 "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 their 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, where he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-ups, 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 their 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, where he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-ups, 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
IIM-B incubator tops $7 billion in startup value as it turns to AI
NSRCEL plans specialised sector centers and AI tools to expand its entrepreneur network toward one million
 "IIM-B incubator tops $7 billion in startup value as it turns to AI")
Uber expands into 100 more Indian cities, deepens push beyond major metros
The bike-taxi-led rollout spans 18 states and one Union Territory, taking Uber to 225 cities as it challenges Rapido and Ola in India's fast-growing smaller markets.
 "Uber expands into 100 more Indian cities, deepens push beyond major metros")
Accel bets $550 million on India's next wave of founders for AI era
Venture capital firm behind Flipkart and Swiggy closes ninth India fund as part of a record $3.5 billion global raise, betting AI lets homegrown startups build for the world from day one
 "Accel bets $550 million on India's next wave of founders for AI era")
AI materials startup Discovered Materials raises $9 million seed round
The IIT Madras alumni-founded company is using AI agents to accelerate the discovery of semiconductor materials and has released hundreds of AI-discovered materials alongside a new industry benchmark
 "AI materials startup Discovered Materials raises $9 million seed round")
Shiprocket bets IPO proceeds on AI as it expands beyond core shipping biz
Shiprocket plans to invest much of its IPO proceeds in AI and emerging businesses as it seeks to offer merchants technology spanning advertising, freight and commerce
 "Shiprocket bets IPO proceeds on AI as it expands beyond core shipping biz")
Ola Electric's Q1FY27 loss narrows to Rs 336 crore as revenue falls 45%
Vehicle deliveries nearly doubled sequentially to 39,192 units and market share recovered to 8.4 per cent, even as revenue declined 45 per cent from a year earlier
 "Ola Electric's Q1FY27 loss narrows to Rs 336 crore as revenue falls 45%")
BlissClub raises ₹160 cr to expand retail footprint and product portfolio
Singularity AMC led the funding round, with founder Minu Margeret and existing investors backing the activewear brand's next phase of growth
 "BlissClub raises ₹160 cr to expand retail footprint and product portfolio")
Shiprocket's ₹1,617.5-crore IPO to open Aug 12; price band fixed at ₹92-97
The e-commerce enablement platform will open its public offering on August 12, with the issue valuing the company at up to ₹7,056 crore
 "Shiprocket's ₹1,617.5-crore IPO to open Aug 12; price band fixed at ₹92-97")
India's ₹124.9 trn MSME procurement mkt offers digital growth opportunity
Four in five small businesses expect online sourcing to drive growth over the next three years, highlighting a vast opportunity for digital procurement platforms
 "India's ₹124.9 trn MSME procurement mkt offers digital growth opportunity")
HomeRun raises $12 mn to expand 60-minute building materials delivery
Nexus Venture Partners led the funding round as the construction materials quick-commerce startup accelerates expansion, months after raising $6.6 million
 "HomeRun raises $12 mn to expand 60-minute building materials delivery")
Fisdom founders to exit Groww after wealth business integration
Subramanya SV and Anand Dalmia will exit Groww after completing a planned one-year transition following Fisdom's acquisition and integration into the fintech firm's wealth business
 "Fisdom founders to exit Groww after wealth business integration")
Foreign etailers told to set up separate export-only units in India
The DGFT has notified a framework requiring foreign-owned e-commerce firms to create separate legal entities for inventory-based exports of Indian-made goods under the revised FDI policy
 "Foreign etailers told to set up separate export-only units in India")
River Mobility raises $120 million in Series C led by Elev8, Claypond
The Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker will use the fresh capital to expand manufacturing capacity, build a new factory and launch products in the utility lifestyle segment
 "River Mobility raises $120 million in Series C led by Elev8, Claypond")
IIM-B incubator NSRCEL tops $7 bn startup value, bets on AI-led expansion
NSRCEL plans specialised sector centres and AI-enabled learning tools to expand its entrepreneur network from around 238,000 to more than one million
Razorpay boosts AI push with senior hires from Microsoft, Salesforce, Cred
Executives will help build payment systems that can increasingly make decisions using artificial intelligence, says the company
 "Razorpay boosts AI push with senior hires from Microsoft, Salesforce, Cred")
SoftBank-backed OfBusiness exports double to over ₹2,500 crore in FY26
Footprint across 70 global markets as buyers diversify sourcing away from China, even as India's FTA deals boost export potential
 "SoftBank-backed OfBusiness exports double to over ₹2,500 crore in FY26")
Ex-Swiggy, Zomato executives launch AI startup Profound, raise $1.5 mn
Profound helps users find career opportunities, make introductions and connect with employers
 "Ex-Swiggy, Zomato executives launch AI startup Profound, raise $1.5 mn")
Indians involved in solving world's toughest problems: Google DeepMind
Google DeepMind executives explain how the AI lab is deploying autonomous agents in the country
 "Indians involved in solving world's toughest problems: Google DeepMind")
Flipkart-Netflix deal to earn buyers OTT plans, benefit launches on Aug 1
Flipkart Plus members can unlock a month of Netflix by completing four eligible monthly orders, marking Netflix's first e-commerce partnership in India
 "Flipkart-Netflix deal to earn buyers OTT plans, benefit launches on Aug 1")
Zepto delays IPO by two quarters as investors push for lower valuation
Quick-commerce firm plans to raise about Rs 1,000 crore in a pre-IPO round as investors seek greater clarity on profitability, cash reserves and growth prospects
 "Zepto delays IPO by two quarters as investors push for lower valuation")