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Google To Launch Payment App ‘Tez’ In India

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Google Launch Payment App,Google Payment App,Tez app,Google Tez app,Tez App Payment in India,Google Tez App,Startup Stories,2017 Latest Business News,2017 Technology News

Global search engine Google plans to launch a localized digital payments service in India called ‘Tez’ which means fast in Hindi. The app will offer a comprehensive set of payment options to users beyond its existing options such as the Google Wallet or Android Pay.

Technology website TechCrunch reported the app may be launched as soon as next week in New Delhi by Caesar Sengupta, the Vice President of Next Billion Users, Google. Tez, developed specifically for the Indian market will also include support for the government backed Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other consumer payment services such as Paytm and MobiKwik.

Google, which launched Android Pay two years ago in the US, is aiming to delve into the rapidly growing digital payment market in India which is expected to touch $500 billion by 2020. According to a report by news portal The Ken, Tez will be available on the Google Play Store for smartphones and as a Chrome widget for desktops. The service is also likely to be integrated into other applications such as ecommerce, mobility, Play Music, Play Movies and the Play Store for subscription and paid downloads.

While both Android Pay and Google Wallet did not hit off, tech companies like Flipkart are already looking at the potential of Tez. Considering Android is India’s dominant operating system for smartphones, Google could have an upper hand in the digital payments sector.

At present, Alibaba backed Paytm and other digital wallet players like MobiKwik, FreeCharge, Oxigen, Citrus Pay, Phone Pe, PayU, ItzCash, Jio Money and Ola Money are fighting over the lucrative digital payments market. Recently Facebook owned Whatsapp Inc., also showed interest in launching its own digital wallet in India along with other global companies like Truecaller and Uber. According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the infrastructure of digital payments in India is expected to increase three fold with almost five million electronic point of sale (PoS) machines by the end of 2017.

Google India has sent out an invite for a press conference in New Delhi on September 18, to share details on the launch of the new product developed grounds up for India.

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Polygon Enters New Era: Leadership Shift and Major Upgrades Under Sandeep Nailwal

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Polygon StartupStories

Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, has been appointed as the first CEO of the Polygon Foundation, marking a shift from decentralized governance to focused leadership. This change aims to provide clear direction and accelerate Polygon’s growth in the competitive blockchain space.

Under Nailwal’s leadership, Polygon will discontinue its zkEVM network in 2026 to concentrate on the Polygon PoS chain and AggLayer, a new cross-chain liquidity protocol. Significant upgrades to the Polygon PoS chain are planned, starting with the Bhilai upgrade in July 2025, to enhance transaction capacity and support large-scale financial applications.

Polygon enters this new phase with a strong financial position, enabling long-term development without fundraising pressures. While Nailwal leads the Foundation, Marc Boiron continues as CEO of Polygon Labs. This leadership restructuring aims to drive innovation and reinforce Polygon’s position in Ethereum scaling and the Web3 ecosystem.

 

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Wow! Momo Raises ₹85 Crore from Stride Ventures to Accelerate Nationwide Expansion

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WoW Momo StartupStories

Wow! Momo, the Kolkata-based quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain, has secured ₹85 crore (approximately $9.9 million) in debt funding from Stride Ventures, aiming to accelerate its omnichannel expansion and strengthen its presence across India. The company, which operates over 700 outlets in more than 70 cities, plans to utilize the funds to open additional dine-in restaurants, expand its packaged food (FMCG) vertical, and enhance its delivery and supply chain operations. This strategic move will also help refinance existing loans and fuel Wow! Momo’s push into new markets and product categories.

Founded in 2008, Wow! Momo has rapidly diversified its offerings, launching brands such as Wow! China, Wow! Chicken, and Wow! Kulfi, and recently entering the frozen foods segment with quick commerce and retail distribution. The company is targeting a footprint of over 1,500 stores across more than 100 cities within the next three years and aims to grow its FMCG business to ₹100 crore while ramping up its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) segment. The leadership team views this debt infusion as pivotal for scaling new formats, driving innovation, and building brands that resonate with Indian consumers.

Stride Ventures, known for backing high-growth startups, emphasized Wow! Momo’s strong brand recall, robust business model, and relentless innovation as key reasons for their investment. With this funding, Wow! Momo is well-positioned to further solidify its status as a category-defining player in India’s QSR and FMCG sectors, while preparing for larger equity rounds and a potential IPO in the coming years.

 

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How Brands Around India Adapted RCB’s IPL 2025 Win: A Masterclass in Real-Time Marketing

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IPL StartupStories

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a cricket tournament—it’s a cultural phenomenon that captures the imagination of millions. The 2025 season was especially significant as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ended their 18-year wait for an IPL trophy, sparking nationwide celebrations and a flurry of creative marketing from brands eager to ride the wave of emotion.

Seizing the Moment with Creative Campaigns

Brands across sectors quickly recognized the marketing goldmine that was RCB’s historic victory. Social media platforms became the battleground for witty, nostalgic, and heartfelt content. Voltas Beko, for example, cleverly played on the long wait with a pun: “This moment’s been cooking for 18 years,” featuring a microwave set to 18:00

. Fevicol used humor, captioning a visual of the trophy snuggled in bed with the iconic fan chant: “Ee sala cup chipak gaya ;)”. MG Motor referenced Bangalore’s infamous traffic, declaring, “The only time Bangalore enjoys slow traffic,” as a car displayed “Trophy On Board”.

From Jerseys to Delivery Trucks

Official kit partner Puma India launched a special jersey commemorating the win, emblazoned with RCB’s tagline, “Played Bold”. Quick commerce brands like BlinkIt and Swiggy joined in, with BlinkIt showing the cup being delivered to Bengaluru via a delivery partner and Swiggy featuring a GPS tracker with a delivery executive en route to deliver the trophy. Zomato kept it simple yet impactful with a post reading “EE Sala Cup Namdu,” echoing the fans’ rallying cry.

Emotional Storytelling and Viral Reach

Brands leveraged the emotional high of RCB’s win to connect with audiences. Lego India posted an animated Virat Kohli with the cup, highlighting loyalty and perseverance: “Some waited for years, some questioned loyalty, but greatness? That’s built brick by brick. Champions at last!” Google India, Coca Cola, boAt, and others added to the chorus, each with their own creative spin.

Conclusion

RCB’s IPL 2025 win became more than a sports story—it was a moment of national pride and a catalyst for innovative, real-time marketing. Brands that adapted quickly, using humor, nostalgia, and emotional storytelling, not only amplified their reach but also deepened their connection with fans across India. This approach highlights the power of tapping into trending moments to create memorable, shareable content.

 

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