Amazon.com Inc., the global ecommerce giant will launch the first of its kind supermarkets without checkouts, human or self service on Monday in Seattle. According to BBC, this revolutionary supermarket, Amazon Go, has been tested by Amazon staff for the past year.
Amazon Go store relies on cameras and sensors to track shoppers and maintain a list of what shoppers remove from the shelves and what they put back. Making cash registers and checkout lines superfluous, customers buying products from the Go store will be billed after leaving the store using credit cards on file.
A row of gates guards the entrance to the store and shoppers can only enter after they scan their Amazon Go app. The 1,800 square foot mini market is packed with shelves of food and will be open from 7 A.M. To 9 P.M. Monday to Friday. Speaking about the newest venture, the Vice President of Technology, Dilip Kumar said, “(the idea behind Amazon go is to) push the boundaries of computer vision and machine learning and to create an effortless experience for customers.”
According to Amazon, the technology used in the Amazon Go store is so accurate that the sensors can detect minute changes and distinguish between multiple people standing side by side at a shelf. The tracking is precise enough to detect which customer picked up a yogurt or a cupcake and track which customers are simply browsing. Technology website GeekWire reported, the system also knows when people pick up items and put them back in case customers simply wanted to read the label. While the company has remained tight lipped about the technology it’s using in its sensors and tracking devices, can see and identify every item in the store, without attaching a special chip to every item.
Amazon further added the technology will not replace employees but streamline the shopping process. Associates and employees will be put on different tasks including restocking shelves and helping customers troubleshoot any technical problems and help customers find items. According to people who have tested the store, Amazon sends an electronic receipt for purchases only a few minutes after walking out of the store. The Head of Amazon Go, Gianna Puerini, speaking about the technology said, “This technology didn’t exist, it was really advancing the state of the art of computer vision and machine learning.” The company has already released official Amazon Go apps on iOS and Android and customers can use their existing Amazon credentials to log in to the Amazon Go app.
Jio Financial Services, through its NBFC arm Jio Finance Limited, has launched a fully digital Loan Against Securities (LAS) service. This innovative offering allows customers to secure loans up to ₹1 crore against their shares and mutual funds within just 10 minutes via the JioFinance app.
Key Features:
Digital Process: Entirely online for speed and convenience.
Loan Amount: Up to ₹1 crore.
Interest Rates: Starting at 9.99%, tailored to individual risk profiles.
Tenure: Maximum of three years.
No Foreclosure Charges: Flexible repayment options.
Strategic Impact:
The LAS offering aligns with Jio Financial’s broader digital strategy to make financial services more accessible and efficient. It complements existing products like home loans and corporate financing.
Market Response:
Jio Financial Services’ stock rose significantly following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s digital expansion. The shares increased by up to 5.5% on the BSE, highlighting the market’s positive reception of this strategic move12.
Leadership Perspective:
Kusal Roy, MD and CEO of Jio Finance Limited, emphasized that this launch is part of a comprehensive digital strategy aimed at transforming customer interactions with financial services1.
Future Prospects:
With its focus on technology and customer convenience, Jio Financial is poised to become a leading player in India’s digital financial services sector.
Mumbai-based solar financing startup Aerem has raised ₹100 crore in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Japan’s University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC) and included investments from British International Investment (BII), SE Ventures, Riverwalk Holdings, and existing investors Blume Ventures and Avaana Capital.
Strategic Use of Funds
Aerem will use the funds to expand its operations across India, focusing on underserved eastern and southern regions. It aims to enhance its solar financing solutions, improve its B2B marketplace for solar equipment, and refine its tech platform. Additionally, the company plans to broaden its lending portfolio and reduce customer acquisition costs by leveraging its network of over 2,000 verified solar installers.
Aerem’s Impact
Founded in 2021 by Anand Jain and Vikesh Agarwal, Aerem provides comprehensive solutions for distributed solar energy adoption. Its services include:
Solar Financing: Loans for businesses and homeowners through its NBFC arm, NetZero Finance.
Equipment Procurement: The SunStore marketplace offers competitively priced solar equipment.
Support for Installers: Benefits for over 2,000 verified installation partners include financing access, quality equipment, and digital tools.
Aerem has enabled over 800 megawatts of solar capacity across 65 Indian cities, financing more than 800 projects. Its deployments have prevented nearly 22 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions and could save MSMEs up to ₹14,000 crore in energy costs.
Revenue Growth
Aerem reported significant revenue growth in FY24, with a 9X increase to ₹175 crore from ₹1.84 crore in FY23. This growth highlights the scalability of its business model.
Future Plans
With this funding, Aerem is poised to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable energy by eliminating barriers to solar adoption and empowering local businesses.
Sweet Karam Coffee, a Chennai-based brand specializing in traditional South Indian snacks and sweets, has raised $8 million in Series A funding from Peak XV Partners and Fireside Ventures. Founded in 2015 by Anand Bharadwaj and Nalini Parthiban, the company offers products free from palm oil and preservatives, catering to customers across 32 countries.
This investment follows a previous $1.5 million funding from Fireside Ventures in October 2023, which supported offline expansion. The new funds will be used to enhance distribution through omnichannel networks, develop new products, and bolster technology-driven supply chain capabilities.
Sweet Karam Coffee has grown its revenue four-fold over the past year and expects to grow another 2.5 times in the coming year.
The company has also appointed Nandhitha Indermohan, a former Unilever executive, as its Chief Operating Officer to boost operations. This strategic move positions Sweet Karam Coffee for further growth, leveraging the booming quick commerce sector and expanding its presence across India and globally.