India’s startup and tech scene is buzzing with action, from billion-dollar IPO plans to courtroom battles over AI. Let’s dive into the top five stories shaping India’s innovation landscape today.
1️⃣ Licious Eyes a $2 Billion IPO, Expands Offline Presence
India’s leading meat and seafood brand, Licious, is preparing for a massive IPO in 2026 with an ambitious goal of hitting a $2 billion valuation. Backed by Temasek, the startup plans to open 500+ physical stores across India while expanding its ready-to-eat product line. Though its revenue dipped in 2024, Licious has significantly cut losses—setting the stage for a promising public debut.
Why It Matters: Licious’ expansion into offline retail signals a shift for India’s D2C startups, proving that a blend of online and brick-and-mortar stores is the future.
2️⃣ Apple Accelerates iPhone Production in India 🚀
Apple is moving more of its iPhone production to India, making the country a critical part of its global supply chain. Foxconn and Tata Electronics have ramped up operations in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with Apple now manufacturing its iPhone 16 Pro in India. The tech giant aims to produce 25% of all iPhones in India by 2027, reducing reliance on China.
Why It Matters: India is becoming a manufacturing powerhouse for high-end tech products, attracting global players and boosting local employment.
3️⃣ Meta’s Mega Undersea Cable Will Supercharge India’s Internet 🌊
Meta has announced Project Waterworth, a 50,000 km subsea cable connecting India, the U.S., South Africa, and Brazil. This will significantly boost internet speeds and AI capabilities in India, helping businesses scale faster. The cable, designed with 24 fiber pairs, will be laid at depths of 7,000 meters, ensuring robust connectivity.
Why It Matters: Faster, more stable internet means better opportunities for startups, remote work, and AI development in India.
4️⃣ Bollywood Labels Take OpenAI to Court Over Copyright War 🎵⚖️
Indian music giants T-Series, Saregama, and Sony Music are gearing up for a legal showdown against OpenAI, accusing the company of using Bollywood songs to train AI models without permission. This battle, part of a broader global debate on AI ethics, follows a similar lawsuit by Indian news agency ANI over unauthorized content usage.
Why It Matters: If Bollywood wins, it could reshape AI copyright laws in India, impacting how tech companies train their AI models.
5️⃣ European API Giant KrakenD Expands to India 🌐
KrakenD, the Spanish startup known for its high-performance API gateways (used by the U.S. Navy), is entering India and the Middle East. The company has partnered with Massil Technologies to bring next-gen API solutions to Indian businesses, supporting the country’s booming fintech, e-commerce, and cloud sectors.
Why It Matters: As India’s digital economy grows, demand for secure and scalable APIs is skyrocketing—KrakenD’s entry will fuel innovation across industries.
💡 Final Thoughts: India’s tech and startup ecosystem is evolving at breakneck speed, with global giants and homegrown innovators making major moves. From billion-dollar IPOs to AI legal battles, the next few years will be game-changing for India’s tech landscape.
Which of these stories excites you the most? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🔥
