Author: News Desk
MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has become a prominent figure in global philanthropy, donating an astonishing $16 billion (approximately Rs 1,36,000 crore) to various charitable causes in recent years. Her unique approach, which emphasizes trust and unrestricted funding, has garnered both praise and criticism. Scott’s Transformative Giving Scott’s Yield Giving initiative has revolutionized philanthropy by providing non-profits with the freedom to allocate funds based on their specific needs. This departure from traditional grant-making, often laden with stringent conditions, empowers organizations to address critical challenges with greater autonomy. In 2024, Scott introduced an open-call application process, inviting thousands…
The startup landscape in 2024 has shown resilience, with new unicorns emerging despite a challenging venture capital market. Based on data from Crunchbase, CB Insights, and PitchBook, TechCrunch highlights some of the startups that have joined the coveted unicorn club this year. These include both tech-driven and industry-specific players making waves, with a particular focus on AI, cybersecurity, health tech, and fintech sectors. 1. xAI – $24 Billion Founded by Elon Musk in 2023, xAI skyrocketed to a valuation of $24 billion. This AI giant raised $6 billion in its Series B funding, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, and Fidelity.…
At just 17, Aaryan Singh Kushwah is proving that success isn’t always tied to a college acceptance letter. Recently, the teen entrepreneur shared a post on social media that balanced both disappointment and triumph. Despite being rejected by Stanford University, Aaryan celebrated major milestones for his startups, 9Onine and SapienIQ. He proudly announced reaching 220,000 users, hitting 2 million impressions in a single day, and securing a $10,000 emergent grant. “Bittersweet day—rejected from Stanford, but reached 220K users, 2 million impressions, and a $10K grant. Tough loss, but I’ll bounce back stronger. Grateful for the opportunity to apply and…
In 2018, Morimoto was fired from his job for not showing initiative and “not doing anything of value.” Fast forward a few years, and he has turned this lack of action into a lucrative and fulfilling career. At 41, Morimoto is now popularly known as the rental “do nothing” guy in Japan, offering his company to those who need someone to be with them in non-romantic settings. Last year, he earned around $80,000 (Rs 69 lakh) by renting himself out to clients. A Range of Requests Morimoto’s services are varied, catering to people who need a companion for all sorts…
Mahindra has officially inaugurated its cutting-edge EV and battery manufacturing facility in Chakan, near Pune. This state-of-the-art plant will be dedicated to the production of Mahindra’s latest ‘Born Electric’ EV models, including the BE 6 and XEV 9e. A Major Investment for Future Mobility The new facility is part of Mahindra’s larger strategy to invest in electric vehicle technology, with the company committing Rs 16,000 crore for the FY2022-27 investment cycle. Of this, Rs 4,500 crore has been allocated to the new EV unit, which will focus on developing new powertrains, software, and technologies, while also expanding the overall manufacturing…
The Tata Group is going through a significant leadership change, with Noel Naval Tata becoming the Chairman of Tata Trusts, following the passing of Ratan Tata. In a step that brings in the younger generation, Noel Tata’s daughters, Maya and Leah Tata, have joined the board of trustees at the Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute (SRTII), marking the beginning of their involvement in the group’s leadership. Noel Tata Takes Charge After Ratan Tata’s passing, Noel Tata took over as the Chairman of Tata Trusts, which controls a major stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group. With…
Larsen & Toubro’s chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, stirred controversy by suggesting employees work on Sundays during a recent interaction. In a viral video, Subrahmanyan stated, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays.” He further remarked, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you look at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.” Deepika Padukone Responds Actor and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone reacted strongly to the remarks. Sharing journalist Faye D’Souza’s post on Instagram, Deepika wrote,…
The UAE is making strides in urban air mobility with the approval of its first vertiport, DXV, marking a significant step towards the future of transportation. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) recently gave its approval for the technical design of the facility, making it the first to comply with the newly established UAE Vertiport Regulations. This is a major milestone for air mobility in the country and allows Skyports Infrastructure to begin the development of the facility. DXV: The First of Four Air Taxi Hubs DXV is the first of four planned air taxi hubs under the UAE’s innovative…
The Tamil Nadu government is expanding its IT footprint by establishing a 2 million sq ft AI-focused IT hub in Coimbatore, as part of a Public-Private Partnership, said Chief Minister MK Stalin at the inaugural session of the ‘Umagine TN’ conference held at the Chennai Trade Centre. AI and Emerging Technologies as Focus Areas Tamil Nadu has consistently been at the forefront of promoting the IT sector, with initiatives targeting emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and Electric Vehicles. Chief Minister Stalin emphasized the state’s commitment to developing these sectors and fostering entrepreneurship, noting the increase in Global Capability Centres…
Snacking brand Beyond Snack has raised $8.3 million in Series A funding, led by 12 Flags Group, a consumer-focused fund founded by former Reckitt Benckiser CEO Rakesh Kapoor. Other participants include existing investor NAB Ventures, Japanese VC firm Enrission India Capital, and Faad Network. Valuation and Expansion Plans The Kerala-based company, now valued at ₹300 crore, plans to expand its reach significantly. Founder Manas Madhu revealed that Beyond Snack aims to double its offline distribution to 40,000 outlets and enter more cities, particularly in southern India, by fiscal 2026. Growth and Past Investments Having already raised $4 million from investors…