Gyaanleikh

SEBI Ban Shuts Down Stock Gaming Apps The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently banned the sharing of live stock price data with third-party apps, leading to the closure of many stock gaming apps. Apps like Dream 11's Investro, Kalaari-backed Threedots, Bysos, Stocktry, and Ztocks have shut down, while others like Trinkerr are rethinking their business models. Impact on Stock Gaming Startups Nearly half a dozen startups built around stock gaming are either shutting down, pausing operations, or considering a pivot due to SEBI's new regulations. The ban has forced these apps to use outdated data, resulting in a loss of interest among young customers who enjoyed the thrill of live gaming and simulation. Trinkerr and Investro Hit Hard Accel and Kunal Shah-backed Trinkerr paused its gaming product to evaluate its next steps, while Dream Sports-backed Investro has been discontinued and is processing withdrawal requests. Manvendra Singh, co-founder of Trinkerr, ex...

Swiggy, the popular online food and grocery delivery platform, has introduced its own Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service. This move aims to minimize dependency on external payment apps, reduce payment failures, and streamline the checkout process. Currently, the UPI service is in a pilot phase and available to a select group of users. Swiggy's New UPI Plugin In collaboration with Yes Bank and Juspay, Swiggy has launched its UPI service through a UPI-Plugin. This approach differs from its competitor Zomato, which applied for a Third Party Application Provider (TPAP) license last year. Swiggy's decision to use the UPI-Plugin aligns with its strategy to reduce reliance on external payment apps like Google Pay, Paytm, and PhonePe. Why Swiggy Chose UPI Plugin The UPI-Plugin, introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2022, allows merchants to offer UPI payment services without obtaining a TPAP license. This plugin helps reduce the risk of payment failur...

Embracing Groundbreaking Innovation for Sustainable Success The closure of Koo, once heralded as India’s answer to Twitter (now X), serves as a poignant reminder for new-age entrepreneurs to intensify their focus on global-scale innovation. To ensure their businesses remain sustainable and resonate with their target audience, entrepreneurs must prioritize groundbreaking innovation over mere replication of existing models. Koo's Unfulfilled Promise Koo, a social networking service provider, was once a beacon of hope, celebrated as one of the winners of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Koo during his Mann ki Baat address in August 2020, highlighting its potential to script a new India. However, despite its early success in 2021, Koo struggled to compete with Twitter/X, failing to secure the desired user buy-in and ultimately ceasing operations in less than four years. Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs The Koo episode undersco...