https://startupinbrief.com Latest Indian startup and tech news summarized in 60 words. en-us https://startupinbrief.com/news/unprecedented-number-of-apple-users-received-recent-spyware-alert-say-investigators https://startupinbrief.com/news/unprecedented-number-of-apple-users-received-recent-spyware-alert-say-investigators 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. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:48:35 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/save-up-to-300-on-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-pass-until-august-21 https://startupinbrief.com/news/save-up-to-300-on-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-pass-until-august-21 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. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:03:51 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/spotifys-new-playlist-notes-let-users-and-editors-explain-their-song-picks https://startupinbrief.com/news/spotifys-new-playlist-notes-let-users-and-editors-explain-their-song-picks 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. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:54:43 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/higgsfield-raises-400m-series-b-quadrupling-its-valuation-in-8-months-to-54b https://startupinbrief.com/news/higgsfield-raises-400m-series-b-quadrupling-its-valuation-in-8-months-to-54b 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. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:34:27 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/reddit-begins-testing-a-new-audio-and-video-experience-similar-to-popular-tiktok-videos https://startupinbrief.com/news/reddit-begins-testing-a-new-audio-and-video-experience-similar-to-popular-tiktok-videos 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. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:12:30 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/sound-powered-fire-protection-startup-gets-15m-to-snuff-out-fires-before-they-turn-catastrophic https://startupinbrief.com/news/sound-powered-fire-protection-startup-gets-15m-to-snuff-out-fires-before-they-turn-catastrophic 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. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:02:27 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/youtube-will-now-count-a-view-as-soon-as-a-video-starts-playing https://startupinbrief.com/news/youtube-will-now-count-a-view-as-soon-as-a-video-starts-playing "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.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:39:33 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/feedly-attributes-weeklong-slowdown-to-bug-not-its-ai-pivot https://startupinbrief.com/news/feedly-attributes-weeklong-slowdown-to-bug-not-its-ai-pivot Feedly, the world's largest standalone RSS reader with 15 million users, has faced significant technical issues, including a slow web app and iOS malfunctions. Some paying subscribers report ignored support requests amid the company's pivot toward AI-driven intelligence. CEO Edwin Khodabakchian stated that RSS remains a priority, noting that a fix for the web app's performance bug was released Friday while iOS issues are being investigated. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:40:59 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/amazon-once-an-online-bookseller-is-destroying-rare-books-to-train-ai-models https://startupinbrief.com/news/amazon-once-an-online-bookseller-is-destroying-rare-books-to-train-ai-models Amazon is acquiring rare books and scanning them for AI training, according to a report by 404 Media. The company reportedly cuts off book spines at a Las Vegas facility to digitize content for its large language models. Amazon states these purchases improve its services. Rare, out-of-print texts are highly valuable because they ensure training data is human-authored, helping the company avoid the risk of model collapse. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:08:44 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/when-a-sale-dies-did-flipkarts-dark-humour-go-too-far https://startupinbrief.com/news/when-a-sale-dies-did-flipkarts-dark-humour-go-too-far Flipkart's obituary-style advertisement for its Freedom Sale has sparked significant controversy, dividing opinions on whether the campaign was a clever subversion or insensitive. While the ad successfully grabbed attention by mimicking memorial notices to signal ending deals, critics and brand experts argue that using death-related imagery risks damaging long-term trust. The debate highlights the tension between generating immediate visibility and maintaining brand civility. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 21:45:13 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/groq-raises-350m-to-fuel-its-pivot-from-ai-chips-to-neocloud https://startupinbrief.com/news/groq-raises-350m-to-fuel-its-pivot-from-ai-chips-to-neocloud Startup Groq raised $350 million, valuing the company at $3.5 billion as it pivots from an AI chipmaker to a neocloud provider. After losing key talent to Nvidia, Groq shifted from developing its own LPUs to operating Nvidia-powered infrastructure. The company aims to scale its capacity to over 200 megawatts by 2027, focusing on AI inference services for millions of developers and enterprises worldwide. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 21:45:12 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/pharmeasy-claims-to-be-debt-free-after-paring-more-stake-in-thyrocare https://startupinbrief.com/news/pharmeasy-claims-to-be-debt-free-after-paring-more-stake-in-thyrocare API Holdings, the parent company of PharmEasy, has become debt-free after repaying ₹1,050 crore in outstanding debt. This was achieved through internal accruals and the sale of 1.58 million Thyrocare shares by promoter Docon Technologies. Consequently, the pledge on Docon's remaining 51.02% controlling stake in Thyrocare has been fully released. Meanwhile, Thyrocare reported strong Q1 FY27 results, with net profit increasing 34.1% to ₹52.19 crore. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:57:59 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/nvidia-investing-15b-in-softbank-data-center-developer-behind-openai-project https://startupinbrief.com/news/nvidia-investing-15b-in-softbank-data-center-developer-behind-openai-project "Nvidia is investing $1.5 billion in SB Energy, a data center venture with SoftBank and OpenAI, securing its role as the sole compute infrastructure supplier for the Ports-Pike facility in Ohio. Nvidia will also provide up to $105 billion in credit. The project includes a $33 billion, 9.2 gigawatt natural gas power plant on former Department of Energy land, amid rising construction costs and potential gas price spikes.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:46:24 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/govt-clears-31-more-electronics-manufacturing-projects-worth-79k-cr https://startupinbrief.com/news/govt-clears-31-more-electronics-manufacturing-projects-worth-79k-cr The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved 31 new projects and a capacity expansion under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, totaling ₹7,877 crore. These approvals, which will create 9,588 jobs across ten states, bring the total approved applications to 106. The scheme has now surpassed its targets for approved investments and cumulative production value, aiming to build a $500 billion electronics component industry by FY32. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:44:03 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/terra-industries-closes-52m-seed-round-to-build-defense-infrastructure-for-the-global-south https://startupinbrief.com/news/terra-industries-closes-52m-seed-round-to-build-defense-infrastructure-for-the-global-south African defense tech company Terra Industries announced an additional $18 million in funding, bringing its seed round to $52 million. Investors include 8VC, Silent Ventures, and Nova Global. Terra plans to build. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:36:07 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/wordpresscom-targets-the-next-generation-of-web-creators-with-a-free-student-plan https://startupinbrief.com/news/wordpresscom-targets-the-next-generation-of-web-creators-with-a-free-student-plan "Automattic has launched WordPress.com Education, a free suite for teachers and students designed to integrate website building into the classroom. The program provides students with full domains, plugin support, and 6GB of storage for their first year. By targeting educational institutions, Automattic aims to train future web professionals and reach underfunded schools. A pilot program involving 5,000 students showed significant improvements in employability and entrepreneurial capacity.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:26:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/5-books-that-explain-why-we-compare-ourselves-with-others https://startupinbrief.com/news/5-books-that-explain-why-we-compare-ourselves-with-others Human comparison is a natural psychological habit that often leads to anxiety and diminished self-worth. Five influential books—The Social Animal, The Happiness Trap, The Gifts of Imperfection, Stolen Focus, and Mindset—explore the roots of this behavior. These works analyze social influences, digital pressures, and mindset shifts, offering strategies to move from external competition toward personal growth, authenticity, and a value-driven life. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:40:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/sunil-mittal-to-step-down-as-airtel-payments-bank-chairman-shabnam-sinha-to-take-over https://startupinbrief.com/news/sunil-mittal-to-step-down-as-airtel-payments-bank-chairman-shabnam-sinha-to-take-over "Sunil Bharti Mittal will step down as non-executive chairman of Airtel Payments Bank on September 30. Shabnam Sinha, an independent director with over three decades of experience, will succeed him as chairperson on October 1 for a three-year term approved by the RBI. Under Mittal's leadership, the bank grew to 121 million monthly active users. The transition follows strong financial growth, including an 18.4% revenue increase in FY26.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:29:06 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/exclusive-peak-xv-alum-saksham-mittals-corpus-labs-in-talks-to-raise-funding-from-stellaris https://startupinbrief.com/news/exclusive-peak-xv-alum-saksham-mittals-corpus-labs-in-talks-to-raise-funding-from-stellaris Corpus Labs, a wealthtech startup co-founded by former Peak XV analyst Saksham Mittal, is reportedly seeking pre-seed funding from Stellaris Venture Partners, though its website claims $4.2 million already raised. The read-only platform analyzes mutual fund portfolios for cost differences and asset allocation without executing transactions or recommending funds. Corpus enters a competitive Indian wealthtech market projected to exceed $95 billion by FY30. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:28:37 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/startup-news-and-updates-daily-roundup-august-17-2026 https://startupinbrief.com/news/startup-news-and-updates-daily-roundup-august-17-2026 API Holdings became debt-free after repaying Rs 1,050 crore, while QpiAI opened Asia's largest quantum chip foundry in Bengaluru. Swiggy introduced Guru, an AI assistant for restaurants, and Per Annum saw its AUM surge to Rs 1,400 crore. Other highlights include Aum Ventures' DeepSpark 2.0 launch, Cognizant's Talent Accelerator program, and a joint venture between Voltas and Atomberg to manufacture high-efficiency AC compressors in India. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:08:04 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/indian-deeptech-investments-reach-114b-report https://startupinbrief.com/news/indian-deeptech-investments-reach-114b-report The Bharat DeepTech Report 2026 reveals that India's deeptech sector secured $11.4 billion in funding from 2015 to mid-2026. AI leads investment, while semiconductors and spacetech show rapid growth. Despite milestones and government support via the RDI Fund, the sector faces a "valley of death" in early-stage research and a Series B/C funding gap. Addressing these hurdles is essential for building globally competitive indigenous innovation. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:59:33 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/uber-adds-zipline-drones-to-its-eats-delivery-network https://startupinbrief.com/news/uber-adds-zipline-drones-to-its-eats-delivery-network Uber is partnering with and investing in drone delivery startup Zipline to integrate its technology into the Uber Eats platform. The companies aim to achieve one million daily deliveries by 2029, with initial launches starting this year in existing Zipline markets before expanding to dozens of U.S. cities. This move aligns with Uber's broader strategy of partnering with autonomous vehicle providers to drive growth through quick commerce. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:48:49 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/wispr-raises-280m-at-2b-valuation-as-it-looks-beyond-dictation https://startupinbrief.com/news/wispr-raises-280m-at-2b-valuation-as-it-looks-beyond-dictation "Wispr, an AI dictation startup, raised $280 million in Series B funding led by Menlo Ventures, reaching a $2 billion valuation. The company plans to expand into meeting notes and improve speech accuracy with its new Canto model. Wispr is also scaling globally, partnering with hardware makers, and launching Interface Labs to explore human-computer interaction, all while facing increased competition from various AI dictation and note-taking apps.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:40:05 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/atomberg-gets-board-nod-to-raise-over-450-cr-via-ipo https://startupinbrief.com/news/atomberg-gets-board-nod-to-raise-over-450-cr-via-ipo Atomberg, a D2C consumer appliance startup, has received board approval to launch an IPO of up to ₹450 crore, consisting of fresh equity and an offer for sale. The company also approved a pre-IPO funding round of up to ₹90 crore, which will reduce the IPO's fresh issue size. Atomberg, known for energy-efficient fans, reported FY25 operating revenue of ₹958.4 crore and a 41% reduction in net losses. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:37:30 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/crypto-hardware-wallet-owners-face-fresh-security-risks-after-recent-spate-of-personal-data-thefts https://startupinbrief.com/news/crypto-hardware-wallet-owners-face-fresh-security-risks-after-recent-spate-of-personal-data-thefts Data breaches at shipping partners of Trezor and SafePal have exposed personal information of hardware wallet users, increasing the risk of targeted phishing and physical "wrench attacks." While the wallets remain secure, leaked addresses enable criminals to steal seed phrases through force. Separately, a code vulnerability in Coldcard wallets allowed hackers to predict seed phrases, resulting in over $130 million in stolen cryptocurrency from the blockchain. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:30:19 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/upi-in-july-navi-gains-market-share-as-phonepe-google-pay-slip-marginally https://startupinbrief.com/news/upi-in-july-navi-gains-market-share-as-phonepe-google-pay-slip-marginally "In July, India's UPI market saw Sachin Bansal's Navi increase its market share to 4%, while leaders PhonePe and Google Pay experienced marginal declines to a combined 78.6%. Overall transaction volume rose 4% to 23.66 billion, with total value increasing 3% to ₹29.88 lakh crore. Additionally, Parliament approved a bill enabling merchant discount rates on select transactions, although person-to-person payments will remain free for users.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:19:22 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/india-has-one-demographic-cycle-left-a-blueprint-to-turn-youth-unemployment-into-10-lakh-new-entrepreneurs https://startupinbrief.com/news/india-has-one-demographic-cycle-left-a-blueprint-to-turn-youth-unemployment-into-10-lakh-new-entrepreneurs The proposed National Entrepreneurship Mission aims to create 10 lakh new enterprises and up to 36 lakh jobs over five years. Written by Shradha Sharma, the framework focuses on connecting existing government schemes rather than adding new expenditures. Key initiatives include an Entrepreneurship Passport, district opportunity maps, and mandatory mentorship. By integrating fragmented systems and verifying outcomes via GST and EPFO, India seeks to address critical youth unemployment. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 18:09:06 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/api-holdings-is-debt-free-repays-rs-1050-cr https://startupinbrief.com/news/api-holdings-is-debt-free-repays-rs-1050-cr "Digital healthcare platform API Holdings, the parent company of PharmEasy and Thyrocare, has become debt-free after repaying Rs 1,050 crore. The company funded this repayment through internal accruals and the sale of a 9.90% stake in Thyrocare Technologies by its promoter, Docon. Consequently, Docon's remaining 51.02% stake is now unencumbered. API Holdings now aims for profitable growth and disciplined execution across its healthcare businesses.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:54:53 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/beyond-hiring-how-myntra-is-building-longer-term-careers-for-women-in-tech https://startupinbrief.com/news/beyond-hiring-how-myntra-is-building-longer-term-careers-for-women-in-tech Myntra is enhancing its technology-first approach by creating sustainable career paths for women in engineering, product, and data roles. CHRO Govindraj MK highlighted initiatives like the Phoenix returnship program, Ascend leadership pathways, and the Women in Tech platform. These efforts aim to increase female representation in senior leadership and adapt to an AI-led environment by focusing on continuous learning, mentorship, and structured support systems. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:35:08 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/table-space-drhp-a-look-at-shareholding-pattern-key-executives https://startupinbrief.com/news/table-space-drhp-a-look-at-shareholding-pattern-key-executives Managed workspace provider Table Space has filed its DRHP with SEBI for an IPO, proposing a fresh issue of up to ₹800 crore and an offer for sale of 6.5 crore shares. Hillhouse Investment-backed AGS TS II Holdings is the largest shareholder with a 41.76% stake. The company's cap table includes a disputed 22.14% stake from late promoter Amit Banerji, while FY26 revenue grew 66% to ₹2,262.3 crore. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:55:49 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/festive-season-hiring-expected-to-generate-up-to-27-lakh-gig-jobs-report https://startupinbrief.com/news/festive-season-hiring-expected-to-generate-up-to-27-lakh-gig-jobs-report Adecco India reports that festive season temporary staffing demand will generate 2.5-2.7 lakh jobs, growing 15-20% year-on-year. Key sectors include ecommerce, logistics, retail, and BFSI. While Tier II and III cities drive 45% of demand, Tier I cities face a 30% talent crunch. Despite rising wages and strong demand for operational roles, 80% of employers report talent shortages, with a 10-15% demand-supply gap expected. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:52:27 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ola-electric-unveils-full-stack-energy-storage-portfolio-from-home-to-grid https://startupinbrief.com/news/ola-electric-unveils-full-stack-energy-storage-portfolio-from-home-to-grid Ola Electric has launched its 'Shakti' energy storage portfolio, utilizing indigenous LFP battery technology to provide clean energy solutions. The range includes Shakti Gen2 for residential use, with deliveries starting November 2026, and Shakti Rack for commercial applications available by March 2027. Additionally, the Mahashakti line targets industrial and utility-scale storage. This expansion leverages the company's Gigafactory to offer scalable energy storage from homes to grids. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:52:02 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-a-kashmir-agri-university-became-jks-most-unlikely-startup-engine https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-a-kashmir-agri-university-became-jks-most-unlikely-startup-engine Under Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, SKUAST-Kashmir has transformed into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The university now leads the Rs 5,013 crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and operates the award-winning SKIIE startup incubator. Key milestones include launching India's first BTech in AI in Agriculture and creating "Tarmeem," India's first gene-edited sheep. These advancements have propelled SKUAST-K to rank third among State Agricultural Universities. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:16:03 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/snabbit-ropes-in-klydo-cofounder-pradeep-yadav-to-helm-operations https://startupinbrief.com/news/snabbit-ropes-in-klydo-cofounder-pradeep-yadav-to-helm-operations Quick home services startup Snabbit has appointed Pradeep Yadav, co-founder of Klydo and former Udaan CXO, as its new head of operations. Yadav succeeds Vikas Choudhary, who will now lead a new business venture within the company. Snabbit, which recently raised $56 million in Series D funding, provides rapid domestic help across five major Indian cities and reports an annual revenue run rate of $35-40 million. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:45:46 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/physicswallah-jumps-95-after-q1-results-jpmorgan-jm-financial-upgrade-rating https://startupinbrief.com/news/physicswallah-jumps-95-after-q1-results-jpmorgan-jm-financial-upgrade-rating PhysicsWallah shares rose up to 9.5% after JPMorgan and JM Financial upgraded the stock following strong Q1 FY27 results. Despite NEET exam disruptions, operating revenue grew 24.4% to ₹1,054 crore, while the net loss narrowed to ₹88.3 crore and EBITDA turned positive at ₹52 crore. The company plans to divest its NBFC arm and expects to achieve group-level PAT profitability by the third quarter of FY27. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:06:58 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/qpiai-opens-asias-largest-quantum-chip-foundry-targets-10000-qubit-processors https://startupinbrief.com/news/qpiai-opens-asias-largest-quantum-chip-foundry-targets-10000-qubit-processors Quantum computing startup QpiAI has opened an eight-inch quantum processing unit manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, claiming it is Asia's largest. The facility currently produces superconducting processors with up to 128 qubits, with plans to reach 10,000 physical qubits by 2027. This foundry supports QpiAI's goal of creating Quantum Supremacy Centres that integrate quantum processors with AI chips for commercial applications and global exports. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:48:30 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/karnataka-hc-quashes-sessions-court-orders-to-defreeze-jars-accounts https://startupinbrief.com/news/karnataka-hc-quashes-sessions-court-orders-to-defreeze-jars-accounts The Karnataka High Court quashed three Sessions Court orders that directed the release of precious metals and the defreezing of bank accounts linked to wealthtech startup Jar. The court ruled that police may debit-freeze accounts under Section 106 of the BNSS without prior judicial approval, provided they report the action immediately. This decision emphasizes that digital gold transactions remain subject to criminal law despite lacking direct RBI or SEBI supervision. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:41:17 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/zaggle-plunges-20-to-hit-lower-circuit-after-q1-profit-slump https://startupinbrief.com/news/zaggle-plunges-20-to-hit-lower-circuit-after-q1-profit-slump Zaggle shares plunged 20% to a 52-week low of ₹160.45 after the fintech company reported a 33% year-on-year decline in Q1 net profit to ₹17.5 crore. Despite a 28% rise in operating revenue to ₹423.3 crore, margins were pressured by the integration of DICE Enterprises and Zagg.Money. Consequently, Equirus lowered its target price to ₹350, although Zaggle maintains its 40% revenue-growth target for FY27. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:30:01 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ecommerce-order-volumes-up-31-during-independence-day-sales https://startupinbrief.com/news/ecommerce-order-volumes-up-31-during-independence-day-sales "India's ecommerce sector saw a 31% year-on-year increase in order volumes and a 30% rise in gross merchandise value during the 2026 Independence Day sale, according to Unicommerce. Fashion and accessories, particularly apparel, led in total order volumes, followed by beauty and personal care. The FMCG segment was the fastest-growing category, increasing nearly 100%, with healthy food products emerging as a significant trend among consumers.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:21:38 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/6-books-that-explore-the-connection-between-art-and-emotions https://startupinbrief.com/news/6-books-that-explore-the-connection-between-art-and-emotions Art serves as a powerful language for expressing complex human emotions and experiences. Various books explore this connection, ranging from historical perspectives and personal perception to therapeutic uses and neuroscience. These works highlight how creativity helps individuals process grief, find healing, and understand their inner worlds. Ultimately, art acts as a bridge between internal feelings and external expression, fostering deeper connections between people and their surroundings. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:35:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/the-rdi-fund-row-pms-i-day-address-more https://startupinbrief.com/news/the-rdi-fund-row-pms-i-day-address-more The prompt asks to summarize the "news article content." Usually, this means the primary lead story, but since it's a newsletter/digest, I should focus on the main controversy regarding the RDI fund as it's the most detailed part, or provide a high-level overview of the digest. However, the lead story is the most substantial. Let's focus on the RDI fund controversy as the core "news" while acknowledging the broader context if possible, but the RDI fund is the primary focus. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:12 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/7-ipos-eye-rs-6400-cr-this-week https://startupinbrief.com/news/7-ipos-eye-rs-6400-cr-this-week India's IPO market is surging with seven companies raising ₹6,400 crore, while investors speculate on a massive potential IPO for AI firm Anthropic. AI continues to disrupt industries, from Hollywood filmmaking to Tagbin's 3D building designs and Kusho AI's software testing. Other highlights include Bangladesh's historic cricket win over Australia, China's neutrino research breakthroughs, and new Indian tax policies alongside energy security measures to combat supply disruptions. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:30:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/lenskarts-scale-meets-profits https://startupinbrief.com/news/lenskarts-scale-meets-profits "Lenskart's Q1 FY27 results show a strategic shift toward productivity-led growth, with revenue rising 34% and net profit jumping 182% to ₹228 crore. The eyewear giant is diversifying its market reach by pursuing both premiumization and a new ₹500 budget offering. Additionally, Lenskart is scaling its international business and enhancing supply-chain control through increased in-house production and data-driven store selection to improve overall operational efficiency.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:00:54 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/stripe-will-reportedly-acquire-ai-gateway-startup-openrouter-for-7b https://startupinbrief.com/news/stripe-will-reportedly-acquire-ai-gateway-startup-openrouter-for-7b "Stripe has reportedly finalized a deal to acquire OpenRouter for over $7 billion, according to Bloomberg. OpenRouter provides a single access point for over 400 AI models, serving 8 million global users and preventing vendor lock-in. Previously valued at $1.3 billion after a $113 million Series B round, the startup helps customers optimize AI tasks based on budget. Stripe has declined to comment on the acquisition rumors.". Mon, 17 Aug 2026 02:27:04 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/why-people-arent-buying-mark-zuckerbergs-ai-future https://startupinbrief.com/news/why-people-arent-buying-mark-zuckerbergs-ai-future Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently published an optimistic essay envisioning a future where personal AI agents empower everyone. However, TechCrunch analysts remain skeptical, citing Zuckerberg's history of unmet promises regarding social connection. Critics argue the vision is overly abstract and ignores potential risks, suggesting Meta is attempting to reposition itself in the AI market despite lacking a dominant consumer presence or accessible hardware for all users. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 02:02:01 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/anthropic-ceo-says-ai-backlash-is-fundamentally-a-crisis-of-trust https://startupinbrief.com/news/anthropic-ceo-says-ai-backlash-is-fundamentally-a-crisis-of-trust Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei defended his balanced approach to discussing AI's risks and benefits after investor Gavin Baker accused him of fueling public backlash. Amodei argued that negative perceptions of AI stem from a general crisis of trust in institutions rather than his warnings. He emphasized that AI companies must deliver on their promises and stated that Anthropic's regulatory proposals aim to support smaller competitors. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 22:23:51 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/techcrunch-mobility-the-shifting-flight-path-of-electric-air-taxis https://startupinbrief.com/news/techcrunch-mobility-the-shifting-flight-path-of-electric-air-taxis The electric aviation sector is consolidating as Archer Aviation acquired Wisk Aero from Boeing, and Joby Aviation purchased Resonant Sciences for $500 million to expand into defense. Meanwhile, Uber sold its stake in Serve Robotics and invested in Chilean fintech Galgo. In autonomous driving, Waymo expanded its California operations, while Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI received permits to test self-driving trucks on public roads in California. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:34:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ipo-wave-seven-cos-eye-to-raise-rs-6400-cr-next-week https://startupinbrief.com/news/ipo-wave-seven-cos-eye-to-raise-rs-6400-cr-next-week Seven companies, including Horizon Industrial Parks and Lalithaa Jewellery Mart, plan to raise over Rs 6,400 crore through initial public offerings between August 17 and 21. Other participants include Augmont Enterprises, Gaja Alternative Asset Management, Shankesh Jewellers, Sunshine Pictures, and Tempsens Instruments. The funds will support business expansion and debt repayment. This surge brings the expected 2026 IPO total to 55, with Skyways Air Services following on August 24. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:02:05 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/rdi-fund-row-deeptech-investors-seek-more-transparency-independent-oversight https://startupinbrief.com/news/rdi-fund-row-deeptech-investors-seek-more-transparency-independent-oversight India's ₹1 Lakh Cr Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) fund faces scrutiny after 15 of 22 companies in its first ₹2,192 Cr allocation were linked to selection committee members. These companies received 62% of the funds. While the government maintains that conflict-of-interest safeguards were followed, investors warn that a lack of transparency could favor established networks and undermine trust in government-backed deeptech capital. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:36:37 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/can-astrotalk-chart-a-future-beyond-astrology https://startupinbrief.com/news/can-astrotalk-chart-a-future-beyond-astrology Astrotalk has become India's 133rd unicorn through an internal ESOP buyback rather than external funding. The company's operating revenue surged from ₹283 crore in FY23 to ₹1,176 crore in FY25. As it prepares for an IPO, Astrotalk is diversifying its core astrology consultation business into e-commerce via the Astrotalk Store and expanding internationally, particularly in the US, to drive future growth and valuation. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:00:55 GMT