Base Power raises another $1B to save the grid using backyard batteries

Source: Tech Crunch

Base Power raises another $1B to save the grid using backyard batteries

Startups

Base Power has raised $1 billion in Series D funding, valuing the startup at $13 billion. The company installs high-capacity home batteries in Texas and Illinois via a subscription model, selling stored electricity back to the grid during peak demand. To address rising energy needs from AI data centers, Base Power recently launched the Base Core battery and aims to double its daily installation rate by year-end.

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Apple finally fixed Siri. So why does it feel anticlimactic?

Startups

"Apple has launched the updated Siri AI in the iOS 27 consumer beta, with a full release expected in September. Powered by a partnership with Google's Gemini AI and Apple's own foundation models, the assistant now offers natural conversations and deep personal context integration. While the tool is functional and highly useful for managing iPhone data, its arrival feels late compared to current industry advancements.".

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Outernet turns your saved posts into real-world adventures

Startups

Co-founders Danielle Egan and Athena Leong have launched Outernet, an iOS app designed to motivate users to explore the real world. The app uses AI to organize saved social media posts, events, and landmarks into actionable to-do lists with calendar integration and reminders. Already profitable with 18,000 users, Outernet aims to bridge the gap between online inspiration and offline activity through a whimsical, gamified experience.

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Govt Opens Door to MDR On UPI, To Amend Digital Payment Rules

Business

"The Indian government has proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, allowing the Centre to specify which electronic payment methods remain exempt from Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges. This move could lead to the reintroduction of MDR on UPI transactions, potentially targeting businesses with higher turnovers. Industry leaders support the change to help fund digital payment infrastructure, innovation, and cybersecurity while maintaining zero fees for consumers.".

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WhatsApp says it is is fixing an issue that disabled several accounts

Startups

"Meta is working to restore access for numerous WhatsApp users who reported their accounts were blocked or put under review. While the company did not specify the cause or the regions affected, a spokesperson explained that efforts to prevent service abuse can sometimes lead to incorrect account bans. Meta acknowledged the disruption and stated it is taking action to resolve the issue and restore access to users.".

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Sequoia’s Shaun Maguire leads $1B round for nuclear startup Valar Atomics

Startups

"Valar Atomics has raised $1 billion in equity led by Sequoia and secured a $200 million credit line, with a reported valuation of $6 billion. The startup develops small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) designed for faster, cheaper deployment. Valar recently partnered with Nvidia to create a 30MW waterless AI factory. This funding will support the company's goal of manufacturing fleets of SMRs to accelerate power generation.".

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Congress’s favorite AI tool? ChatGPT

Startups

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is the primary AI tool used by the U.S. House of Representatives, accounting for roughly 90% of AI spending. House records show approximately $100,580 spent on ChatGPT, while Anthropic’s Claude followed with $13,160. Democratic offices spent significantly more than Republicans. Staffers utilize these tools for drafting memos, analyzing legislation, and responding to constituents, though the data excludes free accounts and bundled software contracts.

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Wispr Flow is preparing to launch a meeting notetaker, updated terms suggest

Startups

"Wispr Flow has updated its terms to introduce an AI meeting notetaker capable of generating transcripts, summaries, and action items. This new feature positions the startup against competitors like Otter and Fireflies, allowing it to gather more user context and automate tasks. Having raised over $81 million with a previous valuation of $700 million, the company is reportedly seeking a new funding round valuing it at $2 billion.".

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Spinny Converts Parent Into Public Entity Ahead Of IPO Plans

Business

"Used-car unicorn Spinny has converted its parent company, Valuedrive Technologies, into a public limited company to prepare for an initial public offering. The startup reportedly aims to raise up to $300 million and has appointed Morgan Stanley, Kotak Mahindra Capital, and Citi India as advisors. Spinny expects to file its draft red herring prospectus with SEBI soon, following a 25% revenue increase to ₹4,656.1 crore in FY25.".

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After Verloop, Muskesh Bansal-Led NuPlay Eyes Another Acquisition In 12 Months

Business

Enterprise AI startup NuPlay, led by CEO Mukesh Bansal, plans another acquisition within 6–12 months to expand its global customer footprint. Backed by over $42 million in funding, the company focuses on AI agents for enterprise workflow automation, primarily targeting the retail sector. NuPlay aims for $100 million in revenue by 2029, with the US market expected to drive 80% of its business over the next few years.

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MakeMyTrip’s Q1 beats travel headwinds

Startups

MakeMyTrip reported strong Q1 FY27 results, with gross bookings rising 19.9% to $2.9 billion and revenue increasing 16.1% to $285.6 million. Despite macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical conflicts, growth was broad-based, particularly in hotels, packages, and bus ticketing. Additionally, the company expanded its AI capabilities via Myra 2.0, which supports conversational bookings in eight languages and handles over 85,000 daily interactions, improving customer service efficiency.

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MakeMyTrip Q1: Profit Slides 65% YoY To $9.1 Mn

Business

MakeMyTrip's consolidated net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, fell 65% to $9.1 million, despite a 6% revenue increase to $285.6 million. The decline was driven by rupee depreciation, geopolitical conflicts affecting international travel, and higher finance costs. However, gross bookings rose 19.9% in constant currency to $2.85 billion, supported by strong domestic demand and growth in the hotel and bus ticketing segments.

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Anthropic Brings Claude Inference To India As Sovereign AI Race Heats Up

Business

Anthropic is launching in-country inference for its Claude AI platform in India through Amazon Bedrock. This move allows data to remain within national borders, enabling banks and government agencies to meet strict data residency requirements. With India becoming its second-largest market, Anthropic is seeing adoption from major firms like TCS and Infosys. This strategy increases competition for domestic AI startups by removing key infrastructure advantages.

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Horizon3 hits $2 billion valuation with $250M Series E as AI threats escalate

Startups

Cybersecurity startup Horizon3 has raised $250 million in Series E funding, reaching a $2 billion valuation. The San Francisco-based firm offers the NodeZero platform, which uses AI to provide continuous, autonomous penetration testing without disrupting live operations. Driven by rising AI-powered threats and strong growth, Horizon3 plans to expand internationally into Amsterdam, Australia, and Singapore to help enterprises stress-test their defenses at scale.

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Taunted for driving, these six women now command Bihar’s Pink Buses

Startups

Six young women from Bihar, including several from the Mahadalit community, have overcome social barriers and poverty to become drivers for the state's Pink Bus service. After receiving heavy-vehicle training through the Women and Child Development Corporation and Nari Gunjan, they are challenging gender stereotypes in the male-dominated transport sector. Their achievement promotes female employment and provides a path toward financial independence for their families.

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Samsung bans smart TV apps that share users’ internet connections with strangers

Startups

"Security research by Mnemonic reveals that several Samsung smart TV apps, including a featured Pac-Man game, contain residential proxy code. This software allows outsiders to route web traffic through users' home internet connections, potentially enabling cybercrime and data scraping. Samsung is now banning and removing apps with these proxy functionalities to protect millions of users from potential hijacking and unauthorized network access across its platform.".

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EV maker Ather Energy Q1 losses narrow by 71% to Rs 51 crore

Startups

Ather said it is seeing strong tailwinds due to policy support and consumer demand. The company delivered 83,173 units during the quarter, up 80.5% YoY.

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7 Books that make you realise you can't control everything

Startups

Many people struggle with the desire to control life's unpredictable nature, leading to anxiety and frustration. However, various philosophical and psychological works, including those by Mark Manson and Viktor Frankl, emphasize that while external circumstances are often uncontrollable, individuals maintain power over their responses. By embracing uncertainty and focusing on resilience and values, people can find liberation and a more meaningful, peaceful existence.

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EV Components Manufacturer Matel Raises ₹130 Cr To Accelerate R&D

Business

"Pune-based cleantech startup Matel Motion & Energy Solutions has raised ₹130 crore ($13.6 million) in a Series B funding round led by UC Impower, with participation from Catamaran and Transition VC. The company plans to use the capital to expand manufacturing capacity, advance R&D, and scale hiring. Additionally, Matel aims to enter the electric commercial vehicle segment and broaden its international footprint for high-efficiency electric motors.".

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5 Books that explore the cost of chasing perfection

Startups

"Perfectionism often leads to stress, burnout, and a fear of failure, hindering personal growth and creativity. Several influential books challenge this pursuit, including works by Brené Brown, Katherine Morgan Schafler, Carol S. Dweck, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Matt Haig. These authors emphasize authenticity, growth mindsets, and the acceptance of imperfection, arguing that a meaningful life is built through learning and adapting rather than achieving an impossible standard of flawlessness.".

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