Featured stories

KhetiBuddy is turning fragmented farm data into business intelligence

Farmers are flooded with data and there is no single source where they can get all the information they would require given that agriculture is a multi-process activity. This startup wants to change all that and KhetiBuddy has built a tech platform that helps the agriculture community to track crops, supply chains and sustainability.

Funding news

TraqCheck raises $8M led by IvyCap Ventures

TraqCheck, a HR tech startup originally founded in New Delhi but now headquartered in London, has raised $8 million in Series A round of funding led by IvyCap Ventures with participation from IIFL.

TraqCheck said it will use this capital for expansion into the European market as it looks to get deeper with the SMB and enterprise customers for its background screening agent - Trace, while scaling go-to-market for its recently launched real-time conversational sourcing agent, Nina.

Other news

Salesforce expands partnership with InMobi for AI growth

Salesforce has expanded its collaboration with InMobi to drive AI-led growth. InMobi will leverage Salesforce tools like Agentforce and Data 360 to enhance sales, service, and data capabilities. The integration will enable real-time insights, automation, and improved customer engagement across its global advertising ecosystem. The partnership reflects increasing adoption of AI-driven platforms in digital advertising.

As part of this partnership, InMobi is leveraging Salesforce solutions to power an AI-first unified operating model across its global business. These include, Agentforce Sales that streamlines pipeline management and stronger customer engagement, and Agentforce Service that enhances advertiser and partner support operations. Additionally, Salesforce will provide real-time forecasting, opportunity insights, and executive dashboards to improve visibility and performance. InMobi has also upgraded to Slack Enterprise Grid to enable seamless cross-functional collaboration at scale, and unlocked Data 360 across its business units to unify data and create a single, trusted foundation for actionable insights and personalised engagement.

Cognizant launches Technoverse Hackathon 2026 to nurture AI talent

Cognizant has launched the third edition of its Technoverse Hackathon, expanding it into a nationwide platform engaging over 20,000 pre-final year engineering students from 400+ colleges. The initiative focuses on fostering AI-driven innovation across sectors such as banking, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. According to Rajesh Varrier, Chairman and MD of Cognizant India, the hackathon aims to prepare future technology leaders by exposing students to enterprise-scale problem-solving. Participants will collaborate with industry experts and work on real-world challenges, bridging academic learning with practical applications. The program also emphasizes inclusivity, mandating 50% women participation, with each team comprising at least two women. The competition will conclude in May, with top teams recognized at a felicitation ceremony in Pune.

Practo appoints Srijesh Kumar as global CPTO

Practo has appointed Srijesh Kumar as its Global Chief Product and Technology Officer to lead its next phase of AI-led growth.

Srijesh Kumar

Kumar will oversee product and technology functions, focusing on platform scalability, innovation, and data-driven healthcare delivery.

His mandate includes embedding intelligence across the care journey-from discovery to follow-ups-while improving outcomes for patients and providers. Kumar brings over two decades of experience, most recently serving at Salesforce, and previously holding leadership roles at Expedia Group, Adobe, and Microsoft.

His appointment comes as Practo accelerates AI integration to enhance efficiency and personalisation in healthcare services.

The move signals the company's strategic push to strengthen its global footprint and technology backbone amid growing demand for digital health solutions.

Brandworks Technologies signs MoU with MeitY Startup Hub

Brandworks Technologies Private Limited, design-driven, R&D-led electronics manufacturing firm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MeitY Startup Hub (MSH). This collaboration will aim to strengthen India's deeptech and AI-driven electronics manufacturing ecosystem and focus on establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) that helps create and nurture the next generation of electronics startups, particularly in AI and deep tech, thereby accelerating innovation in the sector.

Through this partnership, Brandworks and MSH will co-develop a national innovation platform designed to enable deeptech startups operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, advanced electronics, and smart manufacturing systems. This initiative is designed to bridge critical gaps in product development by embedding design-for-manufacturability (DFM), rapid prototyping, and validation frameworks within the ecosystem. The collaboration aims to address systemic bottlenecks in hardware product development and accelerate time-to-market readiness for emerging ventures.

UST Nimbus launched aimed at GCC transformation

UST, an AI and technology solutions company has formed a partnership with Global Capability Center (GCC) advisory firm Evaaya to launch UST Nimbus, a design-led operating model that enables GCCs to move beyond execution and become global value organisations. Under UST Nimbus, GCCs are designed to drive innovation, digital transformation, and measurable business outcomes.

By aligning the GCC's identity and culture with the enterprise from day one, UST Nimbus aims to create hubs that enable high-performance teams, improve retention, and accelerate delivery outcomes. It will also have a talent-first approach powered by practitioner-led design that is grounded in real-world GCC operating experience and AI-driven talent strategies to enable faster ramp-up and stronger engagement with employees.

Nayasa partners Unicommerce to boost ecommerce efficiency

Nayasa has partnered with Unicommerce to enhance its online operations amid rising demand for home and kitchen products. The collaboration will enable real-time inventory tracking, automated order processing, and improved logistics management.

This comes as the home and furniture category recorded a 46% year-on-year rise in order volumes, reflecting strong digital adoption. Nayasa aims to leverage Unicommerce's integrated platform to reduce fulfillment errors, optimise delivery timelines, and streamline returns management. The move is expected to strengthen customer experience through faster deliveries and better post-purchase communication. With the new system in place, Nayasa plans to scale its online presence while maintaining operational efficiency, aligning with broader consumer trends of purchasing household essentials via digital platforms.

Green Drive Mobility expands EV collaboration with Tata Motors

Green Drive Mobility has strengthened its partnership with Tata Motors to accelerate electric mobility adoption in logistics. The collaboration will see expanded deployment of electric commercial vehicles across first-, mid-, and last-mile operations. Green Drive currently operates over 250 electric cargo vehicles and plans to scale its fleet to 1,000 by 2028.

The company recently inducted additional Tata Ace EVs for operations in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Its EV-as-a-Service model integrates fleet deployment, charging infrastructure, and workforce support, helping enterprises meet sustainability goals. The partnership reflects growing momentum in India's EV logistics ecosystem, driven by decarbonisation targets and cost efficiencies, positioning both companies to capitalise on rising demand for clean mobility solutions.

Matrix Geo wins Rs 5.14 Cr Narmada Survey contract

Matrix Geo Solutions Limited has secured a Rs 5.14 crore contract from MPSEDC to conduct a geospatial survey of the Narmada river corridor. The six-month project will use drones, aircraft, helicopters, and LiDAR technology to map 2,400 sq. km.

The initiative aims to support infrastructure planning, hydrological analysis, and creation of a digital twin of the region. The project will also help identify ecological sensitivities and infrastructure gaps. This mandate highlights growing adoption of advanced geospatial technologies in government-led infrastructure planning.

PayU launches AI-powered voice assistant for merchant onboarding

PayU has launched an AI-powered outbound voice assistant to streamline merchant onboarding. The tool engages merchants in English and Hindi, guiding them through KYC and onboarding steps while capturing key business information.

The solution aims to reduce drop-offs and improve lead conversion by enabling faster verification and personalised engagement. PayU plans to expand the assistant across additional touchpoints, including activation workflows and cross-selling. The launch is part of its broader strategy to become an AI-native organisation, enhancing efficiency across the merchant lifecycle.

Bluspring to acquire LSG Sky Chefs India

Bluspring Enterprises Limited will acquire 100% stake in LSG Sky Chefs India, marking its entry into aviation catering. The Bengaluru-based operations generate over ₹110 crore in revenue and serve major airlines including IndiGo and Lufthansa. The deal provides access to airport catering infrastructure under a long-term concession until 2039. With Bengaluru airport traffic expected to exceed 70 million passengers by 2030, the acquisition positions Bluspring to tap into growing aviation demand.

Prestige Group partners Autodesk for digital transformation

Prestige Group has entered a three-year partnership with Autodesk to deploy its Design & Make platform across projects. The collaboration will integrate design, scheduling, and cost workflows using 4D and 5D capabilities. The move aims to standardise processes and create a unified digital ecosystem across residential and commercial developments. It marks one of the largest enterprise digital transformations in India's real estate sector.

Through this landmark partnership, Prestige Group will standardize on Autodesk's complete Design and Make platform spanning industry-leading design authoring tools and Autodesk Construction Cloud to create a unified, connected ecosystem across its portfolio of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments. The transformation will also introduce process standardization, ecosystem-wide digital alignment, and capability-building initiatives for partners-redefining how projects are designed, managed, and delivered across the organization.

Beyond technology deployment, it signals a structural shift in operating models bringing consultants, contractors, and stakeholders into a digitally integrated framework designed to support scale, transparency, and long-term resilience.

Sawai Capital executes Rs 300 Cr structured credit deals

Sawai Capital has executed structured credit transactions exceeding Rs 300 crore in Q4, focusing on luxury and mid-market residential real estate. The firm reported zero delinquencies and delivered secured yields of 18-24%, highlighting strong asset quality and disciplined underwriting. The quarter unfolded amid global volatility, including geopolitical tensions and fluctuating crude prices, which widened the gap between available and deployable capital.

Sawai Capital completed two major transactions with established developers, offering tailored financing solutions backed by robust collateral and clear exit mechanisms. The firm continues to benefit from growing investor interest in asset-backed private credit, seen as offering yield certainty and downside protection. Its performance underscores resilience and strategic positioning in India's evolving real estate credit market.

AxisRooms launches dynamic pricing feature for hotels

AxisRooms has introduced dynamic pricing capabilities in its Channel Manager tool, enabling hotels to adjust room rates in real time based on demand and occupancy. The feature aims to improve revenue and occupancy, with global benchmarks indicating potential gains of 10-15% in revenue and 5-10% in occupancy. Hotels can configure pricing slabs, apply room-level controls, and set rules for dates and demand fluctuations.

The launch reflects AxisRooms' focus on helping hotels optimise distribution and profitability through technology. As dynamic pricing gains traction globally, the enhancement positions AxisRooms as a key partner for hotels seeking data-driven revenue management solutions.

Netskope expands India presence with Mumbai management plane

Netskope has launched its management plane in Mumbai, strengthening its NewEdge network infrastructure in India. The move supports compliance with India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act and sectoral regulations from RBI and SEBI.

The management plane enables local data residency by hosting policies, configurations, and sensitive metadata within India. Netskope's infrastructure now includes eight data centres in the country, part of its global network of over 120 facilities. The deployment allows organisations to enforce hybrid data policies while ensuring security and performance. This expansion reflects rising demand for sovereign cloud and cybersecurity solutions amid tightening regulatory requirements.