It's Time for Banh Mi to Go National, Says This Vietnamese Sandwich Pioneer
Vietnamese sandwich pioneer Bun Mee, founded in San Francisco in 2011, operates five Bay Area locations. The brand is launching its first New York City outlet through a franchisee, marking its inaugural entry into the East Coast market. This move reflects the chain’s strategy to scale its fast‑casual banh mi concept nationally. The expansion arrives amid rising consumer appetite for authentic Asian street food.
Day 1–1000 of Sharesell: How a Market Question Built a Credit Startup
Sharesell, founded in 2022 to streamline WhatsApp vendor supply chains, initially launched as a marketplace but struggled to gain traction. After two pivots, the founders discovered that informal Nigerian traders needed cash tied to inventory, prompting a shift to an...
Employer of Record in Indonesia: 2026 Hiring Guide
An Employer of Record (EOR) in Indonesia lets foreign firms hire local staff without forming a legal entity, handling payroll, tax, social security, work permits and termination compliance in 1–3 weeks. Providers such as Multiplier, AYP Group, PT Mitra Langgeng...
GLP-1 News Galore; Top 100 Venture Investors; Doug Ingram to Step Down; and More
This week’s Endpoints Weekly highlighted a surge of GLP‑1 developments, including new trial data and expanded indications that reinforce the class’s dominance in obesity and diabetes treatment. The newsletter also released its annual Top 100 venture investors list, showing a notable...
7 Best AI Recruiting Tools for Small Businesses in 2026
Artificial intelligence is reshaping talent acquisition for small businesses, offering a suite of recruiting platforms that automate job description creation, candidate sourcing, resume screening, and interview scheduling. In 2026, seven tools—Workable, HiredAI, Breezy HR, Zoho Recruit, HiveMind AI, JazzHR, and...
Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Pulls Out of Adani Green Energy
Norway's $1.2 trillion sovereign wealth fund has removed Adani Green Energy Ltd from its portfolio, citing concerns over alleged gross corruption or serious financial crime. The fund sold a holding worth roughly ₹400 crore, while Indian mutual funds have accumulated about $500 million...
E-Commerce 2026 Trends: Building Loyalty and Trust with AI-Powered Visual Experiences
Retailers are accelerating AI‑powered visual experiences to boost loyalty. Hyper‑personalisation delivers up to 16% higher commercial impact, while AR/VR try‑on lifts conversion by 94%. Brands will adopt staged, transparent AI content, focusing on complex, interactive experiences. Trust hinges on consent...
Extending ERP to the Frontline: Why AI-Powered HR Kiosks Are Becoming a Critical Enterprise Layer
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and human capital management (HCM) platforms now handle payroll, compliance, and analytics, yet frontline workers remain disconnected from these systems. AI‑powered self‑service HR kiosks embed intelligence at the point of interaction, enabling real‑time attendance validation, policy...
Vanguard’s India Portfolio Shines: 12 Stocks Rally up to 120% in FY26, 8 Fresh Q3 Picks
Vanguard Fund’s India portfolio surged, now valued at ₹69,100 crore, a 60% jump from the March quarter. The fund holds stakes in 48 BSE‑listed companies, placing it among the top three active foreign institutional investors in the country. Twelve of its...
Houthis Vow to Resume Attacks Following Iranian Strikes
Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced they will resume attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, ending a four‑month lull. BIMCO warns that ships linked to US or Israeli interests face heightened risk, though...
UK Startup Founders Must Meet Evolving Investor Expectations to Scale Successfully
UK investors are increasingly demanding market‑pull evidence, shifting away from pure tech‑push narratives, even in deep‑tech sectors. The bar for being "investment ready" now includes demonstrable traction, a strong team, and rapid execution velocity. Digital Catapult’s investment‑readiness workshops helped startups...
Should You Invest in Energy Provider SSE?
SSE is launching a £33 billion programme to upgrade its transmission network and expand renewable generation, positioning the utility for the low‑carbon transition. Revenue has surged roughly 50 % since 2021 and normalised EPS has more than doubled, with management forecasting 7‑9 %...
Japan's Consumption Tax Suspension May Not Result in Lower Food Prices
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to suspend Japan’s 8 percent consumption tax on food for two years to ease inflation pressures. The proposal meets skepticism from economists and small‑business groups who argue the cut may not translate into lower retail prices....
Iran-Israel Conflict: Expect a Gap-Up Opening in Gold and Silver. Here's How to Trade Bullion on Monday
The recent pre‑emptive Israeli strike on Iran has reignited geopolitical tension, prompting a sharp rally in precious metals. While Indian MCX gold and silver futures slipped modestly on Friday, COMEX prices surged, with gold up 2% to $5,296 per ounce...
The Head Fake: Buying the Chinese Stocks Post-Ruling Dip
The U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20 decision struck down IEEPA‑based tariffs, removing the worst‑case tariff risk for Chinese e‑commerce firms. The market’s initial rally faded as investors fretted over a possible 15% global tariff, creating a temporary dip in Alibaba...
Exclusive: Quick Commerce Enablement Startup Inamo To Raise ₹50 Cr
Inamo, a quick‑commerce enablement startup, is raising ₹50 Cr (≈$5.4 M) in a Series A round at a pre‑money valuation of ₹110 Cr. The round is led by Five SB Limited with participation from Shastra VC, Antler and Gemba Capital. Funds will be used to scale...
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi Drives Over 100 Million USD in Savings
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) partnered with Ivalua to overhaul its procurement function, delivering over 400 million AED (more than 100 million USD) in savings across 2024‑2025. Streamlined contract‑lifecycle management and a centralized repository cut procurement cycle times by 23 %...
How Shiprocket Is Building The Backbone Of Bharat’s Ecommerce Growth
Shiprocket, originally launched as KartRocket in 2012, has transformed into a full‑stack ecommerce enablement platform that now powers more than 4 lakh merchants, many from Tier II and III cities. The platform bundles shipping, checkout, returns, analytics and working‑capital services, leveraging AI...
Africa’s Industrial Future Requires a Different Kind of Capital
In 2024 over 70% of Africa’s equity venture funding went to fintech, leaving defense, industrial automation, climate, health and scientific platforms severely under‑capitalised. The prevailing venture model rewards fast‑scaling, asset‑light platforms and excludes capital‑intensive, long‑horizon projects that are essential for...
Modern Retail Podcast: Marketing Is Experiencing an AI Reckoning
In the latest Modern Retail Podcast, co‑hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels, joined by executive editor Anna Hensel, examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping retail marketing. They note that rising customer‑acquisition costs and a more discerning shopper base are driving...
Restaurants Bring More to the Table to Regain Diners
India’s leading restaurant operators are pivoting back to dine‑in by launching exclusive dishes, app‑only discounts and weekday coupons, aiming to revive footfall after years of delivery dominance. Chains such as Jubilant FoodWorks, Devyani International, Restaurant Brands Asia and Speciality Restaurants...
Hong Kong’s 2nd Richest Man Li Ka-Shing to Sell UK Electricity Operator for $14B
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka‑shing's CK Infrastructure Group agreed to sell UK Power Networks to French utility Engie for £10.5 billion (about $14.2 billion). The deal, slated for mid‑2026, is part of a sweeping portfolio overhaul that includes potential divestments of ports and...
10 Best Ways for Indie Artists to Promote Their Music Online
Billboard’s 2026 guide outlines a step‑by‑step playbook for indie musicians to amplify their online presence. It urges artists to concentrate on one or two core social platforms, build a dedicated website for direct fan interaction, and integrate streaming, email newsletters,...
San Francisco Court Clerks Reach Tentative Agreement on Second Day of Strike
San Francisco Superior Court clerks ended a two‑day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with court management. The deal includes concessions on cost‑of‑living adjustments, additional time off, and a pledged unit‑by‑unit approach to staffing and training. Union leaders say the...
Argentina’s Milei Scores Win with Controversial Labor Overhaul
Argentina’s Senate approved President Javier Milei’s Labor Modernization Act, a sweeping overhaul that lengthens the workday to 12 hours, cuts severance payouts, eases firing, and curtails union activity. The legislation aims to bring the country’s 40% informal workforce into the formal sector,...
The Week in Charts: GDP Growth, National Monetization Plan, IT Troubles
India’s economy grew 7.8% in the December quarter, a deceleration from 8.4% in the prior quarter, driven by weaker agriculture, non‑manufacturing output and reduced government spending. The statistics ministry’s revised base year projects FY25‑26 GDP at 7.6%, up from 7.1%...
Beltway Buzz, February 27, 2026
The U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule reviving the 2021 “economic realities” test to determine independent‑contractor status, with comments due by April 28, 2026. The National Labor Relations Board removed the vacated 2023 joint‑employer text and reinstated the 2020 standard,...
New Databricks Offering Targets Next-Generation Data Streaming
Databricks launched Zerobus Ingest, a fully managed serverless streaming service that moves data directly into Delta Lake tables. The platform streams data from sources such as manufacturing systems, financial trading apps, IoT devices, and cybersecurity tools. It promises sub‑five‑second latency,...
Trump, Iran and Geopolitical Mind Games
The Trump administration has escalated threats of military action against Iran while covert nuclear talks continue, and Tehran’s state media claim the pressure is a distraction linked to the Epstein scandal. In parallel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit...
The Executive Advantage No Algorithm Can Replace
Patrice Bisiot argues that executive authority is formed in a few hundred milliseconds, long before strategic content is evaluated. Cognitive‑psychology research shows rapid, subconscious judgments of credibility, certainty and safety drive stakeholder trust. While AI accelerates data‑driven decision‑making, it cannot...
Pakistan-Afghanistan Live: Iran, EU Urge Dialogue Amid Deadly Clashes
Escalating clashes along the Pakistan‑Afghanistan border have intensified after Taliban‑aligned drones struck Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam, prompting Islamabad to launch airstrikes on Afghan cities, including Kabul. The violence shatters the October cease‑fire and revives fears of a...
How America’s Action in Venezuela Guaranteed Guyana’s Oil Future
U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a January 2026 raid, removing the military threat to Guyana’s Essequibo region and clearing the path for the country’s oil expansion. Guyana’s offshore Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobil with Chevron and CNOOC,...
How Sanctions Can Help Stabilise Global Oil Supply
A G7‑backed price cap on Russian oil, introduced in 2022, is shown to boost near‑term extraction while curbing global oil prices and volatility. The cap neutralizes market power and reduces the option value of holding reserves, shifting producer incentives toward...
PARAMOUNT Wins US $110B Battle for Warner Bros, Pays NETFLIX Exit Fee
Paramount has agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery for $31 per share, valuing the combined enterprise at roughly $110 billion including debt. The deal also covers Netflix’s $2.8 billion termination fee, clearing the rival’s exit from the bidding war. If regulators approve,...
How a Coaching Mindset Changes the Way Leaders Perform Under Pressure
Executives face mounting pressure from shareholders, customers, boards, AI integration and geopolitical uncertainty, often defaulting to tighter control and rapid decisions. Helen Wada argues that adopting a coaching mindset—centered on presence, curiosity and human connection—reverses this reflex. By pausing, listening...
US Says It Supports Pakistan's 'Right to Defend Itself' Against Afghan Taliban
The United States publicly affirmed its support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against attacks by Afghanistan’s Taliban, whom Washington designates as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. The statement follows a rapid escalation after Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory...
Oracle Red Bull Racing Partnership with Oracle Extended to Power AI-Driven F1 Performance
Oracle has extended its title partnership with Red Bull Racing, deepening the use of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, AI, and Fusion Cloud Applications across the team’s race strategy, engineering, and business functions. The deal supports the development of a next‑generation hybrid...
Endurance Is a Leadership Discipline: What 250 Marathons Teach Us About Sustained Performance
Martin Parnell completed 250 marathons in a single year, raising $250,000 for Right to Play and turning personal loss into a purpose‑driven endurance challenge. He set a precise, measurable target—250 marathons for $250,000—leveraging goal‑setting theory to focus effort. By breaking...
How Jeff Waye and Patrick Curley Built Third Side Music Into an Indie Publishing Powerhouse with USD $25M in Annual...
Third Side Music, founded in Montreal with a $150,000 seed investment, has become an indie publishing powerhouse generating over $25 million in annual revenue in 2025 without outside capital. The company averages 15‑20% year‑over‑year growth, driven by a 75,000‑plus‑title catalog and...
Who Runs Venezuela Now? Trump, Oil and the Fight for Power
In January 2026 the United States orchestrated the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, installing an interim administration that quickly aligned with Washington. President Donald Trump has since proclaimed control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, sealing new contracts with U.S....
Mirakl Turns Profitable as Recurring Revenue and Marketplace Activity Grows
Mirakl announced full‑year profitability for 2025, driven by a 23% jump in annual recurring revenue (ARR) to $218 million. Marketplace and dropship activity surged, processing roughly $15 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV), a 31% increase year‑over‑year. New products such as Mirakl...
PTT Eyes Partners Across Value Chain
Thai state‑owned energy group PTT Plc announced it will seek external partners across its value chain, aiming to sell stakes in its oil‑refining and petrochemical subsidiaries—Thai Oil, PTT Global Chemical and IRPC—to global investors. The company also plans to attract...
The Hidden Risk of Static Price Lists in a Volatile Market
Static price lists, once suitable for stable markets, now expose manufacturers and distributors to hidden margin leakage as economic volatility drives cost swings, demand shifts, and competitive pressure. Without dynamic modeling, price changes are applied reactively, often misaligned across segments,...
Before Retiring, Warren Buffett Sold These 3 Stocks and Piled Into This High-Yield Investment
Warren Buffett retired as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO at the end of 2025, handing the role to Greg Abel while staying on as chairman. In the fourth quarter, Berkshire sold large blocks of Amazon, Apple, and Bank of America, cutting its exposure...
Oil Prices Hit 8-Month High as US-Iran Tensions Fester
Oil prices jumped to eight‑month highs on Friday as diplomatic hopes between the United States and Iran faded, reigniting geopolitical risk premiums. Brent crude breached the $85‑per‑barrel mark while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose above $80. Traders cited potential supply...
Fifth Circuit Confirms: Oral Consent Is Enough Under the TCPA
The Fifth Circuit affirmed that oral consent satisfies the TCPA’s prior express consent requirement, holding that a customer’s provision of a phone number and lack of objection counts as valid consent for automated calls. The decision interprets “express consent” using...
CFOs Capture B2B Payments Digitization Value by Targeting Year-Two Gap
Finance leaders face a “year-two problem” where B2B payments upgrades fail to deliver expected gains without refined data and processes. The article argues that execution velocity—how quickly firms turn standardized transactional data into actionable decisions—will be the decisive KPI. CFOs...
Year-End Report January - December 2025
Anoto Group AB posted a weaker top line in 2025, with net sales falling to MSEK 22 for the year and MSEK 5 in Q4, down from MSEK 30 and MSEK 6 respectively. Despite the revenue decline, gross margins improved markedly to 55% annually...
AS Silvano Fashion Group Consolidated Interim Financial Report for Q4 and 12m of 2025 (Unaudited)
Silvano Fashion Group reported a 4.5% decline in revenue to €55.5 million for the 12 months ended December 2025, accompanied by sharp profit squeezes: gross profit fell 14.6%, operating profit dropped 39.5% and net profit decreased 26.6% year‑over‑year. Margins eroded, with...
Ocean of Capital Chasing Trains
The rail industry is experiencing a wave of liquidity as infrastructure funds, insurance companies, and private‑equity firms pour billions into railcar and locomotive financing. Traditional tax‑leveraged leases are being replaced by long‑horizon passive capital and CDO‑structured debt, reshaping the capital...