 "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.
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Mekr bets on India's manufacturing shift with ₹67 crore funding round
The company is building an integrated design and manufacturing platform for consumer appliance brands amid India's growing push for local production
 "Mekr bets on India's manufacturing shift with ₹67 crore funding round")
HrdWyr raises $13 mn to scale AI-native chips for edge devices globally
The Indian semiconductor startup is developing AI-native processors for appliances, EVs and industrial systems that process data closer to where it is generated
 "HrdWyr raises $13 mn to scale AI-native chips for edge devices globally")
Rozana's rural FMCG brand Samuh hits ₹100 crore run rate in 3 months
Rozana's private-label FMCG brand Samuh is scaling rapidly through low-cost sachets, contract manufacturing and a deep rural distribution network across 21,000 villages
 "Rozana's rural FMCG brand Samuh hits ₹100 crore run rate in 3 months")
Flipkart deploys AI tools to scale small-town sellers across India
Walmart-owned Flipkart is using AI-powered dashboards and regional-language support to help Tier 2 and 3 sellers expand nationally ahead of a planned IPO
 "Flipkart deploys AI tools to scale small-town sellers across India")
Amazon India expands delivery-driver rest network across major cities
Amazon India plans to expand its Ashray network to 250 centres by 2026 as it ramps up investments in delivery-driver safety, wellbeing, and infrastructure support
 "Amazon India expands delivery-driver rest network across major cities")
Kissht rises in mkt debut as investors bet on India's digital-credit boom
The lender has expanded rapidly by targeting underserved borrowers and tightening underwriting standards before its IPO
 "Kissht rises in mkt debut as investors bet on India's digital-credit boom")
Walmart says India sourcing has crossed $40 billion amid export push
Walmart CEO John Furner said the retailer is strengthening supplier capabilities, expanding exports and betting on India's fast-growing quick-commerce market
 "Walmart says India sourcing has crossed $40 billion amid export push")
Cars24 posts first-ever quarterly profit on strong growth in core business
SoftBank-backed auto-tech firm posts ₹20 crore adjusted EBITDA profit in Q4 as lending, retail sales and ownership services expand
 "Cars24 posts first-ever quarterly profit on strong growth in core business")
Practo crosses $100 million GMV in the US as AI push gains pace
Health-tech platform expands investment in AI-driven healthcare systems that support patient and provider decision-making while growing its engineering team
 "Practo crosses $100 million GMV in the US as AI push gains pace")
Meesho narrows Q4 net loss 88% to Rs 166 crore, revenue rises 47%
E-commerce firm reports higher orders and improving margins in the March quarter as operating leverage and lower logistics costs support profitability
 "Meesho narrows Q4 net loss 88% to Rs 166 crore, revenue rises 47%")
PhonePe launches AI tool to speed up merchant payment integrations
Walmart-owned PhonePe says its AI-powered integration layer can reduce merchant onboarding timelines from weeks to minutes, especially for small businesses
 "PhonePe launches AI tool to speed up merchant payment integrations")
Netradyne acquires Moove to expand AI fleet safety business in Europe
The deal adds local operations and customers as SoftBank-backed Netradyne expands its AI-powered fleet safety business and strengthens its presence across key European markets
 "Netradyne acquires Moove to expand AI fleet safety business in Europe")
Samsung expands startup push with 2026 Mobile Advance tech programme
Samsung's India R&D units launch the 2026 Mobile Advance programme to support deep-tech startups, offering funding and integration into its global mobile device ecosystem
 "Samsung expands startup push with 2026 Mobile Advance tech programme")
Krutrim reports first profit, triples revenue as it pivots to AI cloud
Startup founded by Bhavish Aggarwal triples revenue to ₹300 crore, shifts capital from chip ambitions to infrastructure-led services
 "Krutrim reports first profit, triples revenue as it pivots to AI cloud")
Chosen raises $5 million to expand science-led skincare business
Fireside Ventures leads funding round with participation from L'Oreal's Bold and Alkemi Growth Capital as startup scales R&D, product pipeline for Indian skin needs
 "Chosen raises $5 million to expand science-led skincare business")
Artha Venture's early bets begin to pay off as exit opportunities mount
Artha's Anirudh Damani says disciplined entry valuations-not market timing-are driving its biggest wins
 "Artha Venture's early bets begin to pay off as exit opportunities mount")
Ola Electric's April enrolment up 20% despite dip in 2W EV market
Company bucks 22% industry decline in April with strong MoM growth, driven by improving operations, customer confidence and rising demand for its expanding EV portfolio
 "Ola Electric's April enrolment up 20% despite dip in 2W EV market")
Kimbal raises $22 mn Series B led by GEF to expand grid tech globally
Series B funding led by GEF Capital to support power management systems, expand AMI operations, and drive international growth beyond India's energy markets
 "Kimbal raises $22 mn Series B led by GEF to expand grid tech globally")
Amazon's 'Now' orders rising 25% month over month in India: CEO Andy Jassy
E-commerce giant expands rapid-delivery service to 100 cities as competition intensifies in quick-commerce market
 "Amazon's 'Now' orders rising 25% month over month in India: CEO Andy Jassy")
Siguler Guff invests $40 million in Trimex Foods to drive expansion
Private equity firm Siguler Guff has invested $40 million in Trimex Foods to support expansion of global restaurant brands across India's growing food services market
 "Siguler Guff invests $40 million in Trimex Foods to drive expansion")