Startup news and updates: daily roundup (March 26, 2021)

Issues are not around the use of social media but over abuse and misuse: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that the government has no issue around the use of social media but over abuse and misuse of the platforms. The minister said that the government is the voice of those who are victimised on social media and wants platforms to set up grievance redressal mechanisms in the country.

Companies need to disclose cryptocurrency dealings under revised rules: Govt

Companies will now be required to disclose their dealings in cryptocurrencies, with the government putting in place stricter disclosure requirements to enhance transparency. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has amended various rules under the companies law pertaining to audit, auditors, and accounts.

Supreme Court stands by Tata Sons decision to remove Cyrus Mistry in 2016

The Supreme Court of India on Friday ruled in favour of the Tata Sons Private Limited’ decision to remove Cyrus Mistry as executive chairman in 2016. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice SA Bobde, including Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, ruled out oppression and mismanagement at Tata Sons, as alleged by Cyrus Mistry. Taking to Twitter, Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus and the former Chairman, Tata Sons, said, “I appreciate and am grateful for the judgement passed by the honourable Supreme Court today.”

Centre set to introduce single-window clearance for investors by Apr 15: DPIIT Secy

As part of furthering the ease of doing business in the country, the government is set to introduce a single-window clearance mechanism for investors by mid-April to attract greater foreign investment, a senior official said on Thursday. The single-window portal will integrate the existing clearance systems of various central and state departments.

DotPe secures $27.5M in Series A from PayU, Info Edge Ventures, Google (Funding)

Gurgaon-based offline-to-online commerce platform DotPe, on Friday, announced it has raised $27.5 million in Series A funding, making it the first O2O company in India to receive such a substantial amount within a year of launch. The round was led by its early investor, PayU, the payments and fintech business of Prosus, resulting in an increase in the existing stake in the company.

Digital financing startup Drip Capital gets $40M warehouse credit line from US bank (Funding)

Accel and Sequoia-backed fintech player Drip capital has secured a $40 million (about Rs 290 crore) warehouse credit line from the California-based East-West Bank to expand its trade finance solutions to small businesses. Founded by Indians, the California-based Drip Capital deals with cross-border trade finance. India is its largest market, followed by the US where it mostly deals with buyer finance, and Mexico.

Need policy, financial support for Indian farm sector to make use of full potential of AI: NASSCOM

IT industry body NASSCOMsaid a policy and financial support is necessary for India to realise the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the agriculture sector, which still faces many challenges. AI has the potential to play a key role in relieving the sector from most of its stressful input conditions, catalysing a shift towards data-driven farming, it said.

Geographical expansion of new digital users in smaller locations, rural India: Google report

A mix of the uncertainty of 2020 and accelerated digital adoption saw Indians leverage their time spent online for "determined pursuit of progress," says a report by Google, which also noted the geographical expansion of new digital users in smaller locations and rural India.

Noted journalist, founder of Mumbai Lit Festival Anil Dharker passes away at 74

Noted journalist and author Anil Dharker passed away in Mumbai on Friday, March 26, a former colleague said. He was 74-years-old. Dharker was the founder and director of the Mumbai International Literary Festival, held in November every year, and was also the founder and director of Literature Live!, which holds literary evenings throughout the year in the city.