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Snapchat CEO Denies ‘India Is Poor And The App Is For Rich’ Comment!

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Snapchat Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel now, denies on his comments after his ex-employee made allegations on him that he commented Snapchat to be an “app for rich people” and India is a not profitable market for Snapchat expansion as it is a poor country.

A twenty-page document, filed by an ex-employee of Snapchat, Anthony Pompliano, presented an extract which exposed the style of work. He sued the company on the work style which was being carried out under Evan’s Supervision was questionable and is uncertain. The extract of the allegation is that the CEO of Snapchat Evan Spiegel reacted Saying this app is only for rich people. I don’t want to expand into poor countries like India and Spain.”, On being said that the performance of Snapchat in Foreign Markets is poor.

Snap Inc., with official documents, opposed the claims and further said, “This is ridiculous. Obviously, Snapchat is for everyone! It’s available worldwide to download for free.”

There was also a clarification released to the press on Pompliano’s Section with regards to the allegation that Snapchat were showing inflated numbers to its investors. “In the notice, we filed with the court when we unsealed Pompliano’s original complaint (attached), we wrote: ‘Snap did not give investors misstated user metrics back in 2015; nor did Snap employees commit any of the panoplies of alleged bad acts that litter Pompliano’s complaint. Snap will demonstrate as much at the appropriate time in the appropriate forum’,” says the statement.

It was stated that Evan, traveled to speak at the Economic Times Startup Awards in 2015, and also is a leading Entrepreneur, especially in India.

Pompliano’s Statement disturbed a considerable number of Snapchat users from India, carrying the hashtag BoycottSnapchat basing on social networking sites, provoking the users to rate the app with one star and uninstall the app to show opposition. As a result of people’s reaction to defend their nation from a statement which is not proved by the court of law, the app ratings fell short instantly. The Google Play store showed one-star ratings in a big number for snap chat and the Indian Users’ comment threads countered his statement.

A few users also commented on the portals which said that India is hard geography for monetising. “A true but hard fact is that the Indian market does not monetize well! Average revenue per user is way too low in comparison to the cost of acquiring a customer,” says Facebook user Ravindra Sonavane. This opinion, somehow, could not influence the snapchat users. Evidently, many users are participating in the protest.

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.

Funding and Investor Details

The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.

Objectives Behind the Sale

The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.

Market Context

Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.

Conclusion

As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.

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Regional OTT Platform STAGE Raises $12.5 Million to Expand Bhojpuri and Cultural Offerings

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Regional OTT platform STAGE has successfully raised $12.5 million in its Series B funding round, a move that highlights the increasing demand for regional content in India. The round was co-led by Goodwater Capital and Blume Ventures, with participation from Physis Capital and several angel investors.

The funding includes $10 million in primary capital and $2.5 million from secondary share sales, allowing early investors to partially exit. This capital will enable STAGE to enhance its content offerings, particularly in underserved languages like Bhojpuri, while strengthening its technological capabilities.

 

Since its launch in 2019, STAGE has quickly established itself as a leader in the regional OTT market, reporting an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of ₹180 crore (approximately $21.7 million) and over 4.4 million paying subscribers. The platform has achieved over 20 million app installs and experienced significant growth, with a 289% increase in revenue and a 286% rise in subscribers over the past year, driven by original series such as Videshi Bahu, Kaand 2010, and Bhawani.

 

CEO Vinay Singhal emphasized that this funding is not just financial support but a validation of India’s diverse regional cultures. He noted that dialects like Haryanvi and Bhojpuri should be celebrated rather than viewed as liabilities. With this new funding, STAGE plans to further invest in content creation and technology development to enrich its storytelling experience.

 

As the demand for regional language content continues to grow, STAGE’s strategic investments position it well to expand into more languages and cultural narratives, solidifying its place in the competitive OTT landscape alongside platforms like aha video and Chaupal.

 

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From Space to Earth: Sunita Williams’ Inspiring Journey and Homecoming Celebration

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Sunita Williams, the celebrated Indian-American astronaut, recently returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially scheduled for just eight days, her mission was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which rendered it unsafe for their return.

On March 19, 2025, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast. 

 

Their homecoming was celebrated in Jhulasan village, Gujarat, where special prayers and rituals were held to honor her safe return. Family members expressed their joy and gratitude, emphasizing her strong ties to her ancestral home.

Upon her return, Williams received accolades from Indian officials, including a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed pride in her achievements and resilience. He highlighted the inspiration she provides to future generations of scientists.

 

While her return marks a moment of celebration, it also signals the start of new challenges. After spending 286 days in space, Williams will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation period to readjust to life on Earth and regain physical strength.

Sunita Williams’ journey serves as an inspiration not only for India but for aspiring scientists worldwide, showcasing the significant contributions of Indian-origin individuals in global space exploration.

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