Astrobase is building a reusable rocket engine and a launch vehicle in Bengaluru

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Astrobase is building a reusable rocket engine and a launch vehicle in Bengaluru

Startups

Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies aims to enhance India's launch capacity with reusable, mid-sized rockets. Utilizing complex full-flow staged combustion engines powered by methane and liquid oxygen, the company focuses on rapid turnaround and autonomous landing. Supported by IN-SPACe's Technology Adoption Fund and private investment, Astrobase has successfully tested sub-scale hardware. The company targets a maiden orbital launch by 2029, complementing ISRO's existing capabilities.

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SpaceX won’t remove all of xAI’s unpermitted turbines for another year

Startups

"SpaceX will replace 69 unpermitted gas turbines powering xAI's Colossus data centers near Memphis with a permanent 1.2 gigawatt natural gas power plant by July 2027. Despite lawsuits from the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center over pollution and permit violations, the Department of Justice supported SpaceX, citing national security. The company plans to invest $2.8 billion in turbines for its data centers over three years.".

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Reddit is testing a new way to watch — and listen to — its viral posts

Startups

Reddit is developing a new "video Reddit" experience to allow users to watch videos and listen to posts, mirroring viral trends seen on TikTok. CEO Steve Huffman noted that spoken Reddit content is highly engaging. This move aligns with a broader industry trend of integrating short-form video feeds. Testing is expected later this year, following the successful launch of video comments, which now comprise over 10% of video posts.

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Smallest.ai raises $13M to build ultra-fast voice AI that sounds genuinely human

Startups

Smallest.ai, a startup that recently raised $13 million in Series A funding, is developing specialized small voice models to create AI agents indistinguishable from humans. By mimicking real-time human processing and reducing latency, the company aims to revolutionize enterprise customer support. Its hybrid approach uses small models for fluid interaction and large LLMs for complex problem-solving, targeting companies like RingCentral and Truecaller to break the Turing test.

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(Weekly funding roundup July 25-31) VC funding drops to another low

Startups

"Venture capital funding for Indian startups fell to $67 million across 14 deals in the final week of July, the second lowest weekly level this year. This decline is attributed to a lack of significant AI traction and unfavorable macroeconomic conditions. Despite the slump, notable investments were made in Arboreal Bioinnovations, Sid’s Farm, and Fixxly, as the ecosystem hopes for an eventual recovery in capital inflows.".

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WhatsApp is testing a new folder for messages from large businesses

Startups

Meta is testing a new "Offers & Updates" folder on WhatsApp to reduce inbox clutter by automatically moving messages from large businesses, such as banks and airlines, after a set period. This initiative follows Meta's reported revenue growth from WhatsApp paid messaging. While small businesses are currently exempt, the feature aims to balance personal chats with business communications as Meta expands its global AI business agents.

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IIRM Holdings to raise ₹150 crore from Carpediem Capital, Sanshi Fund

Startups

BSE-listed IIRM Holdings India Ltd plans to raise ₹150 crore through equity shares and fully convertible warrants, led by Carpediem Capital and Sanshi Fund - I. The company will utilize the funds for business expansion, strategic acquisitions, and working capital. Operating across five countries in risk advisory and insurance distribution, IIRM aims to consolidate the underpenetrated insurance broking market and accelerate its growth trajectory globally.

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EbixCash World Money gets perpetual RBI licence for trade and family remittances

Startups

EbixCash World Money has become the first Authorised Dealer Category-II entity in India to receive a perpetual Reserve Bank of India licence with an expanded scope. Following revised FEMA framework changes, the company can now process family maintenance and trade remittances up to Rs 25 lakh per transaction. This development allows EbixCash to provide a regulated non-bank channel for MSMEs, leveraging its extensive nationwide physical and digital network.

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Tesla reportedly might sell its China business ahead of a SpaceX merger

Startups

"Tesla is reportedly considering separating its China business through a spinoff, sale, or closure to facilitate a potential merger with SpaceX. Because SpaceX is a defense contractor subject to strict national security and citizenship regulations, decoupling from China would simplify integration. This move would be a significant concession, as China serves as a vital production hub and market for Tesla's global vehicle operations and distribution.".

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Urban Company slips into red in Q1, revenue jumps 44%

Startups

Urban Company reported a net loss of Rs 92.12 crore for Q1 FY27, despite a 44% year-on-year revenue increase to Rs 528.34 crore. The company added a record 1.2 million new users and saw orders rise 79%. While international operations grew 82%, overall profitability was weighed down by heavy losses in its InstaHelp segment. Management remains focused on category leadership despite near-term margin pressures from aggressive discounting.

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7 Books about the importance of valuing your attention

Startups

In an era of constant digital distraction, attention has become a precious and finite resource. Seven influential books, including "Deep Work" and "Stolen Focus," explore how technology and societal pressures erode our ability to concentrate. These works emphasize the need for intentional focus and digital minimalism to reclaim mental clarity. Ultimately, consciously choosing where to direct attention is essential for personal growth, meaningful work, and a fulfilling life.

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CRED After Kunal Shah: Can The ‘Walled Garden’ Business Model Pay For Itself?

Business

CRED targets high-credit-score users, using credit card payments to funnel them toward profitable services like lending, insurance, and wealth management. With a $4.5 billion valuation following a $900 million Meta investment, the company reported its first profitable quarter and growing revenue. Under interim CEO Miten Sampat, CRED leverages its NBFC partnership to drive lending revenue while maintaining a premium user base with high average transaction sizes.

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Repeat founder Ryan Williams raises $10M seed for an AI startup for private credit managers

Startups

Ellis AI has emerged from stealth with $10 million in seed funding from investors including First Round Capital and Thrive Capital. Founded by former Cadre co-creator Ryan Williams, the company uses AI agents to centralize fragmented workflows for private credit managers. The platform integrates existing software and documents to automate portfolio monitoring and reporting, reducing manual data entry while keeping human experts in control of material decisions.

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UPI’s Monetisation Moment: Why MDR Is Back On The Table

Business

The Indian government is considering reintroducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on high-value UPI transactions to create a sustainable monetization model for banks and payment aggregators. The proposed 0.05% to 0.07% fee would target large merchants with turnovers exceeding ₹1 crore for transactions over ₹2,000. This shift aims to offset rising infrastructure costs and declining subsidies, while ensuring that small businesses and consumers remain unaffected.

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Own it, launch it, talk to them: A practical playbook from Hostinger's CEO for Indian MSMEs

Startups

At MSME Sparks 2026 in Bengaluru, Hostinger CEO Giedrius Zakaitis argued that AI has eliminated capital and capability barriers for small businesses, leaving only confidence as the primary obstacle. He advised founders to own their platforms rather than relying on closed ecosystems, launch products before they are perfect, and maintain close customer relationships. Zakaitis emphasized that the decision to start is now the only real hurdle.

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E2W Registrations Dip 1.7% MoM In July, TVS Motor Defies Trend With 10% Growth

Business

Electric two-wheeler registrations in India fell 1.7% month-on-month to 1.91 lakh units in July, despite a strong 85% year-on-year increase. TVS Motor led the segment with a 10% growth to 52,032 units,.

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Urban Company Posts ₹92 Cr Loss In Q1, Revenue Up 44% YoY

Business

Urban Company reported a consolidated net loss of ₹92.1 crore in Q1 FY27, compared to a ₹6.9 crore profit in the same period last year. While operating revenue grew 43.9% to ₹528.3 crore, total expenses rose 66.5% to ₹639.9 crore. This loss is primarily attributed to aggressive investments in its InstaHelp vertical, where the company is prioritizing market leadership over immediate profitability despite improving unit economics.

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Uplers introduces AI-powered matching to help startups hire faster

Startups

Uplers, founded in 2019 by Jaymin Bhuptani, simplifies startup hiring in India using AI-powered matching and human expertise. By analyzing a network of 3.5 million professionals, the platform delivers three to five interview-ready candidates within 48 hours. Having facilitated over 5,000 engineering hires for 500 startups, Uplers now supports various business functions and provides Employer of Record services to help founders scale their teams efficiently.

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Cathie Wood buys $14.3 million of tumbling semiconductor stock

Business • via The Street • .

Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest recently purchased a substantial amount of Nvidia stock, making major acquisitions over the last few months. For instance, on July 28, 2026, ARK bought nearly 79,000 shares worth about $15.5 million. Earlier, in June, they acquired over 300,000 shares valued at over $63 million, taking advantage of Nvidia's new processor announcement. In contrast, ARK has been reducing its holdings in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

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VoltSeal installs batteries at factories and offices to replace diesel generators

Startups

India's rapid solar expansion has outpaced its storage capacity, causing midday surpluses and expensive evening peaks. New Delhi-based startup VoltSeal aims to bridge this gap using lithium-iron-phosphate battery systems and specialized software for time-shifting and peak shaving. Founded by energy policy experts, the pre-revenue company recently raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Theia Ventures to help businesses reduce costs and avoid diesel generators.

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[Update] Capillary Begins Forensic Audit Into €3 Mn Cyber Fraud at Subsidiary

Business

SaaS company Capillary Technologies reported a €3 million cyber fraud at a step-down subsidiary, utilizing deepfakes and social engineering to impersonate senior management. While the company recovered €450,000 and placed other suspected accounts on hold, it has commissioned KPMG to conduct a forensic audit. Capillary maintains that its customer data and infrastructure are secure, despite the sophisticated attack highlighting rising AI-driven cybersecurity risks for enterprises.

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