Category: Business

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

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

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

Uber Launches Route Share and Ride Passes to Offer Affordable Commute Options in U.S. Cities

by educatekaroin News, Apps, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Uber Launches Route Share and Ride Passes to Offer Affordable Commute Options in U.S. Cities

In response to rising economic pressures, Uber is rolling out cost-saving ride options for U.S. commuters, including a new fixed-route shared ride feature called Route Share. Announced at Uber’s annual Go-Get event, these changes aim to retain loyal users with cheaper, more predictable ride alternatives during weekday peak hours.

Key Insights:
  • Route Share, launching in seven major cities (including NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco), offers 50% off UberX fares on fixed weekday routes with limited co-riders and scheduled pickups every 20 minutes.
  • Riders can book seats up to a week in advance, and Uber uses trip data to map popular commuter corridors, enhancing route efficiency and user convenience.
  • Uber hopes Route Share will eventually qualify for pre-tax commuter benefits, though it may require using larger Uber XL vehicles to meet regulations.
  • The company sees potential in pairing Route Share with autonomous vehicles (AVs) — especially with partners like Volkswagen — for structured, shared AV rides starting in Los Angeles by 2026.
  • Uber also introduced ride passes that let users lock in pricing for specific routes either by paying a daily $2.99 fee or buying prepaid bundles of 5–20 rides for bigger discounts.
  • Price locks are live in 10 U.S. cities and expanding nationally, including teen rider accounts by fall.
  • On the Uber Eats front, Uber launched Dine Out, a feature in partnership with OpenTable that gives ride discounts when customers book restaurant tables through the Uber app. OpenTable points will also soon be redeemable on Uber services.
  • While these features offer real savings, critics note Uber’s pricing isn’t fully transparent — with anecdotal reports of ride prices fluctuating based on payment method or account type. Uber claims discounts are based on historical trip data.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Uber is doubling down on affordability and loyalty in a tight economy. With Route Share, ride passes, and restaurant perks, the company is weaving cost-conscious features into its ecosystem — signaling a broader push toward predictable, multi-service engagement that could keep riders coming back despite economic uncertainty.

Read more on TechCrunch

Trump Pressures Apple to Boost U.S. Manufacturing, Slams India Expansion Plans

by educatekaroin News, Business, India, TechLeave a Comment on Trump Pressures Apple to Boost U.S. Manufacturing, Slams India Expansion Plans

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced frustration over Apple’s growing manufacturing operations in India, urging CEO Tim Cook to prioritize expanding production within the United States. The remarks come just days after India approved a major Apple chip project led by Foxconn, signaling Apple’s deepening commitment to Indian manufacturing.

Key Insights:
  • Speaking at a business summit in Doha, Trump said he had a direct conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking him to scale back manufacturing in India and focus instead on building more in the U.S.
  • Trump criticized India’s high tariffs, saying, “You can build in India if you want to take care of India,” implying that U.S. production should take priority, especially given Apple’s $500 billion domestic investment pledge.
  • The former president also claimed that Apple would now be “upping” U.S. production, though he didn’t offer any timeline or concrete details.
  • Apple had previously announced a $500 billion plan to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint over four years — involving new facilities, 20,000 jobs, and a manufacturing academy.
  • Trump’s remarks followed India’s approval of a $435 million Foxconn project to manufacture Apple chips locally, part of Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its supply chain beyond China.
  • Apple has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest statements.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Trump’s comments add political pressure to Apple’s balancing act between global supply chain strategy and domestic manufacturing commitments. As Apple deepens its footprint in India to reduce reliance on China, the former president’s remarks signal that its global moves are being closely scrutinized — especially amid ongoing debates over tariffs and job creation.

Read more on TechCrunch

Coinbase Breach Exposes Customer Data in Insider-Driven Attack, Hacker Demands $20M Ransom

by educatekaroin News, Business, Crypto, TechLeave a Comment on Coinbase Breach Exposes Customer Data in Insider-Driven Attack, Hacker Demands $20M Ransom

Coinbase has confirmed a major security breach involving insider collusion, leading to the theft of sensitive customer data. The company disclosed the incident in a regulatory filing and blog post, revealing that a hacker used compromised support contractors to extract internal data — and later demanded $20 million in ransom, which Coinbase refused to pay.

Key Insights:
  • The breach was orchestrated by a hacker who allegedly paid off multiple overseas contractors or employees to access Coinbase’s internal systems. These support staff have since been terminated.
  • Data stolen includes customer names, contact details, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, masked bank account info, transaction histories, account balances, and even government-issued IDs like passports and driver’s licenses.
  • Some corporate documents were also taken, although the company has not detailed the nature of that data.
  • CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed via social media that the hacker tried to extort the company, threatening to leak the stolen information if demands weren’t met. Coinbase has taken a firm stance against paying the ransom.
  • Less than 1% of the company’s 9.7 million monthly customers were affected, according to spokesperson Natasha LaBranche. Impacted users have been notified.
  • Coinbase estimates its response and remediation costs could range from $180 million to $400 million.
  • As part of its response, Coinbase is launching a new U.S.-based support center and enhancing its security infrastructure.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

This breach underscores the growing threat of insider-driven cyberattacks, even at security-focused companies like Coinbase. While the damage appears contained to a small percentage of users, the scope of stolen data is serious. Coinbase’s refusal to pay the ransom and its investment in future protections highlight the evolving playbook for incident response in crypto and fintech.

Read more on TechCrunch

Databricks to Acquire Neon for $1B to Power AI-Driven, Serverless Postgres Databases

by educatekaroin News, AI, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Databricks to Acquire Neon for $1B to Power AI-Driven, Serverless Postgres Databases

Databricks is making another bold AI move. The data analytics giant announced it will acquire Neon — a startup offering a cloud-native, open-source Postgres alternative — for approximately $1 billion, aiming to supercharge AI agent workloads with a modern, serverless database platform.

Key Insights:
  • Neon provides a cloud-based, serverless Postgres database that autoscaling compute and storage, supports branching for testing, and offers point-in-time recovery.
  • The platform is optimized for AI agent workflows — Databricks noted 80% of databases created on Neon are generated by AI agents, not humans.
  • The acquisition allows Databricks to merge Neon’s serverless Postgres capabilities with its data intelligence platform, making it easier for customers to deploy and scale AI agents efficiently.
  • CEO Ali Ghodsi emphasized the shift toward agent-driven applications, stating that databases must evolve to meet AI-native demands — fast, automatic, and pay-as-you-go.
  • Neon was founded in 2021 by Nikita Shamgunov (CEO), Heikki Linnakangas, and Stas Kelvich, and has raised $129.6 million from investors including Microsoft M12, General Catalyst, and Menlo Ventures.
  • Databricks, valued at $62 billion, has aggressively expanded in the AI space with previous acquisitions like MosaicML ($1.3B) and Tabular (~$2B).
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

Databricks is doubling down on its vision of an AI-native data ecosystem. By acquiring Neon, it gains a highly scalable, developer-friendly database platform built for AI agent speed and flexibility — reinforcing its position as a leading AI infrastructure company.

Read more on TechCrunch

ixigo Reports Record Q4 FY25 with 72% YoY Revenue Surge and Over 2x Profit Growth

by educatekaroin News, Business, TechLeave a Comment on ixigo Reports Record Q4 FY25 with 72% YoY Revenue Surge and Over 2x Profit Growth

Online travel platform ixigo, operated by Le Travenues Technology Ltd, has posted its strongest quarterly performance yet. In Q4 FY25, the company saw a 72% year-on-year jump in revenue, driven by booming demand across flights, buses, and trains — all while more than doubling its profit.

Key Insights:
  • Revenue from operations rose to ₹284.1 crore in Q4 FY25, up from ₹164.9 crore in Q4 FY24 — a 72% YoY increase.
  • Gross Transaction Volume (GTV) hit ₹4,418.4 crore, marking a 65% YoY rise.
  • Flight and bus bookings fueled the surge, with a 92% YoY jump in GTV, while train GTV grew by 41%.
  • Profit After Tax (PAT) more than doubled, soaring 128% YoY to ₹16.8 crore.
  • Contribution margin increased 69% to ₹120.9 crore, while EBITDA rose 64% to ₹30.7 crore.
  • Adjusted EBITDA (excluding ESOP expenses and other income) grew 70% YoY to ₹29.1 crore.
  • For the full FY25, ixigo reported ₹14,972 crore in GTV and ₹914 crore in operating revenue.
  • Operating cash flow stood strong at ₹122 crore for the year.
Educatekaro’s Takeaway:

ixigo’s Q4 FY25 results highlight impressive growth momentum across its travel segments, particularly in flights and buses. Co-founders Rajnish Kumar and Aloke Bajpai credited the surge to a blend of customer-focused strategies, AI-driven operations, and cross-selling to a loyal user base. With strong margins and increasing operating leverage, ixigo appears well-positioned for continued expansion.

Read more on YourStory

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