Google Cloud and Campus Fund launch FutureX👩🏻🎓
Dunzo app - website go offline, HCL Tech stock slips over 9%, TikTok dismisses reports of sale to Elon Musk, Funding Deals and more.
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday’s edition of Rise & Shine!
"Failure shows us the way—by showing us what isn’t the way."
Today’s thought-provoking words remind us that failure isn’t an end—it’s a guide, helping us refine our paths by revealing what doesn’t work.
Instead of fearing failure, we should embrace it as a necessary part of growth and discovery.
Tech Updates
Google Cloud India and Campus Fund launch FutureX
Breaking new ground in frontier technologies with student innovators - Google Cloud India and Campus Fund are excited to announce the launch of FutureX, a national platform designed to identify ground-breaking innovation and nurture India's most promising student-led startups in frontier technologies. The aim is to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial viability, leveraging the combined expertise and resources of Google Cloud and Campus Fund. (Apply Here!)
Dunzo app, website go offline post cofounder Kabeer Biswas exit to Flipkart
Dunzo’s mobile app and website went offline on Monday, pushing the hyperlocal delivery platform to the brink of complete shutdown. Soon after, its remaining cofounder and CEO, Kabeer Biswas, quit to join Flipkart to lead its quick commerce business Minutes.
HCL Tech stock slips over 9% after Q3 results
IT major HCLTech’ shares slipped over 9% on Tuesday to an intraday low of Rs 1,798.4 on the BSE after the firm reported a 6% growth in its consolidated net profit to Rs 4,591 crore for the quarter that ended December 2024.
TikTok dismisses reports of US operations sale to Elon Musk as "pure fiction"
TikTok has denied reports suggesting that Chinese officials are considering a sale of its United States operations to Elon Musk, calling the claim "pure fiction". The denial came after a Bloomberg report suggested that Chinese authorities might explore selling TikTok's US business to Musk if the US Supreme Court upholds a ban on the app.
Funding Deals
Contract research, development and manufacturing organization Aragen has secured $100 million investment from private equity fund Quadria Capital.
Aerospace startup Sarla Aviation, which specializes in building electric flying taxis, has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Accel.
Skor Technologies, the parent company of Indonesia-focused Skorlife and the new Skorcard credit card, has secured $6.2 million in funding in its pre-Series A round led by Argor Capital, a Southeast Asia-focused VC. Previous investors such as QED Investors and Saison Capital participated in the round, as did new investor Digital Currency Group.
Eccentric Engine (now Eccentric), a 3D tech partner for automotive players, has raised $5 million in its pre-Series A round, which was co-led by Exfinity Venture Partners and Arkam Ventures.
Chennai-based spacetech startup OrbitAID has raised $1.5 million in its pre-seed round led by Unicorn India Ventures. The round also saw participation from TANSIM (Government of Tamil Nadu).
Climate tech startup GreenStitch, which focuses on the fashion and textile industry, has raised $1.2 million in a funding round led by seed stage investment fund Equirus InnovateX Fund.
🛠️ Short Story: The Inventor’s Revelation
A young entrepreneur, Thomas spent months developing a product that didn’t resonate with his audience. Instead of giving up, he analyzed where he went wrong and adjusted his approach. This newfound understanding led him to create a second version that became a huge success.
Thomas realized that his initial failure wasn’t a setback but a step forward, illuminating the right path.
Tweet of the day🐥
Today, we view failure as a guide, not a roadblock. Each setback brings you closer to understanding what works.
Rise & Shine reminds you that every failure is a lesson in disguise, steering you toward success.
Have a reflective and forward-moving Wednesday!
Thanks for reading till the end!