Author: educatekaro

Peak XV Bags 11x Return in Rare Pre-IPO Exit from Porter Amid Strategic Shift to Frontier Tech

by educatekaroin News, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Peak XV Bags 11x Return in Rare Pre-IPO Exit from Porter Amid Strategic Shift to Frontier Tech

Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India & Southeast Asia) has scored a major win with an 11x return on its ₹116 crore investment in logistics startup Porter, marking a rare pre-IPO exit for the VC firm. The move signals a shift in Peak XV’s investment strategy as it pivots toward next-gen sectors like AI and deeptech.

Key Insights:
  • Peak XV exited Porter just as the company raised $200 million from Kedaara Capital and Wellington Management, pushing Porter’s valuation to $1.2 billion and making it a unicorn.
  • This is the first time Peak XV has exited a company before its IPO—a notable departure from its typical hold-until-public approach. The exit earned the firm more than ₹1,200 crore in returns.
  • Since rebranding in 2023, Peak XV has logged over $1.2 billion in exits from companies like Zomato, Mamaearth, and Truecaller, while also reducing stakes in struggling firms like Byju’s and Pocket Aces.
  • Porter’s impressive financial performance appears to have influenced the timing of the exit. In FY24, the company posted a revenue of ₹2,733.8 crore—a 56% year-on-year surge—while also managing to reduce its net losses by 45%, bringing them down to ₹95.7 crore.
  • The new capital will fuel Porter’s expansion, tech upgrades, and possible acquisitions as it aims to strengthen its foothold in the hyperlocal logistics market.
  • At the same time, Peak XV is in the process of raising a $1.4 billion fund aimed at supporting early-stage startups in high-potential sectors like artificial intelligence, deeptech, and semiconductors—reflecting the firm’s growing interest in next-generation technologies.
  • MD Rajan Anandan recently highlighted this tech-forward focus during the Startup Mahakumbh, confirming the firm’s partial retreat from more traditional sectors like logistics.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Peak XV’s exit from Porter not only reflects a lucrative return but also underscores the firm’s evolving strategy as it targets the next wave of tech-driven disruption. With multiple unicorns in its pipeline, its upcoming moves in the IPO space will be closely watched.

Source: TechCrunch

Accel’s Sonali De Rycker Urges Europe to Unleash AI Potential Without Letting Regulation Stall Innovation

by educatekaroin News, Business, Funding, TechLeave a Comment on Accel’s Sonali De Rycker Urges Europe to Unleash AI Potential Without Letting Regulation Stall Innovation

Sonali De Rycker, General Partner at Accel and one of Europe’s top venture capitalists, is optimistic about Europe’s position in the global AI race—but warns that overregulation could hinder progress. Speaking at TechCrunch StrictlyVC in London, she emphasized the urgent need to strike a balance between governance and growth.

Key Insights:
  • De Rycker believes Europe has all the right ingredients for AI leadership: strong talent, capital, schools, and ambition—but is being held back by fragmented regulations and the sweeping scope of the EU’s AI Act.
  • While she supports oversight in high-risk sectors like healthcare and finance, she fears the AI Act’s broad reach and hefty penalties could suppress innovation, particularly for early-stage startups.
  • With shifting global politics and reduced U.S. support, De Rycker stressed the need for Europe to become self-reliant and sovereign in its tech ambitions.
  • She backed initiatives like the “28th regime” to unify rules across EU member states and eliminate cross-border friction that hampers startup scalability.
  • Accel is actively investing across Europe and Israel, focusing on AI’s application layer over foundational model builders like OpenAI, citing lower capital requirements and clearer paths to returns.
  • Successful portfolio companies like Synthesia and Speak show how AI is expanding markets and creating entirely new user behaviors—comparable to the early mobile era.
  • De Rycker noted that U.S. customers are quicker to adopt early-stage AI, keeping the innovation flywheel spinning—something Europe must improve on to stay competitive.
  • Despite the regulatory challenges, she sees Europe catching up, with tech hubs in Zurich, Munich, Paris, and London developing strong local ecosystems.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

De Rycker views this moment as a rare supercycle for tech innovation. For Europe to lead in AI and tech more broadly, it must avoid excessive regulation and double down on empowering startups. The opportunity is massive—but time is limited.

Source: TechCrunch

OpenAI Launches Codex, Its Most Powerful AI Coding Agent Yet

by educatekaroin News, AI, TechLeave a Comment on OpenAI Launches Codex, Its Most Powerful AI Coding Agent Yet

OpenAI has unveiled Codex, a new AI coding agent designed to handle complex software engineering tasks. Powered by the codex-1 model, Codex aims to serve as a “virtual teammate” for developers, offering cleaner code and better instruction adherence than previous models.

Key Insights:
  • Smarter Coding Agent: Codex is based on OpenAI’s o3 model but optimized for engineering, with the ability to auto-test and refine code until it works.
  • Cloud-Based Environment: Runs on a sandboxed virtual computer, preloaded with users’ GitHub repos.
  • Fast Turnaround: Tasks like debugging, building features, and code Q&A can be completed in 1–30 minutes.
  • Rollout & Pricing: Available to ChatGPT Pro, Team, and Enterprise users now; rate limits and paid usage credits coming soon.
  • Tool Features: Offers a natural UI in ChatGPT’s sidebar with prompt buttons (“Code” and “Ask”) and task tracking.
  • Safety First: Codex avoids writing malicious code and operates offline from the internet for security.
  • CLI Version Upgraded: Codex CLI now uses the optimized o4-mini model, also available via API.
  • Strategic Expansion: Codex follows other add-ons like Sora, Deep Research, and Operator as OpenAI grows its subscription value and enters the booming AI coding tools market.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Codex signals OpenAI’s deeper push into AI-assisted software development, with the goal of making AI a reliable engineering assistant. As demand for AI coding tools rises, OpenAI is positioning Codex as a powerful and secure solution for serious developers.

Source: TechCrunch

Delhivery Posts First Full-Year Net Profit in FY25 Amid Steady Growth and Cost Optimisation

by educatekaroin News, Business, India, TechLeave a Comment on Delhivery Posts First Full-Year Net Profit in FY25 Amid Steady Growth and Cost Optimisation

Logistics unicorn Delhivery reported its first-ever full fiscal year of profitability in FY25, with strong gains in EBITDA and net income driven by cost optimizations and growing customer activity, despite flat volumes and a dip in quarterly revenue.

Key Insights:
  • Leadership Update:
    • Co-founder Suraj Saharan appointed as a whole-time director on the board. He continues as Chief People Officer (CPO), leading talent and culture initiatives.
  • Q4 Revenue: ₹2,192 crore (up 5.6% YoY, down 8% QoQ).
  • Profit: Q4 net profit ₹73 crore, FY25 net profit ₹162 crore (from a loss in FY24).
  • EBITDA: Q4 EBITDA ₹119 crore (5.4% margin), FY25 EBITDA ₹376 crore (4.2% margin).
  • Express Parcel: ₹5,318 crore revenue (5% YoY), 752M shipments (2% YoY).
  • Part Truck Load: Revenue up 25% YoY to ₹1,889 crore, volumes up 19%.
  • Other Segments: Supply Chain up 17%, Cross-Border up 18%, Truckload up 3%.
  • Cost Cuts: Expenses down 8.3% QoQ, headcount reduced by 8.3%.
  • Leadership Change: Suraj Saharan appointed as whole-time director.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Delhivery’s return to profitability reflects successful cost management and operational discipline, even amid flat logistics demand. With renewed momentum and strong PTL growth, the company is optimistic heading into FY26.

Source: YourStory

Zepto Launches Atom, Its First SaaS Analytics Tool for Consumer Brands, Starting at ₹30,000/month

by educatekaroin News, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Zepto Launches Atom, Its First SaaS Analytics Tool for Consumer Brands, Starting at ₹30,000/month

Quick commerce unicorn Zepto has officially entered the consumer tech SaaS space with the launch of Atom, a premium data analytics platform tailored for consumer brands. The tool provides hyperlocal, real-time insights and marks Zepto’s first step into B2B software subscription revenue.

Key Insights:
  • Pricing model: Atom is priced at ₹30,000/month or 0.5% of the brand’s last-month GMV—whichever is higher. Early adopters can access it at a discounted ₹25,000/month or 0.4% of GMV.
  • Free trials: Zepto is offering free trials until the end of the month to drive adoption.
  • Access & features: Subscriptions allow unlimited logins per account, and include real-time, store-level and product-level analytics, powered by Zepto’s vast internal data.
  • AI integration: A built-in NLP assistant, Zepto GPT, trained on Gemini and ChatGPT models, is expected to launch next week.
  • Competitive positioning: Atom puts Zepto in direct competition with established analytics players like Kantar and Nielsen, though it will still provide basic sales data for free.
  • Strategic shift: This SaaS move signals Zepto’s push toward revenue diversification and profitability amid growing competition in quick commerce. Its ad revenue already crossed ₹1,000 crore (annualized) as of November 2024.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

With Atom, Zepto is expanding beyond quick commerce into the SaaS analytics game—offering brands deep insights, AI-powered tools, and flexible pricing, all while building a solid new revenue stream.

Source: YourStory

IIT-Hyderabad and Japan’s SSIC Successfully Test Next-Gen 6G Wireless Tech

by educatekaroin News, India, TechLeave a Comment on IIT-Hyderabad and Japan’s SSIC Successfully Test Next-Gen 6G Wireless Tech

In a major leap for wireless communication, IIT-Hyderabad, Japan’s Sharp Semiconductor Innovation Corporation (SSIC), and WiSig Networks have successfully tested Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G technologies, demonstrating high-performance wireless capabilities comparable to current top-tier 5G networks.

Key Insights:
  • Tech breakthrough: The trials used SSIC’s Software-Defined Radio (SDR) System-on-Chip (SoC), which seamlessly integrated with WiSig’s advanced mobile network system.
  • Next-gen applications by 2026: The team aims to support cutting-edge use cases like Fixed Wireless Access, Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk, V2X autonomous navigation, and NB-IoT smart metering via satellite.
  • International collaboration: The project exemplifies Indo-Japanese cooperation in high-tech R&D, blending academic research from IITH with industrial innovation from SSIC.
  • MWC showcase: SSIC showcased this SDR technology at MWC25 in Barcelona, signaling its global ambitions in the wireless space.
  • Academic excellence meets industry: IITH Director BS Murty and WiSig founder Prof. Kiran Kuchi highlighted how this initiative reinforces IITH’s role in global 6G innovation and standardization.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

This successful 6G tech trial highlights India and Japan’s growing influence in shaping next-generation wireless communication. With real-world applications planned for 2026, the collaboration is paving the way for smarter, faster, and more globally connected networks.

Source: TOI

Warren Buffett Opens Up About Why He’s Stepping Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO

by educatekaroin News, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Warren Buffett Opens Up About Why He’s Stepping Down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO

Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old investing legend and long-time CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced he will retire by the end of the year, handing the reins to Vice Chairman Greg Abel. After six decades at the helm, Buffett cited the irreversible toll of aging as the reason behind his decision.

Key Insights:
  • Health-driven decision: Buffett shared that struggles with memory, balance, and reading signaled it was time to step back, saying he noticed real aging only after turning 90.
  • Passing the torch: He praised Greg Abel’s high energy and decision-making efficiency, noting the growing gap in their day-to-day pace made the transition logical.
  • Staying active in investing: While stepping down as CEO, Buffett emphasized he remains mentally sharp and will continue making major investment decisions, especially during market downturns.
  • Still in the game: Buffett has no plans for a quiet retirement, saying he enjoys his daily work and colleagues, adding, “I’m not going to sit at home and watch soap operas.”
  • A trillion-dollar legacy: Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway transformed from a struggling textile firm into a $1 trillion conglomerate — the first U.S. non-tech company to hit that milestone. Its portfolio includes businesses like Geico and Duracell, plus stakes in Coca-Cola and Bank of America.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Warren Buffett may be retiring from the CEO role, but his influence on Berkshire Hathaway — and the investing world — is far from over. His legacy is unmatched, and with Greg Abel stepping in, the firm’s next chapter is already in motion.

Source: NDTV

Windsurf Launches SWE-1 AI Model Family, Signaling Bigger Ambitions Beyond Vibe Coding

by educatekaroin News, AI, Startup, TechLeave a Comment on Windsurf Launches SWE-1 AI Model Family, Signaling Bigger Ambitions Beyond Vibe Coding

AI startup Windsurf, best known for its “vibe coding” tools, has launched its first in-house family of AI software engineering models — SWE-1, SWE-1-lite, and SWE-1-mini. The move marks a major shift from app development to building the AI models powering those apps.

Key Insights:
  • Full-stack AI for developers: Windsurf says its SWE-1 models are optimized for the entire software engineering workflow — not just coding — aiming to address how real developers work across tools like terminals, IDEs, and the web.
  • Model capabilities: SWE-1, the flagship model, performs competitively with models like GPT-4.1 and Claude 3.5 Sonnet on internal benchmarks but doesn’t yet match the latest frontier models like Claude 3.7.
  • Access and pricing: SWE-1-lite and SWE-1-mini will be available to all users, including free-tier ones, while SWE-1 is reserved for paid users. Windsurf claims its models are cheaper to serve than Claude 3.5 but hasn’t disclosed pricing yet.
  • Independence from big AI providers: Traditionally reliant on OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, Windsurf’s launch of in-house models — despite reports of an OpenAI acquisition deal — signals its intent to gain more control over its tech stack.
  • Beyond coding: Windsurf’s Head of Research, Nicholas Moy, emphasized that coding is just one piece of the puzzle. SWE-1 was trained with a unique approach that factors in incomplete states and long-running tasks, reflecting the complexity of modern software engineering.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

With the launch of SWE-1, Windsurf is stepping into the AI model game, aiming to differentiate by solving real-world software engineering challenges — not just writing code. It’s a bold move that could reshape its role in the developer AI space, even as acquisition talks swirl.

Source: TechCrunch

How Melanie Perkins, the Visionary Founder, Built Canva into a $25 Billion Design Giant

by educatekaroin Blog, Entrepreneur, Startup, TechLeave a Comment on How Melanie Perkins, the Visionary Founder, Built Canva into a $25 Billion Design Giant

Melanie Perkins’s journey from a Perth dorm room to a global design tool worth $25 billion is inspiring.
Imagine this: you’re a college student trying to make a simple presentation, but all the design software feels way too complicated. That’s exactly what Melanie Perkins noticed while studying at the University of Western Australia. She wasn’t a designer, just someone frustrated with how hard it was to make things look good. And from that frustration, a bold idea was born.

The Birth of Fusion Books

At just 19, Melanie, along with her boyfriend Cliff Obrecht, launched a small online tool to help students design yearbooks. They called it Fusion Books, and they ran it out of her mom’s living room. It wasn’t flashy, but it solved a real problem—and people started using it.

Chasing a Bigger Vision

But Melanie didn’t stop there. She began to think bigger: What if anyone could create beautiful designs—without needing fancy software or training? A few clicks, some drag-and-drop, and done. That was the dream.

Investor Rejections and a Bold Move

Of course, turning that dream into a real business wasn’t easy. Investors didn’t bite at first. Melanie pitched her idea to over 100 investors and heard “no” more times than most of us would dare to handle. But she didn’t give up. In fact, she even learned how to kitesurf—just to connect with a potential investor who loved the sport.

Canva Co-founders - (L to R) Cameron Adams, Cliff Obrecht, Melanie Perkins
In pics: Canva Co-founders – (L to R) Cameron Adams, Cliff Obrecht, Melanie Perkins | Credit: Canva

The Breakthrough: Launching Canva

Eventually, her persistence paid off. She met Cameron Adams, a former Googler with a background in design. He believed in her vision and joined as a co-founder. Together, they launched Canva in 2013.

The response? Massive. Canva made design feel effortless. Anyone—from teachers to marketers to startup founders—could now create professional-looking designs in minutes. The platform exploded in popularity and today serves over 150 million users worldwide.

Success with Purpose

But here’s what really stands out: Melanie and Cliff have pledged the majority of their shares to charitable causes. They’re not just building a company—they’re using their success to give back.

The Key to Melanie Perkins’ Success

Melanie’s story is a reminder that big things often start small. You don’t need to be in Silicon Valley, or have a tech degree, to change the world. All it takes is spotting a real problem, crafting a smart solution, and refusing to quit.

Next time you use Canva, remember: it all began in a dorm room in Perth—with a student who simply believed design should be easier for everyone.

Read More: YourStory, Kitrum, EconomicTimes

Klarna Cuts 40% of Jobs as AI Takes Over Customer Service Roles

by educatekaroin News, AI, TechLeave a Comment on Klarna Cuts 40% of Jobs as AI Takes Over Customer Service Roles

Klarna is diving headfirst into the AI future—trading humans for algorithms at a rapid pace. The Swedish fintech giant has trimmed nearly 40% of its workforce, largely thanks to AI stepping in where people once worked.

Key Insights:
  • Massive Job Cuts: Klarna reduced its headcount from about 5,500 to just over 3,400, with around 700 customer service jobs replaced by AI tools.
  • AI Doing the Heavy Lifting: Since its partnership with OpenAI in 2023, Klarna has launched AI features across departments, including a chatbot doing the work of hundreds of agents.
  • Shrinking by Design: Along with AI integration, Klarna also leaned on natural attrition—employees leaving without being replaced—as part of a hiring freeze started in 2023.
  • Mixed Signals on Hiring: Despite claims of halting recruitment, the company still lists open roles, mainly in Europe, showing some inconsistency in the freeze.
  • AI Backlash: While Klarna touted productivity gains, CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski admitted the AI-only model hurt service quality, and the company is now exploring an “Uber-style” return of human reps.
  • IPO on Hold: Klarna’s public listing plans were paused in April due to market uncertainty following political disruptions. Other tech firms hit pause too, though Klarna may revisit the IPO as markets stabilize.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Klarna’s bold move to slash jobs and automate customer support is a clear signal of what AI adoption can really look like inside a modern tech company. While it paints a picture of efficiency, it also raises tough questions about the future of work—and whether a fully AI-driven model can truly match human service quality. Klarna’s story might just be the first of many as companies navigate the line between innovation and impact.

Source: TechStartups

New Article -> 50+ Essential Startup Terms from Shark Tank: MVP, CAC, Burn Rate & More

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