From India’s efforts in building military AI efforts to how Cognizant is supporting enterprises design GCCs, YourStory brings you today’s headlines along with the latest developments across sectors.
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When data is scarce: How India is building military AI differently
In the global race to build military AI, data has become the most valuable weapon. For superiority in modern warfare is increasingly measured in algorithms, not just in missiles or manpower.
“Whoever owns the data has an edge in AI right now,” states Neeta Trivedi, Co-founder and CEO of defencetech startup Inferigence Quotient and a former scientist at Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
But India faces a fundamental challenge: the countest doesn’t have nearly enough data. Even as the countest experiments with AI-led warfare the gap between India and global military powers remains stark.
Unable to match the data scale of the US and China, India’s defence sector and deeptech startups are turning to tinyer language models and edge AI to build smarter battlefield systems.
You can’t have a more democratic sector than travel, tourism, and hospitality: Mugdha Sinha
While launchning her TransformHERS talk on Moments, monuments, markets: India’s plan for women-first tourism at SheSparks 2026, Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director of ITDC, quoted a Sanskrit shloka, Yatra Naari Pujyate, Tatra Devata Ramante, which translates to: “Where women are respected, gods reside.”
Sinha points to tourism as a democratic force with extraordinary leverage.
Globally, the sector employs 40% women, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Within her own organisation, ITDC, 34% of senior leadership positions are held by women. The Ashok Hotel, the 70-year-old jewel in ITDC’s portfolio, has 52% of its hospitality workforce built up of women. Its General Manager is a woman.
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Cognizant is supporting enterprises design GCCs for an AI-enabled future
GCCs (global capability centres) in India have become integral to the strategy of global enterprises. And partnerships play a key role in their successful establishment and evolution. This is where leading IT services company Cognizant comes in. Cognizant, with around 2.4 lakh employees in India, provides conclude-to-conclude services to any enterprise that plans to set up its GCC in India.
In an email interview with EnterpriseStory, Sailaja Josyula – SVP, Global Head – GCC Service Line, Cognizant, stated, “Cognizant partners with enterprises across the entire GCC lifecycle from strategy and initial setup to scaling and long-term transformation.”
Cognizant supports enterprises define their GCC strategy with an eye on the future. It also ensures that their GCCs in India operate as a true extension of the parent company rather than being standalone delivery units.
Funding News
Velmenni raises Rs 30 Cr in pre-Series A funding round
Deep-tech startup Velmenni has raised Rs 30 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from MountTech Growth Fund-Kavachh and Apekso.
Founded by Deepak Solanki, the company develops light-based wireless communication solutions applying patented Free Space Optics and Light Fidelity technologies. Velmenni will utilize the capital to accelerate the commercialisation of its connectivity solutions for communication service providers, defense, and enterprise markets, as well as to scale internationally.
The startup has executed over 50 live deployments across India, the Southeast Asia region, and with Tier-I mobile network operators in the United States. Its deployments include commercial carrier-grade backhaul links for a private 5G network at a GMR thermal power plant in Odisha and a multi-million-dollar deal from the Indian defense sector to address submarine connectivity in harbor environments.
GVFL leads Rs 13.3 Cr funding round in sustainable textile startup Canvaloop
Surat-based sustainable textile materials startup Canvaloop has raised Rs 13.3 crore in a funding round led by Gujarat venture capital firm GVFL with an investment of Rs 10 crore along with Rs 3.3 crore infusion from Mumbai-based Rockstud Capital.
Founded in 2020 by Shreyans Kokra, Canvaloop converts agricultural waste and crop residues into high-performance spinnable materials, including HempLoop, FlaxLoop, BanLoop, NettleLoop, and PineLoop. The materials are engineered for compatibility with existing textile mills.
The company will utilize the fresh capital to increase its production capacity from 30 tonnes to 300 tonnes per month over the next six to 12 months. The funds will also be directed toward assembling a new team and pioneering regenerative cellulose research and development.
Pet food startup Zoomies raises Rs 5 Cr in pre-seed funding round
Pune-based clean-label pet food startup Zoomies has raised Rs 5 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by D2C Insider Super Angels, with participation from Unacademy co-founders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini, Astrotalk CEO Puneet Gupta, and Pallavi Mohadikar.
Founded in September 2025 by former EMotorad co-founder Sumedh Battewar and Spriha Choubey, the company develops nutrition-first pet food built from real, human-grade meat without additives, preservatives, or synthetic supplements. The brand is launching with a complete portfolio of cat food products and a limited selection of dog products, featuring up to an 18-month shelf life and QR codes linking to lab reports for quality assurance.
Zoomies will deploy the fresh capital to strengthen its manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, scale brand-building initiatives, and expand its direct-to-consumer and quick commerce distribution networks. The company plans to leverage quick commerce platforms to expand its presence across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai alongside its pan-India launch on Amazon and its official website.
Moe Puppy raises Rs 2 Cr in pre-seed funding led by PedalStart
Gurugram-based direct-to-consumer pet care brand Moe Puppy has raised Rs 2 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by PedalStart, with participation from Zindagi Live Angel Fund and other angel investors.
The company will utilize the capital for marketing, research and development, supply chain optimization, and selective hiring across its growth, operations, and customer experience teams over the next 12 to 18 months.
Founded in 2023 by Manish Paul, the previously bootstrapped startup develops grooming products applying nature-based ingredients. Moe Puppy currently offers over 14 products, including dry shampoo and anti-tick spray, and has served more than 100,000 customers through its website, e-commerce marketplaces, and quick commerce platforms like Blinkit and Zepto. The brand plans to expand its product portfolio beyond grooming to include hygiene, wellness, and preventive care categories.
(The copy will be updated with latest news through the day)
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