Business news 26/05/2025


  • Zerodha AI Integration: Zerodha users can connect their accounts directly to AI assistants (Claude, Windsurf, Cursor) using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for free personal finance assistance.

  • Personalized Financial Assistant: AI assistants can understand user portfolios, speak their language, and answer detailed questions about holdings, performance, and allocations in real-time, without needing to write code or use spreadsheets.

  • Privacy & Security: The MCP integration is built with privacy in mind, allowing AI assistants to access only explicitly authorized data. Login credentials are never shared, and actions are read-only, preventing unintended trades.

  • Minus Zero AI Autopilot for India: Indian startup Minus Zero unveils a fully AI-driven autopilot system for cars tailored for complex Indian traffic.

  • Camera-Based System: The system relies solely on cameras, unlike systems using expensive LiDAR or detailed maps.

  • Self-Supervised Learning: Minus Zero's AI uses foundation models built from the ground up in India, trained through observation rather than rule-based programming, making it adept at navigating unpredictable Indian roads with obstacles like cows and pushcarts.

  • In-House Ecosystem: Minus Zero is building an entire ecosystem, including generative AI simulation environments and custom software.

  • Production Ready: Minus Zero expects the production-ready autopilot system to be available within 2 years, working with large automakers.

  • Ola Roadster X Deliveries Start: Ola Electric is set to begin deliveries of its Roadster X electric motorcycle this Friday (May 24, 2025).

  • Delayed Launch: The Roadster X faced multiple delays, originally announced in February 2025 with promised deliveries in March, then April, and then mid-May.

  • Market Share Impact: Ola Electric's market share in the scooter segment dropped from 52% to 22% in one year amidst the delays, with competitors gaining ground.

  • Roadster X Specs: The motorcycle will come in three battery variants (2.5kWh, 3.5kWh, 4.5kWh) with a claimed range of up to 252km, starting at ₹74,999.

  • Shiprocket Files for IPO: Logistics unicorn Shiprocket has filed confidential Draft Red Herring Papers (DRHP) with SEBI to raise nearly ₹2,500 crore through an IPO.

  • IPO Structure: The IPO will include ₹1,000-1,200 crore in fresh shares, with the remaining being an Offer For Sale (OFS).

  • Path to Profitability: Despite a net loss in FY24 (₹595 Cr), Shiprocket reduced its cash burn by ~50% and achieved profitability in the first two quarters of FY25.

  • Growing Verticals: Newer verticals like Cross Border and Checkout are growing rapidly (70-100% year-on-year) and now contribute around 20% of total revenue.

  • AI-Integrated MCP Server (Shiprocket): Shiprocket launched India's first AI-integrated Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for logistics, enabling AI agents to handle key operations like checking shipping rates and tracking orders via single line instructions.

  • Zomato adds Long-Distance Fee: Zomato has introduced a ₹15 fee for deliveries between 4-6 km on orders valued above ₹150, with higher fees for longer distances.

  • Myntra Expands to Singapore: Myntra is entering Singapore to target the 6.5 lakh strong Indian diaspora there.

  • Maharashtra's New Cab Policy: The government has set an app cab penalty at 10% of the fare for driver cancellations and caps surge pricing, impacting aggregators like Uber, Ola, and Rapido.

  • CCPA Notice to Uber: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to Uber over its 'advance tip' feature, deeming it unethical for encouraging faster service in exchange for upfront tips, and scrutinizing similar practices by others.

  • Weekly Venture Capital Raised: Indian startups raised a total of 

    211millionthisweek,higherthanthepreviousweek(
    133.5M) and above the trend line.

  • Key Funding Rounds (W8 Q1 FY26):

    • Euler Motors: $75.00M (Series D, EV, Delhi)

    • Oxyzo: $62.00M (Debt, Fintech, Gurugram)

    • Vivriti Asset Management: $20.00M (Fintech, Chennai)

    • CureBay: $19.00M (Series B, Healthcare, Bhubaneshwar)

    • Mythik: $15.00M (Seed, Tech-first entertainment, Mumbai)

    • Data Sutram: $9.00M (Series A, B2B SaaS, Mumbai)

    • Miraggio: $6.50M (Fashion - Handbag and Acces, Delhi)

    • Tan90: $2.35M (Series A, Deeptech - Portable Cold Stor, Chennai)

    • Promethean Energy: $2.00M (Pre-Series A, Cleantech, Mumbai)

    • Misfits: $0.58M (Seed, Hobby-based community plat, Gurugram)

    • SUM: $211.43M

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