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  • Oracle Appoints Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as Co-CEOs in Major Leadership Shakeup

    Oracle replaced Safra Catz, who played a key role in developing the company’s cloud strategy and propelling it to the forefront of the ongoing AI boom with significant contract wins, with insiders Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as co-CEOs on September 22.

    During her 11 years in charge, Catz transformed Oracle from a database provider into a cloud powerhouse by vigorously vying with Alphabet and Microsoft for a piece of the profitable data centre industry, which helped increase Oracle’s market valuation to almost $1 trillion. According to Oracle, Catz will continue to serve as the vice chair of the board.

    Like Oracle, Tech Companies Focusing on Cloud Computing

    The two executives’ promotions highlight Wall Street’s and the tech sector’s emphasis on cloud computing strategy, as businesses invest billions of dollars in building up the infrastructure that supports artificial intelligence. In his current position, Sicilia, 54, is in charge of cloud-based apps and artificial intelligence (AI) products, and Magouyrk, 39, is in charge of Oracle’s cloud infrastructure platform, which underpins these apps.

    “Investors are already familiar with both Mr Magouryk and Mr Sicilia, and their promotions solidify the importance of the Cloud and Industry businesses as the growth levers for the company,” Evercore ISI analysts wrote in a note. “The bottom line is that with Larry remaining at CTO and Safra as Executive Vice Chair, we expect a smooth transition in the near term.”

     According to Reuters, Oracle is currently at the centre of high-profile talks to keep TikTok running in the US. All user data will be held on Oracle-run cloud computing infrastructure in the US.

    Additionally, the company pushed the stock to record highs by reaffirming its financial estimate earlier this month, which stated that it expected booked revenue at its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure unit to surpass half a trillion dollars.

    Oracle Partnering with OpenAI

    According to reports, Oracle and OpenAI have inked one of the largest cloud agreements in history. The ChatGPT manufacturer is anticipated to purchase $300 billion worth of computing capacity from Oracle over a five-year period.

    A key player in Oracle’s numerous acquisitions, Safra Catz assumed the company’s top position in 2014 alongside the late Mark Hurd after Ellison chose to leave running the day-to-day operations of the business.

    The company’s stock has increased more than 586% during her tenure. According to Forbes’ real-time net worth tracker, Catz has established herself as one of the most powerful female CEOs in the tech sector, with a net worth of $3.3 billion.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Safra Catz steps down as CEO after 11
    years; remains Vice Chair of the Board.

    •Catz transformed Oracle into a cloud
    powerhouse, competing with Microsoft & Alphabet; market cap nears $1
    trillion.

    •Promotions highlight emphasis on
    cloud computing and AI strategy.

    •Oracle in talks to keep TikTok
    running in the US via Oracle cloud data hosting.

  • JioBlackRock Asset Management Launches JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund, Powered by Systematic Active Equities (SAE)

    By leveraging BlackRock’s SAE approach, the fund will aim to deliver long-term capital appreciation while adapting to market dynamics   

    Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited (JioBlackRock Asset Management), a 50:50 JV between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and BlackRock*, announced today the launch of its latest equity offering: the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund, powered by BlackRock’s Systematic Active Equities (SAE) approach.      

    The New Fund Offer (NFO) will commence from Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

    BlackRock’s SAE** approach uses big data, advanced analytics, and human expertise with an aim to deliver differentiated investment outcomes. By applying AI and cutting-edge technology, it aims to transform traditional and alternative data — ranging from social media conversations to satellite data — into investable insights for the benefit of the Indian investors.      

    Rishi Kohli, Chief Investment Officer, JioBlackRock Asset Management says: “The Flexi Cap Fund is our first active equity offering that leverages BlackRock’s proprietary Systematic Active Equity approach. This reflects our commitment to offering investors a dynamic, differentiated and potentially low-cost investment solution. Backed by SAE, the fund aims to deliver long-term value through a disciplined investment process within a controlled risk framework across market cycles.”

    Raffaele Savi, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of BlackRock Systematic says: “For 40 years, BlackRock Systematic has pioneered new frontiers in active investing — combining innovation, data-driven insights, and human expertise to deliver differentiated alpha for clients. We are honored to partner with JioBlackRock Asset Management to bring this investment approach to investors in India.”

    Details of the NFO are in the table below: 

    Name of Fund 

    What it Offers 

    JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund

    The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate long term capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity related instruments across market capitalization. There is no assurance that the investment objective of the Scheme will be achieved 

    Nation-wide access through leading digital platforms

    JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund is now live and investment-ready on jioblackrockamc.com and the JioFinance app during the ongoing NFO. The fund will also be available across major digital finance platforms in India, including Groww, Zerodha, Paytm Money, INDMoney, Dhan, Kuvera, 5Paisa, FYERS, along with other SEBI Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). This expansive presence empowers investors with greater choice and reach. 

    About Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited

    Jio BlackRock Asset Management Private Limited (JBAMPL or JioBlackRock Asset Management) is a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and BlackRock (‘the shareholders’). JioBlackRock Asset Management will seek to combine BlackRock’s global investment expertise and leading risk management technology with JFSL’s digital reach and knowledge of the local market in India. The organisation aims to provide innovative, affordable and easily accessible investment solutions for the people of India. 

    About Jio Financial Services Limited

    Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) is a Core Investment Company (CIC), registered with the Reserve Bank of India. JFSL is a new-age institution, which operates a full-stack financial services business through customer-facing entities, including Jio Credit Limited, Jio Insurance Broking Limited, Jio Payment Solutions Limited, Jio Leasing Services Limited, Jio Finance Platform and Service Limited, and Jio Payments Bank Limited.

    Its digital-first model aims to ensure the holistic financial well-being of Indian citizens by enabling them to borrow, transact, save and invest seamlessly. Through the JioFinance app, customers can access a range of services including loans, savings accounts, UPI bill payments, recharges, digital insurance, financial tracking and management tools and more. JFSL has also entered into a joint venture with BlackRock, the world’s leading providers of investment solutions, to offer asset management, wealth management and broking services in India.

    JFSL was originally incorporated as Reliance Strategic Investments Private Limited on July 22, 1999, under the Companies Act 1956. Subsequently, the name of the Company was changed to Reliance Strategic Investments Limited and a fresh certificate of incorporation was issued on January 14, 2002. Thereafter, pursuant to a scheme of demerger with Reliance Industries Limited, the name of the Company was further changed to ‘Jio Financial Services Limited’ and a fresh certificate of incorporation was issued on July 25, 2023. JFSL has been listed on the BSE and NSE since August 21, 2023.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. 

    Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

    BlackRock and Jio Finance Invest INR 117 Cr in Mutual Funds
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  • Perplexity Comet AI Browser Rolls Out in India for Windows and Mac Users

    Perplexity has launched its Comet browser in India, making it available to Pro subscribers. The announcement was made by CEO Aravind Srinivas on X on 22 September. The browser, which has been in testing abroad, is now accessible on Windows and macOS for Indian users. Android users can pre-order the app through Google Play, while iOS availability is expected at a later stage.

    What Comet is and what it does

    Comet is an AI-powered web browser. It is built on the Chromium engine and uses Perplexity’s search and AI systems. The browser places an AI assistant in a sidebar.
    The assistant can summarise pages, manage tabs and workspaces, draft emails, and even attempt simple actions such as filling forms or adding items to a shopping cart.

    Key features users should note

    • An AI sidebar called Comet Assistant. It stays active across tabs.
    • A workspace interface that groups research and project items.
    • One-click import of bookmarks and extensions from other Chromium browsers.

    Availability and access

    The desktop build is available for Windows and macOS. Android users can pre-order via Google Play. iOS availability is not yet listed. Access in India is currently limited to Perplexity Pro (and related paid) subscribers. Perplexity has said it will expand invites over time. Some Indian users may gain access through promotions. For example, Airtel has previously offered Perplexity Pro subscriptions to its customers as part of a tie-up.

    Security and privacy considerations

    Perplexity has highlighted privacy and security as key elements of Comet. The browser supports encrypted storage of credentials and has partnered with 1Password to protect login details and two-factor authentication codes. Sensitive data is stored locally, which reduces exposure to external threats.

    However, independent experts have raised concerns. Security researchers warn that agent-driven browsers may create new risks, as AI systems could be exploited through malicious sites or automation loopholes. This means users must balance the productivity benefits against potential vulnerabilities when enabling automated browsing features.

    Part of a bigger shift in browsing

    The availability of Comet in India comes as major tech firms are integrating AI into their browsers. Google, for instance, has added Gemini AI features into Chrome. By positioning Comet as a browser built from the ground up with AI, Perplexity is hoping to appeal to early adopters seeking smarter ways to work and browse.

    Perplexity has confirmed that more features and broader access will roll out in the coming weeks. For now, Indian users with Pro subscriptions can experience the company’s AI-first approach to browsing, while keeping in mind the balance between innovation, security, and control.

  • Meta’s $10B Promise Shrinks: From 500 Jobs to Just 100 in Louisiana

    Meta Platforms Inc.’s $10 billion AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, was billed as a major economic boost. The company initially promised 300–500 permanent jobs. State officials approved tax breaks and infrastructure deals partly based on those estimates.

    Now, Meta has revised the numbers. Only about 100 full-time jobs will be created once the facility is operational. The cut has sparked criticism from local communities, watchdog groups, and energy experts.

    Jobs Promise Falls Short

    The data center’s construction will employ hundreds temporarily. But long-term operations will need far fewer staff. “Taxpayers were promised hundreds of permanent jobs in exchange for millions in concessions,” said a community advocate to WIRED. “Now we’re left wondering who really benefits.”

    Lawmakers had justified incentives as a way to diversify Louisiana’s economy with high-skilled jobs. The sharp reduction raises questions about whether the deal delivers the promised public value.

    Energy and Environmental Concerns

    The facility is expected to consume electricity equivalent to a mid-sized city. Entergy Louisiana plans to build three new gas-fired plants and upgrade transmission infrastructure to meet demand. Environmental groups warn this could lock the state into carbon-heavy energy for decades.

    Meta has pledged to match the data center’s electricity use with 100% renewable sources. But critics remain concerned about higher utility bills and the overall environmental footprint.

    Water Usage Questions

    Cooling the data center requires substantial water. Servers produce heat that must be dissipated using water-intensive systems. Power generation also consumes water, adding to local strain. Meta says it will restore more water than it consumes, but experts note the long-term impact on surrounding communities.

    Project Scale and Financing

    The 4 million-square-foot facility is set to open in 2030. Meta is funding it through a $26 billion debt deal with Pacific Investment Management Co., plus equity from Blue Owl Capital. The model allows long-term leasing while limiting upfront costs. Analysts say this approach is a growing trend among Big Tech firms building AI infrastructure.

    Reactions in Richland Parish are mixed. Some welcome the temporary construction jobs and prestige. Others worry about energy, water, and transparency. A local official said, “People want to know what they’re trading off. Yes, it’s investment, but it comes with consequences.

    As the project moves forward, the gap between what was promised and what is now expected may shape the way future tech deals are judged in Louisiana and beyond.

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  • India Invests $18 Billion to Build Semiconductor Manufacturing Powerhouse

    Given the intense competition and its late entry into the race to produce the most cutting-edge chips, India’s chances of becoming a big player in the global chip industry are slim. A worldwide competition for semiconductor self-reliance started in 2022 when the United States limited exports of its sophisticated AI chips to China in an effort to limit Beijing’s access to cutting-edge technology.

    It presented an opportunity for India, which aims to diversify its electronics industry away from China, secure chips for vital industries, and lessen its reliance on imports. Despite being one of the biggest electronics users in the world, India has no domestic chip manufacturing and contributes very little to the global supply chain.

    The “Semiconductor Mission” in New Delhi seeks to alter that. The goal is audacious. It seeks to establish a whole supply chain in India, including design, manufacturing, testing, and packaging.

    India has Approve 10 Semiconductor Projects Till Now

    Ten semiconductor projects totalling 1.6 trillion rupees ($18.2 billion) in investment have been approved by the nation as of this month. These consist of many testing and packing facilities as well as two semiconductor production facilities. Global chip design businesses currently utilise a reservoir of engineering talent from India.

    However, experts claim that the talent pool and investments are insufficient to realise India’s chip aspirations and that progress has been uneven thus far. India needs a large number of fabs or ATP facilities, or “shiny objects”. As the vice president for global innovation policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a think tank focused on science and technology policy, Stephen Ezell stated that India requires a dynamic, deep, and long-term ecosystem.

    Leading semiconductor manufacturers, according to Ezell, take into account “as many as 500 discrete factors” before making multibillion-dollar fab investments. India needs to improve in a number of sectors, including talent, taxation, commerce, technological policy, labour rates, regulations, and customs rules.

    Indian Govt Adding New Element to its Chip Ambition

    The Indian government expanded its chip goal in May by implementing a plan to boost the production of electronic components, which would alleviate a significant bottleneck. Since there are so few companies in India that manufacture electronic components, such as phone cameras, chipmakers have not yet seen any local market for their product.

    However, by providing financial assistance to businesses that manufacture active and passive electronic components, the new strategy opens up a possible domestic buyer-supplier base that chip makers can access. The nation also changed course in 2022 from offering better incentives to manufacturing facilities producing chips with a size of 28 nm or less.

    The smaller the chip, the better the performance and the more energy-efficient it is. By cramming more transistors into the same area, these chips can be utilised in cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing and superior artificial intelligence.

    Quick
    Shots

    •India is a major electronics consumer
    but has no domestic chip fabs.

    •U.S.–China chip war since 2022
    created opportunities for India.

    •India aims to build full supply
    chain—design, fabs, testing, packaging.

    •India needs for a large, long-term
    ecosystem with investment in fabs/ATPs.

  • Meta’s Llama AI Gets Green Signal From GSA for U.S. Government Use

    Meta’s Llama (AI system) has been approved by the U.S. government on September 22. Federal agencies will now use Llama on a day-to-day basis. It joins the list alongside Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. One might think, how will these AI systems assist federal agencies? Is it safe in terms of data and security, considering Meta is often in the news for the same? Here’s everything you need to know: the approval, examples of use, and data security. Learn more. 

    Offical annoucement by General Services Administration (GSA), U.S.

    Who Approved Meta’s Llama?

    The General Services Administration (GSA) is the U.S. government’s ‘shopping department’ that handles all the buying of tools and services for federal agencies.

    And the head of GSA, Josh Gruenbaum, has announced the confirmation on September 22, 2025.

    What Does This Mean?

    • This means that any U.S. government agency can now use Llama safely.
    • The federal agencies can “test and experiment” with Llama now that GSA has confirmed that it meets the government’s security and legal rules.
    • Llama is a free tool, so the agencies can get their hands on the tool easily.

    What Exactly Is Llama?

    Llama is a large language model (LLM) powered by Meta. It understands and generates text, audio, images, and even video. It performs multiple tasks, such as analyzing data, answering questions, summarizing information, and more.

    Are Other AI Tools Approved, Too?

    Throughout the years, GSA has approved several tech companies, like:

    • Amazon Web Services (AWS) was approved in October 2013.
    • Microsoft was approved in November 2014.
    • Google was approved in December 2010.
    • Anthropic was approved on August 5, 2025.
    • OpenAI was approved in August 2025.

    These companies sell their services to the government at lower prices and follow several strict policies in terms of data security.

    Bigger Picture of AI in Federal Agencies

    The Trump administration wants to utilize the commercial AI tools inside the government for these reasons:

    • They firmly believe that it will modernize government operations, making them faster and more efficient.

    For example, Llama could help:

    Information Technology (IT) Support

    • Llama can help quickly troubleshoot IT problems across government networks.
    • It detects error patterns in the systems and prevents bigger issues.

    Contract Review

    • Human reviews can take a lot of time (say weeks and months), so Llama can speed up approvals.
    • Llama can outline the errors, missing clauses, and risky terms or non-compliance issues.

    Document Summarization

    • The tool can summarize long reports, memos, or legislation so that anyone can understand the subject matter.
    • It simplifies the complex legal or technical language into plain English.
    • Can translate documents from different languages to English. 

    Data Analysis

    • It takes seconds to understand and analyze large datasets like census data, budget spreadsheets, or traffic patterns.

    Public Communication

    • Llama is quick to draft hundreds of emails and press releases.
    • It can answer any questions and queries from the public. 

    Did the Discounts Mean Tech Companies Want Trump’s Favor?

    Many think that tech giants are providing big discounts to please Trump, and when asked about the same, Gruenbaum from GSA said:

    • No, it’s not about politics, but both government + tech companies working together to make the U.S. stronger.

  • Nvidia Commits $100 Billion Investment in OpenAI as Sam Altman Calls Compute the Future of Global Economy

    As a sign of the increasing need for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Nvidia has committed to investing up to $100 billion in OpenAI.

    The agreement, one of the biggest in the AI industry, is anticipated to assist OpenAI in increasing its processing capacity through the construction of new data centres furnished with cutting-edge Nvidia chips.

    The two businesses announced on 22 September that they had signed a statement of intent to proceed with the proposal, according to Bloomberg. The investment will be made in phases, beginning with $10 billion when OpenAI uses its first gigawatt of processing capacity, according to people familiar with the talks. In exchange, Nvidia will also get stock in OpenAI.

    Initiative Aims to Create Data Centre with Capacity of 10GW

    In order to train and operate OpenAI’s massive AI models, the initiative intends to build data centres with a combined capacity of 10 gigawatts. The newest processors from Nvidia, which are now the most sought-after chips in the AI sector, will be used in these centres. Everything begins with compute, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who outlined the significance of the partnership.

    The joint company will use what “we are building with Nvidia to both create new AI breakthroughs and empower people and businesses with them at scale.” Compute infrastructure will be the foundation of the future economy. For OpenAI, the move comes at a critical moment. Almost 700 million individuals use its well-known chatbot, ChatGPT, each week.

    Large amounts of processing power are needed to run these services, and the business has previously experienced shortages during significant product launches. In the upcoming weeks, Altman has already alluded to the introduction of additional “compute-intensive” products from OpenAI, which will require even more equipment.

    Nvidia Strengthening its Position Through this Partnership

    The collaboration solidifies Nvidia’s position at the forefront of the AI revolution. The business has been making use of its financial resources to guarantee that its chips continue to serve as the foundation of AI systems all around the world. Nvidia could further solidify its supremacy even as rivals promote competing technologies by retaining OpenAI as a major client in spite of the latter’s desire to create its own hardware.

    Although neither company has disclosed the precise timeframe for the investment, they have acknowledged that talks are in progress to reach a final deal as soon as possible. The deal’s announcement has already improved market sentiment.

    In New York trade on 22 September, Nvidia’s stock increased by as much as 4%, bringing its overall gain for the year to almost 36%. Given that AI is viewed as a key driver of future growth, the quick increase demonstrates how attentive investors are to the company’s actions in this area.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Sam Altman highlights computing power
    as the foundation of tomorrow’s global economy.

    •Move secures Nvidia’s role as the
    backbone of AI systems worldwide.

    •Despite exploring its own hardware,
    OpenAI remains reliant on Nvidia’s chips.

    •Nvidia’s stock jumped 4% on Sept 22,
    with a 36% gain year-to-date.

  • Brahmacharini Inspires: How Women Entrepreneurs Stay Focused and Disciplined to Grow Their Businesses

    As we continue our Navratri journey, we come to the second form of the goddess, Brahmacharini. In Hindu tradition, Goddess Brahmacharini is the second incarnation of Goddess Durga. She is known for her strong dedication and discipline, qualities that deeply resonate with women entrepreneurs facing the challenges of building and growing a business.

    We asked visionary women how they have stayed disciplined and maintained focus over the years while nurturing their ventures. Their experiences reflect the commitment, patience, and determination that define Brahmacharini’s essence.

    Here are the stories of women entrepreneurs who have channelled the spirit of Goddess Brahmacharini to achieve success in their entrepreneurial journeys.

    Dishi Somani, Founder of DishiS Designer Jewellery

    Discipline has been the foundation of my entrepreneurship journey. I have remained focused by setting accurate short-term and long-term goals that align with the overall vision of the brand. Just like Brahmacharini’s dedication, I am dedicated to both quality and innovation with every collection. Additionally, discipline is implemented at all levels of our business, from design to customer service. The balance of creativity with strategy has always propelled growth. This past year has shown me that as a founder, my strength and commitment to long-term success come from consistency and a dedication to continuous learning.

    Key Takeaway: Clear goals, consistency, and a balance of creativity with strategy drive long-term business growth.

    Ambika Bhaik, CEO, Yellow Fertility

    Discipline has been my anchor. Having defined goals, establishing firm processes, or saying “no” to distractions, it is this consistency that counts more than flashes of inspiration. I have been able to develop the habit of balancing long-term vision with day-by-day execution. This consistent rhythm has helped the business to grow steadily.

    Key Takeaway: Consistency and disciplined execution outweigh inspiration in driving steady growth.

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    Vijeta Soni, Co-Founder & CEO, Sciative Solutions

    Growth requires much focus and discipline, two qualities I value. From day one, our approach has been structured – build good products, back them with deep research and measure impact with openness. I practice prioritization knowing that saying “no” is as important as saying “yes.” As a team, we stay committed to any change, whether it is advancing our AI algorithms for clear demand sensing or streamlining client onboarding. The discipline has helped us as we grow across industries but remain consistent in delivering measurable value to our clients plus staying true to the vision of “We Price Right” with which we started.

    Key Takeaway: Discipline in prioritization and structured processes ensures growth while staying true to vision.

    Drishti Madnani, Co-Founder & Beauty Expert at Shryoan Cosmetics

    I believe discipline is about maintaining consistency and keeping a clear perspective. Similar to Brahmacharini’s devotion and dedication, I have also committed myself to understanding consumers’ needs and ensuring Shryoan delivers value every time it comes to market. It’s discipline in adhering to a plan and schedule, making sure we maintain the quality of the product, and being involved in the creation and innovation. With that commitment, in the years we’ve been established, we have continued to grow while remaining committed to our philosophy. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, and it is the discipline to show up every day that takes smaller steps to larger achievements.

    Key Takeaway: Consistency and commitment to consumer needs turn small daily steps into long-term achievements.

    Samiha Jha, Founder & Director of Sammyukk

    The spirit of Brahmacharini, of unshakeable devotion and self-discipline, resonates strongly with my entrepreneurial experience. The building of Sammyukk has taken a firm dedication to mission beyond profit and self-discipline to remain true to our values, even when shortcuts look inviting. Each obstacle was a learning experience in patience, each triumph a reminder of our ‘why.’ In today’s fast-paced world, I’ve come to realise that steady focus and considerate intent are what propel real growth. As Brahmacharini, I have faith that inner determination and silent tenacity are more potent than any external disturbance.

    Key Takeaway: Staying true to values and relying on inner determination helps navigate challenges and build sustainable growth.

    Tejasvi Madan, Founder & CEO, Beyond Bound

    Motivation fades, but discipline has been my anchor. Like Brahmacharini’s quiet devotion, I’ve built BeyondBound on daily commitment, testing every piece myself, going back to the drawing board until the fit was just right and holding on to the brand’s core values even on difficult days. It’s discipline that turns vision into progress and progress into something women can wear with pride.

    Key Takeaway: Discipline transforms vision into progress and ensures values remain intact through challenges.

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    Nidhi Sabbarwal, Founder, Kalyanamm Holy Waste Recycling Pvt. Ltd.

    The virtues of devotion and discipline of Brahmacharini appeal greatly to me as a businesswoman. Right from the beginning, I believed that rituals must heal and not hurt, and that became my guiding principle. Discipline emerged through consistency, be it in responsibly sourcing floral waste, making each product plastic-free, or raising awareness regarding why sustainability is important in spiritual practices. There were days when growth felt slow and subtle, but discipline meant showing up every day with focus and perseverance. My passion for this cause has propelled me through the bumpiest of roads and helped me develop Kalyanamm into a purpose-driven brand.

    Key Takeaway: Discipline and consistency turn passion into purpose-driven growth, even on slow days.

    Gopika B Raj, Co-Founder & CCO, MyDesignation

    Honestly, what has kept me focused over the years isn’t just passion alone; it has been commitment and consistency, even on the toughest days. I had no mentors, no business background, and there were countless moments I thought of quitting. But what pushed me forward was always reminding myself why I started, because I couldn’t see myself confined to a 9 to 5 and I wanted to build something meaningful out of love for creativity. Challenges were constant, but discipline came from showing up every single day, even when clarity wasn’t there. That consistency, more than passion alone, has been the real driver of growth for me.

    Key Takeaway: Discipline and daily commitment matter more than passion alone in sustaining entrepreneurial growth.

    Naina Ruhail, Founder and Co-CEO, Vanity Wagon

    With the unwavering devotion to maintain the quality of our deliverables, I am able to persistently strive to achieve my goals. This devotion and discipline are the cornerstones of my business’s growth. This commitment allowed us not only to thrive but also to set a standard for excellence in the beauty industry. And this applies to any venture, irrespective of the field, that your dedication to your craft and the discipline to maintain high standards will be your greatest assets. It’s not a sprint but a journey, and a consistent commitment to your vision will yield remarkable results over time.

    Shreya Ghodawat, India Ambassador, SHE Changes Climate | CEO, Sustainable Guides

    I’ve stayed focused and disciplined by maintaining a commitment to my mission of simplifying sustainability for everyone who seeks it and making it curious enough for those who don’t. Discipline in learning new skills, speaking at events, and engaging in meaningful pursuits has been crucial to my business’s growth over the years.

    Having a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and other changemakers who are on the same path helps you stay on track, too. Your goals and your mission pull you forward when motivation seems bleak.

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  • Healthcare focused SaaS startup Zealthix raises $1.1 million in Seed Round led by Unicorn India Ventures

    Zealthix, a comprehensive SaaS based Healthcare platform has raised USD 1.1 Million in a seed round led by Unicorn India Ventures with participation from AlphaGen Venture Capital.

    Funds raised will be used for expansion and revenue growth. Additionally, a sizable portion will also be invested in making technology more robust and achieving the mission of making the Indian Healthcare ecosystem more digitized, streamlined and interoperable. 

    Founded in 2023, by serial entrepreneurs Abhishek Kumar and Avinash Gupta, Zealthix is a comprehensive SaaS based Healthcare company for Payers/Insurers to be able to offer OPD/comprehensive healthcare plans to their users. The company provides a cloud-based middleware platform that bridges fragmented healthcare systems and delivers comprehensive healthcare plans with unparalleled efficiency and innovation. By abstracting complexity and automating workflows, Zealthix platform streamlines the entire process of curating and fulfilling OPD/Comprehensive health plans, enabling Payers and Insurers to provide a seamless, technology-driven experience for their users. This results in creating a digital infrastructure & enabling Cashless OPD network.

    In the last 12 months, Zealthix has acquired 20 paying customers that are a good mix of insurers, brokers and care plan companies. The Company has also gone live with Zealthix OPD stack with multiple customers, Partners & Insurers.

    Commenting on the Investment Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, says 

    Advances in cloud computing have massively changed the technological landscape of businesses. India’s healthcare SaaS sector has entered a golden phase of adoption, showing promising ability to offer quality and timely services. What we are witnessing is not just digitization but a creation of a robust scalable healthcare ecosystem which will redefine how healthcare services are offered. The company has witnessed progress in the last 12 months and has designed new technology solutions. Hence, we believe the market opportunity is huge and the company has built the right momentum to capitalise on this segment.”

    Zealthix has been certified by NHA as a connector, which can make any Health provider using proprietary technology become ABDM compliant and interoperable. It is the first platform to be certified by ONDC for Healthcare Seller Node. This will democratize the healthcare service distribution in India. Additionally, Zealthix’s ubiquitous provider platform is enabling Health Providers to become technology ready, leveraging the power of AI to manage their business seamlessly using partner management, contract management, payment & reconciliation, smarter customer engagement, compliance, data digitization, smart report, and more. 

    Abhishek Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Zealthix says, “Having built businesses, which created categories such as BeatO (first in Condition/Care/Disease Management space) & BookMyCab (first in cab aggregation space), we are driven by our passion of making Indian Healthcare Ecosystem more digitized, streamlined and interoperable. Be it OPD or In-patient experience, as customers, we encounter broken systems, offline processes and poor experience. The government, too, is looking to digitize the healthcare ecosystem. Providers are looking to become more technology efficient. The timing and support we are getting from the ecosystem is tremendous. We want to contribute in our own ways to help various stakeholders with technology, workflow, digitization & AI adoption’

    Over the next 12 months, Zealthix aims to double down on reaching out to health providers, understanding their issues, helping them with technology to make their business more efficient, compliant, digitized & interoperable.

    On the payer side, the company’s OPD stack will continue to evolve and will start catering to all possible use cases. With technology and a robust SaaS platform, it will empower payers to configure & launch health products very quickly and be able to deep dive on the product performance including sales, utilization and renewals using our pre-built customizable tools.  

    About Unicorn India Ventures

    Started in 2016 by Bhaskar Majumdar and Anil Joshi, Unicorn India Ventures is a technology focused early-stage venture fund that invests in emerging and visionary startups. Unicorn India Ventures launched its first fund with a corpus of Rs 100 crore and invested in 17 companies like SmartCoin, Open Bank, Sequretek, Pharmarack, Genrobotics, Clootrack, FutureCure to mention some. The Fund has emerged as the best performing early-stage fund in India with the stellar exits provided by the fund to its LPs.

    Fund II is a Rs 300 Cr fund launched in 2020 that has invested in 20 companies so far like Gamerji, Probus, Daalchini, Windo, HiWi. Most of the portfolio is scaling up fast and has had several uprounds.

    Unicorn India Ventures is closing its Rs 1000 Cr Fund III. The first close was reached at Rs 225 crore. The Fund is expected to reach its final close this year.  With this Fund, UIV aims to build a portfolio of 20 startups that are focused mostly in the deep tech sector that includes semiconductor, space tech, and medical diagnostics apart from SaaS and India digital platforms. Unicorn has already made 15 investments from this fund and includes companies like Netrasami, Qubehealth, Orbitaid, Aurassure amongst others. 

    About Zealthix

     Zealthix is a comprehensive SaaS based Healthcare Infrastructure for Payers/Insurers to be able to offer OPD/comprehensive healthcare plans to their users.  Zealthix empowers healthcare Payers/Insurers to deliver comprehensive healthcare plans with unparalleled efficiency and innovation. Our robust platform streamlines the entire process of curating and fulfilling OPD/Comprehensive health plans, enabling Payers and Insurers to provide a seamless, technology-driven experience for their users.

    Zealthix SaaS platform for Partners allows Insurers/Payers to configure OPD plans digitally and use it in a headless/UI based approach to be embedded with their core systems. In the process, we also standardize health data and offer interoperability for seamless real time visibility of billing & clinical data from providers to payers. This results in creating a digital infrastructure & enabling Cashless OPD network.

    Zealthix Health Cloud Exchange, a middleware integrates disparate Health systems and providers in India to power Comprehensive Health Insurance including OPD coverage. Zealthix follows global standards such as FHIR, LOINC, ICD10 and SNOMED CT and also helps providers comply with Govt initiatives such as ABDM , NHCX and ONDC in line with standards released by NRCeS.

  • Venture Catalysts Leads Rs 3.5 Cr Pre-Seed Funding for Paar Autonomy to drive in a New Era of Agentic AI

    New Delhi, 23rd September 2025: Venture Catalysts, India’s premier early-stage investor and integrated incubator, has led an a Rs 3.5 Cr pre-seed round in Paar Autonomy, a next-generation robotics startup developing perception hardware and agentic artificial intelligence for unmanned aerial, ground, and sea vehicles deployed in defence, policing, and industrial inspection. Previously the startup has raised an angel round with participation of two pioneers of the Indian drone industry who, between them, bring more than a dozen years of operational and regulatory experience to the company in an angel capacity.

    Founded in 2024 by robotics engineer Vignesh Jayaraman who previously served as the head of product at one India’s premier drone startups, Paar Autonomy builds multi-sensor, gyro-stabilised gimbal cameras that give drones and rovers “super-human” sight, and couples them with proprietary agentic AI models that allow machines to interpret complex environments, coordinate with human operators and collaborate in real time. The company’s first products will address the global defence market for perception and autonomy solutions in unmanned vehicles, estimated at US $6 billion for drones alone, with ground and maritime robots projected to add a further US $4-5 billion by 2030.

    Commenting on the investment, Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-Founder and MD of Venture Catalysts, said, “A sovereign nation can only be as secure as the intelligence that protects its borders and critical infrastructure. Paar Autonomy is building that intelligence at the edge, fusing multi-sensor perception with decision-making AI so that unmanned assets can navigate, detect and respond faster than any adversary and farther than any human eye. What excites us is the dual-use potential of the technology: the same gimbal that spots a threat at the Line of Control can also inspect a railway bridge or offshore pipeline at one-tenth the cost and without risking a single life. Investing at the pre-seed stage allows Venture Catalysts to guide Paar Autonomy from lab to field, ensure that its IP remains proudly ‘Made in India’, and position the company as a global benchmark for affordable, combat-ready autonomy.”

    Vignesh Jayaraman, Founder and CEO of Paar Autonomy, said, “My goal was to push the frontier of what unmanned systems could perceive and do autonomously in the wild. This funding from Venture Catalysts is more than capital; it is a vote of confidence that enables us to commission our first manufacturing line, ship pilot units to defence and PSU customers, and recruit top-tier talent in perception engineering, embedded AI and business development. With the guidance of industry veterans who have already built successful drone platforms, we plan to deliver products that not only serve India’s strategic needs but also compete on the world stage.”

    The investment is in line with Venture Catalysts’ strategy of backing deep-tech founders addressing large, underserved markets with hardware-software convergence. Paar Autonomy’s roadmap includes direct collaborations with defence establishments, public-sector undertakings and international OEMs, supplying both turnkey gimballed payloads and licensable AI models that can retrofit existing fleets of UAVs (drones), UGVs (rovers) and USVs (unmanned boats). This latest addition to the Venture Catalysts portfolio reflects the firm’s continued commitment to strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities in critical technologies such as robotics, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

    About Venture Catalysts

    Venture Catalysts is India’s first multi‑stage venture investing platform, backing founders from idea to growth through a combination of deal‑by‑deal syndication and Category II AIFs. Since 2016, the firm has built a nationwide investing and platform network, with over US$500 million in AUM and 400+ portfolio companies, delivering multiple unicorn outcomes and meaningful liquidity events.

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