A 600-mile road trip (and data) proves EV charging doesn’t suck anymore

Startups • Tim De Chant

Public EV charging infrastructure in the United States has seen significant improvements in both availability and reliability. Recent data shows that the number of DC fast chargers has more than doubled since 2023, while reliability rates have risen from 85% to the mid-90s. This progress, driven by Tesla opening its network and increased competition, has transformed the road-trip experience for electric vehicle owners, making long-distance travel more seamless. (69 words) -.

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Startups • Kirsten Korosec

Honda has discontinued the Prologue, marking a broader retreat of electric vehicles from the U.S. market. Factors like the end of federal tax credits, tariffs, and shifting consumer preferences have led several automakers to cancel models. Companies including Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Nissan are reducing their EV lineups, while Polestar faces regulatory bans. Despite these exits, some new entries and a slow sales recovery continue.

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Startups • Anthony Ha

The Department of Justice announced that federal employees may now download TikTok on government devices, reversing a 2022 ban. This change follows a deal transferring TikTok's U.S. operations to a joint venture backed by Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake. President Trump authorized the move for Executive Branch agencies, though individual agencies maintain discretion over the app's use according to workplace policies.

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Startups • Your story

Happiness is often fleeting and tied to external circumstances, whereas peace is a sustainable state rooted in acceptance and inner stability. Five influential books, including works by Alan Watts and the Dalai Lama, explore this distinction. They suggest that while happiness is valuable, practicing mindfulness, stillness, and presence allows individuals to maintain a steady sense of peace regardless of life's inevitable challenges and unpredictable changes.

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Business • Vandana Batra

Inc42 has launched the eighth cohort of its D2CX accelerator, welcoming 50 early-stage direct-to-consumer brands across various categories. The 12-week program offers mentorship and tactical playbooks to help founders navigate the "D2C 3.0" era. With India's D2C market projected to reach $310 billion by 2031, D2CX aims to bridge operational gaps and improve unit economics for over 400 founders since its inception.

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Business • Akshit Pushkarna

Most of the 58 new-age tech companies tracked by Inc42 saw declines this week, with 39 stocks ending in the red and cumulative market capitalization dropping to $142.41 billion. While Go Digit was the worst performer, Fino Payments Bank surged 29.16%. Despite overall caution, several companies hit 52-week highs. Other key updates include PhysicsWallah's stake increase in Sarrthi IAS and Zepto's anticipated IPO at a lower valuation.

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Business • Akshit Pushkarna

Over 60 Indian new-age tech companies have gone public, reaching a cumulative market capitalization exceeding $161 billion. Fintech, enterprise tech, and ecommerce lead the listings, with 64% of these companies now reporting profitability. Geographically, Delhi NCR is the primary hub, hosting 25 listed firms and contributing $89.5 billion to the total market cap. This trend reflects a broader shift toward financial sustainability within India's startup ecosystem.

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Startups • Your story

Skyroot Aerospace has achieved a historic milestone with the successful orbital launch of Vikram-1 under Mission Aagaman, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket. This achievement validates the Indian Space Policy 2023, transitioning the nation's space program from ISRO-led dominance to private sector participation. The four-stage vehicle carried various commercial and symbolic payloads, signaling India's growing competitiveness in the global small satellite launch market and expanding space economy.

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Business • Shrishti Bisht

The Supreme Court has sought a response from Snapdeal regarding Karnataka's challenge to a High Court ruling that quashed criminal proceedings over the unlicensed sale of a prescription drug. The case centers on whether e-commerce platforms can claim safe harbour protection under the IT Act when third-party sellers violate public health laws. This decision could redefine the liability of online marketplaces for illegal products sold by third parties.

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Business • Debarghya Sil

Skyroot, India's first spacetech unicorn, successfully launched Vikram-1, the country's first private orbital rocket mission, as part of Mission Aagaman. Blasting off from Sriharikota, the four-stage vehicle aims to place payloads into Low Earth Orbit while validating critical flight systems. This milestone follows India's space sector reforms and positions the nation as a global commercial launch destination, with Skyroot planning further upgrades and launches.

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Startups • Connie Loizos

Index Ventures co-founder Neil Rimer warns that the massive wealth generated by AI will eventually be redistributed, either voluntarily through philanthropy or involuntarily via legislation. As wealth concentration reaches historic levels and traditional charitable giving declines, proposals like California's wealth tax emerge. Rimer argues that tech leaders should proactively share their fortunes to avoid the forced redistribution seen during the Gilded Age's "soak-the-rich" era.

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Business • Lokesh Choudhary

Indian startups saw a sharp funding rebound between July 11 and 17, raising $281.4 million across 24 deals. AI startups dominated the week, securing $172.4 million, nearly 60% of the total. Notable activities included Elevation Capital launching a $500 million fund and Aurum PropTech acquiring Locon Solutions for ₹458 crore. Additionally, Ather Energy approved a ₹1,200 crore fundraise, while InsuranceDekho prepares for a potential IPO.

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Startups • Your story

The Four Seasons Hotel at Embassy One in Bengaluru integrates luxury hospitality with contemporary art to serve as a cultural landmark. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the hotel features works from over 25 Indian artists and hosts rotating exhibitions via its CUR8 gallery. By blending regional aesthetics with international modernism, the property offers immersive experiences through art, literature, and gastronomy, reflecting the creative and innovative spirit of Bengaluru.

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Startups • Your story

India launched its first hydrogen-powered train and Skyroot Aerospace prepares to launch the Vikram-1 rocket. Netflix is integrating generative AI into hundreds of titles, while LinkedIn's Bengaluru hub drives global product innovation. In business, Apple became the world's most valuable company, and Lithuanian firm Hostinger reports significant growth. Additionally, Chinese startup Moonshot AI released the Kimi K3 model, and Aurrevia launched a new investment fund.

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Startups • Isabelle Johannessen

The window is almost shut. On August 19, eight startups will take the stage at Stripe Tour Sydney in front of investors, global press, and the Australian tech community. One startup walks away with automatic entry into TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco — no application, no further competition, a guaranteed spot on the world’s most […].

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Startups • Jagmeet Singh

Vertu has launched the Alphafold, a luxury foldable smartphone starting at $6,880, targeting ultra-wealthy executives. The device features the Hermes AI agent, designed to automate complex professional workflows and integrate with a human concierge. While utilizing ZTE-based hardware wrapped in premium materials, the Alphafold's AI shows ambition in autonomy but struggles with accuracy and consistency compared to mainstream competitors like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7.

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Startups • Julie Bort

Databricks announced a new funding round led by Coatue, valuing the company at $188 billion. This follows a series of rapid valuations increases as the firm transitions into a comprehensive AI provider. By leveraging enterprise data and open-weight models like Z.ai’s GLM 5.2, Databricks aims to offer cost-effective AI solutions. Recent internal benchmarks highlight the importance of both model selection and agentic harnesses in optimizing coding costs.

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Startups • Connie Loizos

AI transcription apps are becoming ubiquitous, leading some professionals to take drastic measures to avoid recording. VC Jeremy Levine now lists his lack of consent in his Zoom name to combat the trend. While some users employ these tools to analyze social interactions, critics argue the practice kills spontaneity and creates legal risks. Furthermore, the sheer volume of recorded data raises questions about its actual utility.

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Startups • Tim Fernholz

"Agility Robotics is opening a new 60,000-square-foot training facility in Fremont, California, to accelerate the deployment of its humanoid robot, Digit. Unlike competitors, Digit is already generating revenue through contracts with companies like Amazon and Toyota, totaling $300 million. The company plans to go public via a reverse-merger later this year, focusing on industrial logistics and manufacturing rather than consumer home applications.".

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Startups • Jagmeet Singh

AI-driven demand for memory chips is diverting production from consumer electronics to data centers, driving up smartphone prices. India, a price-sensitive market, has seen a 10% drop in shipments as budget-tier devices become more expensive. While premium brands remain stable, budget-focused Chinese manufacturers are losing market share. Analysts expect these memory shortages and elevated costs to persist until 2027, forcing consumers to delay device upgrades.

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Categories

A 600-mile road trip (and data) proves EV charging doesn’t suck anymore

All the EVs that were discontinued or killed off in the U.S. this year

Federal employees can download TikTok on their work phones again

5 Books that tell the difference between happiness & peace

Meet The 50 D2C Brands From D2CX By Inc42’s 8th Cohort

New-Age Tech Stocks: Fino Payments Bank Surges 29%, Go Digit Leads Weekly Losers

Indian Listed New-Age Tech Company Tracker: Market Cap, Revenue & More

Skyroot’s Vikram-1 lifts India’s private space ambitions into orbit

Supreme Court Seeks Snapdeal’s Reply In Prescription Drug Sale Case

History Beckons: Skyroot Lifts Off With India’s First Private Orbital Mission

Neil Rimer thinks the AI money is coming back out

From Emergent To Neo Group — Indian Startups Raised $281 Mn This Week

Art and design: How this Four Seasons hotel celebrates the creativity of Bengaluru

From Lithuania to the world: Hostinger’s evolution; How LinkedIn India is driving global products

Applications close in 48 hours — here’s everything Australian founders need to know about Stripe x Startup Battlefield

Vertu wants executives to pay $6,880 for an AI agent — here’s how it actually performs

Databricks hits $188B valuation, extending its run as AI’s favorite second act

The Zoom hack that says, ‘Don’t record me’

Agility Robotics plants its flag in Tesla’s backyard

AI-driven memory crunch jolts India’s smartphone market