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Fireside Ventures closes fourth fund at Rs 2,265-Cr

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L-R: Kannan Sitaram, Vinay Singh, Kanwaljit Singh & Dipanjan Basu, co-founders, Fireside Ventures

Fireside Ventures, an early-stage consumer-focused VC firm, announced on Tuesday that it has closed its fourth fund with a corpus of Rs 2,265 crore (approximately $253 million), as it doubles down on India’s fast-growing consumption economy.

The firm has already begun deploying the fund and plans to make about 10–12 early-stage investments each year. Fireside, which primarily backs seed and pre-Series A startups, is also increasing its follow-on participation in Series A rounds as part of its founder-first strategy to help companies scale from the ground up.

“There will be companies that find the right product-market fit in deep markets, and these are emerging fund after fund, so it is not a one-off for us. In those cases, we can see returns of 10x, 15x, and 20x. But for the bulk of our portfolio, we are modelling for a five-to-seven- or eight-times type of return. And that really drives the overall success of the strategy,” shared Kanwaljit Singh, founder & managing partner, Fireside Ventures, at a press briefing.

The firm’s first fund, still in the process of completing its exits, achieved a Distributed to Paid-In Capital of 3.6x, meaning it has already returned more than three times its value to investors.

Fireside’s current portfolio of around 60 brands now carries a combined valuation of over $7 billion and has generated $1.6 billion in revenue across companies. Additionally, about half of its portfolio startups have crossed the Rs 100 crore ARR milestone.

The Bengaluru-based fund secured commitments from a mix of global and domestic investors, including US university endowments, sovereign wealth funds from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and major financial institutions such as HarbourVest, Waterfield, and Fidelity International. Several consumer-focused corporates—including Sharrp Ventures, Mirabilis, and Emami Limited—also participated in the fundraise.

Launched in 2017, Fireside Ventures now manages approximately $650 million in assets across its four consumer-focused funds.

Automoto unveils Inspekt AI to build buyer-first trust layer in India’s $36B used-car market

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Automoto, the Bengaluru-based mobility startup known for customer-first innovation, has announced the launch of Inspekt AI, an AI-driven and buyer-focused vehicle inspection platform that aims to bring greater transparency, trust, and intelligence to India’s rapidly expanding used-car ecosystem.

India’s used-car market, valued at more than USD 36 billion and projected to reach USD 70–100 billion in the coming years, now surpasses new-car sales and continues to grow at a strong double-digit CAGR. However, buyers still encounter major trust issues, ranging from incomplete vehicle histories to unclear mechanical conditions and inconsistent inspection standards.

Large players such as Spinny and Cars24 have streamlined processes for sellers, yet the buyer’s side of the transaction remains largely underserved. The platform combines AI-assisted diagnostics with expert physical inspections to deliver unbiased and platform-agnostic assessments, regardless of whether buyers source vehicles from marketplaces, dealerships, or individual sellers.

Its core capabilities include AI-enhanced damage and anomaly detection, detailed mechanical and structural health reports, simplified risk summaries with purchase recommendations, and a fully independent non-inventory model that eliminates conflicts of interest.

“From day one, Automoto was built to eliminate customer compromise,” said Sreeraj PV, founder & CEO of Automoto. “With Inspekt AI, we’re bringing a neutral, AI-backed trust layer to the buyer, something the market has needed for years. Our goal is simple: empower buyers with clarity, confidence, and control.”

Inspekt AI is now available for bookings in Bengaluru, and Automoto plans to expand the service to major metros in the upcoming quarters. The company is also evaluating partnerships with banks, NBFCs, insurers, and mobility platforms to integrate Inspekt AI as an underwriting and risk-assessment layer.

NVIDIA invests $2B in Synopsys to form multi-year AI partnership

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Jensen Huang, Founder & CEO, Nvidia

NVIDIA and Synopsys have announced an expanded multi-year alliance that combines NVIDIA’s accelerated computing and AI platform with Synopsys’ engineering software suite spanning chips, systems, and multiphysics simulation. As part of this arrangement, NVIDIA invested $2 billion (about ₹16,700 crore) in Synopsys by purchasing common stock at $414.79 per share.

The companies structured the collaboration as non-exclusive, and they will work together on engineering and go-to-market programs designed to speed up simulation, verification, and product development across sectors, including semiconductors, aerospace, and automotive.

The partnership will accelerate Synopsys applications with NVIDIA CUDA-X libraries and AI physics to enhance compute-heavy workloads such as chip design, physical verification, and electromagnetic, optical, and molecular simulation. It will also advance agentic AI for design flows by connecting Synopsys AgentEngineer with NVIDIA’s agentic AI stack, which includes NIM microservices, the NeMo Agent Toolkit, and Nemotron models, enabling more autonomous EDA and analysis workflows.

Moreover, the companies will power next-generation digital twins through NVIDIA Omniverse and NVIDIA Cosmos so engineering teams can design, test, and validate complex systems virtually with greater precision. They will also offer cloud-ready access to GPU-accelerated engineering tools for organizations of varying sizes, backed by shared go-to-market programs.

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, said the collaboration will deliver “unprecedented speed and scale” to simulation from atomic-level modeling to full-system analysis. Meanwhile, Synopsys President and CEO Sassine Ghazi described it as a move towards AI-driven, holistic system design that merges electronics with physics.

India’s sizable semiconductor and systems R&D community already depends on Synopsys tools and NVIDIA GPU compute. Faster EDA runtimes and more accurate digital twins could shorten design cycles for domestic chip design centers, automotive engineering units, and industrial IoT firms, reducing iteration costs and advancing Make-in-India goals in electronics and mobility.

This announcement follows Synopsys’ acquisition of Ansys, which created a silicon-to-systems engineering powerhouse that spans EDA, IP, and multiphysics simulation, with initial integrated offerings expected in the first half of CY2026.

Additionally, Cadence recently expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA’s Grace Blackwell platform to accelerate engineering solvers and develop agentic AI for design, and it is adopting Omniverse blueprints for AI-factory digital twins. Siemens and NVIDIA also previewed an industrial technology stack that links Siemens Xcelerator with NVIDIA Omniverse to advance factory-scale digital twins.

Agentic AI startup GetReplies raises $1M to transform lifecycle engagement

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Arjun V. Shenoy & Naveen Prabhu, co-founders, GetReplies

GetReplies is entering a global business software market valued at more than $200 billion, yet this market remains highly fragmented. As a result, marketing teams still combine numerous disconnected tools to manage their everyday operations. This fragmentation slows execution and makes it difficult to maintain consistent performance in a competitive environment.

The company aims to unify these scattered workflows through advanced artificial intelligence. It has introduced one of the industry’s earliest Agentic AI platforms, and it is built for Full Lifecycle Engagement so teams can handle all activities from a single centralized system.

To advance this vision, GetReplies has raised $1 million in a seed round led by the Patni Family Office. This round also brings in contributions from a focused group of individual investors and AI entrepreneurs who have previously scaled companies to successful exits.

The company’s strategic direction comes from co-founder and CEO Naveen Prabhu, a well-known pioneer in Enterprise AI and Auto ML. He developed one of the earliest Auto ML platforms for business problem-solving, and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission featured him in the Karnataka Startup Champion Series.

Co-Founder and CPO Arjun V. Shenoy drives the product vision, and he is a respected industry leader recognized as a 40 under 40 Data Science professional. Together, the founders bring over a decade of expertise in Enterprise AI strategy consulting and product management for global enterprises.

Naveen Prabhu and Arjun V. Shenoy have built and scaled multimillion-dollar consulting and product businesses, and their combined expertise has resulted in four AI patent filings that are currently under review. They have also guided executive leadership teams at multiple Fortune 500 companies.

GetReplies promotes a major shift from simple task automation to full outcome orchestration. Many MarTech startups focus on automating isolated tasks, such as generating a single subject line or scraping small lead lists.

The company differentiates itself by offering a live system that functions as an intelligent layer across the entire marketing funnel. The platform goes beyond minor tasks and evaluates the entire customer journey from initial outreach to final conversion.

When teams want to generate new demand or recover lost customers, the platform leverages autonomous agents that execute workflows without constant human involvement. This autonomy allows marketing leaders to concentrate on strategic planning instead of spending time on repetitive data operations.

Technically, the platform runs on a natively agentic architecture that surpasses basic API wrappers. The system coordinates multiple Large Language Models from OpenAI, Google, Perplexity, and Anthropic to ensure it uses the most effective model for each workflow.

Additionally, the company continues to refine proprietary Model Context Protocols that let the platform adapt to industry-specific needs. This deep engineering enables the agents to understand each business context instead of producing generic or surface-level output.

The platform executes complex strategies across multiple communication channels simultaneously. GetReplies automates design and execution across Email, LinkedIn, Voice Calling, SMS, and WhatsApp, and it will later expand to Social Media Posts and Digital Ads for consistent cross-channel messaging.

To power these channels, the platform includes an expanding suite of more than 45 specialized agents. These include Lookalike Agents that identify prospects similar to a company’s best customers and Air Cover Agents that help teams support stalled deals by educating decision-makers.

GetReplies will use the $1 million funding to strengthen its technological foundation and accelerate its growth path. By enabling Super Agents to manage execution, the company is creating an environment where marketing teams can finally devote their time to strategy.

Sokin raises $50 Mn in fresh funding to boost international payments

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Vroon Modgill, CEO and Founder of Sokin

Cross-border payments fintech Sokin has secured $50 million in a fresh funding round, which now values the UK-based firm at $300 million. Moreover, the UK-headquartered company says it will deploy the capital to accelerate its international expansion plans and advance product development.

The Series B round was led by US investment firm Prysm Capital, while Watershed Ventures also took part. Additionally, existing backers—including investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital and Aurum Partners—joined the round.

Founded in 2019 and based in London, Sokin operates a B2B platform that streamlines cross-border accounts payable, accounts receivable, and treasury functions for enterprises. Furthermore, the fintech offers access to over 70 currencies for transfers and foreign exchange.

Over the coming year, Sokin says it will strengthen its infrastructure and pursue regional licenses and banking partnerships, as it aims to broaden its global footprint.

Vroon Modgill, CEO and founder of Sokin, said, “We’ve spent the past six years building a comprehensive financial infrastructure that makes global business faster and more efficient.”

“For too long, payments, treasury management, and international accounts have been fragmented and outdated. We’ve built the platform that brings it all together, and this funding lets us accelerate that vision globally.”

Wayve strengthens AI driving safety with acquisition of quality match

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Alex Kendall, Co-founder and CEO of Wayve

Wayve, a global leader in embodied AI for autonomous driving, has announced its acquisition of Quality Match, a German startup recognized for its strong capabilities in data quality assurance for computer vision datasets and artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, this move demonstrates Wayve’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing data accuracy as a foundational element for safe and scalable autonomous driving.

Founded in 2019, the German based startup contributes extensive expertise in interpreting and analyzing data used to train AI models for advanced assisted and automated driving. Moreover, as Wayve continues progressing toward the commercial rollout of its AI Driver software, the integration of Quality Match enhances its ability to develop high-quality, auditable datasets more efficiently—datasets that are essential for creating reliable and explainable AI systems.

Quality Match’s team of 20 specialists, all based in Germany, will now join Wayve’s global operations. Additionally, the acquisition expands Wayve’s presence in Germany, building on the launch of its Testing and Development Hub near Stuttgart in early 2025 and strengthening the country’s role as a core engineering and AI innovation center for the company. Daniel Kondermann, CEO of Quality Match, will assume the role of Director of Data at Wayve.

Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve, said, “Bringing Quality Match into Wayve marks a strategic step forward in our commitment to deliver safe and trustworthy AI. Daniel and his team have built exceptional expertise in data quality and understanding for AI, which will strengthen the robustness, interpretability, and performance of our systems. We’re thrilled to welcome the Quality Match team as we continue building the Embodied AI foundation models that will power the next generation of intelligent mobility.”

Daniel Kondermann, Director of Data at Wayve and former CEO of Quality Match, said, “At Quality Match, our mission has been to enhance data quality through advanced quality assurance and annotation optimization. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has built. Joining Wayve is an exciting opportunity to apply our expertise to one of the most exciting domains: autonomous driving. Together with Wayve’s pioneering approach to embodied intelligence, we can accelerate the development of safe and scalable AI.”

Ola Electric introduces nationwide ‘Hyperservice’ In-App service platform

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Ola Electric on Monday launched its in-app service appointment feature nationwide under the Hyperservice initiative, enabling customers to schedule vehicle service seamlessly from anywhere.

The company said the new feature reinforces its commitment to offering a transparent, convenient, and customer-first service experience.

Furthermore, the in-app booking system aims to enhance ease and accessibility by allowing users to select preferred service slots, track service progress, and manage all service-related requirements directly through the Ola Electric app, according to the company’s statement.

By integrating the entire service journey into a single digital platform, the company explained that customers can avoid the inconvenience associated with traditional service booking methods. Additionally, the feature guarantees access to genuine, high-quality parts and standardized service procedures.

“Our vision under the Hyperservice initiative is to offer world-class experiences that are rooted in trust, convenience, and transparency. With the launch of in-app service appointments across India, we have taken a significant step in strengthening that promise,” a company spokesperson said.

Moreover, the spokesperson noted that the initiative offers customers better control, improved visibility, and the assurance of genuine, brand-certified service.

Recently, the company announced the expansion of Hyperservice into an open platform designed to reshape EV servicing in India.

Under this initiative, for the first time, Ola will make its genuine spare parts, diagnostic tools, and service training modules available not only to its customers but also to independent garages, mechanics, and fleet operators nationwide. This initiative also supports Ola’s broader India Inside strategy, which focuses on developing open, scalable, and domestically integrated platforms across batteries, software, and now after-sales and service infrastructure.

Royal Orchid Hotels stregthens portfolio with 120-key resort in Khatu Shyam Ji

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Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. (ROHL) has launched a new 120-key property in Khatu Shyam Ji, one of Rajasthan’s prominent pilgrimage hubs. This opening supports the group’s broader strategy to expand across India’s high-growth spiritual, cultural, and leisure destinations. Moreover, ROHL developed the resort in collaboration with Mr. Rajender Kumar Agarwal and Mr. Dinesh Kumar Agarwal, and it will operate under a management agreement consistent with the company’s asset-light approach.

Commenting on the launch, Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd., said, “As we continue expanding across India, spiritually significant destinations like Khatu Shyam Ji are becoming an important part of our growth story. This location attracts millions of devotees and travelers year-round, creating strong demand for organized hospitality. Regenta Anantam Resort is designed to offer guests a comfortable, serene, and well-connected stay experience. We are delighted to introduce the Regenta experience to Khatu in partnership with Rajender Kumar Agarwal and Dinesh Kumar Agarwal, and we look forward to welcoming guests seeking convenience, warmth, and genuine hospitality.”

The resort sits just two km from the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple, which draws large crowds of devotees throughout the year. Furthermore, it features five categories of rooms and suites ranging from 205 sq ft Deluxe Rooms to 421 sq ft Presidential Suites. Moreover, the property offers amenities such as Amritam, the all-day vegetarian restaurant; Prasadam Café; a swimming pool; Arogya Spa; a gym; an indoor banquet hall called Aanandam; and an outdoor venue named Baagh Lawn. With these offerings, the resort ultimately aims to cater to pilgrims, families, and destination wedding guests.

Khatu Shyam Ji, located in the Sikar district, remains one of India’s major pilgrimage destinations. With access to nearby attractions such as Golden Water Park, Mahalaxmi Temple, Jeen Mata Temple, and Shakambhari Devi Temple, the Regenta Anantam Resort seeks to support both spiritual tourism and leisure travel in the region.

Rajender Kumar Agarwal and Dinesh Kumar Agarwal said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Royal Orchid Hotels to introduce a high-quality hospitality experience in Khatu Shyam Ji. Every aspect of this resort has been crafted with guest comfort, elegance, and satisfaction in mind. We look forward to welcoming travelers, families, and devotees to a stay that is both enriching and memorable.”

Deeptech startup Mixx Technologies raises USD 33 Mn to drive global expansion

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Vivek Raghuraman, co-founder & CEO, Mixx Technologies

Mixx Technologies, a deeptech startup focused on optical interconnect solutions for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, has raised USD 33 million in new funding.

Singapore-based ICM HPQC Fund led the round, while TDK Ventures, SystemIQ Capital, AVITIC Innovation Fund and other investors also participated.

The California-headquartered company plans to invest the fresh capital in strengthening its R&D capabilities, accelerating product development, and expanding its engineering team in Bengaluru. Additionally, it aims to enter new markets such as Taiwan, where it intends to establish manufacturing and operations teams starting January 2026. Mixx Technologies currently operates in both the US and India.

Founded in 2023 by Vivek Raghuraman and Rebecca K Schaevitz, the startup develops optical interconnect systems built to support advanced AI and computing workloads. Its platform relies on silicon photonics and advanced packaging to transfer data efficiently between GPUs in data centres.

The company says this method reduces performance and power bottlenecks that often hinder AI infrastructure. Moreover, Mixx Technologies plans to expand its workforce from around 25 employees to more than 75 in the coming months. Earlier, in January 2024, Kaynes Technologies acquired a 13.2 percent stake in the company for USD 3 million.

This funding arrives at a time when investors are showing growing interest in deeptech companies, especially those advancing the rapid scaling of AI. Last week, Singapore-based LightSpeed Photonics raised USD 6.5 million to support its optical interconnect technology for AI data centres.

Databricks in talks to raise fresh capital at $134 Billion valuation: Report

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Data analytics firm Databricks is reportedly negotiating to raise $5 billion at a valuation of $134 billion, which is nearly 32 times its projected sales of about $4.1 billion for this year,

The Information reported on Sunday, citing investor documents and a person familiar with the discussions.

Databricks declined to comment on the development.

Moreover, the company has raised its sales forecast at least twice this year, The Information reported. In September, Databricks increased its sales estimate from $3.8 billion to $4 billion and then revised the figure slightly upward again. It now expects its revenue to grow by 55% this year.

However, the report also noted that the company informed investors that its gross margin is declining faster than expected—falling to 74% from a previously planned 77%—because of higher usage of its AI products.

Founded in 2013, Databricks provides a platform that enables users to ingest, analyze, and build AI applications. Investors consistently view the company as a top contender for a future public listing and continue to show strong interest in it.

Additionally, the firm serves more than 20,000 customers, including payments firm Block, energy major Shell, and electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian, according to its website.

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