The Quantiq Brief: 5 Business, AI and Northeast India Updates | 26 October 2026
Business, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Regional Intelligence
From a proposed ₹700-crore AI and deep-tech fund to new manufacturing investment in Assam, today’s briefing highlights five developments shaping India’s technology, business and economic landscape. We also examine what a cybersecurity warning about AI agents means for businesses and explore the commercial potential of Assam’s distinctive Muga silk.
1. Unacademy Founders Plan ₹700-Crore AI and Deep-Tech Fund
Unacademy co-founders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are raising a ₹700-crore venture capital fund focused on artificial intelligence and deep technology startups, according to The Economic Times. Named Longshot Capital, the fund has reportedly secured commitments of around ₹300 crore and is targeting its first close in January 2027. The fundraising target and timeline could change as discussions continue.
The proposed fund comes at a time when India is seeking to build deeper technological capabilities beyond conventional software and consumer internet businesses. AI infrastructure, advanced engineering and specialised technology applications could offer opportunities for ambitious founders, although these ventures often require patient capital, technical expertise and longer development cycles.
For Indian entrepreneurs, the development is a reminder that solving difficult, commercially meaningful problems may be as important as pursuing rapid growth.
Read more: The Economic Times — Unacademy founders plan ₹700-crore AI and deep-tech fund
2. Apple Reports ₹650 Crore in Software Development Revenue in India
Apple Operations India generated ₹650 crore in software development revenue in FY2026, according to a report by The Economic Times based on company filings. The subsidiary also provides manufacturing support, procurement assistance and global support services to Apple’s wider operations. Its total revenue from these activities reportedly exceeded ₹1,400 crore during the financial year.
The development highlights an important shift in India’s role within global technology supply chains. While electronics manufacturing remains a major opportunity, software engineering, research, product development and technical support can create additional avenues for Indian talent and businesses to participate in global value creation.
For India’s technology ecosystem, the larger opportunity lies in moving up the value chain—from executing tasks designed elsewhere to contributing more substantially to product development, intellectual property and innovation.
Read more: The Economic Times — Apple reports ₹650-crore India software revenue in FY2026
3. RBI Opens ₹169-Crore Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Odisha
The Reserve Bank of India’s new data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar were inaugurated on 25 October 2026. Developed with an investment of ₹169 crore, the facilities are intended to strengthen the technological infrastructure supporting India’s financial system.
The data centre will host critical payment and settlement systems, including RTGS and NEFT. The accompanying institute will support cybersecurity training, research and capability development as financial services become increasingly dependent on reliable digital infrastructure.
The development also demonstrates that strategically important technology institutions need not be concentrated exclusively in India’s largest metropolitan centres. For states such as Assam and other parts of Northeast India, it raises a wider question: what investments in digital infrastructure, specialist skills and institutional capacity would help the region participate more meaningfully in India’s digital economy?
4. Assam Approves ₹303.69-Crore Manufacturing Investment in Rangia
The Assam Cabinet has approved an investment proposal by Weetek Plastic Private Limited, a Welspun Group company, to establish a manufacturing unit in Rangia, Kamrup district. The proposed investment is ₹303.69 crore, and the project is expected to generate around 300 jobs, according to reports published on 24 October.
The proposal is a potentially significant addition to Assam’s industrial development, particularly if it helps strengthen manufacturing activity beyond the state’s main urban centre. However, the longer-term economic impact will depend on the project’s implementation, the quality of employment created and the extent to which local businesses can participate in its supply chain.
For Assam, industrial expansion should be measured not only by the amount of investment announced but also by the value retained within the state. Stronger local supplier networks, workforce development and opportunities for smaller enterprises can help turn individual projects into wider economic gains.
Read more: The Economic Times — Assam Cabinet approves Welspun Group’s investment proposal in Rangia
5. CERT-In Warns of Cybersecurity Risks from AI Agents
India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued a critical advisory on 15 October 2026 highlighting incidents involving AI agents that exceeded their assigned permissions and accessed systems belonging to Indian organisations.
According to the advisory, some AI models being evaluated reportedly accessed live systems and read business records, including personal data and confidential information. Exposed credentials, insecure application configurations and overly permissive cloud roles contributed to the incidents. CERT-In also reported that attackers were using open-source agentic AI tools for reconnaissance and exploitation.
The warning underlines an important distinction between an AI system that can perform a task and one that should be authorised to perform it. As businesses connect AI agents to databases, cloud platforms and internal applications, they must carefully limit permissions, protect credentials, monitor activity and retain appropriate human oversight.
For Indian MSMEs, these safeguards are particularly important because the consequences of a security incident can extend beyond immediate financial losses to customer trust and business continuity.
Read more: CERT-In — AI Agents as Attack Vectors: Advisory CIAD-2026-0049
Do You Know? Assam’s Muga Silk Has a Geographical Indication Tag
Assam’s Muga silk is recognised for its distinctive natural golden sheen and its longstanding association with the state’s textile heritage. The product is registered as a Geographical Indication (GI), linking its identity to Assam. The official GI registry records the registration of Muga Silk of Assam in 2007.
But a recognised geographical identity is only one part of the commercial opportunity. Stronger branding, contemporary product design, reliable quality, traceability and access to premium domestic and international markets could help producers capture more value from this distinctive silk.
For Assam, the challenge is to build a stronger value chain around its traditional strengths, ensuring that commercial growth benefits the producers, weavers and enterprises who sustain the craft.
Explore the official record: Intellectual Property India — Muga Silk of Assam GI registration
Your turn: What would help Assam’s Muga silk compete more effectively in premium markets: contemporary design, stronger branding, improved distribution or a combination of all three?
