S Shanthi

Karnātaka

Senior Assistant Editor at Entrepreneur IN

Covering startups @ Financial Express

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Articles

SaaS founders head to Silicon Valley to tap into AI innovation

1 week ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

As tech startups such as Meesho, Flipkart, Groww and Razorpay shift their focus back home, a counter-trend is emerging among SaaS (software-as-a-service) founders. A growing number are moving their bases to Silicon Valley, citing the need to stay closer to the nerve centre of artificial intelligence innovation. These entrepreneurs are betting that proximity to the Valley’s thriving tech ecosystem will be crucial to accelerating their next phase of growth.
Conversations over conversions

1 week ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

Ghazal Alagh, co-founder and chief innovation officer, Honasa Consumer, wanted to build a life around art which she pursued at the New York Academy of Art. The shift towards entrepreneurship came years later — after she became a mother. When Alagh’s son was born, he developed a skin condition, and she found herself constantly researching the ingredients in baby products. She was shocked to discover the lack of safe, trustworthy, toxin-free options available to parents in India.
Instant food delivery to emerges as high-margin play

2 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

What began as a way to pad basket sizes and boost margins is now turning into a high-stakes growth engine for quick commerce players. The instant food segment, known for delivering ready-to-eat meals in 10 to 15 minutes, is turning out to be more than a passing trend. Experts believe that by 2026–27, the category could contribute 8–15% of overall revenue and as much as 25–30% of profits for leading quick commerce players.
Q-comm accelerates growth for mobility startups

2 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

The quick commerce sector is proving to be a powerful engine of growth for mobility startups, especially those focused on electric two-wheelers. The rising demand for fast deliveries has created a burgeoning ecosystem where startups in shared mobility, electric fleet management, and EV infrastructure are rapidly scaling up operations and revenue. Bengaluru-based shared mobility startup Yulu is one of the major beneficiaries of this trend.
Why startups prefer to take the confidential pre-filing route

2 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

A number of startups have taken the confidential pre-filing route since the markets regulator introduced it in 2022.
‘Took 18 yrs to grow deep & fast’: Ankit Mehta

3 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

Founded in 2007, Mumbai-based ideaForge has become a key player in the rapidly evolving , designing and manufacturing high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for defence, security and industrial use. The company has seen increased visibility in both markets and missions, including its recent expansion into US through a strategic partnership.
Drone startups soar with revenue surge, new use cases

3 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

Drone technology startups are witnessing rapid growth, marked by soaring revenues, deeper market penetration, and expanding technological capabilities. Over the past six months, this momentum has been particularly noticeable, on the back of favourable policy frameworks, increasing demand across sectors, and a maturing innovation ecosystem. One of the key drivers has been the widening scope of drone use cases, from agriculture and infrastructure inspection to defence and disaster response.
House of F&B brands: Curefoods capitalised on the opportunity to build a large homegrown food business

3 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

Ankit Nagori, CEO and founder of Curefoods, was only 24 when he joined Flipkart in February 2010. It was a large startup, hyper-funded, and there was never a cash crunch. Joining a company like that so early on and rising to the position of chief business officer in no time was a breakthrough moment for Nagori. “That kind of opportunity is rare. If you get it, you make the most out of it,” he says. Nagori spent every day at Flipkart, building and scaling new businesses.
Small language models gaining big traction

3 weeks ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

While large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 and Gemini capture global headlines and attract major institutional investment — including from the government, which recently tapped four startups to develop them — a quieter but powerful shift is unfolding in the background. Small language models (SLMs) are rapidly gaining traction in India, driven by their affordability, efficiency, and real-world relevance in resource-constrained environments. There’s a reason for this.
VC firms employ AI to automate deal sourcing & screening

1 month ago | financialexpress.com | S Shanthi

Venture capital firms are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to streamline their internal operations, mirroring practices they often advocate to their portfolio companies. From deal sourcing to portfolio management, VC firms are letting generative AI (GenAI) and automation tools handle a substantial portion of routine work, freeing up time for higher-order decision-making and deeper engagement with startups.