News for 'unicorn'

Economy has some bright spots & a number of very dark stains: Rajan

Economy has some bright spots & a number of very dark stains: Rajan

Rediff.com23 Jan 2022

The Indian economy has "some bright spots and a number of very dark stains" and the government should target its spending "carefully" so that there are no huge deficits, noted economist and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said on Sunday. Known for his frank views, Rajan also said the government needs to do more to prevent a K-shaped recovery of the economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Generally, a K-shaped recovery will reflect a situation where technology and large capital firms recover at a far faster rate than small businesses and industries that have been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

As data hacks rise, firms turn to bug bounty hunters

As data hacks rise, firms turn to bug bounty hunters

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

Bug bounty hunters or independent ethical hackers are certified cybersecurity professionals or security researchers who crawl the web, scanning the systems for gaps through which hackers can sneak in and alert the companies, says Shivani Shinde.

Zomato IPO oversubscribed 38x

Zomato IPO oversubscribed 38x

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

Zomato's mega initial public offering (IPO) ended with a bumper 38 times oversubscription on Friday as institutional investors poured money to get a pie of the hottest online food delivery platform. Zomato got bids for 2,751.25 crore shares against 71.92 crore shares on offer, stock exchange data showed. The IPO is India's biggest since March 2020. Institutional investors, who shied away in the first two days of the IPO, bid several times over the number of shares reserved for them.

Chinese app ban: Indian start-ups face a major hurdle

Chinese app ban: Indian start-ups face a major hurdle

Rediff.com2 Jul 2020

According to experts, the banning of the apps has created negative sentiments and reduced the confidence among the Chinese investors to invest in India.

2022: 6 Positives For India

2022: 6 Positives For India

Rediff.com13 Jan 2022

In a country that is often focused on the ways in which it falls short, the start of a year is a good time to remind oneself of such positives, observes T N Ninan.

'Amazon In India For Next 100 Years'

'Amazon In India For Next 100 Years'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2022

'For all of us at Amazon, it is 'Bharat first'.' 'We are keeping the Indian customer at the centre of what we are doing.'

Will Ambani-Adani's Dominance Fade Away?

Will Ambani-Adani's Dominance Fade Away?

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

It's hard to say because of the winner-take-all nature of new platform and network businesses, but Reliance has not been an efficient user of capital, and Adani numbers are varied, observes T N Ninan.

Byju's is raising $300 mn, valuation may touch $18 bn

Byju's is raising $300 mn, valuation may touch $18 bn

Rediff.com5 Oct 2021

Byju's is raising about Rs 2,200 crore ($300 million) as part of a larger round of new investment as the world's most valuable edtech company focuses on expanding its business in global markets and explores to do more acquisitions. According to industry sources, the new funding may value Bengaluru-based Byju's at $18 billion, up from a valuation of $16.5 billion in June this year. In June, Byju's became India's most valuable unicorn with a valuation of $16.5 billion, surpassing fintech company Paytm's $16 billion valuation.

India Inc needs to increase risk taking appetite: Modi

India Inc needs to increase risk taking appetite: Modi

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the country's economic growth is picking up pace again and the domestic industry needs to enhance its risk-taking appetite. Noting the recent reforms taken by the government, the Prime Minister said that bringing reforms is a matter of conviction for his government, which is ready to take all risks in the national interest. "We have taken bold decisions. Reforms continued even during pandemic. "The government is doing reforms not out of compulsion but out of conviction," he said while addressing the CII's annual meeting.

Full Text: President Murmu's address to nation on Independence Day eve

Full Text: President Murmu's address to nation on Independence Day eve

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Here's the full text of the maiden address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day 2022.

Covid blues fail to dampen Apple's dream run

Covid blues fail to dampen Apple's dream run

Rediff.com27 May 2021

Rising prevalence of work-from-home and e-learning is driving sales of notebooks and tablets for most brands, but Apple's superior performance has more to do with its product quality.

Game Streaming the Next Hot Career?

Game Streaming the Next Hot Career?

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

Game streaming is becoming a serious professional choice for youth, as it allows them to make good money.

Radhika Madan gets vaccinated!

Radhika Madan gets vaccinated!

Rediff.com6 May 2021

Dulquer celebrates a precious birthday... Sonu donates blood...

Zomato mega IPO likely this month following Sebi nod

Zomato mega IPO likely this month following Sebi nod

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

The company, backed by China's Ant Group, is planning to issue fresh shares worth Rs 7,500 crore in the IPO. This will make this India's third-largest offering after Reliance Power and DLF.

Swiggy's losses double, but revenue jumps 4-fold

Swiggy's losses double, but revenue jumps 4-fold

Rediff.com29 Oct 2018

Swiggy had in June entered the elite Unicorn club after raising $210 million from a group of investors

With eye on China, PM's Op-Ed hails India-Japan ties

With eye on China, PM's Op-Ed hails India-Japan ties

Rediff.com23 May 2022

Prime Minister Modi, who is in Japan on a two-day visit to attend a summit of the Quad leaders at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, penned an op-ed on the vibrant relations between India and Japan in the Yomiuri Shimbun.

How Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain Changed Cricket

How Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain Changed Cricket

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

Mumbai-based Dream11, which is run by Sporta Technologies Private Limited, reported a profit of Rs 181 crore (Rs 1.81 billion) in FY2020, making it one of the few Indian consumer-tech unicorns to have turned profitable.

Is Nirmalaji's Economic Optimism Warranted?

Is Nirmalaji's Economic Optimism Warranted?

Rediff.com2 Nov 2021

The government's programmes should be expected to generate some momentum, but the macro-economic numbers are not encouraging, observes T N Ninan.

Meet India's Latest Billionaire

Meet India's Latest Billionaire

Rediff.com15 Apr 2022

'It has taken us 15 years to get to where we are. It obviously doesn't happen overnight.'

BharatPe: 'Why should I resign?'

BharatPe: 'Why should I resign?'

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

'At the first board meeting I chaired, I sensed that corporate governance is an issue in this company.' 'I started taking steps that may have aggrieved a few.' 'This has now become a mission I intend to accomplish before I step down.'

Private Equity Funds toy with Exit via SPACs

Private Equity Funds toy with Exit via SPACs

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

Discussion has started between blank check companies in the US and Indian PEs on possible deals in certain key sectors.

This is the best time to invest in India: Modi

This is the best time to invest in India: Modi

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

Citing India's commitment to deep economic reforms and ease of doing business, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Monday that this is the best time to invest in the country as policy-making is focussed on the needs for the next 25 years for a 'clean and green' as well as 'sustainable and reliable' growth period. In his special address to the World Economic Forum's online Davos Agenda 2022 summit, Modi underlined a host of reform measures undertaken by his government to stress that it has worked to reduce the administration's interference in business by deregulating many sectors and to clear the way for free trade agreements with different countries. India was once associated with "license raaj", he noted and highlighted the measures, including reduction of corporate tax to boost business and doing away with over 25,000 compliance requirements.

Diwali extravaganza for buy-now, pay-later biz

Diwali extravaganza for buy-now, pay-later biz

Rediff.com17 Nov 2021

The 'buy-now, pay-later' (BNPL) juggernaut continued to roll on during the festive season with multiple players seeing disbursals grow by more than 100 per cent compared to Diwali last year. LazyPay, the BNPL platform of Prosus-owned payments major PayU, witnessed a credit demand increase of 300 per cent over the festive season last year, especially in segments like travel, food & beverages and entertainment. "We also saw an uptick of 70 per cent in user acquisition in the last two months.

Online sales of FMCG companies rise, but some see moderation

Online sales of FMCG companies rise, but some see moderation

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

However, the government's draft policy on e-commerce companies has forced consumer companies to also adapt to the changes. For Dabur India, e-commerce channel continues to be a key driver of growth in urban India. The contribution of online sales to its entire portfolio is at six per cent compared to 1.5 per cent before the pandemic.

Attacking Congress in RS, Modi invokes 1984 riots, Kashmiri Pandits

Attacking Congress in RS, Modi invokes 1984 riots, Kashmiri Pandits

Rediff.com9 Feb 2022

"The Congress in a way is in the grip of urban Naxals. That is why its thought has become negative," Modi alleged in his 90-minute speech.

SoftBank on prowl to woo 'future stars'

SoftBank on prowl to woo 'future stars'

Rediff.com19 Mar 2019

Keen to back start-ups while they are half-unicorns, SoftBank plans to invest $100 million in a firm with $500-million valuation.

New India can achieve difficult targets: PM on 1bn jabs feat

New India can achieve difficult targets: PM on 1bn jabs feat

Rediff.com22 Oct 2021

"It is a matter of pride for us that India's vaccination programme has been science-born, science-driven and science-based," Modi said.

Paytm to launch stock-broking services soon

Paytm to launch stock-broking services soon

Rediff.com24 Jul 2020

Paytm had received the approval for brokerage services from market regulator Sebi in January this year.

Covid spurs matured-stage start-ups to advance their IPO plans

Covid spurs matured-stage start-ups to advance their IPO plans

Rediff.com25 Sep 2020

In the past few days, many companies, including fashion e-tailer Nykaa, food delivery platform Zomato, logistics and delivery firm Delhivery, insurance discovery platform PolicyBazaar, eyewear retail chain Lenskart, and edtech and online tutoring firm Byju's, have openly spoken about their IPO plans.

Big Tech invests $1.82 bn in Indian startups so far this year

Big Tech invests $1.82 bn in Indian startups so far this year

Rediff.com8 Nov 2021

Their startup investments number 13 so far, compared to 17 deals in 2020.

Zomato IPO oversubscribed on Day-1

Zomato IPO oversubscribed on Day-1

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

Food delivery platform Zomato's initial public offering was oversubscribed on the opening day on Wednesday with retail investors bidding for 2.7 times the number of shares reserved for them. The offer received bids for 75.60 crore equity shares against an IPO size of 71.92 crore, stock exchange data showed. Retail investors sought 2.69 times the portion reserved for them. Against 12.95 crore shares reserved for retail individual investors, 34.88 crore shares were bid by 1700 hours.

Will content creators drive the next wave of e-commerce?

Will content creators drive the next wave of e-commerce?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2022

First it was called content-led commerce. Then it came to be known as influencer-led commerce. And its latest iteration is creator economy. This evolution of the terminology for online personas impacting buying decisions -- through blogs, memes, bite-sized videos, and podcasts -- has happened over the past five to seven years.

Independent directors of loss-making firms must be paid: Govt

Independent directors of loss-making firms must be paid: Govt

Rediff.com20 Mar 2021

Till now, there was no provision in the Companies Act that allowed a remuneration for the non-executive director if the company was in loss or had inadequate profits. Only the executive director was entitled for a remuneration in the event of a loss.

Tech cos' IPOs worth Rs 30,000 crore in pipeline: Sebi chief

Tech cos' IPOs worth Rs 30,000 crore in pipeline: Sebi chief

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

Growth-oriented technology companies have raised Rs 15,000 crore through initial share sales in the last 18 months and IPOs worth around Rs 30,000 crore by such firms are in the pipeline, Sebi chairman Ajay Tyagi said on Thursday. "Growing number of unicorns in the startup ecosystem is a testimony of the new age tech companies coming of age in our economy. These companies often follow a unique business model focusing more on rapid growth than immediate profitability," Tyagi said at an event organised by industry body CII. During the last 18 months, growth-oriented technology companies have raised a sum of around Rs 15,000 crore through IPOs (Initial Public Offerings).

Realtors hope for sunny 2022 with better sales

Realtors hope for sunny 2022 with better sales

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

India's real estate industry staged a rebound from 2020's downturn, with housing sales seen rising by over 50 per cent. The performance, though short of pre-COVID levels, has property developers hoping for stronger gains in the New Year and the beginning of a long upcycle. A strong foundation has been laid this year for revival in the Indian real estate sector, which is projected to reach $1 trillion mark by 2030 from $200 billion in the pre-pandemic year.

Modi calls for 'repair and prepare' as India emerges from pandemic

Modi calls for 'repair and prepare' as India emerges from pandemic

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for focus on 'repair and prepare' as the nation emerges out of a devastating pandemic. "Over the past year, we have witnessed a lot of disruption in different sectors. Much of it is still there. Yet, disruption does not have to mean despair," he said at VivaTech Summit. "Instead, we must keep the focus on the twin foundations of repair and prepare," he said referring to the need to augment healthcare infrastructure in the country as well as prop up the economy.

Ministers Still CONTROL Business!

Ministers Still CONTROL Business!

Rediff.com28 Aug 2021

Indian businesses' weak ability to compete overseas says much about the infirmities imposed by the intensity of government dominance of economic policy and the nature of this dominance, observes Kanika Datta.

At Rs 9500 cr, Tatas' buyout of BigBasket will be biggest in online grocery space

At Rs 9500 cr, Tatas' buyout of BigBasket will be biggest in online grocery space

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

The deal, which is expected to close in the next four to five weeks, will give exit to investors Alibaba, Abraaj Group and IFC. The parties are awaiting approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Paytm Mall suffers huge data breach, gets ransom call

Paytm Mall suffers huge data breach, gets ransom call

Rediff.com31 Aug 2020

Hacker group John Wick is said to be responsible for the Paytm Mall database breach.

How Stock Market has Changed in 40 Years

How Stock Market has Changed in 40 Years

Rediff.com13 Jul 2021

While Nifty 50 reflects changes in 40 years, it also shows what is missing: Low-cost manufacturers at one end, and deep-value players at the other. Also missing are technology players, observes T N Ninan.