Quick Commerce Unlocks New Markets for Farmers in India’s Northeast

• Instamart takes Northeast's Distinctive Produce Across IndiaMeghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recognises the initiative for expanding market access for the state's farmers
• Plans to bring more GI-tagged produce from the Northeast to consumers across South and West India. 
• Khasi Mandarin, Karbi Anglong Ginger, Tezpur Litchi and Kachai Lemon among products being added in the quick commerce basket

Instamart, India's pioneering quick commerce platform, is expanding in Northeast India. The initiative is aimed at creating new markets for the region's farmers and FPOs while making some of India's most distinctive agricultural produce more accessible to consumers nationwide through sellers onboarded on its platform.

Starting with Meghalaya's premium pineapples, now available to customers in Bengaluru, Instamart is opening up new markets for the region's produce across India. Sourced by sellers through the Jirang Organic Agro Farmer Producer Company (FPO), the pineapples are air-freighted from Meghalaya to Bengaluru. Until now, growers largely relied on demand within the Northeast and wholesale markets in Delhi. By connecting farmer producer organisations directly with consumers in new cities, Instamart is helping expand market access for farmers while introducing more households to the distinctive flavour and quality of Meghalaya's pineapples.

The initiative was recently lauded by Meghalaya’s Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, in a social media post, which highlighted the effort as an important step towards strengthening market linkages for the state's farmers and showcasing Meghalaya's agricultural identity to a wider audience.

Gautam Swaroop, Chief Business Officer - Instamart, said, "India's Northeast is home to some of the country's most distinctive and high-quality fruits and vegetables, but much of this produce has traditionally remained accessible only within the region or a handful of markets. With Instamart's reach, we have a unique opportunity to bring fresh local produce across the country while creating new market opportunities for farmers and producer organisations. Meghalaya's pineapples are the first step in this journey, and over time, we hope to build a much broader assortment of Northeast produce for customers across India."

Iba Thangkhiew, CEO, Jirang Organic Agro Farmer Producer, said, "For a Farmer Producer Company based in a rural and remote part of Meghalaya, this partnership is a proud milestone. It provides our farmers with direct access to premium markets and ensures that the hard work of our farming community reaches consumers far beyond our state. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Meghalaya, especially the Hon'ble Chief Minister and the concerned departments, for their constant support, guidance, and commitment to creating market opportunities for our farmers. We also sincerely thank the Instamart team for partnering with us and making it possible for our fresh Meghalaya pineapples to reach customers in Bengaluru. This collaboration gives our farmers greater confidence, improves their livelihoods, and showcases the quality of Meghalaya's produce to consumers across India."

Instamart introduced produce from the Northeast earlier this year with Meghalaya pineapples and is now set to expand the selection by working with partners across the region. The company is also in discussions with the Northeastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) to explore opportunities to bring more produce from additional states and farmer producer organisations.

As part of the roadmap, several GI-tagged and region-specific products from the Northeast are being evaluated, including Meghalaya's Khasi Mandarin, Assam's Karbi Anglong Ginger and Tezpur Litchi, and Manipur's Kachai Lemon. The company is also exploring products such as kiwi and garlic from the region as it builds a broader assortment.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, Instamart plans to expand Northeast sourcing across South and West India by partnering with more Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), farmer collectives and regional agencies.

The initiative will build on Instamart's wider fresh produce sourcing network, which already works with 430+ FPOs and over 10,000 farmers across the country to bring high-quality fruits and vegetables directly to consumers. At Instamart, two-thirds of fruits and vegetables are sourced directly from farmers and FPOs, through more than 55 collection centres- with most farmers having stayed on for six seasons or more. By extending this network to the Northeast, Instamart aims to create sustained demand for the region's premium, GI-tagged produce while making these distinctive products more accessible to households beyond their traditional markets. The model is built on removing layers, not adding them, so a greater share of the earnings flows back to the farmer.

About Instamart

Launched in August 2020, Instamart is India's pioneering quick commerce platform. Present in 131+ cities, Instamart has superior technology and a dedicated delivery fleet to bring groceries and other daily essentials to the doorsteps of Indians.

Air India SATS and CONCOR Forge MoU to Link Inland Cargo with Noida International Airport, Strengthening India’s Role in Global Air Freight Networks

• Air India SATS Signs MOU with CONCOR Air Limited (wholly owned subsidiary of CONCOR) to Speed Up Cargo Movement from ICD Dadri to NIA. 
• Collaboration to facilitate seamless handling of customs-cleared transhipment cargo for onward international dispatch~

Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CONCOR Air Limited (CAL) to facilitate the seamless movement and handling of customs-cleared transhipment (TP) cargo from CONCOR’s Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dadri to AISATS’ Integrated Cargo Terminal (ICT) at Noida International Airport (NIA), for onward international dispatch.

The collaboration strengthens AISATS’ air cargo terminal operations at NIA by deepening its connectivity with inland freight networks, bringing together CONCOR's inland logistics and customs-cleared cargo handling capabilities to create a more efficient, integrated pathway for cargo moving from inland facilities to international air freight.

Sharing his vision, Mr. Bob Chi, CEO, APAC Gateway Services, SATS and Director, AISATS said:“ India is at an important inflection point in the evolution of its logistics and air cargo ecosystem. As global trade volumes grow, as supply chains become increasingly time-sensitive, and as more air cargo is routed to and from India, the aviation ecosystem in India has much to gain as one of the world’s fastest growing aviation freight markets. We recognise India’s strategic strengths and are committed to developing capabilities, infrastructure and partnerships that can help build this future. The collaboration between AISATS and CONCOR Air Limited is a step towards creating a more connected logistics network, linking inland cargo with international air gateways more seamlessly. With Noida International Airport emerging as a new gateway for global trade, we see significant potential to build an integrated cargo ecosystem that is faster, smarter and more competitive.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Shri Ramanathan Rajamani, CEO, AISATS, said: "Noida International Airport is fast emerging as a critical gateway for international air cargo, and this partnership strengthens that ambition by deepening our connectivity with inland freight networks. Working with CONCOR Air Limited allows us to build a more seamless link between inland logistics and international dispatch and reinforces our commitment to positioning NIA as a hub that global shippers can rely on."

Shri Vijoy Kumar Singh, Director International Marketing & Operations (DIMO), added: “AISATS and CONCOR Air Limited will leverage their collaboration to facilitate seamless cargo transhipment between ICD Dadri and the AISATS Integrated Cargo Terminal, supported by efficient cargo handling protocols, customs coordination, and streamlined terminal processes. The arrangement is designed to enhance supply chain efficiency, minimise turnaround times, and maintain reliable service for exporters and shippers relying on the route.”

Shri Narmadeshwar Jha, CEO, CONCOR Air Limited, added: "This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening the inland-to-air logistics chain for India's EXIM trade. By closing the gap between our container depot at Dadri and the international gateway at Noida, we're able to offer exporters and shippers a faster, more reliable pathway for customs-cleared cargo. As India's logistics infrastructure continues to scale, partnerships like this one will be central to building the speed and dependability our customers expect."

The AISATS facility has been developed to handle a diverse range of cargo including perishables, pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineering goods, e-commerce shipments and express cargo. Strategically located within the National Capital Region and connected to key industrial and consumption centres, it is poised to play a significant role in strengthening cargo capacity, improving logistics efficiency and supporting India's growing trade and export ecosystem.

SBI Foundation and NSRCEL Launch 2nd Cohort of iCube to Build Stronger Incubation Ecosystems Across India

• Empower Regional Incubators Through the Incubating Incubators (iCube) Initiative

As India's startup ecosystem continues to mature, the need for stronger, more capable incubation ecosystems has never been greater. Recognising that sustainable startup growth depends on the strength of the institutions supporting entrepreneurs, NSRCEL, the startup hub at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore), in partnership with SBI Foundation under its Innovators for Bharat initiative, has launched the second cohort of its Incubating Incubators (iCube) Initiative. The program is designed to build institutional capacity by enabling incubators across the country to strengthen their capabilities, adopt best practices, and create lasting impact within their regional innovation ecosystems.

The second cohort brings together three emerging incubation partners - AIC MAGIC (Marathwada Accelerator for Growth & Incubation Council) an initiative by CMIA (Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture), Incubation Centre, IIT Patna (IC IIT Patna), and The Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT), representing diverse innovation ecosystems across India. By participating in the iCube program, the cohort will be a part of the partnership ecosystem at NSRCEL, providing them with deeper institutional engagement, access to specialised resources, and an extended pool of mentors and experts.

The launch of the second cohort also aligns with the broader vision of government ministries and departments like NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), DST ( Department of Science and Technology) and MeitY(Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India) through MeitY Startup Hub which has consistently championed capacity building as a cornerstone of India's innovation ecosystem. Through its Human Capability Development (HCD) initiatives, AIM focuses on strengthening the capabilities of incubator managers, ecosystem enablers, mentors, and innovation professionals by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and leadership required to build high-performing incubation ecosystems. By fostering structured learning, peer exchange, and practitioner-led capacity building, AIM aims to professionalise incubation practices and strengthen the institutions that enable entrepreneurship across the country.

Unlike traditional startup incubation programs that focus directly on entrepreneurs, iCube adopts a multiplier approach by strengthening the institutions that nurture startups. Through structured learning, peer-to-peer engagement, strategic mentoring, governance frameworks, and operational best practices, the initiative aims to enable incubators to become stronger anchors of regional innovation.

Participants will gain access to NSRCEL's extensive incubation ecosystem, including its network of over 110 mentors, Industry connect programs, curated learning modules, institutional tools, strategic frameworks, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The program also facilitates collaborative learning among incubators, enabling them to exchange experiences, adapt successful models to their regional contexts, and build resilient institutions that can support founders more effectively.

Mr. Subhadip Mondal, Team Lead – LEAP, SBI Foundation said "At SBI Foundation, through our Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (LEAP), we are committed to strengthening the foundations that enable entrepreneurship and innovation to thrive across India. Innovators for Bharat is a key part of this vision, with a focus on strengthening incubation ecosystems and enabling institutions to nurture entrepreneurs beyond metropolitan hubs. We believe that by equipping incubation centres with the right capabilities, resources and networks, we can unlock the immense potential of regional innovators and help ideas from across India translate into meaningful opportunities. Our partnership with NSRCEL through iCube reflects this shared vision of building a more inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystem that creates lasting impact for startups, communities and the nation’s economic growth."

Addressing the launch, Rasika Prashant, CEO, NSRCEL, remarked: “With the Indian startup ecosystem growing, the next challenge is not the addition of more incubators, but the creation of robust incubators. Each region has its own issues, opportunities, regulations, and entrepreneurship scenario that makes it necessary for us to build contextualised incubation models rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. With the iCube initiative, we are creating a community of collaboration wherein incubators can learn from each other and build institutional capacity to help better founders, startups, and regional innovation ecosystems"

The second cohort builds on the learnings from iCube Cohort 1, which reaffirmed that every incubator requires a tailored approach based on its geography, governance structure, sectoral focus, and local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The new cohort places greater emphasis on institutional reflection, strategic development, contextual problem-solving, and peer-driven learning while providing participating incubators with deeper access to NSRCEL's experience, knowledge, mentors, and ecosystem resources.

Representing one of the participating institutions, Dr. Kumar Siddharth Singh, Chief Manager, BioNEST, Incubation Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna, said: "Even after a decade of building an incubation ecosystem, we believe institutions must continuously evolve. Programs like iCube encourage honest reflection, help us identify gaps, and provide opportunities to learn from experienced peers. Strong incubators are built by constantly adapting, and we are excited to be part of a collaborative platform that enables exactly that."

By strengthening incubators, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect across India's entrepreneurial landscape. Better-equipped incubation institutions will be able to support more founders, enable stronger startups, generate quality employment, and contribute meaningfully to building vibrant regional innovation ecosystems that drive long-term economic growth.

India’s eVTOL Leap: Sarla Aviation Achieves DOA Milestone to Build Air Taxis

Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation has announced that it has secured Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from India’s aviation regulator DGCA. This marks a historic milestone for indigenous electric air taxis and enabling the company to move toward type certification and commercial production.

Achieved in just 3 years, the design approval is said to be the fastest DOA approval in Indian aviation history. The DOA validates the Sarla Aviation's Shunya eVTOL prototype as a credible path toward certification and move from prototypes to certified aircraft, opening doors for commercial eVTOL operations.

The Shunya eVTOL prototype is Sarla Aviation’s flagship six‑seater electric air taxi, designed for short urban trips of 20–30 km at speeds up to 250 km/h, with a payload capacity of around 680 kg—making it India’s highest‑payload eVTOL concept.

Design Organisation Approval (DOA) is the first and most critical regulatory recognition that an aerospace company must secure before it can design, certify, and eventually manufacture aircraft in India. The DGCA approval authorizes Sarla Aviation to take full responsibility for design, testing, and compliance with DGCA safety standards. Equivalent to approvals granted by EASA (Europe) or FAA (US), the DOA aligns India’s aerospace ecosystem with international norms.

Key Highlights

Sarla Aviation is a Bengaluru‑based aerospace startup founded in October 2023 by Adrian Schmidt (CEO), Rakesh Gaonkar (CTO), and later joined by Shivam Chauhan. The company develops indigenous eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility and has attracted high‑profile investors including Accel, Flipkart co‑founder Binny Bansal, Zerodha co‑founder Nikhil Kamath, and Swiggy co‑founder Sriharsha Majety. 

• Approval Granted: DGCA Design Organisation Approval (DOA) under CAR 21 Subpart J
• Date & Venue: August 8, 2026, at Sarla Aviation’s new headquarters in Bengaluru
• Presented By: Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, alongside Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad
• Company Age: Just 3 years old, making this the fastest DOA approval in Indian aviation history. 

The name “Sarla Aviation” carries a symbolic tribute to Sarla Thakral, who became India’s first licensed woman pilot in 1936 at the age of 21.

Aircraft & Technology

• Prototype: Shunya, India’s first full-scale indigenous eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft
• Flight Testing: Over 500 flight tests and 18 hours of flight time completed with half-scale demonstrator Sylla
• Next Milestone: Transition flight with the new prototype expected in January 2027

Strategic Partnerships

• Manipal Hospitals & Aeromed Air Ambulance (medical air mobility)
• Prestige Group (real estate integration for vertiports)
• Jio-bp (energy infrastructure)
• Jeppesen ForeFlight (navigation systems)
• Hexcel Composites & Tata Elxsi (materials and engineering support)

Strategic Impact

Factor	Details
Indigenous Aerospace	First Indian startup to achieve DOA this quickly
Urban Mobility	Paves way for electric air taxis in Indian cities
Government Backing	Strong support under Atmanirbhar Bharat vision
Market Outlook	Minister Naidu expects ecosystem to flourish within 2 years

Challenges & Risks

• Certification Path: DOA is only the first step; full type certification is still required
• Infrastructure Needs: Vertiports, charging networks, and pilot training facilities must scale rapidly
• Accessibility: Government insists eVTOLs must serve all regions, not just metros

Sarla Aviation blends global eVTOL expertise with local Indian innovation, aiming to make air taxis affordable for mass mobility. Its founders’ Lilium background ensures technical credibility, while its investors provide strong financial and entrepreneurial backing.

Introduced in September 2024, DGCA’s new eVTOL framework is creating India’s first dedicated certification pathway for VTOL aircraft. Sarla Aviation became the first company approved under this framework, setting precedent for others.

India’s air taxi sector is accelerating: the DGCA has already granted multiple design approvals, with Sarla Aviation leading the charge, and the government targets commercial eVTOL services by 2028 in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.

Earlier this month, Air India, Japan's SkyDrive and Suzuki announced partnership to explore eVTOL medical logistics in India, aiming to revolutionize emergency healthcare transport.

Besides Sarla Aviation, India’s air taxi ecosystem includes startups like Autosync Aviation (Bengaluru), The ePlane Company (Chennai, IIT‑Madras incubated), and InterGlobe–Archer’s partnership for the Midnight eVTOL, all aiming for commercial rollout by 2027–28.

Ayati Devices Secures ₹15 Cr Pre‑Series A From Inflexor Ventures to Scale Global Diabetic Foot Diagnostics

Ayati Devices, a Bengaluru-based medical technology and device manufacturing company developing precision diagnostic solutions for diabetic foot complications and peripheral vascular disease, has raised INR 15 Crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Inflexor Ventures. This marks the company's first institutional investment and will accelerate the commercialization of its next-generation diagnostic technologies, expand its domestic and international presence, strengthen manufacturing capabilities, and deepen investments in research, regulatory approvals, artificial intelligence, and global talent. Ayati Devices has been incubated at IITB-SINE as part of the institute’s translational research program.

India's medical devices sector is accelerating on innovation and government incentives, even as diabetes becomes one of the world's biggest health challenges. Over 90 million Indians live with diabetes. Many lose foot sensation silently until complications strike, and over 50,000 lower-limb amputations occur in India each year, most preventable through timely diagnosis.

Founded by Nishant Kathpal, Ayati Devices builds clinically accurate, portable, and affordable diagnostic technologies that bring preventive care beyond tertiary hospitals into primary care centres and diabetes clinics. Ayati's portfolio covers the full diabetic foot diagnostic pathway. Vibrasense delivers clinician-independent neuropathy screening in under five minutes; Vibrasense+T adds large- and small-fibre nerve assessment. Vasosense detects Peripheral Artery Disease in two minutes without a specialist, while Angiocam turns real-time tissue perfusion imaging, once prohibitively expensive, into an accessible, portable tool. Completing the suite, the PODIA Trolley offers a pay-per-test screening station with zero upfront capital investment.

Ayati's technologies already hold regulatory clearances across major global markets, including CDSCO (India), the U.S. FDA, CE Mark (Europe), and approvals in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the UAE. The company has deployed over 10,000 devices across 30+ countries, backed by a growing international distributor network and clinical deployments at leading institutions such as Medicover Hospital and Aster Hospital.

The addressable market spans USD 15 billion globally and USD 1.4 billion in India alone, across diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and tissue perfusion imaging. Ayati's technology also extends into plastic surgery, wound care, burn management, cardiovascular diagnostics, and reconstructive medicine, widening its long-term potential.

The capital will fund Angiocam's commercialisation, expand go-to-market operations at home and abroad, strengthen manufacturing and supply chain capacity, accelerate R&D in AI-enabled diagnostics, secure further regulatory approvals, grow the IP portfolio, and build out engineering, clinical, regulatory, and global business development teams.

Looking ahead, Ayati will deepen its presence across Europe, the U.S., the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Latin America through its distribution network, while evaluating direct commercial operations in key markets as demand scales. It will also expand its pay-per-test screening model across hospitals, primary care clinics, and community programmes, making preventive diagnostics far more accessible.

Commenting on the funding, Nishant Kathpal, Founder & CEO, Ayati Devices, said, "Diabetic foot remains one of the most overlooked healthcare challenges, despite being largely preventable with timely screening. At Ayati, we have focused on building technologies that make advanced diagnostics objective, affordable, and accessible beyond tertiary hospitals - right from primary care clinics to community screening programs. This investment marks an important milestone in our journey. It will accelerate our product roadmap, strengthen our global presence, and help us reach millions of patients before complications become irreversible. We are grateful to all our investors for believing in our vision of transforming diabetic foot care worldwide."

Explaining the investment rationale, Pratip Mazumdar, Partner, Inflexor Ventures, said,"India's medical devices sector, driven by innovation and government incentives, is rapidly expanding along with a strong structural tail-wing targeted towards localized technology and manufacturing. Ayati is a platform play in the medical devices sector and exactly the kind of company Inflexor exists to back: a founder with deep technical conviction, a product built from genuine clinical insight, and a platform that is already demonstrating adoption across both domestic and international markets. The scale of the opportunity is as large as the unmet need. Ayati's multi-product platform, proprietary hardware-software integration, and growing IP portfolio give it the moat to become the global standard of care in non-invasive vascular and neurological diagnostics."

The funding represents a significant milestone for Ayati Devices as it transitions from technology validation to accelerated commercial scale. With regulatory-ready products, global market access, and clinical adoption across multiple geographies, the company is set to make advanced diagnostics more affordable and accessible worldwide. As diabetes rises globally, Ayati aims to shift care from reactive treatment to early intervention, preventing amputations and improving outcomes for millions worldwide.