Nitin Kumar &Amp; Peerzada Abrar

Stories by Nitin Kumar &Amp; Peerzada Abrar

PhonePe first Indian fintech player to allow UPI payments abroad

PhonePe first Indian fintech player to allow UPI payments abroad

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2023

PhonePe said on Tuesday it has launched a service that will allow the fintech firm's Indian users traveling abroad to pay foreign merchants using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). 'UPI international' supports merchant outlets in UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan that have a local QR (quick response) code. Users will be able to make direct payments in a foreign currency from their Indian bank, like they do with international debit cards.

EV makers seek extension of FAME II subsidies in Budget

EV makers seek extension of FAME II subsidies in Budget

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2023

as the FAME II deadline of March 31, 2024, nears, EV manufacturers are worried about their investments and future plans.

Unit sales power Ola Electric to profitability

Unit sales power Ola Electric to profitability

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2023

'Through volume numbers and unit sales one can see, we are not making a loss'

Not just EVs, new technologies a big draw at this year's auto expo

Not just EVs, new technologies a big draw at this year's auto expo

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2023

Innovation ranging from exterior designs of vehicles to EV charger locks grabbed eyeballs at the expo

Auto Expo 2023 Day 1: EVs Rule!

Auto Expo 2023 Day 1: EVs Rule!

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2023

Almost all of these companies either unveiled their new electric vehicle or alternative energy-powered models.

Big electric two-wheeler makers won't plug into motor show

Big electric two-wheeler makers won't plug into motor show

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2023

Even as India overtakes Japan in automotive sales in 2022, moving to third place for the first time, oddly enough the country's biggest motor show is going to see some big hitters give it a clear miss. Some prominent automotive brands have cited high event costs, negligible returns on investment, poor event management, and unfavourable location as reasons for their reluctance to participate. Major pure-play electric two-wheelers, too, are riding past this year's edition of the Auto Expo.

Joshimath Tourism Industry Stares At Sinking Fortunes

Joshimath Tourism Industry Stares At Sinking Fortunes

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2023

The tourism industry plays a vital role in the town, accounting for 70 per cent of its economy, according to experts.

EV Sales May Cross 100,000 Monthly, But...

EV Sales May Cross 100,000 Monthly, But...

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2023

China's covid crisis could provoke a raw material crunch for India's EV industry later this year.

Vedantu gives pink slips to 385 employees in 3rd round of layoffs this year

Vedantu gives pink slips to 385 employees in 3rd round of layoffs this year

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2022

Edtech unicorn Vedantu has laid off 385 employees, nearly 11.6 per cent of the company workforce, according to sources. This move is being seen as part of a drive in the edtech sector towards profitability via cost-savings and consolidation, as funds dry up, they said. The Bengaluru-based firm has laid off over 1,100 employees (both full-time and contractual), so far, this year.

Amazon to shut down distribution unit in India, focus on core businesses

Amazon to shut down distribution unit in India, focus on core businesses

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2022

Amazon India has decided to shut down 'Amazon Distribution', according to sources. This follows its recent decision to shut its food delivery and edtech offerings. The moves are part of the annual operating planning review process amid global macroeconomic uncertainty. The e-commerce giant is looking to focus on its core businesses, sources said.

Ronnie Screwvala-led upGrad to hire 1,400 amid edtech sector turbulence

Ronnie Screwvala-led upGrad to hire 1,400 amid edtech sector turbulence

Rediff.com   23 Nov 2022

At a time when there is a growing number of edtech companies laying off employees in a bid to conserve cash and focus on profitability amid a funding winter, Ronnie Screwvala-led upGrad is expanding its facilities and hiring talent. The company plans to hire over 1400 team members between November 2022 and March 2023 in India and at offices outside the country. upGrad has also signed new leases in the past few months for 335,000 sq ft of space across four cities -- Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and Noida.

Unacademy gives pink slips to 350 employees in second round of layoffs

Unacademy gives pink slips to 350 employees in second round of layoffs

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2022

Unacademy is conducting another round of job cuts and laying off 350 employees or 10 per cent of its workforce of 3,500, as the SoftBank-backed edtech firm targets profitability and reduces costs, according to an internal note sent by Gaurav Munjal, co-founder and CEO of Unacademy group, to the staff. Munjal said the restructuring exercise would affect about 10 per cent of employees across the group. "I am deeply saddened to share that we will have to say goodbye to some of our extremely talented Unacademy employees," said Munjal in the letter addressed to employees and reviewed by Business Standard.

Covid impact shows that work can be done remotely: Rishad Premji

Covid impact shows that work can be done remotely: Rishad Premji

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2022

Indian technology industry has a "big opportunity" despite global macroeconomic challenges, said Rishad Premji, chairman of IT services firm Wipro, on Wednesday as he spoke about how Covid-19 had changed work. "My confidence is driven by two things: the rapid pace of digitisation across the world, and the shift in the mindset of stakeholders who engage with us as an industry," said Premji in Bengaluru while addressing industry leaders and civil servants at the Invest Karnataka 2022, the state's Global Investors Meet (GIM). Businesses are using technology for customers and employees: a trend marked by the shift to cloud computing and leverage of data.

Byju's takes Rs 300 crore unsecured loan from Aakash for 'principal biz'

Byju's takes Rs 300 crore unsecured loan from Aakash for 'principal biz'

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2022

Educational technology giant Byju's has taken a loan of Rs 300 crore from its subsidiary Aakash Educational Services (AESL), which it acquired for nearly $1 billion last year. AESL, in its filing with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, said that Think & Learn - the parent firm of Byju's - is in need of funds for its 'principal business activities'. It said the board of directors of the company at its meeting on October 3, subject to the approval of the members at the general meeting, has given its approval for granting the unsecured loan to Think & Learn for an amount not exceeding Rs 300 crore.

From layoffs to cost-cutting, start-ups brace for long funding winter

From layoffs to cost-cutting, start-ups brace for long funding winter

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2022

On a cloudy Monday this month, Mohammed Irshad flew from Kochi to Gurugram to attend an exclusive investor networking event. Among a handful of founders selected for the event, Irshad was to pitch his peer-to-peer learning start-up Notespaedia for funding in front of top venture capital investors such as AngelBay, Elevation Capital, and Inflection Point Ventures. He failed to woo them, but the feisty entrepreneur was determined to continue his hunt.

Byju's to raise $600 mn, in talks with Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds

Byju's to raise $600 mn, in talks with Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2022

Byju's is planning to raise $500-600 million from Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds and existing investors, according to sources, as the start-up world is facing a funding freeze. The educational technology (edtech) giant targets profitability by March next year. "There is no change in Byju's valuation. The new fundraising process is still going on," said a person familiar with the matter. "Any new valuation would be determined in the futureByju's is planning to raise $500-600 million from Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds and existing investors, according to sources, as the start-up world is facing a funding freeze. The educational technology (edtech) giant targets profitability by March next year. "There is no change in Byju's valuation. The new fundraising process is still going on," said a person familiar with the matter. "Any new valuation would be determined in the future as it is very tough for investors to do that in this environment." as it is very tough for investors to do that in this environment."

Byju's to lay off 2,500 staffers, targets profitability by March

Byju's to lay off 2,500 staffers, targets profitability by March

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2022

Edtech giant Byju's is set to lay off nearly 2,500, or 5 per cent, of its employees as part of an "optimisation" plan. The move by India's most valuable start-up comes amid a funding winter and steep losses. "To avoid redundancies and duplication of roles, and by leveraging technology better, around 5 per cent of Byju's 50,000-strong workforce is expected to be rationalised across product, content, media, and technology teams in a phased manner," said the company in a statement. In June, Byju's laid off about 600 employees at its group companies -WhiteHat Jr and Toppr.

Meesho beats Amazon in festive order volumes, Flipkart leads

Meesho beats Amazon in festive order volumes, Flipkart leads

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2022

Meesho has emerged as the second-largest player by order share in this year's festive sales till now, surpassing Amazon, while Flipkart Group platforms topped the market in both orders and gross merchandise value (GMV), according to according to a report by consultancy firm Redseer. It said Flipkart Group maintained its leadership position with a 62 per cent market share in terms of GMV during the first week of the festive season, followed by Amazon which had 26 per cent share, while the remaining 12 per cent was distributed among other e-commerce players. In terms of order volume, Flipkart Group again leads the market with about 49 per cent share and SoftBank-backed Meesho ranks second with about 21 per cent order share, according to Redseer.

14 million cyber-attacks blocked DAILY, says report

14 million cyber-attacks blocked DAILY, says report

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2022

Rapidly changing geo-political scenarios such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have made a significant impact on cybersecurity. Despite their best efforts, cybersecurity teams of enterprises may not be able to plug all vulnerabilities, according to a report by Indusface, a software-as-a-service security firm.

Gameskraft faces Rs 21,000-crore tax notice for 'GST evasion'

Gameskraft faces Rs 21,000-crore tax notice for 'GST evasion'

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2022

The Director General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has slapped its heftiest tax notice of Rs 21,000 crore on Bengaluru-based Gameskraft Technology (GTPL) for allegedly evading GST on the betting amount. Gameskraft has dubbed the notice a "departure from the well-established law of the land". The company is accused of promoting online betting through card, casual and fantasy games like Rummy Culture, Gamezy and Rummy Time.