Startup news and updates: daily roundup (August 14, 2026)

On August 14, 2026, the latest updates in startup news were brought to light through a daily roundup by YourStory. The featured stories included a thought-provoking discussion on what freedom means to Generation Z, drawing parallels between their experiences and those of their parents. India celebrated its 80th Independence Day, prompting a question to young people about the nature of freedom today versus the past.

In the realm of cybersecurity, Kaspersky reported blocking a significant number of cyberattacks across the Asia-Pacific region in the first half of 2026. This included 3.4 million backdoor attacks, 2.4 million password-stealer attacks, and 250,000 ransomware incidents. The firm also highlighted a rise in supply-chain attacks, with nearly one in three organizations globally reporting related incidents in the past year. India was among the top five countries most frequently targeted by advanced persistent threat groups.

In the world of AI and filmmaking, Studio Blo unveiled an AI-powered Independence Day short film. Directed by Sendil Kumar, the film explores the concept of freedom through technological innovation. Collaborating with renowned filmmakers, Studio Blo continues to push the boundaries of AI-led content production.

TCS and Rolls-Royce made history by successfully completing a hydrogen-powered jet engine flight simulation. This marked the first time a modern aero gas turbine was operated using 100% hydrogen, validating key hydrogen propulsion technologies across combustion, fuel systems, and engine controls. TCS supported the programme from its inception in 2024, contributing to fuel system integration, engine controls, hydrogen combustion analysis, data analytics, risk management, and design.

MakeMyTrip teamed up with the Ministry of Tourism to promote guided tours across 60+ cities. This partnership, launching on Independence Day, offers more than 350 tours covering a range of experiences from heritage and culture to spirituality and cuisine. Experiences include tea estate visits, heritage walks, photography tours, and artisan workshops, catering to various interests and travel styles.