🌌 Space Habitat

Good morning. Kieran Culkin winning best supporting actor and giving the most fun speech was our top moment from the Oscars night - be sure to check it out if you haven’t already 🤣 👶 

- Ruchirr Sharma & Shatakshi Sharmaa  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 🌌 Space Habitat

• 🤑 Scared money don’t make money

• 🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

  • 📈 Tata Capital IPO

  • 🤖 AI is a top priority for India Inc.

  • 🚗 Ola in trouble?

• 🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

• 🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

MARKETS

🇮🇳 India

• The Indian stock market closed lower. Gainers included IT and Pharma, while Banking and Media declined. The market was influenced by global trade uncertainties and potential US tariffs. Midcaps rose, while Smallcaps fell.

🌍️ International

• Wall Street's major stock indexes plummeted on Monday following President Donald Trump's confirmation of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, coupled with a slight decline in U.S. manufacturing data.

SPACE

🌌 Space Habitat

Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Akashalabdhi is set to launch its Antariksh HAB, an expandable space habitat, aboard a SpaceX rocket in the first quarter of 2026, marking a big milestone in India’s private space sector, as the company pioneers lightweight, inflatable structures designed for orbital use.

What is the Antariksh HAB?

• The Antariksh HAB is a pressurized, tent-like module made from flexible materials.

• These habitats are packed in a compact form for launch and expand once in space, creating additional room for astronauts or cargo.

• While not meant for independent habitation, they aim to increase the capacity of existing space stations, such as the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom Space’s commercial station, and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station.

More about the SpaceX partnership:

• The startup’s collaboration with SpaceX originated from an Amazon Web Services (AWS) accelerator event, where founder and CEO Siddharth Jena met SpaceX’s CTO.

• Jena highlighted the mutual benefits, noting that while SpaceX has advanced rockets and satellites, it lacks space habitat solutions.

• Akashalabdhi has secured a launch slot for early 2026 and must finalize development by December 2025 to meet shipment deadlines.

More about Akashalabdhi:

• Founded in May 2023 at IIT-Roorkee, Akashalabdhi has largely operated on government grants, securing ₹3.5 crore so far.

• With the SpaceX launch approaching, the company raised ₹9 crore in its first equity funding round, led by family offices.

• Jena emphasized the importance of careful capital management, stating, “Equity is a luxury that must be preserved.”

In the expanding space habitat industry, Akashalabdhi competes with Sierra Space, which has sold similar modules to Blue Origin. The startup is now engaging with Agnikul and Skyroot Aerospace to explore collaborations beyond SpaceX, recognizing the need for indigenous partnerships.

Overall: With demand outpacing supply among government agencies and private space firms, Akashalabdhi aims to address critical space infrastructure needs. Whether for research, cargo expansion, or space tourism, the Antariksh HAB represents a leap forward in India’s space ambitions.

Read more: Economic Times

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

🤑 Scared money don’t make money

In case you missed it, two major acquisitions are shaking up finance and fashion:

➡️ BlackRock is acquiring Preqin for $3.2 billion in a move to dominate private markets data. That’s a huge payday for Preqin’s founder, Mark O’Hare, who reportedly owns 80% of the company—meaning he could be walking away with a $2.5 billion check. Not bad for a business that started as a niche data provider…

For BlackRock, this deal is all about data dominance. By integrating Preqin’s private market insights into Aladdin, they’re aiming to standardize private asset investing, much like Bloomberg did for public markets. With private markets projected to hit $40 trillion by 2030, this is BlackRock planting its flag.

➡️ Meanwhile, Prada is closing in on a deal to acquire Versace for €1.5 billion. This would be a game-changer: instead of another Italian fashion house falling into foreign hands, Prada is doubling down on homegrown luxury.

With brands like Gucci and Valentino owned by global giants, Prada’s move could mark a shift toward Italian consolidation—potentially positioning it as a stronger competitor to LVMH and Kering. And given Miu Miu’s recent hot streak, Prada has the momentum to make this work.

Finance is getting more data-driven. Fashion is getting more strategic. And billions are changing hands in the process.

What do you think—smart plays or high-stakes risks?

Read more: BlackRock // Bloomberg(Prada)

GENERAL OVERVIEW

🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

📈 Tata Capital IPO - Tata Group plans to list Tata Capital in what could be India’s biggest IPO of 2025, targeting an $11 billion valuation and raising up to $2 billion. The company’s board approved listing 230 million shares and an offer for sale by existing shareholders. A rights issue of $172 million was also announced. India’s IPO market remains strong despite stock declines, with other major listings planned, including LG Electronics India and Prudential Plc. Tata Capital, a non-bank financial institution, operates over 900 branches across India, offering financial services to customers with limited access to traditional banking.

🤖 AI is a top priority for India Inc. - Indian companies like Wipro, Genpact, and Ericsson are prioritizing AI workforce readiness by launching customized training programs, partnering with universities, and enhancing internal learning platforms. Wipro has trained 230,000 employees in AI fundamentals, while Genpact’s Gigaacademy aims to cultivate 25,000 AI builders. A survey by upGrad Enterprise found that 80% of professionals consider AI skills crucial, with employer-supported training boosting retention. Ericsson has upskilled 30,000 employees through initiatives like its Digital Academy. AI-driven transformation is reshaping workforce dynamics, with companies focusing on AI literacy, problem-solving, and innovation to stay competitive in an evolving job market.

🚗 Ola in trouble? Ola Electric is facing a tough road ahead. Once a dominant player in the electric two-wheeler market, the company is now struggling with declining sales, financial losses, and growing competition. In a bid to cut costs and improve profitability, Ola has laid off 1,200 employees across multiple departments, following a previous round of 300-400 job cuts. Additionally, market share dropped to 25%, February registrations plunged 75% year-on-year, and its stock has crashed 65% since its August 2024 IPO. Adding to its woes, senior executives have resigned, and regulatory scrutiny is mounting. Despite this, Ola is fighting back. The company is aggressively expanding its service network and launching new models to win back customers and reclaim its position in the market.

HEADLINES

🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

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

• Fertility care startup Arva Health raises $1 million in pre-seed funding led by All In Capital.

• After Delhi win, BJP gears up for Bihar election campaign.

• Samsung targets to cross 100 mn Galaxy A series unit sales this year.

• Banks likely to go easy on funding to NBFCs.

• India, Belgium exploring defence cooperation in Indo-Pacific.

CULTURE

🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

• Anora scooped up five awards, including best picture. The acting nods went to Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña. Full list of Oscar winners here.

• The Vanity Fair Oscars Party was a sight to behold - the best-dressed list is here.

• The second instalment of the 2002 series, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter will be released on March 20, 2025.

• Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana: Rajkummar Rao-Kriti Kharbanda's film to re-release on March 7, 2025.

• Teaser for Huma Qureshi’s Maharani Season 4 teaser is out now.

• Tennis: India’s Yuki Bhambri and Aussie Alexei Popyrin make it to the Dubai Championship Finals.