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  • Rejected by Google, She Now Leads Google’s India Startups: Who Is Ragini Das?

    From rejection to heading Google’s India Startups, Ragini Das had quite a journey, inspiring many who fear failing in interviews. She was rejected by Google in the final round about 10 years ago, and she made her way back stronger. Not making it through the interview didn’t stop Ragini Das. She worked for Zomato, created ‘leap.club,’ and supported women entrepreneurs in their efforts to thrive. So, how did she become a leader at Google? What’s her story? For all that, learn more.  

    About Ragini Das

    Education: Bachelor’s in Business Administration (First-Class Honours) from Lancaster University, UK.

    Schooling: Chettinad Vidyashram, Chennai. She was the Cultural Secretary at her school.

    Work experience:

    • She worked for 6 years at Zomato.
    • In 2020, she co-founded leap.club.
    • She was a Frontline Entrepreneur – Europe and U.S. Marketing at Trident Group India.
    • Done her Internships at Standard Chartered Bank and Aludecor.
    • Notably, she is the Chair of the Women in Startups Committee at FICCI.

    Her Journey In Detail

    • In 2013, Ragini gave interviews at Google and Zomato. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it through at Google. However, Zomato hired her, and that became a major turning point.
    • Over the next six years, she was with Zomato. There, she learned how to identify her strengths and build her network.
    • Later, with lots of confidence, she started her own company, ‘leap.club’ in 2020. It is a professional network led by women. According to her, it’s the “most defining chapter” of her life.
    • It was with ‘leap.club’ that Ragini found her purpose, identity, and a chance to impact thousands of women’s careers.
    • ‘Leap.club’ paused operations back in June 2025, and she wasn’t sure about her next move. So, she took a break, spent time on art, fitness, travel, and photography (thanks to her dog, Jimmy).

    Ragini Das at Google

    • In August, she came across the job opening at Google for the Head of Startups role. And there it was, her next move and her “meant to be.”
    • Head of Google for Startups India was the perfect match for her. It was everything she had done, supporting and empowering Indian startups.

    She posted about her joining on her LinkedIn profile, and she wrote, “Life has come full circle, and I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Google as Head of Google for Startups – India 🍋.”

    And further added, “We’re on a mission to support thriving startups around the world by connecting them to the right people, products and best practices to help them grow. More on what’s coming up in India soon.

    For now, founders building ambitious startups – I’d love to hear from you and see how we can support your journey. My inbox is open: raginidas@google.com” 

    The Zomato Story: Founders | History | Success Story | Growth | Funding
    Zomato is a reputed Indian food-tech company led by Deepinder Goyal. Here’s the story of Zomato’s growth, which covers its startup story, history, founders, ESOPs, revenue, funding, investors, and more! Explore the growth of Zomato’s startup story here.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesRishabh Rathi

  • SEBI Show-Cause Notices Put Spotlight on Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure Shares

    Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. and Reliance Power Ltd.’s shares are under scrutiny on 7 October following their clarification of SEBI show-cause notifications regarding suspected violations of the SEBI Act of 1992 and the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) Regulations, 2003.

    Reliance Power stated in a filing to the BSE that it has no exposure to CLE Private Limited and that it has received a show-cause notice from SEBI regarding Reliance Infrastructure Limited’s stake in the company for suspected violations. According to Reliance Power, the business will act appropriately in this case as directed by law.

    Reliance’s Response to SEBI

    In a different filing, Reliance Infrastructure stated that it had previously revealed on February 9, 2025, that the conflict pertaining to the company’s exposure with CLE Private Limited had been resolved by consent terms filed before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court’s Mediation Centre in accordance with the Mediation Act, 2023.

    Following an eight-month delay, Reliance Infra reported that it has now received a Show Cause Notice from SEBI for allegedly violating the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) Regulations, 2003, as well as the SEBI Act, 1992. According to the Mediation Act of 2023, the settlement with CLE Private Limited has already been reached and is completely operative. Reliance Infra promised to follow legal advice and take the necessary action in this case.

    Reliance Declaring CPL Issue Now Fully Resolved

    Reliance Infra had earlier on February 9 declared that its dispute with CPL was fully resolved, and as a result, INR 5,777.13 crore in assets and economic interests in CPL’s assets were assigned or transferred to the company. Additionally, INR 726 crore, the decreed amount, was converted into a secured loan with customary representations, warranties, and indemnity in the company’s favour.

    According to Reliance Infra, Reliance Infrastructure Limited and CPL submitted the consent terms under Mediation Application No. 181/2023 to the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in accordance with the Mediation Act, 2023, in order to settle their unresolved disagreements and claims. It stated that all pending claims and disputes against CPL had been fully and definitively settled for INR 6,503.13 crore.

    Quick Shots

    •Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure shares
    under scrutiny on October 7.

    •EBI issued notices for alleged violations of SEBI
    Act, 1992 and SEBI Regulations, 2003.

    •Reliance Power confirmed no exposure to CLE Private
    Limited (CPL).

    •SEBI notice linked to Reliance Infra’s stake in
    CPL.

    •Settlement resolved through Bombay High Court
    Mediation Centre under the Mediation Act, 2023.

    •Despite the prior resolution, SEBI issued a notice
    after 8 months.

     

  • Venture Catalysts Leads $850K Seed Round in H2 Carbon Zero to Eliminate Diesel Generators with Made-in-India Hydrogen Fuel Cells

    Venture Catalysts, India’s premier early-stage investor and integrated incubator, today announced that it has led the $850K seed round in Umagine Hydrogen Pvt. Ltd. (branded H2 Carbon Zero), a deep-tech manufacturer of modular, stackable fuel-cell systems for stationary power generation. The round also saw participation from Faad Networks, which accelerates the company’s plan to build India’s first gigawatt-scale factory dedicated to hydrogen fuel cells and to replace diesel generators across telecom towers, data-centres, remote micro-grids and defence outposts, and solve for long duration energy storage. 

    H2 Carbon Zero designs and manufactures fuel cell systems ranging from sub-kilowatt modules for defence equipment to multi-megawatt blocks for grid-scale, long-duration storage. The company’s proprietary system architecture allows customers to integrate hydrogen, battery and solar assets in plug-and-play fashion, slashing installation times and total cost of ownership. Each unit is built entirely in India, aligning with the government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and its emphasis on local value creation.

    H2 Carbon Zero was founded by chemical engineer Santosh Gurunath and civil engineer Laxmikant Banjarey, both of whom carry deep domain expertise and entrepreneurial track records. Santosh Gurunath brings 13 years of experience across oil & gas, solar energy, EV infrastructure and hydrogen, having led Shell’s hydrogen production and safety initiatives and served as a management consultant at McKinsey and BCG. Laxmikant Banjarey is a product innovator with over 11 years in assisted mobility, e-mobility and climate-tech, co-founding Arcatron Mobility Frido in 2014 to deliver frugal manufacturing and cutting-edge design solutions.

    Commenting on the investment, Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma from Venture Catalysts, said, “Clean, dispatchable power is the last missing piece of India’s renewable-energy puzzle. H2 Carbon Zero’s 100% indigenous technology converts green hydrogen into electricity while emitting nothing but water, giving businesses the reliability of diesel without the carbon, the noise, or the particulate pollution. We are backing this team because they combine world-class electrochemistry with frugal Indian engineering, allowing us to address a US$1.5 billion domestic market and a US$25 billion global opportunity with price points that can compete head-to-head with fossil fuels. By catalysing their growth at the seed stage, we intend to anchor India’s leadership in the rapidly expanding green-hydrogen economy, which analysts project to scale thirty-fold this decade.”

    Santosh Gurunath from Umagine Hydrogen Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to embark on the next phase of our journey with the support of Venture Catalysts and Faad Networks. As societal and regulatory forces converge on the need for clean backup and off-grid power, we will double down on deploying hydrogen fuel cells across diverse applications with a singular goal: to make the diesel generator obsolete within a few years. The capital raised enables us to begin site work on our gigawatt facility, expand our engineering and operations teams, and complete field trials with early anchor customers in telecom, construction and defence.”

    The investment underscores Venture Catalysts’ conviction that climate-tech hardware backed by robust unit economics can deliver both outsized impact and attractive returns, even in a funding environment that has become more selective. By pairing capital with its 5,500-strong mentor network and global supply-chain partners, Venture Catalysts will guide Umagine Hydrogen Pvt Ltd through regulatory certifications, scale-up manufacturing and export market entry, positioning the startup as a key contributor to India’s ambition of becoming a net-zero economy by 2070.

  • Dineout founders secure $4.5 million for their medical travel Startup

    Dineout Founders Ankit Mehrotra and Sahil Jain have secured $4.5 million in a Seed funding round, led by prominent global VC fund Nexus Venture Partners, for their latest venture, UK and India-based medical travel startup, The Medical Travel Company. Kriscore Capital, an early-stage venture firm, also joined in this funding round along with cricketers Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and KL Rahul, all co-founders of 4CAST, an athlete-led collective and investment group.

    Together, they will bring their collective influence and experience of India’s healthcare system to support The Medical Travel Company in its goal: to initially target the UK and create reliable, seamless pathways for patients to access world-class treatment in India at considerably lower costs.  The funding will help The Medical Travel Company, which is based out of both UK and India, drive market expansion in the UK and scale operations across India.

    As of June 2025, approximately 7.7 million people in the UK face long waits for elective procedures, particularly in orthopaedics, dental, IVF, gynaecology, ophthalmology and urology. With private care in the UK often unaffordable, medical tourism has surged — over 500,000 UK residents now travel abroad annually for faster, more affordable treatment.

    However, the $100bn industry has historically struggled with fragmented services, opaque pricing, inconsistent quality standards, and poor aftercare, leaving patients and primary caregivers uncertain, stressed, and sometimes at risk.

    The Medical Travel Company was founded by Sahil Jain and Ankit Mehrotra, the duo behind one of India’s most successful consumer-tech stories – Dineout, the restaurant-tech platform that redefined dining in India before its 2022 acquisition by Swiggy.

    The serial entrepreneurs are solving for the critical gaps in medical travel by providing:

    ●       Trusted UK Medical Oversight: Your own UK doctor remains involved before, during, and after treatment.

    ●       World-Class Clinical Excellence: Treatment from internationally-trained doctors in globally accredited (JCI, NABH) hospitals.

    ●       Unprecedented Peace of Mind: An industry-first, 12-month post-surgery insurance policy valid back in the UK at a network of private hospitals

    ●       Seamless VIP Experience: A fully managed journey with in-house, personalised, all-inclusive after care and concierge logistics.

     

    Sahil Jain, Co-Founder & CEO of The Medical Travel Company, comments: “Medical tourism is a broken industry: patients face fragmented care, hidden costs, and zero support when they return home. The Medical Travel Company ensures true continuity of care across borders: UK doctors overseeing your care from start to finish, all-inclusive rehab and aftercare in India, and post-treatment insurance in the UK. What begins in the UK is only the first chapter of a larger vision to transform cross-border healthcare access across the Western world. Because for us, it’s not medical tourism. It is healthcare certainty.”

    “We’re not just disrupting medical tourism – we’re rebuilding it from the ground up. With our Dineout experience in scaling consumer trust across borders, we know how to turn a fragmented industry into a seamless experience. Today it’s 500,000 UK patients traveling abroad for care. Tomorrow, there will be millions globally accessing the world’s best treatment regardless of geography. We’re building the infrastructure for healthcare without borders,” added Ankit Mehrotra, Co-Founder, The Medical Travel Company.

    Some prominent Angel investors like Sriharsha Majety (Co-founder, Swiggy), Abhishek Goyal (Founder of Tracxn), Dr.Ritesh Malik (Innov8), Manish Vij (Smile Group), Arjun Vaidya (Dr Vaidya’s and V3 Ventures) along with 1947 Rise Fund and Peercheque also participated in this round.

    The funds will be used to scale The Medical Travel Company’s operations, enhance digital patient management systems, expand clinical partnerships across India, and accelerate market expansion. While initially focussed on the UK, The Medical Travel Company plans to expand its model to other geographies facing similar challenges — including the US, Canada, Australia and the rest of Europe — over the next three to four years.

    Pratik Poddar, Partner at Nexus Venture Partners said: “The medical tourism market holds immense untapped value, and The Medical Travel Company’s full-stack model is the key to unlocking it. Having founded one of India’s most successful consumer-tech stories, Sahil, Ankit and their team are uniquely positioned to build trust and capture this opportunity. India has long been a leading medical frontier, with world-class practitioners and cutting-edge technology; it’s about time this excellence is made globally accessible.”

    Nilesh Balakrishnan, Managing Partner, Kriscore Capital, said: “Ankit and Sahil have already proven their ability to build at scale, and with The Medical Travel Company they are addressing one of the most urgent healthcare gaps while showcasing India’s strengths on the global stage. Access to timely, affordable healthcare is becoming one of the defining challenges of our time, and The Medical Travel Company is setting a new standard for how this can be solved.”

    Ben Stokes, founder of 4CAST and captain of the England Test team, said: “We are delighted to announce our investment in The Medical Travel Company. When we first started 4CAST in 2021 we wanted our collective of athletes to be able to partner with innovative businesses and great founders. We feel we have done so here and we are excited to back Ankit and Sahil and look forward to supporting their journey ahead with TMTC.”

    K.L. Rahul, Co-founder, 4CAST, added “It is fantastic to announce this investment between 4CAST and The Medical Travel Company; we feel it is a perfect combination. Having grown up in India, I’ve witnessed the country’s development across many industries over the years. We are hugely excited about working alongside Ankit, Sahil and their team to help create new pathways for patients while ensuring proper support throughout the entire process.”

  • Wakefit Receives SEBI Approval for ₹468 Crore IPO

    Wakefit Innovations, a Bengaluru-based home and sleep solutions company, has secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO). This marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards becoming a publicly listed entity.

    IPO Structure and Stakeholder Participation

    The proposed IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to INR 468.2 crore and an Offer for Sale (OFS) of 5.84 crore shares by existing shareholders. Prominent stakeholders participating in the OFS include co-founders Ankit Garg and Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, along with institutional investors such as Peak XV Partners, Verlinvest S.A., Investcorp funds, and others.

    Utilisation of IPO Proceeds

    Wakefit plans to utilise the funds raised through the fresh issue for several strategic initiatives:

    • Store Expansion: Approximately INR 82 crore will be allocated to establish 117 new company-owned, company-operated (COCO) stores, enhancing Wakefit’s retail footprint across India.
    • Marketing and Branding: INR 108.4 crore is designated for marketing and advertising efforts to bolster brand visibility and customer engagement.
    • Capital Expenditure: INR 15.4 crore will be invested in acquiring new equipment and machinery to support production capabilities.
    • Lease and Operational Costs: INR 145 crore is allocated for lease, sub-lease rent, and license fees for existing stores, ensuring operational stability.

    The remaining funds will be directed towards general corporate purposes, providing flexibility for future growth opportunities.

    Company Overview and Market Position

    Founded in 2016, Wakefit Innovations has rapidly established itself as a leading direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand in India’s home and sleep solutions sector. The company offers a diverse range of products, including mattresses, furniture, and home décor, through both online and offline channels. Wakefit operates five manufacturing units across Bengaluru, Hosur, and Sonipat, equipped with advanced machinery to ensure high-quality production standards.

    Financially, Wakefit reported a total income of INR 994.3 crore and a net loss of INR 8.8 crore for the first nine months of FY25. In FY24, the company achieved a total income of INR 1,017.3 crore, a significant improvement from INR 820 crore in FY23, while narrowing its net loss to INR 15.05 crore from INR 145.68 crore in the previous fiscal year.

    The approval from SEBI positions Wakefit Innovations to tap into public markets, providing the company with the capital necessary to fuel its expansion plans and strengthen its market presence. The IPO is likely to draw strong investor interest, showing trust in Wakefit’s growth and the growing home and furniture market in India.

    Lenskart Gets SEBI Nod for IPO, to Raise ₹2,150 Crore
    Lenskart has received SEBI’s approval to launch its IPO, planning to raise ₹2,150 crore through a fresh issue of shares. The eyewear retailer aims for a November 2025 listing as it expands its store network, boosts technology, and strengthens its presence in the Indian eyewear market.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesStartupTalky News

  • OpenAI Teams Up with AMD in Landmark Deal to Expand AI Computing Power

    Nvidia’s market dominance will be challenged by the five-year agreement as OpenAI prepares to implement AMD’s new MI450 chips. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su during a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in Washington in May.

    In one of the most direct challenges to industry leader Nvidia to date, OpenAI and chip designer Advanced Micro Devices announced a multibillion-dollar collaboration to work together on AI data centres that will run on AMD processors. As per the agreement, OpenAI agreed to buy six gigawatts of AMD CPUs, beginning with the MI450 chip the following year.

    The manufacturer of ChatGPT will purchase the chips directly or via its partners in cloud computing. In an interview on Sunday, Lisa Su, the head of AMD, stated that the deal will generate tens of billions of dollars in new revenue for the chip company over the next five years. AMD stated that the proposal costs tens of billions of dollars per gigawatt of computing capacity, while the two companies did not reveal the estimated total cost.

    AMD’s Biggest Deal Till Now

    The agreement is AMD’s largest victory in its attempt to challenge Nvidia’s hegemony in the AI chip market. AMD hasn’t had much of an impact on the rapidly expanding market for the more expensive supercomputing chips required by sophisticated AI systems, despite the fact that its processors are extensively used for gaming, in personal computers, and in conventional data centre servers. Inference functions—the calculations that enable AI applications like chatbots to reply to user enquiries—will be performed by OpenAI using AMD CPUs.

    In a joint interview with Su, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman stated that the demand for inference computing has increased dramatically as the abundance of huge language models and other tools has increased. In a joint interview with Su, Altman stated, “It’s hard to overstate how difficult it’s become” to get enough computing power. “It takes some time, but we want it rapidly, he added.

    According to the two CEOs, the agreement will unite their businesses and provide them with incentives to invest in the AI infrastructure growth. Both businesses benefit, according to Su, who added, “I’m glad that OpenAI’s incentives are tied to AMD’s success and vice versa.”

    Nvidia to Face Tougher Challenges in Future

    Although Nvidia is still the chip of choice for AI businesses, it is up against competition from nearly every industry segment. AI chips are designed and sold by cloud giants like Google and Amazon, while OpenAI recently inked a $10 billion agreement with Broadcom to develop its own proprietary chip.

    Next year, Nvidia will release its eagerly awaited Vera Rubin processor, which is expected to be more than twice as powerful as its current iteration, the Grace Blackwell. In the second half of next year, OpenAI will start running its AI models on a 1-gigawatt MI450 chip.

    Altman stated that as demand for AI services—as well as the associated processing and infrastructure requirements—is expected to greatly exceed supply, the future of many businesses will become more intertwined.

    Quick
    Shots

    •OpenAI and AMD sign a five-year multibillion-dollar
    deal.

    •Build AI data centers powered by AMD chips to
    challenge Nvidia.

    •AMD’s upcoming MI450 chip, launching next year.

    •OpenAI to acquire 6 gigawatts of AMD CPUs.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 6th October 2025: JSW One Platforms Raises INR 575 Cr, Dhan Becomes Unicorn, Flipkart Sells Stake & More

    India’s startup and business ecosystem witnessed several significant developments on 6th October 2025. From major funding deals to strategic business moves, here’s a quick roundup of the top stories shaping the market today. Highlights include JSW One Platforms securing INR 575 crore to expand its B2B e-commerce operations, fintech startup Dhan achieving unicorn status, Flipkart divesting its entire stake in Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands, and the launch of BytePe, a smartphone subscription platform by Yaantra co-founder Jayant Jha.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 6th October 2025

    Company Amount Round Lead investor(s) Sector
    JSW One Platforms INR 575 Cr Funding SBI B2B E-commerce
    Dhan $120 Mn Series C Sequoia Capital India, Tiger Global, Norwest Venture Partners Fintech
    EcoEx $4 Mn Funding Not disclosed Clean tech
    Affluense AI INR 3 Cr Pre-seed Zeropearl VC, CRED’s Kunal Shah, Dhan’s Pravin Jadhav AI / Martech
    Finarkein $1.5 Mn Funding DSP Fintech / BFSI
    DecorTwist $200 K Seed Not disclosed D2C Home Decor
    Morphing Machines INR 38.36 Cr Series A IAN Alpha Fund Robotics / AI
    Navata Supply Chain Solutions INR 13.5 Cr Funding Abyro Capital Supply Chain / Logistics
    GreyLabs AI INR 85 Cr Series A Elevation Capital, Z47, Angel investors AI / BFSI

    JSW One Platforms raises INR 575 Cr to strengthen B2B e-commerce operations

    JSW One Platforms has successfully raised INR 575 crore to enhance its B2B e-commerce ecosystem in India. The funding will help the company scale its technology-driven supply chain solutions, optimize marketplace operations, and expand its reach to more businesses across sectors. The move strengthens JSW One Platforms’ position as a key player in India’s B2B digital marketplace.

    Dhan becomes India’s latest unicorn with $120M Series C funding

    Fintech startup Dhan has achieved unicorn status after raising $120 million in a Series C round led by Sequoia Capital India, Tiger Global, and Norwest Venture Partners. The platform aims to expand digital banking and financial services for retail users and small businesses, offering seamless investment, lending, and savings solutions across India.

    EcoEx raises $4M to accelerate clean technology adoption and expansion

    Clean tech startup EcoEx has raised $4 million to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technology solutions. With these funds, the company plans to expand operations, invest in R&D, and prepare for a potential $20 million scale-up and IPO in the future, driving innovation in India’s clean energy and environment sector.

    Affluense AI secures INR 3 Cr pre-seed funding to grow AI-driven marketing platform

    Affluense AI raised INR 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Zeropearl VC, CRED’s Kunal Shah, and Dhan’s Pravin Jadhav. The platform focuses on AI-powered client engagement and marketing automation solutions, enabling brands to improve targeting, personalization, and customer retention using intelligent data-driven insights.

    Finarkein raises $1.5M to expand fintech and BFSI solutions

    Finarkein announced $1.5 million in funding led by DSP to strengthen its fintech offerings. The company plans to enhance services for banking, financial services, and insurance sectors, offering advanced solutions for digital transactions, lending, and financial management, while scaling its operations across India.

    DecorTwist raises $200K to scale D2C home decor brand and online presence

    D2C home decor brand DecorTwist has raised $200K to expand its product portfolio and strengthen online customer acquisition. The startup aims to reach a larger audience across India, providing unique and affordable home decor solutions through a technology-enabled e-commerce platform.

    Morphing Machines raises INR 38.36 Cr Series A to scale AI-powered robotics solutions

    Morphing Machines raised INR 38.36 crore in a Series A round led by IAN Alpha Fund. The funding will help the startup scale AI-driven robotics solutions for industrial automation, optimize manufacturing operations, and enhance productivity, positioning the company as a leading player in India’s robotics sector.

    Navata Supply Chain Solutions has raised INR 13.5 crore led by Abyro Capital. The funding will support the company’s technology-enabled supply chain and logistics services, helping businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve delivery efficiency across India.

    GreyLabs AI raises INR 85 Cr to scale Voice AI platform for BFSI clients

    GreyLabs AI secured INR 85 crore in Series A funding from Elevation Capital, Z47, and angel investors. The funds will be used to scale its Voice AI Agent platform for BFSI clients, expand research and development capabilities, and strengthen sales and operational teams, driving AI adoption in customer service and banking operations.

    Key Business News for 6th October 2025

    Flipkart sells entire 6% stake in Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands for INR 950 Cr

    Flipkart Investments has fully divested its 6% stake in Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Ltd (ABLBL) through a block deal valued at INR 950 crore. The transaction involved the sale of 7.3 crore shares at a base price of INR 130 per share. This move marks Flipkart’s complete exit from its investment in ABLBL.

    Yaantra co-founder Jayant Jha launches BytePe, a smartphone subscription platform

    BytePe, a subscription-based tech service, has been introduced to provide an accessible avenue for consumers to acquire the latest smartphones. Founded by Jayant Jha, former Flipkart leader and co-founder of Yaantra, BytePe aims to make premium technology more affordable and flexible for Indian consumers.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 3rd October 2025
    India’s business and startup ecosystem witnessed notable developments on 3rd October 2025. Here’s your quick roundup for top funding deals and key business news in India on 3rd October 2025.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesStartupTalky News

  • Bengaluru’s Billionaire List: Azim Premji, Nithin Kamath, And…

    India’s list of billionaires is growing at a faster rate than ever. Especially Bengaluru is minting them much faster. According to the Hurun India Rich List 2025, 1,687 new individuals have joined the INR 1,000 crore (INR 10 billion) club this year. This is massive, and now the list of total billionaires has reached over 350. Bengaluru shines brightly in third place with the most billionaires after Mumbai and New Delhi. Silicon Valley of India boasts some notable names. And here’s the list. Learn more.

    Why Bengaluru Is a Billionaire Magnet?

    With the rise of Wipro, Infosys, and other tech firms, India has strengthened its position in the software and IT industry. Bengaluru became the centre of this software boom and is now known as India’s Silicon Valley.

    • It’s home to some major tech companies and startups in India.
    • It has become the playground for talented tech professionals from all over India.
    • The city is attracting foreign investments, and companies like Apple are interested in expanding here, having opened an official store in Hebbal.
    • The state government is investing significantly in the city to support its growth.
    • All of these reasons make Bengaluru the go-to city for innovation, tech wealth, and prominent billionaires.

    The Top Billionaires of Bengaluru (2025)

    Here’s the Hurun India Rich List 2025. Here are Bengaluru’s wealthiest names along with their net worth:

    • Azim Premji & Family – INR 2,21,250 crore (Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Chairman of Wipro, IT Services)
    • Nithin Kamath & Family – INR 40,020 crore (Founder and CEO of Zerodha, Financial Services)
    • Ranjan Pai – INR 34,700 crore (Doctor, Entrepreneur and Chairman of Manipal Group, Education & Healthcare)
    • Raja Bagmane – INR 31,510 crore (Founder and Managing Director, Bagmane Developers, Real Estate)
    • G. M. Rao & Family – INR 31,340 crore (Mechanical engineer, Industrialist and Founder Chairman GMR Group, Infrastructure & Construction)
    • S. Gopalakrishnan & Family – INR 30,740 crore (Chairman of Axilor Ventures, Co-founder of Infosys, IT Services)
    • N. R. Narayana Murthy & Family – INR 32,150 crore (Entrepreneur and Founder of Infosys, IT Services

    If we sum up the total wealth of all these billionaires, it exceeds INR 3 lakh crore, demonstrating the significant evolution of the Bengaluru business ecosystem.

    The Richest Person in Bengaluru

    Apparently, Azim Premji is the richest person in Bengaluru. He is the founder of Wipro.

    • Azim Premji’s total net worth is ₹2.21 lakh crore (Or INR 2,21,250 crore).
    • Interestingly, his wealth increased sixfold in just one year.
    • That’s the reason why Azim Premji is now in 8th place in India’s overall rich list.

    From Cooking Oil to Global Tech Giant: Azim Premji’s Inspiring Story

    • He started from an inherent cooking oil company founded by his father.
    • And from there, he started his own company, Wipro, which is now one of India’s top IT and consulting companies.
    • He is not just rich by wealth but also by heart. He maintains a simple lifestyle and gives a lot to charity (philanthropy).
    • He works towards improving education, rural development, and skill training across India through the Azim Premji Foundation.

    Nithin Kamath: The Unlikely Billionaire Who’s Shaking Up India’s Stock Market | Education | Family | Zerodha | Net Worth
    Nithin Kamath is the founder and CEO of Zerodha and Rainmatter. Know about Nithin Kamath’s education, family, children, success story, net worth, etc. Learn more about him on Nithin Kamath Wikipedia.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesMegha Rani

  • Australia: A Premier Destination for International Students

    Australia is consistently among the world’s top study destinations — a powerful combination of high-quality universities, industry-linked curriculum, a multicultural student community and clear post-study pathways. Azent’s Priyanka Nishar (Founder & Managing Director) explains what sets Australia apart and the holistic experience it offers which makes Australia an excellent choice for graduate study.

    1. What makes Australia a premier destination?

    Several factors set Australia apart. Its universities regularly appear in global rankings and are renowned for research, teaching quality and international outlook — making degrees from Australia highly respected worldwide. Major research universities such as the University of Melbourne, ANU, UNSW, Monash and the University of Queensland feature in top global lists.

    Beyond rankings, Australia offers:

    • Strong industry connections and work-integrated learning (internships, industry projects and placements) that improve employability.
    • Jobs and Skills Australia
    • A safe, multicultural society and vibrant student life across cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
    • Transparent student supports (counselling, career services) and regulated education standards overseen by government bodies.
    • Work rights for student visa holders (limited working hours during study, with pathways after graduation to live and work temporarily).

    2. What are some recommended courses and universities for graduate study?

    Which course is “best” depends on your career goals, but in 2025 the highest-demand sectors and popular graduate programs include:

    • Information Technology & Data Science (AI, cybersecurity, data analytics) — strong industry demand and many universities offer specialist master’s programs.
    • Engineering & Built Environment (civil, electrical, software, environmental engineering).
    • Health & Allied Health (nursing, public health, physiotherapy) — very strong demand across states.
    • Business & Management (MBA, specialized management) — wide employer networks and internships.
    • Research degrees (MPhil/PhD) for those pursuing academic or R&D careers.

    For institutional reputation and research strength, consider the Group of Eight (research-intensive) and other top-ranked universities: University of Melbourne, ANU, UNSW Sydney, University of Sydney, Monash University, University of Queensland and others. Each has distinct strengths by faculty and subject area, so match your discipline to the university’s subject ranking and industry links. Degrees earned here are recognised worldwide, giving graduates an edge in competitive job markets back home or elsewhere abroad.

    But academic ranking tells only part of the story. Students are drawn to Australia’s clear emphasis on practical, industry-linked education. Many master’s and professional programs incorporate internships, research partnerships and work-integrated learning, ensuring that graduates are not just well-read but also work-ready. This close connection to industry has been particularly beneficial in areas like IT, data science, healthcare and engineering — sectors where Australian employers face acute skill shortages and actively seek qualified professionals.

    3. Briefly take us through the admissions process and fee structure?

    The road to admission is straightforward but competitive. Most master’s programs require a relevant undergraduate degree with solid academic performance.

    •⁠ Choose course & university: shortlist programs by curriculum, industry tie-ups, location and scholarships.

    •⁠ Check entry requirements: most master’s programs ask for a relevant bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and a competitive GPA; some professional programs require work experience (e.g., MBA).

    •⁠ ⁠English proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL or PTE scores are commonly required; minimums vary by program.

    •⁠ Documents: transcripts, CV, statement of purpose, references, portfolio (for creative courses) and any professional certificates.

    •⁠ ⁠⁠The Genuine Student (GS) assessment must be cleared with the university, which includes successfully completing the university interview and meeting the financial requirements.

    •⁠ Apply online via each university’s portal. If accepted, the university will issue an Offer Letter, and once you accept it, clear a genuine student assessment, and pay the deposit, a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued

    Fee structure

    International master’s tuition in Australia commonly ranges from ~AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000 per year, depending on discipline and university; professional degrees (e.g., MBA, medicine, dentistry) can be higher. Living costs vary by city — Sydney and Melbourne are usually pricier than regional cities.

    4. What are the visa and pre-arrival costs?

    To obtain a student visa you’ll need proof of financial capacity. Recent government guidance requires applicants to show minimum savings (commonly quoted around A$29,710 as a baseline for living costs), though amounts and evidentiary requirements can change — confirm the latest Home Affairs guidance before applying. You must also purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay unless exempt.

    5. Explain the work prospects in Australia?

    Work opportunities, however, make Australia particularly appealing. International students are permitted to work part-time during their studies, traditionally capped at 48 hours per fortnight. This allows them to offset living expenses and gain local work experience. More importantly, after completing their degrees, graduates may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa, which allows them to live and work in Australia for a defined period. The duration depends on the qualification obtained and government policy settings, but it provides valuable time to gain international work experience and, in some cases, explore pathways to longer-term residence.

    6. How can Azent help prospective students?

    Azent has carved a niche for itself by going beyond traditional consultancy services, providing unwavering commitment to student success, through its innovative approach, and personalized services. We offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. At its state-of-the-art experience centres & virtual centres across India, students not only get end-to-end support with application, admissions, visas, loans, but can also experience college campuses through Virtual Reality

    Additionally, with our Azent App students can build their profile, narrow down universities, get recommendations based on their profile, complete and track the applications and do much more. Prospective students can also avail Azent’s best-in-class training for IELTS at affordable costs.

    Azent’s partnerships cover 1500+ Universities across the world to improve student recruitment and match them with the top talent that would thrive in their programs.

  • Elon Musk’s Boycott Call Wipes $15 Billion off Netflix’s Value

    The world takes Elon Musk seriously. Everything he says and posts on the internet carries weight (especially when he talks about other businesses). And it’s proven again. Netflix is in $15 billion of trouble after Elon Musk’s boycott call on the platform ‘X’ (on October 3, 2025). He accuses Netflix of showing too much “woke” content (most certainly to children). He urged others to cancel their Netflix subscriptions as well. This move hit Netflix the hardest, with its stock price dropping 4.3% in just a day. So, what is happening now? Why is Netflix tigger people? And why is Elon boycotting Netflix? For all that, learn more. 

    Image Credits - Elon Musk's 'X' account
    Image Credits – Elon Musk’s ‘X’ account

    Why Is Elon Musk Boycotting Netflix?

    Not just Elon, most of the internet is in with the #CancelNetflix hashtag. Everybody’s concern is that Netflix is showing too much “woke” content. It means that the shows on Netflix are heavily about gender identity, sexuality, or social justice, which some conservative people dislike.

    • This has come to light mainly because of an old Netflix show called “Dead End: Paranormal Park.”
    • The show is primarily about a teenage transgender character.
    • Well, the show was banned in 2023 after airing two seasons.
    • But after 2 years, clips of the show are resurfacing on social media.

    Upon this, a conservative social media account called “Libs of TikTok” shared the clips slamming Netflix and accused it of promoting a “transgender woke agenda,” targeting children.

    Image Credits - Elon Musk's 'X' account
    Image Credits – Elon Musk’s ‘X’ account

    How Elon Musk Got Involved

    The post from Libs of TikTok went viral and caught Elon Musk’s attention, and he responded:

    • He cancelled his Netflix subscription.
    • He posted on his ‘X’ account criticising Netflix’s content and the show’s creator.
    • He is urging the internet to cancel their Netflix subscription.
    Image Credits - Elon Musk's 'X' account
    Image Credits – Elon Musk’s ‘X’ account

    The Creator Controversy

    “Dead End: Paranormal Park” creator Hamish Steele posted on Bluesky about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk was killed in a shooting. Hamish Steele’s post was an alleged mockery of Kirk, calling him a Nazi.

    The right-wing commentators slammed Steele for celebrating Kirk’s death. Elon Musk, on the other hand, was vocal about those claims, reposting them. He said Netflix employed someone who celebrated murder.

    All of this drama made the backlash even stronger.

    The Impact on Netflix

    • Only after Musk joined the boycott call did the hashtag #CancelNetflix start trending.
    • Netflix’s share price started dropping and continued to decline for three days.
    • As a result, the company’s market value dropped by approximately $15.1 billion to $482.9 billion, which nearly wiped out $15 billion in just one day.
    • Notably, this number is the sharpest stock decline since April 2025 for Netflix.

    Background: Not the First Time

    Netflix has been there in such controversies more than once now. In 2020, Netflix faced similar heat for its French film “Cuties.” The film was accused of sexualising young girls.

    Netflix’s Response

    Netflix has been quiet so far; no official statement has been made.

    • On Musk’s boycott call.
    • Or on the criticism aimed at Hamish Steele.

    Elon Musk | founder of PayPal, Space X | CEO of Tesla Motors
    Elon Musk is the most talked-about man in the world today. Know who is Elon Musk and his founded companies, Zip2 Corporation, Space x, PayPal and more.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesPiyush Mishra