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Blue Collar Staffing Platform Smartstaff Raises Funding From Persol Group

Blue-collar staffing platform Smartstaff has received a strategic investment from Persol, a human resources service provider in the APAC region.

This investment coincides with Persol’s strategic focus on India as a key market, with Smartstaff offering a full-stack approach to staffing, recruitment, management, and retention within this market.

“Smartstaff’s focus on building a full stack innovative model, proprietary technology and inroads into the Indian market has led us to back them. The team comes with strong backgrounds in building companies to scale. At Persol we are excited to work together with Smartstaff to become a prominent leader in the blue-collar staffing solutions space in India,” Shingo Ishida, partner and head of APAC, Persol Group, said.

Founded in 2021 by Arpit Dave, Viral Chhajer, Gnanesh Chilukuri and Aravind Reddy, Smartstaff offers end-to-end solutions for recruitment, workforce management and retention to mid-sized and large manufacturing enterprises. Besides staffing solutions, it also provides payroll and compliance services to its clients.

The Bengaluru-based startup has raised a total of $10.5 Mn in funding till now and counts Nexus Venture Partners, Blume Ventures, Arkam Ventures and Alteria Capital as its investors.

Earlier in June, Smartstaff secured $6.2 Mn in a Series A funding round from Nexus Ventures, Arkam Ventures, Blume Ventures and Alteria Capital.

“Persol Group has considerable experience in the staffing solutions space and we are delighted to have their support in offering cutting-edge solutions to the industry in India. We are looking forward to creating a much bigger impact on a nation-wide scale in India,” Arpit Dave, cofounder and CEO of Smartstaff, said.

Smartstaff competes with the likes of KarmaLife, WorkIndia, BetterPlace, Apna and PerkFinance across its verticals. Financial solutions provider KarmaLife, and blue and grey-collar job portal WorkIndia also raised funding this year. However, Apna is struggling with mounting losses as it reported 4X year-on-year growth in loss to INR 112.5 Cr in FY22.

The post Blue Collar Staffing Platform Smartstaff Raises Funding From Persol Group appeared first on Inc42 Media.

by Sameera

Binance Responds to User Complaints Global crypto exchange Binance has announced that it will increase compensation for customers who were liquidated during the recent crypto market selloff. The move follows widespread criticism after thousands of traders suffered sudden losses due to extreme volatility earlier this month. According to internal reports, Binance will refund part of the unrealized losses to affected users through its User Protection Fund, which currently holds over $1.2 billion in reserves. The compensation applies mainly to futures traders whose positions were automatically liquidated during rapid price swings in Bitcoin and other major tokens. Bitcoin’s Price Plunge Sparks Liquidations The crypto market experienced one of its sharpest downturns in 2025, with Bitcoin (BTC) falling below $50,000 for the first time in eight months. This triggered billions in forced liquidations across major exchanges, including Binance, OKX, and Bybit. Analysts suggest that a combination of high leverage, macroeconomic uncertainty, and institutional selloffs contributed to the crash. Binance faced particular backlash for what users described as “slippage and server delays” during the event. Binance Enhances Transparency In response, Binance’s management pledged to improve system transparency and risk management mechanisms. The exchange stated it is reviewing its liquidation protocols to ensure fairer treatment of users during periods of extreme volatility. A spokesperson confirmed that Binance would also begin publishing weekly protection fund audits to reassure investors. Why It Matters for Investors Looking to Buy Bitcoin The compensation announcement comes at a crucial time for retail traders considering whether to buy Bitcoin on Binance amid renewed volatility. Analysts note that Binance’s proactive stance could restore confidence among users after months of regulatory scrutiny and market turbulence. Crypto strategist Michael Wu from Amber Group commented, “This move reinforces Binance’s commitment to customer protection. It may also attract new users who are hesitant to trade during volatile periods.” Still, experts warn that volatility remains high, and investors should exercise caution before re-entering the market. The Bigger Picture The event underscores the need for stronger investor safeguards as the crypto industry matures. Binance’s decision to compensate affected users sets a potential precedent for other exchanges facing similar backlash. Meanwhile, Bitcoin prices have started to stabilize around $52,300, with cautious optimism returning to the market. Stay ahead with the latest in crypto, startups, and financial technology on StartupNews.FYI — your source for real-time business insights and innovation updates.

by Sameera

Leadership Change at Indonesia’s Flag Carrier Indonesia’s state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia has appointed Glenny Kairupan as its new Chief Executive Officer, according to a government official cited by Reuters. The decision marks another major leadership shift for the national carrier as it continues efforts to stabilize finances and restore operational efficiency after years of restructuring. While the official announcement did not specify the reason for Kairupan’s appointment, it comes at a critical time for Garuda Indonesia, which has been navigating challenges including post-pandemic recovery, debt management, and fleet modernization. A Strategic Appointment Glenny Kairupan, an experienced aviation executive, steps into the role previously held by Irfan Setiaputra, who led the company through one of its most turbulent periods. Under Setiaputra’s leadership, Garuda Indonesia completed a complex court-led debt restructuring worth more than $9 billion, reducing the airline’s liabilities and securing new lease terms for its fleet. Kairupan is expected to continue implementing efficiency strategies while expanding Garuda’s international partnerships and improving profitability. His appointment aligns with the government’s long-term plan to enhance state enterprise governance and ensure transparency across Indonesia’s aviation sector. Challenges Ahead Despite a return to profitability earlier in 2025, Garuda Indonesia still faces significant operational hurdles. Rising fuel prices, global aviation competition, and the need for sustainable modernization remain key issues for the new CEO. The airline is also working on expanding domestic connectivity to boost tourism and regional economic development, a strategic priority under Indonesia’s national infrastructure plan. Industry analysts believe Kairupan’s leadership will be instrumental in balancing financial discipline with growth ambitions. His experience in corporate restructuring and aviation management is seen as critical to guiding Garuda through the next phase of transformation. Government Support and Public Expectations Garuda Indonesia holds symbolic importance as the nation’s flag carrier. The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises has reiterated its commitment to supporting the airline’s stability while ensuring it remains competitive in the Southeast Asian aviation market. Kairupan’s appointment is viewed as part of a broader strategy to professionalize state-owned enterprise leadership and rebuild public confidence. Outlook With Glenny Kairupan now at the helm, the airline’s immediate focus will likely be on improving operational reliability, expanding profitable routes, and investing in digital transformation to enhance customer experience. As Indonesia’s aviation industry continues to recover, Garuda Indonesia’s success under new leadership will serve as a key indicator of how effectively the country can balance government oversight with corporate agility in a post-pandemic world. For the latest updates on aviation, business, and global leadership trends, visit StartupNews.fyi for comprehensive coverage and analysis.

by Sameera

Company to Cut Jobs Amid Strategic Consolidation Under “Servus Media” Red Bull, the Austrian beverage giant known globally for its energy drinks and sports ventures, has announced a significant restructuring of its media division, including job cuts at Servus TV and other Red Bull Media House operations. The decision, first reported by ORF Salzburg and Der Standard, marks a pivotal shift in Red Bull’s media strategy as the company aims to streamline operations under a unified brand. Red Bull Media Division Undergoes Major Reorganization According to official sources, Red Bull employs roughly 600 people across its various media activities — including Servus TV in Wals-Siezenheim (Flachgau) and the Red Bull Media House headquarters in Vienna. The company now plans to consolidate its media businesses under a new umbrella brand called “Servus Media”, leading to the elimination of about 60 positions. The restructuring aims to bring together the company’s television, digital, and publishing arms to improve efficiency and focus resources on the most profitable channels. “The goal is to create a more integrated and agile media organization,” a company spokesperson told local outlets. Leadership Overhaul and Strategic Refocus The reorganized Red Bull media unit will be managed by Dietmar Otti, alongside executives Matthias Bruegelmann, Marlene Beran, and Stefan Ebner. The new leadership team is expected to oversee the realignment of editorial direction, digital transformation efforts, and international partnerships. Servus TV, long known for its regional programming and documentaries, will continue broadcasting under the new structure. However, insiders suggest that the channel’s content strategy may shift toward more cost-effective formats, including digital-first productions. Layoffs Signal a Broader Trend in European Media The job cuts at Servus TV and Red Bull Media House come amid a wave of media industry restructurings across Europe, as companies grapple with declining ad revenues, rising production costs, and the growing dominance of streaming platforms. For Red Bull, the restructuring represents a broader shift from traditional broadcasting to digital storytelling, leveraging the brand’s massive global reach in sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. “This isn’t just about cost-cutting — it’s about repositioning for the future,” said media analyst Thomas Heigl. “Red Bull is refocusing on content that aligns more closely with its global sports and brand marketing ecosystem.” Servus TV’s Future Servus TV has been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s Austrian media presence since its launch in 2009, known for its cultural programs, documentaries, and coverage of Red Bull-sponsored events. However, as the company consolidates under Servus Media, it is expected to scale back certain local productions to reduce overlap and operational costs. While the network’s editorial independence and regional focus will likely remain, Red Bull’s new direction suggests a leaner, more digitally integrated future for the brand. Industry and Employee Reaction Reports indicate that notifications of the planned layoffs have already reached Austria’s public employment service (AMS). However, the company has not yet disclosed the exact distribution of job cuts across departments. Employee representatives have expressed concern over the reduction, urging management to ensure fair severance terms and internal …