From billion-dollar ambitions to equity-free support for women entrepreneurs, the Indian startup ecosystem continues to show resilience and purpose. In the first week of June (May 31–June 6), funding flows stayed steady, but what stood out was the nature of deals — strategic, impactful, and often mission-driven.
While overall venture capital inflow has been fluctuating between $100–200 million in recent weeks, this week showcased a mix of large pre-IPO bets, social impact initiatives, fintech innovations, and efforts to democratise access to both capital and services. Here’s a look at the most notable funding stories that defined the week:
TICE Funding Index
Medibuddy Secures $130M Pre-IPO Round to Expand Digital Healthcare
Leading the funding charts this week is Medibuddy, a digital health platform that raised $130 million in a pre-IPO funding round. The round is being advised by Avendus Capital and includes participation from institutional investors.
The funds will be used to bolster Medibuddy’s infrastructure, strengthen digital diagnostics, and scale its operations nationwide — particularly targeting underserved regions in India.
This development not only signals investor confidence in health-tech but also underscores the growing demand for affordable and accessible healthcare solutions, especially beyond urban centers.
Udaan Raises $114M to Boost FMCG Supply Chains in Bharat
In one of the other major transactions this week, B2B e-commerce platform Udaan raised $114 million in a growth round led by M&G Investments and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
The Bengaluru-based startup aims to deepen its presence in the FMCG and staples category, particularly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. Udaan plans to use the fresh capital to enhance its supply chain capabilities and improve product access for small retailers and kirana stores.
The deal reflects a renewed investor focus on tech-enabled solutions that empower traditional retail in emerging markets.
Stable Money Closes $20M Series B for Fixed-Income Investment Tools
Fintech platform Stable Money announced the closing of its $20 million Series B round, led by Fundamentum Partnership (co-founded by Nandan Nilekani), with participation from Aditya Birla Ventures, RTP Global, Z47, and Lightspeed.
The startup provides fixed-income investment products tailored for India’s middle class, focusing on security and predictable returns. The fresh funding will help Stable Money expand its offerings and build investor trust in non-volatile wealth-building instruments.
GyanDhan Raises ₹50 Cr to Support Higher Education Aspirations
In the ed-fintech space, GyanDhan secured ₹50 crore in funding, led by Classplus and Pravega Ventures. The startup provides education loans for students pursuing studies in India and abroad.
With this funding, GyanDhan plans to expand its loan portfolio and offer more tailored financing solutions for aspirational learners, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Pepperfry Secures ₹43.3 Cr in Bridge Round for Operational Expansion
Online furniture and home décor retailer Pepperfry raised ₹43.3 crore in a bridge funding round. The capital came from existing investors, including Norwest Venture Partners, Goldman Sachs, Panthera Growth, and GE Pension Trust.
This interim round is expected to support the company’s operational needs and drive growth ahead of a potential strategic shift or public listing.
HSBC Launches Venture Debt Fund for Indian Startups
In a significant development for the funding landscape, HSBC announced a dedicated venture debt fund for Indian startups. While equity funding continues to dominate headlines, this new facility will offer structured debt options to growth-stage companies.
The move aims to provide alternative capital pathways to founders looking to scale without diluting ownership, indicating the maturing nature of India’s funding ecosystem.
IIT Kanpur and SBI Foundation Launch ‘Startup Innovations for Social Good’
In a notable academia-industry collaboration, IIT Kanpur and SBI Foundation have introduced the Impact Innovation Fund to support early-stage startups focused on social impact.
The initiative will provide mentorship, funding, and incubation support to ventures addressing challenges like clean energy, water access, and rural healthcare — reflecting a growing trend of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Prosus Awards $100K in Equity-Free Grants to Women Founders
Global tech investor Prosus concluded its inaugural FoundHER Challenge by awarding $100,000 in equity-free grants to four women-led Indian startups. The initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in startup funding and support women building scalable, tech-driven solutions.
This program is especially significant in an ecosystem where women-led startups still receive a disproportionately low share of VC capital.
The Bigger Picture: Funding with Impact
While this week’s total funding volume may not have crossed record highs, the quality and intent of the deals signal a deeper transformation. From enabling digital healthcare and empowering local retailers to supporting female founders and student ambitions, the Indian startup ecosystem is not just growing — it’s evolving with purpose.
In an era where capital alone is no longer the story, these startups are showing how impact-driven innovation is the new funding frontier.
