Encore AI raises $30M to build AI agents that learn from customer calls

Source: Tech Crunch

Encore AI raises $30M to build AI agents that learn from customer calls

Startups

The startup analyzes calls, messages and CRM data to identify effective sales techniques and turn them into playbooks for AI agents.

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Elon Musk’s X settles multiyear legal battle with the World Federation of Advertisers

Startups

Elon Musk’s X has settled its legal dispute with the World Federation for Advertisers (WFA), ending a lawsuit over alleged illegal boycotts. X had accused the WFA’s Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) of coordinating a spending drop due to brand safety concerns. As part of the resolution, the WFA discontinued GARM and pledged not to restart the initiative, aiming to reset the relationship between the two organizations.

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Hint, a new AI startup co-founded by Martha Stewart, offers an AI assistant for homeowners

Startups

Martha Stewart has co-founded Hint, an AI-powered app designed to streamline home maintenance and management. The platform leverages public data and user uploads to provide personalized maintenance schedules, energy management, and document storage. Stewart provides active expertise in home care and branding to refine the user experience. Backed by $10 million in funding, the iOS app is currently free, offering homeowners a comprehensive tool for property upkeep.

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Kissht Q1 Profit Surges 59% YoY To ₹95 Cr

Business

"Recently listed NBFC Kissht reported a strong performance for Q1 FY27, with consolidated net profit jumping 59% year-on-year and 16% sequentially to ₹95.1 crore. Operating revenue grew 45% YoY and 8% QoQ, reaching ₹669.5 crore, while total income stood at ₹676.5 crore. The company's total expenses for the quarter were ₹548.9 crore, and tax expenses increased by 63% year-on-year to reach ₹32.6 crore.".

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Tata Communications Amps Up Voice AI Play For India’s SMBs

Business

Tata Communications and Tata Tele Business Services have launched a Voice AI platform targeting India's 63 million small and medium businesses. Powered by Commotion's technology and Vayu AI Cloud, the platform provides AI voice agents for customer support, bookings, and order management. To encourage adoption, the companies are utilizing a subscription-based, outcome-linked pricing model, aiming to monetize their AI infrastructure and expand AI accessibility for SMBs.

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Perplexity employee who worked on Comet launches an AI browser aimed at knowledge work

Startups

AI browser trends have shifted from general consumer search toward agentic automation for knowledge workers. Polar, a startup led by former Perplexity employee Kevin Jiang, recently raised $5.7 million in seed funding led by Madrona. Polar's AI-first browser enables users to schedule workflows and assign tasks to agents for roles like sales and research. The tool offers a free tier and subscription plans starting at $20 monthly.

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Freehand Raises $75 Mn To Expand Enterprise AI Platform

Business

"Freehand, an AI startup founded in 2024 by Pando cofounders, has raised $75 million in a funding round co-led by Battery Ventures and NewRoad Capital Partners. The San Francisco-based company develops autonomous AI agents to automate enterprise supply chain operations, including procurement and payments. Already deployed at firms like Meta and Pfizer, Freehand's platform aims to replace legacy software and reduce procure-to-pay cycles by over 70%.".

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BlueStone, SafeGold Partner To Convert Household Gold Into Digital Gold

Business

"BlueStone and SafeGold have partnered to launch a gold-monetisation initiative that converts physical household gold into yield-bearing digital assets. Customers deposit gold at BlueStone stores to receive 24K digital gold on SafeGold’s platform, which can be leased to jewellers for an annual yield of approximately 4%. This effort aims to monetise 30,000 tonnes of idle gold, reducing India's import reliance and supporting domestic jewellers.".

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Centre Invests ₹22.5K Cr In 128 Startups Via Electronics Development Fund

Business

The government's Electronics Development Fund (EDF) has supported 128 startups and companies, which have collectively raised ₹22,553.82 crore. By investing ₹257.77 crore across eight daughter funds, the EDF helped deploy ₹1,335.77 crore into the electronics and IT sectors. Karnataka led the investments with 90 backed companies. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen India's semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem through programs like Semicon 2.0.

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TBO Tek Q1: Profit Surges 32% YoY To ₹83.3 Cr

Business

B2B travel tech company TBO Tek reported a 32% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to ₹83.4 crore for the June 2026 quarter. This represents a 39% sequential jump from the preceding March quarter. Operating revenue surged 81% year-on-year to ₹925.8 crore, while total income reached ₹938.7 crore. Total expenses rose 83% year-on-year to ₹835.4 crore, aligning with the company's significant top-line growth during this period.

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Spotify adds a running mode to its app

Startups

Running Mode will be available to Premium users on iOS in select countries.

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DoorDash is building its own drone delivery business

Startups

DoorDash has unveiled DoorDash Air, a new drone delivery service following FAA Part 135 certification. The company plans to integrate custom-built drones into its delivery network alongside existing sidewalk bots and human drivers. Managed by DoorDash Labs, the initiative utilizes a specialized Autonomous Delivery Platform to optimize dispatching. While maintaining partnerships with Wing and Flytrex, DoorDash aims to solve complex autonomy challenges to improve customer delivery efficiency.

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AI startup Revspot raises $4.8M in Series A round

Startups

"Bengaluru-based AI startup Revspot has raised $4.8 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Inflexor Ventures and Info Edge Ventures. The company, which automates lead generation and qualification for B2C businesses, plans to use the capital to enhance its engineering capabilities, expand into new high-ticket sectors, and enter international markets. Revspot currently serves over 50 customers across real estate, education, and automotive industries.".

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Fintech’s Second IPO Wave: This Time, It’s About Profits

Business

A new wave of Indian fintech startups, including Fibe, Moneyview, and PhonePe, is preparing for IPOs, marking a shift toward a more mature sector. Unlike the 2021 cycle, current investors prioritize sustainable profitability, disciplined valuations, and diversified revenue streams over rapid growth. These companies are now evaluated as financial services businesses, focusing on execution, governance, and the ability to compound earnings profitably within a tighter regulatory environment.

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Semiconductor Major Marvell To Invest $250 Mn in India, Double Headcount

Business

US-based Marvell Technology will invest $250 million in India over three years to enhance its AI chip development and data infrastructure capabilities. The company plans to double its Indian engineering workforce and expand its offices in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. This move aligns with India's growing semiconductor market and the government's ₹1.28 Lakh Cr outlay for the Indian Semiconductor Mission to strengthen domestic chip design and innovation.

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Anicut Capital launches Rs 175 Cr seed fund to back early-stage startups

Startups

"Chennai-based Anicut Capital has launched the Grand Anicut Seed Fund (GASF) with a target corpus of Rs 175 crore and a Rs 75 crore greenshoe option. The fund targets pre-Series A and Series A startups in deeptech, enterprise technology, consumer businesses, and financial services. GASF aims to support over 20 companies with investments between Rs 5 crore and Rs 8 crore, building on the success of its previous angel fund.".

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Fast Metals is treating waste with more waste to extract critical minerals

Startups

Fast Metals, a startup led by CEO Sumedh Gostu, has raised $4.3 million in pre-seed funding to extract valuable minerals from red mud, a caustic aluminum refining waste. By utilizing another waste stream, the company can economically recover iron, titanium, and rare earth elements. Fast Metals plans to scale its operations through a commercial contract with Metalox to process one ton of waste weekly later this year.

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Freshworks appoints Ryan Manning as chief product and technology officer

Startups

Freshworks has appointed Ryan Manning as Chief Product and Technology Officer, effective August 10. Reporting to CEO Dennis Woodside, Manning succeeds Srini Raghavan and will unify product and technology strategies to accelerate AI and customer experience innovation. Manning previously worked at ServiceNow and co-founded FreeAgent CRM. Financially, Freshworks reported a 16% revenue increase to $228.6 million in Q1 2026, though its net loss rose to $4.8 million.

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Aequs Reports ₹53.2 Cr Loss In Q1 Despite A 55% YoY Jump In Revenue

Business

Contract manufacturing company Aequs reported a net loss of ₹53.2 crore for the June quarter (Q1 FY27), shifting from a net profit of ₹3.6 crore in the same period last year. While operating revenue grew 55% year-on-year to ₹395.6 crore, total expenditure surged 67% to ₹380.8 crore. Total income for the quarter reached ₹402.3 crore, and the company marginally reduced its sequential net loss by 0.9%.

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Pine Labs Shares Slide 5.6% After Q1 Profit Slumps 67% QoQ

Business

Pine Labs shares dropped over 5% following Q1 FY27 results, which showed a 67% sequential profit decline to ₹19.6 crore despite 20% year-on-year revenue growth. The company attributed compressed margins to strategic investments in AI, cloud infrastructure, and international expansion. While brokerage Citi lowered its target price to ₹215, management expects profitability to recover as one-time costs normalize and transaction volumes increase through UPI and credit products.

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