Cradlewise, Makr Microsystems raise funding; Adobe acquires Rilo

Cradlewise secures $12M Series A

Cradlewise, a startup developing smart infant sleep systems, has raised $12 million in a Series A round led by 3one4 Capital and Prudent Investment Management, according to YourStory. The funds will be used for growth, channel expansion, research and development, and entering international markets.

Adobe acquires Rilo to bolster AI capabilities

Adobe has acquired Rilo, an Indian AI startup founded in 2025 by IIT Bombay alumni Georgi Boby and Dhruv Jaglan, for an undisclosed sum. Rilo’s AI agents provide insights into enterprise go-to-market strategies, and the acquisition is expected to integrate these capabilities into Adobe’s customer experience and marketing offerings.

Rilo had previously raised $1 million from investors including Peak XV, DeVC, and Day Zero Ventures. The acquisition was confirmed by Rilo’s founders in their LinkedIn posts.

Business Nextgen Finance raises Rs 215 Cr for MSME expansion

Business Nextgen Finance has secured Rs 215 crore in funding, led by Beams Fintech Fund, to scale its secured MSME lending operations beyond India’s top 100 locations. The company received prior approval from the RBI for the round, which will also support technology investments and geographic expansion.

Makr Microsystems’ seed round targets semiconductor metrology

Makr Microsystems, a semiconductor metrology startup, has raised Rs 10.2 crore in a seed round led by Bluehill VC, with participation from Artha Venture Fund. The funds will be used for technology development, customer validation, and commercialization of its nanoscale subsurface 3D metrology products.

The startup is building tools using Acoustic Atomic Force Microscopy, optical tomography, and 3D analytics software to visualize hidden structures and defects in chipmaking. Initial applications include advanced packaging, hybrid bonding, buried interfaces, and chiplet interconnects.

VLCC secures Rs 110 Cr to fuel growth

VLCC, a beauty and wellness company backed by global private equity firm Carlyle, has raised Rs 110 crore from BlackSoil Capital. The funding will support growth across its beauty, wellness, and personal care businesses, strengthen its operating platform, and expand its subsidiaries.

The company said the capital will address ongoing business requirements and growth opportunities.

Other notable developments

IDFC FIRST Bank and BITS Pilani have launched an accelerator program for startups working on health and environmental challenges. Selected startups will receive grant support, incubation, mentorship, and access to ecosystem networks under the IGNITE program.

AMD and the University of Delhi have partnered to train up to 10,000 students in AI over the next year. The initiative provides access to AMD’s ROCm software platform, learning resources, and GPU cloud credits for hands-on experimentation.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

These developments signal a few clear trends and opportunities for founders and operators.

First, the acquisition of Rilo by Adobe underscores the growing value of AI-driven enterprise tools, particularly in go-to-market strategy insights. Indian startups in this space may find increased interest from global players looking to integrate AI into their existing product suites. For founders, this highlights the importance of building defensible AI capabilities that can complement or enhance larger platforms.

Second, the funding rounds for Business Nextgen Finance and Makr Microsystems reflect continued investor confidence in niche financial services and deep-tech sectors like semiconductor metrology. The geographic expansion plans of Business Nextgen Finance, in particular, suggest that regional MSME lending is still underserved, presenting opportunities for startups with localized solutions. Makr’s focus on nanoscale metrology also points to the growing demand for advanced manufacturing and semiconductor-related technologies, a sector that is gaining traction in India and globally.

Finally, the launch of IDFC FIRST Bank’s accelerator program for health and environmental startups, along with IIT-M’s AI tools for kidney disease detection, reinforces the role of academia and financial institutions in fostering innovation. Founders in health tech and climate tech should pay attention to such initiatives, as they often provide not just funding but also mentorship and ecosystem access that can accelerate growth.

Key takeaways

• Adobe’s acquisition of Rilo signals opportunities for AI startups with enterprise-grade solutions, particularly in go-to-market strategies.
• Business Nextgen Finance’s Rs 215 Cr raise highlights investor interest in MSME lending beyond India’s top cities, a potential market for localized financial products.
• Makr Microsystems’ seed funding underscores the demand for advanced semiconductor technologies, a sector with growing relevance in India’s tech ecosystem.
• VLCC’s Rs 110 Cr funding round reflects ongoing investor confidence in India’s beauty and wellness industry, a space with room for innovation in products and services.