 "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 their 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, where he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-ups, 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 their 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, where he covered the entrepreneurship ecosystem, start-ups, 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
Ola Electric Q4 loss narrows as revenue drops 57% amid reset strategy
The electric-scooter maker said FY26 was a reset year focused on improving operations, margins and cell manufacturing, even as revenue remained under pressure
 "Ola Electric Q4 loss narrows as revenue drops 57% amid reset strategy")
PharmEasy's parent has a new playbook: Profit first, growth second
After slashing debt and narrowing losses, API Holdings is prioritising profitability over expansion as it revives long-term IPO ambitions for PharmEasy
 "PharmEasy's parent has a new playbook: Profit first, growth second")
Gen Z investing startup Trackk raises $3.7 mn from Lightspeed, Info Edge
Mumbai-based Trackk plans to expand its investing platform and product offerings as younger Indians increasingly participate in financial markets
 "Gen Z investing startup Trackk raises $3.7 mn from Lightspeed, Info Edge")
Verlinvest stepping up India bet amid AI and geopolitical anxieties
Verlinvest is increasing investments in Indian consumer and healthcare brands, betting that its evergreen model can navigate volatility better than traditional PE funds
 "Verlinvest stepping up India bet amid AI and geopolitical anxieties")
India's ecommerce and ride-hailing firms brace for higher energy costs
Executives warn higher crude prices and West Asia tensions could push up delivery, transport and grocery costs
 "India's ecommerce and ride-hailing firms brace for higher energy costs")
$240 million fundraise propels Rapido post-money valuation to $3 billion
The mobility startup, now valued at $3 billion, is expanding deeper into Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets amid rising demand for low-cost transport
 "$240 million fundraise propels Rapido post-money valuation to $3 billion")
Myntra bets on small-town creators to drive online shopping growth
The fashion retailer aims to bring 1 million creators into its affiliate ecosystem as creator-led commerce contributes a growing share of sales
 "Myntra bets on small-town creators to drive online shopping growth")
Uber to set up first India data centre in partnership with Adani Group
Ride-hailing company plans to deepen technology and infrastructure investments in India as it expands AI, mobility and engineering operations in a key growth market
 "Uber to set up first India data centre in partnership with Adani Group")
Quick-commerce firms push deeper into smaller cities as metro growth slows
Amazon and Flipkart are expanding dark-store networks beyond major urban markets as competition and saturation pressure profitability in metros
 "Quick-commerce firms push deeper into smaller cities as metro growth slows")
Mekr bets on India's manufacturing shift with ₹67 crore funding round
The company is building an integrated design and manufacturing platform for consumer appliance brands amid India's growing push for local production
 "Mekr bets on India's manufacturing shift with ₹67 crore funding round")
HrdWyr raises $13 mn to scale AI-native chips for edge devices globally
The Indian semiconductor startup is developing AI-native processors for appliances, EVs and industrial systems that process data closer to where it is generated
 "HrdWyr raises $13 mn to scale AI-native chips for edge devices globally")
Rozana's rural FMCG brand Samuh hits ₹100 crore run rate in 3 months
Rozana's private-label FMCG brand Samuh is scaling rapidly through low-cost sachets, contract manufacturing and a deep rural distribution network across 21,000 villages
 "Rozana's rural FMCG brand Samuh hits ₹100 crore run rate in 3 months")
Flipkart deploys AI tools to scale small-town sellers across India
Walmart-owned Flipkart is using AI-powered dashboards and regional-language support to help Tier 2 and 3 sellers expand nationally ahead of a planned IPO
 "Flipkart deploys AI tools to scale small-town sellers across India")
Amazon India expands delivery-driver rest network across major cities
Amazon India plans to expand its Ashray network to 250 centres by 2026 as it ramps up investments in delivery-driver safety, wellbeing, and infrastructure support
 "Amazon India expands delivery-driver rest network across major cities")
Kissht rises in mkt debut as investors bet on India's digital-credit boom
The lender has expanded rapidly by targeting underserved borrowers and tightening underwriting standards before its IPO
 "Kissht rises in mkt debut as investors bet on India's digital-credit boom")
Walmart says India sourcing has crossed $40 billion amid export push
Walmart CEO John Furner said the retailer is strengthening supplier capabilities, expanding exports and betting on India's fast-growing quick-commerce market
 "Walmart says India sourcing has crossed $40 billion amid export push")
Cars24 posts first-ever quarterly profit on strong growth in core business
SoftBank-backed auto-tech firm posts ₹20 crore adjusted EBITDA profit in Q4 as lending, retail sales and ownership services expand
 "Cars24 posts first-ever quarterly profit on strong growth in core business")
Practo crosses $100 million GMV in the US as AI push gains pace
Health-tech platform expands investment in AI-driven healthcare systems that support patient and provider decision-making while growing its engineering team
 "Practo crosses $100 million GMV in the US as AI push gains pace")
Meesho narrows Q4 net loss 88% to Rs 166 crore, revenue rises 47%
E-commerce firm reports higher orders and improving margins in the March quarter as operating leverage and lower logistics costs support profitability
 "Meesho narrows Q4 net loss 88% to Rs 166 crore, revenue rises 47%")
PhonePe launches AI tool to speed up merchant payment integrations
Walmart-owned PhonePe says its AI-powered integration layer can reduce merchant onboarding timelines from weeks to minutes, especially for small businesses
 "PhonePe launches AI tool to speed up merchant payment integrations")