 "Udisha Srivastav")
Udisha Srivastav
Udisha Srivastav
Udisha Srivastav is a New Delhi-based journalist, currently covering the dynamic world of homegrown startups with a special focus on quick commerce, e-commerce, food-tech, ed-tech, logistics, and ride-hailing. While she enjoys being a print correspondent, she also likes to break the monotony and take up some audio, video, or multimedia projects. She has studied a Master's in Convergent Journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia University and did her undergraduate programme from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Bonus information: She doesn’t get distracted — she gets divinely rerouted.
Udisha Srivastav is a New Delhi-based journalist, currently covering the dynamic world of homegrown startups with a special focus on quick commerce, e-commerce, food-tech, ed-tech, logistics, and ride-hailing. While she enjoys being a print correspondent, she also likes to break the monotony and take up some audio, video, or multimedia projects. She has studied a Master's in Convergent Journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia University and did her undergraduate programme from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Bonus information: She doesn’t get distracted — she gets divinely rerouted.
Udisha Srivastav
West Asia war-triggered LPG shortage and a case of reverse migration
From gig and contractual workers to street vendors and students, struggle is now part of everyday life
 "West Asia war-triggered LPG shortage and a case of reverse migration")
Conversational AI startup VerbaFlo raises $7 million led by Pi Labs
Funds will be used to expand in the US and other markets, invest in product development, and scale the team of the real estate-focused AI platform
 "Conversational AI startup VerbaFlo raises $7 million led by Pi Labs")
West Asia conflict sends Indian startups into wait-and-watch mode
Indian startups are turning cautious on expansion and investments in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict, with fintech and travel sectors seeing early stress while edtech remains relatively stable
 "West Asia conflict sends Indian startups into wait-and-watch mode")
Venture Catalysts exits hygiene startup Pee Safe, gets 9.6x return
Venture Catalysts exits Pee Safe with a 9.6x return, delivering strong gains after the hygiene startup raised fresh capital in a round led by OrbiMed
 "Venture Catalysts exits hygiene startup Pee Safe, gets 9.6x return")
B2B startup BambooBox raises $6.6 million in round led by Peak XV
BambooBox raises $6.6 million in a Peak XV-led round to scale its AI-driven account-based marketing platform and expand global enterprise adoption
 "B2B startup BambooBox raises $6.6 million in round led by Peak XV")
Services sectors feel ripple effects as West Asia crisis hits operations
Aviation, hospitality, travel, e-comm, q-com, logistics prepare for dent to bottomlines; IT services insulated for now
 "Services sectors feel ripple effects as West Asia crisis hits operations")
After India AI Impact Summit, firms turn talk into business globally
A month after the India AI Impact Summit, startups report partnerships, product launches and global leads as India positions itself as a source of AI solutions
 "After India AI Impact Summit, firms turn talk into business globally")
Amazon expands its dedicated air cargo services to northeastern region
Amazon has expanded its dedicated air cargo network, Amazon Air, to the Northeast with new Delhi-Kolkata-Guwahati routes aimed at cutting transit times and improving delivery speeds
 "Amazon expands its dedicated air cargo services to northeastern region")
Gig workers report drop in orders on Zomato, Swiggy amid LPG shortage
West Asia crisis: Cooking gas crunch puts food delivery orders on slow boil
 "Gig workers report drop in orders on Zomato, Swiggy amid LPG shortage")
IAMAI raises concerns over double welfare contributions for gig workers
Industry body says overlap between Karnataka's gig worker law and the Code on Social Security could lead to duplicative welfare contributions by platform companies
As gas supply worries grow, households push to buy induction cooktops
Retailers and e-commerce platforms report a surge in induction cooktop demand as households look for alternatives amid concerns over possible disruptions in PNG and LPG supply
 "As gas supply worries grow, households push to buy induction cooktops")
Gig workers warn LPG, CNG shortage may hit Ola, Uber, Rapido rides
Drivers linked to Ola, Uber and Rapido warn LPG and CNG shortages could hurt earnings as long queues at fuel stations and rising costs threaten ride availability
 "Gig workers warn LPG, CNG shortage may hit Ola, Uber, Rapido rides")
Startups may get to access 'stalled' capital under new PN3 regime
Revised policy may ease startup funding and support IPO-bound companies while maintaining security oversight
 "Startups may get to access 'stalled' capital under new PN3 regime")
Drone-based logistics firm Skye Air raises $9 million in Series B round
Hyperlocal drone delivery platform Skye Air closes Series B funding, plans expansion into Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata while enhancing its autonomous logistics technology
Agri-tech startup Verdant Impact raises $3 mn in seed funding round
AI-driven bovine genetics startup Verdant Impact raises $3 million in a seed round led by Unicorn India Ventures to expand markets, scale its Pashu.AI platform and strengthen tech capabilities
 "Agri-tech startup Verdant Impact raises $3 mn in seed funding round")
Food delivery ecosystem likely to feel heat as LPG supply dries up
India's restaurants warn of menu cuts and possible shutdowns as LPG shortages linked to the West Asia crisis threaten fuel supplies for kitchens used by food delivery platforms
 "Food delivery ecosystem likely to feel heat as LPG supply dries up")
Women-led startups saw 9% funding drop in 2025, says Tracxn report
Deal activity also fell significantly, with the number of funding rounds dropping 29 per cent from 2024
 "Women-led startups saw 9% funding drop in 2025, says Tracxn report")
Flipkart lays off 250-300 employees after reviewing performance
Layoffs affect roughly 2% of workforce as Walmart-backed e-commerce firm tightens operations and prepares for a potential IPO
 "Flipkart lays off 250-300 employees after reviewing performance")
Women startup founders get just ₹4 for every ₹100 raised by men: Report
Kalaari Capital report highlights stark gender gap in India's startup funding, with women founders receiving just ₹4 for every ₹100 raised by male counterparts
 "Women startup founders get just ₹4 for every ₹100 raised by men: Report")
Fashion qcom startups prioritise experience-led shopping over speed
Fashion quick commerce startups are shifting focus from speed to experience-led shopping, offering features such as discovery, personalisation, try-at-home options to tackle online shopping challenges
 "Fashion qcom startups prioritise experience-led shopping over speed")