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Ecosystem Roundup: Byju’s faces insolvency proceedings | Security breach: WazirX loses US$230M

Dear reader,

Byju’s, once India’s premier edtech startup with a valuation of US$22 billion, is now facing insolvency proceedings after failing to pay US$19 million to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

This decision, announced by India’s companies tribunal, marks another significant setback for the company, which has already dealt with leadership changes, investor disputes, job cuts, and a dramatic drop in valuation to under US$3 billion.

An interim resolution professional, Pankaj Srivastava, will now oversee Byju’s management, with CEO Byju Raveendran reporting to him. Byju’s assets will be frozen during the proceedings.

Despite these challenges, Byju’s expressed optimism about reaching an amicable settlement with the BCCI and is reviewing legal options to protect its interests. The company gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering online education courses and also provides offline coaching.

The insolvency proceedings are a stark reminder of the volatility in the startup ecosystem and highlight the importance of robust corporate governance and financial management.

Sainul,
Editor.

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NEWS

Once India’s biggest startup, Byju’s faces insolvency proceedings
The Edutech company, once valued at US$22 billion, will face insolvency proceedings for failure to pay US$19M million in dues to India’s cricket board. In Feb, a group of Byju’s investors, including Prosus and Peak XV, voted to oust its CEO, Byju Raveendran.

Indian crypto exchange WazirX halts withdrawals after losing US$230M
The decision comes after a security breach at the Mumbai-based firm’s multisig wallets; A preliminary investigation had found that a wallet created outside WazirX’s ecosystem had been compromised.

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PEXX secures US$4.5M for its stablecoin-to-fiat payment platform
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Wittaya Aqua bags US$2.8M to expand its feed-to-farm platform in Asia Pacific
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pitchIN to support startups by students, lecturers of Malaysia university UMT
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OpenAI unveils GPT-4o mini, a smaller and cheaper AI model
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FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

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AI and automation: Transforming India’s lending landscape
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FROM THE ARCHIVES

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How Sipher won high-profile VCs’ hearts even before its blockchain games hit the market
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The realities of scaling food tech in today’s resource-strapped world
We need to win consumers over on flavour and nutritional quality and encourage them to appreciate alternative proteins as real food options.

The secret sauce of de-risking early-stage venture capital
The conventional venture capital model is fraught with risks, but in order to be successful, it is crucial that de-risking remains at the heart of investment decisions.

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Digital mental health solutions emerge as conduits between the analytical capabilities of AI and the nuanced realm of human emotions.

In the age of AI, which human skills increasingly stand out?
AI has its limitations and likely for decades, it will not be able to compete with a few critical human skills.

Is generative AI the game-changer for productivity?
While Generative AI can automate various tasks, it cannot entirely replace human creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.

Moosa Genetics boosts beef production in Indonesia through DNA tech, farmer support
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This Vietnam startup seeks a place in the crowded alternative protein market for its cricket-made food products
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