e-commerce
Alcatel joins Flipkart to launch stylish Make in India smartphones
MUMBAI: Alcatel has announced a strategic tie-up with Flipkart, bringing its latest range of ‘Make in India’ smartphones to Indian consumers via both Flipkart’s main platform and its rapid delivery arm, FK Minutes.
This collaboration marks a bold step in Alcatel’s push to blend global innovation with local manufacturing, targeting digitally savvy youth across metros and smaller towns with feature-rich devices wrapped in sleek French design.
With Flipkart’s massive e-commerce reach and real-time fulfilment capabilities, the partnership sets the stage for Alcatel to tap into the aspirations of India’s booming smartphone market—especially among the urban and semi-urban youth segment.
Alcatel chief business officer Atul Vivek said, “As we chart our path forward, our vision is to build a complete ecosystem of products that deliver a truly connected and unified experience for Indian consumers. We are enthusiastic about our upcoming launches and the steady expansion of our footprint in the Indian market. This strategic partnership with Flipkart is instrumental in bringing that vision to life. Leveraging Flipkart’s expansive reach and deep market insights, we aim to offer high-quality products backed by a reliable, seamless after-sales service, ensuring an elevated consumer experience across the country.”
Alcatel chief operating officer Ansh Rathi added, “We are proud to join hands with Flipkart to bring world-class quality and service to Indian consumers. This collaboration marks a significant step in elevating the smartphone experience by introducing feature-rich, premium devices at compelling price points. At Alcatel, our commitment lies in creating a seamless, connected ecosystem across devices and platforms. Guided by our core philosophy of delivering exceptional product experiences, we believe Flipkart’s vast network will help us build strong, meaningful connections with the youth across both urban and emerging markets in India.”
Alcatel is also scaling up its nationwide service infrastructure to ensure smooth, dependable after-sales support.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
