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Energy infra startups see bigger cheques as investors bet on sovereign play
Bengaluru-based Enerzolve, which makes smart meters, power conversion systems and energy storage systems, is in talks to raise $20 million from existing investors Jungle Ventures and Kae Capital as well as Schneider Electric, people aware of the matter told ET. That’s nearly four times the $5 million it raised in a January round.
Entry norms for GPU bidders eased, but price pain remains
Bidders will not be required to submit a financial bid or commit to service level terms at the first stage, which will be for technical qualification. This is a significant change from the previous IndiaAI process. The minimum technical qualifying score has been reduced to 60 out of 100, compared with 75 under the IndiaAI framework.
Ripik.ai in talks to raise Rs 150 crore from Gaja Capital
The startup deploys its hardware and software systems at large manufacturing and industrial units, including cement and steel plants, using cameras, sensors and proprietary AI models to monitor equipment, materials and production processes. It counts Accel and Venture Highway (now merged with General Catalyst) among its existing investors.
Premji Invest goes big on strategic output & tech
Premji Invest and Singularity AMC are likely to lead a $30-40 million round in Sanlayan at a valuation of about $200 million, according to the people. Separately, Premji Invest is in advanced talks to lead Hical’s first institutional funding round of $30-40 million, alongside TVS Capital.
Chip startup Agrani Labs looks to raise $108 million from Peak XV, Google, Samsung
Peak XV Partners is leading the round and is expected to contribute more than half of the total funding. Google, HCL Tech, Samsung Ventures and Stargazer, an investment firm set up by Groww's founders, are also expected to participate, the people cited above said.
Anthropic's rapid growth comes with an $80 billion loss and growing concerns about AI risks
Anthropic filed for an initial public offering, reflecting rapid revenue growth amid significant financial losses. The company reported a 1,300% revenue increase, reaching $16.3 billion in the first half of 2026. However, it also encountered a net loss exceeding $80 billion due to high costs in AI development. Risks associated with AI technology are increasingly becoming a concern for potential investors.
ET Exclusive: India weighs security checkpoint for Starlink, global satcom firms
The Indian government is in discussions to create a hardware device for monitoring satellite communications from foreign providers. This device aims to ensure national security by controlling internet traffic from companies like Starlink. Officials state that this security layer will prevent potential risks associated with untrusted transport carriers. Notably, Starlink has faced regulatory challenges for not complying with local infrastructure regulations.
Homegrown firms enter budget smartphone market as memory chip prices rise
India's budget smartphone market is opening up for local brands as global companies reduce their presence. Rising memory chip prices have significantly impacted entry-level smartphone production costs. Homegrown companies Ai+ and Lava are gaining traction in this competitive segment. Micromax plans to re-enter the smartphone market by evaluating various strategies. Brands aim to leverage the government's financial incentives under the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to succeed.
India first, orbit next: Skyroot eyes $300 million dual valuation plan
Skyroot is in talks with Indian family offices to raise $150 million at a valuation of $2.3-2.5 billion, while the company is seeking to mop up the same amount from global investors such as General Catalyst, General Atlantic and Silicon Valley venture fund Benchmark at a higher valuation of up to $3 billion, the people said.
Apple launches HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and new Apple TV 4K in India: Prices, specifications and availability
In an exciting announcement, Apple has launched three innovative devices for enhancing smart home environments: the HomeView, HomePod mini 2, and Apple TV 4K. HomeView is the new smart home hub with a user-friendly 7-inch display. The HomePod mini 2 promises richer audio and forthcoming advanced Siri features, while the Apple TV 4K improves streaming options and enables hands-free Siri usage.
AI startup Sarvam in talks for $300 million top-up; valuation may double to $3 billion
The startup builds Indian-language AI models and applications for government agencies and businesses, including banks and insurers. Its customers include Life Insurance Corp. of India, SBI Life, IDFC First Bank, Tata Capital and Cred. Maharashtra has approved deployment of Sarvam’s Indus AI workspace across departments for drafting, translation and document analysis, with government data hosted within India.
MF Tracker: Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund tops 1-year return chart with 118% gains. Can the strong performance continue?
The Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund has achieved impressive returns exceeding 118% over the last year, driven largely by Taiwan's booming technology and semiconductor industries. This fund targets long-term capital appreciation via equity investments. However, investors should temper their expectations due to increasing valuations, emphasizing the necessity for a diversified portfolio and thoughtful investment strategies for international allocations.
Quant Mutual Fund says investors should stay agile in portfolio allocation amid market shifts
The fund house noted that the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East had entered its eighth month and resulted in severe disruptions to global commodity supplies, with Brent crude rising above $100 a barrel.
In 2017, Google researchers published “Attention Is All You Need”; they were solving translation, but accidentally laid the foundation for today’s AI age
Google Translate once struggled with long sentences because its software processed language one word at a time. This sequential reading approach created severe computational bottlenecks, slowing down translation and causing models to lose context by the time they reached the end of a paragraph. Computer scientists solved this limitation by abandoning step-by-step reading entirely. Their Transformer architecture analyzed full blocks of text simultaneously using self-attention.
Amazon, Walmart's Flipkart launch review of unlicensed security camera listings on India platforms
Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart have begun checking security camera listings on their platforms in India after hundreds of unlicensed products were offered for sale despite strict government testing rules imposed six months ago amid
IndiaAI Mission likely to rewire after GPU glitch
The IndiaAI Mission currently has access to about 30,000 GPUs against a total commitment of 45,000. Several firms that had committed capacity have been unable to deliver due to market pressures. The IT ministry is now planning to issue fresh bids while also pressing companies to meet their pledges.
Orbital Shift: India's space sector undergoing biggest transformation; pvt firms handle rockets, ISRO focus on more ambitious missions
India's space sector is undergoing significant changes as private companies engage in rocket production and management. The Indian Space Research Organisation is shifting its focus towards more ambitious missions and projects. This transition follows the introduction of the Indian Space Policy 2023, which emphasizes private sector participation. Concerns have been raised by ISRO employees regarding the agency's future and potential loss of capabilities.
Indian consumer regulator escalates probe into Apple's software warranty terms
India's consumer regulator is investigating Apple's software warranty terms. The iOS 18 update allegedly damaged iPhone functionality and required costly repairs. Apple contests these accusations, citing global industry standards for software warranties. The regulator has escalated the matter for a detailed investigation into consumer rights violations. Apple could face fines or be forced to change its business practices.
Gaganyaan delays should be taken with 'pinch of salt': Astronaut Angad Pratap
Gaganyaan astronaut Angad Pratap acknowledged that delays are a natural part of developing ambitious programs. He assured that the astronaut team is diligently training for the mission's launch. Pratap highlighted the importance of patience in ensuring the mission's safety and success. Additionally, he discussed his significant involvement in creating the human-machine interface for the spacecraft, while ISRO Chairman V Narayanan affirmed that preparations for the uncrewed mission are proceeding vigorously.
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