No New Unicorns: Is India's Startup Scene Maturing?

Bill Gates recently shared his thoughts on philanthropy and the future of the Gates Foundation. He emphasized the Giving Pledge, which inspires wealthy individuals to donate to charity. Initially, Gates planned for the foundation to end several decades after his death. However, after careful reflection, he now believes they can achieve their goals sooner by making significant investments and providing stability to their partners. This change comes as he approaches several major milestones in his life, including his 70th birthday and the foundation's 25th anniversary.

The collapse of the BluSmart-Gensol partnership raises serious concerns about trust and governance in India's startup ecosystem. The Jaggi brothers’ mismanagement of Gensol, a company that aimed to innovate in cab-hailing, highlights the dangers of greed. Similar issues are seen with BYJU's, where the founder's actions led to downfall. Experts like Tarun Bhatia emphasize the importance of thorough audits and transparency. Investors must look beyond just the product and ensure robust governance. These cases remind us that unchecked practices can endanger not just companies but the entire industry, affecting future investments and innovation.

The Indian Union Cabinet has greenlit a new semiconductor manufacturing facility in collaboration with HCL and Foxconn, located near Jewar airport. This facility, which is part of the India Semiconductor Mission, marks the sixth such unit in the country and is set to begin operations in 2027. It will focus on assembling display driver integrated circuits, essential for electronic devices like smartphones and laptops. The project, costing approximately ₹3,706 crores, aims to meet 40% of India's domestic demand for these chips. This move aligns with India's goal to boost its electronics manufacturing value addition significantly by 2030.

Ford is recalling around 274,000 SUVs, including the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, in the U.S. due to a serious brake issue that could lead to crashes. The problem arises from the front brake lines possibly touching the engine air cleaner outlet pipe, which could cause brake fluid leaks and loss of braking power. While there have been no reported accidents, Ford has identified 45 warranty claims related to brake line leaks. To address this, dealers will inspect and replace the faulty components at no cost. Owners will receive notifications soon, emphasizing the importance of addressing this safety concern.

Gold prices in India today are ₹9,606 per gram for 24 karat gold, ₹8,805 for 22 karat, and ₹7,204 for 18 karat gold. Over time, gold has shown to be a reliable way to protect against inflation, making it a popular choice among investors. The price of 22 karat gold in Delhi is currently at ₹8,820 per gram, up from ₹8,780 yesterday. Similarly, in other major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, prices reflect a slight increase from the previous day. This trend indicates the growing importance of gold as an investment in the Indian market.

MakeMyTrip, the popular travel booking platform, reported impressive profits for the March quarter, earning $29.2 million. This is a decrease compared to last year's profit of $171.9 million, which included one-time gains. Despite this, their revenue grew significantly by 25.6% year-on-year, reaching $245.5 million. The company’s operating profit also saw a rise of 37.9%, hitting $44.7 million. CEO Rajesh Magow highlighted the record bookings and revenue, emphasizing the platform's strength and the increasing demand for both domestic and international travel. Their focus on personalized experiences has contributed to a growing customer base and repeat bookings.

Delhi residents faced a dusty morning on May 15, with hazy conditions reported in areas like Akshardham and Noida. This weather followed a scorching day when temperatures soared to 40.2 degrees Celsius, which is higher than the average for this time of year. The India Meteorological Department recorded even higher temperatures at various locations, with Aya Nagar hitting 41.6 degrees Celsius and Palam reaching 40.8 degrees Celsius. Such extreme weather highlights the challenges of climate change, affecting daily life and health in the capital city.

Jofra Archer's absence from the Rajasthan Royals is due to an injury, and not because the team is out of the playoffs. The Royals are focusing on his recovery to ensure he can contribute in future matches. As they prepare for upcoming games against Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings, the team has also welcomed new players like Shimron Hetmyer and Wanindu Hasaranga to strengthen their lineup. Meanwhile, bowling coach Shane Bond has left the team for New Zealand, and other England players like Sam Curran and Jamie Overton have also opted to leave the IPL early.

In a warehouse in Shanghai, humanoid robots are being trained to perform daily tasks like folding clothes and making sandwiches. This initiative by AgiBot aims to develop robots that could transform our lives. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently visited, highlighting the importance of these advancements for China's economy, especially amid challenges like trade tensions and a declining workforce. The government is heavily investing in robot technology, offering over $20 billion in subsidies and creating funds to support startups. As China leads in humanoid manufacturing, experts predict a significant reduction in production costs, making these robots accessible for various industries, including elderly care.

Microsoft recently announced it will lay off about 6,000 employees, making up less than 3% of its workforce. This decision aims to reduce costs while the company invests heavily in artificial intelligence. Microsoft, which had 228,000 employees last year, often adjusts its workforce to focus on key areas. Despite strong growth in its cloud services, the rising costs of AI infrastructure are affecting profitability. The company plans to spend $80 billion this fiscal year, mainly on expanding data centers for AI. Analysts suggest these layoffs reflect Microsoft's careful management of financial pressures linked to its AI investments.

In April 2025, India's retail inflation decreased to 3.16% from 3.34% in March, signaling a positive trend for consumers. This decline is primarily due to lower prices in essential food items like vegetables, pulses, and cereals. The year-on-year food inflation stands at 1.78%. Policymakers are relieved, as they aim to keep inflation around 4%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained its repo rate at 6.5% for eleven consecutive meetings but is optimistic about controlling inflation in the upcoming financial year. With a forecasted annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation of 4.0%, the outlook seems stable.

India has approved three Russian insurance companies, including one from Sberbank, to offer marine insurance for ships at Indian ports. This decision helps Russia keep supplying oil to India, which has become its largest buyer after China, especially as Western nations have reduced their purchases due to sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. Now, eight Russian entities can provide necessary insurance coverage for maritime transport. This move comes as Indian refiners seek to navigate strict regulations imposed by the U.S. and the EU while ensuring they only purchase Russian oil from compliant sources.

Bill Gates, a prominent philanthropist, has shared his evolving thoughts on the future of the Gates Foundation. Initially, he planned for the foundation to end decades after his death. However, after reflection and discussions with his board, Gates believes they can achieve their goals sooner by making strategic investments. He sees 2025 as a significant year, marking milestones for him, Microsoft, and the foundation itself. Gates emphasizes the importance of philanthropy, mentioning the Giving Pledge, where wealthy individuals commit to charitable giving, showcasing a community of tech entrepreneurs actively making a difference.

Prescription drug prices in the U.S. are set to drop by 30% to 80%, a significant change aimed at bringing fairness to the market. President Trump announced a "Most Favoured Nation" policy, ensuring that Americans pay the same prices as the lowest worldwide. This move has raised concerns for India’s generic drug industry, which provides affordable medicines not only in India but also in the U.S. and the UK. Experts warn that pharmaceutical companies may increase prices in India to compensate for reduced profits in the U.S. Therefore, India must be vigilant in maintaining its patent laws to ensure access to affordable drugs.

Perplexity, a generative AI firm, is reportedly closing a $500 million funding round, which could value it at over $14 billion. This rise highlights the competitive landscape for AI companies, particularly as Google faces legal challenges regarding its dominance in search. Perplexity’s AI platform offers a new way to search the Internet, providing quick, accurate answers instead of numerous links. This shift could change how we find information online, making it more personalized and efficient. With increasing competition from companies like OpenAI, Google’s stronghold is being challenged, sparking a new era in digital search.

The reopening of 32 airports affected by Operation Sindoor in northern and western India marks a hopeful return to normalcy. Flights resumed on Tuesday, and full operations are expected to be restored soon, depending on the India-Pakistan tensions. Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu encouraged airlines to return to their regular schedules from Thursday, and all airlines responded positively. However, some flights were canceled due to safety concerns following precautionary blackouts in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. This situation highlights the delicate balance between aviation operations and regional security.

Bengaluru, known as India's Silicon Valley, is bracing for heavy rain as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues a yellow alert. Severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and strong winds, are expected until May 16. On Tuesday, heavy rainfall caused chaos in Electronic City, leading to waterlogged roads in areas like Whitefield and Mahadevapura, creating massive traffic jams. A shocking incident near Manyata Tech Park saw rainwater flood a moving BMTC bus, leaving passengers soaked. This disaster highlights the failure of the city's drainage system and questions the effectiveness of the 'Brand Bengaluru' campaign, which seems more focused on image than real infrastructure improvements.

Justice BR Gavai is set to become India's next Chief Justice today, taking over from Justice Sanjiv Khanna. Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, he initially aspired to be an architect but chose law to fulfill his father's wishes. With around 300 judgments to his name, Justice Gavai is known for his commitment to upholding fundamental rights and the rule of law. He has made significant rulings on various critical issues, including property rights and the Scheduled Caste quota. His impartiality and dedication to justice make him a pivotal figure in the Indian judiciary.