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SoftBank Looking To Merge Ola And Uber?
After selling it’s South Asian Business to Grab, global ride hailing startup Uber may reportedly merge with the Bengaluru based cab aggregator Ola with SoftBank playing the role of a matchmaker.
According to sources close to the development, Japanese investment giant SoftBank, called for a merger between the two startups and the final details would be revealed during the coming months. Reuters reported, executives from Uber and Ola met at least twice over the last 12 months, the most recent being Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s visit to India in February.
However, before news surfaced regarding the merger, Khosrowshahi claimed the company was a 100% committed to the Indian market. “We continue to make aggressive strides in India and we consider India as one of our forts. How we perform as a company after 10 years very much depends on our success in India,” he added. But if the company is planning to go public in 2019, it is essential for the company to curb its losses.
While both the spokespersons for Uber and SoftBank declined to comment about this development, an Ola spokesperson said in a statement, “In India’s transformative digital journey, Ola will always be an active and integral part for decades to come. SoftBank and all other investors are committed in realising this ambition.”
The Business Standard reported SoftBank is in favor of an acquisition but both the companies are looking at having a controlling stake in the combined entity. As per a report by Counterpoint Research, Uber, which currently operates in 30 Indian cities has more than 35% share of the taxi market. Ola, on the other hand, has more than 45% market share, operating in 110 cities.
Speaking about a potential merger in the Indian market, Dara Khosrowshahi remained cryptic and said, “We will look at any deals that can add value to its partners and shareholders, but we believe in controlling our own destiny in India.” Currently, India is among Uber’s top three markets following the United States of America and Latin America, accounting for 10 percent of its trips globally.
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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