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Alibaba and Softbank to set up a battle with Amazon via Flipkart

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alibaba, softbank, alibaba and softbank to set up a battle with amazon, E-commerce wars, e commerece latest news, amazon vs flipkart, flipkart to battlw with amazon, startup stories, startup stories india,

A worthy deal between Flipkart and Snapdeal has set uncontrolled speculation over the past few weeks. Another deal like SoftBank to be a minority stakeholder in Flipkart has some fruitful conclusions.

Before the above deals come to fruition, here is something which is recent:

The deal between Flipkart and Snapdeal is not finalized yet, the discussions are going on. Flipkart’s announcement on Monday about their $1.4 billion funding was kept secret and is very critical to understand. The acquisition of eBay and Snapdeal are different.

The Tencent and Microsoft investment into Flipkart was done some months back, but Flipkart is waiting for the Snapdeal deal to get it soon. Because of that delay in Snapdeal’s deal, they announced the $1.4 billion fund raise.

SoftBank is very interested in investing in Flipkart and wants to buy Snapdeal. Flipkart is not interested in this arrangement, but is looking for investments from SoftBank. Kalaari, Nexus and the founders of Snapdeal are on the board other than SoftBank.

To sign off on the deal, SoftBank offered them $10 million but they wanted $100 million each. Flipkart is not at all interested to be a part of Snapdeal. The total Snapdeal valuation is nearly $900 million.
Bringing this discussion to an end, let us have a look at the outcomes of the Flipkart and Snapdeal alliance.

What is in it for SoftBank?

It will become a minority investor in Flipkart. 33% stake in Flipkart is already with Tiger Global. The value of their shares are up to $1.4 million and will sell to Softbank for $500 million. So Tiger Global’s stake will come down to 20%. Softbank would have spent nearly $2.5 million for a 20 percent stake in Flipkart.

The only competitor with Amazon locally is Flipkart and getting stakes in it will surely make SoftBank more successful. Other than investing in Snapdeal, SoftBank also invested in Ola and Housing. To make the future good in India, SoftBank is willing to invest in Flipkart which may give an affirmative result.

What is in it for Flipkart?

It is crystal clear that Flipkart is not interested in getting Snapdeal, but looking for an investment from SoftBank. They are willing to give Snapdeal as a gift of a deal. The Indian e-commerce giant wants the investment to compete against Amazon. If they get Snapdeal, one of the competitors will be removed in the market.

What is in it for Indian Startups?

It is good that a company is getting acquired rather that collapsing. The employees who leave the organization may worry. The negative thing for the startup ecosystem is that now raising funds will be harder.

From Alibaba’s side:

If SoftBank invests in Flipkart, Alibaba automatically comes on to the field. As everyone knows SoftBank holds about 30% stake in Alibaba. Masayoshi Son, founder of SoftBank also invested in Paytm and Snapdeal.
So, If Alibaba invests in Flipkart directly or indirectly it will be a tug of war between Alibaba, SoftBank and Flipkart on the one side and Amazon on the other side, in the Indian market.

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Apple to Shift Entire US iPhone Assembly to India by 2026

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Apple - StartupStories

Apple is set to relocate all assembly of iPhones destined for the US market from China to India by the end of 2026, marking its biggest manufacturing shift in decades. The move is driven by escalating US-China trade tensions and steep tariffs—up to 145% on Chinese imports—making Chinese assembly increasingly costly for Apple. Although some smartphone imports are temporarily exempt, a 20% duty still applies to Chinese-made iPhones entering the US.

 

India, in contrast, offers a more favorable trade environment, with a paused 26% reciprocal tariff and ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal with the US that could shield Indian exports from future levies. Apple plans to more than double its current iPhone output in India, aiming to assemble over 60 million units annually for the US market. The company already produces about 25% of its global iPhones in India, working with partners like Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Pegatron.

 

This shift is part of Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China amid geopolitical risks. However, the transition’s success will depend on how quickly India can scale up its manufacturing capabilities and the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations.


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PhonePe’s PINCODE Launches 10-Minute Medicine Delivery in Cities

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PhonePe

PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.

Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.

PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.

In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.

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Piyush Anchliya Joins Cashfree as CFO Amid Fintech Boom

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Cashfree Payment - StartupStories

Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.

In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.

Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.

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