Perplexity is on a spree of launching new features and updates. Recently, the company unveiled its Telegram Bot, integrated new features for Pro users, announced its Startup program, and more. All these updates aim to improve accessibility, productivity, and collaboration for users and teams.

Urban Company has received board approval to raise ₹528 crore in primary capital for its IPO, sharply reduced from its earlier ₹3,000 crore plan due to market volatility. The company will soon file its DRHP with SEBI. It recently entered the quick commerce space with Insta Help, a 15-minute house-help booking service. The firm operates in 30+ Indian cities.

Bengaluru-based SaaS startup ProcUrPal, founded by Vikas Chadda, is simplifying e-procurement through its AI-powered platform. Frustrated by the inefficiencies he witnessed in the legacy procurement systems, Vikas built the AI tool that automates tendering, vendor evaluation, and auctions, cutting sourcing time by half. Targeted at SMEs, it offers customised pricing and ERP integration.

Siraj Ali, from Delhi, was always interested in fashion. With humble savings and a small 10x12 room, he set up See Designs as a men’s ethnic wear brand in 2015. Today, the brand offers ethnic styles like kurtas, kurta pajama sets, Nehru jackets, and festive specials. It receives 3,000+ daily online orders across its website, Myntra, Nykaa, etc.

India isn't one market, it's many. Brands that create content in regional languages see higher engagement and conversion. Whether it's a voice note in Marathi or a reel in Tamil, relevance beats reach. Language and localisation aren't extras, they're essentials in India's diverse e-commerce landscape.

The US has sanctioned an Indian national based in UAE and two India-based entities operating as part of Iran’s "shadow fleet" and involved in shipping Iranian oil. "Iran relies on its network of unscrupulous...brokers like Jugwinder Singh Brar...to enable its oil sales and finance its destabilising activities," US said. Iran has been under several US sanctions since 1979.

Social media influencers are shaping how Indians shop online. From Instagram reels to YouTube hauls, creators connect with regional audiences in ways traditional ads can't. E-commerce brands tap into this trust by partnering with local voices, turning content into conversions. Influence is becoming currency in India's digital marketplace.

E-commerce in India isn't growing by luck, it's powered by sharp, adaptive marketing. From Tier 1 metros to small-town India, brands are using personalised messaging, regional targeting, and digital-first campaigns to capture consumer attention. It's not just about having a great product, it's about being seen, understood, and trusted online.

Automation applied to a bad process doesn't improve it, it just makes the mess faster. Skipping process review leads to digital inefficiency at scale. Before deploying bots or scripts, clean up the steps, remove bottlenecks, and question what's truly needed. Automate what's lean, not what's leftover.

Even the best automation strategy will fail without team alignment. Change brings resistance, especially when roles or workflows evolve. Communicating the 'why,' involving key users early, and offering training ensures smoother adoption. When teams feel ownership, automation becomes a tool, not a threat.