🚀 To the moon

Good morning. Apologies for the delayed edition today - sometimes you got to do what you got to do - kind of like reinstating the TikTok ban in record time!

But enough about us – today is monumental. Donald Trump is being sworn in as the President of the United States 🇺🇸

- Ruchirr Sharma & Shatakshi Sharmaa  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 🚀 To the moon

• 📱 What happens with TikTok now?

• 🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

  • 💰️ One trillion

  • 🚁 Flying taxi

• 🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

• 🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

MARKETS

🌍️ International

• U.S. stock markets rallied on Friday, marking their best week in two months. This surge was driven by SLB's announcement of increased dividends and stock repurchases, alongside optimism for potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve later this year.

SPACE TECH

🚀 To the moon

India's space sector is poised for significant growth in 2025, driven by dynamic startups, progressive government policies, and increasing global collaborations. The Union Cabinet's amendment to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in February 2024 has been a pivotal development, allowing up to 100% FDI under the automatic route for manufacturing components and systems for satellites, ground segments, and user segments.

This liberalization aims to attract foreign investments, enhance business efficiency, and integrate Indian companies into global value chains.

• Startups like Pixxel have capitalized on these reforms. In January 2025, Pixxel launched three hyperspectral imaging satellites via a SpaceX rocket, marking India's first private satellite constellation.

• These satellites provide detailed data across numerous light bands, benefiting agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence sectors.

• With clients including Rio Tinto and British Petroleum, Pixxel plans to expand its constellation to 24 spacecraft, targeting a share of the satellite imagery market projected to reach $19 billion by 2029.

Global collaborations have further bolstered the sector:

• In January 2025, seven Indian startups were selected for a pioneering India-U.S. space and defence collaboration program.

• Companies like KaleidEO and EtherealX will work on satellite observation and advanced defence technologies, gaining access to resources, mentorship, and potential partnerships with industry giants such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

• This initiative underscores the growing Indo-U.S. cooperation in defence and space technology, opening promising markets for these startups.

The Indian government's proactive stance, exemplified by the Indian Space Policy 2023, aims to unlock India's potential in the space sector through enhanced private participation. The policy focuses on augmenting space capabilities, developing a flourishing commercial presence, and creating an ecosystem for effectively implementing space applications among all stakeholders.

Overall: As 2025 unfolds, India's space startups are set to reach pivotal milestones, stabilizing their presence and attracting more capital.

The combination of liberalized FDI policies, successful satellite launches, and international collaborations positions India to significantly increase its share in the global space economy, contributing to the vision of a $44 billion space economy by 2033.

Read more: Economic Times

STARTUPS

📱 What happens with TikTok now?

TikTok is officially dark, sparking an unprecedented situation with a sparked wide-range of implications for social media, U.S.-China relations, and economic activity for millions of users.

Here’s what’s happening:

• TikTok Shutdown: TikTok ceased operations for 170 million American users as of late Saturday due to a new U.S. law citing national security concerns. The app was removed from Apple and Google stores, and its functionality was blocked.

• Trump's Intervention: President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on Monday, signalled a willingness to address the ban, suggesting a 90-day reprieve. TikTok cited his statement as a glimmer of hope for reinstatement.

• Implications for ByteDance: ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent company, faced pressure to either divest TikTok's U.S. operations or comply with the shutdown. Other ByteDance apps, including CapCut and Lemon8, were also affected, signalling broader scrutiny of Chinese apps.

• Economic and Cultural Fallout: TikTok's shutdown impacts small businesses, influencers, and users reliant on the platform for income, connection, and cultural expression. Rivals like Meta and Snap are poised to gain from the migration of users and advertisers.

• Uncertain Future: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's planned attendance at the U.S. presidential inauguration suggests ongoing negotiations. Rumoured bids from U.S. investors and entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk and Frank McCourt, point to potential buyouts or partnerships.

Broadly speaking, this shutdown highlights escalating U.S.-China tensions, with the Chinese government accusing the U.S. of unfair suppression. The situation also raises questions about data privacy, platform regulation, and the role of government in digital spaces.

So what are some potential outcomes?

1. Temporary Reprieve: Trump could grant TikTok a 90-day extension, allowing operations to resume while a resolution is negotiated.

2. Divestiture or Merger: ByteDance might divest TikTok's U.S. operations to a U.S.-based entity or partner with an American company to comply with the law.

3. Permanent Ban: If no resolution is reached, TikTok may face a permanent ban in the U.S., setting a precedent for other apps.

4. Regulatory Reforms: The case could lead to new regulations governing foreign-owned digital platforms in the U.S.

The next few days are crucial for TikTok and its stakeholders, as decisions made by the Trump administration could reshape the app's future in the U.S.

Read more: Economic Times

GENERAL OVERVIEW

🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

💰️ One trillion - India aims to achieve $1 trillion in exports by 2030, with $250 billion from the engineering sector, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal revealed. Highlighting infrastructure development, energy transition, and innovative technologies, Barthwal urged industry leaders to boost global competitiveness. The engineering sector, including automobiles and equipment, already contributes nearly 25% of total exports. Government initiatives focus on ports, airports, railways, and multi-modal transport for last-mile connectivity. Emphasizing green technology and patents, Barthwal sees opportunities for youth in sustainable innovation. He encouraged Indian firms to establish global capability centres and address industry challenges to compete internationally while ensuring safe, efficient mobility solutions.

🚁 Flying taxi - Sarala Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. The electric flying taxi, designed for 20-30 km trips at speeds up to 250 kmph, can carry six passengers and a maximum payload of 680 kg, making it the highest payload eVTOL vehicle. Targeting a 2028 launch in Bengaluru, the service aims to reduce traffic congestion and pollution at a cost comparable to premium taxis. The company, co-founded in 2023, has raised $10 million in funding and plans to expand to major cities and offer a free air ambulance service for medical emergencies.

HEADLINES

🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

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

• President Joe Biden welcomes Gaza truce, says region 'fundamentally transformed.'

• India, EU to develop cutting edge tech, secure critical raw material supply chains.

• Budget 2025: A sluggish economy means pragmatism, rather than aggressive reduction, will rule the roost.

• Delhi-NCR sees the highest 30 pc increase in housing prices during 2024 among top 7 cities.

CULTURE

🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

• Australian open 2025 is in full swing: Round 4 updates here.

• Channel Nine’s Tony Jones apologises to Novak Djokovic over ‘banter’ that led to coverage boycott.

• Emergency box office collection day 3: Kangana Ranaut's film shows growth on Sunday, crosses ₹10 Cr. mark.

• Azaad box office collection day 3: Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan's film sees a slight growth.

• Fateh review: The no-nonsense, unabashed and ultra-violent film is surprisingly watchable.