Daily Strategic Briefing

Republican calls out Trump admin's decision to resume GPU sales to China

Moolenaar demands answers from Commerce Secretary The Republican chair of the US House Select Committee on China has protested the Trump administration's decision this week to lift restrictions on the sale of Nvidia H20 GPUs and similar processors, warning the chips could be used to advance Chinese AI and military interests.…

Meta declines to abide by voluntary EU AI safety guidelines

GPAI code asks for transparency, copyright, and safety pledges Two weeks before the EU AI Act takes effect, the European Commission issued voluntary guidelines for providers of general-purpose AI models. However, Meta refused to sign, arguing that the extra measures introduce "legal uncertainties" beyond the law's scope.…

Foundry competition heats up as Japan’s Rapidus says 2nm chip tech on track for 2027

That's just... checks notes... two years behind everyone else Japanese foundry upstart Rapidus says it's on track to begin volume production of 2nm process tech after achieving a major milestone this week.…

Coldplay kiss-cam flap proves we’re already our own surveillance state

And we’re the ones building it Comment  A tech executive's alleged affair exposed on a stadium jumbotron is ripe fodder for the gossip rags, but it exhibits something else: proof that we need not wait for an AI-fueled dystopian surveillance state to descend on us - we're perfectly able and willing to surveil ourselves.…

YouTuber leaked iOS secrets via friend spying on dev's phone, Apple lawsuit claims

Jon Prosser and alleged accomplice accused of stealing trade secrets from development device Apple has sued tech YouTuber Jon Prosser for allegedly leaking iOS 26 information to the public ahead of its reveal at WWDC in June.…

Benchmark in talks to lead Series A for Greptile, valuing AI-code reviewer at $180M, sources say

Summary:

YC alum Greptile raises $30M Series A.

Why a Y Combinator startup tackling AI agents for Windows gave up and pivoted

Summary:

Pig.dev was working on a problem that could have been revolutionary: agent tech for controlling Windows desktops.

ServiceNow’s acquisition of Moveworks is reportedly being reviewed over antitrust concerns

Summary:

The probe into the acquisition, which was announced in March, began in June according to sources familiar with the matter.

Cursor snaps up enterprise startup Koala in challenge to GitHub Copilot

Summary:

Cursor maker Anysphere is snapping up top talent from AI enterprise startups in an effort to compete with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot.

What is Mistral AI? Everything to know about the OpenAI competitor

Summary:

Mistral AI, the French company behind AI assistant Le Chat and several foundational models, is officially regarded as one of France’s most promising tech startups and is arguably the only European company that could compete with OpenAI. But compared to its $6 billion valuation, its global market share is still relatively low.  However, the recent […]

Lo! Foods nears Rs 100 Cr ARR, fuels next phase with $3.5M funding to drive Protein Chef

Lo! Foods will use funding to scale Protein Chef by expanding warehousing, strengthening backend tech, launching offline pilots, and building its brand.

Sai Parenterals raises Rs 50 Cr in equity to expand global footprint

The company said the capital will be used to fuel its global expansion strategy, including acquisitions in regulated markets, enhancement of its manufacturing footprint, and diversification of its product portfolio.

[Weekly funding roundup July 11-18] Startups see another quiet week as VC momentum eases

Venture capital funding into Indian startups has not seen any appreciable increase over the last three weeks, largely due to the absence of higher value deals.

Kettleborough VC launches Rs 80 Cr fund II

Kettleborough VC has already raised Rs 35 crore for Fund II and aims to invest in about 10 startups.

PayU raises over Rs 303 Cr in fresh equity from Prosus arm

According to regulatory filings, PayU allotted 48.68 million fully paid equity shares at Rs 62.21 apiece—including a nominal value of Rs 10 and a premium of Rs 52.21 per share—on June 26.

Syngene Q1 FY26 Results Call on Jul 24

Syngene International to host Q1 FY2026 results call on 24th July 2025 at 12:15 PM IST. The call will feature Syngene's CEO, management discussion, and Q&A session. Source: BSE

Bombay HC Blocks ABD's Mansion House Launch Over Trademark Dispute

Bombay HC bars Allied Blenders Distillers (ABD) from launching Mansion House and Savoy Club, supporting Tilaknagar Industries' claims. The dispute, ongoing for 17+ years, involves trademark rights; ABD may challenge the latest order in court. Source: The Economic Times

HUL Names Priya Nair as New MD Amid D2C Competition

HUL faces tough competition in FMCG, prompting leadership changes; Priya Nair replaces Rohit Jawa as MD from July 31. D2C players challenge HUL; experts see leadership shifts as efforts to re-energize growth in key segments. Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

Indigo Paints Up Slightly, Lags Sector

Indigo Paints priced at 1,199.55 on Jul 17, slightly rising but underperforming its sector. Despite YTD decline, it shows strong management, positive quarterly results, but low retail participation. Source: Marketsmojo

Jubilant Ingrevia Up 1.2% to ₹832 on Strong Financials

Jubilant Ingrevia rises 1.2% to Rs 832, outperforming its sector and Sensex. Strong financials drive performance, but declining net sales raise long-term concerns. Source: Marketsmojo

Crypto currencies

Country: Crypto, Description: Bitcoin and Ether are on the rise. Ether is leading the charge with a 2.56% gain.

Agricultural Commodities Updates: Cocoa Spikes by 5.30%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Cocoa (5.30%), Wheat (2.53%) and Palm Oil (2.47%). Biggest losers are Coffee (-2.40%), Rice (-1.20%) and Rapeseed (-1.19%).

Metals Commodities Updates: Lithium Carbonate Rises by 2.62%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity gainers are Lithium Carbonate (2.62%), Copper (1.42%), Steel Rebar (0.84%) and Gold (0.32%). Biggest losers are Platinum (-2.36%) and Iron Ore CNY (-1.57%).

Energy Commodities Updates: Natural Gas EU Dutch TTF Drops by 2.31%

Country: Commodity, Description: Top commodity losers are Natural Gas EU Dutch TTF (-2.31%), Germany Natural Gas THE (-2.24%), Natural Gas UK GBP (-2.11%), Brent Crude Oil (-0.48%) and Crude Oil WTI (-0.29%). Gains are led by Ethanol (0.98%), Propane (0.88%) and Natural gas (0.73%).

FX Updates: Norwegian Krone Increases by 1.18%

Country: Currency, Description: Top currency gainers are Norwegian Krone (1.18%), Swedish Krona (0.77%), Polish Zloty (0.33%) and Euro (0.05%). Biggest losers are Turkish Lira (-0.83%), Brazilian Real (-0.58%), Dollar Index (-0.28%), Japanese Yen (-0.23%) and British Pound (-0.20%).

Judge blocks Trump's firing of FTC commissioner

Summary: Rebecca Kelly Slaughter was immediately reinstated after a federal judge ruled her removal violated laws protecting independent agency officials., Description: A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump violated federal law when he fired Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter earlier this year, immediately reinstating her to the independent agency and dealing a blow to the administration's efforts to reshape the federal bureaucracy. The decision by U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan represents a test case for...

Microsoft ends use of China-based engineers for Pentagon cloud support

Summary: Company halted controversial "digital escort" system after national security concerns over Chinese access to sensitive Defense Department cloud environments., Description: Microsoft has halted its practice of using China-based engineers to provide technical support for Pentagon cloud systems, following intense scrutiny over potential national security risks revealed by ProPublica's investigative report about the company's controversial "digital escort" system that allowed Chinese engineers to remotely guide American workers in sensitive Defense Department...

Block joins S&P 500 as Chevron completes $53B Hess deal

Summary: The fintech firm's shares surged 10% after-hours Friday following the index announcement, marking a milestone for Jack Dorsey's company., Description: Block Inc. will join the S&P 500 index on Wednesday, July 23, replacing Hess Corp. following Chevron Corp.'s completion of its $53 billion acquisition of the energy company. The fintech firm's shares surged more than 10% in after-hours trading Friday after S&P Dow Jones Indices announced the change. The index reshuffling represents a milestone for the Jack Dorsey-founded company, which has...

Israel and Syria reach ceasefire after deadly Sweida clashes

Summary: Sectarian violence between Druze and Bedouin groups killed hundreds, prompting Israel to allow Syrian security forces limited 48-hour access., Description: Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, with Israel allowing limited access for Syrian internal security forces into the predominantly Druze area of Sweida for 48 hours, following days of deadly sectarian violence between Druze and Bedouin groups that has killed hundreds, with death tolls estimated between 321 and 594 casualties.

DOJ aims to unseal Epstein grand jury records following Trump order

Summary: Justice Department filed motions Friday to release typically confidential transcripts, following president's directive amid growing political pressure from his supporters., Description: The U.S. Justice Department has formally requested a federal judge in Manhattan to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case, following President Trump's directive to Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek release of these typically confidential records.