/
•
•
Context is everything.
Detailed stories on technology startups, business and economic current affairs.
Detailed stories on technology startups, business and economic current affairs.
Editor's note: I am usually not surprised by the various shenanigans startups get up to, but two events in the last month have caught me by surprise. First, was a recommendation document circulated by 30-odd venture capital folks and startup founders sent to the government of India advocating for a lockdown of the country to fight against COVID-19. And second, a collective of 75 startup founders, venture capital investors and industry associations sent a list of demands in a bailout proposal sent to the government. Interestingly enough, there’s absolutely no overlap between the two groups. Let’s deal with the bailout first. I’ll quote the big-ticket demands from the long list, directly from the document called “Relief for startups/ MSME/ women entrepreneurs from COVID 19 crisis”: Given the unprecedented circumstances, we request the turnover limit for startups to qualify for COVID-19 stimulus be extended to Rs 500 crores so as to provide coverage to a large base of impacted employees.The GOI or Government of India should provide 50% of salary bills and contract wage bills paid by startups in order to ensure there …
Editor's note: I am usually not surprised by the various shenanigans startups get up to, but two events in the last month have caught me by surprise. First, was a recommendation document circulated by 30-odd venture capital folks and startup founders sent to the government of India advocating for a lockdown of the country to fight against COVID-19. And second, a collective of 75 startup founders, venture capital investors and industry associations sent a list of demands in a bailout proposal sent to the government. Interestingly enough, there’s absolutely no overlap between the two groups. Let’s deal with the bailout first. I’ll quote the big-ticket demands from the long list, directly from the document called “Relief for startups/ MSME/ women entrepreneurs from COVID 19 crisis”: Given the unprecedented circumstances, we request the turnover limit for startups to qualify for COVID-19 stimulus be extended to Rs 500 crores so as to provide coverage to a large base of impacted employees.The GOI or Government of India should provide 50% of salary bills and contract wage bills paid by startups in order to ensure there …
The Abu Dhabi investment firm just upped the AI stakes, private debt in the Gulf is having its moment in the sun, and other updates from this week.
The regional economy is expected to take a big hit in 2026, venture capital activity is starting to show signs of strain, and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund has a new investment strategy.
The country’s top VC funds are flush with new fundraises. They must now find opportunities to invest, but that’s easier said than done.
The Abu Dhabi investment firm just upped the AI stakes, private debt in the Gulf is having its moment in the sun, and other updates from this week.
The regional economy is expected to take a big hit in 2026, venture capital activity is starting to show signs of strain, and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund has a new investment strategy.
The country’s top VC funds are flush with new fundraises. They must now find opportunities to invest, but that’s easier said than done.
