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Google To Be A Part Of Walmart – Flipkart Deal

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Google To Be Part Of Walmart Flipkart Deal,Startup Stories,2018 Latest Business News,Startup News India,Google Participate in Flipkart Walmart Deal,Google Job Search Feature,Google Parent Company Alphabet,Walmart Flipkart Business Deal

The homegrown ecommerce site Flipkart garnered a lot of attention in the form of investments from international venture capital firms and conglomerates. The latest company in line to invest in the ecommerce startup is Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc.

According to a report by The Economic Times, people close to the matter said Alphabet Inc., would probably invest $1 billion to $ 2 billion in Flipkart post Walmart’s investment. This marks the second time Walmart would be partnering with Google. In 2017, the global retail giant partnered with the technology firm, to sell Walmart’s products on Google Express, the tech giant’s online mall which also offered personalized voice shopping for Walmart products online.

Walmart is looking to buy a 51% stake in Flipkart by the end of next week in an attempt to open another front in its escalating war with Amazon. Reports suggest Flipkart’s co founder Binny Bansal may also exit the company after the acquisition which is estimated to be at a valuation of $20 billion. Binny Bansal currently claims to own around 5.5% stake in the company he helped found 11 years ago. Sachin Bansal, on the other hand, will reportedly sell his stakes but hang around the firm in some yet to be specified role.

Along with the founders, the existing investors such as China’s Tencent Holdings and the US based Tiger Global Management will also partially exit the ecommerce firm post the initial round of investment. The Japanese major SoftBank which owns a 20.8% stake in the company may completely exit the firm during the first phase of investment, sources added. Accel Partners, South African media conglomerate Naspers and US based online marketplace eBay are the other significant shareholders of Flipkart.

Google has been on an India centric approach off late, introducing various portfolio products designed specifically for the Indian audience. The technology firm recently launched Google Home and Home Mini for the Indian market followed by Google Job Search feature. Google’s India strategy also includes the rolling out products such as smart speakers, premium laptop Pixelbook and intelligent home automation products. Reports also suggested the company is looking to make a mid range smartphone especially for markets such as India. According to Morgan Stanley, the Indian ecommerce market is expected to touch a market capitalization of $200 billion by 2026. This investment in Flipkart by Google would mark the tech firm’s foray into Indian ecommerce industry.

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Imarticus Learning Acquires MyCaptain for INR 50 Crore to Boost Non-Tech Upskilling

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My Captain

Imarticus Learning, an IPO-bound professional education firm, has acquired Bengaluru-based edtech platform MyCaptain for INR 50 crore in a cash-and-stock deal. This marks Imarticus’s fourth acquisition in four years and is aimed at expanding its presence in non-tech career training, especially across India’s Tier-II and Tier-III cities. MyCaptain, which has over 500,000 learners and a revenue of ₹27 crore for FY25, specializes in creative and entrepreneurial fields, with 60% of its users from smaller cities.

 

With this acquisition, Imarticus will bring MyCaptain’s employability bootcamps in digital marketing, design, and content to its 20+ classroom centers in 16 cities, blending online and offline learning. MyCaptain will operate as a fully-owned subsidiary, and all 250 of its employees will join Imarticus, expanding the combined workforce to over 850. The move supports Imarticus’s goal to reach five million learners by FY28 and deepen its offerings in non-tech domains.

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Kingdom of Innovation: Saudi Arabia Tops Global Startup Growth Rankings for 2025

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Saudi Arabia has been named the fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world in the 2025 StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index, with a growth rate exceeding 200%—the only country in the global top 100 to achieve this milestone. This surge has earned the Kingdom the “Country of the Year” title, highlighting its transformation into a global innovation leader.

The report ranks 110 countries and 1,400 cities, with three Saudi cities—led by Riyadh—making the global top 1,000. Riyadh entered the world’s top 100 startup cities, posting a 134% growth rate, and solidifying its role as a regional tech hub.

Saudi Arabia now leads globally in HealthTech, nanotechnology, and transport tech, and ranks among the top in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, logistics, and gaming. The Kingdom’s rapid progress is fueled by Vision 2030, robust government support, and record venture capital investment, making it the most funded VC market in MENA.

Startups such as Tabby, Tamara, and Jahez exemplify this momentum, as Saudi Arabia emerges as a top destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

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SC Grants Relief to Paytm’s First Games, Stays Massive GST Notice

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StartupStories

The Supreme Court of India has granted interim relief to Paytm’s gaming arm, First Games, by staying proceedings on a ₹5,712 crore GST notice issued by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). The notice, sent in April 2025, demanded GST for the period January 2018 to March 2023, based on the department’s view that 28% GST should be levied on the total entry amount, rather than the 18% GST currently paid on platform fees.

First Games challenged the notice in the Supreme Court, which on May 23, 2025, ordered a stay on all further proceedings until a final decision is reached. The dispute is part of a broader industry-wide debate over the correct GST treatment for real money gaming platforms, with similar cases pending before the court. Following the stay, Paytm shares rose nearly 2% in early trading, reflecting investor optimism.

The Supreme Court’s order provides temporary relief to First Games and signals ongoing judicial scrutiny of GST demands across India’s online gaming sector.

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