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.
Page 138 - Peerzada Abrar/undefined
Observe.AI, provider of AI solutions to call centre agents, raises $26 mn
This round, which takes the company's total funding to $34 million, will allow Observe.AI to expand its US-India team globally and accelerate product development
 "Observe.AI, provider of AI solutions to call centre agents, raises $26 mn")
Flush with funds, home security tech startup MyGate goes on expansion spree
The company has forayed into Gujarat where it is aiming to secure 150,000 homes
 "Flush with funds, home security tech startup MyGate goes on expansion spree")
Scooter-sharing start-up Bounce's valuation may hit $500 mn on new funding
Bounce has already crossed 100,000 rides per day in Bengaluru; this puts it at par with global players such as scooter-rental companies Lime and Bird
 "Scooter-sharing start-up Bounce's valuation may hit $500 mn on new funding")
Flipkart unveils smart assistant to handhold first-time e-commerce users
The platform would help Flipkart to tap consumers across tier II, III cities and beyond in rural India, as it seeks to bring the next 200 million consumers online.
 "Flipkart unveils smart assistant to handhold first-time e-commerce users")
Ola begins onboarding drivers in London as rival Uber loses licence
Over 50,000 licenced drivers will now be assured that they can continue to provide mobility services in London. Drivers can initiate their registration on the Ola app
 "Ola begins onboarding drivers in London as rival Uber loses licence")
UK exploring AI, fintech partnerships with India: High Commissioner Asquith
UK was creating tech clusters in India to build these technologies and bring their applications to the market, British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith told Peerzada Abrar in an interview
 "UK exploring AI, fintech partnerships with India: High Commissioner Asquith")
Non-alcoholic beverage maker Svami raises Rs 7.5 cr from Rukam, others
The startup will use the funds to penetrate deeper into existing geographies and grow into newer cities of India, besides expanding the current product line
 "Non-alcoholic beverage maker Svami raises Rs 7.5 cr from Rukam, others")
India is critical for Telstra's technology innovations, says CEO & MD Penn
Telstra is looking at co-innovating with Indian startups in emerging technology areas, says CEO Andrew Penn
 "India is critical for Telstra's technology innovations, says CEO & MD Penn")
Fireside Ventures announces closing of Fund II, investment in Gynoveda
Fund II of Fireside is anchored by Indian and global investors and institutions
 "Fireside Ventures announces closing of Fund II, investment in Gynoveda")
These Chennai engineers use IoT devices and software to curb water wastage
WEGoT Technologies is looking at save 10 billion litres of water by 2022 using sensor-based IoT devices and software platform
 "These Chennai engineers use IoT devices and software to curb water wastage")
Food company Wingreens Farms Raises Rs 125 crore in Series B funding
Gurgaon-based company says will use investment to bump up distribution network and new products.
 "Food company Wingreens Farms Raises Rs 125 crore in Series B funding")
Govt lists Personal Data Protection Bill for parliament's winter session
The bill deals with handling and processing of consumer data by corporates, including restrictions and penalties
 "Govt lists Personal Data Protection Bill for parliament's winter session")
India bet pays for Walmart Int'l, Flipkart helps US giant's Q3 net sales
Operating income takes a hit owing to $290 million impairment towards Jabong merger with Myntra.
 "India bet pays for Walmart Int'l, Flipkart helps US giant's Q3 net sales")
Flipkart's 'Big Billion Days' gave Walmart some cheer, and $30 bn in sales
McMillon said that the company also continues to see 'tremendous growth' at PhonePe, its digital payments arm
 "Flipkart's 'Big Billion Days' gave Walmart some cheer, and $30 bn in sales")
Now, Flipkart will collect plastic packaging used in orders from consumers
The e-commerce giant is conducting a pilot project to collect plastic packaging back from consumers at select hubs across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dehradun, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad
Ola Electric inducts former Hyundai and Tata Motors exec onto its board
B V R Subbu currently manages a boutique strategy-consulting firm, advising global PE funds. He is also on the boards of various automotive and tech firms
 "Ola Electric inducts former Hyundai and Tata Motors exec onto its board")
Uber gives another push to its India plans with Rs 1,767-cr investment
Says it is the biggest tranche of capital infusion to Uber India by parent company
 "Uber gives another push to its India plans with Rs 1,767-cr investment")
Retail's tech backbone: India-built software drives likes of Walmart, Tesco
Walmart Labs has about 3700 people in India and most of them are based in Bengaluru
 "Retail's tech backbone: India-built software drives likes of Walmart, Tesco")
WhatsApp snooping: Castro stresses need for good cybersecurity policies
He says the government needs to come up with good policies to encourage digital literacy and collaborate with research institutes to identify various vulnerabilities
 "WhatsApp snooping: Castro stresses need for good cybersecurity policies")
Flipkart's FY19 group revenue up 42% at $6 bn; losses decline 63%
The e-commerce company managed to achieve a 63% reduction in losses from Rs 46,895 crore ($6.6 billion) in 2018 to Rs 17,231 crore ($2.42 billion) for the financial year ending March 31, 2019.
 "Flipkart's FY19 group revenue up 42% at $6 bn; losses decline 63%")