Thursday, March 28

Author: Ankita

SoftBank Plans To Invest In DIY Robots Startup Makebloc
FUNDING

SoftBank Plans To Invest In DIY Robots Startup Makebloc

SoftBank Group Corp. is in talks to invest in a STEM education and robotic startup Makebloc as per the sources said. Makeblock is looking to raise about $60 million in a series C round by the end of the year 2017 with a target to double its valuation to $400 M. The figures are preliminary and could vary depending on negotiations. Moreover, no official statement has been released by any of the company. Makebloc had earlier  raised a funding of $30 million in Series B round at a $200 million valuation led by Evolution Media China and Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd. Founded in 2011(as a company in 2013) by aircraft-design major Jasen Wang, Makeblock is a leading DIY robotics construction and programming learning platform for makers, hobbyists, STEM learners, and educators. Makeblock...
Women Harassment in Startups And Resignation- The Story of HiTech World
Story

Women Harassment in Startups And Resignation- The Story of HiTech World

Today, we are an advancing society, reaching new territories with our knowledge and technology but the growth that we truly need, seems forgotten or lost. I am referring to sexism, and predominantly, sexism in startups. Women are discriminated against and sexually harassed on a regular basis in the startup work space. In 2013, a law was passed that mandated every company to have a team of 10 people that’ll ensure a structure to manage the complaints of female employees. Yet this law still remains unsatisfied as it is simply a target on paper for most companies. According to a recent survey, 60 percent of women working in Silicon Valley have fallen victims to uninvited sexual advances. This is a grave problem, prevalent in not only our society but the whole civilization.. We live in a...
G20 Hamburg Action Plan Praises India For Promoting Startups at G20 Summit 2017
INDIA

G20 Hamburg Action Plan Praises India For Promoting Startups at G20 Summit 2017

Acknowledging steps being taken by India for sustainable and inclusive growth as well as support to global economy, the G20 has praised the initiatives in the country for promoting ease of doing business, startup funding and labour reforms. In its Hamburg Action Plan, adopted at the G20 Summit of leaders from the worlds 20 largest economies, the group also noted that "in the financial sector, India is popularising a number of derivative instruments in exchanges or electronic trading platforms" as part of measures to enhance resilience of its economy. The G20 (or G-20 or Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. Currently, these are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy...
Technology Giant Microsoft Will Cut Up to 3,000 Jobs
News

Technology Giant Microsoft Will Cut Up to 3,000 Jobs

Technology giant Microsoft is undertaking a major reorganisation that will likely see the company cutting about 3,000 jobs from its global workforce, a media report said today. The layoffs under the restructuring at the technology giant led by India-born Satya Nadella will mostly affect sales, and as many as 3,000 jobs will be cut, CNBC reported. The media report quoted a Microsoft spokesperson as saying that the company is implementing changes to better serve its customers and partners. "Today, we are taking steps to notify some employees that their jobs are under consideration or that their positions will be eliminated. Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis. This can result in increased investment in some places and, from time-to-time, re- deployment in...
The Advantages of the GST
ANALYSIS

The Advantages of the GST

The launch of GST has left most businesses in a tight spot. Here are 10 advantages of GST that will uplift your impressions about the biggest tax reform of India since its Independence.   Price Reductions It is advantageous for companies as people will purchase more regularly due to price reductions.   One Time Transaction Transaction will only occur a single time at Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR).This has been settled by both the Central and State Goods and Services Tax departments, (CGST and SGST).   Employment and Exports The Central and State governments will be benefitted by GST as it is set to increase industrial activities, exports and employment opportunities.   Unified Tax GST makes the revenue process less complicated. It will b...
How Bootstrapping Strategy Has Worked Like a Magic In My Startup Business
Story

How Bootstrapping Strategy Has Worked Like a Magic In My Startup Business

‘When you begin to dream about something that you really like and work hard to achieve it, nothing comes in the way till you are attached with a string of your dream. Let it be there always!’ After working as an employee in ibibo, I decided to join my own venture with the help of my wife, Arti Sharma. Arnit Retail Pvt. Ltd is the parent company of IndiaRush which we started as an e-commerce portal to cater home decor and electronic products. But with passing time, struggle and a lot of arduous effort, we decided to start with apparels, accessory, jewellery and footwear business. Since my college days, I was into mobile marketing and website development. I joined ibibo.com as a software engineer in the mobile department to develop smart games for their app users. It was then when got ...
Softwares and Apps You Can Use For GST Registration
News

Softwares and Apps You Can Use For GST Registration

With the rolling out of GST on the 1st of July, the small and medium businesses are majorly confused due to a completely new method of indirect tax collection. GST is not only a financial or a compliance reform, but it’s a technological reform, as well. We would like to share some of the best apps and softwares that promise to help businesses in understanding GST better.                                                 Cleartax Cleartax is a widely known company funded by Y-Combinator, that’s come out with its own GST software for chartered accountants as well as business owners. It’s a platform where taxpayers can connect with traders for scheduling and filing returns or bills. It aims to help both small and large enterprises by providing free invoicing, detailed reports and 100 ...
6 Differentiators to Help Your Startup Win the Race
ANALYSIS

6 Differentiators to Help Your Startup Win the Race

Thousands of startups open and shut every year, forced by a fiercely competitive environment. Below are 6 differentiators that will help you stay above the crowd and prove yourself a winner:-   Tell a Captivating Story People love stories and to draw them to yours, you must ensure that they understand where you are coming from. You have to illustrate your pitch in such a manner that people can instantly relate and put themselves in your shoes.  It needs to have logic, emotion and recall value. Using the power of storytelling through various channels like emails and social media, you can enhance a brand’s image, significantly.   Acknowledge What Makes You Different You are probably not the first one to create your product or service and even if you ar...
Milestone- Uber Crosses 5 Billion Trips
News

Milestone- Uber Crosses 5 Billion Trips

Global leading Taxi aggregator platform Uber said that the ride-hailing services had completed 5 billion trips on thursday. The news comes after a string of setbacks for the privately held firm, including the resignation of Chief Executive Travis Kalanick last week and firing of the technology whiz it had hired to lead its self-driving unit, Anthony Levandowski, after he failed to comply with a court order to hand over documents at the centre of a legal dispute between Uber and Alphabet Inc’s Waymo unit. Founded in 2010, Uber said 156 trips started at the same time, helping the company cross the milestone. Uber, which has been rocked by several high-level executive departures in the past few months as it grapples with a series of controversies, has been also looking for a chief op...
Niki.ai Raises $2 Million Funding From SAP.iO & Ronnie Screwvala Ventures
FUNDING

Niki.ai Raises $2 Million Funding From SAP.iO & Ronnie Screwvala Ventures

Ratan Tata-backed Niki.Ai today said it has raised USD 2 million (about Rs 13 crore) in funding from San Francisco-based fund SAP.iO. The series A round also saw participation from existing investor Ronnie Screwvala's Unilazer Ventures, Niki.ai said in a statement. The artificial intelligence startup has also received funding from Haresh Chawla (Partner at True North) and Arihant Patni, along with some US and German investors in this round. "Niki.ai has been focused on building the product for the past 2 years. We believe we have the capability to disrupt the AI and bot space," Niki.ai CEO Sachin Jaiswal said. He added that the new capital will be used in further strengthening machine learning capabilities, building voice and multilingual functionalities and expanding distribution ...
37 Lacs Looted From Flipkart Delivery Centre in Delhi
News

37 Lacs Looted From Flipkart Delivery Centre in Delhi

In a first such kind of incident, Flipkart delivery centre in Shahdara’s Jhilmil industrial area was attacked by Four masked men looted ₹37 lakh from the office of Instakart, a delivery station of e-commerce giant. The workers reportedly told the police that four men armed with guns entered the premises and asked them to part with the cash. They threatened us with dire consequences, the victims allegedly told the police. The workers claimed this was the second time the company had been targeted in the past few months. “A similar robbery took place at our Patparganj branch around the same time on March 25”. Police said the accused wore helmets and carried pistols. “There were three employees, including a security guard, in the office. The assailants held them hostage at gunpoint and ...
SHAREit Becomes Model Case of a Company’s Rise in India
News

SHAREit Becomes Model Case of a Company’s Rise in India

Investors and entrepreneurs are always looking for opportunities in a booming market regardless of what stage of development that market is in. From China more than a decade ago to India nowadays, industry leaders have always kept an eye on the Asian market, while India has replaced China as the market with the most potential and become a new driver of global economic growth. Entrepreneurs from across the world are competing in India's internet market. As a result, companies that deliver quality products to India's immense number of consumers are building and consolidating a leading position in the global market. SHAREit is one such case. From gaining 1 billion users worldwide within five years, to appearing on Google Play's homepage over 700 times and claiming the number one spot on...