Indian startups raised about $130.2 million across 32 deals between 26 and 30 October 2026, according to Inc42’s weekly funding report. That is 29.2 percent less money than the previous week, which Inc42 puts at $184 million, but 88 percent more deals than the 17 counted then. In plain terms, the week had many more cheques and smaller ones.
The biggest rounds of the week
Five companies raised $10 million or more, according to Inc42’s table:
- Cent, a healthtech company, raised $15 million in a Series A led by Blume Ventures and South Park Commons.
- Simplismart, an AI company, raised $14 million in a Series B led by Dallas Venture Capital.
- Live2.ai, also in AI, raised $13.7 million at the pre-Series B stage, led by IvyCap Ventures.
- Troovy, an ecommerce company, raised $10.5 million in a Series B led by Fireside Ventures.
- Matiks, in media and entertainment, raised $10 million at the pre-Series A stage, led by General Catalyst.
Two of the three largest rounds went to AI companies. Three deals, including Glance with L Catterton, did not disclose an amount, so the week’s true total could be higher than the reported figure.
Which sectors and investors led
Ecommerce was the busiest sector, with nine deals worth $33.4 million in total. Blume Ventures and Antler were the most active investors, with three deals each.
Early-stage money made up much of the count. Inc42’s stage breakdown shows eight seed rounds worth about $25 million, five pre-seed rounds worth about $3.8 million and three pre-Series A rounds worth about $14 million. Those smaller deals explain why the deal count jumped even though the total fell.
Why different trackers show different totals
If you compare weekly numbers, check which tracker they come from. For 19 to 24 October, Entrackr reported 15 startups raising $133.9 million, while Inc42 reported $184 million across 17 startups for roughly the same week. The trackers set their cut-off dates and count deals differently, and some include partial or undisclosed rounds. Use one source consistently when you track trends, and treat any single week as a snapshot rather than a verdict.
What founders can take from the week
- Early-stage capital is moving. More than a dozen seed and pre-seed cheques in one week suggest investors are still backing new companies, not only late-stage ones.
- AI and ecommerce drew the most attention, but healthtech, fintech and hardware also raised rounds. A narrow pitch backed by clear numbers still works outside the headline sectors.
- Look at who is active. Funds that wrote several cheques in a week, such as Blume Ventures and Antler, are worth researching if you are raising.
Remember that government support is a different route from venture funding. Our guide to the Startup India Fund of Funds explains how public money reaches startups through venture funds, and our guide to grants for tech startups covers non-dilutive options. For very early-stage support through incubators, read our guide to the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.
Source and notes
All figures come from Inc42’s weekly funding report published on 31 October 2026 and Entrackr’s weekly funding report for 19 to 24 October 2026. Totals can be revised as companies file with the registrar and as trackers update their data. We have not independently verified individual rounds.
