A comprehensive overview of key entrepreneurship and startup developments globally during March 2025:
Startup Launches & Entrepreneurial Initiatives
Also, Inc. (USA)
On March 26, 2025, Rivian Automotive spun off its micromobility division into a standalone company named Also, Inc. Based in the United States, Also, Inc. focuses on designing and developing small, lightweight electric vehicles tailored for urban and short-range travel needs. This move aims to address global transportation challenges by providing sustainable, electrified mobility solutions.
Zor – Empowering Rural India
Harvard MBA students Rea Savla and Vishesh Mehta co-founded Zor, a startup providing modular, pay-per-use batteries powered by grid or solar energy. Aimed at rural Indian farmers, Zor’s solution reduces reliance on costly diesel, lowering energy expenses and enhancing productivity. Pilots in Odisha and Jharkhand have shown promising adoption rates.
Jharkhand Startup Policy 2023 (India)
In March 2025, the state of Jharkhand, India, began implementing its new Startup Policy 2023, aiming to develop at least 1,000 startups by 2028. The policy introduces a digital platform (http://abvil.jharkhand.gov.in) for entrepreneurs to submit their startup ideas. The initiative focuses on creating a favorable ecosystem by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, with the goal of positioning Jharkhand among the top 10 startup-friendly states in India.
Startup Maha Rathi Challenge (India)
Launched in March 2025, the Startup Maha Rathi Challenge offers a ₹30 crore prize pool to support startups in sectors like sustainability, energy transition, and deep tech. Shortlisted startups presented their ideas virtually between March 15 and March 25, aiming to gain access to industry leaders, investors, and global markets.
Regional Insights
- MENA Region: Startups raised $127 million in March 2025, contributing to a Q1 total of $1.5 billion.
- Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): Notable funding rounds included fintech and healthtech startups, reflecting growing investor interest in the region.
Global Startup Funding Highlights
Major Funding Rounds
- Supabase: Raised $200 million to enhance its open-source database platform.
- Manychat: Secured $140 million to expand its chatbot marketing solutions.
- Electra: Obtained $115 million for the development of hybrid electric aircraft.
- Artisan: An AI startup focused on automating business tasks, garnered $25 million in Series A funding.
- Nexthop AI secured $110 million in a funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, marking one of the largest AI investments of the month.
- Scimplify, a specialty chemicals startup, raised $40 million in a Series B round co-led by Accel and Bertelsmann India Investments.
- Grow Indigo, an agritech firm, obtained $10 million from British International Investment to expand its sustainability programs across India.
- Gramiyaa, a cold-pressed oil brand, raised Rs 7.2 crore in a pre-Series A round led by Homegrown Ventures, Campus Fund, and Mumbai Angels.
- Nabhdrishti Aerospace secured $3 million in seed funding from Accel to advance its aerospace engine prototypes and expand its team.
IPO Activities
- eToro: The social trading platform filed for an IPO in the U.S., aiming for a valuation exceeding $5 billion.
- Klarna: The Swedish fintech company filed its IPO prospectus in March 2025, planning to go public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “KLAR.”
- Licious, an online meat and seafood retailer, announced plans to go public within 12–18 months, targeting a $2 billion valuation. The company aims to expand its market presence and product range.
Sectoral Trends
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- AI continues to dominate investment trends, with startups like Artisan leading the charge in automating business processes.
- AI & Deep Tech: Significant investments flowed into AI and deep tech sectors, with startups like Nexthop AI leading the way.
Healthcare Technology
- Healthcare startups are experiencing increased investor interest, particularly those integrating AI to enhance patient care and streamline clinical operations
- Healthcare: Startups such as Scimplify attracted substantial funding, indicating investor confidence in healthtech innovations.
Agrritech
- Agritech: Companies like Grow Indigo received funding to enhance sustainable agricultural practices.
Policy & Regulatory Developments
- Union Budget 2025: Introduced a ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds to improve capital access, extended tax holidays, and launched a ₹20,000 crore research and innovation fund. A dedicated Deep Tech Startup Fund was also established.
- Regulatory Reforms: India streamlined compliance processes for startups domiciled abroad, reducing the time for reverse mergers and encouraging startups to list domestically.
Noteworthy Developments
- Apple Antitrust Case: Apple successfully prevented Match Group and other startups from accessing its confidential information in an ongoing antitrust case in India.
- Semiconductor Ambitions: L&T Semiconductor Technologies announced plans to build a $10 billion semiconductor fabrication plant in India by 2027, aiming to transition from a fabless model to an integrated device manufacturer.
Src: ChatGPT
