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Uber May Raise Funds From SoftBank, Didi Chuxing And Others
Uber Technologies Inc., the global taxi aggregator, may raise as much as $ 12 billion in funding from SoftBank Group Corp., and Didi Chuxing, along with U.S. equity firms Dragoneer Investment Group and General Atlantic.
Bloomberg reported, Uber’s exclusive talks with the four investors for a potential investment hangs on the outcome of a courtroom brawl between two board members. According to the reports, along with the four investors, China’s Internet conglomerate Tencent Holdings Ltd., has also explored the possibility of contributing funds to the round and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., will be advising Uber on the potential transaction.
The deal, as per people familiar with the development, will consist of 2 components. The first component will allow a fresh investment of $ 1 billion to $ 1.5 billion in the company at the same valuation from last year. The second component is a share buyback plan that will allow a set of its current shareholders to exit at a lower price than the current valuation. The second component of the deal will allow investors to spend $ 2 billion to $ 10 billion buying out shareholders’ stock, depending on the demand from sellers. This exclusive agreement between Uber and the investors temporarily bars other investors from swooping into the agreement.
Talks regarding Uber selling some of their shares to SoftBank Group Corp., and other potential investors were reported last month when SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son said he was interested in investing in ride hailing firms Uber and Lyft.
The deal, which is currently in the due diligence period, could value the San Francisco headquartered company at $ 70 billion. The final decision of the transaction hangs on Uber’s ability to resolve an ongoing fight between two of the company’s largest shareholders and most influential board members. Uber, SoftBank, Didi, General Atlantic, Goldman Sachs, Dragoneer and Tencent have declined to comment.
Currently, former CEO of Uber Travis Kalanick is fighting a lawsuit against early investor, venture capital firm Benchmark for defrauding investors and withholding information from the directors. Although Kalanick has denied the allegations, the lawsuit poses major complications to the deal with regards to whether Kalanick would relinquish his seat or the two empty ones under his control or whether new seats would have to be created.
The company has also been looking for a new chief executive officer since Kalanick stepped down from the post in June this year in the face of mounting pressure from investors.
OpenAI’s introduction of trusted contact safeguards for potential self-harm cases reflects a major evolution in AI responsibility.
Beyond Moderation
AI safety is shifting from simply blocking harmful content to actively supporting user wellbeing through:
- early risk detection
- human-centered intervention
- stronger emotional safety frameworks
This positions AI as more than an information tool—it becomes part of broader digital support systems.
Key Industry Impact
Trusted contact models could influence future safety standards across:
- AI assistants
- mental health platforms
- social media
- digital health services
The Bigger Challenge
While promising, success depends on balancing:
- privacy
- consent
- ethical intervention
- user trust
Final Take
This move signals that the future of AI safety may rely not just on preventing harmful responses, but on building more responsible, human-connected support systems.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
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