November 12: A Day of Bold Moves in India’s Startup Ecosystem

On a Wednesday that crackled with financial activity, strategic pivots, and bold early-stage bets, India’s startup landscape remained as restless and ambitious as ever. From global giants like SoftBank reshaping their portfolios to homegrown companies securing fresh capital for scale, November 12 brought a series of developments that reflect the increasingly intertwined nature of global capital, Indian innovation, and sector-wide transformation.

This article offers a detailed roundup of everything that shaped the ecosystem today.

Top Startup News Today

SoftBank Converts Legacy Assets into an AI Future

Few global investors move with the scale—or audacity—of SoftBank, and the past few months have shown Masayoshi Son doubling down on the future he believes in: AI. Between June and September, SoftBank sold T-Mobile shares worth an astounding $9.17 billion, alongside $2.37 billion in Deutsche Telekom stock. The total value of this liquidation is almost equal to the market cap of Vodafone Idea, illuminating just how aggressively SoftBank is freeing up cash.

During its Q2 earnings call, the company revealed it had completely exited Nvidia, cashing out at $5.83 billion. In a move to leverage its holdings further, it expanded a margin loan against UK chipmaker Arm to $20 billion, thereby creating an estimated $11.5 billion in deployable capital.

By monetizing some of its most prized holdings and leveraging others, SoftBank is assembling a financial war chest for what Son believes to be the next epoch-defining bet: a deep, expansive push into AI. With its close relationship with OpenAI and Sam Altman, the company is poised for transformative growth in this sector.

Solving India’s Traffic: Mobility Startups and STCs Look Toward Collaboration

Urban mobility in India remains a stubborn challenge, especially in megacities where snarled traffic eats into productivity and urban well-being. At a recent panel discussion in Bengaluru focusing on first- and last-mile transportation, industry leaders suggested that smart partnerships between state transport corporations (STCs) and new-age mobility startups might offer the most realistic solution to the ongoing congestion.

This collaborative approach sounds straightforward, aiming to leverage public infrastructure with private innovation. However, both sides come with their own concerns. STCs worry about competition, usage reliability, and sensitive operational data. Startups, on the other hand, must navigate regulatory hurdles and an unpredictable policy environment.

Experts believe that thoughtfully structured collaborations can reshape how millions commute in India’s densest urban zones, potentially ushering in a new era of efficient transportation.

Funding Roundup

Waaree Group’s Battery Arm Raises ₹325 Cr for Energy Storage Scale-Up

Waaree Energy Storage Systems, the battery division of Waaree Group, secured ₹325 crore in a funding round led by Niveshaay, with participation from notable industry leaders. The capital will fuel the expansion of manufacturing capacities for cells and battery packs, strengthening engineering and validation capabilities. This investment will also scale its containerised Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across India and targeted international markets, reinforcing India’s mission-critical stance on grid stability and decentralized power solutions.

DOCO Raises ₹4.5 Cr to Expand Rural Distribution Network

Rural distribution-as-a-service startup DOCO has raised ₹4.5 crore in a pre-seed round. The company plans to boost its tech platform and widen its network of dark stores to enhance operational capabilities for reaching more rural retailers and FMCG brands. Over the next year, DOCO aims to operate 25 dark stores and serve over 25,000 retailers in semi-urban and rural pockets, bridging a significant gap in India’s last-mile FMCG supply chain.

FES Cafe Secures $1M to Fuel Delhi-NCR Expansion

FES Cafe, an eggless dessert and café brand, closed a $1 million pre-Series A round led by 12 Flags, the consumer fund established by former Reckitt Benckiser Global CEO Rakesh Kapoor. The funding will strengthen the café chain’s expansion in Delhi-NCR and enhance its central production kitchen for more efficient deliveries. FES Cafe has appointed Amit Nagpal, former CFO of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, as Strategic & Financial Advisor to shape its growth blueprint.

Nyayanidhi Raises $2M to Build India’s Litigation Infrastructure Layer

Legal-tech startup Nyayanidhi raised $2 million in a seed round led by 3one4 Capital, aiming to expand its advocate partner network and strengthen its AI backbone. The company seeks to build a digital infrastructure layer for litigation, focusing on reducing time, cost, and opacity in India’s legal system, which remains one of the most backlogged globally.

Coratia Technologies Secures ₹5 Cr for Deep-Tech Manufacturing

Deep-tech startup Coratia Technologies raised ₹5 crore from Piper Serica Angel Fund to bolster its R&D, expand manufacturing capabilities, and widen its global footprint. The company has executed high-impact projects with Indian Railways and IOCL Paradip, and now aims to enhance advanced industrial and infrastructure technology solutions.

Haircare Brand & Done Raises ₹6.5 Cr for Product and Team Expansion

Premium haircare brand & Done secured ₹6.5 crore in a pre-seed round led by All In Capital. Plans include scaling its team strength, accelerating product development, and entering both Indian and international markets. With a focus on salon-grade formulations, & Done has already partnered with 1,500 stylists across 300+ premium salons.

UrbanKisaan Achieves Second Consecutive Year of Profitability

Hydroponics and agri-tech innovator UrbanKisaan reported strong FY25 numbers, marking its second consecutive profitable year. The company crossed ₹31 crore in revenue, a 67% year-on-year jump, and tripled its net profit to ₹6.4 crore. Co-founder & CEO Vihari Kanukollu emphasized the need for a faster invention cycle in agriculture, highlighting the impact of their AI-led seed development engine, Gene Rush.

In the vibrant tapestry of India’s startup ecosystem, today’s developments illustrate a landscape filled with potential, innovation, and bold strategies aimed at solving some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation. The confluence of international investment and local ingenuity is set to redefine how we perceive business, mobility, technology, and agriculture in this rapidly evolving market.