Startup Scoop - Edition 10

About E-Cell MIT??

Welcome to the Entrepreneurship Cell of MIT Manipal! We aim to help students develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, providing them with the resources and support that will enable them to transform their ideas into viable businesses.

MAHE Partners with Trumio Inc. to Connect Students with Global Project Opportunities!

MAHE is excited to announce a collaboration with Trumio Inc. , linking students to international projects in technology, business, finance, sales, and marketing, providing real-world experience and fostering dynamic growth for both students and organizations.

Baylink Joins 100X.VC Class 11, Secures Major Investment

Baylink , a dynamic startup from Manipal Institute of Technology , has joined 100X.VC Class 11. Backed by 100X.VC, Baylink is set to revolutionize sales and distribution for consumer brands, fueling growth and platform enhancements.

SkyServe.ai: Earth Unleashed in Real-Time with AI-Powered Satellites

The space age just got an upgrade! SkyServe.ai injects cutting-edge AI into satellites, transforming them into real-time analysts. Imagine monitoring crop health, predicting weather patterns, or getting instant intel on disaster zones as they unfold.

SkyServe .ai gives satellites a supercomputer brain, revolutionizing space data use. This Indian startup delivers insights at the speed of light, providing a clearer picture of our planet than ever before. With SkyServe.ai, the future of space data is here – and it's fast!

Here, at MIT Manipal, the future is taking flight with @Parikshit, an experimental nano satellite built by undergraduate students. This project showcases India's growing space ambitions. Parikshit aims to perform real-time image analysis for weather prediction, cloud monitoring, and terrain analysis, while also testing an experimental tether technology.

With SkyServe's AI advancements and MIT Manipal's student-led projects, India is set to be a major player in the new space race, building the future of space data analysis right here.

Jack Ma: Journey from Rejection to Success

Jack Ma, the co-founder of 阿里巴巴集团 , has a true spirit of resilience and determination. Despite facing academic challenges early on, his love for English opened doors to a broader world view. On facing multiple rejections in his job search, he decided to pave his own path. In 1999, from his humble apartment, he laid the foundation of Alibaba, driven by a vision to connect Chinese manufacturers globally.

Despite daunting obstacles, his unwavering leadership led Alibaba to soar, especially with the success of Taobao, a Chinese online shopping platform.

Alibaba's 2014 IPO marked a historic milestone, solidifying its position as an e-commerce giant. Ma's journey is a testament to leadership, inspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

Riding the Election Wave: How Indian General Elections Influenced the Stock Market

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections significantly impacted the Indian stock market, as changes in economic policies and government spending led to market fluctuations. Historically, elections had caused increased volatility, but a stable government with a clear economic agenda could have boosted the market in the long run.?

The Indian stock market witnessed the worst crash in four years, experiencing a decline of over 6 per cent on June 4 after Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of securing a clear majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Investors were urged to steer clear of PSUs and capital goods sectors as they appear to be the most vulnerable at the moment. However, there's optimism regarding the resurgence of consumption, particularly in FMCG and value retail segments, which are expected to make a robust comeback. Experts advise traders to remain cautious about investing in momentum stocks or small cap stocks which outperformed in the last two years.

Rebel Foods: Redefining Dining Excellence with Cloud Kitchens

Rebel Foods , the titan of the cloud kitchen universe, is revolutionizing the food industry with over 450 kitchens spread across 10 countries. Founded in 2011 by Jaydeep Barman and Kallol Banerjee , this Indian online restaurant company now boasts 11 dynamic brands, including Faasos and Behrouz Biryani . From humble beginnings as a physical restaurant, Rebel pivoted entirely to cloud kitchens by 2016.

In 2020, Rebel Foods launched EatSure, a seamless food delivery platform uniting its brands and partner restaurants, along with EatSure Express food trucks. Partnering with Wendy's , Rebel is spearheading a cloud kitchen and offline expansion in India, aiming for 400 new locations. Their innovative Rebel Launcher Program and Rebel Operating System empower other brands like Natural Ice Cream and SLAY Coffee to thrive in the cloud kitchen model.

With robust backing from investors like Sequoia Capital and a valuation of $1.4 billion, Rebel Foods continues to set the bar high, recently acquiring luxury chocolate brand SMOOR Chocolates . Embrace the future of dining with Rebel Foods – where culinary excellence meets cutting-edge innovation.

Who Dominates the UPI Market in India?

India's UPI market is dominated by PhonePe and Google Pay , holding 48.86% and 37.79% of the market share respectively, according to April data from the NPCI. PhonePe leads with its extensive reach and user-friendly interface, while Google Pay benefits from seamless integration with Google services and strong security features.

Paytm , once a major player, has seen its share drop to 8.39% due to increased competition and regulatory challenges. Emerging players like CRED , which now holds 3.92% of the market, and other smaller UPI services collectively capture less than 4%.

PhonePe's widespread acceptance among merchants and Google Pay's focus on enhancing user trust and integration with Google’s ecosystem are key factors in their dominance. Meanwhile, Paytm's decline showcases the impact of regulatory challenges and fierce competition. As newer players like CRED gain traction and other UPI services strive to increase their market presence, the UPI ecosystem in India remains vibrant and rapidly evolving, promising further shifts and growth in the future.

UPDATES FROM THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WORLD!

1. Indian startups cumulatively raised $201.8 Mn via 21 deals this week, a 107% increase from last week's $97.3 Mn raised across 10 deals.
2. Bhavish Aggarwal 's largest electric two-wheeler maker Ola Electric has secured markets regulator SEBI 's nod for its initial public offering (IPO), thereby making it the first by an EV startup in the country and amongst the biggest new-age IPOs this year.
3. NykaaMan CEO Nihir Parikh said Nykaa Fashion’s EBITDA has been around negative 10% for some time and it is expected to become positive by the end of FY26.

The "quiet quitting" phenomenon has taken workplaces by storm. What social media platform has seen a surge in discussions related to this trend?

a) LinkedIn

?b) Facebook

?c) Twitter

?d) TikTok

What buzzy electric vehicle company, known for its minimalist design and self-driving ambitions, saw its stock soar in early 2024?

a) Tesla

?b) Rivian

?c) Ferrari

?d) Ford

The "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) payment option is gaining popularity. Which major BNPL company recently partnered with a leading social media platform to offer seamless in-app purchases?

a) Klarna

?b) Afterpay

?c) Affirm

?d) Splitit

And that's a wrap, folks! ????

But the entrepreneurial journey never really ends—it just keeps evolving! Stay tuned for more exciting updates and insights. ???

Keep connected for the latest tips, resources, and innovations straight from E-Cell MIT to keep you riding the startup wave.???? ????

Fuel your hunger, fuel your productivity! ????

Until our next meeting, we're sending you all the entrepreneurial vibes and love from E-Cell, MIT. ??? Keep pioneering!

With love from Varshney, Vivek, Bhavesh, Shrihar, Preyanshi, Sneha and Prakhar.

Have a good day!??????