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.
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Data sharing platform Equal named among WEF's top 100 global tech pioneers
The fintech startup has been recognised by the World Economic Forum for its secure, consent-based infrastructure powering KYC and data sharing across financial services
 "Data sharing platform Equal named among WEF's top 100 global tech pioneers")
AI is reshaping India's VC landscape as firms automate deal sourcing
Machine learning tools help investors identify promising startups from rural areas and smaller cities, challenging traditional network-based investment approaches across the country
 "AI is reshaping India's VC landscape as firms automate deal sourcing")
Amazon India extends Prime Day to 3 days as it pushes into smaller cities
Amazon India expands Prime Day 2025 to three days, boosts logistics and delivery to deepen Prime adoption in smaller cities and tap rising quick-commerce demand
 "Amazon India extends Prime Day to 3 days as it pushes into smaller cities")
Fast and now under fire: Quick-commerce firms face heat from regulators
According to a report by Blume Ventures, an early-stage venture fund, India's qcom market surged from $300 million in FY22 to an expected $7.1 billion in FY25
 "Fast and now under fire: Quick-commerce firms face heat from regulators")
Amazon India extends Prime Day to 3 days as it pushes into smaller cities
Amazon India expands Prime Day 2025 to three days, boosts logistics and delivery to deepen Prime adoption in smaller cities and tap rising quick-commerce demand
Startup Fabheads raises $10 mn to automate composite manufacturing
Accel leads Series A as Fabheads aims to modernise carbon fibre production; eyes aerospace and clean energy sectors
 "Startup Fabheads raises $10 mn to automate composite manufacturing")
Amazon enters India's $15 bn diagnostics market with at-home testing
Amazon enters India's $15 bn diagnostics sector with at-home test collection, digital reports and integrated health services through Amazon Medical across six cities
 "Amazon enters India's $15 bn diagnostics market with at-home testing")
Krutrim acquires BharatSah'AI'yak to expand AI footprint in public sector
The Bhavish Aggarwal-led startup integrates Samagra's AI platform and team to expand vernacular, government-focused AI tools across education, agriculture, and citizen services
 "Krutrim acquires BharatSah'AI'yak to expand AI footprint in public sector")
'Much-needed relief': Startups on Sebi reforms relaxing ESOP norms
The ease in norms from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) comes at a time when multiple Indian startups such as PhonePe, Zepto, Pine Labs
 "'Much-needed relief': Startups on Sebi reforms relaxing ESOP norms")
Amazon steps up anti-counterfeit drive in India with AI and policing
India is a focal point in Amazon's global brand protection strategy, using AI tools, stricter seller checks and law enforcement partnerships to fight counterfeits
 "Amazon steps up anti-counterfeit drive in India with AI and policing")
Amazon to invest Rs 2,000 cr in India to expand logistics, improve safety
Money will be used for company's infrastructure, employee wellness initiatives, developing technology
 "Amazon to invest Rs 2,000 cr in India to expand logistics, improve safety")
Urban Company swings to profit ahead of planned IPO as revenue jumps 38%
Home services platform posts ₹240 crore profit in FY25, driven by tax credit and strong user retention
 "Urban Company swings to profit ahead of planned IPO as revenue jumps 38%")
BikeWo, Flipkart logistics arm partner on EV Push for last-mile delivery
BikeWo and Flipkart's Instakart launch over 1,300 EVs across seven states to boost sustainable last-mile logistics with AI-led route optimisation and real-time tracking
 "BikeWo, Flipkart logistics arm partner on EV Push for last-mile delivery")
Techfino raises ₹65 crore to expand MSME lending in smaller cities
Techfino to use fresh funding from Stellaris and Saison Capital to scale secured loans, expand branches, and boost tech-led lending in underserved MSME markets
 "Techfino raises ₹65 crore to expand MSME lending in smaller cities")
Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola rolls out nationwide zero-commission model
Phased rollout across autos, bikes and cabs lets over one million drivers retain 100 per cent of fares as Ola shifts away from traditional commission-based model
 "Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola rolls out nationwide zero-commission model")
Swiggy names Saurav Goyal SVP to head Driver and Delivery Organisation
Goyal, who led business finance and contributed to Swiggy's IPO, will now oversee delivery operations and drive partner empowerment as part of leadership transition
 "Swiggy names Saurav Goyal SVP to head Driver and Delivery Organisation")
Commuters feel pinch as bike-taxi firms halt ops after Karnataka HC order
Not just the customers, bike-taxi drivers are also left stranded as many depended on the service for their livelihood
 "Commuters feel pinch as bike-taxi firms halt ops after Karnataka HC order")
Bike taxi drivers in Bengaluru plead for relief as Karnataka ban begins
Workers urge lawmakers to regulate rather than shut down the sector as Karnataka's High Court decision enforces ban, hitting gig workers dependent on the service
 "Bike taxi drivers in Bengaluru plead for relief as Karnataka ban begins")
Amazon's entry into quick commerce faces scale, recall challenges
Jefferies says Amazon's late entry, app integration strategy and limited brand recall may hinder its Q/C push in India despite competitive pricing and Prime perks
Bhavish Aggarwal's Krutrim bets on India-first AI to rival global peers
Kruti, Krutrim's new AI assistant, focuses on multilingual voice-first design and India-specific service integration to stand out in the fast-growing AI assistant market
 "Bhavish Aggarwal's Krutrim bets on India-first AI to rival global peers")