Books that help you build a life you don't need to escape from

Startups • Your story

Many people seek escape from their lives, but true fulfillment comes from intentional choices and alignment with personal values. To help build a life worth living, several books are recommended. These include titles on financial mindset, mindfulness, sustainable productivity, habit formation, emotional freedom, purpose, and time management. Together, these resources provide practical wisdom to help individuals improve their daily reality rather than constantly dreaming of escaping it.

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Startups • Julie Bort

Chinese open-weight AI models, like Alibaba's Qwen, are sparking debate over potential U.S. bans due to security and economic concerns. While proprietary labs fear profit losses and hacking risks, Arcee CTO Lucas Atkins argues these models are no more dangerous than other open-source software. He suggests that instead of bans, the U.S. should foster its own open ecosystem and compete by developing superior AI models.

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Startups • Sarah Perez

Substack is introducing AI detection features to combat "AI slop" and foster reader trust. The tool will label posts, notes, and comments exceeding 100 characters, aligning with trends on other social media and streaming platforms. While not prohibiting AI-assisted writing, Substack encourages creators to use optional author's notes to disclose their process. CEO Chris Best emphasizes that human creativity remains the most valuable part of writing.

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Startups • Tim De Chant

"OpenAI plans to invest $750 billion in infrastructure by 2030, including a $20 billion data center campus in Georgia called Project Camellia. Spanning 1,400 acres, the facility will require 3.2 gigawatts of power, largely sourced from natural gas via Georgia Power. OpenAI will cover all infrastructure costs and receive a 15-year property tax abatement, with power expected to become available between 2028 and 2032.".

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Startups • Zack Whittaker

Governments warn against paying hacker ransoms, as it funds crime and often fails to stop further attacks. A Proofpoint survey revealed that over one-third of companies paying ransoms faced second extortion demands. Evidence from cases like Klue and Change Healthcare, along with UK police findings on the LockBit gang, confirms that hackers frequently retain stolen data despite payment, proving that negotiating with extortionists is ineffective.

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Startups • Your story

July's recommended reading list features five diverse titles designed to offer entertainment and insight. Percival Everett's *James* reimagines a classic narrative, while Mel Robbins' *The Let Them Theory* focuses on emotional freedom. Kaveh Akbar's *Martyr!* explores identity, Oliver Burkeman's *Four Thousand Weeks* examines time management, and Sally Rooney's *Intermezzo* delves into family dynamics. Together, these books provide a blend of literary fiction and thought-provoking nonfiction.

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Business • Anne Florentyna

InCred Financial Services reported a consolidated net profit of ₹438 crore for FY26, a 17.1% increase from the previous year. Total income rose 36.3% to ₹2,567 crore, driven by a 22% growth in managed assets to ₹17,748 crore. Despite this growth, profitability moderated due to higher credit costs. The IPO-bound company plans a public issue featuring a fresh share sale of up to ₹1,250 crore.

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Startups • Dominic-Madori Davis

Cascade, a startup founded by Hannia Zia and Joana Ferreira, has raised $3.5 million in seed funding from Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun, Ada Ventures, and Snowball VC. The AI-native platform helps architecture, engineering, and construction firms identify and win projects by analyzing tender data and predicting likely winners across various government and private portals. The company plans to use the capital to expand its market reach and hire engineers.

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Business • Shrishti Bisht

Ayr Energy has sued Zetwerk in the US, seeking at least $1 billion in damages and an import ban over allegations of trade secret theft, trademark infringement, and false advertising. This escalates a legal battle after Zetwerk previously sued Ayr for $100 million, claiming its founder stole confidential data. The dispute over proprietary information and unfair competition occurs as Zetwerk prepares for its upcoming public listing in India.

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Startups • Lauren Forristal

The browser market is shifting from search dominance to AI-driven assistance. While Google Chrome and Apple Safari remain leaders, new AI-powered options like Perplexity’s Comet and The Browser Company’s Dia offer agentic capabilities. Additionally, privacy-centric browsers like Brave and DuckDuckGo, and niche productivity tools like SigmaOS and Zen Browser, provide alternatives. This evolution transforms browsers from simple web windows into proactive, task-oriented digital assistants.

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Startups • Ivan Mehta

German startup Passionfroot has raised $15 million in a Series A round led by Insight Partners to expand its B2B creator marketplace. The Berlin-based company plans to open offices in New York and Sao Paulo while growing its team. With revenue increasing 13x, Passionfroot leverages an AI agent called Zest and a proprietary creator graph to help brands improve visibility amidst an AI-driven software market.

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Startups • Aisha Malik

WhatsApp is expanding its cross-device capabilities with several new updates. The app now offers enhanced integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to manage calls and messages more effectively. Additionally, users can register for standalone accounts directly on iPads. New features include the ability to share music from Spotify and Apple Music to Status and open and annotate PDFs directly within the application.

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Startups • Your story

"India's space startup ecosystem has expanded from single digits to over 450 ventures in six years, driven by government policy reforms and IN-SPACe's regulatory support. The sector has seen over 800 authorization applications and significant technology transfers. Notably, Skyroot Aerospace became the first Indian space unicorn with a successful maiden launch. Funding has reached nearly $390 million over three years, supported by dedicated government venture capital funds.".

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Startups • Your story

"Karnataka is expanding the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 through new partnerships with We Make Future and VivaTech. A new Startup Exchange Programme will help local startups access European markets, investors, and innovation networks in Italy, France, and Poland. Minister Priyank Kharge aims to transform the summit into a year-round global platform. The 2026 event, themed "AI & Beyond," expects thousands of delegates and exhibitors from over 75 countries.".

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Startups • Your story

Eternal, parent of Zomato and Blinkit, reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 92 crore and revenue of Rs 20,211 crore for Q1 FY27, marking significant growth over the previous year. Blinkit drove this surge, contributing Rs 15,664 crore in revenue and achieving a positive EBITDA. The company plans to prioritize long-term growth through infrastructure expansion, assortment diversification, and the launch of premium gourmet stores in major cities.

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Business • Shrishti Bisht

"IndiaMART shares hit a 52-week low, closing 5.25% lower at ₹1,817.40 despite a 12% year-on-year increase in Q1 FY27 net profit to ₹172.2 crore. Investors reacted negatively to a third consecutive quarterly decline in paid suppliers, particularly within the silver tier. Brokerages Jefferies and Nomura maintained cautious ratings. Meanwhile, the company approved the creation of IndiaMART Finance to facilitate credit through lending partners for its users.".

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Startups • Your story

Octobotics, a Noida-based deeptech startup founded by marine engineers, develops specialized robots for non-destructive testing in the maritime, oil, and gas sectors. By automating corrosion and weld inspections, the company reduces human risk and minimizes unplanned shutdowns. With a strong client base including the Indian Navy, Octobotics recently raised Rs 10 crore in seed funding to pursue international expansion and obtain critical safety certifications.

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Startups • Your story

Unibose, a Chennai-based deeptech startup, develops ATEX Zone-0 certified robots to clean industrial tanks, sewers, and rail wagons, eliminating the need for dangerous human entry. These cost-effective machines reduce cleaning time and operating costs by approximately 40%. Currently deployed at IndianOil and Borouge, the company is adopting a robot-as-a-service model to scale across India, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia, prioritizing worker safety and industrial efficiency.

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Startups • Your story

India's drone market heavily relies on Chinese electronics, posing strategic risks. To address this, ZeroDrag, founded in 2022, develops domestic avionics, including flight controllers and navigation modules, for various UAV manufacturers. Serving sectors like defense and agriculture, the startup recently raised Rs 6.5 crore in seed funding to scale production. ZeroDrag aims to provide a reliable, non-Chinese alternative for Indian and international drone makers.

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Startups • Your story

"Bengaluru-based startup Dognosis is developing a non-invasive disease screening tool by combining canine scent detection with technology. Using a brain-computer interface and machine learning, the company converts dogs' neural and behavioral responses to breath samples into measurable data. While early trials suggest 90% accuracy in detecting cancer, the tool is not yet clinically validated. Dognosis aims to provide affordable, early cancer detection, particularly for underserved populations in India.".

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Books that help you build a life you don't need to escape from

Arcee, a US open source AI lab, says Chinese models are not inherently dangerous

Substack’s new tool tells you who’s been writing their newsletters with AI

OpenAI’s AI spending spree has ballooned to $750B

If you pay a hacker’s ransom, chances are that they’ll come back for more

5 Books to read this July 2026 before everyone else

InCred Finance’s FY26 Profit Increases 17% YoY To ₹438 Cr, Revenue Up 36%

Cascade raises $3.5M to help construction firms find and win projects

IPO-Bound Zetwerk Sued By Ayr Energy In US, Faces $1 Bn Damages Claim

The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari

Passionfroot raises $15M to expand its B2B creator marketplace to the US

WhatsApp adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto upgrades, iPad sign-ups, and more

Space startup ecosystem soars to 450-plus ventures as policy reforms fuelled growth: IN-SPACe Dir

Bengaluru Tech Summit partners with We Make Future for Startup Exchange Programme

Eternal reports Rs 92 crore net profit in Q1 FY27

IndiaMART Shares Sink 7.5% To 52-Week Low As Paid Supplier Concerns Mount

Inspecting a corroded ship hull is slow, dangerous work. Octobotics sends a robot instead

Every year, Indian workers die inside tanks. Unibose built a robot to take their place

India's drones mostly run on Chinese hardware. ZeroDrag builds an Indian alternative

Dognosis is training dogs and AI to detect cancer from a breath sample