While much of the global economy was entering holiday mode, the Indian startup ecosystem was busy signing checks. In the week of December 19 – 25, 2025, a total of 15 deals brought in ₹1,378 Crore in funding.
This isn’t just a year-end “cleanup”; it’s a signal of high-conviction bets in sectors that go far beyond simple software. We are seeing a massive shift toward DeepTech, Defense, and Specialized Healthcare.
The Top 5 Power Plays
The top of the leaderboard this week reflects a “back-to-basics” approach from investors, favoring companies with heavy IP and tangible infrastructure.
1. Sensa Core: The Diagnostic Giant (₹645.98 Cr)
Hyderabad-based Sensa Core stole the headlines with a massive $72 million raise led by Motilal Oswal Private Equity.
- The Impact: Founded in 2006, Sensa Core is an “overnight success” 19 years in the making. They manufacture specialized diagnostic devices (Electrolyte Analysers) used in 40,000+ hospitals.
- Investor Sentiment: This deal alone accounted for nearly 47% of the week’s total funding, proving that “Make in India” medical manufacturing is now a top-tier asset class.
2. CoreEL Technologies: Defense is No Longer Niche (₹268.83 Cr)
Bangalore’s CoreEL Technologies secured $30 million in Series B funding led by ValueQuest Scale Fund.
- The Strategic Angle: CoreEL builds critical systems for radars, avionics, and electronic warfare. With the Indian government pushing for indigenous defense production, CoreEL is perfectly positioned to scale its manufacturing and R&D.
3. StockGro: Gamifying Financial Literacy (₹117.30 Cr)
StockGro continues its dominance in the social investment space with a $13 million Series B1 round from BITKRAFT Ventures.
- The Trend: With India now home to over 20 crore demat accounts, StockGro is pivoting from simple social trading to an AI-powered, expert-led advisory ecosystem.
4. PowerUp Money: The Blitzscaler (₹107.66 Cr)
The fastest mover of the week, PowerUp Money (Uniorbit Wealth Management), raised a $12 million Series A led by Peak XV Partners, with Accel and Blume also participating.
- The Speed: Incorporated only in March 2024, they reached a Series A in less than 2 years. Their “zero-commission” mutual fund advisory model is clearly disrupting the traditional wealth management landscape.
5. Virohan: Solving the Talent Gap (₹65.00 Cr)
Closing the top five is Virohan, which raised $7.5 million led by Japan’s Mynavi Corporation.
- The Niche: They aren’t just “EdTech”; they are “HealthTech Education.” By training the next generation of lab technicians and radiologists, they are solving one of the biggest bottlenecks in the Indian healthcare system.
Sector Breakdown & Trends
| Sector | Notable Deal | Analysis |
| Healthcare | Sensa Core / Virohan | The most funded sector this week (₹710Cr+). Focus is on manufacturing and workforce training. |
| Fintech | StockGro / PowerUp | Wealthtech is the new sub-sector darling, moving away from simple lending to complex advisory. |
| DeepTech | CoreEL Tech | High barriers to entry and long-term government contracts are making Defense Tech very attractive. |
Geography Watch
Bangalore remains the undisputed king of the ecosystem, hosting 3 of the top 5 deals (CoreEL, StockGro, and PowerUp). However, Hyderabad took the prize for the single largest check (Sensa Core), signaling that specialized manufacturing hubs are thriving outside the “Silicon Valley of India.”
Final Thoughts for 2026
The data from this week suggests that the “Funding Winter” has taught investors a lesson: Substance over Hype. The average age of the top two companies (Sensa Core and CoreEL) is 22 years. These are mature, profitable, or near-profitable businesses receiving growth capital. Meanwhile, early-stage “Blitzscalers” like PowerUp Money are only getting funded when they show hyper-growth in a massive market like Wealth Management.
The takeaway? If you are building in India today, deep IP and a clear path to utility are the keys to unlocking the big checks.
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