 "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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Razorpay gets final licence to expand cross-border payments from GIFT City
The approval allows Razorpay to facilitate foreign currency transfers and offer multi-currency accounts from GIFT City under a single regulatory framework
 "Razorpay gets final licence to expand cross-border payments from GIFT City")
Two Point O Capital raises $10 million to expand clean energy platform
The company plans to enter battery energy storage and expand its solar, energy efficiency and wastewater treatment businesses
 "Two Point O Capital raises $10 million to expand clean energy platform")
India proposes framework to unlock data for AI training, protect privacy
The government's draft DEPA framework proposes secure data environments and privacy safeguards to unlock data for AI training, potentially generating $500 billion in value by 2030.
 "India proposes framework to unlock data for AI training, protect privacy")
Uber expands driver earning options, strengthens safety features in India
New features include flexible subscription passes, WhatsApp onboarding, ambulance assistance and encrypted in-app video recordings, alongside additional earning opportunities.
 "Uber expands driver earning options, strengthens safety features in India")
Ola Electric's ₹1,000 cr rights issue fully subscribed as shares rally 23%
The electric scooter maker's rights issue drew bids for 37.14 crore shares against 37.03 crore on offer, with founder Bhavish Aggarwal participating fully in the offering
 "Ola Electric's ₹1,000 cr rights issue fully subscribed as shares rally 23%")
Meesho Q2 net loss narrows 68% to ₹132 crore as revenue rises 34%
Quarterly net loss narrowed to Rs 132 crore, while revenue jumped 34 per cent to Rs 4,132 crore as higher orders, festive demand and improving margins strengthened platform economics
 "Meesho Q2 net loss narrows 68% to ₹132 crore as revenue rises 34%")
Indian startups listing younger, AI firms could follow: Accel's Swaroop
Accel partner Prayank Swaroop says Indian startups are listing publicly faster as the venture capital ecosystem matures, but AI firms will need to prove they can sustain growth and profitability
 "Indian startups listing younger, AI firms could follow: Accel's Swaroop")
PhonePe rebrands Indus Appstore, expands into digital goods and webstore
The app marketplace, now present on more than 200 million devices through OEM partnerships, is adding gift cards, top-ups and a webstore as it seeks to broaden its reach among consumers and developers
 "PhonePe rebrands Indus Appstore, expands into digital goods and webstore")
Simplismart raises $14 million in Series B to expand AI inference platform
Led by Dallas Venture Capital, the Series B round will help Simplismart expand its AI inference platform, strengthen cloud partnerships and grow across North America and global markets
 "Simplismart raises $14 million in Series B to expand AI inference platform")
Cent raises $15 million to expand AI-powered preventive healthcare platform
Blume Ventures and South Park Commons led the funding round as Cent plans to expand its AI-powered medical imaging, diagnostics and preventive healthcare services in India
 "Cent raises $15 million to expand AI-powered preventive healthcare platform")
Protectt.ai makes majority stake investment in security firm AIShield
AIShield will operate as an independent company under Protectt.ai, with fresh capital aimed at research, global expansion and sovereign AI security capabilities
 "Protectt.ai makes majority stake investment in security firm AIShield")
Accel once rejected Zetwerk: Now it sells a slice of its stake in the IPO
The VC firm trimmed its stake in the manufacturing platform's ₹5,012 crore-offering but says it remains bullish on the rest
 "Accel once rejected Zetwerk: Now it sells a slice of its stake in the IPO")
Flipkart deal helps Netflix log record quarterly subscriber gains in India
Netflix reported record quarterly paid subscriber additions in India and 18 per cent revenue growth in Q3 2026, aided by its transaction-based loyalty partnership with Flipkart
 "Flipkart deal helps Netflix log record quarterly subscriber gains in India")
Meesho's branded push reaches deeper into small-town India as demand grows
Meesho Mall's net merchandise value rose 93% year-on-year in the June quarter, while orders on the first day of its festive sale more than tripled as branded products gain traction in smaller towns
 "Meesho's branded push reaches deeper into small-town India as demand grows")
Swiggy Q2 net loss narrows 15.6% to ₹922 crore, revenue rises 36%
Swiggy's food delivery adjusted EBITDA rose ₹101 crore year-on-year to ₹341 crore in Q2FY27, while Instamart's gross order value grew 16.7 per cent sequentially to ₹9,230 crore.
 "Swiggy Q2 net loss narrows 15.6% to ₹922 crore, revenue rises 36%")
PharmEasy veterans raise ₹63 cr for home and kitchen startup Chapter Home
Backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Stride Ventures and Tanmay Bhat, the company was valued at nearly Rs 1,000 crore and plans to expand categories and omnichannel distribution
 "PharmEasy veterans raise ₹63 cr for home and kitchen startup Chapter Home")
Flipkart's Big Billion Days draws 9 in 10 shoppers as orders rise 20-22%
Flipkart's 11-day festive sale saw orders, units and buyers rise 20-22% year-on-year, with nearly half of buyers from Gen Z and about 60% from Tier 2-plus cities
 "Flipkart's Big Billion Days draws 9 in 10 shoppers as orders rise 20-22%")
Zetwerk heads for stock market debut as alumni build manufacturing startups
Ventures founded by former Zetwerk executives are borrowing the company's playbook of orchestrating factories rather than owning them, attracting over $130 million in funding
 "Zetwerk heads for stock market debut as alumni build manufacturing startups")
Small-town shoppers drive strong start to India's festival online sales
Flipkart, Amazon and Meesho see strong demand from smaller towns and first-time buyers, while quick commerce and food delivery record limited festive gains, a BofA report finds
 "Small-town shoppers drive strong start to India's festival online sales")
Tonbo Imaging India IPO subscribed nearly 136 times, led by QIB demand
The issue drew 55,24,267 applications, according to Chittorgarh data, with qualified institutional buyers subscribing 293.56 times and non-institutional investors 170.94 times
 "Tonbo Imaging India IPO subscribed nearly 136 times, led by QIB demand")