After years of heavy losses, B2B e-commerce startup Udaan is preparing for a strong comeback. The company has announced a detailed revival plan that focuses on profitability, cost-cutting, and operational efficiency.
Udaan plans to transform itself from just a digital marketplace into a fully integrated platform, combining three major business areas — logistics (Udaan Express), fintech and credit services (UdaanCapital), and core retail distribution.
Over the last year, Udaan has reportedly reduced its expenses and improved its EBITDA margins significantly. The management aims to achieve profitability within the next 18 months.
Udaan also closed a $114 million Series G funding round, led by global investors such as M&G and Lightspeed. The new funds will help the company strengthen its financial position and grow in key sectors like FMCG, electronics, and hospitality (HoReCa).
However, challenges remain. India’s B2B retail market has thin profit margins and is dominated by regional distributors. Managing logistics, credit, and marketplace operations together could stretch Udaan’s resources — making execution the biggest test of its revival plan.
Google’s AI Arsenal: Building for Global Dominance
While Udaan works on recovery, Google is scaling up its artificial intelligence (AI) game globally. The tech giant recently launched Gemini Enterprise, a new platform that helps companies build AI agents using their internal data and systems.
Google has also announced a $15 billion investment to set up a massive AI data center in Visakhapatnam, India. This project is part of its long-term strategy to expand Google Cloud and make AI tools more accessible to Indian businesses and developers.
Globally, Google is rolling out advanced AI features like AI Mode in Search and enhanced developer tools with improved context understanding and multimodal capabilities. These updates aim to make Google products smarter and more adaptive.
However, Google faces growing regulatory pressure in several countries. Governments are concerned about how Google integrates AI with its core services like Search and YouTube, which could limit competition. Some media companies have also criticised Google’s AI summaries, claiming they reduce traffic to original news websites.
Despite these challenges, Google’s AI roadmap suggests that it intends to make AI the backbone of all its products — from Search and Ads to Cloud and Android.
Why It Matters
- For India: Udaan’s recovery will be a key test case for the sustainability of B2B e-commerce platforms that go beyond just marketplaces.
- For Businesses: Google’s AI tools could transform how companies automate operations, analyse data, and engage customers.
- For the Global Market: The next 12 months will reveal whether Udaan’s integrated approach delivers profits — and whether Google’s AI expansion faces major regulatory roadblocks.
Summary Table
| Focus | Key Moves | Challenges / Risks | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Udaan | Restructuring operations, reducing costs, expanding logistics and fintech arms | Thin margins, complex supply chains, heavy competition | Whether its new business model achieves profitability |
| Launching new AI tools like Gemini Enterprise, investing in large AI data centers in India | Rising regulation, antitrust concerns, competition from Microsoft and OpenAI | How quickly can Google roll out AI features globally |
