As the venture capital winter begins to thaw, the third week of February 2026 has proven that the Indian startup engine is firing on all cylinders. From massive infrastructure bets to niche deep-tech breakthroughs, the ecosystem witnessed a staggering $705 million in capital across 21 deals.
For anyone tracking the pulse of Indian entrepreneurship, this week was not just about the numbers; it was a clear signal of where the “Smart Money” is heading next.
The Big Pivot: AI and Deep-Tech Take Centre Stage
While fintech and e-commerce have long been the darlings of investors, the tide is turning toward capital-intensive, high-moat technologies. The headline-grabber of the week was undoubtedly Neysa, an AI cloud infrastructure firm that secured a massive $600 million in a round led by Blackstone.
This deal alone accounted for a lion’s share of the weekly total, proving that India is no longer just a software-service hub but a serious contender in global AI infrastructure.
Key Highlights of the Week:
- The AI Wave: Neysa’s $600M equity infusion (plus $600M in debt) signals a shift toward sovereign AI capabilities.
- Wealth-Tech Growth: Stable Money raised $25 million, led by Peak XV Partners, underscoring the appetite for retail investment platforms.
- The EV Charging Boom: Statiq secured $18 million from Tenacity Ventures and Shell Ventures to expand India’s electric vehicle charging network.
Top Funding Deals That Defined the Week
To help you stay ahead of the curve, here are the most significant moves in the Indian startup ecosystem right now:
| Startup | Sector | Amount Raised | Lead Investors |
| Neysa | AI Cloud | $600 Million | Blackstone, TVS Capital |
| Stable Money | Fintech | $25 Million | Peak XV Partners, Z47 |
| Statiq | CleanTech (EV) | $18 Million | Tenacity Ventures, Shell |
| IDfy | RegTech | $52 Million | Neo Asset Management |
| C2i Semiconductors | DeepTech | $15 Million | Peak XV Partners |
Why Investors are Betting Big on Indian Semiconductors and Healthcare
Beyond the mega-deals, the “early-stage” momentum is perhaps the most exciting part of this week’s roundup. C2i Semiconductors and Vervesemi collectively pulled in $25 million, highlighting a renewed national focus on hardware and chip design.
In healthcare, Peptris, an AI-driven drug discovery startup, raised ₹70 crore. This blend of biology and artificial intelligence is quickly becoming one of the most lucrative sectors for venture capitalists looking for long-term impact.
The Road Ahead: What Does This Mean for Founders?
For founders looking for startup funding in India, the 2026 playbook is clear: Unit economics and defensible IP are non-negotiable. The days of “growth at any cost” are over. Investors like Peak XV (which just raised a fresh $1.3 billion independent fund) and Qualcomm Ventures (committing $150 million to India) are looking for startups that solve “hard problems.” Whether it’s last-mile EV logistics with Pluto Mobility or 3D home décor with Artociti (fresh off a Shark Tank win), the focus is on sustainable, scalable business models.
Final Thoughts: A Maturing Ecosystem
The jump from $203 million last week to over $700 million this week is no fluke. It reflects a maturing market where institutional giants like Blackstone are comfortable making big bets on Indian soil. As we move further into 2026, expect deep-tech, climate-tech, and AI-led SaaS to dominate the headlines of Business Outreach Magazine.
