Paytm Teams Up With Perplexity, Rebel Food’s ‘QuickiES’, and Startup Mahakumbh’s ₹30 Cr Challenge

KiranaPro is bringing ZuperAI’s Matchmaking AI to retailers, while Paytm is teaming up with Perplexity for real-time financial insights. Meanwhile, Rebel Foods is diving into the 15-minute delivery race, setting up a showdown with Zomato and Swiggy. On the funding front, Startup Mahakumbh is rolling out a ₹30 Cr challenge to fuel new ventures, and IIT Madras is deepening startup research with the Startup Policy Forum. Amid all this action, Slack had a global meltdown—because even tech needs a breather sometimes.

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

“Ho Jayegi Balle Balle”: Startup Policy Forum, IIT Madras Join Hands To Foster Startup Research, Innovation

Startup Policy Forum and IIT Madras are joining forces to deepen research on startup financing and innovation. Through this partnership, IIT Madras’ startup intelligence platform, YNOS, will gain richer insights into industry trends and policies.

With a focus on bridging gaps between research and real-world startup challenges, this collaboration aims to shape smarter policies for India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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“Aur Ek AI Ka Shikar”: Paytm Partners Perplexity To Offer Users Real-Time AI Financial Assistance

Paytm is stepping into AI-driven finance with Perplexity, integrating a smart search bar into its app to assist users in real-time.

This move aims to simplify financial decisions, letting users ask questions and get instant insights. As digital payments evolve, Paytm is betting on AI to make transactions not just faster, but smarter.

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“Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas”: Startup Mahakumbh Floats INR 30 Cr Startup Maha Rathi Challenge To Boost Startups

Startup Mahakumbh is turning up the heat with its INR 30 Cr Startup Maha Rathi Challenge, offering funding, mentorship, and investor access to Indian startups.

With industry experts on board, the initiative aims to fuel innovation and scale emerging ventures. For founders eyeing the next big leap, this could be a golden ticket to growth.

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“AI Ka Shakti Pradarshan”: KiranaPro Partners ZuperAI To Offer AI-Powered Retail Market Solutions

KiranaPro’s latest move brings ZuperAI’s “Matchmaking AI” into its ecosystem, aiming to streamline product discovery for users while enhancing retailers’ reach. The AI-powered integration is expected to personalize shopping experiences, making it easier for customers to find what they need.

As quick commerce intensifies, this partnership positions KiranaPro as a player looking to refine retail efficiency rather than just chase speed.

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“Ricks Lena Padega Baba”: Rebel Foods’ 15-Min Gamble

Rebel Foods is making a high-stakes bet with QuickiES, its 15-minute food delivery app, diving headfirst into the ultra-fast game.

But with smaller players like Swish and Zing already in the race—and giants like Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto doubling down—competition looks fierce. In a space where every minute counts, Rebel Foods is gambling on speed to carve out its slice of the quick-commerce pie.

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“Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti”: Enterprise Messaging Platform Slack Suffers Global Outage

Slack went silent on Wednesday as a global outage left thousands of users stranded mid-conversation.

With workplace chats stalled, the company assured it was investigating the issue and working on a fix. For now, it’s back to emails and old-school patience as teams wait for the platform to get back online.

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1. Moglix’s Singapore parent has infused $12.3 Mn into its Indian arm as the company eyes a homecoming IPO by 2027. The fresh capital strengthens its position in the industrial tools and equipment sector amid its shifting domicile plans.
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2. The ePlane Company is reportedly seeking up to $50 Mn to fund its prototype development ahead of its first launch by 2026. With a follow-up fundraise on the horizon, the air mobility startup is gearing up for takeoff.
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3. FanTV, the AI-driven content platform founded by former Gaana CEO, has raised $3 Mn to power digital content creation on the Sui blockchain. Backed by Mysten Labs and others, the startup aims to redefine how users engage with AI-generated media.
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