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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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")
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")
