eNews
Quintype to invest in digital media start-ups via SpeakWrite
MUMBAI: Touting it as a “new kind of startup accelerator,” the Raghav Bahl backed digital publishing company Quintype has launched SpeakWrite.
SpeakWrite is a program for promising startups in the digital media space. So far, the company has accepted three startups into the program, and will be announcing the details soon.
The company is looking at investing in a total of five start-ups this year and plans to take that number of 15 next year.
“SpeakWrite will cost no money. However, in exchange for investing SpeakWrite and Quintype resources in the selected start-ups, Quintype will take a percentage of equity stake in the respective startups,” said Quintype founder and CEO Amit Rathore.
Quintype will take anywhere between four – nine per cent equity stake in respective startups. The exact amount will depend on factors like the stage of the startup, amount of funding raised, complexity of the initial site/apps and business plan amongst others.
By partnering with selected startups, SpeakWrite will advise, mentor, design, develop, and help launch their sites and apps. The company will mentor startups for a period of 12-24 months.
SpeakWrite is based both in the United States, as well as in Asia.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
