Healthy snacks brand Open Secret raises over Rs 50 Cr funding

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Healthy snacks brand Open Secret raises over Rs 50 Cr funding

Startups

Healthy snacking brand Open Secret has raised over Rs 50 crore from the Desai Brothers Group and institutional debt to fuel retail expansion and AI-driven supply chain improvements. With an annual recurring revenue exceeding Rs 200 crore and EBITDA profitability, the company aims to reach Rs 1,000 crore ARR within three years. The funding will support product innovation, particularly in savoury snacks, and expand its physical distribution network.

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Online bank account opening for first-time earners: What to check before you apply

Startups

First-time earners should carefully evaluate their financial needs before opening their first savings account. Digital banking simplifies the process, requiring documents like Aadhaar and PAN for verification. Key considerations include comparing interest rates, average monthly balance requirements, and digital banking features to ensure long-term suitability. By following a structured application process and avoiding common mistakes, new professionals can establish sound financial habits and achieve their goals.

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Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop Parent IPO Subscribed 37% On Final Bidding Day

Business

Purple Style Labs, the parent company of Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop, saw muted demand for its ₹680 crore IPO, with overall subscription reaching 37% by the final bidding day. While retail investors oversubscribed their portion 1.23 times, institutional interest remained low. The company plans to use the proceeds for lease liabilities and marketing. Listing on September 7, the luxury fashion firm reported a widened net loss of ₹285.4 crore.

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Byju Raveendran Offers Aakash Shares To Settle Qatar Holding’s $235 Mn Claim

Business

Byju Raveendran has proposed relinquishing 17.89 million Aakash Educational Services shares, representing about 5.7% equity, to settle a $235 million arbitration claim from Qatar Holding. Despite this offer, Qatar Holding continues to seek debt repayment and enforcement of arbitral awards through courts in India and Singapore. This dispute occurs as Aakash remains a critical asset amid broader insolvency proceedings and legal battles involving BYJU’S various creditors.

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Eutelsat OneWeb Seeks Urgent Security Nod To Launch Satcom Services In India: Report

Business

Eutelsat OneWeb has urged India's Department of Telecommunications to expedite its pending security clearance to launch satellite broadband services. Despite securing IN-SPACe authorization and establishing ground infrastructure in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the company faces delays that threaten the viability of its ageing satellite constellation. Once cleared, OneWeb will still require spectrum assignment to begin commercial operations, competing with other providers like Starlink and Jio Satellite.

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The Ad Break Comes To AI

Business

If you asked ChatGPT for a new phone, a family car or the best way to plan a holiday, you.

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Edtech’s Big Consolidation, ESDS’ Bumper IPO & More

Business

upGrad has acquired rival Unacademy in a $200 million all-stock deal, marking a significant valuation drop for the former unicorn. This merger integrates K-12 and test prep into upGrad’s upskilling portfolio. Other industry updates include ESDS's successful IPO, Yuma Energy's $35 million funding, and Icertis's leadership change following misconduct allegations. Additionally, VinFast is reassessing its Indian operations, while AlgoFET develops autonomous drone docking infrastructure.

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How the Unacademy-upGrad deal unfolded; Why AI could push India’s ER&D revenue past $100B

Startups

upGrad acquired Unacademy for over $200 million, a fraction of its peak valuation. In the insurance sector, InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy merged to expand their national distribution. India's government launched Semicon 2.0 with a Rs 1.27 lakh crore outlay to boost semiconductor manufacturing. Additionally, Nasscom predicts AI will push ER&D revenue past $100 billion by 2030, while ITC Infotech and Happiest Minds Technologies announced a strategic merger.

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Larry Page’s flying car company Pivotal loses its CEO

Startups

Ken Karklin, CEO of Larry Page-backed eVTOL company Pivotal, has stepped down after four years to pursue new endeavors. Interim CEO Mike Ross, a former board member, will lead the firm as it prepares to launch its fourth-generation Helix aircraft. Pivotal, which produces the license-free Helix and the emergency-response BlackFly, remains part of the FAA’s Integration Pilot Program to advance the future of electric vertical takeoff and landing flight.

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JioHotstar Rolls Out Services In The UK, Canada and Singapore

Business

"JioHotstar is expanding its streaming services into the UK, Canada, and Singapore, targeting the South Asian diaspora and global audiences. The platform will offer 1.6 lakh hours of content in over 12 languages, with 30,000 hours of new material added annually. Offering quarterly and annual subscription tiers, JioHotstar aims to leverage cultural affinity through originals and early TV access to establish a strong international presence.".

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JioHotstar expands into UK, Canada and Singapore

Startups

JioHotstar is expanding its global reach by launching in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore. Targeting the South Asian diaspora and international viewers, the platform offers over 160,000 hours of content in more than 12 languages across various genres. The service features personalized recommendations and flexible subscription options, including new quarterly plans, aiming to reimagine the streaming experience through diverse originals and iconic franchises worldwide.

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Reliance’s JioHotstar takes its streaming empire global — without sports

Startups

"Reliance Industries' streaming platform, JioHotstar, is expanding internationally, replacing Hotstar in the UK, Canada, and Singapore starting September 2. The service offers over 160,000 hours of entertainment content in 12 languages, though it will launch without live sports due to existing contracts. Formed from a Reliance-Disney joint venture, JioHotstar targets the South Asian diaspora and global viewers with various quarterly and annual subscription plans.".

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Apple follows Google in adopting Trump’s ‘Lake America’ name

Startups

"Apple Maps has renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America for users in the United States, following a directive from President Trump and a similar move by Google. While Canadian users still see the original name, the change has strained relations between the two nations. Conversely, MapQuest refused the update, resulting in a surge of downloads that pushed the app to the top of the U.S. App Store.".

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AfterQuery reportedly becomes Y Combinator’s fastest-ever unicorn, now valued at $3.2B

Startups

"AI training-data startup AfterQuery has reached a $3.2 billion valuation, marking the fastest ascent to unicorn status in Y Combinator's history. Founded by two young entrepreneurs, the San Francisco company reports a $100 million annualized revenue run rate. AfterQuery employs specialists like doctors and lawyers to train AI models on professional reasoning and task completion, serving major clients including Nvidia, Legora, and Motif Technologies.".

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Open AI’s Astra model is on the way—and very good at breaking into computer systems

Startups

OpenAI previewed the precautions it is taking as it prepares to release Astra, its newest, cyber-critical LLM.

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Google’s Android update tackles motion sickness, accessibility, and more

Startups

Google announced five Android updates to improve accessibility and personalization. Key features include Motion Assist to reduce motion sickness for Android 17 users and Guided Vision, which leverages Gemini to assist blind and low-vision users. Additionally, Gemini will help track remembered items in Find Hub. Google Messages is receiving Keep integration for shared lists and new customization options for chat backgrounds, colors, and text bubbles.

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X says attackers are targeting user accounts after the launch of X Money

Startups

"X users are reporting a surge in unsolicited password reset emails following the launch of X Money, the platform's new payments service. Attackers are mass-triggering reset forms using public usernames to attempt unauthorized account access. X representatives and the Grok chatbot state there is currently no evidence of successful breaches. The company is investigating the issue while users are encouraged to enable two-factor authentication for security.".

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John Ternus hypes ‘huge launch next week’ in first memo as Apple CEO

Startups

John Ternus has succeeded Tim Cook as Apple's CEO after Cook's fifteen-year tenure. The former senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering takes over just before the September 9 iPhone event, where Apple may debut its first foldable iPhone and an enhanced Siri AI. Ternus expressed excitement for future innovations, while rumors suggest the company is developing smart glasses, camera-equipped AirPods, and a new touchscreen laptop.

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Oracle To Lay Off Another 3,000 Employees In India: Report

Business

Oracle is preparing for global layoffs, with India expected to lose approximately 3,000 employees, roughly 10% of its local workforce. These cuts, potentially starting in September, follow a previous reduction of 12,000 staff in March. The company is slashing operational costs to fund massive investments in AI and data centers, mirroring a broader industry trend where tech giants prioritize automation over traditional workforce expansion.

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Anthropic’s new Fable release is cheaper, less restrictive

Startups

Fable 5.1 includes changes meant to reduce token cost and false-positive restrictions from the model's safeguards.

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Thrive’s Kushner defends involvement in FIFA mess, hires Elon’s go-to lawyer

Startups

New York's prestigious-yet-secretive venture firm Thrive Capital finally speaks out about its involvement in the messy drama upending international soccer.

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