Startup news and updates: daily roundup (July 20, 2026)
YourStory brings you today’s headlines with the latest developments across sectors
Featured stories
OpenAI elevates Uday Ruddarraju as CTO for Compute
OpenAI has promoted Uday Ruddarraju to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Compute, as access to large-scale computing infrastructure becomes increasingly critical in the race to build advanced AI models.
The appointment comes amid growing competition among AI companies to secure the processing power, networking capabilities and data centre infrastructure required to train and deploy increasingly sophisticated foundation models.
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Funding news
Plazza raises $15M in Series A round
Bengaluru-based healthtech startup Plazza has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Accel, Elevation Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors All In Capital and Better Capital.
The startup, which is building a technology-led pharmacy retail and rapid medicine-delivery platform, said it will use the fresh capital to strengthen its technology stack, enhance its AI-powered inventory intelligence, expand its operational capabilities, and grow its pharmacy network into new geographies.
Founded in 2024 by Aman Priyadarshi, Plazza aims to address medicine availability by ensuring patients can access doctor-prescribed medicines when they need them, using technology to improve pharmacy operations and inventory management.
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Other news
SG Finserve, BharatPe and Succesship join hands to expand digital credit access
Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) SG Finserve has partnered with BharatPe Money, the lending service provider (LSP) arm of BharatPe, and fintech infrastructure company Succesship Technologies to launch a digital lending solution for merchants.
The partnership aims to improve access to formal credit for India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by offering a fully digital, paperless borrowing experience.
Built in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Lending Guidelines, the solution focuses on customer consent, transparency, responsible lending, and regulatory compliance.
Eligible merchants can apply for loans through a simplified digital process with faster approvals, minimal documentation, and a seamless onboarding experience.
ePlane Company unveils the e200X
Chennai-based deep-tech aerospace startup The ePlane Company has unveiled the first full-scale prototype of its electric aircraft, the e200X (PT-01), at its new 60,000-square-foot production facility in Chennai.
The unveiling marks a key milestone for the IIT Madras-incubated startup, which received Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in 2023. The company plans to begin certified flight testing of the aircraft by the middle of next year.
The e200X (PT-01) is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft built entirely from carbon fibre. Measuring 8 metres by 11 metres and weighing up to 2.2 tonnes, the prototype is designed to operate from existing urban infrastructure, such as helipads and open spaces, eliminating the need for dedicated landing sites.
Namma Yatri organises experiential initiative to encourage women’s participation
Ride-hailing platform Namma Yatri recently organised a one-day experiential initiative in Bengaluru aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in the mobility ecosystem.
The activation invited women from diverse professional backgrounds to experience a day in the life of a driver partner, showcasing professional driving as a career that offers financial independence, flexible work hours and dignity, while challenging stereotypes around women in mobility.
The experience began at Kempegowda International Airport, where participants logged in to the Namma Yatri app, accepted ride requests, and drove passengers across Bengaluru, mirroring the daily routines of driver partners on the platform.
During the day, participants interacted with riders, navigated the city’s roads and gained first-hand insights into both the opportunities and challenges of professional driving. The company documented the journeys to capture authentic experiences and perspectives from the participants.
Ezeepay parent MJ Digital Services unveils new corporate identity
MJ Digital Services Pvt Ltd, the parent company of assisted fintech platform Ezeepay, has unveiled a new corporate identity as it looks to position itself as a diversified digital financial services company.
The rebranding reflects the company’s long-term strategy of building an inclusive, technology-led financial ecosystem that bridges the gap between formal financial institutions and underserved communities across India.
While Ezeepay will continue to operate as the company’s flagship assisted fintech brand, MJ Digital Services will function as the parent technology company, driving innovation across digital payments, assisted banking, merchant enablement, Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), API-led financial infrastructure, SaaS platforms, embedded finance solutions, compliance technology, and digital financial infrastructure.
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
