e-commerce
Ecloset joins ONDC Network
Mumbai: Ecloset, the premier destination for personalized styling services, is proud to announce its integration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in Ecloset’s mission to democratize fashion styling and empower individuals across India.
ONDC, an initiative by the visionary Nandan Nilekani, creator of India’s Aadhaar system, is a revolutionary open network designed to connect buyers, sellers, and payment providers in the digital commerce ecosystem. It serves as a digital trade facilitator, providing a level playing field for all participants.
Through this integration, Ecloset’s tech-enabled, personalized styling-advisory service will become easily discoverable to millions more customers nationwide. By leveraging the ONDC network, individuals from all corners of India will soon have seamless access to Ecloset’s team of highly experienced fashion stylists, who specialize in creating custom looks tailored to each client’s individuality, comfort, aspirations, and preferences.
“We are thrilled to join the ONDC network and expand our reach to a broader audience across India,” said Ecloset founder & managing director Rashmi Chopra. “This integration aligns perfectly with our mission to bring out the best in individuals through their personal fashion and style. By harnessing the power of ONDC, we will be able to enhance our catalogue, provide a wider choice of products, and deliver greater value to our customers.”
In addition to making Ecloset’s personalised styling services more accessible, the integration with ONDC will enable customers to seamlessly find and purchase products recommended by Ecloset stylists through any app integrated with the ONDC network. This streamlined shopping experience will empower individuals to express themselves confidently, whether at the workplace, social gatherings, or family occasions.
As Ecloset continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the collaboration with ONDC reaffirms its commitment to revolutionising the fashion industry and empowering individuals to embrace their unique style with confidence.
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.
