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Startup News
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India's GoKwik raises $13 million to accelerate international expansion
- GoKwik, an e-commerce enabler, has raised $13 million in a growth funding round led by RTP Global.
- The funding round also saw participation from Z47, Peak XV Partners, and Think Investments, bringing the total raised amount to $68 million.
- The fresh capital will be used to accelerate GoKwik's international expansion and R&D efforts across its AI-driven commerce platform.
- Founded in 2020, GoKwik aims to redefine commerce enablement with an AI-powered platform that enhances checkout experiences and boosts conversions.
- The startup processes millions of transactions daily, helping merchants enhance their digital commerce capabilities.
- GoKwik offers four core products such as KwikCheckout, KwikEngage, KwikPass, and Return Prime, effectively enabling brands to process over $2 billion in GMV and achieving 100% YoY growth.
- Chirag Taneja, Co-Founder & CEO of GoKwik, envisions building a unified growth operating system for brands globally driven by AI technology.
- Investors like RTP Global and Z47 acknowledge GoKwik's deep data-driven approach, positioning it as a vital partner in the D2C ecosystem.
- GoKwik's ambition is to become the default growth infrastructure for D2C and eCommerce brands by connecting every shopper touchpoint.
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Medium
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This guy built a $1M SaaS — just by posting on Reddit
- Reddit is a trust infrastructure that can help build a user base by following specific strategies.
- Identify 3-5 subreddits with large communities and engage where future users interact.
- Provide value by offering insights and comments rather than directly promoting products.
- Use the 95/5 rule on Reddit: provide 95% value and only subtly introduce your product in 5% of content.
- Engage genuinely and solve problems to gain recognition and trust on Reddit.
- Avoid dishonest tactics like buying karma or faking upvotes on Reddit; honesty and value are key.
- Reddit content ranks well on the platform and search engines, potentially generating leads for months.
- View Reddit as a research lab and focus on providing value rather than solely promoting products.
- The 95/5 approach is more than a tactic; it's a strategy for building trust, which leads to growth.
- By consistently providing value on Reddit, a user acquisition channel can be developed organically over time.
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Inc42
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Darwinbox Completes INR 86 Cr ESOP Buyback
- Darwinbox, an HR tech unicorn, completes an INR 86 Cr employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) buyback benefiting more than 350 employees across its 11 offices globally.
- This is Darwinbox's third ESOP buyback in four years.
- The cofounder Jayant Paleti expressed the company's commitment to sharing success with its employees and building a culture of ownership.
- Founded in 2015, Darwinbox offers a cloud HR technology platform leveraging AI and ML for various HR solutions.
- The company serves over 1000 companies globally, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, AXA, and Airtel.
- Darwinbox saw a 58% increase in total revenue to INR 393 Cr during the financial year ended in March 2024, driven by overseas expansion and R&D investments.
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Startup Pedia
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‘I can’t stay silent anymore’: Former employee exposes food safety violations at Zepto
- Zepto, a quick commerce company, faces allegations of food safety violations including delivering rotten groceries and unsanitary warehouse conditions.
- A former employee exposed Zepto's working process revealing expired products being sold, unhygienic conditions, and unethical operations.
- The employee shared concerns about packing groceries in dirty water, handling damaged and rotting produce, and delivering expired products without consequences.
- The ex-employee emphasized the need for customers to know the truth about Zepto's operations.
- The viral Reddit post led to strong reactions from netizens criticizing Zepto and other online grocery platforms for poor service and accountability.
- Following the expose, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended Zepto's food business license in Mumbai due to non-compliance with food safety standards.
- During an FDA raid, fungal growth on food items, inadequate cold storage, unhygienic conditions, and improper stock maintenance were discovered at a Zepto facility.
- FDA found cold storage units failing to maintain proper temperatures for perishable items, wet and unclean floors, and food products stored on the ground, posing contamination risks.
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Dev
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What is an MVP in Agile development?
- In 2025, the term MVP in Agile development has become popular among founders.
- An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in Agile is the simplest version of a product that solves a core user problem and can be delivered quickly for idea validation.
- The concept aligns with Agile's principle of rapid development to learn quickly.
- Key reasons why MVP matters in Agile include delivering working software early and collecting real feedback from users.
- An MVP helps reduce the cost of failure and prevents over-engineering features no one wants.
- MVP integration into Agile involves backlog grooming, sprint planning, execution, user testing, and iteration based on feedback.
- Real-world examples of MVP success include Dropbox, Zappos, and Airbnb.
- MVP is distinct from a prototype, focusing on delivering value and testing user problems.
- Tools like no-code platforms and design systems aid in fast MVP development.
- MVP in Agile is not just a development tactic but a mindset revolving around hypothesis testing of user problems.
- Startup founders are advised to utilize MVP development services to accelerate their product launch.
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Insider
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Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe and her cofounder say ChatGPT helped them promote their fashion tech business
- Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, and her Phia cofounder, Sophia Kianni, used ChatGPT to craft scripts for marketing videos for their fashion tech startup.
- Gates and Kianni studied viral videos to emulate successful content creation strategies.
- They reverse-engineered viral videos to create engaging founder videos for Phia.
- ChatGPT was employed to transcribe and analyze viral videos to understand their success.
- Kianni broke down viral video elements to tailor scripts for Phia using ChatGPT.
- Understanding viral video patterns was deemed essential for marketing success.
- The broader trend shows an increasing use of AI tools like ChatGPT in various aspects of life and work.
- Gates emphasized the significance of AI in enhancing daily tasks.
- Phia, founded by Gates and Kianni, helps users find the best deals by comparing clothing prices across 40,000 sites.
- In a podcast episode, Gates shared her father's initial reluctance to let her drop out of college to start a business.
- Bill Gates mentioned not providing funding for his daughter's business and the dynamics if he had been involved.
- The cofounders did not comment immediately when contacted by Business Insider.
- Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni launched Phia in April, leveraging their AI-driven approach in the fashion tech market.
- Gates acknowledged the support her father provided in her education, contrary to his own path in starting a company.
- The use of AI tools like ChatGPT is becoming mainstream for businesses and personal endeavors across various industries.
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Inc42
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Over 17K GPUs Installed Under IndiaAI Mission: Report
- India has installed over 17,300 graphic procession units (GPUs) under the IndiaAI Mission as it moves towards artificial intelligence adoption.
- IndiaAI CEO Abhishek Singh disclosed GPU installations progress in a meeting with cloud service providers (CSPs).
- Jio Platforms and CtrlS Datacenters are yet to deploy their GPUs under the IndiaAI Mission, while others have made progress.
- IndiaAI Mission has approved the import of 34,333 GPUs to build a cloud computing platform for startups and researchers.
- The mission aims to facilitate training of artificial intelligence models and develop a large language model (LLM) for the country.
- Post update: The story will be updated soon.
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Inc42
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Meta Launches Gaming Accelerator In India With Top VCs
- Meta has launched the Meta Gaming Accelerator in India in partnership with Bitkraft Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Lumikai Fund, and Elevation Capital.
- The accelerator program aims to support 20–30 small and mid-sized game developers and studios in India over a three-month period.
- It offers expert mentoring, strategic guidance, and access to Meta's AI tools like Llama to help developers scale.
- Sessions on ad monetization, platform integration, player acquisition strategies, and AI-powered tools are part of the program.
- Participating developers will receive business and funding mentorship from top VC funds and industry experts.
- The program will culminate in a Demo Day where developers can pitch their progress to investors and Meta leaders.
- India's gaming sector is rapidly growing driven by mobile usage and AI technologies.
- The announcement follows Arun Srinivas' appointment as Managing Director and Head of India at Meta.
- Srinivas will take over from Shivnath Thukral, former VP and Head of Public Policy.
- Meta's investment in India's digital economy and gaming sector aligns with its broader strategic goals.
- The company is expanding its AI presence in India with plans for a new office in Bengaluru and hiring for engineering and product roles.
- The Meta Marketing Summit – Gaming Edition served as the platform for announcing the gaming accelerator initiative.
- The overall goal is to empower local success stories and facilitate the global scaling of Indian gaming companies.
- The initiative aims to create a launchpad for Indian game developers to expand internationally.
- The program will provide developers with support, guidance, and potential funding opportunities to help them succeed in the gaming industry.
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Gritdaily
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The 7 Best Keynote Speaker Agencies for Transformational Business Events
- The article highlights the top seven keynote speaker agencies known for delivering inspirational and transformational speakers for business events.
- Leading Authorities, Inc. is renowned for its vast roster of exclusive speakers, offering services like live event management and video production.
- SpeakInc. provides diverse speakers specializing in various topics and offers logistics management for booking ease.
- Keppler Speakers represent a wide range of professionals and offer briefing calls before events for speaker customization.
- All American Entertainment (AAE) Speakers assists in booking keynote speakers for events and provides hands-on support throughout the process.
- Key Speakers Bureau is a women-operated agency specializing in trending topics and helps educate and inspire through their speakers.
- Washington Speakers Bureau connects event planners with top keynote speakers from diverse industries and offers a rich database of speakers.
- Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Speakers features celebrity figures and business leaders, offering services to high-level organizations.
- Key factors in selecting the best agency include understanding event needs, agency reputation, budget considerations, and establishing trust.
- Choosing the right keynote speaker agency is crucial for a successful business event, ensuring inspirational and impactful insights for attendees.
- Eligible for Web Story: true
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Economic Times
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SoftBank eyeing buyout deals in India to push AI-led IT, BPO operations
- SoftBank is shifting towards direct acquisition in India, exploring buyout opportunities in AI-led IT and BPO operations.
- The Japanese conglomerate considered acquiring AGS Health for $1 billion, aiming to combine AI with service delivery at scale.
- SoftBank is keen on deploying AI in India's outsourcing sector, targeting disruption in IT services with the potential for acquisitions.
- The company is evaluating small-to-mid-sized firms for AI implementation in sectors like financial services, healthcare, and legal services.
- SoftBank's vision includes transforming traditional BPOs into tech-enhanced service providers by integrating AI for cost efficiencies and revenue growth.
- The SoftBank Vision Fund is eyeing AI infrastructure and data center opportunities in India to advance AI technologies.
- SoftBank's interest aligns with investing in global AI infrastructure and has initiated The Stargate Project for AI development.
- The company is also collaborating with OpenAI to develop Cristal Intelligence, an enterprise AI solution for its portfolio companies.
- SoftBank is exploring Project Crystal Land in the US, focusing on AI and robotics manufacturing, semiconductor processing, and tech workforce housing.
- SoftBank, known for investments in Indian startups, is now considering smaller deals ranging from $20 to $40 million as part of its flexible investment strategy.
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Economic Times
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Darwinbox completes Rs 86-crore Esop buyback from 350 employees
- Darwinbox, a software-as-a-service unicorn specializing in HR services, has completed an Rs 86-crore Esop buyback from 350 employees, making it the company's largest such exercise.
- This Esop buyback marks Darwinbox's third programme in four years where employees sell their stock options to the company.
- In this case, Darwinbox is directly purchasing the stock options from its employees, unlike the typical process involving external investors.
- Other companies like Urban Company, Mygate, Meesho, Classplus, and Adda247 have also executed Esop buybacks recently.
- Darwinbox cofounder, Chaitanya Peddi, emphasized the importance of talent and wealth creation for employees in shaping the company's future.
- The company closed a $140 million funding round in March 2025, co-led by Partners Group and KKR, with a blended valuation of $950 million.
- Lightspeed, an early investor in Darwinbox, partially sold its stake through secondary transactions.
- Darwinbox reported a 58% year-on-year rise in total revenue for FY24, amounting to Rs 392 crore, driven by investments in R&D and international expansion.
- The company aims for over 50% revenue growth in FY25, targeting continued expansion and deeper customer engagement.
- Darwinbox's platform serves over 4 million employees in more than 1,000 enterprises, including renowned companies like Starbucks, McDonald’s, AXA, and WeWork.
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Medium
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The Art of Guiding AI: My Journey in Prompt Engineering for an Agentic Coder
- The breakthrough in improving an AI coder's performance came from writing better prompts rather than more code.
- The process starts with submitting a Markdown 'design card', leading the AI to iterate by writing tests, generating code, and refining based on feedback.
- Despite a well-established setup, the AI faced challenges with simple tasks due to communication issues, not coding bugs.
- The generated code technically worked but didn't meet real-world Python testing, logging, and project layout expectations.
- The key change that enhanced the AI's performance was improving the instructions or prompts provided to it.
- Enhancing the prompts led to a more effective and reliable AI performance.
- Interested in agentic AI, test-driven development with LLMs, or creating intelligent coders? Follow the author's journey on Medium or connect on LinkedIn to explore building trustful code-writing systems.
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Inc42
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Reliance-Backed Altigreen’s EV Three-Wheeler Dreams Hit A Wall
- Altigreen, a Reliance-backed EV startup, has halted manufacturing operations due to a severe fund crunch, risking complete shutdown without immediate funding.
- The startup's manufacturing plant has been closed, with employees working remotely as the company faces financial challenges.
- Altigreen has faced issues with unpaid salaries, production quality, and dwindling sales leading to significant losses and operational difficulties.
- Despite earlier success and a significant Series A funding, Altigreen struggled with market demand and competition from legacy automobile OEMs.
- The startup's ambitious expansion plans, including forays into passenger vehicles, did not materialize as expected, leading to financial strain.
- Efforts to secure funding, including talks with potential investors like Hero Motors and JBM Group, have not resulted in concrete deals.
- Altigreen faces challenges in settling dues, unpaid salaries, and reviving operations amid increasing competition in the EV sector.
- The startup is currently in the process of raising $35 Mn in a Series B round, aiming to revive its sales and regain market trust.
- Altigreen's future remains uncertain as it navigates financial difficulties and strives to regain momentum in a competitive EV market.
- The story highlights the challenges faced by Altigreen and the broader issues surrounding funding, market demand, and competition in the EV sector.
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Inc42
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Fabheads Bags $10 Mn To Manufacture Composite Materials
- Chennai-based Fabheads Automation secures $10 Mn in Series A round led by Accel with participation from Trifecta Capital.
- The funding will be used to increase manufacturing capacity, expand leadership, and enhance engineering and R&D.
- Fabheads plans to open a larger manufacturing facility in Bengaluru focusing on the aerospace sector to meet international demand.
- Founded in 2015, Fabheads provides services for carbon fiber and composite components across industries.
- The startup's patented 3D printing technology and software are key components of its tech stack.
- Fabheads has secured $13 Mn in total funding and has patents across Asia and Europe.
- Investors include Keiretsu Chennai, Inflection Point Ventures, O2 Angels, and Vijay Kedia.
- Fabheads received investment interest at MeitY Investor Connect Programme.
- The deeptech sector is expected to grow significantly, attracting investors despite high capital requirements.
- Probus Smart Things and Proxgy are examples of deeptech startups that recently secured funding.
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Medium
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Being Human — Identity, Meaning, and Flourishing in the Age of AI
- In the age of AI, the challenges of retaining humanity and flourishing are explored, emphasizing the importance of relationships, consciousness, creativity, and emotional connection.
- Loneliness and depression have surged in modern human life, highlighting the need to rediscover the value of what cannot be automated.
- AI blurs the line between humans and machines, raising questions about the essence of being human and the impacts on cognitive potential.
- As AI evolves, the focus shifts to collaboration rather than competition between humans and machines, enhancing various fields like education, healthcare, and research.
- The paradigm shift towards a wisdom economy values discernment, creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical judgment alongside technical skills.
- The cultural influences on AI's impact are crucial, as they shape societal aspirations and behaviors, determining whether AI amplifies positive or negative tendencies.
- The article emphasizes the need to consciously define the role of AI in deepening wisdom, improving society, and upholding core human values in the face of technological advancements.
- Through collaboration with AI, individuals are encouraged to cultivate wisdom, engage in meaningful relationships, contribute to humanity, and leverage technology with care and humility.
- The aspiration is to use AI not to replace humans but to enhance their capabilities, fostering a balance between technological innovation and human values in shaping the future.
- The central message revolves around embracing AI as a tool for progress, emphasizing the essence of humanity, including love, curiosity, imagination, and the power of choice.
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