Led · Equity · May 2026

Co-founded in 2023 by Akshay Mittal and Alok Malaviya, StrainX Bioworks focuses on engineering biological systems and using precision fermentation to produce high-value food ingredients and alternative proteins. The company develops proprietary enzymes, proteins and metabolites aimed at the food, healthcare and agriculture sectors and integrates strain engineering, fermentation infrastructure, process engineering and product development into a single platform. It spent two years building capabilities while operating in stealth mode and says it has demonstrated fermentation at the 10,000-litre scale. StrainX is preparing to scale production further and pursue commercialisation in India and overseas markets, including the US. The recent $13 million raise will fund expansion of R&D, fermentation infrastructure and growth of its engineering and scientific teams to support industrial-scale manufacturing and global go-to-market efforts.

Led · Seed · May 2026

Founded in 2025 by Samit Shetty and Hitesh Saraf and based in Bengaluru, Nivasa Finance operates a distribution and fulfilment platform for affordable housing loans and loans against property (LAP) targeting non-metro markets. The startup combines technology-led workflows with on-ground field operations to support underserved borrowers—such as self-employed individuals, gig workers and small business owners—across the loan lifecycle including assessment, documentation, lender matching and disbursal. Nivasa works with more than 10 lending partners spanning banks, small finance banks, housing finance companies and NBFCs. Since launch the company says it has facilitated hundreds of loans worth over Rs 20 crore across Mysore and Mandya in Karnataka. Following its $3 million seed raise, Nivasa plans to expand geographically, strengthen its distribution network, deepen lender partnerships and pursue the possibility of obtaining an NBFC licence.

Led · Series A · Mar 2026

Founded in 2024 by Sumit Anand and Rupesh Thakare, Inamo offers an infrastructure-as-a-service model that handles warehousing, fulfillment, and a dedicated last-mile fleet for quick-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces. Its technology optimizes inventory placement and demand aggregation, helping brands avoid inventory duplication and scale with minimal upfront costs. The company currently operates more than 80 dark stores across six metro cities and processes over 1.8 million orders each month. Over the last ten months, Inamo reports that its annual recurring revenue has grown more than 10×. With fresh capital, the startup plans to onboard additional brands, enter new product categories, and expand to 10 new cities, targeting over 200 dark stores by the end of 2026. Management believes that smarter network design and deeper tech integration will make quick commerce more efficient and accessible for brands.

Led · Series A · Feb 2026

Founded in 2024 by Harini Rajagopalan and Mahesh Muraleedharan, Basil operates an online platform that began with bento lunch boxes and insulated food jars and has since expanded into a broader range of kids’ essentials. The company serves more than 150,000 families across over 20,000 Indian pincodes and follows an asset-light model, partnering with manufacturers in India, China and Southeast Asia. An in-house Consumer Lab mines parent feedback to guide product design, and the startup has secured several industrial design patents. Basil currently records an annualised revenue run-rate (ARR) of Rs 36 crore, reflecting 5× growth since launch. Management plans to move into new categories such as school bags and water bottles, strengthen its supply chain and scale leadership and product teams. The firm is targeting Rs 100 crore in ARR by FY27 while maintaining rapid category expansion. Capital efficiency is supported by outsourced manufacturing and a data-driven product development approach.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2026

Founded in 2024 by Jitendra Kumar Purnmal Saini and Gouthami T S, AquaAirX is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup building amphibious drones that can transition seamlessly between aerial flight and submerged operations. Its flagship platform has reached Technology Readiness Level 6 and is complemented by a proprietary Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HAUV) designed for precise underwater inspection, monitoring, and intervention. By integrating advanced autonomy, robotics, and mission-centric design, the company targets critical gaps in maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for defence and strategic partners. AquaAirX collaborates closely with Indian and international defence stakeholders to craft indigenous, future-ready technologies. The startup plans to scale large-scale trials, deepen defence collaborations, and prepare for manufacturing with the aim of commercial entry by 2027. Proceeds from its recent seed round will bolster system autonomy, air-to-water transition reliability, sensing, communication, and the expansion of engineering and research teams. No operating metrics such as revenue or user numbers were disclosed in the article.