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  • Sports Community Platform Hudle Raises $2.5 Million in Series A for Nationwide Expansion

    • Round led by Sky Impact Capital, joined by Physis Capital.
    • Additional investors include Atrium Venture, tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, TV presenter  and Producer Gaurav Kapur, Blue Tokai and Nitro Commerce founders
    • Launching GRIP (Game Rating Index for Players), India’s first-ever scoring & rating system for pickleball, padel and badminton in August.
    • The company has recorded 3x growth over the past 12 months and is currently averaging 1,50,000+ games per month.
    • Plans to close the current fiscal year with 3 Million Games.
    • It is India’s largest platform for emerging sports like pickleball and padel with 2,000+ courts across 60+ cities and 1,00,000+ monthly games.

    Hudle, India’s largest sports community platform has secured $2.5 million in a Series A round led by Sky Impact Capital, with participation from Physis Capital, Atrium Venture, Mahesh Bhupathi (12 Time Grand Slam winner and serial investor), Gaurav Kapur (TV presenter and Producer) and founders of Blue Tokai (Shivam Shahi) and Nitro Commerce (Umair Mohammed). This fundraise marks a pivotal moment for Hudle, propelling its mission to make fitness and recreational sports accessible to all.

    Hudle will use the funds to fast-track product innovation, including frictionless booking, match discovery and performance tracking features to improve the player experience with a specific focus on pickleball and padel, the 2 fastest growing sports in India and globally. The company is also introducing India’s first-ever rating system in August to help players track progress and connect with players of similar skill levels. Another objective is to expand its venue partner network across Tier 1/2/3 cities to meet the growing demand for community and recreational sports.

    Suhail Narain, Founder & CEO, Hudle, says, “At Hudle, we genuinely believe that playing sports should be as easy and normal as going out for coffee. That’s what drives us — making it easier for people across India to play, connect, and stay active. We’re adding over 300 pickleball courts every month; we’ve seen that people love the sport once they try it. This fundraise isn’t just about scale — it’s about doubling down on the experience, the tech, and the community. For us, it’s always been about putting sport at the centre of everyday life — and we’re just getting started.”

    Founded by Suhail Narain (Founder & CEO), Arjun Singh Verma (Co-Founder & COO), and Sonam Taneja (Co-Founder & Head, Business Development), Hudle envisions using technology to help 100 million Indians make sports a way of life by connecting players with venues, streamlining facility management, helping track performance and creating a digital ecosystem for the sports community.

    Aakash Sachdev, Founder & Managing Partner, Sky Impact Capital, says, “Hudle is rewiring India’s recreational sports economy. Its frictionless platform lets tens of thousands of sports enthusiasts discover and book courts in seconds, turning fitness into a social routine. Lifestyle diseases burden 300 million Indians each year and wellness spending already tops $98 billion, so the runway for growth is enormous. Over the last 18 months we have applied our value creation playbook to help Hudle scale. This round will fund the next wave of product innovation, player engagement and nationwide venue expansion, ensuring that—true to Hudle’s ethos—no player is left behind. We are pleased to deepen our commitment at this inflection point in Hudle’s Journey.”

    Commenting on investment, Vinay Bansal, Partner, Physis Capital, says, “While they say that you need a healthy body for a healthy mind, I think sports is the only addictive activity that is healthy for both physical and mental well being. The sports ecosystem in India is fragmented and unorganized due to which the sports participation number amongst the general population is very low. Hudle is bridging the gap through a tech-enabled full-stack sporting experience to make outdoor sports more accessible to the public, making it easier for people to discover, play, and compete in a variety of sports, bringing in a sense of community and accessibility. As we see more and more people struggling with health issues due to a sedentary lifestyle, Hudle stands at a vantage point of not only improving the sports infrastructure but also paving the way towards a more fitter and healthier India.”

    The company has reported 3.5x growth in gross transaction value and 2.5x growth in revenue over the last twelve months.

    About Hudle

    As India’s largest sports community platform, Hudle is revolutionizing how urban India engages with sports and is transforming how urban India plays. With a network of 2,000 sports venues and 1.5 Million players, Hudle enables seamless discovery, booking, and participation across popular sports like badminton, pickleball, padel, football and box cricket. Through intuitive technology and a strong community layer, Hudle is making sports more accessible, social, and habitual for millions.

    Physis Capital Raises INR 200 Crore+ to Back Bold Tech Startups
    Physis Capital, the growth-stage venture fund, has reached an important milestone in its fundraising journey. The fund has raised over INR 200+ crore to date, with the remaining capital expected to be secured over the next 6 to 9 months.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Nilkanth Equipments: Your One-Stop Destination for Premium HoReCa Industry Equipment, Cutlery & Crockery

    Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 19: Nilkanth Equipments is a ‘one-stop shop’ providing a wide range of first-class equipment, cutlery, and crockery for the HoReCa industry. Throughout the years, Nilkanth Equipments has developed itself as a leading company in the hotel supply industry. Having started with nothing in hand, with the success of the business over the years, the product range kept extending.

    The founders of Nilkanth Equipments developed this company with the best quality of work and expertise of several years in this industry. The product line is pervasive. The company specialises in a wide range of products such as equipment, crockery, glassware, cutlery & accessories. It offers a range of attractive features, including corrosion-resistant and durable finishes, as well as products that deliver optimum performance. Nilkanth Equipments’ products are widely used in various application areas, such as hotels, restaurants, Industrial & Institutional kitchens, and Fast Food Industries.

    Nilkanth Equipments specialises in offering an extensive range of both new and pre-owned kitchen equipment, cutlery, and crockery. As passionate enthusiasts of culinary excellence, the company understands the importance of having reliable, high-quality tools in the kitchen. The range of products possesses style and superior quality for those who demand the best. Today, Nilkanth Equipments has achieved a significant position in the industry through fair business ethics and transparent dealings. The service, knowledge, and in-depth understanding are reflected in the products, which radiate an impression of brilliance and exhibit hereditary skills.

    The ‘Quality Assurance’ procedures framed and executed for the entire operations facilitate meeting the set industry norms of the products. The company offers a durable range of products, which are highly appreciated for their design, accuracy, and material strength. Having established itself in the local market, Nilkanth Equipment capitalises on healthy relations with an extensive list of worldwide buyers. The company highly believes in serving the best quality products to its clients, which makes it stand out in the Hotel Supplies Industry.

    It’s not who they are, but what they do that defines them. With that belief in mind, Nilkanth Equipments believes that Quality and Service are at the core of everything that it does. Skilled workforce and a friendly working environment are ingredients which have been fuelling the growth of this company. The team at Nilkanth Equipments is always ready to accept challenges and create new opportunities, working with full responsibility & accountability to deliver dedicated and consistent results. The company is motivated and committed to continuing this trend during its future endeavours too.

  • Truecaller Q2 FY25: Net Sales Up 9%, MAUs Hit 426 Million

    Truecaller, the leading global communications platform, today announced its interim financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2025 (January-June 2025). The report highlights continued robust performance across its key revenue streams and a growing user base, with India remaining a significant contributor to this success.

    For the first half of 2025, Truecaller reported a 12 percent increase in net sales to USD 99.33 million (SEK 993.3M; 20 percent in constant currencies), in constant currencies the increase was 21%. This positive momentum was driven by growth across all revenue streams.

    Key Highlights from Truecaller’s Q2 FY2025 Report (April- June 2025)

    Comparative figures refer to April-June 2024

    • Overall net sales increased by 9 percent to USD 49.64 million (SEK 496.4M; 21 percent in constant currencies).
    • EBITDA excluding the costs of incentive programs increased by 20 percent to USD 21.16 million (SEK 211.6M), equivalent to an EBITDA margin of 42.6 percent (38.8 percent). In constant currencies, the EBITDA increase was approximately 38 percent.
    • EBITDA including the costs of incentive programs increased by 5 percent to USD 17.28 million (SEK 172.8M), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 34.8 percent (36.1 percent). In constant currencies, the EBITDA increase was approximately 24 percent.
    • Profit after tax amounted to USD 11.80 million (SEK 118.0M).
    • Net sales increased by 5 percent in India, by 23 percent in the Middle East and Africa, and by 18 percent in the rest of the world.
    • The average number of monthly active users (MAU) increased by 55.3 million to approximately 426.6 million (from 371.3 million), showcasing continued expansion of Truecaller’s global reach.
    • Total paying subscribers surpassed 3 million, with over 1 million of these subscribers now on iOS, marking important milestones for the company.

    Key Highlights from Truecaller’s H1 FY2025 Report (January-June 2025):

    Comparative figures refer to January-June 2024

    • Overall net sales increased by 12 percent to USD 99.33 million (SEK 993.3M; 20 percent in constant currencies).
    • EBITDA excluding the costs of incentive programs increased by 21 percent to USD 41.02 million (SEK 410.2M), equivalent to an EBITDA margin of 41.3 percent (38.4 percent). In constant currencies, the EBITDA increase was approximately 32 percent.
    • EBITDA including the costs of incentive programs increased by 2 percent to USD 32.18 million (SEK 321.8M), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 32.4 percent (35.8 percent). In constant currencies, the EBITDA increase was approximately 13 percent.
    • Net sales increased by 9 percent in India, by 25 percent in the Middle East and Africa, and by 18 percent in the rest of the world.
    • The average number of monthly active users (MAU) increased by 15 million, showcasing continued expansion of Truecaller’s global reach.
    • Total paying subscribers surpassed 3 million, with over 1 million of these subscribers now on iOS, marking important milestones for the company.

    About Truecaller

    Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 450 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

  • IndiaMART Q1FY26 Revenue Up 12%, Net Profit at INR 154 Crore

    • Increase in standalone revenue at Rs. 346 Crore, representing YoY growth of 10%
    • The net profit for the quarter stood at Rs. 154 Crore, representing a margin of 33%.
    • Consolidated Revenue from Operations of Rs. 372 Crore, YoY growth of 12%
    • Standalone EBITDA at Rs. 135 Crore, representing an EBITDA margin of 39%
    • Consolidated Cash generated from Operations of Rs. 161 Crore

    IndiaMART InterMESH Limited (referred to as “IndiaMART” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ending June 30, 2025.

    Consolidated Financial Highlights (Q1 FY2026)

    IndiaMART reported consolidated Revenue from Operations of Rs. 372 Crore as compared to Rs. 331 Crore in the corresponding quarter of last year, representing a growth of 12%. This includes IndiaMART Standalone Revenue of Rs. 346 Crore, representing YoY growth of 10% and Busy Infotech Revenue of Rs 25 Crore. 

    Collections from Customer grew to Rs. 430 Crore for the quarter, representing YoY growth of 17%, primarily comprising of Standalone Collections of Rs. 374 Crore representing YoY growth of 10% and Busy Infotech Collections of Rs 53 Crore.

    Deferred Revenue as on June 30, 2025 increased to Rs. 1,735 Crore representing a YoY growth of 18%. This primarily includes IndiaMART Standalone Deferred Revenue of Rs. 1,628 Crore and Busy Infotech Deferred Revenue of Rs. 101 Crore. 

    Net Profit for the quarter was Rs. 154 Crore representing margin of 33%. Cash Flow from Operations for the quarter was Rs. 161 Crore. Cash and Investments balance stood at Rs. 2,762 Crore as on June 30, 2025.

    Standalone Financial Highlights (Q1 FY2026)

    Standalone Revenue from Operations increased to Rs. 346 Crore as compared to Rs. 315 Crore last year representing a growth of 10%. The growth was primarily driven by improvement in realization from paying suppliers.

    Collections from Customer grew to Rs. 374 Crore for the quarter representing a YoY growth of 10% and Deferred Revenue as on June 30, 2025 increased to Rs. 1,628 Crore representing a YoY growth of 15%. 

    EBITDA for the quarter was at Rs. 135 Crore representing margin of 39%. Net Profit for the quarter was Rs. 166 Crore.  

    Operational Highlights (Q1 FY2026)

    IndiaMART registered Unique business enquiries of 29 million in Q1 FY26, representing a YoY growth of 17%. Supplier Storefronts grew to 8.4 million, an increase of 6% YoY and paying suppliers at the end of the quarter were 218K, representing net addition of 1.5K. 

    Commenting on the performance, Mr. Dinesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, said, “We continue to build on our growth momentum, underpinned by healthy increase in revenue, deferred revenue and cash flows. Our focus remains on strengthening the platform, enhancing user experience for both buyers and suppliers, and improving our offerings in line with the evolving needs of businesses. Backed by a robust business model and growing digital adoption, we are confident in our ability to drive sustained, long-term profitable growth while delivering greater value to all stakeholders.”

    (Figures in crores, unless otherwise stated)

    Particulars

    Standalone

    Consolidated

    Q1FY26

    Y-o-Y

    Q-o-Q

    Q1FY26

    Y-o-Y

    Q-o-Q

    Total Income

    431

    18%

    (11%)

    465

    21%

    0.1%

    Revenue from Operations

    346

    10%

    3%

    372

    12%

    5%

     

    EBITDA

    135

    15%

    1%

    134

    12%

    2%

    EBITDA Margin (%)

    39%

    36%

    Other Income

    84

    67%

    (43%)

    92

    74%

    (15%)

    Profit Before Tax

    215

    33%

    (22%)

    204

    35%

    (7%)

    Profit Before Tax Margin (%)

    50%

    44%

    Net Profit for the period 

    166

    34%

    (28%)

    154

    35%

    (15%)

    Net Profit Margin (%)

    39%

    33%

    Collections from Customer

    374

    10%

    (26%)

    430

    17%

    (21%)

    Cash flow from Operations

    144

    16%

    (47%)

    161

    18%

    (41%)

    Deferred Revenue 

    1,628

    15%

    2%

    1,735

    18%

    3%

    Cash and Investments 

    2,577

    20%

    (5%)

    2,762

    19%

    (4%)

    Paying Suppliers (In ‘000)

    218

    1%

    1%

    –

    About IndiaMART

    IndiaMART is India’s largest online B2B marketplace for business products and services. IndiaMART makes it easier to do business by connecting buyers and sellers across product categories and geographies in India through business enablement solutions. IndiaMART provides ease and convenience to the buyers by offering a wide assortment of products and a responsive seller base while offering lead generation and, lead management to its sellers.

    IndiaMART: The Success Story of a Leading B2B E-commerce Company in India | Founder | Business Model | Revenue Model | Net worth
    Indiamart is a leading B2B e-commerce company in India. Know about Indiamart’s business model, founder, revenue model, net worth, owner, competitors, logo, revenue, financials, shareholding, and more.
    StartupTalkyAnik Banerjee

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 18 July 2025: Omspace Raises $3M, Udaan Acquires ShopKirana, Reliance Buys Kelvinator & More

    Omspace raised fresh capital to build its small satellite launch vehicle, BQP secured funding to scale its quantum-powered digital twin platform, and Udaan made a strategic move by acquiring ShopKirana. Here’s your quick roundup for 18 July 2025 of the top funding deals and key business news in India.

    Daily Indian Funding Digest – 18 July 2025

    Company Stage Amount (USD) Lead Investor(s) Use of Funds
    Omspace Rocket & Exploration Pre-seed $3 million Family office, angels Prototype, R&D, manufacturing in India and UAE
    Curefit (Cult.fit) Follow-on $2 million First Luxembourg SCA Push towards EBITDA profitability by March 2026
    BQP (BosonQ Psi) Seed $5 million Monta Vista Capital + others Expand digital twin, scale quantum-native tech & R&D

    Omspace Secures $3 Million to Boost Small Satellite Launch Ambitions

    Ahmedabad-based space-tech startup Omspace Rocket & Exploration has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by a family office and a group of angel investors.

    The company is building a modular launch vehicle called Infinity One to carry payloads up to 350 kg to low Earth orbit. This funding will support finalising the prototype, R&D, manufacturing, and ground systems. Part of the expansion includes setting up infrastructure in the UAE via its entity OSRE FZC.

    Curefit Raises $2 Million, Eyes Profitability by FY26

    Health and wellness startup Curefit (Cult.fit) has secured $2 million in fresh capital from existing investor First Luxembourg SCA. (as reported by Inc42)

    The round was a follow-on and comes at a flat valuation of $1.6 billion. The company is not in immediate need of funds but will use the capital to accelerate its path to EBITDA profitability by March 2026.

    Founded in 2016, Curefit operates fitness centres and digital platforms for wellness and food.

    BQP Raises $5 Million to Scale Quantum-Accelerated Digital Twin Platform

    Deep-tech startup BQP (BosonQ Psi) has closed a $5 million seed round. The round was led by Monta Vista Capital, with participation from New York Ventures, Arc Ventures, Arka Venture Labs, Alumni Ventures, and others.

    BQP’s flagship product BQPhy® is a quantum-accelerated digital twin platform designed for high-performance simulations in aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing. The platform already provides up to 10× faster results on classical infrastructure. Quantum-native solvers in development are expected to offer up to 1,000× performance boosts.

    The funding will be used to expand into aerospace and defence sectors, build quantum-native solvers, and grow the India and US teams.

    Key News Highlights for 18 July 2025

    Reliance Retail Acquires Kelvinator

    Reliance Retail, part of Reliance Industries, has officially acquired the Kelvinator home-appliance brand from Electrolux. This strategic move enhances its footprint in the consumer durables market—especially refrigerators—and complements its existing Reliance Digital retail chain. Electrolux reported a gain of 180 million Swedish crowns ($18.5 million) from the divestment. Financial details of the deal were not publicly disclosed

    Udaan Acquires ShopKirana in All‑Stock Deal

    Unicorn startup Udaan has agreed to acquire retail-tech startup ShopKirana in an all-stock transaction aimed at bolstering its presence in the FMCG and kirana marketplace. The deal, aligning with Udaan’s planned IPO, brings 100% ownership of ShopKirana under its umbrella and introduces Info Edge as a new shareholder. Udaan recently closed a $114 million Series G round and said the acquisition would deepen its tech, supply chain and retailer-network capabilities.

    IndiQube Spaces Sets IPO Price Band at INR 225–237 Per Share

    Co-working solutions provider IndiQube Spaces has priced its upcoming IPO at INR 225-237 per share, aiming to raise approximately INR 700 crore. The offer opens from 23-25 July, with anchor bids on 22 July. The capital is earmarked for expansion and debt reduction across its 15-city footprint.

    Founders Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath are initiating up to $2.5 billion in legal claims against GLAS Trust and other parties. The move follows a US Bankruptcy Court ruling that found Raveendran in civil contempt for non-compliance, imposing a $10,000 per day fine beginning 1 July 2025. The founders are disputing jurisdiction and duplicate proceedings across US and Indian courts.

    Tata Electronics Partners Bosch for Indian Chip Ecosystem

    Tata Electronics has signed an MoU with Robert Bosch GmbH to collaborate on semiconductor chip packaging and manufacturing. This partnership targets Tata’s new facilities in Assam (assembly & test) and Gujarat (foundry), with exploration into automotive electronics under Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) .

    Amber Wings’ ATVA‑1 Drone Earns DGCA Certification

    Chennai-based Amber Wings, incubated at IIT Madras, has received DGCA type certification for its hybrid cargo drone ATVA‑1—the first of its kind in India. It is cleared for 24/7 operations, including night flights, and is expected to transform last-mile logistics. The drone, developed through six design iterations, signals a key milestone in Indian drone manufacturing.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup and Key News: 17 July 2025
    From Lo!Foods’ raising fresh funding to Airtel partnering with Perplexity AI, here’s your roundup of all the top funding deals and key business news from 17 July 2025.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Karnataka CM Slams Meta Over ‘Flawed’ Kannada Translations

    “Faulty auto translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms” has drawn harsh criticism from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This comes after Meta’s automatic translation engine mistranslated a Facebook condolence message from the chief minister’s office and pronounced Siddaramaiah deceased.

    Originally composed in Kannada to lament the passing of legendary actor B. Saroja Devi, the post was incorrectly translated into English, resulting in criticism from Siddaramaiah and a formal letter to Meta. The chief minister claimed on social media site X that inaccurate Kannada content auto-translation on Meta platforms is confusing users and misrepresenting the facts.

    This is particularly risky when it comes to official correspondence. Siddaramaiah also emphasised the need for social media companies to behave properly. Additionally, he warned the public that the translations displayed are frequently incorrect. Such carelessness on the part of tech behemoths can undermine public confidence and comprehension.

    Letter from CM’s Office to Meta India

    K V Prabhakar, the CM’s media advisor, publicly wrote to Meta after the public remark, requesting prompt remedial action. The state administration has expressed worry about the many inaccuracies and, in certain instances, egregious misleadingness of the auto-translation from Kannada to English, according to Prabhakar’s letter to the Meta India team.

    This presents a serious risk, particularly when official declarations, public communications, or crucial messages from the government and chief minister are mistranslated.

    Meta Expanding its Support to Indian Languages

    The occurrence of this incident coincides with Meta’s efforts to increase the number of Indian languages supported on its platforms and services. The platform has added Hindi and Hindi-Romanised script to its list of accessible languages for its Meta AI helper.

    Meta has also improved its ability to fact-check text in a number of Indian languages. In order to incorporate languages like Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Kashmiri, Bhojpuri, Oriya, and Nepali into its fact-checking programme, it has partnered with organisations and extended its current alliances.

    Meta’s Trouble with AI Continues

    The SuperIntelligence Lab at Meta, established to further the company’s AI goals, is at a turning point. The business is now reevaluating the same tenet that brought it recognition for transparency and innovation acceleration.

    Previously, it set itself apart from covert rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google by openly disclosing its most potent AI models. Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of Scale AI, was recently named Chief AI Officer by the business, which also announced plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in large AI supercomputing clusters called Prometheus and Hyperion.

    Sources familiar with the company’s discussions claim that these actions have successfully eliminated internal opposition to limiting model access. Chinese AI labs have jumped at the chance to assert leadership in the open-source AI space as Meta re-examines its open strategy, potentially creating a long-lasting edge in the global AI infrastructure.

  • Amber Wings Secures DGCA Nod, Set to Soar with India’s First Hybrid Cargo Drone

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has type certified Amber Wings, a sister company of Chennai-based air mobility startup The ePlane Company, for their hybrid cargo drone. Amber Wings says this makes them the first Indian firm to get their hybrid cargo drone approved.

    Companies must apply for type certificates in order to meet regulations pertaining to the safety, security, and dependability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under the Drone Rules, 2021. Amber Wing’s drone, ATVA-1, has been authorised for commercial use 24 hours a day, including at night, a privilege that has not been granted to any other cargo drone operator in India.

    The startup will now progressively launch pilots throughout India after receiving certification. Notably, the business, which was incubated at IIT Madras, has two drones authorised by the DGCA: Vihaa for agritech and ATVA-1 for logistics.

    Vihaa and ATVA-1

    The ATVA-1 is a fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone with a wingspan of 1.7 meters, while the Vihaa is an agri-drone with a 10-litre tank and a 30-acre daily spraying capability. With a tested range of more than 55 km even when fully laden, the ATVA-1 can fly up to 60 km in straight-line circumstances and carry weights of up to 2 kg.

    According to the business, 10,000 km of flight testing and six prototypes went into creating the drone. Using real-time kinematic (RTK) location, this drone can also make precise rooftop landings, which makes it ideal for densely populated Indian cities. Amber Wings hopes to leverage this element to propel its logistics strategy.

    The ePlane Company, which was founded in 2019 by Chakravarthy and Pranjal Mehta, is creating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can be used for both passenger and freight transportation inside urban areas. The ePlane Company and Amber Wings are the two primary businesses that operate under the umbrella of Ubifly Technologies, the company’s fundamental parent corporation.

    Amber Wings specialises in drones; however, The ePlane Company is the main company focused on creating manned eVTOL aircraft. Originally created as an internal brand, the latter was recently split off as a distinct organisation.

    Amber Wings Now Eyes for BVLOS and Yellow Zone Access Permission

    Following its DGCA accreditation, Amber Wings is currently pursuing two crucial regulatory clearances—yellow zone access and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) permissions—that would enable it to greatly expand its operations.

    Drones are currently prohibited from flying farther than a few kilometres from their takeoff location by BVLOS laws. The startup is creating a strong three-tier tracking system that combines satellite-based communication (satcom), LTE/4G mobile connectivity, and radio frequency (RF) communication in order to get around this. Regulators will be able to automatically monitor drone flights over vast distances once this arrangement is proven, opening up deep urban and intercity routes.

    Amber Wings is also getting ready to operate in yellow zones, which are regions surrounding cities and airports where aviation is prohibited. Amber Wings anticipates that yellow zone operations will also be authorised following the conclusion of BVLOS trials.

    It currently intends to conduct its first pilots in green zones, particularly in tier II and III cities where there are fewer restrictions on airspace.

  • Reliance Retail Powers Up with Kelvinator Acquisition

    The acquisition of Kelvinator by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), a division of Reliance Industries, represents a calculated move into India’s growing consumer durables market. Reliance Retail’s unparalleled distribution power and Kelvinator’s legacy are intended to be combined in this purchase.

    Known throughout the world for being the first to use electric refrigeration and in India for its iconic reputation since the 1970s, Kelvinator contributes more than a century of innovation to the ecosystem of Reliance Retail.

    Reliance’s objective of increasing the accessibility of cutting-edge home appliances for Indian households is in line with the brand’s reputation for dependability, performance, and affordability. Through this acquisition, Reliance may capitalise on Kelvinator’s strong customer base and expand its product line in the high-end appliance sector.

    The Acquisition Marks a Strategic Move by RRVL

    By fusing local size with global innovation, Reliance Retail seeks to democratise access to aspirational products. In India’s changing home appliance market, the combination of Reliance’s retail strength and Kelvinator’s heritage is anticipated to increase category presence and provide value for customers.

    According to RRVL Executive Director Isha M. Ambani, the acquisition strengthens the business’ objective to provide solutions that are ready for the future, backed by its extensive service and distribution network. With 19,340 locations and partnerships with more than 3 million merchants, RRVL runs a strong omnichannel platform.

    With an FY25 EBITDA of INR 25,053 crore and a consolidated turnover of INR 3,30,870 crore, RRVL is further solidifying its leadership in a variety of retail verticals. It is anticipated that the inclusion of Kelvinator will further quicken RRVL’s pace in the rapidly expanding durables industry.

    With this acquisition, Reliance will be directly competing with domestic giant Voltas, which dominates the air conditioning sector, and international brands like Samsung and LG, which now hold sizable market shares in appliances.

    In response to growing consumer demand in the industry, Reliance and Kelvinator have both laid forth plans to invest in capacity expansion, product development, and broader distribution.

    India’s Consumer Durable Market Growing Strongly

    The market for electronics and consumer durables in India is growing quickly. Industry projections indicate that the Indian Appliances and Consumer Electronics (ACE) market would almost double in size by 2025, reaching a value of about INR 1.48 lakh crore (US$17.93 billion).

    The refrigerator market in India is anticipated to increase from INR 46,732 crore in 2024 to INR 104,713 crore by 2033, while the air conditioner market is anticipated to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8% to reach US$9.8 billion by FY26.

    According to ICRA statistics, the room air conditioner market is predicted to expand by 20–25% annually in FY25, reaching 12–12.5 million units, thanks to favourable market circumstances and growing demand.

  • Lenovo Trims US Workforce by 3% as Part of Cost-Cutting Drive

    According to Lenovo, a Chinese computer manufacturer with its headquarters in Morrisville, the corporation is cutting off 3% of its American employees.

    Like other businesses, Lenovo routinely reviews its cost structure to correspond with external market conditions and make personnel modifications as needed, according to a statement released on July 16 by spokesman David Hamilton.

    At the moment, the company is strategically cutting back on certain aspects of its North American operations.

    According to Hamilton, 3% of the company’s US employees will be impacted by the layoffs. The location of the cuts would not be specified by him. The company’s US headquarters are located in Morrisville, and it has eight locations across the country.

    Triangle Office to Take a Massive Hit

    As of 2023, Wake County Economic Development estimates that the corporation employed 5,100 people in the Triangle. About 20 years ago, Lenovo shifted its operations to the Triangle. In 2005, it acquired IBM’s personal computer division and moved its US headquarters to the Triangle.

    It is one of the largest employers in the Triangle. The company’s 2024–25 fiscal year saw a 21% growth in revenue to $69.1 billion due to high demand for its PCs, smartphones, and tablets.

    According to Hamilton, the business will “keep investing and concentrating on projects that accelerate the company’s growth and overall transformation.” The business has made significant investments in R&D. The last fiscal year saw a 13% increase in R&D spending to $2.3 billion.

    More than 1,00,000 Job Cuts in Tech Sector in 2025

    In 2025 alone, the tech industry’s current wave of layoffs has resulted in over 100,000 job losses worldwide. As they prioritise AI integration and adjust to shifting market conditions, major companies like IBM, Intel, and Microsoft continue to reduce their workforces.

    Microsoft, for example, just announced 9,100 layoffs that will impact its Xbox and gaming operations, among other departments. These layoffs serve as a reminder of the continuous difficulties businesses have in the quickly changing tech sector.

    Additionally, IBM has been laying off some 8,000 workers, primarily from its human resources division. This comes after an internal shift towards automation, where jobs that were formerly handled by human staff are progressively being replaced by AI systems.

    This change demonstrates how AI is increasingly affecting employment positions and the strategic realignments that tech businesses are undergoing. AI integration is changing the nature of work and the skills needed in the tech sector.

  • KARM BABA Secures Investment from Overseas Investor, Sells 3% Equity Stake Post Valuation of $1 Million

    KARM BABA which operates as a smart B2B marketplace to bridge the gap between traditional industries and modern trade ecosystems.

    The growing venture, part of the Hari Om Group, has successfully completed a funding round with high-net-worth investors from overseas. As part of the deal, it sold 3% stake in the venture at a post money valuation of $1 million.

    KARM BABA will use the capital to scale operations, strengthen its technology infrastructure, and expand its presence across India and selected global markets.

    Commenting on this milestone, Maanav Dahuja, CEO of KARM BABA who also manages day-to-day operations, shared:

    This  investment marks an important milestone for us. We remain focused on scaling our platform, enhancing our solutions, and creating more value for our clients and partners.

    If you see, India is emerging as a fast-growing, export-driven economy with tremendous potential. Our goal is to help customers expand their international reach and unlock new value through buyer-seller matchmaking and focused marketing initiatives.

    Dahuja added:

    The funding will be directed toward tech development, team expansion, data integration, AI-powered solutions for buyers and sellers to get competitive deals & better understanding of their respective markets, and strategic partnerships to drive long-term, sustainable growth.

    With trade offices already set up in Dubai and a growing partner network abroad, the startup is now gearing up for its next phase of growth. Additional details about the investment partners and upcoming strategic initiatives will be announced as the company moves into its next phase of growth.

    Looking ahead, KARM BABA plans to hire skilled professionals across operations, technology, marketing, and creative services to further build its capabilities.

    Industry experts view this investment as a significant endorsement of founder-led platforms that innovate at the intersection of traditional sectors and digital transformation.

    About KARM BABA:

    KARM BABA is an India-based platform under the Hari Om Group, dedicated to building innovative trade and service ecosystems. KARM BABA’s business model integrates commerce, community, and technology to deliver comprehensive solutions across commodities, textiles, media, and other high-value sectors. The company focuses on sustainable growth and collaborative partnerships to help businesses thrive in India and international markets.

    Drawing on deep expertise in sales, marketing, and content creation, KARM is dedicated to building authentic and sustainable brands that resonate with today’s consumers.