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SoftBank Limits Kalanick’s Power In Uber Deal

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SoftBank Group Corp can move ahead with their multi billion dollar investment in Uber only after agreeing to block any attempt made to elevate Travis Kalanick back to the company’s top ranks. Early investor, venture capital firm Benchmark has sought a guarantee in writing from SoftBank to block Kalanick’s appointment as the chairman of the board or head of one of its subcommittees.

SoftBank, along with General Atlantic and Dragoneer Investment Group, is looking to invest $ 1 billion in the taxi hailing startup at $ 69 billion valuation. According to media reports, the three investment firms are also planning to buy as much as $9 billion in shares from the existing investors. This round of funding could be the largest private stock sale in history.

The valuation of these shares will be determined by an auction which is expected to start at about $45 billion. As per a report by Bloomberg, SoftBank may ask for 2 board seats as a part of the deal. An alternative proposal that is being discussed will give SoftBank one board seat and a board observer seat. It is unclear if Uber will create new directors or shuffle its existing eleven for the new members.

Benchmark will agree to not block the investment deal only if SoftBank agrees to ban Kalanick and guarantees not to revive his power. The venture firm has also agreed to sell some of its shares at the direction of Uber’s new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The prospective investor from China, Didi Chuxing has reportedly walked away from this investment deal.

Kalanick, who resigned as the CEO of the company in June, still retains some power over the board through his control of three board seats, two of which remain unfilled. Last month, Benchmark sued Kalanick, accusing him of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and contractual obligations. Recently, Uber was banned from operating in London due to serious criminal offenses and a lack of corporate responsibility. The company is also facing a bitter lawsuit against Google spinoff Waymo.

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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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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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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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Venture Catalysts Raises Rs 150 Crore to Boost Multi-Stage VC Platform and AI Capabilities

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Venture Catalysts, a leading Mumbai-based venture capital platform, has secured Rs 150 crore (around $18 million) through a strategic mix of primary and secondary transactions. This fresh round of funding resulted in a company valuation of approximately $200 million and drew participation from high-profile investors such as Ashish Kacholia, the Shah Rukh Khan family office, Aishwarya Rai, as well as several established capital market veterans and renowned business houses. The move not only demonstrates strong investor confidence but also positions Venture Catalysts at the forefront of India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.

The infusion of capital is earmarked to accelerate key initiatives, including expanding Venture Catalysts’ leadership team, launching new investment funds, and exploring advanced technology solutions with an emphasis on AI-enabled due diligence and reporting tools. Additionally, the firm aims to strengthen its footprint across major Indian startup hubs and grow its suite of Category II alternative investment funds, harnessing this growth to support a new wave of promising startups and founders within the ecosystem.

Since its inception in 2016, Venture Catalysts has evolved from an angel network to a multi-fund powerhouse, managing over $500 million in assets and deploying nearly $200 million across more than 400 startups, including industry leaders like BharatPe, Renee Cosmetics, and InsuranceDekho. This latest funding round reinforces Venture Catalysts’ pivotal role in nurturing and scaling some of India’s most innovative startups, catalyzing growth throughout the country’s thriving entrepreneurial sector.

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