VC News, September 28, 2025: The final stretch of September saw venture capital funding dip to $155 million across 29 startups deals, down from $245 million the week prior. While the absence of blockbuster investments might suggest a slowdown, the steady volume of deals reveals a deeper story: resilience, adaptability, and a continued appetite for innovation.
Rather than lament the lack of mega-rounds, this week’s funding landscape highlights the ecosystem’s ability to thrive in leaner conditions. With macroeconomic headwinds and global policy shifts, such as increased H-1B visa fees and new pharmaceutical tariffs from the US, casting shadows over investor sentiment, Indian startups are still managing to attract capital, albeit in smaller doses.
Curefoods, Rocket, Vedantu Among 8 Key Funded Startups in September’s Final Week”
Despite the muted totals, several standout transactions underscored the diversity and dynamism of India’s startup scene:
- Chakr Innovation led the week with a $23 million raise from Iron Pillar, SBI Cap Ventures, ONGC, IAN, and Inflexor, reinforcing confidence in deep-tech solutions.
- Curefoods, in a strategic pre-IPO placement, secured ₹160 crore (~$18 million) from 3State Ventures, the investment arm of Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal.
- Rocket, an AI startup, drew $15 million from Salesforce Ventures, Accel, and Together Fund—signaling continued interest in India’s AI capabilities.
- Vedantu, the edtech veteran, raised $11 million from ABC World Asia, Accel, and Omidyar Network, showing that education innovation remains a priority.
- Simple Energy, an EV startup, charged ahead with a $10 million infusion from Arokiaswamy Velumani, Balamurugan Arumugam, and the Haran family office.
- Gullak, a fintech player, attracted $7.5 million from Chiratae Ventures, White Venture Capital, Samved Ventures, Y Combinator, GMO Fintech Fund, and Rebel Fund.
- Oolka, another AI entrant, raised $7 million from Lightspeed India Partners, Z47, 8i Ventures, and angel investors.
- Distil, a specialty chemicals startup, secured $7.7 million from Jungle Ventures, CE-Ventures, and angels, highlighting investor interest in niche industrial innovation.
While the week’s funding figures may not break records, they reflect a maturing ecosystem that’s learning to navigate uncertainty. The consistent deal volume suggests that early-stage and mid-stage startups are still finding backers, even if valuations and cheque sizes are more conservative.
The absence of large-value deals isn’t necessarily a red flag, it may simply indicate a recalibration of expectations as investors wait for macroeconomic clarity. With 2026 on the horizon, many founders and VCs are cautiously optimistic that the tide will turn, bringing back the big bets and bold moves.
If this week proves anything, it’s that Indian startups are not defined by the size of their funding rounds but by the strength of their ideas and the tenacity of their teams. As global conditions stabilize and domestic innovation continues to flourish, the ecosystem is poised for a comeback, one thoughtful investment at a time.
