Meanwhile, financial services platform Aikyam Capital Group has raised Rs 205 crore to mark the first close of its private credit fund. The fund, which is structured under Aikyam Capital Trust, has a target corpus of Rs 300 crore with a green shoe option of Rs 100 crore, taking the total fund size to Rs 400 crore. The news comes at a time when India is seeing growing demand for private credit and structured capital solutions.

Next up: Acquisitions and tie ups in the world of technology.

While OpenAI has acquired AI security firm Promptfoo, Meta Platforms has acquired Moltbook, a social network where only software programmes can post and interact.

Elsewhere, tech giant NVIDIA and Thinking Machines Lab have partnered to deploy a massive computing infrastructure focused on the next generation of AI.

Lastly, Google has rolled out AI features in Chrome for users across India, a move it said would make the browsing experience more intuitive and secure.

In today's newsletter, we will talk about

• Meet the women pushing limits of endurance
• Garuda Aerospace, Airbus Helicopters partner for drones

Here's your trivia for today: The headquarters of OPEC is located in which country?

Inspiration

Several women have taken up endurance sports after life-altering experiences. Some have gone on to prove that age is just a number, and others have balanced their love of sport with demanding careers. What connects them is a willingness to test the limits of their bodies and minds and venture into uncharted territory.

From ultramarathons and climbing mountains to solo ocean crossings, these women's journeys embody a never-say-die spirit.

Key takeaways:

• At just 18, Renee Noronha became the youngest Indian woman to complete an Ironman triathlon by finishing Ironman New Zealand.
• On January 10, Pooja Krishnamoorthy made history by completing the Brazil 135 Ultra and becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for, attempt, and finish the gruelling 135-mile (217 km) race in its 21-year history.
• At 72, Chennai-based Vidya Singh achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the oldest Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 metres.

Startup: Skye Air

Amount: $9M

Round: Series B

Startup: Confluxe

Amount: $1.5M

Round: Pre Seed

News

Garuda Aerospace, Airbus Helicopters partner for drones

Airbus Flexrotor. Image: Airbus

Drone-tech firm Garuda Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters have signed a contract for Garuda to acquire up to 18 Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial Systems, commonly known as UAS or high-tech drones.

The deal will help help Garuda expand its reach into international markets by offering advanced monitoring and intelligence solutions.

Sky high:

• The drone industry is witnessing a shift as major players move from simple manufacturing towards providing complex, long-distance aerial services and this partnership is an example of this evolution.
• According to Garuda, it has manufactured over 5,000 drones and secured a 30% share of the agricultural drone sector in India.
• The Flexrotor is a light tactical drone designed for missions that require staying in the air for long periods, often referred to as high-endurance operations.

News & updates

• Resignation: Pieter Elbers, the chief executive of IndiGo, has resigned. His resignation comes months after a crisis forced the carrier to cancel thousands of flights. The airline confirmed his departure with immediate effect, saying he stepped down for "personal reasons", without sharing further details.
• Oil shock: The International Energy Agency is expected to call for the largest release of government oil reserves in its history. The move is aimed at calming the oil price shock triggered by the crisis in West Asia.