Zepto Cafe’s Sudden Pause Shakes Up Quick Commerce
In a surprising move, Zepto — one of India’s fastest-growing quick commerce startups — has temporarily paused operations of its Zepto Cafe in over seven North Indian cities. This impacts 44 of its ~1,000 dark stores. Zepto Cafe, known for quick bites like coffee, tea, and pizzas, was Zepto’s bold foray into competing with food delivery giants Zomato and Swiggy. However, supply chain glitches and staff shortages have forced this setback. While the company claims this is temporary, the timing is critical. With urban consumers now spoilt for instant options, even a short pause can mean long-term customer churn.
Bajaj Auto Takes the Driver’s Seat at KTM
Bajaj Auto has shifted gears dramatically by launching an €800 million (₹7,760 crore) takeover of its longtime partner KTM AG. This bold step comes at a time when the Austrian premium motorcycle maker is financially distressed — making it a prime acquisition target. For years, Bajaj held a powerful stake in KTM, helping both brands dominate markets like India. But now, full control marks a new era. With this move, Bajaj isn’t just acquiring equity — it’s acquiring legacy. The deal could significantly expand Bajaj’s global premium motorcycle footprint and deepen its access to advanced European design and engineering.
Builder.ai’s Fall from Glory: From Unicorn to Bankruptcy
Once celebrated as India’s answer to Silicon Valley’s AI disruption, Builder.ai has now filed for bankruptcy. Founded in 2012 by Sachin Dev Duggal, the platform promised to democratize app development using AI-powered no-code tools. Backed by tech titans like Microsoft and investors like Qatar Investment Authority and SoftBank, it raised hundreds of millions. But behind the buzz was a shaky financial structure. Sources suggest overexpansion, cash burn, and delayed product-market fit contributed to its collapse. This serves as a cautionary tale — that even in the AI gold rush, hype without healthy margins can bring down giants.
Scammer Pretends to Be… Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma
In a bizarre case of digital identity fraud, Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma found himself the target of a scam — impersonated by someone pretending to be himself. The hoax began with a WhatsApp message saying, “Are you in the office?” — from a sender using Sharma’s name and image. While the incident was resolved quickly, it shines a spotlight on the rising sophistication of scams targeting high-profile figures. In a world where digital trust is currency, even CEOs of fintech giants are vulnerable. The irony wasn’t lost on many — including Sharma himself, who reportedly laughed it off publicly.
CCPA Cracks Down on Zomato and Swiggy
India’s top food delivery platforms — Zomato and Swiggy — are in hot water again, this time from regulators. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is pushing for stronger consumer rights, especially around order cancellations, refund timelines, and food quality assurance. A spike in complaints has prompted this intervention, with users expressing frustration over poor service and opaque refund policies. This regulatory heat could force platforms to overhaul their backend processes and customer service. While customer-first rules will build trust in the long run, short-term operational changes could strain these companies’ already razor-thin margins and service speed.
Curefoods Brings Krispy Kreme to the Indian Masses
Bengaluru-based cloud kitchen startup Curefoods is making waves by acquiring the exclusive India franchise rights for Krispy Kreme. This bold expansion brings the iconic doughnut brand under its control, with more than 50 outlets and a growing footprint in North India, including 11 stores in Delhi-NCR. This marks Curefoods’ official entry into North India’s competitive foodscape. More importantly, it reflects a larger trend — Indian foodtech companies aren’t just scaling local menus; they’re increasingly partnering with global brands to win consumer loyalty. By blending global taste with local logistics, Curefoods is making a sugary play for pan-India dominance.
