STARTUP
H-1B at $100,000: Trump’s visa fee hike rattles Indian students eyeing US jobs, lifts interest in Germany, Japan, Poland
The move adds to a year of tightening visa rules and rising uncertainty over the post-study future of Indian students.
BUSINESS
From Amazon to Zomato: Platform fee is the charge that keeps on giving for e-commerce apps
From food delivery and e-commerce to fashion and ticketing, fees tucked into bills are quietly reshaping how platforms balance costs, fend off competition, and chase profitability.
STARTUP
D2C brands deploy AI to cut returns, boost sales amid festival season rush
From tackling fake returns and delivery failures to optimising supply chains and personalising festive campaigns, brands are betting on AI tools to protect margins and capture a larger share of India’s Rs 1.2 lakh crore festive e-commerce market.
STARTUP
PhysicsWallah IPO: Issue size, promoter cash-out, heavy costs and teaching moments decoded
Backed by WestBridge, Hornbill and GSV Ventures, the edtech firm has doubled down on offline centres and acquisitions even as rising employee costs, high attrition, and loss-making subsidiaries test its balance sheet.
STARTUP
PhysicsWallah revenue surges 49% in FY25, losses narrow to Rs 243 crore as offline bet scales up
Offline centres now contribute nearly half of PhysicsWallah’s topline, underscoring its shift into a hybrid model.
STARTUP
Festive sales from Amazon, Flipkart begin September 23, a day after GST reset
The flagship sales come just a day after the new GST reforms take effect, with lower rates on big-ticket appliances expected to fuel higher festive spending.
STARTUP
Swiggy, Zomato brace for GST impact on delivery fees; may pass cost to consumers
Industry experts warn that the move could squeeze margins, strain working capital, and trigger higher delivery charges for customers.
STARTUP
Amazon, Flipkart hail new GST reforms, gear up for festive season sales boost
GST clarity clears the air for e-commerce majors, enabling Flipkart and Amazon to finalise festive flagship sale dates, with analysts expecting a boost in demand for big-ticket items.
BUSINESS
Accel-backed FirstClub raises $23 million from existing investors, Paramark Ventures and Aditya Birla Ventures
The Flipkart veteran–led startup is betting on premium groceries, higher order values, and a slower-but-leaner dark store model to carve space in India’s $6 billion quick commerce market.
STARTUP
Swiggy hikes platform fee for third time in three weeks, taking it to Rs 15
At Swiggy’s present order volumes — estimated at over 2 million orders per day — the higher fee translates to up to Rs 3 crore in daily revenue, compared to around Rs 2.4 crore when the fee was at Rs 12. That’s an additional Rs 54 crore per quarter and Rs 216 crore annually if the rate sustains.
ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE
India’s deep tech push gets $1 bn boost from Indian and US VCs, first bets already in play
The alliance seeks to bridge long-standing capital gaps in deep tech by channelling funds into high-cost, high-impact areas such as semiconductors, AI, robotics, space, defense, and medical devices.
STARTUP
Zomato hikes platform fee to Rs 12 to boost profitability amid festival season rush
The company has also begun testing a Rs 50 'VIP Mode' in select locations that promises faster deliveries, priority riders, and a concierge-style service for select top customers.
STARTUP
Amazon, Flipkart await govt clarity on GST reforms before finalising festive sale plans
Shoppers are holding off on big-ticket purchases ahead of the festive sales, anticipating a possible GST cut. Analysts say that a lack of clarity in taxation may lead to sales moving to other channels.
STARTUP
Quick commerce investments in Flipkart, Myntra pressure Walmart International’s profit margins
Walmart is betting big on 15-minute fulfilment in India, even as rising infrastructure and discounting costs test the profitability of its international arm
STARTUP
D2C brands pile in inventory, double ad spends on quick commerce amid festive rush
D2C brands are rushing to load warehouses, bundle festive SKUs and jostle for visibility on Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart, even as staffing shortages slow down restocking and push up ad costs.
BUSINESS
FirstClub in talks to raise $20 million from Accel, Paramark Ventures, others, as investors double down on quick commerce
Targeting India’s top 10% of consumers, FirstClub offers member-only clean-label groceries with 30-minute delivery. It is now looking to scale from Bengaluru to Delhi and Mumbai
STARTUP
BlueStone IPO: Late-stage investors Prosus, Peak XV stare at paper loss; early backers Accel, Kalaari Capital, others exit handsomely
Prosus’ over 4 percent stake in BlueStone is worth roughly Rs 355 crore, Info Edge’s over 2 percent comes to around Rs 198 crore, while Steadview and Think Investments hold stakes valued at Rs 81 crore and Rs 85 crore respectively.
BUSINESS
Peak XV Partners to join quick-commerce race with investment in fashion startup Zilo
This will mark the VC firm’s first quick commerce investment since its $500,000 seed bet in Grofers (now Blinkit) in 2014.
BUSINESS
India’s AI startup funding jumps 50% to $665 million as investors chase targeted applications
Deeptech, generative AI and computer vision are among the top-funded sectors in 2025, reflecting investors’ focus on specialised and high-potential applications
STARTUP
Zepto revamps app, drops 'dark patterns' amid regulatory pressure
The changes include auto-application of free delivery and upfront disclosure of all charges in line with practices adopted by rivals such as Blinkit
STARTUP
Rapido’s food delivery offering to go live in Bengaluru’s Koramangala, HSR and BTM Layout
The zero-commission platform, called Ownly, will be available on the App Store and Play Store this week, offering offline-equivalent prices and a flat delivery fee for restaurants.
STARTUP
General Catalyst-backed Pronto shifts domicile from US to India within a year of launch
The shift aligns with Pronto’s expansion plans in the fast-growing instant home services market, where well-funded startups and incumbents are racing to capture urban consumers.
STARTUP
Quick service, quicker repairs: 15-minute home services become quick commerce’s next act
Startups like Snabbit, Pronto, and Pync are tapping into rising dual-income households and unpredictable live-in staff availability to meet urban India’s growing need for instant, reliable home services.
STARTUP
VC fundraising in India breaches $3-billion mark, goes past 2024 total
Fund cycles, better exits and stronger startup pipelines are drawing fresh capital back into India’s venture ecosystem
