Latest news with #VarunGupta
Mint
7 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Boult FluidX series, brand's first over-ear headphones, launched in India: Price, features and more
Indian consumer tech brand Boult Audio has introduced its latest flagship offering in the over-ear headphone segment with the launch of the FluidX Pro. The new device leads the company's recently announced FluidX series, which also includes the standard FluidX model that is already available for purchase. The FluidX Pro is priced at ₹ 7,999 and is available in Raven Black and Skin Beige. The standard FluidX model is priced at ₹ 5,999 and comes in Black, Green, and Ivory White. Both models can be purchased online via Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra. Positioned as a high-end audio product, the FluidX Pro is Boult's first device to feature both Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), aiming to deliver a more immersive and controlled sound environment. The launch appears to mark Boult's attempt to expand its presence in the premium segment of India's competitive audio accessories market. Both the FluidX Pro and standard FluidX come equipped with 40mm Bass Boosted Drivers supported by Boult's proprietary BoomX technology, which the company claims enhances bass and overall audio performance. They also include Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with Blink and Pair for faster device pairing, as well as a dedicated Combat Gaming Mode offering low latency (60ms), aimed at mobile and casual gamers. In terms of build, the headphones offer water resistance rated at IPX5 and are designed with foldable, adjustable headbands and rotating ear cups. Touch controls and support for voice assistants are available on both models. Battery performance varies between the two. The FluidX Pro is claimed to support five hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, while the standard FluidX claims a longer overall battery life of up to 60 hours, with a three-hour playback window from a 10-minute top-up. Varun Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Boult, stated that the series reflects user feedback and attempts to align the product design with current lifestyle demands.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
BOULT enters premium over-ear market with new FluidX Pro headphones
BOULT has officially launched its FluidX series in India, headlined by the premium FluidX Pro headphones. Released on July 1, the new model debuts alongside a standard FluidX variant, expanding BOULT's product line in the competitive wireless headphone market. Positioned as a feature-rich flagship model, the FluidX Pro offers both Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), a first for BOULT. It also supports adaptive listening modes, designed to switch based on ambient sound levels or user activity. The standard FluidX, which was available for purchase before the Pro's release, shares many core specifications with the latter, including 40mm drivers enhanced by BoomX bass technology, Bluetooth 5.4 for stable connectivity, and Combat Gaming Mode, which offers 60ms ultra-low latency for minimal audio lag. Both models include Blink & Pair™ for faster device pairing, and support popular voice assistants through onboard controls. In terms of battery life, the FluidX Pro delivers five hours of playback on a 10-minute charge while the standard FluidX delivers up to 60 hours on a full charge and three hours from a 10-minute top-up, appealing to travellers or heavy users. Design-wise, both headphones are IPX5 water-resistant with foldable frames, rotating ear cups, and adjustable headbands, aimed at enhancing portability and comfort. The Pro is available in Raven Black and Skin Beige, while the standard model is offered in Black, Green and Ivory White. The launch comes as BOULT continues to compete in India's crowded audio market, which includes global players like Sony, JBL and OnePlus. By integrating features like dual-mode noise cancellation and low-latency support, BOULT aims to target an audience of gamers looking for high-performance audio. 'The FluidX series is a testament to the many conversations we've had with our users, coming alive in one powerful series,' said Varun Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO at BOULT. 'We've built something that doesn't just adapt to lifestyles, but powers them.' Fluid X Pro is priced at Rs 7,999 across all platform and Fluid X at Rs 5,999. Both headphones are now available for purchase via Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.
Scroll.in
17-06-2025
- Business
- Scroll.in
Starlink: India's new satellite internet rules are a fresh hurdle – what five experts think
This article was originally published in Rest of World, which covers technology's impact outside the West. India has just made it harder for Starlink to enter the market. Around two months after Starlink announced retail partnerships with the country's leading telecom operators, India – home to the world's second-largest internet user base – introduced a new set of rules that satellite internet providers must comply with for permission to operate. The 29-point directive issued on May 5 mandates that companies provide real-time location tracking, data localisation, metadata sharing, and website blocking as well as set up surveillance zones near borders. The new rules come in the wake of a surge in tensions between India and neighboring Pakistan. The rules will affect existing license holders, like Indian telecom giants Airtel and Jio, as well as those awaiting regulatory approvals, like Amazon's Project Kuiper and Elon Musk's Starlink. Rest of World spoke to telecom experts to understand the implications of the new rules. The comments have been edited for length and clarity. Delay in rollout Varun Gupta, senior analyst, Counterpoint Technology Market Research 'The new rules represent a welcome step toward regulatory clarity, which was previously lacking. Certain aspects of these rules will be enabled for the first time in any market where satellite internet has been used. Their implementation could delay the rollout of satellite broadband services, as potential operators may need time to test these requirements in the Indian context. This might involve conducting live proof-of-concept trials, which could further extend the timelines for commercial readiness.' Starlink's prospects Pulkit Pandey, director analyst, Gartner 'Indian telecom companies are aware of regulatory norms, making it relatively easier for them to adapt to these guidelines. However, for organisations such as Starlink and Kuiper, this could be an additional step to receive their licence.' Varun Yadav, lawyer at Indian legal firm S&R Associates 'The issuance of formal guidelines is a positive step for any pending applicant, including Starlink, as it replaces uncertainty. However, certain provisions – such as traffic routing through Indian gateways and user terminal-level controls – may necessitate operational adjustments. Whether this facilitates or delays licensing will depend on the applicant's alignment with the framework and responsiveness to national security considerations.' Irina Tsukerman, a New York–based human rights and national security lawyer 'Starlink's entire model is built on global interoperability, low latency, and centralised deployment. India wants the opposite – fragmented control, localised nodes, and bilateral oversight. If Starlink is willing to adapt – to Indianise its operating model, to accept bureaucratic encumbrances, and to play by India's hard rules – then yes, the market is enormous and the rewards tempting. But if it insists on moving fast and breaking things, it will find itself permanently grounded.' Not unprecedented Raman Jit Singh Chima, senior international counsel and Asia Pacific policy director, Access Now 'India is responding to pressures from security establishments, which want to carefully and tightly control the deployment of satellite internet. They're quite hostile to the expansion of satellite internet. But this is not unprecedented. Other countries also have their requirements. For example, South Africa has requirements regarding being able to work with South African businesses or being owned by South Africans, particularly those from less economically empowered communities in the past. Musk has categorically been railing against that publicly as a concern, as an impediment holding South Africa back. You have similar requirements, on the books, in Nigeria, which haven't necessarily been implemented with Starlink.' Varun Gupta, senior analyst, Counterpoint Technology Market Research 'There are precedents from countries like China and Russia. However, the requirement for 20% indigenisation is unique to India. This move is expected to boost the local ecosystem. Companies like Starlink could benefit from it, particularly through its partnerships with Jio and Airtel. These domestic players have an established ecosystem for telecom equipment production and can collaborate with Starlink to co-develop products, potentially accelerating time to market for their satellite broadband services.'
Mint
16-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Plenty of courtships, but no one's tying a knot in Indian edtech
India's mid-stage edtech startups are finding no takers. Once the darlings of investors in 2021, Indian edtech firms—especially in the series A to C stages—are now struggling to raise fresh funds or secure strategic buyers, Mint has learnt. Startups at these stages recorded just three deals totalling $9 million so far in 2025—a staggering drop from $852 million across 50 deals in 2021—according to data provider Venture Intelligence, on the back of slowing demand for online learning and adjacent edtech models post-pandemic. As venture capital dries up, many of these companies are increasingly turning to larger peers for potential mergers or acquisitions to survive and scale. 'We're witnessing a surge in M&A interest across both digital and brick-and-mortar education segments… Smaller companies recognise that joining a larger platform can offer better exit potential," said Varun Gupta, managing director at Avendus, who advises on edtech deals. Gupta noted that several bootstrapped assets—those built with little or no external capital—have scaled profitably and are now attractive M&A targets. Also Read: Capillary Tech to file IPO documents by October; Warburg, others to trim stake Despite increased conversations, deal closures remain elusive. Only seven M&As have occurred in 2025 so far, compared to 46 in 2021. M&A activity in edtech has sharply declined since its peak four years ago of 46 deals worth $3.36 billion. In 2022, deals remained high at 49, but their value dropped to $1.05 billion. The slowdown deepened in 2023 (23 deals, $104 million) and 2024 (12 deals, $138 million). In 2025 so far, only seven deals worth $37 million have been recorded, reflecting continued caution and consolidation. The average size of such deals has also nosedived—from $73 million in 2021 to $5.2 million this year. Unfinished agenda Some recent deals that did close include Imarticus Learning's $6 million acquisition of MyCaptain and FinX's $2 million buyout of BSE Institute. 'Market conditions, such as economic climate and investor sentiment, often lead to valuation disagreements, making negotiations complex. For example, median revenue multiples for edtech companies were around 1.6x in Q4 2024, reflecting a cautious approach by investors," said Nikhil Barshikar, founder and CEO, Imarticus Learning. However, many high-profile acquisition talks are falling through. After an unrealised deal with Allen, Unacademy is now looking to hive off Airlearn, asMintearlier reported. Similarly, Simplilearn, another company said to be exploring a sale,Mintreported earlier, has not found any takers yet. Well-capitalised players, or potential buyers, are approaching M&As cautiously. Physics Wallah's negotiations to acquire Drishti IAS fell apart recently, Entrackr reported last week. Others are choosing to grow organically. 'There are too many companies in each segment of the sector, many without sustainable or scalable business models. What the industry needs now is a period of contraction," said Ronnie Screwvala, chairperson and co-founder, upGrad. 'This means to hold on for the next 18 months to see who will be around without funding, as many will perish," he added. Since 2021, close to 16 funded edtech players like Stoa, Dojo, Bluelearn and Udayy have shut shop, Tracxn data showed. Screwvala also warned that prematurely consolidating with startups that lack viable business models may lead to larger issues later. Also Read: Flexiloans to expand lending offerings, enter insurance post ₹665 crore funding Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of talent mobility platform said he dropped acquisition plans after evaluating two companies earlier this year after failing to reach an agreement on valuation benchmarks. He declined to name the firms, citing confidentiality. 'We're evaluating companies, but there's continued back and forth on valuations as many are missing their revenue and profit targets," said Chaturvedi. He is looking for acquisitions to grow in Europe and Southeast Asia, and other markets in the revenue range of $10-15 million. What's blocking deals? The hesitation stems from both valuation mismatches and concerns over stable profits in these companies. 'Non-scaled business models don't lead to meaningful or long-term value-accretive M&As. These often turn out to be top-line buyouts that eventually fade, as they aren't sustainable or profitable," said Screwvala. He added that in many of these cases, the growth trajectories look unusually steep and have, in most cases, tapered off. Many startups that raised capital in 2021 at inflated valuations are now unable to justify them with current metrics, making acquirers hesitant. Also Read: Sheela Foam plans to infuse capital in Furlenco as furniture rental market expands Still, investors believe the M&A logjam will ease in the next few years, for firms in the $100-500 million valuation range that have achieved scale. 'We think strategic or financial transactions are a possibility in the coming years…Most of the companies with decent scale—$25 million revenue—are breakeven and/or have cash to get to breakeven," said Mujtaba Wani, principal at GSV Ventures, an edtech-focused global VC firm. 'So the catalyst for M&A will have to be individual initiative."
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Defence stocks have legs well beyond current market cycle: Groww AMC CEO Varun Gupta
Indian investors are showing a new level of maturity, embracing market volatility and shifting steadily toward long-term, goal-based investing. In an interview with ETMarkets, Varun Gupta , CEO of Groww Asset Management, discusses the rise of SIPs, the growing appeal of passive and thematic funds, and why defence isn't just a tactical play but a structural story with strong legs. Edited excerpts from a chat: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tan An Hoi: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo SIP flows have remained remarkably resilient despite global volatility. What's your read on the psychology of the Indian retail investor right now? Are we seeing a structural shift in behaviour? We're certainly witnessing a structural shift in investor behaviour. The resilience of SIP flows amid global volatility reflects a growing maturity among Indian retail investors. There's a deeper understanding now that equity, despite short-term swings, is a powerful tool for long-term wealth creation. Volatility is no longer seen as a threat but as a feature of the market and investors are increasingly embracing mutual funds as an accessible, diversified route to participate in equity markets. Passive funds have seen strong traction. Where do you see smart beta and sectoral ETFs fitting into retail portfolios? Are these still underappreciated in India? Passive investing is gaining strong ground in India. Investors now recognize that passive strategies offer low-cost, diversified exposure — not just to broad markets but also to specific themes and sectors. Smart beta and sectoral ETFs are also beginning to find their place in retail portfolios. While still underappreciated relative to global markets, interest is rising fast — evidenced by the increasing number of smart beta fund launches. In fact, our recent smart beta NFOs have seen encouraging traction, signaling growing retail appetite for such nuanced strategies. Live Events With so many passive products now in the market, what role does product innovation play in differentiating offerings? What's your take on balancing simplicity versus sophistication for the average investor? Product innovation plays a critical role in standing out in an increasingly crowded passive space. At our end, we focus on identifying emerging themes and gaps in the market to create structured investment tools where few options currently exist. While some investors prefer straightforward products to get started, others look for more nuanced strategies. Our approach is to offer a thoughtful suite of solutions that caters to both ends of the spectrum, ensuring every investor finds something aligned to their needs and level of experience. Defence as a theme has suddenly caught fire in investor portfolios. Is this a case of tactical play, or do you believe defence has legs as a long-term structural story? While defence has certainly attracted attention as a tactical theme, we believe it's a structural story in the making. With strong government support, improving financials of domestic players, and significant strides in indigenous technology, the sector is poised for long-term growth. The momentum may have brought it into the spotlight, but the fundamentals suggest it has legs well beyond the current market cycle. What are the risks of thematic concentration in portfolios, especially when flows seem to chase recent outperformers? How do you approach this from a fund strategy standpoint? Thematic investing can be powerful, but concentrated exposure always carries risk — especially when flows chase recent outperformers without considering long-term fundamentals. From a strategy standpoint, while we do consider investor interest, we only launch thematic funds where we see strong, long-term structural drivers. We avoid riding short-term trends that lack staying power. For us, it's about building products that align with enduring shifts in the economy, not fleeting market momentum. Additionally, we believe as thematic products grow in number and complexity, the role of financial advisors becomes even more important — helping investors navigate these options, assess suitability, and maintain a balanced portfolio aligned with their long-term goals. There's a lot of noise around geopolitical tensions and their impact on global supply chains. How are these dynamics shaping your global macro outlook and sector preferences? Geopolitical tensions and recent tariff actions have certainly added to global uncertainty. Amidst this, we believe India stands out with strong structural drivers and relative resilience. We've positioned our portfolios to focus on domestic themes that are less exposed to external shocks. We're constructive on sectors that benefit directly from India's growth story, as we see the country well-placed to navigate — and even benefit from — evolving global dynamics. Amid rising valuations in certain pockets, how are you balancing risk and return while allocating across sectors? In our active portfolios, we follow a disciplined QGaRP philosophy to balance risk and return. This approach blends quality and growth but always invests through the lens of valuation — ensuring we don't overpay, even for strong stories. Especially in an environment with rising valuations in select pockets, we remain highly conscious of the risk-reward equation and maintain a sharp focus on portfolio construction that's both resilient and opportunity-driven. How do you see the mutual fund industry evolving over the next few years—especially with new players, fee compression, and increased retail awareness? The mutual fund industry is clearly evolving, driven by rising retail awareness and the entry of new players. We believe this growing participation is a healthy sign of deepening market maturity. In fact, we're a beneficiary of this trend. As penetration increases, we believe the overall pie will expand — creating space for better products, more innovation, and stronger investor outcomes. While fee compression is a reality, it also pushes the industry to become more efficient and value-driven, ultimately benefiting both investors and the ecosystem at large. Importantly, as more products and players enter the market, we believe the role of financial advisors will become even more critical. They will continue to play a key role in decluttering information, helping investors make sense of an increasingly complex landscape, and guiding them toward informed, goal-based decisions.
