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Ola Witnessed Losses In FY2016 As Costs Rise

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OLA WITNESSED LOSSES IN FY2016 AS COSTS RISE,Startup Stories,Startup Stories India,Inspiration Stories,2017 Most Read Startup Stories,OLA Cabs,OLA Cab Latest News,ANI Technologies Pvt,SoftBank,Ratan Tata,Falcon Edge

ANI Technologies Pvt., Ltd., operating under the trade name Ola witnessed a heavy loss in the fiscal year 2015-16. India’s largest cab aggregator Ola posted a consolidated loss of over Rs. 2,311 crores, which estimates a loss of Rs. 6 crore per day.

This major loss occurred because of heavy advertising and promotional expenses as well as high employee cost so as to give a tough competition to it’s American rival Uber, in order to grow its market share.

However, ANI Technologies Pvt., Ltd., witnessed a stellar growth in its revenues when compared to last year’s results. The company had registered a seven fold growth at Rs. 758 crores during 2015-16 when compared to its Rs. 104 crores revenue a year ago.

According to the market industry analysts, the heavy loss incurred this year was due to advertising, initial driver incentives, huge customer discounts, as well as some major strikes in cities. However, there was a slight decrease in losses since the incentives for the driver fell down.

Employee costs of Ola went up more than 5 times to Rs. 379 crores in FY16. The advertising and sales promotion cost increased four-fold to Rs. 385.5 crores. Ola currently has around 5000 employees and after its acquisition of Taxi For Sure, the employee number went up to 6700 in early 2015, of which a large number was laid off in September 2016.

Ola is currently operated in 110 Indian cities which are quite high when compared to Uber which operates in 29 cities. The former has also been providing various services like Ola autos, Micro, Mini, Prime, Lux, Outstation, Share, Shuttle as well as e-rickshaws. And the company claims to have as many as 6,00,000 vehicles including all of the above.

Recently, Ola also raised $ 200 million from SoftBank, Ratan Tata and Falcon Edge.

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Kerala Startup E-Quark Launches Innovative Mobile Holder with Built-In Charger

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Equark - StartupStories

Kerala-based startup E-Quark Molecule Innovations Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Thrissur, has introduced an innovative device called Keratin that combines a mobile phone holder with a built-in charger. This unique gadget is designed to offer users a convenient solution to hold and charge their smartphones simultaneously, addressing the common challenge of managing power supply while using mobile devices.

The device enhances user experience by integrating two essential functions into one compact design. It securely holds the phone while providing efficient charging, making it perfect for use on desks, bedside tables, or other personal spaces where easy access and power are needed. This innovation aligns with the growing trend of multifunctional mobile accessories that prioritize both convenience and practicality.

E-Quark Molecule Innovations is a key player in Kerala’s dynamic startup ecosystem, which has been rapidly expanding in tech-driven areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With the launch of this mobile holder-charger, the company is establishing itself as a leader in user-centric mobile accessories, further cementing Kerala’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology development.

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New Instagram Features Let Users Customize Profiles and Share Quietly

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Instagram Grid

Instagram is rolling out two major features in June 2025 that promise to give users unprecedented creative control and privacy: grid rearranging and silent posting. The long-awaited grid rearranging tool allows users to freely drag and drop posts anywhere on their profile grid, breaking away from the traditional chronological order. This means users can now curate their profiles for a more visually appealing or thematic presentation, without the hassle of deleting and reposting content—an update especially welcomed by brands, creators, and anyone meticulous about their digital aesthetic.


In tandem, Instagram is introducing the “Post quietly to profile” feature, which lets users add photos and videos to their grid without notifying followers or pushing the content to their feeds. This silent posting option is ideal for those who want to document moments privately, experiment with new content, or maintain a cohesive grid without spamming their audience. It’s designed to reduce the pressure of public sharing, making Instagram a more comfortable space for personal expression and experimentation.

 

These updates reflect Instagram’s commitment to user empowerment and flexibility, responding directly to years of feedback. As Instagram head Adam Mosseri stated, the goal is to help users “create and share without added pressure,” giving them more freedom over how their content appears and how they engage with their audience.

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Zepto Delays IPO to Focus on Profitability and Indian Ownership

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Zepto - StartupStories

Overview

Zepto, a leading quick commerce startup, has postponed its planned IPO to early 2026, shifting its focus to achieving profitability and increasing Indian shareholding before going public.

Key Reasons for Delay

  • Profitability Focus: Zepto aims to reach EBITDA break-even before listing, unlike many tech firms that went public while still loss-making.
  • Market Uncertainty: Ongoing global and domestic market volatility influenced the decision to wait for more stable conditions.
  • Peer Comparison: The company wants to present a stronger profit profile, learning from the performance of rivals like Swiggy and Zomato (now Eternal).

Boosting Domestic Shareholding

  • Target: Zepto plans to raise Indian ownership to at least 51% to comply with FDI norms and reinforce its Indian identity.
  • Actions: The company is conducting secondary share sales to Indian investors and founders are increasing their stakes by buying from foreign investors.
  • Progress: Domestic ownership has reached about 40-44%, with expectations to surpass 51% before the IPO.

Financial and Operational Updates

  • Efficiency Drive: Zepto is optimizing operations, running over 900 dark stores and offering 48,000 SKUs, to reduce cash burn and move toward profitability.
  • Challenges: The company faces stiff competition from Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit, leading to higher costs, and has dealt with operational pauses and regulatory scrutiny in some regions.

Outlook

Zepto remains positive about its future, aiming to raise around $800 million in its IPO and attract both domestic and international investors. CEO Aadit Palicha emphasizes building a sustainable, majority Indian-owned business before entering the public market.

Summary: Zepto’s IPO delay reflects a strategic focus on financial stability and regulatory compliance, with profitability and Indian ownership at the forefront.

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