4738: Razorpay founder on crafting a winning pitch deck, early rejections, & building a fintech giant

In 2011, BlueStone didn’t have stores, customers, or even a website. But it had a pitch and a founder who understood how India shops. Tune into the latest episode of PitchCraft Season 2, and learn what set BlueStone’s pitch deck apart from the rest. Special guests Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, Founder of BlueStone, and early investor, Prashant Prakash of Accel, unpack unique features of the deck, from visualizing the process of trust building to ensuring long-term defensibility, and deliver a masterclass in how high-stakes, high-conviction pitches are made. It’s an enthralling tale of how a disruptive idea secured funding and sparked a category shift. Presented by Moneycontrol, in association with SeedToScale, curated by Accel. 

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack the key meeting between fintechs, banks, and regulators on India’s new online gaming law, where firms sought more time for refunds and chargebacks, while banks pushed for clarity on current accounts. Next, we dive into Reliance’s big AI play with the launch of Reliance Intelligence, backed by Google and Meta. We also cover Elevation Capital’s new $400 million late-stage fund, and how AI agents are speeding up SaaS sales cycles.

In this episode, we explore how intergenerational leadership shapes family philanthropy through the story of the Seekho Sikho Foundation. Anupama and Sumana, a mother–daughter duo, share how deep-rooted values and clarity of vision guide their decisions, while fresh perspectives bring new energy and strengthen their work. Together, they share how complementary strengths and shared family values can power a common mission in philanthropy.

The GIFT Nifty signals a strong gap-up start for Dalal Street, coming a day after the Nifty slipped below key support levels in a bruising selloff that saw the index end the August F&O series with a 500-point cut. The overhang of Trump’s 50% tariff storm continued to weigh on sentiment, while heavy FII outflows and broad-based sectoral weakness have left the market vulnerable to further downside. All eyes today will be on Reliance Industries’ 48th AGM for big-ticket announcements and on the release of India’s Q1 GDP print. In stock-specific action, CG Power, Infosys, Hexaware, Muthoot Finance will be buzzing while NSE will exclude 8 stocks from the F&O segment starting today. Tune in for all this and more in today’s Market Minutes — your morning podcast bringing you the top stories to kickstart your trading day, from stocks in the news to macro trends and global market cues.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks, read about: a support package plan for small businesses hit by Trump’s tariffs, India’s hunt for alternative markets for diamond and jewellery, why Flipkart and Amazon are holding back on festive season sale, and a crucial meeting between online real money gaming companies, government officials and fintech firms.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Prosus-backed Rapido races ahead with a $200 million round that doubles its valuation in just eight months. Wipro takes a bold $375 million gamble with its Harman acquisition, testing its integration strategy. Meanwhile, Amazon and Flipkart brace for festive sales amid GST uncertainty. The government meets with banks and fintechs to chart the path for India’s new online gaming law. And in Gujarat, CG Semi inaugurates the country’s first OSAT facility.

Dalal Street braces for heightened volatility as the 50% US tariff storm collides with the monthly F&O expiry. The Nifty slipped below 24,750 in Monday’s session, with broad-based selling dragging mid and smallcaps nearly 2% lower. Pharma stocks came under heavy pressure after Trump pushed for steep drug price cuts, while FMCG counters held firm on hopes of a GST reduction ahead of the festive season. FIIs turned aggressive sellers, even as DIIs stepped in with strong inflows. What levels should traders watch now, and how deep could the correction run? Tune in to Market Minutes for the top cues, global trends, and the stocks in focus for today’s trade. Tune in for all this and more in today’s Market Minutes — your morning podcast bringing you the top stories to kickstart your trading day, from stocks in the news to macro trends and global market cues.

Deep dive into ways India is preparing to combat Trump’s punishing 50% tariffs - from exploring new markets, to taking prudent fiscal measures, and setting off a wave of next generation reforms that can truly unlock India’s economic growth potential. Tune in to Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks for all this and more headlines from the day.

With Trump tariffs kicking in from Wednesday, we take a close look at the exports at risk, the sectors fearing job losses and how the markets are faring. Also find our piece on the options on the table for the GST council as India embarks on a mission to rationalise indirect tax rates. And days after the blow to real money gaming firms, find out how Dream 11 is planning to dig itself out of the hole while resisting layoffs. Also inside: e-Vitara launch, regulatory and telecom news and India’s trade dependence on China.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we look at the ripple effects of India’s real-money gaming ban, which has hit payment firms like Razorpay, PhonePe, Cashfree, and Easebuzz. We then dive into why Big Tech, from Google to OpenAI, is doubling down on India despite US trade tensions. Next, we unpack Raise Financial’s new finance-focused AI model Fuzz, designed for serious investors. Finally, we bring you TCS’ big move to consolidate AI under a new unit led by veteran Amit Kapur.