Author: lakshmanan

Chinese startup challenges tech giants with $6M AI model that outperforms ChatGPT, sending ripples through global markets DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has emerged as a significant disruptor in the global AI landscape, challenging the dominance of established players like OpenAI and Google. The company’s latest AI models, developed at a fraction of the cost of their Western counterparts, have not only matched but in some cases surpassed the performance of industry-leading models, prompting a sharp market response and raising questions about the future of AI development. The company’s meteoric rise was highlighted when its AI assistant became the…

Introduction to CloudCherryCloudCherry, a Customer Experience Management (CEM) platform, emerged as a game-changer in enhancing customer journeys through real-time analytics and predictive insights. Founded in 2014 in Chennai, India, it quickly gained recognition for its ability to help businesses map customer interactions and improve satisfaction. This article delves into CloudCherry’s innovative approach, its acquisition by Cisco, and its future in the global CEM landscape.What is CloudCherry?Focus Keyphrase: CloudCherry Customer Experience ManagementCloudCherry specializes in gathering and analyzing customer feedback from diverse channels like email, in-app chat, surveys, and SMS. Its advanced tools enable businesses to:Collect real-time feedback.Map the customer journey across…

Indian-born CEO Aravind Srinivas discusses AI adoption with Prime Minister, offers access to Perplexity Pro for Indian academia In a significant development highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global artificial intelligence landscape, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, engaging in what both parties described as a productive discussion about AI’s future in India and worldwide. The meeting, which garnered substantial attention on social media, comes at a crucial time when India is positioning itself as a potential leader in AI innovation and development. Srinivas, who leads one of the emerging players in…

Quick-commerce giant’s privacy-focused update witnesses over 100,000 deletions as platform continues expansion across India’s Tier II markets In a significant move towards enhancing user privacy and control, Zomato-owned quick-commerce platform Blinkit has introduced a feature allowing users to delete their order history. The update, launched in the last week of December 2024, has already seen remarkable adoption with over 100,000 orders deleted, signaling strong user demand for privacy-focused features in the e-commerce space. Blinkit Co-founder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa announced the feature through LinkedIn, highlighting its rapid uptake. “You can now delete orders from your Blinkit order history! We rolled…

Enterprise fintech player strengthens position with successful fundraise, attracting major institutional investors while shares surge 4% following the announcement In a significant move that underscores the growing institutional interest in India’s fintech sector, Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services has successfully raised ₹595 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP). The Mumbai-listed enterprise fintech company saw its shares climb 4% to ₹551.5 on the BSE following the announcement, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth trajectory. The company completed the placement by allotting 11.37 million shares at ₹523.20 each, representing a 5% discount to the floor price of ₹550.73. The successful fundraise…

First financial services company to offer comprehensive lending, insurance, and investment solutions through government’s open digital commerce network In a ground breaking development for India’s financial sector, Aditya Birla Capital has become the first financial services company to fully integrate its core offerings – lending, insurance, and investments – on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This strategic move, announced on December 23 in Mumbai, marks a significant milestone in the democratization of financial services across India. The integration represents a major step forward for both the company and ONDC, the government’s ambitious initiative to create an open, interoperable…

Indian-American tech veteran to shape national artificial intelligence policy alongside newly appointed AI Czar David Sacks in incoming administration In a significant move signaling the incoming administration’s focus on artificial intelligence, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Sriram Krishnan, a former Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) partner and veteran tech executive, as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The appointment, announced through Trump’s Truth Social platform, positions Krishnan to work closely with David Sacks, the recently named White House Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar. Together, they will be tasked with maintaining America’s competitive…

The automotive giant unveils two new variants of its flagship Chetak electric scooter priced between INR 1.27 lakh, featuring enhanced battery capacity and plans for international expansion. Bajaj Auto, one of India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has strengthened its position in the electric vehicle segment with the launch of two new premium variants of its iconic Chetak scooter. The company unveiled the new 35-Series at a launch event in Mumbai, marking a significant step in its electrification journey. The new Chetak variants, priced competitively between INR 1.2 lakh and INR 1.27 lakh, showcase significant improvements over their predecessors. The updated models…

Executive Chairman Girish Mathrubootham divests 2.5 million shares amid organizational changes and improved financial outlook, marking his third major stock sale in 2024 In a significant development at Freshworks (NASDAQ: FRSH), co-founder and Executive Chairman Girish Mathrubootham has sold approximately 2.5 million shares of Class A common stock, worth $39.6 million, according to recent SEC filings. The transactions, executed between December 18-19, 2024, saw share prices ranging from $15.33 to $16.50. This latest divestment comes at a pivotal time for the SaaS company, which has been implementing substantial organizational changes while maintaining strong revenue growth. The sale represents Mathrubootham’s third…

Healthcare AI and quantum computing startups demonstrate India’s growing prowess in frontier technologies with significant early-stage investments In a strong signal of continued investor confidence in Indian-founded startups, multiple technology companies have secured substantial early-stage funding. Notably, Confido Health has raised $3 million in a seed round, while Pune-based quantum technology startup Quanfluence has secured $2 million, highlighting India’s emerging strength in deep tech innovation. Confido Health, an AI-focused healthtech startup founded by Indian entrepreneurs Chetan Reddy and Vichar Shroff, has successfully closed its $3 million seed funding round led by Together Fund. The round saw participation from notable investors…