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Microsoft and Amazon to Integrate Cortana and Alexa?

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Microsoft and Amazon have their own versions of artificial intelligence powered digital assistants Cortana and Alexa that try to make our lives easier. The New York Times reported, both the companies will integrate their assistants in an unusual partnership to extend the abilities of their voice controlled digital assistants.

This partnership between Microsoft and Amazon will give the ecommerce company an instant foothold in about 150 million Cortana enabled Windows 10 computers while the Redmond giant will get Cortana on Alexa enabled devices. According to the Times report, someone using an Alexa device will have to say “Alexa, open Cortana” to talk to Microsoft’s digital assistant while Cortana users will have to say “Cortana, open Alexa” to talk to the Amazon’s assistant.

Although it is unusual for big technology companies to work together or cooperate, Jeff Bezos and Satya Nadella are concerned that keeping assistants from working together could hold them back as each assistant has unique strengths that could benefit the other. This cross platform integration will allow Alexa users easy access to Cortana’s Microsoft Office skills while Cortana can fill its own skills gaps by allowing users to call on Alexa’s 20,00o skills.

The partnership comes at a time when Microsoft is preparing to launch a Cortana speaker with Harman Kardon and push its digital assistant into cars, thermostats and other devices. Alexa on Cortana will be available on its Android and iOS apps after initially debuting on Windows 10 PCs.

Speaking about the collaboration and integration Jeff Bezos, in an interview said over time people would turn to different digital assistants the same way they turn to friends for advice about hiking and restaurant recommendations. “I want them to have access to as many of those A.I’s as possible,” he added offering Apple and Google a chance for a similar integration. The initial idea for the initial partnership was raised by Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos at Microsoft’s CEO summit in May last year.

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Piyush Anchliya Joins Cashfree Payments as CFO Amid Expansion in India’s Fintech Sector

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Cashfree Payment - StartupStories

Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.

In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.

Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.

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Flipkart’s Jeyandran Venugopal Likely to Join Reliance Retail as CEO

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Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.

Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.

His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.

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Delhivery’s Acquisition of Ecom Express: A Major Consolidation in Indian Logistics

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Delhivery, one of India’s leading logistics companies, has announced its acquisition of Ecom Express in an all-cash deal valued at ₹1,407 crore. This strategic move marks one of the largest consolidations in the logistics sector and is expected to enhance Delhivery’s scale, profitability, and operational efficiency.

Background

Ecom Express, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Gurugram, has faced significant financial challenges recently. The company canceled its IPO plans in 2024 and laid off hundreds of employees due to operational setbacks, including losing a major client, Meesho, which shifted to its in-house logistics service Valmo. These struggles led to a distressed sale, with private equity investors like Warburg Pincus and Partners Group exiting their stakes entirely.

Strategic Benefits for Delhivery

  1. Enhanced Scale: The acquisition will strengthen Delhivery’s network reach and infrastructure, enabling better service delivery across India.
  2. Operational Synergies: Combining operations with Ecom Express will improve efficiency and reduce costs through economies of scale.
  3. Competitive Edge: With Ecom Express as a subsidiary, Delhivery solidifies its leadership position in the logistics space by offering broader coverage and faster services.

Challenges Addressed

The acquisition mitigates risks from Ecom Express’ financial struggles while addressing past disputes between the two companies over inflated shipment volumes reported by Ecom Express during IPO filings.

Future Outlook

The deal is expected to close within six months after regulatory approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Post-acquisition, Ecom Express will operate as a subsidiary of Delhivery, unlocking new growth opportunities such as advanced logistics technology integration and expanded customer reach.

With ₹5,488 crore in cash reserves as of September 2024, Delhivery is well-positioned to finance this acquisition without compromising financial stability. This move underscores Delhivery’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in India’s rapidly evolving logistics landscape.

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