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Uber: Unknown Facts About The Ride Sharing App

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Uber, the ride sharing app that lets you book a cab with just the tap of a button, had a very humble beginning.  Founded by a college dropout, Travis Kalanick, who dreamed of making it big in the world, the app now has a presence in 195 countries!  While there are a lot of things one knows about this startup, there is still a lot to discover. Check out these lesser known facts about Uber here!

1. An iPhone for every driver

In an attempt to unify the drivers with one type of device, the company equipped all its drivers with an iPhone.  Through this phone, the drivers can track and contact users who have booked a ride. However, the phone is locked for personal use and is made available only for people employed by Uber!

2. Uber had a different name when it started

Did you know  when Travis first brought Uber to the public, it had a different name?  Uber was initially called Ubercab. However, the company was issued with a cease and desist order as Travis was operating the company that offered a cab service, without having the required license to do so.  Incidentally, this name change proved to be a blessing in disguise, propelling Uber into a massive superpower!

3. Uber used its equity for its URL

Uber’s unique trademark URL, Uber.com, wasn’t achieved the normal way.  Travis and his team had to trade Uber’s equity to get control of this website and boy, did it work in their favour!  This move came to be after the cease and desist order against Ubercab. However, over the course of time, Travis eventually bought back the 2 % stake for a whopping $ 1 million!

4. Uber cabs can’t be more than 10 years old

Every cab used by Uber drivers has to be no less than 10 years old.  Every car gets upgraded the moment it reaches that ten year mark, making sure all the cabs are in perfect condition when on the road.  Furthermore, all the cars used by Uber are required to have four doors and no less!

5. Uber has four types of drivers

Uber hires and classifies its drivers according to their experience.  Currently, there are four types of drivers on Uber’s roster: Pros, Enthusiasts, Crossovers and Part Time.  In some cases, when inspections of other cabs are carried, the drivers on the top of the chain are the ones who carry out these surveys and checks.

6. Tips are not a part of the bill

Riders are not allowed to tip the drivers.  In fact, as of 2016, drivers were not allowed to say the word “tip” while talking to a customer!  According to the hiring policy, Uber drivers keep 80 % of the money they make while only 20 % goes back to the company.  This ensures equal pay between both the drivers and the parent company, leaving no room for the requirement of tips.

7. Uber drivers are forced to take selfies

While facial recognition software is often used to confirm a driver’s identity, some Uber drivers are forced to take selfies.  Using a tool called Real Time ID check, the cab service Company forces some of its drivers to take a selfie as proof of their identity.  Did you know certain drivers are rejected because of how they look in their pictures alone? Talk about bad lighting!

If you think we missed out on any other facts about Uber, comment and let us know!

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Entrepreneur Stories

PixelSky Capital Unveils INR 400 Crore Secondaries Fund

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Bengaluru-based investment bank IndigoEdge, in partnership with entrepreneur Hitesh Ahuja, has launched PixelSky Capital, a secondaries fund targeting INR 400 crore. The fund will invest in eight late-stage tech and consumer companies expected to go public within three to four years, with cheque sizes of INR 40–50 crore each. PixelSky has already invested in beauty retailer Purplle and aims to close a second deal by June 2025.

 

The fund focuses on secondary transactions, allowing existing shareholders to sell stakes to new investors, providing liquidity ahead of IPOs. Founders have committed INR 10–15 crore, with additional capital coming from domestic family offices and startup founders. Final close is expected by March 2026.

 

Led by Hitesh Ahuja, who sold his foodtech startup Yumlane in 2023, and IndigoEdge cofounder Zerin Rahiman, PixelSky marks IndigoEdge’s expansion from advisory and proprietary investments into fund management. The firm has facilitated over 150 transactions worth around $3 billion and invested INR 25–30 crore as a limited partner in multiple VC funds. PixelSky is currently evaluating about 20 companies before finalizing its portfolio

 

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Meta’s Upcoming AR Glasses: A Sneak Peek

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Meta is developing its first true AR glasses, set to launch in 2027. Before the public release, employees will test the device starting in 2024. The company is also releasing new generations of Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2023 and 2025 with enhanced features like a “viewfinder” display.

Specifications and Features

The AR glasses are expected to feature OLED displays and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, offering sophisticated AR and AI capabilities. They will enable users to interact with virtual objects and project high-quality holograms of avatars onto the real world.

Design and Competition

Meta aims for a sleek design, potentially building on its Ray-Ban partnerships. The AR glasses market is competitive, with Apple and Google also investing heavily. Meta seeks to make its AR glasses a game-changer by offering a unique user experience.

Future Plans

In addition to AR glasses, Meta is expanding its VR offerings with new headsets like the Quest 3 and exploring other wearable technologies. The company is focused on reducing costs to make the AR glasses more consumer-friendly by launch.

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From Digital Wallet to Stock Market: MobiKwik Expands Its Horizons with New Brokerage Venture

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From Digital Wallet to Stock Market: MobiKwik Expands Its Horizons with New Brokerage Venture

MobiKwik is venturing into the stock broking sector with the launch of its subsidiary, MobiKwik Securities Broking Private Limited (MSBPL), following approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on March 3, 2025. This move aims to diversify MobiKwik’s offerings beyond its core digital payments services and compete with established players like Zerodha and Groww.

MSBPL will provide a range of brokerage services, including trading in shares, securities, commodities, and derivatives. The subsidiary has an initial capital of Rs 1 lakh, with plans for an additional Rs 2 crore investment to support its operations.

As MobiKwik enters this competitive market, it brings a substantial user base of 172 million and a merchant network of 5 million. Despite recent financial challenges, including a reported loss of Rs 55.2 crore in Q3 FY25, the company aims to leverage its existing infrastructure and user engagement to capture a share of the growing investment technology market, projected to reach $74 billion by 2030.

This strategic expansion aligns with MobiKwik’s broader goals of enhancing its financial service

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