Daybreak

A Mumbai-based neobank, Jupiter, skyrocketed from a $70 million to a $700 million valuation in just two years, attracting many young users with its efficient banking app. However, regulatory challenges forced it to pivot from a neo bank to a non-bank entity. Seeking to build a loan book has proven costly, and as it navigates the digital banking landscape, Jupiter risks becoming just another mundane banking app. The competitive dynamics in India's fintech space make user engagement and trust-building crucial for survival.

In this captivating discussion, Alifiya Khan, a health and education reporter at The Ken, dives into her personal quest for weight loss using Ozempic, despite its unapproved status in India. She shares her struggles with obesity and how social media's buzz around the drug has influenced many, including herself. The conversation touches on the controversial nature of Ozempic as a treatment versus a trendy weight-loss solution and the risks involved in procuring it from online sources. Alifiya’s journey highlights the deep, personal ramifications of the evolving obesity landscape.

Bengaluru is notorious for its bad traffic, so much so that walking is sometimes faster than driving. Despite being a tech hub, the city struggles with innovative traffic solutions. Experts share that the focus on technology alone may not address the core problems like rising vehicle counts and limited public transport options. Delve into the irony of advanced tech meeting the everyday reality of congestion in one of the slowest cities worldwide.

Micro-schools are revolutionizing education in India, offering small class sizes and personalized learning experiences. Instead of rote memorization, they emphasize interactive experiments tailored to each student's needs. However, their high costs raise concerns about accessibility. Additionally, questions linger about how students will transition to traditional schools or higher education. As more parents consider this innovative alternative, the future of education may be on the brink of a significant shift.

Ankit Chona, founder of Hocco, brings his family's legacy to life by crafting indulgent ice cream that embraces traditional methods. He passionately defends the joy of rich flavors against the rising trend of low-calorie alternatives. Dive into his thoughts on how authentic taste prevails in a market that’s obsessed with zero-sugar options. Chona's bold stance showcases that sometimes, indulgence is the real deal, and the numbers are speaking volumes about his ice cream's appeal.

Bhavish Aggarwal, the visionary founder of Ola Electric, shares insights as his company prepares for a groundbreaking IPO valued over $4 billion. He discusses the challenges of workforce layoffs and operational hurdles faced leading up to the market debut. The conversation also critiques the company’s ethical practices and labor standards, shedding light on the competitive landscape. Aggarwal reveals plans for significant investment to enhance battery manufacturing and R&D, cementing Ola's position in India's EV market.

Gen Zs are revolutionizing astrology, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. They use apps like Co Star for relationships and even stock market decisions. Despite astrology's flaws, Gen Z embraces it passionately. The podcast explores how astrology meets science and the ethical considerations for app makers.

Once valued at $22 billion, Byju's, is undergoing insolvency proceedings initiated by the National Company Law Tribunal. This is over a $19 million payment default to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Byju’s could now see a potential buyout or liquidation. It gets worse. A couple of days ago, one of the largest foreign investors in India, the Qatar Investment Authority, requested the Karnataka High Court to block founder Byju Raveendran’s personal assets.To say things are bad is an understatement.The first question that comes to mind is, of course, what happened. But that’s a story that’s been told too many times. Instead, today, we tell you what Olina Banerji, The Ken's edtech expert and writer of our popular newsletter, Ed Set Go, wrote about Byju’s in the latest edition.She took us back to see what made Byju’s the company it became in the first place and the legacy it is leaving behind.Tune in.P.S. – Check out the first episode of the latest addition to our podcast slate, Two by Two, on Spotify, Apple or YouTube!Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.

Healthify saw immense success during the pandemic. Its revenues more than doubled in FY 2022. And it adds up when you think about it. With millions of people stuck at home and gyms shut, Healthify’s virtual fitness and nutrition plans were pretty ideal. But once gyms reopened, home workouts didn’t cut it anymore. And unfortunately, Healthify really bore the brunt of it. The following year, revenue growth slowed down considerably and losses began to soar. But the company's leadership seems undeterred. In fact they want to expand business to the United States, where it will be up against established healthtechs like Noom and MyFitnessPal.  The company seems to be pinning its hopes on the US market as somewhat of a hail Mary pass. 

In 2015, Bira 19 introduced India to craft beer. In the process, the brand started the conversation around taste and quality. It very quickly blew up and became the cool new beer to drink at a bar or a party. The craft beer brand also managed to become a hit among investors. It bagged $450 million in funding from the likes of Japanese beer and beverage company Kirin Holdings and venture capital giant Peak XV Partners, formerly known as Sequoia Capital. But somewhere along the way, the brand seems to have lost direction. In the last few years, Bira has been in short supply at liquor retailers and pubs. And to make matters worse, former Bira executives and industry insiders say that the company’s dealing with a  major cash crunch and its supply chain is in a dire state. All of this at a time when the company is reportedly planning to go public. Bira CEO Ankur Jain recently said that Bira is planning its IPO in 2026. But will he be able to get his business in order by then? And more importantly, what went wrong?Tune in to find out.