Elon Musk’s Starlink has joined forces with India’s leading telecom companies, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, to bring satellite internet services to the country. These partnerships aim to enhance internet access, especially in remote and underserved regions.
Reliance Jio’s Collaboration with Starlink
Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, announced its agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink on March 12, 2025. This partnership plans to distribute Starlink’s satellite internet equipment through Jio’s extensive retail network across India. The collaboration looks to integrate Starlink’s satellite technology with Jio’s existing broadband services with the aim of providing reliable high-speed internet across India, including in the most remote areas.
Bharti Airtel’s Agreement with Starlink
A day earlier, on March 11, 2025, Bharti Airtel, led by Sunil Bharti Mittal and India’s second-largest telecom operator signed a similar deal with Starlink. This agreement aims to explore the integration of satellite internet services into Airtel’s offerings. The collaboration focuses on enhancing connectivity for businesses, schools, healthcare centres, and rural communities. By combining Airtel’s ground infrastructure with Starlink’s satellite capabilities, the partnership seeks to bridge the digital divide in India’s underserved regions.
Regulatory Approvals and Market Potential
Both deals need approval from the Indian government. Starlink has been waiting for a license since 2022, mainly due to security concerns. The government prefers assigning spectrum instead of auctioning it, which matches Starlink’s view. These partnerships may help speed up Starlink’s approval in India.
India presents a vast market for Internet services, with 40% of the population still lacking Internet access. The introduction of satellite-based internet aims to bridge this gap, providing connectivity in areas where traditional broadband services are challenging to deploy.
Implications for the Indian Telecom Industry
These partnerships mark a significant shift in India’s telecom industry. Despite previous disagreements over spectrum allocation methods, the collaborations indicate a unified effort to enhance connectivity across the country. Analysts view these tie-ups as beneficial for all parties, easing Starlink’s entry without clashing with local leaders. The deals coincide with broader political and economic cooperation between India and the US.
Future Prospects
The successful implementation of these partnerships could make the way for other ventures by Elon Musk, including Tesla, to establish a presence in India. They may also help address security concerns near sensitive borders by ensuring reliable communication. While pricing remains a challenge in a market with cheap mobile data, the impact on India’s digital growth could be huge.
In conclusion, the agreements between Starlink and India’s telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, represent a strategic move to enhance internet connectivity across the country. By utilising satellite technology, these partnerships aim to bridge the digital divide, bringing high-speed internet to millions, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
Over 1,100 employees will be let go by JioStar as the newly established joint venture between Viacom18 of Reliance Industries Ltd. and the India division of The Walt Disney Co. eliminates overlapping responsibilities as a result of the merger. According to media reports, the departures began a month ago and are not going to stop anytime soon. “The layoffs are scheduled to last until June. Corporate positions in the distribution, finance, commercial, and legal departments are the main targets of the job layoffs. Entry-level workers, senior managers, senior directors, and even assistant vice presidents are among those being laid off. Due to the Champions Trophy, Women’s Premier League (WPL), and Indian Premier League (IPL) being held back-to-back, sports have not changed as of yet. There have been notable layoffs at a number of regional entertainment channels, such as Colours Bangla and Colours Kannada.
Reason for Layoffs
The largest media firm in India was formed by the merging of Viacom18 and Disney’s Star India. JioStar is combining companies to increase efficiency and concentrate on high-growth verticals, including digital streaming and sports. Redundancies are unavoidable whenever two sizable enterprises with comparable operations combine, according to experts and industry observers. In order to make sure the JV functions as a leaner and more effective organisation, this restructure aims to maximise resources and minimise duplication. according to a media report, the CEO of a competing company reported that he was getting resumes from JioStar workers who were prepared to relocate and had yearly compensation packages exceeding INR 1 crore.
Providing a Helping Hand to Employees
According to a media report, JioStar is providing the impacted staff with a “generous severance” compensation. Depending on the number of years served, the payment structure guarantees six to twelve months of wages. In addition to the notice period, which varies from one to three months, the impacted employees receive one month’s full wage for each year they have worked for the company. In contrast, people with longer tenure may earn up to 15 months of compensation, while those with less than six years of service will still receive at least seven months of full salary and benefits, including the notice period. A pro rata payout will be given to employees who have not yet reached the required five-year tenure for gratuity eligibility. Some impacted workers might be offered positions in Jio or the larger Reliance ecosystem, especially those in the IT and digital services sectors.
With a post-money valuation of INR 70,352 crore, JioStar wants to compete with streaming behemoths like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video while bolstering its traditional television lineup. Disney owns 36.84% of the business, while Reliance Industries controls the balance through Viacom18 and direct ownership. The new organisation’s chairperson is Nita M. Ambani, while its vice-chairperson is Uday Shankar.
Jio Platforms Limited and Confluent, a data streaming business based in California, have teamed together to promote the growth of real-time and GenAI use cases in India. Jio Cloud Services will offer Confluent Cloud as part of the deal, enabling companies in India to begin using data streaming without any problems. As data streaming is essential to enabling real-time analytics and GenAI developments, this partnership is expected to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure, an official statement said. Data streaming is essential for companies to keep ahead of consumer trends, including advances in artificial intelligence, as Confluent is poised for rapid transformation in India, according to Kiran Thomas, president and CEO of Jio Platforms Limited.
How the Collaboration will Operate?
Confluent will handle all of the essential components of streaming services on Jio Cloud Services, including connecting, processing, controlling, and streaming data. Offering enterprise-grade security and governance to safely handle massive amounts of data, Confluent Platform will be made available as a managed service to Indian consumers and businesses, including the public sector.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged international cooperation to create governance and standards that preserve common values at the first AI Action Summit, which was held in Paris. Given its diversity, India is creating its own large language model (LLM).
We are creating AI apps for the general public’s benefit. The PM asserted, “We have the largest pool of AI talent in the world.” Ashwini Vaishnaw, the union minister, recently announced that India intends to develop its own fundamental AI model over the next ten months, revealing the country’s attempt to create its own LLM.
Government Offering a Massive Support to Develop AI
Vaishnaw added that in the coming days, the government will provide entities nationwide with 18,000 top-notch GPU-based computing facilities for AI development, allowing the creation of the AI model. While the nation’s leader emphasised the advantages AI can offer humanity, the Indian Economic Survey 2024–25 emphasised the enormous threat AI poses to the nation’s labour market in terms of employment disruption. According to the Economic Survey, which cited studies from the International Monetary Fund, the International Labour Organisation, Goldman Sachs, and other organisations, AI-led automation may present difficulties for the Indian labour market and economy.
About Confluent
The data streaming platform Confluent is leading the way in a radically new class of data infrastructure that moves data. The core platform for data in motion is Confluent’s cloud-native solution, which is intended to act as the intelligent connective tissue that allows real-time data from many sources to continuously flow throughout the company. Confluent helps businesses achieve the new business imperative of moving to complex, real-time, software-driven backend operations while providing rich, digital front-end customer experiences.
According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), 19 service providers have put in bids to supply cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) computing services under the INR 10,738 Cr IndiaAI Mission. Cloud service providers, managed service providers, micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), and data centre service providers—including Jio Platforms, Tata Communications, Sify Digital Services, Yotta, and CMS Computers India—were among the organisations that took part in the bidding round.
The other bidders were Vensysco Technologies, CloudThat Technologies, Cyfuture India, I2k2 Networks, Ishan Infotech, Orient Technologies Limited, NxtGen Datacenter and Cloud Technologies, Path Infotech, Shezar Web Technologies, and Unicloud Labs.
Selected Companies will be Empanelled as Agencies
The chosen businesses will be appointed as agencies to offer AI computing services to academics, researchers, startups, and students. In collaboration with commercial entities, the Centre intends to construct infrastructure of 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) under the IndiaAI compute pillar. According to a statement from MeitY, 50 service providers attended the pre-bid conference in August 2024. The bids were then opened on December 2, and the deadline for submitting proposals was set on November 28.
Based on the eligibility and technical requirements outlined in the request for empanelment (RFE) document, a technical evaluation committee will now assess the bids that have been received. The qualified bidders will next be instructed to address the panel with their suggested solutions. The “technically qualified bidders” won’t be permitted to enter the commercial bids until after that. Additionally, the ministry stated that the empanelment will last for 36 months. However, it stated that if both parties agree, there will be a chance to extend the deadline by another 12 months.
IndiaAI Mission Focuses on Seven Areas
Earlier this year, the federal cabinet authorised the INR 10,738 Cr IndiaAI Mission. Computing, fundamental models, datasets, applications, skill development, startups, and safe AI are its seven main areas of interest. Its goal is to use a public-private partnership (PPP) model to support the domestic GenAI ecosystem.
MeitY secretary S. Krishnan stated in May of this year that when it comes to additional GPU power authorised under the Mission, indigenous enterprises will be given preference. Krishnan had stated at the time that the first set of use cases for AI compute power should be available to researchers and entrepreneurs over the next 18 to 24 months, by the end of the fiscal year 2024–2025 (FY25). Later in September, Krishnan added that after the current 10,000 GPU objective is met, the government may consider using viability gap funding (VGF) to build more “compute capacity.”
When it comes to the Indian business arena, one simply cannot ignore Mr. Mukesh Ambani—the owner of Reliance Industries, and the wealthiest businessman in India. He has footprints in some of the most important sectors of the Indian economy such as refining, oil & gas, petrochemicals, telecom, retail, and media. Reliance’s oil refining business has been its crown jewel to date.
In September 2016, Mukesh Ambani officially launched his telecommunication venture called Jio (Joint Implementation Opportunities) and set an example by turning Jio into the largest mobile network in India and the third-largest mobile network operator in the world with over 477.94 million subscribers as of November 2024. Witnessing the growth in revenues, profits, and market share in the above-mentioned sectors, Mukesh Ambani is now all set to try his hand at e-commerce through his new venture called JioMart. So what exactly is JioMart all about?
JioMart is an online grocery store that provides 50,000+ grocery products at discounted rates at your doorstep through an express delivery system. Itfollows an on-demand model. The company will avoid the system of warehousing and partner with local retailers instead. These retailers will source the grocery products and deliver them to the customers.
JioMart began functioning in January 2020 and is available in over 200 cities and towns across India, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Trivandrum.
JioMart’s app is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple Store.
JioMart will operate on the online-to-offline business model; it will connect with local retailers and deliver goods to customers by procuring them from the nearest store located in the customer’s vicinity. This model is unlike the warehouse model used by Grofers and Amazon Now.
The company wants to correct the unorganized retail sector and help local shopkeepers whose businesses were adversely affected due to competitive pricing and warehousing strategies of online retail stores. In addition to increased sales and margins, these shopkeepers will be equipped with point-of-sale (PoS) terminals, integrated billing applications, and GST compliance. It will also upskill them in inventory management and supply chain management.
RIL wants to establish its new venture, termed ‘Desh Ki Nayi Dukaan’, in this manner.
JioMart claims to offer the following consumer-friendly services:
Free home delivery: It will give you the benefit of delivery of commodities at your doorstep by procuring it from the nearby store, and that too free of cost, which your ‘Kirane wala bhaiya’ may not.
No minimum value: Generally, e-commerce sites set up a minimum value of a purchase to validate free delivery. For example, Grofers has a policy of free delivery on a minimum purchase of INR 500. JioMart will not expect a ‘minimum payment’ and abstain from delivery charges, even for the smallest of items ordered.
Express delivery: Express delivery means quicker delivery than ordinary services. In the e-commerce segment, it is generally within 24 hours.
No questions asked return policy: When you wish to return the goods that you ordered online, you are almost always bombarded with unnecessary questions. And most of the time, they cannot avoided. JioMart will save you this hassle.
Early bird discount of INR 3000: The platform has come up with a promotional strategy of pre-registration wherein people can save up to Rs 3000 on future shopping. Reliance Jio has started sending invites to its existing telecom service users in selected areas.
AI-Powered Inventory Management: JioMart leverages artificial intelligence to monitor inventory in real-time, ensuring better product availability and faster deliveries, eliminating the hassle of out-of-stock items.
Hyperlocal Approach: JioMart expanded beyond major cities by partnering with local kirana shops, reaching the core of India to ensure quick deliveries, no matter the location.
JioMart wasn’t an overnight expedition of Mukesh Ambani but a well-assessed move with the sole motive of capturing the highly sought-after e-commerce segment.
Mukesh Ambani already has a formidable customer base in the retail sector with Reliance Fresh which functions successfully on the brick-and-mortar model. JioMart owner Mukesh Ambani’s plan to set up an e-commerce platform goes back to 2019. His ambitious project emulates his desire to compete with global e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart.
Reliance acquires Grab A Grub and C-Square
Acquisition of Grab A Grub: Grab A Grub is an Indian logistics startup founded in 2013. In March 2019, Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited (RIIHL) acquired it for $14.9 million to support the logistics of Jio Mart founder Mukesh Ambani’s ‘planned e-commerce venture’. Grab was chosen because it worked successfully with some mega-brands such as McDonald’s, BigBasket, Myntra, Amazon Now, and Swiggy.
Acquisition of C-Square: C-Square Info Solutions Private Limited, founded in 2002, provides software solutions for verticals like e-commerce, salesforce, retail, etc. It was acquired by RIIHL in March 2019 for $11.56 million. A strategic move by RIL, it was aimed to strengthen JioMart.
JioMart – Business Model and Revenue Model
RIL is offering local merchants an O2O (online-to-offline) marketplace through JioMart. This business model was pioneered by the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Under the O2O model, a consumer searches for the product or service online but buys it through an offline channel.
JioMart, Reliance Retail’s e-commerce platform, has tripled its number of sellers compared to 2023, as shared in its December 2024 quarter results. While groceries remain its main focus, JioMart is now working to increase its share of non-grocery items.
It connects with local retailers and delivers goods to the customers by procuring them from the nearest store located in the customer’s locality. The customer will use his or her official WhatsApp number to place the order. Post confirmation, the user will receive the bill which is to be paid in cash. When the store is ready with the order, the customer will receive a notification to pick up the order from the store.
A retailer can register with JioMart to become a seller. After registering with JioMart, retailers will receive the required support for the smooth delivery of goods to customers.
Registered grocery store owners will be able to list their inventories, take orders, create offers, and manage online sales using the app. JioMart will ensure that the sellers associated with its platform get a smooth selling experience.
How JioMart Consumers and Retailers Benefitted from the Jio-Facebook Deal
The Jio-Facebook deal, wherein Facebook invested INR 43,574 crore ($5.7 billion) in Jio platforms, made lives easier for the consumers and retailers associated with JioMart. As part of this deal, WhatsApp – Facebook’s popular messaging platform collaborated with JioMart. Owing to this collaboration, JioMart users can place their order through WhatsApp and Facebook while payments can be made using the ‘WhatsApp Pay’ feature.
JioMart services have been made available on WhatsApp from 25 April 2020 in Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan. JioMart is currently operating in these three cities only. However, the only mode of payment currently available is cash.
“In the very near future, JioMart – Jio’s digital new commerce platform, and Whatsapp – will empower nearly 3 crore small Indian Kirana shops to digitally transact with every customer in their neighbourhood”- Mukesh Ambani said, CEO, Jio Mart.
Grocery delivery startups like Blinkit (formerly Grofers), Big Basket, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart have seen remarkable success in recent years, driven by significant funding and rapid revenue growth. Recognizing the market’s potential, major e-commerce players like Amazon have also entered the grocery and essentials delivery space.
With the entry of the biggest player in the Indian market, a serious threat looms over existing grocery delivery ventures. Besides being a popular brand name, JioMart has some features that lend it an upper hand over its competitors.
The company plans to deliver orders in 30 minutes as quick commerce grows popular.
Next month in December 2024, it will start 30-minute delivery in the top eight metros and later expand to 20-30 cities in phase one. Eventually, it will cover the rest of the country.
Deliveries will be managed through its 3,500+ stores. However, JioMart won’t open dark stores or compete in the 10-20 minute delivery race.
Conclusion
When Jio entered the telecom segment, it stirred a revolution and turned the tables. Big shots like Airtel and Vodafone who dominated for years were sent tumbling. A potential revolution is on the cards again because of Reliance’s JioMart. JioMart’s business model showcases its ambition to dominate India’s e-commerce space by expanding Reliance’s vast retail network, focusing on groceries, and steadily focusing on quick commerce, making it a key player in the digital commerce ecosystem.
FAQs
What is JioMart?
JioMart is Reliance Retail’s e-commerce platform offering groceries, essentials, and other products online.
What is JioMart’s business model?
RIL is offering local merchants an O2O (online-to-offline) marketplace through JioMart. This business model was pioneered by the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Under the O2O model, a consumer searches for the product or service online but buys it through an offline channel.
Who is JioMart founder?
Mukesh Ambani is the owner of JioMart.
Does JioMart charge for delivery?
JioMart charges a delivery fee for orders under INR 250, but not for orders over INR 250 or new customers’ first three orders.
When was JioMart launched in India?
Jiomart was initially soft-launched in 2019. It was fully launched in May 2020 in 200 cities in India.
Price sensitivity seems to be higher among Indian consumers than private telecom corporations had anticipated. Following the announcement of rate increases in July, Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone have continued to lose customers. With the addition of new subscribers for the second consecutive month, state-owned BSNL, which had not hiked its tariffs, seems to be benefiting at their expense. A number of years of price battles came to an end in July when India’s telecom companies jointly announced price hikes.
With 79.7 lakh members lost in September, Jio experienced the most subscriber loss. In the meantime, Vodafone Idea lost 15.5 lakh customers, and Airtel lost 14.3 lakh. The customer base of state-owned BSNL increased by 8.5 lakh, in contrast.
BSNL Growing its Subscribers’ Network
These tendencies are consistent with August’s events. Airtel lost 24 lakh customers, Vodafone Idea lost 18 lakh customers, and Reliance Jio lost 40.1 lakh customers in August. During that time, BSNL added 25 lakh new customers. 2.5 lakh consumers were said to have switched from other providers to BSNL in July.
In September, 1.33 crore applications for mobile number portability (MNP) were submitted, representing a spike in demand. In the wake of increasing tariffs, the surge highlights growing customer unhappiness and shifting loyalties.
These actions come after Indian telecom firms announced pricing increases in June of this year, the first such action in about 30 months. Whereas Airtel had raised pricing by 10–21%, Jio had raised prices by 12–25% for its plans. VI’s various plans now have pricing that has increased by 11–24%. As a result, the most affordable 28-day monthly package with phone and data perks started at INR 189 for Jio and INR 199 for Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. For just INR 108, state-owned BSNL was providing a plan with comparable benefits.
BSNL’s New Initiatives to Attract More Subscribers
BSNL has been searching for ways to leverage its price advantage since that time. Direct-to-device services, automated SIM kiosks, and spam blockers are some of the new initiatives that BSNL has introduced. Positive social media buzz has also been generated about it; a video of BSNL staff members revealing a SIM in a dilapidated government building has been contrasted favourably to the flashy debuts of private telecom firms. The advantages of having a state-run telecom operator are becoming clear in the era of privatisation; even if their service isn’t the best, it gives customers an alternative in the event that private companies decide to band together and raise prices at the same time.
MD and Chairman of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani is India’s very own desi Richie Rich. With a staggering net worth of $119.5 billion, the Indian billionaire is not only the richest man in Asia and 9th richest in the world but is also 1st on the Forbes List of India’s 100 Richest Men.
In this StartupTalky story, we’ll dive into the success story of Mukesh Ambani, his early life, childhood, personal life, education, philanthropy, Reliance Industries, achievements, and more.
Mukesh Ambani: Biography
Name
Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani
Born
19th April, 1957
Nationality
Indian
Profession
Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries
Education
St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai Institute of Chemical Technology (B.E.)
Born to Dhirubhai and Kokilaben Ambani on the 19th of April, 1957 in the British Crown colony of Aden, Mukesh Dhuribhai Ambani has three siblings- Anil Ambani, Nina Bhadrashyam Kothari, and Dipti Dattaraj Salgaonkar.
Dhirubhai Ambani owned a spices and textiles business called “Vimal” which was rebranded as “Only Vimal” later and soon moved to India to begin trading while the Ambani family stayed in Yemen.
Born from simple beginnings, the Ambani family resided in a simple two-bedroom flat in Mumbai until the 1970s and continued to live in a Chawl communal society and use public transport even after their economic condition improved with time. It was much later that Dhirubhai Ambani bought the 14-storey apartment complex “Sea Wind” in Colaba where the families started living on independent floors.
Mukesh Ambani completed his schooling at Hill Grange High School along with his brother and friend Anand Jain. He completed his graduation from St. Xavier’s College and went ahead to pursue his B.E. in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology.
The gifted student had also enrolled for his MBA from Stanford University but dropped out in 1980 to aid his father in setting up their fast-growing enterprise- the iconic Reliance. His belief in learning from real-life situations and not in classrooms- a proven ideology has made Mukeshbhai Ambani the business tycoon he is today.
As a man of the soil, he also invited his son to take over the yarn manufacturing plant and learn from life experiences rather than pursue theoretical degrees.
Mukesh Ambani: Home & Family
Mukesh Ambani Family
Married in 1985 to Nita Ambani, Mukesh is a father to three children; the twins Akash and Isha and son Anant Ambani, Mukesh Ambani fulfilled the role of being a devoted son by agreeing to an arranged match that was arranged by his father who had spotted Nita at a dance performance.
Despite living in the 27-storeyed prestigious Antilia and being surrounded by 600 staff members, 3 helipads, a fitness center, a private movie theatre, and a 160-car garage, and becoming India’s first private aircraft owner with his Boeing 575 Max 9 for INR 1000 crore, Mukesh Ambani remains a simple down-to-earth tea-totaller and strict vegetarian.
Mukesh Ambani: Family Feuds
Mukesh Ambani gained joint leadership of Reliance Industries in 2002 with his brother, Anil Ambani after Dhirubhai Ambani passed. Unfortunately, the brothers were unable to see eye to eye and soon Kokilaben Ambani was prompted to split the assets between the brothers. Mukesh Ambani got control of the oil, gas, and petrochemicals sectors while Anil Ambani was given power generation, telecommunications, and financial services.
Mukesh Ambani is credited for setting up one of the biggest petroleum refineries at Jamnagar, Gujarat in 1999. He also spearheaded the setting up of multiple state-of-the-art manufacturing plants to increase RIL’s capacity.
Once again in 2008, he established another refinery near the first one. In 2006, he led the establishment of Reliance Retail – the largest chain of physical and online stores. As of 2023, Reliance Retail had a customer base of 249 million in India.
Mukesh Ambani: A Doyen of Business
Taking RIL to a New Height
Credited with setting up one of the biggest petroleum refineries at Jamnagar, Gujarat in 1999, Mukesh Ambani also led the charge to set up multiple innovative manufacturing plants across the country to drive RIL’s growth and established a second refinery near the first one in 2008. The feather in his cap was instituting the largest chain of online and physical stores leading to a customer base of 249 million clients in India by 2023.
The Man With The Golden Touch
The acquisition of the Mumbai Indians in 2008 brought the Ambani family into the limelight as it was the only IPL team to gain brand value during the pandemic.
Mukesh Ambani also founded Jio Platforms in 2010 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RIL in the fields of telecommunications and eCommerce after signing the non-competition agreement signed in 2006.
February 2024 led to India’s largest media joint venture when Mukesh Ambani’s RIL came together with Viacom18 and Disney to be valued at $8.5 million and reached more than 750 million viewers with exclusive rights to distribute Disney in India.
Mukesh Ambani: Building A Nation
As a believer that the country’s national policies drive economic growth and development, Mukesh Ambani supports the government’s programs that boost digital infrastructure and renewable energy- tenets that have a strong base in Reliance Industries’ strategic investments in Jio and even commended Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives to make India the third largest global economy at the Reliance Group AGM in 2024.
As an innovative businessman, Mukesh Ambani has always backed India in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and life sciences that further the nation’s opportunities in the Global South while striving to eliminate developmental disparity.
RIL’s business strategies and company policies aim to increase India’s energy security, environmentally friendly projects, and economic power through positive reinforcement and impactful changes. Despite avoiding political ties, Mukesh Ambani has constantly enabled development in India’s industrial and infrastructural sectors which support the long-term vision and goals of the current government.
Some of the best achievements and recognitions of Mukesh Ambani are:
Year
Award Name
Organization
2000
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Ernst & Young India
2010
Global Vision Award
Asia Society
2010
School of Engineering and Applied Science Dean’s Medal
University of Pennsylvania
2010
5th best performing global CEO
Harvard Business Review
2010
Global Leadership Award
Business Council for International Understanding
2016
Foreign associate, US national academy of Engineering
National Academy of Engineering
2016
Othmer Gold Medal
Chemical Heritage Foundation
2019
Padma Vibhushan
Indian Government
2024
Lifetime Achievement Award
Voice & Data
2024
Brand Guardianship Index
Brand Finance
Mukesh Ambani: Trouble in Paradise
When RIL went public in 2006 as a subsidiary of Reliance at Rs. 60 per share, the stock market crash of 2007 saw their share prices float to Rs. 100 per share and then come back to Rs. 60. A fine that cost RIL Rs. 950 crores for manipulation of shares of RPL as SEBI believed that RIL carried out organized operations with their agents to help gain unauthorized profits from trading its listed unit, RPL, that was combined with the former.
Mukesh Ambani: Philanthropy
Reliance Foundation Initiatives: The Reliance Foundation was set up in 2010. This foundation is predominantly working in the areas of health, education, rural development, and sports. It has benefited millions of Indians through these programs.
Healthcare: Providing free health services and specialized medical care through hospitals and mobile clinics. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai is a good example.
Education: Scholarships to postgraduate and undergraduate students and initiatives that promote youth in digital and green innovation.
Rural Development: Projects include water conservation, agricultural support, and livelihood improvements in rural villages.
Sports Development: Sponsorship and coaching of Indian sportspersons, involving support for participants in Asian Games and making an effort to get the game of cricket featured at international events.
Disaster Relief: Donations to disaster-stricken regions, including aid to the families of those who were martyred and relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sustainability and SDGs: Partnership with the United Nations toward addressing Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on leadership for the country, especially concerning India’s influence toward betterment worldwide.
Cultural Conservation: Grants to the domain of art, culture, and education, promoting Pichavai art and Olympic values in India.
I am a big believer that whatever has gone lies in the past. You should only learn from it, and you should only look at the present and the future. That’s been my father’s philosophy and mine as well.
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At Reliance, we have always believed in investing in the businesses of the future and in investing in talent.
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I have always believed that technology drives human civilization’s endeavour and progress.
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My obsession is with technology and how it can improve human life. In my view, what we have seen in the last 300 years is only a trailer.
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I am personally a big believer that technology is the biggest driver of human development, and if you can use technology to benefit people, then that’s the best business you can have.
FAQs
Who is Mukesh Ambani?
Mukesh Ambani is an Indian billionaire and the chairman of Reliance Industries, one of the largest conglomerates in India. He is involved in various industries, including petrochemicals, refining, oil, telecommunications, and retail. Mukesh Ambani is one of the richest people in the world.
Who is Mukesh Ambani wife?
Mukesh Ambani is married to Nita Ambani.
What is the net worth of Mukesh Ambani?
The net worth of Mukesh Ambani as of November 2024 is $119.5 billion.
How Dhirubhai Ambani became rich?
Dhirubhai Ambani became rich by starting Reliance Industries in 1966, focusing on textiles, and later expanding into petrochemicals, oil, and telecom. He used innovative strategies like raising capital through public offerings and vertical integration to grow his business rapidly, making him one of India’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
Who is Mukesh Ambani right hand man?
Manoj Modi, often called Mukesh Ambani’s “right hand,” plays a key role in making important decisions for Reliance Industries and its subsidiaries. His daughter is also actively involved in the company and works closely with Isha Ambani.
According to various media reports, BlackRock Inc., the largest asset manager in the world, is in talks to establish a private credit venture with billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Financial Services Ltd., with the goal of taking advantage of the growing direct lending opportunities in India.
This 50-50 joint venture will provide loans to startups as well as established enterprises. Should the parties choose to move forward, this will mark the third endeavour between the New York-based company and the firm owned by the wealthiest Asian, following their partnership to launch asset management and stock broking operations in the nation.
India is the Centre Spot for Private Credit in Asia
Due to the rising financial requirements of local businesses, international organisations such as Apollo Global Management, Cerberus Capital Management LP, and Varde Partners have increased their operations in India, which has been a bright area for private finance in Asia. According to an EY evaluation, private credit investments in the South Asian country surged to a record $6 billion in the first half of 2024. According to financial experts, there is still room for debate, and the corporations may decide against moving forward with the cooperation.
Since the global financial crisis, the $1.7 trillion private loan market has expanded rapidly, and lenders like Blackstone Inc. are pursuing development in countries like India. According to Celia Yan, BlackRock’s head of APAC private credit, who spoke with reporters last month, there are opportunities in India to lend to both young entrepreneurs funding start-ups and major corporations with several branches.
BlackRock Expansion Plan in India
BlackRock Inc. has signed a five-year lease to take over 42,700 square feet of office space in a posh commercial skyscraper in central Mumbai’s Worli neighbourhood as part of its expansion into India. During the first year of the lease, Blackrock Services India, the financial institution’s India branch, would pay a monthly rate of INR 325 per square foot. A provision to increase rentals by 5% in April 2025, 10% annually thereafter, and 5% in each of the next two years is included in the agreement.
The corporation, with its headquarters in New York, has taken a direct lease from K Raheja Corp., the project developer, for the space located on the fourth floor of the commercial tower Altimus.
Office space purchases are being driven by new infrastructural connectivity in and around Worli, which is drawing companies looking for contemporary facilities and improved accessibility. For instance, the neighbourhood is becoming increasingly attractive to businesses, especially multinationals seeking to locate offices in prominent locations with greater amenities, with the completion of the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) and the future metro network.
With a large presence in India, BlackRock hopes to get access to the nation’s quickly expanding financial markets. BlackRock was founded in India in 2008 and provides institutional and individual clients with investment solutions such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and portfolio management services. Its offices are located in Bengaluru, Gurgaon, and Mumbai.
Strong market fundamentals and resilience to global issues have allowed the Indian office sector to increase in demand despite the slowdown in the global economy.
The Bollywood icon, Deepika Padukone, has made a remarkable name for herself in the film industry. With her captivating performances and versatility, she has become an A-list Indian actress, leaving a lasting impact across multiple languages. Deepika kick-started her career as a model, gaining early recognition for her debut runway appearance at the prestigious Lakme Fashion Week, where she was honored with the ‘Model of the Year’ award at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards.
Over the years, Deepika has garnered immense praise and accolades, including three Filmfare Awards and a staggering count of over 200 awards and numerous nominations. Her talent and charisma have caught the attention of various brands, leading her to endorse renowned names like Lux, Jio, Coca-Cola, Axis Bank, Pepsi, and many more. Notably, she created history by becoming the first Indian celebrity to be the brand ambassador for Levi’s in 2021 and the House brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton in 2022.
In this blog, we bring you an exciting list of top brands that Deepika Padukone has endorsed throughout her career, accompanied by some of her iconic advertisements that will surely capture your attention. So, get ready to delve into the world of Deepika’s brand associations and experience the magic she brings to each campaign.
Deepika Padukone lent her elegance and style to Pottery Barn in December 2022, a renowned home furnishings brand. As the brand ambassador, Deepika showcased the exquisite collection of Pottery Barn, which offers a wide range of stylish and functional furniture, decor, and accessories for homes.
Dabur, with a rich heritage spanning over a century, is known for its range of natural and Ayurvedic products. The brand’s emphasis on quality, purity, and wellness aligns perfectly with Deepika’s image of a health-conscious and influential figure.
Deepika’s endorsement of Dabur has brought a new level of credibility and trust to the brand. Her radiant persona and dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle have resonated well with consumers, making her an ideal ambassador for Dabur’s offerings.
Deepika Padukone has been named the new House Brand Ambassador of Louis Vuitton on May 11, 2022. With this, the Bollywood actress became the first Indian face of the French luxury brand in history. The new campaign that Louis Vuitton has launched has Padukone featuring in it among other international actresses – Emma Stone, and Zhou Dongyu.
In the “The Dauphine Campaign” that Louis Vuitton rolled out for this season, the brand, in order to showcase their love for India, China and the US, featured one lady star from each of the countries.
Deepika Padukone, the epitome of style and grace, has been associated with numerous prestigious brands throughout her career. One such brand is Levi’s, the iconic denim brand that has been revolutionizing fashion for decades. In 2021, Deepika made history by becoming the first Indian celebrity to be appointed as the brand ambassador for Levi’s.
With her innate sense of fashion and effortless charm, Deepika perfectly embodies the spirit of Levi’s, which is all about self-expression and individuality. Through her association with the brand, she has showcased the versatility of Levi’s denim and its ability to reflect one’s personal style.
Tetley Green Tea
Tetley is a beverage manufacturer founded in England. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata. In 2018, Tata Global Beverages had proclaimed its new Brand ambassador- Deepika Padukone. Deepika’s association with Tetley Green Tea showcases her commitment to a healthy lifestyle and well-being. As a fitness enthusiast, she resonates with the brand’s philosophy of promoting wellness and incorporating natural ingredients into daily routines.
Lloyd is a electrical manufacturing brand and is owned by Havells India. In 2019, Deepika Padukone along with Ranveer Singh, her husband endorsed Air Conditions, Washing Machines, Refrigerators and LED TVs by an Indian company- Lloyd.
Deepika’s endorsement of Lloyd exemplifies the brand’s vision to transform homes into smart and comfortable living spaces, making everyday life more convenient and enjoyable for consumers.
Jio
Deepika Padukone has been associated with Jio, a leading telecommunications company in India. Jio, owned by Reliance Industries Limited, offers a wide range of digital services, including mobile telephony, broadband, and digital content.
In 2020, the powerful couple of Bollywood – Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh featured in the Jio ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan’ Campaign. Deepika’s collaboration with Jio as its brand ambassador signifies the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, and innovative digital services to its customers. Her association with Jio reflects the brand’s vision of connecting people and enabling them to embrace the digital revolution.
As we know, many celebs have endorsed Pepsi and Deepika Padukone is one of them to feature in the endorsement of Pepsi in 2008. It is cited that Deepika was replaced in place of Priyanka Chopra, who was signed for a 2 year contract with Pepsi.
As a brand ambassador, Deepika has played a pivotal role in endorsing various Pepsi products, including its flagship carbonated drinks, as well as newer offerings such as fruit juices and energy drinks. Her engaging presence in Pepsi’s advertisements has helped create a strong connection with the target audience, emphasizing the brand’s ability to bring people together and add a touch of excitement to everyday moments.
Adidas
In 2021, Deepika Padukone joined forces with Adidas as their brand ambassador, embarking on a significant partnership. With a global presence, Deepika represented Adidas by endorsing acclaimed athletes and empowering women, aiming to democratize and diversify the world of sports.
Deepika’s partnership with adidas has been marked by impactful campaigns and inspiring advertisements that capture her strength, agility, and determination. Through her association with adidas, she promotes various sports and fitness activities, encouraging people to unleash their potential and strive for greatness.
During 2018, Deepika Padukone played a pivotal role in promoting the exclusive benefits and offers provided to Axis Bank account holders through their credit and debit card services. The “Experience Axis” campaign aimed to highlight the value propositions of these cards, encompassing diverse categories like travel, dining, and shopping experiences.
In 2018, Deepika Padukone entered into a partnership with the Jaquar Group, a brand committed to delivering exceptional quality lighting solutions. She prominently appeared in a television commercial for Jaquar lighting, showcasing their innovative products and commitment to excellence.
In September 2018, Deepika Padukone starred in a captivating advertisement for Nestle Fruita Vitals. The campaign, titled ‘The New Shape of Positivity with Deepika!’, gained significant popularity across various social media platforms, creating a buzz among audiences.
L’Oréal Paris is a famous Hair Care company, wherein in March 2017, Deepika Padukone became the L’Oréal Paris Global Brand Ambassador and featured for the 1st Haircare Range with the power of clay. She represents the renowned beauty and cosmetics brand, endorsing their wide range of products and showcasing her elegance and style.
Deepika Padukone launched her own fashion brand, “All About You”, which celebrates the freedom of self-expression and encourages individuals to embrace their unique style. The brand empowers people to wear clothing that brings them joy and allows them to be their authentic selves.
Oppo is a Chinese smartphone brand headquartered in Guangdong China. Deepika Padukone became the brand ambassador for Oppo. She endorsed their smartphones, highlighting their advanced features and innovative technology through various advertising campaigns.
In 2018, Deepika co-starred with the Bollywood actor Siddharth Malhotra in an ad film for Oppo, where the brand launched their latest smartphone Oppo F9 Pro in the market.
Tissot is a swiss luxury watchmaker brand by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son, Charles-Émile Tissot founded in 1853. She inaugurated many boutiques and endorsed Tissot T Wave Watch, ultimately becoming the ‘Face of Tissot’.
Deepika Padukone joined hands with Tissot as their brand ambassador, showcasing their exquisite timepieces and embodying the essence of elegance and precision. Her association with Tissot began in 2017, and she has since been an integral part of their advertising campaigns and brand promotions.
The revolutionary paint brand, Asian Paints has opted for Deepika as its brand ambassador in 2017. Subsequently, Deepika introduced various eco-friendly products under Royale Atmos to give purer air in the home in this era.
Deepika Padukone has been an enduring symbol of beauty and grace, and her association with Tanishq, the renowned Indian jewelry brand, is a testament to their shared commitment to timeless elegance. Since the inception of her career, Deepika has collaborated with Tanishq, and in 2018, they unveiled a stunning collection together called Gulnaaz, showcasing their creative synergy and exquisite craftsmanship.
Goibibo
Speaking of travel agencies, Goibibo, an online travel portal, has had Deepika as its brand ambassador since 2017. As the brand ambassador, Deepika showcased her love for travel and adventure, inspiring others to explore the world with Goibibo.
Deepika Padukone confidently embraced the campaign for Gillette Venus, a renowned brand known for its high-quality women’s razors and shaving products. In 2015, Gillette Venus Hair removal razor’s brand appointed Deepika as their ambassador. As the brand ambassador, Deepika promoted self-care and empowered women to feel confident in their own skin.
Vistara is a Indian full-service airline, based in Gurgaon. It is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. Deepika has carried out the role as the first brand ambassador of Vistara in 2016 very well. Eventually, she became one of a kind across the globe.
Britannia is India’s oldest existing companies and best known for its biscuit products founded in 1892 and headquartered in Kolkata. In 2019 the brand roped in Bollywood actor, Deepika Padukone. The ads of Britannia, especially the one with Deepika conveying a message: ‘Khushiyon Ki Zidd Karo’ has stayed with us for a long time since 2015.
Nescafe is a coffee brand of Nestle. Nestle India made Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone the brand ambassador for the coffee brand Nescafé in 2011.
Lux
The global brand has been known for its wide range of developments in beauty soaps and other bath additives. From Shah Rukh Khan to Varun Dhawan, Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor, has endorsed this brand. Deepika Padukone has also been a part of the Lux commercials.
Kellogg’s Special K
Deepika Padukone added her star power to Kellogg’s Special K, a popular brand known for its nutritious breakfast cereals. The pink ad of Kellogg’s special has been a part of every TV watcher’s childhood. Deepika endorsed this brand in 2017, to lead women to a healthier lifestyle.
Parachute Hair oil
Deepika Padukone joined hands with Parachute Advanced, a renowned hair oil brand, as its brand ambassador and fresh face in 2012. Prior to that, she had already gained recognition through her participation in the brand’s TV commercial for the prestigious “World’s Best Hair” campaign back in 2007. With her association with Parachute Advanced, Deepika continued to promote the brand’s commitment to healthy and beautiful hair, establishing herself as an icon of hair care and lending her star power to its advertising campaigns.
Deepika Padukone became the face of Closeup, the popular oral care brand, as its brand ambassador. In association with Closeup, she showcased her captivating smile and promoted the brand’s range of toothpaste and mouthwash products. With her radiant personality and million-dollar smile, Deepika Padukone added a touch of glamour and freshness to Closeup’s advertising campaigns, encouraging consumers to embrace a confident and vibrant smile.
Earlier her debut in Om Shanti Om movie, she was seen in one of the Close-up ads back in 2010. However, soon enough, Deepika as an ambassador of Close-up, broadcasted an unforgettable commercial with the captivating line ‘Kya aap Close-Up Karte Hain?’ Revealing her endorsement with it.
Chopard
In a significant partnership, Chopard, the renowned Swiss watches and jewelry company, joined forces with Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone in 2021. Deepika Padukone was chosen as the brand ambassador for Chopard’s prestigious Happy Diamonds collection, symbolizing elegance, luxury, and timeless beauty. Her association with Chopard brought together her exquisite charm and the brand’s exquisite craftsmanship, creating a perfect blend of sophistication and style.
In conclusion, Deepika Padukone has established herself as one of the most sought-after brand ambassadors in the industry, with a remarkable list of endorsements. From international luxury brands to homegrown favorites, Deepika has collaborated with diverse companies, showcasing her versatility and influence. Her association with these brands has not only elevated their image but also brought her own unique charm and style to the forefront. As Deepika continues to shine in the entertainment industry, we can only anticipate more exciting collaborations and endorsements in her future.
FAQs
What is the net worth of Deepika Padukone?
The net worth of Deepika Padukone is approximately $60 million in 2023.
What is the age of Deepika Padukone?
Deepika Padukone was born on 5 January 1986 and is 37 years old.
What was Deepika Padukone first movie in Bollywood?
Om Shanti Om (2007) was the first Bollywood movie of Deepika Padukone.
What are the famous brands that Deepika Padukone endorsed to date?
Deepika Padukone has endorsed a number of brands till date and has been the brand ambassador in most of them. Here’s are some prominent brands that the famous Bollywood actress has endorsed: L’Oréal Paris, Tanishq, Coca-Cola, Levi’s, Oppo, Tissot.
Which brand is owned by Deepika Padukone?
Deepika Padukone owns a fashion brand called “All About You.” Launched in 2015, the brand offers a wide range of women’s clothing and accessories.
Which beauty brands does Deepika Padukone endorse?
Deepika Padukone endorses L’Oréal Paris, Lux and Garnier beauty brands.
What is the brand value of Deepika Padukone?
Deepika Padukone’s estimated brand value is $82.9 million.
There is almost no big company or enterprise that didn’t start from scratch. From Tesla to Apple to Pixar, most of them started off with a great idea, lots of effort, and a small garage. With every passing day, entrepreneurs come up with amazing startup ideas and newer methods to implement them. This, however, is easier said than done, since startups need both funding and support along with immense hard work in their initial days to be successful. As part of its funding program, Google has helped some of the top startups, and some of those startups have become well-known companies.
This is where equity and venture firms come in. If they find the idea behind a startup reasonably adequate, they make the initial and much-needed investment in the startup. Blackstone and Apollo Global Management are some equity investment firms, while Google Ventures is a venture investment firm. But before knowing what startups are funded by Google, let’s find out how funding works.
Apparently, there are certainly different kinds of funding based on factors such as startup valuation, its customer base, strategy, revenue model and other technical factors. These funding are categorized as follows:
Pre-seed Funding– This is the earliest stage of a startup, and the funding here is mostly the initial investment in the idea and is done by the founders themselves. This stage isn’t even officially included in the funding rounds, however, it is where a startup begins.
Seed Funding– This is where the first official investment for a business or a venture is made. Seed funding helps startups take the initial steps towards making their products. While the failed startups never go beyond this stage, the one’s that do, proceed to the Series A round.
Series A Funding– Once a startup or company has surpassed Seed round, has an established user base, and offers its services or products, they can opt for Series A Funding. This is where startups can use the investment money to further optimize their product, and raise anywhere from $2 million to $15 million.
Series B Funding– After Series A, this round helps a business to advance to the next level. If the company has justified the initial investment with a strong customer base and valuation, Series B funding helps to take the business to the next level. The investment in this round can range from $30 million to $60 million.
Series C Funding– The businesses which are already successful and are looking to build new products to touch newer markets are funded in this round. The companies in this round may also acquire startups and the investors and founders in this round look for exponential growth. The valuation of companies in this round can range in hundreds of millions.
Although there can be more funding rounds corresponding to the alphabet, these are particularly the one’s where most startups reach. There is also private equity funding away from public markets in which private companies can finance startups privately.
Google Ventures is a venture capital investment firm of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, CEO is David Krane. Renamed to GV, the primary objective of Google Ventures since its conception has been to back founders with a vision for the future of entrepreneurship. GV has funded over 500 portfolio companies and is in constant search of new and industry-changing ideas and startups.
GV flaunts a team of founders, physicians, and other professionals, who have been in the startup ecosystem for a long, and understand it more than most people. This team of specialists, engineers, advisors, and fund operatives help GV to solve challenges and deliver feedback to create better services. GV invests across all stages and sectors, with a focus on enterprise, life sciences, consumer, and frontier technology. GV has made 988 investments so far. Recently on July 29, 2022, GV made a $3.3 Million investment in New York-based consumer Software, Studio.
Google Ventures on Investment in Startups
Startups Funded by Google
Slack
Industry: Enterprise Software GV Investment: $110.8 Million
Who in the digital world isn’t aware of the most popular cab serviceUber? It has turned out to be one of the most popular cab booking services around the globe, and both cab drivers, as well as people who need them use it on a regular basis. It is a consumer service and has also set its foot in the food delivery services. Uber has offered quality, door-to-door service and continues to do so by constantly introducing safety features in its Community Guidelines.Uber has been Google Ventures’ biggest investment to date. Google Ventures has invested approximately $1.8 Billion in Uber.
Industry: Digital Media GV Investment: $19 Million
Medium | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Medium is a blogging platform that suggests viewers blog through smart algorithms. World-class publications and experts publish their blogs in different niches, and viewers can choose their preferred subjects to read the latest research papers, articles, and blogs. The popularity of Medium attracted Google’s interest and they invested.Medium currently flaunts its user base of 170 million users and counting, with the writers including journalists, authors, experts, and individuals.
StockX
Industry: Stock Market GV Investment: $22 Million
StocksX | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
As described by Google Ventures, StockX is the world’s first ‘Stock Market for Things’. This is an online marketplace where both buyers and sellers put forth the bidding and asking amount, and as soon as both of them meet, the transaction takes place. The marketplace that StockX offers can be used to sell any sellable product from sneakers to watches; all you need to do is sign up. Google ventures and battery ventures invested $44 M in series B funding.
Industry: Digital Payment GV Investment: $600 million (along with other investors)
Stripe | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Stripe is one of the most popular payments processor for online transactions and in mobile applications. Today, millions of online and offline businesses from startups to bigger enterprises use Stripe as their payments processor. Be it Software as a Service, an online platform or your marketplace, Stripe can be used in all these cases either through the software or its API.
“Stripe is the best way to accept payments online and in mobile apps.” says Google Venture.
GitLab
Industry: Software GV Investment: $20 Million
GitLab | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
GitLab is a DevOps platform that accelerates development through collaboration and automation. With various organizations relying on its source code, CI/CD, and security, GitLab offers powerful automation with real-time security and vulnerability management. Moreover, GitLab is trusted by some well-known industry-leading companies including Nvidia, Siemens, and Drupal. GitLab has received funding from Google Ventures in both Series C and Series D rounds of funding.
DocuSign
Industry: Software GV Investment: $8.1 Million
Docusign | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
A leader in eSignature transaction management, DocuSign has become an industry and global standard for eSignatures. DocuSign gained popularity with the help of Google. DocuSign has garnered a user base of over 500k customers and hundreds of millions of signers. DocuSign was introduced and established based on the fact that most modern businesses will need to go online and hence the online document management needed to be taken into consideration. Google Ventures invested in Series D round in June 2012.
Magenta Therapeutics
Industry: Healthcare & Life Science GV Investment: $8 Million
Magenta therapeutics | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Magenta Therapeutics is a leading expert in harnessing stem cell biology for safer transplants. It endeavours to reset a patient’s immune system through stem cell transplant to cure diseases such as blood cancer. It is also developing novel medicines through commitment and excellence. Also, Magenta is revolutionizing medicine by precisely removing disease-causing cells and revamping stem cell mobilization.
“Magenta is harnessing stem cell biology to make transplants safer and more effective for patients with immune and blood-based diseases.” Says Google Venture.
One Medical
Industry: Healthcare GV Investment: $13 Million
One Medical | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
One Medical is currently trying to reinvent healthcare with innovation and technology. As of now, One Medical offers and schedules in-person or over video appointments, 24/7 on-demand video chats with a virtual medical team, over 90 drop-in lab services, along COVID-19 testing and care. Moreover, OneMedical acts as an employee benefits partner for over 7000 companies. Google Venture invested Private Equity round of funding in December 2015.
Zipline | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Zipline is a company that delivers life-saving medicines and drugs to remote and previously unreachable parts of the world using electric planes and drones. It makes precise, on-demand and critical deliveries, wherever and whenever needed, with safety and reliability. The access to on-demand delivery is made global, owing to Zipline, and it seeks to replace the traditional delivery system with customer-centred and cutting edge technology. Google venture Invested in Series C round of funding in May 2019. In the last funding round in June 2021, Zipline has raised a funding of $250M which made the startup valuation to be $2.5 billion.
Farmer Business Network
Industry: AgriTech GV Investment: $15 Million
farmers Business Network | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Farmer Business Network is a tool that helps farmers understand and enhance their crops and yields with advanced insights and real-time data analysis. It is a global Agritech company and seeks to help farmers reduce production costs, maximize crop yield and output, and make informed and confident decisions when it comes to crops. Farmer Business Network can help farmers manage contracts, select seeds, monitor fields, and organize operations with premium crop marketing and financial services. FBN raised a funding of $15 million in 2015 from Google Ventures. Recently, they raired $870 million in series G funding round in November 2021.
“Farmers Business Network generates powerful insights from real-time data to help farmers understand and improve their crop performance.” says Google Venture.
Sense
Industry: Artificial Intelligence GV Investment: $16 Million
Sense | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Sense is an artificial intelligence-driven talent engagement and communication platform that was founded by Dharni and Pankaj Jindal in 2015. The company has its headquarters in San Francisco and is known for providing enterprise-ready solutions that provide a system of engagement for talent acquisition teams.
Sense has so far helped many companies find, recruit, deploy talent and automate manual tasks for recruiters. The company has raised $16 million as part of its Series C round from Avataar, Google Ventures, Accel and Khosla Ventures. The company is said to use these funds to get a foothold in the Indian market, add new products, expand its team and go into newer geographies.
Scribble Data
Industry: Machine Learning GV Investment:
Scribble Data | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Scribble data is an ML engineering product company that offers ML Feature Store for mid-market enterprise data teams. The company is known for its flagship product known as Enrich, which is a highly customizable Machine Learning Feature. Scribble Enrich is a store product that allows data scientists to develop and manage production-ready datasets that are used to train ML models faster and with confidence.
Data-driven companies such as Google and Amazon have invested an undisclosed amount of money into the company in May 2020. Google funding for startups such as Scribble, has helped the platform to scale and deliver Enrich in international markets for enterprise-grade Machine Learning products.
Jio Platforms is an Indian technology company and a subsidiary of Reliance Industries. The company has its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The company acts as a holding company for Jio (which is India’s largest and the world’s third-largest mobile network) and other digital businesses of Reliance. As of 2020, Jio platforms became the fourth largest Indian company by market capitalization.
In November 2020, Google-funded $4.5 billion to the Jio platform, which makes it the biggest-ever investment in an Indian company. Google now reportedly holds over 7.73% share in the company. The company has now raised a total of Rs 1.52 lakh crore by selling an almost 33% stake to over 13 financial and strategic investors in under 11 weeks. This will help the company to cut down Reliance’s net debt target for the full fiscal year.
Wysa
Industry: Artificial Intelligence GV Investment:
Wysa | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Wysa is an AI-enabled life coach designed especially for mental and emotional wellness. The company was initially launched in 2017 and provides its users with the ability to activate coach and chat anonymously. The company provides early intervention through 3 methods, which are an AI chatbot, a library of self-help tools, and messaging-based support from human psychologists.
Google Ventures India, has funded an undisclosed amount in the AI Platform in May 2021. Wysa was a part of the first batch of 10 startups for Google Launchpad Accelerator India, which was held in 2018. In 2021 however, the Sleep by Wysa app was awarded the best app by the Google Play Store. According to Crunchbase, the company has so far raised $3.9 million from three funding rounds.
Dailyhunt
Industry: Social Media GV Investment: $33 Million
Dailyhunt | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
Dailyhunt is one of the leading Indian content and news aggregator app. The company has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The platform provides news in 14 Indian languages from multiple content providers to over 300 million users. In 2015, Dailyhunt became the largest Indian language distributor of e-books having 70,000 titles in ten languages.
As of December 2020, Dailyhunt has raised over $100 million from Google, Microsoft and AlphaWave among other investors. Google funding rounds helped the company become a Unicorn as its value increased to over $1 billion. The company is planning to use the funds to scale its Josh app, which is an augmentation of local language content offerings. Google-funded startups in India with a budget of over $10 billion over a few years.
Glance
Industry: GV Investment:
Glance | Google Ventures | Startup Funded By Google
A google-funded startup called Glance is a startup that was founded in 2018. The company serves news, media content and games on the lock screen of more than 100 million smartphones. The company is a subsidiary of InMobi Group and is known for using AI to offer a personalized experience to its users.
The company raised over $145 million in a new financing round from Google and existing investors like Mithril Partners. According to Google, Glance is a great example of innovation solving for mobile-first & mobile-only consumption, and providing content across many Indian languages. Google funding for startups like Glance, has helped them evolve and grow their audience.
FAQs
What is Google Venture (GV)?
Google Ventures is a venture capital investment firm of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.
Who is the CEO of GV (formerly Google Ventures)?
David Krane is the CEO of GV.
How many companies have Google Ventures funded?
Google Ventures has funded more than 500 companies. Some of them are:
Slack
Uber
Medium
StockX
Stripe
GitLab
DocuSign
Magenta Therapeutics
Dailyhunt
Glance
What are the sectors Google Ventures invest in?
Google Ventures invests across all stages of startups and varied sectors. The major industries in which Google Ventures invests are:
Enterprise
Life sciences
HealthCare
Consumer
Frontier technology.
How do startups get funded?
Startups use various methods for funding:
Small Business Loans
Trade Equity or Services
Incubator or Accelerator
Crowdfunding.
Who owns Google now?
The parent organization of Google is Alphabet Inc.
What do startups use the funding for?
Startups raise funds for various reasons, mainly for the growth and expansion of their business.
Who are the founders of Google?
Larry Page and Sergey Brin are the founders of Google.
Ipsita Acharya
