IO STARTUP
Carl Pei teases Nothing’s first AI-native product; says it 'couldn't have been an app'
Nothing will launch its first AI-native product in December with a focus on productivity. The chief executive, Carl Pei, provided limited details about the product’s functions. It is suggested that the product may help users capture conversations and take notes. Other companies are also exploring wearable AI devices that focus on companionship or productivity.
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.
Canva may announce another round of layoffs in November, report claims; hiring freeze also possible
Canva appears to be bracing for possible layoffs or a hiring freeze after recently downsizing their team by cutting 32 employees from the technical content department. Although user growth surged in 2025, the company has drastically revised its revenue forecasts for 2026. CEO Melanie Perkins noted that projections have not met earlier expectations but underscored their commitment to an AI-driven strategy.
Jio’s mega public issue puts India’s AI companies in the spotlight; see who are the potential IPO candidates
The interest in India’s AI firms comes at a time when such companies are attracting increasing private investment and some are beginning to consider stock market listings. Jio itself is looking to target growth beyond telecom through AI, cloud, and satellite communications.
Indian AI engineer builds 'world model', claims it's cheaper & faster than others
Sam Pasupalak, the visionary cofounder and CEO of Skyfall AI, has introduced an innovative AI model named SKY-001. This groundbreaking model is tailored for intricate engineering challenges, capable of analyzing real-world physical characteristics. Promising to outperform existing models like GPT-6 Astra, SKY-001 is notably faster and more cost-effective. It offers the ability to transform inputs into 3D assets, facilitating sequential design planning.
Joosep Seitam at the age of 19 built men's jewelry e-commerce brand Icecartel, clients include Rick Ross, BigXthaPlug, Trippie Redd
Joosep Seitam began earning money as a teenager by doing lawn and garden work in Estonia. He later moved into online sales and digital marketing before co-founding Icecartel with Martin Kardi. The online men's jewelry brand sells moissanite and diamond pieces.

Agrani in talks to raise Rs 800-850 crore from Samsung, 360 One, Peak XV
The Bengaluru-based company is also looking to apply for around Rs 120-130 crore under the government-backed Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme as part of the fundraise, the sources said.

Apple Pay lands in India; Google executive on AI's next big hurdle
Apple Pay has finally arrived in India, giving iPhone users a new way to make payments. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

India Mobile Congress 2026 launches 'Viksit Tech 47' platform to build Indian technology brands for global markets
India Mobile Congress 2026 has introduced Viksit Tech 47 to aid Indian technology firms in achieving global prominence. This platform aims to support companies in several technology sectors, including artificial intelligence and IoT. A flagship report assessing over 200 Indian tech companies will be released at the event. Viksit Tech 47 will also implement the Dr Zarabi Indigenisation Award for startups in hardware development.

Meta launches Charm, a companion device to its Muse AI agent
The Muse Charm, shown at the end of this week's Connect keynote, is a keychain-sized, Tamagotchi-style device with a small screen that shows an animated avatar of the Muse assistant. In a demonstration during the event, Zuckerberg showed that you can tap a fingerprint sensor to start a conversation with it.

India's chip mission more comprehensive than many countries: Infineon Technologies CEO
Infineon eyes €800 Million India Revenue by 2030 on clean energy, auto surge.

Karnataka to build end-to-end electronics hub: Minister MB Patil
The state already has more than 20,000 chip designers and over 10,000 analogue engineers, while more than 100 companies are engaged in chip design, Patil said.

Meghalaya steps up tech push with Shillong Technology Park, aims to emerge as Northeast’s innovation hub
In an effort to bolster its technology sector, Meghalaya is actively working to generate fresh employment opportunities for its residents. The first phase of the Shillong Technology Park is completely occupied, and the completion of the second phase is imminent. Additionally, the new Tura IT Park is being built with support from the Union government.

Bajaj Finance acquires 5% stake in TrueFan AI as part of Finserv Intelligence
Bajaj Finance has completed a five percent equity investment in TrueFan AI, a move that aligns with Bajaj Finserv's commitment to fostering applied research and driving innovation. This investment will focus on tech startups that demonstrate significant scalability. TrueFan's platform is already being utilized for enhancing customer engagement, with the goal of expanding efforts in personalized marketing and AI-enhanced communication.

iPhone 18 Pro Max release date: Apple’s new launch plan may look different this time
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, with media reports suggesting pre-orders could open on September 12 instead of the usual Friday after launch. The phones are expected to go on sale September 18, while iOS 27 could arrive September 14. Apple has yet to confirm these dates or the foldable iPhone’s sales schedule.

Ally.io raises $50 million in Series C funding round
SaaS startup Ally.io claims it has over 800 customers today, including the likes of Nike, Slack, Dropbox, Urban Company and TripAdvisor.

Industrial IoT startups to drive next wave of growth: Report
While wearables and devices have been the darling of investors in the IoT sector up until now, it is soon going to change.

Beyond the hype, big story awaits Internet of Things companies
These are spread across the globe with no concentration in any geography and over $12.5 billion has been invested in IoT startups.

TiE-backed IoT centre to open doors in Bengaluru
TiE had also teamed up with China-based hardware startup accelerator to collaborate for market assessment and technology assimilation in IoT sector.
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