Peerzada Abrar
 "Peerzada Abrar")
Peerzada Abrar
Peerzada Abrar is a technology and business reporter at Business Standard. He covers the intersection of technology, AI, business, and society and its impact on our lives. This includes tracking top tech firms and startups. He joined Business Standard in 2019, after having worked at The Economic Times and The Hindu. There, he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including startups, new technologies, venture capital, and private equity. A storyteller at heart, he is captivated by the potential of innovation to address global challenges. His narrative spans from resilient communities combating epidemics and natural disasters to groundbreaking initiatives that empower the underserved and transform humanitarian landscapes.
Peerzada Abrar is a technology and business reporter at Business Standard. He covers the intersection of technology, AI, business, and society and its impact on our lives. This includes tracking top tech firms and startups. He joined Business Standard in 2019, after having worked at The Economic Times and The Hindu. There, he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including startups, new technologies, venture capital, and private equity. A storyteller at heart, he is captivated by the potential of innovation to address global challenges. His narrative spans from resilient communities combating epidemics and natural disasters to groundbreaking initiatives that empower the underserved and transform humanitarian landscapes.
Peerzada Abrar
CARS24 revenue rises 18% as retail shift narrows losses ahead of IPO plans
Auto-tech firm says higher-margin retail and financing businesses are reshaping its profit profile
 "CARS24 revenue rises 18% as retail shift narrows losses ahead of IPO plans")
Snabbit steps up senior hiring as it scales home-services business
Quick home-services platform brings on Pync's founding team as it expands into new categories and cities
 "Snabbit steps up senior hiring as it scales home-services business")
Flipkart taps former Tyson Foods executive Jane Duke for ethics role
Veteran compliance leader joins e-commerce giant amid efforts to strengthen oversight and institutional leadership ahead of an IPO
 "Flipkart taps former Tyson Foods executive Jane Duke for ethics role")
74% of consumers back limit on 10-minute deliveries: LocalCircles
A LocalCircles survey shows strong consumer backing for curbing 10-minute delivery promises, amid safety concerns, even as medicines remain the top product for rapid delivery
 "74% of consumers back limit on 10-minute deliveries: LocalCircles")
Moglix launches AI-driven operating system for enterprise procurement
Cognilix aims to embed AI across supply-chain operations as Moglix commits $5 million to research and develop industry-specific enterprise products on the platform
 "Moglix launches AI-driven operating system for enterprise procurement")
Blinkit drops 10-minute delivery promise after labour ministry nudge
While there is no law yet prohibiting these platforms from advertising 10-minute delivery, the message has been conveyed through government intervention, says sources
 "Blinkit drops 10-minute delivery promise after labour ministry nudge")
India's startups turn to AI applications in 2026 after missing infra boom
Venture investors and startup executives are betting on services, enterprise tools in 2026 after missing the infrastructure boom
 "India's startups turn to AI applications in 2026 after missing infra boom")
CarDekho Group-backed Carrum raises Series A funding from Uber
The fleet management startup operates over 3,000 vehicles in several Tier 1 cities and aims to scale operations with the new capital
 "CarDekho Group-backed Carrum raises Series A funding from Uber")
Sukino raises $31 million to expand post-hospital recovery care
Bessemer Venture Partners leads the Series B round as the healthcare chain bets on rising demand for rehabilitation outside hospitals
 "Sukino raises $31 million to expand post-hospital recovery care")
Uber targets India's $13 billion corporate transportation market
Ride-hailing giant expands employee transportation services as GCCs fuel demand
 "Uber targets India's $13 billion corporate transportation market")
Myntra introduces zero-commission model for new Indian D2C brands
Move targets early-stage Indian fashion, beauty and lifestyle sellers seeking to scale beyond their own websites and social media
 "Myntra introduces zero-commission model for new Indian D2C brands")
On-demand house help market becomes two-horse race in urban India
Capital, labour flock to Urban Company, Snabbit as speed becomes currency of convenience
 "On-demand house help market becomes two-horse race in urban India")
Ronnie Screwvala's UpGrad walks away from talks to acquire Unacademy
Deal discussions collapsed over valuation differences, ending one of India's most closely watched edtech negotiations
 "Ronnie Screwvala's UpGrad walks away from talks to acquire Unacademy")
Megha Agarwal resigns from Meesho, marks 1st senior departure since listing
Milan Partani to take expanded role over unified commerce platform, merging growth, content and business teams.
 "Megha Agarwal resigns from Meesho, marks 1st senior departure since listing")
Aivar raises $4.6 million in a seed round to take AI services global
Seed round led by Sorin Investments, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, will fund expansion across India, the US and Middle East and deepen investment in AI accelerators, senior talent
 "Aivar raises $4.6 million in a seed round to take AI services global")
Arrowhead raises $3 mn to expand human-like voice AI for financial sales
The startup's human-like voice AI can handle long sales calls and, according to the company, delivers significantly higher conversion rates than human agents
 "Arrowhead raises $3 mn to expand human-like voice AI for financial sales")
Even Healthcare secures $20 million to expand its managed-care hospitals
With this announcement, Even Healthcare reports operating break-even within six months of its first hospital launch. The fundraise also marks a 2x valuation milestone for the company
 "Even Healthcare secures $20 million to expand its managed-care hospitals")
Apax Partners makes strategic bet, acquires minority stake in iD Fresh Food
Private equity firm invests more than ₹1,500 crore for over 35% of the ready-to-cook foods maker, backing its expansion across India and Gulf markets, according to sources
 "Apax Partners makes strategic bet, acquires minority stake in iD Fresh Food")
In emerging markets, we focus on necessities, must-have items: Tak Lee
Venture capital firm Hashed Emergent's CEO Tak Lee on why India's Web3 startups are building necessities, not luxuries
 "In emerging markets, we focus on necessities, must-have items: Tak Lee")
Arya.ag secures ₹725 crore funding in equity round led by GEF Capital
India's largest grain-commerce platform will use the capital to deepen farmer engagement, promote climate-smart agriculture and reduce post-harvest losses across the supply chain
 "Arya.ag secures ₹725 crore funding in equity round led by GEF Capital")