Swiggy cuts Q1 FY27 losses by 34%; Shalini Neelankavil on leading in the AI era

Hello,

Microsoft is sitting at the centre of the AI boom, and it’s a pretty interesting place to be. The company powers much of the world's cloud infrastructure, dominates enterprise software, and has major investments in both OpenAI and Anthropic. But as AI competition heats up, those roles are becoming harder to balance. 

Even so, Microsoft isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. It reported another blockbuster quarter, with $90 billion in revenue and $35.8 billion in profit, capping off a fiscal year that brought in $331.8 billion in revenue and $133.7 billion in net income.

Microsoft's strong results come as the industry's biggest players are racing to define what AI looks like for consumers. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told investors he believes billions of people will have personal AI agents within the next five years—digital assistants that understand users’ goals and help manage everything from finances and health to relationships and household tasks. He said platforms like WhatsApp will become increasingly important as people interact with multiple AI agents.

Back home, Sebi has operationalised the GARUDA (Green-Channel: AIF Rollout Upon Document Acknowledgement) framework to fast-track launches of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) schemes. Under the mechanism, regular AIF schemes can be launched 10 working days after filing the Placement Memorandum (PPM) with Sebi through a registered merchant banker, unless the regulator raises objections. 

The rapid expansion of digital technologies is also bringing renewed attention to their impact on everyday life. A new study suggests that spending excessive time online is linked to higher stress, poorer mood, and neglect of offline activities. 

Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen tracked 900 German adults over two weeks and found that participants with problematic internet use consistently reported worse emotional wellbeing and were more likely to let offline activities take a back seat. 

In today’s newsletter, we will talk about 

• Swiggy cuts Q1 FY27 losses by 34%
• Shalini Neelankavil on leading in the AI era 

Here’s your trivia for today: Which is the only fruit that has seeds on the outside?

FoodTech

Swiggy cuts Q1 FY27 losses by 34%

Swiggy reported a stronger first quarter of FY27, with revenue growth accelerating and losses narrowing as the company focused on improving profitability across food delivery, quick commerce, and B2B operations. The performance highlights the company’s progress towards building a more sustainable business model in an increasingly competitive consumer internet market.

Profit route: 

• Swiggy’s net loss narrowed 34% year-on-year to Rs 791 crore, while revenue grew 37% to Rs 6,812 crore, reflecting improved operational efficiency.
• Instamart revenue jumped 53% YoY to Rs 1,232 crore, achieved contribution breakeven in May 2026, and expanded its network to 1,171 dark stores across 131 cities.
• B2B led revenue contribution with 41.4% growth to Rs 3,195 crore, while food delivery revenue rose 22.66% to Rs 2,208 crore, supported by higher users and improved profitability.

<Funding alert>

Startup: Sid’s Farm

Amount: Rs 81 Cr

Round: pre-Series B

Startup: Arboreal Bioinnovations

Amount: Rs 230 Cr

Round: Series A

Women in Tech

Shalini Neelankavil on leading in the AI era 

Shalini Neelankavil’s career is defined not by a straight climb, but by intentional choices. From pausing her career to raise her son to leading technology strategy at Honeywell, she shows that long-term success is built through resilience, adaptability, and the right support system.

Key takeaways: 

• Shalini deliberately chose consulting and flexible work while raising her family, proving that non-linear careers can still lead to top leadership roles.
• She argues that flexible work, empathetic leaders, mentorship, sponsorship, and allies are essential to retaining and advancing women in technology.
• Shalini encourages women to step into opportunities before feeling 100% ready, saying that confidence and leadership are built by learning in uncomfortable situations, not waiting for perfection.

News & updates

• Gold prices: Gold prices were steady on Thursday as investors weighed the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged against rising Middle East tensions and their potential impact on inflation. 
• Oil: Oil prices rose on Thursday after the US launched fresh strikes on Iran in response to missile attacks on American forces, dimming hopes of a near-term de-escalation. 

Which is the only fruit that has seeds on the outside?

Answer: Strawberry

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