Razorpay Launches AI Foundation Model Vulcan To Expedite Digital Payments

Source: inc42

Razorpay Launches AI Foundation Model Vulcan To Expedite Digital Payments

Business

"Razorpay has launched Vulcan, a transformer-based AI foundation model designed to enhance digital payment reliability and security. Developed using NVIDIA and AWS technology, the proprietary model analyzes trillions of data points to optimize payment routes and detect fraud. Early results show improved success rates and significantly higher fraud detection. This launch aligns with Razorpay's broader AI strategy as the fintech unicorn prepares for its upcoming public offering.".

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Why Rubrik believes cyber resilience, not prevention, is the next frontier

Startups

AI is transforming cybersecurity, enabling attackers to launch sophisticated, rapid strikes that bypass traditional prevention methods. Consequently, enterprises are shifting their focus from mere prevention to cyber resilience and business continuity. Ananth Nag of Rubrik emphasizes the need for orchestrated recovery at machine speed to minimize downtime. As AI-driven threats evolve, boards are prioritizing the ability to restore critical operations quickly to protect revenue and reputation.

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Lend-tech firm Rezolv raises $12.5M funding led by Norwest

Startups

"Rezolv, an AI-native lending technology platform founded by former Kissht founders, has raised $12.5 million in a Series A round led by Norwest. The Mumbai-based company will use the funds to automate lending workflows and enhance AI capabilities in risk assessment and debt collection. Partnering with over 22 banks and NBFCs, Rezolv aims to create an AI-native operating system to improve measurable business outcomes for lenders.".

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7 Books that explore the connection between dreams & reality

Startups

Literature frequently explores the intricate relationship between dreams and reality, using them to examine human consciousness and perception. Seven influential works, including writings by Sigmund Freud, Lewis Carroll, and Haruki Murakami, illustrate this connection. These books range from psychological analyses and surreal narratives to science fiction, collectively demonstrating how the subconscious mind and imagined worlds can shape, mirror, or even alter a person's understanding of their lived experience.

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While there's life, there's hope: The power of never giving up

Startups

The article emphasizes that difficult life experiences, such as failure or loss, are not permanent endings. By maintaining hope, individuals find the courage to persevere and view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Hope does not eliminate fear or guarantee immediate success but encourages patience and small, consistent progress. Ultimately, as long as life continues, the possibility for positive change and new directions remains open for everyone.

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Why range anxiety isn’t about battery life; it’s about uncertainty at the charging station

Startups

Range anxiety in India's electric vehicle market is often mistaken for a battery size issue, but the real problem is uncertainty regarding charging infrastructure. While physical chargers have increased, drivers lack real-time visibility into charger functionality and availability. To build trust and increase adoption, India's EV ecosystem must prioritize accurate, connected data systems over simply adding more hardware to ensure drivers know what to expect.

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Ecommerce Giants Woo Sellers With AI, Jar’s Troubles & More

Business

Indian ecommerce giants like Amazon, Meesho, and Flipkart are integrating AI to enhance seller efficiency and retention. Meanwhile, wealthtech startup Corpus Labs seeks pre-seed funding, and appliance maker Atomberg prepares for a ₹450 crore IPO. In fintech, PhonePe and Google Pay maintain UPI dominance. Other highlights include Jar's legal battles over account freezes, Flipkart's controversial obituary-themed marketing, and Farm Watt's efforts to convert crop residue into biomass.

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upGrad’s EBITDA jumps 8X to Rs 123 Cr in FY26 as gross revenue crosses Rs 2,000 Cr

Startups

upGrad reported significant profitability growth in FY26, with Ind-AS EBITDA rising eightfold to Rs 123 crore and net losses narrowing 52% to Rs 130 crore. Gross revenue reached Rs 2,070 crore, supported by over 100,000 concurrent learners and 700 enterprise clients. The company integrated AI into 80% of its programs and plans further expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, including Internshala and Unacademy.

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How Milkvilla is building a 12-hour supply chain for fresh raw milk

Startups

Milkvilla, a dairytech startup founded by brothers Mannu and Aman Jee, utilizes a patented hyperlocal supply chain to deliver fresh A2 milk within 12 hours. By employing turbo-cooling technology, the company avoids chemical preservatives, ensuring high quality from farm to consumer. Currently profitable with a monthly revenue of Rs 1 crore, Milkvilla serves 10,000 customers and plans to raise Rs 15 crore to expand its operations.

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10 ways to create 10 lakh entrepreneurs

Startups

A proposed National Entrepreneurship Mission aims to create 10 lakh Indian enterprises and millions of jobs over five years. Meanwhile, Microsoft faces scrutiny over AI infrastructure delays, and Meta battles US lawsuits regarding youth safety. In business, API Holdings has become debt-free, and QpiAI opened a quantum foundry in Bengaluru. Additionally, India's festive season is expected to generate over 2.5 lakh temporary and gig employment opportunities.

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Amazon, Flipkart & Meesho’s AI Focus Shifts To Seller-Side Stacks

Business

Indian ecommerce leaders like Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho are shifting their AI focus from consumer experiences to seller-side tools. By implementing AI-powered assistants, automated targeting, and demand forecasting, these platforms aim to boost seller productivity and attract non-metro entrepreneurs. This strategic pivot reduces operational costs and listing errors, allowing smaller brands to compete more effectively while driving overall marketplace growth through improved catalogue quality and efficiency.

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Anthropic’s annualized revenue surges to $65B

Startups

"Anthropic's annualized revenue run rate surged to $65 billion in July, significantly outpacing rival OpenAI's $40 billion. Investors project Anthropic's revenue could reach $120 billion by 2026. Having filed confidential IPO paperwork, the company may go public as early as this fall, seeking a record-breaking valuation of $2 trillion or more, far exceeding its previous valuation of $965 billion from late May.".

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AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team

Startups

"Relay, an AI-powered workflow automation tool launched in 2021, is shutting down, with paying customers losing access on September 14. Founder and CEO Jacob Bank is rejoining Google as the VP of Product for Chrome, where he will lead product and developer relations teams. Bank aims to further integrate AI agents into the browser, continuing Google's broader strategy of incorporating Gemini into its user experience.".

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‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators

Startups

Apple has issued an unprecedented number of threat notifications to users across 110 countries, warning of suspected attacks by government-grade mercenary spyware. Digital rights groups report a record surge in help requests, suggesting that such attacks are more widespread than previously understood. Experts note that Apple's new, more visible notification methods likely increased awareness, while the company recommends using Lockdown Mode to enhance device security.

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Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21

Startups

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will take place from October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, focusing on innovation in the AI era. The event attracts over 10,000 founders and investors, featuring new stages like Real World AI and Smart Money. Attendees can secure the lowest ticket prices, saving up to $300, if they purchase their passes by Friday, August 21, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Spotify’s new Playlist Notes let users and editors explain their song picks

Startups

Spotify has introduced "Playlist Notes," allowing users to add personal context to songs, podcasts, and audiobooks within their playlists. This feature extends to Spotify's editorial playlists, where editors can now explain their selections and showcase their tastes via new Editor Profiles. Rolling out globally for users and in select markets for editors, the update aims to enhance social connectivity and differentiate Spotify from its main competitors.

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Higgsfield raises $400M Series B, quadrupling its valuation in 8 months to $5.4B

Startups

Higgsfield, an AI image and video creation platform founded by Alex Mashrabov, raised $400 million in a Series B round led by DST Global, reaching a $5.4 billion valuation. With 30 million users and $700 million in annualized revenue, the company serves 390 Fortune 500 firms. The new funding will support hiring, product development, and the high compute costs required to compete with rivals like Runway.

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Reddit begins testing a new audio and video experience, similar to popular TikTok videos

Startups

Reddit is testing a new "video Reddit" experience, allowing users to listen to viral stories via audio and video posts on iOS and Android. Inspired by trends on TikTok and Reels, the limited English-language trial lets users choose between reading or playing content. These formats will complement, not replace, original text posts and comments, aiming to provide a more flexible way for users to consume Reddit content.

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Sound-powered fire protection startup gets $15M to snuff out fires before they turn catastrophic

Startups

Sonic Fire Tech has raised $15 million to develop an acoustic fire suppression system that uses infrasonic waves to extinguish fires without water or chemicals. This technology aims to eliminate collateral damage and reduce restoration costs, particularly in commercial kitchens and homes. The Ohio-based startup is seeking National Fire Protection Association approval and is discussing potential premium discounts with the insurance industry to accelerate adoption.

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YouTube will now count a view as soon as a video starts playing

Startups

"YouTube is updating its view-counting method on August 24, counting a view as soon as a video starts playing. This aligns the platform with rivals TikTok and Instagram. While public view counts may rise, creators can still access 'Engaged views' via Analytics. Additionally, YouTube is raising monetization thresholds for new creators next year, requiring 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views to begin earning money.".

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