India & US Pump It Up, Rapido Empowers Women, and Music Labels Fight OpenAI

India and the US are ramping up their tech partnership with the launch of the TRUST initiative, aiming to boost AI, semiconductors, and space collaborations. Meanwhile, Rapido is rolling out a women-only bike taxi service in Karnataka, creating opportunities for female "captains."

Rebel Foods is pushing the fast-food envelope with its new 15-minute delivery app, QuickiES, while DPIIT teams up with Rukam Capital to nurture product startups with resources and funding. On the legal front, India's music labels are eyeing a seat at the table in the ongoing copyright lawsuit against OpenAI, challenging the unauthorized use of their sound recordings.

Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Aaj Ki Naari Sab Par Bhaari”: Rapido To Launch Women-Only Bike Taxi Service In Karnataka

Rapido is gearing up to launch a women-only bike taxi service in Karnataka, with female drivers catering exclusively to women passengers.

The mobility unicorn aims to create 25,000 jobs for its women “captains,” marking a significant push toward gender-inclusive transport. With Uber rolling out a similar initiative in Bengaluru last year, the competition to make mobility safer and more accessible for women is heating up.

Read more here

“David vs Goliath”: Indian Music Labels Seek To Join Copyright Lawsuit Against OpenAI

India’s biggest music labels, including T-Series and Saregama, are now looking to join the copyright battle against OpenAI.

The Delhi court has been asked to examine claims of AI models being trained on sound recordings without authorization. With the music industry following ANI’s lead in the lawsuit, the fight over AI and intellectual property is only getting louder.

Read more here

“Dosti Bani Rahe”: India, US Look To Deepen AI, Semiconductor & Space Partnerships

India and the US are taking their tech ties up a notch with the launch of the TRUST initiative, aiming to tackle challenges in financing and deploying large-scale US-origin AI infrastructure in India.

Alongside this, the new INDUS Innovation platform will drive academic partnerships and investments in space and emerging tech. As both nations double down on AI, semiconductors, and space, this collaboration signals a deeper alignment in critical technologies.

Read more here

“Ab Aayega Maza”: Rebel Foods Launches 15-Minute Food Delivery App ‘QuickiES’

Rebel Foods has jumped into the quick food race with its new app, QuickiES, promising deliveries from brands like Faasos and Wendy’s in under 15 minutes.

Currently live in Mumbai, the service is set to expand to more cities soon. With Zomato’s Bistro and Swiggy’s SNACC already in the game, the battle for ultra-fast bites is getting fiercer.

Read more here

“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: DPIIT Partners Rukam Capital To Bolster Product Startups

DPIIT has teamed up with Rukam Capital and Bootstrap Incubation to give product startups a much-needed boost.

Through this partnership, startups will get access to infrastructure, mentoring, and funding opportunities to scale their innovations. As India pushes for stronger homegrown products, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and market-ready solutions.

Read more here

1. GenAI startup Ikonz Studios has secured a strategic Pre-Series A investment from Blue Amber Investments’ Marc Jordan to expand its AI-driven IP portfolio. The funds will fuel talent acquisition and global growth, though financial details remain undisclosed.
   Read more here

2. Almonds.ai has raised ₹16 Cr from investors, including Haldiram’s promoters, to scale its AI-driven loyalty solutions. The startup plans to expand beyond India, helping brands offer smarter rewards to retailers, drivers, and mechanics.
   Read more here

3. PMI Electro Mobility has secured ₹250 Cr in strategic funding to scale its electric bus manufacturing. Backed by investors like Gruhas and Authum, the funds were raised via preferential equity allotment.
   Read more here