Tag: #news

  • ClearTax Lays Off 25% Workforce Amid Restructuring — IIT Graduates Among Affected

    As part of a significant reorganisation, ClearTax has laid off 25% of its workforce, with new hires being among the most affected. Two months after being employed in June, the software developers were let go on August 1st, according to multiple “OpenToWork” and “LaidOff” profiles on LinkedIn.

    IIT Graduates Laid Off Within 60 Days

    Anoop Singh, a 2025 graduate of IIT Guwahati and one of the laid-off workers, posted something on LinkedIn that he “never thought he would have to.” Singh, a software engineer who started working for the company in June of this year, said that it felt “profoundly unfair”, in part because he was not given a “real chance to prove his long-term value”.

    ClearTax’s Official Response to Layoffs

    A ClearTax representative responded by stating that the company recently implemented a more extensive strategic organisational restructure that affected approximately 16% of its personnel, including a few early-career individuals.

    This was a difficult choice, and ClearTax sincerely appreciates the contributions of all those impacted. Through outreach to industry partners, the corporation also announced that it had extended improved severance payouts, maintained health insurance, and actively provided outplacement support.

    The layoffs are described in Clear’s statement as a strategic decision to “reshape teams to enhance agility and future-readiness”, but LinkedIn profiles from impacted employees show sudden departures, some within 60 days of joining the company.

    ClearTax’s Growth and Expansion

    Originally founded as ClearTax, the company changed its name to Clear in 2021 to better represent its expanded product line, which now includes corporate analytics, financial automation, and compliance solutions.

    Serving CFOs and finance teams, Clear has established itself as a growth-stage fintech company with operations in India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, France, Belgium, and other international countries.

    Concerns About Early-Career Hiring Practices

    The layoffs raise concerns about internal recalibrations notwithstanding recent expansion. The scope and suddenness of the layoffs, particularly of campus hires, have sparked conversations about hiring accountability and transparency in the tech industry, even if Clear’s letter to People Matters emphasised that the company is still “financially strong”.

    IT Graduates Living with a Nightmare

    A wider issue in India’s IT employment market is brought to light by the incident as well: the risk early-career professionals confront in the face of shifting corporate goals.

    A lot of the impacted IIT grads are currently looking for new jobs, but many are wary because of the experience. Concerns have been voiced by some in the academic and human resources communities regarding how businesses handle the welfare and expectations of new hires, especially those who are hired through stringent campus placement procedures.

    The obligation to engage empathetically and communicate clearly remains crucial when businesses reorganise to accommodate future demands, particularly when young professionals’ careers and confidence are at stake.

  • Google Genie 3 AI Builds Game Worlds from Text in Seconds — A Revolution in Game Development

    Genie 3, a revolutionary development in AI-powered world models, was recently unveiled by Google DeepMind. With just one text prompt, this latest version can instantly produce dynamic, highly complex 3D environments. It will remember where you left off this time.

    A major advancement in simulations, agent training, and generative media, Google DeepMind’s Genie 3 can sustain many minutes of continuous interaction and dynamic environmental changes.

    What Is Genie 3? Google’s Latest AI Game Environment Generator

    The most sophisticated world model developed by Google’s DeepMind so far is called Genie 3. With only a brief text prompt, it can generate entire interactive environments. This version differs from the others in that it allows you to interact constantly for a number of minutes and operates fluidly at 24 frames per second and 720p.

    Although none of these AI-generated environments are pre-rendered, users can navigate them much like they would in a video game. Rather, each frame is created dynamically dependent on the user’s actions. In almost every important parameter, Genie 3 surpasses its predecessor, Genie 2.

    According to Google DeepMind research, it now allows for continuous, coherent settings for several minutes at a time, as opposed to merely producing static scenes or brief interactive segments.

    How Genie 3 Transforms AI Game Development?

    The visual memory of Genie 3 is among its most remarkable attributes. Items and markers stay in place if you explore a created world and then go back to a location you ignored. Genie 3 maintains the continuity of your virtual area over an extended period of time, often up to a minute or longer, thanks to this emergent functionality that isn’t explicitly programmed.

    Additionally, “promptable world events” are added in Genie 3. Do you wish to alter the weather abruptly? or produce creatures in a woodland? A new text command allows you to change the scene instantly, and the virtual environment changes in real time.

    Promptable World Events: Real-Time AI Interactions

    Genie 3 has a wide range of abilities. It may create natural environments, such as flowing rivers, shifting sunshine, varying animal behaviour, and fluctuating weather. That’s not all, though. Additionally, the model draws on literature and imagination to provide creative settings and self-expressing animated characters.

    Additionally, historical and geographical simulation is a possibility. Would you like to see an old market or a Victorian city? Genie 3 allows you to make objects appear as though they were in different eras and locations without the requirement for any pre-made 3D materials.

    With only one line of instructions, you can even instruct the model to alter the weather, add new characters, or cause events like an unexpected storm.

    Using Genie 3 for Training AI Agents

    According to a paper from DeepMind, these environments allow researchers a great deal of flexibility when they are training AI agents. By placing its SIMA generalist agent in several settings and assigning it duties, such as navigating or gathering objects, based only on what it hears from other people in the world, DeepMind has already begun testing Genie 3.

    DeepMind is extremely concerned about ethics, safety, and the potential misuse of these open-ended AI tools. According to a DeepMind report, their Responsible Development & Innovation Team is running the preview in order to gather input before making it available to more people.

  • Amazon Closes Wondery Podcast Studio in Restructuring; CEO Jen Sargent Steps Down

    As part of a significant restructuring of its audio division, Amazon is closing its Wondery podcast studio and laying off some 110 employees, according to Bloomberg News. In light of industry-wide difficulties, the move represents the tech giant’s strategic shift away from its initial podcasting goals.

    As current episodes are redistributed between Amazon’s Audible platform and a new “creator services” team devoted to personality-driven content, such as the well-liked Jason and Travis Kelce podcast, Wondery CEO Jen Sargent will also leave the firm.

    Why Amazon Shut Down Wondery?

    In an internal document seen by Bloomberg, Steve Boom, vice president of audio, Twitch, and games at Amazon, stated that the podcast industry has changed dramatically in recent years.

    The definition of what it means to be a podcast developer has also become more hazy due to the popularity of video. During the podcast boom in 2020, Wondery was acquired by Amazon for about $300 million, enabling it to function independently at first with its own membership app. But when the medium changed, the business found it difficult to successfully compete with sites like YouTube and Spotify.

    What’s Next for Amazon’s Podcast Strategy?

    Boom clarified in the memo that these adjustments will not only better suit Amazon’s teams as they strive to capitalise on the strategic opportunities that lie ahead, but more importantly, they will guarantee that the company has the proper framework in place to provide creators, customers, and advertisers with the greatest possible experience. The studio’s narrative-driven content, such as the well-liked Dr Death series, will combine with Audible’s operations, and the Wondery+ subscription service will now report to Audible.

    Amazon’s Broader AI and Audio Strategy

    In order to better take advantage of sponsorship opportunities across Amazon’s wider platform, well-known talent programmes with stars like Dax Shepard will move to the new creative services team.

    Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also revealed that Amazon Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker AI will be the first to offer OpenAI’s open-weight models.

    This move would make OpenAI’s technology available to millions of AWS users, enabling the company’s clients to develop generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

    Amazon has stated in a blog post that its platforms will offer OpenAI’s two new open-weight foundation models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b.

    Tech Layoffs in 2025: A Continuing Trend

    With big companies like Google, Microsoft, and others continuing to reduce their workforces, layoffs in the tech sector are not expected to halt in 2025.

    Companies are still cutting employees in an effort to simplify operations, save money, and emphasise automation and artificial intelligence, even though these figures are much lower than the major layoffs that occurred between 2022 and 2023.

    Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks layoffs in the industry, reports that 93 organisations have laid off nearly 23,500 tech workers so far this year, and the number is still growing.

  • From Souvenir Shop to Silicon Valley Billionaire: The Rise of Shyam Sankar to $1.3 Billion

    Shyam Sankar, the internet is buzzing about this name. He is the Chief Technology Officer of Palantir Technologies, and his gripping story is sure to fuel your motivation, too. His name rose to fame after Palantir Technologies’ stock soared 500% over the last year. He played a vital role in shaping the company’s AI innovations that drove this massive growth. Interestingly, Shyam was the first business hire of the company and the 13th employee onboard. He was with the company for over two decades and counting. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Shyam Sankar’s net worth has now increased to 1.3 billion. Here’s his full story.

    Rags-to-Riches Story in Silicon Valley

    Shyam Sankar’s journey to becoming a Silicon Valley billionaire is a classic American rags-to-riches story. His father grew up in a small house in Tamil Nadu as the youngest of 11 children, with only 9 surviving childhood. Shyam Sankar was born in Mumbai. Later, they briefly moved to Nigeria and then to the US. It wasn’t easy for his family in America; they ran a souvenir shop and laundry business in Orlando, only to go bankrupt in the end.

    Throughout these hardships, Shyam Sankar only grew stronger and remained focused on his academics. He got his undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering from Cornell University and his master’s from Stanford. He interned at his father’s company between 11th and 12th grade, learning Perl and Linux. In 2006, took his father’s advice to join a start-up and entered Palantir.

    Shyam’s Contribution to Palantir’s AI Shift 2003 – 2025

    Although Palantir started in 2003 (by Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, Stephen Cohen, and Joe Lonsdale), the company’s technology only experienced a shift after Shyam Sankar. He has always been vocal about innovative changes (AI-powered) in the US military. Recently, Shyam Sankar also became part of the US Army Reserve’s Executive Innovation Corps, which brings private sector expertise into national defense efforts.

    It was in the second quarter of 2025 that Palantir’s revenue skyrocketed by 47% surpassing $1 billion. Notably, the growth was driven by powerful AI. The company’s sales in the country rose by 68% simultaneously doubling its business figures. All thanks to Shyam Sankar for his innovative ideas and leadership over the years.

    “I found myself back among the mud-walled villages of my father’s childhood. Technology, a one-way ticket out of the Third World for so many people, had instead brought me full circle – or so I thought.” 

    – Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer of Palantir Technologies (Forbes)

  • TSMC Fires Employees Over Trade Secret Leak Scandal

    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported on 5 August that it has found possible trade secret leaks as a result of “unauthorised activities”. The largest semiconductor maker in the world informed CNBC that it has initiated legal action and taken “strict” disciplinary action against the concerned staff.

    According to the corporation, TSMC has a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour that jeopardises trade secret protection or jeopardises the interests of the business.

    It went on to say that such infractions are strictly dealt with and prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law. The company will continue to be dedicated to protecting both its fundamental competitiveness and the interests of all of its employees.

    Semiconductor Espionage on the Rise Amid AI Boom

    Since semiconductors are now the mainstay of the explosion in artificial intelligence models and applications, their strategic significance has increased recently. The competitive technology advantages of large semiconductor supply chain companies like TSMC and other leaders across the board have come into sharper focus due to rising geopolitical concerns.

    Major computer companies like Apple and Nvidia are customers of Taiwan-based TSMC, which leads the market for producing the most cutting-edge processors in the world. The company stated that TSMC is unable to provide more details because the case is currently undergoing judicial review. According to the company, TSMC’s “comprehensive and robust monitoring mechanisms” allowed it to identify the problem early and conduct prompt internal investigations.

    2nm Chip Development at the Heart of the Leak?

    Numerous former TSMC employees are suspected of trying to get crucial private information on the development and production of 2-nanometre chips while they were still employed by the business, according to a report published by Nikkei Asia on 5 August, which cited numerous people with knowledge of the situation. One of the most advanced manufacturing techniques in the semiconductor industry at the moment is the creation of the 2-nanometre chip.

    History of Trade Secret Breaches in the Chip Industry

    Being the top chipmaker in the world, TSMC possesses a wealth of intellectual property. The business has claimed in the past that it had over 200,000 trade secrets stored in its internal system.

    TSMC has been the victim of possible theft on previous occasions. A former employee was charged by a Taiwanese court in 2018 with copying trade secrets pertaining to the 28-nanometre fabrication process with the intention of transferring them to a mainland Chinese semiconductor company.

    ASML, a manufacturer of the equipment needed to produce the most sophisticated chips, reported in 2023 that it had found evidence of data theft involving their unique information by a former employee in China.

  • Daily Indian Funding & Business News – 5 August 2025: Jeh Aerospace Secures $11 Million, Tata Capital IPO Filing, Capgemini to Hire 45K & More

    India’s startup and business ecosystem showed steady momentum on August 5th. Aerospace startup EON Space Labs secured $1.2 million in Pre-Series A funding to advance indigenous optical payload technology. Meanwhile, the corporate world saw significant movements, from Bluestone dialling down its IPO size to Capgemini announcing plans to hire 45,000 people in India. Here’s a crisp look at the top funding deals and key business highlights in India from August 5, 2025.

    Daily Indian Funding Digest – 5 August 2025

    Company Amount Round Lead Investor(s) Purpose of Funds
    Shortgun Games US $1.0 million Seed Angel investors Advance from vertical slice to full game development
    Fraganote US $1.0 million Pre‑Series A Rukam Capital Expand fragrance portfolio, launch retail pilots, immersive experiences
    Prozo Strategic investment Ranbir Kapoor (celebrity‑investor) Support scaling supply‑chain tech infrastructure
    EON Space Labs US $1.2 million (~₹10.5 Cr) Pre‑Series A MGF Kavachh, HHV Advanced Technologies Build EO/IR payloads, launch MIRA telescope, scale engineering team
    Tryo (Try First Pay Later) ₹3.0 crore (~US $360 K) Pre‑seed Zeropearl VC Launch operations in Bengaluru, accelerate product/tech development
    Terafac ₹6.5 crore (~US $800 K) Pre‑seed Inuka Capital, DEVC, Bharat Founders Fund Expand AI‑robotics platform and team
    GameRamp US $5.4 million Pre‑seed BITKRAFT Ventures, SPC, Mixi, DeVC Scale AI teams; launch Sentinel and Grow services
    EarlySalary (Fibe NBFC) ₹225 crore (~US $26.5 M) Debt (NCD issuance) Franklin Templeton AIF, AK Capital, SK Finance, Vivriti Alpha & others Fuel tech innovation and expand lending operations
    Jeh Aerospace US $11 million (~₹97 Cr) Series A Elevation Capital, General Catalyst Scale aerospace‑manufacturing capabilities and growth
    Polite Powertech Pre‑IPO strategic Chanakya Opportunities Fund I (SME‑AIF) Back green energy and sustainable power push

    Shortgun Games raised $1 million

    The newly launched game-development studio, co‑founded by the creators of Rogue Heist, Shortgun Games, has secured $1 million in seed funding from angel investors. This funding will enable the team to move beyond a polished demo to full-scale production. The company is also planning to raise an additional $5 million in a follow‑on round.

    Fraganote raised $1 million

    Modern Indian fragrance brand Fraganote has raised $1 million in a pre‑Series A round led by Rukam Capital. The funds will be used to expand the fragrance portfolio, introduce new product formats, and launch immersive retail pilots in key urban markets.

    Prozo received a strategic investment from Ranbir Kapoor

    Actor and entrepreneur Ranbir Kapoor has made a strategic investment in Prozo, a Gurugram-based supply-chain platform. Prozo supports over 150 brands with tech-enabled warehousing, freight, and fulfilment services. The company operates 42 warehouses across 2.2 million square feet and has a revenue run-rate of INR 250 crore. The investment aims to support the firm’s growth in scalable logistics infrastructure.

    EON Space Labs raised $1.2 million

    Hyderabad-headquartered deeptech startup EON Space Labs has raised $1.2 million (approximately INR 10.5 crore) in a pre‑Series A round led by MGF Kavachh, with HHV Advanced Technologies joining as a strategic partner. Founded in 2022 and incubated at IIT Madras, the startup builds lightweight EO/IR imaging payloads. The capital will be used to expand manufacturing, grow the engineering team, and launch its ultra-light space telescope MIRA by the end of 2025.

    Tryo raised INR 3 crore in pre-seed funding

    Bengaluru-based fashion marketplace Tryo has raised INR 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Zeropearl VC. Tryo operates on a “Try First, Pay Later” model, aiming to transform how consumers shop for apparel online. The funds will support the company’s product development, operations, and team expansion in Bengaluru.

    Terafac raised INR 6.5 crore

    AI-robotics startup Terafac, headquartered in Chandigarh, has raised INR 6.5 crore in a pre-seed round. The funding was led by Inuka Capital, with participation from DEVC and Bharat Founders Fund. Terafac’s AI-Vision platform enhances industrial robots by enabling them to self-adjust in real time. The funding will fuel product development and hiring.

    GameRamp raised $5.4 million

    GameRamp, an AI-native publishing operating system for mobile games, has secured $5.4 million in a pre‑seed round led by BITKRAFT Ventures, along with participation from South Park Commons, Mixi, and DeVC. The funds will be used to expand AI teams in Bengaluru and San Francisco and to launch its two core platforms, Sentinel, for in-game economy personalisation, and Grow, an embedded financing tool for game developers.

    Fibe.India (Formerly EarlySalary) raised INR 225 crore in debt

    The NBFC arm of digital lending platform Fibe, has raised INR 225 crore through non-convertible debentures. The round saw participation from institutional investors, including Franklin Templeton AIF, AK Capital, SK Finance, and Vivriti Alpha. The funds will be used to scale lending operations and invest in technology innovation targeted at salaried consumers.

    Jeh Aerospace raised $11 million

    Hyderabad-based aerospace-manufacturing startup Jeh Aerospace has raised $11 million (approximately INR 97 crore) in a Series A round led by Elevation Capital, with participation from General Catalyst. The startup, which builds software-defined manufacturing tools for the aerospace sector, will use the capital to expand production capabilities and fuel growth.

    Polite Powertech received a strategic investment

    Polite Powertech has received a strategic investment from Chanakya Opportunities Fund I, an SME-focused AIF under Steptrade Capital. The pre-IPO investment is aimed at supporting the company’s push in green energy and sustainable power solutions for the SME segment.


    Indian Startup Funding Updates for 2025 (Updated Weekly)
    Get weekly updates on Indian startup funding for 2025! StartupTalky is here to provide you with a clear and simple overview of the latest funding news.


    Key News Highlights for 5 August 2025

    Tata Capital files updated IPO draft papers with SEBI

    Tata Capital, the non‑banking financial services arm of Tata Sons, filed updated draft papers with India’s Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) on 4 August 2025 to launch an initial public offering (IPO). The updated Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) covers a fresh issuance of 21 crore equity shares and an offer‑for‑sale of 26.58 crore shares, including up to 23 crore shares from Tata Sons and 3.58 crore from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

    The IPO is projected to raise up to INR 2 billion (valuing the company around $11 billion), with proceeds intended for Tier‑I capital augmentation to support future lending operations. Kotak Mahindra Capital, BNP Paribas and Citigroup Global Markets are named as bookrunning managers.

    Bluestone trims IPO fresh issue size to INR 820 crore

    Bluestone Jewellery has revised the size of its upcoming IPO on 5 August 2025, reducing the fresh issue to INR 820 crore from a previously planned ₹1,000 crore. The Red Herring Prospectus also includes an offer‑for‑sale of approximately 1.39 crore shares. The anchor book portion is scheduled for 8 August, and the public subscription window runs from 11 to 13 August YourStory.com+1.

    Capgemini India to hire up to 45,000 employees in 2025

    Capgemini India announced plans to recruit between 40,000 and 45,000 employees by 2025. Around 35–40 per cent of the hires will be lateral entry professionals, aligning with its push to build an AI‑ready workforce. The initiative comes amid broader IT-sector hiring challenges and reinforces Capgemini’s commitment to innovation and digital transformation services in India.

    Google AI tool “Big Sleep” uncovers 20 vulnerabilities in open‑source software

    Google has publicly reported that its AI-based bug‑hunting tool, Big Sleep, built by DeepMind and Project Zero, has autonomously detected and validated 20 security vulnerabilities in widely used open-source software such as FFmpeg and ImageMagick. The findings were confirmed by Google’s Vice President of Security, Heather Adkins, via a post on X. Each flaw was later reviewed by human analysts before disclosure.


    Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 4 August 2025
    Mitigata raised $5.9 million in Series A, and Dhruva Space announced its first commercial satellite mission with SpaceX. Here are the key funding deals and top business news highlights in India from the day.


  • From Growth to Goodbyes: Microsoft Lays Off 40 More Employees In Washington 2025

    In 2024 or 2025, the word layoffs is still giving nightmares to employees across the world. And we are here with yet another layoff story in the headlines. On 4 August, Microsoft said its final goodbye to 40 more Washington-based employees. These are again different from the mass layoffs that happened back in May (6000 employees) and in July (9000 employees). In total, around 3160 positions were eliminated alone in Washington state (Redmond headquarters). Make no mistake, Microsoft is doing well financially this year (so far). So, why are these terminations happening now? Is it the AI, again?

    Microsoft Didn’t Stop Hiring New Employees

    Overall, 15000+ employees lost their jobs in 2025 at Microsoft. The gaming and sales departments took a major hit. But, here’s the upside (to the flip side of those layoffs). Microsoft is hiring new employees. The total global headcount of Microsoft is 228,000, the same as the previous year. Now these numbers say something; they indicate a shift in how Microsoft is working. Microsoft is cutting down on roles that the company doesn’t require and investing in roles that foster the company’s growth.

    Shift to AI At Microsoft

    The company is seeing record high layoffs while reporting strong quarterly revenues $76.4 billion, increased 18% (up 17% in constant currency).’ All thanks to AI. Microsoft heavily relies on AI; it integrates AI across all its products to ensure an enhanced user experience. Microsoft firmly believes in the notion of automation, getting work done faster, and high productivity. 

    The company reportedly invested around 88 billion over the last year and aims to invest another 30 billion by September 2025.

    Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft, said, “Cloud and AI is the driving force of business transformation across every industry and sector.”

    He further added, “We’re innovating across the tech stack to help customers adapt and grow in this new era, and this year, Azure surpassed $75 billion in revenue, up 34 percent, driven by growth across all workloads.”

    Conclusion: 

    Despite over 15000+ job cuts, Microsoft registers steady growth and is hiring new employees. The move is surely driven by hefty investment in AI, but doesn’t indicate direct replacement of humans. $76.4 billion in revenue shows a shift in its workforce and realignment rather than instability. What do you think AI is still to blame for?

  • Tryo raises INR 3 crores in pre-seed funding from Zeropearl VC to launch “Try First, Pay Later”

    Bangalore, August 5, 2025 — Tryo, a next-generation fashion shopping marketplace, has raised INR 3 crores in pre-seed funding round led by Zeropearl VC. The funding will be used to launch operations in Bangalore, accelerate product and technology development, and strengthen partnerships with leading Indian fashion brands to reimagine how consumers shop for apparel online.

    Tryo was founded in January 2025 by Meet SapariaArjav Patni & Shiva Singh, following a series of product pivots and hundreds of conversations with consumers. The idea was born from a simple but powerful insight: while most urban consumers had shifted online for groceries, food, and essentials, fashion remained a category dominated by offline behaviour. Shoppers repeatedly expressed concerns about not being able to trust online platforms when it came to fit, fabric, and how the outfit would look in real life. Most urban shoppers still prefer offline shopping because online shopping often involves guesswork—about fit, feel, and appearance. And when something doesn’t fit, it leads to the hassle of returns. However, offline shopping in metro cities isn’t easy either—long commutes, crowded malls, and packed trial rooms make it a tiring experience.

    Meet Saparia, Co-Founder of Tryo, said, “The idea for Tryo emerged when we noticed that even tech-savvy users were avoiding fashion shopping online. There was a clear trust gap around how clothes would actually feel and look. With Zeropearl VC backing us at this early stage, we now have the momentum to bring our vision to life. We want to give users the convenience of online shopping without compromising on the confidence they get from trying things on. This funding allows us to build with speed, care, and complete focus on the user experience.”

    Tryo allows users to order up to ten fashion items across styles and sizes for zero rupees, try them at home, pay for what they keep and return the rest instantly to the same delivery partner. The platform currently features curated collections from over twenty-five premium menswear and womenswear brands including Virgio, The Souled Store, The Bear House, Nishorama, and Bewakoof. The company offers both sixty-minute and scheduled delivery options.

    Tryo operates on a dark-store model with end-to-end logistics and quality control managed entirely in-house. The delivery fleet is specially trained to handle doorstep trials and on-the-spot quality checks of returned items, ensuring a seamless experience from warehouse to wardrobe.

    Bipin Shah, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeropearl VC, said, “We are excited to back Meet and the team at Tryo. It’s literally like creating a trial room at home—with zero upfront payment. Their deep understanding of fashion consumers and bold approach to convenience-led commerce stood out to us. This isn’t just about faster delivery—it’s about rethinking the entire decision-making process in fashion shopping. We believe Tryo is poised to reshape how India shops for apparel.”

    Since its inception, Tryo has completed thousands of early trial orders with high customer satisfaction and return rates significantly below industry averages. The newly raised capital will be deployed towards building scalable technology, expanding delivery operations across Bangalore, and onboarding additional brand partners.

    About Tryo

    Tryo is a “Try First, Pay Later” fashion marketplace that offers sixty-minute and scheduled delivery. Users can order up to ten items for zero rupees, try them at home, and pay only for what they keep. Returns are collected instantly by the same delivery partner. With curated fashion from premium & trendy Indian brands, Tryo brings the trial room to the customer’s doorstep, offering a new standard of convenience and confidence in online shopping.

    About Zeropearl VC

    Zeropearl VC is a newly launched pre-seed investment firm with a bold mission: to empower founders with conviction, speed, and unconditional support. Inspired by the belief that founders are at the heart of innovation, Zeropearl VC adopts a “Founder Only” investment thesis, emphasizing the unique drive and vision of entrepreneurs.

  • Cropin Bags €700K Strategic Artificial Intelligence Deal to Scale Regenerative Potato Farming in Europe

    India | August 05, 2025 – Cropin, the world’s largest deployed AI platform for food and agriculture, has secured a strategic €700,000 contract under EIT Food’s Impact Funding Framework. Cropin will deploy its AI-powered initiative, FIRST Potato – Field Intelligence for Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainability in Potato Farming, to accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices across Europe. As part of the initiative, Cropin will convene a consortium of food processors, research institutions, and sustainability leaders to accelerate the transition from conventional potato farming to regenerative agricultural practices.

     

    Cropin’s AI-powered decision support system (DSS) integrates crop-specific intelligence, real-time field data from sensors, satellite images, weather stations, IoT devices, and Cropin’s own data models, and predictive analytics to enable the seamless adoption of regenerative methods without compromising yield or quality. FIRST Potato delivers plot-specific daily advisories to growers tailored to the unique soil profile and microclimatic conditions of each farm, enabling optimized irrigation, input usage, and residue management. These hyper-local insights enable effective regenerative practices by enhancing soil health, significantly reducing the environmental footprint, and improving yields, making regenerative agriculture economically attractive and scalable.

    In order to scale adoption across Europe, the FIRST Potato deployment will scientifically validate its performance on pilot farms in Denmark and initiate the first commercial pilots with two potato processors in Germany and the UK. Cropin has partnered with Aarhus University, a globally recognized leader in sustainable agriculture research, to validate the insights and impact delivered by the platform.

    “As regenerative agriculture gains momentum, the absence of verifiable, measurable outcomes poses a real challenge to meaningful, scalable impact,” said Krishna Kumar, CEO and Founder of Cropin. “Without robust digital systems, farmers struggle to consistently uphold regenerative principles. Through AI, data intelligence, and real-time decision-support, we are bridging this critical gap, bringing precision, accountability, and scale to regenerative agriculture. With FIRST Potato, our goal is to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices that are both profitable and scientifically validated.”

    Potato processors seek to source tubers with high solid content to enhance the product quality of chips and fries, while regenerative practices support corporate sustainable sourcing requirements. These practices also improve potato solid content, but often result in reduced yields in the initial years. Cropin’s precision and predictive technology helps farmers address this challenge by optimizing inputs, improving yields, and meeting quality goals, while simultaneously restoring soil health and building climate resilience. This deployment aims to deliver collective benefits, enabling growers to enhance profitability, helping brands meet their sustainability targets, and benefiting the planet, creating a win-win for the entire agri-food ecosystem.

    With regenerative agriculture rapidly advancing across Europe and the UK, Cropin is actively engaging in strategic commercial partnerships and pilot deployments in the region. The company is in advanced discussions with several leading UK and Europe based agri-food brands and expects to close multiple regenerative agriculture pilots in the region before the end of the current financial year.

  • How Best of Exports Became the No.1 Restaurant Furniture Manufacturer in India

    New Delhi [India], August 5: Walk into any great restaurant, and you’ll notice everything feels intentional—lights, colors, music. But one thing often gets overlooked: the chair.

    We’ve heard it before. “We invested in décor and menu, but the chairs didn’t last.” Or, “Guests loved the vibe but didn’t stay long.”

    That’s where Best of Exports comes in. We didn’t aim to dominate—we just wanted to make honest, durable furniture. Chairs people enjoy, from starters to dessert.

    From small Jodhpur orders to trusted partnerships across India—we’ve grown by listening, delivering, and never compromising on comfort.

    1. Starting from a 150 sq. ft. Room

    This wasn’t one of those startup stories with angel investors and glossy websites.

    We began in a room the size of a bedroom. One small machine. No employees. Just grit and a lot of hope.

    The early days were raw. We accepted whatever work came in. Sometimes it was two chairs, sometimes just a stool. There were delays. Wrong finishes. Deliveries done on a scooter. But we didn’t stop.

    One machine became two. We hired one carpenter. Then two. We couldn’t afford to waste wood or time. Every mistake hurt. But every order taught us something.

    That small room slowly turned into a workshop. It wasn’t fancy, but it was real. The noise of cutting, the smell of polish, the satisfaction of seeing something finished — that became our rhythm.

    Today, we have a 1.15 lakh square foot factory. But we haven’t forgotten that room. It’s the reason we don’t take shortcuts. The reason we still double-check everything before it leaves.

    It’s where we learned to build furniture. And also trust.

    2. Roller Coaster Ride in the Early Years

    It wasn’t always smooth. At one point, we nearly quit. Orders were low, but costs—rent, salaries, bills—kept piling up. Survival mode kicked in. We even thought of starting a side consultancy to stay afloat.

    We said yes to everything, took on unfamiliar projects, and just kept going. Slowly, things shifted—a few early payments, one big order—and that was enough. That tough phase made us sharper, humbler, and taught us resilience.

    3. Slow Growth, Steady Vision

    We never had a five-year plan on the wall.

    What we had was consistency. We showed up daily. No shortcuts—just steady effort.

    Extra savings meant a new machine. More work meant hiring help. We weren’t chasing explosions, we were building something real.

    Clients came back—and brought others. That’s when we realised growth lives in trust.

    We refined. Created systems. Missed a few times. Learned fast.

    Some months were slow. Others chaotic. But we moved forward—always.

    And over time, people noticed.

    4. The Turning Point: Long Boat Brewery, Bangalore

    Our breakthrough came with Long Boat Brewery in Bangalore. They needed strong, stylish wooden furniture for a busy space. We took the challenge, despite never doing something like it before.

    It was tough—tight deadlines, revisions—but the outcome was worth it. Guests loved it. That one project opened Bangalore to us.

    It built trust, not through ads, but real results. Long Boat gave us confidence. Proof that we could truly deliver.

    5. Our First Architect Partner: Mr. Nilay Patalia

    It began with a friend’s call from Chennai — “Talk to this architect.” That was five years ago. We met Mr. Nilay Patalia with no expectations, just a simple chat. But something clicked.

    Our first project was small, but the connection was real. One project led to many. Today, he’s more than a client — he’s a creative partner. Now, we’re building one of India’s largest breweries together. All from one referral.

    6.  What Restaurant Owners Actually Want

    Looks matter. But after years in this industry, we learned restaurant owners want more—they want peace of mind.

    Chairs that last. Finishes that don’t peel. Real timelines, clear updates, and someone who answers the phone post-delivery.

    So we focused on the details: stronger joints, better polish, clean welds, quality checks. It worked. Fewer delays, better feedback. Clients now say, “This was the one part we didn’t have to worry about.

    7. The Facility: Built for Scale, Backed by People

    People are often surprised when they visit our factory.

    It’s big—1.15 lakh square feet. Machines humming. Wood stacked. Workstations in line. But what truly matters is the people inside.

    Over 90 team members—carpenters, welders, polishers, packers. Some old hands, some new energy.

    We train not just in tools, but in care.

    Yes, we’ve upgraded—CNCs, spray booths, better logistics.

    Still, every piece gets a human touch.

    From 20-seater cafés to 500-table breweries, our attention stays the same.

    8. Why Architects and Designers Recommend BOE

    We love working with architects—not for the scale, but for the thought behind every detail. They know what they want and value collaboration. We listen, adapt, and iterate to match their vision, even when it’s unconventional.

    Our flexible factory and skilled team bring custom ideas to life. We understand their pressures and aim to make one part of their job easier.

    That’s why designers trust us—not for perfection, but reliability.

    9. From Local Maker to National Leader

    We never set out to be a national name—just to make great furniture and treat people right. One project led to another, one city at a time.

    No flashy ads, just honest work, clear communication, and lasting relationships.

    Today, we serve clients across India, but at heart, we’re still the same team with the same values.

    10. Our Products in Restaurant Furniture

     At Best of Exports, we don’t just make furniture — we craft complete dining experiences.Over time, our range has grown to meet the unique needs of every restaurant, from quaint cafés to grand fine-dining venues.Here’s a quick look at what we offer:

    1. Restaurant Chairs: From timeless wood to sleek metal designs, our chairs balance comfort and style. Choose from upholstered, cane-back, or custom options.
    2. Restaurant Tables: Built for beauty and endurance, our tables suit everything from small two-tops to large banquet setups.
    3. Restaurant Booths: Custom booths designed for comfort and privacy, using materials like fabric, leatherette, or bespoke finishes.
    4. Restaurant Sofas: Perfect for lounge-style dining, our sofas combine luxury and lasting durability.
    5. Outdoor Restaurant Furniture: Weather-resistant and elegant — explore stackable chairs, patio sets, and foldable tables built to perform outdoors year-round.

    Conclusion – Built to Last, Trusted Nationwide

    From humble beginnings in a small Jodhpur room to becoming India’s No.1 restaurant furniture manufacturer, Best of Exports has always prioritized quality, trust, and relationships. Every chair, table, or booth we create carries our commitment to craftsmanship and comfort. We’re not just furnishing spaces — we’re helping restaurants build unforgettable experiences. And this is just the beginning. Let’s design something great, together.