Stripe clinches over $7 billion deal to buy AI firm OpenRouter

The deal, just months after OpenRouter raised money at a reported $1.3 billion valuation, underscores the demand from businesses to find the most cost-friendly AI solutions. It could also give Stripe, a payments processing firm, a stronger footing in the fast-growing artificial intelligence sector.

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Unveiling The Economic Times Startup Awards 2026 high-powered jury

We’re back with the 12th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA). However hectic it gets for the ETtech team, the thrill of sifting through the best of Indian entrepreneurship makes up for every late night in the newsroom.

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US to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China

By pressing countries to choose sides the US hopes to starve China of resources in a race to make the most sophisticated AI, which ​could be used for military or economic dominance. In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a rival "World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization", promoting his country's open-weight technology as a challenge to US influence over the fast-moving sector.

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PayPal in talks with Stripe and private equity firm over sale: report

In July, Stripe and private equity firm Advent International made a joint offer to buy the digital payments pioneer for $60.50 a share, which would have valued PayPal at around $53 billion, according to media reports. PayPal has struggled to compete with other payments providers including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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Inside failed Uber-Rapido merger talks; Honasa’s strong Q1 report

Happy Friday! Uber and Rapido explored combining their India ride-hailing operations in May, sources told us. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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Zetwerk files updated IPO draft papers to raise Rs 2,600 crore

The Bengaluru-based company had received Sebi approval on July 10 for its IPO, clearing the way for one of the largest listings by a new-age manufacturing company. It had submitted its pre-filed DRHP through Sebi’s confidential filing route in late March.

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New-age listing-day gains fade fast; IT deals up for renewal

Happy Thursday! Some of the best-received new-age IPOs are now trading below their issue price, ET analysis shows. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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Paytm senior executives get Sebi notice for 'timing' of 2023 regulatory disclosure

The Sebi notice, dated August 11, has asked the executives to explain the timing of a disclosure the company made on December 6, 2023, when it revealed plans to pull back on small loans under Rs 50,000 - mostly comprising its "buy now, pay later" offering. The move had come shortly after India's central bank tightened rules on unsecured lending.

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Oracle, Quantinuum partner to bring quantum computing to cloud

Under the deal, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure customers will gain ​access to Quantinuum's Helios quantum computer through OCI's quantum service, ​allowing them to combine quantum computing with Oracle's graphics-processing and high-performance computing services.

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Accel’s $550 million India fund; South Park Commons bets on deeptech

Happy Wednesday! Venture capital firm Accel has raised its ninth India fund. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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AI startup Manus to resume independent operations as deal with Meta unwinds

"As part of our ​transition back to independent operations and to ​comply with regulatory requirements in specific jurisdictions, data generated by certain users ​on/after December 29, ⁠2025" will ‌be deleted later this ​month, ​Manus said in a statement.

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Yulu, Bounce chase fresh funds; MPs target social media

Happy Tuesday! Yulu and Bounce Infinity are back in the funding market as rising delivery demand gives them a fresh boost. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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Boeing to divest tech ventures for stake in air-taxi startup

Boeing announced an agreement Monday to divest its air taxi and two other technology ventures to Archer Aviation for a stake in the startup. In its May earnings release, Archer said it had completed the "phase three" of the Federal Aviation Administration's four-phase certification process for its Midnight air taxi vehicle.

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LinkedIn CEO on AI Jobs, Agentic Hiring and the AI Slop Problem

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Optimized builds satellites to focus on Earth, space traffic

Optimized operates through separately registered companies, including Optimized Solutions and Bengaluru-based Optimized Electrotech.

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OpenAI’s new device will be hockey puck-sized and cost over $300

The product — essentially a smart speaker without a display — will be shaped like a doughnut that’s roughly the size of a hockey puck, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the work is confidential. The idea is to make the device easy to carry around the home with one hand.

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Hackers targeted US private equity, other firms including Blackstone, CME, data shows

The data shows the ​hackers devised websites aimed at stealing passwords from employees of private equity firms and companies including Blackstone, Bridgewater Associates, Apollo Global Management, Bain Capital, ​KKR, TPG, CME Group and Moody's, as well as a host of financial companies and other businesses. Internet company Google said in a blog post about the hacking campaign published on Thursday that the hackers operate under a range of names, including Redact, Pink, Falcon, and Helix.

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Wakefit reports Rs 23 crore net profit in Q1, revenue up 17%

Founded in 2016, Wakefit initially focused on sleep-related products such as mattresses, pillows, and bed frames before expanding to a broader home portfolio including sofas, dining sets, wardrobes, study tables, and bookshelves.

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Impact of MDR’s return; KKR veterans to anchor new fund

Happy Thursday! Competition in the payments space may change with merchant fees on UPI potentially making a comeback. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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Nvidia bets on Sarvam AI; Sidbi eases fund rules for VCs

Happy Wednesday! Sarvam’s Pratyush Kumar has confirmed adding Nvidia to the AI startup’s captable. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

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