Gramophone, an Indore-based Agritech startup, has raised INR 75 Cr (about $10 Mn) in its Series B funding round. The round was led by Z3 Partners, with existing investors Infoedge, Asha Impact, and Siana Capital also participating. Amit Sharma of Sunrise Group, Sumeet Kanwar of Verity, and Chona Family Office are among the new investors in the round (Havmor Group). The funding will be used to expand the startup’s technology platform. It intends to grow geographically while also exploring inorganic growth possibilities like mergers and acquisitions. “With this investment, we…
Read MoreAuthor: FutureTech
Apple to introduce a stretch band in its smart watch to detect blood pressure
Apple may release a stretchy band for the Apple Watch in order to detect blood pressure accurately. While the Apple Watch is widely regarded as the most powerful smartwatch available today, it lacks blood pressure sensors. While the Watch Series 7 monitors heart rate, SPO2 and a variety of fitness-related parameters, it does not measure blood pressure like some other smartwatches. This is quite likely to change in the future. However, unlike many smartwatches that enable BP monitoring via sensors buried in the dial, the Apple Watch may offer the…
Read MorePhonePe decided to charge processing fees for transactions above 50 Rs
PhonePe will now collect processing fees for each transaction. This means you will no longer be able to transfer money or recharge your phone without paying a small fee for each transaction. The company has said that it would levy fees ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 2 per transaction for mobile recharges worth more than Rs 50. PhonePe was the first payment app to begin charging for transactions. “On recharges, we are running a very small-scale experiment where a few users are paying for mobile recharges. Recharges below Rs…
Read MoreWhatsApp adds Indian themed stickers to its payments feature
WhatsApp has been hard at work on its payments feature in India in order to encourage its user base to use the app’s abilities. In yet another update, WhatsApp has added a variety of stickers to its payments tool in an effort to make payments more entertaining for those who use WhatsApp. The update is tailored to WhatsApp users in India, and hence includes Indian-themed Payment stickers. According to the company, these new pictures are based on numerous cultural expressions in the country that represent money exchange. WhatsApp worked with…
Read MoreGoogle is going to teach you a new word every day
Google Search has launched a new tool that will assist users in learning a new English word every day. Google says that the feature would help users improve their vocabulary and develop their language skills. Users may receive daily alerts on their phones that will help them in learning new terms as well as some interesting information about them. For the time being, the Learn a new word every day feature is only accessible on phones. To activate the notifications, open Google Search and type Define before a term whose…
Read MoreTroubles for Facebook doesn’t seem to end anytime soon
Former employee of Facebook’s integrity team turned whistleblower accuses the social media platform of allowing hate speech and unlawful behavior. He stated that the company prioritizes profits above attempts to combat hate speech. The new allegations come just days after another former Facebook employee, Frances Haugen, accused the company of hurting young users through Instagram. Facebook’s problems do not appear to be going away anytime soon. According to reports, the new whistleblower filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He had alleged that Facebook feared then-President Donald Trump…
Read MoreShort video platforms using Instagram to increase fanbase
Indian short-video platforms that are looking beyond Tier-I India for the next set of users appear to be in a race to buy out Instagram influencers for exclusive content. Influencers with 100,000 to 500,000 followers may earn up to Rs 25 lakh per year on apps like MX TakaTak, Chingari, and Moj, which swiftly filled the void left by TikTok’s exit from India in June last year. “They have roped in multiple third-party agencies to do this,” said Praanesh Bhuvaneswar, founder and chief executive of influencer marketing platform Qoruz. “They’re…
Read MoreNykaa acquires domestic skincare company
Nykaa, India’s largest cosmetics etailer, has acquired a domestic skincare company Dot & Key only days before its initial public offering (IPO) on October 28. This is the startup’s first acquisition in the direct-to-consumer space. The deal, though, is reflective of the bigger turnover in the industry. According to a statement made on Friday, “Following this investment by Nykaa, Dot & Key will join Nykaa’s range of owned brands.” Dot & Key, founded by Suyash and Anisha Saraf, develops skincare products such as serums, face masks, toners, and cleansers. The…
Read MoreNITI Aayog includes 45 tech startups in its initial compilation of enterprises
Forty-five health-tech startups were included in the federal policy think tank NITI Aayog’s initial compilation of enterprises nurtured under a scheme to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. These companies’ technologies include portable health care devices that can be used at home, such as electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment, robotic arms capable of performing surgery, and a wearable device that alerts parents 24-hours before a pregnancy turns into a stillbirth, as shown in a list of innovative solutions released by these companies. The compilation, titled ‘Innovations for You,’ covers the start-ups fostered under the…
Read MoreEatFit expects a $50 M annualized revenue run rate by FY22
EatFit, a cloud kitchen brand managed by the Curefoods startup, offers clients healthy eating options. With the country’s cloud kitchen space booming, the business appears to have found the right recipe for success. Ankit Nagori, Founder, Curefoods, says that businesses in India have had an interesting journey over the last 18 months. The initial 5-6 months were particularly tough for consumer-facing brands such as EatFit. “People had to find ways to continue their business,” Ankit says. Ankit says that at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the startup was forced…
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