Nvidia eyes stake in Perplexity; Jaismine Lamboria’s road to gold

Nvidia reportedly seeks stake in AI startup Perplexity, aiming to boost its valuation beyond $30 billion, up from $15 billion. Perplexity’s earnings have surged to $750 million annually, from $250 million in early 2026, driven by its AI agent product. Meanwhile, UPI marks its 10th anniversary, witnessing an exponential growth in transaction volume from 1.78 crore in FY17 to 24,162 crore in FY26, a remarkable 13,000-fold increase.

The platform now operates in 11 countries, recording a monthly peak of 2,366 crore transactions in July. In the education sector, Veranda Learning has obtained NCLT approval to separate its commerce education arm into J.K. Shah Commerce Education, which is set for an independent listing. Meanwhile, New Zealand aims to restrict social media usage for children under 16, with possible fines of 10% of global revenue for non-compliance.

The legislation, however, faces opposition from New Zealand First, who argue parents should decide on children’s media access. The newsletter also highlights Jaismine Lamboria’s remarkable journey to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. After battling a high fever just before the games, Lamboria returned to training and clinched the top prize.

Her resilience and mental fortitude have been pivotal to her success. Third Wave Coffee has secured Rs 408 crore in funding, which will fuel its expansion into new markets and product lines. The coffee chain currently boasts over 240 outlets and aims to add 100 stores annually. The funding round was spearheaded by WestBridge Capital, with support from Creagis and angel investors.

Additionally, skincare startup Asaya has raised Rs 88 crore in Series A funding, valuing the company at Rs 400 crore, three times its earlier estimate.