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SoftBank To Buy More Flipkart Shares At A Reduced Valuation

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SoftBank, the Masayoshi Son led venture capital firm, offered to buy out more of Flipkart’s shares. The Japanese firm is offering $ 85 to $ 89 per share to investors and former and existing employees of Flipkart.

However, the current price SoftBank is offering for the shares will value the ecommerce company at $ 10 billion, which is lower than its existing $ 11.6 billion valuation. SoftBank’s $ 1.4 billion investment in Flipkart along with the second round of investment from Microsoft, eBay and Tencent Holdings Ltd., in April helped the ecommerce firm secure the $ 11 billion valuation.

SoftBank’s investment gave Flipkart the firepower to compete with Amazon in an all out battle to capture the Indian ecommerce industry. Last week, Tiger Global Management sold 10% of its stake in Flipkart worth $ 600 million to $ 700 million to SoftBank. According to a news daily, Accel, IDG Ventures, Kalaari Capital and some other investors may also sell their shares to the venture capital firm. The sale of these shares will be managed by investment bank Goldman Sachs. Sources close to the development said the shares sale is likely to be completed by the end of December 2017.

In November this year, mutual fund investor Valic Co., marked down the valuation of Flipkart to $ 7.9 billion from $ 11 billion. Sources close to the development said the trimming was an indication that some of the smaller investors of Flipkart were divided over its previous valuation. Nevertheless, the mutual fund investor Morgan Stanley marked up the valuation of the ecommerce behemoth to $ 9.36 billion for the September quarter. The global financing services provider has previously marked down Flipkart’s valuation for five consecutive quarters. Although the current valuation is still considerably lower than the valuation at which Flipkart raised funds, the mark up can be seen as a major victory for the ecommerce firm.

According to a report by Morgan Stanley, India will be the world’s 3rd largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $ 6 trillion in the next 10 years. The report further added, the Indian ecommerce market will touch the $ 200 billion mark by 2027.

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Apple’s iOS 18.7 vs iOS 26: Which Update Should You Choose for Your iPhone in 2025?

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StartupStories iOS 26

Apple’s recent iOS 18.7 rollout provides a secure alternative to the visually revamped iOS 26, empowering iPhone users to choose between system stability and next-generation features. While iOS 18.7 focuses on important security updates and bug fixes, it maintains the familiar iOS experience for users of older devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and SE models up to the 16e. The update is lightweight—about one-fifteenth the size of iOS 26—which means quicker downloads and less storage consumption. It’s designed for reliability and fast installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a stable and secure operating system over design changes.

In contrast, iOS 26 introduces Apple’s ambitious “Liquid Glass” interface with a transparent look across apps, enhanced widget and lock screen customization, smarter Siri, and improved camera controls. These innovations, however, come with a larger update size and compatibility exclusive to newer iPhones beginning from the iPhone 11 series. While early adopters can enjoy the futuristic interface and AI-powered upgrades, major OS launches may present initial bugs or app compatibility issues that cautious users typically wish to avoid.

Choosing between iOS 18.7 and iOS 26 depends on each user’s priorities—those seeking guaranteed stability and fast security fixes should consider sticking with iOS 18.7, while users excited about premium features and visual changes should migrate to iOS 26 if their device supports it. Both updates are available through Software Update settings, and Apple will support iOS 18.7 for only a limited duration, eventually encouraging all users to transition to the latest platform. This dual update strategy ensures every iPhone user can safely update their device for a seamless and secure experience in 2025.

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Deep-Tech Startup EndureAir Raises INR 25 Crore from IAN Alpha Fund to Boost Drone Innovation

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EndureAir, a deep-tech drone startup specializing in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and aerial robotics solutions, has successfully raised INR 25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The fresh capital infusion will enable EndureAir to enhance its advanced drone technologies for defense applications, broaden its reach in enterprise markets, and accelerate the development of next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics platforms.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir stands out in India’s indigenous UAV sector by developing both hardware and software in-house. Backed by over 15 years of rotorcraft research and holding eight patents in flight dynamics and autonomous systems, the company has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in the deep-tech drone ecosystem.

EndureAir’s flagship drone platforms, including the Sabal heavy-lift UAV family inducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and the Vibhram drone supporting Telangana’s Medicine from the Sky program, are deployed in critical operations. The startup also collaborates with Bharat Electronics Limited for co-developing high-altitude drones and works with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments on remote logistics missions. With this funding, EndureAir aims to position India as a global leader in UAV innovation, advancing resilient domestic drone systems for defense and enterprise applications.

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Venture Catalysts Raises Rs 150 Crore to Boost Multi-Stage VC Platform and AI Capabilities

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Venture Catalysts, a leading Mumbai-based venture capital platform, has secured Rs 150 crore (around $18 million) through a strategic mix of primary and secondary transactions. This fresh round of funding resulted in a company valuation of approximately $200 million and drew participation from high-profile investors such as Ashish Kacholia, the Shah Rukh Khan family office, Aishwarya Rai, as well as several established capital market veterans and renowned business houses. The move not only demonstrates strong investor confidence but also positions Venture Catalysts at the forefront of India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.

The infusion of capital is earmarked to accelerate key initiatives, including expanding Venture Catalysts’ leadership team, launching new investment funds, and exploring advanced technology solutions with an emphasis on AI-enabled due diligence and reporting tools. Additionally, the firm aims to strengthen its footprint across major Indian startup hubs and grow its suite of Category II alternative investment funds, harnessing this growth to support a new wave of promising startups and founders within the ecosystem.

Since its inception in 2016, Venture Catalysts has evolved from an angel network to a multi-fund powerhouse, managing over $500 million in assets and deploying nearly $200 million across more than 400 startups, including industry leaders like BharatPe, Renee Cosmetics, and InsuranceDekho. This latest funding round reinforces Venture Catalysts’ pivotal role in nurturing and scaling some of India’s most innovative startups, catalyzing growth throughout the country’s thriving entrepreneurial sector.

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