Seed-stage up 51%, late-stage down 43%

Seed-stage funding jumped by 51%, reaching $137 million, while late-stage funding dropped 43% to $317 million (though still higher than last year).
Enterprise applications led the pack with $331 million, followed by retail ($275 million) and fintech ($152 million).

Three firms IPO, soonicorns reach 120

Three local companies, Amagi, Shadowfax, and e2E Rail, made their stock market debut in January with a combined valuation over $1.67 billion.
Meanwhile, Supertails and Assiduus joined Karnataka's "Soonicorn" club (startups close to unicorn status), taking the tally to 120.
Acquisition activity slowed down this quarter, with just six deals reported.