Entrepreneur Stories
The Grand Nokia Comeback
Despite the grand acquisition of Nokia by Microsoft in 2013, there were strong rumours flying around about Nokia’s disappearance. However, the close of 2016 saw something truly magical happening. Different companies around the world were rooting for a comeback by Nokia. With almost all the acquisition money down the drain and over 500 employees being laid off, Microsoft selling Nokia to HMD Global didn’t come as a surprise.
Why Nokia failed in the past
There were several reasons as to why Nokia wasn’t at the top between the years 2013 and 2016. Firstly, the world started thinking of Nokia phones as ancient products, without a modern touch. Secondly, Nokia just failed to catch up to the smartphone revolution and stalled in terms of producing innovative phones. Third, the Nokia and Microsoft acquisition just wasn’t working the way it was supposed to, a move which resulted in the complete stagnation of Nokia’s growth.
When HMD Global decided to remake Nokia into a world superpower, there was one goal: to imagine Nokia as the leader not just now, but in the year 2020 as well! The iconic Mobile World Congress conference in 2016, saw HMD position Nokia not just among the top three brands, but at the top of the chain by promising a series of new and innovative phones. Shortly after, the Company launched the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6. Not only did they launch these three new phones, Nokia also launched the improved and refurbished version of the Nokia 3310. The launch of the Nokia 3310 in the form of a smartphone was a welcome addition because back in the good old days, this was one of the most widely used Nokia phones.
Picture credits: Quora.com
The journey to a bright future
While the new phones and tablets may have been the start of Nokia’s rise from the ashes, it was the marketing strategy employed by HMD which put the Company back on the map. With over 400 distributors present in more than 300 cities across the world, HMD made sure Nokia surpassed all its competition and almost regained its former glory.
Picture credits: Quikr.com
However, despite selling more than 4.4 million phones in the last quarter of 2018, the Company still struggled to stay afloat. While the Nokia 8 was like rain on a drought filled day, it wasn’t enough to satiate everyone’s growing hunger. The answer to the growing need for innovation? The Nokia 9! Two years after being bought by HMD Global, Nokia made not one, but several strategic changes like onboarding new distributors, changing its marketing game and making phones which were easily affordable by everyone!
With a series of phones which aren’t just affordable, but also infused with innovation and technology, Nokia has already managed to beat one of its primary competitors: HTC! With the Nokia 9 coming out soon, it is going to be interesting to see where the future of this Company lies!
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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