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Travis Kalanick Appoints Two New Directors To The Uber Board
The founder and former CEO of taxi hailing startup Uber, Travis Kalanick, has appointed two new board members to the company’s board in a surprise move. The power play will help Kalanick increase his power and sow more discord at the San Francisco based ride hailing company.
Kalanick named former Xerox chairwoman and CEO Ursula Burns and former Merrill Lynch chairman and CEO John Thain as the directors to the two disputed board seats. The move is significant because Kalanick’s power to appoint these board seats was the subject of a lawsuit and the appointment gives Burns and Lynch the voting rights in the world’s largest private company. A $3.5 billion investment from a Saudi fund gave Kalanick the power over 3 board seats in 2016. Kalanick named himself to one of the three seats after he was ousted from the company in June and reserved the right to appoint the other two positions.
The move, according to sources, may be in order to head off a planned vote on Tuesday that would rework the company’s corporate governance, giving Kalanick two votes on his side. In a tweet, Kalanick announced the appointment of the two newest members to the board.
Ursula & John bring 50+ years of combined executive experience to @Uber‘s board – helping the company become stronger now & for the future pic.twitter.com/osyby4TI5r
— travis kalanick (@travisk) September 30, 2017
In a statement, Kalanick further added that he was appointing these seats now in light of a recent Board proposal to dramatically restructure the Board and significantly alter the company’s voting rights. “It is therefore essential that the full Board be in place for proper deliberation to occur, especially with such experienced board members as Ursula and John,” he added.
This move comes after early investor Benchmark asked potential investor SoftBank to guarantee to block any attempt made to elevate Travis Kalanick back to the company’s top ranks. But the decision came as a complete surprise to the other Uber board members. In a statement, the Uber board said, “The appointments of Ms. Burns and Mr. Thain to Uber’s Board of Directors came as a complete surprise to Uber and its Board. That is precisely why we are working to put in place world-class governance to ensure that we are building a company every employee and shareholder can be proud of.”
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
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