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  • SEBI Plans to Relax Rules, Paving Way for Greater NRI Investment in Indian Stocks

    Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), announced on 11 October that the market watchdog is simplifying regulatory procedures to facilitate NRI investments in Indian equities markets. In order to eliminate the need for NRIs to return to India in order to fulfil know-your-customer (KYC) standards, the regulator is attempting to streamline the process.

    At a function hosted by the Bombay Stock Exchange Brokers’ Forum on October 11, Pandey stated that SEBI has not yet created a simple and safe KYC access system for NRIs to enable their involvement in the securities market. This will be the regulating body’s first priority.

    SEBI Collaborating with RBI and UIDAI

    Pandey stated that SEBI is working with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to develop a system that would allow NRIs to complete their KYC verification over video conversations rather than needing to return home. Notably, there are more than 3.5 crore non-resident Indians (NRIs) worldwide, and India is the biggest beneficiary of remittances worldwide, with $135 billion received in FY25.

    According to Pandey, SEBI’s “immediate goal” is to make the FPI registration process quick and easy by making it entirely portal-based, because the agency previously agreed in September to establish a single window for trusted foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) with less stringent compliance standards. In order to put it into effect, he continued, SEBI is already consulting its stakeholders.

    When it comes to enabling registration, SEBI wants to be among the best in the world. To enable digital registration, SEBI, RBI, and the Income Tax Department would need to collaborate, according to Pandey, who characterised the project as a “process issue” rather than one resulting from hazards. Speaking to the broker community, Pandey stated that SEBI will finish revising broker laws by the end of December.

    SEBI to Device Framework to Prevent Cybercrime

    According to Pandey, SEBI will speak with market infrastructure organisations before issuing instructions on keeping an “air gap” in order to improve cybersecurity. He went on to say that SEBI has put in place a redundancy model for clearing corporations, which enables operations to continue without interruption in the event that one clearing corporation fails, and that market infrastructure institutions are being put to the test through live disaster recovery drills.

    “As with stockbrokers, we are also looking at implementing a safety net at a depository participant in the event of an outage,” Pandey stated. He added that the data warehouse system has been redesigned to create new role-based alerts to detect fraudulent trades in bulk deals and identify pump-and-dump trends. He also mentioned that SEBI is moving from reactive supervision to predictive oversight in the surveillance space.

    As per Pandey, high-frequency and algorithmic trading have grown significantly in recent years and now make up a sizable portion of volumes in the derivatives and equity markets.

    Quick Shots

    •SEBI
    to simplify NRI investment norms to make it easier for Non-Resident Indians
    to invest in Indian equity markets.

    •NRIs
    may soon be able to complete KYC verification via video calls, eliminating
    the need to visit India.

    •3.5
    crore NRIs globally — India remains the top recipient of remittances at $135
    billion in FY25.

    •SEBI
    aims to make foreign portfolio investment registration fully online and
    faster.

  • Bira 91 Crisis Deepens: Name Change Sparks Collapse, Unpaid Salaries and Staff Uproar

    Bira 91, once India’s fastest-growing craft beer brand, is facing a serious crisis. The brand, run by B9 Beverages Private Limited, became popular for its quirky image and strong social media presence. By 2023, it was preparing for a major IPO.

    In January 2024, the company changed its name to B9 Beverages Limited to meet IPO rules. What seemed like a small step created big problems.

    Regulatory Roadblocks and Distribution Halt

    After the name change, authorities in many states treated B9 Beverages Limited as a new company. Labels, packaging, and licences still had the old name. This caused delays because the company had to get new approvals for every beer variant.

    As a result, Bira 91 could not be sold in many places. Warehouses were full of unsellable stock, leading to a cash flow crisis. The brand’s urban customers missed seeing it on store shelves and in bars, affecting sales.

    Financial Impact

    The crisis hit Bira 91’s finances hard. Revenue for 2024 fell to INR 638 crore from INR 824 crore in 2023, a drop of almost 22%. The company posted a net loss of INR 748 crore. Plans for the IPO have been put on hold, and the brand is struggling to regain its position.

    Production started again in early 2025 after most approvals were cleared. However, the brand has lost its market momentum. Competitors have taken advantage of Bira 91’s absence from the shelves.

    Employee Unrest and Leadership Issues

    Over 250 employees reportedly asked for the removal of CEO Ankur Jain. They claimed salaries were unpaid for up to six months. Employees said management was not transparent about finances, adding to the crisis.

    Investor D. Muthukrishnan noted on social media that Bira 91’s story shows how even a small procedural mistake can bring down a successful company. “Bira 91 was one of India’s most promising start-ups, growing rapidly as a popular craft beer brand. Yet a simple name change—from B9 Beverages Private Limited to B9 Beverages Limited—triggered a chain of problems. States treated it as a new company, banning sales and demanding fresh approvals for labels, products, and licences. Regulatory hurdles, halted sales, and internal conflicts pushed the company to the edge,” he said.

    He added that while the situation may seem unfair, it reflects the reality of doing business in India. “Procedures, compliance, and proper documentation are crucial. Rules are complex, and assumptions can backfire. Expert legal advice is essential before making even small changes.”

    Looking Ahead

    Even with production restarted, Bira 91 faces a tough path to recovery. The company needs to rebuild consumer trust, fix employee issues, and regain market share. Analysts say strong management and clear communication will be key.

    While Bira 91 still has fan support, regaining its previous market position will take time. Success will depend on careful planning, marketing, and resolving internal problems.

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  • iPhone Maker Pegatron to Set Up Chennai Plant for 5G Equipment, Targets Local and Export Markets

    The massive Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Pegatron is constructing a new plant in Chennai with the goal of manufacturing 5G small cells for the expanding private networks industry in India. The plant will also be able to meet demand from other parts of the world, including Europe, Southeast Asia, and possibly North America, in a Moneycontrol interview.

    The new plant represents Pegatron India’s next stage of investment in the country’s telecom manufacturing ecosystem, according to Jayant Moghe, AVP and Country Manager. According to him, the company is building its second Pegatron plant in Chennai to produce 5G tiny cells for the private 5G industry, which it anticipates will be a developing sector in the years to come, he told Moneycontrol.

    Over the past four and a half years, Pegatron, one of the biggest electronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies in the world with $35–40 billion in global revenues, has been gradually expanding its telecom manufacturing footprint. According to Moghe, the Chennai facility would take advantage of India’s growing status as a hub for production and design to service both domestic and international clients.

    Pegatron and Apple Bond in India

    One of Apple’s main manufacturing partners, Pegatron, had been putting together iPhones at its plant in Chennai. Tata Electronics, however, has already taken over that factory and will keep making iPhones there. With Tata being the first Indian business to produce iPhones and taking over Pegatron’s operations, the decision represents a significant change in Apple’s India strategy. The forthcoming Chennai unit will first concentrate on 5G tiny cells, which are essential facilitators of private 5G networks utilised by businesses in automation, transportation, mining, and manufacturing.

    Moghe did point out that Pegatron offers more than just radios as part of its telecom business. According to him, the company manufactures full 5G devices, including cameras, CPEs, Wi-Fi and GPON end-user devices, and AI modules. He also mentioned that the company is creating automation systems and cutting-edge AI hardware for use in smart factories.

    He explained that Pegatron’s manufacturing vision combines hardware, networking, and artificial intelligence (AI), all of which the business is concurrently investing in internationally. In Batam, Indonesia, Pegatron already operates a fully connected private 5G-enabled factory that produces automation systems and AI-powered gadgets. The business intends to duplicate this model in India.

    Pegatron Going Vocal for the Local

    Prior to moving production to India, Moghe acknowledged that Pegatron currently designs its gadgets in Taiwan and handles new product introduction (NPI) procedures there. However, as India’s component ecosystem develops, the company anticipates increasing local sourcing and value addition over time. According to Moghe, the business would give local sourcing careful consideration in the future. The company will make the best localisation choices as the telecom component ecosystem grows.

    Quick Shots

    •Pegatron to set up a new plant in Chennai to
    manufacture 5G small cells for private networks in India.

    •Plant will also serve export markets including
    Europe, Southeast Asia, and potentially North America.

    •Second Pegatron facility in Chennai, focusing on
    the growing private 5G sector.

    •Pegatron is one of the largest EMS companies
    globally with $35–40 billion in revenue.

  • TCS to Create 5,000 New Jobs in the UK, Launches AI Experience and Design Studio in London

    In a statement released on October 10, Tata Consultancy Services stated that it intends to increase employment in the UK by 5,000 over the next three years through its ongoing investment and talent development initiatives. Reaffirming its long-term connection with the UK, India’s largest IT services company announced the opening of an AI Experience Zone and Design Studio in London as part of its investment ambitions in the UK, the statement stated.

    According to Vinay Singhvi, president of TCS’s UK and Ireland division, the UK is the company’s second-largest market worldwide, making it a key component of its global investment plan.

    He added that in order to keep a competitive edge in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, the AI Experience Zone will also support innovation through partnerships with companies across the United Kingdom. TCS is also investing in people, innovation, and skills in all four countries as it continues to grow its presence throughout the UK.

    Tata-UK a 50 Year Old Partnership

    With 42,000 direct and indirect jobs over the years, the Tata Group company claimed to have a 50-year collaboration with UK companies, spearheading their digital transformation and fostering talent development.

    The AI Experience Zone and London Design Studio, according to the business, are a “reimagination” of its flagship PacePort facility and are anticipated to be crucial in promoting client collaboration and creativity throughout the United Kingdom. TCS built a studio in New York in September, and this London location is its second.

    UK’s Investment Minister Applauding TCS’ Efforts

    The UK’s investment minister, Jason Stockwood, expressed his excitement in seeing Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) technological innovation up close at their Mumbai site. The Tata Group has demonstrated leadership in philanthropy and entrepreneurship for almost 150 years.

    Stockwood further mentioned that as TCS and the UK commemorate a historic prime ministerial visit to India, they have reiterated the two economies’ commitment to maximising the trade agreement they struck in July. The Tata Group, a valued investor in the UK, and its businesses, such as TCS, are essential to this goal, which will eventually result in job creation, financial gain, and economic expansion for both nations.

    Quick Shots

    •TCS
    to create 5,000 new jobs in the UK over the next three years as part of its
    talent development and investment plans.

    •AI
    Experience Zone and London Design Studio inaugurated to drive innovation and
    client collaboration.

    •UK
    is TCS’s second-largest market globally, according to Vinay Singhvi,
    President, UK & Ireland division.

    •AI
    Experience Zone will foster partnerships with UK companies and support
    emerging technology development.

    •Tata-UK
    partnership spans 50 years, contributing to 42,000 direct and indirect jobs.

    •London studio is a reimagination of
    the PacePort facility, following a similar studio launch in New York.

  • Bira 91 Employees Demand Ouster of Founder Ankur Jain

    More than 250 workers at B9 Beverages, the firm that makes Bira 91 speciality beer, have demanded that founder Ankur Jain be fired from management and that the company’s leadership be changed. The workers petitioned the company’s board, the biggest lender, Anicut Capital, and significant investors, Kirin Holdings and Peak XV Partners.

    According to ET, the corporation hosted a town hall in September in response to the petition. The workers’ petition stated that they were demanding a change in leadership because of “corporate governance failure, lack of transparency, delays in employee dues and salaries”, as well as creditor proceedings that highlighted “deteriorating financials” and unpaid vendor bills.

    Bira 91’s Production Halted

    Nearly every current employee signed the petition, according to a source.According to executives with knowledge of the matter, Bira 91’s production stopped in July. BlackRock, which was negotiating to lend the promoter group INR 500 crore in debt, has also pulled out of the talks. Jain, his mother, and his wife are on the board of the corporation.

    Jain and his family owned 17.8% of the company as of June 2025, with Kirin Holdings holding the largest interest (20.1%). Jain responded to the petition by stating that the business is not aware of any such petitions sent to important shareholders. There had been no official contact to the board, he continued. Although he admitted to a “pause” in production in September, he anticipates that it will resume this month.

    A number of workers informed ET that reimbursements had been unpaid since November 2024 and that salaries have been six months behind schedule. For all employees this fiscal year and for more than fifty employees during the previous fiscal year, tax deducted at source has not been deposited.

    What Caused the Stir Among Bira 91 Employees?

    Over 500 workers, many of whom have left the company, still owe INR 50 crore in unpaid salaries. “In addition, there have been numerous exits and layoffs,” one worker stated. From over 700 last year, the workforce has now decreased to just over 260. “It is true that we have employee overdues that have been persisting,” Jain said, acknowledging the delays.

    Depending on the number of employees, these can last anywhere from three to five months. They also involve a delay in paying taxes that are owed. He claimed that by concentrating on fewer states, cutting expenses, and increasing margins, the corporation has reorganised its operations.

    “This has required making difficult decisions about cost reduction, such as cutting the number of employees by almost 50% in the last 15 months.” With sales volumes down to 6-7 million cases from 9 million in FY23, B9 Beverages recorded a net loss of INR 748 crore in FY24 on revenue of INR 638 crore. According to an ET report, FY25 figures have not yet been submitted.

    Volume declines and a backlog of employee, vendor, and statutory dues were the results of “significant business disruptions” over the previous 18 months, according to Jain, which were brought on by changes in the company name, changes in the spirits policy, and delays in fundraising. Production plants in Gwalior and Nagpur, he claimed, were “live” in July and August, took a break in September, and are anticipated to start up again this month.

    Quick Shots

    •Over
    250 employees of B9 Beverages (maker of Bira 91) have petitioned to remove
    founder Ankur Jain from management.

    •The
    petition was sent to the company’s board, Anicut Capital, and investors Kirin
    Holdings and Peak XV Partners.

    •Workers
    allege corporate governance failures, lack of transparency, and six-month
    salary delays.

    •Production halted in July 2025;
    most employees reportedly signed the petition.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 10th October 2025: Hunger Inc Raises INR 215 Cr, PantherUn Technologies Secures $12 Mn, WeWork India IPO & TCS $6–7 Bn AI Data Centre Investment

    India’s startup and corporate ecosystem saw notable developments on 10th October 2025, with key funding rounds, IPOs, and strategic investments shaping the business landscape. Foodtech startup Hunger Inc raised INR 215 Cr to expand its meal subscription services, while cybersecurity firm PantherUn Technologies secured $12 Mn to strengthen its enterprise security offerings. In the corporate segment, WeWork India made a modest stock market debut, and Tata Consultancy Services announced a massive $6–7 Bn investment in AI-focused data centres, highlighting the country’s growing focus on innovation, infrastructure, and technology-driven growth.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 10th October 2025

    Company Amount Round Lead investor(s) Sector
    Hunger Inc INR 215 Cr Funding round Lighthouse Funds; DSG Consumer Partners Foodtech / Meal subscriptions
    PantherUn Technologies $12 Mn Funding round Not specified Cybersecurity / Enterprise security solutions

    Hunger Inc raises INR 215 Cr to expand meal subscription services

    Foodtech startup Hunger Inc has raised INR 215 Cr from Lighthouse Funds and DSG Consumer Partners. The funding will be used to scale operations, enhance technology for food delivery, and expand into new cities across India. The startup focuses on providing convenient, healthy, and affordable meal subscription solutions for individuals and corporates.

    PantherUn Technologies secures $12 Mn to boost cybersecurity offerings

    Cybersecurity firm PantherUn Technologies has raised $12 Mn in a funding round to strengthen its enterprise security solutions. The investment will support product development, expand threat detection capabilities, and enhance the company’s footprint in India and global markets, focusing on protecting businesses from evolving cyber threats.

    Key Business News for 10th October 2025

    WeWork India IPO Debut

    WeWork India, the co-working space provider, had a modest debut on Indian stock exchanges. Shares opened at INR 650 but closed at INR 632, slightly below the issue price. The INR 3,000 Cr IPO was fully an offer-for-sale, with Embassy Buildcon LLP and WeWork Global selling their stakes. The company posted a 17% revenue growth in FY25, reaching INR 1,949 Cr, and swung to a profit of INR 128 Cr from a loss of INR 135.7 Cr in FY24.

    TCS $6–7 Bn AI Data Centre Investment

    Tata Consultancy Services plans to invest $6–7 Bn to build AI-focused data centres with a total capacity of 1 GW over the next 5–7 years. The move aims to strengthen TCS’s position in AI infrastructure. Analysts note the high capital intensity but see it as a strategic shift to future-proof the business amid growing AI demand.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 9th October 2025
    India’s startup ecosystem witnessed significant developments on 9th October 2025, with funding across media, SaaS, wearables, healthtech, cybersecurity, mobility, and AI sectors.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesStartupTalky News

  • Tata Group Weighs Ending 90-Year-Old Shareholding Partnership With Shapoorji Pallonji Group

    As the 157-year-old Tata organisation, the biggest corporate conglomerate in the nation, negotiates intricate shareholder disputes and strategic choices, a number of changes within the organisation are garnering fresh attention. The firm has been embroiled in fresh scandals since the death of seasoned businessman Ratan Tata last year, involving everything from domestic family conflicts to government interference.

    The main cause of the current commotion is the possible departure of Tata’s biggest and oldest shareholder, the Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group. As of 1936, the SP Group had an 18.37% ownership holding in Tata Sons. Tensions erupted in 2016 during the well-known Cyrus Mistry-Ratan Tata case, which went to the Companies Tribunal and then the Supreme Court, where Tata Sons prevailed. The relationship had been characterised by friendly relations for decades.

    SP Group Navigating Through Financial Crunch

    Ten years later, tensions between the two families have returned, this time in relation to Mehli Mistry and Noel Tata. According to reports, Tata Sons has started looking into ways to permanently address these problems, such as maybe purchasing the SP Group’s holding.

    In order to reduce its financial risk, the SP Group, which has substantial debt commitments, has indicated a desire to sell its shares in Tata Sons. However, corporate governance regulations impede any escape. Since the SP Group is a promoter with a holding greater than 10%, any acquisition or disposal must go by the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, Tata Sons’ articles of association, and general business standards.

    Options Available for SP Group to Strike the Deal

    The first option is for Tata Sons to buy all of the SP Group’s shares directly. The 36% capital gains tax that the SP Group will pay on the acquisition, which might total thousands of crores, is the reason for the opposition to the agreement, which is anticipated to cost about INR 3 lakh crore. Converting the SP Group’s investment into stock in Tata companies like Tata Steel or TCS is the second option. This would enable the SP Group to pay off its $1 billion debt that is due in 2026 by progressively realising funds.

    However, such an exchange is now prohibited by Tata Sons’ current Articles of Association; thus, rule revisions are required. Thirdly, the SP Group could divest to a private equity fund or another external investor. This strategy saves Tata Sons money but also necessitates the conglomerate’s public listing—a step that has long been opposed in order to preserve the group’s private status.

    Fourth, the SP Group would have a formal way out if Tata Sons were listed. However, the Tata Trusts, which own the group and have been adamant about maintaining its private ownership, have prevented this possibility from happening. Experts predict that any resolution will be drawn out and dependent on regulatory clearances, particularly those from the Reserve Bank of India and possibly the Supreme Court, given these limitations.

    Quick Shots

    •P Group has held an
    18.37% stake in Tata Sons since 1936, marking nearly a century of
    partnership.

    •Relationship soured
    after the Cyrus Mistry–Ratan Tata dispute (2016), which reached the Supreme
    Court, ruling in Tata Sons’ favour.

    •Current friction
    reportedly involves Noel Tata and Mehli Mistry, reigniting differences
    between the two families.

    •Facing
    heavy debt obligations, SP Group is looking to offload its Tata Sons stake to
    reduce financial strain.

  • TCS’ $7 Billion India Data Centre Investment Faces Scrutiny Over Returns and Strategic Fit

    A $6 billion investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure has been launched by India’s IT giant Tata Consultancy Services, marking a significant shift from its conventional services-led business model to the capital-intensive realm of AI data centres. This is one of the company’s most ambitious investments to date.

    TCS announced plans to become the largest AI-led technology services company in the world at a time when India’s IT services behemoths were being severely criticised for missing out on the AI boom. Over the next five to seven years, the business intends to establish a new subsidiary in India that will create a co-location AI data centre with a capacity of up to 1 GW. The $6 billion question is whether this daring move would test TCS’s financial discipline or reinvent its growth story, as returns and synergies with its core services are questionable.

    Mix Reactions from Market Analysts Over TCS’ Move

    As the demand for AI throughout the world soars, some analysts see it as a smart move to ensure the future of the company; others caution that it’s a low-margin, high-capex diversion that could weaken TCS’s exceptional return profile. By putting its bank sheet to work at a time when the industry is pursuing AI scale, the effort represents an unusual change in direction for the typically conservative IT giant.

    TCS will use a co-location architecture in which clients bring in computing and storage while TCS provides the passive infrastructure. TCS stated in an analyst call following the release of its Q2 results on 9 October that it anticipates the capital intensity to be about $1 billion per 150 MW, with funding being structured through a combination of debt and equity, supported by financial partners.

    According to management, the first phase would be operational in 18 to 24 months, with the first anchor clients coming from Indian businesses, deep-tech AI companies, hyperscalers, and sovereign projects. TCS pointed out that although committed capacity is only 5–6 GW, India’s installed data centre capacity is now at 1.2 GW, but demand might increase by around 10 times over the next five to six years, offering a substantial income opportunity.

    The Core 5 Pillars of TCS’ AI Approach

    Beyond the data centre, management outlined five pillars of its AI strategy: building a future-ready talent model by investing in future-ready skills and hiring top talent locally. Hence, making AI real for clients through rapid builds, AI labs and offices, and value-chain solutions across industries; reframing every service line under a “human + AI” delivery blueprint.

    This strategy makes TCS AI-first by empowering employees to learn, experiment, and integrate AI into their daily work and fortifying ecosystem partnerships. The company aims to generate a steady flow of income from deep-tech, hyperscalers, pure-play AI companies, and Indian government and commercial businesses.

    TCS’s choice to invest in an AI data centre puts the company at an intriguing crossroads, where its renowned financial discipline meets the capital-hungry demands of the AI era, even though it posted a respectable quarter on low expectations. The outcome of this risk could determine the company’s future.

    Quick
    Shots

    •TCS wants to become
    the largest AI-led technology services company globally.

    •Analysts divided as
    some see it as future-proofing AI growth, others as low-margin, high-capex
    diversion.

    •The move puts TCS at a
    crossroads between financial discipline and AI-era capital demands,
    potentially shaping its growth trajectory.

    •AI
    data centre demand in India may grow 10x over next 5–6 years, offering
    substantial revenue potential.

  • Prosus to Acquire 10.1% of ixigo as Part of ₹1,296 Crore Investment Push

    Global technology investor Prosus is investing INR 1,295.56 crore (about $146 million) to acquire a 10.1%stake in ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Ltd). The investment will come via a preferential issue of equity shares to Prosus’s affiliate MIH Investments One B.V. The approved price per share is INR 280, which is slightly above ixigo’s 10-day volume-weighted average price.

    The ixigo board has approved issuing 46,270,092 equity shares in this move. After this allotment, Prosus will hold its 10.1 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis.

    What ixigo plans to do with the funds

    ixigo says it will use the fresh capital across several fronts:

    • Organic growth, like investing in AI, technology upgrades, and expanding its hotel business
    • Acquisitions and strategic investments to grow faster in adjacent areas
    • Working capital support to build out its operations in flights, buses, trains, hotels, etc.
    • Corporate uses such as staff cost, admin expenses, and contingencies

    ixigo’s management noted that although this fresh issue will dilute near-term returns, the capital infusion is critical for its long-term growth. The company intends to deepen its use of AI, improve customer engagement, and build operating leverage over time.

    Moreover, as part of the agreement, Prosus will have the right to appoint one director to ixigo’s board, as long as its stake stays at or above 10 per cent.

    Strategic significance and financials

    For Prosus, this move reinforces its interest in India’s consumer internet sector. It already backs major names like Flipkart, Swiggy, Meesho, and Urban Company. In the travel space, Prosus previously invested in Goibibo (later acquired by MakeMyTrip).

    Meanwhile, ixigo has been growing rapidly. In Q1 FY 26, its revenue from operations jumped from INR 182 crore to INR 314 crore. Its net profit for that quarter rose to INR 19 crore from INR 15 crore the previous year.

    ixigo was listed in June 2024 at an issue price of INR 93 per share.

    The collaboration between ixigo and Prosus now positions ixigo to push harder in travel technologies, AI-enabled services, and acquisitions. The inflow of funds brings both opportunity and expectations for future scaling.

    ixigo Approves ESOS 2025 With 1.2 Crore Stock Options
    Online travel aggregator ixigo has approved a new Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOS) for 2025, allocating 1.2 crore (12 million) stock options to its employees.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesMuskaan Kapoor

  • Intel Begins Production of Panther Lake Chips Promising 50% Performance Boost

    With its latest processors now in production, Intel is taking a bold gamble by predicting that graphics chips, not dedicated neural engines, will be the key to AI computing in the future. The company’s most aggressive performance boost in years, the Core Ultra series 3, codenamed Panther Lake, represents a fundamental shift from the way all other chipmakers are addressing artificial intelligence.

    Intel’s new Panther Lake chips demonstrate more than 50% performance gains in both processing and graphics when compared to current models, doubling down on a contentious approach: delivering AI power through graphics chips rather than specialised neural engines.

    Panther Lake Runs on Intel’s 18A Process

    Panther Lake is powered by Intel’s 18A process, which was the first 2-nanometre technology created and produced in the United States. This week, Panther Lake began production at Chandler, Arizona’s Fab 52. RibbonFET transistors and a modified power delivery mechanism that channels energy via the backside of the device allow the new architecture to fit 30% more transistors onto each chip while using 15% less power.

     As part of Intel’s $100 billion wager on homegrown manufacturing, CEO Lip-Bu Tan presented the milestone as essential to the future of American tech leadership. The company’s sixth sizeable Arizona location is Fab 52 in Chandler.

    Intel Following Different Path Compared to its Competitors

    Neural processing units are the focus of every chipmaker, but Intel took a different approach. The new Xe 3 graphics architecture from the business can perform 120 trillion operations per second for AI activities, which is almost twice as fast as the previous generation. The NPU crept from 48 to 50 TOPS with little movement.

    The first goods will be released in January 2026, and Panther Lake will power everything from industrial robots to laptops. Using the same 2-nanometre manufacturing technique, Intel is also producing a 288-core server chip called Clearwater Forest, which will be released the following year.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Intel starts production of its Panther Lake (Core
    Ultra 3) chips, marking a major leap in AI computing.

    •Promises over 50% performance gains in processing
    and graphics vs current models.

    •Runs on Intel’s 18A process, the first 2nm tech
    made in the U.S., built at Fab 52 in Chandler, Arizona.

    •30% more transistors and 15% lower power
    consumption with RibbonFET and backside power delivery design.

    •Intel bets on GPUs for AI acceleration instead of
    neural processing units (NPUs).

    •Xe 3 graphics architecture delivers up to 120 TOPS,
    nearly 2x faster AI performance than before.