AI Just Replaced HR: IBM Cuts 8,000 Jobs — But India’s Startup Scene Is on Fire
May 30, 2025 | By StartupByDoc Team
In the past 24 hours, the global corporate world was shaken to its core, while India’s startup ecosystem surged ahead with bold moves and billion-dollar ambitions.
IBM has laid off 8,000 employees, hitting HR departments the hardest. Why? AI is taking over. Recruitment, onboarding, and internal communications — all being automated at scale. What was once “the future” is now here — and it’s displacing white-collar workers fast.
But while global giants restructure, Indian startups are thriving. Razorpay has returned home. Flipkart is prepping for a mega IPO. JioHotstar is now the world’s second-largest streaming platform. And across sectors like sports, AI, and travel, new players are getting funded and going big.
Here’s a full recap of the 10 most important stories that shaped India’s startup world in the last 24 hours.
Top 10
1. IBM Lays Off 8,000, HR Hit Hard
IBM has officially begun replacing HR jobs with AI. The company announced 8,000 layoffs globally, signaling the rapid acceleration of automation across corporate functions.
Takeaway: No desk job is untouchable. Adaptability, strategic thinking, and AI literacy are now essential skills.
2. JioHotstar Becomes World’s Second Largest OTT Platform
With over 280 million users, JioHotstar has become the second-largest OTT player in the world, trailing only Netflix. Local content, deep integration, and Jio’s reach are powering its dominance.
3. Ola Electric’s Profits Crash by 60 Percent
Ola Electric reported a ₹870 crore loss in Q4, with revenues down 62 percent. While the EV dream continues, competition from brands like TVS and Ather is intensifying rapidly.
4. Razorpay Completes $150 Million Reverse Flip to India
Razorpay has re-domiciled its headquarters from the US to India. The fintech giant paid ₹1,245 crore in taxes for this move — a clear signal of its commitment to building for India.
5. KhiladiPro Raises $1 Million in Pre-Seed Round
This sports-tech startup is aiming to nurture India’s grassroots athletes. With fresh capital in hand, KhiladiPro plans to identify, train, and empower the country’s next sports stars.
6. GydeXP Raises Funding at ₹15 Crore Valuation
GydeXP, an AI-powered travel startup, secured funding to offer machine learning-based personalized vacations. This marks a new era of smart travel tech in India.
7. Flipkart Secures $262 Million Ahead of IPO
Flipkart has received $262 million from its parent company as it prepares for a potential $60–70 billion IPO. The Indian e-commerce giant is going all-in on local expansion and a public listing.
8. IIT Bombay’s E-Cell Launches Campus Ambassador Program
IIT Bombay’s E-Cell has opened registrations for its Campus Ambassador program, offering certifications and rewards worth ₹7 crore. A huge opportunity for student entrepreneurs nationwide.
9. Razorpay’s Reverse Flip Costs ₹1,245 Crore
The tax cost of moving back to India was steep, but Razorpay’s leadership calls it a strategic decision to build and scale in India. It’s a defining moment for Indian fintech.
10. Travel-Tech Rises Again: GydeXP Secures More Funding
With a valuation of ₹15 crore and rising investor interest, GydeXP is at the center of India’s emerging travel-tech scene. Their AI blends deep personalization with seamless booking — a powerful new model.
StartupByDoc Insight
AI is reshaping the workplace, and traditional roles are being redefined — or replaced. But India’s startup engine isn’t slowing. From bold repatriations and unicorn IPOs to fresh pre-seed rounds and new verticals, Indian entrepreneurs are building with urgency and ambition.
The world is automating. India is accelerating.
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May 30, 2025 | By StartupByDoc Team