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Startup News
Yourstory
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Startup Policy Forum endorses discount rates on UPI for large merchants
- The Startup Policy Forum (SPF) endorses the introduction of a merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions for large merchants.
- SPF believes that the two-tiered MDR framework would drive innovation, curb fraud, and sustain payment companies.
- The proposed MDR model aims to balance growth with inclusion by exempting small merchants from MDR while enabling investment in digital infrastructure.
- The endorsement follows recent warnings by the Payments Council of India (PCI) about the strain on the business models of fintechs and payment processors due to the absence of MDR on UPI and RuPay transactions.
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Medium
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Today’s Business Spotlight
- Boba Addict is a cozy bubble tea shop in Middletown, Pennsylvania, dedicated to serving high-quality and authentic boba beverages to the community.
- Boba Addict takes pride in using high-quality ingredients to bring customers the most authentic bubble tea experience possible.
- With endless combinations of flavors, tea bases, and toppings, every customer can create their perfect drink to match their taste preferences.
- Boba Addict isn’t just a place to grab a drink—it’s a warm and inviting space for people to gather, relax, and share their love for boba.
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Inc42
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WhatsApp Messages Helped Uncover INR 200 Cr Tax Evasion: FM
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highlighted the importance of digital surveillance in fighting financial fraud and tax evasion.
- WhatsApp messages and Google Maps history played a crucial role in detecting unaccounted wealth linked to crypto assets.
- The new Income Tax Bill, 2025 introduces provisions to legally empower tax authorities to access digital records.
- The bill also includes major reforms to simplify tax laws and increase tax rebates for individual taxpayers.
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Pymnts
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Grab Reportedly Seeking $2 Billion to Acquire Rival GoTo
- Singapore-based ride-hailing/delivery platform Grab is seeking to raise $2 billion to acquire rival GoTo.
- Grab is in talks to obtain a bridge loan for the deal, with a potential total acquisition value of $7 billion.
- GoTo CEO Patrick Walujo confirmed discussions about a merger with Grab, considering options to enhance shareholders' return.
- Regulatory scrutiny is expected as the potential combined company would be two of the largest ride-hailing and food delivery services in Southeast Asia.
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ISN
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Indian govt announces Rs 1,000 crore funding scheme to support startups in the space sector
- Indian government will provide Rs 1,000 crore to support space startups.
- The venture capital fund will be managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited.
- The funding will be deployed over five years, with increasing annual allocations.
- Department of Space's budget has increased to Rs 13,416 crore, encouraging private sector participation.
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TechUniverses
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5 Simple Ways to Secure Your Hosting Data for Good
- In today's digital reality, protecting hosting data is crucial, and VPS servers offer enhanced security.
- Using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and keeping the server updated are key security steps.
- Implementing firewalls, security tools like malware scanners, and regular backups are crucial security measures.
- Limiting access and using secure connections such as SSH are recommended for server security.
- Securing hosting data enhances business continuity, regulatory compliance, and customer confidence.
- Choosing a VPS server over shared hosting provides more control, dedicated resources, and customizable security tools.
- Liquid Web is a recommended VPS hosting provider known for strong security, performance, and support.
- Investing in reliable VPS hosting is essential for robust hosting data security.
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Npengage
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4 Tips for Effectively Leading Church Volunteer Groups
- To effectively lead church volunteer groups, clear and consistent communication of roles and responsibilities is essential.
- Creating a culture of encouragement and appreciation through various gestures like thank-you letters and appreciation events is crucial.
- Providing training covering mission, skills, safety, and building meaningful relationships helps volunteers feel supported.
- Encouraging volunteers to become leaders by offering opportunities aligned with their interests and strengths is beneficial.
- Welcoming volunteers' input and feedback can lead to more effective volunteer engagement and contribution to the church's mission.
- Showing genuine appreciation for volunteers' time, energy, and dedication is key to retaining their support and commitment.
- Training volunteers like new staff ensures they are well-equipped to fulfill their roles and contribute effectively.
- Supporting volunteers not just as task completers, but as members of the church community, fosters relationships and spiritual growth.
- Establishing open dialogue with volunteers allows for mutual understanding and enhances the overall volunteer experience.
- Encouraging volunteers to share their feedback and recommendations can lead to improvements in volunteer programs and ministry operations.
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Alleywatch
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The 15 Largest US Funding Rounds of February 2025
- The largest US startup funding rounds in February 2025 were analyzed.
- Austin saw prominent rise with Saronic, NinjaOne, and Apptronik leading.
- AI-focused startups dominated funding with companies like Together AI, Harvey, and Abridge.
- Deep tech companies in quantum computing, space technology, and robotics also secured significant funding.
- EnCharge AI, Mercor, and Semgrep raised $100M each in Series B funding.
- K2 Space secured $110M in Series B for innovative satellite buses.
- 80 Acres Farms raised $115M in venture funding for indoor farming.
- Tidal Vision, Chestnut Carbon, and Verkada also raised substantial funding in February.
- Lambda, NinjaOne, and Saronic secured the top three spots with $480M, $500M, and $600M respectively.
- The trend of AI and deep tech investments continued to shape the startup funding landscape in the US.
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Yourstory
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B2B marketplace Jumbotail to acquire SC Ventures-incubated Solv India
- B2B ecommerce player Jumbotail is set to acquire Solv India for an undisclosed amount.
- Jumbotail and Solv India will merge to become a multi-category B2B ecommerce platform serving kiranas and MSME firms.
- The combined entity will be led by Jumbotail co-founders and will have Gautam Jain from Solv India joining the board of Jumbotail.
- The transaction is valued at around $50 million and is expected to be a mix of cash and equity.
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Inc42
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Country Delight To Net $25 Mn From Temasek
- Dairy tech startup Country Delight is raising $25 Mn in Series E funding from Temasek’s subsidiary V-Sciences Investments Pte Ltd.
- The funding will be used for working capital requirements and a miscellaneous 'project'.
- This is the second external capital raise for Country Delight in the past six months, after raising INR 200 Cr in debt from Alteria Capital in October 2024.
- The startup has been strengthening its portfolio, expanding into new territories, and experimenting with quick commerce by offering 10-15 minute deliveries in select areas.
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Inc42
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BofA Downgrades Swiggy, Zomato Citing Rising Losses In Q-Com & Slow Growth In Food Biz
- BofA Securities has downgraded ratings for Zomato and Swiggy due to rising losses in the quick commerce (QC) business and slow growth in the food delivery market.
- The brokerage firm expects increased losses in the QC segment due to competition, platform-led discounts, and higher marketing expenses.
- BofA Securities also anticipates a slowdown in the food delivery market, with growth projected to be 16-18% year-on-year, lower than market expectations.
- As a result, Zomato's shares were downgraded to 'Neutral' and Swiggy's rating was lowered to 'Underperform', leading to a decline in the stock prices of both companies.
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Medium
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How to create and maintain FOMO during your fundraising ?
- To maintain FOMO during fundraising, schedule numerous calls with investors and embrace "selling mode" by pitching your project repeatedly.
- Building investor relationships before fundraising officially begins is crucial for attracting interest and creating a sense of exclusivity among potential investors.
- Engage with a shortlist of key investors consistently throughout your journey, not just during active fundraising periods.
- Leverage your network, including advisors, partners, and existing investors, to boost your fundraising efforts and amplify word-of-mouth influence.
- Utilize warm introductions for greater impact in creating FOMO and resonating with potential backers.
- Listening to feedback, validating your strategy, and refining your pitch based on investor input can enhance credibility and increase investor interest.
- Highlighting interest from other funds and reputable names during your pitch can add credibility and create urgency without exaggeration.
- Setting a clear fundraising deadline can encourage investor decisions and create a sense of urgency, but ensure it is realistic to maintain trust.
- Consistently demonstrate progress and maintain investor interest by sending regular updates via newsletters, focusing on key milestones and company potential.
- Maintain engagement with investors through newsletters, social platforms, and strategic updates to showcase steady progress and growing interest in your project.
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ISN
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D2C tea brand VAHDAM India raises $3 million from SIDBI Venture Capital
- D2C tea brand VAHDAM India has raised $3 million from SIDBI Venture Capital.
- The investment aims to strengthen the balance sheet and cash reserves of the company.
- Founded in 2015, VAHDAM India offers India's finest teas, herbs, and botanicals to consumers worldwide.
- The brand is expanding its global footprint, scaling offline retail distribution, and focusing on product innovation and research and development.
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Inc42
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Swiggy Gets INR 99 Lakh Tax Demand Notice
- Swiggy has received an income tax demand notice of INR 53.5 Lakh with an additional interest of INR 45.44 Lakh, totaling INR 98.9 Lakh.
- The order was passed by the deputy commissioner of Income Tax department, TDS Circle, Bengaluru, for the period of April 2017 to March 2018.
- The notice is regarding the non-deduction of tax under section 194C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 on cancellation charges paid by the company to merchants.
- Swiggy plans to appeal against the order and believes that it won't have a major adverse impact on its financials and operations.
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Yourstory
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Image Credit: Yourstory
MobiKwik expands into brokerage with new securities arm
- MobiKwik has entered the brokerage industry by incorporating Mobikwik Securities Broking Private Limited (MSBPL), a wholly owned subsidiary.
- MSBPL will engage in securities trading, potentially competing with established brokerage firms.
- This move aligns with MobiKwik's goal of becoming a comprehensive financial services platform.
- MobiKwik recently acquired a stake in Blostem, a B2B banking infrastructure platform specializing in fixed deposit aggregation.
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