softbank
31 ARTICLES
Protein chips and the problems of the East
It is becoming increasingly clear that the startup ecosystem is stuck with building for the top 3% of Indian society. Now consumption in even this rarefied segment is under pressure.
24 May 2025
OYO India junks franchise model to become an aggregator, cut losses
The company is now just another aggregator in the budget hotel sector. And the shift does make sense; OYO wants to cut losses and its India business isn’t all that important anymore.
28 Nov 2024
Is OYO’s turnaround for real?
Even as the chorus of the company’s turnaround seems to be gathering momentum, it appears that co-founder Ritesh Agarwal’s one-trick pony continues to be financial engineering.
17 Oct 2024
Swiggy’s new investors in for a long, wild ride
Ahead of its IPO, the startup is at its most vulnerable. With a quick commerce mainstay that trails Zomato’s Blinkit by a distance—and is burning cash to play catch-up—profits will clearly have to wait.
29 Sept 2024
Why do so many OfBusiness employees run other companies?
Senior employees at OfBusiness operate several companies that trade with the B2B startup and its subsidiaries. These trades may be inflating the company’s revenue through double counting.
03 Sept 2024
The forgotten lessons of Hike—Part I
A three-part series that documents the rise and decline of the original Indian social media company.
26 Jul 2024
Why VCs are hitting reset on Indian fintech
After nearly a decade of unparalleled growth, the country’s fintech businesses are finding it hard to justify their hefty valuations and build profitable businesses.
21 Jan 2024
Unicommerce is an average business that needs investors but not their money
It should surprise no one that the story of this SaaS company, which recently filed draft papers for an IPO, continues to show signs of opportunism.
18 Jan 2024
In 2024, Indian startups brace for volatility
Entrepreneurs will learn that uncertainty is here to stay in a market where domestic VCs will gain in prominence as foreign funds continue to view India with scepticism.
26 Dec 2023
What does SoftBank know about India that others don’t?
Masayoshi Son seems reluctant to invest in the country amid an unfavorable investment environment and pricey startup valuations. Separately, no end in sight for ShareChat’s troubles.
22 Dec 2023