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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Ola Electric CMO Anshul Khandelwal, CTO Suvonil Chatterjee resign
According to the sources, the executives leaving the firm are part of the restructuring efforts at Bhavish Aggarwal-led electric vehicle maker
 "Ola Electric CMO Anshul Khandelwal, CTO Suvonil Chatterjee resign")
From toys to electronics and gold: Indians shift to quick 10-minute orders
The big spenders hailed from Delhi and Dehradun, splurging over Rs 20 lakh each on Swiggy Instamart this year
 "From toys to electronics and gold: Indians shift to quick 10-minute orders")
Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane invests in tech startups Proxgy's Series A funding
Other key investors in the round include Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, film actor Suniel Shetty, industrialist Vinod Duggar and key investor Manish Patel
 "Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane invests in tech startups Proxgy's Series A funding")
Perfect human-machine interaction likely in 12-18 months: CoRover CEO
CoRover develops human-centric conversational platforms driven by generative AI (Gen AI) technology, including chatbots, avatars, and voice bots, and has already gained over a billion users
 "Perfect human-machine interaction likely in 12-18 months: CoRover CEO")
Ola marks 4,000-store milestone with tier-3 town EV network expansion
The electric vehicle company said it is committed to driving large-scale EV adoption enabling deeper penetration beyond tier-1 and tier-2 cities to almost every town and tehsil across India
 "Ola marks 4,000-store milestone with tier-3 town EV network expansion")
When Zoho CEO Vembu wanted to hire Trump's new AI advisor Krishnan
Born in Chennai, Krishnan's life took a pivotal turn when he persuaded his father to buy him a computer. He later became a well-known figure in the technology world of Silicon Valley and beyond
 "When Zoho CEO Vembu wanted to hire Trump's new AI advisor Krishnan")
Silver lining: How technology is changing the landscape of elder care
The concluding part of the silver economy series looks at innovative apps and wearables that are empowering seniors and their families
 "Silver lining: How technology is changing the landscape of elder care")
Indians ordered an average of 158 biryanis per minute: Swiggy report
Swiggy said Biryani is still the undisputed dish in terms of demand for the 9th consecutive year as India ordered 83 million Biryanis, according to the delivery firm's yearly report
 "Indians ordered an average of 158 biryanis per minute: Swiggy report")
EPACK Prefab raises $20 mn in first funding round from GEF Capital Partners
The funds will be used for capex expansion and drive growth initiatives by enhancing production capabilities, accelerating new product development, and expanding presence across the country.
 "EPACK Prefab raises $20 mn in first funding round from GEF Capital Partners")
Chaudhry's Sparkl bags $4 mn from Zomato, Zerodha founders and others
Chaudhry, whose previous firm Aakash Educational Services (AESL) was bought by Byju's in 2021, has secured a seed investment of about $4 million for his new edtech venture Sparkl
 "Chaudhry's Sparkl bags $4 mn from Zomato, Zerodha founders and others")
Semiconductor startup Mindgrove Technologies raises $8 mn Series A
Mindgrove's system-on-chips (SoCS) are built to be power-efficient and cost-effective for use in Internet of Things (IoT), vision and automobiles
 "Semiconductor startup Mindgrove Technologies raises $8 mn Series A")
Amazon, Flipkart face stiff competition to catch up in quick commerce race
Analysts said companies like Amazon and Flipkart may have to invest at least $1 billion each in 2-3 years to catch up
 "Amazon, Flipkart face stiff competition to catch up in quick commerce race")
Unicorn startups' headcount declines 6.7k in a year: PrivateCircle Research
Mumbai unicorns saw a net decrease of 7,024 employees. Pune and Hyderabad too recorded a decrease in their overall workforce numbers
 "Unicorn startups' headcount declines 6.7k in a year: PrivateCircle Research")
Namma Yatri's eyes to transform mobility space with zero-commission model
Till date, Namma Yatri said it has generated over Rs 1,100 crore in driver earnings, improving their financial stability and livelihoods
 "Namma Yatri's eyes to transform mobility space with zero-commission model")
Zetwerk records Rs 17,564 cr GMV in 2023-24, valuation at $3.1 billion
Zetwerk raises $90 million in 2024, led by Khosla Ventures, Rakesh Gangwal, and Baillie Gifford, increasing its valuation to $3.1 billion
 "Zetwerk records Rs 17,564 cr GMV in 2023-24, valuation at $3.1 billion")
BluJ Aero, Blade India sign deal for sustainable regional aviation
Blade India will purchase 60 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft as part of agreement
 "BluJ Aero, Blade India sign deal for sustainable regional aviation")
AI firm Databricks raising $10 bn Series J Investment at $62 bn valuation
Funding led by new investor Thrive Capital. Company expects to cross $3 bn in revenue run rate and achieve positive free cash flow in fourth quarter
 "AI firm Databricks raising $10 bn Series J Investment at $62 bn valuation")
Bureau secures $30 m in Series B funding to combat growing cyber fraud
With global fraud losses surging past $5 trillion annually-a staggering 56 per cent increase in the past decade-the demand for advanced fraud prevention has never been more critical
 "Bureau secures $30 m in Series B funding to combat growing cyber fraud")
Kaapi Machines: Using digital tech to deliver a perfect cup of coffee
The firm's IoT-enabled machines are installed in offices and public places, including at Microsoft, Facebook, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and the iconic Deccan Queen train
 "Kaapi Machines: Using digital tech to deliver a perfect cup of coffee")
magicpin introduces magicNOW 15 minute food delivery on a pilot basis
The food delivery firm will be initially launched in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Pune
 "magicpin introduces magicNOW 15 minute food delivery on a pilot basis")