BENGALURU FINTECH
US visa squeeze hits Indians; Kiranas, Q-comm go lean before GST 2.0
US visas will become harder for Indians as the Trump administration shuts down a popular fast-track route. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Karnataka govt launches Experiential Learning Programme for BFSI sector
Karnataka government launched the Experiential Learning Programme by the BFSI Consortium's Bengaluru Chapter, aiming to bridge the education-to-employability gap. The initiative introduces industry-vetted curriculum, domain, technical, and behavioural training, along with internships in BFSI companies. This programme addresses the sector's skilled workforce deficit, expected to reach 3 million by 2030, and strengthens opportunities for young professionals.
Cognizant drops use of logo in India after Bombay HC order
Cognizant has removed its logo from major social media platforms after the Bombay High Court reinstated a ban in a trademark dispute with Bengaluru-based fintech Atyati. The court ruled that Cognizant cannot use the logo in India until the case concludes. Atyati claims Cognizant copied its 2019 logo design.
Amazon completes $200 million cash acquisition of Axio, adds an NBFC licence via deal
While the company did not disclose the deal size, sources pegged it at around $200 million, with all the existing investors of Axio making an exit and the founders continuing to run the show.
ET Startup Awards 2025 | Midas Touch: Ashish Agrawal’s golden touch seems to Groww and thrive
The jury picked Ashish Agrawal, managing director at Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital), for the honour. Agrawal’s standout bet has been on wealthtech firm Groww, which has surged multifold in six years. He edged past industry veteran TCM Sundaram, founder of Chiratae Ventures, who has backed and exited marquee names such as Lenskart, Policybazaar and Zivame.
Amazon completes Axio acquisition, secures access to direct lending business in India
Amazon has finalized its acquisition of Axio, an Indian non-bank lender, securing a direct lending license in India. This move allows Amazon to offer credit products directly on its platform, including checkout loans, and explore new credit solutions for customers and small businesses. Axio will operate as a separate entity under Amazon, expanding Amazon's fintech presence in India.
- Go To Page 1
What's triggering underperformance of most mid-cap mutual funds and what should you do now?
Only 18% of actively managed mid-cap funds now outperform their benchmarks, down from 65% as of 2019. Is it time to go passive?
Singapore PM to visit India next week, several MoUs likely to be signed
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will visit India on September 2. Several MoUs are expected to be signed focusing on skill development, finance, and digital revolution. He will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit marks 60 years of diplomatic ties. Both countries will discuss trade, training, digitalisation, and healthcare.
Online investment platform Groww receives Sebi nod to launch IPO
The IPO size is estimated to be in the range of $800 million to $1 billion. Groww’s equity shares would have a face value of Rs 2 each and will be listed on both the NSE and the BSE. The filing for IPO was made under Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd, Groww’s registered corporate entity.
Why AI startups cost more, not less to build: Investor insights from ET Soonicorns Summit 2025
At the ET Soonicorns Summit 2025, Harshjit Sethi and Ritesh Banglani dismantled one of the most persistent myths in today’s startup ecosystem: that AI will make company building cheaper and faster. Instead, they argued, AI-native startups are proving to be far more capital-intensive than traditional ventures, yet also offer unprecedented opportunities for disruption.
ETSA 2025: Jury to pick winners today; Shakeup in the EV race
The day has arrived! The distinguished jury of The Economic Times Startup Awards 2025, led by India’s former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, will convene in Bengaluru today to select the brightest stars in India’s startup galaxy. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
The ET Startup Awards 2025: Nominees for ‘Startup of the Year’ are here
Happy Wednesday! We at ETtech have been hard at work to bring you the 11th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA).
ET Startup Awards 2025: Nominees for Midas Touch
The award will recognise the most lucrative exit in the year. The decision will be made based on the volume of deals as well as the size of the exit.
The ET Startup Awards 2025: elite jury to pick winners on August 28
Happy Tuesday! The ETtech team has been neck-deep preparing for the past few months to bring you the 11th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA). Today, we are unveiling the elite jury and nominees for two more categories — Woman Ahead and Social Enterprise.
The Economic Times Startup Awards 2025: Nominees for Best on Campus and Comeback Kid
We are excited to bring you the 11th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA). In the run-up to the coveted honours, we have the nominees for the Best on Campus and Comeback Kid categories for you today.
Fintech startup Kiwi secures $24 million from Vertex Ventures and existing investors
Fintech startup Kiwi secured $24 million in funding led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India to launch credit lines on UPI. Kiwi, which already issues RuPay credit cards, plans to leverage the new capital to expand its offerings. The company aims to capitalize on the growing adoption of UPI and the increasing demand for credit products in India.
Nominees for The Economic Times Startup Awards 2025; and other top stories this week
Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories from this week. Let’s take a look at the recap.
ET Soonicorns Summit 2025: Karnataka pushing ‘Beyond Bengaluru’, tier-II cities emerging as startup hubs, says Minister Sharan Prakash Patil
While speaking at the ET Soonicorns Summit 2025, the minister said that since 2020, Bengaluru has raised over $48.2 billion in startup funding, created 31 new unicorns, and today houses 85 soonicorns and 317 minicorns. The "Beyond Bengaluru" story is real, the minister noted.
'Has a single Indian achieved anything?' Bengaluru founder shuts up American businessman for mocking India's 'talent'
An online spat broke out after American businessman Charles Haywood claimed India had made no major accomplishments in modern times. His remarks on X were countered by Bengaluru-based venture capitalist Dilip Kumar, who cited India’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing, the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Nobel Prize wins by Indian figures. Kumar’s response drew wide support online, with many highlighting India’s global contributions in science, technology, and leadership.
ET Soonicorns Summit 2025: “India lags behind the US, China in foundational tech”
Does India have an AI ambition crisis? As the who’s who of the AI, startup, and investment ecosystem flocked to Bengaluru for India’s biggest soonicorns summit, changemakers mulled over whether India’s consumption (rather than production) of AI could cost the country a lucrative future.
ET Startup Awards 2025: Unveiling the Bootstrap Champ & Top Innovator nominees
The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) are back! We have been hard at work for the past few months to bring you the 11th edition of the coveted honours.
ET Soonicorns Summit 2025: Karnataka Deputy CM to unveil report on soonicorns and minicorns across priority sectors
DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, is set to unveil the Economic Times Top Soonicorns and Minicorns of Karnataka 2025 report, based on data from January 1, 2020, to June 9, 2025, revealing 31 unicorns, 85 soonicorns, and emerging innovation clusters across five urban hubs.
PayNearby plans to go public next year, says CEO
Indian fintech giants such as Paytm, PhonePe and BharatPe dominate the market with payments and lending, but PayNearby takes a different route by building a vast network of neighborhood retailers to deliver digital services.
Is starting a business more rewarding than studying at Harvard? Why one student is considering betting big on India’s growth story
A 26-year-old student at Harvard Business School is weighing whether to quit her course to move to India and join the country’s booming startup sector, according to a post on X. A close friend revealed she is seeking operator roles in early-stage firms and wants to “bet on the India story.” The post drew a flood of responses, with startup leaders offering roles while others urged her not to leave Harvard. The debate reflects India’s growing global pull.
Cabinet nod for Online Gaming Bill; Bluestone’s listing day gains
Cabinet approved the Online Gaming Bill, outlawing online money games. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.
Observability now equals watching AI
Datadog CPO Yanbing Li told ET that enterprises face new challenges in monitoring AI systems, where observability extends beyond uptime to model accuracy, data integrity, hallucinations, and agent behavior.
Taxman eyes crypto code; China stalls India tech JVs
We’ve got fresh details on India’s crypto regulation push, plus a look at China’s tech deal delays. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.
Credit on UPI; Amazon rushes into quick commerce
Banks are finally looking to disburse loans via UPI, with initial trials in progress. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Niyo acquires Kanji Forex; appoints Amit Talwar of IndusInd Bank as CEO of forex business
Niyo, which is backed by Accel, will look to offer forex products across foreign currency, forex cards, and outward remittances, which are allowed as per the regulatory licence. Niyo will further expand Kanji Forex’s physical presence and set up new branches to grow the business.
Load More
