Indian startups raise $2.2 Bn in Q3 2026 as funding grows 5% YoY

Indian startups raised $2.2 Bn between July and September 2026, up 5% YoY, while deal count fell 13% to 210, according to Inc42's Q3 2026 funding report. AI led sectors with $438 Mn across 35 deals, followed by cleantech at $433 Mn.

• Funding rose 5% YoY to $2.2 Bn, but deal count dropped 13% to 210
• Four mega deals of $100 Mn+ versus one a year earlier; Emergent and Astrotalk became unicorns
• AI drew $438 Mn across 35 deals (+265% YoY), cleantech $433 Mn
• 63% of 85+ surveyed investors say Indian AI valuations are above comfortable levels