• Startup Pulse
    altM raises $10.3 million in a Series A round led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Mela Ventures, with Omnivore, Theia Ventures, Aureolis Ventures, Spectrum Impact and strategic angel investors participating. Venomics AI raises $2.7 million in a pre-seed round co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with Operators Studio participating. EloElo Group raises $80 million in a Series C round led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, with MIT Investment Co. and existing investors participating. Peppermint Robotics raises ₹100 crore (approximately $10.5 million) in a Pre-Series B round led by pi Ventures and Crane Venture Partners, with Asiana Fund participating. Traversal raises $120 million in a Series B round at a $1 billion valuation, led by Kleiner Perkins, Redpoint and Khosla Ventures, with Sequoia Capital, Battery Ventures and Amex Ventures participating. GIVA raises over $100 million in a round led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management. The Croffle Guys raises ₹14 crore in a round led by V3 Ventures, with N.A.N Partners participating. Solgram raises over $1 million in a pre-seed round led by DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital, with Kapil Chopra participating. Sachin Tendulkar makes a strategic investment in Metasports Interactive, the company behind Hitwicket. The amount was not disclosed. Hyeglo Beauty raises ₹7 crore in a round led by Sauce, with Giga Capital, Consumer Collective, Reckitt's Arjun Purkayastha and The Patient Capital participating. altM raises $10.3 million in a Series A round led by Rainmatter by Zerodha and Mela Ventures, with Omnivore, Theia Ventures, Aureolis Ventures, Spectrum Impact and strategic angel investors participating. Venomics AI raises $2.7 million in a pre-seed round co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with Operators Studio participating. EloElo Group raises $80 million in a Series C round led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, with MIT Investment Co. and existing investors participating. Peppermint Robotics raises ₹100 crore (approximately $10.5 million) in a Pre-Series B round led by pi Ventures and Crane Venture Partners, with Asiana Fund participating. Traversal raises $120 million in a Series B round at a $1 billion valuation, led by Kleiner Perkins, Redpoint and Khosla Ventures, with Sequoia Capital, Battery Ventures and Amex Ventures participating. GIVA raises over $100 million in a round led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management. The Croffle Guys raises ₹14 crore in a round led by V3 Ventures, with N.A.N Partners participating. Solgram raises over $1 million in a pre-seed round led by DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital, with Kapil Chopra participating. Sachin Tendulkar makes a strategic investment in Metasports Interactive, the company behind Hitwicket. The amount was not disclosed. Hyeglo Beauty raises ₹7 crore in a round led by Sauce, with Giga Capital, Consumer Collective, Reckitt's Arjun Purkayastha and The Patient Capital participating.
  • GEG World Finals Inaugurated in Mumbai by CM Devendra Fadnavis; Highlights India’s AVGC Growth

    GEG World Finals

    Mumbai: The Global Esports Games – GEG World Finals were officially inaugurated in Mumbai by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marking the commencement of a three-day international esports spectacle at the MMRDA Grounds.

    The GEG World Finals bring together global esports athletes, creators, and federation leaders, positioning India at the center of the rapidly evolving competitive gaming ecosystem.

    Organized by EFlag Corp in partnership with the Global Esports Federation and supported by Maharashtra Tourism, the GEG World Finals feature 48 top-tier athletes from 19 countries, including India. The event underscores Maharashtra’s strategic push toward technology-led growth and its commitment to hosting world-class global sporting events.

    Also Read: JetSynthesys–YouGov Report Highlights Rising Esports Career Ambitions

    Addressing the gathering at the GEG World Finals, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “We are happy to host the Global Esports Games World Finals in Mumbai, bringing global talent together on a single platform.

    This milestone reflects India’s rapid growth in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector and our focused efforts to build a robust orange economy driven by creativity, technology, and innovation.

    Maharashtra is committed to nurturing this ecosystem and positioning India as a global hub for digital talent, entrepreneurship, and youth-led growth.”

    Over the next three days, the GEG World Finals will see Mumbai host leading esports athletes, content creators, fans, and federation representatives from across the globe, reinforcing its emergence as a major hub for digital and competitive gaming.

    Shripad Ashtekar, Founder of EFlag Corp, emphasized the significance of the GEG World Finals, stating, “Esports has firmly established itself as a credible and aspirational career pathway for India’s youth. With the Global Esports Games, we are accelerating this momentum; creating a platform that not only showcases talent but also unlocks new opportunities across the esports ecosystem, from players to creators and innovators.”

    The inauguration ceremony of the GEG World Finals, held on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, began with a vibrant cultural celebration marking the New Year and the arrival of the first-ever international esports World Finals in India.

    The ceremony featured an athlete parade, introductions of participating national teams, and an interaction with the Chief Minister, who formally declared the event open.

    Also Read: Roblox Incubator Announced to Help Developers Build High-Fidelity Games

    GEG World Finals: Presence of Gaming Influencers and Content Creators

    Sir Paul J Foster, President and CEO of the Global Esports Federation, highlighted India’s importance at the GEG World Finals, saying, “India allows us to think bigger than ever before – and when India moves forward, the world moves with it.

    India represents energy, ambition, and bringing the Global Esports Games World Finals here reflects our belief in a truly connected, inclusive ecosystem that brings the world together through the power of play.”

    The GEG World Finals also witnessed the presence of prominent gaming influencers and content creators such as ShreeMan LegenD, Payal Gaming, Naman Mathur (Mortal), and Kashhvi Hiranandani, amplifying the event’s reach among India’s rapidly expanding gaming community.

    Representing the country at the GEG World Finals, Team India comprises six athletes competing in Dota 2 and Clash Royale. The Dota 2 squad includes Krish Gupta, Manav Kunte, Vishal Vernekar, Amit Malwal, and Subhadeep Das, while Anuhith Gosala represents India in Clash Royale.

    By bringing together international players, federations, and industry stakeholders, the GEG World Finals deliver high-performance competition alongside large-scale audience engagement.

    With participation from countries worldwide, the GEG World Finals mark a significant milestone in India’s esports journey, showcasing the nation’s growing talent base and readiness to compete at the highest level.

    According to the EY-Parthenon Study 2026, India’s orange economy – spanning creative and digital sectors – currently stands at approximately USD 45–50 billion and is projected to grow to USD 55–60 billion by 2027, further reinforcing the relevance of platforms like the GEG World Finals.

    Author

    • Salil Urunkar

      Salil Urunkar is a senior journalist and the editorial mind behind Sahyadri Startups. With years of experience covering Pune’s entrepreneurial rise, he’s passionate about telling the real stories of founders, disruptors, and game-changers.

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