Mercedes-Benz Turns to Zoho for ‘Made-in-India’ Dealer Tech Platform

Walmart's PhonePe has successfully raised $600 million from General Atlantic, boosting its valuation to $14.5 billion as it gears up for an IPO. This significant funding round highlights the growing confidence in India's digital payments sector and PhonePe's potential to lead in this space. As the company prepares for its public offering, this investment not only strengthens its financial position but also signals a robust future for digital finance in India.

Aimtron is making significant strides in its operations in India with a greenfield expansion and securing design wins that highlight its successful ODM approach. This is important as it not only boosts local manufacturing capabilities but also positions Aimtron as a competitive player in the industry, potentially leading to more job opportunities and innovation in the tech sector.

In a significant milestone for the tech community, GitHub has announced that TypeScript has overtaken Python and JavaScript to become the most used programming language among its 180 million developers as of August 2025. This shift highlights the growing popularity of TypeScript, particularly as more developers embrace its features for building robust applications. Additionally, India has seen a remarkable increase of 5.2 million developers in 2025, showcasing the country's expanding role in the global tech landscape. This news is important as it reflects the evolving preferences in programming languages and the rapid growth of the developer community.

IntrCity SmartBus has secured $30 million in funding, bringing its valuation to $140 million, as it aims to strengthen its position in India's booming intercity travel market. With a remarkable 67% revenue growth last year, the company is on track for full profitability this year, highlighting the increasing demand for efficient travel solutions in the country. This investment not only underscores the potential of the intercity travel sector but also reflects the growing confidence in IntrCity's business model.

Cognizant is gearing up for an IPO in India, a move that signals confidence in the market and the company's growth potential. This is significant as it not only reflects the company's strong position but also highlights the increasing interest in tech firms going public in India. With a generous salary offer for freshers, Cognizant is also attracting new talent, which could further bolster its operations and innovation.

India's Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are struggling to find profitable ways to leverage artificial intelligence, highlighting a significant challenge in the tech landscape. This issue is crucial as it reflects the broader difficulties many organizations face in monetizing AI technologies, which are often seen as the future of innovation. The inability to effectively harness AI could hinder India's growth in the global tech market, making it essential for these centers to adapt and find viable business models.

BhashaBench V1 is a groundbreaking bilingual benchmark designed specifically for Indic knowledge systems, addressing the limitations of existing benchmarks that often overlook India's diverse linguistic landscape. With over 74,000 curated tasks, this initiative is crucial for enhancing the evaluation of language models in culturally relevant contexts, ensuring that advancements in AI are inclusive and representative of India's rich heritage.

Snabbit, a promising startup in India, has seen its valuation soar to $180 million in just five months, thanks to its innovative approach to house-help services. This marks the company's third funding round in nine months, highlighting investor confidence in its growth potential. The rapid increase in valuation not only reflects the demand for efficient home assistance solutions but also positions Snabbit as a key player in the evolving market, making it an exciting development for both the company and its stakeholders.

A recent mix-up by The Times, which mistakenly interviewed a wine importer instead of former NYC mayor Bill de Blasio, highlights the importance of accuracy in journalism. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls in reporting, especially when covering prominent figures like de Blasio, who has been vocal about his support for various causes. Such errors can undermine public trust in media outlets and emphasize the need for thorough fact-checking.

Christena Konrad is a remarkable leader who prioritizes empathy and social purpose over profit and prestige. Her approach to shaping complex systems is not just about achieving goals but about creating a positive impact on people's lives. This matters because it highlights the importance of values-driven leadership in today's world, inspiring others to consider the broader implications of their work.

Travel Time Vacations, led by Jeffrey Leonardi, is redefining the role of travel agents by becoming true advocates for their clients. This approach not only enhances the travel experience but also showcases the company's commitment to resilience and passion in the industry. By offering tailored family vacations and luxurious cruises through Europe and North America's stunning waterways, they ensure that every journey is memorable and personalized, making travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

After extensive negotiations, the US and China are close to finalizing a deal that would transfer TikTok's US operations to a new investor consortium. This development is significant as it could alleviate national security concerns while allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US, potentially benefiting users and investors alike.

A recent update for Pixel devices has significantly improved the quality of Android calls, bringing them closer to the experience offered by iPhones. This enhancement is a game-changer for Pixel users, making their communication clearer and more enjoyable. It's exciting to see how software updates can elevate user experience and bridge the gap between different platforms.

B-hive is stepping up to tackle the wildfire crisis in the U.S. by leveraging drone technology for fire prevention. With nearly three million homes at risk and a staggering $1.3 trillion in potential reconstruction costs, this innovative approach could significantly reduce the impact of wildfires. By redefining how we prevent fires, B-hive not only aims to protect homes but also to save lives and resources, making this initiative crucial for communities in vulnerable areas.