. It offers predictive analytics and player intent insights without personal data, targeting hybrid casual games. Commercial rollout follows pilot tests in December.

Lighthouse Canton raises $40M led by Peak XV to boost tech & global reach

Lighthouse Canton raised $40 million led by Peak XV Partners and Nextinfinity, with QIC joining in its first external round. Founded in 2014, it manages over $5 billion across Singapore, India, the UAE, and the UK. The funds will enhance technology, product lines, and leadership as it scales its 200-member global asset management operations.

Krieya Beauty secures $788K in seed funding led by Sauce and Riverwalk Holdings

Krieya Beauty & Wellness raised $788K in seed funding led by Sauce and Riverwalk Holdings, with Dr. Sheth’s Aneesh Sheth participating. Founded by Siddharth Sharma, it develops research-driven beauty and wellness brands for Indian consumers. The funds will launch its first brand in Q3 FY26, expand research, and build a BioPrint for tailored formulations.

Stackbox raises $4M to boost product innovation and expand in Southeast Asia and India

Stackbox, a logistics tech startup, raised $4 million led by Enrission India Capital to advance product innovation and expand across Southeast Asia and India. Founded by IIT alumni, it offers AI-driven warehouse and transport management for FMCG and e-commerce sectors. With FY24 profit of Rs 6 crore on Rs 25.7 crore, it aims to digitize logistics.

BabyOrgano raises $2.4M Pre-Series A to fuel product development

BabyOrgano, an Ayurvedic kids’ wellness brand, raised Rs 20 crore in pre-Series A funding led by RPSG Capital Ventures and Sauce.vc. Founded in 2020 by Riddhi and Ripul Sharma, it serves over one million parents with products like Baalprashan Drops and gummies. The funds will drive innovation, distribution, and scaling toward Rs 100 crore FY27 revenue.

Spacewood raises $36M to fuel expansion and brand building

Spacewood Furnishers secured Rs 300 crore from A91 Partners, valuing it at Rs 1,200 crore to drive expansion and brand growth. Founded by Kirit Joshi and Vivek Deshpande, it plans to scale from 35 to 100 stores. Serving major clients via Spacewood Office Solutions, it targets Rs 700 crore FY26 revenue, competing with IKEA and Godrej Interio.

MoEngage raises $100M to scale AI-led customer engagement globally

MoEngage raised $100 million led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives and A91 Partners, taking its total funding past $250 million. The funds will drive global growth in North America and EMEA and enhance its Merlin AI suite. CEO Raviteja Dodda cites rising enterprise adoption, with SoundCloud lauding MoEngage’s seamless user migration and retention improvement.

Wyzard.ai raises $500K in angel round to power signal-to-revenue AI for global GTM teams

Wyzard.ai, a B2B intent-to-revenue platform, raised $500K from investors like Tim Davis and Ambarish Kenghe. Founded in 2024 by Rahul Jain, Megha Ohri, Abhishek Tomar, and Jayesh Nair, it uses AI to unify buyer signals across chat, email, LinkedIn, and voice. The funds will boost product growth, partnerships, hiring, and expansion in the US and EMEA.

NVIDIA Joins India Deep Tech Alliance as Founding Member and Strategic Technical Advisor

NVIDIA has joined the India Deep Tech Alliance as a Founding Member and Strategic Technical Advisor to strengthen India’s deep tech ecosystem. It will provide AI and computing expertise aligned with the RDI scheme through training from NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute and joint research. The initiative supports startups, investors, and policymakers with technical and strategic guidance.

Three 22-Year-Olds Become the World’s Youngest Self-Made Billionaires

At 22, Brendan Foody, Adarsh Hiremath, and Surya Midha, founders of AI recruiting startup Mercor, became the world’s youngest self-made billionaires after a $350 million round valued the firm at $10 billion. Mercor uses AI to automate hiring and candidate matching, showcasing how young innovators are reshaping global business with artificial intelligence.

OpenAI Rolls Out Free One-Year ChatGPT Go Subscription in India

OpenAI has made ChatGPT Go free in India for one year from November 4, 2025, waiving its Rs 399 monthly fee. New users must add a payment method but won’t be charged, while existing users are transitioned automatically. The move promotes AI adoption in India

OpenAI Denies Claims of ChatGPT Legal and Medical Advice Ban

OpenAI denied reports claiming ChatGPT was banned from offering legal or medical advice. Health AI lead Karan Singhal affirmed no functional change, citing the October 29, 2025 update, which restricts licensed, personalized guidance without expert supervision. ChatGPT may explain general principles but cannot replace professionals, reinforcing user safety in sensitive areas.