• 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.
  • Bengaluru: Appiness Interactive Acquires San Francisco-Based iLumaLab

    Appiness Interactive

    Bengaluru-based Appiness Interactive, a leading strategic technology consulting firm known for solving complex business challenges through digital innovation, has announced the acquisition of iLumaLab, a San Francisco–based artificial intelligence (AI) specialist founded by AI innovator Patrik Šlachta.

    The acquisition marks a major milestone for Appiness, enhancing its AI Centre of Excellence (AI-CoE) program and expanding its presence in North America.

    The move is a strategic step in strengthening the company’s global AI capabilities and advancing its vision for enterprise-scale AI adoption.

    Appiness Interactive Expands AI Capabilities and U.S. Presence

    Appiness Interactive’s AI-CoE Program is dedicated to driving applied AI through research, innovation, and real-world deployment. It integrates strategy, technology, and human insight to create tangible business value across industries.

    iLumaLab was selected for its innovative approach to creating bespoke AI experiences that combine automation, data intelligence, and design thinking. This acquisition brings experimental and creative AI capabilities into the Appyverse – Appiness Interactive’s dynamic AI ecosystem focused on transforming how organizations adopt and experience artificial intelligence.

    “Patrik and I first met in San Francisco through the Draper Ecosystem; what began as a shared curiosity for innovation soon evolved into a meaningful partnership,” said Visakh Viswambharan, Founder & CEO, Appiness Interactive.

    iLumaLab Brings Experimental AI and Human-Centered Design Expertise

    “This acquisition is a natural extension of our global growth strategy, combining iLumaLab’s experimental mindset with our mission to drive intelligent innovation. We look forward to integrating more innovators into the AI-CoE program and accelerating the evolution of Appyverse.”

    Following the acquisition, Patrik Šlachta and his team will join Appiness Interactive to strengthen its U.S. operations and contribute to the ongoing development of Appyverse and the AI Excellence Program.

    Appyverse and AI-CoE Set to Scale Innovation

    “Appiness Interactive is a company that inspires creativity and bold thinking,” said Patrik Šlachta, Founder, iLumaLab.

    “The synergy between Appyverse and our AI vision makes this partnership a natural progression. I’m excited to help scale Appyverse, advance the AI Excellence Program, and build innovative products for global markets.”

    With this acquisition, Appiness Interactive reinforces its position as a global leader in AI-driven transformation, continuing its mission to merge human creativity with intelligent technology.

    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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