The Indian startups on the up and up

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Hello readers

Happy Singles Day! No need to check your calendar:Yes, we are still around nine more months away from 11.11. But February 15 is actually Singles Awareness Day, so for those who didn’t take part in Valentine’s yesterday, this is the day to celebrate independence. And just like all the startups in today’s listicle that haven’t found or aren’t seeking another company to merge with, being happy and successful on your own is entirely possible.

Today we look at,

• A list of 50 rising startups in India
• The startup that helps you feel closer to celebrities and influencers
• Other newsy highlights such as ByteDance’s move to sell TikTok’s India operations and Tesla’s plans to make cheaper and smaller cars in China

PREMIUM SUMMARY

The startups in India that are turning heads

We get it: Indian startups raise a lot of money. Just two months into the year and a couple of firms in the country are already raising hundreds of million of dollars.Let’s take a closer look at the companies that are raking it in.

• The hot sector is, drumroll, edtech, with 14% of the 50 companies in the list addressing learning-related needs. The competition isn’t surprising, considering that Byju’s – the world’s most valued edtech startup – is based in India, and many are looking to grab a piece of the action. (Check out the key players in Indian edtech space here.)
• Raining money: The top-funded startup on the list is a gaming firm that has banked US$230 million in funding since launching in 2018. Called MPL, the esports platform allows users to play skill games and win cash prizes.
• The non-jocks: Besides the trending industries – fintech, edtech, ecommerce, and teleconferencing – these days, Indian startups in co-working and automotive spaces are also racking up wins.

Read more: 50 rising startups in India

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

“We stan”

Fans of celebrities and influencers, you’re in for a treat! Social video platform Sendjoy has raised US$150,800 in a seed round so that you can receive video messages from the stars you’re geeking out over.