News for 'General Atlantic'

Byju's India CEO Arjun Mohan quits, Raveendran to take over firm's daily ops

Byju's India CEO Arjun Mohan quits, Raveendran to take over firm's daily ops

Rediff.com15 Apr 2024

Arjun Mohan, CEO of India operations of Think and Learn, which owns Byju's brand, has resigned from the beleaguered firm, which on Monday also announced a business rejig consolidating its operations into three verticals. Mohan had joined Byju's in July last year as the CEO for international business after quitting rival UpGrad in February as CEO. Later, he was given charge of India operations in September after Byju's then CEO Mrinal Mohit resigned. After taking over the charge, Mohan undertook restructuring of the organisation which led to layoffs of around 4,000 employees at Byju's.

Promoters Sold Rs 87,000 Crore Of Shares

Promoters Sold Rs 87,000 Crore Of Shares

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

Prominent exits by promoters included a Rs 15,300 crore share sale in Indus Tower by Vodafone Plc, a Rs 9,300 crore share sale by the Tata group in Tata Consultancy Services.

Unacademy raises $440 mn; valued at $3.44 bn

Unacademy raises $440 mn; valued at $3.44 bn

Rediff.com2 Aug 2021

Unacademy on Monday said it has raised $440 million (about Rs 3,270.8 crore) in funding from a clutch of investors including Temasek, General Atlantic, and Softbank Vision Fund, valuing the edtech major at $3.44 billion. The investment is expected to help Unacademy expand its offerings, deepen its presence and compete more aggressively against rivals such as Byju's in the burgeoning ed-tech space in India that has been witnessing strong uptake amid the pandemic. The series H round was led by Temasek, with super pro-rata participation from General Atlantic, Tiger Global, and Softbank Vision Fund, a statement said.

Byju Raveendran, board members will not attend BYJU's Feb 23 EGM

Byju Raveendran, board members will not attend BYJU's Feb 23 EGM

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

Edtech firm Think and Learn Private Ltd, owner of Byju's, on Thursday said neither the company's founder and CEO Byju Raveendran nor any other board member will attend the extraordinary general meeting called by some select investors. Shareholders at Byju's are set to vote on Friday on a resolution brought by some investors to oust founder CEO Byju Raveendran and his family members over alleged "mismanagement and failures". Byju's has called the EGM "procedurally invalid" and contractually in contravention of the company's article of association and shareholder's agreement.

Byju's may pay April salary to employees this week

Byju's may pay April salary to employees this week

Rediff.com3 May 2024

Cash-strapped edtech firm Byju's is likely to pay its employees the April salaries this week, according to sources. The company is grappling with the issue of delays in paying salaries to employees. "There has been a delay in salary. It is expected to be now paid sometime this week," said a person.

Microsoft, Facebook to jointly lay giant cable across Atlantic

Microsoft, Facebook to jointly lay giant cable across Atlantic

Rediff.com27 May 2016

The 6,600-km submarine cable system would be operated and managed by Telxius.

One Month Of Trump: The World Is In Shock

One Month Of Trump: The World Is In Shock

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The US is currently Earth's most powerful country and a certain latitude of understanding -- a world view -- is popularly expected from its leadership. From a country identified with freedom, constitution, debate, democracy and the likes of Abraham Lincoln even as it had the most powerful military around, the US, following Trump's actions, seemed repositioned as militarily powerful with other qualities secondary, observes Shyam G Menon.

Edtech giant Byju's likely to lay off 1,000 more employees

Edtech giant Byju's likely to lay off 1,000 more employees

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

With debt woes and a legal case in the US courts, educational technology (edtech) giant Byju's is expected to be laying off more employees, according to media reports. According to The Morning Context report, Byju's intends to lay off 1,000 employees. This number, however, could not be confirmed by Business Standard independently. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the reports.

Unacademy to lay off 12% employees as it aims to turn core biz profitable: CEO

Unacademy to lay off 12% employees as it aims to turn core biz profitable: CEO

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

Edtech firm Uncademy will lay off 12 per cent or about 350 employees amid a funding crunch as it strives to make the core business profitable, a top company official said. In an internal note, Unacademy co-founder and CEO Gaurav Munjal mentioned that a decision has been taken to meet the goals in the current distressed global economic situation when funding is scarce. "We have taken every step in the right direction to make our core business profitable, yet it's not enough.

NTT resumes talks for Patni promoter stake

NTT resumes talks for Patni promoter stake

Rediff.com29 Nov 2010

NTT had earlier sought the combined 63 per cent stake of the promoters and private equity firm General Atlantic Partners, but their exclusive talks failed due to a valuation mismatch.

France's high-speed rail network 'attacked' ahead of Olympics

France's high-speed rail network 'attacked' ahead of Olympics

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Arson attacks and other 'malicious acts' has hit France's high speed train network, disrupting the transport system, the country's national rail operator said on Friday, hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Patni brothers revive stake sale talks

Patni brothers revive stake sale talks

Rediff.com14 Sep 2009

Promoters Narendra Patni and his younger brothers Gajendra and Ashok hold equal stakes totalling 48.3 per cent in India's sixth largest software exporter.

Ajay Banga becomes first Indian-American to head World Bank

Ajay Banga becomes first Indian-American to head World Bank

Rediff.com3 May 2023

Ajay Banga was on Wednesday appointed the next president of the World Bank, becoming the first-ever Indian-American to head the global financial institution which said it looks forward to working with him at a time when it's tackling the toughest development challenges facing developing countries. "The executive directors of the World Bank today selected Ajay Banga as president of the World Bank for a five-year term beginning June 2, 2023," the bank said in a press statement. In February, President Joe Biden announced that the US would be nominating Banga, 63, to lead the World Bank because he is "well equipped" to lead the global institution at "this critical moment in history."

Reliance Retail aims at 2025 IPO after valuation jump

Reliance Retail aims at 2025 IPO after valuation jump

Rediff.com5 Oct 2023

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) is discussing a three-pronged plan that includes an additional divestment of $250-300 million this year, apart from what it has diluted in favour of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and US-based private equity fund KKR recently.

Reliance Retail raises Rs 47,265 cr for 10% stake sale

Reliance Retail raises Rs 47,265 cr for 10% stake sale

Rediff.com20 Nov 2020

Since September, Reliance Retail has raised money from Silver Lake, KKR, Mubadala, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority , GIC, TPG, General Atlantic and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a divestment programme that mirrored sister Jio Platforms a few months earlier.

PhonePe first Indian fintech player to allow UPI payments abroad

PhonePe first Indian fintech player to allow UPI payments abroad

Rediff.com8 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.

Understand Russian feeling; will acquire Canada: Trump's big remarks

Understand Russian feeling; will acquire Canada: Trump's big remarks

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

United States President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he understands the Russian feeling with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) being on their doorstep.

Byju's sacks 1,000 more; count jumps to 3,500

Byju's sacks 1,000 more; count jumps to 3,500

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

India's largest edtech firm Byju's will fire 1,000 employees in a fresh round of layoffs across departments. With the latest round, total job cuts at the company have mounted to around 3,500. According to sources, fresh job cuts are an attempt by the company to improve its finances and work towards a path to profitability.

Byju's EGM gets underway; investors file suit in NCLT

Byju's EGM gets underway; investors file suit in NCLT

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Byju's shareholders got underway on Friday to vote on a resolution brought by some investors to ouster founder CEO Byju Raveendran and his family over alleged "mismanagement and failures". Raveendran and his family stayed away from the EGM, calling it "procedurally invalid."

Qatar fund to acquire around 1% stake in Reliance Retail for Rs 8,278 cr

Qatar fund to acquire around 1% stake in Reliance Retail for Rs 8,278 cr

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will acquire around 1 per cent stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), the retail arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries, by investing Rs 8,278 crore ($1 billion). A QIA's wholly-owned subsidiary will make the investment in India's largest retailer at a valuation of Rs 8.278 lakh crore ($100 billion). Updating about the development, Reliance Industries in a regulatory filing said: "QIA's investment will translate into a minority equity stake of 0.99 per cent in RRVL on a fully-diluted basis." RRVL is the holding company for all retail businesses of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

Get Ready To Laugh Out Loud!

Get Ready To Laugh Out Loud!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Images that should keep you grinning for days on end.

Qatar sovereign fund in talks for stake in Reliance Retail

Qatar sovereign fund in talks for stake in Reliance Retail

Rediff.com26 Jul 2023

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund is in early discussions to buy a minority stake in billionaire Mukesh Ambani's rapidly expanding retail unit for about $1 billion (Rs 8,200 crore), sources said. The Qatar Investment Authority is keen on tapping the fast-growing Indian market and has entered into a discussion to buy about 1 per cent stake in Reliance Retail Ventures, sources with knowledge of the matter said. Talks, sources said, are at a preliminary stage and being led by an executive director on the board of parent Reliance Industries Ltd.

PM Sunak ends speculation, announces UK election on July 4

PM Sunak ends speculation, announces UK election on July 4

Rediff.com23 May 2024

In an address from the lectern on the steps of 10 Downing Street on a rainy London evening, Britain's first Prime Minister of Indian heritage confirmed a summer poll in six weeks' time and that the Parliament would soon be dissolved after he formally informed King Charles III of the election timeline.

Ajay Banga poised to become World Bank chief unopposed

Ajay Banga poised to become World Bank chief unopposed

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

Indian-American business leader Ajay Banga is poised to become the next President of the World Bank after the nomination period closed and no country proposed an alternate candidate for the prestigious post. In February, President Joe Biden announced that the US would be nominating Banga to lead the World Bank because he is "well equipped" to lead the global institution at "this critical moment in history." The World Bank on Wednesday closed a month-long window for nominations for its next president, with no alternatives announced to 63-year-old Banga.

KKR to invest Rs 2,069 cr in Reliance Retail; to hike stake to 1.42%

KKR to invest Rs 2,069 cr in Reliance Retail; to hike stake to 1.42%

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

Global investment firm KKR will invest Rs 2,069.50 crore in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd for a 0.25 per cent additional stake of the retailer at a valuation of about Rs 8.36 lakh crore, Reliance Industries Ltd said on Monday. After this investment, KKR's shareholding in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), the holding company of the retail business of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led RIL, will increase to 1.42 per cent from 1.17 per cent. The investment is at "a pre-money equity value of Rs 8.361 lakh crore (around $100.87 billion)", said a joint statement.

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

BlackRock has again reduced the valuation of its share in edtech firm Byju's - this time to about $1 billion, TechCrunch reported on Friday, citing disclosures made by the US-based asset manager. This is 95 per cent less than its peak valuation of $22 billion in 2022. The markdown comes at a time when the company is facing a multitude of challenges, including securing fresh capital, delays in financial reporting and legal disputes with lenders.

Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general, dies of Covid-19

Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general, dies of Covid-19

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

Sorabjee had been honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2002 for his defence of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.

What Will Israel Do Next?

What Will Israel Do Next?

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

In days of smart, networked technology and no shame over collateral damage, what will blow up next -- cars, mobile phones, TV sets, refrigerators? And where?, asks Shyam G Menon.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Manish Kejriwal & Sunish Sharma: A new partnership on the block

Manish Kejriwal & Sunish Sharma: A new partnership on the block

Rediff.com18 Oct 2011

The new partnership on the block doesn't exactly boast novices. Sunish Sharma, managing director at General Atlantic, and another PE veteranManish Kejriwalthe Indian head of the Singapore government-owned Temasek Holdings (who is also married into the super rich Bajaj family) have come together to raise an independent private equity fund.

Byju's in talks with investors to raise $300 mn in return for more controls

Byju's in talks with investors to raise $300 mn in return for more controls

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

With investors asking for a change in the board structure at Byju's, the edtech giant's founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Byju Raveendran, is now asking them to put $300 million into the company for more control. The company has rung up $5.8 billion from investors such as General Atlantic, Sofina, the Qatar Investment Authority, Sumeru Ventures, Vitruvian Partners, BlackRock, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Sequoia, Silver Lake, Bond Capital, Tencent, and Tiger Global.

Afghanistan: US should change tactics not generals

Afghanistan: US should change tactics not generals

Rediff.com24 Jun 2010

President Obama had been justifiably angered by McChrystal's irreverent remarks which appeared in Rolling Stone. His irreverent remarks caused considerable embarrassment in the Pentagon and the White House. His dismissal was inevitable.

USISPF Or USIBC? Who Gets Modi's Vote?

USISPF Or USIBC? Who Gets Modi's Vote?

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's itinerary for his June 21-24 US visit could include an address to a fledgling business advocacy group, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

iGate seals Patni deal for $1.22 billion

iGate seals Patni deal for $1.22 billion

Rediff.com10 Jan 2011

US-based iGate on Monday said it has acquired nearly 63 per cent stake in country's sixth largest IT firm Patni Computer Systems for $1. 22 billion.

Phaneesh Murthy appointed CEO of Patni

Phaneesh Murthy appointed CEO of Patni

Rediff.com12 May 2011

IT firm iGATE on Thursday announced the successful completion of Patni acquisition and appointment of Phaneesh Murthy as CEO of Patni.

Jan to Sep VC investments down nearly 17% YoY to $6.5 billion

Jan to Sep VC investments down nearly 17% YoY to $6.5 billion

Rediff.com28 Oct 2020

Education topped the table with nearly $1.755 billion as against $379 million last year, followed by real estate which received $754 million.

Biden nominates ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to head World Bank

Biden nominates ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga to head World Bank

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

At the World Bank Banga will be replacing David Malpass, a former Trump treasury official, reports axios.com. Malpass had already announced that he will resign by July, months ahead of his term expired. "Ajay is uniquely equipped to lead the World Bank at this critical moment in history," President Biden said in a statement. Banga, 63, currently serves as vice chairman at General Atlantic.

iGate open offer for Patni to begin Apr 8

iGate open offer for Patni to begin Apr 8

Rediff.com30 Mar 2011

US-listed iGate's open offer for buying a little over 20 per cent stake in Indian IT company Patni Computer Systems will begin on April 8 and close on April 27.

Patni stake sale buzz gets stronger

Patni stake sale buzz gets stronger

Rediff.com23 Nov 2009

Investment banking sources say the three Patni brothers have now agreed on the sale process, along with private equity player General Atlantic.

WNS, Accenture join race for Citi's BPO arm

WNS, Accenture join race for Citi's BPO arm

Rediff.com20 Jun 2007

The race for Citigroup Global Services, the business process outsourcing arm of Citigroup is hotting up with the entry of the BPO firm WNS and consultancy firm Accenture.