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Startups Which Achieved The Unicorn Status In 2018
Published
6 years agoon
The word unicorn started trending in the beginning of 2018 and to define the term simply, it refers to startups which have a valuation of more than $ 1 billion. As this year comes to a close, here’s taking a look at all the different startups which entered the billion dollar club and earned themselves the unicorn status.
1. Zomato
Zomato, a food delivery and restaurant discovery startup based out of Gurugram, raised over $ 200 million in a funding round held in February 2018 and since then, there is no stopping the growth of this particular startup. With multiple rounds of investment from various areas, the valuation of Zomato increased by leaps and bounds and right now, toward the close of 2018, this particular food tech startup has an estimated valuation of $ 1.1 billion!
2. Oyo
Founded in the year 2013, service apartment provider Oyo entered the Unicorn Club in September by raising $ 1 billion from existing investor, SoftBank. Founded by Ritesh Agarwal, Oyo has grown so much over the years in the last five years that it is now extremely popular in places like India, China, west Asia, the UK and the UAE.
3. Byju’s
When Byju’s was initially founded, the startup barely had a major presence in India. However, through the years, Byju’s grew to become the next Indian startup to enter the Unicorn Club! Standing at a valuation of approximately $ 2 billion, Byju’s became the first startup in the edutech field in India to be valued at more than a billion dollars!
4. Paytm Mall
A subset of Paytm, Paytm Mall came to be in 2016 and with an investment of $ 450 million from existing investors, Paytm Mall is now valued at more than one billion dollars! Using the investments to improve their existing features and to better the customer experience, Paytm Mall will likely achieve $ 10 billion in merchandise volume. Furthermore, with the investment Paytm received, the app is looking at allowing customers to walk into offline stores, scan products through QR codes, go through information about the products and finally, purchase the product through the app.
5. Swiggy
Food delivery startup Swiggy raised $ 1 billion from Naspers and post that, the startup has grown to stand at a valuation of over 3.3 billion dollars! Not only is Swiggy the second food tech startup to enter the billion dollar club, it is also the fastest startup in India which grew to reach that place. The startup entered the Unicorn Club in just under four years, a feat which is truly commendable.
6. Freshworks
Based out of Chennai, Freshworks is a software as a service (SaaS) provider, which entered the billion dollar club in August this year. Freshworks entered the Unicorn Club post securing a $ 100 million investment from Sequoia Capital, Accel Partners and CapitalG!
With so many startups achieving the unicorn status through sheer hard work and dedication to innovation, the unicorn status is truly a coveted symbol to achieve. If you think we missed out on other startups in this field, comment and let us know!
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Flipkart Black Friday Sale: Discounts on iPhone 15, Galaxy S24, Moto G85, and More!
Published
2 weeks agoon
November 25, 2024Flipkart has officially announced the dates for its much-awaited Black Friday Sale, scheduled to run from November 24 to November 29, 2024. This shopping extravaganza promises massive discounts on popular smartphones and electronics, making it an excellent opportunity for tech enthusiasts to grab their favorite gadgets at reduced prices.
Massive Discounts on Smartphones
Here’s a look at some of the top deals revealed so far:
- iPhone 15: Priced at an effective ₹57,749, down from its launch price of ₹79,900—a significant reduction and a great deal for Apple fans.
- iPhone 15 Plus: Available at ₹65,999, offering a steep price drop without the need for additional bank offers.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Listed at ₹1,23,999, down from its original price of ₹1,59,999.
- Samsung Galaxy S24+: Available for ₹64,999, providing excellent value for those eyeing a flagship Android device.
- Google Pixel 9: Discounted to ₹71,999, from its initial price of ₹79,999.
- Samsung Galaxy S23: Promised to be on sale for ₹38,999, offering exceptional value in the premium segment.
- Moto G85: Receiving a ₹1,000 discount, bringing its price to ₹16,999.
- Moto Edge 50 Pro: Priced at ₹29,999, delivering significant savings.
- Vivo V30 Pro: Slashed to ₹33,999, down from its launch price of ₹41,999.
- CMF Phone 1: A budget-friendly option available for just ₹13,999.
Additional Smartphone Deals
Several other devices will also feature attractive discounts during the Flipkart Black Friday Sale, including:
- Moto Edge 50 Fusion
- Vivo T3 Ultra
- Nothing Phone 2a Plus
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Realme P1
- Vivo T3
- Realme 12X
- Moto Edge 50 Neo
Other Electronics on Sale
In addition to smartphones, Flipkart is expected to unveil deals on a range of electronic devices. Discounts are anticipated across various categories including:
- Laptops from brands like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo
- Wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers
- Accessories including earbuds and power banks
The full list of offers will be revealed soon, so keep an eye on Flipkart for updates.
Market Context
The Black Friday Sale is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events for tech enthusiasts this year. With festive sales contributing to an increase in consumer spending and interest in electronics, this sale provides an excellent opportunity for shoppers looking to upgrade their devices or purchase gifts ahead of the holiday season.
Anticipated Impact
The sale is expected to attract a large number of shoppers both online and offline. With discounts reaching up to 80% off on select items and additional bank offers available during the sale period, consumers can expect significant savings.
Conclusion
The Flipkart Black Friday Sale promises irresistible deals across various categories. Whether you’re looking for a new smartphone or other electronic gadgets, this sale offers a fantastic opportunity to make purchases at reduced prices. Don’t miss out on these limited-time offers from November 24 to November 29!
Latest News
Amazon Deepens Commitment to AI with $4 Billion Investment in Anthropic!
Published
2 weeks agoon
November 25, 2024Amazon has intensified its focus on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), committing an additional $4 billion to Anthropic, the San Francisco-based AI startup known for its chatbot, Claude. This new funding doubles Amazon’s previous investment in the company and is structured as convertible notes, with $1.3 billion set to be disbursed initially. The remainder will follow in phases, underscoring Amazon’s strategic approach to nurturing AI innovation.
Strategic Collaboration and Market Positioning
Despite its increased investment, Amazon remains a minority shareholder in Anthropic. The startup, co-founded by former OpenAI executives Dario and Daniela Amodei, is reportedly seeking additional funding from other investors, signaling heightened interest in its AI capabilities.
Amazon’s partnership with Anthropic positions it to compete with tech heavyweights like Microsoft and Google in the rapidly evolving GenAI space. Both companies have been introducing AI-driven tools for their cloud platforms, a domain where Amazon Web Services (AWS) plays a pivotal role. Anthropic utilizes AWS as a key distributor for its advanced AI models, further solidifying the alliance.
Competitive Landscape
The competition in the GenAI market has intensified since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022. Microsoft-backed OpenAI recently secured $6.6 billion in funding, pushing its valuation to an estimated $157 billion. Similarly, Anthropic has attracted significant attention, with Alphabet committing $500 million last year and pledging up to $1.5 billion more over time.
Leveraging Proprietary Technology
Anthropic plans to train and deploy its foundational AI models using Amazon’s Trainium and Inferentia chips. These proprietary processors are part of Amazon’s efforts to reduce reliance on external chipmakers like Nvidia, which currently dominates the market for high-performance AI processors.
Collaboration with Annapurna Labs
Amazon’s subsidiary, Annapurna Labs, is collaborating with Anthropic to develop cutting-edge chip technology, advancing both companies’ ambitions in the AI domain. This partnership aims to enhance computational efficiency and performance for training complex AI models.
Riding the Generative AI Wave
The surge in generative AI has sparked fierce competition among tech giants. Anthropic’s Claude has become core infrastructure for many organizations seeking reliable AI solutions at scale. Companies like Pfizer and Intuit are already leveraging Claude through AWS to improve operational efficiency and customer interactions.
Future Innovations
Amazon is reportedly developing its own foundational AI model, code-named “Olympus.” Although details remain under wraps, this initiative reflects Amazon’s broader commitment to cementing its leadership in the AI space.
Conclusion
The latest funding underscores the escalating investments by tech giants in GenAI as companies race to harness the transformative potential of AI technologies for both enterprise and consumer markets. With this substantial investment in Anthropic, Amazon not only strengthens its position within the competitive landscape but also enhances its technological capabilities through strategic partnerships aimed at fostering innovation in artificial intelligence. As both companies move forward, their collaboration is expected to yield significant advancements that could reshape various sectors reliant on AI technology.
Latest News
Vegapay and YES BANK Collaborate to Launch ‘Credit Line on UPI’
Published
2 weeks agoon
November 24, 2024Banking software innovator Vegapay has partnered with YES BANK, one of India’s leading private-sector banks, to introduce a groundbreaking ‘Credit Line on UPI’ platform. This initiative aims to revolutionize access to credit in India by leveraging the extensive reach of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Expanding Credit Access with UPI
Despite UPI’s rapid adoption—boasting over 350 million active users and processing 14 billion transactions monthly—formal credit access remains limited. Currently, only 15–20% of Indians have access to credit cards. The ‘Credit Line on UPI’ seeks to address this gap by offering seamless, flexible credit solutions to both new and existing customers.
Features of the Credit Line
Through the platform, YES BANK can customize credit offerings, including:
- Interest-free or interest-bearing options
- Flexible EMIs
- Tailored rules using an intuitive and user-friendly interface
This flexibility is designed to cater to a diverse customer base, allowing users to choose credit solutions that best fit their financial situations.
Industry Potential
With UPI transactions projected to grow by 57% annually through FY 2024 and UPI-linked credit products expected to exceed $50 billion by 2025, this collaboration is set to play a pivotal role in reshaping India’s credit landscape.
Market Growth Insights
Recent data indicates that UPI transactions reached a total value of ₹20.64 trillion in July 2024, reflecting a 45% year-on-year growth. The increasing volume of UPI transactions highlights the potential for integrating credit services directly into this widely used payment method.
Rajan Pental, Executive Director at YES BANK, emphasized the significance of the initiative:
“UPI reshaped India’s digital payments, yet extending formal credit remains a challenge. YES BANK processes one in every three digital transactions in India. With ‘Credit Line on UPI,’ we aim to lead the charge in building a credit-driven future for millions.”
Technology-Driven Financial Inclusion
The platform offers a customizable app and an intuitive dashboard, enabling banks to integrate it seamlessly into their existing systems. This efficiency minimizes the data required from customers, streamlining the credit process for both users and institutions.
Gaurav Mittal, CEO of Vegapay, highlighted the platform’s adaptability and scalability:
“We empower financial institutions to launch a Credit Line on UPI within weeks, enabling swift adaptation to market demands and supporting thousands of transactions per second.”
Enhancing User Experience
The integration of credit lines with UPI aims to simplify access to funds, allowing users to make purchases directly using their available credit without the need for separate applications or lengthy approval processes.
Industry Endorsements
Nalin Bansal, Chief of Fintechs at NPCI, praised the initiative:
“This partnership sets a new industry standard and exemplifies the transformative potential of UPI for driving financial inclusion. Vegapay and YES BANK’s efforts enhance the credit experience for both existing and new customers.”
Broader Implications
The collaboration is expected not only to improve access to credit but also to foster greater financial literacy among users as they engage with these new financial products.
Bridging the Credit Divide
By leveraging UPI’s massive reach and advanced technology, Vegapay and YES BANK aim to bridge India’s credit divide, fostering financial inclusion and empowering millions to access formal credit conveniently and efficiently. This initiative aligns with India’s broader goals of enhancing digital payment solutions while ensuring that financial services are accessible to all segments of society.
Conclusion
The introduction of ‘Credit Line on UPI’ marks a significant step towards integrating credit services within one of India’s most popular payment platforms. As Vegapay and YES BANK work together to implement this innovative solution, they are poised to transform how consumers access credit in India, thereby contributing to a more inclusive financial ecosystem.
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