Core Insights - Accel has invested in Rapido, a ride-hailing platform in India, while Prosus has increased its stake after TVS Motor sold its entire holding for ₹2.88 billion (approximately $32 million), achieving a return of over 152% in three years [1][3]. Company Overview - Founded in 2015, Rapido has become a significant competitor in India's ride-hailing market, initially starting with bike taxis and later expanding into auto-rickshaw bookings, car services, and courier services. Recently, it has begun piloting a food-delivery service in select cities [2]. Investment Details - TVS Motor first invested in Rapido in April 2022 during a $180 million Series D funding round, acquiring its stake for ₹1.14 billion [3]. - In the latest transaction, Accel purchased 11,997 preference shares, while Prosus acquired 11,988 preference shares and 10 equity shares, with both investors paying approximately ₹1.44 billion (around $16 million) each [4]. Market Position and Valuation - Prosus has previously expanded its stake in Rapido through a secondary share sale in September, which doubled Rapido's valuation to $2.3 billion [6]. Future Prospects - Rapido is in discussions with Accel and Prosus for a new primary funding round expected to close next year, although the exact funding size is yet to be determined [5].

Core Points - The Startup Battlefield 200 finalists will compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, judged by influential investors in the venture capital industry [1] - The event is highly anticipated and offers significant savings on registration, with discounts available until the event starts on October 27 [2] Judges Overview - Kirsten Green, Founding Partner of Forerunner, has raised nearly $3 billion in assets under management and has over 25 years of investment experience, focusing on consumer-driven companies [4][5] - Kevin Hartz, General Partner at A*, co-founded Eventbrite and has a strong background in technology investments, having backed numerous successful companies at the seed stage [7]

Core Insights - Toyota is investing $1.5 billion in the startup ecosystem, focusing on the entire lifecycle of startups from inception to maturity [1] - The company has established a strategic investment subsidiary, Toyota Invention Partners Co., with approximately $670 million in capital, alongside a second $800 million fund from its growth-stage venture arm, Woven Capital [3][11] Investment Strategy - Toyota Invention Partners will adopt a long-term strategy targeting Japan-based startups, avoiding traditional fixed investment periods [4] - The investment structure includes three tiers: Toyota Invention Partners for early-stage, Toyota Ventures for early-stage, and Woven Capital for growth-stage investments [5] - The total commitment across these investment arms exceeds $3 billion, indicating a strong focus on meeting the evolving needs of market founders [8] Recent Developments - A recent investment was made in Machina Labs, an advanced manufacturing startup that integrates AI and robotics, highlighting Toyota's interest in innovative technologies [8][9] - Woven Capital has invested in 18 companies from its first fund, which launched in 2021 with an $800 million capital, and will continue to support follow-on investments [10]