https://startupinbrief.com Latest Indian startup and tech news summarized in 60 words. en-us https://startupinbrief.com/news/piper-serica-raises-rs-300-cr-as-first-close-of-bharat-tech-fund https://startupinbrief.com/news/piper-serica-raises-rs-300-cr-as-first-close-of-bharat-tech-fund Mumbai-based investment house Piper Serica has raised Rs 300 crore in the first close of its Rs 800 crore Bharat Tech Fund. This Category 2 AIF targets Indian deeptech startups in sectors like semiconductors, defence, and robotics, investing Rs 25-50 crore per company. Backed by institutional investors and family offices, the fund aims to support globally competitive technologies and expects to reach its final close ahead of schedule. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:59:19 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/rategain-q1-profit-more-than-doubles-yoy-to-95-cr-revenue-skyrockets-188 https://startupinbrief.com/news/rategain-q1-profit-more-than-doubles-yoy-to-95-cr-revenue-skyrockets-188 "Travel-focused SaaS company Rategain reported a strong financial performance for Q1 FY27, with consolidated profit jumping 102% year-on-year and 36% quarter-on-quarter to ₹94.9 crore. Operating revenue surged 188% year-on-year to ₹785 crore, while total income reached ₹788.1 crore. Despite these gains, total expenses also rose significantly, increasing 188% year-on-year to ₹667.5 crore during the June quarter, reflecting the company's rapid growth and operational scaling.". Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:24:15 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ola-electric-opens-sales-service-network-to-dealer-partners-across-india https://startupinbrief.com/news/ola-electric-opens-sales-service-network-to-dealer-partners-across-india Ola Electric is shifting its go-to-market strategy by opening its sales and service network to dealer partners across India. After building a strong foundation through company-owned stores, the firm aims to leverage local dealer expertise to scale operations and accelerate EV adoption. Company stores will now focus on brand experience, while dealers handle local distribution. BVR Subbu rejoins as Senior Advisor to support this transition by Diwali 2026. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:15:54 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/shiprocket-cuts-ipo-size-lowers-valuation-expectations-as-it-readies-for-rs-1618-cr-public-issue https://startupinbrief.com/news/shiprocket-cuts-ipo-size-lowers-valuation-expectations-as-it-readies-for-rs-1618-cr-public-issue Temasek-backed ecommerce platform Shiprocket has reduced its IPO size by nearly 31% to Rs 1,617.6 crore. The public issue, opening August 12 and closing August 14, features a price band of Rs 92-97 per share, targeting a valuation of approximately Rs 7,057 crore. The company will raise Rs 885 crore through fresh equity to expand technology, fund marketing, and repay debt, alongside a Rs 732 crore offer for sale. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:09:23 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/ola-electric-shifts-to-dealer-led-sales-model-to-expand-reach https://startupinbrief.com/news/ola-electric-shifts-to-dealer-led-sales-model-to-expand-reach Ola Electric is transitioning from a direct-to-consumer model to a dealer-led sales and service network across India to expand its reach and improve after-sales support by Diwali 2026. While company stores will focus on brand experience, partners will drive local sales. Additionally, the company is entering the battery energy storage market via Ola Mahashakti, partnering with Axis Energy for a 20 GWh deployment by 2032. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:06:41 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/tv-somanathan-gets-a-years-extension-as-indias-top-bureaucrat https://startupinbrief.com/news/tv-somanathan-gets-a-years-extension-as-indias-top-bureaucrat The Government of India has granted a one-year extension to Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan, extending his tenure beyond August 30, 2026, until August 2027. Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the move to ensure administrative stability and continuity. Somanathan, a highly qualified 1987-batch IAS officer, previously served as Finance Secretary and played key roles in the GST rollout. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:12:52 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/piper-sericas-800-cr-bharat-tech-fund-hits-first-close-at-300-cr https://startupinbrief.com/news/piper-sericas-800-cr-bharat-tech-fund-hits-first-close-at-300-cr Piper Serica's ₹800 Cr Bharat Tech Fund achieved its first close at ₹300 Cr, reflecting growing investor interest in India's deeptech ecosystem. The fund will back Series A and B deeptech startups in sectors like semiconductors, AI, and spacetech, with investments between ₹20 Cr and ₹50 Cr per company. Nearly 50% of commitments came from existing investors. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:46:18 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/from-cloud-migration-to-citizen-services-appsquadz-and-indias-evolving-digital-transformation-journey https://startupinbrief.com/news/from-cloud-migration-to-citizen-services-appsquadz-and-indias-evolving-digital-transformation-journey In the last 5 years, AppSquadz has expanded its cloud capabilities to support some significant digital transformation initiatives across government, healthcare, and enterprise sectors in India. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:04:29 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/netflix-launches-india-creator-initiative-as-ted-sarandos-bets-big-on-local-content-ai https://startupinbrief.com/news/netflix-launches-india-creator-initiative-as-ted-sarandos-bets-big-on-local-content-ai Netflix has launched the Netflix India Storytelling Initiative, partnering with IICT and NFDC to train creators in animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized India's central role in Netflix's global growth strategy, noting the market's diversity and potential. While the company is integrating AI into production workflows to lower costs, Sarandos ruled out bidding for major sports rights like the IPL. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:53:45 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/andhra-chhattisgarh-bihar-are-outsmarting-richer-states-on-investments-without-outspending https://startupinbrief.com/news/andhra-chhattisgarh-bihar-are-outsmarting-richer-states-on-investments-without-outspending India's industrial landscape is shifting as states like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh attract massive investments despite lower readiness scores. While traditional leaders like Gujarat rely on inherited infrastructure, challengers are prioritizing regulatory ease and statutory certainty to attract modern, automated factories. By legislating faster approvals and ensuring power reliability, these states are reducing execution risks, proving that governance and predictability now outweigh cheap labor in industrial competition. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:36:17 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/quick-commerce-startup-homerun-raises-12m-in-series-a https://startupinbrief.com/news/quick-commerce-startup-homerun-raises-12m-in-series-a The round is led by Nexus Venture Partners with participation from existing investors Sorin Investments, Titan Capital, Sparrow Capital and Consumer Collective by Atrium. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:52:44 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/6-books-that-teach-lessons-from-fictional-characters https://startupinbrief.com/news/6-books-that-teach-lessons-from-fictional-characters Discover 6 books where fictional characters teach powerful lessons about life, emotions, relationships, resilience, and personal growth. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:25:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/update-exclusive-homerun-raises-12-mn-to-scale-construction-materials-quick-commerce-platform https://startupinbrief.com/news/update-exclusive-homerun-raises-12-mn-to-scale-construction-materials-quick-commerce-platform Update | August 6, 2026, 10:15 IST Quick commerce startup for construction and interior materials HomeRun has raised $12 Mn. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:15:52 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/meta-apologises-for-temporarily-removing-pm-modis-facebook-post https://startupinbrief.com/news/meta-apologises-for-temporarily-removing-pm-modis-facebook-post Meta executives met with Indian Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to apologize for the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post. During the meetings, Meta admitted to failures regarding deepfakes, child sexual abuse material, and paid promotion of illegal content. The Indian government warned that Meta's safe harbour immunity under the Information Technology Act could be revoked due to its active content curation and algorithmic bias. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:04:42 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/shiprocket-ipo-to-open-on-august-12-issue-size-cut-to-1617-cr https://startupinbrief.com/news/shiprocket-ipo-to-open-on-august-12-issue-size-cut-to-1617-cr Logistics major Shiprocket has filed the RHP to raise ₹1,617 Cr (about $170 Mn) via its IPO, a 30% reduction. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:53:16 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/building-a-startup-ecosystem-in-the-mountains-how-jammu-kashmir-laid-its-foundation https://startupinbrief.com/news/building-a-startup-ecosystem-in-the-mountains-how-jammu-kashmir-laid-its-foundation Jammu and Kashmir is steadily building its startup ecosystem through policy support, incubators, funding and local entrepreneurs driving innovation. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:48:11 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/metas-zuck-apologises-pb-fintech-roars-in-q1-more https://startupinbrief.com/news/metas-zuck-apologises-pb-fintech-roars-in-q1-more Meta In Choppy Waters After being pulled up by the Centre over content moderation lapses, including the recent removal of. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:04 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/freshworks-turns-profitable-in-q2-navigating-the-ai-shift https://startupinbrief.com/news/freshworks-turns-profitable-in-q2-navigating-the-ai-shift The electric vehicle sector is projected to create up to 40 million jobs by 2030, while River Mobility secured $120 million in funding. Freshworks achieved Q2 profitability driven by AI demand, and Air India appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO. Meanwhile, the New York Times saw a drop in shares due to slow subscriber growth, and a SpaceX rocket section crashed into the moon, raising space debris concerns. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:30:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/cresas-fix-for-indias-12-billion-sanitary-pad-disposal-problem https://startupinbrief.com/news/cresas-fix-for-indias-12-billion-sanitary-pad-disposal-problem Pune-based startup Cresa, founded by Sarika Pathak, has developed a 100% biodegradable, plastic-free sanitary pad to combat the environmental impact of conventional menstrual products. These pads dissolve in hot water within 80 seconds, reducing landfill waste and health risks for waste pickers. Sold via e-commerce and CSR partnerships, Cresa is now developing a fully water-soluble pad and exploring sustainable diapers to further improve menstrual hygiene. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:15:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/govt-disburses-276-cr-to-set-up-four-ai-centres-of-excellence https://startupinbrief.com/news/govt-disburses-276-cr-to-set-up-four-ai-centres-of-excellence The Indian government has disbursed ₹276.1 crore to establish four national centres of excellence in artificial intelligence at IIT Ropar, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore, and IIT Madras. These centres focus on agriculture, sustainable cities, healthcare, and education to build an indigenous AI ecosystem. Part of the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission, the initiative aims to develop local large language models, support startups, and expand computing infrastructure across India. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:10:51 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/get-up-to-400-off-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-pass-until-friday https://startupinbrief.com/news/get-up-to-400-off-your-techcrunch-disrupt-2026-pass-until-friday TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will take place from October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, gathering over 10,000 tech innovators and investors. The event features specialized stages covering AI, finance, and scaling, alongside the Startup Battlefield competition. A limited-time flash sale is currently available, offering an additional $100 discount on passes until Friday, August 7, before pricing increases further on August 21. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:25:43 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/skyroot-invites-bids-to-raise-200-mn-at-a-valuation-of-2-bn https://startupinbrief.com/news/skyroot-invites-bids-to-raise-200-mn-at-a-valuation-of-2-bn Skyroot Aerospace is seeking $200 million in new funding at a $2 billion valuation, an 80% increase from its May valuation. The spacetech unicorn is inviting investors to submit bids, with the round expected to close within two months. This follows Skyroot's milestone as the first private Indian company to reach Earth's orbit with its Vikram-1 rocket, as it aims to expand its launch vehicle portfolio. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:01:43 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/govt-operationalises-new-framework-to-spur-ecommerce-exports https://startupinbrief.com/news/govt-operationalises-new-framework-to-spur-ecommerce-exports The Indian government has introduced a new framework for inventory-based cross-border ecommerce to boost exports to $200-$300 billion by 2030. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade now allows online marketplaces to procure goods directly from Indian sellers for export, exempting them from certain FDI rules. The policy prohibits stockpiling, mandates DGFT registration, and requires strict digital traceability and compliance with international laws to ensure transparency. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:23:26 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/nikita-bier-steps-down-as-xs-head-of-product https://startupinbrief.com/news/nikita-bier-steps-down-as-xs-head-of-product "Nikita Bier has stepped down as head of product at Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, after serving for just over a year. Bier, who oversaw the launch of 30 new products, will transition to an advisory role. His tenure was marked by significant controversies involving the chatbot Grok, including the generation of offensive content and illegal imagery, which led to legal challenges for the platform.". Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:00:50 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/travis-kalanicks-robotics-startup-atoms-taps-former-uber-finance-chief-as-cfo https://startupinbrief.com/news/travis-kalanicks-robotics-startup-atoms-taps-former-uber-finance-chief-as-cfo Former Uber finance chief Gautam Gupta has joined Travis Kalanick’s robotics and industrial AI startup, Atoms, as chief financial officer. This move follows a $1.7 billion funding round that included a $100 million investment from Uber. Kalanick is increasingly reuniting former Uber colleagues at Atoms, which targets the mining, food, and transportation sectors. Gupta leaves his venture capital firm, A. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:56:40 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/meta-launches-muse-code-an-ai-agent-for-large-code-bases https://startupinbrief.com/news/meta-launches-muse-code-an-ai-agent-for-large-code-bases "Meta has launched Muse Code, a beta terminal coding agent designed to help programmers manage complex tasks across large software repositories. Powered by the Muse Spark model, the tool utilizes parallel sub-agents to plan, write, and validate code without affecting the main working copy. Meta aims to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic by offering a cost-effective solution as it expands its enterprise AI capabilities.". Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:51:28 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/trumps-doj-gains-oversight-of-openais-green-card-employee-sponsorships https://startupinbrief.com/news/trumps-doj-gains-oversight-of-openais-green-card-employee-sponsorships "OpenAI and Statsig have settled with the Justice Department over allegations that they bypassed U.S. citizens when hiring for roles sponsored for permanent residency. The companies will pay $3.2 million, including a $1.2 million fine and $2 million for potential restitution. While not admitting wrongdoing, both firms agreed to three years of DOJ oversight and reporting to ensure compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.". Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:35:37 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/moove-raises-250m-to-become-the-backbone-of-the-robotaxi-industry https://startupinbrief.com/news/moove-raises-250m-to-become-the-backbone-of-the-robotaxi-industry Moove, a vehicle financing and ride-hailing company, has raised $250 million in Series C funding at a $2.1 billion valuation to expand its autonomous vehicle operations. Led by Mubadala Investment Company, the funding will support scaling its AV fleet management, hiring 350 employees, and developing automated "Nest" depots. Moove currently operates as a fleet partner for Waymo and aims to eventually own hundreds of thousands of robotaxis. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:20:45 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-lightspeed-found-their-newest-hire-via-instagram-dm https://startupinbrief.com/news/how-lightspeed-found-their-newest-hire-via-instagram-dm Lightspeed venture firm has hired tech content creator Claire Zau to expand its social media presence and launch the "Lightwork" podcast with CMO Josh Machiz. By leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the firm aims to reach future founders and provide portfolio companies with storytelling opportunities. This strategy allows Lightspeed to gather real-time feedback on emerging technologies and make the venture ecosystem more accessible to diverse audiences. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:18:56 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/why-lightspeed-is-going-all-in-on-creator-led-venture-capital https://startupinbrief.com/news/why-lightspeed-is-going-all-in-on-creator-led-venture-capital "Venture capital firms are increasingly hiring creators to establish trust with the next generation of founders. Following moves by a16z and OpenAI, Lightspeed Venture Partners has recruited seed investor and social media influencer Claire Zau to source deals and co-host the firm's new show, Lightwork. This trend highlights the emergence of the 'creator-investor' role, a strategy currently being explored and discussed on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast.". Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:18:54 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/klaviyo-acquires-elias-torres-agency-in-full-circle-reunion-for-tech-founders https://startupinbrief.com/news/klaviyo-acquires-elias-torres-agency-in-full-circle-reunion-for-tech-founders Klaviyo, an e-commerce marketing automation platform, has acquired AI-powered customer success startup Agency. Agency founder Elias Torres will join Klaviyo as chief product officer, leading a 25-person team to enhance AI agents like Composer and Customer Agent. The acquisition reunites Torres and Klaviyo CEO Andrew Bialecki, who previously worked together at Performable. This move aims to leverage Klaviyo's extensive customer data to compete in the AI agent market. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:35:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/jeff-dean-and-other-top-ai-researchers-are-leaving-google-to-launch-their-own-startup https://startupinbrief.com/news/jeff-dean-and-other-top-ai-researchers-are-leaving-google-to-launch-their-own-startup Jeff Dean, a longtime Google executive, is leaving the company to launch Discovery Loop, an AI startup focused on accelerating scientific research. Co-founded with other top Google researchers, the public benefit corporation aims to automate experimental loops and explore recursive self-improvement. The venture is backed by Alphabet, Radical Ventures, and Khosla Ventures, seeking to remove human bottlenecks and speed up the delivery of transformative technologies. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:00:19 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/reddit-aims-to-make-karma-less-important-for-first-time-posters-with-shift-to-ai-moderation-tools https://startupinbrief.com/news/reddit-aims-to-make-karma-less-important-for-first-time-posters-with-shift-to-ai-moderation-tools Reddit is updating its infrastructure to improve user participation and combat spam. The company aims to reduce reliance on karma and account age for posting, implementing advanced abuse prevention instead. Reddit is also expanding its AI-powered Rules Hub to help moderators enforce community guidelines using large language models. These changes, alongside updates to Old Reddit, support the goal of converting weekly active users into daily participants. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:30:40 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/lucid-motors-just-delayed-its-affordable-ev-now-what https://startupinbrief.com/news/lucid-motors-just-delayed-its-affordable-ev-now-what Lucid Motors has delayed the launch of its affordable Cosmos SUV until late 2027 to address persistent quality issues. CEO Silvio Napoli is leading a company-wide reset, including significant workforce cuts and a $1.4 billion cost-saving goal. Despite a sharp stock price drop following lowered production forecasts, Lucid is prioritizing a robotaxi partnership with Uber and Nuro, supported by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:27:45 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/pinegap-nets-8-mn-from-stellaris-others-to-build-an-agentic-platform-for-market-analysts https://startupinbrief.com/news/pinegap-nets-8-mn-from-stellaris-others-to-build-an-agentic-platform-for-market-analysts AI-powered equity research startup Pinegap has raised $8 million in a Series A funding round led by Stellaris Venture Partners. Based in New York and Bengaluru, the company provides an agentic AI platform to automate tasks for institutional analysts and portfolio managers. Pinegap plans to use the capital to expand its engineering team and enhance its go-to-market capabilities, continuing the trend of high investment in application-layer AI ventures. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:42:56 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/meet-the-eight-startups-pitching-at-startup-battlefield-australia https://startupinbrief.com/news/meet-the-eight-startups-pitching-at-startup-battlefield-australia "Eight Australian startups have been selected to pitch at the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield during Stripe Tour Sydney on August 19. Representing sectors like enterprise tech and health, these finalists will compete for $15,000 in Stripe fee credits and a spot at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. The event provides these emerging companies with critical exposure to investors and press while showcasing the future of Australian innovation.". Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:32:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/psa-apples-private-relay-can-leak-your-real-ip-address https://startupinbrief.com/news/psa-apples-private-relay-can-leak-your-real-ip-address Researchers have discovered flaws in Apple’s Private Relay, an iCloud+ feature intended to hide user IP addresses within Safari. The vulnerability, rooted in Apple's WebKit engine, allows real IP addresses to be revealed despite the service. Researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk created a website to demonstrate the leak but opted not to notify Apple, citing previous communication difficulties. Apple has not yet commented on the findings. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:22:29 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/neuranics-lab-is-building-a-blood-count-machine-that-runs-by-fingerprick https://startupinbrief.com/news/neuranics-lab-is-building-a-blood-count-machine-that-runs-by-fingerprick Delhi-based Neuranics Lab has developed MorphX, a "lab-on-cartridge" device designed to provide rapid complete blood counts in primary health centers. Using fingerprick samples and deep learning-based multi-spectral imaging, the tool aims to eliminate the need for expensive imported machinery and skilled technicians. While the company has secured seed funding and registered clinical trials, MorphX has not yet received regulatory clearance or entered the commercial market. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:47:35 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/peptris-is-using-ai-to-find-drug-candidates-to-shorten-the-time-it-takes-for-laboratory-validation https://startupinbrief.com/news/peptris-is-using-ai-to-find-drug-candidates-to-shorten-the-time-it-takes-for-laboratory-validation Bengaluru-based Peptris Technologies uses an AI platform to accelerate drug discovery by predicting molecular properties and repurposing existing compounds. Focusing on oncology, inflammation, and rare diseases, the startup recently raised Rs 70 crore in Series A funding to expand its pipeline and global partnerships. Its lead asset, PEPR-124 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has received FDA orphan drug designation and is currently Phase 2-ready for clinical trials. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:47:11 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/suncharge-motors-builds-electric-autos-with-solar-panels-on-the-roof https://startupinbrief.com/news/suncharge-motors-builds-electric-autos-with-solar-panels-on-the-roof "SunCharge Motors, founded in Pune in 2024 by Sanskar Modi, has launched solar-powered commercial electric three-wheelers to reduce charging downtime for fleet operators. By integrating solar panels on vehicle roofs, the company addresses India's inconsistent charging infrastructure. Following a 2025 prototype, deliveries began in 2026. The company recently closed a seed funding round led by the JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation to expand its technology.". Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:46:52 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/lemnisca-builds-software-to-predict-how-fermentation-behaves-at-factory-scale https://startupinbrief.com/news/lemnisca-builds-software-to-predict-how-fermentation-behaves-at-factory-scale Bengaluru-based startup Lemnisca, founded in 2025, has developed a science-aware digital twin to optimize microbial fermentation scaling. By combining biology, reactor physics, and data, the AI platform predicts how lab-scale processes behave in industrial tanks, aiming to reduce development timelines by 50%. Following a pre-seed funding round led by Theia Ventures, the company is now pursuing pilot collaborations to lower biomanufacturing costs and increase efficiency. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:46:32 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/shopify-says-ai-search-is-driving-more-traffic-and-sales-not-replacing-google https://startupinbrief.com/news/shopify-says-ai-search-is-driving-more-traffic-and-sales-not-replacing-google "Shopify reported strong second-quarter results, with revenue rising 36% to $3.6 billion, driven partly by AI search. Unlike online publishing, Shopify views AI as a complement to traditional search that benefits smaller merchants by matching specific buyer intent. AI-driven traffic and orders tripled year-over-year, with many users landing directly on product pages. The company continues integrating with major AI tools to enhance its e-commerce ecosystem.". Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:26:14 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/bpc-brand-typsy-beauty-raises-20-cr-to-double-down-on-quick-commerce-offline-retail https://startupinbrief.com/news/bpc-brand-typsy-beauty-raises-20-cr-to-double-down-on-quick-commerce-offline-retail Typsy Beauty, a D2C beauty and personal care startup, has raised ₹20 Cr ($2.1 Mn) in a funding round led by Saama Capital. The investment, which included participation from several family offices, will be used to expand the brand's offline presence and quick commerce reach. Additionally, the company plans to enter the skincare market and scale its fragrance sub-brand, Spritz, amid growing industry consolidation. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:25:27 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/hark-previews-its-browser-use-agent-for-completing-tasks https://startupinbrief.com/news/hark-previews-its-browser-use-agent-for-completing-tasks "Hark, a startup that raised $700 million in Series A funding, has launched Hark Handoff, a browser-based agent capable of completing tasks on websites without official APIs. By predicting actions rather than tokens, the agent can navigate sites like LinkedIn and Walmart to book travel or shop. Hark claims Handoff is faster and cheaper than competing models. A waitlist is open, with a full release expected by summer's end.". Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:16:27 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/talks-on-mdr-on-upi-at-a-premature-stage-rbi-governor-sanjay-malhotra https://startupinbrief.com/news/talks-on-mdr-on-upi-at-a-premature-stage-rbi-governor-sanjay-malhotra RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that discussions regarding the imposition of merchant discount rates (MDR) on UPI transactions are currently premature. This follows a government proposal to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, potentially introducing fees on business transactions exceeding ₹2,000. While the industry argues that zero-fee models are unsustainable, the government aims to determine which electronic payment methods will remain exempt from these charges. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:11:26 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/zoox-to-start-charging-for-robotaxi-rides-in-las-vegas https://startupinbrief.com/news/zoox-to-start-charging-for-robotaxi-rides-in-las-vegas "Amazon-owned Zoox will begin charging for its robotaxi services in Las Vegas on August 10, marking the start of its commercial operations. This move follows a temporary NHTSA exemption from federal safety standards, as the custom-built vehicles lack traditional steering wheels and pedals. While services in San Francisco and Austin remain free, Las Vegas fares will be based on distance and time to compete with traditional ride-hail comfort pricing.". Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:36:42 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/techcrunch-disrupt-2026s-real-world-ai-stage-features-robots-automated-factories-and-extinct-animals https://startupinbrief.com/news/techcrunch-disrupt-2026s-real-world-ai-stage-features-robots-automated-factories-and-extinct-animals TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will take place from October 13 to 15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. To address the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, the event is expanding its AI programming into two separate stages. The new Real World AI Stage will explore the intersection of digital and physical technologies, featuring experts in autonomous hardware, defense, and biology. Other specialized stages will cover finance, security, and scaling. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:35:00 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/reliance-retail-acquires-fashion-discovery-platform-furrl https://startupinbrief.com/news/reliance-retail-acquires-fashion-discovery-platform-furrl "Reliance Retail (RRVL) has acquired Bengaluru-based fashion discovery platform Furrl in an all-cash deal to integrate its proprietary AI styling technology. Furrl’s entire team, including CEO Esha Tiwary, will join RRVL to lead new AI initiatives. This acquisition aims to enhance personalized shopping experiences across Reliance’s digital commerce operations, strengthening its AI capabilities within India’s rapidly growing e-commerce market as competitors also adopt similar technologies.". Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:29:51 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/pb-fintech-net-profit-up-92-in-q1-of-fy27 https://startupinbrief.com/news/pb-fintech-net-profit-up-92-in-q1-of-fy27 PB Fintech, the parent company of PolicyBazaar, reported a 92% increase in net profit to Rs 163 crore and a 40% revenue rise to Rs 1,888 crore for Q1 FY27. Total insurance premiums grew 41% to Rs 8,372 crore, driven by strong protection and health segments. Credit revenue rose 25%, while the UAE business remained profitable. The company now serves 158.9 million registered consumers with 1.13 lakh active partners. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:20:30 GMT https://startupinbrief.com/news/as-gen-z-reconsiders-dating-apps-tinders-irl-events-expand-to-dozens-more-cities https://startupinbrief.com/news/as-gen-z-reconsiders-dating-apps-tinders-irl-events-expand-to-dozens-more-cities Match Group is expanding Tinder's in-person events to dozens of cities by September to attract Gen Z users who prefer real-world connections over online dating. Despite declining revenue and a stock drop, CEO Spencer Rascoff believes these low-cost partnerships will reverse user losses. The "Events" tab, currently scaling globally, aims to make connecting easier and encourage non-users to join the app by 2026. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:15:06 GMT