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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Granite Asia leads $85 mn Series C funding in Kuku content platform
Granite Asia led Kuku's $85 million Series C round joined by Vertex Growth, IFC, Krafton, and others, to expand AI infrastructure and grow its vernacular storytelling ecosystem
 "Granite Asia leads $85 mn Series C funding in Kuku content platform")
Festive demand, tech push lift India's PE-VC deal value to $26 bn in 2025
During the first nine months of 2025, PE and VC investments have already exceeded the aggregate investment amount recorded in the whole of 2023 and 2024, respectively
 "Festive demand, tech push lift India's PE-VC deal value to $26 bn in 2025")
Biopeak bets bespoke longevity plans can go beyond bold-and-beautiful set
The company uses AI and cellular diagnostics to optimise performance for professionals by going to the root causes of poor health, with individually-targeted programmes starting at ₹40,000
 "Biopeak bets bespoke longevity plans can go beyond bold-and-beautiful set")
Eyewear retailer Lenskart accelerates store expansion ahead of $10 bn IPO
The eyewear retailer plans its biggest store expansion in three years as it prepares for a $900 million IPO, one of India's largest public issues in 2025
 "Eyewear retailer Lenskart accelerates store expansion ahead of $10 bn IPO")
GoodScore raises $13 mn from Peak XV to expand AI credit platform
Bengaluru-based fintech will use the funds to deepen its AI-led credit health offerings, scale its marketplace, and grow its product and tech teams
 "GoodScore raises $13 mn from Peak XV to expand AI credit platform")
Moglix adopts supply-chain hedging as India eyes chip self-reliance
B2B platform Moglix is securing global suppliers for critical components as it aligns with India's expanding semiconductor and electronics ambitions
 "Moglix adopts supply-chain hedging as India eyes chip self-reliance")
One in three Indians duped by festive scams as AI, deepfake frauds surge
Nearly one in three Indians has faced festive season fraud as AI-powered scams, deepfake celebrity endorsements, and phishing cons target Diwali shoppers
 "One in three Indians duped by festive scams as AI, deepfake frauds surge")
Eyewear major Lenskart unveils smart glasses with UPI payments ahead of IPO
Planned for launch over the next few months, the Lenskart B Camera Smartglasses integrate advanced eyewear design with operational convenience
 "Eyewear major Lenskart unveils smart glasses with UPI payments ahead of IPO")
Myntra adds 2 million new shoppers as non-metros power festive sale
Ethnic wear, beauty, and sportswear drive growth as smaller cities account for 70% of orders during Myntra's Big Fashion Festival, reflecting strong festive sentiment
 "Myntra adds 2 million new shoppers as non-metros power festive sale")
AI-first FMCG startup Meolaa raises $6 mn in pre-Series A funding
The Bengaluru-based startup plans to deploy funds into AI infrastructure, brand expansion and supply chain agility to compress FMCG product cycles from years to months
 "AI-first FMCG startup Meolaa raises $6 mn in pre-Series A funding")
Amazon Pay India revenue drops 7% in FY25 amid festive surge in usage
Despite ₹866-crore loss, platform sees strong consumer adoption during Great Indian Festival
 "Amazon Pay India revenue drops 7% in FY25 amid festive surge in usage")
Sebi nod for Lenskart, Wakefit IPOs marks strong startup pipeline
Lenskart to raise ₹2,150 crore in fresh equity while Wakefit plans a ₹468-crore issue to fund new stores, marketing and capital expenditure
 "Sebi nod for Lenskart, Wakefit IPOs marks strong startup pipeline")
Ola Electric's ferrite motor gets nod, cuts rare-earth dependence
India's largest EV maker secures certification for a ferrite motor that removes rare-earth magnets, tackling cost and supply-chain challenges in electric mobility
 "Ola Electric's ferrite motor gets nod, cuts rare-earth dependence")
As battleground tactics shift, startup Unmannd bets on autonomous drones
Company develops AI-powered platforms as recent conflicts expose vulnerabilities of traditional defence systems to drone swarms
 "As battleground tactics shift, startup Unmannd bets on autonomous drones")
Meesho's sale draws 2.06 bn visits, signals surge in Bharat e-commerce
Shoppers spend 117 mn hours; prepaid orders up 57%, seller count and Tier-4 growth soar ahead of Diwali
 "Meesho's sale draws 2.06 bn visits, signals surge in Bharat e-commerce")
Sellers passed on over ₹100 cr in GST relief to customers: Amazon India
The performance comes as recent GST reforms reduced rates on appliances and electronics, enabling sellers on Amazon to pass through over ₹100 crore in savings to customers
 "Sellers passed on over ₹100 cr in GST relief to customers: Amazon India")
E-commerce giants pass on ₹300 crore tax cuts to festival shoppers
Amazon and Flipkart channelled over Rs 300 crore in GST savings to festive shoppers as sellers adopted new tax rates, boosting demand for appliances and electronics
 "E-commerce giants pass on ₹300 crore tax cuts to festival shoppers")
GST cut drives ecom infra push in smaller cities amid quick delivery boom
Platforms expand infrastructure to smaller cities as GST reforms and instant delivery reshape retail landscape.
 "GST cut drives ecom infra push in smaller cities amid quick delivery boom")
Amazon Fresh expands to 270+ cities in India, adds tier-2 and tier-3 towns
Amazon Fresh has expanded its reach to more than 270 cities across India, including tier-2 and tier-3 towns, with 40,000 products and partnerships with 13,000 farmers
 "Amazon Fresh expands to 270+ cities in India, adds tier-2 and tier-3 towns")
Licious expands 30-minute meat delivery to 60% of its customer base
Licious expands express delivery, boosts hubs by 40% and taps India's $55 bn protein market, aligning with rising consumer demand for on-demand fresh meat and seafood
 "Licious expands 30-minute meat delivery to 60% of its customer base")
