/
•
•
Context is everything.
Detailed stories on technology startups, business and economic current affairs.
Detailed stories on technology startups, business and economic current affairs.
The announcement of layoffs and pay cuts by their well-funded parent is a sign that the new short-video business isn’t pulling its weight.
Editor's note: Earlier this week, VerSe Innovation, which runs the news aggregation site Dailyhunt and short-form video app Josh, laid off 150 employees, accounting for about 5% of its workforce. At the same time, the company also implemented a pay cut of 11% for all employees with annual salaries of more than Rs 10 lakh. Despite the global macroeconomic concerns, this layoff announcement has surprised many within the company. Given that VerSe Innovation had raised $805 million in April 2022 at a valuation of $5 billion, there was an unofficial assurance that the company wouldn’t have to fire anyone. “It’s quite a shock,” says a person aware of the developments at VerSe. But there is more to this layoff announcement. VerSe Innovation is two parts: Dailyhunt, the core business where the company makes money from digital advertising, and Josh, which was only launched in September 2020 with a pitch that it would fill the vacuum (along with a dozen others) left by TikTok after it was banned by the Indian government. It seems that all 150 people who have been laid off …
The announcement of layoffs and pay cuts by their well-funded parent is a sign that the new short-video business isn’t pulling its weight.
Editor's note: Earlier this week, VerSe Innovation, which runs the news aggregation site Dailyhunt and short-form video app Josh, laid off 150 employees, accounting for about 5% of its workforce. At the same time, the company also implemented a pay cut of 11% for all employees with annual salaries of more than Rs 10 lakh. Despite the global macroeconomic concerns, this layoff announcement has surprised many within the company. Given that VerSe Innovation had raised $805 million in April 2022 at a valuation of $5 billion, there was an unofficial assurance that the company wouldn’t have to fire anyone. “It’s quite a shock,” says a person aware of the developments at VerSe. But there is more to this layoff announcement. VerSe Innovation is two parts: Dailyhunt, the core business where the company makes money from digital advertising, and Josh, which was only launched in September 2020 with a pitch that it would fill the vacuum (along with a dozen others) left by TikTok after it was banned by the Indian government. It seems that all 150 people who have been laid off …
After a year of big investments, growing capabilities and uneven adoption, how companies use artificial intelligence will be a key focus in 2026.
Countries across the world are coming to the consensus that children aged under 15 must not have access to social media. India, which has over 300 million children under 15 and among the cheapest data tariffs, needs to have this conversation sooner rather than later.
American online dating companies have quietly put their India operations on the back burner, with cuts in team sizes and growth spends. What gives?
After a year of big investments, growing capabilities and uneven adoption, how companies use artificial intelligence will be a key focus in 2026.
Countries across the world are coming to the consensus that children aged under 15 must not have access to social media. India, which has over 300 million children under 15 and among the cheapest data tariffs, needs to have this conversation sooner rather than later.
American online dating companies have quietly put their India operations on the back burner, with cuts in team sizes and growth spends. What gives?
