Rocket Lab Faces Shallow Waters Hurdle for Neutron Rocket Launch Plans

Rocket Lab is racing to launch its new Neutron rocket from Virginia, but there’s one problem—shallow waters. The company asked regulators to let it use a temporary technique called “kedging” to tow oversized rocket parts through tricky channels until federal approval for dredging comes through. Without this, their September delivery deadline could slip. Despite investing millions into the MARS launch site, lack of deep-water access might delay Neutron’s 2025 debut. Rocket Lab’s workaround shows how infrastructure, not tech, could slow down the space race. They’re literally stuck waiting for permission to dig a deeper path to space.

Credit: TechCrunch

Gupshup Raises $60M to Push Conversational AI Across Emerging Markets

Conversational AI startup Gupshup just bagged $60 million in fresh funding—mix of equity and debt—from Globespan Capital and EvolutionX. This cash boost will power its expansion across India, the Middle East, LATAM, and Africa. Honestly, it feels like Gupshup’s timing is spot on—AI agents are no longer “cool tech,” they’re becoming essential. With products like AI chat agents, campaign copilots, and WhatsApp integrations, Gupshup’s pushing hard to lead the next wave of customer engagement. Despite past valuation dips, this move signals confidence in its growth playbook. Big bets are on AI messaging, and Gupshup wants a big slice.

Credit: YourStory

PayPal World Aims to Simplify Global Payments with UPI, WeChat & More

PayPal just revealed PayPal World, a global payment platform that lets users pay internationally using their local wallets—think UPI in India or WeChat Pay in China. Partnering with fintech giants like NPCI, Tencent, and Mercado Pago, this move could finally untangle the messy world of cross-border payments. Even non-PayPal users can receive money. Imagine sending UPI to a U.S. store or paying in China via PayPal—it’s that seamless. With 2 billion users in sight, this could be a game changer. Honestly, it’s about time someone made global payments feel local.

Credit: TechCrunch

Microsoft Servers Hit in Global Cyber Espionage Campaign, 100 Orgs Affected

A massive cyber espionage attack just exposed a serious flaw in Microsoft’s SharePoint servers, hitting around 100 organizations, mostly in the U.S. and Germany. Dubbed a “zero-day” exploit, the hackers slipped in undetected using a vulnerability Microsoft hadn’t patched yet. Security experts say this could be just the tip of the iceberg, with thousands more servers still at risk. While Microsoft rushed out a fix, experts warn patching alone might not be enough. Google linked the attack to a China-based group, but the full scope remains unclear.

Credit: Reuters

Paytm Turns Profitable with Strong Q1 Boost from AI and Merchant Growth

Paytm surprised many by clocking a ₹122.5 crore profit in Q1, a sharp rebound from its hefty ₹838.9 crore loss during the same time last year. Backed by strong merchant growth and trimmed employee costs, the company clocked ₹1,917 crore in revenue and ₹72 crore in EBITDA. What’s really driving this? Smart use of AI, disciplined spending, and deeper monetisation through device subscriptions. Financial services doubled too, hinting Paytm’s lending game is maturing. It’s early days, but this feels like more than just a lucky quarter — the full-stack strategy might finally be clicking.

Credit: YourStory

Blinkit Bets on Owning Inventory for Better Margins

Blinkit, Eternal’s quick commerce arm, is shifting from a marketplace model to full inventory ownership. Instead of just listing sellers, Blinkit will now stock products itself—aiming for better margins, smoother operations, and more control. This bold move could improve availability and fill rates, but it also means higher working capital. With over 1,500 dark stores and aggressive expansion plans, Blinkit’s eyeing profitability. Margins improved slightly this quarter, and leadership seems confident. It’s a risky play in a cutthroat space, but owning the supply chain might just give Blinkit the edge it needs.

Credit: YourStory

Anduril Alums Raise $24M to Fix Military Logistics Mess

In a fresh twist to Silicon Valley’s defense-tech play, Anduril alums David Tuttle and Peter Goldsborough have raised $24 million to drag military logistics out of the spreadsheet era. Their startup, Rune Technologies, is building TyrOS — a deep tech logistics platform that works even on a jungle laptop, predicting supply needs and optimizing military resources. Unlike flashy weapons firms, Rune focuses on the boring (but vital) backend of war. With backing from a16z and Palantir execs, this AI-powered tool might just be the invisible backbone of future warfare.

Credit: TechCrunch

Figma’s Big IPO Move: What’s Cooking Behind the Scenes?

Figma’s finally hitting the public markets and aiming to bag nearly $1 billion through its IPO. They’re putting up 36 million shares, with a price range of $25 to $28 each. If things land around the middle, the company could be valued at about $15.9 billion — not quite Adobe’s failed $20B buyout price, but still a strong comeback from its earlier $12.5B private tag. With this IPO, it’s not just cashing out — it’s sending a message: real utility in design tech is here to stay.

Credit: TechCrunch

Google DeepMind’s Gemini AI Wins Gold at IMO 2025

In a major AI milestone, Google DeepMind’s Gemini Deep Think model achieved gold medal performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, solving 5 out of 6 problems — scoring 35/42 points. Unlike last year’s models, Gemini worked entirely in natural language, solving problems within the same 4.5-hour limit as human participants. This shows how close AI is getting to elite human reasoning. With advanced reasoning tools like “parallel thinking,” Gemini is now seen as a breakthrough in mathematical AI.

Credit: Deepmind

Tesla’s Retro-Futuristic Supercharger Diner Launches in LA

On July 21, Tesla opened its first-ever Supercharger Diner in Los Angeles — a 1950s-style retro spot blended with futuristic Tesla tech. Elon Musk confirmed it’s not just a one-off; similar experiences are coming to major cities worldwide and key long-distance Supercharger stops. Even non-Tesla drivers can swing by for a burger or shake, but features like in-car ordering and synced movie screens are exclusive to Tesla vehicles. While it may not shift Tesla’s revenue needle, the unique vibe could nudge some visitors into becoming Tesla fans.

Credit: Teslarati

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