🧑‍💻 India’s DeepTech surge

Good morning. America voted. Donald John Trump is back at it again 🇺🇸 

- Ruchirr Sharma & Shatakshi Sharmaa  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 🇺🇸 A new chapter in the U.S. and global politics

• 🧑‍💻 India’s DeepTech surge

• 🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

  • 🛢️ Saudi Aramco profits surge

  • 🔝 India uni’s on top

• 🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

• 🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

MARKETS

🇮🇳 India

• Bitcoin surged to a record high of $75,000, while Dogecoin 🐶 spiked 17% amid optimism in the cryptocurrency market following the US elections. Major stocks like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys also saw significant gains, reflecting a positive trend in the Indian stock market despite fluctuations in crude oil prices due to a stronger dollar.

US ELECTIONS

🇺🇸 A new chapter in the U.S. and global politics

The 2024 election saw Donald Trump complete a stunning political comeback, winning the presidency in a repeat of his 2016 victory.

He secured critical "blue wall" states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, alongside key Sun Belt regions including Georgia and North Carolina. Despite previous controversies over election fraud claims and criminal charges, Trump’s support held firm across rural and conservative areas, with notable gains among Latino men and other demographics.

Republicans also regained control of the Senate, giving Trump a smoother path for appointing officials, although the House remains contested, offering a possible Democratic counterbalance to the new administration.

Key voting patterns showed a decline in Democratic support among union households and younger independents, pointing to strategic challenges for Democrats in the future.

For India, a Trump presidency brings mixed signals. While Trump has shown friendship toward Prime Minister Modi, India has concerns over two main issues:

1. Trade Tariffs: Trump’s history of criticizing India’s high import tariffs and his recent threats to impose new tariffs on non-dollar trade partners could impact India’s economy, especially as the U.S. is a top destination for Indian exports.

2. Immigration Policies: Possible reinstatement of Trump’s restrictive immigration policies could challenge Indian IT firms that rely on H-1B visas, and his stance on birthright citizenship could affect the Indian diaspora in the U.S.

Overall: While Trump's return signals new uncertainties in U.S. politics, India approaches his presidency cautiously, balancing potential benefits with risks in trade and immigration.

Read more: CNN

INDIAN ECONOMY

🧑‍💻 India’s DeepTech surge

India’s DeepTech ecosystem is emerging as a dynamic investment landscape, promising disruptive solutions across healthcare, energy, space, and biosciences.

Venture capital firms like Aeravti Ventures and Capital-A view DeepTech as a high-impact sector that can drive India’s technological advancement, despite a challenging global funding climate.

Here’s whats happening:

• DeepTech startups, distinguished by their focus on intellectual property (IP) and scientific innovation, are gaining traction.

• In 2023, although DeepTech funding saw a global decline, early-stage investments in India remained relatively resilient, driven by a belief in the sector’s long-term potential.

• This resilience reflects investor interest in the ability of DeepTech ventures to transform traditional industries with scalable, IP-driven solutions.

Aeravti Ventures, an early-stage investment firm, has prioritized sectors like biosciences, energy, and defence, investing strategically to foster startups with strong commercial viability.

Shubham Jhuria, CFO at Aeravti, emphasizes that these sectors will redefine industry standards, with significant investments planned over the next five years. Similarly, Capital-A, led by Ankit Kedia, highlights a $20 million commitment to DeepTech, especially in AI, quantum computing, and sustainable technologies, aiming to catalyze breakthrough solutions for pressing global issues.

Key areas like AI and space technology are particularly attractive to investors. AI applications alone captured over 80% of DeepTech funding in 2023, driven by the rising enterprise adoption of generative AI. Space startups, such as Agnikul Cosmos with its 3D-printed rocket engines, showcase India’s potential to become a global hub for space innovation.

Overall: Despite the broader funding slowdown, investors remain optimistic about India’s DeepTech future. With growing support from firms like Aeravti and Capital-A, DeepTech ventures are set to tackle some of society’s most critical challenges, solidifying India’s role as a global leader in technological innovation.

Read more: Economic Times

GENERAL OVERVIEW

🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

🛢️ Saudi Aramco profits surge - Saudi Aramco reported a third-quarter profit of $27.5B, a 15% drop from last year, attributed to lower oil prices and weaker refining margins. Revenues were $111.1B, slightly down from $113B in the same quarter last year. Aramco will pay dividends totalling $31.05B, with an annual target of $124B. The oil giant’s market value stands at $1.7T, ranking it sixth globally. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy using oil wealth, but falling prices could impact these ambitions. Climate activists criticized the company’s profits amid environmental concerns.

🔝 India uni’s on top - India has surpassed China in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025 with 162 universities, including 21 new entries, making it the top-ranked nation in Asia. IIT Delhi leads Indian institutions, ranked 44th, while Chandigarh University, at 120th, holds the top private spot. This accomplishment reflects India's emphasis on research and innovation, spurred by policy reforms like the New Education Policy, which has also boosted India's position in the Global Innovation Index.

HEADLINES

🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

What’s happening in India (and around the world 🌍️)

• Israel’s Netanyahu dismisses his defence minister as wars rage. Protests erupt across the country.

• Apple explores push into smart glasses with ‘Atlas’ user study.

• Netflix Europe offices raided in tax fraud probe.

• KPMG cuts 330 audit jobs.

CULTURE

🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) says Khelif preparing legal action after new eligibility claims.

• Citadel: Honey Bunny Screening: Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu grace the red carpet.