In a move that blends employee experience with sustainability, Akasa Air has partnered with eco-lifestyle brand uppercase to launch custom-designed travel gear for its cabin crew. The collaboration sets a new benchmark for design-driven utility in Indian aviation.Over four months of R&D, uppercase co-created a functional cabin gear kit based on real crew feedback. The result includes a hard-shell cabin stroller and a tote bag, both designed in Akasa’s signature orange, engineered to prioritize movement, convenience, and durability.Key features include dual wheels, TSA-approved locks, smart compartments for shoes and laundry, and a tote that locks seamlessly onto the stroller. Both…
Author: Aman Atulya
Bengaluru-based VC firm Yali Capital has closed its inaugural deep‑tech fund at ₹893 crore (~USD 104 million)—surpassing its ₹500 crore target and the ₹310 crore greenshoe option.Founded in 2023 by Ganapathy Subramaniam (ex‑Cosmic Circuits) and Mathew Cyriac (ex‑Blackstone India), the firm is designed to channel patient capital into India’s high‑tech frontier. A dual‑structure fund—comprising a SEBI‑registered AIF and a GIFT City feeder vehicleenables both domestic and global investor participation.Deep‑Tech Thesis & Investment FocusYali will invest across early stages (Seed, Series A) and late-stage rounds (Series D+), centering on:To date, Yali has backed five startups including notable firms like C2I Semiconductor, 4baseCare, and…
India’s largest online grocery player, BigBasket, saw a sharp rise in losses during FY25, even as its consolidated revenue slipped signaling challenges in sustaining growth amid rising competition and operational costs.According to filings sourced by Fintrackr, BigBasket’s parent company Supermarket Grocery Supplies posted a consolidated loss of ₹1,799 crore in FY25 a 4.3X increase compared to ₹414 crore in FY24.Meanwhile, its consolidated revenue dropped nearly 10% year-on-year to ₹6,528 crore, down from ₹7,253 crore in FY24. This decline reflects a weakening B2C performance despite recent expansions in Tier-2 cities and quick commerce.What’s Behind the Decline?The core B2C business—which includes the…
In a strong move against digital obscenity, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has banned 25 OTT platforms for violating Indian content laws. These platforms were found distributing pornographic and sexually explicit content, breaching IT Rules and multiple sections under the IPC and Indecent Representation Act.The order, dated July 23, 2025, directs all Indian Internet Service Providers to block access to the following apps and their websites immediately: Full List of Banned OTT Platforms:Why the Ban?According to a 90-page DoT report, these platforms hosted shows with minimal storyline and excessive sexual content. Some series ran 19 out of 21 minutes…
A Loss That Shaped a LegacyIn 2014, Dr. Sakshi Duggal Kumria lost her three-month-old daughter. It was a moment that fractured her world but also ignited a deeper purpose. From personal tragedy, she rose with unwavering strength and transformed grief into guidance. Today, she’s recognized globally as a spiritual mentor, numerologist, and energy healer.Carrying Forward a Sacred TraditionHer roots in numerology trace back more than 25 years. Born to a respected numerologist mother, Sakshi inherited both intuition and insight. At a time when numerology faced widespread doubt, she stayed committed, becoming the torchbearer of a family legacy. Her journey earned…
San Francisco/Bengaluru, July 2025 — Conversational AI powerhouse Gupshup has secured $60 million in a fresh funding round—majority equity from Globespan Capital Partners and the balance as debt from EvolutionX Debt Capital. The company is reportedly evaluating a domicile shift to India in preparation for an upcoming IPO.Riding the AI Messaging WaveFounded in 2004 by Beerud Sheth as an SMS-based network, Gupshup has transformed into a global conversational engagement platform. It now powers over 120 billion messages annually for clients including Swiggy, HDFC Bank, and Netflix. In FY23, revenue surged 43% to ₹1,619 crore, with profits up 22%.The company’s AI-driven stack built…
Panaji, July 2025 — The Government of Goa has unveiled the Goa Startup Accelerator Program, designed to elevate local founders and build a stronger entrepreneurship ecosystem in the state.What’s Inside the ProgramBuilt under the Department of IT, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) and the Goa Startup Promotion Cell, the five-month accelerator will support a curated cohort of 30 high-potential startups—25 registered in Goa and up to 5 outside operating locally.Entrepreneurs will engage in intensive mentorship across product-development, fundraising, tech, market access, and business strategy. The program includes masterclasses by domain experts, one-on-one clinics, and culminates in a Demo Day with investor exposure.…
Mumbai, July 23, 2025 — PayPal has announced the launch of PayPal World, a global payments platform featuring India’s UPI as a native settlement option. In partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), this initiative seamlessly connects with payment systems such as Tenpay Global, Mercado Pago, and Venmo.A Regulated Boost Ahead of LaunchUPI Goes Global—or CloserIndia’s UPI handles roughly 85% of domestic digital transactions and is now extending its reach globally via PayPal World. Indian users can pay on international merchant sites using UPI—no cards, no FX layers, just direct transfers. The NPCI aims to climb past Visa…
When Japjot Singh launched ANNY in 2023, the goal was clear: blend real-time trend responsiveness with inventory-light operations in India’s luxury-fashion space. Just two years later, the startup has secured ₹10 crore in Pre-Series A funding, led by early-stage investor Atomic Capital.The Built-for-Speed ModelANNY operates on a vertically integrated, inventory-light model responding to emerging consumer trends without overstocking. The result? A sharp 8× growth in revenue since inception. Singh explains:“Our model minimizes inventory risk and maximizes consumer joy. With Atomic’s backing, we’re scaling smarter.”Where the Funds Are HeadedMarket Opportunity & Strategic EdgeIndia’s accessible luxury fashion segment is growing fast with rising…
When Abhinav Pathak sold Perpule to Amazon in 2021, he didn’t pause he doubled down. Now, alongside seasoned retail executive Abhinav Zutshi, he’s crafting a new journey with Escape Plan, a travel‑accessory startup born in Bengaluru and backed by Jungle Ventures and Fireside Ventures.A Blueprint Built for Modern TravellersLaunched in May 2025, Escape Plan isn’t just another luggage brand it’s positioning itself as India’s first omnichannel travel gear platform, combining e-commerce, offline wearables in six cities, and technology-enabled quick‑commerce. Its product range spans luggage, backpacks, passport covers, neck pillows, and modular organizers designed for travellers whose last-minute needs can’t wait.The company has now secured a $5…