Because it has many education centers and has achieved so much in innovation, Pune is now a major startup hub in India. Though the amount invested in Pune startups went down slightly in 2024, the continued confidence of investors is shown by the $395 million raised through 70 investment rounds. Presently, FirstCry, ElasticRun, Rebel Foods and OneCard in the city highlight the city’s capacity to help businesses scale. The rise in entrepreneurial activity is real and can be explained by the coming together of plenty of talent, developed technology and more interest from investors.
It explores the vibrant business start-up ecosystem in Pune, looking at the sectors that are leading its progress, the wonderful opportunities open to new university graduates and the challenges yet to come as the city aims to remain a distinctive startup destination around the world. We will point out a few of the leading startup firms that are having a big impact within the city. In this article we will know more about Startup Companies in Pune.
Pune Startup Ecosystem: A Landscape Overview
Startup companies in Pune became a key startup hub because many different factors joined to create good conditions for entrepreneurial ventures.
An Increasingly Popular Hot Bed for Entrepreneurship
The number of startup companies in Pune has increased rapidly. Recently, the number of registered startups in Pune has been just shy of Mumbai, indicating that Pune’s entrepreneurship is rising. This increase is thanks to plenty of skilled people working in IT and the rise of Global Capability Centers, both of which help support startups.
Large Funding and Investment Market
Although the total amount of funding in Pune dropped by about 10% last year compared to 2023, the city remains popular with investors. A strong investor presence in emerging fields is shown by the $395 million invested in 2024 through 70 funding rounds. Because of more incubators, accelerators and government actions, young companies now have a greater chance to obtain funding, mentorship and meet useful contacts.
A Range of Sectoral Improvements
Pune’s startup activities do not focus on just one industry. Many industries in the city have grown and diversified very quickly. Because many are drawn to it, the environment is actively growing for people starting companies and searching for employment.
Key Sectors Dominating Pune's Startup Scene
The Pune startup world stands out because it covers several crucial fields:
- Technology & IT: As Pune grows as a major IT center, it sees more and more technology startups focusing on enterprise software, AI and machine learning.
- FinTech (Financial Technology): FinTech is expanding quickly in Pune, as many startups launch new services for digital payments, lending and analyzing financial data. Being home to tech workers and bankers, the city is very appealing to companies innovating in finance.
- EdTech (Education Technology): Pune’s strong academic background makes it the ideal location for companies in EdTech which develop different learning tools using technology.
- Agritech: Serious progress in the Agritech sector has come from Pune’s agricultural areas. The main aim of these startups is to make agriculture more productive, improve the efficiency of food delivery and give farm technologies to farmers.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences (HealthTech/MedTech): Critical healthcare challenges are being addressed by startups in Pune using AI, data analysis and the latest in medical technology.
Top 10 Startup Companies in Pune
1. Soft The Next:
Mr. Aashish Mehrunkar is the founder of Soft The Next, an innovative software development company built with a vision to provide next generation digital solutions. They have their base in Pune and they mostly deal with clients from different industries such as healthcare, finance, education and e-commerce by providing bespoke software development and digital transformation services. It is one of the best Startup Companies in Pune. They also specialize in using modern technologies to help build scalable, robust and user friendly applications addressing your complex business needs while helping organizations meet their digital objectives and achieve efficiency in operations through custom software.
- Key Services: Custom Software Development, Web Application Development, Mobile App Development, Cloud Solutions, Digital Transformation, UI/UX Design, Software Testing.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Employees benefit from flexible working hours, opportunities for skill development and training, health insurance, and a supportive team dynamic that encourages innovation and learning.
- Average Salary: Salaries vary by role and experience, but competitive compensation is offered, generally ranging from ₹4 LPA for freshers to ₹12 LPA for experienced developers.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer, Web Developer, Mobile App Developer, UI/UX Designer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Business Analyst, Project Manager.
Company Details:
- Website: https://softthenext.com/
- Founded: Not explicitly mentioned on the website but implied to be a relatively recent venture.
- Headquarters: Pune, India.
2. Traffic Tail
Traffic Tail specializes in digital marketing solutions designed to drive traffic and maximize online presence for businesses. With a focus on result-driven marketing strategies, Traffic Tail provides services such as SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, and pay-per-click advertising to help clients boost visibility and grow their customer base. Their expert team combines data analytics with creative campaigns to deliver measurable results, positioning Traffic Tail as a notable startup in Pune’s digital ecosystem.
- Key Services: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising, Web Analytics, Digital Strategy Consulting.
- Work Culture & Benefits: Traffic Tail fosters a creative and fast-paced environment encouraging innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. Employees benefit from flexible work schedules, skill-building workshops, and supportive leadership.
- Average Salary: Salaries are competitive and vary based on experience and role, generally ranging from ₹3 LPA to ₹10 LPA.
- Key Job Roles: Digital Marketing Executive, SEO Specialist, Content Creator, Social Media Manager, PPC Analyst, Data Analyst, Marketing Manager.
Company Details:
- Website: https://traffictail.com/
- Founded In: 2021
- Headquarters: Delhi, India
3. MindTickle
With a mission to enable companies toward deeper levels of sales performance, MindTickle is a sales readiness enablement platform that drives increased seller knowledge, capabilities and behaviors. The brainchild of Krishna Depura, Nishant Mungali, Mohit Garg and Deepak Diwakar in 2011, the Pune and San Francisco based Unicorn serves a global clientele in technology, healthcare and financial services.
As one of the leading Pune-based software startups, the innovative MindTickle platform offers complete solutions to ensure the onboarding, programmatic continuous learning, coaching and content management that sales teams need to be more effective, efficient and consistent with their customers. Their journey also serves as a model example for startup mentorship in Pune, inspiring many emerging entrepreneurs.
- Key Services: Sales Readiness Platform, Sales Onboarding, Continuous Learning for Sales, Sales Coaching, Content Management for Sales, Conversation Intelligence, Role-Play Simulations.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, generous paid time off, professional development allowances, wellness programs, and a strong focus on work-life balance.
- Average Salary: Salaries at MindTickle are highly competitive, reflecting its status as a leading SaaS company. Average compensation can range from ₹8 LPA for entry-level roles to ₹30+ LPA for experienced engineers and managers.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer, Product Manager, Sales Engineer, Customer Success Manager, UX Designer, Data Scientist, Marketing Specialist, Sales Development Representative.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.mindtickle.com/
- Founded: 2011
- Headquarters: Pune, India, and San Francisco, USA.
4. Talentica Software (I) Pvt. Ltd.
Talentica Software (I) Pvt. Ltd. is a global specialized product development company partnering with technology startups to build and scale your product. Talentica was founded in 2003 by Anant Kale and Mukund Kulashekaran and has become a trusted name to the industry, catering to emerging technologies such as AI/ML, Blockchain, Big Data and Cloud Computing. A wide and evolving spectrum of innovative startups from FinTech, HealthTech and enterprise software represents the kind of companies they serve. They specialize in offering end to end product engineering services ranging from concept through to launch and deliver high quality, scalable and innovative solutions that deliver success to their clients.
- Key Services: Product Engineering, AI/ML Development, Big Data Solutions, Blockchain Development, Cloud Native Development, DevOps, UI/UX Design, Quality Assurance.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Employees enjoy a meritocratic environment, extensive training and development opportunities, health and wellness programs, and a collaborative atmosphere.
- Average Salary: Salaries are highly competitive, ranging from ₹6 LPA for freshers to ₹25+ LPA for senior software engineers and architects, reflecting their focus on high-end product development.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer (various specializations), Product Architect, Quality Assurance Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Data Engineer, UI/UX Designer, Technical Lead.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.talentica.com/
- Founded: 2003
- Headquarters: Pune, India.
5. Fictiv
We operate a digital manufacturing platform that makes it easy and fast to source custom manufactured parts for engineers and designers. Fictiv is headquartered in San Francisco, but employs a lot of operational strength and engineering talent in Pune, making it one of the prominent manufacturing startups in Pune as the city benefits from its tech capabilities. The company, founded by Dave Evans and Nate Evans in 2013, now serves industries from robotics and automotive to medical devices and consumer electronics.
As one of the top digital manufacturing companies, Fictiv offers rapid prototyping and on-demand production services using a global network of vetted manufacturers. Its platform enables you to get high-quality parts with fast lead times at transparent prices, revolutionizing the manufacturing supply chain for innovation.
- Key Services: On-Demand Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping, CNC Machining, 3D Printing, Injection Molding, Urethane Casting, Quality Inspection, Manufacturing Sourcing.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Employees in Pune benefit from exposure to global projects, opportunities for professional growth, comprehensive health benefits, and a culture that values engineering excellence and problem-solving.
- Average Salary: Salaries are competitive with global tech companies, typically ranging from ₹7 LPA for entry-level engineering roles to ₹28+ LPA for experienced engineers and technical leads.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Product Manager, Data Analyst, Supply Chain Operations Specialist.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.fictiv.com/
- Founded: 2013
- Headquarters: San Francisco, USA (with a significant presence in Pune).
6. 6sense
6sense is a leading account engagement platform helping B2B revenue teams discover anonymous buying intent, predict the right conversation and improve engagement to unleash momentum with the right customers at the right time. Amanda Kahlow, Viral Bajaria and Dustin D. Brown founded 6sense in 2013 and, today, 6sense has a significant engineering and product presence in Pune. Primarily serving B2B enterprises in software, manufacturing and financial services, 6sense’s AI driven platform enables businesses to identify potential buyers sooner in the buyer funnel, prioritize accounts and engage them with relevant messages in order to change how revenue is generated, through a complete understanding of B2B buyer behavior.
- Key Services: Account Engagement Platform, Buyer Intent Data, Account Identification, Predictive Analytics for Sales & Marketing, Sales & Marketing Orchestration, ABM (Account-Based Marketing), Anonymous Visitor Identification.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: They offer competitive compensation, comprehensive health benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive remote-first (hybrid model in Pune) environment.
- Average Salary: Salaries are highly competitive, reflecting their position as a market leader in sales and marketing technology. Average compensation can range from ₹9 LPA for entry-level roles to ₹35+ LPA for senior engineering and product management positions.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer (Backend, Frontend, Full Stack), Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Product Manager, Quality Assurance Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect.
Company Details:
- Website: https://6sense.com/
- Founded: 2013
- Headquarters: San Francisco, USA (with a significant presence in Pune).
7. AlphaSense
Founded in 2011, AlphaSense is a leading market intelligence and search platform that reinvents how individuals and teams search and produce business insight from massive volumes of business content. AlphaSense was founded by Jack Kokko and Raj Neervannan in 2011 and provides a global client base of leading investment firms, corporations and consulting firms across finance, technology and the consumer goods industries.
It uses AI and natural language processing (NLP) to quickly extract essential information from financial documents, company filings, news and expert understanding to afford users instant access to vital knowledge and key take-aways from both public and private sources, to expedite decisions with the best possible information.
- Key Services: Market Intelligence Platform, AI-Powered Search, Earnings Transcripts, Company Filings Analysis, Expert Call Transcripts, News & Press Releases Analysis, Document Search & Analysis.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Employees benefit from a collaborative environment, opportunities to work on AI/NLP technologies, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a focus on continuous professional development.
- Average Salary: Salaries are highly competitive, ranging from ₹8 LPA for entry-level software engineers to ₹30+ LPA for senior engineers and data scientists, reflecting the specialized nature of their product.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer (Backend, Frontend, Full Stack), Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, NLP Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Product Manager, Site Reliability Engineer.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.alpha-sense.com/
- Founded: 2011
- Headquarters: New York, USA (with a significant engineering presence in Pune).
8. SingleStore
A cloud native database created to combine transactional and analytical workloads into one single product, SingleStore is designed for real time apps and analytics. SingleStore was founded in 2011 by Nikita Shamgunov and Yuri Simakov, with clients in FinTech, ad-tech and telecommunications, amongst others throughout the globe. It is one of the top tech startups in Pune, playing a crucial role in the city’s evolving digital ecosystem.
This distributed SQL database is fast and scalable, designed for companies that need to answer complex queries and work with massive datasets in real time. Working with SingleStore, organizations are able to unlock the full potential of their data for their operational analytics, customer facing applications and fraud detection needs on a single, unified platform of their diverse data demands. As one of the most innovative startups in Pune, SingleStore continues to shape the future of cloud-native data management.
- Key Services: Distributed SQL Database, Real-time Analytics, Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing (HTAP), In-Memory Database, Cloud-Native Database, Data Warehousing, Data Lake Analytics.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks:
- Benefits include competitive compensation, comprehensive health plans, generous vacation policies, and opportunities to work with cutting-edge database technologies.
- Average Salary: Salaries are among the highest in the database technology space, typically ranging from ₹10 LPA for entry-level software engineers to ₹40+ LPA for senior database architects and engineers.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer (Database Kernel, Distributed Systems), Quality Assurance Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, Technical Support Engineer, Product Manager, Solutions Architect.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.singlestore.com/
- Founded: 2011
- Headquarters: San Francisco, USA (with a strong engineering presence in Pune).
9. AppZen
As an AI platform for autonomous finance operations, AppZen automates the expense report audit and payment process. AppZen was founded in 2012 by Kunal Mehta and Anant Kale in 2012 and serves large enterprises worldwide, most usually in finance, retail and making. With the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing their platform analyzes financial data in real time and detects fraud, waste and errors with high accuracy.
It is among the best startup companies in Pune. Financial teams can be more efficient, compliant and save money by automating somewhat manual, time consuming tasks and transforming financial operations into a smart, proactive function.
- Key Services: AI-Powered Expense Audit, Autonomous Accounts Payable, Invoice Processing Automation, Fraud Detection, Compliance Management, Spend Analysis, Financial Operations Automation.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Employees benefit from opportunities to work on advanced AI and ML technologies, comprehensive health benefits, a flexible work model, and a culture that values problem-solving and collaboration.
- Average Salary: Salaries are highly competitive, ranging from ₹8 LPA for entry-level roles to ₹30+ LPA for senior AI/ML engineers and software developers.
- Key Job Roles: AI/ML Engineer, Software Engineer (Backend, Frontend), Data Scientist, Quality Assurance Engineer, Product Manager, Business Analyst, Customer Success Manager.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.appzen.com/
- Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: San Jose, USA (with a significant presence in Pune).
10. LogicMonitor
As a leading SaaS based unified observability platform for enterprises, LogicMonitor is an observability platform powered by AIOps that delivers comprehensive monitoring of hybrid and multi cloud IT infrastructure. Founded in 2007 by Steve Francis, LogicMonitor enjoys a customer base of clients located around the world with operations in technology, healthcare and the financial services industries.
They provide automated discovery, dependency mapping and performance monitoring for servers, networks, cloud environments and applications, all on their platform. IT operations teams can proactively identify and act upon performance issues, confirm business continuity and optimize the IT infrastructure they rely on with a unified view of the whole IT stack to drive operational excellence and decrease downtime.
- Key Services: Unified Observability Platform, Infrastructure Monitoring, Cloud Monitoring, Application Performance Monitoring (APM), Network Monitoring, Log Management, AIOps, IT Operations Management.
- Work Culture: Benefits & Perks: Benefits include comprehensive health and wellness programs, generous paid time off, professional development allowances, and a vibrant team environment.
- Average Salary: Salaries are competitive in the SaaS monitoring space, typically ranging from ₹7 LPA for entry-level software engineers to ₹28+ LPA for experienced engineers and product managers.
- Key Job Roles: Software Engineer (Backend, Frontend, Full Stack), Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), Quality Assurance Engineer, Technical Support Engineer, Product Manager, DevOps Engineer.
Company Details:
- Website: https://www.logicmonitor.com/
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: Santa Barbara, USA (with a significant presence in Pune).
Opportunities for Freshers in Pune's Startup Scene
Pune’s successful startup community creates opportunities for students who want to get a good start in their chosen field.
Why Startups are Great for Fresh Graduates:
- Accelerated Learning Curve: Because startups tend to have small teams, each member usually has many responsibilities. So, newcomers learn fast and come to understand the business better.
- Hands-on Experience: Unlike the specific jobs given to employees in already established companies, at startups freshers can join teams early and have big tasks from the start
- Innovation and Creativity: Startups rely on being creative and having new ideas to succeed. Just-graduated employees can lead the way when it comes to innovation with their fresh thinking.
- Direct Impact: A startup is small, so even the most minor help from a team member plays a meaningful part in its growth and achievement. Feeling that they help directly can really motivate people.
- Mentorship and Networking: Many founders and early workers in startups have worked in the industry for a long time. New graduates can gain great advice and start forming important contacts in their profession.
- Dynamic Work Culture: In startups, there are usually fewer bosses and more chances for team members to actively work together.
Specific Roles and Skill Sets in Demand:
The city’s startups are on the hunt for talent across several fields. Here, you will find some important job roles and the main skills they look for:
- Software Development (Python, Java, React, Node.js, .NET): Developers need to master Python, Java, JavaScript frameworks (React, Node.js) and .NET to perform best. It is very important to know data structures, algorithms and Scrum and Agile methodologies.
- Data Science & Analytics: There is a need for people who can analyze data, are knowledgeable in Python or R, know SQL and use machine learning and data visualization tools.
- Frontend/Backend/Full Stack Development: Those working in Frontend/Backend/Full Stack should be skillful with HTML, CSS and JavaScript and understand how frameworks and databases work.
- QA Automation Engineering: Knowing about testing frameworks, being able to script and knowing about testing approaches is useful in QA Automation Engineering.
- Digital Marketing: For Digital Marketing Executive and SEO Intern jobs, it is very valuable to have experience with SEO, SEM, content marketing, social media marketing and email marketing, as well as skills in analytics.
- Business Development & Sales: Being good at communicating, negotiating and working with people is important. It is helpful to understand both market research and lead generation.
- Operations: Good organization, strong problem-solving skills and understanding of improving processes are expected of an Operations Executive.
How Freshers Can Land a Job in a Pune Startup:
- Build a Strong Portfolio/Resume: Include in your portfolio/resume projects, work experiences and your best school achievements that are valuable to yours. Organize your resume so that the skills needed for working at a startup are noticed.
- Network Actively: Visit startup gatherings, join events and go to workshops located in Pune. You can learn from founders and professionals by using LinkedIn.
- Leverage Online Platforms: Try using job sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, AngelList and websites targeted at the startup field.
- Internships: Try to get an internship so you can use what you’ve learned and show your abilities. A lot of internships eventually result in full-time employment.
- Show Enthusiasm and Proactiveness: Keep updating your knowledge, as things in the startup world keep evolving. You can learn about recent technological changes and upcoming industry trends online, by taking courses, obtaining certificates and working on personal projects.
Conclusion
The journey so far has been remarkable for Pune, as the city has already established itself as a robust startup ecosystem and has seen diverse sectoral growth and creation of good support for innovation. Even challenges such as securing larger funding rounds and retaining top talent exist – but with a big talent pool, academic power, growing infrastructure and supportive government policies the city is well placed to continue to grow.
Considering the fact that startup companies in Pune have always been best suited for fresh graduates as this place provides an unbelievable opportunity to a fresh graduate to start a dynamic career, learn at a fast pace and create a tangible impact in the exciting startup ecosystem. What this means in the future for Pune is that with its growth and rising popularity, both in domestic and international interests, the city will only cement its place as one of the main epicenters of India’s lively entrepreneurial ecosystem.
FAQs
What are the primary sectors which are driving growth of Pune's startup growth?
Technology & IT, FinTech, EdTech, Agritech and Healthcare/Life Sciences are the majority drivers of Pune’s startup growth.
In 2024 Pune based startups raised $395 million in 70 funding rounds.
Is Pune a good city for freshers to start their career with startups?
Pune definitely has great opportunities for freshers given the steep learning curve, Hands on experience and the rapidly changing work culture at startups.
What type of challenges do Pune startups face?
The major challenges are securing large funding rounds, acquiring and retaining talent and running continuous infrastructure development.
