India's startup scene, now housing 119 unicorns, needs a pivot from fundraising to sustainable growth, with a focus on transparency and responsible scaling. Scrutiny of firms like Byju's highlights the need for improved business models and investor caution amid inflated valuations.

The National Startup Awards 5.0 application deadline has been extended to July 5, 2025, offering startups more time to refine entries for recognition and support. This initiative, part of Startup India, provides winners with INR 10 lakh, mentorship, and increased visibility, fostering India's economic growth.

LiveDrop, a company specializing in secure offline data transfer, has raised $2.5 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round. The funds will help scale its technology across defense, government, and civilian sectors, with backing from key investors like Value Creation Capital and Secfund.

Cathy Gao of Sapphire Ventures will share insights on growth-stage fundraising at TechCrunch All Stage 2025 in Boston on July 15. The event will also highlight how GenAI is reshaping investor priorities, offering founders valuable guidance on targeting $30 million or more in funding.

Startuprad.io, a podcast network focused on the DACH region, has surpassed 2.5 million streams by June 2025, marking a major milestone. The network, founded in 2014, is now trending in 29 global podcast charts, highlighting its expanding influence.

Thailand's NIA will host the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2025 from July 4-6 in Bangkok, focusing on 'Global Innovation Partnership – AI & Sustainability.' SITE 2025 aims to position Thailand as a hub for global innovation, featuring seminars, exhibitions, and the National Pitching Startup Thailand League 2025 to foster collaboration among international partners, startups, and investors.

Punto Health, a startup focused on dementia care, clinched the NN Social Innovation Startup Award 2025, earning a €100,000 grant and mentorship. Founded by Anna Muñoz Farré, the company aims to revolutionize dementia care globally with AI-driven solutions, addressing a growing health crisis.

Berlin's Ostrom raises €20 million in Series B funding to spearhead smart meter adoption and virtual power plant expansion. Led by Eneco Ventures, the funds will also bolster automation and sustainable energy initiatives, reinforcing Ostrom’s aim to build Europe’s leading digital green energy platform.

Alabama launches its first state-backed venture studio, Innovate Alabama Venture Studio and Fund, in partnership with Harmony Venture Labs to nurture local startups. The initiative aims to create 10 venture-backed startups by 2028, focusing on sectors like AgTech and healthcare, to attract $10 million in venture capital and boost the state's economy.

Kieran Hill of 20VC unveiled Project Europe, a fund aimed at nurturing under-25 entrepreneurs with financial support and mentorship. Hill criticized European VCs for conservative strategies and urged a cultural shift toward embracing higher investment risks to foster local startup talent.

San Francisco-based startup Cluely, which offers AI tools to aid in 'cheating' during interviews and exams, has secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. Co-founded by Roy Lee, the company faces ethical scrutiny as it rapidly expands, leveraging its controversial AI to attract attention and investment.

Gautier Cloix, former Palantir executive, becomes CEO of Paris-based AI startup H Company, replacing cofounder Charles Kantor amid a major leadership shift. The move follows a $220 million seed round and marks a strategic push to expand H Company's AI agents globally, leveraging Cloix's market expertise.

The European tech sector boomed this week, raising over €1.3 billion in various deals, with healthtech leading the charge. The UK appointed its first entrepreneurship adviser, while major acquisitions reshaped the landscape, including CUBE's acquisition of Acin and Sophora's purchase of Data-Sec.

Imperial College London made a significant impact at London Tech Week 2025, showcasing its role in advancing healthcare, MedTech, and sustainable innovations. Highlights included talks on AI in healthcare, the launch of the Global India hub, and the new Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, emphasizing global collaboration and entrepreneurship.

Spain's tech sector is booming in 2025, with over €1 billion in startup investments in Q1, marking a 184% increase year-over-year. Government incentives and a global AI surge are key factors behind this growth.

Watergate, a UK-based startup, is launching a crowdfunding campaign to further develop Sonic, its ultrasonic leak detection technology addressing global water infrastructure issues. The company aims to expand internationally and believes its smart water management solutions are crucial for sustainability, having already saved significant water resources for clients like Greystar.

Belgian start-up Bizzy secures €4 million from Fortino Capital to boost its AI Sales Agent and expand across Europe. The funding will enhance CRM integration and develop an AI-driven sales assistant, further cementing Bizzy's role in business intelligence.

Glyde, a currency platform from London, has secured £450,000 in pre-seed funding led by Fuel Ventures to bolster its operations and expand globally. This investment will aid in enhancing their engineering team and launching new features, aiming to revolutionize the foreign exchange market by offering users significant savings over traditional brokers.

Terrapower leads the U.S. startup funding scene this week with a $650 million raise, focusing on nuclear energy solutions with backing from Bill Gates and Nvidia. Other notable rounds include Applied Intuition's $600 million and Teamworks' $235 million, highlighting growth in defense tech and sports management software.