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Andhra Pradesh Signs MoU For India’s First Hyperloop

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Andhra Pradesh Signs MoU,India First Hyperloop,Hyperloop Transportation Technologies,Chairman of HTT,HTT CEO Dirk Ahlbom,Startup Stories,2017 Latest Business News,AP signs MoU

The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US based company, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT.) Under the agreement, HTT will introduce the futuristic “Hyperloop” transportation system in the State Capital region, Amravati.

Although the technology is far from completely developed, it could potentially reduce the travel time between Amravati to Vijayawada to under six minutes from one hour. This public private partnership agreement will be funded primarily from private sources. According to a Press Trust of India report, the agreement was signed between the AP Economic Development Board (ABEDB) and HTT.

According to an official press release regarding the MoU,  a feasibility study is scheduled to start next month to analyze the surrounding cityscapes and create the best route between the two cities. But the press release did not disclose the probable cost of the project. If successful, this will be the first Hyperloop project to be implemented in India. The actual construction of the Hyperloop will begin in the second phase of the plan after first conducting the feasibility study beginning this October. The feasibility study is expected to last around 6 months.

Speaking about the agreement, the Chairman of HTT, Bibop Gresta said they were extremely delighted to bring Hyperloop to India and will work with the local stakeholders to build the regulatory standards necessary for safe and efficient operation. HTT, according to a report in Wired, also plans to build networks of tubes in South Korea, Slovakia and Abu Dhabi. HTT was founded in 2013 by CEO Dirk Ahlbom and Chairman Bibop Gesta. 
The company has a large design and execution team consisting of more than 800 engineers besides drawing support from 40 other corporate and university partners.

Notable, the concept of the Hyperloop mode of transportation is backed by entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has also shown interest in creating a Hyperloop pod himself and is also testing his own design. Hyperloop envisions a transportation system which comprises a sealed near vacuum tube or system of tubes that propels a pod like vehicle at nearly 1,100 km per hour or above. In a press release, Krishna Kishore, the Chief Executive Officer of APEDB said, “By collaborating with Hyperloop, Amaravati is embracing a prototype for the mobility of tomorrow.

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Zoho Pay Debuts as India’s New UPI Challenger, Taking on PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay

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Zoho Payment

Zoho Corporation has expanded its fintech portfolio with the launch of Zoho Pay, a UPI-based payments app built to challenge India’s top digital payment giants such as PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay. The new app supports peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, QR-based transactions, and merchant settlements in a streamlined interface. Available as both a standalone app and an integrated feature inside Zoho’s privacy-driven messenger Arattai, Zoho Pay enables users to handle chats and payments in one platform, emphasizing data privacy and Made-in-India innovation.​

Through seamless integration with Arattai, Zoho Pay allows users to send or request payments, split expenses, and conduct UPI-based transactions directly in their chat windows. Users can link bank accounts, scan dynamic QR codes, and receive audio confirmations of payments, ensuring speed and security. This design mirrors the simplicity of India’s leading UPI apps but is powered by Zoho’s non-advertising, privacy-first model. The integration aligns with Zoho’s mission to build a self-reliant digital ecosystem, where messaging and money management coexist securely.​

In the competitive digital payments market, Zoho Pay differentiates itself through its tight business software integration with apps like Zoho Books, Zoho Payroll, and Zoho Commerce, offering small businesses unified access to payments, billing, and accounting. The company is also expanding its reach with POS devices for merchants featuring UPI QR, card payments, and instant reconciliation tools. With founder Sridhar Vembu’s vision of a ‘Chat + Pay’ ecosystem, Zoho Pay reflects a bold step toward redefining India’s fintech scene with a secure, ad-free, and locally developed alternative to global payment platforms.

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Meta Expands AI-Powered Reels Translation to Hindi and Portuguese, Enhancing Global Creator Reach

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Meta has expanded its AI-powered translation feature for Reels to include Hindi and Portuguese, joining English and Spanish in empowering creators to reach a broader global audience on Instagram and Facebook. Originally launched in August 2025 with support for English and Spanish, this update now allows creators to seamlessly translate and dub their short videos, breaking language barriers across some of the largest Reels markets worldwide. The AI technology mimics the creator’s voice tone and even offers lip-syncing to ensure the translated videos feel natural and engaging for viewers.​

This enhancement is especially significant for India, the largest market for Facebook and Instagram, where over 600 million people speak Hindi. Content creators who are not fluent in Hindi can now easily access this vast audience, increasing their reach and engagement across diverse linguistic groups. To maintain transparency, all translated Reels are clearly labeled with “Translated with Meta AI,” and viewers can choose to switch translations on or off based on their preference.​

In addition to voice dubbing, Meta is developing features to translate captions and text stickers on Reels, making content more accessible even without sound. These AI translation tools are available free for eligible public Instagram accounts and Facebook creator profiles with over 1,000 followers. This innovation reinforces Meta’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural content sharing and enhancing creators’ ability to connect with audiences around the world through short-form videos.

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Dunzo’s Collapse: Reliance’s ₹1,645 Crore Loss Signals Challenges in India’s Hyperlocal Delivery Market

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Startup Stories

Reliance Industries has officially written off its $200 million investment in Dunzo, a once promising quick-commerce startup in India. Despite high-profile backing and the potential to disrupt the hyperlocal delivery sector, Dunzo faced insurmountable challenges including high operational costs, unsustainable cash burn, and stiff competition from larger players like Zepto and Blinkit. Reliance’s decision follows Dunzo’s operational suspension, leadership exits, and failed attempts at securing additional funding or acquisition partners, ultimately resulting in the company’s digital platforms going offline in early 2025.​

The downfall of Dunzo was accelerated by its inability to maintain a healthy balance between rapid expansion and revenue growth, with losses in FY23 reaching an alarming ₹1,800 crore. With monthly expenses crossing ₹100 crore and mounting pressure to scale, Dunzo resorted to layoffs and delayed payments before shutting down most services outside Bengaluru. Reliance’s significant stake, initially seen as a strategic advantage, ended up limiting the startup’s flexibility in making independent decisions during its final months.​

Reliance’s write-off sends a strong message to India’s startup ecosystem about the risks inherent in quick-commerce and hyperlocal delivery models. Investors are increasingly focused on sustainable growth, disciplined scaling, and profitability. For Reliance, lessons from Dunzo’s collapse are shaping future e-commerce strategies, driving greater emphasis on operational efficiency and prudent financial planning in an intensely competitive market.

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