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Google To Be A Part Of Walmart – Flipkart 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.
Bengaluru, January 13, 2026 Dazzl, the D2C beauty startup revolutionizing AI personalized skincare India, secured $3.2 million in seed funding led by OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal’s venture arm. Co-investors include Snapdeal’s Rohit Bansal and Fireside Ventures, valuing Dazzl at $15 million post-money. Founded in 2024 by IIT alumni Priya Singh and Arjun Mehta, the app uses smartphone scans for custom serums, boasting 50,000+ users and ₹5 crore ARR amid India’s $25 billion beauty market surge.
Ritesh Agarwal praised Dazzl’s tech: “Personalization is beauty’s future, like OYO’s guest model.” Funds target R&D for 100+ skin profiles, Gujarat manufacturing under PLI, Instagram/Nykaa campaigns, and 50 hires. In a 20% YoY growing sector (Redseer 2025), Dazzl edges Mamaearth and Plum with 95% AI precision, 90% natural formulas, ₹499 kits, 65% retention (vs. 40% avg), and viral TikTok traction in 10 cities.
D2C beauty startup Dazzl tackles regulations via FSSAI compliance, eyeing $10B e-commerce beauty by 2028 and MENA exports. Q2 haircare launches and Series A loom, with Agarwal’s backing signaling unicorn potential for sustainable beauty products India. Dazzl blends AI with clean beauty for 500M+ consumers.
Google has launched the Google Startup Hub Hyderabad, a major step in strengthening India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. This new initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers by giving them access to Google’s global expertise, mentoring programs, and advanced cloud technology. The hub reflects Google’s mission to fuel India’s digital transformation and promote innovation through the Google for Startups program.
Located in the heart of one of India’s top tech cities, the Google Startup Hub in Hyderabad will host mentorship sessions, training workshops, and networking events designed for early-stage startups. Founders will receive Google Cloud credits, expert guidance in AI, product development, and business scaling, and opportunities to collaborate with Google’s global mentors and investors. This ecosystem aims to help Indian startups grow faster and compete globally.
With Hyderabad already home to tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, the launch of the Google Startup Hub Hyderabad further cements the city’s position as a leading innovation and technology hub in India. Backed by a strong talent pool and robust infrastructure, this hub is set to become a growth engine for next-generation startups, driving innovation from India to global markets.
BMW quietly debuted its new logo on the all-electric iX3, marking a significant yet understated shift in the brand’s design direction for 2025. The updated emblem retains the classic roundel and Bavarian blue-and-white colors, but sharp-eyed enthusiasts noticed subtle refinements: the inner chrome ring has been removed, dividing lines between blue and white are gone, and the logo now features a contemporary satin matte black background with slimmer “BMW” lettering. These enhancements showcase BMW’s embrace of modern minimalism while reinforcing their commitment to premium aesthetics and the innovative Neue Klasse philosophy for future electric vehicles.
Unlike rival automakers that reveal dramatic logo changes, BMW’s refresh is evolutionary and respectful of tradition. The new badge ditches decorative chrome and blue borders associated with earlier electric models, resulting in a flatter, more digital-friendly design that mirrors recent branding seen in BMW’s digital communications. Appearing first on the iX3’s nose, steering wheel, and hub caps, this updated identity will gradually be adopted across all BMW models—both electric and combustion—signaling a unified brand language for years to come.
BMW’s strategic logo update represents more than just aesthetic reinvention—it underscores the brand’s dedication to future-ready mobility, design continuity, and a premium EV experience. As the new roundel begins rolling out on upcoming BMW vehicles, it stands as a testament to the automaker’s depth of detail and thoughtful evolution, offering subtle distinction for keen observers and affirming BMW’s iconic status in the ever-changing automotive landscape.
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