Rise of AI Browsers, Karnataka's Deep Tech Push, and EaseMyTrip's Acquisition Spree

For most of us, the browser was never a “product.” It was just a window - something we opened to reach the internet. You typed, clicked, searched, and moved on. But that’s changing fast. The browser is no longer a dumb doorway; it’s turning into an intelligent assistant that reads for you, summarizes, searches, and even acts on your behalf. This quiet transformation could redefine how we experience the web, and who controls it.

Look at what’s happening already. Arc focuses on smarter navigation - it can clean up tabs or answer questions from any webpage. Opera’s Aria integrates multiple AI models in one sidebar. Brave’s Leo highlights privacy, keeping user data anonymous. Edge embeds Microsoft’s Copilot for document and web summarization. Comet and Atlas go further, turning browsers into full-fledged agents that can send emails, make bookings, or run tasks directly.

Whoever controls your browser controls what you see first, and what you don’t. The search box has become the most valuable piece of real estate on the internet. That’s why tech giants are racing to redefine it. The market for AI browsers, currently estimated between $2-4 billion in 2024, is projected to grow over 30% every year, potentially reaching $70 billion by 2034. Enterprise adoption is already driving nearly three-fourths of this demand, and as the tech matures, consumer adoption will follow. Chrome still holds a 73% global share, but its dominance is being slowly chipped away as users experiment with smarter, more personalized alternatives.

The excitement comes with its own risks. AI browsers aren’t only reading text - they’re interpreting it, summarizing it, and sometimes even acting on it. This opens up a new kind of cybersecurity threat known as prompt injection, where malicious web pages can quietly trick an AI assistant into performing unintended actions. Imagine a browser that’s logged into your accounts, reading your emails, and then being manipulated to send data elsewhere. Experts call this the “lethal trifecta”: access to private data, exposure to untrusted websites, and the ability to communicate outward.

Privacy is another minefield. Most of these browsers rely on cloud-based models, meaning your queries and interactions often leave your device. In a world where data localization is becoming law, that’s a big red flag. Gartner estimates that by 2027, about 40% of AI-related breaches will stem from cross-border misuse of personal data.

India is one of the fastest-growing AI markets in the world, and also one of the most linguistically complex. That combination makes it a testbed for AI browsers. OpenAI recently offered a free ChatGPT Go plan for Indian users, explicitly to boost adoption and gather richer multilingual data. At the same time, the government has been pushing for an indigenous alternative through MeitY’s Indian Browser Project and initiatives like BharatGPT, developed by Reliance Jio and IIT Bombay. The goal is to build browsers and assistants that understand Indian languages, follow local laws, and keep data within the country.

But laws haven’t caught up yet. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act focuses on consent and penalties but doesn’t address how AI agents can make autonomous decisions or profile users based on behavior. There are no clear rules yet for transparency - whether users can audit what the AI “learns” about them or challenge how it uses that data.

Still, it’s hard to deny the promise. Done right, AI browsers could make computing effortless; and done wrong, they could decide what the truth looks like, and who gets to see it. That’s the real risk - not only privacy or safety, but power.

The browser was once a window. Now, it’s becoming a mirror - reflecting not just what’s online, but who we are and what we choose to trust. The question is: will we build it for convenience, or for conscience?

Let’s go through what else is happening in Indian startup world - Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“AI Ki Mahima Apram Paar”: Karnataka Sets Aside INR 600 Cr To Bolster Deeptech, AI Innovation

Karnataka is doubling down on the future with a ₹600 Cr push to power deeptech and AI innovation. From a ₹150 Cr DeepTech Elevate Fund to a ₹200 Cr fund-of-funds in the works, the state is setting up a serious playground for frontier tech.

It is also expanding the startup map to Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Kalaburagi with dedicated regional funding.

Read more here

“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: EaseMyTrip Enters Agreements To Acquire 5 Businesses For INR 514 Cr

EaseMyTrip is on an acquisition spree, signing deals worth ₹514 Cr to pick up stakes in five companies, including SSL Nirvana, Levo Beauty, and Doodles.

The travel player seems to be diversifying far beyond flights, venturing into beauty and lifestyle to steady its wings. Still, with its stock value halved this year, investors are watching whether these bets lift or weigh down the brand.

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“Raste Ka Maal Saste Mein”: Scapia pushes into full-stack travel with new credit

Scapia is no longer just your travel credit card; it is turning into a full-stack travel companion. With new offerings in credit, commerce, and curated experiences, the startup wants to capture every rupee you spend before and during a trip.

From AI-picked adventures to an in-house travel store, Scapia is aiming to make spending smarter and journeys smoother.

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1. Beauty tech startup Protouch has raised $2 Mn in a Pre-Series A round led by GVFL, valuing it at $10 Mn. The fresh funds will fuel R&D, new product launches, and an expanded retail presence across both online and offline channels.

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2. Groww has raised ₹2,984.5 Cr from anchor investors ahead of its IPO, with 17 domestic mutual funds snapping up nearly half the allocation. Global heavyweights like Goldman Sachs, ADIA, and the Government of Singapore also joined the pre-listing frenzy.
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3. FMCG startup TABP has raised $3 Mn from LC Nueva and Entrust Family Office, with participation from prominent angel investors. The fresh capital will drive a threefold expansion as the brand scales its affordable, packaged street drink offerings nationwide.
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