• Startup Pulse
    Qiroko raises ₹1.5 crore in a pre-seed round led by ISV Capital, with angel participation. Manastu Space raises ₹22 crore from Gandhi Securities, Thacker Legacy Trusts and angel investors in an ongoing round. Docterz raises ₹5 crore in funding from Vineeta Singh, Avnish Anand and around 20 doctors who use the platform. AceBlend raises $9.91 million in a Series A2 round led by 3one4 Capital, with Fireside Ventures participating. Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre raises ₹28 crore in a Series A round led by Alkemi Growth Capital. Carbelim raises ₹10 crore from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. Viridian Ingni Propulsion raises ₹1.47 crore in a pre-seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. Venttup raises $3 million in a pre-Series A round led by Rainmatter and Unicorn India Ventures. ISLAND Beauty raises ₹2.58 crore in funding from AJVC and angel investors. Sridhar Vembu warns of painful economic rebalancing as AI reshapes computer-based jobs. Qiroko raises ₹1.5 crore in a pre-seed round led by ISV Capital, with angel participation. Manastu Space raises ₹22 crore from Gandhi Securities, Thacker Legacy Trusts and angel investors in an ongoing round. Docterz raises ₹5 crore in funding from Vineeta Singh, Avnish Anand and around 20 doctors who use the platform. AceBlend raises $9.91 million in a Series A2 round led by 3one4 Capital, with Fireside Ventures participating. Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre raises ₹28 crore in a Series A round led by Alkemi Growth Capital. Carbelim raises ₹10 crore from the IIT Madras Unicorn Frontier Fund. Viridian Ingni Propulsion raises ₹1.47 crore in a pre-seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures. Venttup raises $3 million in a pre-Series A round led by Rainmatter and Unicorn India Ventures. ISLAND Beauty raises ₹2.58 crore in funding from AJVC and angel investors. Sridhar Vembu warns of painful economic rebalancing as AI reshapes computer-based jobs.
  • MOTOTECH 2026 Pune Opens; EV Mobility and Factory of the Future Take Centre Stage

    MOTOTECH 2026 Pune Begins

    Pune: The seventh edition of MOTOTECH 2026 Pune, a specialised conference and exhibition organised by OEM Update, was inaugurated today at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, Chinchwad, Pune.

    The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi, IAS, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, PCMC, and Chairman of the Auto Cluster Development and Research Institute, in the presence of Jitendra Patil, Maharashtra State Head, EV Cell, and other eminent industry leaders.

    Being held on October 30–31, 2026, MOTOTECH 2026 Pune brings together automotive manufacturers, technology providers, component suppliers, MSMEs and industry professionals under the theme “Factory of the Future for Next-Gen Mobility.”

    Following the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, Dr. Suryawanshi declared the event open and highlighted Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad’s position as a leading automotive manufacturing hub.

    He welcomed MOTOTECH 2026 Pune as a platform for technology exchange and for bringing industry stakeholders together to support industrial development.

    MSME Infrastructure and EV Skills in Focus

    At MOTOTECH 2026 Pune, Dr. Suryawanshi urged manufacturers, startups and MSMEs to make greater use of the Auto Cluster’s product design and prototyping facilities, particularly enterprises that do not have access to such capabilities within their own operations.

    He invited industry leaders to identify requirements for additional machinery and infrastructure, including facilities relevant to electric vehicle manufacturing, so that future upgrades could respond to industry needs.

    Highlighting an electric truck displayed at MOTOTECH 2026 Pune, Dr. Suryawanshi pointed to the potential of electrification to transform commercial transport.

    He also spoke about an initiative involving SKF, Tata STRIVE and PCMC to train young people in electric vehicle repairs.

    He stressed the need to extend skills development beyond two-wheelers and passenger vehicles to electric buses and trucks.

    Dr. Suryawanshi reaffirmed PCMC’s willingness to work with industry on infrastructure requirements and local challenges. He also encouraged companies to explore collaboration through the corporation’s CSR portal.

    Calling for broader participation in industrial growth, he advocated greater representation of women in technical training and entrepreneurship, alongside employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

    He highlighted the role of industry partnerships in supporting training and assistive technology facilities at Divyang Bhavan.

    Connecting Stakeholders for the Electric Mobility Transition

    Addressing the inaugural gathering at MOTOTECH 2026 Pune, Jitendra Patil, Maharashtra State Head, EV Cell, said Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad’s automotive manufacturing experience, skilled workforce and vehicle-testing capabilities provide a strong foundation for the transition to electric mobility.

    He welcomed MOTOTECH 2026 Pune as a platform for EV manufacturers and other stakeholders to exchange experiences, share ideas and build connections as the automotive ecosystem undergoes significant change.

    Patil emphasised the EV Cell’s role in facilitating dialogue, understanding industry challenges and supporting coordination among stakeholder departments.

    He encouraged the industry to draw on the experience of automotive veterans while preparing for emerging technologies and manufacturing requirements.

    Patil also stressed the importance of integrating women’s perspectives into the development of the mobility ecosystem, including vehicle design and wider industry participation.

    Technology Discussions for Next-Generation Manufacturing

    Across its two-day programme, MOTOTECH 2026 Pune combines technology exhibits with conference discussions covering electrification, automation, cybersecurity and circular manufacturing.

    The conference agenda examines logistics and supply chain resilience for automotive just-in-time production, along with green and circular manufacturing, from energy to extended producer responsibility.

    Discussions at MOTOTECH 2026 Pune also focus on re-tooling India’s manufacturing value chain for electric vehicles and advanced automotive technologies, flexible automation for high-mix production, and the role of manufacturing execution systems, the digital thread and industrial AI in connected factories.

    The exhibition provides manufacturers and technology providers with a platform to showcase solutions, engage with prospective customers and explore partnerships.

    Building on its previous editions, the seventh edition of MOTOTECH 2026 Pune brings an expanded conference and exhibition format to Pune.

    The event supports dialogue between industry, government and technology providers on the capabilities needed for India’s next phase of automotive manufacturing.

    MOTOTECH 2026 Pune continues on October 31 at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, Chinchwad, Pune.

    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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