ETtech

💸💰Deepinder Goyal expands Continue Research with $25 million fund to back longevity researchers 📌The fund aims to support researchers who explore fundamental questions about human biology and aging. ➡️In a post on X, Goyal explained that Continue Research was started two years ago as an effort to identify simple leverage points in the human body that could potentially alter aging processes.

🚨OpenAI acquires Software Applications, startup that built AI interface for Apple Macs 📌📌OpenAI plans to integrate Sky’s deep macOS capabilities and product design into ChatGPT. All of Software Applications’ team members will be joining OpenAI. Read more⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e8m7z36G

🔔🤝Anthropic announces massive AI chip deal with Google 📍AI firm Anthropic will greatly expand its use of Google Cloud and TPUs (Tensor Processing Units) in a multibillion-dollar deal, adding massive computing power by 2026. 📊Backed by Amazon, Anthropic aims to meet rising demand for its Claude AI models, grow globally, and challenge OpenAI, especially in coding and generative AI performance. Read the full story here⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ei9-nnYt

Experts hail deepfakes labelling rules, flag usage, overreach risks India’s proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 have drawn a mix of optimism and caution from legal and industry experts. 📌 Raja Lahiri, partner at professional services firm Grant Thornton Bharat, said the amendments are both timely and necessary, given the increasing frequency of deepfake attacks that misuse voice and likenesses. 📌 Deepfakes are “worryingly convincing” and can quickly distort facts or impersonate individuals, said Akshay Garkel, also partner at Grant Thornton Bharat. 📌 Legal experts broadly welcomed the government’s intent but warned of practical and interpretational challenges. By Suraksha P

📢 Cloud switch on global CIOs' agenda as risks rise 📌 Half of all non-US chief information officers (CIOs) expect to change cloud vendors due to regional factors, according to a survey by tech research and advisory company Gartner. ➡️ The survey found 32% of CIOs increasing focus on finding vendors from their own region. More than 75% of European and Middle Eastern enterprises will 'geopatriate' their virtual workloads to reduce geopolitical risk by 2030, up from less than 5% in 2025, Gartner said in its report.

TP-Link dials up three states for Rs 100 crore factory 📌 Network equipment giant TP-Link India is looking to set up a factory in the country, its largest globally, as part of a five-year plan, a senior executive told ET. The company is in talks with three state governments to pick a site for the project, which could involve investment of over Rs 100 crore. 📌 TP-Link has been relying on contract makers but wants to set up its own local facilities, seeing the rapid growth of the Indian market. 🎙️🎙️ “We will be starting manufacturing—that’s the next five years’ plan for us,” said Bijoy Alaylo, chief operating officer (COO) at TP-Link India. “Once that starts up, it would be the biggest factory for TP-Link globally.” 👉 He said the investment is expected to be over Rs 100 crore but this number hasn’t been finalised yet. For the first two years or so, the plant will focus on the domestic market after which it will begin exporting to West Asia, Africa and Turkey. By Dia Rekhi

Amazon India units rein in costs to trim FY25 losses, growth ticks up 📌 Amazon’s India business units reduced their losses in financial year 2025 by reining in their expenses, even as revenue growth remained moderate compared with the Covid years. 📌 This comes at a time when the American ecommerce giant is trying to catch up in the quick commerce race in India. Amazon Now, its quick commerce venture, is a recent entrant into the highly competitive market. 📌 In June, Amazon India said it would invest Rs 2,000 crore in FY26 to expand and upgrade its operating infrastructure to make deliveries “faster and more reliable”. By Disha Acharya

Deeptech startup Chakr Innovation raises $23 million from Iron Pillar, others 👉 Chark Innovation plans to use the capital to expand manufacturing capacity, enter international markets, and step up R&D investments, including setting up a dedicated materials science centre focused on critical materials. 👉 Founded by Kushagra Srivastava , Chakr Innovation first built a name by reducing toxic emissions from diesel generators. Its patented tech, used by DLF, the Tata Group, and others, captures particulate matter at the source—a feat that won it the #ETStartupAwards2025 in the ‘Social Enterprise’ category. 📌 Chakr’s next act is riskier, but potentially more rewarding. It is developing aluminium air batteries as a cleaner, cheaper alternative to lithium-ion, hoping to tap into India’s aluminium reserves and reduce reliance on China. The company is in the early stages of commercialisation. 📌 Building hardware in India remains difficult. “We are great at building software, but our ability to build prototypes, commercialise and manufacture hardware is very limited,” Srivastava said.

🏆🏆 Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw to headline ET Startup Awards on October 31 in Bengaluru 📍 Union minister for commerce and industry Piyush Goyal and Union minister for railways, information and broadcasting, electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw will be guests of honour at the 11th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards to be held in Bengaluru on Friday, October 31. 📍 At the grand ceremony, winners in eight categories will be felicitated with India’s most coveted awards for entrepreneurship as over 350 leaders from the startup and technology ecosystem gather in the country’s tech capital.

🌞🌞 Happy Friday! Start your day with top stories on ETtech 🏆🏆 Counting down to ET Startup Awards; Social Enterprise champion eyes global stage Also in the letter: ■ Amazon India’s FY25 report ■ Cloud ‘geopatriation’ catches on ■ Experts’ take on draft IT rules