Dream11 CEO Harsh Jain called out Tesla for refunding $1,000-booking fee which he paid to reserve a Model 3 car in 2017. Jain shared a screenshot of the message from Tesla, stating the particular model has been discontinued. "Do you know Elon Musk how Tesla is turning...its fans and early believers in India into haters?" he wrote on X.

Deeptech startup Leumas has secured $2.2 million in seed funding led by Capital 2B, backed by Info Edge and Temasek. The funds will accelerate R&D and pilot modular factories for pharma and wellness brands. Leumas's AI-powered, robot-driven system aims to revolutionise contract manufacturing with rapid, compliant, and scalable production solutions tailored for the $400 billion global market.

In 2025, the lipstick effect, where consumers buy small luxuries during economic stress is making a strong comeback. As real estate and auto sales decline, purchases of lipsticks, quirky toys, and artisanal treats are rising. In India, even Tier-II cities show this shift. It signals emotional coping, changing aspirations, and deeper caution in spending, an early warning of economic unease.

India holds 8% of the world's rare earth reserves, yet its lack of refining tech could stall progress in sectors like semiconductors, wind turbines and medical devices. As China tightens control over exports, India faces a strategic challenge in securing these critical inputs despite recent policy pushes and exploration plans under the National Critical Mineral Mission.

Markets ended mixed after a directionless session, with the Sensex down 53 points and Nifty inching up by one. Bank and real estate stocks faced pressure following last week's interest rate cut. IT stocks gained on hopes of a US-China trade deal. Mid-cap and small-cap indices showed a similarly mixed trend, reflecting broader market indecision.

Garuda Aerospace has raised fresh funding from the Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office ahead of its planned IPO. The MS Dhoni-backed drone startup aims to scale production and strengthen R&D for defence drones. It plans to expand exports to 50 countries by 2025. The funding follows its ₹100 crore Series B round led by Venture Catalysts.

At a wedding in Udaipur’s 40°C+ heat, entrepreneur Arjun Vaidya saw a delivery rider nearly collapse from exhaustion, sparking a conversation on hydration. He proposes ₹5-₹10 electrolyte sachets tailored for India: gond-cumin, tulsi-lemon, kokum blends. With sugary drinks dominating, affordable, functional hydration could be a game-changer for India’s working class battling rising temperatures.

Sports-tech startup Machaxi has raised $1.5 million from Rainmatter, Prakash Padukone, and others to expand its AI-based badminton coaching. The funds will support entry into Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. Machaxi will also launch 1,000+ coaching centres with the Padukone School of Badminton. Its AI system aims to bring consistency and quality to grassroots training across India.

Fintech lender FlexiLoans has secured ₹665 crore in six months, including ₹375 crore in an extended Series C led by BII and existing investors. The capital will drive AUM growth, tech innovation, secured lending, and insurance distribution. With over ₹10,000 crore disbursed and strong rural outreach, FlexiLoans is poised to deepen MSME credit access across India.

Delivery partners in India typically earn ₹18,000 to ₹28,000 per month in 2025, depending on work hours, city, and platform, according to reports. Food and quick commerce riders often work 10-12 hours a day, with high fuel costs and complex incentive structures reducing take-home pay. Despite growing demand, most delivery workers face financial pressure and lack social security benefits.