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
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")
74% of consumers back limit on 10-minute deliveries: LocalCircles
A LocalCircles survey shows strong consumer backing for curbing 10-minute delivery promises, amid safety concerns, even as medicines remain the top product for rapid delivery
 "74% of consumers back limit on 10-minute deliveries: LocalCircles")
Moglix launches AI-driven operating system for enterprise procurement
Cognilix aims to embed AI across supply-chain operations as Moglix commits $5 million to research and develop industry-specific enterprise products on the platform
 "Moglix launches AI-driven operating system for enterprise procurement")
Blinkit drops 10-minute delivery promise after labour ministry nudge
While there is no law yet prohibiting these platforms from advertising 10-minute delivery, the message has been conveyed through government intervention, says sources
 "Blinkit drops 10-minute delivery promise after labour ministry nudge")
CarDekho Group-backed Carrum raises Series A funding from Uber
The fleet management startup operates over 3,000 vehicles in several Tier 1 cities and aims to scale operations with the new capital
 "CarDekho Group-backed Carrum raises Series A funding from Uber")
Sukino raises $31 million to expand post-hospital recovery care
Bessemer Venture Partners leads the Series B round as the healthcare chain bets on rising demand for rehabilitation outside hospitals
 "Sukino raises $31 million to expand post-hospital recovery care")
Uber targets India's $13 billion corporate transportation market
Ride-hailing giant expands employee transportation services as GCCs fuel demand
 "Uber targets India's $13 billion corporate transportation market")
Myntra introduces zero-commission model for new Indian D2C brands
Move targets early-stage Indian fashion, beauty and lifestyle sellers seeking to scale beyond their own websites and social media
 "Myntra introduces zero-commission model for new Indian D2C brands")
On-demand house help market becomes two-horse race in urban India
Capital, labour flock to Urban Company, Snabbit as speed becomes currency of convenience
 "On-demand house help market becomes two-horse race in urban India")