https://startupinbrief.com Latest Indian startup and tech news summarized in 60 words. en-us https://startupinbrief.com/news/upgrad-wraps-up-unacademy-acquisition-at-200m https://startupinbrief.com/news/upgrad-wraps-up-unacademy-acquisition-at-200m upGrad has acquired Unacademy in an all-stock transaction valued at over $200 million, allowing upGrad to enter the online test-preparation market. This deal marks a significant decline from Unacademy's 2021 peak valuation of $3.4 billion. Despite the lower price, Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal described the move as a strategic decision rather than a financial emergency, citing the company's existing profitability and substantial cash reserves. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:14:46 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/7-quotes-from-deep-work-for-anyone-struggling-with-focus https://startupinbrief.com/news/7-quotes-from-deep-work-for-anyone-struggling-with-focus argues that the ability to concentrate without distraction is a rare and valuable skill in the modern age. By prioritizing meaningful tasks and resisting constant stimulation, individuals can achieve better results and greater personal fulfillment. Newport emphasizes that deep focus not only enhances productivity and skill acquisition but also shapes one's identity, providing a significant competitive advantage in an increasingly distracted world.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/yuma-energy-raises-35m-in-series-a-from-magna-international https://startupinbrief.com/news/yuma-energy-raises-35m-in-series-a-from-magna-international "Yuma Energy, a battery-swapping venture co-founded by Yulu and Magna International, has raised $35 million in Series A funding led by Magna International. The company plans to use the capital to expand its infrastructure across India, targeting electric two- and three-wheeler users. Having already completed 60 million swaps, Yuma Energy aims to broaden its customer base and achieve EBITDA-positive operations by the 2027 fiscal year.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:23:47 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/kepler-aerospace-bags-8m-to-deploy-swarming-satellites https://startupinbrief.com/news/kepler-aerospace-bags-8m-to-deploy-swarming-satellites Bengaluru-based Kepler Aerospace will use the seed funding to deploy six swarming ISR satellites and expand its mission operations and avionics businesses. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:17:54 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-magron-is-building-generation-2-of-electric-vehicles https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-magron-is-building-generation-2-of-electric-vehicles Bengaluru-based EV startup Magron is developing three electric motorcycles alongside technologies such as wireless charging and an AI-powered riding assistant. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:46 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/kepler-aerospace-raises-8-mn-to-launch-six-autonomous-surveillance-satellites https://startupinbrief.com/news/kepler-aerospace-raises-8-mn-to-launch-six-autonomous-surveillance-satellites "Bengaluru-based Kepler Aerospace has raised $8 million in its first external funding round to deploy six autonomous swarming ISR satellites under two iDEX contracts. The startup aims to reduce the delivery time of space-based intelligence from months to minutes. Additionally, Kepler will expand its mission operations and avionics-as-a-service businesses, move to a new facility, and hire 40 employees over the next 12 to 24 months.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:56:11 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/upi-transactions-rise-4-mom-to-record-2451-bn-in-august https://startupinbrief.com/news/upi-transactions-rise-4-mom-to-record-2451-bn-in-august "UPI transaction volume hit a record 24.51 billion in August, rising nearly 4% month-on-month, although the total value dipped slightly to ₹29.82 lakh crore. While adoption grows, the industry faces monetization challenges, with new legislation potentially enabling Merchant Discount Rates. Additionally, NPCI is enhancing interoperability for AutoPay mandates and expanding internationally to Uzbekistan, while PhonePe is targeting feature-phone users to further increase digital payment reach.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:20:29 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ashwini-vaishnaw-highlights-20-year-vision-for-indias-semicon-industry https://startupinbrief.com/news/ashwini-vaishnaw-highlights-20-year-vision-for-indias-semicon-industry India is building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem to reduce strategic dependencies and compete globally. Following the success of Semicon 1.0, which approved twelve projects, the government launched Semicon 2.0 with a Rs 1.27 lakh crore outlay. This initiative targets the entire value chain, from chip design and fabrication to packaging and talent development. While commercial production has begun, the first silicon fab is expected by 2028. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:06:02 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/the-festive-delivery-squeeze https://startupinbrief.com/news/the-festive-delivery-squeeze Festive shopping has always involved some last-minute panic. A forgotten gift, an extra box of sweets or a beauty order. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:00:15 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/yuma-energy-bags-35-mn-to-expand-its-battery-swapping-network https://startupinbrief.com/news/yuma-energy-bags-35-mn-to-expand-its-battery-swapping-network "Yuma Energy, a joint venture between Magna and Yulu Energy, has raised $35 million in Series A funding from Magna International. The startup aims to expand its battery swapping network across India, enhance its tech platform, and broaden its customer base to include fleet operators and OEMs. With over 2,500 stations already operational, Yuma targets EBITDA-profitability by FY27 as the Indian EV market grows rapidly.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:30:57 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/magna-increases-bet-on-battery-swapping-in-india-with-35m-for-yuma https://startupinbrief.com/news/magna-increases-bet-on-battery-swapping-in-india-with-35m-for-yuma Magna International is investing an additional $35 million in Yuma Energy, a Bengaluru-based battery-swapping firm for electric two- and three-wheelers. Targeting India's growing gig economy, Yuma aims to reduce vehicle downtime for delivery riders. The capital will be used to double Yuma's battery fleet and expand its infrastructure across Indian cities. While not yet profitable, the company plans to reach EBITDA break-even within two quarters. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:30:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/equitylist-launches-ai-native-cap-table-and-compliance-os https://startupinbrief.com/news/equitylist-launches-ai-native-cap-table-and-compliance-os EquityList has launched an AI-native cap table and compliance operating system designed to streamline equity management. The platform integrates agentic AI to analyze documents, identify compliance gaps, and draft grants, transforming a traditional system of record into a system of intelligence. Serving over 650 companies globally, EquityList ensures security through human-in-the-loop approvals and strict certifications, enabling finance and HR teams to manage complex equity operations efficiently. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:30:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/zeptos-new-game-plan-layoffs-at-zomato-more https://startupinbrief.com/news/zeptos-new-game-plan-layoffs-at-zomato-more Zepto is prioritizing profitability by reducing discounts and launching a paid loyalty program following its IPO postponement. Meanwhile, Zomato has laid off 240 employees in Hyderabad to consolidate operations. In other news, Satvacart has shut down, and Bira91 faces insolvency threats. Electric two-wheeler sales declined in August, while Vimag Labs is developing rare earth magnet alternatives to reduce India's dependence on Chinese imports for EV motors. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:05:03 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/zenergize-bags-4-mn-to-scale-production-of-its-ev-chargers https://startupinbrief.com/news/zenergize-bags-4-mn-to-scale-production-of-its-ev-chargers "Clean tech startup Zenergize has raised $4 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Giraffe Studios to expand its EV charger and solar inverter production. Founded by IIT Bombay alumni, the company plans to scale its R&D, grow its sales team, and establish a new facility in Delhi NCR. Zenergize currently reports an annual run rate of ₹35-40 crore, targeting significant growth by 2026.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:28 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-tim-cook-turned-india-into-apples-growth-engine-niif-raises-rs-19000-cr-infra-fund https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-tim-cook-turned-india-into-apples-growth-engine-niif-raises-rs-19000-cr-infra-fund Zomato implemented a zero-tolerance policy for analogue dairy products following food safety crackdowns. India notified its Rs 1,27,500-crore Semicon 2.0 scheme to boost semiconductor design and manufacturing. Apple's Indian sales exceeded $10 billion, with 55 million iPhones assembled locally. Additionally, NIIF raised Rs 19,000 crore for infrastructure, Chile is building the Extremely Large Telescope, and the Bank of England warned about AI's financial risks. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 07:30:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/zeptos-retention-play-fewer-discounts-premium-carts-a-paid-club https://startupinbrief.com/news/zeptos-retention-play-fewer-discounts-premium-carts-a-paid-club Before we turn the talk to Zepto’s IPO delay and how the company is looking to address the one problem. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 07:00:27 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/exclusive-ms-dhoni-joins-edtech-startup-speakxs-cap-table https://startupinbrief.com/news/exclusive-ms-dhoni-joins-edtech-startup-speakxs-cap-table AI-based edtech startup SpeakX has appointed cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a strategic investor and brand ambassador. Formerly known as Yellow Class, the English tutoring platform utilizes a freemium model and currently serves around 2 lakh paid subscribers. SpeakX is expanding its regional-language offerings across India and plans to launch a B2B product. The company reported EBITDA profitability in FY26 and projects revenue growth for FY27. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:04 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/lachy-groom-backs-indian-startup-aiming-to-keep-aircraft-aloft-for-a-year https://startupinbrief.com/news/lachy-groom-backs-indian-startup-aiming-to-keep-aircraft-aloft-for-a-year "Bengaluru startup Alteon has raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Lachy Groom to develop autonomous aircraft capable of staying airborne for over a year. By utilizing dynamic soaring, a technique inspired by albatrosses, the aircraft will harvest energy from ocean winds for maritime surveillance. While early tests over the Bay of Bengal are promising, the team must still prove the aircraft can sustain energy-neutral flight.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/apple-shares-shocking-evidence-against-former-employee-accused-of-stealing-company-data-for-openai https://startupinbrief.com/news/apple-shares-shocking-evidence-against-former-employee-accused-of-stealing-company-data-for-openai Apple has filed new evidence in its lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that former employee Chang Liu used confidential circuit schematics and internal tools at the AI company. Apple claims Liu and a colleague attempted to destroy evidence during an investigation. While OpenAI attributes the data access to Apple's poor system management, Apple asserts Liu exploited a bug. Apple seeks an injunction to block OpenAI's hardware development. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:43:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/polymarket-reportedly-raises-300-million-from-donald-trump-jrs-investment-fund https://startupinbrief.com/news/polymarket-reportedly-raises-300-million-from-donald-trump-jrs-investment-fund "Polymarket has raised $300 million from 1789 Capital, a fund partnered with Donald Trump Jr., as part of a larger $1 billion funding round. This investment comes amid significant regulatory tension between state governments and federal authorities over the oversight of prediction markets. While many states are litigating against these sites, the federal government and Trump Jr. argue that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission should be the sole regulator.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:11:10 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/bnp-paribas-societe-generale-millennium-sell-lenskart-shares-via-2670-cr-block-deals https://startupinbrief.com/news/bnp-paribas-societe-generale-millennium-sell-lenskart-shares-via-2670-cr-block-deals BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, and Millennium Management offloaded Lenskart shares totaling ₹2,670.2 crore to book profits following a surge in stock prices. Conversely, BlackRock emerged as a major institutional investor, acquiring shares worth over ₹1,896 crore. This activity follows Lenskart's inclusion in the MSCI global standard index and a strong Q1 FY27 performance, where net profit surged 273% to ₹228.4 crore amid rising operating revenues. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:50:08 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/a16z-brings-growth-fund-to-85b-days-after-launching-new-11b-fund https://startupinbrief.com/news/a16z-brings-growth-fund-to-85b-days-after-launching-new-11b-fund "Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has expanded its fifth growth fund to $8.5 billion and launched a new $1.1 billion "Machine Age Fund" targeting AI hardware. The growth fund supports scaling startups across enterprise AI, defense, robotics, and health tech. These moves reflect the rapid acceleration of AI companies. The firm, which manages $90 billion in assets, is also increasing its investments in politics and lobbying.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:44:14 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/a-group-funded-by-andreessen-horowitz-and-brockman-plan-data-center-ads-to-sway-midterms https://startupinbrief.com/news/a-group-funded-by-andreessen-horowitz-and-brockman-plan-data-center-ads-to-sway-midterms Build American AI, a group affiliated with the super PAC Leading the Future, plans to spend millions on ads promoting data centers in Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Funded by figures like Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, LTF supports pro-AI candidates. Despite this, OpenAI has distanced itself from LTF, citing concerns over transparency and astroturfing. Andreessen Horowitz remains a top political donor, investing heavily in AI and crypto. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:44:05 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ftc-accuses-amazon-of-running-a-secret-ad-surcharge-scheme-in-new-lawsuit https://startupinbrief.com/news/ftc-accuses-amazon-of-running-a-secret-ad-surcharge-scheme-in-new-lawsuit "The FTC and 22 states have sued Amazon, alleging the company secretly inflated advertising costs for over one million businesses. The lawsuit claims Amazon manipulated its auction system by introducing hidden surcharges and fake bidders, effectively charging advertisers their full winning bids instead of the promised second-price rate. Amazon has denied these allegations, calling the lawsuit misguided and arguing that the FTC misunderstands how its advertising auctions operate.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:50:25 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/the-pentagon-now-has-its-own-version-of-chatgpt-and-grok https://startupinbrief.com/news/the-pentagon-now-has-its-own-version-of-chatgpt-and-grok The Pentagon has integrated custom versions of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and xAI’s Grok into its secure GenAI.mil portal, providing 3 million personnel with generative AI tools tailored for military needs. These secure versions prevent sensitive data leaks common in consumer products. While ChatGPT Mil focuses on administrative tasks, Grok aims to enhance mission precision. This expansion follows a dispute with Anthropic and reflects broader efforts to maintain a technological edge. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:43:45 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/blackrock-buys-ather-shares-worth-445-cr https://startupinbrief.com/news/blackrock-buys-ather-shares-worth-445-cr BlackRock Global Funds acquired nearly 26 lakh shares of Ather Energy for ₹445.3 crore, signaling strong institutional confidence. This investment coincides with Ather's addition to the MSCI India small cap index and the launch of its mass-market Konarc e-scooter. Supported by Hero MotoCorp's recent stake increase and significantly improved Q1 FY27 financials, Ather's stock has surged 127.6% year-to-date, reflecting positive market sentiment and growth. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:35:10 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/bnp-paribas-millennium-sell-10-cr-eternal-shares-in-3265-cr-block-deals https://startupinbrief.com/news/bnp-paribas-millennium-sell-10-cr-eternal-shares-in-3265-cr-block-deals BNP Paribas and Millennium Management sold over 9.9 crore shares of foodtech giant Eternal in block deals totaling ₹3,264.8 crore. The sales occurred ahead of an MSCI index rejig expected to increase the stock's weightage. Eternal has seen a 30.9% share price surge over three months, driven by strong Q1 FY27 financial results, including a consolidated net profit of ₹92 crore and significant revenue growth. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:01:47 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/instagram-puts-new-limits-on-undisclosed-ai-profiles https://startupinbrief.com/news/instagram-puts-new-limits-on-undisclosed-ai-profiles Instagram is renaming its "AI creator" label to "AI-generated profile" to clearly identify accounts featuring AI-created people. To prevent user deception, the platform will limit the reach of accounts that fail to disclose AI-generated subjects. However, those using AI for minor edits or graphics remain exempt. This move follows growing concerns over deceptive AI influencers and health personalities, alongside Meta's broader regulatory challenges and settlements. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:46:59 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/apples-top-app-store-exec-phil-schiller-follows-wave-of-exits-as-ceo-tim-cook-steps-down https://startupinbrief.com/news/apples-top-app-store-exec-phil-schiller-follows-wave-of-exits-as-ceo-tim-cook-steps-down Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's CEO, with John Ternus taking over the leadership role. This transition coincides with a wave of executive departures, including Phil Schiller, who is leaving his App Store leadership position to become an Apple Fellow. Other retiring executives include Jeff Williams and Jennifer Bailey. Ternus now faces the challenge of rebuilding the company's leadership team amidst these significant organizational changes. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:32:06 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/microsoft-tests-fix-for-latest-hours-long-outlook-outage https://startupinbrief.com/news/microsoft-tests-fix-for-latest-hours-long-outlook-outage "Microsoft confirmed a widespread, multi-hour outage on Monday affecting its Exchange Online service, which caused significant disruptions for Outlook users. The issue, stemming from an authentication component, led to email delays, delivery failures, and authentication errors. Microsoft identified the source of the problem and is currently testing a remediation strategy on a portion of its infrastructure before implementing a broader solution to restore full functionality.". Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:26:41 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/kalshi-bans-george-santos-for-life-over-state-of-the-union-bets https://startupinbrief.com/news/kalshi-bans-george-santos-for-life-over-state-of-the-union-bets Prediction market Kalshi has issued a lifetime ban to former Republican Representative George Santos, marking the first such action by the company. Santos was fined $71,356 for betting on his own attendance at President Trump’s State of the Union address. Kalshi also suspended several other political candidates for wagering on their own races. This follows a separate $35,000 settlement Santos reached with the CFTC over similar conduct. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:23:41 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/harvard-law-dropout-raises-6m-for-blue-voice-to-build-a-harvey-for-police-officers https://startupinbrief.com/news/harvard-law-dropout-raises-6m-for-blue-voice-to-build-a-harvey-for-police-officers Blue Voice, a Boston-based AI startup, has emerged from stealth with $6 million in funding to provide police officers with real-time policy guidance. Founded by David Lawrence, Amit Patankar, and Michael Gropman, the tool is used by 225 agencies across 25 states. By offering instant access to department-specific laws and protocols, Blue Voice helps officers make informed decisions, reducing operational errors and improving public safety. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:05:11 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/hackers-claim-millions-of-patient-records-stolen-during-data-breach-at-healthcare-giant-mckesson https://startupinbrief.com/news/hackers-claim-millions-of-patient-records-stolen-during-data-breach-at-healthcare-giant-mckesson "The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on pharmaceutical distributor McKesson, stealing millions of rows of sensitive patient and employee data. Using phishing and social engineering, the group accessed cloud-hosted Snowflake and Salesforce environments. The stolen information includes Social Security numbers and medical records. The hackers demanded a $55 million ransom, marking the latest in a series of high-profile breaches targeting the American healthcare sector.". Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:40:09 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ryan-breslow-is-raising-up-to-27m-in-pay-to-play-bridge-funding-to-save-bolt https://startupinbrief.com/news/ryan-breslow-is-raising-up-to-27m-in-pay-to-play-bridge-funding-to-save-bolt Ryan Breslow, the reinstated CEO of checkout startup Bolt, is raising a bridge round of up to $27 million to sustain the company. After its valuation plummeted from $11 billion to $300 million, Bolt is seeking funds from existing investors via a convertible note with a pay-to-play provision. Breslow is personally contributing $5 million, aiming for profitability and a full Series E2 round while leveraging AI efficiency. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:44:44 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/tim-cooks-parting-message-apple-is-in-the-hands-of-a-product-builder https://startupinbrief.com/news/tim-cooks-parting-message-apple-is-in-the-hands-of-a-product-builder 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:32:42 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/vlc-crosses-7-billion-downloads https://startupinbrief.com/news/vlc-crosses-7-billion-downloads 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:37:46 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/clipto-uses-ai-to-search-terabytes-of-video-and-is-now-valued-at-250m https://startupinbrief.com/news/clipto-uses-ai-to-search-terabytes-of-video-and-is-now-valued-at-250m 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:30:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/e2w-registrations-contract-by-over-16-in-august-ola-electrics-market-share-improves https://startupinbrief.com/news/e2w-registrations-contract-by-over-16-in-august-ola-electrics-market-share-improves 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:25:43 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-ai-could-make-it-harder-for-governments-to-use-hacking-tools https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-ai-could-make-it-harder-for-governments-to-use-hacking-tools 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:49:32 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/nvidias-35b-mediatek-bet-reveals-its-plan-for-tackling-big-techs-ai-chip-buildout https://startupinbrief.com/news/nvidias-35b-mediatek-bet-reveals-its-plan-for-tackling-big-techs-ai-chip-buildout "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.". Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:45:25 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/mapquests-app-surges-to-no-1-in-navigation-after-refusing-to-rename-lake-ontario https://startupinbrief.com/news/mapquests-app-surges-to-no-1-in-navigation-after-refusing-to-rename-lake-ontario 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:21:33 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/leap-india-q1-profit-jumps-30-yoy-to-25-cr-revenue-up-19 https://startupinbrief.com/news/leap-india-q1-profit-jumps-30-yoy-to-25-cr-revenue-up-19 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 20:18:05 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/as-tim-cook-steps-down-india-stands-at-the-heart-of-apples-next-chapter https://startupinbrief.com/news/as-tim-cook-steps-down-india-stands-at-the-heart-of-apples-next-chapter 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:08:12 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/close-to-half-the-merchants-not-willing-to-pay-mdr-on-upi-survey https://startupinbrief.com/news/close-to-half-the-merchants-not-willing-to-pay-mdr-on-upi-survey 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:05:16 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/from-patnas-settlements-to-cancer-care-and-ai-the-story-of-gautam-gauri https://startupinbrief.com/news/from-patnas-settlements-to-cancer-care-and-ai-the-story-of-gautam-gauri 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:03:22 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-new-broadcast-technology-is-changing-the-way-fans-watch-cricket https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-new-broadcast-technology-is-changing-the-way-fans-watch-cricket "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.". Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:47:55 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/thank-you-sponsors-for-powering-inc42s-d2c-retail-summit-2026 https://startupinbrief.com/news/thank-you-sponsors-for-powering-inc42s-d2c-retail-summit-2026 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:31:25 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/meeting-notetaker-circleback-adds-a-free-tier-to-attract-more-customers https://startupinbrief.com/news/meeting-notetaker-circleback-adds-a-free-tier-to-attract-more-customers "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.". Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:26:46 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/jagdish-farshan-raises-rs-435-cr-led-by-sharrp-ventures https://startupinbrief.com/news/jagdish-farshan-raises-rs-435-cr-led-by-sharrp-ventures 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:19:55 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/phonepe-launches-upi-payments-for-feature-phones https://startupinbrief.com/news/phonepe-launches-upi-payments-for-feature-phones 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. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:48:10 GMT