Stories
Yakult Unknown Facts
Yakult, the famous Japanese probiotic drink, is the perfect example of how an invention turned into a commercial success. Invented in 1936 by microbiologist Minoru Shirota, the product has gained popularity worldwide. The product is sold by Tokyo based Yakult Honsha, which is known for its innovative marketing ideas. The Company is now worth $ 10 billion, making it one of the biggest food companies in the world. Here are some unknown facts about Yakult.
Unknown facts about Yakult
1) The meaning of Yakult is yogurt. The word is derived from the word ‘jahurto,’ which means yogurt in Esperanto, a language created by L.L. Zamenhof in 1887.
2) Despite being a famous and successful brand, the bottle of Yakult is intentionally kept small by the Company. According to the Company, the reason behind such a small bottle size is, the drink is meant to be consumed immediately and not be stored for a long time.
3) Yakult Honsha employs women known as “Yakult Aunties,” who go from door to door, selling the Company’s products. As women channel natural empathy towards family, the Company prefers marketing their products this way, despite having means to other marketing strategies.
4) Apart from health drinks, Yakult Honsha also sells instant noodles, pharmaceuticals and beauty products, all of which are meant to fight cancer cells.
5) Yakult is available in the same flavor in every country except one. People in Singapore have access to three kinds of flavors—grape, apple and orange. Moreover, the size of the Yakult bottle also changes in different countries.
6) Yakult manufactures a moisturizer called Yakult PARABIO AC Moisturizing Cream, which is priced at $ 1,000 per bottle.
7) There are various types of Yakult sold exclusively in Japan, each meant for a different organ of the body. The Company’s Joie drink is intended to keep the large intestine healthy, while the regular version of Yakult is meant for protecting the small intestine.
Which of these unknown facts about Yakult surprised you the most? Comment below 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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