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<ul><li>The Softbank-backed startup is planning to head for a listing in the US through a special purpose acquisition company.</li><li><keyword id="2466939" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Grofers">Grofers</keyword> is now seeking a valuation of $1 billion.</li><li>Here’s a deep dive into Grofers’ business.</li></ul>India’s grocery market is estimated to be $600 billion and less than 5% of it is organised, according to HDFC Securities. Grofers has a tiny sliver of that small pie. It is one of the top 10 organised retailers in India but it’s still a tough space to compete in. Who leads in any competitive business also decides who gets a bulk of the investors’ money. In that, Softbank-backed grocery startup Grofers is running against <keyword id="8506093" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jiomart">JioMart</keyword>, backed by the mighty Mukesh Ambani (Asia’s second richest man), and an early bird like <keyword id="964794" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BigBasket">BigBasket</keyword>, a unicorn which the $100 billion Tata Group is in talks with for a majority stake. <div type="image" title="Grocery." msid="80874973" hostid="261"></div> Just as tight the competition is in everyday business, raising money may be as difficult as a spate of initial public offerings (IPO) from the retail ⁠— both online and offline⁠— space are in the works, at different stages. Therefore, as <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-11/softbank-backed-grofers-said-to-weigh-listing-via-u-s-spac-deal?srnd=technology-vp&amp;sref=zNmRQ0gk">reports suggest</a>, Grofers may opt for a listing in the US through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The reason why a SPAC is better than an IPO is best described by Don Butler, Managing Director at Thomvest Ventures. “An IPO is basically a company looking for money, while a SPAC is money looking for a company,” he recently <a href="https://news.crunchbase.com/news/spac-vs-traditional-ipo-investors-see-benefits-of-blank-check-companies/">said</a>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What is SPAC?" comment="subhead" text="What is SPAC?">What is SPAC?</cmsannotation> SPAC companies are generally formed as “blank cheque” firms with the specific purpose to raise capital through a market debut to acquire another company. Grofers could either raise money from investors by selling shares directly. Or, it could sell to a company that is already listed. When a deal is formed through SPAC, the companies have two years to complete the acquisition. If the deal fails to go through, the SPAC will have to return all money to the investors. Through a SPAC deal, companies don’t have to go through the traditional paperwork hassles needed for an IPO. There are many advantages of opting for a SPAC deal, first the company (here Grofers) would get direct expertise from a company that has been in the business of taking firms to the public markets, and SPACS also acquires companies at a premium, giving more value to the initial investors in the company. And that’s how the Softbank-backed Grofers is now seeking a valuation of $1 billion. The startup had last raised funding in May 2018 when it got a $220 million cheque from SoftBank and was valued around $700 million. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Lead investors in Grofers </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">SoftBank Vision Fund </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sequoia Capital </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bennett Coleman </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Abu Dhabi Capital Group </td></tr></tbody></table> Since then, the startup has had several talks for funding and acquisitions with rival companies like Zomato, Paytm Mall, none of which have worked out. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Some of the world’s richest people are competing for a slice of India’s growing online retail" comment="subhead" text="Some of the world’s richest people are competing for a slice of India’s growing online retail">Some of the world’s richest people are competing for a slice of India’s growing online retail</cmsannotation> India’s grocery segment which is a $545 billion market, according to Goldman Sachs. It has several players eyeing for the highest market share. Grofers, which until recently enjoyed being in a mostly two-player market, suddenly has many more competitors to watch out for. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Who Grofers is pitted against </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani’s JioMart </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">World’s richest man Jeff Bezos’s Amazon </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">One of the world’s biggest retailers Walmart-owned Flipkart </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">One of India’s biggest conglomerates Tata which is looking to acquire BigBasket and is keen on creating a superapp </td></tr></tbody></table> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A deep dive into Grofers’ business" comment="subhead" text="A deep dive into Grofers’ business">A deep dive into Grofers’ business</cmsannotation> Grofers in the last financial year reported an annualized Gross Merchandising Volume of $600 million. Even while Grofers in January 2020 had said that it had achieved breakeven in cities like Delhi and Kolkata, it continued to bleed red in its overall business. As much as 75% of its revenue comes from the top four cities alone. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Grofers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Revenue </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Loss </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹176.7 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹637.4 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">FY19 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹83.6 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹448 crore </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Tofler During the COVID-19 pandemic, tables turned for Grofers as it did for other e-grocery startups like BigBasket, JioMart etc. In a Goldman Sachs report from November 2020, Grofers had said that its revenues were up by 85% from April 2020, as the demand for online grocery grew. “...it has been proﬁtable (contribution margin) on every order delivered since the start of COVID-19,” said the report. Snapshot of Grofers <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Monthly transacting users </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Monthly Active Users </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Basket size </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Presence </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.5 million </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8-10 million </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$28 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">29 cities </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Goldman Sachs <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Betting on private labels" comment="subhead" text="Betting on private labels">Betting on private labels</cmsannotation> Grofers has also been betting big on its private labels business, with the aim of running its business purely with its own brands. In April 2020, the company said that it would pump in $15 million into its private label business. And it made business sense as private labels are high gross margin products for the company, as much as 20% higher in consumer packaged goods and 5% higher in staples, according to the Goldman Sachs report. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/spicejet-and-indigo-stocks-take-off-as-a-2-hour-flight-could-now-cost-up-to-13000/articleshow/80873865.cms">SpiceJet and IndiGo stocks take off as a 2-hour flight could now cost up to ₹13,000</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/chaos-at-upgrad-mass-resignations-pour-in-as-angry-employees-refuse-to-relocate-instantly/articleshow/80824504.cms">Chaos at upGrad⁠— mass resignations pour in as angry employees refuse to relocate instantly</a>

Here’s why Grofers may allow an American 'blank cheque' firm to buy it out instead of fighting Ambani and BigBasket for IPO

<ul><li>The <keyword id="30334" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="acquisition">acquisition</keyword> talks come as Tata is set to be working on its own Super App for which it has reportedly signed a deal with grocery retail platform BigBasket for a 68% stake.</li><li>The news of the possible acquisition drove JD’s stocks to ₹943, up by 7%.</li><li>In October 2020, JD had said that it was set to launch its own B2B (business to business) marketplace called JD Mart.</li></ul>The salt-to-aviation conglomerate <keyword id="6355725" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-group">Tata Group</keyword> is in talks with <keyword id="6436290" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="just-dial">Just Dial</keyword>, the 24-year old local discovery platform, as a part of its digital push, reported <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/tata-digital-in-initial-talks-with-just-dial-for-e-commerce-play/articleshow/81383870.cms">ET</a>. The report said that the group is in early talks with Just Dial regarding its latest e-commerce bet – JD Mart. The acquisition talks come as Tata is set to be working on its own Super App, for which it has already <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/article/tata-group-to-buy-68-stake-in-e-grocer-bigbasket/721028">reportedly</a> signed a deal with grocery retail platform BigBasket for a 68% stake. Similarly, it could enter into a strategic alliance with Just Dial as well. The news of the possible acquisition drove Just Dial Ltd’s stocks to ₹943, up by 7.38% at 1.50 pm on Monday. In October 2020, Just Dial had said that it was set to launch its own B2B (business to business) marketplace called JD Mart. The potential and excitement for Just Dial’s new platform comes with the fact that the company already has a strong foothold in the market and a loyal user base. According to a report by financial services firm UBS, the company will be able to leverage its already existing 140 million quarterly unique users and 100,000 paid B2B subscribers to sell JD Mart. “We think Just Dial has developed a superior platform on the backdrop of an interactive user interface along with robust depth and breadth of B2B product offerings. JD's core strength is its large sales force (9,000), which should aid monetizing the new platform,” said the UBS report from October, 2020. JD Mart finds competition from the country’s oldest e-commerce platform IndiaMart, which has had an unchallenged run for 24 years. Interestingly, Tata was <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/tatas-in-talks-to-buy-stake-in-indiamart-report-11602742923779.html">reportedly</a> in talks with IndiaMart as well earlier. However, in an exchange filing IndiaMart had categorically denied that it had not had any discussions with Tata Group. Meanwhile, JD Mart is making space for itself. The company, which had set aside ₹110 crore for marketing and advertising of JD Mart, has signed up to be a ‘Co-Presenting Sponsor’ of the Indian Premier League-14 (IPL 2021), which will be held in the months of April and May. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/oyo-vs-zo-zostel-claims-victory-while-the-ritesh-agarwal-led-firm-says-theres-still-room-to-win/articleshow/81386851.cms">OYO vs Zo – Zostel claims victory while the Ritesh Agarwal-led firm says there’s still room to win</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/the-510-crore-ipo-of-easemytrip-is-now-open-for-public-subscription-/articleshow/81387576.cms">Here is why analysts maintain a bullish mood for the ₹510 crore IPO of bootstrapped online travel aggregator EaseMyTrip</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/google-ceo-sundar-pichai-announces-a-series-of-initiatives-on-womens-day/articleshow/81388483.cms">Google announces a series of initiatives on Women’s day – a $25 million fund, support for one million female entrepreneurs in India and a new feature on Google Maps</a>

Tata dials up another acquisition talk – with India’s discovery platform Just Dial, whose  stock is up by 7%

<ul><li>The <keyword id="1783182" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="NUE">NUE</keyword> licence would enable the entity to hold pan-India control in payments, rivalling the likes of the government backed National Payments Corporation of India.</li><li>Reliance has reportedly signed up with Google and Facebook to set up a ‘new umbrella entity’ (NUE), which will be promoted by RIL and Infibeam Avenues’ So Hum Bharat.</li><li><keyword id="6355725" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-group">Tata Group</keyword>, <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> and Paytm too have formed their own consortiums to apply for the licence.</li></ul>When <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> signed up for a $5.7 billion cheque from Mark Zuckerberg in April, 2020, he made a promise to the Facebook founder to help boost their payments innovations in India. While WhatsApp pay is yet to take off, one year later, it seems Ambani is delivering on that promise through another route which can only be bigger. Reliance has <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/reliance-partners-google-facebook-in-seeking-nue-licence-from-rbi/articleshow/81237979.cms">reportedly </a>signed up with Google and Facebook to set up a ‘new umbrella entity’ (NUE), which will be promoted by RIL and Infibeam Avenues’ So Hum Bharat. Infibeam Avenues’ currently runs the payments gateway CCAvenue. India’s central bank had floated the bid for NUE licences in August, 2020. The NUE licence would enable the entity to hold pan-India control in payments, rivalling the likes of the government backed National Payments Corporation of India. NPCI is an initiative backed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) which acts as an umbrella entity that operates retail payments and settlements. The NUE licence would give the companies the opportunity to set up, manage and operate “ATMs, White Label PoS; Aadhaar based payments and remittance services; develop new payment methods, standards and technologies; monitor related issues in the country and internationally; take care of developmental objectives like enhancement of awareness about the payment systems,” according to the RBI guidelines. The RBI, which had initially set a deadline of February 26, 2021 for the application of the licences, recently extended it until March 31, 2021. According to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/reliance-partners-google-facebook-in-seeking-nue-licence-from-rbi/articleshow/81237979.cms?from=mdr">reports</a>, RBI is initially going to give out only two NUE licences. Competition is high A stake in the control over India’s burgeoning digital payments market, which sees over 93 million transactions worth $12 billion daily, as per a report by HDFC Securities from December, 2020, is an opportunity that Reliance isn’t the only one vying for. <div type="image" title="payments transaction." msid="81268420" hostid="261"></div> The 152-year old conglomerate Tata Group, which is looking to build its own Super App spread across retail and payments, has <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/tata-group-takes-over-sbi-bid-for-nue-licence-from-rbi/articleshow/81237978.cms">reportedly</a> taken over the bid initially expressed by State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. The Tatas are bidding through their subsidiary company Ferbine Private Limited, in which HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank had already picked up a 9.99% stake each. The deal is also backed by Mastercard, PayU and Reliance’s telecom competitor Bharti Airtel. In an exchange filing declaring its stake in Tata-owned Ferbine, Kotak Mahindra Bank had said, “The main business of the company would be to operating a pan-India umbrella entity for retail payment systems, as would be allowed/licenced by RBI, subject to the approval of the NUE application.” <keyword id="191583" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jeff-Bezos">Jeff Bezos</keyword>’ e-commerce firm Amazon, which has been bullish about the Indian payments sector and rolled out its own product Amazon Pay, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-bytes/amazon-icici-bank-axis-bank-ready-with-nue-plan-to-rival-npci-upi/articleshow/81181363.cms">has partnered</a> with ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and others for the NUE licence. Meanwhile, India’s digital payments poster boy Vijay Shekhar Sharma too isn’t one to miss out on the opportunity. Paytm too has<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/paytm-ola-and-indusind-bank-team-up-to-apply-for-nue-license/articleshow/81217427.cms"> reportedly</a> partnered with Induslnd Bank, Ola Financial and others to bid for the licence. The partnerships have sprung up as the RBI mandates that ‘no single promoter/promoter group shall have more than 40% investment in the capital of the NUE’. The latest developments in the payments sector with the Tata Group, Reliance and Amazon is just the latest in the rivalry between the three companies, who are already competing in the Indian retail sector. The Tata Group is eyeing a 68% stake in Indian grocery e-retail startup BigBasket. The Indian e-grocery sector is heating up with the world’s richest man Jeff Bezos betting on it with Amazon Pantry, India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani upping the game with JioMart. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/elon-musk-and-reliance-industries-mukesh-ambani-compete-in-energy-storage-skytran-and-hyperloop/articleshow/81266903.cms">Elon Musk is facing a challenge from Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani in India⁠— both in energy and transportation</a>

EXPLAINED: The NUE licence for payments that Tata, Ambani and Bezos have applied for

<ul><li><keyword id="6354427" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple">Apple</keyword> has frozen any new business deals with primary <keyword id="10247016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="iphone-manufacturer-in-china">iPhone manufacturer in China</keyword>, <keyword id="274256" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pegatron">Pegatron</keyword>, due to labour abuse allegations. </li><li>Luxshare Precision Industry could be the likely beneficiary of this fallout, according to a local Chinese news outlet The Paper.</li><li>Pegatron’s shares were down over 2% on the Taiwan Stock Exchange before closing, while Luxshare Precision Industry’s stock was up nearly 1% on the Shanghai Stock Exchange at the end of Monday.</li></ul>China may be touted for its cheap labour, but the country is also known to be vagrant when it comes to its labour protection laws. This time around, the premium smartphone maker Apple is putting one of its key suppliers in the country, Pegatron, on probation after discovering violations with a student workers’ program, according to <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/apple-suspends-new-business-with-pegatron-over-labor-violations">Bloomberg.</a> While this may put a wrench in the supply chain for Apple, it opens up a plethora of possibilities for the competition. This is because Pegatron is only one of Apple’s many partners that help the US giant manufacture its signature iPhones. Who gets Apple’s new iPhone orders? In India, the backbone of Apple’s manufacturing is managed by Wistron and Foxconn. While they may welcome the move to fill in the gap left behind by Pegatron, Apple could likely approach a new player altogether. Luxshare Precision Industry is reportedly in line to become the first mainland company to assemble the iPhone, according to a local Chinese news outlet <a href="https://twitter.com/thepapercn?lang=en">The Paper</a>. Pegatron, on the other hand, is located in Taiwan. Besides, Foxconn dealt with its share of controversy back in 2010 when a spate of suicides led to protests over the harsh working environment at its plants. Since then, Apple has upped its standards and started to audit its third-party manufacturers, with the condition that labour law violations may lead to the termination of ongoing business. “Pegatron’s current iPhone business should not be affected. However, it is likely that Pegatron will lose some orders for the Apple’s new handsets next year to Luxshare, which is poised to become a new iPhone assembler in 2021,” GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu told <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/apple-suspends-new-business-with-pegatron-over-labor-violations">Bloomberg</a>. These new orders include Apple’s four new 5G iPhones. Pegatron’s shares were down over 2% on the Taiwan Stock Exchange before closing, while Luxshare Precision Industry’s stock was up nearly 1% on the Shanghai Stock Exchange at the end of Monday. Pegatron went out of its way to hide labour code violations Apple claims that even though it did not find any evidence that hints at forced or underage labour, it did find falsified paperwork that hid several violations. “The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms,” the company said in a statement. Pegatron has clarified that the violations were incidents of students working night shifts, overtime, and positions that were unrelated to their degree in college. The manager who oversaw the student workers’ program has since been fired, and quick action has been taken to strengthen procedures within its facilities. As of right now, all student workers have been pulled off the production lines and sent home with the proper compensation and necessary arrangements. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hyperloop-pod-carries-two-humans-through-a-tube-at-over-160-kmph-for-the-first-time-ever/articleshow/79121765.cms">Hyperloop pod carries two humans through a tube at over 160 kmph for the first time ever</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-cyber-espionage-groups-that-have-india-in-their-crosshairs/slidelist/79120867.cms">Top cyber espionage groups that have India in their crosshairs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/bigbasket-the-e-grocery-startup-which-tata-group-is-eyeing-admits-a-data-breach-of-over-20-million-users/articleshow/79122791.cms">BigBasket, the e-grocery startup which Tata Group is eyeing, admits a data breach of over 20 million users</a>

Apple’s new 5G iPhones could reportedly be manufactured by a company within Mainland China for the very first time

<ul><li>PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile hopes to make a return in India, piggy-backing on <keyword id="10246535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="microsofts-cloud-service-azure">Microsoft's cloud service Azure</keyword>'s goodwill. </li><li>The new deal between PUBG's parent company Krafton and Microsoft plans to introduce a new feature that will bolster data privacy and security by adhering to local laws.</li><li>Unlike TikTok, users who already have <keyword id="6409600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="PUBG-MOBILE">PUBG Mobile</keyword> installed on their devices can still engage in gameplay.</li></ul>PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) isn’t ready to give up on India just yet. After <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-will-no-longer-be-developed-by-tencent-in-india/articleshow/77993013.cms">revoking the intellectual property rights for PUBG Mobile from Tencent</a>, PUBG Corporation’s parent company Krafton Inc has now signed a new deal that will allow it to host the battle royale game on Microsoft’s Azure cloud service. The company’s statement to bring PUBG to the cloud focuses on data privacy and security, the two tenets that India used to block the game in the country. “The collaboration will ensure that privacy rights are respected, and relevant software will be in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.,” <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-will-no-longer-be-developed-by-tencent-in-india/articleshow/77993013.cms">it said. </a> The company will also be working with Microsoft’s cloud service to introduce a new verification process to ensure that personal data of PUBG players — on Mobile, PC, and Console — “follow all appropriate requirements in the territories where KRAFTON and its subsidiaries operate gaming services.” PUBG isn't quite inaccessible in India The Indian government announced the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/india-bans-pubg-wechat-and-118-other-mobile-applications/articleshow/77890776.cms">ban on PUBG Mobile back in September</a> under Article 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act. Two months down the line, Tencent announced that it would be unable to bring the game back onto the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store in India — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-and-pubg-mobile-lite-cease-operations-in-india-just-ahead-of-halloween/articleshow/78947382.cms">just ahead of Halloween</a>. However, those who already had the game installed before it disappeared off the shelves still have access to the gameplay. While Tencent's valuation dipped by nearly $34 billion because of this, the ban hasn't had much of an impact on the app's revenue. Even though one-third of its customers were in India, they weren't much for loosening the purse strings. However, the opportunity cost continues to mount with India's rapid download growth topping the charts in the third quarter, July through to September, according to Sensor Tower. Downloads hit a new record-high of 7.8 billion across the App Store and Google Play amid the pandemic. India is responsible for nearly 30% percent of all downloads on Google Play right now. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hyperloop-pod-carries-two-humans-through-a-tube-at-over-160-kmph-for-the-first-time-ever/articleshow/79121765.cms">Hyperloop pod carries two humans through a tube at over 160 kmph for the first time ever</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-cyber-espionage-groups-that-have-india-in-their-crosshairs/slidelist/79120867.cms">Top cyber espionage groups that have India in their crosshairs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/bigbasket-the-e-grocery-startup-which-tata-group-is-eyeing-admits-a-data-breach-of-over-20-million-users/articleshow/79122791.cms">BigBasket, the e-grocery startup which Tata Group is eyeing, admits a data breach of over 20 million users</a>

PUBG Mobile could return to India riding on Microsoft’s Azure cloud service

<ul><li><keyword id="267527" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Craftsman-Automation">Craftsman Automation</keyword> has launched its ₹824 crore initial public offer (IPO) today, and it will be open for subscription till March 17.</li><li>The price band is fixed at ₹1,488-1,490, and each lot consists of 10 equity shares.</li><li>While some investment experts are bullish on the stock and suggest subscribing, others have pointed out certain risk factors.</li><li>This includes the risk posed by electric vehicles and supply chain shocks, among others.</li></ul>It’s raining initial public offers (IPO) this month, and the latest to join the list is the ₹824-crore <keyword id="10449692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Craftsman-Automation-IPO">Craftsman Automation IPO</keyword>. The Coimbatore-based company has kicked off its IPO today, March 15, with a price band of ₹1,488-1,490, netting you 10 shares per lot. The total IPO size is worth ₹824 crore, but Craftsman Automation has already secured ₹247 crore from anchor investors. 50% of the issue is reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), 15% for non-institutional bidders and the remaining 35% for retail investors. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Understanding the business of Craftsman Automation" comment="subhead" text="Understanding the business of Craftsman Automation">Understanding the business of Craftsman Automation</cmsannotation> Craftsman Automation was founded in 1986 in Coimbatore. It has vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities and primarily caters to three business verticals – automotive-powertrain, automotive-aluminum, and industrial &amp; engineering. Craftsman is the leading player when it comes to machining of cylinder blocks and cylinder heads which are used in the commercial vehicles and construction equipment industries. It is also one of the top companies when it comes to supplying these parts in the tractor segment. Coming to the automotive-aluminum vertical, Craftsman has an array of processes in the high pressure, low pressure and gravity die casting for manufacturing auto components for passenger vehicles. In the industrial and engineering vertical, Craftsman builds aluminum products for power transmission, high-end precision products like gear boxes, marine engines and more. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here are some of the clients of Craftsman Automation" comment="subhead" text="Here are some of the clients of Craftsman Automation">Here are some of the clients of Craftsman Automation</cmsannotation> Craftsman Automation has an impressive list of clients that includes companies like Daimler India, Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra &amp; Mahindra, Escorts, John Deere, JCB India, TVS Motors, Royal Enfield among others. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Brokerage </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Recommendation </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Prabhudas Lilladher </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Subscribe for long term </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">ICICI Direct </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Subscribe </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Canara Bank Securities </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Subscribe for long term </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Marwadi Financial Services </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5.75pt 0pt 5.75pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Subscribe </td></tr></tbody></table> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Craftsman Automation – strengths and risk factors" comment="subhead" text="Craftsman Automation – strengths and risk factors">Craftsman Automation – strengths and risk factors</cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Diversified engineering company" comment="subhead" text="Diversified engineering company">Diversified engineering company</cmsannotation> Craftsman is the largest player in the machining of cylinder blocks and cylinder heads used in commercial vehicles and construction industry. Apart from this, it also offers products in the passenger vehicle, power transmission, marine engine segments, among others. “Its diversification of revenue across multiple customers allows it to prevent any possible customer concentration in any of its business segments,” stated a report by SMC Global Securities dated March 10. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Strong in-house processes and designing capabilities" comment="subhead" text="Strong in-house processes and designing capabilities">Strong in-house processes and designing capabilities</cmsannotation> The SMC report further adds that Craftsman has a ‘strong focus’ on research and development. Its manufacturing automation teams integrate robots and gantry systems, which helps in ensuring consistent quality. The report notes that Craftsman’s design capability is unique amongst its competitors. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Impressive domestic and global clientele" comment="subhead" text="Impressive domestic and global clientele">Impressive domestic and global clientele</cmsannotation> Craftsman has a range of marquee clientele, both domestic as well as global. Some of the big domestic names include Tata Motors, Mahindra &amp; Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, TVS Motors, Royal Enfield and others. Global names in the list include the likes of John Deere, India subsidiaries of Daimler, JCB among others. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Improving margins despite challenging business environment" comment="subhead" text="Improving margins despite challenging business environment">Improving margins despite challenging business environment</cmsannotation> Despite a challenging business environment and falling revenues, Craftsman has been able to improve its earnings. While its revenues fell by nearly 18% from March 2019 to March 2020, its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) improved from 25.12% to 27.24%. EBITDA is a measure of the company’s financial performance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Powertrain and allied components prone to electric vehicles risk" comment="subhead" text="Powertrain and allied components prone to electric vehicles risk">Powertrain and allied components prone to electric vehicles risk</cmsannotation> While Craftsman’s prowess in the powertrain segment adds heft to the company’s profile, powertrain components would be obsolete when the present internal combustion engine (ICE) based vehicles are replaced by electric vehicles (EVs). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Low aftermarket presence ties company’s fortunes to OEMs" comment="subhead" text="Low aftermarket presence ties company’s fortunes to OEMs">Low aftermarket presence ties company’s fortunes to OEMs</cmsannotation> Craftsman caters to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across its three business verticals. Some of these OEMs operate in industries like automotive, steel, cement among others, which are cyclical in nature. As such, the demand tapers off in some seasons, and since Craftsman directly serves OEMs, its fortunes are tied to those of the OEMs. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Limited long-term contracts, prone to supply chain risk" comment="subhead" text="Limited long-term contracts, prone to supply chain risk">Limited long-term contracts, prone to supply chain risk</cmsannotation> According to the ICICI Direct report dated March 12, Craftsman does not have any exclusive supply arrangements and purchases material on a spot order basis. This exposes the company to supply chain risks. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/the-760-crore-anupam-rasayan-ipo-has-received-a-mixed-response-from-brokerages-heres-what-works-for-it-and-what-doesnt/articleshow/81462495.cms">The ₹760-crore Anupam Rasayan IPO has received a mixed response from brokerages — here's what works for it and what doesn't</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/bitcoins-path-to-5-trillion-plus-the-markets-20-most-shorted-spacs-right-now/articleshow/81501083.cms">Bitcoin's path to $5 trillion, plus the market's 20 most-shorted SPACs right now</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/tata-tryst-with-e-grocery-starts-with-a-billion-dollar-acquisition-of-bigbasket-heres-why-it-could-be-a-sweet-deal-for-both/articleshow/81478849.cms">Tata’s tryst with e-grocery starts with a billion dollar acquisition of BigBasket – here’s why it could be a sweet deal for both</a>

The ₹824-crore Craftsman Automation IPO opens today – should you subscribe?

Equity benchmark <keyword id="6484188" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sensex">Sensex</keyword> plummeted over 1,500 points in opening trade on Monday dragged by selloff in index-heavyweights HDFC twins, ICICI Bank, TCS and Infosys amid negative cues from global markets. The 30-share index was trading 1,513.68 points or 4.49 per cent lower at 32,203.94, and the NSE Nifty plunged 425.70 points, or 4.32 per cent, to 9,434.20. ICICI Bank was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, sinking over 8 per cent, followed by IndusInd Bank, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, Tech Mahindra, HDFC and HDFC Bank. Shares of Reliance Industries fell over 1 per cent after the oil-to-telecom conglomerate on Thursday posted its biggest ever drop in quarterly net profit. Its net profit in January-March slipped 37 per cent to Rs 6,546 crore, the lowest in three years. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75526873" title="Reliance Jio’s valuation jumps more than half a billion dollars in just 12 days, thanks to Silver Lake" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Silver Lake - one of the world's largest tech investors - agreed to invest Rs 5,655.75 crore to buy a 1.15 per cent stake in Jio Platforms. Sun Pharma was the sole gainer in the BSE index. In the previous session, the BSE barometer settled 997.46 points or 3.05 per cent higher at 33,717.62, while the Nifty soared 306.55 points, or 3.21 per cent, to 9,859.90. Market remained closed on Friday for 'Maharashtra Day'. Foreign portfolio investors were net buyers in the capital market on Thursday, as they purchased equity shares worth Rs 1,968.80 crore, according to provisional exchange data. The government on Friday extended the nationwide lockdown till May 17. According to analysts, the market has realised that the cascading effect of the restrictions on the domestic economy and corporate earnings is much more than anticipated. Besides, selloff in other Asian equities too spooked investors, traders said. Bourses in Hong Kong and Seoul were trading significantly lower, while those in Shanghai and Tokyo were closed for a holiday. International oil benchmark Brent crude futures were trading flat at USD 26.41 per barrel. Meanwhile, global tally of coronavirus infections was over 35 lakh, with around 2.47 lakh deaths. The death toll due to COVID-19 in India rose to 1,373 and the number of cases climbed to 42,533 in the country, according to the health ministry. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tech-mahindra-new-deals-full-list/articleshow/75526386.cms">All the new deals signed by Tech Mahindra in the last three months</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/reliance-jio-stake-sale-to-silver-lake-boosts-ril-share-valuation/articleshow/75526873.cms">Reliance Jio’s valuation jumps more than half a billion dollars in just 12 days, thanks to Silver Lake</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/from-bigbasket-to-swiggy-to-nobroker-top-ten-indian-startups-that-raised-money-in-april-amidst-the-coronavirus-crisis/articleshow/75526547.cms">From BigBasket to Swiggy to Nobroker⁠— top ten Indian startups that raised money in April amidst the coronavirus crisis</a>

Between US-China bickering and earnings bummer from RIL and HUL, Sensex has lost over 4% in first hour of trading

<ul><li><keyword id="3156357" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rivigo">Rivigo</keyword> is the latest startup to attain the $1 billion valuation.</li><li>This year, India has already seen 8 <keyword id="6362513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups">startups</keyword> joining the unicorn club. </li><li>With 3 months left for 2019, this year could break 2018’s record of 8 unicorns.</li></ul>India’s unicorn club seems to be having a good year as eight startups joined the coveted club In 2018, eight startups turned unicorns basically reached $1 billion in valuation. Here’s a look at all the startups that have crossed the valuation mark so far in 2019. Rivigo The latest startup to join the unicorn club is logistics startup Rivigo. The logistics sector had long been in the limelight after Delhivery turned unicorn. After this, both Rivigo and Blackbuck raised funds, heating up the race to being a unicorn. Now, Rivigo has managed to be a unicorn after it raised $4.9 million from South Korea's KB Platform Fund. After the deal closed, it is valued at $1.05 billion. Delhivery In March this year, Delhivery became 2019’s first unicorn. This was after the logistics tech startup raised $395 million from SoftBank. After its funding in March, it’s valued at $1.6 billion. The logistics solutions company was founded by Sahil Barua, Mohit Tandon, Suraj Saharan, Kapil Bharti and Bhavesh Manglani. They created a stronghold in the market by partnering with e-commerce majors like Flipkart and Paytm amongst others. Big Basket The grocery retail startup became a unicorn in March 2019. Bigbasket closed its Series F round of funding with an investment of $150 million, which valued it at $2.3 billion. The funding was led by Bigbasket’s earlier investor Alibaba, along with a new investor – Mirae Asset. The grocery sector which is now buzzing with new entrants like Swiggy. Grofers too turned its finances around, and has recently turned a soonicorn after the latest round of funding in May 2019. Ola Electric Ola’s subsidiary Ola Electric also turned a unicorn like its parent company. Its growth has also been fast as most of Ola’s existing investors placed their bets on the company. In July, it became a unicorn after raising $250 million from Softbank. In May, Ola Electric also raised funds from former Vodafone Group CEO Arun Sarin. Some of its other illustrious investors include Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group, Ratan Tata. In March, it had raised ₹4 billion from Ola’s existing and early investors – Tiger Global and Matrix India. Dream 11 India’s first gaming unicorn is Dream11, a fantasy gaming startup. It announced a secondary investment from Steadview Capital, an Asia-focused alternative asset manager in April 2011 which gave brought it its unicorn status. The 11-year old startup had a dream run in 2019, after signing up with IPL and the BCCI as its official partners. The cricket world cup along with IPL helped it clock in stellar numbers. In an interview with Business Insider, one of its founders Bhavin Sheth said that the startup hopes to hit 100 million users by the end of the year. Icertis In July 2019, India and US-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform Icertis became a unicorn. It raised $115 million in funding from Azim Premji’s Premji Invest and US-based VC firm Greycroft. The company, which offers contract management, has 5.7 million contracts across 90 countries. Some of its are Adobe, Airtel, Cognizant, Infosys, and Microsoft. Druva The Indo-US startup Druva entered the unicorn club in June 2019. The cloud data protection startup raised $130 million in a round that was led by Viking Global Investors. It also saw participation from funds like Neuberger Berman and Atreides Management. Existing investors Riverwood Capital, Tenaya Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners too participated in the round. Druva is a SaaS (Software as a Service) startup which was founded by Jaspreet Singh and Milind Borate in 2008. Its patented cloud architecture enables cyber governance, improves cyber resiliency, and helps customers gain critical insights. Citius Tech The healthtech company was a lesser known startup which gained unicorn status. The company provides healthcare solutions, using technologies like business intelligence, mobility and IoT, Big Data, cloud computing, predictive analytics and data science. The company was acquired by Baring Private Equity Asia in July 2019, which gave it a valuation of $1 billion.

With Rivigo joining the club, these are the 8 unicorns of 2019 so far

<ul><li>As Walmart-owned <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword> moves towards a possibly $10 billion initial public offering (IPO), it seems to be shedding flab with a nearly $300 million write off in Jabong.</li><li>Flipkart India CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy described 2020 as the year when the company turned ‘financially prudent’, without adding any details.</li><li>Judith McKenna, president and chief executive of Walmart International, said that even after Flipkart being shut for 53 days in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the e-commerce business closed the year stronger than it started.</li><li>For Flipkart, in 2021, the focus will be on grocery and fashion bringing loyal customers through its subscription programme and investing in technology and infrastructure.</li></ul>Digging inside Walmart's earnings has revealed a lot about what's happening at Flipkart. As the India-born e-commerce subsidiary moves towards a <a href="https://www.livemint.com/market/ipo/walmart-readies-for-10-bn-flipkart-ipo-11607300769974.html">possibly</a> $10 billion initial public offering (IPO), it seems to be shedding flab with a nearly $300 million write off in one of its units. As Walmart boss Doug Mcmillon wants to “step on the gas” in India, Flipkart chief executive officer (CEO) Kalyan Krishnamurthy has decided to focus on areas like grocery and fashion as well as investments in technology and infrastructure. <div type="Youtube" id="zUinE3RR_nU" title="Flipkart Gets Leaner With A $300 Million Jabong Write-Off" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zUinE3RR_nU/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Krishnamurthy described 2020 as the year when Flipkart turned ‘financially prudent’. While he didn’t add any details, inside Walmart’s earnings report, there were “business restructuring charges” including $293 million non-cash impairment for the <a href="http://jabong.com/">Jabong.com</a> trade name. Business Insider reached out to Flipkart for more inputs but the spokesperson said that they have nothing more to add. <keyword id="1484171" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="jabong-com">Jabong.com</keyword> was a fashion e-commerce entity that Flipkart had acquired through Myntra in 2016 and eventually absorbed it. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A step towards IPO?" comment="subhead" text="A step towards IPO?">A step towards IPO?</cmsannotation> Such restructurings are common when a company is planning to go public. It makes the IPO more attractive. Walmart is reportedly preparing Flipkart for a big market debut possibly in the US – a $10 billion initial public offering (IPO). The listing is expected to boost Flipkart’s valuation to $40 billion from the current $24.9 billion. While the company hasn’t given a timeline or details for the market offering, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/market/ipo/walmart-readies-for-10-bn-flipkart-ipo-11607300769974.html">reports</a> say that it could be in 2021 with Walmart divesting a 25% stake in the company. <div type="image" title="Flipkart valuation history - December 2020" msid="81105071" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Flipkart valuation history until December 2020&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Shedding past baggage is one thing, focussing on the future is another" comment="subhead" text="Shedding past baggage is one thing, focussing on the future is another">Shedding past baggage is one thing, focussing on the future is another</cmsannotation> Walmart is clearly very bullish on Flipkart. Both Walmart CEO Mcmillion and Judith McKenna, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Walmart International were all praises for the team in India during the earnings call. McKenna said that Flipkart has doubled its gross merchandising value (GMV) despite being shut for 53 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The e-commerce business closed the year stronger than it started,” she added. GMV is the total value of merchandise sold on a platform. When asked about the focus for 2021, Krishnamurthy lined up grocery, fashion, and onboarding loyal customers through their subscription programme. In fashion, Flipkart has already made some moves, but the attractive grocery segment is going to be a challenge. Investments made by Flipkart in the apparel industry recently <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Investment by Flipkart </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">USPL (Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Undisclosed </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Limited </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,500 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Arvind Fashions </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹260 crore </td></tr></tbody></table> In grocery, Flipkart has betting big on itself through Flipkart SuperMart and an investment in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/walmart-and-flipkart-invest-in-ninjacart-again-to-bump-up-its-grocery-offerings-ahead-of-the-festive-season/articleshow/78617012.cms">Ninjacart.</a> “We are going to partner with the roughly million kirana stores in our ecosystem,” he said. Kirana is the Hindi word for mom-n-pop stores in India and is the latest buzzword in the race for online grocery retail where some of the richest and mightiest business houses in the country are making big investments. JioMart, which is Reliance Retail’s e-commerce debut, owned by India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, is targeting 30 million merchants and he is backed by Facebook and WhatsApp for this project. The $100 billion Tata Group, one of India’s oldest and largest conglomerates, has reportedly closed a deal to acquire BigBasket, one of the early birds in India’s online grocery market. Meanwhile, Flipkart is also betting big on adtech (Advertising technology). Krishnamurthy said that Flipkart’s advertising platform is currently one of the top five in India today. Flipkart is strengthening its advertising and monetisation portfolio and has announced the launch of a custom built demand-side platform (DSP). It recently partnered with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/advertising/ad-tech/news/flipkart-launches-commerce-focused-self-serve-demand-side-platform/articleshow/80919844.cms">MediaMath</a> to launch its demand-side platform. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/amazon-denies-dodging-indian-regulations-but-the-government-is-already-investigating-and-rivals-want-a-ban-on-jeff-bezos-company/articleshow/81088953.cms">Amazon denies dodging Indian regulations⁠ but the government is already investigating and rivals want a ban on Jeff Bezos’ company</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/pewdiepies-lyrics-targeting-cocomelon-and-jk-rowling-that-may-have-gotten-youtube-angry-enough-to-pull-the-video-down/articleshow/81102941.cms">PewDiePie's lyrics targeting CoComelon and JK Rowling may have gotten YouTube angry enough to pull the video down</a>

Flipkart gets leaner with a $300 million Jabong write-off as CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy lists out the priorities for 2021

<ul><li><keyword id="277759" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gowri-Shankar">Gowri Shankar</keyword> and his wife Sharmila have set up and run two organisations - Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology (KCRE) and a non-profit organisation called <keyword id="2010968" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kalinga-Foundation">Kalinga Foundation</keyword> in <keyword id="839580" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agumbe">Agumbe</keyword>, <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>.</li><li>Shankar has rescued close to 400 king cobras and trained around 800 civilians across the country on how to ethically rescue snakes under his brainchild STORM programme.</li><li>While tracking a female cobra, Shankar inadvertently ended up tracking the male who ate the female that had the transmitter in her stomach.</li></ul> The idea of coming face-to-face with a tiny garden snake is enough to make most tremble, but for Gowri Shankar, a wildlife biologist with a passionate love for the <keyword id="396734" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="King-Cobra">king cobra</keyword>, it was an incentive to quit his job at IFB, a washing machine company and make a beeline for the rainforests of Agumbe in Karnataka. Shankar’s career trajectory is quite remarkable, mainly because, at that time, very little was known about wildlife conservation 20-25 years back. He quit his cushy job and joined Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), now called Karuna, as an animal inspector to rescue snakes. He moved on to Madras Crocodile Bank as an education officer under the mentorship of the famous Indian herpetologist and wildlife conservationist <keyword id="350280" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Romulus-Whitaker">Romulus Whitaker</keyword>. The calling from Agumbe came when Whitaker wanted to set up a field station there and needed Shankar to help him set up the field station and work with wild king cobras. He is now pursuing a PhD on king cobras from North Orissa University. Gowri Shankar and his wife Sharmila have now set up and run two organisations - Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology (KCRE) and a non-profit organisation called Kalinga Foundation. Anyone from a software engineer to a photographer or even an organic farmer can join the workshops held at KCRE and learn about and get up close and personal with the wildlife marvels of the rainforest. And the Kalinga Foundation has been set up as a research station primarily for science students where they can learn on-field techniques to make them better scientists. <div type="image" title="A STORM Chennai workshop" msid="81480037" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A STORM Chennai workshop&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Edited excerpts of Business Insider’s conversation with Shankar follow: What is it that fascinates you about the king cobra? When I was young, I used to drop my sister at her college and go straight to <keyword id="130929" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bannerghatta-Biological-Park">Bannerghatta Biological Park</keyword>, Bengaluru, just to see the snakes. And that’s where I saw the king cobra for the first time in the enclosure. I think they’re beautiful, really massive snakes. I was so surprised to see such an enormous snake because earlier, I had caught cobras, rat snakes, and checkered keelback, and they all looked so tiny in front of a king cobra. I just fell in love with the animal. Tell us about your first experience with rescuing cobras and your interaction with the villagers in Agumbe? When we started working in Agumbe, the villagers were understandably surprised to see a stranger from the city with a ponytail riding a Royal Enfield Bullet in the village. But I started interacting with them. I asked them to let me know when they spotted a king cobra around and to call me if they needed any help. That’s how it started, and to date, I have rescued close to 400 king cobras. Villagers, particularly in and around Agumbe, are very, very patient towards king cobras. King cobras and common cobras, in general, are considered a god and are worshipped. They’ll never kill or try to disturb the snake. That is the most significant advantage we had. What have you learned from the villagers about snakes? People in the Malenadu region of Karnataka, where Agumbe is situated, have a lot of knowledge, particularly on king cobras. So, when I started working there and started interacting with the people, they told me many interesting facts like king cobras feed on other snakes and are even cannibalistic and feed on other king cobras, which was quite surprising. We already knew that this happened in captivity, but it was the villagers who gave us first-hand information that cannibalism exists among king cobras in the wild too. Also, the king cobra is the only species that builds a nest out of over 3000 species of snakes across the world. The villagers told us how they build the nest. In 2005 or so, it was thanks to a villager that we spotted our first king cobra nest. <div type="Youtube" id="WbfLC0C23gM" title="STORM (Scientific Training on Reptile Management) Chennai Edition" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WbfLC0C23gM/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Why don’t you tell us a little more about STORM? In the past decade or so, people have been following snake rescuers on television or YouTube. And without any training or practice, they started attempting to capture snakes, inevitably getting bitten and sometimes also dying. So that’s when I conceived Scientific Training on Reptile Management (STORM) - a comprehensive training program to teach people the right way to capture and rescue snakes. Now close to 800 people across the country are trained under STORM, apart from the Forest Department, Coast Guard, Fire Department, and Police Department. How many times has a snake bitten you? I've been bitten by numerous non-venomous snakes that don’t count; otherwise, I've been bitten by three venomous snakes - a pit viper, a cobra, but my worst bite was from a king cobra. I’m one of the few guys in the world who has been bitten by a king cobra and survived. Did you have the anti-venom? No, that’s the thing. We don’t have anti-venom for the king cobra, so the chances of dying from a bite are relatively high. But I think I survived because king cobras are one of the best snakes, and they don’t intend to bite you. They give you enough warnings. They tell you, ‘look, I don’t want to bite you. I can kill you in 20 minutes, but that’s not my plan’, but they don’t know what I’m doing, right? I’m trying to rescue it, but it doesn’t understand that. So this was an accident. Luckily I didn’t give him a chance to inject or pump enough venom into my hand, and I reacted fast. There was swelling in 20 minutes. I was hospitalised for three days. I almost died, but luckily I survived thanks to that king cobra who didn’t mean to bite me and didn’t inject its entire venom — that’s like 5ml or 6ml of venom — into me. He was kind enough just to give me a little dose. <div type="image" title="Rescue operation underway" msid="81480056" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rescue operation underway&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Tell us a little bit about this radio telemetry study that you have conducted on king cobras. Radio telemetry was initiated in 2008 by Mr.Whitaker and the team. This was the first time ever radio telemetry (a tool to track the movement and behaviour of animals) was done on a king cobra right here in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. So we were all very excited, but we didn’t know what to expect. Unfortunately, within 30 days, our female king cobra was eaten by a male king cobra, which is quite rare, and the locals helped me gather that information — we knew king cobras fed on other snakes, but this was a male feeding on the female after mating with her. Fascinatingly enough, though we were tracking the female, we ended up tracking the male instead, who had the female in his stomach because the transmitter was in her stomach. Another interesting thing about this male king cobra was that it was a translocated one that had moved 15 or 20 kilometres to see what happens if they are moved from their home. So this guy wanted to go back to his home. He travelled a lot, and we think we figured out for the first time that a king cobra can travel up to eight kilometres in one day. Are they territorial? We are yet to figure that out, but we think they’re not territorial unless it’s a breeding season. If there’s a female, the male will guard her because he wants to mate with her. When you were facing off with the king cobra, have you quietly wished you were sitting safely in that washing machine company? Not for a single second. You won’t believe it, I was in the hospital for three days after having survived that bite, and my hand was still swollen, and I said I want to go home. And while I was heading back to my field station, I received a rescue call. With my swollen hand, I went straight to rescue king cobra before. Till today, I will sit in front of a king cobra the whole day without getting bored. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/tata-tryst-with-e-grocery-starts-with-a-billion-dollar-acquisition-of-bigbasket-heres-why-it-could-be-a-sweet-deal-for-both/articleshow/81478849.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Tata’s tryst with e-grocery starts with a billion dollar acquisition of BigBasket – here’s why it could be a sweet deal for both</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/kalyan-jewellers-will-be-going-up-against-titan-but-remains-sceptical-jewellery-business-can-ever-fully-go-online/articleshow/81478749.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Kalyan Jewellers will be going up against Titan but remains sceptical jewellery business can ever fully go online</a>

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