While accelerating the use of artificial intelligence and automation across its operations, Ola has surrendered more than 1.7 lakh sq ft of leased office space in Bengaluru, said the people familiar with this development. AI Automation Affecting Office Space Lease In Bangalore  The above mentioned space includes 1.12 lakh sq ft of office space which was earlier leased in 2023 across the 7th and 8th floors of Prestige RMZ Star Tech in Koramangala for ₹1.4 crore monthly rent. For this office space, the lease commenced in April 2023 which was initially leased for five years, with a security deposit of ₹8.4 crore, as per the registration documents accessed by Propstack showed. Now the remaining leased space for Ola sprawls around 60,000 sq ft at Infozone in Electronic City, as the company leased multiple spaces between 2021 and 2022, as per the documents accessed by Propstack. It appears that the online cab service provider runs its battery innovation centre in this space, said the sources. Further adding, “The company has automated several processes. Once automation is in place, fewer employees are required, reducing the need for office space. For instance, multiple call centre offices are no longer needed as these functions…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

When it comes to the Mumbai Railways, they are the heartline of Mumbai and are used by lakhs of commuters every single day, being the primary mode of travel across the city.  The suburban railway network keeps Mumbai moving, be it be office-goers and students to small business owners, everyone uses them. Central Railway Working On Improving Punctuality of Local Train Services The Central Railway has recently introduced a key operational change focused on improving the punctuality of local train services, a move which is aimed at easing daily travel and reducing peak-hour stress. It appears that the long-distance express trains will no longer be allowed to enter suburban railway corridors during peak hours as per this new directive. With this decision, they are planning to ensure that local trains operate on time without interruptions caused by the movement of express services on the same tracks said the railway officials. When it comes to the, express and suburban trains they have often shared tracks during rush hours, leading to congestion and frequent delays.  Basically this overlap leads to the slow down of local trains, triggering overcrowding on platforms and inside coaches.  Moving ahead, Central Railway expects smoother movement of local…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

D2C home appliance brand Nester has raised ₹19 Cr (around $2 Mn) in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Fireside Ventures and OTP Ventures, with participation from Sadev Ventures and Titan Capital. Additionally, existing backers Shezan Bhojani (cofounder, Design Café) and Himanshu Chandra (cofounder, Progcap) also participated in the round. “This capital infusion will allow us to invest further in understanding consumer pain points and innovate products with high functionality that simplify routines, chores, and homes,” Nester founder and CEO Abhinav Singh said. Founded in 2025 by Singh, who served as the chief growth officer for ProGap till 2024, Nester designs and manufactures homeware appliances like air fryers, toasters, juicers, among others, in India.   Currently, Nester retails products such as steam air fryer ovens, wooden seasoning grinders and aprons through its D2C website and Amazon. Founder Singh told Inc42 that the brand plans to expand distribution to quick commerce platforms and offline retail channels in the near future, alongside widening its product portfolio. At present, manufacturing is handled through contract partners, but the startup intends to set up its own production facility in the coming months to gain greater control over quality and margins. Nester competes with brands like…  ​Read MoreInc42 Media

The Bengaluru Hotel Owners’ Association is exploring the idea of introducing a penalty mechanism for customers who occupy tables for long stretches of time after placing very small orders, arguing that such behavior is hurting business revenues. Bengaluru Hotel Owners Consider Penalty for Customers Who Occupy Tables After Minimal Orders Hotel operators across Bengaluru, especially small and mid-sized establishments, have observed an increasing pattern of customers lingering for hours after ordering only items like tea, coffee, or light snacks. Many of these customers reportedly use hotel seating areas as informal meeting spaces, holding extended discussions that take up tables and contribute to overcrowding. The association believes this practice has a direct impact on daily earnings, particularly during peak business hours when other paying customers struggle to find available seating because tables remain occupied for too long. Several hotel owners have formally reached out to the association, asking it to take prompt action to safeguard their commercial interests and prevent further financial strain. Proposal Suggests Table Usage Fee for Customers Who Linger After Small Orders Under the proposal being discussed, customers who remain seated for extended periods after making minimal purchases could be required to pay a fee for table usage,…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation is working on a new mobile application that will let members transfer their EPF savings directly into their bank accounts using the UPI system. EPFO Develops New Mobile App to Enable Direct EPF Withdrawals via UPI This upcoming app, which is expected to be introduced around April 2026, is designed to make it easier for millions of subscribers to access their provident fund money, according to a report by Press Trust of India citing a senior source. Through the new platform, users will be able to check their eligible EPF balance and move funds instantly via UPI, eliminating many of the delays associated with the current withdrawal process. The initiative is part of a larger digital revamp referred to as EPFO 3.0, aimed at simplifying withdrawal procedures, improving transparency, and cutting down claim settlement times. At present, the system is being tested using dummy accounts so that technical issues can be detected and resolved before it is launched nationwide. The organisation has already raised the auto-settlement limit to ₹5 lakh, which is expected to speed up claim approvals once the UPI-based withdrawal feature becomes operational. New EPFO App to Offer Aadhaar Verification, Claim Tracking, and…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

Omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart on Wednesday reported a 70% jump in net profit in Q3 FY26 and a robust 38% surge in topline, helped by a strong traction from its international business and high volume growth. The NCR-based company clocked an operating revenue of Rs 2,307.7 crore, up 38% from Rs 1,668 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Sequentially, its topline improved from Rs 2,096 crore recorded in the September quarter, according to an exchange filing. During the third quarter, Lenskart saw its profit improve multifold to Rs 132.7 crore. On a sequential basis, the improvement was much smaller, as its after-tax profit grew by about 28% from Rs 103.4 crore in the September quarter. The company’s latest global bet has also shown buoyant results, with revenue from its international operations growing 40% to Rs 936 crore. This segment, which turned profitable last quarter, clocked Rs 32.5 crore in profits in the December quarter. In its previous quarter, the company had outlined that sustained profitability in this segment is driven by healthy product margins—which are historically higher in international markets than in India—combined with the maturing of earlier store cohorts and a reduction in capital expenditure per…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

For years, credit cards in India were seen as a financial tool reserved for salaried professionals. But that perception is fast changing. Today, a growing number of young Indians, especially college students, are using student credit cards not just to manage everyday expenses, but to also start building a credit history even before they land their first job.With banks introducing student-friendly credit cards that come with low barriers to entry, zero annual fees, and controlled limits, credit is becoming an early financial learning tool rather than a post-employment privilege.At their core, credit cards offer two things students increasingly value: convenience and rewards. Cashback, discounts, and merchant offers make them attractive alternatives to cash or UPI for regular spending. More importantly, when used responsibly, they help establish a credit score, an asset that plays a critical role later when applying for education loans, personal loans, or even rental agreements.Benefits beyond building a credit score Student credit cards today go beyond credit history building. Products like the IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card offer features such as zero joining and annual fees, interest-free cash withdrawals for up to 45 days, and rewards on everyday spending. Because the card is backed by a fixed…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

Money loves speed—but not reckless speed. Codie Sanchez’s line, “Decrease the time between having an idea and getting it done. Poverty loves waiting,” points to a pattern most people recognise but rarely name: delays are not neutral. They quietly raise the “cost” of action—through lost momentum, missed windows, and the slow erosion of confidence.In practice, this isn’t about becoming hyper-busy. It’s about shortening the gap between intent and execution, especially on the small, high-leverage actions that turn ideas into outcomes.What “money loves speed” really meansWhen people say money loves speed, they usually mean one thing: opportunities reward the doer, not the daydreamer. A business idea, a career plan, a savings goal, a side project none of these pays you for thinking about it. The reward shows up only when the idea moves into the real world: a call made, a product shipped, a proposal sent, a system built, a habit repeated.Speed here is not running faster. It is reducing friction. It is deciding faster, starting sooner, and learning quickly from small attempts rather than waiting for perfect certainty.Why waiting becomes expensiveWaiting feels safe because it looks like preparation. But often it is disguised avoidance—waiting for more clarity, more confidence, more…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

In a world driven by speed, efficiency, and constant deadlines, the idea of slowing down to focus on beginnings can feel counterintuitive. Yet more than two thousand years ago, the philosopher Plato captured a truth that remains just as relevant today: “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” This simple statement reflects a profound understanding of human behaviour, creativity, productivity—and continues to guide thinkers, leaders, and creators across industries.Plato’s insight speaks to a universal principle: the foundation you set at the start of any endeavor largely determines its direction and outcome. Whether building a business, writing a book, launching a project, or making a personal change, the opening steps are where intentions are clarified, structures are formed, and momentum is created. Without a strong beginning, even the most ambitious ideas can falter.In practical terms, beginnings shape our mindset. Research consistently shows that early decisions influence long-term success. For example, setting clear goals at the outset increases the likelihood of achieving them, while establishing organized systems from the start helps prevent chaos later on. When we rush into action without reflection, we often find ourselves backtracking, correcting avoidable mistakes, or losing motivation altogether. Plato’s wisdom reminds us that…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

Converse, a sneaker brand owned by Nike, is gearing up for massive layoffs following yet another precipitous decline in quarterly revenue. A worsening of its long-running downturn has put Converse in a difficult position. Reportedly based on an internal memo from CEO Aaron Cain, Converse is preparing to lay off a large portion of its personnel.Cain added in the message that the organisation was facing tough decisions, such as saying goodbye to comrades and friends, and that senior executives were also likely to leave. Converse continues to report substantial declines, which coincides with the layoffs. The division’s revenue dropped 30% to $300 million in Nike’s most recent quarter, continuing a long streak of negative growth as sales decreased across all markets.Converse Poor Market Run ContinuesEven while Nike as a whole is trying to turn things around under the leadership of CEO Elliott Hill, Converse has been a constant blemish in the portfolio. Following a time of inconsistent demand, Nike has been attempting to re-establish wholesale alliances, refine its innovation pipeline, and regain momentum. The magnitude of the anticipated layoffs is still unknown. But this is only the latest round of layoffs at Nike, which has been cutting expenses and protecting…  ​Read MoreStartupTalky- Business News, Insights and Stories