OpenAI takes on Google, Amazon with new agentic shopping system

OpenAI takes on Google, Amazon with new agentic shopping system

ChatGPT users in the U.S. can now make Etsy and Shopify purchases within conversations, marking a next step towards the future of online shopping – both for consumers and the platforms that control product discovery, recommendation, and payments. In other words, OpenAI might be on the path to reshaping who holds power in e-commerce.  OpenAI’s new “Instant Checkout” feature is available to ChatGPT Pro, Plus, and Free…

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India’s Urban Company soars 58% above IPO price in year’s most subscribed offering

India’s Urban Company soars 58% above IPO price in year’s most subscribed offering

Urban Company, India’s largest home services platform, stormed onto the public markets on Wednesday, opening 58% above its issue price after delivering the country’s most subscribed IPO of the year. The Gurugram-based startup, which connects users to at-home services ranging from beauty treatments to appliance repair, debuted on the Mumbai-based National Stock Exchange at ₹162.25…

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FirstClub bucks India’s speed obsession, quickly triples valuation to 0M with premium approach

FirstClub bucks India’s speed obsession, quickly triples valuation to $120M with premium approach

While quick commerce in India has become synonymous with 10-minute deliveries — and the hottest play for startups and investors — FirstClub is taking a slower, more curated route. Yet just three months after launching its app, the 8-month-old startup has tripled its valuation. At a post-money valuation of $120 million, the Bengaluru-based startup has…

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Indian grocery startup Citymall raises M to challenge ultra-fast delivery giants

Indian grocery startup Citymall raises $47M to challenge ultra-fast delivery giants

Indian e-commerce startup Citymall, which focuses on budget-focused grocery delivery for tier 2 and tier 3 towns, said today that it has raised $47 million in Series D funding led by Accel, with participation from existing investors including Waterbridge Ventures, Citius, General Catalyst, Elevation Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, and Jungle Ventures. The Series D round…

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Labubu could make B this year

Labubu could make $1B this year

Labubu is a plush monster toy, but it’s also on track to be a billion-dollar business. This week, Labubu maker Pop Mart released its financial results for the first half of 2025, giving the public more insight into just how rabid the world is for this plush monster toy. Pop Mart’s Monsters series, which includes…

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