Peerzada Abrar
 "Peerzada Abrar")
Peerzada Abrar
Peerzada Abrar is a technology and business reporter at Business Standard. He covers the intersection of technology, AI, business, and society and its impact on our lives. This includes tracking top tech firms and startups. He joined Business Standard in 2019, after having worked at The Economic Times and The Hindu. There, he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including startups, new technologies, venture capital, and private equity. A storyteller at heart, he is captivated by the potential of innovation to address global challenges. His narrative spans from resilient communities combating epidemics and natural disasters to groundbreaking initiatives that empower the underserved and transform humanitarian landscapes.
Peerzada Abrar is a technology and business reporter at Business Standard. He covers the intersection of technology, AI, business, and society and its impact on our lives. This includes tracking top tech firms and startups. He joined Business Standard in 2019, after having worked at The Economic Times and The Hindu. There, he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including startups, new technologies, venture capital, and private equity. A storyteller at heart, he is captivated by the potential of innovation to address global challenges. His narrative spans from resilient communities combating epidemics and natural disasters to groundbreaking initiatives that empower the underserved and transform humanitarian landscapes.
Peerzada Abrar
Lightspeed leads $23 mn funding in Emergent AI app-building platform
AI startup Emergent raises $23 million Series A led by Lightspeed as platform hits $15 million ARR in 90 days with 1.5 million apps built from natural language prompts
 "Lightspeed leads $23 mn funding in Emergent AI app-building platform")
Flipkart reports 21% rise in user visits during Big Billion Days sale
Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale recorded 21 per cent growth in visits, 26 per cent surge in premium demand and strong Cleartrip bookings as festive shopping gained pace
 "Flipkart reports 21% rise in user visits during Big Billion Days sale")
Meesho, Shopsy see festive sales boom as smaller cities drive demand
Meesho recorded 240 million visits and Shopsy saw 70% of orders from tier-3 towns as India's festive e-commerce battle shifts to smaller cities and value shoppers
 "Meesho, Shopsy see festive sales boom as smaller cities drive demand")
Flipkart, Amazon race in premium ecommerce with iPhones, fast delivery
Flipkart, Amazon and Bigbasket reported record festive sales of iPhones and premium devices, with fast deliveries and GST reforms boosting growth in metros and Tier-II cities
 "Flipkart, Amazon race in premium ecommerce with iPhones, fast delivery")
GST cuts to fuel 15-20% festive sales surge in electronics: Analysts
GST cuts have lowered electronics prices by 7-9 per cent, fuelling festive demand as consumers trade up to premium TVs and appliances and e-commerce giants push discounts
 "GST cuts to fuel 15-20% festive sales surge in electronics: Analysts")
Amazon and Flipkart showcase GST deals as festival shopping begins
Amazon India has introduced a GST storefront to display reduced prices from tax cuts on key categories, aiming to capitalise on festive demand with offers, discounts and bank deals
 "Amazon and Flipkart showcase GST deals as festival shopping begins")
Swiggy needs $500 mn war chest for quick commerce battle: JM Financial
JM Financial downgraded Swiggy citing widening losses and balance sheet stress, warning the firm needs over $500 million to sustain Instamart against Blinkit's rapid expansion
 "Swiggy needs $500 mn war chest for quick commerce battle: JM Financial")
PhonePe posts 40% revenue surge, turns free cash flow positive ahead of IPO
Fintech firm crosses Rs 7,000 crore in revenue as adjusted EBITDA and PAT soar; diversification into lending and broking fuels growth momentum
 "PhonePe posts 40% revenue surge, turns free cash flow positive ahead of IPO")
Amazon, Flipkart deploy war rooms for ₹1.2 trillion festival battle
E-commerce giants mobilise round-the-clock operations with food, entertainment as India's shopping season is projected to grow 27 per cent
 "Amazon, Flipkart deploy war rooms for ₹1.2 trillion festival battle")
Urban Company CEO says IPO success is 'Day Zero' for home services giant
Abhiraj Singh Bhal discusses profitability path and ₹8.5 lakh crore market opportunity after blockbuster public debut
 "Urban Company CEO says IPO success is 'Day Zero' for home services giant")
Flipkart Minutes to deliver Big Billion Days 2025 deals in just 10 minutes
Flipkart Minutes expands to 19 cities for TBBD 2025 with 10-minute deliveries while Tata-backed Bigbasket marks iPhone 17 launch with record-breaking instant delivery
 "Flipkart Minutes to deliver Big Billion Days 2025 deals in just 10 minutes")
Savings app Jar posts ninefold revenue jump, reaches profitability
Gold-focused fintech serves 35 million users as it vertically integrates operations.
 "Savings app Jar posts ninefold revenue jump, reaches profitability")
Flipkart Group completes self-audit on dark patterns on digital platforms
These refer to tactics used by online platforms to manipulate or heavily influence customers to make certain choices
 "Flipkart Group completes self-audit on dark patterns on digital platforms")
BlackBuck CEO clarifies relocation plans, says company staying in Bengaluru
Trucking platform says staying in tech hub after infrastructure complaints spark departure speculation
 "BlackBuck CEO clarifies relocation plans, says company staying in Bengaluru")
Ather crosses 500 experience centres, eyes 700 by FY26 amid demand
Ather Energy has crossed 500 experience centres across India and plans to expand to 700 by FY26 as its Rizta scooter drives growth in metros as well as tier 2 and 3 cities
 "Ather crosses 500 experience centres, eyes 700 by FY26 amid demand")
BlackBuck to ditch Bengaluru's tech corridor over crumbling roads
Poor roads, traffic snarls and metro delays fuel frustration among tech firms and citizens
 "BlackBuck to ditch Bengaluru's tech corridor over crumbling roads")
Amazon Seller Services revenue rises 19% as losses narrow sharply
Amazon India's marketplace arm posted Rs 30,139 crore revenue in FY25, with losses narrowing sharply to Rs 374.3 crore as marketplace and advertising growth boosted efficiency
 "Amazon Seller Services revenue rises 19% as losses narrow sharply")
AI startup EvoluteIQ secures $53 mn to scale agentic automation tech
Enterprise automation startup EvoluteIQ has raised $53 million from Baird Capital to expand globally, scale R&D in Bengaluru and develop next-generation agentic AI systems
 "AI startup EvoluteIQ secures $53 mn to scale agentic automation tech")
E-com firms focus on cybersecurity ahead of high-volume festive season
As the e-commerce ecosystem gears up for robusts festival sales companies are increasingly turning up their cybersecurity measures to prevent fraud that typically spikes around this time
Flipkart Marketplace sees 25% rise in sellers ahead of festive season
Flipkart Marketplace has recorded 25-30% growth in sellers over six months, aided by AI tools, simplified GST compliance and expanded fulfilment ahead of the festive season
 "Flipkart Marketplace sees 25% rise in sellers ahead of festive season")
