early stage startups

To Leverage Deep-Tech Ventures, TN Must Loosen Pursestrings, Enable Industrial Participation & Develop Risk-Taking Appetite

Plans ₹500cr To ₹1000cr investment in 5 Years

By 2026, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will have become two of tennis’ biggest financial powerhouses on the back of their Grand Slam wins, record prize money and global endorsement deals. The total wealth of the two indicates the rise of commercial dominance, luxury lifestyle and long-term investments. Both continue to shape the development of the economics of modern tennis through performance, brand and growing international influence in markets around the world.

Dismissed by Ashneer Grover with a curt 'Tu baith jaa yaar' four years ago, Rounak Adhikary's startup, ProjectX, has now been accepted into the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator. Overcoming over 200 rejections and personal bankruptcy, Adhikary's journey, shaped by childhood bullying and a slow computer, highlights resilience and unwavering conviction in pursuing ambitious dreams against all odds.

Sam Altman announced OpenAI will invest $2 million in AI tokens in each startup from the latest Y Combinator batch in exchange for equity. This move aims to reduce startups' AI infrastructure costs and encourage the use of OpenAI's technology.

AI firm Anthropic is reportedly in early discussions with Microsoft to rent server space powered by the tech giant's custom-designed AI processors. This move aims to diversify Anthropic's hardware backend and reduce reliance on Nvidia, following a significant infrastructure deal with Google. The potential partnership underscores a broader industry trend of reducing dependence on Nvidia's dominant AI chips.

Gen Subramani’s four-decade military career spans some of India’s most sensitive theatres, including counter-insurgency ops in Northeast, command of a premier strike formation on the Pakistan front, and leadership of 17 Mountain Division that guards the China border

The exuberance of Indian investors has pushed valuations so high that MNCs as well as PE/VC funds are seizing the opportunity to exit

A Times Techies discussion in partnership with Accenture brought together senior leaders from ANSR, Inspire Brands and Deutsche Boerse to examine what it will take for India’s global capability centres to lead, not merely support, the AI-driven enterprise of tomorrow.

At Galgotias University, students are building careers across leading global organisations, startups, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship-driven ventures.

So why is America’s Silicon Valley handing Indian-born CEOs the keys to the kingdom in the age of AI? Perhaps because, in the old Silicon Valley debate between Founder Mode and Manager Mode, the age of AI has elevated a third figure: the Operator. For that, we have to, as this column promises, go deep into the rabbit hole.

A former American football coach, David Steele, sees India's sports tech potential as immense. He believes the nation's ability to connect its vast grassroots networks with technology is key. Steele, now scouting startups, highlights how Indian innovators are building entire sporting systems, unlike the US focus on optimizing existing ones. This approach promises to democratize talent identification and development.

Companies often chase numbers for hyper-growth, overlooking a critical step. Airbnb's early success stemmed from understanding users one by one, not just data. This intimate approach built trust and loyalty. Focusing on individual experiences creates sustainable growth. This customer-centric model is key for brand representation and long-term success in any industry.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasizes operational rigor, learned from washing dishes, as crucial for hyper-growth, debunking the myth that only engineering brilliance and funding suffice. He advocates for first principles thinking and meticulous attention to mundane tasks, arguing that this foundational discipline builds resilient, scalable tech companies capable of sustainable excellence.

US-based Silicon Road Ventures and veteran banker Ajay Mahajan have launched a Rs 150 crore fund targeting startups in agentic AI for commerce and retail. The Sebi-registered fund will back early-stage companies in e-commerce, supply chain, fintech, and retail operations, focusing on automated decision-making solutions rather than capital-intensive ventures.

Telangana's booming food sector, encompassing processing, agri-tech, and exports, has spurred demand for skilled professionals. The state's higher education council has launched a new BBA in Food Technology, Food Security, and Agriculture, integrating science, business, and policy. This interdisciplinary program aims to equip graduates for evolving industry needs, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical market demands.

Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi are a very recognizable tennis pair, and they have an estimated net worth in 2026 of $290 million. They’ve become wealthy by winning Grand Slams, signing multiyear contracts and other investments. Both benefited from the brand equity, business pursuits and financial planning that they developed during and after their successful professional tennis careers.

A startup founder is spending ₹8 lakh monthly on non-revenue generating employees, challenging the common startup hiring mindset. He realized that by delegating operational tasks, he frees up his valuable founder bandwidth to focus on scaling the business. This approach ensures the company functions smoothly, allowing revenue-generating teams to perform effectively.

IDFC FIRST Bank launched a Business Multiplier Credit Card for entrepreneurs, addressing the gap in credit access for startups. Issued against a fixed deposit, the secured card offers a lower interest rate, zero forex markup, and a 100% credit limit, simplifying financial management for small businesses.

Former NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani advocates for India to leverage Artificial Intelligence to boost human productivity, not replace workers. He emphasizes combining AI with India's vast workforce, focusing on practical applications in healthcare, education, and agriculture, rather than solely pursuing robotics. Virmani also stresses early AI education integration and government support for AI research and development.