By Erick First of all, I LOVE YOU GUYS! Okay what I mean to say is thank you for the feedback and support. One bit of feedback I got that I really like is that I need to use headings and sub-headings a lot more, to try and make this weekly news roundup easier to read. That is especially useful this week, when there is a lot of news!
This week, the headlines are dominated by massive numbers, with global giants like Microsoft and Amazon pledging billions of dollars to India’s digital future. But my favorite bit of bittersweet news has nothing to do with numbers; it is to do with a proposed ‘Right to Disconnect’ bill and a major shift in government digital security.
Let’s get into it.
Big Tech Investments in India
Microsoft to invest $17.5 billion in India
Microsoft is making one of its largest investments in India with a massive $17.5 billion commitment. This investment is supposed focus on expanding cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities across the country. The move may signal India’s growing importance as a tech hub for global companies, but for reasons that are not necessarily good for most of the population.
If it’s to do with data centres – what else could it be – in the US right now, more than 200 organizations are demanding the Government put a moratorium on the expansion of data centres. That’s because these power hungry data centres are raising the electricity bills of locals around the area. Imaging having the common man pay for Microsoft or whoever to achieve their AI hype-goals. Tsk tsk.
Amazon announces investment of $35 billion in India in the next 5 years
Amazon is doubling down on India with a $35 billion investment over the next five years. This funding will go toward expanding its e-commerce operations, cloud services through AWS, and logistics infrastructure. It’s the company’s biggest bet on the Indian market to date.
Eric Swider announces Rs 1 lakh crore investment in Telangana’s Bharat Future City
Eric Swider, director at Trump Media & Technology Group, revealed plans to invest Rs 1 lakh crore (about $12 billion) over the next decade in Telangana. The investment will support the development of “Bharat Future City,” a new tech-focused urban project. This represents a major foreign investment in India’s emerging tech corridors – from a Trump affiliate no less. Tariff, who?
AI and New Tech Services
Google launches Google AI Plus plan in India
Google has introduced its Google AI Plus subscription plan specifically for the Indian market. This premium service offers enhanced AI features and capabilities for users. The launch shows Google’s push to bringing advanced AI tools to Indian consumers. The latest in a series of similar offers by other AI companies – including Google themselves earlier (remember Jio offered 18 months of Gemini Pro free? See TWITI #46 of 2025).
Starlink “leaks“ India plans and potential launch date
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has shared its plans for entering the Indian market with a potential launch timeline. The price is ₹34,000/- setup cost and plans starting at around ₹8,600/- per month. LOL. The service promises high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas across India. These may not be final though, Musk and co said this information was leaked due to a bug in their system. LOL.
Corporate Partnerships and Developments
Microsoft signs strategic partnership deals with Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro
Microsoft has inked major partnership agreements with India’s top IT giants—Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro. These deals will supposedly on cloud services, AI integration, and digital transformation projects. Unclear if this is tied to the $17.5 billion information aforementioned, but who cares.
Namma Yatri becomes tech service provider to Bharat Taxi
Bengaluru’s popular ride-hailing app Namma Yatri is now powering Bharat Taxi as its technology service provider. This partnership will help Bharat Taxi leverage Namma Yatri’s open-source platform and tech infrastructure. It’s a win for homegrown Indian tech solutions expanding their reach. Yay.
Uber launches Uber Direct in India with ONDC integration
Uber has entered India’s B2B logistics market with Uber Direct, a new delivery service for businesses. The service is integrated with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), a government-backed platform that connects buyers and sellers. This makes Uber a delivery partner for the growing digital commerce ecosystem in India. I’m more excited they are adopting ONDC – which has been around for a while but is being more adopted now. It has some serious potential for all kinds of merchants in India.
Regulatory and Policy Updates
Right to disconnect bill introduced in Lok Sabha
A new “Right to Disconnect” bill has been introduced in India’s Parliament. This legislation would give employees the legal right to ignore work-related communications outside office hours. If passed, it could significantly improve work-life balance for India’s workforce. If only it passes. Sigh. Read why I feel bad about this.
Centre moves 12.7 lakh email accounts to Zoho
The Indian government has migrated 12.7 lakh email accounts to Zoho, THE Indian cloud software company. This move is part of the government’s push to use homegrown technology solutions. It’s a major win for Indian SaaS companies and data sovereignty. Btw, Sridhar Vembu made an interesting comment that addresses a key topic in the industry now – vibe coding is allowed in Zoho, but engineers take full accountability of their code. Nice.
IMF recognizes UPI as world’s largest payment system
The International Monetary Fund has officially recognized India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) as the world’s largest digital payment system. UPI processed billions of transactions this year, surpassing all other payment platforms globally. This recognition cements India’s leadership in digital payments innovation and sheer volume.
Fintech and Financial Services
CredFlow gets NBFC license, to expand offerings to SMEs
CredFlow has secured an NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) license from the Reserve Bank of India. This license allows them to offer lending and other financial services directly to small and medium enterprises. The move should help CredFlow expand beyond its credit management platform. Although by nature I’m more wary of NBFCs, let’s give these young companies a proper chance.
Airpay bags cross-border payment aggregator license from RBI
Payment company Airpay has received approval from the RBI to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator. This license enables them to facilitate international transactions for Indian businesses and customers. It opens up new opportunities in the growing cross-border e-commerce space. Now combine this with ONDC and you may have a better platform to sell your goods online.
SEBI clears LEAP India’s IPO
India’s market regulator SEBI has approved LEAP India’s initial public offering. The company can now proceed with listing its shares on stock exchanges. This adds another name to India’s active IPO pipeline.
Startup Funding and Growth
Uolo raises $7 million in funding to grow AI adoption in schools in India
EdTech startup Uolo has secured $7 million to expand its AI-powered solutions in Indian schools. The funding will help the company scale its technology that makes education more personalized and efficient. Whatever that means.
India Accelerator expands to Saudi Arabia with $15 million fund
Indian startup accelerator India Accelerator is going global with a new $15 million fund focused on Saudi Arabia. The expansion will support startups looking to operate in both Indian and Middle Eastern markets. It’s a cool example of Indian venture capital going international.
Corporate Challenges and Concerns
21 Microsoft support staff in Bengaluru cheat some 150 Americans
Authorities arrested 21 Microsoft support center employees in Bengaluru for running a scam that defrauded about 150 Americans. The staff allegedly used their positions to gain access to customer information for fraudulent activities. Sad for those who got affected but…. LOL.
boAt auditors flag financial mismatch and compliance issues
Audio brand boAt is facing scrutiny as its auditors have raised red flags about financial discrepancies and compliance problems. The issues could impact the company’s valuation and future funding prospects. boAt will need to address these concerns to maintain investor confidence.
Blinkit CEO warns 10-minute delivery bubble may be bursting
Blinkit’s CEO has cautioned that the quick commerce industry’s obsession with ultra-fast delivery might not be sustainable. He suggests the “10-minute delivery bubble” could be reaching its limits as costs pile up. This signals a potential shift in how quick commerce companies approach their business models.
Major Financial Moves
Swiggy closes Rs 10,000 crore QIB by issuing shares at Rs 375 a piece
Food delivery giant Swiggy has successfully completed its QIB (Qualified Institutional Buyer) placement, raising Rs 10,000 crore. The company issued shares at Rs 375 each to institutional investors. This fundraise strengthens Swiggy’s balance sheet amid intense competition in the quick commerce space.
US court scraps $1 billion damages against Byju’s
A US court has dismissed the $1 billion damages claim against embattled EdTech company Byju’s. This is a rare piece of good news for the company, which has been dealing with multiple legal and financial challenges. However, Byju’s still faces several other legal battles in India and abroad.
Thanks for reading, see you next week! Also please continue to give me your feedback so I can write more of what you want to read. 🫶🏼🇮🇳
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