STARTUP
Zepto auto-activates ad campaigns for inactive brands, sellers flag consent and billing concerns
Zepto informed sellers that it has proactively launched ad campaigns for them to help “maximize reach and performance.” However, sellers say the move, which appears to allow Zepto to automatically debit from pre-approved budgets or ad wallets, lacks transparency and raises concerns about platform overreach.
STARTUP
Fast fashion, faster delivery: 30-minute style becomes quick commerce’s new obsession
Fueled by Gen Z’s demand for spontaneity and social media trends, startups and major platforms are racing to deliver the latest fashion in under 90 minutes, reshaping India’s quick commerce landscape.
EDUCATION
End of American Dream? Trump visa pause prompts more Indian students to explore Germany, Ireland, France
Several study abroad platforms report a surge in queries as the US pauses new student visa interviews and tightens social media vetting, prompting Indian students to reconsider their plans ahead of the Fall intake
BUSINESS
How 'dark patterns' quietly trick you and why government is calling them out
Dark patterns mislead users into unwanted actions. The government is now cracking down with audits, rules and new tech tools
BUSINESS
Centre directs e-commerce firms to audit dark patterns, proposes forming joint working group
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting in New Delhi chaired by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, where the government said stakeholders had “in principle” agreed to comply with the November 2023 guidelines issued by the ministry.
STARTUP
Flipkart to hire 5,000 employees this year amid quick commerce, fintech, AI push
Flipkart’s hiring plans, among the largest in recent years, are linked to the expansion of Minutes and Super.money, the management said at a townhall on May 26
STARTUP
Byju’s app taken off Play Store, services disrupted amid AWS payment issues
Byju’s cloud service suspension affects app functionality, blocks access to paid content, and limits full website availability across platforms
STARTUP
Zepto delivery workers on strike for a fifth day in Hyderabad over ‘unfair pay, arbitrary penalties’
The protests, which began last weekend, have gathered momentum with delivery partners staging demonstrations outside Zepto dark stores in key locations such as Ramanthapur, and Boduppal.
STARTUP
Swiggy Instamart doing well, happy about how they’ve grown: Prosus chief Fabricio Bloisi
Bloisi said India’s quick commerce market is still expanding with multiple players and highlighted Prosus’ support for Swiggy’s long-term growth.
STARTUP
Zepto’s new ‘Swap and Save’ feature draws D2C founders’ ire
D2C brands say Zepto’s new feature undercuts discovery and fuels ad spend, at a time when quick commerce platforms are ramping up their advertising businesses to drive growth.
BUSINESS
Moving away from PLI, Centre mulls customised scheme for toys
The fresh plan for toys is likely be similar to the recently-unveiled Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) that provides differentiated incentives linked to either turnover or capex, or both in certain cases.
STARTUP
Hot weather, hotter carts: Summer staples fly off quick commerce, e-commerce shelves
From ice creams, energy drinks, portable fans and ACs, India’s soaring temperatures are fuelling a digital dash for seasonal essentials across metros and small towns alike
STARTUP
Indian VC firms back in hiring mode as deal activity rebounds
With AI roles in high demand and junior to mid-level hiring on the rise, VC firms are building leaner, smarter teams to support a wave of fresh deal activity.
STARTUP
Smaller D2C brands take a hit as India-Pakistan conflict dents consumer sentiment
Since May 7, online orders have dropped and advertising spends are no longer yielding expected returns, as consumer attention shifts from shopping to the conflict with Pakistan
BUSINESS
Heatwave hustlers: Companies promise ACs, electrolytes to brave summer scorch, gig workers say it’s just on paper
While steps like AC rest points, shift incentives and medical assistance signal an evolving commitment to worker well-being, gig worker groups caution that access to these facilities is not always consistent.
BUSINESS
QED Investors to deploy $300 million in India and Asia Pacific over next five years: Asia head Sandeep Patil
The fintech-focused venture capital firm has expanded its investment strategy beyond early-stage deals
BUSINESS
Zomato pauses 15-minute food delivery service 'Quick' four months after launch
This was Zomato’s second attempt to crack the quick food delivery market under its main app. Its earlier effort – Zomato Instant, launched in 2022 – promised 10-minute deliveries in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR but was wound down by January 2023.
TECHNOLOGY
Restaurant body NRAI's integration plans with ONDC go cold amid top-level churn
NRAI's loss could turn out to be Rapido's gain, as the mobility platform charts plans to launch food delivery
TECHNOLOGY
Urban Company IPO: Offer size, financial report card, risk factors and other takeaways
Accel, one of Urban Company's earliest backers, is poised for a bumper payout. Its exit value is a staggering 16.7x higher than Tiger Global’s, 5.7x higher than VY Capital’s and nearly double that of Bessemer India. Elevation Capital is also looking at a windfall
TECHNOLOGY
Scooting to the bank: Ather’s IPO sparks high-voltage returns for founders, early backers
Founders Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain are cashing out a total of 19.6 lakh shares between them – 9.8 lakh each. With a weighted average acquisition cost of just Rs 21.09 per share, the duo is looking at over 15x returns.
TECHNOLOGY
Swiggy’s Snacc, Blue Tokai sever ties over pricing, strategy mismatch
With the move, Swiggy's Snacc will follow the strategy that its rival Zepto has implemented. The company will now partner with third-party vendors and sell their products as part of Snacc.
TECHNOLOGY
Funding spring: Late-stage cheques surge for IPO-ready, profitable startups
According to top investors and dealmakers Moneycontrol spoke to, the current funding uptick is seen as a recalibration. Capital is now flowing to a focused cohort of profitable, disciplined businesses with strong fundamentals and IPO ambition.
TECHNOLOGY
HUL-Honasa call truce: Both agree to take down disparaging ads, posts against each other
HUL and Honasa will take down online ads within 24 hours and remove hoardings within 48 hours. It has also agreed to change the colour of the packaging shown in the ads from orange to light yellow, and replace the phrase “online bestseller” with “some sellers”.
BUSINESS
Gensol crisis: BluSmart suspends cab bookings via app in parts of NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru
The development comes just a day after SEBI’s recent findings in the Gensol Engineering probe that have cast serious doubts over the future of BluSmart.
