startup acquisitions

Unacademy co-founder Sumit Jain has stepped down from his operational role, a significant leadership change ahead of the company's proposed merger with upGrad. Jain, instrumental in building the creator platform Graphy and making the offline business profitable, expressed gratitude for his six years with the edtech giant.

AI giant Anthropic is seeking an "Applied AI Claude Evangelist" to champion its chatbot Claude among venture capitalists and startup founders. This pivotal role involves leading developer onboarding, creating technical content, and driving adoption through hands-on sessions and events, aiming to convert ecosystem relationships into active platform users.

The Pentagon is forging new partnerships with companies like Anduril and Leidos to rapidly boost US strike capabilities. The Low-Cost Containerized Missiles (LCCM) program aims to procure over 10,000 affordable cruise missiles by 2027, while a separate deal with Castelion will scale low-cost hypersonic solutions. This initiative emphasizes speed, innovation, and private sector investment to rebuild America's military might.

Fintech startup Parker, known for its corporate credit cards and banking services for e-commerce businesses, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Despite raising over $200 million, the company reportedly shut down abruptly after acquisition talks failed. This leaves its small business customers in a difficult situation regarding access to funds.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's South Korea visit deepens defence ties, exploring collaboration on missile systems and the KIND-X initiative. This builds on India's historical humanitarian role during the Korean War, commemorated by a new memorial. The partnership aims for co-development of advanced defence technologies, fostering innovation and industrial integration between the two nations.

Industry players said one of the biggest drivers behind Noida’s evolution into an ultra-luxury housing destination has been the growing presence of branded developments.

China's industry regulator has ordered Meta to cancel its $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm Manus, citing national security concerns. This move follows the US announcing a crackdown on foreign tech companies exploiting AI models. China is also reportedly restricting US capital in its leading tech firms without government approval, signaling an escalating AI war.

Gen Z is increasingly building their career logic within social media, trusting creators over traditional advisors. This shift leads to rapid, often irreversible decisions like industry changes and job quits, despite a high admission of following misleading advice. The algorithm's speed and comparative nature create urgency, blurring the lines between content and opportunity.

China's blocking of Meta's $2 billion Manus AI acquisition signals a shift, making Singapore a less effective shield for Chinese tech firms seeking Western exits. Regulators intervened despite Manus's Singapore registration, barring founders from leaving the country. This move suggests Beijing's scrutiny now extends beyond incorporation, impacting future international ventures.

OpenAI is exploring legal action against Apple, claiming the iPhone maker failed to properly integrate ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence after their 2024 partnership. OpenAI had projected billions in annual subscription revenue from the deal—none of which materialised. Apple, meanwhile, has its own grievances, including privacy concerns and OpenAI's push into hardware. With iOS 27 opening Siri to rival AI models, ChatGPT's privileged status inside Apple's ecosystem is effectively over.

Donald Trump has landed in Beijing with 17 American companies in tow, worth a combined $16.47 trillion—roughly 90% of China's entire 2025 GDP. Jensen Huang joined at the last minute, boarding Air Force One in Anchorage. Nvidia and Apple alone account for $9.7 trillion of that, while Meta sent its policy chief after Beijing blocked its $2 billion Manus deal.

Elon Musk's 2001 trip to Russia to buy used rockets for SpaceX failed, prompting him to build his own. This pivotal moment, before SpaceX's official founding, shifted his strategy from acquisition to in-house manufacturing. The initial setback ultimately led to SpaceX's revolutionary approach to cost-effective spaceflight and its current industry leadership.

Every conflict leaves behind more than tactical outcomes; it generates a blueprint for future preparedness. Operation Sindoor, when examined through a structural and doctrinal lens, reveals a decisive shift in how India must think about air power, attrition, industrial capacity, and integrated warfare. Its most enduring lessons lie not in what was achieved, but in what must now be built.

Meta's $2 billion AI acquisition of Manus AI has been blocked by China, citing national security and technology transfer concerns. Chinese regulators reviewed the deal, restricted Manus founders from leaving the country, and ultimately ordered the companies to cancel the transaction. This move highlights escalating US-China tensions over advanced AI technology and offshore structures.

Science and Technology Park (STP) at Pune University announced launch of three new Centres of Excellence and a Global Capability Centre during its 40th anniversary event at Pune International Centre. The initiative focuses on innovation, policy research, geoinformatics. STP highlighted incubation support for 1,372 startups, funding assistance, completion of 659 projects, and development of 26 market-ready products. Dignitaries emphasized AI, policy research, global collaboration, and strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem for future entrepreneurs and research-driven growth.

China's economic planning body, the NDRC, has effectively halted Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI firm Manus. Despite the company reincorporating in Singapore and moving its operations, Beijing intervened, barring founders from leaving and ordering the deal unwound. This move signals a significant shift in China's oversight of tech deals, impacting future foreign investments.

China has ordered Meta to reverse its $2.5 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus within weeks, citing national security. Beijing claims authority over the Singapore-based firm's China-linked AI technology, demanding the return of assets and data. This move signals a strong warning to Chinese tech founders against exporting sensitive innovations to geopolitical rivals.

Alphabet's Google Cloud has surged ahead in the AI race, reporting impressive revenue growth. This performance outshines competitors Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS. Google's unique 'full-stack' approach, including custom AI chips and advanced models, is attracting major clients. The tech giants are collectively investing over $700 billion in AI infrastructure this year.

China has reportedly instructed leading AI firms to reject American capital, implementing a 'state filter' on funding to prevent sensitive AI breakthroughs from reaching US hands. This directive, aimed at bolstering national security, impacts major players like Moonshot AI and ByteDance, signaling a shift away from reliance on foreign investment.

Google wasn't caught off guard by the AI revolution; its custom-built TPUs, developed since 2016, are now a formidable force. While the world focused on training, Google perfected inference with its specialized chips. This strategic, long-term investment in hardware and infrastructure positions Google as a full-stack AI leader, challenging established players like Nvidia.