.png "A quick and simple roundup of startup news for 24 Nov 2025. See today’s funding deals, new launches, and important updates.")
A quick and simple roundup of startup news for 24 Nov 2025. See today’s funding deals, new launches, and important updates.
Octopus Labs Launches First Fintech Accelerator to Support Startup Growth
Ever wondered what happens when a deep-pocketed investor decides to play matchmaker for fintech startups? Octopus Labs, the innovation arm of UK’s Octopus Investments, just rolled out its first accelerator, a 12-week bootcamp for early-stage fintech founders. Think of it as a mix of Shark Tank meets Oxford tutorials, where five handpicked startups (think digital payments, lending) get mentorship, cash, and a shot at scaling fast. The twist? Octopus isn’t just advising, they’re also “self-building” some solutions in-house. It’s a bold move to bridge the gap between scrappy ideas and commercial success, and London’s fintech scene just got a new kingmaker.
Truhome Aims for FY26 IPO to Scale Its Startup and Grab No. 2 Spot
Here’s a plot twist in India’s affordable housing finance saga: Truhome, backed by Warburg Pincus, is gunning for an IPO in 2026 to raise $300 million-plus and snag the silver medal in the sector. Currently sitting on ₹23,000 crore in assets (with plans to hit ₹25,000 crore by mid-2026), they’re not just dreaming big, they’ve got fresh ₹500 crore from Warburg to fuel the climb. The question is, can they outmaneuver the giants in a market where every rupee counts? If the numbers hold, this IPO isn’t just about cash, it’s a power play.
FLAG Invests $40M to Expand Fintech Network and Support Startup Growth
Imagine trying to run a fintech startup in Asia, but your payment system keeps buffering like a bad Zoom call. FLAG, the subsea network giant, just dropped $40 million to fix that, by beefing up terrestrial routes and high-capacity links across India and Asia. Why? Because fintech lives and dies by real-time data, and glitchy connections aren’t an option. This isn’t just about faster transactions; it’s about handing startups the digital highways they need to scale. Think of it as laying down the internet’s version of a six-lane expressway, except this one’s paved with fiber optics and fintech dreams.
Pay.com.au Hits $633M Valuation After $25M Seed Funding for Its Startup
A $25 million seed round. A $633 million valuation. And a startup that’s basically printing money, Pay.com.au’s numbers read like a fintech fairy tale. Backed by heavyweights like Gandel Invest, the Australian payment whiz is now worth 2.6x its annual revenue, which, by the way, sits at a cool $246 million. The plan? Double down on product dev, grab more of the market, and keep riding the wave of digital payments. In a world where “unicorn” gets thrown around like confetti, Pay.com.au’s growth isn’t just impressive, it’s a masterclass in timing.
Plug And Play Expands to NYC to Scale AI and Deeptech Startups
New York City’s startup scene just got a new cheerleader: Plug and Play. The global innovation platform is planting its flag in NYC, promising to drag 50+ international startups into the Big Apple within a year. Their pitch? Coworking spaces, mentorship, and a fast-pass to corporate partners, no equity strings attached. It’s like The Apprentice, but with less drama and more AI. The target? Startups in medtech, sustainability, and deep tech looking to crack the U.S. market. If NYC’s ecosystem was a party, Plug and Play just showed up with the good snacks.
FAST Ventures Launches $3M Fund to Back MENA Startups
The MENA region’s startup scene is heating up, and FAST Ventures just tossed $3 million into the fire. Their new fund, FAST Foundry, isn’t just writing checks, it’s rolling up its sleeves to help founders with product dev, marketing, and AI integration. The focus? AI, retail tech, and the creator economy. In a region where funding can feel like a mirage, this is less “here’s some cash” and more “here’s a toolkit to build an empire.” The message is clear: MENA’s next big thing might just get its start here.
OCBC Adds In-App Calls to Retail Users to Combat Impersonation in Fintech
Ever gotten a call from your “bank” that felt off? OCBC just dropped a fix: in-app voice verification. No more SMS codes or security questions that scammers can game, just a direct, secure line within the app. It’s like giving customers a bat-signal for fraudsters. In a world where phishing scams are the new pickpocketing, this move isn’t just smart, it’s survival. And for fintech startups watching closely? It’s a blueprint for how to keep trust (and transactions) flowing.
Lendingkart Crisis Deepens Founder Harshvardhan Lunia Takes Legal Action
Lendingkart’s drama just went nuclear. Co-founder Harshvardhan Lunia is suing majority shareholder Fullerton Financial Holdings, alleging broken promises, plummeting disbursals, and a rights issue gone wrong. The subtext? A classic startup-grows-up-and-gets-messy story. Post-acquisition tensions are boiling over, and with SME lending on the line, this isn’t just a boardroom spat, it’s a test of who controls the future. Buckle up; this one’s headed to court.
92% of Enterprise Merchants Hit by Payment Outages Impacting Startup Growth
Here’s a stat that’ll make any e-commerce founder wince: 92% of UK’s big merchants have faced payment outages in the past two years. We’re talking losses from £1.1 million to over £10 million, per merchant. The culprit? Glitchy tech, cyberattacks, or just plain bad luck. For startups relying on seamless transactions, this isn’t just a hiccup, it’s a growth killer. The lesson? If your payment system isn’t bulletproof, your revenue isn’t either.
TNG eWallet Extends 3% Cashback Campaign for Visa Travel Card for Startups
Who doesn’t love free money? TNG eWallet’s betting on that with its 3% unlimited cashback for Visa Travel Card users, now extended to 2026. No FX fees, no caps, just pure savings for startups and travelers. Since launching in October 2025, the uptake’s been strong, proving that in a post-pandemic world, people (and businesses) will chase a good deal. Smart move: turn spending into a reward, and watch adoption soar.
FinMin Renews Merger Proposal to Scale State-Owned Insurance Firms for Startups
Remember that 2018 plan to merge three state-owned insurers? It’s back, like a sequel no one asked for but might actually work. The Finance Ministry’s dusting off the blueprint to combine these giants, hoping to stop the bleeding (read: persistent losses) and create a leaner, meaner entity. The twist? This isn’t just about survival, it’s about arming the new beast with insurtech tools tailored for startups, like affordable coverage and digital-first policies. With privatization whispers and FDI hikes in the air, this merger isn’t just bureaucracy in motion, it’s a bet on modernizing a dinosaur for India’s startup gold rush.
RBI Probes Surge in API-Based Money Laundering in Fintech Startups
Picture this: a fintech startup’s API, meant to move money smoothly, turns into a laundromat for dirty cash. That’s the nightmare the RBI’s investigating now, as rogue payment aggregators and business correspondents exploit banking APIs to funnel illicit funds. The fix? AI tools like MuleHunter.ai and real-time telecom fraud alerts. It’s a cat-and-mouse game where the stakes couldn’t be higher, trust in digital payments is on the line. For startups, the message is clear: if your API’s the weak link, the RBI’s coming with a magnifying glass.
Saudi’s STAMP Raises $2M to Develop RegTech Solutions for Startups
Compliance paperwork giving you nightmares? Saudi’s STAMP just raised $2 million to turn that headache into a snooze fest, with AI. Their platform automates the boring stuff (regulatory filings, governance checks) so startups can focus on, well, not drowning in red tape. Founded in 2021, this pre-seed round is all about scaling smarter compliance tools across MENA, where rules change faster than a desert sandstorm. For founders, it’s not just about avoiding fines, it’s about moving at startup speed without the legal landmines.
Aave Launches High-Yield Crypto App on Apple Store to Scale Fintech Startups
DeFi just got a glossy makeover. Aave’s new savings app, now on the Apple Store, offers up to 9% APY on crypto deposits, with $1 million in account protection. No more clunky wallets or sketchy yields; this is DeFi dressed in a sleek, bank-like interface. For startups sitting on crypto treasuries, it’s a no-brainer: park funds, earn yield, and avoid the traditional banking yawn. The kicker? It’s backed by Aave Labs, so the “too good to be true” alarm stays quiet. Move over, savings accounts, crypto’s going mainstream, one APY at a time.
Robinhood Explores Adding Bitcoin to Its Corporate Treasury for Growth
Robinhood’s flirting with Bitcoin, again. After a 339% surge in crypto revenue, execs are “exploring” (read: seriously considering) parking BTC on their balance sheet. No decision yet, but the vibes are very MicroStrategy. Why? Inflation hedge, growth catalyst, or just FOMO? For a platform that democratized stock trading, this isn’t just about assets, it’s about signaling to Wall Street and Main Street that crypto’s not a sideshow. If they pull the trigger, it’s not just a treasury move, it’s a mic drop.
SkySafe Offers Crypto Rewards for Users Installing Sensors to Support Startups
Want to earn crypto by helping track drones? SkySafe’s FliteGrid pays users in $FLIGHT tokens to install $949 sensors, think of it as a neighborhood watch for the skies. Data gets crowdsourced, startups get airspace intel, and you get paid in crypto. Shipping starts Q2 2026, rewards in 2027. It’s DePIN (decentralized physical infrastructure) meets FlightAware, with a side of blockchain incentives. For startups in logistics or defense, this isn’t just data, it’s a community-built radar system. And for users? A side hustle with a view.
Devcon 8 Heads to Mumbai in 2026 Ethereum’s Flagship Event for Startups
Mumbai’s about to become the center of the Ethereum universe. Devcon 8, the blockchain world’s Coachella, lands in Q4 2026, bringing developers, researchers, and startup founders together to geek out over DeFi, NFTs, and scalability. With India’s 10M+ devs and booming Web3 scene, this isn’t just a conference, it’s a coronation. Workshops, hackathons, and enough networking to make LinkedIn jealous. For startups, it’s a golden ticket: rub shoulders with the builders shaping the next internet. Pack your bags, Ethereum’s coming to town.
UAE’s G42 Gets US Approval to Export Advanced AI Chips for Startups
G42 just unlocked the AI cheat code. The UAE’s tech titan got U.S. approval to import 35,000 Nvidia GB300-equivalent chips, worth $1 billion, under a strict compliance framework. No shady diversions, just pure AI firepower for startups and healthcare projects. This isn’t just hardware; it’s a geopolitical green light, cementing UAE’s spot in the global AI arms race. For startups in the Gulf, it means access to the same tech powering Silicon Valley’s giants. The message? The desert’s not just for oil anymore, it’s for AI supremacy.
FinReach Raises ₹21.9 Crore in Funding Led by Colossa Ventures to Boost Startups
Chennai’s FinReach just bagged ₹21.9 crore to do something boring-sounding but revolutionary: make credit guarantees easy for MSMEs and startups. Led by Colossa Ventures (with Michael & Susan Dell Foundation chipping in), the funds will expand their platform, bridging lenders and guarantors so small businesses don’t drown in paperwork. In a country where credit access is a maze, this is the GPS. For startups, it’s not just funding, it’s a lifeline to grow without the red tape chokehold.
Nigerian Crypto Startup Konnadex Secures $20K Lisk Grant for Innovation
$20K might not sound like much in Silicon Valley, but in Nigeria’s crypto scene? It’s rocket fuel. Konnadex just snagged a Lisk Foundation grant to build decentralized apps and financial tools for Africa’s unbanked. Think remittances, DeFi, and blockchain solutions tailored for local hustlers. With Nigeria’s crypto adoption skyrocketing (despite regulatory side-eyes), this isn’t just code, it’s economic rebellion. For Konnadex, it’s a chance to prove that Africa’s Web3 future isn’t coming; it’s being built right now, one grant at a time.
Marico’s Digital Portfolio Grows Past ₹1,000 Crore with Startup Acquisitions
Marico’s not just selling coconut oil anymore. Their digital-first brands, Beardo, True Elements, Plix, just crossed ₹1,000 crore in revenue, turning the FMCG giant into a startup incubator. With 7% volume growth in India and a 31% revenue jump, they’re betting big on D2C brands that millennials actually want. Beardo’s nearly profitable, and the whole portfolio’s eyeing 2.5x growth by FY27. The playbook? Buy scrappy, scale smart, and outmaneuver the old guard. Traditional FMCG, meet your disruptor.
TotalEnergies to Sell 6% Stake in Adani Green Energy for Venture Growth
TotalEnergies is playing 4D chess. After buying into Adani Green in 2021, they’re now selling a 6% stake, worth ₹10,200 crore, to “optimize” their renewable portfolio. But here’s the twist: they’re also doubling down with a $444M joint venture. It’s not an exit; it’s a reshuffle. The cash? Likely headed to new clean-energy bets. For Adani, it’s a vote of confidence with a side of pressure, keep growing, or watch shareholders get jumpy. In the green energy game, even the giants have to pivot.
SK Earthon Acquires 34% Stake in Indonesian Oil Block for Startup Expansion
SK Earthon’s making moves in Southeast Asia. The Korean energy player just grabbed a 34% slice of Indonesia’s North Ketapang oil block, with plans to start drilling this year. PETRONAS stays the operator, but SK’s now a major player in four Indonesian blocks. Why? Because in a world shifting to renewables, oil’s still a cash cow, and Indonesia’s got the goods. For SK, it’s startup-style agility in a legacy industry: bet big, drill fast, and bank on the energy transition’s in-between years.
BBVA Enters Finnish Startup Ecosystem with First Growth Capital Deal
BBVA just crashed Finland’s startup party. Their first Finnish venture debt deal? A check to Bob W, a Helsinki scaleup shaking up corporate travel. No equity, just growth capital, because sometimes startups need fuel, not a new boss. Timed with Slush conference buzz, this isn’t just a transaction; it’s BBVA planting a flag in Nordic innovation. For Finnish founders, it’s a new ATM for scaling, minus the dilution. And for BBVA? A front-row seat to Europe’s next big thing.
LEAD Innovation and Eclectic Collaborate on SPAC Listing for Startup Growth
SPACs are back, sort of. LEAD Innovation (tire pyrolysis wizards) and Eclectic Limited are teaming up to explore a SPAC listing, aiming to turn cross-border synergies into startup rocket fuel. The goal? Fast-track public market access for green tech and global ventures. It’s the financial equivalent of a shortcut, skip the IPO line, grab cash, and scale fast. For startups in sustainable tech, this could be the express lane to growth. Just don’t call it a trend, yet.
Napster Raises $3B from Mystery Investor but Funds and Investor Vanish
Napster’s comeback story just took a Wild West turn. One minute, they’re celebrating a $3B injection from a shadowy investor. The next? Poof, funds and backer both ghosted. No explanation, just radio silence and a whole lot of questions. Was it a scam, a glitch, or the world’s worst magic trick? For a company betting on AI and global licensing, this isn’t just a setback, it’s a plot twist. The lesson? In startup land, not all that glitters is gold. Sometimes it’s just a mirage.