• 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.
  • Athena Intelligence Enters India, Names Aditya Jain as Associate Partner

    Athena Intelligence Appoints Aditya Jain

    Geneva: Aditya Jain has been appointed by Athena Intelligence to spearhead its India expansion as the Geneva-based corporate investigations and risk advisory firm strengthens its presence in one of the world’s fastest-evolving corporate risk markets.

    The appointment of Aditya Jain marks a strategic move as the firm responds to growing demand for cross-border intelligence and financial crime expertise.

    Athena Intelligence’s India entry comes at a time when corporate risk in the country is intensifying rapidly. With more than 265 million cyberattacks recorded in 2025 and Indian organisations facing over 2,000 cyberattacks per week – significantly above global averages – the need for advanced investigative and risk mitigation services is rising.

    India now accounts for 12.4% of global malware attacks, underlining the scale and international nature of threats confronting businesses.

    Against this backdrop, Aditya Jain will lead Athena Intelligence’s efforts to support Indian corporates, financial institutions, law firms, and High Net Worth Individuals dealing with increasingly complex, cross-border risks.

    The firm specialises in multi-jurisdictional investigations and aims to bring global expertise to the Indian market under the leadership of Aditya Jain.

    Also Read: InCorp Advisory Provides Cross-Border Advisory to Support NASA–ISRO NISAR Satellite Mission

    Aditya Jain’s Role and Expertise

    Aditya Jain, Associate Partner at Athena Intelligence India, brings extensive experience in strategic intelligence, cyber risk, and technology advisory.

    His background spans corporate investigations and AI-driven risk engagements across South Asia and international markets. As Founder & CEO of a Geneva-based narrative intelligence platform, Aditya Jain combines global exposure with deep institutional understanding.

    Aditya Jain said: “India is at a tipping point when it comes to corporate risk. The threats are increasingly international – cross-border fraud, reputational attacks, cyber intrusions – and they require an international response. Athena Intelligence brings exactly that capability, and I am committed to making it accessible to Indian businesses, institutions, and individuals who deserve world-class protection.”

    Athena Intelligence: Strong Advisory Backing

    The India expansion led by Aditya Jain is supported by senior advisors from India’s defence and law enforcement ecosystem, reinforcing Athena Intelligence’s strategic positioning.

    Colonel Shashank Kaushal, Indian Army (Retd.), joins as Senior Advisor. A decorated officer with a distinguished career in strategic operations and national security, he has served as a military adviser at the highest levels.

    Colonel Kaushal will advise Aditya Jain and Athena Intelligence on security-related investigations while facilitating senior-level access within India’s defence and intelligence networks.

    Dr. Rajendar Pal Singh, former Director General of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Uttar Pradesh (2018–2021), and former Deputy Director General at the Narcotics Control Bureau (2013–2018), has been appointed Strategic Advisor to Aditya Jain.

    He brings extensive expertise in economic crime, anti-corruption, and narcotics investigations, offering deep institutional insight across India’s regulatory and enforcement landscape.

    Jonas Rey, CEO of Athena Intelligence, said: “Aditya Jain is the right person to represent Athena Intelligence in India. His investigative expertise, cyber and technology background, and deep institutional relationships make him uniquely equipped to build what we believe will become India’s most credible cross-border investigations practice. Athena Intelligence is proud to plant its flag in India with Aditya leading the charge.”

    Service Portfolio for India

    Under the leadership of Aditya Jain, Athena Intelligence will offer a comprehensive suite of services in India, including due diligence, anti-money laundering investigations, corporate intelligence, cyber risk advisory, and cross-border asset tracing.

    The firm’s India push reflects its intent to address the rising complexity of financial crime and corporate risk in an increasingly interconnected global environment, with Aditya Jain at the forefront of this strategic expansion.

    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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