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 their 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, where he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-ups, 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 their 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, where he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-ups, 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
Budget 2026 boosts startups, MSMEs with ₹10,000 crore funds, credit push
FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹10,000 cr SME Growth Fund and additional credit and equity support for micro enterprises and startups to cushion them against global economic uncertainty
 "Budget 2026 boosts startups, MSMEs with ₹10,000 crore funds, credit push")
Meesho swings to ₹490 crore Q3 loss as costs outpace revenue growth
Recently listed e-commerce firm reports higher logistics, employee and restructuring costs in the December quarter despite strong revenue growth
 "Meesho swings to ₹490 crore Q3 loss as costs outpace revenue growth")
Swiggy revenue rises to ₹6,148 cr in Dec quarter as losses widen 33%
December-quarter revenue surged across food delivery and logistics, though aggressive spending on quick commerce widened losses year-on-year
 "Swiggy revenue rises to ₹6,148 cr in Dec quarter as losses widen 33%")
Economic Survey flags rising risks for startups in technology and AI
The report backs innovation as a growth driver but warns that costly capital, long-duration investments and narrow margins of safety could test India's early-stage enterprises
 "Economic Survey flags rising risks for startups in technology and AI")
Easy Home Finance raises $30 million in Series C led by Investcorp
Mortgage-technology lender plans pan-India expansion as investors double down on India's housing finance growth
 "Easy Home Finance raises $30 million in Series C led by Investcorp")
Flipkart group appoints two senior executives ahead of planned IPO
Jason Chappel joins as group controller and Amer Hussain as VP of supply chain for grocery and Minutes
 "Flipkart group appoints two senior executives ahead of planned IPO")
Nivaan Care raises $7 million to expand pain management clinics in India
Series A round led by Sorin Investments backs the rollout of minimally invasive, single specialty centres
 "Nivaan Care raises $7 million to expand pain management clinics in India")
Cropin unveils AI agriculture platform to rewire global food supply chains
New ecosystem with Google, BCG, Wipro and others aims to reduce climate, data and procurement risks in agriculture
 "Cropin unveils AI agriculture platform to rewire global food supply chains")
ToneTag bets sound waves will power next generation of digital payments
Bengaluru-based ToneTag processes over $3 billion a month using sound wave technology, enabling secure, cardless payments in India and emerging markets while expanding globally
 "ToneTag bets sound waves will power next generation of digital payments")
Bike taxis set to make a comeback in Karnataka as High Court lifts ban
Court calls blanket prohibition a restraint on trade; firms welcome move
 "Bike taxis set to make a comeback in Karnataka as High Court lifts ban")
Optimist raises $12 million to build air conditioners for India's climate
Accel and Arkam Ventures back the startup, founded by Urban Ladder's Ashish Goel, as it develops energy-efficient cooling systems tailored to India's power and climate constraints
 "Optimist raises $12 million to build air conditioners for India's climate")
Sensesemi Technologies raises ₹25 crore to build edge-AI chips
The fabless semiconductor start-up plans to expand its engineering team and develop integrated chips for industrial IoT, automotive and medical devices
 "Sensesemi Technologies raises ₹25 crore to build edge-AI chips")
Amagi is likely one of India's largest tech-driven, AI-first IPOs: Accel
Accel partners Shekhar Kirani and Rachit Parekh on why they're holding their Amagi stake post-IPO, the reopening of India's tech listing window, and where they're placing AI bets
 "Amagi is likely one of India's largest tech-driven, AI-first IPOs: Accel")
AI startup Emergent raises $70 million in SoftBank, Khosla-led round
The firm has raised $100 million in seven months, with over 5 million users creating and shipping products in more than 190 countries
 "AI startup Emergent raises $70 million in SoftBank, Khosla-led round")
Whizzo raises $15 mn in Series A round to scale technical textiles platform
Fundamentum-led Series A backs materials-science research, in-house IP and expansion of an Asia-wide manufacturing network
 "Whizzo raises $15 mn in Series A round to scale technical textiles platform")
Budget 2026: Startups, investors push regulatory changes to unlock capital
Venture investors seek policy changes to unlock capital for deep-tech firms, ease regulatory burdens
 "Budget 2026: Startups, investors push regulatory changes to unlock capital")
Unacademy retreats from offline expansion as founder bets on digital growth
Gaurav Munjal plans to franchise or sell physical centres while folding Airlearn into the company's core online platform
 "Unacademy retreats from offline expansion as founder bets on digital growth")
CARS24 revenue rises 18% as retail shift narrows losses ahead of IPO plans
Auto-tech firm says higher-margin retail and financing businesses are reshaping its profit profile
 "CARS24 revenue rises 18% as retail shift narrows losses ahead of IPO plans")
Snabbit steps up senior hiring as it scales home-services business
Quick home-services platform brings on Pync's founding team as it expands into new categories and cities
 "Snabbit steps up senior hiring as it scales home-services business")
Flipkart taps former Tyson Foods executive Jane Duke for ethics role
Veteran compliance leader joins e-commerce giant amid efforts to strengthen oversight and institutional leadership ahead of an IPO
 "Flipkart taps former Tyson Foods executive Jane Duke for ethics role")