India’s startup funding surges to $737.4 million in week ending Oct 17

Indian startups raised a total of $737.4 million across 30 deals during the week ending October 17, up 159 % compared with $284.6 million raised the previous week. Key contributors included quick-commerce platform Zepto’s $450 million round and several AI-led early-stage deals. The acceleration reflects improving investor sentiment ahead of the festive season and strong interest in India’s tech ecosystem. Analysts caution that while the headline figure is high, excluding the mega round, the underlying numbers remain modest, and valuation discipline remains important.