ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE
Global spend on vertical AI applications to hit $47 billion by 2030, Indian startups poised to gain: Upekkha Report
Fueling this momentum is a dramatic drop in AI infrastructure costs. Foundational model training, which cost $100,000 just a year ago, can now be done for $10,000, making vertical AI more affordable and scalable.
BUSINESS
Inside Indian fintech’s new AI playbook: Why Model Context Protocol is gaining popularity
By leveraging MCP, fintechs aim to personalise user experiences, automate complex processes, and even experiment with launching new financial products based on user insights
BUSINESS
Fi Money rolls out AI feature for users' queries on personal finance via ChatGPT, Gemini
Until now, users relied on generic prompts and manual inputs to use AI tools for financial advice, Fi has replaced this with a structured, consent-driven way to share real financial data, the neo-banking firm's co-founder Sumit Gwalani has said
BUSINESS
Yulu ramps up services amid quick commerce boom, targets 10,000 bikes in key zones in Bengaluru
Of the 45,000 vehicles in Yulu’s fleet, only about 4,000 are used by regular consumers, the rest serve gig workers
BUSINESS
Motor vehicle aggregator guidelines cap surge pricing, penalise cancellation by drivers, riders
The Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, mandate 80% fare to drivers. From fare caps to stricter driver checks, here’s how MVAG 2025 will reshape the ride-hailing game.
BUSINESS
AppsForBharat raises $20 million in Series C funding led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital
The firm plans to deploy to set up physical logistics and service fulfillment hubs in temple towns, and develop AI-led features for users on the app.
BUSINESS
"Slice now matches HDFC Bank's scale in monthly account openings,” says founder Rajan Bajaj
In an interview with Moneycontrol, Bajaj shares insights into this transformation, the massive market opportunity he sees ahead, and how Slice plans to serve over a billion Indians through innovative banking solutions.
BUSINESS
Driver fee, pickup fee, congestion fee: Bengaluru ride-hailing users hit hard by add-on charges
Karnataka transport secretary NV Prasad told Moneycontrol that the government has received complaints of fare hikes by app-based autos after the bike-taxi ban and will take strict action.
BUSINESS
A week after bike taxi ban, Bengaluru sees spike in traffic jams, costlier auto rides & angry gig workers
According to TomTom data, a Dutch location technology firm, congestion levels at 7 pm each day post-ban have consistently exceeded the city’s usual traffic levels for the same time slot.
BUSINESS
No pressure on founders, no hurry to exit: Zerodha's Rainmatter chief Dinesh Pai on new fund corpus, focus areas
Unlike regular AIFs, Rainmatter has an unusually long investment horizon of 15 years, adding a new meaning to patient capital. They also don't believe in pushing founders hard to perform.
BUSINESS
Freshworks is now an AI company, not just SaaS, says CEO Dennis Woodside
As AI takes over more repetitive tasks, Freshworks is seeing some reduction in workforce requirements but at the same time, the firm is also hiring for key roles, including AI research and development and engineering
STARTUP
Retail orders slip to 12-month low on ONDC even as total transactions hit all-time high in May
Retail’s share of ONDC transactions has dropped to 25% in May from 47% in October, while mobility has surged from 40% to 61%, emerging as the key driver of overall volume growth
INDIA
Karnataka bike taxi ban: Why innovation, government policies collide at India’s start-up hub
Industrialists slam the ban, accuse the government of giving into taxi unions. Bike taxis are essential for last-mile connectivity, affordable commuting and job creation in traffic-congested cities like Bengaluru, they say
BUSINESS
Karnataka bike taxi ban: Users ride as ‘parcels’, drivers switch to deliveries, last-mile fares spike on day one
The kicking-in of the bike taxi ban in Karnataka has left users stranded, riders scrambling for alternatives and platforms hustling to retain their fleets with delivery gigs.
TECHNOLOGY
Karnataka bike taxi ban kicks in; Rapido says it’s pausing operations
A Moneycontrol check on found Rapido replacing its bike taxi service with a 'bike parcel' option. Ola and Uber are still offering bike taxi rides
BUSINESS
Krutrim’s agentic AI app 'Kruti' aims to go beyond Ola, may integrate with Uber, Swiggy, others
Currently, Kruti AI is integrated only with the Ola group for services like cab booking and food ordering. However, Krutrim plans to make it a cross-platform personal assistant that cuts across app silos.
ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE
The great migration: Indian SaaS founders relocate to US to capitalise on AI boom
As the AI boom redraws the SaaS playbook, Indian founders are packing their bags for the Bay Area, chasing proximity, partnerships, and the pulse of what’s next.
BUSINESS
Fintechs hopeful of revival in credit growth after RBI's big rate cut
There are some concerns about the speed of transmission of lower rates to NBFCs and fintechs, with some expecting this to take a quarter but there are others who expect at least six months
BUSINESS
Karnataka govt holding regular consultations on bike taxi policy, says Rapido's Pavan Guntupalli
Guntupalli said Rapido alone accounts for 5 lakh rides in the state, creating 1.5 lakh daily jobs, and that an estimated 8 lakh rides happen in the state across players
BUSINESS
Ola Electric delays cell integration plan amid push for cost optimisation
Ola Electric's founder, Bhavish Aggarwal, said the company needs to take a more thoughtful approach to managing operational risks and capital allocation.
BUSINESS
Razorpay to pay Rs 1,245 crore in taxes to flip back to India, IPO likely in 18-24 months
Moneycontrol had reported earlier on May 29 that the reverse flip was officially completed, bringing the company’s headquarters under Indian jurisdiction.
BUSINESS
Razorpay completes reverse flip from US to India
Razorpay launched the process to move its parent entity to India from the United States in May 2023, ahead of its plans to list on Indian bourses
BUSINESS
From software to smartboards: Behind edtech Teachmint’s pivot to hardware
What started as a SaaS platform for teachers is now a company dealing with hardware, building its classroom kits in-house in partnership with contract manufacturers like Zetwerk
BUSINESS
Bounce, MyByk double down on EV rentals for gig workers amid India’s quick commerce boom
The resurgence comes amid the rapid expansion of quick commerce platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart, which have significantly increased the need for reliable delivery fleets.
