Entrepreneur Stories
Uber: Unknown Facts About The Ride Sharing App
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!
A decade ago, the success of a startup was measured largely by its ability to raise capital. Today, a different metric is gaining importance: the ability to generate meaningful exits for investors. Large stake sales by early backers are becoming increasingly common, not because growth opportunities have disappeared, but because India’s startup ecosystem is entering a more mature phase where capital is expected to complete its full cycle from investment to returns.
This evolution is particularly significant for consumer brands that have successfully blended technology, retail, and strong brand-building. Companies that were once viewed as high-risk startup bets are now attracting institutional investors capable of absorbing large transactions. Such developments indicate that these businesses are no longer being valued solely on future potential; they are increasingly being assessed on operational performance, market leadership, and long-term profitability. In many ways, investor exits are becoming a validation of a company’s ability to create lasting enterprise value.
The broader implication extends beyond a single company or investor. Successful exits encourage more global capital to enter India’s startup ecosystem because they demonstrate that liquidity opportunities exist at scale. As more venture-backed companies approach public listings, secondary transactions, or strategic investments, the focus of founders and investors alike may shift from chasing headline valuations to building durable businesses. The next chapter of India’s startup journey will likely be defined not just by the creation of unicorns, but by the creation of companies capable of delivering sustained returns to all stakeholders.
Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Air with M5 chip, starting at $999 for 13-inch and $1,299 for 15-inch models. The MacBook Air M5 boasts a 2nm M5 chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 50 TOPS Neural Engine for seamless AI tasks like real-time translation and 8K editing. Up to 22 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5, and Wi-Fi 7 make it the ultimate ultraportable, now 10% thinner at 0.44 inches with fanless cooling.
Key MacBook Air M5 features include Liquid Retina XDR display (500 nits, nano-texture option), 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker Spatial Audio. Colors like new Sky Blue join Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders are live today, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 enhancing Apple Intelligence and iPhone Continuity for students, pros, and remote workers.
Why buy MacBook Air M5 now? It outpaces Snapdragon X Elite rivals with ecosystem magic and future-proof performance, eyeing top 2026 laptop sales. CEO Tim Cook calls it “more capable than ever.” Visit apple.com for M5 MacBook deals and specs.
Delhi NCR-based gaming startup Zupee has acquired Mumbai-based microdrama platform Vertical TV in a deal valued under INR 40 Cr. This move strengthens Zupee Studio, its short-video arm launched in September 2025, by integrating Vertical TV’s expertise in bite-sized dramas like romance and thrillers.
Facing challenges from India’s 2025 real-money gaming ban, Zupee valued at $1 Bn after raising $120 Mn has pivoted to non-gaming content, including recent layoffs of 40% of its workforce. The acquisition builds on its November 2025 purchase of Australian AI firm Nucanon for interactive storytelling, targeting its 200 Mn+ users with engaging, mobile-first formats.
This deal underscores the rising microdrama trend in India, helping Zupee diversify amid regulatory pressures and compete in the short-video space dominated by quick, shareable content for on-the-go audiences.
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