BUSINESS
Book review | Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber by Mike Isaac
Isaac’s story is more a story of Kalanick, and less of Uber, and it could be argued that no matter the company, a good story is always about a person
BUSINESS
What is holding back India’s healthtech sector?
Coronavirus outbreak has given a boost to business but it is not enough as questions remain over fundamentals and the profitability of the sector in which margins are low and competition intense.
BUSINESS
Last quarter, Uber Eats made more money than its cabs
The results are a pleasant surprise considering Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, in a quest for profits, has sold loss-making Eats units in a dozen markets, including in India
BUSINESS
Uber to hire 140 engineers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad
Uber is hiring engineers in the fields of rider and driver growth, delivery, marketplace, customer service, digital payments, risk and compliance, safety and financial technology.
BUSINESS
DST Global in talks to lead $400 million funding round in Byju’s
Investment firm led by Israeli-Russian billionaire Yuri Milner is in advanced talks to lead an investment in the online education firm at a valuation of $10.5 billion.
BUSINESS
Is Byju’s real worth over $10 billion, what is its true worth and other key questions answered
A spokesperson for Byju’s clarifies that there is no liquidation preference or anti-dilution protection on any of the shares and so there is no difference between the primary and secondary shares. All the shares have the same value.
BUSINESS
Toppr raises Rs 350 crore Series D funding from Foundation Holdings
The startup will use the money to develop an operating system to provide a standardised in-school and after-school learning experience.
BUSINESS
Exclusive: Sequoia India loses senior executive
The executive has not decided her next career move yet but will possibly continue early stage biotech investing elsewhere
TRENDS
Book Review | Facebook: The Inside Story by Steven Levy
American technology journalist Levy, a veteran of half a dozen books and Editor-at-large for Wired, got unprecedented access to Zuckerberg.
STARTUP
Coronavirus puts founder-VC relationship to the test
Video calls and online conferencing can never be a substitute when it comes to convincing potential investors, say founders. At stakes now are tough decisions like laying off employees, saying no to potential deals and postponing funding rounds.
BUSINESS
Fourth Partner Energy raises $15 million from Swiss investor responsAbility
This is the Zurich-based investor's third round of debt in the solar company, after earlier rounds in 2016 and 2017.
BUSINESS
Exclusive | PharmEasy in talks to acquire Medlife for $200 million
Medlife has been looking to raise $100-150 million in growth capital for over a year but has not found an investor.
BUSINESS
Inside India's online education boom
Critics say most companies are overvalued and long-term growth is a big question, but industry insiders say it is just the beginning of something big.
BUSINESS
Coatue leads $100 million round in Vedantu, valuation jumps to $600 million
Founded by Vamsi Krishna, Pulkit Jain, Anand Prakash and Saurabh Saxena in 2011, Vedantu currently provides live coaching classes for K12 students, including for entrance exams such as IIT JEE Main and Advanced for engineering and NEET for medical colleges
BUSINESS
RIL AGM 2020: Why are sworn rivals Facebook and Google coming together in India’s Jio?
Google and Facebook have competed for ad dollars in every common market they are present- which is much of the planet (barring China).
BUSINESS
Exclusive | SoftBank in talks to back Unacademy at $1.2 billion valuation
If completed, investment could thrust online education platform into unicorn club.
WORLD
Book review: No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram - a pacy, breathtaking read
Of course, like most technology novels of the past decade, even ones where he does not have an active role, Mark Zuckerberg is the most important factor of this book.
INDIA
Online teaching is hot skill now, but what does it take to get there?
Vocal intonation, short notes and activities to regain drifting student attention are the key. Many institutes are even hiring actors to train teachers on how to face the camera and on keeping eye contact
BUSINESS
Exclusive: Urban Ladder looks for buyer at lower valuation; top VCs may have to take haircut
Its proposed valuation of about Rs 200 crore is only a fraction of the capital it has raised -- over Rs 700 crore from top venture capital funds.
BUSINESS
Oyo, Byju-backer Sequoia Capital India raises $1.35 billion across new funds
The new fund will allow Sequoia to be aggressive at a time when valuations are relatively low and most other investors don’t have as much capital to deploy, sources told Moneycontrol
BUSINESS
Exclusive | Byju’s in talks to acquire coding upstart WhiteHat Jr
Online learning platform Unacademy, which focuses on test preparation for competitive exams, had also expressed interest, but Byju’s has offered more money to acquire WhiteHat Jr
BUSINESS
Exclusive | China a major investor but companies already looking at other sources, says InnoVen Capital CEO Sharma
There is higher investor interest in sectors enjoying tailwinds due to COVID, for instance, ed-tech, health-tech and ecommerce, says Sharma
BUSINESS
Zetwerk raises $21 million in Series C round led by Greenoaks Capital
The B2B startup will use funds for international expansion, launching new products.
BUSINESS
Exclusive: Edtech startup Vedantu to raise $100 million, double valuation to $600 million in just 3 months
Vedantu was valued at $280 million in April, according to an Entrackr report.
