India, Oct. 1 -- Startup Funding Takes A Sharp Fall In Q3

The Indian startup ecosystem hit a sobering reality check in Q3 2025. Funding numbers nosedived 38% YoY to $2.1 Bn as just 1 mega deal materialised and geopolitical tensions played the spoilsport. So, what dampened Q3 startup funding numbers?

A Cocktail Of Aberrations: Largely to blame for the subdued numbers was the escalating US-India trade uncertainties and cautious market sentiment. The near disappearance of mega deals (just one compared to 10 in Q3 2024) and increasingly cautious investors, preferring growth-oriented bets, also contributed to the decline.

Quarterly funding at a glance:

Funding: Declined 38% from $3.4 Bn in Q3 2024

Deal Count: Dipped 8.4% to 240

Late Stag...