early stage startups

US-based Silicon Road Ventures and veteran banker Ajay Mahajan have launched a Rs 150 crore fund targeting startups in agentic AI for commerce and retail. The Sebi-registered fund will back early-stage companies in e-commerce, supply chain, fintech, and retail operations, focusing on automated decision-making solutions rather than capital-intensive ventures.

Google for Startups and Antler India launched an AI-focused Immersion program for Indian startups with live products. Applications are open until May 22, 2026, for the two-phase hybrid program designed to enhance AI development and scaling. The initiative aims to equip founders and technical leaders with advanced AI tools and business strategies.

AI giant Anthropic is seeking an "Applied AI Claude Evangelist" to champion its chatbot Claude among venture capitalists and startup founders. This pivotal role involves leading developer onboarding, creating technical content, and driving adoption through hands-on sessions and events, aiming to convert ecosystem relationships into active platform users.

A startup founder is spending ₹8 lakh monthly on non-revenue generating employees, challenging the common startup hiring mindset. He realized that by delegating operational tasks, he frees up his valuable founder bandwidth to focus on scaling the business. This approach ensures the company functions smoothly, allowing revenue-generating teams to perform effectively.

Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi are a very recognizable tennis pair, and they have an estimated net worth in 2026 of $290 million. They’ve become wealthy by winning Grand Slams, signing multiyear contracts and other investments. Both benefited from the brand equity, business pursuits and financial planning that they developed during and after their successful professional tennis careers.

IDFC FIRST Bank launched a Business Multiplier Credit Card for entrepreneurs, addressing the gap in credit access for startups. Issued against a fixed deposit, the secured card offers a lower interest rate, zero forex markup, and a 100% credit limit, simplifying financial management for small businesses.

Skyroot Aerospace has achieved unicorn status, valued at $1.1 billion after raising $60 million. This funding propels India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, closer to launch. The capital will scale production and develop future rockets, marking a significant leap for India's burgeoning private space sector and its global ambitions.

Amaravati, the newly anointed capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is still under construction, but its Quantum Valley project is already luring deeptech startups, scientists and engineers to move in as the first settlers and work on the next frontier of technology

Elon Musk's 2001 trip to Russia to buy used rockets for SpaceX failed, prompting him to build his own. This pivotal moment, before SpaceX's official founding, shifted his strategy from acquisition to in-house manufacturing. The initial setback ultimately led to SpaceX's revolutionary approach to cost-effective spaceflight and its current industry leadership.

During his US visit, King Charles III highlighted the funding hurdles faced by British startups, particularly the 'valley of death' stage. He met with tech titans like Jeff Bezos and Jensen Huang, who discussed AI and the need for robust venture capital. This follows a significant $42 billion investment pledge by Big Tech firms in the UK.