Startup news and updates: daily roundup (February 27, 2026)

From AI startups looking beyond one-size-fits-all business model to Google’s Nano Banana 2 bringing faster, smarter AI image generation, YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Featured stories

These AI startups are looking beyond one-size-fits-all business model

The quest for the next leap in artificial intelligence (AI) has moved beyond the digital confines of chat boxes and into the high-stakes reality of courtrooms and factories.

In Seattle and Las Vegas, a group of forty hand-picked startups were gathered for the 2025 Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Accelerator, a programme designed to turn early-stage innovation into global infrastructure.

These companies, spanning from Brazil to South Korea, represent a shift from general-purpose AI toward highly specialised tools that solve deep-seated economic and professional problems.

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How NetApp is making enterprises AI ready

Artificial intelligence and GenAI have turned the world upside down for enterprises on how they view, analyse, and use their data. Amid these fast-paced changes, global storage technology company NetApp is keeping its innovation engine in top gear to address the various AI data requirements of enterprises, be it through newer products, strategies, or consulting.

In an interaction with EnterpriseStory, NetApp Chief Product Officer Syam Nair and Premalakshmi PR, Area Vice President, India & Saarc, NetApp, discussed the nuances of data management in the AI era and how the company is helping enterprises to bring about the transformation.

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Latest news

Info Edge deepens venture push with new growth fund

Info Edge (India) Ltd, the operator of Naukri.com and one of India’s earliest investors in the consumer internet ecosystem, is expanding its investment playbook yet again, this time with a dedicated growth-stage vehicle.

The company’s board has approved a commitment of up to Rs 250 crore to B8 Fund I, a newly launched Category II alternative investment fund that will back growth-stage, tech-enabled companies in India. This marks a significant addition to its already sprawling venture portfolio valued at about Rs 48,000 crore.

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Google’s Nano Banana 2 brings faster, smarter AI image generation

Google has launched Nano Banana 2, its latest AI image generation model, as part of its Gemini product lineup. The new tool aims to combine high-quality visuals with substantially faster processing speed than previous versions.

The key improvement in Nano Banana 2 is its balance of speed and fidelity. It generates and edits images quickly while producing high visual quality with clear details and rich textures, says the company.

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Funding news

Voice AI company Origa raises $450,000

Origa, an IIT Delhi-founded voice AI company, has raised $450,000 in funding led by Antler Singapore, with participation from angel investors including executives from Uber and SpaceX. Total funding now stands at $1 million.

The company develops AI voice agents designed to manage complex, multi-turn sales qualification conversations in high-value B2C sectors, including real estate, education and financial services. Its platform integrates with live CRM and eligibility data and is built to support large-scale, concurrent call volumes.

Origa said it witnessed 12-fold revenue growth over the past nine months and serves more than 33 customers across India, the UAE, Malaysia and the United States. The platform currently processes over 570,000 minutes of calls per month.

The new funding will be used to expand the engineering team, deepen product development and support further growth in India and the UAE.

ENRISSION INDIA invests in Spintly’s $8M Series A round

ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL has invested in Spintly as part of the company’s $8 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Accel, with participation from Chakra Growth Fund, Alumni Ventures and Spyre VC.

Spintly provides a wireless access control system based on its proprietary BLE mesh network technology. By removing the need for wiring, the system allows faster deployment while maintaining reliability. It supports secure access management and local log storage during power outages, addressing enterprise security requirements.

Operating in India, the Middle East and Africa, and the United States, Spintly combines wireless hardware with software-based management tools.

IAN Group invests in The Artment’s Rs 10 Cr pre-Series A round

IAN Group, an early-stage investment platform, has invested in The Artment’s Rs 10 crore pre-Series A funding round through its evergreen vehicle, IAN Angel Fund, alongside other angel investors.

Founded by Aditya Agarwal and Aanchal Agarwal, The Artment is a contemporary home décor and furniture brand focused on design-led products for modern living. 

The new capital will be used to accelerate product development, enter new categories, strengthen supply chain and inventory systems, and expand the team. It will also support an omnichannel strategy, including a larger offline presence and increased international sales through global marketplaces.

Other news

Raptee.HV commences customer deliveries

Raptee.HV, a Chennai-based electric motorcycle manufacturer, has begun customer deliveries of its T30 model. The launch follows more than seven years of research and development.

Chennai is the company’s first operational market, with deliveries and customer support now active. Under a phased expansion plan, Raptee.HV will enter Bengaluru in April 2026 with a dedicated showroom and authorised service centre. By year-end, it plans to expand to other major South Indian state capitals and begin operations in Western India.

The T30 is designed to deliver consistent performance and supports fast home charging within its category. The motorcycle is compatible with India’s public charging network.

(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)