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Axis Bank Acquires FreeCharge

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Axis Bank To Buy FreeCharge,Axis Bank acquiring FreeCharge,Jasper Infotech,Axis Bank and FreeCharge,mobile wallet freecharge,freecharge acquisition,2017 Latest Business News,Startup Stories

India’s third largest private sector lender Axis Bank, will be acquiring the digital payments platform FreeCharge, which is owned and operated by Jasper Infotech. Sources close to the deal reported the board of Snapdeal has agreed to sell their digital wallet to the private sector lender and an official announcement will be made in the next few days.

This proposed deal will value FreeCharge at Rs. 385 crores to Rs. 390 crores, which is a steep plunge from the Rs. 2,400 crores Jasper Infotech paid to acquire the company in 2015. At the time Jasper Infotech bought FreeCharge, this deal was called the largest deal in the nascent startup ecosystem in India.

The Economic Times reported, according to sources close to Jasper Infotech, the board of the ecommerce company is also expected to approve the sale of its online market space Snapdeal, to rival Flipkart in the next few days.

The transaction will give Snapdeal the much needed breathing space to the Snapdeal management which has struggled to raise funds for over a year. The parent company Jasper Infotech has also been in talks with various other companies over the sale of their digital payments arm. Amazon was the latest on the list of interested companies with a higher offer along with Paytm, Airtel, Times Internet and PayPal.

This will also be a strategic acquisition for Axis Bank, who have their own mobile wallet, Lime. They reported a 16% year on year decline in their June 2017 quarter. This acquisition will provide Axis Bank with access to high quality technology and to about 50 million FreeCharge mobile wallet holders.

FreeCharge, which hit the markets to raise funds separately last year, passed up at least two funding rounds due to differences between board members. The digital payments app was unable to keep up with the competition from other homegrown wallet providers like PayTM and MobiKwik, post demonetization. The Snapdeal board agreed to sell the digital wallet platform and their logistics arm Vulcan Express separately.

Law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and J. Sagar Associates represent Axis Bank and FreeCharge respectively, and no investment banks were contacted for the deal.

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Unilever Introduces Innovative Color-Changing ‘Smart Label’ for Dove

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Dove_StartupStories

Unilever has launched a new innovation in personal care with the introduction of a color-changing “smart label” for its Dove Shower Sensor Deep Moisture Body Wash. This limited-edition product, available exclusively in Canada, integrates advanced packaging technology to promote healthier skin habits.

How It Works

The smart label activates when exposed to water temperatures above 41°C, displaying a “VERY HOT” warning. This feature encourages users to lower their shower temperature, helping to preserve the skin’s natural moisture—especially crucial during Canada’s cold winter months1.

A Step Towards Smarter Personal Care

This innovation reflects Unilever’s dedication to combining technology with personal care. Divya Singh, head of personal care at Unilever Canada, highlighted the product’s role in fostering better skin health through intuitive reminders. Singh stated that the sensor supports hydration and empowers consumers to maintain healthier habits confidently1.

Broader Implications

The smart label is part of a larger trend in packaging innovation, offering functionality beyond traditional use. Such advancements not only enhance user experience but also align with Unilever’s commitment to sustainability and digital transformation13.

This launch underscores Unilever’s focus on enhancing everyday products with technology while promoting skin health and environmental consciousness.

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Quick Commerce Set to Boost HUL’s Revenue

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StartupStories

Unilever’s CEO, Fernando Fernandez, is optimistic about quick commerce’s growth in India, predicting it will significantly boost Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s (HUL) revenue. Currently, quick commerce accounts for about 2% of HUL’s revenue, but Fernandez expects this to rise to 10-15% within the next three to four years.

Why Quick Commerce?

India’s unique demographic, with affluent and economically active households living in close proximity, makes quick commerce a logical and profitable channel. The margin mix in quick commerce is also favorable for improving profitability12.

Market Trends

Quick commerce is rapidly expanding in India, with its contribution to ecommerce sales doubling annually. Major players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto are driving this growth, driven by consumer preference for convenience over discounts13.

Future Outlook

Fernandez’s strategy aligns with Unilever’s goal to transform its business and meet evolving consumer preferences. Leveraging quick commerce will be key to enhancing HUL’s revenue in India, a crucial market for Unilever

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Social Media Platform X Faces Global Outage

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Social Media Platform X Faces Global Outage

Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced a significant global outage on Monday. The disruption began around 3:20 PM IST, with over 19,000 reports of issues globally, according to Downdetector.

Impact by Region

  • United States: Over 21,000 users reported issues, primarily with the app.
  • United Kingdom: More than 10,800 incidents were recorded.
  • India: Nearly 2,300 users faced difficulties, though some reports suggest around 1,000 complaints, mainly with the search bar.

Nature of the Outage

The outage affected both web and mobile app versions, preventing users from accessing timelines or posting content. The cause remains unclear, as X has not issued an official statement.

Resolution

Services resumed after about 30-40 minutes, but concerns about the platform’s reliability have increased due to its recent technical issues

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