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From Sri Lankan startup ecosystem thriving and foreseeing growth across govtech, fintech, healthtech, biotech and deeptech sectors to former Bandhan AMC exec Piyush Anchliya joing Cashfree Payments as CFO YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors.

Featured stories

Sri Lanka’s startup sparkle: The pearl’s glow returns

Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic culture, favourable geographical position, and neutral political mindset make the country a favourable land for startup innovations. Owing to its international shipping routes, starting up in Sri Lanka allows entrepreneurs to not only serve in the Pearl of the Orient but to the rest of South Asia as well. 

“We had very few homegrown tech startups before 2010. Universities lacked the entrepreneurship culture, and those who came out of degree programmes, wanted to be employed. Gradually, from 2010 to 2015-16, our startup culture changed,” says Sachindra Samararatne, Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka, during a conversation with Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO of YourStory Media.

With a population of just 2.2 crore, India’s neighbouring island country has already registered 900 startups, claims Samararatne. Read more

Meet Nasar Thootha, who runs a ‘Dress Bank’ to provide bridal outfits to underprivileged brides

For the past five years, Nasar Thootha has been running the Nasar Thootha Dress Bank, a community-driven initiative that provides free bridal wear to underprivileged women across India. Nasar collects, dry cleans, and distributes wedding outfits to brides who cannot afford them. 

From an early age, he watched his mother extend help to anyone in need—a quiet influence that shaped his lifelong commitment to service. Read more

Latest news

TapFin rolls out NBFC arm to boost green financing

Sustainable financing platform TapFin has rolled out its non-banking financial company (NBFC), GoGreen Capital, to help provide green financing as it looks to help businesses transition to renewable energy.

The NBFC, which will initially focus on clean mobility, solar, and battery circulatory sectors, will help startups, middle, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and fleet operators, among others, to secure capital for sustainability driven initiatives. Read more

Cashfree Payments appoints former Bandhan AMC executive Piyush Anchliya as CFO

Digital-payments enablement startup Cashfree Payments has named Piyush Anchliya as its new chief financial officer. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, and M&A, having held senior roles at Barclays and the IDFC/Bandhan Group.

Most recently, he served as the CFO of Bandhan AMC (formerly IDFC Asset Management Company). He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur. Read more

Funding news

CENTA raises Rs 20 Cr in Series A1 round led by Colossa Ventures

Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA) has raised Rs 20 crore in a Series A1 round of funding led by Colossa Ventures, with participation from earlier investor Discovery Assets and angel investors.

With this fundraise, CENTA expects to scale operations in India and selected international markets and enhance its technology infrastructure.

CENTA is a full stack platform for teachers, focused on teacher certification, teacher upskilling and teacher-as-a-service (providing teachers to employers for full-time and part-time requirements).

While CENTA’s largest teacher base is in India, teachers from 100 other countries are also active on the platform. There is significant participation from UAE, Nigeria, Philippines, Bangladesh and Ghana, and emerging partnerships in the UK and US.

Other news

Poonawalla Fincorp launches gold loan business

Poonawalla Fincorp Limited, an NBFC promoted by Cyrus Poonawalla Group, focused on consumer and MSME lending, has expanded its portfolio of secured lending products with the launch of a gold loan business.

This new offering aims to provide a secure, fast, and transparent financing solution for individuals and businesses, catering to diverse financial needs such as business expansion, agriculture costs, and personal expenses.

With the promise of faster approvals in less than 30 minutes, minimal documentation, and multiple repayment options, customers can unlock the value of their gold without selling it. This ensures financial flexibility while preserving long-term wealth, according to the company.

B2B ecommerce company Moglix appoints Sanjeev Arora as CFO

Moglix, a B2B ecommerce company, has appointed Sanjeev Arora as its new chief financial officer. In this role, Arora will lead the company’s financial strategy and operations, with a focus on capital planning and advancing long-term growth journey, including preparations for entry into the public markets.

With over two decades of leadership experience across listed and privately held businesses, Arora brings a diverse perspective shaped by his work in industries such as automotive, chemicals, consumer goods, telecom, and FMCG. His career spans key roles at organisations including ASK Automotive, Mosaic, Goodyear, Nokia, and Apollo International.

Tulu Health launches AI agent platform to transform patient care

Tulu Health, a healthtech and fintech startup founded by experts from AIIMS, IIT, and Stanford University, has launched what it claims to be India’s first AI agent platform and one-stop solution for all healthcare needs.

Tulu Health’s new platform provides modular AI agents tailored for both healthcare providers and patients, delivered seamlessly through platforms such as WhatsApp and hospital websites. According to the company, the platform is backed by clinical insight and cutting-edge AI technologies.

With the launch of its AI agent platform, Tulu Health aims to transform healthcare for over 10 million patients in the next three years by harnessing the power of AI to drive better health outcomes.

The launch event was held recently at Pullman Aerocity, Delhi.

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