According to a media report, tech giant Intel Corporation intends to announce layoffs at some point this week. The report further revealed that the job cuts would involve a personnel reduction of more than 20% in order to “eliminate bureaucracy”.
Intel’s layoffs are intended to “streamline management and rebuild an engineering-driven culture”. The chip giant undergoes significant reorganisation under its new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan who took over company’s operations in March 2025.
In an effort to turn around the faltering chipmaker, more than 20% of Intel’s workforce would be let go. After years of lagging behind Nvidia in artificial intelligence (AI) processors, Tan hopes to challenge competitors with this move.
Dropping Sales Figures Resulting in Layoffs
Intel has previously implemented layoffs in an effort to improve its financial status. Up to 15,000 workers were let go in August 2024, bringing the company’s total workforce to 108,900 at the end of the year. Intel employed 124,800 people in 2023, the year before.
Due to Nvidia’s technological advancements, the Santa Clara-based traditional chipmaker has recorded three years in a row of dropping sales and red statistics. Tan has promised to develop more interesting products and spin off Intel assets that aren’t essential to its purpose.
Tan said at the Intel Vision conference in March that Intel needed to repair its balance sheet, replace the engineering expertise it lost, and better align its manufacturing processes with the demands of prospective customers.
Tan will have a crucial chance to further lay out his strategic perspective on 24 April when Intel releases its first-quarter earnings. Wall Street does not anticipate that Intel will return to its previous sales heights very soon, if at all, even though analysts say the company’s revenue drops are now at their most severe.
Tan was hired after Pat Gelsinger, the previous CEO, left last year due to his inability to carry out his recovery strategy.
Gelsinger had adopted a bold and costly plan to increase Intel’s production capacity and re-establish the company as a significant force in the custom chip industry.
Layoffs have Become a Common Scenario in 2025
With big companies like Google, Microsoft, and others continuing to reduce their workforces, layoffs in the tech sector are not expected to halt in 2025. Companies are still cutting employees in an effort to simplify operations, save money, and emphasise automation and artificial intelligence, even though these figures are much lower than the major layoffs that occurred between 2022 and 2023.
Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks layoffs in the industry, reports that 93 organisations have laid off nearly 23,500 tech workers so far this year, and the number is still growing. Google and Microsoft are apparently contemplating a new round of layoffs, according to the most recent job reduction reports.
According to reports, AI-led restructuring and performance-based terminations are part of the corporations’ goals to increase the effectiveness of their personnel.
According to reports, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has demanded that a “luxury tax” be applied to all transactions made through online marketplaces. The traders’ organisation suggested enforcing the levy under the goods and services tax (GST) regime, according to a media report.
The remarks were made in New Delhi at CAIT’s national colloquium on the subject of “the cruel face of quick commerce and e-commerce”. In order to safeguard the interests of small firms, CAIT’s secretary general emeritus Praveen Khandelwal allegedly advocated for the establishment of new policy mandates to “immediately enforce” FDI laws for the e-commerce sector, especially rapid commerce.
After careful consideration, the Indian government has nearly finished draughting the e-commerce policy, according to Khandelwal. CAIT believes that in order to protect the nation’s retail democracy, the time has come to enact the e-commerce policy and e-commerce regulations under the Consumer Protection Act.
Traders Body to Submit Recommendations to Ministries
The traders’ group declared that it will make suggestions to the ministries of consumer affairs and commerce. These recommendations will highlight the difficulties faced by retail dealers as a result of the fast commerce platforms’ explosive growth.
CAIT members claimed at the conclave that wealthy rapid commerce platforms are expanding in major cities and using aggressive discounting strategies to corrupt the retail industry. They said that small mom-and-pop store owners are being forced to close as a result of this.
Khandelwal went on to say that although rapid commerce is a brand-new industry, there is currently no regulatory framework in place. The body asks the government to establish a separate regulatory agency for digital commerce that will oversee both rapid commerce and e-commerce platforms.
Additionally, CAIT recommended the government outlaw inventory-led online marketplace models. The Centre should also create regulations that guarantee online platforms can only offer products to final consumers through third-party vendors.
In addition, the trade association stated that its affiliate groups, including the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) and the All India Consumer Products Distributors’ Federation (AICPDF), will approach the human rights commission to guarantee the “well-being” of gig workers.
In order to establish accountability and supervise e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms, CAIT has recommended the establishment of an independent regulatory authority.
Quick Commerce Changing the Dynamics of Online Shopping
The development occurs at a time when rapid commerce platforms have revolutionised online shopping in India by establishing new standards for convenience and speed.
In fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24), the three fast commerce majors—Zomato-owned Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto—recorded a combined top line of $1 billion. While Amazon, Nykaa, and Myntra are also testing similar products, e-commerce powerhouse Flipkart also entered the rapid commerce space last year with Minutes.
Aims to solve shipping and e-commerce woes for gems and jewellery merchants
Pick up from 250 cities with 59 operational hubs across 40 cities and towns
Average shipment value is INR 90,000
Shiprocket, India’s leading eCommerce enablement platform, has entered premium category shipping with its partnership with CriticaLog, a logistics firm that provides customised critical logistics solutions, including luxury goods shipment. This partnership signals Shiprocket’s entry into the very niche category of gold and diamond jewellery shipping.
With extensive planning and execution, CriticaLog ensures zero pilferage, packaging, storage in strong rooms, and safe and secure transportation. CriticaLog’s expertise in handling time-sensitive and high-value shipments, combined with Shiprocket’s advanced logistics technology, will ensure a seamless shipping experience for jewellers.
This service is already live across 5000+ pincodes and covers all major metros, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Multiple merchants selling diamond, gold and silver jewellery, gold and silver coins, as well as other high-value items, are already using this service.
Easing Logistics for Small Jewellers
The country’s gold and diamond trade contributes to over 7 % of GDP, with over 3 lakh players. The explosion in the B2C space will increase this number exponentially through e-commerce. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the gems and jewellery sector are at the forefront of this growth, but require assistance for logistics and e-commerce.
Through this partnership, Shiprocket is set to make jewellery shipping easy for merchants while ensuring that each item is handled with care. Each package would be handled securely with CriticaLog’s expertise in handling high-value products. Shiprocket is offering pickup from 250 cities with 59 operational hubs across 40 cities and towns in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Chandigarh.
Shiprocket has already completed multiple orders in the month of March’25 on Shopnek.com. The average value per shipment is INR 90,000, further reinforcing the ability to ship high-value products securely. The service is currently being offered for prepaid shipments up to INR 5 lakhs and with the cash on delivery option up to INR 49,999.
Commenting on the partnership, Saahil Goel, MD & CEO, Shiprocket, said, “At Shiprocket, we’re focused on building the rails that help every merchant of Bharat, whether in a small town or a metro, and help them grow faster through eCommerce. Our partnership with CriticaLog is a step in that direction, especially for jewellers who need precision and trust in logistics. It levels the playing field and lets smaller sellers compete with the biggest names out there in the market.”
Shiprocket is a tech platform that empowers sellers with seamless high-speed delivery integration, advanced checkout solutions, and cutting-edge marketing tools. This partnership will enable merchants to ship their high-value orders through the same trusted Shiprocket network that is already relied upon by over 4 lakh merchants across the country.
The San Francisco-based company OpenAI may soon turn its ChatGPT into a direct purchasing platform, enabling customers to make purchases straight from the chat window. This would be a huge advancement for the IT industry and AI-driven commerce platforms.
In order to enable goods, pricing, reviews, and a “Buy Now” option to display naturally within the chat interface, Shopify is testing a direct integration with the well-known AI chatbot. If implemented, the capability would represent a significant advancement over ChatGPT’s current functionalities, going beyond its current function of recommending products and rerouting customers to other websites.
Shopify Looking for Complete AI Transformation
Currently, customers who use ChatGPT on Shopify to ask for purchasing guidance are given a thorough rundown of the products that are available. Also, they are offered connections to other websites where they may make purchases. But this procedure might soon be simplified.
Without having to leave the discussion, the suggested integration would allow purchases to be made straight from the chatbot. The change might make ChatGPT a fully functional AI-powered shopping assistant, providing users with a more seamless and convenient experience.
Online shoppers’ interactions with AI systems may change as a result of this advancement, even though no formal implementation date has been confirmed.
An Advantage for Shopify Sellers
The project may help Shopify retailers by providing them with direct access to ChatGPT’s large user base, according to a media report. In order to get clients, internet retailers now frequently rely significantly on search engine optimisation and paid advertising.
These expenses might be decreased by integrating with ChatGPT, which would also give retailers a new way to increase sales and visibility. Microsoft’s Copilot and AI search engine Perplexity may be thinking about implementing comparable features, indicating a larger trend of AI platforms shifting towards integrated e-commerce solutions.
AI Exploring the E-Commerce Sector
One of the biggest users of artificial intelligence (AI) is e-commerce. This sector has applications ranging from improved customer service and tailored product recommendations to efficient workflows, intelligent logistics, and sales/demand forecasting.
Businesses that use AI business tactics often see an increase in revenue of 10–12%. AI adoption is more crucial than ever for e-commerce firms if they want to meet consumer expectations as more and more consumers turn to online shopping (21% of retail purchases will be made online in 2025).
AI uses data-filtering technologies, which employ algorithms to suggest the most pertinent products. These products are suggested to a specific client to extract insights from historical customer behaviour data, including searches, clicks, and transactions. It is most frequently observed on websites where merchants highlight regions that are “inspired by your shopping trends”.
These areas recommend related add-on items for a customer’s cart or provide content that is relevant to the customer’s location.
Following a regulatory investigation into co-founder Anmol Jaggi’s suspected financial fraud, electric taxi service BluSmart has hired Grant Thornton. According to a media agency report on 23 April, Grant Thornton will perform a forensic audit of BluSmart’s business operations.
The action follows Jaggi’s exclusion from the securities market by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) due to allegations that he had misappropriated money intended for the purchase of electric vehicles. According to a media outlet, Grant Thornton will be looking into BluSmart’s financial situation, paying particular attention to how money is moved and used.
The report went on to say that the company’s cash balance looked worrisome and suggested fraud. The auditing firm’s nomination represents the company’s effort to rebuild trust and transparency in the face of growing scrutiny.
How Sebi Detected the Fraud?
When Sebi discovered that Jaggi had allegedly diverted money from his publicly traded company, Gensol Engineering, an EV procurement company that leased cars to BluSmart, for personal expenses, the crisis broke out.
In addition to other indulgences like international travel, golf equipment, luxury goods and payments to family accounts, these included the acquisition of a lavish flat in Gurgaon’s DLF Camellias for INR 42 crore. The alleged fraud stems from a loan of INR 978 crore that was given for the purchase of 6,400 electric vehicles by the state-backed organisations Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (Ireda).
Only 4,704 were purchased, according to the market regulator’s findings, leaving an INR 262 crore gap that is thought to have been stolen. In India, BluSmart, a new ride-hailing company that competes with Uber and Ola, ran more than 8,000 electric cabs and built a sizable charging network in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. It claimed a 9% market share in the capital city in 2023.
BluSmart a Sinking Ship
Numerous senior officials at BluSmart resigned after the scandal at Gensol Engineering. Many users who still had money in their app wallets were left in a state of uncertainty when the company abruptly stopped providing taxi services. The business has made an effort to reassure clients that they will be operational once more.
BluSmart has not yet released an official statement regarding the situation. Important backer BP Ventures, a division of the British energy behemoth BP, had also said nothing about the events. The scope of financial violations should be clarified by the forensic audit, which will also assist in deciding the best course of action for the struggling taxi app.
However, Eversource, a private equity firm, has made an offer to purchase BluSmart for between INR 800 and 1,000 crore. Eversource Capital is a climate-focused investment platform. If the purchase goes through, BluSmart’s last known valuation of $300 million (about INR 2,561 crore) would be at least 60% lower.
According to the media filings, Eversource intends to combine BluSmart with Lithium Urban Technologies, a company in its portfolio, and invest roughly $100 million in the resulting company.
In the dynamic global technology world, few leaders have made as profound an impact as Aarthi Subramanian, who recently became Indian IT’s first woman Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). In an industry still grappling with gender disparity at the top, Aarthi has broken barriers, not just for herself but for countless women in tech. She has spent more than 20 years at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), having joined the company in 1989.
As of 2025, her strategic leadership has not only solidified TCS’s position as a global IT powerhouse but also earned her a spot among the most influential women in business.
But what truly sets Subramanian apart is her ability to balance operational rigor with a people-first approach. Her initiatives in employee upskilling and diversity have been widely lauded, making TCS one of the most desirable workplaces in the tech industry.
Aarthi Subramanian – Biography
Name
Aarthi Subramanian
Born
1972
Nationality
Indian
Education
B.Tech in Computer Science, National Institute of Technology, Warangal Master’s in Engineering Management, University of Kansas, USA
Aarthi Subramanian was born in 1972 into a middle-class South Indian family, where discipline and academic excellence were core values. From a young age, she was naturally inclined towards science and technology, often tinkering with gadgets and problem-solving puzzles. This curiosity, combined with a rigorous educational background, laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable career in tech leadership.
Aarthi completed her B.Tech in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal, one of India’s premier engineering institutes. She stood out not just academically, but also as a student who was naturally drawn to leadership roles and collaborative problem-solving.
With an ambition to understand how engineering dovetails with business, she moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas. There, she honed her technical knowledge with an understanding of organizational strategy, which later helped her manage large-scale digital transformation projects across continents.
Aarthi Subramanian – Career Achievements
In a corporate world where leadership roles have long been dominated by men, Aarthi Subramanian shattered the glass ceiling with quiet determination and unparalleled capability.
Aarthi began her career at TCS in 1989 as a graduate trainee. Over the years, she advanced through roles as an analyst and project manager, eventually transitioning from account management to a senior executive position.
In 2015, she made headlines as the first woman to be appointed to the Board of Directors at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a historic moment not just for the Tata Group but for India Inc. at large. It was more than just a board appointment; it was a signal that times were changing, and that merit, grit, and vision could no longer be confined by gender.
As an Executive Director on the TCS board, she was responsible for some of the company’s most mission-critical initiatives. One of the standout projects under her stewardship was the Passport Seva Project, a transformative program launched in collaboration with the Government of India.
This initiative dramatically streamlined and digitized India’s passport issuance system, reducing waiting times, boosting transparency, and improving citizen satisfaction on a national scale. What was once a bureaucratic ordeal became a digital-first, customer-friendly experience thanks, in large part, to Aarthi’s precision in delivery governance and compliance oversight. But Aarthi wasn’t done making waves.
In 2017, she was handpicked by Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran to join the group’s central leadership team as the Group Chief Digital Officer (CDO). This marked her transition from operational execution to strategic innovation, her new mandate: lead the digital transformation of the entire Tata Group.
As of 2025, Aarthi Subramanian holds the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tata Sons, where she continues to drive cross-group synergies, operational excellence, and digital innovation across one of India’s largest and most respected conglomerates. Her dual experience at both TCS and the Tata Group gives her a rare 360-degree view of business operations at scale.
Yet, what truly distinguishes Aarthi is her commitment to nurturing talent. She has institutionalized mentorship programs that have propelled women into leadership roles across Tata’s tech divisions, creating a legacy of inclusivity. Her leadership mantra, “Innovate relentlessly, but never lose sight of the human element,” has reshaped corporate culture, proving that empathy and ambition can coexist at the highest levels of business.
At Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Aarthi Subramanian wasn’t just a senior executive; she was the person everyone turned to when things got tough. Her style of leadership was clear, practical, and full of action. She believed in solving problems fast, sticking to promises, and helping people grow.
Let’s break down how she made such a big impact at TCS.
The Passport Seva Success Story
One of her biggest achievements at TCS was leading the Passport Seva Project for the Government of India. The project aimed to make passport services faster and digital-friendly. Under her leadership, TCS helped set up modern passport centers, trained government staff, and built a smooth tech system.
Thanks to her work, what used to be a slow, paper-heavy process turned into a fast and efficient online service. This project is still praised as one of the best examples of public-private partnerships in India.
Early Adopter of Agile
Even before “Agile” became a buzzword in the IT world, Aarthi was already using its principles. She promoted flexible, small-team working models that helped deliver faster results for clients. She believed that innovation didn’t need to wait—it should be part of everyday work.
Most Powerful Women in Business (2018) : Aarthi Subramanian was recognized in Business Today’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” list in 2018. At that time, she served as the Chief Digital Officer at Tata Sons, leading the group’s digital transformation initiatives.
Technology Leader of the Year (2019) : Aarthi Subramanian was honored with the ‘Technology Leader of the Year’ award at the inaugural ETPrime Women Leadership Awards (ETPWLA) in 2019.
Top 25 Women Leaders in IT Services (2020): In 2020, The IT Services Report ranked her third among the top 25 women leaders in IT services globally.
Aarthi Subramanian – Technology Leader of the Year (2019)
Aarthi Subramanian – Interesting Facts
Diversity Advocate: Aarthi has been a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion within TCS. She is committed to creating a workplace where women, in particular, can thrive in tech. Her leadership reflects her belief in nurturing talent diversity as a cornerstone for the company’s success.
Key to Expanding TCS’s Global Footprint: Her strategic vision has been pivotal in TCS’s global expansion, especially in new and emerging markets. Aarthi’s leadership has been crucial in growing TCS’s client base and market reach in countries beyond North America and Europe, including regions like Latin America and the Asia-Pacific.
Expert in Transformation and Innovation : Under her leadership, Tata Sons has significantly bolstered its digital transformation capabilities. Aarthi is known for her ability to drive innovative solutions and digital transformation projects that help clients enhance their business models. She has been instrumental in positioning Tata Sons as a leader in areas like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation.
FAQs
Who is Aarthi Subramanian?
Aarthi Subramanian is a prominent figure at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), notably recognized as the company’s first woman Chief Operating Officer (COO).
What is Aarthi Subramanian‘s educational background?
Aarthi completed B.Tech in Computer Science, National Institute of Technology, Warangal and Master’s in Engineering Management, University of Kansas, USA.
What was Aarthi Subramanian’s initial role at TCS?
Aarthi began her career at TCS in 1989 as a graduate trainee. Over the years, she advanced through roles as an analyst and project manager, eventually transitioning from account management to a senior executive position.
This article has been contributed by San Banerjee, Co-Founder & CEO ADDA.io.
As more residential communities in India embrace digital platforms for community management, visitor management and accounting, data security has become a critical concern. With residents sharing sensitive information—personal details, financial transactions, visitor logs, and more — ensuring the privacy of this data is a huge responsibility.
The Importance of Secure Community Management Apps
Today, we have software platforms that serve as a communication channel between committee members, employees, and society members, along with functions like capturing details of visitor entries and the community help desk. These applications, which make use of cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence, give the people who live in the community a sense of security. In addition to providing security, these apps offer a number of communal living amenities.
Residents can quickly ask for assistance from neighbours and the community or property management staff by using these apps. Residents can also contact emergency response teams for assistance in case of an emergency. Conflicts are decreased since local inhabitants have easy access to all information pertaining to community norms. They can book common amenities for their own use, remain up to date on all significant property upgrades, and learn about all neighbourhood activities and services thanks to these apps.
The Dangers of Free Community Apps
While the right technologies can provide innumerable advantages, choosing the wrong software can cause harm, too. For example, many housing societies opt for free community management apps, assuming they provide value without cost. However, the reality is far from it. Free apps rely mainly on advertising revenue, which means they collect and monetise resident data. Unassuming residents often click on baits in the App promising freebies, without clearly understanding the extent to which their data would be shared with third parties. This exposes the residents to substantial amounts of spam and other hassles.
Risks of Data Monetisation and Spam
The least any apartment resident can do is to stay away from Free Community Apps. Yes, many of these Free Apps claim that they do not share your data without your permission. But the problem is that you would never realise how they would take permission from you – all your personal and visitor data can get passed on to third parties due to some unintentional click or tap somewhere inside the App. Using Free Community Apps means you are constantly living under this fear.
Most smart communities are hence shifting from ad-based platforms to subscription-based clean product platforms. Associations are realising that the risks of keeping their community on Free Apps are many. Not only does data security go for a toss, residents also feel trapped – on one hand, they keep getting spammed from these community apps, on the other hand, they are hesitant to completely uninstall the App, as then they miss out on visitor notifications.
The Hidden Costs of Ad-Based Apps
Marketers who used to welcome the idea of using Community Apps as an advertising channel have realised that putting Ads in Community Apps does not give great returns. They are willing to pay much higher for Physical branding as in Elevators, Lobbies, Events, etc.
It was seen that these free-to-use apps sent multiple ads during the day, which can also lead to the loss of important information. Consider the scenario where a wire near the swimming pool gets exposed due to heavy rain or a storm. The citizens are at great risk from this. A crucial notice warning neighbours to stay away from the area is sent out as committee members and community personnel collaborate to address the issue. This information is available to all residents of a community via the app. The ones who get constant ads miss out on the information due to the inundation of notifications throughout the day, potentially risking the lives of the residents. However, those using ad-free apps will never miss the communication, as they know any message coming via this app is important.
Shifting to Subscription-Based Platforms
Hence, now Smart Associations are keeping their Community App free of Ads so Residents are not spammed. They are using the Free Community Apps as Ad agencies, asking them to send advertisements which will be published on the elevators and, lobby as well. This gives them the Win-Win. No nonsense society platform as well as Advertisement revenue, which is often higher than what they had when trapped in the ad-based community software.
Addressing the Bigger Picture of Data Privacy Risks
As we discuss the risks of using Free Community Apps, let us, for a minute, however, look at the overall risks of using digital platforms, which is true for any digital platform you use. We have had data breach incidents happen with banks, financial platforms, and even prominent social media platforms before.
It was recently reported in the Hindu that Indian businesses face over 3,000 cyberattacks per week. India is the second most targeted nation in terms of cyber attacks. Maybe our growth story as a nation, and a large number of “Make in India” businesses coming up, is making India a target for these attacks. So, while every business would try their best to protect the data from potential data breaches, such malicious attacks still do happen.
Cybersecurity Challenges in India
Keeping in mind all these realities, as a management committee member and an apartment resident, the least you can do is to NOT trust your data with Community Management platforms that would voluntarily share your data with third parties as a part of their business model, for generating revenue for their company.
This part you can definitely control. Choose pure subscription-based software for your Community & say No to Free Advertisement-based Apps. Today, by incorporating AI and IoT into their solutions, best-of-breed property management apps are demonstrating remarkable creativity and enabling members of communities to live really secure, safe, and convenient lives. The Trinity of Community Stakeholders—security guards, flat residents, and the management committee—can effectively work together to create a very secure and convenient community living experience.
Elon Musk, a tech tycoon, responded to a tweet asserting that X is currently the top news app in India’s App Store. Online responses to his one-word reply have been mixed. DogeDesigner was the first X user to share the post.
The user submitted a video with the Indian flag and said, “BREAKING: X is now the #1 news app on the App Store in India.” Musk posted it again with a brief remark. All he wrote was “Cool”. That little answer was sufficient to elicit a variety of responses.
Some users used the occasion to voice their disapproval, while others rejoiced in the platform’s success in India. “Mom said stop wasting time on X… now I tell her I’m watching the news,” one person commented.
“X should be geo-blocked in India,” another person added. “Whoa! Elon Musk appears to be very composed as he simply responded, “Cool.” Someone said, “X’s ranking as the top news app in the Indian App Store is truly amazing.”
xAI Acquires X
Musk’s artificial intelligence establishment, xAI, revealed in March that it had paid $33 billion to purchase X. Two of Musk’s most important businesses, X and xAI, were combined in the all-stock transaction.
Musk claims that the objective is to pool their teams, data, models, and processing power in order to assist in the training and enhancement of his AI chatbot, Grok. In a post on X, Musk revealed the terms of the deal, stating that the combination values X at $33 billion ($45 billion less $12 billion in debt) and xAI at $80 billion.
The fates of xAI and X are interwoven. The brand formally took the step today to integrate talent, distribution, computation, models, and data. In 2022, the Tesla owner initially purchased X, which was then known as Twitter.
The corporation went private with the $44 billion deal. He laid off a significant number of employees following the takeover, which caused a precipitous decline in ad income and the departure of several major sponsors.
But as Musk’s power within the Trump administration increases, several companies have recently begun to make a comeback.
Musk Rising High in Trump’s Era
Musk is the head of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Additionally, this has placed him in a position to potentially influence the organisations that monitor his business activities.
According to a media report, the seven banks that gave Musk $13 billion in loans to purchase X held onto the debt for two years before being able to sell it all at once in February.
Ather Energy, a manufacturer of electric vehicles, has established a price range of IR 304–321 per share for its April 28 IPO. The issue will close on April 30 after anchor bidding begins on April 25. According to its prospectus, the Tiger Global-backed company has scaled back its initial public offering.
Instead of raising INR 3,100 crore as planned, it intends to raise INR 2,626 crore through the issuance of additional shares. Along with the new issuance, the IPO also included an Offer for Sale (OFS) of 1.1 crore equity shares, in which institutional investors and the promoter group will participate.
Along with other corporate owners, promoters Tarun Sanjay and Swapnil Babanla would sell a portion of their holdings under the OFS.
How Company Plans to Utilise Proceeds?
According to a media report, Ather Energy has lowered its initial projection of INR 14,000 crore to aim for a post-money valuation of INR 12,800 crore. In addition to funding its new facility in the western state of Maharashtra, the business intends to use the earnings from the initial public offering (IPO) for marketing, debt repayment, R&D, and other corporate needs.
Hero MotoCorp holds a 40% stake in Ather, making it the largest stakeholder. Apart from that, Tiger Global owns 6.56%, while the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) owns 14.22%. Mehta and Jain, co-founders of Ather, each own 6.81% of the company.
Hero remained steadfast in its decision to not sell its stock in the IPO. Electric scooters, battery packs, charging infrastructure, and related software systems are all designed, developed, and assembled in-house by Ather Energy, an electric two-wheeler (E2W) company.
Two product lines, the Ather 450 and the Ather Rizta, each with seven variations, make up its electric two-wheeler range.
More Details of the IPO
Investors must deposit a minimum of INR 13,984 to be eligible for at least one lot, which consists of 46 shares. The RHP further stated that 10% of the offer is for ordinary investors, 15% is for non-institutional investors (NIIs), and 75% is for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) due to book-building concerns.
Tiger Global will sell 400,000 equity shares as part of the offer for sale. The shares were purchased at an average price of INR 38.58 each, which represents an 8.3-fold return on investment. Comparably, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund II is expected to generate a 74% return on its investment through the OFS, while Caladium Investment is expected to generate a 57% return.
The Ather Energy IPO’s book running lead managers are Axis Capital, HSBC Securities & Capital Markets, JM Financial, and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India), while the registrar is Link Intime India.
While the firm will be listed on the BSE and NSE with a tentative listing date set for May 6, the allocation for the Ather Energy IPO is anticipated to be finalised on May 2. After Ola Electric’s 2024 IPO, Ather Energy will be the second pure-play Indian EV maker to go public.
India’s leading auto-tech platform, CARS24, has officially acquired Team-BHP, one of the country’s most respected and fiercely independent automotive communities. This strategic move signals a new era for India’s auto ecosystem, one where growth aligns with sincerity and information fosters profound trust.
For over two decades, Team-BHP has remained a beacon for trustworthy, community-led discourse in the world of cars and bikes. Nurtured by millions of dedicated car owners and built on the principles of truth, independence and a shared passion for all things automotive, the platform has empowered enthusiasts with unbiased reviews, highly detailed ownership experiences and razor-sharp insights, without commercial influences.
Team-BHP will continue to operate independently by its founding team, with the same zero-sponsored content policy, strict moderation, and community-first approach that has earned it unmatched credibility and respect. CARS24’s involvement is focused on strengthening Team-BHP’s product, technology and AI capabilities to improve the experience of its readers and community members.
“Team-BHP is not just a forum, it’s an institution,” said Vikram Chopra, Founder and CEO of CARS24. “As a brand that is equally obsessed with solving real problems for car and bike owners, we see this as a long-term investment in empowering India’s auto ecosystem with sharper conversations, richer insights and deeper trust.”
“Team-BHP has always been built on one thing—an uncompromising love for cars, and the honesty that love demands,” said Rush Parekh, Founder of Team-BHP. “With CARS24 backing us, and their technology and data layered into our platform, we can now build with more scale, more depth, and more intent. This is about giving enthusiasts and owners sharper tools and deeper insights, without ever losing the independence, transparency, and integrity that brought us all here in the first place.”
As part of this move, CARS24 will work with Team-BHP to improve platform capabilities, enhance the user experience and bring in new features that help members make smarter automotive decisions.
Together, the two companies envision a future where buying, selling and owning a vehicle in India becomes more fun, informed, intuitive and community-driven.
About CARS24
Founded in 2015, CARS24 is already one of India’s largest auto-tech companies. But this is just the beginning. The company’s vision is to grow 100x in the next five years, seizing the rare opportunity to build a $300 billion enterprise in India.
By harnessing cutting-edge technology, it aims to revolutionize mobility and positively transform lives across India and beyond. The company’s approach is grounded in solving for scale, ensuring simplicity, and embracing sustainability in every facet of the automotive ecosystem. From empowering customers to driving industry-wide change, CARS24 is building the future of mobility today.
CARS24 is on the journey of a lifetime and seeking those who share our hunger for growth and innovation.
