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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Pratilipi raises $20 million to expand Indian language storytelling
The company expects this to be its final primary funding round ahead of a potential public listing
 "Pratilipi raises $20 million to expand Indian language storytelling")
Eruditus posts Rs 3,733 crore revenue in FY24, reduces losses by 83%
Revenue nearly 1.8x Physics Wallah, 2x upGrad
 "Eruditus posts Rs 3,733 crore revenue in FY24, reduces losses by 83%")
FurtherAI secures $5 mn in funding to develop specialised AI for insurance
Purpose-built for the insurance industry, FurtherAI's AI automates complex document processing
 "FurtherAI secures $5 mn in funding to develop specialised AI for insurance")
Tech startups worth $100 bn set to pursue IPOs by 2027: Rainmaker Group
Walmart-owned Flipkart, financial technology (fintech) leader PhonePe, SoftBank-backed Lenskart, Razorpay, Zetwerk, and Meesho are among the top companies preparing to go public in India
 "Tech startups worth $100 bn set to pursue IPOs by 2027: Rainmaker Group")
Panasonic expands startup partnerships to adopt new tech in its products
Panasonic aims to co-create scalable solutions, integrating startup innovations into its product line-up to lead the next wave of intelligent living, according to the company chief innovation officer
 "Panasonic expands startup partnerships to adopt new tech in its products")
Plaksha University launches Binny Bansal Institute for AI, robotics
Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal gives Rs 70 crore for the institute focused on developing innovative solutions to tackle global challenges using frontier technologies like AI, blockchain and robotics
 "Plaksha University launches Binny Bansal Institute for AI, robotics")
Ather Energy to Zepto: More than 20 startups prepare for IPOs in 2025
Companies increasingly prefer to make India their base, driven by strong liquidity, a booming digital economy and global investor interest in the country
 "Ather Energy to Zepto: More than 20 startups prepare for IPOs in 2025")
India key to future AI innovation and talent: Pegasystems CEO Alan Trefler
Trefler also reveals how chess shapes his leadership, stressing the need to adapt strategy in a fast-evolving tech world
 "India key to future AI innovation and talent: Pegasystems CEO Alan Trefler")
Cropin secures Walmart project to boost sourcing in US, South America
The partnership aims to mitigate risks associated with weather, market volatility, and supply chain disruptions, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality perishable goods
 "Cropin secures Walmart project to boost sourcing in US, South America")
Skye Air introduces 7-minute drone delivery service in Bengaluru
The introduction of drone deliveries in Bengaluru is set to transform the e-commerce and quick commerce landscape, offering speed, efficiency, and sustainability
 "Skye Air introduces 7-minute drone delivery service in Bengaluru")
AI boom drives increased demand for semiconductors: Industry leaders
India aims to lead the semiconductor industry by leveraging geopolitical advantage, skilled talent, and cost competitiveness, driving economic growth, say tech executives and officials
 "AI boom drives increased demand for semiconductors: Industry leaders")
India scaling up semicon push for global leadership: Meity Secretary
He also spoke about the importance of ensuring that intellectual property (IP) remains in India. He noted that the key concern is not ownership, but the use of Indian IP
 "India scaling up semicon push for global leadership: Meity Secretary")
Amazon Fresh ups presence in tier-II, -III mkts; expands to over 170 cities
To ensure freshness and quality, Amazon Fresh sellers source fruits and vegetables from over 11,000 farmers
 "Amazon Fresh ups presence in tier-II, -III mkts; expands to over 170 cities")
Meesho's logistics arm Valmo handles 50% of orders, doubling from last year
In just one year, the company's logistics arm has expanded to approximately 15,000 pin codes, supported by 6,000 logistics partners and creating 85,000 jobs as of December 2024.
 "Meesho's logistics arm Valmo handles 50% of orders, doubling from last year")
Lab-grown diamond jewellery brand Firefly raises $3 mn in funding
Seed funding rounding for business expansion was led by WestBridge Capital
 "Lab-grown diamond jewellery brand Firefly raises $3 mn in funding")
Swiggy Instamart takes on Amazon, Flipkart with 10-min smartphone delivery
Customers across 10 major cities can now get their hands on the latest iPhone 16e, along with popular Android smartphones
 "Swiggy Instamart takes on Amazon, Flipkart with 10-min smartphone delivery")
Reducing fees helps sellers reach deeper into Tier 3, 4 cities: Amit Nanda
Nanda said this is Amazon India's highest-ever reduction in seller fees to support lakhs of small businesses across the country selling on its platform
 "Reducing fees helps sellers reach deeper into Tier 3, 4 cities: Amit Nanda")
Amazon cuts referral fees on 12 mn products to boost seller growth in India
Move aimed to boost seller growth by offering a wider selection and more competitive offers; revised fees to come into effect from April 7
Aquaconnect commits $4.5 million for aquaculture biologicals R&D
This initiative reinforces the company's mission to provide deep life sciences-backed, innovative shrimp and fish health and farm care solutions
 "Aquaconnect commits $4.5 million for aquaculture biologicals R&D")
Venturi Partners unveils $225 mn fund for consumer brands in India, SE Asia
The second fund will target high-growth sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
 "Venturi Partners unveils $225 mn fund for consumer brands in India, SE Asia")