Now, Uber Moves Karnataka HC Challenging State’s Gig Workers Law

Source: inc42

Now, Uber Moves Karnataka HC Challenging State’s Gig Workers Law

Business

Uber has challenged the constitutional validity of Karnataka’s Platform-Based Gig Workers Act in the High Court, arguing it overlaps with the central Code on Social Security. The ride-hailing company claims the state law imposes redundant financial and compliance burdens. The court granted Uber interim protection from coercive action, aligning it with other platforms. This case will determine if states can maintain separate gig worker welfare regimes.

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As AI content floods the internet, Pangram raises $9M to detect it

Startups

Pangram has raised $9 million to scale its AI detection software. The startup has also released a new AI text detection model, Pangram 4, and an AI image detection model in research preview.

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Zepto Mulls IPO Delay As Investors Push For $2.5-$3 Bn Valuation

Business

Zepto is considering delaying its IPO due to a valuation gap with institutional investors, who are seeking a valuation between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. This is significantly lower than the company's previous $7 billion private market valuation. Investors are concerned about Zepto's widening losses and high cash burn amid intense competition. The company is negotiating before its IPO papers expire on August 21 to secure funding for expansion.

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Freshworks Appoints Ryan Manning As CPTO, CPO Raghavan Exits

Business

"Freshworks has appointed former ServiceNow executive Ryan Manning as its new chief product and technology officer, effective August 10. Manning succeeds Srini Raghavan and will oversee product and technology strategy for AI, IT, and customer experience products. This leadership change follows significant executive churn and restructuring efforts to prioritize AI. Financially, the company reported a $4.8 million net loss in the first quarter of 2026 despite revenue growth.".

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IPO-Bound OfBusiness’ FY26 Profit Jumps 21% YoY To ₹724 Cr

Business

IPO-bound B2B ecommerce startup OfBusiness reported a 21% increase in FY26 consolidated net profit to ₹724 Cr, despite flat operating revenue of ₹20,645 Cr. EBITDA rose 34% to ₹769 Cr. Its lending arm, Oxyzo Financial Services, saw its asset base grow 28% to ₹11,822 Cr with net profit reaching ₹375.5 Cr. The company is preparing for an IPO targeting a $750 million to $1 billion raise at a $6-9 billion valuation. (73 words) -.

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D-Propulse is building a jet engine with no moving parts for supersonic and hypersonic flight

Startups

D-Propulse Aerospace, founded in New Delhi and incubated at IIT Madras, is developing India's first rotating detonation engine. This technology offers greater thermal efficiency and mechanical simplicity compared to traditional jet engines. Having raised Rs 25 crore, the company has progressed to Technology Readiness Level 5 following successful ground tests of a 5-kilonewton prototype. D-Propulse aims to create propulsion systems for high-supersonic and hypersonic platforms.

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Green Aero is building hydrogen-powered jet engines for drones, aircraft and ships

Startups

Green Aero, founded by Dr. Prithwish Kundu and incubated at IIT Delhi, aims to reduce India's dependence on imported aircraft engines. The startup focuses on high-efficiency conventional turbines and hydrogen-powered propulsion, recently test-firing the "Blue Dragon" engine core. With $1.6 million in seed funding from pi Ventures and Antler, the company targets the defense and civil aviation markets, developing indigenous propulsion for drones and aircraft.

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Misochain makes the flight-critical aircraft components that India usually imports

Startups

Bengaluru-based Misochain, founded by former Honeywell engineers, is developing indigenous flight-critical subsystems, including air data probes, to reduce India's reliance on aerospace imports. Holding AS9100D certification, the company focuses on design and testing while outsourcing precision machining. Recently, Misochain raised Rs 18 crore in seed funding led by Capital-A to expand its manufacturing facility and accelerate certification for drone and defense platforms.

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Olee Space is building laser communication systems and directed energy weapons for India

Startups

Pune-based startup Olee Space is developing photonics technology, including quantum-secure communications and directed energy weapons. To counter expensive missile-based air defense, the company offers a laser system for drone neutralization costing less than one dollar per shot. Olee Space recently delivered a production-grade weapon to the Indian Armed Forces and raised $3 million in seed funding to scale production and advance its optical communication protocols.

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CIIC’s Mega Demo Day returns with bigger startup showcase

Startups

"The Crescent Innovation & Incubation Council will host its fifth Mega Demo Day on August 5, 2026, featuring over 150 startups across various sectors. The event aims to foster partnerships between entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers through networking and product launches. A highlight will be the inauguration of the Atal Incubation Centre, expanding support for high-potential ventures as part of India's broader national innovation and startup ecosystem.".

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BlackBuck Q1: Profit Increases 25% To ₹42 Cr, Revenue Zooms 42% YoY

Business

Logistics company BlackBuck reported a net profit of ₹42.2 crore for Q1 FY27, marking a 25% increase year-over-year but a 56% decline from the previous quarter. Operating revenue grew 42% YoY and 10% QoQ to ₹204.2 crore, with total income reaching ₹220.5 crore. Meanwhile, total expenses rose 57% year-over-year to ₹178.4 crore, and the company recorded a deferred tax gain of ₹45 lakh.

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How this Delhi startup is weaving what machines cannot

Startups

BhashaBharat has launched the Blush Loom Kurta Set, featuring a patented Warp Manipulation Technique developed with NIFT and the Weavers' Service Centre. Unlike conventional weaving, this method integrates motifs into the fabric's structure, making it difficult for powerlooms to replicate. By prioritizing hand-controlled skill over simple design, the innovation aims to protect handloom weavers from cheap imitations and potentially improve their livelihoods across India.

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Fintech Startups To Watch: Startups That Caught Our Eye In July

Business

In July, India's fintech sector saw strategic expansion and regulatory shifts. Lending unicorn Moneyview received SEBI approval for a ₹1,500 Cr IPO, while M&A activity grew with Mynd Fintech and Zaggle making key acquisitions. Despite a slight dip in UPI transactions, the RBI explored raising merchant limits. Additionally, new crypto reporting and foreign investment rules emerged, alongside the rise of AI-driven startups in investing and lending. (69 words) -.

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Revspot Raises $4.8 Mn To Scale AI Sales Automation Platform

Business

AI sales automation startup Revspot has raised $4.8 million in a Series A round co-led by Inflexor Ventures and Info Edge Ventures. The Bengaluru-based company will use the capital to enhance its buyer-intelligence platform, expand its product development in India, and enter new high-ticket B2C sectors and international markets. Revspot’s AI-powered platform helps businesses identify and qualify high-intent buyers across sectors like real estate and education.

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BharatGen CEO On Why Models Alone Can’t Help India Gain In The AI Race

Business

BharatGen, a non-profit consortium anchored at IIT Bombay and funded with ₹988.6 crore from the IndiaAI Mission, is developing multilingual and multimodal AI models for 22 scheduled Indian languages. Through its Param, Patram, Sooktam, and Shrutam families, the initiative focuses on sovereign AI, research, and cultural diversity. It is also building the Bharat Data Sagar repository and deploying purpose-driven tools for agriculture and commerce.

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Why India Imports Apples Despite Record Production, and How to Fix It

Startups

Despite record apple production in Jammu and Kashmir, India imports significant quantities due to a critical "eight-month gap" between harvest and year-round demand. While controlled-atmosphere storage has improved for premium fruit, India lacks the infrastructure to preserve lower-grade crops or process them into juice. To reduce import bills, India must shift focus from increasing volume to improving grading, processing, and long-term value capture.

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India scores high on semiconductor sector but modest in tech sovereignty: Forrester

Startups

"A Forrester report predicts India's semiconductor production sovereignty will rise from 0% in 2025 to 13% by 2030, though overall technology sovereignty will only increase from 32% to 35%. While the US and China maintain global leadership, India's progress depends on strategic investments in AI, cloud infrastructure, and talent. Achieving broader autonomy requires balancing domestic growth with strong international partnerships and resilient technology ecosystems.".

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Why mixed-use destinations are becoming the next growth engine for cities

Startups

Modern urban planning is shifting from single-asset developments to integrated lifestyle destinations that combine sports, retail, hospitality, and entertainment. Examples like London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park demonstrate how mixed-use ecosystems drive year-round footfall and economic growth. In India, the National Sports Policy 2025 and projects like The Omaxe State reflect this trend, focusing on the experience economy to increase visitor dwell time and commercial resilience.

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CarTrade Q1: Profit Jumps 21% To ₹57 Cr, Revenue Up 16% YoY

Business

CarTrade reported a 20.6% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to ₹56.8 crore for the first quarter of FY27, up from ₹47.1 crore. However, profit fell 19.8% sequentially from ₹70.8 crore in the March quarter. Operating revenue grew 16.3% to ₹201.2 crore, while total revenue reached ₹229.7 crore, including other income. The company's total expenditure for the June quarter stood at ₹152.1 crore.

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Building materials quick commerce startup Fixxly raises $5.5M in seed round

Startups

"Fixxly, a quick commerce platform for building materials, has raised $5.5 million in seed funding from Accel, Fireside Ventures, and Lightspeed India Partners. Founded by Shezan Bhojani and Sachith Varma, the startup utilizes an AI-powered network of dark stores to provide 30-minute deliveries to contractors and homeowners. Launching September 1 in Bengaluru, Fixxly aims to reduce construction delays caused by fragmented traditional procurement and unpredictable delivery timelines.".

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