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Tag: #news

  • Ranked #3 Worldwide, Alibaba’s Qwen-3 Max Is Making Headlines

    Alibaba has released its strongest AI yet on September 24, 2025. According to the Alibaba Cloud website, the open-source Qwen series saw 7 million downloads by May 2024 (just after launching in April 2023). Notably, Qwen is now ranked third globally on the LMArena text leaderboard. To best serve its users, this Chinese AI has made significant improvements to its new version. So, the new model is all set to compete with AI giants like OpenAI’s GPT-5, Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4. How is the new version different? How does it rank compared to others? Learn more. 

    Qwen3-Max-Thinking (Heavy). Image credits Qwen official website
    Qwen3-Max-Thinking (Heavy). Image credits Qwen official website

    What Is Qwen-3 Max?

    • Qwen-3 Max is part of Alibaba’s Qwen series of AI models, also known as the Qwen family.
    • This is the first Qwen model to surpass the 1 trillion parameters (these parameters are the connections in the brain of the AI. More parameters mean a more advanced AI model).
    • Qwen-3 Max was trained on a whopping 36 trillion tokens (these tokens are words that an AI reads while getting trained).
    • The capabilities of this model are such that it can read, remember and process huge amounts of text all at once (let’s say, an entire book, long research paper, or even full codebases).
    • In technical terms, it can take a context length of up to 1 million tokens.
    Qwen3-Max-Thinking (Heavy). Image credits Qwen official website
    Qwen3-Max-Thinking (Heavy). Image credits Qwen official website

    What Can Qwen-3 Max Do Better Now?

    According to Alibaba, the Qwen-3 Max is improved in:

    • Reasoning (meaning figuring things out step by step).
    • Instruction following (the model can understand and carry out all the tasks you give it).
    • Multilingual support (for now, the model can work well in both English and Chinese).
    • Long-tail knowledge coverage (meaning the AI now knows about more complex subjects that are less common).
    • Math, coding, logic, and science (this version is now trained to solve any technical tasks more accurately).
    • Reduced hallucinations (this version is less likely to make things up as compared to its older models).
    • High-quality response to open-ended or complex questions.
    Text Arena official ranking
    Text Arena official ranking

    How Does It Rank Compared to Others?

    Lmarena’s Text Leaderboard

    • Qwen-3 Max is ranked third on the LMArena’s text leaderboard (it’s a ranking given to AI text-based models.
    • It is ahead of GPT-5.
    • And a little behind Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Opus 4.1 (thinking mode), OpenAI’s o3, 4-o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 High models.

    SWE-Bench Verified 

    • Qwen-3 Max has scored 69.6. on SWE-Bench Verified (it is a test for AI models to rank their real coding problem-solving skill).
    • It has scored better than DeepSeek V3.1 and just a little below Claude Opus 4.

    Tau2-Bench

    • Qwen-3 Max has scored 74.8 on the Tau2-Bench (it’s a test for AI to see how well the uses tools in an agent-like way).
    • In this test, Qwen-3 is well ahead of Claude Opus 4 and DeepSeek V3.1.

    How Can You Use Qwen-3 Max?

    • Qwen is an open-source AI model. The new Qwen-3 Max is also free.
    • One can access the new version on the Qwen app (available on iOS and Android) or directly on the Qwen website.
    • If you are a new user, the app will default to install as Qwen-3 Max.
    • In case you don’t see the new version, here’s what you can do:
    • Tap on the top left corner of the Qwen app and then select the Qwen-3 Max model, and there you go.
    • It’s just like ChatGPT or Gemini, you can interact and ask the AI any question you have.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 24th September 2025: Gullak Raises $7.5 Mn, Oolka Secures $7 Mn, PhonePe Files IPO & More

    India’s startup ecosystem saw major activity on 24th September 2025. Gullak raised $7.5 Mn, Oolka $7 Mn, Good Capital launched a $30 Mn AI-focused fund, Xbattery secured $2.3 Mn, and P-Tal raised $3 Mn. In corporate news, Paytm Money partnered with JioBlackRock to launch an AI-driven equity fund, Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal were appointed CEOs of T-Mobile and Molson Coors, Gant named Shahid Kapoor as brand ambassador, Accenture plans a new campus in Andhra Pradesh, and PhonePe filed confidential IPO papers with SEBI.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 24th September 2025

    Company Amount Round Lead investor(s) Sector
    Gullak $7.5 Mn Series A Chiratae Ventures (with White VC, Samved Ventures) Gold savings / Fintech
    Oolka $7 Mn Seed Lightspeed India Partners, Z47 (with participation from 8i Ventures) AI / Fintech
    Good Capital $30 Mn Fund II (VC fund) Good Capital (committed by family offices) Venture Capital / AI investing
    Xbattery $2.3 Mn Seed Bipin Patel Family Office (with Jhaveri Credits) Deep tech / Battery technology
    P‑Tal $3 Mn Series A VC Grid, Rainmatter (alongside Connecticut Innovations, Anicut, Zeropearl, angels) Kitchenware / Handcrafted home goods

    Gullak raises $7.5 Mn to expand gold savings platform

    Fintech startup Gullak has raised $7.5 Mn in a Series A round led by Chiratae Ventures, with participation from White VC and Samved Ventures. The platform enables users to save in gold digitally, making wealth accumulation accessible and convenient. The funding will be used to scale operations, enhance technology, and expand user acquisition across India.

    Oolka secures $7 Mn seed funding to grow AI-driven fintech

    AI-powered fintech startup Oolka has raised $7 Mn in a seed round led by Lightspeed India Partners and Z47, with participation from 8i Ventures. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to deliver personalized financial solutions and improve customer experience. The new capital will help scale the technology, expand team, and increase market penetration.

    Good Capital launches $30 Mn Fund II to back AI startups

    Venture capital firm Good Capital has launched a $30 Mn second fund to invest in AI startups. The fund will focus on early- and growth-stage opportunities in AI-driven sectors, aiming to support innovative solutions and accelerate technology adoption in India.

    Xbattery raises $2.3 Mn seed to innovate in deep tech batteries

    Deep tech startup Xbattery has raised $2.3 Mn in a seed round led by the Bipin Patel Family Office and Jhaveri Credits. The company focuses on next-generation battery solutions, aiming to make energy storage more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective. The funds will be used for R&D and scaling pilot projects.

    P-Tal raises $3 Mn Series A to expand kitchenware brand

    Handcrafted kitchenware brand P-Tal has raised $3 Mn in a Series A round led by VC Grid and Rainmatter, with participation from Connecticut Innovations, Anicut, Zeropearl, and angel investors. The funding will help scale production, expand distribution, and introduce new product lines, targeting home chefs and culinary enthusiasts.

    Key Business News for 24th September 2025

    Paytm Money partners with JioBlackRock to launch AI-driven equity fund

    Paytm Money, the investment arm of Indian fintech company Paytm, has partnered with JioBlackRock to introduce the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund, an AI-powered systematic active equity (SAE) fund aimed at retail investors. This collaboration aims to democratize access to advanced investment strategies, allowing Indian retail investors to invest with a minimum of INR 500 through lump sum or SIP options. The fund leverages BlackRock’s AI and machine learning techniques to analyze complex data sets and produce investment insights for nearly 1,000 Indian companies.

    Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal appointed as CEOs of US giants

    Srinivas Gopalan has been appointed as the CEO of T-Mobile, effective November 1, 2025, succeeding Mike Sievert. Gopalan, previously the Chief Operating Officer, has a background in digital transformation and 5G expansion. Rahul Goyal will assume the role of CEO at Molson Coors Beverage Company on October 1, 2025, replacing Gavin Hattersley. Goyal has been with the company since 2001, holding various senior positions, and is well-positioned to lead the company through changing consumer patterns and growing trade barriers in the US market.

    Gant appoints Shahid Kapoor as brand ambassador in India

    American sportswear brand Gant has appointed Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor as its brand ambassador in India. The partnership debuts with the launch of Gant’s new campaign, “Button Up. Build Your Story,” which celebrates resilience, individuality, and self-expression. The campaign aims to deepen Gant’s connection with Indian consumers and bring them closer to the brand’s world of culture, lifestyle, and elegance.

    Accenture plans new campus in Andhra Pradesh

    Accenture, the world’s largest IT services company by market capitalization, is planning to establish a new campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This move is part of the Andhra Pradesh government’s policy to attract top IT firms by offering land at a highly subsidized rate. Accenture is expected to receive around 10 acres of land and plans to hire approximately 12,000 employees for the upcoming campus. The proposal is currently under review by the State Investment Promotion Committee and is anticipated to be cleared by mid-October.

    PhonePe files confidential IPO papers with SEBI

    PhonePe, a leading digital payments platform, has confidentially filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an initial public offering (IPO) worth $1.5 billion. The company is targeting a valuation of $15 billion. The confidential route allows companies to submit IPO documents privately before making them public, enabling more flexibility in planning and preparation. This move marks a significant step in PhonePe’s journey towards going public and accessing capital markets.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 23rd September 2025
    India’s startup ecosystem saw significant activity on 23rd September 2025, with Rocket, Zealthix, and other startups raising notable funding rounds.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Larry Ellison’s Promise to Give Away 95% of His Fortune. Where’s the Money Going?

    The second richest person in the world, Larry Ellison (founder of Oracle), is worth $393B in 2025. In 2010, he officially signed what’s called the “Giving Pledge”, which is a promise to give away 95% of his fortune. He only became the second richest person after the stock price of Oracle (and Tesla’s as well) skyrocketed due to the AI boom. And all eyes turned to his wealth and his pledge. So, will he give away his fortune? If so, where does he want to see his money? Charity or no charity? Learn more. 

    His Promise to Give Away Money

    • It was in 2010 that Larry Ellison (over $28 billion, back then) signed the “Giving Pledge” as a promise to give away his fortune. Generally, it’s a promise by billionaires.
    • Ellison promised to give away not 10, 20 or 30 but 95% of his fortune.
    • However, his wealth would go into donations on his own terms (especially through his own projects), not like traditional charities.

    The Ellison Institute of Technology (Eit)

    This institute is based at the University of Oxford, and it is described as a for-profit philanthropic organisation (meaning, doing good, but it also works like a business).

    Well, the Ellison Institute of Technology is Ellison’s main project. The big goals for this project are to work on:

    • Healthcare
    • Food insecurity
    • Climate change
    • Artificial intelligence

    A $1.3 billion fund has been invested in creating a new campus in Oxford, with plans to open by 2027.

    Leadership Shake-up at Eit

    • For the same project in 2024, Ellison hired John Bell, a scientist, to lead research at EIT.
    • However, in August 2025, on-boarded Santa Ono (former president of the University of Michigan), who joined John Bell to collaborate.
    • Interestingly, two weeks later, John Bell announced his registration, stating that the project was “very challenging.”

    Several reports hint at the rising tension about:

    • How will Ellison want to make money from the research alone?
    • Whether or not EIT can trust him to keep up his financial promises? What he has already given

    When compared to other billionaires, Ellison gave less to the charity (directly). However, that’s not a small amount:

    Key Donations of Ellison So Far:

    • He donated about $200 million to the University of Southern California (USC) for a cancer research centre.
    • He gave about $1 billion to the Ellison Medical Foundation (his own foundation), which worked towards ageing and disease prevention. However, that is now shut down.
    • He promised a huge funding of $1.3 billion to the Oxford EIT campus (project underway). 

    His Future Commitment

    • Giving back to society typically means charity, but not for Ellison. He said that he will eventually donate all of his fortune, but in his own way and at his own time.
    • He doesn’t want to give away his fortune to public charities all at once. Rather, spend money on his personal projects like EIT.
    • Unlike Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, he structured his donation (of billions) in a way that doesn’t resonate with a typical charity. 

  • Insurance Samadhan Report Flags Rising Mis-Selling, Analyses ₹75.4 Crore in Q2 Claims

    India’s leading insurance grievance redressal platform, Insurance Samadhan, has released its Q2 2025 Trends Report, which revealed a 45% increase in complaints registered through its platform. The report analysed 4,004 cases involving claims totalling INR 75.4 crore, which suggests more customers are turning to grievance redressal platforms to seek justice. The number of disputes filed on the platform increased from 684 in Q1 to 974 in Q2, while the value of contested claims rose from INR 83.5 crore to over INR 119.5 crore, showing a growth of 43.10%. 

    On a YoY basis, the company received 11.2% more complaints on mis-selling compared to Q2 2024, and the value of disputed claims rose by nearly 10%. Health insurance had the largest share of grievances at 67.5% of cases, followed by life insurance at 25.5% and general insurance at 6.9%. Endowment policies were identified as the most mis-sold product category, which exposed policyholders to penalties, reduced returns, and capital erosion. The 31 to 40 years age group was the most active in seeking redressal, while Uttar Pradesh had the highest share of grievances at 16%. These findings reveal consumer vulnerabilities but also show how tools like the Polifyx app are empowering policyholders to check their policy through the ‘Know Your Policy’ feature, flag mis-selling, and file complaints quickly.

    Looking at the growing confidence of policyholders, Shilpa Arora, Co-founder & COO, Insurance Samadhan said, “It shows that policyholders, especially the younger generations, are willing to stand up for their rights, knowing there is a platform like Polifyx to rely on. This motivates us to work harder to protect consumer interest and  restore faith in the USD 145.80 billion insurance industry.”

    This insight comes at a time when instances of mis-selling are on the rise due to the lure of commissions and pressure on agents to sell insurance products to meet their targets. In 2022-23, 20% of all complaints IRDAI received against life insurers were about mis-selling. Of these, half of the complaints against private insurers involved unfair business practices, such as deceptive sales tactics. This industry-wide trend has amplified the need for platforms like Bima Bharosha and the Polifyx app to safeguard policyholders’ interests. Through its Q2 2025 report, the grievance redressal platform seeks to raise awareness about the role of digital tools in resolving complaints and simplifying insurance policies.

    About Insurance Samadhan

    Insurance Samadhan is India’s leading insurance grievance redressal platform dedicated to protecting policyholders’ rights and enhancing transparency in the insurance sector. Since its inception in 2019, Insurance Samadhan has successfully resolved over 20,000 customer grievances and recovered claims for customers worth more than INR 220 crore. The company leverages innovative solutions like its Polifyx app to simplify and accelerate grievance filing and resolution, especially for non-tech-savvy users. Insurance Samadhan acts as a trusted advocate for policyholders, promoting fair practices and timely claim settlements in the Indian insurance industry while supporting India’s goal of ‘Insurance for All by 2047.’

    How Shilpa Arora and Insurance Samadhan Are Helping Thousands Fix Insurance Complaints
    In this exclusive virtual conversation with StartupTalky, Shilpa Arora, Co-founder and COO of Insurance Samadhan, shares her inspiring journey from corporate success to building a startup that resolves insurance grievances.
    StartupTalkyMuskaan Kapoor

  • L&T and BEL Join Forces for India’s Next-Gen 5th-Generation Fighter Jet Programme

    Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have partnered strategically to support the Indian Air Force’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) development.

    The consortium intends to respond to the Government of India’s (GoI) Aeronautical Development Agency’s notice of expression of interest within the next few weeks. In order to jointly contribute to India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the alliance will make use of BEL’s experience in defence electronics and systems and L&T’s proficiency in creating strategic defence and aerospace platforms.

    In keeping with the GoI’s goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, the partnership represents a critical turning point in the development of India’s defence capabilities. According to a statement from L&T, the alliance aims to provide a state-of-the-art, superior solution by fusing the strengths of the two top defence technology suppliers.

    L&T and BEL Playing Strong on Defence Indigenisation

    L&T and BEL had already contributed significantly to India’s domestic Light Combat Aircraft programme by creating mission-critical avionics and electronic systems and supplying significant aerostructure modules.

    The consortium will build on this history by contributing demonstrated knowledge and a dedication to providing the Indian Air Force with top-notch defence and aerospace platforms on schedule.

    The cooperation with BEL represents a major step forward in L&T’s dedication to modernising India’s defence capabilities, according to remarks made by S N Subrahmanyan, chairman and managing director of L&T. It is a privilege for L&T and BEL to collaborate on providing the Indian Air Force with cutting-edge technologies. As leaders in their fields, the two organisations’ combined efforts will be vital to strengthening national security and promoting defence technology self-reliance.

    AMCA Projects Represents India’s Growing Capabilities: BEL’s MD

    India’s expanding defensive technology capabilities are exemplified by the AMCA project. In order to achieve this goal, BEL’s partnership with L&T is essential.

    Manoj Jain, the chairman and managing director of BEL, went on to explain that working with L&T is an essential step in achieving this goal. With BEL’s defensive electronics experience and L&T’s engineering and systems integration skills, the companies are sure to provide the Indian Air Force with a top-notch solution that will last for many years.

    Quick
    Shots

    •The consortium will respond to ADA’s
    Expression of Interest (EoI) in the coming weeks.

    •Collaboration leverages BEL’s
    expertise in defence electronics and L&T’s strength in aerospace and
    strategic defence platforms.

    •Partnership aligns with the
    ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision for defence indigenisation.

    •Both companies have previously
    contributed to India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

    •The alliance aims to deliver
    advanced, high-quality solutions to the Indian Air Force on time.

  • Translate Chats in Seconds: Meta Introduces New Whatsapp Feature…

    Going back and forth from WhatsApp to Google Translate when someone sends a message in a different language? Not any more. On Tuesday (September 23, 2025), WhatsApp released a new language translator update inside the app itself. According to Thunderbit, about 2.3 billion (daily active users) worldwide use WhatsApp. For personal and work purposes, messages are shared in different languages. So, the work of copy-pasting after this feature is now zero. Well, many wonder how many languages are available and how efficient the new feature is. Can it also work on group chats and forums? And how can one enable it? For all that, learn more.

    Official annoucement of "Message Translations" on WhatsApp
    Official annoucement of “Message Translations” on WhatsApp

    What Is This New Translator Feature?

    The new translator feature on WhatsApp allows you to translate messages in real-time directly within the app. The translation is done without leaving the app and takes seconds.

    It works in:

    • Personal chats
    • Groups chats
    • Channel updates

    Especially for Android users, there’s an option to make translations done automatically. So, instead of manually doing it for every message. 

    How to Use It (Step by Step)

    Update WhatsApp

    • First things first, open the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone).
    • Install or update WhatsApp to see the new feature (because the feature is only available on the updated version).

    Find a Message in Another Language

    • Open a message (from a chat, group, or channel) that is in a different language.
    • Long-press the message, so the options menu pops up.

    Tap “Translate”

    • Then select the “Translate” option from the menu.
    • WhatsApp will quickly show you the translated version of the message selected.

    Choose Your Language

    • Or if you like the selected message to be translated to a different language, you can do that too.
    • For that, WhatsApp can ask you to download a language pack, and you’ll have to do that. Now, if you think it is an extra step, note that the pack helps you translate work faster even when you are offline.

    Enable Automatic Translation (Android Only)

    • Once you translate a message you like, you’ll also see an option: “Automatic translation for this chat.”
    • Keep this option turned on, so that every message you receive in that chat will be automatically translated. 

    Repeat as Needed

    • In case you don’t want to turn “Automatic translation for this chat” on, you can long-press and translate each new message manually.

    Where Is This Available?

    WhatsApp has this feature rolling out to all users, so the availability is for everyone.

    The feature is already live in these countries:

    • India
    • U.S.
    • U.K.
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Brazil
    • France
    • Germany
    • Spain
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Singapore

    What Languages Does It Support?

    The feature is multilingual, so it supports a big list of languages, including:

    • Indian languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia.
    • Major world languages: English (different regions), Spanish (Latin America, Spain, U.S.), Portuguese (Brazil & Portugal), Arabic, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), French, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, and many more (about 50+).

    Privacy Note

    • Many fear privacy every time a new feature is out. For this feature in particular, Translations happen on the app itself.
    • So, the end-to-end encryption will secure your data, meaning WhatsApp or Meta cannot see the messages you are translating.

    Extra Details

    • On the launch date (September 23, 2025), the feature was available:
    • Android supports translations in 6 languages to start with.
    • The iPhone supports 19 languages.
    • More languages are being added gradually.

  • Paytm Money Teams Up with Jio BlackRock to Launch AI-Driven Active Equity Fund

    Jio BlackRock and Paytm Money, the wealth tech division of the fintech titan Paytm, have partnered to introduce a new AI-powered systematic active equity (SAE) fund for individual investors.

    The financial giant said in a statement that Paytm Money will only provide Jio BlackRock flexi cap fund subscriptions. On September 23, the new fund offer will go live, and it will end on October 7. According to a release by Paytm, investors can start with a minimum investment of just INR 500 through a lump sum or systematic investment plan (SIP).

    According to a Paytm representative, the company has teamed up with Jio BlackRock to offer its flagship flexi cap SAE fund to Indian retail investors. With the entry barrier reduced to just INR 500, all Indian investors can now access strategies that were previously exclusive to international institutions.

    What is systematic active equity (SAE)?

    The SAE technique was created by BlackRock, a US-based asset management firm, and uses AI and machine learning to examine big, complicated data sets and produce investment insights for almost 1,000 Indian businesses.

    The Jio BlackRock flexi cap fund described before asserts that its indicated total cost ratio is 0.5%. It is anticipated that the cooperation will employ Jio BlackRock’s technical know-how, Paytm’s large user bases, zero-commission strategy, and digital onboarding to attract India’s expanding group of retail investors and establish a foothold in the wealth tech industry.

    BlackRock and Jio Financial Services have partnered to form Jio BlackRock Asset Management. The company’s announced plan to launch about a dozen equity and debt funds in India by the end of 2025 includes the most recent NFO.

    Jefferies Hiking Paytm’s Price Tag

    The news comes just a day after broking company Jefferies increased Paytm’s price target (PT) to INR 1,420, citing fresh prospects for the fintech giant in wealth management and BNPL products.

    The fintech powerhouse earned a profit in Q1 FY26, reporting a net profit of INR 122.5 Cr as opposed to a net loss of INR 840.1 Cr in Q1 FY25. This is another reason for the bullishness. During the reviewed quarter, Paytm’s operating revenue increased by 28% to INR 1,918 Cr from INR 1,502 Cr during the same period last year.

    A rising top line, increased investments in Paytm Money, and lessened regulatory obstacles are all contributing to the company’s stock price increase. The company’s stock has risen over 33% in the last three months and is up almost 15% so far this year.

    Quick
    Shots

    •NFO open from September 23 to October
    7, 2025, with a minimum investment of just INR 500 via lump sum or SIP.

    •SAE strategy uses AI and machine
    learning to analyze complex data for around 1,000 Indian companies, creating
    data-driven investment insights.

    •Fund is a flexi cap SAE fund with an
    indicated total cost ratio of 0.5%, aimed at making institutional-level
    strategies accessible to retail investors.

    •The collaboration leverages Jio
    BlackRock’s tech expertise and Paytm’s large user base and digital onboarding
    to tap India’s growing wealth tech market.

     

  • Indian-Origin Leaders Rise: Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal Named CEOs of US Giants Amid H-1B Visa Fee Surge

    Two significant US firms have promoted executives of Indian descent to their top leadership positions at a time when the country is embroiled in intense controversy over President Donald Trump’s decision to charge a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications.

    Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced Rahul Goyal as its incoming CEO, beginning October 1, 2025, while T-Mobile has picked Srinivas “Srini” Gopalan as its next CEO, effective November 1, 2025. In view of growing immigration policy conflicts, their promotion is being closely monitored, underscoring the growing impact of Indian-origin executives in influencing multinational firms in spite of legal and political obstacles.

    Who is Srinivas Gopalan?

    T-Mobile announced that on November 1, current COO Srini Gopalan will take over as CEO in place of Mike Sievert. Sievert will take up a new position as the company’s vice chairman. Gopalan started his career with Unilever India before moving on to Accenture.

    He attended Delhi Public School, RK Puram, and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. Prior to joining T-Mobile as COO in March 2025, he had executive positions at Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, and Capital One and most recently was CEO of Deutsche Telekom Germany.

    Known for spearheading digital transformation, 5G expansion, and customer satisfaction, his leadership represents a well-thought-out succession for T-Mobile.

    Who is Rahul Goyal?

    On October 1, one of the biggest brewing firms in the world, Molson Coors Beverage Company, named Rahul Goyal as its new CEO, replacing Gavin Hattersley.

    Since joining the company in 2001, Goyal has advanced through the ranks of senior positions, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer, Global CIO, and CFO in India. He graduated from the University of Mysore with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business with a master’s degree in business.

    Goyal, who is based in Chicago, Illinois, is well-positioned to guide the business through changing consumer patterns and growing trade barriers in the US market thanks to his extensive tenure and experience in global strategy and operations.

    Why Goyal and Gopalan’s Appointments Creating Waves in US?

    These consultations are scheduled at a time when professionals and businesses that depend on highly skilled migration are uneasy over the Trump administration’s contentious $100,000 cost for new H-1B visa applications. Indian IT workers, who comprise the majority of H-1B grantees, are uncertain despite the White House’s clarification that the cost only applies to new applications.

    In addition to Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Arvind Krishna, Indian-origin professionals have become essential to US firms, as evidenced by the ascent of executives like Gopalan and Goyal. The hiring of Rahul Goyal and Srinivas Gopalan not only highlights the influence of people of Indian ancestry on a worldwide scale, but it also conveys corporate America’s diversity and resiliency.

    Promoting executives with foreign expertise is becoming more and more viewed as a competitive advantage as US businesses adjust to geopolitical and legislative shifts. Their ascent illustrates the ongoing narrative of how, despite increasingly stringent immigration laws, skilled immigration has revolutionised the leadership of leading American companies.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Srinivas “Srini” Gopalan will become
    CEO of T-Mobile on November 1, 2025, succeeding Mike Sievert.

    •Rahul Goyal will take over as CEO of
    Molson Coors Beverage Company on October 1, 2025, replacing Gavin Hattersley.

    •Their appointments underline the
    increasing global influence of Indian-origin executives in shaping US
    corporate strategy.

    •Despite tougher immigration policies,
    US firms see foreign leadership as a strategic advantage in navigating global
    challenges.

  • P-TAL Secures $3 Million in Series A Funding led by VC Grid and Rainmatter by Nithin Kamath to strengthen its Position as a Global Heritage and Lifestyle Brand

    • The round was led by VC Grid and Rainmatter by Nithin Kamath.
    • P-TAL generates over 55% of its business from global markets and is actively expanding its presence.
    • Investments will be directed towards product innovation, technology-led supply chain efficiencies, and empowering artisan communities in India

    P-TAL (Punjab Thathera Art Legacy), India’s handcrafted copper, brass, and bronze brand blending heritage with modern lifestyle, has raised USD 3 million in its Series A round to bolster its presence in India and accelerate growth across global markets. The round was led by VC Grid, bringing together a powerful community of family offices and accomplished founders, including Ekamya Ventures, the Salarpuria Group, LNB Group and several other marquee backers and Rainmatter, the fund backed by Nithin Kamath of Zerodha.

    Connecticut Innovations, the US-based venture firm, also participated, marking its first investment in an Indian company. The round saw participation from Anicut Capital, Zero Pearl VC, Jaipur Rugs Family Office, Ramakant Sharma (Livspace), Sanjay Kapoor (Genesis Luxury by Reliance), Avnish Anand (Caratlane), Shibam Das (Atomberg), and Dr Ritesh Malik (Innov8). 

    P-TAL’s exports to the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East account for more than 55% of its total business. The brand now aims to deepen expansion across these regions, driven by growing demand for sustainable, wellness-focused lifestyle products. Over the next three to five years, its international business is projected to contribute over 75% of overall revenue. Investments will be directed towards product innovation, technology-led supply chain efficiencies, and empowering artisan communities in India.

    On the funding announcement, Aditya Agrawal, Co-founder and CEO of P-TAL said “This fundraise is not just capital; it means something deeper for us. It’s a partnership with visionary investors, who believe as deeply as we do in the revival of beauty and the benefits of traditional metals like brass, copper and bronze and their place in the global homes and kitchens. We stand at the intersection of timeless heritage and modern utility, and this partnership fuels our mission to take P-TAL from the homes of India’s artisans to households across the world. With this backing, we are poised to scale globally, reimagining what ‘Made in India’ means: craft that carries soul, design that speaks the future, and products that are healthy and last generations. This is just the beginning, and together, we are building a brand that will make India proud on the world stage.”

    “P-TAL is a rare blend of purpose and performance — rooted in a strong ethos while charting a disciplined growth trajectory. By reviving a centuries-old craft and empowering artisan communities, the founders are building a brand with global resonance. At VC Grid, we are excited to back founders who combine clarity of vision with deep purpose, and with this growth capital, we believe P•TAL is poised to become both a household name and a global ambassador of Indian craftsmanship and conscious living.” said Vansh Oberoi, Founder & Managing Partner, VC Grid

    Speaking on the investment, Nithin Kamath, Founder & CEO, Zerodha said, “P-TAL has built an ecosystem that honours traditional craftsmanship by empowering artisan families. It is remarkable that these artisans have increased their earning potential from about Rs 2,500 to Rs 60,000, with one of them even holding ESOPs in the company. With a majority of the revenue coming from outside India, it is encouraging to see Indian heritage crafts finding their place across the world.”

    Building on its growing consumer traction, P-TAL also secured an all-sharks deal on Shark Tank India Season 3. This milestone spotlighted the brand’s vision and reinforced investor confidence in its potential to scale globally. The company’s revenues have climbed from ₹5 crore ARR to ₹50 crore ARR since its previous fundraise, underscoring the brand’s rapid scale-up.

    Today, P-TAL serves quality-conscious households and wellness enthusiasts globally, with 60% of international revenue coming from foreign buyers. The company is targeting ₹150 crore ARR within the next twelve months, aiming to cement its position as a profitable, sustainable luxury brand redefining Indian craftsmanship worldwide.

    About P-TAL

    Launched as a student initiative at Shri Ram College of Commerce by Aditya Agrawal, Kirti Goel, and Gaurav Garg, P-TAL has evolved into a fast-scaling premium lifestyle brand. The company partners with 100+ artisan families, raising their monthly incomes from as little as ₹2,000 to over ₹60,000, while safeguarding a 500-year-old legacy. P-TAL’s flagship stores in Delhi—GK-1 and Vasant Kunj—are complemented by a digital presence on Shopify, Amazon, Instamart, Blinkit, and global marketplaces.

    With its philosophy of “Artful Utility”, P-TAL is blending heritage, health, and design to build India’s first truly global heritage and lifestyle brand. Positioned at the intersection of wellness, sustainability, and conscious luxury, the company is primed to tap into a $1 billion premium kitchenware market in India and a $10 billion-plus global opportunity.

  • Lottery Out. Wages Over Luck in New Proposal: Trump’s New H-1B Rule Explained

    On September 23, 2025, the Trump administration proposed an alternative method for selecting H-1B visa applications. This is a major shift as the decades-old system is put to a halt. Since 2007, the US government has been using a lottery system when more people applied than the annual cap of 85,000 visas. Instead, a wage system will be implemented to prioritise the highest-paying jobs first. This has come to light after the $100,000 H1-B Visa shock. There already exists several confusions with the visa fees, and another is here. So, how will this impact companies and the new applicants? Learn more.

    How Would the New System Work?

    • In case more people apply (than the actual 85,000 number):
    • Applications would be categorised and ranked by the wages offered by the companies.
    • Higher-paying jobs will get picked.
    • The lower-paying jobs stand no chance.
    • The better the pay, the higher the chances of getting selected.
    Offical Proclaimation on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website
    Offical Proclaimation on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website

    Why Is The Wage System Proposed?

    The administration says:

    • These strict policies are brought into place to protect the American workers from “unfair wage competition.”
    • The policy will prevent companies from hiring foreign workers at low wages.
    • And force them to offer more competitive salaries if they want foreign workers.

    The $100,000 Fee

    • The new suggestion for the lottery system has come to light after Trump announced the $100,000 annual fee for each H-1B visa (On September 19, 2025).
    • The panic it caused was massive; many tech companies called their H-1B workers back to the US and asked them not to travel.
    • There exists several confusions and fears around the topic (Google employees protested in New York), even after the White House, the fee applies to the new visas.
    • However, nothing is final yet. These rules normally take months or years to finalise.
    • If everything goes accordingly to plan, the suggested system will replace the 2026 lottery (before March 2026).

    The Money Side (Official Estimates):

    • Fiscal Year 2026 (starting October 1, 2025): The wages offered to H-1B workers will rise by $502 million.
    • Fiscal Year 2027: Wages are expected to rise by $1 billion.
    • Fiscal Year 2028: Wages are expected to rise by $1.5 billion.
    • Fiscal Years 2029–2035: Wages are expected to total $2 billion.
    • According to White House, the US government is expecting the tech giants to pay a lot more for foreign workers.

    Who Loses Out?

    • The small businesses are going to take a big hit.
    • In the US, around 5,200 small companies normally hire H-1B workers. With new policies in place and $100,000 to pay per head, these companies will suffer a significant economic impact.
    • Reason: These companies are small and can’t afford high salaries. 

    What Happens Next?

    • This proposal comes from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
    • After the proposal is out, the general public will have 30 days to comment, starting on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
    • Once the opinion of the public is gathered, the government will then decide whether to finalise the rule, change it, or drop it.