FREEMIUM
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.
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.
Two childhood friends turned a college note-taking problem into an AI business that generated more than $13 million by age 21
Turbo AI, founded by Sarthak Dhawan and Rudy Arora, is a groundbreaking note-taking app that rapidly grew its user base. From their roots as college students to thriving entrepreneurs, they showcased effective marketing and innovation. Their strategic use of social media helped them amass 300,000 users and generate $500,000 in revenue soon after launch. Their journey also taught them invaluable lessons from previous endeavors.
Gen Z has jobs, networks and endless online connections, but still feels lonely: This startup wants to change that
A startup focused on helping young professionals build real-world communities has raised $3.5 million as concerns grow over loneliness among younger workers. Clockout, founded by Krishna Dosapati, connects users with nearby professionals, clubs and events, aiming to move networking beyond screens. The company says its platform is designed to help people form social and professional relationships, particularly after moving cities or changing industries.
ET Startup Awards 2026 | Bootstrap Champ: Habuild stretches profits without bending to VC cash
Founded in 2020 by Saurabh and Trishala Bothra and Anshul Agrawal, the platform aimed to make yoga more accessible and has become one of India's largest digital wellness platforms, growing without external funding.
Nazara games subsidiary to acquire Ultimate Teen Patti IP from Games24x7
Nazara Technologies acquires Ultimate Teen Patti IP rights for Rs 10 crore from Games24x7. Nextwave subsidiary to expand casual freemium gaming with the acquisition, expecting deal closure within 90 days.
How Apple’s proposed changes could crumble the freemium model
The company will now allow developers to opt for the ‘new regime’ which lets users within the EU download apps and make purchases outside the Apple app store. It will also permit developers to distribute their apps via alternate stores, thereby also opting out of Apple’s in-app payment system.
Candy Crush Saga hits $20 billion revenue milestone, says maker King
Candu Crush Saga pioneered the "freemium" model, in which the game is free but players can spend money to boost their performance or can watch ads to gain moves.
Buoyed by US traction, Pocket FM eyes more global forays
Pocket FM recorded more than $25 million (about Rs 205 crore) annualised revenue run-rate (ARR) as of October 2022. In November last year, the platform launched in the US. And the company decided to lay more emphasis on figuring out the business model to fuel these ambitions.
Viu launches OTT service in South Africa
In South Africa, the app will be available in a ‘freemium’ model offering premium local, regional and original content.
Reliance Jio may find it hard to make users pay for free content
Freemium is an online business model whereby basic services are provided free of charge while more advanced features must be paid for.
Quikr's online recruitment firm Hiree switches to freemium model for quick growth
Hiree is looking at the freemium model as a way to attract more jobs online and therefore drive growth. The company is targetting a growth of 3x in the next 12 months through this model alone.
Shilpa Shetty to launch digital fitness venture
Shetty is looking to create an 'offline-meets-online' model for the channel. Consumers who are able to complete the various fitness challenges on the channel will be offered special offline fitness sessions with the actor.
Windows 10 goes freemium with paid apps
As Microsoft transitions Windows into a service, it is beginning to charge users for more advanced or non-core features of the OS.
Here's how 'Clash of Clans' app makes $1.5 million a day
The mobile game "Clash of Clans is free to download and free to play, so how does it pull in an unheard of $1.56 million revenue everyday?
Startups head to UK for tour of British startup ecosystem
The initiative, known as “'Great Tech Rocketships', hosted five Demo Days across Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Marketing in cyberspace
If you're generating lots of traffic but few people are paying to upgrade, you may have the opposite problem: Your free offerings are too rich, and it's time to cut back.
Free mobile games forcing Indian developers to change technology & pricing formats
Personal entertainment devices are forcing game developers in India to change tacks and shift the focus of their business models away from the PC.
Airtel DTH plans to offer pay-per-view movies free to customers
Bharti Airtel is trying out a new advertisement model to offer pay-per-view movies on its DTH platform free to customers.
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