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Ola Launches Internal Investigation For Fraud

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Ola Launches Internal Investigation For Fraud,Startup Stories,2018 Latest Business News,Startup News India 2018,India Biggest Cab Aggregator Ola Latest News,Ola Internal Investigation Against HR and Admin,Fraud Allegations Shake Ola,Ola Executive Fraud to Millions of Dollars,Ola Recruitment Fraud

Ola, India’s biggest cab aggregator, launched an internal investigation against Human Resources Head and Chief Administrative Officer Yugantar Saikia. According to sources, the fraud amounts to millions of dollars and the investigation will include a review of nearly 1000 employees Saikia has hired. The cab aggregator company also hired one of the ‘Big Four’ audit firms to lead the internal probe and help with the investigation.

FactorDaily first reported, Saikia allegedly favored certain vendors and accepted kickbacks from them in return. Sources further claimed, Saikia’s laptop, documents and several other items have been seized for the investigation and he has been asked not to report for work. However, Saikia told FactorDaily he had not been “notified” about any such action by the company.

The report further claims, Saikia received kickbacks from employment agency as well and the fraud must have been going on for at least 2 years. According to one person cited in FactorDaily, “ I estimate annual monies (sic) earned through recruitment alone to be at least Rs. 5-6 crores. And, this is just the fee paid to an outfit created for the purpose.

Another source added, “An investigation is ongoing, the scope of the fraud goes beyond just recruitment, it includes procurement, administration and IT.” As a part of this cleanup, a review and overhaul of processes are also underway. Ola’s spokesperson confirmed the latest development and said, “There is an internal investigation which is currently on and one cannot give further details at the moment.

Saikia, who was one of cofounder Bhavish Aggarwal’s key executives at the company, has already quit the firm and his last day was supposed to be the end of March. Saikia joined Ola in February 2015 to head the Human Resources department. Since then, Ola has raised over $2 billion in fresh funding and grown its fleet seventeen times to 700,000 vehicles including auto rickshaws.

Founded in 2011 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola currently has a user base of 125 million across 110 cities in India and employees over 6000 people now.

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Funding

Agritech Startup Gramik Raises INR 17 Crore to Expand Rural Commerce in India

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StartupStories
  • Gramik, a Lucknow-based agritech startup, has secured INR 17 crore in a bridge funding round ahead of its upcoming INR 56 crore Series A raise.
  • The funding round included investments via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs).
  • Key investors include Sammaan Global Ventures, Money Creeper Investment, and prominent angels such as Balram Yadav (MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet), Gev Aryaton, Irfan Alam, Nikhil Bhagat, and Salvia Siddiqui.

Gramik’s Unique Peer Commerce Model

  • Founded in 2021 by Raj Yadav, Gramik empowers over 120 million small and marginal farmers in India through a technology-driven rural commerce platform.
  • The startup operates a dual-channel distribution network using Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and rural retailers to deliver high-quality agri-inputs to remote areas.
  • Gramik’s full-stack platform offers demand aggregation, logistics, embedded credit, and agronomy services, ensuring last-mile delivery and support for farmers.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

  • Gramik currently operates in 12 districts, with 1,200+ active VLEs and 250+ rural retail partners, and plans to expand to 3,000 VLEs and reach 1 million+ farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu.
  • The new funds will be used to expand Gramik’s private-label products, enhance agronomy-led farmer engagement, and scale operations in key states.
  • With a strong focus on supply chain efficiency, technology, and farmer advisory services, Gramik aims to become a leader in India’s $50 billion agri-input and rural commerce market.
  • Backed by previous seed funding of over INR 25 crore, Gramik is set to drive innovation and inclusive growth for rural communities.

 

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Reliance Jio Platforms Puts $100 Billion IPO on Hold to Focus on Growth

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Reliance Jio Platforms, the digital and telecom powerhouse led by Mukesh Ambani, has decided to postpone its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), shelving plans for a 2025 listing. The IPO, which analysts valued at over $100 billion and expected to be India’s largest-ever stock market debut, will not take place this year. The company has yet to appoint bankers for the process, signaling that preparations for the public offering have not started in earnest.

According to sources close to the matter, Jio Platforms wants to give its business more time to grow before going public. The company is focusing on boosting revenues, expanding its telecom subscriber base, and scaling up its digital services—including apps, connected devices, and AI solutions—so it can achieve a higher valuation when the IPO eventually happens. Nearly 80% of Jio Platforms’ $17.6 billion annual revenue currently comes from its telecom business, Reliance Jio Infocomm, but the company is investing heavily in new digital ventures and partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia on AI infrastructure.

The news of the delay impacted the market, with shares of parent company Reliance Industries falling by up to 1.8% following the announcement. Despite a strong IPO environment in India, Jio’s move is seen as a strategic decision to ensure stronger business fundamentals and a higher valuation before entering the public markets. Major investors, including Google and Meta, are said to support the decision, viewing it as a step toward long-term value creation.

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Starlink Receives Final Regulatory Approval to Launch Satellite Internet in India

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Starlink - StartupStories

Elon Musk’s Starlink has received the final regulatory green light to launch its satellite internet services in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital connectivity. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) granted Starlink the crucial approval, making it the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio to secure full regulatory clearance for satellite broadband in India.

What Does This Mean for India?

  • Starlink can now move forward with commercial satellite broadband operations, aiming to bring high-speed internet to both urban and remote regions where traditional connectivity is limited or unavailable.
  • The approval allows Starlink to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation over Indian territory, using a mix of Ka and Ku band frequencies for reliable internet access.
  • The license is valid until July 7, 2030, giving Starlink five years to establish and grow its presence in the Indian market.

What’s Next for Starlink?

Before launching services, Starlink must:

  • Acquire satellite spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
  • Set up ground infrastructure such as gateway stations across the country
  • Complete security and compliance trials as required by Indian authorities

If all goes according to plan, Starlink’s commercial rollout could begin by late 2025 or early 2026.

Pricing and Partnerships

  • Starlink kits are expected to cost around ₹33,000, with monthly subscription fees likely ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹4,200.
  • The hardware and services will be distributed through major telecom partners like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, expanding Starlink’s reach across India36.
  • These rates are similar to those in neighboring countries where Starlink has already launched.

Why Is This Important?

  • Starlink’s entry is set to transform India’s internet landscape, especially for rural and underserved communities.
  • The move supports India’s broader goal of expanding digital access and bridging the connectivity gap across diverse regions.

In Summary

With this final approval, Starlink is poised to revolutionize satellite internet in India, offering new options for millions of users and supporting the country’s digital future. The next steps involve spectrum allocation, infrastructure setup, and regulatory compliance—after which Starlink aims to go live, potentially as soon as the end of 2025.

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