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Uber Confirms Billion Dollar Deal With SoftBank

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Uber Confirms Billion Dollar Deal With SoftBank,Startup Stories,Business Latest News 2017,Uber Confirms SoftBank Investment Deal,Former CEO and Founder Travis Kalanick,Chief Executive Officer of Softbank,Uber Seals Investment From SoftBank,Uber and SoftBank Latest News

Uber the cab hailing startup, confirmed the company will receive a huge investment from SoftBank and other investors in the coming months.  Dragoneer Investment Group will lead the consortium to invest $ 1 billion to $ 1.25 billion in Uber. The venture capital firm will also buy up to 17% of the existing shares from investors and employees in a secondary transaction.  This investment could help resolve the on going legal battle between former CEO and founder Travis Kalanick and early investor, Benchmark.

In a statement released by Uber, the company confirmed the agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment. “We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Uber’s long term potential. Upon closing, it will help fuel our investments in technology and our continued expansion at home and abroad, while strengthening our corporate governance,” the statement further said.

Although the Uber board approved this investment a month ago, negotiations stalled due to the ongoing legal battle between Travis Kalanick and Benchmark. TechCrunch reported this round of investment will be labeled as an extension of its last Series G round. Bloomberg reported Dragoneer Investment Group, General Atlantic and SoftBank will directly invest $ 1 billion into Uber. This investment round will value the company at $ 70 billion. Along with directly investing into Uber, SoftBank will also purchase up to $ 9 billion worth of stock from existing Uber shareholders. These shares will be brought through a process called the tender offer which can take up to a month to complete. 

However, if investors refuse to sell their stock or if SoftBank is unable to secure 14% of Uber’s stock, SoftBank will have the option to walk away from the deal. In an attempt to locate the majority of the investors, SoftBank plans to buy newspaper advertisements to help spread the word that the tender offer will be launched soon.

As a part of the deal, Uber has agreed to undergo a series of sweeping changes in its governance including measures that reduce the influence of Travis Kalanick and other leadership changes. With shareholders selling billions of dollars worth of shares, this investment deal is slated to be the largest secondary transaction in history. The current Chief Executive Officer of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi also said the company plans on going public by next year.

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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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