Nuuk, founded by a former Rivigo cofounder and a Noise executive, is reportedly in talks to raise ₹100 crore at a ₹500 crore valuation. It sells stylish fans, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. Revenue jumped from ₹32 lakh in FY24 to ₹16 crore in FY25, although that figure belongs to one group entity, not consolidated accounts. Why are investors suddenly so interested in appliance startups?
While Atomberg deserves some credit, as it showed that an Indian startup could challenge established manufacturers with a product that saved consumers money. Its BLDC fans used far less electricity than conventional models. But Atomberg's real achievement came afterwards: building factories, dealer relationships and a service network. Today it reaches nearly 47,000 retail touchpoints and generated ₹1,294 crore in FY26 revenue. Yet it still lost roughly ₹149 crore. It spent nearly ₹87 crore on research alone. Interestingly, it now supplies components to established manufacturers.
That should worry founders who think an attractive product and a funding round are enough. Beyond Appliances raised ₹110 crore and sells smart chimneys with Android screens. Nuuk offers modern designs. Nester makes steam air fryers. But how difficult would it be for Faber, Philips or Havells to offer similar features? A screen may sell a chimney today, but it is hardly protection against competition tomorrow.
Even companies with serious technology face trouble. Khosla-backed upliance.ai is trying to automate Indian cooking, but Philips launched its multifunction OneChef at ₹19,995 this year. Optimist, which raised $12 million, wants to make more efficient air conditioners. It still has to compete against Daikin, Voltas and LG, whose dealer and service networks took decades to build. Online sales help a brand launch quickly; they cannot repair an air conditioner in a small town.
The warning signs are visible abroad. Roomba pioneer iRobot entered bankruptcy restructuring in 2025, and its Chinese manufacturing partner took ownership. SharkNinja earned $701 million profit on $6.4 billion sales in 2025, but spent $368 million on research and nearly $1.46 billion on selling and marketing. Even winners need enormous scale and cash.
We expect India will produce successful appliance brands, but far fewer successful VC investments. Some will become profitable niche businesses; others will be acquired or struggle when funding tightens. Atomberg did not prove that appliances are easy money. It proved how much money, patience and distribution it takes to build a real challenger.
Let’s go through what else is happening in Indian startup world - Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.
“Din Dugni Raat Chauguni”: Apple Logs Record India Revenue
Apple reported an all-time quarterly revenue record in India during Q4 FY26, alongside new India highs for Mac and services.
The country also delivered a September-quarter record for iPhone upgraders.
Read more here
“Ye Mera India”: India Becomes ChatGPT’s Largest Market Globally
India has emerged as ChatGPT’s largest market globally by weekly active users, with its user base doubling since January.
OpenAI is now scaling local computing capacity and enterprise partnerships to keep up with the growing demand.
Read more here
“Swagat Nahi Karoge Humara”: FirstClub Enters Beauty And Personal Care Category
FirstClub has launched a beauty and personal-care collection with more than 80 brands and products priced between Rs 300 and Rs 3,500.
Its “Filtered for Good” label will extend the same clean-ingredient approach to personal care products.
Read more here
“Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”: Azim Premji Foundation Launches Social Startups Programme
Azim Premji Foundation has opened applications for a social-startup programme covering Odisha, the Northeast, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengaluru Urban, with an initial cohort of around 100 participants.
The eight-month programme will provide venture seeding and may lead to a two-year seed grant.
Read more here
“Kuch toh Gadbad Hai”: mFilterIt Removes Fraudulent Digital Assets
mFilterIt removed over 2 lakh fraudulent digital assets during the festive season, exposing the scale of organized online scams.
The findings highlight how brands need to detect fraud before customers fall victim.
Read more here
“Kaddu Katega Sab Mein Batega”: GoKwik Announces ESOP Liquidity Program
GoKwik has announced a ₹7.57 Cr ESOP buyback for 69 employees, offering early team members an average 9x return on their grants.
Read more here
“Idhar Ka Maal Udhar”: Upsurge-Led Investors Buy iD Fresh Stake
Upsurge India has led a secondary transaction worth more than Rs 50 crore in iD Fresh Food, giving early investor Blue Ashva Capital an exit.
The transaction transferred approximately 1% equity in the Bengaluru-based fresh-food company.
Read more here
“Le Deke Settle Karo”: 1Crowd Partially Exits Logistics Startup Mojro
Early-stage investor 1Crowd has sold 25% of its holding in logistics-technology startup Mojro during the company's Series A round. It retained the remaining 75% of its position.
1Crowd first invested in February 2018 and supported three follow-on rounds.
Read more here
“Purana Saal Naya Maal”: Vartis Platforms Launches UdhaarSaathi
Vartis Platforms, parent of LenDenClub, has launched UdhaarSaathi, a digital loan marketplace for small businesses.
The platform aims to disburse ₹1,000 Cr by FY27, expanding its lending business into merchant credit.
Read more here
“Sabke Liye Kuch Hai”: Adobe To Offer Free Tools To Eligible Startups
Adobe has launched Adobe for Startups, offering eligible early-stage companies free access to creative tools.
The program aims to help startups build their brands, create content and reach more customers.
Read more here
“Aloo Le Lo Kanda Le Lo”: Decentro Launches Soundbox For UPI
Decentro has launched Soundbox devices to help small merchants accept UPI payments with instant audio confirmations.
The move targets Tier II and smaller markets, which account for 45% of UPI transaction volumes.
Read more here
“Achha Toh Hum Chalte Hai”: Fireside Ventures’ Cofounder & Partner Vinay Singh To Step Down
Fireside Ventures cofounder and partner Vinay Singh is stepping down after helping build the VC firm since 2017.
Singh now plans to explore agentic commerce and its impact on the future of consumption.
Read more here
“Aaiye Aapka Intezaar Tha”: Porter Appoints Gaurav Jain As CFO
Porter has appointed Gaurav Jain as CFO, while elevating Mohit Rathi and Shubham Gupta to CMO and CTO, respectively.
The leadership changes strengthen its finance, marketing and technology teams.
Read more here
Sachin Tendulkar has invested in Metasports Interactive, the company behind mobile cricket game Hitwicket.
Read more here
GIVA has raised ₹975 Cr in a funding round led by Multiples PE to fuel its next phase of growth.
Read more here
Home appliance startup Nuuk is raising ₹100 Cr from Wipro Consumer Care Ventures and RPSG at a ₹500 Cr valuation.
Read more here
PowerUp Money has raised $10 Mn in a funding round led by Flourish Ventures, with backing from existing investors.
Read more here
Clinics On Cloud has raised ₹120 Cr at a ₹600 Cr valuation to scale its health ATM business globally.
Read more here
Upsurge India has led a ₹50 Cr secondary transaction in iD Fresh Food, enabling early investor Blue Ashva Capital to exit.
Read more here
The Croffle Guys has raised ₹14 Cr in a funding round led by V3 Ventures at a ₹100 Cr valuation.
Read more here
Solgram has raised over $1 Mn in a pre-seed round led by DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital.
Read more here
Unify Foodworks has raised ₹5 Cr in seed funding to expand Moe's Casa Mexicana and Carvel across the NCR.
Read more here
ECOPATH has raised ₹2.25 Cr from Social Alpha and Gemcorp to scale its zero-cement construction technology.
Read more here
Actor Mahesh Babu has joined Shortgun Games as a strategic investor to back premium PC and console games.
Read more here
IIT Gandhinagar professor-founded Cellegant Energy Systems has raised ₹2.61 Cr from GVFL and other investors.
Read more here
DBS Foundation has awarded ₹22 Cr to four social enterprises across Asia, including India's Taisho Ventures.
Read more here
OBSESS has raised angel funding to build an integrated digital ecosystem for India's fitness and wellness industry.
Read more here
