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Alphabet Invests In Carl Pei’s Startup Nothing

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Carl Pei is one of the most well known names in the startup circles considering he gave the world one its best smartphone brands OnePlus.  Pei shared a vision with his OnePlus co founder Pete Lau, to develop a ‘flagship killer’ mobile phone which could compete with the likes of iPhones and Samsung smartphones but, at the same time having a much lesser price point.  Much of OnePlus’s current popularity is credited to Pei but in October 2020, Carl Pei said the time came for him to leave OnePlus and focus on other interests.

Since then, Pei had been working on his new startup in the audio hardware sector.  Carl Pei unveiled the name of his startup which is now called as Nothing, on January 27th, 2021.  Since then, Nothing has been attracting a lot of investors and the latest to invest in the startup is Alphabet.  In a series round conducted by the investment arm of Alphabet, Google Ventures (GV,) Nothing raised $ 15 million.  The fundraising takes the total amount of financing Nothing raised to over $ 22 million.

Other investors include Tony Fadell (Principal at Future Shape and the Inventor of the iPod,) Casey Neistat (YouTuber,) Kevin Lin (Co founder of Twitch,) Steve Huffman (CEO of Reddit,) Liam Casey (Founder and CEO, PCH,) Paddy Cosgrave (Founder of Web Summit,) Kunal Shah (CEO of CRED) and Josh Buckley (CEO of Product Hunt.)

ALSO READ: CRED’s Kunal Shah Invests In One Plus Founder Carl Pei’s Startup

Nothing’s first wireless earphones will be unveiled in the summer of 2021.  Nothing aims to build an ecosystem of listening devices which talk to each other.  Pei said “We are building an ecosystem of smart devices.  We will start with simpler products, wireless earbuds.  We are going to have multiple products throughout the year, not just audio products, and eventually we want to build it so these devices talk to each other (sic.)”  Pei was a huge part of OnePlus product expansion from just a smartphone to smart televisions, android watch and hearing devices.  OnPlus managed to build an ecosystem with their devices and Carl Pei would be hoping to recreate a similar ecosystem with his audio hardware.  We should not be surprised it Nothing launches a home voice assistant propelled by AI and machine learning similar to Amazon Echo or Google Home.

 

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Apple Achieves 13% Growth in India with $9 Billion Sales and New Flagship Stores in FY25

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Apple has set a new benchmark in India, recording $9 billion in annual sales for FY25—a 13% surge over the prior year, fueled chiefly by robust demand for iPhones and MacBooks. The tech giant’s strategic expansion into Bengaluru and Pune with new flagship stores has deepened brand engagement and increased accessibility for customers across urban centers.

Apple’s rapid retail footprint expansion and locally tailored initiatives, including student discounts and trade-in offers, overcame price barriers and high import duties to drive sales volumes to unprecedented heights. Meanwhile, local production reached new highs, with 20% of iPhones now assembled in India and manufacturing output up 60%, valued at $22 billion part of Apple’s move to diversify its global supply chain.

India is now Apple’s fourth-largest market worldwide, reflecting its rising role as both a consumption and manufacturing powerhouse for premium tech. Continued investment in retail outlets, partnerships with Tata for device repairs, and consumer-friendly financing have positioned Apple for even stronger growth as Indian incomes and technology aspirations rise.

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OYO Achieves Record Profitability in FY25 with Deferred Tax Boost and New Corporate Identity

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OYO

OYO, India’s leading hospitality startup, has retained strong profitability in FY25, driven by a significant deferred tax gain and a bold corporate identity overhaul. The company’s net profit surged to ₹623 crore, marking a 172% year-on-year growth, with adjusted EBITDA reaching ₹1,132 crore a 27% increase from the previous fiscal. Total revenue rose by 20% to ₹6,463 crore, propelled by strategic expansion in premium segments and the integration of G6 Hospitality into OYO’s growing portfolio.

The deferred tax gain of ₹765.6 crore played a crucial role in OYO’s profitability for FY25, helping overcome challenges from operational losses and global expansion costs. Meanwhile, OYO launched a campaign to rename its parent company, Oravel Stays Ltd, aiming for a tech-first, globally resonant brand identity as the business prepares for its IPO. This rebranding signals OYO’s shift toward broader urban living solutions, with the “OYO Hotels” brand remaining unchanged for consumers while the corporate entity targets premium and tech-driven markets worldwide.

OYO’s premiumization strategy and aggressive international growth have led to record results for the fourth quarter of FY25, with gross booking value surging 54% to ₹16,436 crore and revenue hitting new highs. These achievements highlight OYO’s disciplined financial management and commitment to innovation, setting a benchmark for Indian startups navigating global expansion and sustained profitability in the hospitality technology sector.

 

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MPL to Lay Off 60% of India Workforce Following Online Gaming Ban

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MPL

Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s top online gaming platforms, is set to lay off about 60% of its India workforce following the government’s ban on paid online games. The move, confirmed by MPL CEO Sai Srinivas through an internal email, will impact around 300 employees across multiple departments including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. This decision comes as a direct result of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which restricts paid online games involving monetary stakes to address concerns over financial risks and addiction among young users.

India contributed nearly half of MPL’s revenues, estimated at around $100 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. With the ban on paid gaming, MPL’s primary revenue source in India has been effectively cut off, prompting the company to shift focus towards free-to-play games and expand its presence in overseas markets such as the United States and Brazil. Despite the layoffs, MPL has pledged to support the affected employees through the transition period. CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the downsizing but highlighted the company’s commitment to developing new business models for the Indian market amid the regulatory changes.

This development significantly disrupts the Indian online gaming industry, which was on track to grow into a $3.6 billion sector by 2029 before the introduction of the ban. While competitors like Dream11 have adapted by discontinuing paid games and avoiding layoffs, the ban has forced many gaming startups in India to rethink their operations. The government’s regulation targets all games involving real money stakes, including fantasy sports and popular card games like rummy and poker, reshaping the future landscape for the country’s gaming ecosystem and its workforce.

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