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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Traditional VC model not enough for deep science: Social Alpha founder
Manoj Kumar, the founder of venture development platform Social Alpha, says that deep science is all about impact first, rather than return first, making it harder to find typical venture funding
 "Traditional VC model not enough for deep science: Social Alpha founder")
Pilgrim secures Rs 200 crore funding at Rs 3,000 crore pre-money valuation
The beauty brand will use the funding to help the online brand deepen its offline presence and enhance research and development capabilities
 "Pilgrim secures Rs 200 crore funding at Rs 3,000 crore pre-money valuation")
Protectt.ai secures Rs 76 crore from Bessemer to boost mobile app security
The funds raised will be utilised to enhance its AI-driven mobile app security platform and accelerate product innovation
 "Protectt.ai secures Rs 76 crore from Bessemer to boost mobile app security")
More competition boosts customer confidence in EV tech: Ather Energy CTO
In the past, we have launched many products in the market, from generation 4 to generation 5, to Apex, Rizta, and Halo, said Ather Energy CTO
 "More competition boosts customer confidence in EV tech: Ather Energy CTO")
Luxury fashion firm Purple Style Labs raises $40 mn in Series-E funding
This funding will fuel the firm's expansion plans, both domestically and internationally, while strengthening its omnichannel capabilities to bolster shopping experience for Indian fashion globally
 "Luxury fashion firm Purple Style Labs raises $40 mn in Series-E funding")
Nandan Nilekani's master key to help unlock India's $8 trillion future
Nilekani believes the combination of AI, smartphones will help unlock digital access, but challenges like income disparity remain; Nilekani's 'The Great Unlock' aims to overcome these barriers
 "Nandan Nilekani's master key to help unlock India's $8 trillion future")
Binny Bansal unveils new venture Opptra to tap consumer brand growth
At Opptra, Bansal aims to empower brands to unlock global growth and thrive in the ever-evolving, digitally disrupted retail landscape
 "Binny Bansal unveils new venture Opptra to tap consumer brand growth")
Bessemer raises $350 million in India fund to back new-age companies
Will focus on investments across AI, SaaS, fintech, digital health, consumer, and cybersecurity
 "Bessemer raises $350 million in India fund to back new-age companies")
Was pressured to select process advisor, alleges Byju's former IRP
Khaitan & Co, EY refute allegations
 "Was pressured to select process advisor, alleges Byju's former IRP")
Swish secures $14 mn in Series A funding from Hara Global and Accel
This funding will support Swish's expansion across Bengaluru, with plans to extend its quick food delivery model to more pincodes in the coming month
 "Swish secures $14 mn in Series A funding from Hara Global and Accel")
Swiggy expands food delivery to 100 railway stations across 20 states
Train passengers can choose from over 7 million menu items from over 60,000 brands and across more than 35 cuisines across the country
 "Swiggy expands food delivery to 100 railway stations across 20 states")
Top talent moving to the US: Sachin Bansal on India's brain drain
He also pointed out that Indians are highly successful in the US, often holding top leadership positions
 "Top talent moving to the US: Sachin Bansal on India's brain drain")
Sorin Investments leads $7 mn Series A round funding in AI firm Beacon.li
Beacon aims to expand its AI capabilities, scale its global footprint, and further enhance enterprise automation
 "Sorin Investments leads $7 mn Series A round funding in AI firm Beacon.li")
Legal net tightens around Byju Raveendran after US court ruling on fraud
Raveendran has called for an investigation into what he alleged is a "criminal collusion" between accounting firm EY India, GLAS Trust which represents US lenders, and the IRP
 "Legal net tightens around Byju Raveendran after US court ruling on fraud")
Leap Finance secures $100 mn debt facility from HSBC to help int'l students
Lack of affordable and flexible financing is one of the biggest challenges faced by many high-quality students in their pursuit of a global education
 "Leap Finance secures $100 mn debt facility from HSBC to help int'l students")
Byju Raveendran faces legal risks after US court ruling on fund fraud
Lenders may argue that as the ultimate decision-maker, Raveendran had knowledge of or actively participated in the diversion of funds, potentially justifying a 'corporate veil-piercing' claim
 "Byju Raveendran faces legal risks after US court ruling on fund fraud")
Ola Electric likely to lay off over 1,000 employees to reduce losses
The layoff news saw the SoftBank Group-backed firm's stock hit a 52-week low in intraday trading
 "Ola Electric likely to lay off over 1,000 employees to reduce losses")
Have 5-6 portfolio firms planning IPOs: ChrysCapital's Sanjay Kukreja
The common thread is backing grounded founders who are hands-on and have a relentless focus on execution
 "Have 5-6 portfolio firms planning IPOs: ChrysCapital's Sanjay Kukreja")
AI venture Krutrim struggles with senior talent exits over the past year
Bengaluru-based Krutrim has about 1000 employees and about 20 people including executives and senior employees may have left in the last one year, according to the sources
 "AI venture Krutrim struggles with senior talent exits over the past year")
US court finds Riju Ravindran, Camshaft, Think & Learn guilty of fraud
Think & Learn Pvt Ltd (Byju's) unlawfully orchestrated and benefited from a fraudulent scheme. Sham hedge fund Camshaft Capital facilitated the fraudulent scheme to defraud term loan lenders
 "US court finds Riju Ravindran, Camshaft, Think & Learn guilty of fraud")