News for 'Startup India'

Regulate Big Tech's AI Now!

Regulate Big Tech's AI Now!

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

Regulators must learn from past mistakes and act swiftly to prevent Big Tech from monopolising the AI ecosystem, argue Payal Malik and Nikita Jain.

Want To Know About Tech Of The Future?

Want To Know About Tech Of The Future?

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

Amphibious drones for maritime inspection... devices that extract pure oxygen from water for patients in need... self-balancing electric bikes...

Govt plans to make India self-reliant in edible oils

Govt plans to make India self-reliant in edible oils

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

The government will formulate a strategy to make India self-reliant in edible oils by boosting domestic output of oilseeds and launch a comprehensive programme to support dairy farmers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Thursday. India imports a large quantity of edible oils to meet the domestic demand. During the 2022-23 marketing year (November-October), the country imported nearly 165 lakh tonnes of cooking oils, valuing a whopping Rs 1.38 lakh crore.

'Farmers are our Annadata'

'Farmers are our Annadata'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

This is the full text of the address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of India's 78th Independence Day.

Startup Corridor to US for Indian entrepreneurs

"Startup Corridor" to US for Indian entrepreneurs

Rediff.com11 Apr 2013

Brainchild of Silicon Valley VC Asha Jadeja, the programme would fly entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley on a two-week visit.

How FarmDidi Is Changing Lives

How FarmDidi Is Changing Lives

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

Each bottle of pickle that leaves FarmDidi, headed to a consumer, has a little kahani behind it -- it's linked to the tale of a life, the life of a simple, striving village woman who created it, and that's what gives Manjari Sharma satisfaction and happiness.

Semiconductor, deep tech to be in focus at the India Mobile Congress

Semiconductor, deep tech to be in focus at the India Mobile Congress

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

The three-day India Mobile Congress (IMC) will showcase the widening convergence of telecom with new domains, such as semiconductors and deep tech, P Ramakrishna, the forum's chief executive officer, said on Tuesday. With more than 250 global and domestic exhibitors, the seventh edition is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors this year, he said. There will also be over 5,000 CXO-level delegates and more than 350 speakers.

Budget focuses on jobs and skilling, keeping 2 allies happy

Budget focuses on jobs and skilling, keeping 2 allies happy

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced income tax relief for the middle class, a Rs 2 lakh crore outlay for job creation schemes over the next five years and a spending splurge for states run by her party's new coalition partners as she unveiled the Modi 3.0 government's first budget after the general elections.

Mining majors give a miss to country's maiden critical minerals auction

Mining majors give a miss to country's maiden critical minerals auction

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

The maiden, critical mineral auction in India has failed to enthuse the mining industry, with the first tranche achieving less than a 50 per cent success rate and the auction of several mines was cancelled owing to low response. The results, announced by the Ministry of Mines on Monday, showed that six lesser-known companies emerged as preferred bidders. Among these were Agrasen Sponge, Kundan Gold Mines, Dalmia Bharat Refractories, Sagar Stone Industries, and Maiki South Mining.

Google investing $10 billion in India's digitisation fund: Pichai tells PM Modi

Google investing $10 billion in India's digitisation fund: Pichai tells PM Modi

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Internet giant Google is investing $10 billion in India's digitisation fund, its CEO Sundar Pichai has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a step that will recognise India's leadership on fintech and will support small and large businesses in India, the US and around the world. Pichai met Prime Minister Modi in Washington on Friday and also announced the opening of Google's global fintech operation centre in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar. "It was an honour to meet Prime Minister Modi during the historic visit to the US. We shared with the Prime Minister that Google is investing $10 billion in India's digitisation fund," Pichai said.

Unlisted Shares Market Is Buzzing

Unlisted Shares Market Is Buzzing

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

The dealers operating in the space have jumped nearly three times over the past two years.

UK's TechHub in Bangalore aims to support startups in India

UK's TechHub in Bangalore aims to support startups in India

Rediff.com28 Aug 2014

TechHub, which seeks to promote an exchange of ideas and forging of collaborations, was inaugurated by Nick Clegg, deputy PM, UK.

'Kirana Stores May Adopt Quick Commerce'

'Kirana Stores May Adopt Quick Commerce'

Rediff.com23 May 2024

'Traders must adopt digital payments as soon as possible within a set timeframe, as the nation is moving rapidly towards digitisation.' 'Ignoring digital systems is not an option for strengthening trade.'

RSS and its affiliates seek I-T cut, robot tax launch in upcoming Budget

RSS and its affiliates seek I-T cut, robot tax launch in upcoming Budget

Rediff.com30 Jun 2024

An increase in the farmer income support scheme PM Kisan Nidhi, the introduction of a 'robot tax' to fund reskilling of people who lose their jobs to artificial intelligence (AI), and a reduced income-tax (I-T) to bring relief to the middle classes - these are some of the items in the Budget wish list submitted by Sangh Parivar affiliates to Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman. Representatives of the affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), such as the farmer organisation Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS); trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS); Laghu Udyog Bharati, which works for micro and small industries; and Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), which works on economic and policy issues, met the FM and other officials over the last couple of weeks as part of the pre-Budget consultations.

India's first privately built rocket Vikram-5 to be launched on Nov 15

India's first privately built rocket Vikram-5 to be launched on Nov 15

Rediff.com12 Nov 2022

The maiden mission of Skyroot Aerospace, named 'Prarambh' (the beginning), will carry payloads of two Indian and one foreign customers and is set for launch from the Indian Space Research Organisation's launchpad at Sriharikota.

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

Food delivery major Swiggy has received approval from its shareholders for a $1.25 billion initial public offering (IPO), according to filings made with the Registrar of Companies sourced by Tofler. The Bengaluru-based firm plans to raise as much as Rs 3,750 crore (around $450 million) via a fresh issue and up to Rs 6,664 crore (around $800 million) through an offer-for-sale (OFS) component, the filings stated.

The success story of Kerala's Startup Village

The success story of Kerala's Startup Village

Rediff.com2 Apr 2013

With plans to create 1,000 product firms in 10 years, Startup Village in Kerala is set to leave a mark on India's IT landscape.

Emotix, a Mumbai-based startup launches personal robot for kids

Emotix, a Mumbai-based startup launches personal robot for kids

Rediff.com29 Nov 2018

The robot can hold long conversations, track the child's mood and is controlled from an app on the parents' smartphone

What Led To Paytm's Big Fall

What Led To Paytm's Big Fall

Rediff.com12 Mar 2024

At the heart of Paytm's slide lies the abject failure of its Super App strategy, notes Indrajit Gupta.

5 Skill Lessons For YOU

5 Skill Lessons For YOU

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

Communication skills, negotiation skills, social skills, etiquette, behavioural skills, etc, should be part of your learning. Develop confidence because that's the key to success, advises rediffGURU Archana Deshpande.

India core to our products and services: JPMorgan Chase CIO Lori Beer

India core to our products and services: JPMorgan Chase CIO Lori Beer

Rediff.com20 Nov 2023

For Lori Beer, chief information officer, JPMorgan Chase & Co, largest banker in the US, India is a big part of the organisation's global technology footprint and is core to its products and services. This is evident from the fact that in less than two months since JPMorgan & Chase chief executive officer Jamie Dimon visited India, Beer has come here to see the recently opened centres in Mumbai and Bengaluru. "What is different for me this year are our new centres and to be able to come and see the vibrancy, and connectedness is great.

Renewable energy: Avaada, others up the ante against conglomerates

Renewable energy: Avaada, others up the ante against conglomerates

Rediff.com24 Dec 2023

When Vineet Mittal first got into solar power, sometime around 2009, and was planting solar panels in Gujarat, renewable energy looked like a sector ripe for startups. Renewables were clearly the future of energy, and the big boys - Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Adani Group, and the Tatas - were focusing much more on coal and petroleum. Little did Mittal know that things were going to change drastically.

Action Packed Time For Two-Wheelers!

Action Packed Time For Two-Wheelers!

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

The BSA Gold Star is launched....Ola Enters e-motorbikes Biz... Bajaj, TVS To Enter e2Ws Market...

In bid to boost startups, govt relaxes norms for angel funds

In bid to boost startups, govt relaxes norms for angel funds

Rediff.com5 Jan 2017

The lock-in requirement has been reduced from three years to one year for angel funds and their minimum investment threshold has been slashed from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.

Reliance-NVIDIA to build AI supercomputers in India

Reliance-NVIDIA to build AI supercomputers in India

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

US technology company NVIDIA and billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries on Friday announced a partnership to build AI supercomputers in India. "The companies will work together to build AI infrastructure that is over an order of magnitude more powerful than the fastest supercomputer in India today," the firms said in a statement. Days before the announcement, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

Ayodhya And India's New Tryst With Destiny

Ayodhya And India's New Tryst With Destiny

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

If Saudi Arabia, with just two Muslim holy sites of Mecca and Medina, can create a huge tourism-based ecosystem beyond oil, Ayodhya is sure to become the world's hottest religious tourism site in less than a decade, predicts R Jagannathan.

40-year-old fintech gurus need 60-year-olds to handhold them

40-year-old fintech gurus need 60-year-olds to handhold them

Rediff.com19 Mar 2024

The message is clear: The 60-year-old wise uncles need to handhold the 40-year-old entrepreneurs when, obsessed with ambition and greed for growth, they become a victim of hubris, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Walmart-owned PhonePe calls off deal to acquire fintech startup ZestMoney

Walmart-owned PhonePe calls off deal to acquire fintech startup ZestMoney

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

Walmart-owned digital payments firm PhonePe has decided to halt its proposed acquisition of Goldman Sachs- and Xiaomi-backed ZestMoney, a Bengaluru-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform. The deal, which was poised to fetch anywhere between $150-200 million and $300 million, has hit a snag over lapses in due diligence, disagreements over valuation, sustainability of the business, and shareholding structure of ZestMoney, according to people familiar with the matter. The collapse of the deal is also being attributed to a slowdown in the financial technology (fintech) sector in the midst of a funding winter, difficult regulatory environment, and macroeconomic uncertainty, informed other sources.

How much will Congress's election guarantees cost?

How much will Congress's election guarantees cost?

Rediff.com19 Mar 2024

'Right to apprenticeship means that anyone below the age of 25 years with a diploma or other qualifications can demand an apprenticeship with a private, a public sector company or a government organisation. And when he/she demands this, it is the obligation of the government to provide it.'

Is India's NavIC Better Than GPS?

Is India's NavIC Better Than GPS?

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

NavIC consists of a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations and is touted to be more accurate than GPS.

How Co-living Is Helping Young Millennials

How Co-living Is Helping Young Millennials

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

'Factors such as working professionals seeking better lifestyles, traditional housing challenges, community and networking, and urban migration for jobs are driving the growth in the co-living segment.'

India to have over 100 unicorns by 2022-end

India to have over 100 unicorns by 2022-end

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

India has 50 startups with the potential to achieve the coveted 'unicorn' status in 2022 and by the end of the year, the list of the new-age companies valued at over $1 billion will be at least 100, a report by a consultancy firm said on Monday. In 2021, which witnessed a huge spike in company valuations in the listed and unlisted space driven by ample liquidity, according to some watchers, India added 43 startups to the list and the number of unicorns shot up to 68 by the end of the year. Over $10 billion was invested in the Indian startup ecosystem in the October-December quarter alone, according to the report by PwC India.

How did investors miss Byju's numerous red flags?

How did investors miss Byju's numerous red flags?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

Byju's is set to go the way of Housing.com and Zilingo. It is only a matter of time. Indeed, the coup attempted by investors will ensure that, says Debashis Basu.

Trucking startup BlackBuck's valuation crosses $1 bn, joins unicorn club

Trucking startup BlackBuck's valuation crosses $1 bn, joins unicorn club

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

BlackBuck, India's leading online trucking platform, has closed a $67 million round of equity financing. The round was led by Tribe Capital, IFC Emerging Asia Fund and VEF. Existing investors Wellington Management, Sands Capital, and International Finance Corporation also participated in the round. The investment has made the Bengaluru-based company a 'unicorn,' or a startup valued at more than $1 billion, according to the firm. The company will use these funds to further penetrate the market and launch new service offerings for its customer base.

e-Shram may open door to govt benefits for workers

e-Shram may open door to govt benefits for workers

Rediff.com15 Apr 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led central government will use the unorganised workers database - e-Shram portal - to provide the benefits of various government programmes to the nearly 300 million workers over the next five years, if it is voted to power for the third consecutive term in the upcoming general elections. "We have registered unorganised workers on the e-Shram platform. "We will reach out to the e-Shram registered 'shramik bandhu' and help them avail the benefits of various government programmes that they are eligible for," the manifesto of the party read.

Why Byju's is unable to pay salaries to staff

Why Byju's is unable to pay salaries to staff

Rediff.com2 Mar 2024

Byju's founder Byju Raveendran on Saturday said the edtech company will not be able to pay salaries to employees as the recent funds raised through a rights issue are inaccessible due to a legal dispute with certain investors. In a letter to staff, Raveendran said the rights issue, launched a month ago, has been successfully closed. "This was supposed to be a happy correspondence.

Back to basics: Paytm's focus is payments and distribution

Back to basics: Paytm's focus is payments and distribution

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

Paytm, the country's leading fintech player which had to shut its payment bank business following regulatory action, is revisiting its business strategy including partnership with lenders. Also, the company's founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Vijay Shekhar Sharma has decided to oversee the day-to-day operations with all the major verticals reporting directly to him now. "The thing on top of everyone's agenda is getting the core businesses back on track," a person in the know said.

Nandan Nilekani invests in telecom startup Mubble

Nandan Nilekani invests in telecom startup Mubble

Rediff.com15 Sep 2015

The Mubble app helps users track and control their mobile data usage and telecom spends.

Nilekani-backed people+ai rolls out AI strategy...

Nilekani-backed people+ai rolls out AI strategy...

Rediff.com8 May 2024

An initiative of Nandan Nilekani's EkStep Foundation, people+ai on Tuesday unveiled its vision for the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India, dubbed 'Adbhut India' (Amazing India). It aims to harness AI as a powerful tool to enhance the lives of all Indians. The event marked the rollout of several initiatives by people+ai that are focused on discovering, demonstrating, and disseminating population-scale AI use cases for India.

Interim Budget 2024-25: Funds to boost reach on fintech industry wishlist

Interim Budget 2024-25: Funds to boost reach on fintech industry wishlist

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

Indian fintechs and associated entities are hoping that the Union Budget 2024 will provide a boost and empower firms to extend their reach beyond Tier-II regions, with an emphasis on supporting enterprises led by women. The fintech industry, which has witnessed regulatory reforms over the last year, expects the Budget, scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, will further encourage financial inclusion, empower micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs) with lending solutions, and push for upskilling initiatives for the country's young workforce.