Startup & Tech Daily Digest: 1 Oct

Indian startups raised $2.9 billion in Q3 2026, marking a decline from the first half of the year but a slight recovery from Q3 2025. While large-scale funding rounds were fewer, the quarter saw $1.01 billion in early-stage deals and significant momentum in the AI and EV sectors.

The enterprise security startup secured ₹7 crore in a seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. Zaperon focuses on identity and data security products designed to shield enterprises from potential data breaches.

The global venture capital firm has strengthened its India leadership team by appointing Mayank Khanduja as a Partner. This move underscores the firm's continued commitment to backing early and growth-stage startups within the Indian market.

A new wave of boutique consulting firms founded by former Big Four partners is emerging to challenge incumbents by targeting startups and VC firms. Simultaneously, an HSBC report highlights that Indian entrepreneurs are increasingly prioritizing global residencies while aggressively ramping up investments in AI technologies.

Bankrupt hedge fund founder George Weiss has reached an agreement with Sotheby’s to auction over a dozen pieces from his art collection. The proceeds from the sale will be utilized to repay a significant loan owed to Bank of America Corp.