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!
Bharti Airtel has launched the innovative “Airtel-Perplexity Blueprint,” partnering with Perplexity to provide over 360 million customers free access to Perplexity Pro for a year—a benefit valued at ₹17,000 ($200). This collaboration enables Airtel users across mobile, broadband, and digital TV to harness advanced capabilities in generative AI, including leading AI models like GPT 4.1, Claude, and Gemini, along with up to 300 Pro searches daily, image generation, document analysis, and personalized planning services. The move is seen as a milestone for telecom innovation and the democratization of AI in India, making powerful research and productivity tools accessible to a massive user base.
This strategic partnership positions Airtel as an “AI-first” telecom provider, allowing it to gain key insights into user interactions with artificial intelligence and adapt its networks for growing digital demands. For Perplexity, the tie-up grants exclusive access to India’s vast telecom audience, rapidly propelling the app to the No. 1 spot on the Indian App Store, surpassing global competitors like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Airtel customers can activate their complimentary subscription seamlessly through the Airtel Thanks App, under the Rewards and OTTs section, reinforcing Airtel’s commitment to digital customer empowerment.
The broader Indian startup ecosystem reflects both breakthrough innovation and hard-earned lessons, illustrated by the recent shutdown of Ohm Mobility, an EV financing startup. Despite multiple pivots and industry-leading investors, Ohm Mobility struggled to achieve a sustainable business model—a reminder of the challenges in market fit and adaptability. As AI adoption accelerates and startup realities evolve, industry leaders like Airtel and Perplexity are setting new standards, while others, like Ohm Mobility, offer valuable insights on resilience and the importance of business model flexibility in India’s dynamic tech landscape.
Tesla has ramped up its India expansion by leasing a 24,565 sq ft warehouse at Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai’s Kurla West. The five-year lease, registered on May 16, 2025, involves a total rent of over ₹24 crore, starting at ₹37.53 lakh per month with a 5% annual escalation. The facility includes two ground-floor units and 20 parking spots, with rent payments commencing June 1, 2025.
This warehouse will function as a key service center and garage for Tesla’s India operations, excluding bodywork and spray painting. The move supports Tesla’s preparations for its official market debut, expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
Tesla’s India rollout includes offices in Pune, flagship showrooms in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Delhi-NCR, and co-working spaces in Mumbai. The new warehouse lease highlights Tesla’s commitment to building a robust infrastructure for sales, service, and delivery of electric vehicles and energy products across India.
While manufacturing plans are not yet confirmed, Tesla is reportedly exploring sites in Maharashtra for a potential assembly unit. The Mumbai warehouse lease marks a significant step in Tesla’s strategy to establish a strong presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets.
MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has partnered with fintech leader Razorpay to support the growth of deeptech and emerging tech startups across India, with a special focus on those in Tier II and III cities. Through this collaboration, early-stage startups will gain access to Razorpay’s fintech infrastructure, mentorship, and resources via the Razorpay Rize program.
Startups in areas like AI, blockchain, robotics, and IoT will benefit from streamlined company incorporation support, expert mentorship, product credits, and guidance for applying to global accelerators such as Y Combinator. Selected founders will also join the exclusive Rize Community, connecting with peer networks and attending masterclasses.
MSH CEO Panneerselvam Madanagopal emphasized that this partnership will help founders scale faster by providing vital support in mentorship, capital access, and digital infrastructure. As India’s startup ecosystem surpasses 159,000 DPIIT-recognised startups, this initiative aims to give deeptech entrepreneurs the tools and networks needed to innovate for India and expand globally.