India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have signed Terms of Reference (ToR) to launch Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Shri Ajay Bhadoo and Mr. Mikhail Cherekaev led the discussions, joined by Mr. Andrei Slepnev, outlining next steps and organizational aspects. Bilateral trade hit USD 69 billion in 2024, up 7%. With a combined GDP of USD 6.5 trillion, the FTA is expected to expand market access, boost MSMEs, and deepen economic ties.

Mitra, an FMCG startup, raised $1.6M led by Bestvantage Investments to set up a 3,000-ton refined flour plant and expand into millet-based, gluten-free, and organic spice products, targeting GCC markets. Using ‘Chakki Fresh’ stone-grinding, it focuses on tier II/III markets. Revenue grew from ₹11 crore in FY24 to ₹40 crore in FY25, projected at ₹120 crore this year. Mitra plans a Series A in April 2026 at a ₹500 crore valuation.

Edgehax has raised ₹1.39 crore in seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) to expand manufacturing and global reach. Founded in 2025 by Prabhu Stavarmath and Savitri Patil, it develops modular Edge AI platforms for robotics, autonomous vehicles, and defense. With 150+ partners and 100,000 students engaged via kits, Edgehax has shipped 5,000 edge gateway boards and now targets 10,000 compute modules, competing with Raspberry Pi and Nvidia.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) fined Rapido ₹10 lakh for misleading ads promising “AUTO IN 5 MIN OR GET ₹50.” Investigations showed refunds were given as restricted ‘Rapido coins,’ contradicting the claim. The CCPA ordered full compensation for users, citing rising complaints on the National Consumer Helpline. Acting under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, it flagged Rapido’s campaign as deceptive and stressed the need for transparent advertising.

A Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) and YLAC survey of 506 students shows 88% seek AI for emotional support, with ChatGPT most preferred. About 57% use AI when stressed or lonely, with teenagers and young women engaging more. While 67% fear social isolation and 58% worry about privacy, AI is seen as filling emotional support gaps. The study notes AI isn’t replacing human bonds but offering an outlet for expression.

UNITE protested against TCS for allegedly replacing laid-off employees with freshers at 80–85% lower pay, risking 30,000–40,000 jobs. The union demands re-skilling instead of replacement. TCS denied large-scale impact, saying only 2% of staff are affected, and announced salary hikes for 4 lakh employees in the C3A band and below, effective September 1, 2025.

Dun & Bradstreet’s City Vitality Index (Q3 2025), analyzing 700+ districts via satellite data, highlights India’s shifting economy. Tier-2/3 cities rise, with Prayagraj leading on infrastructure and tourism. Bengaluru tops metros, while UP dominates with 19 cities in the top 100. Chandel records the steepest climb. Correlating strongly with India’s 7.4% GDP growth, the CVI offers policymakers and investors key insights into emerging economic drivers.

Databricks has signed a Series K term sheet, valuing it at over $100 billion. The funding will accelerate its AI strategy, expanding Agent Bricks and investing in Lakebase, an AI-optimized database built on Postgres. Unveiled at the Data + AI Summit, Agent Bricks enables production AI agents trained on enterprise data. CEO Ali Ghodsi cites soaring AI demand. Databricks, with 15,000+ customers, recently partnered with Microsoft, Google Cloud, and others.

LambdaTest has launched Agent-to-Agent Testing, a private beta platform for validating AI agents. It addresses challenges in testing dynamic chat and voice AI using 15 AI testing agents. The tool analyzes documents, auto-generates scenarios, and validates criteria within HyperExecute, enabling up to 70% faster execution. With metrics like Bias and Completeness, it leverages GenAI to create context-aware scenarios across multiple LLMs, ensuring wider coverage, real-world simulation, and reduced costs.

PeelON, an agri-biotech startup, raised $1M in seed funding led by growX Ventures to expand R&D, production in Visakhapatnam, and hiring. Founded by Taraka Ramji Moturu and Venkata Ravi Sankar Ummidi, it develops biodegradable films that extend produce shelf life up to 3x. Its B2B model serves farmers and retailers with products like PeelON-Fresh and PeelON-Retail+, deployed across India and the US. Plans include scaling capacity and piloting blockchain traceability.

Mithila Foods, a Bihar-based food startup, raised Rs 1.5 crore in seed funding from AJVC for a 9% equity stake. Founded in January 2025 by Shubham Sunderka, Ankit Kumar, and Anshu Kumar, it sells staples like sattu and makhana. With over Rs 3 crore in annualized revenue, the company serves 25,000+ customers across 4,000 pin codes via Amazon and Flipkart, aiming to expand products and distribution.

Kiwi has raised INR 208.5 Cr ($24M) in a Series B round led by Vertex Ventures, with Nexus Ventures, Stellaris, and Omidyar Network participating. Founded in 2022 by Siddharth Mehta, Mohit Bedi, and Anup Agrawal, Kiwi issues digital RuPay credit cards with Axis Bank, linkable to UPI. A licensed TPAP, Kiwi has facilitated 5.8 Lakh transactions across 586 cities. With this round, total funding reaches $43M.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has flagged risks of online money gaming platforms being exploited for money laundering, terror financing, and communication by extremist groups. To counter this, the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025” was approved on August 19 and will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20. The bill targets offshore operators evading taxes and regulations and proposes strict penalties for promoting online money games.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) is backing Primary Healthtech’s AI-powered portable blood testing device, Mobilab, developed by IIT Guwahati alumni Sahil Jagnani and Ankit Choudhury. Supported by BIRAC, Mobilab conducts over 25 tests, holds one patent with six pending, and has been used on 10,000 patients. TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak emphasized its role in advancing indigenous diagnostics and healthcare access, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

House of Biryan has raised $3.6 Mn in funding led by Bestvantage Investments, with MS Dhoni and others participating. Founded in 2022 by chefs Mohammed Bhol and Mikhail Shahani, the cloud kitchen brand has served 2.8 Mn customers with biryani, pizza, and sushi. Operating 22 kitchens across Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai, it targets 120 – 150 outlets, INR 450 – 550 Cr revenue, and global expansion, while already being EBITDA-positive with INR 50 Cr ARR.

Accenture is acquiring CyberCX, a leading Asia Pacific cybersecurity firm, to strengthen its regional cyber resilience. The deal adds 1,400 experts and AI-powered platforms, enhancing Accenture’s managed detection, response, and security operations. Founded in 2019, CyberCX runs advanced security centers across the region. The move follows Accenture’s report showing 97% of Australian firms lack AI security readiness, underlining the deal’s strategic significance.

Vodafone Idea has partnered with IBM to modernize operations through AI and a unified DevOps model. The collaboration includes an AI Innovation Hub where Vi and IBM Consulting teams will co-develop AI solutions and automation tools. CTO Jagbir Singh highlighted its role in accelerating software development, while IBM leaders stressed its importance for India’s telecom sector. The initiative aims to boost IT agility, digital resilience, and customer experience.

R for Rabbit, a D2C baby product brand, raised $27 million in a round co-led by Filter Capital and 3one4 Capital, enabling Xponentia Capital’s exit. The funds will drive growth, omnichannel expansion, and product innovation. Founded by Kunal and Kinjal Popat, the company offers strollers, car seats, and more. With 2,000+ partners and 5 million parents served, it reports 35% CAGR since FY21, FY24 revenue of ₹170 crore, and $30M+ ARR target for FY25.

Credgenics, a SaaS debt collection platform, has acquired Arrise BPO Solutions under its ‘CG Setu’ initiative to expand into a full-stack provider. The deal combines digital tools with on-ground personnel, improving efficiency for lenders and borrowers. With Arrise’s 18,000-pincode network, Credgenics targets INR 850 Cr revenue in three years. Valued at $340 Mn, it posted INR 220 Cr revenue in FY25, working with lenders like ICICI and HDFC Bank.

Beyond Appliances has raised $4 million in Series A funding led by Fireside Ventures to strengthen manufacturing and R&D. Founded in 2024 by Eshwar K Vikas and Rakesh Patil, the startup sells smart kitchen appliances through its D2C site, Amazon, Flipkart, and retail stores. The funding will expand capacity and launch new products, tapping into India’s $19.31 billion smart kitchen market by 2030, where investor activity is surging.

Ahmedabad-based Amnex Infotechnologies has raised ₹460 Cr from Pantomath’s Bharat Value Fund to fuel growth. Founded in 2008 by Aditya Shah and Tapan Gosaliya, Amnex specializes in AI, IoT, GIS, and blockchain, with 18 platforms driving a 75% CAGR and 40%+ ROCE. The funding will expand its tech portfolio and critical infrastructure adoption, strengthening Amnex’s role in India’s digital backbone. The Wealth Company Asset Management managed the investment.

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Go in India at ₹399/month, its first country-exclusive plan, payable via UPI. Powered by GPT-5, it offers 10x message capacity, daily image generations, extended memory, and improved Indic language support. Positioned between the free and Plus/Pro tiers, the plan unlocks advanced tools like image generation and Python-based data analysis. Available on both web and mobile, it expands AI accessibility for Indian users.

Goldi Solar, founded by Ishverbhai Dholakia, raised ₹137.5 crore from Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath to expand into solar cell production. With a 14.7 GW module capacity and EPC services, the company plans a large-scale cell facility by 2026 and a 1 GW Solar Park by FY25-26. In FY24, it posted ₹1,756.36 crore revenue and ₹59.38 crore profit. Kamath highlighted its role in driving India’s clean energy transition.

DOBRA, by Oxbow Brands, has raised ₹1.5 crore seed funding from D2C Insider Super Angels Fund and leading D2C founders. The brand, known for pop goli soda and artisanal cotton candy, plans to scale across retail, foodservice, quick commerce, and D2C channels. Tapping India’s $170B FMCG market, DOBRA gains not just capital but strategic insights for faster growth, as noted by investor Rahul Johar.

Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has launched Parallel Web Systems, a cloud platform reimagining AI’s web interaction. Backed by $30M from Khosla Ventures and others, it features AI research engines and a deep research API that enables real-time data synthesis, outperforming models like OpenAI’s GPT-5. With applications in coding assistants and workflow automation, Parallel enters the AI race amid Agrawal’s ongoing legal battle with Elon Musk.

Natasha Malpani, ex-Kae Capital, has launched Boundless Ventures, a ₹200 crore fund backing Indian AI startups at pre-seed and seed stages. Focus areas include consumer AI, infrastructure, healthcare, logistics, and Make-in-India hardware. The fund has already invested in six ventures, including SuperHealth, Armatrix, Piersight, and Knot. Along with capital, Boundless offers storytelling and market access, blending technical depth with cultural fluency.

The IndiaAI Mission is expanding GPU capacity with 3,850 new units, including 1,050 Google Trillium TPUs, 1,300 Nvidia H100 GPUs from Locuz, 50 Trillium TPUs from Ishan Infotech, and 2,500 GPUs from Sify. Led by CEO Abhishek Singh, the initiative now counts over 17,300 GPUs, with 14,000 more planned, to support startups and research. India’s AI market is projected to exceed $17B by 2030.

Bengaluru-based fintech Niyo, via Finnew Solutions, has acquired Mumbai’s Kanji Forex to expand into the offline foreign exchange market. Founded in 1935, Kanji Forex will now operate as Niyo Forex, integrating with Niyo’s digital platform to offer forex cards and outward remittances under its AD Category II license. Amit Talwar, with 27 years’ banking experience at IndusInd and ICICI, has been named CEO.

Zepto, best known for rapid grocery delivery, has entered real estate by partnering with The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL). Users can now book land plots directly on the Zepto app, ensuring secure and transparent purchases. The collaboration focuses on premium and spiritual destinations like Vrindavan, promoted through festive campaigns such as Janmashtami.

Prime Minister Modi announced GST 2.0, set for Diwali, featuring simplified taxes with two main slabs 5% and 18% and a higher rate for select goods. MSMEs are expected to benefit from easier compliance and better cash flow. Draft changes await GST Council approval, with possible price cuts if 12% goods move to 5%. The reform aims to spur festive demand while safeguarding revenues.