Nvidia’s $3.5B MediaTek bet reveals its plan for tackling Big Tech’s AI chip buildout

Source: Tech Crunch

Nvidia’s $3.5B MediaTek bet reveals its plan for tackling Big Tech’s AI chip buildout

Startups

"Nvidia is investing $3.5 billion in MediaTek to enable the Taiwanese chipmaker to design custom AI chips for hyperscalers and AI companies. By integrating Nvidia’s NVLink Fusion technology, these custom chips can operate within Nvidia-based data centers. This strategic move allows Nvidia to maintain its infrastructure dominance while supporting client-specific silicon. The partnership also extends to consumer AI PCs and software-defined vehicles for autonomous driving.".

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Tim Cook’s parting message: Apple is in the hands of a product builder

Startups

Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's CEO, naming John Ternus, the senior vice president of hardware engineering, as his successor. Ternus's appointment signals a renewed company focus on hardware and product execution, particularly as AI demand grows. Cook will transition into the role of executive chairman, where he will continue managing key political relationships with the Chinese government and President Trump while remaining at Apple Park.

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VLC crosses 7 billion downloads

Startups

VLC media player, developed by non-profit VideoLAN, has surpassed 7 billion downloads across all platforms. This milestone follows the 6 billion mark reached in January 2025. President Jean-Baptiste Kempf announced the achievement and noted the app's recent port to Amazon’s Vega OS for TVs. VideoLAN is currently developing VLC 4 and expanding platform and codec support, while previously teasing AI-powered translation and subtitle features for the player.

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Clipto uses AI to search terabytes of video and is now valued at $250M

Startups

Clipto, a San Francisco-based startup, has raised $15 million to develop AI-powered software that indexes local files, including videos, audio, and documents. Founded by Henry Kang, the company enables users to search their content using natural language or AI agents. With $15 million in annual recurring revenue and 30 million users, Clipto differentiates itself from tech giants by offering cross-platform search and local data processing.

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E2W Registrations Contract By Over 16% In August; Ola Electric’s Market Share Improves

Business

India's electric two-wheeler registrations fell 16.2% month-on-month to 1.72 lakh units in August, despite a 64% year-on-year increase. This sequential decline follows reduced government incentives, prompting major manufacturers like TVS, Bajaj, Ola Electric, and Ather to pivot toward affordable, mass-market models priced under ₹1 lakh. While TVS and Bajaj maintain market leadership, most leading OEMs recorded double-digit declines as they target the broader commuter segment.

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How AI could make it harder for governments to use hacking tools

Startups

Cryptography professor Matthew Green warns that AI could make software so secure by patching vulnerabilities that law enforcement will lose their ability to hack targets. This shift might disrupt the current balance where governments buy exploits instead of demanding backdoors. While some experts agree that bugs will become scarce, others argue that complex vulnerabilities will persist and AI will continue to aid offensive security researchers.

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MapQuest’s app surges to No. 1 in Navigation after refusing to rename Lake Ontario

Startups

MapQuest has seen a significant surge in downloads and usage after refusing to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, defying an executive order from President Trump. While Google Maps is complying with the government's naming change for U.S. users, MapQuest's decision propelled it to the top of navigation app charts in the United States and Canada, with usage spiking to fifty times its normal levels.

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LEAP India Q1 Profit Jumps 30% YoY To ₹25 Cr, Revenue Up 19%

Business

Recently listed logistics firm Leap India reported a 30% year-on-year increase in net profit for the June quarter (Q1 FY27), reaching ₹24.7 crore, despite an 8.5% sequential dip. Operating revenue grew 19% year-on-year to ₹203.4 crore, remaining flat compared to the previous quarter. Total income stood at ₹213.4 crore, while operating expenses rose 17% year-on-year to ₹180.5 crore, with tax expenses totaling ₹8.3 crore.

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As Tim Cook steps down, India stands at the heart of Apple’s next chapter

Startups

As Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO, his legacy in India is defined by transforming the country into a critical market and production hub. Annual sales have surpassed $10 billion, while India now assembles roughly 25% of global iPhones to reduce reliance on China. While challenges in supply chain depth and affordability remain, India is now central to Apple's global sales and manufacturing strategy under successor John Ternus.

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Close to half the merchants not willing to pay MDR on UPI: Survey

Startups

A LocalCircles survey reveals that 41% of merchants refuse to pay any Minimum Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. While 33% would accept a fee of 0.25% or less, a separate survey of 45,000 users indicates that 53% would abandon UPI for high-value payments if charges were levied. Many users would instead switch to credit cards, debit cards, or cash alternatives.

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From Patna’s Settlements to Cancer Care and AI: The Story of Gautam Gauri

Startups

Gautam Gauri left his corporate career in 2010 to return to Patna, Bihar, where he founded the Diksha Foundation to provide education to low-income children. Following his mother's death, he co-founded the Suchitra Cancer Care Foundation to improve cancer awareness. Gauri is now integrating artificial intelligence through tools like Suchi and Rusty to expand access to healthcare information and educational resources across the state.

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How new broadcast technology is changing the way fans watch cricket

Startups

"The upcoming India-Afghanistan cricket series in Delhi will debut several broadcast innovations to enhance the viewer experience. New technologies include the Magic 360 Cam, Skel Track biomechanics, AI-stabilized Umpire Cams, and real-time player trackers. Additionally, a fan-powered sightscreen will use kinetic energy from cycling spectators to promote sustainability. These advancements, led by ITW Universe, aim to integrate brands seamlessly while providing cinematic and interactive sports coverage.".

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Thank You, Sponsors, For Powering Inc42’s D2C & Retail Summit 2026

Business

The D2C & Retail Summit 2026, presented by Inc42 and PhonePe, took place on August 19 in Gurugram. The invite-only event gathered over 600 founders, CXOs, and investors to discuss "Commerce In The Age Of AI & 10-Min Delivery." Featuring leaders from brands like boAt and Veeba, the summit explored D2C 3.0, quick commerce economics, and AI-driven retail strategies to help consumer brands achieve sustainable, profitable scale.

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Meeting notetaker Circleback adds a free tier to attract more customers

Startups

"Y Combinator-backed Circleback is launching a free subscription tier to compete in the crowded meeting note-taker market. The new plan offers unlimited transcriptions and 30-day history, while paid plans now start at $14 monthly. Founded in 2023, the profitable startup reports an $8 million run-rate revenue with eight employees. CEO Ali Haghani aims to use the free tier for marketing to attract more users.".

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Jagdish Farshan raises Rs 43.5 Cr led by Sharrp Ventures

Startups

Gujarat-based snack brand Jagdish Farshan has raised Rs 43.5 crore in a Series A funding round led by Sharrp Ventures and various angel investors. The company, established in 1938 with over 500 products, plans to use the capital for geographic expansion, manufacturing capacity, and digital commerce. This first institutional investment aims to scale the brand beyond Gujarat and across India, leveraging its strong regional heritage.

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PhonePe Launches UPI Payments For Feature Phones

Business

PhonePe has launched PhonePe UPI 123Pay, enabling digital transactions for over 20 crore feature phone users without requiring an internet connection. Utilizing SMS-based architecture and GSPay technology, the service allows peer-to-peer transfers and merchant payments via QR codes. Pre-installed on devices from Nokia, HMD, Lava, and Itel, the initiative aims to expand UPI adoption in rural and semi-urban regions through a voice-first, AI-powered multilingual helpline.

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From roots to returns: Why Indian real estate is drawing NRI interest

Startups

India's real estate market is projected to grow to $970 billion by 2030, shifting non-resident Indian investments from emotional residential purchases to strategic commercial opportunities. Driven by urbanization and infrastructure projects like Dwarka's Yashobhoomi, NRIs are targeting integrated "destination real estate." Enhanced digital documentation and RERA regulations have further simplified remote transactions, allowing the diaspora to capitalize on India's expanding economic hubs and urban development.

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Centre Notifies ₹1.28 Lakh Cr Semicon 2.0, Targets 1 Lakh More Chip Engineers

Business

The Indian government has notified the ₹1.28 lakh crore Semicon 2.0 scheme to strengthen its domestic semiconductor ecosystem. The initiative focuses on six pillars, including chip design, fabrication, packaging, and R&D, to reduce global supply chain reliance. Key goals include developing 1 lakh additional engineers and prioritizing 100 critical chips. The scheme offers seed funding for startups and fiscal support for large-scale fabrication facilities.

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Ather Shares Surge 5.7% To Hit Record High After Konarc Launch

Business

"Ather Energy shares reached a record high of ₹1,703.90 following the launch of the Konarc escooter, a mass-market electric vehicle priced at ₹99,999. The new model features a range of 100 to 200 km and an advanced braking system. Consequently, Emkay Global Financial Services maintained its ‘Buy’ rating and increased its target price for the stock to ₹2,200, up from the previous ₹1,600 target.".

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Bharat Innovates: Building the ecosystem for India’s deeptech future

Startups

India's deeptech ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with over 4,000 active startups. The Bharat Innovates 2026 platform recently selected 120 pioneering ventures from 3,000 applications to drive global competitiveness. This growth is fueled by strong academic research, increased industry participation through commercial partnerships, and a maturing capital architecture, including the Deep Tech Fund of Funds, aiming to establish India as a global leader in scientific innovation.

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