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Uber Policy Chief For India And South Asia Quits

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Uber Policy Chief For India And South Asia Quits,Startup Stories,Business Latest News 2017,Uber South Asia Policy Chief Quits,Uber India Policy Head Resigns,Shweta Rajpal Kohli Resigns,Shweta Rajpal Kohli Latest News,Uber European Policy Chief Christopher Burghardt,Shweta Rajpal Kohli Quits in Latest Departure

Uber’s Chief of Policy for India and South Asia, Shweta Rajpal Kohli, quit the taxi hailing company a little over a year after joining the firm. This is the latest departure of a high level executive from the San Francisco based company.  

Kohli was charged with the responsibility to build Uber’s relations with the regulators and the government officials of India, in an attempt to expand its business. According to one source, Kohli was leading government engagements in the influential circles. Her resignation from the company might be a step back for Uber in the Indian market. Neither Uber India nor Kohli have spoken out about the resignation.

Shweta Rajpal Kohli is a former journalist who joined the taxi hailing startup last year. According to her LinkedIn profile, she was responsible for enhancing the understanding of Uber and its business with multiple stakeholders and creating a favorable regulatory and policy environment for the future of urban mobility. She also worked with the Delhi based news channel NDTV as the economic affairs editor for 11 years.

Reuters reported Kohli would be joining the cloud based software maker Salesforce.com Inc., next month. Uber’s European Policy Chief Christopher Burghardt also quit the company in October this year to join the electric vehicle charging network company Chargepoint. In India, which is the second biggest market for Uber, the company has regularly faced several regulatory and reputational hurdles. Currently, Uber has a presence in 30 cities but faces a fierce competition from homegrown cab aggregator Ola.

On Monday the company confirmed Japan based venture capital firm SoftBank, would be investing close to $ 10 billion in the company in concert with other investors. This investment might help the company recover from all the scandals and legal battles of the past year. Touted to be the biggest round of secondary transaction, this investment will also pave way for a series of sweeping changes in the governance of the company. According to sources, these changes will also include measures to reduce the influence of former CEO, Travis Kalanick, among other leadership changes.

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Kerala Startup E-Quark Launches Innovative Mobile Holder with Built-In Charger

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Equark - StartupStories

Kerala-based startup E-Quark Molecule Innovations Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Thrissur, has introduced an innovative device called Keratin that combines a mobile phone holder with a built-in charger. This unique gadget is designed to offer users a convenient solution to hold and charge their smartphones simultaneously, addressing the common challenge of managing power supply while using mobile devices.

The device enhances user experience by integrating two essential functions into one compact design. It securely holds the phone while providing efficient charging, making it perfect for use on desks, bedside tables, or other personal spaces where easy access and power are needed. This innovation aligns with the growing trend of multifunctional mobile accessories that prioritize both convenience and practicality.

E-Quark Molecule Innovations is a key player in Kerala’s dynamic startup ecosystem, which has been rapidly expanding in tech-driven areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With the launch of this mobile holder-charger, the company is establishing itself as a leader in user-centric mobile accessories, further cementing Kerala’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology development.

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New Instagram Features Let Users Customize Profiles and Share Quietly

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Instagram Grid

Instagram is rolling out two major features in June 2025 that promise to give users unprecedented creative control and privacy: grid rearranging and silent posting. The long-awaited grid rearranging tool allows users to freely drag and drop posts anywhere on their profile grid, breaking away from the traditional chronological order. This means users can now curate their profiles for a more visually appealing or thematic presentation, without the hassle of deleting and reposting content—an update especially welcomed by brands, creators, and anyone meticulous about their digital aesthetic.


In tandem, Instagram is introducing the “Post quietly to profile” feature, which lets users add photos and videos to their grid without notifying followers or pushing the content to their feeds. This silent posting option is ideal for those who want to document moments privately, experiment with new content, or maintain a cohesive grid without spamming their audience. It’s designed to reduce the pressure of public sharing, making Instagram a more comfortable space for personal expression and experimentation.

 

These updates reflect Instagram’s commitment to user empowerment and flexibility, responding directly to years of feedback. As Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated, the goal is to help users “create and share without added pressure,” giving them more freedom over how their content appears and how they engage with their audience.

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Zepto Delays IPO to Focus on Profitability and Indian Ownership

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Zepto - StartupStories

Overview

Zepto, a leading quick commerce startup, has postponed its planned IPO to early 2026, shifting its focus to achieving profitability and increasing Indian shareholding before going public.

Key Reasons for Delay

  • Profitability Focus: Zepto aims to reach EBITDA break-even before listing, unlike many tech firms that went public while still loss-making.
  • Market Uncertainty: Ongoing global and domestic market volatility influenced the decision to wait for more stable conditions.
  • Peer Comparison: The company wants to present a stronger profit profile, learning from the performance of rivals like Swiggy and Zomato (now Eternal).

Boosting Domestic Shareholding

  • Target: Zepto plans to raise Indian ownership to at least 51% to comply with FDI norms and reinforce its Indian identity.
  • Actions: The company is conducting secondary share sales to Indian investors and founders are increasing their stakes by buying from foreign investors.
  • Progress: Domestic ownership has reached about 40-44%, with expectations to surpass 51% before the IPO.

Financial and Operational Updates

  • Efficiency Drive: Zepto is optimizing operations, running over 900 dark stores and offering 48,000 SKUs, to reduce cash burn and move toward profitability.
  • Challenges: The company faces stiff competition from Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit, leading to higher costs, and has dealt with operational pauses and regulatory scrutiny in some regions.

Outlook

Zepto remains positive about its future, aiming to raise around $800 million in its IPO and attract both domestic and international investors. CEO Aadit Palicha emphasizes building a sustainable, majority Indian-owned business before entering the public market.

Summary: Zepto’s IPO delay reflects a strategic focus on financial stability and regulatory compliance, with profitability and Indian ownership at the forefront.

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