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
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")
Ronnie Screwvala's UpGrad walks away from talks to acquire Unacademy
Deal discussions collapsed over valuation differences, ending one of India's most closely watched edtech negotiations
 "Ronnie Screwvala's UpGrad walks away from talks to acquire Unacademy")
Megha Agarwal resigns from Meesho, marks 1st senior departure since listing
Milan Partani to take expanded role over unified commerce platform, merging growth, content and business teams.
 "Megha Agarwal resigns from Meesho, marks 1st senior departure since listing")
Aivar raises $4.6 million in a seed round to take AI services global
Seed round led by Sorin Investments, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, will fund expansion across India, the US and Middle East and deepen investment in AI accelerators, senior talent
 "Aivar raises $4.6 million in a seed round to take AI services global")
India's startups turn to AI applications in 2026 after missing infra boom
Venture investors and startup executives are betting on services, enterprise tools in 2026 after missing the infrastructure boom
 "India's startups turn to AI applications in 2026 after missing infra boom")
Arrowhead raises $3 mn to expand human-like voice AI for financial sales
The startup's human-like voice AI can handle long sales calls and, according to the company, delivers significantly higher conversion rates than human agents
 "Arrowhead raises $3 mn to expand human-like voice AI for financial sales")
Even Healthcare secures $20 million to expand its managed-care hospitals
With this announcement, Even Healthcare reports operating break-even within six months of its first hospital launch. The fundraise also marks a 2x valuation milestone for the company
 "Even Healthcare secures $20 million to expand its managed-care hospitals")
Apax Partners makes strategic bet, acquires minority stake in iD Fresh Food
Private equity firm invests more than ₹1,500 crore for over 35% of the ready-to-cook foods maker, backing its expansion across India and Gulf markets, according to sources
 "Apax Partners makes strategic bet, acquires minority stake in iD Fresh Food")
In emerging markets, we focus on necessities, must-have items: Tak Lee
Venture capital firm Hashed Emergent's CEO Tak Lee on why India's Web3 startups are building necessities, not luxuries
 "In emerging markets, we focus on necessities, must-have items: Tak Lee")
Arya.ag secures ₹725 crore funding in equity round led by GEF Capital
India's largest grain-commerce platform will use the capital to deepen farmer engagement, promote climate-smart agriculture and reduce post-harvest losses across the supply chain
 "Arya.ag secures ₹725 crore funding in equity round led by GEF Capital")
Ola Electric's market share rises in December after service overhaul
Electric-scooter maker lifts monthly share to 9.3% as Hyperservice rollout helps it return to the top three players in several states
 "Ola Electric's market share rises in December after service overhaul")
PE-VC investment in India steady at $33 bn in 2025 as mega deals slip
Private equity and venture capital investment held at about $33 billion in 2025, even as deal volumes dipped. IT and BFSI led, while manufacturing overtook healthcare in deal value
 "PE-VC investment in India steady at $33 bn in 2025 as mega deals slip")
MapmyIndia adds metro, rail and bus routing to Mappls app for commuters
MapmyIndia's Mappls has added metro, rail and bus routing to the Mappls app in select cities, letting users plan multimodal public transport trips alongside navigation features
 "MapmyIndia adds metro, rail and bus routing to Mappls app for commuters")
'India's size and diversity make it a powerful innovation engine'
Two-wheelers emerge as the fastest-growing category as ride-hailing giant deepens push beyond metros in one of its most consequential global markets, says Prabhjeet Singh
 "'India's size and diversity make it a powerful innovation engine'")
Restaurants brace for quieter New Year's Eve amid gig workers' strike plan
Eateries say delivery disruptions on Christmas hurt sales in key markets and worry a planned New Year's Eve strike by gig workers could deepen losses despite platform assurances
 "Restaurants brace for quieter New Year's Eve amid gig workers' strike plan")
Ride on cue: Guntupalli on Rapido's no-frills route to rapid scale
Guntupalli tells how a no-frills strategy, zero-commission model, and intimate knowledge of India's diversity have enabled Rapido to become one of the country's biggest ride-hailing companies
 "Ride on cue: Guntupalli on Rapido's no-frills route to rapid scale")
Ola Electric secures ₹367 crore incentive under India's auto PLI scheme
The sanction pertains to the Demand Incentive for the Determined Sales Value for FY 2024-25, and authorises a payment of ₹366.78 crore to be released through IFCI Limited
 "Ola Electric secures ₹367 crore incentive under India's auto PLI scheme")
Profit-focused startups power India's strong IPO revival march in 2025
Venture-backed firms raised $4.9 billion in 2025, reflecting shift from cash-burn model to financial discipline
 "Profit-focused startups power India's strong IPO revival march in 2025")
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")