The Database Powering Zepto’s 10-Minute Delivery

Zepto ditched its legacy monolithic architecture powered by PostgreSQL and Redis in favour of MongoDB’s NoSQL platform. “The biggest motivating factor was when we saw that MongoDB provides in-memory caching,” said senior architect Mayank Agarwal.?

This shift enabled Zepto to handle six times more traffic without breaking a sweat. Improved query performance, real-time analytics, and streamlined ETL pipelines meant faster page loads, better conversion rates, and smoother operations.

But the story doesn’t end at databases. AWS played a crucial role in Zepto’s scaling, from its first dark store in Mumbai to over 200 nationwide. “AWS helped us achieve a quick MVP and scale in ways no one had tried before,” said co-founder Kaivalya Vohra. Meanwhile, the company now faces scrutiny over pricing discrepancies between Android and iPhone users, fueling fresh debates about algorithmic fairness.

From backend breakthroughs to pricing puzzles, Zepto’s tech evolution is worth watching. Enjoy the full story here.?

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AI Puts Words in Their Mouths—Perfectly

Dubbing just got a major AI upgrade, and Bengaluru-based NeuralGarage is leading the charge. Backed by AWS, this Indian startup is tackling one of the biggest issues in dubbed content—lip-sync mismatches that break the illusion that movies are. Its tech, VisualDub, seamlessly adjusts facial movements to match dubbed audio, ensuring that when you watch Money Heist in English, the Professor actually looks like he’s speaking English.?

Already used by Amazon India and major film distributors, NeuralGarage is gearing up for a big 2025 push, with fresh investments and expansion plans in the pipeline. The future of dubbing is here—flawless, AI-driven, and finally in sync.?

Read the full story here.

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AI vs Engineers

The big question is—will AI replace engineers by 2025? Globally, tech leaders like Marc Benioff and Mark Zuckerberg seem to think so, with Salesforce and Meta predicting AI will handle mid-level coding jobs soon. But Indian founders aren’t convinced. “AI will not replace mid-level engineers entirely but will augment their capabilities,” said Santhosh HS of TCS, echoing the belief that engineers who adapt will thrive. Soket AI founder Abhishek Upperwal agreed, noting that though AI coding tools boost productivity, they are still prone to errors.?

Read the full story here.?

India Has Engineers, But Does It Have Chipmakers?

India may produce 1.5 million engineers a year, but is our semiconductor talent ready for the global stage? Experts aren’t so sure. While 20% of the world’s chip design talent comes from India, industry leaders like Ankit Anand of Riceberg Ventures warn that specialised skills—especially in areas like quantum computing and silicon photonics—remain scarce.?

“The talent pool here is extremely limited,” he said, pointing to a lack of PhDs, research incentives, and cutting-edge infrastructure. Even Chip War author Chris Miller flagged talent as a key challenge for India’s semiconductor ambitions. With global players like Marvell and Synaptics doubling down on hiring, the potential is there—but will India bridge the gap before the industry moves ahead without it? Read to find out.?