Microsoft India announced two new programmes on Wednesday to assist startup entrepreneurs in the country in innovating and growing. Microsoft will launch its second cohort of startups as part of its AI Innovate initiative, as well as a new hackathon for startups to provide resources and support to developers working on digital solutions. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) startups whose core apps or services are built using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology are invited to apply for Microsoft AI Innovate’s second season. “With deepened focus on core AI startups in the second season of…
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Hawking Defence Services signs MoU with Australian UAV Technologies
Hawking Defence Services, an unmanned systems startup based in New South Wales, Australia, announced on Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian UAV Technologies, a UAV and electronics company based in Sydney, Australia, to form a joint venture company that will enable technology transfer, joint research and development, and licensed manufacturing of unmanned systems between the two companies. “This MOU is the first step in establishing a strong and reliable unmanned systems solution provider and manufacturer for global requirements,” the company said in a statement. The…
Read MoreMore than 250 unicorn startups in india by 2025
India is predicted to produce more than 250 unicorns, or privately held firms valued at $1 billion or more, by 2025 according to a recent report by investment firm Iron Pillar. This follows a record-breaking 43 Indian firms joining the unicorn club in 2021, a watershed year for the home ecosystem. Iron Pillar has invested in firms such as Uniphore, a software startup, FreshToHome, a meat delivery startup, and Eatfit, a cloud kitchen player, among others, in India. The aggregate worth of Indian unicorns in 2022, according to the Iron…
Read MoreA new initiative for startup entrepreneurs in india
The India unit of early-stage venture capital firm Antler has launched Antler India Residency, a cohort-based initiative for ambitious entrepreneurs. It will bring together roughly 60-70 people with backgrounds in business and engineering for an eight-week curriculum. Antler India would allow participants to meet their prospective cofounders during the residency. One of the biggest reasons why firms fail, according to Rajiv Srivatsa, the fund’s partner, is the inability to meet one’s cofounder. Antler expects 8-10 companies to emerge from each cohort, with each receiving $270,000 in exchange for a 9%…
Read MoreCybersecurity startup Securden raises $10.5 million
Securden Inc., a security startup based in the United States, raised $10.5 million in a Series A round headed by Tiger Global. Together Fund and Securden’s existing investor, Accel, also participated in the funding round. According to the startup, the funds will be used to scale research and development, as well as sales and marketing operations. The company also intends to extend its product offering and expand its team across all streams globally. Securden is an IT security startup based in Chennai, founded by Bala Venkatramani and Kumaran Balan. It…
Read MoreAccenture, IISc collaborate for research in cloud continuum
Accenture and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru have collaborated to undertake research and development in cloud continuum and neuromorphic computing at a newly established Accenture Centre for Advanced Computing. Accenture and IISc will team up on research projects and develop intellectual properties and thought leadership in next-generation computing technologies that enable AI at the edge, such as cloud, edge, quantum, and neuromorphic computing, as well as sustainable software engineering, as part of this programme, according to Accenture. Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc Bengaluru, said: “The new Accenture Centre for…
Read MoreEPNS raises $10.1 million funding led by Jump Crypto, Tiger Global and others
Ethereum Push Notification Service (EPNS) has raised $10.1 million (approximately Rs 76 crore) in a token round, with an average valuation of $131 million. According to CoinMarketCap, EPNS’ native virtual asset token Push had a fully diluted market capitalization of $128 million at the time of writing this article. The EPNS team plans to use the funds to expand the notification protocol beyond the Ethereum ecosystem, starting with the Polygon network, improve products, and grow its workforce from 30 to 60 people. Its goal is to reach a million users. Tiger…
Read MoreEdtech startup Skill-Lync builds EV to help students gain insight into auto industry
Skill-Lync, an engineering edtech startup, officially confirmed that it has developed an in-house electric vehicle to help its students learn about the automotive industry’s future. The vehicle was developed by a team of six Skill-Lync in-house experts in partnership with professionals from the country’s leading OEMs. The EV, which was built over nine months at a cost of around Rs 5 lakh, will provide students with real knowledge of what goes into making an electric vehicle. The EV has a top speed of 45 kmph and a range of 40…
Read MoreUniphore acquires AI-powered knowledge automation solution Colabo
Uniphore, a conversational automation platform, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Colabo, an AI-powered knowledge automation solution, for an undisclosed amount. Colabo, according to the business, specialises in extracting and exploiting information from structured and unstructured documents in real time. Colabo’s AI solution, according to Chennai-based Uniphore, enhances consumer interaction solutions by combining knowledge from any digital and physical assets into a seamless, tailored omni-channel experience. “This acquisition brings together unique capabilities to arm enterprises with new tools that provide a quick resolution to consumer queries and empower agents…
Read MoreDeep tech SaaS firm Spyne bags $7 million funding from Accel, others
Spyne, a deep-tech Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company, has secured $7 million in a round headed by US venture capital firm Accel, with existing investors Storm Ventures, Smile Group, Pentathlon Ventures, and Core91 also participating. Spyne intends to utilise the funds to hire more people, expand globally, especially in the United States, and establish a computer vision lab for more in-depth research and development (R&D). “We are looking to build a strong deep-tech computer vision team and for our new computer vision lab, we will be hiring from IITs and other institutions,”…
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