India Tech Report

Bhaktha Ram Keshavachar, Co-Founder and CEO of Chara Technologies

My guest today is Bhaktha Ram Keshavachar, founder and CEO of Chara Technologies, in Bengaluru. Chara is at the forefront of a technological shift that could reshape for the better India’s electric mobility landscape, and potentially make an impact overseas as well.

The mission is both urgent and ambitious: to build high-performance electric motors that are free of rare earth magnets — a critical component in most electric vehicles and industrial machines today.

Bhaktha and his fellow founders Ravi Prasad, the chief motor designer, and Mahalingam Koushik, the CTO at Chara, are engineering veterans from industry, each one bringing decades of experience to their entrepreneurial journey.

It started in late 2019, just as the world was heading into the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic. Recognizing the strategic risks posed by global dependence on rare earth minerals — with China controlling about 90 percent of the global refining and processing — and also the environmental impact, he and his team set out to engineer an alternative.

The result is a new generation of reluctance motors, designed and manufactured in India, that match or surpass the efficiency of traditional permanent-magnet motors, while sidestepping the environmental and geopolitical pitfalls of rare earth mining.L-R: Ravi Prasad, chief motor designer, Mahalingam Koushik, CTO, and Bhaktha Keshavachar, CEO at Chara Technologies are building a new generation of made-in-India reluctance motors

In this conversation, Bhaktha shares the technical and business challenges Chara has overcome — from early R&D pivots and tackling the challenge of torque ripple in reluctance motors, to building a pilot production facility and securing industry partnerships, including a manufacturing and distribution alliance with Greaves Cotton.

He discusses the hurdles of deep tech entrepreneurship in India, the evolving talent landscape, and Chara’s plan to take its products global.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, engineer, or simply curious about the future of cleaner technology, this episode offers an example of how Indian deep tech innovation is rising to meet one of the challenges of our era: building a sustainable, secure, and scalable electric future — one motor at a time.

Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech from India and around the world.

Global clean tech investments to hit 2X versus fossil fuels in 2025

Investment in clean technologies – renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification – is on course to hit a record $2.2 trillion this year, attracting twice as much capital as fossil fuels, according to the 2025 edition of the International Energy Agency’s annual World Energy Investment report, which was released earlier this month.

This reflects not only efforts to reduce emissions but also the growing influence of industrial policy, energy security concerns and the cost competitiveness of electricity-based solutions, the IEA said in a press release on June 5. Investment in oil, natural gas and coal is set to reach $1.1 trillion.

Overall, global energy investment is set to increase in 2025 to a record $3.3 trillion despite headwinds from elevated geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, according to the release.

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Deadline nears for comments on India’s draft climate finance taxonomy

There are just 10 days left to submit feedback to the Ministry of Finance on India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy, released last month. The taxonomy aims to define clear criteria for climate-aligned investments, boost green finance flows, and help India meet its net zero targets.

Stakeholders — including financial institutions, industry, and civil society — are encouraged to provide input to ensure the taxonomy supports credible, transparent, and effective climate action across the economy.

India’s solar boom curbs coal use as renewables hit record highs

Meanwhile, India’s solar power generation surged by 32.4 percent in the first four months of 2025, reaching a record 57.8TWh and boosting solar’s share of the electricity mix to 10 percent, Reuters reports.

This growth, alongside higher hydro output, helped keep coal-fired generation flat and cut natural gas-fired output by 27 percent. In May, coal power output fell 9.5 percent year-on-year, the steepest drop in five years, as renewables hit record highs and overall power demand declined. While coal remains India’s dominant energy source, clean power’s share continues to grow.

Trump to scrap Biden-era rule on pension funds considering ESG

In the US, the Department of Labor, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has announced plans to overturn a Biden-era rule that allowed pension funds to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions and shareholder voting, Green Central Banking reported, citing ESG Dive.

SkyNRG raises €300 million to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel production

In Europe, Dutch company SkyNRG has secured €300 million — led by asset managers APG and Macquarie — to build three large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants in Europe and North America, Tech Funding News reports. The flagship facility in the Netherlands will use green hydrogen and captured CO₂ to cut emissions by over 80 percent compared with regular jet fuel.

SkyNRG’s integrated approach, strict sustainability standards, and partnerships with airlines and corporations aim to make SAF mainstream and help aviation reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

ScaleFund III raises €12M to back tech scale-ups in Benelux and France

Also in Europe, Belgian venture capital firm ScaleFund has launched its third fund, ScaleFund III, with an initial close of €12 million, targeting €30 million to support tech-driven companies in digital transformation, cleantech, and deeptech across Benelux and France.

Led by Managing Partner Claire Munck, the fund focuses on hands-on support for companies beyond the startup phase, emphasizing diversity — 40 percent of prior investments were in women-led ventures — and aims to fill the funding gap for early-stage scale-ups with strong growth potential.

Synthetic graphite production can be decarbonized with renewables and green hydrogen, study finds

A new study finds that synthetic graphite production, crucial for electric vehicle batteries, can cut its high carbon emissions by adopting renewable energy and green hydrogen, Climate Insider reports.

By switching 20–80 percent of energy sources, factories could reduce emissions by up to 70 percent. While decarbonization may increase production costs, surging demand and regulatory pressure make these measures increasingly necessary, according to the report.

Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech from India and around the world.

Mistral AI launches enterprise coding assistant to rival GitHub Copilot

Mistral AI has introduced Mistral Code, a new enterprise-focused coding assistant designed to compete directly with GitHub Copilot. The tool offers on-premises deployment, robust data privacy, and deep customization for company codebases.

Built on the open-source Continue project, it features role-based access, audit logs, and 24/7 support, supporting over 80 programming languages. Mistral Code aims to address key concerns in enterprise AI adoption, particularly around security and seamless integration.

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Hello Tomorrow spotlights 850 deep tech pioneers and award winners

The 10th Hello Tomorrow Global Summit in Paris showcased 850 pioneering deep tech startups, with Nūmi (France), spotLESS Materials Inc (USA), and Papcup (UK) winning top honors. The event highlighted breakthroughs in AI for drug formulation, carbon capture, and sustainable materials, while emphasizing the importance of global collaboration and strategic partnerships for scaling deep tech ventures.

Pixxel wins second iDEX grant to develop payloads for IAF

Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space tech startup, has secured its second SPARK grant from the Ministry of Defence’s iDEX initiative to develop advanced hyperspectral and mid-wave infrared (MWIR) payloads for the Indian Air Force.

This funding, under the iDEX DISC 8 Challenge 6.2, will help Pixxel deploy its optical engineering and satellite manufacturing expertise to deliver next-generation, security-grade Earth observation technologies, enhancing India’s airborne and space-based imaging capabilities.

The grant builds on Pixxel’s prior selection for miniaturized multi-payload satellites and underscores the government’s growing confidence in indigenous innovation and Pixxel’s technology stack.

Hyperbots raises $6.5 million to automate finance with AI co-pilots

Hyperbots secured $6.5 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered finance automation platform. The startup’s “agentic” AI co-pilots handle complex accounting tasks, aiming to reduce manual work by up to 80 percent accurately, with a focus on fintech, the Indo-US startup said in a press release.

IG Drones to equip its UAVs with VoxelSensors tech

IG Drones, a startup in Noida, near New Delhi, has announced a strategic partnership with Belgium’s VoxelSensors to integrate next-generation 3D perception systems into its UAV platforms. This will help its fleet to navigate GPS-denied and visually complex environments such as dense forests, tunnels, and urban zones, IG Drones said in a press release.

Nandan Nilekani renews support for AI4Bharat to boost India’s language AI infrastructure

Nandan Nilekani has committed a second multi-year grant to AI4Bharat, a research lab at IIT Madras building open-source AI models for Indian languages. Nilekani’s support recognizes AI4Bharat’s pivotal role in powering multilingual digital services across governance, finance, and agriculture, with its models adopted by platforms like Bhashini and the Supreme Court’s SUVAS.

The value of the grant was not specified in the press release, but multiple news reports peg his total commitment to AI4Bharat at Rs. 70 crore. That probably means the second grant was Rs. 34 crore, because his first grant was Rs. 36 crore in 2022.

Okay so, for those of you who might be interested, last week I brought you a roundup of noteworthy deep tech developments in India in 2025.

Are operators with experience better at startups?

Before I wrap up, here are some interesting findings from broader survey of Indian startups. A study by Traxcn, a private markets intelligence provider, commissioned by RTP Global, an early-stage VC firm, highlights an increase in operator-led startups in India, with 238 former operators founding ventures from 2022 to 2024.

These startups are outpacing peers by reaching seed funding faster, raising larger rounds, and securing more investor backing—especially in capital-intensive sectors like fintech, energy, and logistics. In 2024, operator-led startups raised $101 million, a 243 percent jump from 2023, accounting for 11.5 percent of all venture funding.

They also progress to Series A at higher rates and command higher valuations, indicating operational experience gives founders a decisive edge. The trend reflects a shift in India’s startup ecosystem, where founder expertise and execution are increasingly valued.

That’s it for today. You can find links to all the headlines in the show notes, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to support my work, all you’ve to do is follow this podcast.

Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech from India and around the world.

TruAlt Bioenergy gains OMC status, to launch 100 flex-fuel retail outlets across India

TruAlt Bioenergy, an ethanol producer, has secured ‘Oil Marketing Company’ (OMC) status, enabling it to retail fuels nationwide. The company will soon launch some 100 flex-fuel outlets in Karnataka and Maharashtra, offering ethanol, Bio-CNG, petrol, diesel, and EV services.

This move positions TruAlt among the first private biofuel firms with OMC authorisation, supporting India’s clean energy transition and rural development. TruAlt’s expansion is expected to generate 2,000 jobs and advance the country’s ethanol blending and sustainable mobility goals.

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Eastman Auto & Power and Vande Bharat E-Vehicles sign ₹50 crore MoU to boost lithium-ion battery adoption in EVs

Eastman Auto & Power Ltd. (EAPL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vande Bharat E-Vehicles to supply lithium-ion batteries worth ₹50 crore annually for electric three-wheelers.

The partnership aims to accelerate India’s electric mobility transition by powering Vande Bharat’s E-Rickshaws with advanced batteries, making EV adoption more accessible for commercial drivers nationwide. The collaboration will also drive innovation in battery leasing and strengthen Eastman’s leadership in the e-rickshaw battery segment, supporting India’s clean energy and net-zero ambitions.

BEL, Metamind, and Persistent Systems sign MoU to deliver AI-driven software solutions across sectors

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Metamind Systems, and Persistent Systems have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop innovative software products and services in data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity.

The collaboration will target sectors including defence, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and smart cities, with a focus on opportunities in India, the US, and Latin America. This partnership leverages BEL’s defence expertise, Metamind’s digital platforms, and Persistent’s global digital engineering capabilities to drive next-generation technology solutions across multiple industries.

IIT Madras launches School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to boost campus startup ecosystem

IIT Madras has inaugurated its School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to provide structured academic and research support for campus startups, Higher Education Review reports. The new school will offer programs, funding, and research opportunities, including an MS in Entrepreneurship starting July 2025, and aims to consolidate all innovation initiatives under one umbrella.

The school will also introduce IITM-specific funding mechanisms for startups and is considering new practice-led degrees and an ‘Innovation Doctorate.’ IIT Madras Incubation Cell supported 104 new startups in the fiscal year 2024–25, cementing the institute’s leadership in India’s deep-tech startup landscape.

Greaves Electric Mobility appoints Vikas Singh as Managing Director to drive next growth phase

In some news on top executive movement, Greaves Electric Mobility Limited (GEML), the electric vehicle arm of Greaves Cotton, has appointed Vikas Singh as its new Managing Director, effective 2 June 2025.

Singh, an alumnus of FMS, University of Delhi, brings extensive leadership experience from top Indian and multinational firms. He will oversee GEML’s management team and spearhead the company’s growth in India’s expanding EV market.

That’s it for today. You can find links to all the headlines in the show notes, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to support my work, all you’ve to do is follow this podcast.

Karthee Madasamy, Founding Managing Partner at MFV Partners.

My guest today is Karthee Madasamy, founding managing partner at MFV Partners, a US-based early-stage deep-tech focused VC firm.

In this episode, Karthee gives us a quick overview of MFV’s $25 million Harper Court Ventures Fund 1 – a specialized vehicle bridging academic research and commercial viability for the deep tech startups coming out of University of Chicago.

He talks about how the fund addresses critical gaps in early-stage ecosystems through “smart funding,” meaning combining capital with hands-on operational support, to translate lab breakthroughs into viable companies.

The model focuses on high-impact sectors where UChicago holds world-class capabilities, including quantum computing, life sciences, energy, and artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional VC, the fund embeds itself in the university’s innovation pipeline – collaborating with accelerators, tapping extensive alumni networks, and guiding startups from IP validation to Series A readiness.

Early bets include Flow Medical, which is developing a next-generation catheter-based therapy to treat acute pulmonary embolism,

SimCare AI, which is developing a platform for clinical skills training and evaluation, and Beacon, which is developing technology that eliminates viruses, bacteria, and molds from air and surfaces.

Karthee also briefly discusses potential takeaways and best practices from partnerships such as the Harper Court fund, which are not new in the US, for India’s emerging deep tech ecosystem. MFV’s investments in India include Ati Motors, an autonomous mobile robots company in Bengaluru, and EV energy infrastructure company Sun Mobility.

Daily brief on deep tech and climate tech from India and around the world.

US scientists alarmed as Trump’s proposed budget slashes NASA science funding by half

US scientists have condemned President Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal, which seeks to cut NASA’s science funding by 47 percent and reduce its workforce by a third. The plan would cancel 41 missions, including the Mars Sample Return and OSIRIS-APEX, and halt collaborations like the Rosalind Franklin rover.

Key Earth and astrophysics projects would also be axed, risking $12 billion in taxpayer investment, in operating missions alone, and undermining climate research. While the proposal faces bipartisan opposition in the US Congress, scientists warn that even temporary enactment could cause lasting damage to US space science and international partnerships.

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IonQ to acquire Oxford Ionics in $1.08 billion deal to boost quantum capabilities

IonQ, a leading US quantum computing company, yesterday announced an agreement to acquire UK-based Oxford Ionics for $1.08 billion, mostly in stock. The deal aims to combine IonQ’s quantum hardware and software expertise with Oxford Ionics’ quantum chip technology, accelerating advances in the field. The transaction, which includes $10 million in cash, is expected to close in 2025 pending regulatory approvals.

Founded in 2015 by physicists Christopher Monroe and Jungsang Kim, IonQ became the first pure-play quantum computing company to go public on the New York Stock Exchange in October 2021. The company is credited with advancing the use of trapped-ion technology, which is said to offer higher stability of qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers, and coherence, which refers to the ability of a quantum system, such as a qubit, to maintain a well-defined phase relationship between its different states.

Bhashini to build AI-powered multilingual services for Indian Railways

In some news on India’s population-scale AI efforts, the Digital India Bhashini Division and Centre for Railway Information Systems have signed an MoU to integrate advanced multilingual AI solutions into Indian Railways’ digital platforms, the ministry of electronics and IT said in a statement yesterday.

Using Bhashini’s technology stack — including speech recognition, translation, and text-to-speech — railway services such as the National Train Enquiry System and RailMadad will become accessible in 22 Indian languages.

The partnership aims to improve accessibility, efficiency, and transparency for millions of passengers, with plans to roll out chatbots, voice assistants, and multilingual interfaces across web, mobile, kiosks, and call centers. Pilot deployments and technical workshops will begin in the coming months.

Vecmocon, EV tech startup, raises $18 million from EIF, Aavishkaar, BII

Okay, some news from the world of EVs in India. Vecmocon Technologies, an EV components startup in New Delhi, has secured $18 million in Series A funding led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund, with participation from Aavishkaar Capital, British International Investment, and existing investor Blume Ventures.

Vecmocon develops advanced battery management and vehicle intelligence systems for electric vehicles, with its technology already equipping some 100,000 EVs in India, the company said in a press release. It was founded in 2016 by Peeyush Asati, Adarshkumar Balaraman, and Shivam Wankhede, and incubated at IIT Delhi.

The new investment will help the entrepreneurs fund market expansion and R&D.

Shipping industry faces hurdles as it navigates new net zero rules

The shipping industry, responsible for about 3 percent of global emissions, faces a pivotal period as it seeks scalable zero-emission solutions and adapts to stricter climate policies, Reuters reported last week.

The sector must cut the greenhouse gas intensity of its fuel by 30 percent by 2035 and 65 percent by 2040 under new global regulations, with the International Maritime Organization introducing emissions thresholds and a pricing mechanism starting in 2028. While innovations like wind-assisted propulsion and biofuels are emerging, concerns remain over the sustainability of some fuels and market uncertainty, according to Reuters.

Microsoft’s deal for low-carbon cement from MIT-spinout Sublime

Microsoft recently agreed to buy up to 622,500 metric tonnes of low-carbon cement from Sublime Systems, a US startup, over the next six to nine years, aiming to reduce emissions from its data center and infrastructure construction. The deal uses new environmental certificates to claim emissions reductions, even when the cement isn’t used directly by Microsoft.

Sublime’s electrochemical process avoids the carbon emissions of traditional cement production. The agreement will help scale Sublime’s technology and accelerate the adoption of cleaner construction materials in an industry responsible for about 8 percent of global CO₂ emissions.

Sublime was founded at MIT by Dr. Leah Ellis and Prof. Yet-Ming Chiang, both respected experts in materials science, electrochemical systems, and sustainability research. The company has raised over $200M in funding from leading climate tech investors, global cement incumbents, and cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Gridcare uses AI to unlock hidden grid capacity for data centers

Gridcare, a US startup founded by entrepreneur Amit Narayan, uses generative AI to map and analyze the US electrical grid, according to a TechCrunch report. The startup, which has raised $13.5 million in seed funding recently, could potentially identify more than 100 gigawatts of untapped capacity for data centers, Narayan tells TechCrunch.

By matching data center developers with utilities and factoring in variables such as fiber connectivity, weather, and regulations, Gridcare aims to help hyperscalers bypass long waits for grid connection. It charges developers based on the megawatts it unlocks, offering a cost-effective alternative to building private power plants.

So far, North American startups have secured over $22.37 billion in funding for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, altenergymag.com reports. Some $130 million of that was raised in 2025 to date.

Investors grow cautious on direct air capture despite climate tech boom

Once a darling of climate tech, direct air capture (DAC) startups in the US have seen a 60 percent drop in venture investment this year amid political uncertainty and wavering corporate commitments, Bloomberg reported early last month.

With government incentives at risk and high costs per tonne, the DAC sector faces a challenging path to scale, even as overall climate tech investment rises. This shift raises concerns about the sector’s ability to deliver on long-term carbon removal goals, Bloomberg Reporter Coco Liu writes in that insightful piece.

Stride Green raises $3.5 million to boost tech-enabled clean energy asset financing

Stride Green, in New Delhi, has secured $3.5 million in seed funding to expand its innovative financing and leasing solutions for renewable energy, electric mobility, and battery storage. The company’s green finance portfolio now exceeds $120 million, supporting more than 3,000 cleantech assets and reflecting India’s surging climate tech investment.

Stride Green was started last year by the well-known venture debt focused VC, Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, founder and managing partner at Stride Ventures, along with Vivek Jain, co-founder and chief business officer.

Vishal Kataria, AVP and member of investment team, Ankur Capital

My guest today is Vishal Katariya, a member of the investment team at Ankur Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm in Mumbai. Vishal is based in Bengaluru.

It’s World Environment Day today, and Vishal’s here to talk about why and how India is uniquely positioned to lead in building climate solutions that work for the world. Vishal is one of the authors of Ankur’s recent report on private investments in climate tech, titled Transforming India’s Core Sectors, along with Ankur’s founding managing partner Ritu Verma, Shiva Shanker, a partner, and Debansh Sahoo, who’s also on the firm’s investment team.

To quote from a brief on the report, entrepreneurs are drawing on India’s deep talent pool, a problem-solving mindset shaped by constraint, and a lived understanding of the Global South – not to chase emissions reductions alone, but because industries increasingly recognize that rethinking how we produce, grow, move, and power things is critical to staying competitive and creating long-term economic value in a changing world.

The report presents a data-backed analysis of how startups and venture investments are shaping these efforts. It tracks 2020–2024 funding trends across India and global markets in five sectors: energy, food and land use, transportation, industrial decarbonization, and carbon and climate management.

In this conversation, Vishal walks us through a quick overview of Ankur’s findings and briefly touches upon the implications for founders and investors.

India’s deep tech sector gains momentum through April 2025

India’s deep tech sector witnessed some serious momentum heading into May. Notably, deep tech startups attracted $324 million in funding in the first four months of 2025, more than double the previous year’s figure for the same period, Economic Times reported, citing data from Venture Intelligence.

While the absolute number is modest, compared with the leading deep tech hubs of the world, this increase does reflect growing investor confidence, and a gradually maturing ecosystem in India. Now here are 10 noteworthy developments in deep tech in India in 2025, in no particular order.

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1. Netradyne’s $90 million investment

Netradyne, an AI-powered fleet management platform, secured $90 million led by Qualcomm Ventures and Point72 Ventures. Their cutting-edge computer vision and deep learning solutions are transforming real-time driver and fleet safety analytics.

2. SpotDraft’s $54 million raise

SpotDraft, specializing in AI-based contract management, raised $54 million. Its platform leverages machine learning to automate and optimize legal contract workflows for enterprises in India and beyond.

3. Infinite Uptime’s $35 million for predictive maintenance

Infinite Uptime, a predictive maintenance platform, raised $35 million. The company uses IoT and AI to monitor industrial equipment, reducing downtime and boosting operational efficiency.

4. Tonbo Imaging’s $21 million for defense tech

Tonbo Imaging, a leader in advanced imaging and sensor systems for defense, secured $21 million. Their technology enhances surveillance, targeting, and situational awareness for the armed forces.

5. Inspecity’s $19.5 million series A funding

Inspecity Space, a Mumbai-based startup focused on in-orbit satellite servicing and space robotics, raised $19.5 million in a Series A round led by Nexus Venture Partners. This funding will help accelerate the development of India’s first in-orbit satellite servicing missions.

6. Agnikul Cosmos: 3D-printed rocket engine advances

Agnikul Cosmos, incubated at IIT Madras, conducted further advanced tests on its 3D-printed rocket engine. The company’s milestones highlight India’s private space tech capabilities in advanced manufacturing and innovation.

7. Mindgrove Technologies: indigenous semiconductor breakthrough

Mindgrove Technologies, a fabless semiconductor startup, successfully taped out its 28nm Secure-IOT chip based on RISC-V architecture. This chip strengthens India’s domestic hardware ecosystem and reduces reliance on imports.

8. ImmunoAct’s indigenous CAR-T cell therapy

ImmunoAct, in collaboration with IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital, developed an indigenous CAR-T cell therapy for cancer. This breakthrough offers advanced, locally developed treatment options for Indian patients.

9. India’s sovereign AI efforts

The IndiaAI Mission has now named four startups to build AI models for the country. These are Sarvam AI, Soket AI, Gnani AI and Gan AI. IndiaAI allocated ₹10,372 crore (approx. $1.25 billion) to accelerate AI research and talent development.

10. Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging satellites

Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space tech startup, is building a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites. These will provide high-resolution, real-time imagery for agriculture, climate monitoring, and disaster response, positioning India as a leader in commercial space applications.

India poised to become global leader in AI and deep tech, say experts

India is at a pivotal moment to lead the world in artificial intelligence and deep tech, leveraging its vast digital data resources, according to global experts at the India Global Innovation Connect 2025 in Bengaluru, Times of India reports.

Speakers highlighted India’s strategic advantage in data, the need for deeper process reforms, and urgent educational changes to prepare for quantum and AI-driven futures.

Industry leaders emphasized that integrating AI into enterprise systems will be a key competitive edge, unlocking productivity and growth. India’s momentum positions it as a potential global hub for technological breakthroughs in the coming decade.

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Accenture and NVIDIA partner to help AI startups scale enterprise solutions

Accenture has announced an expanded initiative, in collaboration with NVIDIA Inception, to help high-potential AI startups transition from breakthrough ideas to scalable enterprise solutions, the tech services and consulting giant said in a press release.

The program will provide startups with market intelligence, technical workshops, and access to Accenture’s industry expertise and NVIDIA’s developer ecosystem.

The first phase targets marketing and customer experience AI solutions, aiming to accelerate innovation and enterprise readiness. The partnership is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and market impact, supporting startups in delivering meaningful, industry-wide transformation.

AI, blockchain, and IoT to boost climate tech innovation in 2025

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing climate tech in 2025, AppInventiv, an on-demand software developer, notes in a blogpost.

AI is enabling smarter sustainability by optimizing energy use, managing emissions, and building climate resilience. Blockchain is enhancing transparency in carbon credit trading and emission tracking, while IoT devices provide real-time environmental monitoring for air, water, and soil quality.

These tools are empowering startups to create scalable, transparent, and effective solutions for global sustainability challenges, opening new opportunities for impact and profitability in climate action.

Zurich startup Jua raises €10M to launch AI-based Earth simulation platform

Jua, a Zurich-based climate tech startup, has secured €10 million in Series A funding to accelerate the rollout of its AI-based Earth simulation platform, Tech Startups reports. The platform uses proprietary physics-based models to forecast weather and energy market dynamics, helping energy companies and other industries make better planning decisions.

The round was co-led by Ananda Impact Ventures and Future Energy Ventures, with existing backers also participating. Jua claims its Earth Intelligence platform is the world’s most advanced in its category, promising to enhance climate and energy risk forecasting for commercial applications.

Leading venture funds launch coalition for deep tech investment in New Mexico

A new coalition for deep tech investment has been launched by leading venture funds in partnership with Roadrunner Venture Studios and the New Mexico State Investment Council, Quantum Insider reports. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between frontier science in laboratories and the venture capital needed to commercialize world-changing ideas.

Organizers emphasize that deep tech startups require different support structures compared to traditional startups, focusing on long-term, high-impact innovations in fields like quantum computing, advanced materials, and climate solutions.