AI SUBSCRIPTION MODEL
India's ChatGPT boom faces a reality check as free AI use meets rising costs
India has emerged as ChatGPT's largest market, driven by its vast digitally connected population and widespread access to free AI services. However, as AI infrastructure expands and computing and energy costs rise, companies face the challenge of recovering investments. Convincing price-sensitive Indian users to pay for AI remains difficult.
Story TV parent Eloelo raises $80 million from Hornbill, NBCUniversal
The funding follows a surge in Story TV’s business, which has helped lift annualised collections more than tenfold to around $250 million over the past year, according to people familiar with the company. Eloelo said Story TV offers over 5,000 dramas in six languages, while its apps have more than 40 million monthly active users.
Sebi sets up working group to review Innovators Growth Platform framework
SEBI has formed a working group to review Innovators Growth Platform regulations and improve capital access for startups. The panel will examine listing eligibility, fundraising, investor participation, disclosures and migration to mainboards while safeguarding investor interests.
From enterprises to SMBs: How Flashfox AI plans to change the hiring game
GetWork’s AI hiring business, now spun off as Flashfox AI, is targeting 500 enterprise clients in the next 24 months as it expands into Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Beyond ‘no subscription’, NeoSapien sees a paid future for advanced AI features
The Bengaluru-based AI wearables startup is exploring another funding round in early 2027 but its CEO said there was no pressure to raise capital because its cash burn remained low and capital from earlier round was still in the bank.
Decoded: Will AI agents outlast the hype?
Krish Ramineni, founder of AI note-taking company Fireflies.ai, said consumers were experimenting with applications ranging from shopping and price comparisons to booking flights and hotels, making restaurant reservations, managing bills and subscriptions, and seeking refunds.
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Grok bot users hit limits faster as Elon Musk warns of ‘unsustainably high’ AI agent costs: What happens next?
Grok Bot usage limits: Elon Musk says the cost of running Grok Bot has become unsustainable relative to its revenue as users report hitting weekly usage limits faster. Despite 800,000 paid weekly users, questions remain about the service's costs, pricing and future limits.
Anthropic revenue jumps 1,100% ahead of IPO as AI spending commitments near $900 billion
Anthropic reported a 1,100% surge in third quarter revenue to $17 billion ahead of its planned IPO later this month. However, the AI company also disclosed a $23.3 billion net loss and nearly $895 billion in spending commitments, raising questions about AI infrastructure costs and investor appetite for its proposed listing.
Vedant Poly Fabs SME IPO opens today; GMP at 16%, check key details
Vedant Poly Fabs’ Rs 56.68-crore IPO opens for subscription today on the NSE SME platform, with a 16% grey market premium indicating a potentially positive listing. The company plans to use the proceeds for working capital, debt repayment and manufacturing expansion.
When my AI bargains with your AI: The next great bazaar may be where our agents haggle for milliseconds
AI agents are evolving from simple task execution to negotiating on behalf of users in commerce. These agents can analyze data efficiently, enabling faster negotiations and potentially better deals. Businesses are already preparing for AI-to-AI negotiations, which may reshape the landscape of commerce. While this could benefit consumers, it may also create disparities based on the sophistication of agents.
Software stocks slide as Fortinet, ServiceNow fail to meet lofty investor expectations
Software companies have been under intense scrutiny this year as investors weigh the likelihood of newer AI models disrupting traditional business models. The S&P 500 Software & Services Index has managed a 6% year-to-date rise, just about half the gains recorded by the S&P 500.
Dashverse shuts DashReels, seeks $40 million for AI push
The Bengaluru and San Franciscobased startup is pitching its businessto-business software platform, Frameo AI, to prospective investors as it moves away from acquiring and monetising viewers through its own app. The proposed fundraise is at an early stage, the people said.
What are Indians watching on OTT? Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, Zee 5, SonyLIV reveal the shows, languages and formats winning viewers
India’s OTT audience continued to grow in 2026, with viewers watching content in different languages and exploring new genres and formats. In an exclusive conversation with ET Digital, Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, SonyLIV and ZEE5 discuss changing viewing habits, the growing popularity of micro-dramas and reality shows, and how good stories can find an audience regardless of language or budget. Here’s a look at what Indians are watching on OTT.
Jio after listing: 5 factors that could drive big returns for long-term investors
Jio Platforms recently debuted on the stock market with a strong initial premium over its IPO price. The company is well-positioned for growth due to its largest subscriber base and potential market expansion. Increased revenue can also result from higher average revenue per user and upcoming tariff hikes. Additionally, Jio's ventures into home broadband, AI, and cloud services present new revenue opportunities.
Paytm targets one-third UPI market share as Sharma steps up consumer acquisition
Paytm currently accounts for about 8.1% of UPI transaction volumes, behind PhonePe's 45.6% and Google Pay's 32.2%, according to September data from the National Payments Corporation of India.
Reinventing the pond: How this Bengal start-up is helping fish farmers battle climate and credit crisis
At a time when climate change is impacting world resources, including the aquatic system, Jalpaiguri’s Essential Aquatech is working to empower smallholder fish farmers by turning data into actionable insights and measures.
Protectt.ai takes majority stake in Bosch-incubated AIShield to build security platform
Protectt.ai, backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, has invested through a mix of primary and secondary share purchases. The business — AI Shield Private Limited — will operate as a separate entity, with existing intellectual property transferred to it, founder and chief executive Manish Mimani told ET. The deal value has not been disclosed.
Zetwerk Manufacturing shares list at 5% premium over IPO price
The Rs 5,012.33 crore IPO comprises a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 2,830 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 14.45 crore shares worth approximately Rs 2,182 crore. While the proceeds from the fresh issue will go to the company, the OFS proceeds will accrue to the selling shareholders.
Why Wall Street is selling chip stocks and buying Berkshire: Is Buffett’s old-school stock the new hedge against the AI trade, or an early warning for markets?
Berkshire hits a record as chip stocks slump 15%: Investors dumped chip stocks and rushed to Berkshire Hathaway. Between October 2 and 20, the semiconductor ETF SOXX lost 15.1 per cent, while Berkshire’s Class B shares rose 7.4 per cent to a record close. This combination last happened in October 2001, as the dot-com bubble burst. Berkshire’s third-quarter results are due November 7.
Vivo V80 review: A capable camera phone, but does it justify its Rs 62,999 price tag?
Vivo's latest launch, the V80, is tailored for both photography lovers and general smartphone users, boasting a robust design, extended battery life, and a stunning AMOLED display ideal for media consumption. However, while it handles daily operations adequately, we would have preferred a more powerful processor
Jio IPO: Nithin Kamath explains how Jio played an important role in making what Zerodha is today
Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath has credited Reliance Jio and Airtel with helping build India’s digital ecosystem and expand capital markets. Reflecting on Jio’s decade-long journey, Kamath said affordable data, along with Aadhaar and UPI, enabled online-first businesses like Zerodha to grow and helped drive a surge in retail investing.
Jio IPO beyond telecom: Why the Ambanis are pitching AI, cloud and 7,220 patents as Jio’s tech future
Jio Platforms ₹30,213 crore IPO marks a significant shift toward technology-driven digital services. With a focus on leveraging its connectivity through AI and cloud technologies, the company is also highlighting its extensive patent holdings. While Reliance Jio Infocomm continues to generate substantial revenue, the company aspires to broaden its reach into enterprise solutions and diverse digital products.
SpaceX Q3 revenue soars 161% YoY on AI business growth, beating estimates
Elon Musk's SpaceX on Tuesday reported a 161% rise in revenue for the third quarter, beating estimates, buoyed by a surge in its AI business and steady growth at its Starlink
Meta's AI spending, Muse assistant adoption in focus for quarterly results
Meta is gearing up to unveil its third-quarter earnings, driven mainly by notable investments in AI and the innovative Muse assistant. Recent launches in AI technology have uplifted investor sentiment, yet analysts predict a significant spike in capital expenditures leading to cash depletion. Although revenue growth is anticipated, it is likely to be slower compared to previous periods due to competitive challenges.
How Byju’s parent funded Aakash rights issue; Zetwerk IPO fully subscribed
Happy Dussehra! Byju’s parent used money repaid by Great Learning to back Aakash’s rights issue. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
In 2020, Molly Wolchansky started The Agent Nest with $500; by 2024, the real-estate marketing platform was generating an estimated $120,000 a year
Wolchansky first created social media content for her mother, who used to work as a real-estate agent. Other agents as well showed interest in the material. That gave her an idea of the demand for affordable marketing resources. Later, she worked with real-estate professionals through a marketing agency.
Zetwerk IPO fully subscribed; Super.money triples revenues
Zetwerk’s Rs 5,012-crore IPO was subscribed 3.06 times on Monday, the last day for bids. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Even Healthcare raises $50 million, triples Series A valuation
Silicon Valley-based Khosla Ventures, an early backer of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, first invested in the company in its $5-million seed round in 2021 and has participated in subsequent funding rounds. US-based Alpha Wave, which has invested in Indian companies such as Cred, Lenskart and Swiggy, co-led the second tranche of Even’s previous fundraise alongside Lachy Groom, in which the startup raised $20 million.
Stocks Sena launches free stock research platform, raises USD 232,000 at USD 2.32 million valuation
Stocks Sena, a venture co-founded by Krishna Singhal and Pushan Jain, has unveiled an innovative research platform aimed at empowering Indian investors. This website equips users with financial data and stock screening capabilities, granting access to primary-source company disclosures without any subscription fees. Notably, AI tools are designed to simplify complex earnings calls, enhancing comprehension of key financial insights.
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