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Tag: #news

  • Gant Appoints Shahid Kapoor as Brand Ambassador in India

    American sportswear brand Gant announces the appointment of Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor as its Brand Ambassador in India. This milestone underscores Gant’s commitment to expanding its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing fashion markets. The partnership debuts with the launch of Gant’s new campaign, “Button Up. Build Your Story” which celebrates resilience, individuality, and self-expression.

    “Style for me has always been about authenticity, wearing something that not only looks good but also tells a story about who you are,” says Shahid Kapoor.  “That’s what makes my partnership with Gant so exciting. The brand’s legacy of effortless sophistication and its belief in progress and self-expression resonate deeply with me. I’m proud to represent Gant as we inspire people to build their own stories.”

    With this campaign, Gant in India has taken a bold step forward creating an emotional film that resonates with people on a deeper level. Shahid Kapoor brings the vision alive with ease, because the values of progress, self-expression, and individuality are intrinsic to his personality. His synergy with the campaign makes him the perfect choice for this collaboration, and this campaign will set a new benchmark in fashion storytelling in India. 

    Fredrik Malm, EVP of Global Commercial, Brand & Product at Gant added “Gant has always shaped a modern identity rooted in heritage that resonates worldwide. Shahid Kapoor, with his confidence and effortless style, is a natural fit. Through this partnership, we aim to deepen our connection with Indian consumers and bring them closer to Gant’s world of culture, lifestyle, and elegance.”

    Pawan Khandelwal, Managing Director, Samarth Lifestyle adds, “With Shahid Kapoor as our Brand Ambassador, GANT is making a bold move to strengthen our bond with consumers in India. His style and persona align seamlessly with our vision, and we aim to elevate GANT’s presence across India while delivering a world-class fashion experience.”

    For Gant, India represents a cultural epicentre, where the brand’s legacy and heritage resonate with the country’s rich, diverse expressions. The brand and its partner Samarth Lifestyle have outlined an expansion strategy, aiming to double its exclusive brand stores to 50 in the next two years. With Shahid Kapoor onboard as brand ambassador, Gant reaffirms its commitment to the Indian market, strengthening its presence while continuing to uphold its 75-year global legacy.

    About Gant

    Founded in 1949, Gant has inspired the world with its iconic American East Coast style for over seven decades. From the brand’s beginnings as an innovative shirtmaker to pioneering American sportwear, Gant continues to evolve its signature look for a modern consumer in 80 countries and more than 600 stores across the globe. Gant is retailed across 30+ cities in India and is available at leading market places.

  • Accenture Plans New Andhra Pradesh Campus, Aims to Create 12,000 Jobs Amid H-1B Visa Uncertainty

    According to sources cited by Reuters, the tech consulting business Accenture has revealed plans to open a new campus in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Over time, the company hopes to add some 12,000 new jobs to its Indian workforce. Moreover, over 300,000 of Accenture’s 790,000 employees are based in India, making it the country with the largest workforce in the world.

    This comes as US President Donald Trump changed the rules, charging a $100,000 charge for new H-1B visas, which tech businesses use to hire qualified foreign workers.

    Accenture Submitted Proposal to the State Government

    The state government has received a proposal from Accenture asking for about 10 acres of property in the port city of Visakhapatnam on comparable terms, according to Reuters. The Andhra Pradesh government is eager to welcome Accenture, and while permissions may take some time, the application is likely to be approved, according to a state official.

    The report also stated that Accenture’s request is fair and that the plan will be implemented. The amount Accenture intends to invest in building the campus is yet unknown, though.

    Accenture Building on TCS and Congnizant Line

    The company’s action follows similar deals made by IT firms Tata Consultancy Services and Cognisant, who are utilising a new state policy that offers leased property to big businesses that are dedicated to job creation for just 0.99 rupees ($0.0112) per acre.

    Under the new policy, TCS and Cognisant were able to get land leases to open campuses in Visakhapatnam, which might result in the creation of almost 20,000 jobs. According to the article, TCS has set aside a little more than $154 million for its campus, while Cognisant intends to invest $183 million.

    The technology corporations are also progressively venturing into smaller Indian locations in order to capitalise on lower land, rent, and wage expenses. In contrast to the previous pattern of workers migrating to big tech hubs, many organisations are finding it easier to hire talent locally in Tier-2 cities in the post-pandemic scenario.

    Accenture Training 7 Lakh Employees on AI

    According to a Bloomberg article, Accenture Plc is educating its more than 7,000 personnel in agentic artificial intelligence in an effort to satisfy the increasing demand from clients in this area.

     “Every new wave of technology has a time when you have to train and retool,” said Julie Sweet, the CEO of Accenture, in an interview with Bloomberg Television. The ability to execute that at scale is Accenture’s primary skill.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Accenture has submitted a proposal
    for 10 acres of land to the state government, which is expected to approve
    it.

    •Over 300,000 of Accenture’s 790,000
    employees are already based in India — its largest workforce globally.

    •Expansion follows TCS and Cognizant,
    who secured leased land under a new state policy promoting job creation.

    •TCS and Cognizant plan to invest
    $154M and $183M respectively in their Visakhapatnam campuses, creating around
    20,000 jobs.

  • Oolka Raises $7 Million Seed Round to Scale India’s First Agentic AI Credit Management Platform

    Oolka, India’s first agentic AI credit management platform,  today announced it has raised $7 million in Seed funding. The round was led by Lightspeed  India Partners and Z47, with participation from 8i Ventures and a group of prominent angel  investors, including Vidit Aatrey, Sanjeev Barnwal, Ramakant Sharma, Abhishek Goyal,  Rajesh Yabaji, Nitin Gupta, Madhusudan R, Anil Goteti, Arnav Kumar, and others. 

    Founded by Utkrishta Kumar in 2024, Oolka is building an AI-powered financial agent that helps  users not only track but actively improve their credit health. It identifies actionable steps and,  when permitted, takes personalised actions on the user’s behalf. 

    “Oolka was founded on a simple belief that every Indian should have access to affordable  credit”, said Utkrishta Kumar, Founder of Oolka, “Our mission today is to democratize access  to better credit and financial health through agentic AI. This mission is built on trust since our  users rely on us to handle one of the most important aspects of their lives, their credit. We are  scaling an industry-first multi agentic AI platform that could be the active companion for every  credit & personal finance decision in India.” 

    The newly secured funding will be instrumental in scaling Oolka’s engineering, data science,  and product teams, while accelerating the rollout of advanced AI features. Oolka aims to launch  new tools for real-time credit improvement, build the first AI-native consumer app in credit, and  invest in hyper-personalized user experiences powered by agentic AI. 

    Since its inception, Oolka has already processed over ₹100 crore in credit repayments, is  approaching 2 million users, and is on track to cross $1 million ARR. The platform has  established partnerships with leading financial institutions, including Yes Bank, IDFC Bank, AU  Small Finance Bank, Muthoot Finance & InCred to strengthen its credit marketplace. 

    Harsha Kumar, Partner, Lightspeed said; “We are thrilled to support Oolka as they redefine  credit empowerment in India. With their AI-driven focus on actionable credit insights, seamless  EMI management, and rewards for responsible financial behavior, Oolka is uniquely positioned 

    to elevate credit wellness for millions. We look forward to partnering with Utkrishta and the team  as they scale their mission and drive deeper financial inclusion across the country.” 

    Speaking about the seed round, Vikram Vaidyanathan, Investor and Managing Director, Z47 said: “Millions of Indians are striving to improve their credit health, it’s the need of the hour, both  for them and for the financial services ecosystem. Oolka’s AI-powered financial companion offers  a differentiated journey: it diagnoses a user’s financial situation and charts a personalized path  forward, focused on improving daily habits and actions. We believe Oolka is well-positioned to  build deep trust and become the financial companion of choice. Wishing Utkrishta and the team  godspeed on their journey ahead.” 

    India now has over 420 million people with a credit history. A CIBIL report released in March  2024 further highlights the surge in credit awareness: 119 million individuals were actively  tracking their credit scores, a remarkable 51% year-on-year increase in 2023–24. 

    India’s credit revolution is being driven by its young population, with 77% of these 119 million  credit-monitoring consumers belonging to Gen Z and millennials, showing that younger  borrowers are becoming increasingly credit-aware. Oolka is positioned to address this surge in  demand by offering AI-driven credit management that is accessible and actionable for a new  generation of borrowers. Oolka aims to serve this generation with its AI platform, helping them  strengthen their credit health and access affordable credit through AI agents designed to be  their trusted financial companion. 

    About Oolka 

    Oolka is India’s first agentic AI-powered credit management platform. Founded in 2024 by  Utkrishta Kumar, Oolka empowers individuals to take actionable steps toward improving their  financial and credit health. Its mission is to democratize access to better credit and long-term  financial wellness through the power of agentic AI. With over ₹100 crore in credit repayments  processed and close to 2 million users already, Oolka aims to be at the forefront of the financial  revolution of aspirational India.

  • Swiggy to Spin Off Instamart into Wholly Owned Subsidiary Through Slump Sale

    Swiggy, a meal delivery and fast grocery platform, announced that its board has authorised the process of selling and transferring its rapid commerce (q-commerce) business, Instamart, through a slump sale to Swiggy Instamart Pvt Ltd, an indirect, step-down, fully owned subsidiary.

    According to the stock filing, on September 23, 2025, the Board of the Company approved the slump sale of the company’s Instamart undertaking. The approval also gave the directors and officers of the company the authority to sign a business transfer agreement (BTA) and other relevant documents to carry out the transaction.

    The Slump Sale to be Completed by FY2026

    It is anticipated that the slump sale will be finished after the third quarter of FY26. According to the corporation, the sale includes all pertinent assets, liabilities, documents, intellectual property, permits and licences, employees, and contracts. According to a Swiggy representative, Instamart has grown significantly in the last three years.

    The brand’s quick-commerce business continued to develop in Q1 of FY 2025–2026, with a 108% year-over-year increase in gross order value. With its gross order value and user base expected to surpass that of Swiggy’s food delivery business in the near future, Instamart has likewise risen from the shadow of the latter to become a stand-alone brand.

    While guaranteeing that the listed parent company retains full ownership, the subsidiary structure is intended to assist this growth pace by offering more transparency, operational flexibility, and a tighter strategic focus.

    Financial Dynamics of Instamart  

    Instamart now makes up a considerable portion of Swiggy’s revenue. In FY25, the company’s revenue was INR 2,129.6 crore, or 24.2% of Swiggy’s total revenue. With a negative net value of INR 297.7 crore as of March 31, 2025, it is still bleeding, nonetheless.

    On the effective date, the transaction will be carried out at Instamart’s book value of its assets and liabilities. The transfer price will ring-fence Instamart’s operations within a distinct corporate structure rather than reflecting the company’s market potential because its book value was negative at the end of FY25. After the transfer is finished, the subsidiary will give Swiggy a lump-sum cash payment. The reorganisation occurs as listed food-tech companies are increasingly establishing rapid commerce as a stand-alone growth engine.

    Since acquiring Blinkit in 2022, rival Zomato has been releasing Blinkit’s financial results on a quarterly basis. In Q1 FY26, Blinkit accounted for about 32% of Zomato’s total revenue, and the company’s losses decreased when measured by contribution margin.

    Swiggy may be attempting to offer comparable visibility on its rapid commerce company while maintaining flexibility for future capital raising by establishing a special subsidiary for Instamart. With Zomato, Swiggy, Flipkart, and Amazon expanding their dark store networks and delivery fleets, quick commerce has emerged as the new arena of competition for food tech giants. Despite the category’s explosive expansion, listed businesses are increasingly using corporate structuring as a tool to reassure public market investors due to its high cash burn.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Board approved the move on September
    23, 2025, authorising a Business Transfer Agreement (BTA).

    •Transaction to be completed by Q3
    FY2026, including assets, liabilities, IP, contracts, and staff.

    •Instamart’s gross order value grew
    108% YoY in Q1 FY26 and may soon surpass Swiggy’s food delivery business.

    •Subsidiary model aims to boost
    transparency, flexibility, and strategic focus while retaining 100% ownership.

  • PhonePe Files Confidential IPO Papers with Sebi, Aims to Raise INR 12,000 Crore

    Walmart-backed fintech giant PhonePe has filed its draft papers with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for an initial public offering (IPO). The company used the confidential pre-filing route, a method that allows companies to submit details privately before going public.

    PhonePe confirmed that it has submitted the pre-filed Draft Red Herring Prospectus (PDRHP) with Sebi, BSE, and NSE under Chapter IIA of the Sebi ICDR Regulations, 2018. The company clarified that filing the PDRHP does not automatically mean it will go ahead with the IPO.

    Industry reports suggest that the fintech major could raise around INR 12,000 crore (about $1.35 billion) through the offering. However, PhonePe has not yet disclosed the final size of the issue.

    Why Confidential Filing?

    The confidential route has become popular among Indian startups. It allows companies to keep financial details and strategy away from public view until they are ready to launch the IPO. Only regulators, stock exchanges, and select investors can access the information in the early stage.

    PhonePe joins other startups like Groww, Physics Wallah, and Imagine Marketing (boAt) in taking this approach. The move highlights how maturing startups are preparing for public markets while maintaining flexibility.

    PhonePe IPO Highlights

    Metric Value
    IPO Route Confidential pre-filing with Sebi, BSE, and NSE
    Planned Issue Size Around INR 12,000 crore (≈ $1.35 billion), as per reports
    Revenue (FY25) INR 7,115 crore (↑ 40% YoY)
    Net Loss (FY25) INR 1,720 crore (vs INR 1,996 crore in FY24)
    Free Cash Flow Positive at INR 1,202 crore in FY25
    Adjusted EBITDA INR 1,477 crore (more than doubled YoY)
    Adjusted PAT INR 630 crore (tripled YoY)
    Daily Transactions 310 million+ via UPI
    User Base 600 million+ registered users; 40 million merchants

    Strong Growth and Narrowing Losses

    The filing comes after a strong financial year for PhonePe. The company reported a 40% year-on-year growth in revenue, reaching INR 7,115 crore in FY25, according to its filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

    PhonePe also turned free cash flow positive, with cash flow from operations at INR 1,202 crore in FY25. Its adjusted EBITDA, excluding ESOP costs, more than doubled to INR 1,477 crore from INR 652 crore a year earlier. Adjusted PAT rose to INR 630 crore, up from INR 197 crore in FY24. Importantly, the firm also posted its first positive adjusted EBIT of INR 117 crore.

    Losses narrowed significantly during FY25. The company reported a net loss of INR 1,720 crore, compared with INR 1,996 crore in FY24.

    PhonePe is one of India’s largest digital payment players. It has more than 600 million registered users and is accepted by 40 million merchants. The platform processes over 310 million transactions daily through the country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

    PhonePe Business Mode | How PhonePe Makes Money?
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    Looking Ahead

    The IPO, when launched, is expected to be one of the biggest from India’s fintech sector. Analysts say that PhonePe’s strong growth in revenue, improved profitability metrics, and massive user base position it as a strong candidate for public markets.

    For now, the company has taken the first step with its confidential filing. Investors will watch closely as PhonePe decides when and how to move forward with the much-awaited IPO.

    RBI Grants PhonePe Payment Aggregator Licence
    Walmart-owned PhonePe gets RBI’s payment aggregator licence, strengthening digital payments as it gears up for a $7–8B IPO in 2026.
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  • Xbattery Raises $2.3M in Seed Round from Bipin Patel Family Office with participation from Jhaveri Credits, to build Battery Electronics

    Xbattery, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech startup developing next-generation Battery Management Systems (BMS), has raised $2.3 million in its Seed funding led by Bipin Patel Family Office with participation from Jhaveri Credits. The funding will support R&D, hardware sourcing, talent hiring, and scaling prototypes for early orders and commercialisation.

    Founded by Satish Reddy, Sonu Mishra, and Varshith Rao, bringing decades of experience and expertise across software-hardware integration, embedded systems, and battery technology. Xbattery is set out to contribute towards achieving India’s goals in the clean energy and Electric Vehicle space. Xbattery aims to decrease import dependency on high-cost foreign BMS tech by offering a “Made in India” solution, a unified, adaptable BMS that enhances safety, efficiency, and longevity for EVs and stationary storage.

    Today, India generates 40% of its electricity from renewables. By 2030, it plans to reach 50%, delivering 500 gigawatts of clean energy. Here lies the challenge: renewable energy is intermittent in nature, so storage is essential. Hence, by 2030, India’s energy storage market will likely reach $12-15 billion. That includes grid batteries, EV batteries, and UPS systems. This is where Xbattery steps in. Xbattery is developing BharatBMS, a unified BMS platform for both EVs and energy storage. It is built locally, improves battery safety, performance, and durability, and is designed for India’s needs.

    The fresh infusion of capital will fast-track this goal by accelerating the R&D in BMS and BESS development, sourcing specialised hardware and components, expanding the engineering and production teams, and scaling prototype production to meet rapidly growing consumer demand.

    Mr. Dhiraj Kumar Sinha, an early-stage VC and angel investor, who is also a mentor of Xbattery, facilitated and advised on the investment transaction.

    “Self-reliance in battery electronics is critical for India, and the market is bigger than people think,” said Satish Reddy, Founder and CEO of Xbattery. “We are thrilled to have found partners who share our vision. Because this is deeptech, it requires serious investment in R&D. This funding is going to help us bring our tech to market so we can start fulfilling our initial orders.”

    “At Xbattery, we see BharatBMS as more than a technology; it’s our commitment to India’s clean energy transition. By building the backbone of safe and scalable battery electronics, we are helping India reduce import dependence while setting global benchmarks for reliability and performance,” said Sonu Mishra, CTO and Co-Founder of Xbattery.

    “Xbattery is creating India’s first high-voltage BMS, which aims to reduce India’s dependency on foreign products. We are glad to have found Xbattery, led by Satish, and have partnered with them for building India’s own BMS. Our families have a sizable interest in energy space, and we expect Xbattery to act as our strategic business partners as well,” said Mr. Preet Patel, CEO of Bipin Patel Family Office.

    With India aiming for rapid EV adoption and renewable storage capacity, the demand for robust and indigenous BMS solutions is expected to soar. Xbattery plans to capture this opportunity domestically first, with a long-term vision to export its battery electronics to Europe and North America.

    About Xbattery

    Xbattery is a Hyderabad-based deep-tech startup building next-generation Battery Management Systems (BMS) for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage (BESS). Founded in 2024, the company combines advanced hardware-software integration with indigenous R&D to deliver safer, more efficient, and cost-effective battery electronics tailored for India and global markets. By reducing dependence on imported technology and creating scalable solutions, Xbattery is helping India’s clean energy transition.

  • Swiggy Sells 12% Stake in Rapido for INR 2,399 Crore as Food Delivery Conflict Emerges

    Food and grocery delivery giant Swiggy has sold its entire 12% stake in bike-taxi startup Rapido for INR 2,399 crore. The sale was approved by Swiggy’s board on September 23, 2025. The move comes after Rapido began venturing into food delivery, creating an overlap with Swiggy’s core business.

    The stake sale was completed in two parts. Prosus, an existing investor in both Swiggy and Rapido, bought shares worth INR 1,968 crore ($223 million). WestBridge Capital acquired the remaining stake for INR 431.5 crore ($49 million). Swiggy said the decision was strategic and aimed at benefiting shareholders.

    Why Swiggy Sold Its Stake

    Swiggy had first invested in Rapido in 2022, leading a $180 million funding round at a valuation of around $800 million. At the time, Swiggy expected synergies between its delivery fleet and Rapido’s captains. Rapido had more than 25 million customers and 1.5 million captains then, with plans to expand in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

    However, by mid-2025, relations changed. Rapido started piloting food deliveries in Bengaluru, operated through its subsidiary Ownly. Swiggy saw this as a conflict with its own food delivery business.

    “When we got in two and a half years back, it was a mobility player doing really well. But they decided to get into food delivery themselves. That made us take notice of the conflict, so we’re going separate ways,” said Swiggy CEO Harsha Majety.

    The stake sale is fully a secondary transaction, though Rapido will also raise a primary round at a valuation of $2.7–3 billion, up sharply from $1.1 billion in September 2024. Prosus is expected to invest $200 million as part of the new round.

    Swiggy: Delivering Happiness at Your Doorstep | Founders | Success Story | Vision | Mission
    Swiggy is a food delivery application. It allows the users to access their application from Android, IOS, and website, to order food from nearby restaurants. Read about Swiggy success story, founders, funding, vision, mission, tagline, business model, and more.
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    Impact on Swiggy and Rapido

    The INR 2,399 crore from the stake sale will strengthen Swiggy’s cash reserves. As of Q1 FY26, Swiggy held INR 5,354 crore in cash and equivalents. With the Rapido sale, this will increase further, giving the company room to invest in its quick commerce and food delivery operations.

    Swiggy’s June-quarter results showed a widening loss of INR 1,197 crore, even as revenue grew 54% to INR 4,961 crore. Quick commerce remained the biggest growth driver, with Instamart’s gross order value doubling year-on-year. The company also plans to transfer its Instamart unit to a wholly owned subsidiary through a slump sale, which generated INR 2,129.6 crore in revenue in FY25.

    Rapido’s valuation has more than doubled to $2.3 billion following the secondary share sale. Its entry into food delivery comes amid competition with Swiggy and Zomato. The startup initially piloted services in three neighborhoods in Bengaluru, signaling a cautious but strategic expansion.

    The sale marks a clear separation between Swiggy and Rapido as both focus on their respective core businesses.

    Rapido Success Story | Valuation | Funding | Unicorn | Business Model | Founders
    Rapido has entered the unicorn club by receiving $120 million in funding from Westbridge Capital in July 2024. Check out the full story here! Know more about it on Rapido Wiki.
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  • Flipkart Big Billion Days 2025 Vs Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025: 5 Smartphones You Can Grab at Huge Festive Discounts

    The festive shopping season in India is here, and so are the two biggest online sales of the year, Flipkart Big Billion Days 2025 and Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025. Both sales started on September 23, 2025, and people are already excited to grab the best deals.

    These sales bring discounts on many products, but the biggest highlight is always smartphones. Every year, top brands like Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Vivo drop their prices, making even premium phones easier to buy.

    This year too, both Flipkart and Amazon are fighting to offer the most attractive deals. They are adding extra perks like bank discounts, exchange offers, and no-cost EMI to make shopping even more rewarding.

    Flipkart is focusing on SuperCoins and special exchange benefits, while Amazon is giving early access and exclusive card offers for its Prime members. Together, these sales have turned September into a shopping festival for smartphone lovers.

    If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your phone, this is the best time. To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 smartphone deals from Flipkart’s Big Billion Days 2025 and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival 2025.

    iPhone 16 Pro

    In the Flipkart sale, the iPhone 16 Pro is priced at just INR 69,999, almost 50% lower than its original price.

    iPhone 15

    On Amazon, you can get the iPhone 15 for an effective price of INR 43,749.

    Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

    During this sale period, the smartphone will cost under INR 80,000 on Flipkart, while on Amazon it will be priced at INR 71,999.

    Samsung Galaxy S24

    In the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale, the Samsung Galaxy S24 will be priced at
    INR 40,000.

    OnePlus 13R

    The smartphone will be sold on Amazon at an effective price of INR 43,749.

    In short, both Flipkart Big Billion Days 2025 and Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025 are giving huge discounts on smartphones. With bank offers, exchange deals, and EMI options, this is the best time to buy a new phone at a lower price. No matter which platform you choose, you will find great value. So, if you were waiting, now is the right time to upgrade your smartphone.

    Amazon Great Indian Festival vs Flipkart Big Billion Days: Taglines, Deals & Comparison
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  • From Code to Protest: Google Workers vs Trump’s H-1B Order

    A backlash has begun as Google employees protest against Trump’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. A group of unionized Google workers outside the New York office voiced concerns about the 6,600% increase in H-1B visas. The policy was imposed as a security measure, but its rules only proliferated more confusion. The confusion is leading to more fear among the H1-B visa holders. And so the employees are coming together to fight. Will Google favor the employees? Will the government consider the workers’ anger? Learn more. 

    Why Did the Workers Protest?

    Especially the tech industry in the US is hit hard with panic as the fee grew by a whopping 6,600%. Many fear losing their jobs, and companies are forced to pay the fee themselves. 

    That’s why the workers are protesting:

    • The employees want Google to stand with its employees and speak against the policy.
    • The employees are demanding special support for immigrant Google employees, such as extended severance pay, in the event that H-1B workers are laid off.
    • These matters demand attention because H-1B holders have only a short time to find another job. In case they don’t find one, they’ll end up losing their legal status in the US.

    What Did Google Do Internally?

    Immediately after Trump’s order, Google’s immigration law firm (BAL) sent an urgent internal memo. The memo informed that H-1B employees traveling abroad should return immediately. The memo also warned the employees traveling abroad of the difficulties of entering the US.

    What Did the White House Clarify Later?

    • The White House clarified that the new $100,000 fee policy will only apply to new H-1B applications starting in March 2026.
    • Therefore, current H-1B visa holders (and those renewing their visas) don’t need to worry, as they won’t be affected.
    • The confirmation came from the White House so late that panic had already taken hold among the employees, and they were taking to the streets to protest.
    • Even now, there’s no clear understanding of how the fees will be collected and whether they will be collected annually or each time the US is entered.

    How Big Is the Impact?

    Notably, Google has applied for 5,500 H-1B visas in 2024, so the immediate effect is, of course, on the existing employees. However, the new policy will have a severe impact on Google in the future, especially for these applications. 

    Reactions From the Tech World

    • The policy made headlines on the news, and many have gotten off the planes (happened at San Francisco airport), worrying if they would be allowed back.
    • Many tech giants (like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Tesla) have sent internal messages to their employees asking them not to travel and to return on immediate notice. 

    Voices From the Protest:

    Parul Koul, president of the Alphabet Workers Union, said, “Google is one of the most powerful companies in the world, but they haven’t spoken up for their own workers.”

    Tim Traversy, a Google software engineer, asked, “Will they stand with the immigrant workers who helped build this company?”

    Where Things Stand?

    Current visa holders are safe, but the future ones aren’t. New applicants have to pay $100,000 starting from March 2026. Google is silent at the moment, but its employees want the company to speak up. But the real question is, with Trump standing on the other side of the policy, will Google still speak up for its employees? 

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 23rd September 2025: Rocket Raises $15 Mn, Zealthix Secures $1.1 Mn, NPCI to Launch UPI EMI Option & More

    India’s startup ecosystem saw significant activity on 23rd September 2025, with Rocket, Zealthix, and other startups raising notable funding rounds. Key business updates include NPCI introducing EMI options on UPI, JioBlackRock launching its Flexi Cap Fund, and the rollout of Perplexity Comet AI Browser in India.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 23rd September 2025

    Company Amount Round Lead investor(s) Sector
    Rocket $15 Mn Seed Salesforce Ventures [Not specified, likely tech/enterprise]
    Grest INR 16 Cr [Not specified, likely Seed] Equentis Capital Electronics re-commerce
    Navo INR 8 Cr Seed India Quotient [Not specified, likely tech]
    Zealthix $1.1 Mn Seed Unicorn India Ventures Health tech / SaaS
    Paar Autonomy INR 3.5 Cr [Not specified, likely Series A] Venture Catalysts Autonomous vehicles / Mobility tech
    Distil Networks $77 Mn Series A Jungle Ventures, CE Ventures Cybersecurity / AI
    Blacksoil Capital INR 210 Cr Debt [Not specified] SME Lending / Fintech
    Amwoodo $4 Mn [Not specified, likely Seed] [Not specified] Furniture / D2C

    Rocket raises $15 Mn in seed round led by Salesforce Ventures

    Enterprise tech startup Rocket has raised $15 million in a seed funding round led by Salesforce Ventures. The investment will help the company enhance its product offerings, strengthen its technology platform, and expand its operations across new markets. Rocket plans to leverage the funding to accelerate growth, attract talent, and scale its enterprise solutions to serve a wider customer base.

    Grest raises INR 16 Cr led by Equentis Capital

    Electronics re-commerce startup Grest secured INR 16 Cr in funding led by Equentis Capital. The capital will be used to scale the company’s reverse logistics and re-commerce operations, improve inventory management, and enhance customer experience. The funding supports Grest’s mission to create a sustainable and efficient marketplace for pre-owned electronics.

    Tech startup Navo raised INR 8 Cr in a seed round led by India Quotient. The funds will be deployed to enhance its platform, develop new features, and expand market reach. Navo intends to use the investment to accelerate growth, build strategic partnerships, and strengthen its product offerings to address evolving customer needs.

    Zealthix raises $1.1 Mn in seed round led by Unicorn India Ventures

    Health tech startup Zealthix raised $1.1 million in a seed funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures. The investment will be used to expand the company’s digital health services, develop new healthcare solutions, and strengthen its technology infrastructure. Zealthix aims to improve accessibility and efficiency in healthcare delivery through its platform.

    Paar Autonomy raises INR 3.5 Cr led by Venture Catalysts

    Autonomous mobility startup Paar Autonomy has raised INR 3.5 Cr in funding led by Venture Catalysts. The company plans to use the funds to develop autonomous vehicle technologies, expand its operations, and strengthen its R&D capabilities. The investment will help Paar accelerate innovation and deploy solutions for urban mobility and industrial applications.

    Distil raises $77 Mn in Series A led by Jungle and CE Ventures

    Cybersecurity startup Distil raised $77 million in a Series A funding round led by Jungle Ventures and CE Ventures. The company will use the capital to scale its AI-driven cybersecurity platform, expand globally, and enhance product development. Distil aims to provide enterprises with advanced solutions to detect and prevent digital threats efficiently.

    Blacksoil Capital raises INR 210 Cr debt in H1 2025 to expand SME lending

    Financial services firm Blacksoil Capital raised INR 210 Cr in debt during the first half of 2025 to expand its SME lending operations. The funds will support the firm’s lending programs, enable greater credit access for small and medium businesses, and enhance risk management practices. Blacksoil aims to strengthen its presence in the SME lending market across India.

    Amwoodo raises $4 Million

    Furniture startup Amwoodo raised $4 million to scale its direct-to-consumer operations, enhance its online presence, and optimize supply chain management. The funding will help the company expand product lines, improve customer experience, and strengthen its position in the growing D2C furniture market.

    Key Business News for 23rd September 2025

    NPCI to introduce EMI option on UPI to boost digital lending

    The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is set to enable consumers to convert their UPI payments into Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs). This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of digital credit, allowing users to make purchases via UPI and repay in manageable installments. Fintech companies are expected to integrate this feature, facilitating smoother credit access for consumers and small businesses. This move aligns with NPCI’s goal to increase UPI’s transaction volume and promote financial inclusion across India.

    JioBlackRock Asset Management launches JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund

    JioBlackRock Asset Management, a joint venture between Jio Financial Services and BlackRock, has introduced its first active equity fund—the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund. This fund adopts a Systematic Active Equities (SAE) approach, combining big data analytics with human expertise to invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. The New Fund Offer (NFO) is open from September 23 to October 7, 2025, and aims to provide long-term capital appreciation for investors seeking diversified equity exposure in dynamic market conditions.

    Perplexity Comet AI Browser rolls out in India for Windows and Mac users

    Perplexity has launched its AI-powered Comet browser in India, initially available to Pro subscribers on Windows and macOS platforms. Built on the Chromium engine, Comet integrates an AI assistant that offers features like summarizing web pages, managing tabs, drafting emails, and automating tasks. The browser emphasizes user privacy, with encrypted storage of credentials and local data processing. While currently accessible to a limited user base, Perplexity plans to expand availability and features in the coming weeks.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 22th September 2025
    India’s startup ecosystem on 22th September 2025 saw fresh funding rounds, new fund launches, and key corporate updates
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