Connect with us

Latest News

Uber Board Votes For SoftBank Deal

Published

on

Uber Board Votes For SoftBank Deal,Startup Stories,2017 Latest Business News,Inspirational Stories 2017,Softbank investment deal,Uber CEO Travis Kalanick,Uber Latest News,Uber Votes to SoftBank Deal

The Board of Uber Technologies Inc., has announced that they will go ahead with the Softbank investment deal and thereby, curb the power of the former Chief Executive Officer, Travis Kalanick. The board, in an attempt to move past the months of strife, unanimously passed a series of measures to shore up corporate governance by bringing in major investor SoftBank.

The changes were adopted by all the 11 members of the board in an attempt to recover from a myriad of legal problems by stripping Kalanick and other early investors of their extra voting power. According to sources, Kalanick has agreed to the provisions which will partially weaken his power in the company and to pursue an initial public offering of Uber’s stock by the end of 2019. In a statement, the Uber board said the changes in the governance would strengthen its independence and ensure equality among all shareholders.

The changes in the company includes expanding the number of board seats to 17 from the existing 11. The 17 board members will comprise of three independent directors voted on by the board, including a chairperson and up to three seats for SoftBank, depending on the size of the investment. Sources also added the two directors appointed by Kalanick in a surprise move, Ursula Burns and John Thain, will also remain on the board. Meanwhile, shareholders will have the power of one vote per share which will effectively put an end to the voting power held by the early investors, including Benchmark.

This investment by SoftBank and others preserves Uber’s previous valuation of $ 69 billion, which is considered to be the highest among the world’s venture backed startups. “SoftBank’s interest is an incredible vote of confidence in Uber’s business and long-term potential,” Uber board added in the statement. SoftBank will be investing close to $ 1.25 billion in the company and will also be spending $ 10 billion to buy shares from existing investors. This round of investment is a collaboration between Dragoneer Investment Group and Tencent Holdings.

In another separate statement, Kalanick added the decision taken by the board is a major step forward in Uber’s journey to becoming a world class public company. “We approved moving forward with the Softbank transaction and reached  (an) unanimous agreement on a new governance framework that will serve Uber well. Under Dara’s leadership and with strong guidance from the Board, we should expect great things ahead for Uber,” he added.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

CoRover Unveils BharatGPT Mini: India’s First Offline Multilingual AI

Published

on

BharatGPT

CoRover has launched BharatGPT Mini, India’s first offline multilingual AI model, at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, with the event officiated by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. This innovative Small Language Model (SLM), featuring around 534 million parameters, is specifically designed for edge devices and low-compute environments, enabling robust AI capabilities without the need for cloud connectivity. Its ability to function entirely offline and support 14 Indic languages makes it a powerful tool for digital inclusion, particularly in rural and remote regions where internet access is limited.

BharatGPT Mini’s architecture is optimized for deployment across various sectors, including healthcare, education, banking, and governance, allowing citizens to interact with essential services in their native languages. The model can be integrated into small businesses, government offices, and other organizations through the CoRover Builder platform, which offers a no-code solution for deploying AI assistants across web, telephony, and IoT systems. By processing data locally and encrypting it on-device, BharatGPT Mini ensures strong privacy and data sovereignty, aligning with India’s strategic goal of developing indigenous AI solutions. 

The launch has garnered strong support from both the Indian government and industry leaders, who see BharatGPT Mini as a catalyst for democratizing access to digital services. CoRover anticipates significant growth in the adoption of Small Language Models, with early feedback indicating a substantial increase in project demand. As CoRover looks to expand its expertise globally, BharatGPT Mini stands out as a scalable, multilingual, and privacy-centric solution, setting a new standard for inclusive and sovereign AI innovation in India’s diverse landscape.

Continue Reading

Latest News

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Latest News

New Instagram Features Let Users Customize Profiles and Share Quietly

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement