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Flipkart and Snapdeal Merger No More

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Flipkart and Snapdeal Merger No More,Flipkart Snapdeal Merger,snapdeal deal strategy,snapdeal founder,Ratan Tata,SoftBank,Startup Stories,2017 Latest Business News

The much talked about and hyped merger between the two home grown ecommerce rivals Flipkart and Snapdeal has been officially canceled. The Gurgaon based startup wants to pursue an ‘independent path’ and therefore will terminate all other strategic discussions, including the merger talks with Flipkart.

Termed as one of the biggest consolidation in the Indian ecommerce ecosystem, this merger has been the most talked about acquisition for the past five months with countless board meetings and multiple twists. A Snapdeal spokesperson in a statement said Snapdeal has been exploring various strategic options over the past several months and has finally decided to pursue an independent path. The spokesperson also added, Snapdeal has a new and compelling direction Snapdeal 2.0 and have made significant progress towards the ability to execute this by achieving a gross profit this month.

Both the majority shareholders of Flipkart and Snapdeal, Tiger Global and SoftBank had been pushing for this merger. SoftBank, which presently owns more than 47% of Snapdeal, would also invest in the merged entity and buy out one third of Tiger Global’s Flipkart shares. According to various reports, SoftBank might still invest in Flipkart and not continue its association with Snapdeal.

A spokesperson for Softbank said they will remain invested in the vibrant Indian ecommerce space and look forward to the results of the Snapdeal 2.0 strategy. They also added both Masayoshi Son’s and SoftBank’s investment philosophy has always been supporting entrepreneurs and their vision and aspirations. Therefore they respect Snapdeal’s decision to pursue an independent strategy.

Cofounders of Snapdeal Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal have been hesitant to merge with Flipkart since the very beginning, fighting SoftBank tooth and nail to prevent the deal. They have also been in talks with senior executives of various firms looking for alternative routes. Reports also mentioned the founders were also in talks with business to business major Infibeam, for a possible merger.

Flipkart’s revised termsheet also held various holdbacks and clauses as protection from all the decisions taken by the Snapdeal board that might have an effect on the company after the merger for a period of two years. The new clauses laid the blame of any wrongdoing on the Snapdeal shareholders and held back a part of the money for the first couple of years. Ratan Tata, Foxconn, Temasek and BlackRock had given their in principal approval for the merger. The approval of 26 other shareholders was required for the deal to go through.

Snapdeal found a little breathing space after the sale of its online digital payments platform FreeCharge to Axis Bank in a Rs. 385 crores all cash deal. The all cash sale provided Snapdeal with the ammunition necessary to remain independent for a couple of more years and retain their control over the online market space. Post the sale of FreeCharge Kunal Bahl, in an email to all employees, termed the acquisition a great outcome calling the second chance an opportunity of a lifetime they must seize. Snapdeal has also been looking to sell their logistic arm Vulcan Express.

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Zoho Arattai vs WhatsApp: 5 Reasons India’s Homegrown Messenger Is Winning in 2025

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Startup Stories

Zoho Arattai messenger has rapidly gained popularity in India by offering features tailored specifically for Indian users, setting itself apart from global competitors like WhatsApp. Arattai delivers exceptional regional language support, intuitive low-bandwidth messaging, and a lightweight interface, making it especially accessible to rural communities and users on lower-end smartphones. This focus on localization and inclusivity gives Arattai a significant edge in the Indian market, ensuring seamless communication even in remote areas.

Beyond usability, Arattai places a strong emphasis on user privacy and data sovereignty. The app stores all user data within India and follows a strict no-ads, no data-selling policy, which guarantees that personal information remains secure and uncompromised. While WhatsApp does provide robust end-to-end encryption, its global servers and Meta-owned data monetization model have raised concerns among privacy-conscious users. Arattai’s transparent approach makes it a trusted and attractive alternative for those who value privacy and wish to avoid intrusive advertisements or AI profiling.

Unique features such as integrated meetings, TV compatibility, and advanced mentions functionality further establish Arattai’s position as a well-rounded and future-ready messaging app. These India-first innovations, combined with Arattai’s ad-free philosophy, clean interface, and powerful optimizations for local contexts, make it the preferred messaging solution for those seeking a modern, secure, and regionally relevant alternative to WhatsApp.

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Apple’s iOS 18.7 vs iOS 26: Which Update Should You Choose for Your iPhone in 2025?

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StartupStories iOS 26

Apple’s recent iOS 18.7 rollout provides a secure alternative to the visually revamped iOS 26, empowering iPhone users to choose between system stability and next-generation features. While iOS 18.7 focuses on important security updates and bug fixes, it maintains the familiar iOS experience for users of older devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and SE models up to the 16e. The update is lightweight—about one-fifteenth the size of iOS 26—which means quicker downloads and less storage consumption. It’s designed for reliability and fast installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a stable and secure operating system over design changes.

In contrast, iOS 26 introduces Apple’s ambitious “Liquid Glass” interface with a transparent look across apps, enhanced widget and lock screen customization, smarter Siri, and improved camera controls. These innovations, however, come with a larger update size and compatibility exclusive to newer iPhones beginning from the iPhone 11 series. While early adopters can enjoy the futuristic interface and AI-powered upgrades, major OS launches may present initial bugs or app compatibility issues that cautious users typically wish to avoid.

Choosing between iOS 18.7 and iOS 26 depends on each user’s priorities—those seeking guaranteed stability and fast security fixes should consider sticking with iOS 18.7, while users excited about premium features and visual changes should migrate to iOS 26 if their device supports it. Both updates are available through Software Update settings, and Apple will support iOS 18.7 for only a limited duration, eventually encouraging all users to transition to the latest platform. This dual update strategy ensures every iPhone user can safely update their device for a seamless and secure experience in 2025.

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Deep-Tech Startup EndureAir Raises INR 25 Crore from IAN Alpha Fund to Boost Drone Innovation

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StartupStories

EndureAir, a deep-tech drone startup specializing in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and aerial robotics solutions, has successfully raised INR 25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The fresh capital infusion will enable EndureAir to enhance its advanced drone technologies for defense applications, broaden its reach in enterprise markets, and accelerate the development of next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics platforms.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir stands out in India’s indigenous UAV sector by developing both hardware and software in-house. Backed by over 15 years of rotorcraft research and holding eight patents in flight dynamics and autonomous systems, the company has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in the deep-tech drone ecosystem.

EndureAir’s flagship drone platforms, including the Sabal heavy-lift UAV family inducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and the Vibhram drone supporting Telangana’s Medicine from the Sky program, are deployed in critical operations. The startup also collaborates with Bharat Electronics Limited for co-developing high-altitude drones and works with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments on remote logistics missions. With this funding, EndureAir aims to position India as a global leader in UAV innovation, advancing resilient domestic drone systems for defense and enterprise applications.

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