StartupTalky

Tag: #news

  • High Court Dismisses X’s Petition: Backs Centre’s Authority to Regulate Online Content

    Elon Musk’s X Corp filed a case challenging the power of government officials to impose information blocking orders, but the Karnataka High Court dismissed it on 24 September. The court ruled that social media must be regulated, especially when it comes to offences against women, since failure to do so may result in the railroading of a citizen’s constitutionally guaranteed right to dignity.

    Why X Went to High Court?

    Formerly known as Twitter, X Corp had petitioned the Karnataka High Court to rule that government officials lacked the authority to impose blocking orders under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

    Rather, the business said that the only law that adequately supported such an action was Section 69A of the Act, as read with the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. On the basis of blocking orders granted under Section 79(3)(b), the platform also requested directives prohibiting different ministries from pursuing coercive measures against it.

    X also requested temporary protection from being forced to sign up for the government’s “Sahyog” portal. Arguments on the petition came to an end in late July after it was heard for several months. Prior to issuing its order on September 24, the court had reserved it on July 29.

    HC Told X Communication is Always Matter of Governance

    Regardless of the media, regulating communication has always been a concern of government, Justice M. Nagaprasanna stressed in his dictating the order. The speed and dissemination of information and communication have never been allowed to go amok or be uncontrolled. The court observed that it has long been a topic of regulation.

    Justice Nagaprasanna issued a warning against applying American legal logic to the Indian setting. Even in the United States, he said, the judicial mindset has completely changed in the area of free expression. It is impossible to introduce American judicial philosophy into Indian constitutional philosophy.

    The Centre had rejected X’s argument, arguing that communication that was illegal or unconstitutional could not be given the same level of constitutional protection as speech that was lawful.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Court says regulation is essential to
    protect citizens’ right to dignity, especially in cases involving offences
    against women.

    •X argued that blocking orders under
    Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act were invalid and only Section 69A allowed such
    action.

    •The company sought to stop ministries
    from taking coercive action and avoid mandatory registration on the
    government’s Sahyog portal.

    •Justice M. Nagaprasanna stated that
    communication has always been subject to governance, regardless of the
    medium.

    •Court cautioned against applying
    American free speech logic in the Indian constitutional context.

    •Hearing concluded in July, with the
    final verdict delivered on September 24, 2025.

  • WROGN Faces Another Tough Year as Revenue Falls and Losses Mount

    Virat Kohli-backed fashion brand WROGN is struggling to keep pace in India’s fast-changing fashion market. After two consecutive years of declining revenue, the brand faces mounting losses despite heavy spending on marketing and fresh funding injections.

    Revenue Decline for Second Year in a Row

    WROGN’s parent company reported a 9% drop in revenue from operations to INR 223 crore in FY25, down from INR 245 crore in FY24. This follows a steep 29% decline in FY24. Including INR 9 crore from interest and financial assets, total revenue was INR 232 crore, lower than INR 266 crore the previous year.

    Founded in 2014 by Anjana and Vikram Reddy, WROGN operates in apparel, footwear, and accessories. These products remain its main revenue sources.

    Rising Costs Push Losses Higher

    While revenue fell, costs increased sharply. Material procurement accounted for 40% of expenses, or INR 126 crore. Employee benefits rose to INR 39 crore, and advertising and promotions jumped 63% year-on-year despite weaker sales.

    Total expenses reached INR 313 crore in FY25, pushing net losses up by 31.6% to INR 75 crore from INR 57 crore in FY24. As of March 2025, accumulated losses stood at INR 709 crore. Key ratios also remained weak, with ROCE at -70% and EBITDA margin at -27.5%.

    Funding Support and Rising Competition

    WROGN secured INR 125 crore from Aditya Birla Group’s TMRW House of Brands in June 2024 and another $9 million in October. In total, the brand has raised over $90 million since inception.

    However, WROGN faces fierce competition from online-first labels like Snitch, Bewakoof, The Pant Project, and Rare Rabbit. These brands are faster with design cycles, offer sharper pricing, and leverage social media to engage Gen Z and millennial customers. WROGN has largely relied on Virat Kohli’s star power, which is no longer enough to attract young buyers seeking trend-driven, affordable fashion.


    Financial Parameter FY24 (INR Crore) FY25 (INR Crore) Change (%)
    Total Revenue 266 232 -12.8%
    Total Expenses 268 313 +16.8%
    Net Loss 57 75 +31.6%

    Extra Insight

    Consumer behavior in India’s mass-premium fashion segment is evolving quickly. Buyers now prioritize fresh designs, social media engagement, and value for money over celebrity endorsements. WROGN may need to revamp its product cycle, digital campaigns, and influencer collaborations to stay relevant. Without this, it risks losing further market share to agile, younger competitors.

    Virat Kohli’s Hidden Startup Empire: What He Owns & Invests In
    Virat Kohli, an Indian Cricketer, is a fierce cricketer on the ground and a promising investor off it. Here is the list of Virat Kohli’s investments. Check out Virat Kohli’s business portfolio.
    StartupTalkyPratyusha Srivastava

  • Reliance Jio Launches ₹77 Plan With Free SonyLIV Subscription

    Reliance Jio has introduced a new ₹77 recharge plan to strengthen its position in the ongoing telecom battle. The plan offers extra data, access to SonyLIV content, and other benefits at a very low price. With this move, Jio aims to attract budget-focused customers who want both data and entertainment.

    What the ₹77 Plan Offers

    The new Jio plan comes with five days validity and provides 3GB of additional data. On top of that, users get a 30-day SonyLIV subscription at no extra cost.

    The SonyLIV content is accessible through the JioTV app, which is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. JioTV acts as the platform where users can enjoy SonyLIV’s wide range of shows, movies, and sports events.

    For perspective, a monthly SonyLIV subscription alone costs ₹399 in the market. A mobile-only yearly subscription is priced at ₹699. This makes the Jio ₹77 plan look like a smart short-term deal for people who don’t want to commit to a full subscription. This way the Jio users will save ₹322 instantly (₹399 – ₹77), plus they get extra data on top.

    Why This Plan Stands Out

    The real highlight of this plan is its OTT benefit. For just ₹77, users not only get extra data but also one month of SonyLIV access. That means you can watch live sports tournaments, popular web series, and international shows without paying for a separate subscription.

    For casual viewers, this is a win-win. You can recharge for extra data and still enjoy premium content for a limited time. It is particularly attractive for people who want to watch a specific show or tournament without buying a full plan.

    Competition and Market Impact

    The telecom war in India is heating up. Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Jio are all trying to attract maximum subscribers with affordable and innovative plans. By bundling OTT content with a small recharge, Jio is giving customers more value for money and creating pressure on rivals.

    This move may also encourage other telecom operators to come up with similar offers. Bundling entertainment with data is fast becoming a trend as users expect more than just talk time and internet.

    Final Thoughts

    Jio’s ₹77 plan is a bold bet. It shows the company is willing to experiment with ultra-low-cost packages and push the idea that streaming and connectivity go hand in hand.

    If this plan succeeds, we may see more telecom players bundling entertainment with data, even in ultra-budget segments. For users, the upside is clear, cheaper access to both data and streaming. The real test is whether Jio can deliver consistent service and scale this across India without hurting margins.

    Top 5 Telecom Companies in India: Market Share and Growth Insights
    The Indian telecom industry is dominated by major players like Jio and Airtel. Here’s an overview of the top 5 telecom companies in India by market share.
    StartupTalkyIpsita Acharya

  • Paytm Launches Festive Offer: Win Free Gold Coins on Digital Payments and UPI Transactions

    A new gold coin incentives feature has been introduced by Paytm (One 97 Communications Limited) for all transactions conducted through its platform, including bill payments, recurring payments, online purchases, money transfers, recharges, and Scan & Pay.

    Credit card and RuPay credit card payments made through UPI receive double gold coins, and all payment methods—UPI, debit cards, credit cards, and net banking—are accepted.

    According to the release, users receive 1% of the transaction value in gold coins. In practice, INR 10,000 buys 100 gold coins, and INR 1.5 lakh must be spent in total to redeem 1,500 coins. This results in an effective payback of 0.01%, or INR 15 in gold for every INR 1.5 lakh spent.

    Right Time for Paytm’s Gold Initiative

    The campaign is ideally timed for India’s holiday season, which is often when demand for gold is at its highest. According to the corporation, the programme takes place before the holiday season, when India’s demand for gold often increases.

    Paytm emphasised that the functionality enables consumers to channel GST-driven savings into long-term investments and to progressively amass digital gold. The company claims that by enabling customers to exchange pennies for digital gold, the offering fits in with the saving habits of Indian households.

    Reminders for regular spending, monthly spend summaries, customised UPI IDs, downloadable UPI statements, and aggregated views of bank accounts connected to UPI are further features of recent Paytm app updates.

    Paytm Backing Digital Finance and Savings Optimisation

    In order to promote national priorities in digital banking and savings optimisation, Paytm presents the gold coin incentives and associated digital features.

    According to the corporation, these modifications will help people and companies use digital payments more effectively in the context of changing regulations. The rollout, according to the corporation, is in line with larger government programmes like Atmanirbhar Bharat and GST reforms, which are meant to streamline compliance and promote savings for both households and businesses.

    Current Financial Dynamics of Paytm

    The number of UPI transactions on Paytm increased significantly in August. In August, there were 1.4 billion UPI transactions, compared to 1 billion the previous year.

    Following the closure of its banking division, Paytm’s share of the payments market fell from over 13% in early 2024 to roughly 7%. The corporation is fighting to regain its market share even though it has cut its marketing costs through merchant payments, consumer credit, and buy-now-pay-later.

    The fintech company was able to resume its growth trajectory with net profitability at the corporate level after a significant setback in 2024 brought on by regulatory constraints on its affiliate Paytm Payments Bank.

    After reporting a loss of INR 840 crore for the same period the previous year, Paytm recorded its first net profit from core operations for the quarter ending June 2025 at INR 123 crore.

    Due to a 38% increase in net payment revenue to INR 529 crore and a tripling of financial services revenue to INR 561 crore, operating revenue increased 28% year over year to INR 1,918 crore.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Double gold coins on credit card and
    RuPay credit card payments made via UPI.

    •1,500 coins require INR 1.5 lakh
    spend, offering an effective return of 0.01%.

    •The scheme is timed with the festive
    season, when India’s gold demand peaks.

    •Encourages users to convert everyday
    spending into long-term digital gold savings.

  • Get Aadhaar Instantly on WhatsApp: Step-By-Step Guide

    Tired of never having your Aadhaar handy just when it’s needed the most? One asks for a physical copy, another for a clearer soft copy. Do you also face difficulty with DigiLocker or the UIDAI portal? Well, downloading your Aadhaar has just become easier. The government (because Aadhaar is a must in most government services) will now let WhatsApp users get their Aadhaar through a chatbot called MyGov Helpdesk. How do you download one yourself? Can you download one without an OPT? Here’s a step-by-step guide. Learn more.

    Must-Haves for Aadhar Download via WhatsApp

    • You must have a DigiLocker account (it’s a secure digital documents wallet by the government of India).
    • Your Aadhaar must be linked to DigiLocker.
    • Your mobile number must be the one registered with Aadhaar.

    Note: Without these must-haves, downloading your Aadhar via WhatsApp is difficult.

    Steps to Download Aadhaar on WhatsApp

    Save This Number First:

    • +91-9013151515 as MyGov Helpdesk to your contacts.

    Start a chat on WhatsApp:

    • Open the app and type in a simple greeting like “Hi” or “Namaste” to this number.

    Choose DigiLocker services:

    • MyGov Helpdesk chatbot will reply to you with some options, from which select DigiLocker services.

    Provide Your Aadhaar details:

    • Once you confirm your DigiLocker account,
    • Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number correctly.

    Verify with OTP:

    • The OPT will go to your registered mobile number. Before it expires, enter it to verify yourself.

    Select your document:

    • The MyGov Helpdesk chatbot will give you a list of documents in your DigiLocker.
    • From that, select Aadhaar.

    Receive Aadhaar PDF:

    • Once all is done correctly, your Aadhaar card PDF will be sent directly to your WhatsApp.

    Important to note:

    • You can download only one document at a time and not more.
    • In case your Aadhaar isn’t linked to your DigiLocker account, you can’t download it.
    • You’ll first need to link the DigiLocker website or app.

    Downloading Aadhaar Without OTP

    This is what you need to do if you want to skip the OTP step altogether:

    • First, visit the UIDAI website.
    • To find your record, you’ll need to enter details like name, gender, and date of birth.
    • Then enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, request number, and date of birth.
    • Here, instead of an OTP, use a TOTP (time-based one-time password) from the mAadhaar app.
    • Once done, this provides you with an electronic Aadhaar that can be stored on your phone.

    Note: This works well as a valid ID proof, but it can’t be printed. 

    Why This Is Useful

    • You can also download your Aadhaar via websites or apps like DigiLocker or the UIDAI portal, but the WhatsApp method is generally quicker.
    • You don’t have to switch between apps or websites while waiting in line for government services.
    • You don’t have to worry about data safety as it uses DigiLocker and OTP/TOTP verification.
    • Additionally, WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption and will not read your chats.

    Final Note:

    • Don’t use any public devices, like a PC that is not yours.
    • Avoid using unofficial WhatsApp numbers that claim to provide Aadhaar information.

  • UPI Rules Changing from Nov 3: Big Impact for PhonePe, GPay, Paytm Users — What You Must Know

    New settlement cycles have been announced by the National Payment Corporation of India. Recently, the new UPI (Unified Payments Interface) cycles for both authorised and contested transactions were revealed. For RTGS customers, who previously had to exercise caution when transacting, the revisions are welcome news.

    Currently, UPI uses RTGS to perform 10 settlement cycles every day, each of which consists of both authorised and contested settlements. In order to expedite the daily settlement process, it has been determined to separate approved and disputed settlements in light of the notable increase in transaction volume.

    New Rules Framed by NPCI

    First off, only permitted transactions will now be included in the settlement cycles between 1 and 10. As a result, these cycles will not process any disputes. The current cut-over times and RTGS posting schedules won’t be altered. Second, as indicated in the above table, settlements pertaining to disputes will be conducted twice a day during settlement cycles 11 and 12.

     Only disputed transactions will be included in these cycles. The identifiers DC1 and DC2, where DC stands for dispute cycle, will be incorporated into the NTSL file naming scheme.

    Thirdly, three other settlement regulations, such as GST reports, reconciliation reports, and settlement timeframes, remain unaltered. The deadline for terminating any autopay mandates associated with the former @paytm UPI ID handles has also been extended by NPCI by two months, until October 31, 2025.

    How it will Impact Users and Banks?

    The majority of users will continue to have the same experience while paying in physical stores, online, or via peer-to-peer transfers. Since they won’t be in competition with refund settlements within the same batch, these transactions should actually appear in banks’ systems more quickly.

    Reconciliation processes will be less congested, which will be advantageous to banks. The new structure is intended to decrease the possibility of settlement delays, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce bottlenecks by separating disputes from ordinary transactions. UPI volumes are at all-time highs at the moment of the revamp.

    According to NPCI data, UPI processed payments totalling INR 24.85 trillion in August, marking the first time it has surpassed the 20 billion monthly transaction milestone. Since digital payments are now the foundation of India’s financial system, it is anticipated that the more precise settlement structure will improve customer satisfaction and increase bank operating stability.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Authorised and disputed transactions
    will now be settled separately to speed up processing.

    •Only approved transactions will be
    processed — no disputes included.

    •GST reports, reconciliation, and
    settlement timelines remain unchanged.

    •Autopay mandate closure deadline for
    old @paytm UPI IDs extended to October 31, 2025.

    •Banks benefit from reduced
    reconciliation congestion and improved operational efficiency.

  • Event marketing platform Samaaro raises USD 500,000 in pre-series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures

    Samaaro, an AI-powered event marketing platform has raised USD 500,000 in pre-series A led by Inflection Point Ventures. The round also saw participation from Silver Needle Ventures, Lets Venture, SucSEED Indovation Fund, Sagar Narola, Suryansh Jalan and Gautam Kumar.

    A majority of the funds will be directed towards strengthening Samaaro’s brand presence in India and the Middle East, with a sharp focus on acquiring mid- and enterprise-level clients that host events as a core part of their marketing strategy.

    Vikram Ramasubramanian, co-founder IPV says, “As the digital world evolves and sophisticated tools are integrated into a wide range of products and services, the event marketing sector remains overlooked by it. Events are an integral part of any brand’s marketing strategy but demand heavy labor, fragmented tools, and still leave teams with limited visibility and overspending. Samaaro has recognized this unique opportunity and has capitalized on the same by integrating smart automation to empower teams not just to host events but also to maximize participation. By automating promotions, driving registrations, enhancing engagement, and streamlining operations, Samaaro helps marketing teams deliver impactful events while maximizing ROI.”

    Purnank Prakash, Co-Founder & CEO adds, “At Samaaro, we are reimagining how enterprises run events by making them smarter, data-driven, and directly tied to revenue. The support from this round will allow us to double down on AI-led product development and expand our reach in global markets. Our mission has always been to solve the chaos around event marketing and give enterprises the clarity and control they need to scale with confidence.”

    Having already earned the trust of enterprise marketing teams at organizations such as ICICI Lombard, Modon Properties, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Varun Beverages, and Apex Group, Samaaro today serves clients across India, the Middle East, and North America. Its solutions are being rapidly adopted across diverse industries including real estate, BFSI, technology, and healthcare. 

    Purnank Prakash (Co-Founder & CEO) is a 2014 NIT Trichy graduate in Computer Science. He began his career as Product Owner at SAP Labs, following his work with Dr. S. Sudharshan, Head of Technology for Aadhaar. Purnank brings deep expertise in product vision and technology leadership. Mayank Banka (Co-Founder & President) is a Graduate of NIT Trichy in Civil Engineering (2014). He has experience as a Product and Consumer Analyst at EXL Services and Product Analyst at Souq.com (now Amazon.ae). Mayank specializes in sales, finance, and operations.  In 2015, they both ventured into the event-tech space by founding Tacnik Technology (parent of Samaaro) and have hosted over 2,000+ events, engaged 10 million+ participants across 40 countries, and worked with several Fortune 500 companies.

    Samaaro empowers brands hosting or participating in events to drive measurable business outcomes. The platform enables marketing teams to strategically target the right audience, run omnichannel promotions, automate personalized confirmations and reminders, streamline on-site operations, enhance attendee engagement, and capture and qualify leads in real time. With seamless CRM integration, automated follow-ups, and transparent visibility into event spends and ROI, Samaaro ensures events deliver both impact and efficiency.

    The market potential for MarTech platforms is enormous. With over 3.5 million companies that could benefit from event marketing, Samaaro is focusing on the ones already using events as a core part of their strategy. This segment alone represents a $10 billion global market, projected to reach $24 billion by 2029.

  • Simple Energy Raises $10 Mn in Bridge Round to Expand Retail Presence

     Simple Energy, an automotive company headquartered in Bengaluru, has raised $10 million in an all-equity funding round. The round was led by existing investor Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani, Founder of Thyrocare’s Family Office, in participation with fellow existing investors – Balamurugan Arumugam and the Haran family office. The funds will aid Simple Energy’s network expansion across India and marketing initiatives. A percentage of the amount will also be directed towards R&D.

    Simple Energy was founded in 2019 by Suhas Rajkumar and co-founded by Shreshth Mishra, with Ankit Gupta later joining as co-founder. Since then, the company has built smart, high-performance electric two-wheelers with deep localisation. It pioneered the longest-range electric two-wheelers in India. It became the first in the industry to achieve full vertical integration of the powertrain, covering both development and manufacturing. It is also the first Indian OEMs to offer an 8-year motor warranty, setting new standards of consumer trust. The company’s manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, delivers an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Most recently, Simple Energy became the first Indian OEM to commercially produce heavy rare-earth-free motors – cementing its leadership in electric mobility.

    Commenting on the fundraise Suhas Rajkumar, CEO and Founder, “This investment will bolster our next phase of growth. It will help in making electric mobility more accessible to customers across India. Nearly 80% of the capital will be directed towards expanding our retail presence and building a robust dealer and service network. The rest of the funds will be employed towards R&D. With this influx, we are confident in scaling into both established and emerging markets – delivering India’s longest-range electric two-wheelers that meet the needs of Indian riders.”

    Dr. A. Velumani, Creator, Thyrocare said, “Simple Energy’s unique strengths are indigenously made with 1. Best Battery system and 2. Excellent motor Quality. Their focus and frugality with disciplined execution gives me confidence in its future. With localized operations, sharp operational & R&D focus, and a clear strategy for scaling, the company is well-positioned to be in top 3 players in EV 2W market in India by 2030.”

    Balamurugan Arumugam, prominent investor and mentor to several high-growth companies, said, ‘It is inspiring to see Simple Energy turn its ambitious vision into consistent growth and meaningful impact. Its focus on R&D and high-range electric two-wheelers, strategic market expansion, and strengthening customer engagement reflects the brand’s potential for lasting impact. We are excited to continue supporting their journey as they shape the future of two-wheeler mobility in the country.”

    To date, Simple Energy has raised $51 million from marquee investors. Looking ahead, the company is planning an IPO in FY’27, with a target of raising $350 million to fuel manufacturing expansion and other growth initiatives.

    In February 2025, Simple Energy launched Gen 1.5 of Simple One with a 248 km IDC range, followed by Simple OneS in March 2025 with a 181 km IDC range. These models are now available at the company’s 53 outlets across cities including Bengaluru, Goa, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Kochi, amongst others. The company is rapidly expanding nationwide, with plans to open 150 new stores and 200 service centres this year.

  • Google Launches Mixboard, an AI Moodboard App to Rival Pinterest

    Google has launched Mixboard, a new AI-powered moodboard app that helps people turn ideas into visuals. The app is available in the U.S. in public beta through Google Labs. With Mixboard, users can create boards using text prompts, uploaded images, or ready-made templates.

    This launch positions Google directly against platforms like Pinterest, but with a stronger focus on AI-driven creativity.

    How Mixboard Works

    Mixboard begins with a simple text prompt. If we enter an idea like “cozy living room in pastel colors,” the app generates visuals instantly. Users can also select from custom boards or upload their own images. The system builds designs around these images to create a cohesive finish.

    One of the standout features is Nano Banana, Google’s advanced image editing model. It lets users edit visuals with plain language commands, such as “make this more modern” or “blend these two styles.” The AI can also regenerate variations or show “more like this” options, making the design process smooth and flexible.

    The app not only builds image collages but also adds AI-generated captions or short text descriptions to match the boards. This helps users explain the mood behind their ideas more clearly.

    Why It Matters

    Mixboard is more than a fun tool. It’s also part of Google’s broader push to bring AI into creative workflows. Designers, marketers, event planners, and DIY creators can use it to brainstorm faster and watch projects visually take shape.

    Unlike other traditional moodboard websites, Mixboard lowers the hurdle for those who do not have an unlimited library of images. Anyone can start with a prompt and watch the AI build a board within seconds.

    Google is treating this rollout as an experiment. The company is calling on early adopters to try it out and give feedback through its community forums. It is only available to U.S. users for now, but there are suggestions that wider rollout will occur depending on demand.

    Looking Ahead

    Mixboard could change how people and teams collaborate on creative projects. In the future, it might not just be a personal tool but a shared workspace. Imagine teams in different time zones building the same moodboard together, watching AI generate variations in real time.

    If Google adds live collaboration and version tracking, Mixboard could become a powerful hub for design teams, startups, and even classrooms. It has the potential to reshape not only how we gather inspiration but also how we work together visually.

    The app is still in its early stage, but its arrival signals that AI will not just answer questions or write text, it will also help us see ideas in entirely new ways.

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  • OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank Announce $500 Billion Stargate Expansion With Five New U.S. AI Data Centers

    OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank have revealed an ambitious expansion of their Stargate AI infrastructure project, announcing five new data centers across the United States. The move is part of a $500 billion plan to build the compute backbone needed for the next generation of artificial intelligence.

    The new facilities will bring Stargate’s total planned capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts, with over $400 billion invested in just the next three years. The long-term goal is 10 gigawatts of AI data center capacity by the end of 2025, ahead of earlier targets.

    This expansion follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s January announcement of the Stargate initiative, which gathered top tech CEOs at the White House. The project is being framed as a milestone not only for AI, but also for U.S. infrastructure and energy policy.

    Where the New Data Centers Will Be Built

    OpenAI and Oracle will jointly develop three new sites in:

    • Shackelford County, Texas
    • Doña Ana County, New Mexico
    • An undisclosed Midwest location

    These sites, combined with an expansion near Abilene, Texas, are expected to deliver over 5.5 gigawatts of capacity and create more than 25,000 onsite jobs.

    Two additional sites will be developed with SoftBank:

    • Lordstown, Ohio
    • Milam County, Texas (through SoftBank’s energy arm, SB Energy)

    Together, these centers will scale to 1.5 gigawatts in 18 months.

    In total, Stargate reviewed 300 proposals from more than 30 states before selecting these sites. More U.S. locations will be announced in the coming months.

    A Gigawatt Every Week? Altman’s Bold Vision

    In the whole history of technology, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described the project in a blog post called “Abundant Intelligence” as one of the most ambitious infrastructure endeavors. His goal in the blog post was to construct a gigawatt of AI infrastructure every week.

    To illustrate, one gigawatt has the capacity to supply power to 876,000 houses in a year. At that pace, the scale that would be achieved would mean building the energy footprint of a whole city every one week. Altman, although had to admit the implementation would be “extremely hard” and they would have to accept the possibility that difficulty would remain “the coolest and most important infrastructure project ever” of the future.

    The Energy Challenge Ahead

    The primary concern is energy. Just running Nvidia’s $100 billion, 10-gigawatt data center contract with OpenAI burns vast quantities of electricity. Analysts suggest the U.S. grid may be unprepared for the surge in demand. Those in the sector regard power supply as the ‘quiet choke point’ in the growth of AI.

    Altman and partners show, though, that such problems can be framed as chances to reimagine energy infrastructure for the 21st century. With SoftBank’s and Oracle’s combined expertise in renewable energy and scalable cloud infrastructure, the project looks to decentralize AI advancements along with electricity.

    Conclusion

    The Stargate project is more than just a race to build data centers. It marks a shift where AI development, national policy, and energy planning intersect. The initiative could force governments and companies to accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen power grids, and rethink infrastructure at scale.

    If successful, Stargate won’t just shape the future of AI. It could redefine how nations build and manage energy for the digital age.

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