Author: Bureau

PayU has introduced an AI-powered Outbound Voice Call Assistant, reinforcing its roadmap to become an AI-native organization across the merchant lifecycle. Merchant onboarding has often been complex and time-intensive, involving multiple steps such as documentation, KYC verification, and activation workflows. These challenges frequently lead to delays and drop-offs. Addressing this, PayU’s new voice assistant proactively engages merchant leads—particularly those yet to begin onboarding—through natural, conversational interactions. Currently available in English and Hindi, the AI assistant guides merchants through key onboarding stages while capturing essential business details, including website information, revenue expectations, and business category. This approach enables faster verification, improves…

BirlaNu, a global leader in sustainable building materials, has introduced ‘The Elements Collection’ under its Aerocon portfolio—an advanced range of designer cement boards that seamlessly combine durability with refined aesthetics. Inspired by the natural forces of Earth, Water, and Air, the collection reflects a growing shift in architecture where performance and design are equally valued. Developed through close collaboration with over 200 architects and interior designers, the collection is rooted in a “nature-positive” philosophy. Each design captures organic textures and patterns that go beyond ornamentation, enabling architects to create spaces that feel timeless and grounded. The Elements Collection features nine…

Ather Energy has significantly expanded its retail footprint, crossing 700 Experience Centres (ECs) across India in FY26, nearly doubling from 351 centres a year ago. The addition of over 350 new ECs has strengthened the company’s reach, enabling deeper market penetration and improved accessibility for customers nationwide. This rapid expansion has contributed to Ather’s strong growth trajectory, with its national market share rising to 18.7% in March 2026, according to Vahan data. A key driver of this momentum has been the success of the Ather Rizta, the company’s first family-oriented scooter, which has sold over 2.8 lakh units since launch.…

Mercedes-Benz India reported its highest-ever annual sales, retailing 19,363 vehicles in FY 2025–26, driven by strong demand for its top-end luxury and core segments. The company also posted a solid Q1 2026 performance, selling 5,131 units, marking a 7% year-on-year growth. The growth was largely fueled by the top-end luxury segment, which grew 16% during the fiscal year and contributed 27% to total sales. Models such as the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach range, EQS SUV, and AMG portfolio continued to witness strong demand, reflecting a clear customer preference for exclusivity and performance. Waiting periods for select models extend up to 12 months,…

Primus Partners has released its latest report, “Housing Horizons 2030,” outlining five structural shifts set to redefine India’s housing landscape amid rapid urbanisation. With nearly 600 million Indians expected to live in cities by 2030 and a housing shortage of around 30 million units, the report stresses the need for a systemic shift rather than incremental improvements. The report highlights digital twins as a critical enabler of simulation-led urban planning, helping reduce construction delays and improve decision-making. It also underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence in housing finance, pricing, and operations, enabling faster approvals and data-driven outcomes. Additionally, fully…

Equinix has launched its fourth International Business Exchange (IBX) data center in Mumbai, MB3, strengthening India’s position as a key digital and interconnection hub. Backed by an initial investment of over $95 million, MB3 is designed to support high-performance workloads, including AI, machine learning, and hybrid multicloud deployments. The facility offers over 1,370 cabinets in its initial phase, with scalability up to 5,475 cabinets, enabling enterprises to expand digital operations efficiently. Strategically located in Mumbai, the data center enhances interconnection with leading cloud providers, networks, and enterprises, supporting India’s rapidly growing digital economy—projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027–28. With…

8B and PayU have entered a strategic partnership to enable UPI and other Indian payment methods across Central Asia, creating a seamless payment experience for Indian travellers. The collaboration integrates PayU’s APIs with 8B’s merchant network spanning Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, allowing Indian users to pay via UPI, net banking, and debit or credit cards without changing their payment habits. This marks a significant step in building a digital payments bridge between India and Central Asia, aligning with the rapid growth in tourism and trade between the regions. India’s outbound travel market continues to expand, with Central Asia emerging as…

Yuma Energy has partnered with Quantum Energy to enable battery swapping for the Quantum Bziness electric scooter, aimed at high-usage commercial and last-mile mobility segments. This collaboration addresses a key barrier in EV adoption—charging downtime—by integrating Yuma’s battery-as-a-service (BaaS) ecosystem with Quantum’s vehicle platform. The solution allows riders to swap depleted batteries with fully charged ones in minutes, delivering refuelling-like convenience. With a claimed 99.9% network uptime and rapid swap capability, the partnership ensures higher vehicle availability and uninterrupted operations for businesses and gig workers. The Quantum Bziness is specifically designed for commercial applications where efficiency and reliability are critical.…

Neuberg Diagnostics has launched ‘Neubee’, a digital health companion aimed at simplifying preventive care and making health conversations more accessible. Introduced on World Health Day 2026, the initiative reflects the company’s focus on bridging the gap between medical information and everyday understanding. Neubee is designed to address a key challenge in healthcare—complexity. Medical jargon, difficult-to-read reports, and lack of clarity often discourage individuals from prioritising preventive care. Neubee tackles this by translating technical health information into simple, relatable language, helping users better understand their health and take timely action. Positioned as a friendly and approachable companion, Neubee uses engaging formats…

KreditBee has raised $280 million in a Series E round, reaching a valuation of $1.5 billion and becoming the first unicorn of FY27. The round was led by Motilal Oswal Alternates, Hornbill Capital, and Dragon Funds, with participation from WhiteOak Capital, A.P. Moller Holding, Premji Invest, and Advent International. Founded in 2016 by Madhusudan E, Karthikeyan Krishnaswamy, and Vivek Veda, the company operates via its RBI-registered NBFC, KrazyBee Services Limited. The fresh capital will be used to expand lending operations, strengthen market presence, and enhance its AI-led technology stack for better risk assessment and personalised offerings. With over 230 million…