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HCL And Nine Other Companies To Develop A Desi Alternative For Zoom And Google Meets

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HCL And Nine Other Companies To Develop A Desi Alternative For Zoom And Google Meets

The Indian government suggested that Indians need to aggressively work on homegrown technologies and develop them so that they are on par with technologies developed by global giants.  This push comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the government to enforce a strict lockdown which has exceeded two months.  The economic struggles are slowly becoming apparent as the shutdown has impacted millions of businesses across the country.  In order to stabilize the economy the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi suggested Indians should focus on locally sourced products as a first priority.

During the lockdown chances of hearing about online video calling applications like Zoom, Google Meets and Microsoft Teams are very high as a lot of businesses which went remote have used one of these softwares as part of team communications.  The Indian government has identified and shortlisted ten Indian companies to develop a Made In India video conferencing solution.  These companies include Zoho, HCL, PeopleLink, Aria Telecom, CyberHorizon Corp, Instrive Softlabs, PeopleLink Unified Communications Sarv Webs, Soulpage IT Solutions, Techgentsia Software Technologies and Data Ingenious.

Each of these companies would receive 5 Lakh INR to develop a prototype similar to Zoom or Google Meets.  The government would then shortlist three companies out of the ten and grant them 20 Lakh INR, to develop the video conferencing platform.  The government would finally select one of the three companies to provide the final build which would be used by Central and state governments as an alternative to Zoom and Google Meets.

ALSO READ: Zoom Video Conferencing App Downloads Dethrone Whatsapp And TikTok In India

After the third round, the government would select the best solution which will get the final contract.  The contract is said to be for a period of four years.  In the first year, the government is expected to pay INR 1 Crore to the selected startup while additional INR 10 Lakh would be given to the company in the next three years for operations and maintenance of the solution.

The Project was undertaken by the Ministry of Information Technology and as a part of the push to promote Indian software products.  The video conferencing solution should be able to work in low bandwidth areas without any glitches.

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Pune’s SuperGaming Secures $15M to Expand in Emerging Markets

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Super Gaming

SuperGaming, the Pune-based gaming innovator known for hit titles like MaskGun and Indus Battle Royale, has raised $15 million in a Series B funding round, boosting its valuation to an impressive $100 million. This marks a nearly fivefold increase from its 2021 valuation of $21 million, highlighting the company’s rapid growth and the rising investor confidence in India’s booming gaming industry. The funding reflects SuperGaming’s strong market presence and strategic vision to become a global leader in online gaming. 

The funding round was spearheaded by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital, with significant participation from notable international investors including a16z Speedrun, Bandai Namco O21 Fund, Neowiz, and prominent Web3 financiers such as Polygon Ventures and Sandeep Nailwal. Existing backers like AET Japan and BACE Capital also continued their support. SuperGaming aims to utilize this capital infusion to expand its footprint internationally, focusing on emerging markets. A key initiative includes launching its award-winning game, Indus Battle Royale, in Latin America through a partnership with LOUD.GG, alongside rolling out its proprietary SuperPlatform developed with Google Cloud to empower game developers worldwide, especially in resource-constrained regions. 

CEO and Co-Founder Roby John emphasized that this funding milestone is crucial in shifting India from merely a gaming consumer base to a hub for gaming innovation. By adopting a “hyper-local” strategy that tailors games to diverse cultures in underrepresented markets like the Middle East and Latin America, SuperGaming is poised for global growth. With over 200 million installs and an expanding user base, SuperGaming’s recent fundraising solidifies its position at the forefront of India’s gaming revolution, ready to make a major impact on the international stage.

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Swiggy DeskEats: Office Food Delivery Launched in 30 Cities

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Swiggy

Swiggy, India’s leading online food delivery platform, has introduced DeskEats, a unique meal delivery service specifically designed for office-goers and working professionals across 30 major cities. DeskEats aims to streamline office dining by offering a diverse, office-friendly menu, making it easier than ever for corporate employees to enjoy convenient and delicious meals right at their workplace. By simply typing “Office” or “Work” in the Swiggy app, users can unlock curated collections like Value Combos, Stress Munchies, Healthy Nibbles, and Teamwork Bites, catering to every office dining scenario—from solo meals to team lunches and quick snack breaks.

Swiggy’s DeskEats is now operational in over 7,000 tech parks and business centers, granting office workers access to nearly 700,000 menu items from over 200,000 restaurants. This vast variety ensures there’s something for everyone, addressing the growing demand for quick, tasty, and nutritious food that fits seamlessly into the busy schedules of working professionals. Early trends from DeskEats’ pilot phase show a strong preference for easy-to-eat options like chicken popcorn in Bengaluru and garlic breadsticks in Gurugram, reflecting the popularity of meals tailored for the modern workday.

Expanding upon its Corporate Rewards Program, which is already trusted by thousands of organizations, Swiggy enables companies to enhance employee wellness programs by offering food delivery, groceries, and dining benefits efficiently. With DeskEats, Swiggy reaffirms its commitment to transforming workplace dining by prioritizing variety, convenience, and user satisfaction—cementing its position as a key player in the evolution of India’s office food culture.

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Setu Builds Fintech Powerhouse Leadership Team as Pine Labs IPO Nears

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Pine Labs

Setu, the API infrastructure platform and subsidiary of Pine Labs, has significantly strengthened its leadership by appointing Prashanth Nimmagada (ex-Razorpay) as Chief Technology Officer, signaling its commitment to innovation in India’s dynamic fintech landscape. Alongside Nimmagada, Setu has welcomed other top industry talent: Vijeth Pandit (ex-Razorpay) as Chief Product Officer, Ramkumar Thirumurthi (ex-Razorpay, co-founder Actyv.ai) as Chief Revenue Officer, Nikhil Ratanpal (ex-PhonePe) as Director of Product Development, and Santosh Subramanian (ex-Yes Bank, Wibmo) as Head of Finance. These high-profile hires accompany Anand Raisinghani’s (ex-SAP India) appointment as CEO, underscoring Setu’s focus on building a strong, experienced leadership bench to drive future growth.

Setu specializes in providing API-based digital financial infrastructure for services such as UPI, bill payments, KYC, and digital signatures, while also operating as an RBI-licensed NBFC Account Aggregator. With this expanded leadership team—drawn from India’s leading fintechs—Setu is well-positioned to accelerate the development of scalable, API-driven financial solutions for banks, fintechs, and enterprises. The influx of expertise from Razorpay and PhonePe veterans will bolster Setu’s technical capabilities and strategic partnerships, ensuring it remains a key enabler in India’s rapidly maturing digital public infrastructure ecosystem.

This leadership overhaul comes as parent company Pine Labs prepares for a major IPO, aiming to raise ₹2,600 crore through a fresh share issue after turning profitable in FY25. Setu’s enhanced leadership reinforces the broader group’s ambitions for international expansion, technological innovation, and financial performance. As Setu solidifies its role at the forefront of India’s fintech evolution, the company is poised to deliver advanced financial infrastructure solutions that support the country’s growing digital economy and drive Pine Labs’ strategic momentum.

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