On a post on X on 14 May, OpenAI declared that its GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini AI models would be available on ChatGPT.
Software engineers utilising ChatGPT should find the GPT-4.1 models useful for writing or debugging code, according to OpenAI spokesman Shaokyi Amdo, who spoke to a media house.
OpenAI claims that GPT-4.1 is faster than its o-series of reasoning models yet performs better at coding and command following than GPT-4o. According to the firm, ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers are currently receiving GPT-4.1.
In the meantime, ChatGPT customers that pay can download GPT-4.1 mini for free from OpenAI. According to the company’s release notes for GPT-4.1, OpenAI is eliminating GPT-4.0 small from ChatGPT for all users as a result of this update.
Open AI Facing Criticism
GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini were introduced by OpenAI in April, although the models were only made available via its developer-facing API. The AI research community at the time criticised the corporation for shipping GPT-4.1 without a safety report.
According to these academics, OpenAI was lowering the bar for transparency in their AI models. At the time, OpenAI contended that even while GPT-4.1 outperformed GPT-4o in terms of speed and performance, it was not a frontier model and, as a result, did not need the same safety reporting as more advanced models.
In a post on X, Johannes Heidecke, Head of Safety Systems at OpenAI, claimed that GPT-4.1 does not outsmart O3 and does not add any new modalities or ways to engage with the model. This implies that, although significant, the safety issues in this context differ from those in frontier models, he continued.
In contrast to GPT-4o’s 128,000-token restriction, both of the new models offer a one million context token window, which is the maximum amount of text, images, or videos in a prompt that an AI model can analyse. According to OpenAI, speed enhancements also make GPT-4.1 more desirable for routine coding activities.
Open AI Clearing the Air With Live Demonstration
More details on GPT-4.1 and all of its AI models are now being made public by OpenAI. In an attempt to be more transparent, OpenAI earlier on 14 May pledged to release the findings of its internal AI model safety assessments more regularly.
OpenAI inaugurated its new Safety Evaluations Hub on Wednesday, and those findings will be available there. The launch of ChatGPT’s GPT-4.1 coincides with a surge in interest in AI coding tools.
One of the most well-known AI coding tools available, Windsurf, is apparently about to be acquired by OpenAI for $3 billion. Google modified its Gemini chatbot earlier to make it easier to connect to GitHub projects.
As it negotiates with app-based service providers to ascertain the percentage of fees that the platforms must pay, the Karnataka state government intends to operationalise the gig workers’ welfare fund in August.
With a request to issue an ordinance, the government has forwarded to Raj Bhavan the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill 2024. “By the end of August, we hope to put the law into effect,” Labour Minister Santosh Lad stated. In preparation for the creation of draft regulations under the proposed law, his agency is presently consulting with stakeholders.
The regulations will propose varying fees for services including food delivery, ride-hailing, and online shopping. Stakeholder input and government studies will inform the final regulations.
According to the government’s present position, the rate needs to be commensurate with the size of net earnings. Lad clarified that the welfare fee would be determined by service (delivery) charges rather than turnover.
20 Rounds of Meeting Already Conducted
According to the minister, there have been roughly 20 rounds of meetings so far, and all parties are in agreement over the welfare of gig workers. Platforms would be required to pay the fund a charge that ranges from 1% to 5% of the commissions paid to platform and gig workers.
The fee is limited to 5% of the commission by the Social Security Code. Additional Labour Commissioner G. Manjunath stated that the labour department is also investigating the probable effects of the suggested cost on consumers.
An estimated 2.75 lakh gig workers in Bengaluru work in a variety of sectors, such as food delivery, e-commerce, and ride-hailing. After AICC head Rahul Gandhi approved the policy’s general outline last month, the government decided to follow the ordinance route.
Karnataka has hailed its proposed legislation as a rights-based bill that seeks to safeguard the rights of platform and gig workers.
Karnataka to Follow Rajasthan’s Path
After Rajasthan became the first state to enact legislation for platform workers in July 2023, Karnataka developed the bill last year. However, the state has not yet created any regulations.
According to the minister, after the law is put into effect, Karnataka will be the first state to offer social programmes for gig workers. This welfare fund for gig workers is unique to Karnataka state. Additionally, the proposed regulation guarantees that platforms won’t fire employees arbitrarily.
Following Rahul Gandhi’s conversation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Delhi last month, the topic gathered traction. After parts of the delivery, ride-hailing, and e-commerce platforms opposed the move last year, the government soft-pedalled the concept.
In an age where Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries and individual lives alike, one Startup is taking a bold step toward a more private, secure, and efficient future. Decompute is decentralizing AI infrastructure, enabling users to run intelligent systems directly on their personal devices, without relying on the cloud. This revolutionary approach empowers individuals and organizations with unprecedented control over their data and AI experiences.
The Vision: Decentralized Intelligence, Built for Everyone
At its core, Decompute envisions a world where AI is truly Local, Autonomous, and User controlled. By moving intelligence out of Centralized Servers and into the hands of users, Decompute is reshaping the way we think about privacy, performance, and ownership in AI. This shift is not just philosophical—it’s practical. It ensures sensitive data never leaves the device, reduces dependence on network connectivity, and delivers faster, real-time responses. Whether it’s powering financial models, aiding legal research, or enhancing creative workflows, Decompute’s decentralized AI ensures users can Train, Deploy, and Evolve Intelligent systems entirely on their own terms.
Introducing Blackbird: AI Without Boundaries
At the heart of this transformation lies Blackbird, Decompute’s flagship platform that brings powerful AI capabilities straight to user devices. Blackbird enables the deployment of sophisticated AI agents locally—no internet required, no third-party servers, no compromises. Key capabilities of Blackbird include:
Offline AI Processing: Ensures uninterrupted, real-time performance with zero reliance on internet connectivity.
Rapid Deployment: Enables quick and seamless setup of AI workflows across domains.
Custom AI Agents: Empowers users to build and personalize AI models for industries like law, finance, research, and media.
Edge-Ready Versatility: Supports everything from high-resolution image generation to document analysis and more.
Unlimited Local Queries: With no server restrictions, users experience limitless AI interaction and scalability.
Local Model Training: Train AI models directly on personal datasets, ensuring full ownership and privacy.
High-Fidelity Image Generation: Generate high-quality visuals on-device without external dependencies.
With Blackbird, users no longer need to sacrifice privacy or pay a premium for performance. It’s AI, on your terms.
Meet the Founders: A Legacy of AI Excellence
Decompute is led by a visionary team with deep roots in AI and technology infrastructure:
Hina Chauhan Dixit (Co-founder & CEO): A former software engineering leader at Apple, Hina has also served as an AI investor at Microsoft and Samsung. Her extensive experience in spearheading AI initiatives at global tech giants forms the strategic backbone of Decompute’s mission.
Jalaj Upadhyay (Co-founder & CSO): Previously leading privacy for AI at Apple, Jalaj combines academic depth from the University of Waterloo and Rutgers with practical expertise in AI infrastructure and governance.
Together, Hina and Jalaj bring the rare combination of corporate vision and technical rigor, driving Decompute toward global relevance in the decentralized AI movement.
Why Decompute Matters
As industries accelerate toward AI-driven solutions, the traditional cloud-based approach raises serious concerns: privacy risks, infrastructure costs, and latency limitations. Decompute addresses these head-on:
Enhanced Data Privacy: User data never leaves the device, eliminating exposure to cloud-based vulnerabilities and breaches.
Reduced Latency: Local processing delivers instant results—critical for real-time decision-making in finance, healthcare, and defence.
Cost Efficiency: By removing cloud costs, Decompute lowers barriers to AI adoption for Startups, Enterprises, and Individual users alike.
The Future is Local, Private, and Powerful
Decompute isn’t just building a product—it’s building a movement. A movement toward AI democratization, where power resides with the individual, not the platform. With Blackbird, Decompute is setting a new standard for what AI can be—autonomous, efficient, and secure. As the digital world evolves, Decompute stands at the forefront—redefining intelligence, decentralizing power, and putting the future of AI into your hands.
Reliance Industries, controlled by Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India, has reportedly obtained a $2.98 billion loan. In more than a year, this is the biggest deal of its kind for an Indian borrower.
According to cited sources, a further 55 banks have signed a loan deal. As of right now, it is the biggest consortium of lenders for a syndicated loan in Asia.
Loan levels in the Asia Pacific area, excluding Japan, have dropped to a 20-year low in 2025, according to data gathered by a news agency.
Only approximately $29 billion worth of agreements in the three main world currencies—the US dollar, the euro, and the Japanese yen—have been completed. Thus, in an Asian market with little transaction activity, this loan demonstrates lenders’ desire for excellent investment prospects.
Surge in Indian Companies Seeking Loan in Foreign Currencies
According to data from a media outlet, the overall loan amount for the year is predicted to reach $10.4 billion following this Reliance deal, which is the quickest rate in at least a decade.
According to the research, it shows a pattern of a sharp rise in foreign exchange loans to Indian businesses. Reliance Industries’ big borrowing is primarily to blame for this increase. According to a media report, the loan from Reliance Industries is split into two parts: $2.5 billion and ¥67.7 billion, or $463 million.
On May 9th, the loan deal was signed. Reliance Industries had not taken out a foreign loan since 2023 prior to this one. The business raised more than $8 billion in loans that year, including a $5 billion syndicated deal. About 55 lenders were drawn to the parent company’s and its subsidiary Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd’s prior loans.
According to Bloomberg data, banks were keen to lend to such highly rated businesses. At the moment, Reliance Industries’ credit rating is one level higher than that of the Indian government. Since a company’s creditworthiness is usually lower than that of its home country, this is rare. Reliance Industries has a BBB rating from Fitch Ratings and a Baa2 rating from Moody’s Ratings.
Reliance Continues its Investment in Varieties of Businesses
The most recent loan was taken out as Reliance keeps increasing investment in all of its different operations.
During his speech at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) in August 2024, Mukesh Ambani outlined an ambitious plan, saying the group wanted to move up from its current ranking in the top 50 to the 30 most valuable companies in the world.
Ambani attributed this vision to the group’s growing emphasis on sophisticated manufacturing and deep technology, two fields in which Reliance is now a stand-alone technology manufacturer.
He also presented ambitious expectations for the company’s “New Energy” segment, estimating that within five to seven years, it will be as profitable and large as Reliance’s conventional oil-to-chemicals (O2C) operation.
The group has pledged to make significant investments in the manufacturing of polyester, plastics, and biogas. These include a trial project for an integrated energy plantation, the construction of 55 compressed biogas plants by 2025, and increased capacity in speciality polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and chlorinated PVC (CPVC) by 2026–2027.
One hundred workers in Amazon‘s Devices and Services group have reportedly been let go. According to the corporation, the jobs were a part of its routine business assessment and only made up a small portion of the unit’s total.
Popular hardware products, including Fire TV devices, Ring security systems, and Echo smart speakers, are developed by the Devices and Services business. As you may remember, Amazon also let go of several workers in 2023 who had roles related to Alexa.
According to a statement provided to a media outlet, Amazon has made the tough choice to eliminate a few positions as part of its continuous efforts to improve the efficiency of its teams and programmes and to better align with the company’s product roadmap.
Amazon’s Broad Restructuring Effort
Reports suggest that several teams within the Devices and Services section have been impacted; however, the precise extent of the layoffs is still unknown. Instead of focusing on a single product line, this implies a comprehensive reorganisation effort.
The layoffs occur as Amazon continues to deal with a difficult economic climate. Amazon has been concentrating on cost-cutting strategies to increase productivity and profitability, much like many other Internet corporations.
Several divisions have had staff losses as a result of these actions. A formal announcement outlining the reasons for this specific round of layoffs has not been issued by the corporation.
Achieving Massive Targets with Limited Resources: New Mantra of Amazon
Andy Jassy, the CEO of Amazon, informed staff that creating big teams and personal territories is not the way to progress at the firm. Instead, he emphasised that the online shopping giant rewards people who achieve more with fewer resources.
Jassy made these remarks at a recent all-hands meeting as part of his ongoing efforts to streamline the organisation’s management structure and bureaucracy. The CEO emphasised Amazon’s dedication to functioning as “the world’s largest startup” in spite of its scale.
A recent attempt to raise the company-wide ratio of individual contributors to managers by 15% is part of this approach. Amazon accomplished this goal by merging teams and transferring some supervisors into individual contributor positions instead of implementing widespread layoffs.
Additionally, Jassy emphasised the value of meritocracy above bureaucracy in the corporate culture of Amazon. He reported that 375 process changes have already been made as a result of going over a thousand employee emails sent to a specific “No Bureaucracy” alias.
Layoff has 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 laying off 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.
India’s sixth semiconductor plant, a INR 3,706 crore facility that would be established in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, through a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, was authorised by the Union Cabinet on 14 May.
The facility will begin producing display driver chips for PCs, laptops, cars, and cell phones in 2027. The monthly production capacity of the factory is 20,000 wafers. The monthly production capacity of the design is 36 million pieces.
There are now five semiconductor units at advanced phases of development. According to a national government statement, India advances in its efforts to grow the strategically important semiconductor sector with the establishment of this sixth facility.
Semiconductor Industry Now Shaping Up in India
The nation’s semiconductor sector is currently taking shape. Several states in the nation now have top-notch design facilities. The design businesses are being actively pursued by state governments.
The central government also stated that this new unit will contribute to the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, given the growing demand for semiconductors due to the rapid growth of the manufacturing of laptops, mobile phones, servers, medical devices, power electronics, defence equipment, and consumer electronics in Bharat.
HCL, however, has a lengthy history of creating and producing hardware. Foxconn is a significant global manufacturer of electronics.
Alluring Sector for Entrepreneurs, Researchers and Students
In order to create new goods, students and entrepreneurs from 70 businesses and 270 academic institutions are working on cutting-edge design technology. Twenty of the items created by these students have been recorded by SCL Mohali.
The ecosystem partners have also set up shop in India as the nation advances in its semiconductor journey. Lam Research and Applied Materials are two of the biggest producers of equipment. Both are currently present in India.
Many gas and chemical providers, like Linde, Inox, Air Liquide, and Merck, are preparing for the expansion of India’s semiconductor sector.
Government data shows that the nation’s electronics manufacturing production has increased fivefold during the last ten years.
The government is getting closer to its objective of raising value addition in electronics from the current 20% to over 35% by 2030 with the addition of this unit under the ISM. IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has mentioned about this goal numerous times.
Foxconn is attempting to establish a semiconductor unit under the ISM for the second time. The Taiwan-based business partnered with Vedanta in 2023, but the two parties eventually parted ways.
According to the minister, the Foxconn-HCL factory should satisfy Foxconn’s worldwide supply chain requirements and meet 40% of India’s domestic demand for display driver chips.
Naptapgo is a pod hotel startup offering clean, affordable, and flexible accommodations across key locations like transit hubs, religious cities, business cities and urban centres.
The funds will be used for franchise development, marketing, technology upgrades, and enhancing central operations to drive growth and customer experience.
Naptapgo received a strategic investment from PSU Balmer Lawrie, earned a tweet from Anand Mahindra recognising its innovative model, and was awarded “Franchisable Concept of the Year – 2024.”
So far, Inflection Point Ventures has invested over INR 800 Cr across 210+ startups.
Naptapgo, a pod hotel startup redefining affordable hospitality,secures INR 2 crores funding in Pre-Seed round from Inflection Point Ventures. The funds will be used to drive growth across key areas like franchise development, marketing, technology enhancements, and developing innovative techniques to enhance customer experience. This strategic investment will accelerate Naptapgo’s expansion across urban and religious hubs, strengthening its commitment to offering clean, affordable, and flexible accommodations at an affordable price.
Naptapgo is pioneering a new hospitality model by providing affordable luxury through compact, efficient spaces. The startup operates in the NCR business city vertical and will expand to religious cities like Katra and Amritsar in FY26, aiming to reach 20 properties by FY27. Its innovative approach, including flexible check-ins, hourly stays, and sustainability-driven operations, sets it apart in the competitive hospitality market.
Founded by Nitin Malhotra (Founder & CEO) and Himanshu Shukla (Co-Founder & VP Ops), Naptapgo is backed by their extensive industry experience. Nitin, an MBA graduate from Symbiosis and incubated at IIML, previously founded 247around (acquired) and held leadership roles at Texas Instruments and ST Microelectronics. Himanshu, also incubated at IIML, brings deep hospitality expertise from his tenure at Chaayos, Taj, and Jaypee Resorts, supported by his hotel management background from IHM Lucknow. Together, they aim to disrupt the hospitality industry with innovative, guest-centric solutions.
Vinay Bansal, Founder & CEO, IPV, says, “Thehospitality industry is at its peak with globalisation and digital connectivity, yet customer satisfaction has not kept pace. Over time, hotel prices have surged while service standards have remained stagnant. NapTapGo is changing this by offering an innovative pod-hotel experience at an economical price without compromising on quality. Its accessibility and affordability for luxury spaces connects with millions of travellers seeking short-stay accommodations. At IPV, we believe NapTapGo is poised to tap into a massive market of travellers looking for smart, cost-effective lodging solutions”
Naptapgo’s rapid expansion is fueled by its unique operational model. Currently active in NCR, the startup plans to launch properties in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Mumbai, Katra and Amritsar, with a goal of 20 properties by FY27. The company’s ability to achieve 65% direct bookings through its website and WhatsApp channel underscores its customer-centric approach and operational efficiency.
A key strength of Naptapgo lies in its affordable luxury model, combining strategic location focus, compact efficiency, and flexible stay options through strong technology plugins. The company’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence ensures an optimised guest experience while maintaining cost efficiency. This innovative model has earned Naptapgo accolades such as “Franchisable Concept of the Year 2024” and “Best Booth of the Year 2024.”
Nitin Malhotra & Himanshu Shukla, Co-Founders of NapTapGo, says, “We have had an incredible journey with the IPV team, receiving constructive feedback that has strengthened our business framework. At Naptapgo, our goal is to be a significant player in the $1300 billion global hotel market, starting with India, and to redefine the perception of the Indian affordable hotel segment. Customer experience remains our key differentiator as we strive to create value for both our franchises and shareholders.”
Naptapgo has garnered significant industry recognition, including a strategic investment from the Government of India PSU Balmer Lawrie and a notable endorsement from Anand Mahindra, who highlighted how the startup addresses the affordable hospitality challenge.
The Indian hotel industry is valued at $30 billion and is projected to grow to $55 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 10.8%. Globally, the market is worth $1300 billion, presenting a substantial opportunity for Naptapgo as it scales its innovative hospitality model.
About Naptapgo
Naptapgo is a pod hotel startup offering clean, hygienic, and affordable accommodations for modern travellers. Under its strategically envisioned verticals, transit hubs, religious locations, urban centres, and hospitals, Naptapgo redefines short-stay experiences with innovative AI technology, flexible check-ins, and a focus on sustainability. With properties in Noida and upcoming locations in Katra, Amritsar, and Gurgaon, the company is rapidly expanding across India.
About Inflection Point Ventures and Physis Capital
Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) is an angel investing platform with over 23,500+ CXOs, HNIs, and Professionals together invest in startups. The firm supports new-age entrepreneurs by providing them with monetary & experiential capital and connecting them with a diverse group of investors. IPV has launched a $50 Mn CAT 2 VC fund, Physis Capital, to invest in Pre-Series A to Series B growth-stage start-ups. The fund has already deployed capital in two startups so far, with a few deals in advanced stages of the pipeline.
Zepto, a leader in quick commerce, has introduced Atom, a new data analytics tool for consumer businesses that are listed on the site. Aadit Palicha, the CEO and co-founder of Zepto, stated in a video on X that the subscription-based service will allow marketers to learn more about behavioural data, “pincode-by-pincode market share data, and brand performance.”
According to Palicha, Atom will enable retailers to analyse a real-time map of each neighbourhood and pincode they service in order to obtain hyperlocal performance insights. He went on to say that a company can use Zepto Atom Maps to determine that its sales in Hyderabad’s western neighbourhoods are under-indexed.
Then, it can focus more on price, marketing, or distribution in those areas to spur growth. Furthermore, the business claims that Zepto Atom would provide brands with “minute-by-minute” sales, consumer impressions, and conversion data, allowing them to tailor their pricing, advertising campaigns, and product offerings to the various consumption patterns of their goods throughout the day.
Zepto GPT
The CEO of the fast commerce behemoth added that Atom has Zepto GPT, an internal natural language processing (NLP) helper, to respond to merchant enquiries. He claimed that the chatbot, which was educated using internal corporate data, will provide insights for enhancing brand performance.
Palicha continued, “Zepto GPT then analyses the extensive datasets within Zepto Atom to provide strategic recommendations, actionable answers, and even data reports on behalf of the brand.”
Additionally, according to the business, the new data analytics tool will give brands information on customer retention and repeatability, voice share in search and on the home page, full-funnel visibility into consumer product purchase behaviour, etc.
Zepto Creating Alternate Revenue Stream
By charging specified brands, Zepto is probably trying to generate an additional source of income. On the other hand, Atom’s pricing structure remains unclear. The platform’s free Zepto Brand Portal, which provides brands with basic information about their success on the platform, will be supplemented by the Zepto Atom subscription.
According to Palicha, the value of the Zepto Atom membership lies in the advanced insights that companies can obtain from this tool, the majority of which are currently unavailable on any Indian e-commerce platform. Zepto has ventured into the B2B SaaS market with Atom, following rival Zomato’s lead.
In February of this year, the Deepinder Goyal-led company introduced Nuggets, an AI-powered, no-code customer support platform for businesses. However, Zepto is using the network effects of its own platform to boost its top line, in contrast to Zomato, which is concentrating on external consumers.
The rapid commerce market is becoming more competitive as a result of the new offering. Companies like Flipkart Minutes, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, and Eternal-owned Blinkit are spending billions of dollars to expand their dark shop count and attract more clients.
The development also occurs one day after it was revealed that Zepto had reduced the number of foreign shareholders in the business by bringing Motilal Oswal and Raamdeo Agrawal, the founders of the company, to its cap table through a $100 million secondary sale.
The deal is a component of a bigger $350 million round, in which Motilal Oswal’s clients—including domestic family offices—will absorb the remaining funds.
Following Gensol Engineering’s default on a loan of INR 510 crore, the state-run financier Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (Ireda) filed a petition against the business under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Ireda said in a stock exchange filing on 14 May.
The value of stock interests is likely to be destroyed if the National Company Law Tribunal accepts the insolvency petition, and all of the company’s creditors are anticipated to submit their claims to the court-appointed resolution professional for debt resolution.
Gensol is Navigating Through Troubled Waters
In addition to other regulatory enquiries, Gensol is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for allegedly diverting funds from the listed company by its promoters. Anmol Singh Jaggi and his brother Puneet Singh Jaggi, the founders of Gensol Engineering and BluSmart Cabs, resigned from the Gensol board in response to the Sebi ruling, stating in a letter to the exchanges that their actions were in accordance with Sebi’s directives.
Puneet served as Gensol’s full-time director, while Anmol served as managing director. Prior to this, Ireda started an internal examination on April 25 in accordance with its own due diligence procedures and Reserve Bank of India rules.
Ireda claimed that the promoters had violated the terms of the contract by diluting their shareholdings without the lenders’ consent. As a result, on April 24, Ireda complained to the Economic Offences Wing about the aforementioned issues with Gensol.
RBI Probes E-Wallets After BluSmart Collapse
According to various media reports, India’s central bank is investigating some digital wallets linked to electric vehicle companies after the abrupt demise of the nation’s biggest all-EV taxi service prevented customers from accessing funds linked to their accounts.
The issues encountered by customers of the digital wallet of the app-based ride-hailing service BluSmart led to a review of the payment methods utilised in India’s nascent EV ecosystem.
The incidents brought about by the company’s alleged fraud exposed the absence of protections for customers who deposit funds into so-called closed-loop wallets in order to conduct transactions on apps, particularly those that deal with EVs like charging stations or ride-booking.
According to various published reports, the Reserve Bank of India has started informal conversations with operators of EV charging stations and other app-based EV platforms in order to evaluate potential consumer hazards.
In India’s rapidly expanding digital services ecosystem, so-called closed-loop wallets—app-based payment systems that are limited to use on a single platform—have become widely available. Since the central bank does not actively supervise these wallets like it does open-system wallets under its regulation, they are more susceptible to platform failure.
In April, BluSmart informed customers that it could take up to 90 days to reimburse money after thousands of users who had preloaded money into the wallet to book trips within the city and at the airport were unable to secure a refund or move the money to another location.
Dream Sports, the parent company of fantasy gaming giant Dream11, is making headlines once again. The company has announced its plan to invest $50 million in two well-known sports content platforms, Cricbuzz and Willow TV. Both platforms are owned by Times Internet.
This move comes as Dream Sports continues to expand its presence in the global sports ecosystem. The investment signals a deeper push into sports content, going beyond fantasy gaming.
A Strategic Move to Strengthen Global Sports Presence
Cricbuzz is one of India’s top cricket news and live score platforms. It draws millions of fans, especially during tournaments like the IPL and ICC events. On the other hand, Willow TV is a leading broadcaster of cricket in North America. It holds rights to stream top cricket matches in the US and Canada.
Dream Sports will acquire a minority stake through this $50 million investment. The company plans to work closely with Times Internet to build new offerings and expand the reach of both Cricbuzz and Willow TV. This partnership will focus on content innovation, digital products, and fan engagement.
By investing in these platforms, Dream Sports wants to tap into two major markets, India and the United States. While Dream11 is already a household name in India, this move opens the door to global cricket fans, especially the large South Asian diaspora in North America.
Dream Sports’ Ongoing Expansion Strategy
Dream Sports has been actively expanding its portfolio in the sports tech and media space. The company already owns brands like FanCode (sports streaming and e-commerce), DreamSetGo (sports travel), and Dream Game Studios (game development). It has also invested in various sports startups and digital platforms over the years.
This latest deal fits well with Dream Sports’ goal to become a full-stack sports company. The company aims to connect fans not just through fantasy games, but also through content, streaming, and live experiences.
Cricbuzz and Willow TV, with their large user bases and strong brand recognition, are seen as ideal partners for this vision. The collaboration is expected to help all three companies grow faster and deliver more value to sports fans.
Dream Sports is reportedly profitable and has over 200 million users across its products. With this fresh investment, it reinforces its commitment to long-term growth and content leadership in the sports sector.
Conclusion
The $50 million investment in Cricbuzz and Willow TV marks a big step for Dream Sports. It shows the company’s intent to build a broader sports ecosystem that combines fantasy, content, and streaming. By teaming up with Times Internet, Dream Sports is looking to deepen its global reach and offer richer digital experiences for fans.
As sports consumption shifts more and more online, moves like this may shape the future of how fans interact with games, players, and platforms.
