Startup news and updates: daily roundup (August 26, 2026)

On August 11, 2026, the village of Bhadi in Chhattisgarh witnessed a historic cricket match as part of the RISE Premier League. Organised by non-profit Girl Rising, this mixed-gender event marked a significant challenge to gender stereotypes in rural India. The league, which will run until October 10, features four teams and eight matches, bringing together girls and boys on equal footing.

Meanwhile, in the realm of education technology, AssessPrep is transforming test scores into actionable data for schools. This Gurugram-based platform works with over 800 schools across India, providing curriculum-aligned assessments that tag every question to specific learning objectives. By analysing student performance, AssessPrep helps educators identify areas for improvement at both individual and class levels, all while saving teachers time through its AI-powered system.

In the financial services sector, Anaptyss, a US-based digital technology company with a strong foothold in India, is harnessing AI to drive growth in the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) industry. As part of its strategy, Anaptyss is adding AI capabilities to its existing managed services, aiming to expand its offerings and capture new market opportunities.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region shows a positive hiring outlook for FY27, with 52% of GCCs planning to increase their workforce. This shift towards quality professionals rather than volume growth is highlighted in a report by Taggd in partnership with CII, titled From Intent to Predictable Scale: The Future of GCCs in India.