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SoftBank and Others Join Ecommerce Lobby Group Indiatech
SoftBank, along with Matrix Partners and Kalaari Capital have joined the Indian industry lobby group Indiatech.org. Indiatech aims to represent local ventures seeking protection from resourceful global rivals.
The venture capital firms will reportedly provide financial and strategic expertise to the Indiatech member companies and help them fight against foreign rivals such as Amazon, Alibaba and Uber. Confirming the news, a spokesperson for SoftBank said, “Our intent is to work with the government to support the development of the rapidly evolving Internet ecosystem in the country and we hope the organization would facilitate this.”
Japanese major SoftBank has significant stakes in Indian companies like Flipkart, Ola, OYO Rooms, Paytm, Grofers and Snapdeal among others. Notably, all these companies are facing fierce competition from global rivals like Amazon, Uber and Airbnb. However, SoftBank’s move to join the lobby group is of particular importance as the venture capital firm is on the cusp of closing a deal with San Francisco based cab hailing startup, Uber.
Speaking about SoftBank’s involvement with the lobby group, a source close to the development said, “SoftBank has got the highest stakes in all these major companies so it has decided to back the association as their portfolio companies have major foreign rivals.”
Headed by the founder of the ecommerce firm Flipkart, Sachin Bansal, the group will represent the interests of local ventures for favorable laws in the digital commerce market space. The group believes the Indian government should make policies favoring domestic startups as some of these companies are struggling to fight competition from global players. Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and economist, Gyanendra Badgaiyan, has been appointed as the chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization.
Sachin Bansal and Ola cofounder Bhavish Aggarwal were the first entrepreneurs to raise their voices against the aggressive spending by global companies. Along with SoftBank, investors such as Tiger Global Management, Steadview Capital and Accel India were also invited to be a part of the initiative. The lobby group will also focus on issues like job creation, skills training and providing resources to scale up Internet businesses.
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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