Kerala-based UFarms.io has been granted the UK Startup Visa, allowing the company to expand its operations globally. UFarms.io, incubated under the Kerala Startup Mission, is a platform that helps farmers optimize crop management and promote sustainable agriculture and precision farming. The company recently partnered with Uptown Urban Farms to create Kerala’s largest fully automated hydroponic farm. With the UK Startup Visa, UFarms.io will now establish a presence in the UK and further grow its international operations.
In another development, Accubits Technologies, a startup based in Thiruvananthapuram, is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the filmmaking process. The company’s AI technology can transform written narratives into cinematic storyboards, enabling filmmakers to visualize how their scenes will appear on the big screen. By analyzing scripts and identifying key elements and scenes, Accubits’ technology creates detailed storyboards that reflect the original essence of the filmmakers’ vision.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched the ‘Youth Ideathon 2023’ initiative to focus on startup ideas conceived by school students. This annual event, now in its third edition, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among Indian students. Organized in collaboration with the Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council and ThinkStartup, Youth Ideathon strives to identify and showcase the brightest young entrepreneurial minds in India.
Dream Sports, the parent company of fantasy sports platform Dream11, has decided to withdraw its venture firm Dream Capital due to the government’s imposition of a 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online games involving real money. Dream Sports aims to balance its finances by shutting down its investment arm. Dream Capital was launched to fund startups in sports, online gaming, and fitness-tech. One of its notable investments includes Rario, an NFT platform for cricket enthusiasts.
Agritech startup KiVi has successfully raised INR 15 crore in seed funding. The funds were contributed by investors including Caspian Leap for Agriculture Fund, Piper Serica Angel Fund, YAN Angel Fund, Impact Innovators, and Entrepreneurs Foundation. KiVi, incubated by IIT Madras, operates in Tamil Nadu and Bihar, bridging the gap between finance, commerce, agriculture, and rural value chains. The startup offers services such as warehousing and logistics to farming-related enterprises.
These developments highlight the growing opportunity for startups in various sectors in India, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, education, and sports. With the support of initiatives like the UK Startup Visa and Youth Ideathon, young entrepreneurs are encouraged to pursue their innovative ideas and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
