Indian Business and Startup News


1. Coca-Cola Job Cuts
Coca-Cola will cut some jobs starting in 2026.

· First, 75 jobs at its main office in late February.
· More cuts may happen later.
  Why? The company is changing its structure for future growth. People are drinking less soda and more water/sports drinks trend seen . A new CEO is to take incharge in March
  Note: The company is doing well (revenue up 5% to $12.5 billion). It wants to invest in new areas like AI.

2. Trump & Colombia Leaders Talk

President Trump called Colombia's President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday.

· They had tension recently. Trump called Colombia a "sick man" and liked the idea of military action.
· After the call, Colombia's U.S. embassy said the talk was "constructive" and they want open dialogue.

3. US Russia Sanctions Bill

President Trump approved a new Russia sanctions bill.

· It lets the US put tariffs of 500% or more on India, China, and Brazil.
· Reason: To punish these countries for buying cheap Russian oil, which funds Russia's war.

4. Airport Food Pre-Order Market Growth

The market for pre-ordering airport food is growing fast.

· Value: $1.7 billion (2024) → $5.2 billion (2033).
· How it works: Travelers order and pay for food via an app before reaching the airport, then pick it up quickly.
· India is a key market: Airports are very crowded. Many people use phones to pay (UPI), so pre-ordering is easy for them. New airports will have special pick-up zones for this.

5. BHEL Gets Coal Project Order

BHEL got an order for a coal gasification project in Odisha.

· Client: Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited.
· Work: Build facilities to turn coal into syngas and clean it for making ammonium nitrate.

6. Hartek Gets Solar + Storage Project

Hartek Power got a renewable energy contract worth Rs 353.77 crore.

· Project: A solar project with a battery storage system in Karnataka.
· Work: Design, supply, build, and run the project for one year.

7. Power Mech's Unit Gets Large Battery Project

Power Mech Projects' subsidiary got a big battery storage order in West Bengal.

· Project: A 250 MW / 1,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System.
· Client: West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd.
· Order Value: ₹3,126 crore (excluding GST).
· Work: Design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the system.

8. Bata India Offers VRS at Hosur Factory

Bata India is offering a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) at its Hosur factory.

· What is VRS? Eligible workers can choose to leave their job early and get compensation.
· Why? To reorganize operations and cut costs. Bata has done this before at other factories, some of which later closed.

9. Eternal (Zomato/Blinkit) Gets GST Notice

Eternal (parent of Zomato/Blinkit) got two GST demand orders.

· Amount: Over ₹27.56 crore (includes interest and penalty).
· Reason: Short payment of tax between April 2020 and March 2022.
· Next Step: The company will appeal against the order.

10. UpGrad Stops Talks to Buy Unacademy

UpGrad has stopped negotiations to buy Unacademy.

· Reason: They could not agree on the company's valuation (price).

11. ED Attaches ₹400 Crore in Jaypee Group Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth ₹400 crore.

· Case: Money laundering probe against Jaypee Group.
· Finding: Out of ~₹14,599 crore taken from 25,000 homebuyers, large amounts were diverted to other group companies, not used for construction.

12. Copper Prices Surge
Copper prices rose sharply in 2025.

· Global: Nearly $13,000 per tonne.
· India (MCX): Up ~50% (from ₹796 to ₹1,197 per kg).
· Reason: A big gap between supply and industrial demand.

13. Allianz Sells Insurance Stakes to Bajaj

Allianz SE sold its stakes in Indian insurance ventures to Bajaj Group.

· Deal Size: ₹21,390 crore (largest in India's insurance sector).
· Stake Sold: 23% each in Bajaj General and Bajaj Life Insurance. Another 3% will be transferred later.
· Result: Bajaj Group's ownership in both companies increased from 74% to 97%.

14. Bharat Coking Coal Raises Funds Before IPO

Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL, a Coal India subsidiary) raised ₹273.13 crore from investors.

· This was done before its Initial Public Offering (IPO).

15. Aditya Birla Ventures Invests in US AI Startup

Aditya Birla Ventures invested in a $70 million funding round for Articul8, a US-based AI startup.

· The exact amount invested was not disclosed.

16. NHPC Board Approves Bond Issue Plan

NHPC's board approved a plan to issue AH-Series Bonds.

· The bonds will be issued via private placement.
· Company Performance (July-Sept 2025):
  · Profit: ₹1,021 crore (up 13.4%).
  · Revenue: ₹3,365 crore (up 10.3%).

17. HUL Gets ₹1,559 Crore Tax Notice

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) received an income tax order of ₹1,559.69 crore.

· For Financial Year: 2021-22.
· Reason: Transfer pricing adjustments and corporate tax disallowances.

18. Reliance May Buy Venezuelan Oil

Reliance Industries said it may buy Venezuelan oil if allowed for non-U.S. buyers.

· This oil would likely be sold at a discount, which is good for refiners like Reliance.

19. Agri-Tech Startup Gets US FDA Certification

Agri-tech startup Agrifeeder (backed by actor Neetu Chandra) got US FDA certification.

· This allows it to export farm produce sourced directly from farmers in Bihar.

Funding News:

· Spector.ai (AI): Raised ₹58 crore led by IvyCap Ventures.
· MiniPix (Short Dramas): Raised ₹2.4 crore in pre-seed round.
· Multibagg AI (Equity Research): Raised ₹1.5 crore in pre-seed round. Total raised: ₹2.15 crore.
· &Done (Haircare): Raised $3 million in Series A round.
· Aivar (AI Services): Raised $4.6 million in Seed round.
· RoadGrid (EV Charging): Raised ₹12 crore in pre-Series A round.

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