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How Rajesh Yabaji’s BlackBuck Became India’s $1 Billion Digital Trucking Network — Connecting 700,000 Drivers and 10,000 SMEs Through AI-Powered Freight Optimization
India’s logistics industry, historically dominated by manual operations and fragmented networks, has long struggled with inefficiency. In 2015, Rajesh Yabaji, along with Rekha Yabaji and Chanakya Hridaya, set out to change that with BlackBuck — a platform to digitize trucking and bring transparency to the freight ecosystem. At its core, BlackBuck connects truck owners, drivers, and shippers through a unified digital platform, replacing the opaque brokerage system with AI-driven matching and real-time freight routing. The goal: to make logistics efficient, data-driven, and profitable for everyone involved. By 2025, BlackBuck has grown into a $1 billion unicorn, serving 10,000+ small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and digitizing operations for over 700,000 truck…
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How Lenskart Changed the Way India Sees: From Online Eyewear Startup to ₹90,000 Crore Vision Empire
In 2010, Peyush Bansal, a former Microsoft employee, noticed a glaring gap in India’s eyewear market — expensive products, poor accessibility, and a lack of style. Determined to change that, he founded Lenskart, an innovative blend of e-commerce and healthtech aimed at making quality eyewear affordable and accessible to everyone. What began as a modest online platform soon became a category creator, redefining how Indians buy glasses. Bansal’s vision was clear: to democratize eyewear using technology, affordability, and customer experience. From virtual AR try-ons to doorstep eye check-ups, Lenskart turned buying spectacles into a fun, digital-first experience rather than a tedious chore. One of Lenskart’s biggest breakthroughs was its augmented…
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Grit Meets Global: The Entrepreneurial Mindset of Indian Founders in 2025 – Resilience That Conquers Worlds , or Stay Stuck in Silicon Valley Shadows!
In a startup world dominated by Silicon Valley’s polished pitches, Indian founders are scripting a raw, relentless saga of innovation amid chaos. With 159,157 DPIIT-recognized ventures powering a $450 billion digital economy, these entrepreneurs—often IIT dropouts or Tier-2 hustlers—blend frugal ingenuity, cultural resilience, and a hyper-local tech edge to birth 124 unicorns and snag $12 billion in 2024 funding. What sets them apart? A mindset forged in bureaucracy’s fires and diversity’s forge, prioritizing purpose, adaptability, and bootstrapped brilliance over VC-fueled extravagance. As Startup India’s Rs 13,000 crore schemes fuel a 20% funding rebound, Indian founders aren’t just surviving—they’re globalizing with grit. Drawing from NASSCOM, YourStory, and founder tales, this deep…
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Demystifying Insurance Choices: Alok Bansal Co-Founds Policybazaar to Empower India’s Consumers
Gurugram, October 22, 2025 – Alok Bansal, alongside Yashish Dahiya, co-founded Policybazaar in June 2008 under PB Fintech to simplify insurance comparisons and purchases online. As Executive Vice Chairman, Bansal drives inorganic growth and investor relations for the platform that now facilitates over Rs 23,486 crore in annual premiums, underscoring fintech’s role in boosting India’s low insurance penetration—currently at 4.2% of GDP—amid a sector poised for 7-8% annual growth through digital adoption. From Corporate Finance to Fintech Pioneer Alok Bansal holds an engineering degree from Lucknow University and an MBA from IIM Calcutta. His career spans finance roles at General Electric, iGate Global Solutions, Mahindra & Mahindra, and First Europa…
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From Home Office to ₹150 Crore Success: How Plix Turned Plant-Based Nutrition into India’s Fastest-Growing Vegan Fitness Revolution
In 2018, Rishubh Satiya and Akash Zaveri, two 27-year-old fitness enthusiasts from Pune, spotted a massive gap in India’s growing health and wellness market — the lack of clean, plant-based nutrition. Determined to create a vegan alternative to chemical-heavy protein powders, they pooled ₹4 lakh from personal savings and launched Plix, a brand built on one mission: to make plant-based nutrition both accessible and aspirational for Indian consumers. What began in a small Pune home office with basic equipment quickly grew into one of India’s leading D2C wellness brands. The duo started formulating plant-based protein powders and superfood blends using locally sourced ingredients, experimenting with flavors like apple cider vinegar,…
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Qapita’s $26.5M Schwab-Led Boost: A Game-Changer for Indian Fintech’s Global Equity Play
In a move that could redefine equity management for startups worldwide, Singapore-headquartered fintech Qapita has secured a robust $26.5 million in Series B funding, spearheaded by American brokerage behemoth Charles Schwab Corporation. This strategic infusion, announced yesterday, not only propels the India-origin platform deeper into the lucrative U.S. market but also cements a pivotal partnership aimed at challenging the dominance of established players like Carta. For Indian entrepreneurs eyeing global expansion, Qapita’s ascent signals a triumphant homecoming of sorts—proof that homegrown talent, nurtured in Bengaluru’s innovation hubs, can scale to Silicon Valley’s heights. The funding round, which brings Qapita’s total capital raised to over $80 million, saw participation from existing…
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Jagapathi Babu: A Versatile Actor’s Journey Across Indian Cinema
Jagapathi Babu, born on February 12, 1962, in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, is a seasoned Indian actor renowned for his extensive work in Telugu cinema. Over the years, he has expanded his repertoire to include roles in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films, establishing himself as a versatile performer across various Indian film industries . Early Life and Career Beginnings Hailing from a family with deep roots in the Telugu film industry, Jagapathi Babu is the son of veteran producer and director V. B. Rajendra Prasad. He made his acting debut in 1989 with the Telugu film Simha Swapnam, produced by his father and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. His breakthrough…
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Golconda Fort: A Historical Gem Facing Modern Challenges
Golconda Fort, the 16th-century citadel that once served as the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, continues to stand as a testament to Hyderabad’s rich historical and architectural legacy. Located on the outskirts of the city, the fort attracts thousands of tourists annually, drawn to its intricate architecture, acoustic marvels, and storied past. However, recent developments have sparked discussions about its preservation and the balance between tourism and heritage conservation. A Glimpse into Golconda’s Past Originally built as a mud fort in the 13th century by the Kakatiya dynasty, Golconda was transformed into a formidable granite stronghold under the Qutb Shahi rulers in the 16th century. The fort, sprawling across…
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Potti Sriramulu: The Martyr Who Paved the Way for Linguistic States in India
Potti Sriramulu (1901–1952), remembered as one of India’s most significant freedom fighters, played a decisive role in shaping the country’s linguistic and federal framework. His sacrifice, through a historic fast unto death, directly led to the creation of Andhra State, setting a precedent for the reorganization of Indian states along linguistic lines. Born on 16 March 1901 in Madras Presidency (now Andhra Pradesh), Sriramulu pursued his education in engineering before joining the freedom struggle under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi. A follower of Gandhian principles, he actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, and other campaigns against colonial rule. While his role in the independence struggle is widely…
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Economic Edge India Partners with Favcy’s 1to10 Accelerator to Empower High-Growth Startups Across India
Economic Edge, one of India’s leading startup media platforms, has officially partnered with Favcy as an Ecosystem Partner for its flagship initiative — the 1to10 Accelerator Program. The accelerator is designed to support revenue-generating startups in scaling from early traction to meaningful growth with the right mix of funding, mentorship, and national media visibility. This collaboration marks a milestone in Economic Edge’ journey to evolve beyond a media publication into a growth enabler for founders across India, especially those from beyond Tier-1 cities who are often overlooked by traditional investors. Key Highlights of the 1to10 Accelerator Quote from Economic Edge India “At Economic Edge, our mission has always been to amplify the voices of entrepreneurs. Partnering with…