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.
Peerzada Abrar/workspace/business Standard Web/undefined
India ordered 93 million biryanis in 2025, Swiggy report shows trends
Burgers ranked second with 44.2 million orders, followed by pizza at 40.1 million. Veg dosa recorded 26.2 million orders
 "India ordered 93 million biryanis in 2025, Swiggy report shows trends")
Tonbo Imaging files DRHP for IPO after rapid growth in defence electronics
Tonbo Imaging has filed its DRHP with Sebi for an IPO that is entirely an offer for sale. The firm reported FY25 revenue of Rs 469 crore, with 65% from overseas sales
 "Tonbo Imaging files DRHP for IPO after rapid growth in defence electronics")
Nikhil Kamath, Kishore Biyani launch startup venture platform The Foundery
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and Future Group founder Kishore Biyani have launched The Foundery, a 90-day co-building programme offering seed funding of up to ₹4 crore
 "Nikhil Kamath, Kishore Biyani launch startup venture platform The Foundery")
Gold, iPhones and noodles: What India bought on Instamart in 2025
From ₹10 printouts to ₹4.3 lakh smartphone splurges, Instamart's 2025 order data shows how quick commerce has become a routine part of everyday life across India
 "Gold, iPhones and noodles: What India bought on Instamart in 2025")
Practo eyes $1 billion GMV as US push adds $250-300 mn ahead of IPO
Digital healthcare platform Practo is targeting a $1 billion annualised GMV run-rate by June 2026, with US operations expected to add $250-300 million as it gears up for an IPO by end-2026
 "Practo eyes $1 billion GMV as US push adds $250-300 mn ahead of IPO")
Axiado raises over $100 million to scale AI-driven security globally
Digital infrastructure security firm Axiado has raised over $100 million in an oversubscribed Series C+ round to expand globally, deepen India-based R&D
 "Axiado raises over $100 million to scale AI-driven security globally")
PlasmaGen Biosciences bags ₹150 cr to scale int'l plasma therapeutics
Bengaluru-based PlasmaGen Biosciences raised ₹150 cr in a minority equity round led by ViNS Bioproducts at a valuation of over ₹1,500 cr to scale international operations
 "PlasmaGen Biosciences bags ₹150 cr to scale int'l plasma therapeutics")
CuePilot AI secures $1.8 million to bring voice-first AI into preschools
Round from Eximius Ventures and Titan Capital, led by Unilazer Ventures (backed by Ronnie Screwvala)
 "CuePilot AI secures $1.8 million to bring voice-first AI into preschools")
Food-delivery platforms generate ₹1.2 trillion, support 1.37 million jobs
Study by NCAER and Prosus finds sector growing faster than economy, boosting restaurants and labour markets
 "Food-delivery platforms generate ₹1.2 trillion, support 1.37 million jobs")
Ola Electric promoter Aggarwal sells small stake to clear ₹260 cr loan
Transaction removes all promoter share pledges, company says control and strategy remain unchanged
 "Ola Electric promoter Aggarwal sells small stake to clear ₹260 cr loan")
Speciale Invest plans ₹1,400 cr Growth Fund II for India's deep-tech scale
The deep-tech-focused venture firm plans to raise ₹1,400 crore for its second growth fund to back companies from Series A, betting India's ecosystem is shifting from research to execution
 "Speciale Invest plans ₹1,400 cr Growth Fund II for India's deep-tech scale")
India to offer more opportunities for next 500 mn users: Prosus' Sharma
The India head of the Dutch tech investment firm explains why Prosus is betting on India's heterogeneous market and AI-first strategy
 "India to offer more opportunities for next 500 mn users: Prosus' Sharma")
Amazon Pay rolls out biometric authentication for UPI payments in India
Amazon Pay now lets Android users approve eligible UPI transactions with fingerprint or facial recognition, reducing PIN friction for payments up to ₹5,000, the company said
 "Amazon Pay rolls out biometric authentication for UPI payments in India")
MoEngage raises another $180 million in Series F, offers liquidity to staff
Funding led by ChrysCapital and Dragon Funds backs the company's AI-driven expansion beyond traditional marketing platforms
 "MoEngage raises another $180 million in Series F, offers liquidity to staff")
Ola Electric founder sells personal shares to repay ₹260 cr promoter loan
Bhavish Aggarwal monetises a small part of his stake, lifting a key overhang while retaining roughly 34 per cent ownership
 "Ola Electric founder sells personal shares to repay ₹260 cr promoter loan")
Edtech firm Aakash seeks RBI clarity on funding used in rights issue
Edtech firm Aakash had approached National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in the interest of all stakeholders, as it was unable to utilise the funds received from TLPL
 "Edtech firm Aakash seeks RBI clarity on funding used in rights issue")
Moxie Beauty raises $15 mn in Series A led by Bessemer Venture Partners
The fast-growing haircare brand plans to expand product development and distribution as demand rises for India-specific, salon-grade formulations
 "Moxie Beauty raises $15 mn in Series A led by Bessemer Venture Partners")
Licious crosses ₹100 crore monthly revenue mark for the first time
Omnichannel expansion and repeat demand fuel the meat retailer's post-pandemic growth rebound
 "Licious crosses ₹100 crore monthly revenue mark for the first time")
Non-metros accounted for 75% of crypto activity in 2025: CoinSwitch
CoinSwitch's 2025 report shows non-metro regions now drive more than three-quarters of digital-asset activity, led by Uttar Pradesh
 "Non-metros accounted for 75% of crypto activity in 2025: CoinSwitch")
Non-metro India now drives most crypto growth, says Ashish Singhal
CoinSwitch co-founder says tier-2 and tier-3 cities drive 76 per cent of activity as women investors reach 12 per cent of user base
 "Non-metro India now drives most crypto growth, says Ashish Singhal")
