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Alibaba Seeks Government Approval To Invest In BigBasket

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Alibaba.com, the China based ecommerce website, has sought for approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI,) to buy stake in the online grocery startup, BigBasket. Alibaba.com Singapore ECommerce Pvt., Ltd., is a subsidiary of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

VCCircle reported, Alibaba.com will infuse the funds in Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt., Ltd., which owns BigBasket. However, the eretail firm is run by Innovative Retail Concepts Pvt., Ltd. Recently, multiple media reports suggested, Alibaba and digital wallet startup, Paytm, might invest close to $200 million in BigBasket. However, sources clarified Paytm may not invest in BigBasket as earlier speculated. Nevertheless, Alibaba’s investment in the company will give Paytm an indirect toehold in India’s online grocery industry.

The Indian Internet food retail industry is on track to hit $1 billion in 2017 and may even be valued at $ 1.2 trillion by 2020, according to a report by the research firm RedSeer. The online grocery market currently accounts for 48% of India’s total retail consumption. Last week, homegrown ecommerce giant Flipkart, also launched its grocery delivery service, Supermart, in Bengaluru to capture a share of the lucrative market. Backed by SoftBank, Flipkart has the added advantage of a $ 4 billion investment and strong tech capabilities.

Along with Flipkart, BigBasket faces strong competition from Groffers and Amazon. This investment by Alibaba will also affect Amazon’s growing presence in the Indian ecommerce market. While Amazon’s talks for a potential investment in BigBasket fizzled out, the global ecommerce giant received the government’s approval for a $ 500 million foreign direct investment. In August this year, it was also reported Amazon might investment in Grofers, but, they were termed as “rumor and speculation” by a spokesperson.

Founded by V.S. Sudhakar, Hari Menon, V.S. Ramesh, Vipul Parekh and Abhinay Choudhari, BigBasket raised about $ 305.8 million in investments in six funding rounds since 2011. The eretail firm also claims to have over 5 million registered customers and has a presence in over 30 cities in India. At present, BigBasket offers over 20,000 products from 1000 brands and claims to receive over 50,000 orders each day. For the financial year 2017, the company reported a revenue of Rs. 1,400 crores.

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CoRover Unveils BharatGPT Mini: India’s First Offline Multilingual AI

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BharatGPT

CoRover has launched BharatGPT Mini, India’s first offline multilingual AI model, at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, with the event officiated by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. This innovative Small Language Model (SLM), featuring around 534 million parameters, is specifically designed for edge devices and low-compute environments, enabling robust AI capabilities without the need for cloud connectivity. Its ability to function entirely offline and support 14 Indic languages makes it a powerful tool for digital inclusion, particularly in rural and remote regions where internet access is limited.

BharatGPT Mini’s architecture is optimized for deployment across various sectors, including healthcare, education, banking, and governance, allowing citizens to interact with essential services in their native languages. The model can be integrated into small businesses, government offices, and other organizations through the CoRover Builder platform, which offers a no-code solution for deploying AI assistants across web, telephony, and IoT systems. By processing data locally and encrypting it on-device, BharatGPT Mini ensures strong privacy and data sovereignty, aligning with India’s strategic goal of developing indigenous AI solutions. 

The launch has garnered strong support from both the Indian government and industry leaders, who see BharatGPT Mini as a catalyst for democratizing access to digital services. CoRover anticipates significant growth in the adoption of Small Language Models, with early feedback indicating a substantial increase in project demand. As CoRover looks to expand its expertise globally, BharatGPT Mini stands out as a scalable, multilingual, and privacy-centric solution, setting a new standard for inclusive and sovereign AI innovation in India’s diverse landscape.

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

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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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