5144: Infosys CEO Salil Parekh interview; Dreamteam in funding talks with Accel; and AI reshapes Big Tech playbook | Tech3

Info says doubles down on AI growth strategy.

Former Freshworks executives dream team eyes 40 million dollar fundraise.

AI reshapes big tech playbook.

Cast 24 says twin founder exits ahead of IPO.

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Alright, let's start with the infosys where the company is placing its bets on artificial

intelligence or AI as the next phase of growth.

Despite muted guidance and a sharp market reaction, the company's CEO Salil Parit in an interview

with Money Control said that the focus remains on AI led transformation, discipline deal

making and steady hiring.

So in an interview with us, he said clients are increasingly exploring automation and

platform led changes and that is beginning to reflect in demand.

Now at the same time, Info says it's tightening its approach to deals as well, the company

has walked away from some contracts where pricings or margins did not meet expectations.

And if you look at it, this reflects a broader shift in the IT sector where companies are

prioritizing profitability, who volume as pricing pressure is increasing every day.

Now on the workforce front, Info says it has not carried out layoffs in the past year

and does not plan to do so as well.

Instead, it plans to hire around 20,000 fresh graduates maintaining its pace from last

year.

That's a good news to hear.

Now the focus is also on re-skilling existing employees as roles evolve with AI.

Now on the newer AI models like Anthropics MyThos, the company is taking a cautious approach.

It is still assessing the implications before making any big strategic moves.

So overall, the strategy is to adapt AI disruption while using it as a growth lever for Info

says.

Alright, moving to start-ups where a new AI native CRM player is looking to raise fresh

capital.

This is an interesting one.

We are talking about Dream Team, which was founded by former freshwater executives and

is in talks to raise around 40 million dollars in its series A round.

The round is expected to be led by Axel and together fund a devaluation of about 1.50

to 200 million dollars.

Now the company is building an AI first CRM platform designed to reduce manual data entry

and automate workflows.

Now it uses multiple AI agents to handle tasks that lead qualification, meeting scheduling

and deal tracking as well.

Now the founding team includes Arun Venkatraman, Sindhal Ghandaswami and Ramesh Patsadi, who

previously held tops in your roles at Freshworks.

Now sources have also told us that the company is being mentored by Freshworks founder Girish

Mahatraputham and is part of a broader way of start-ups emerging from that ecosystem

that is known as Freshworks Mafia.

Now the product is currently instilled and is expected to be launched in the coming months.

If you look at the broader context of funding comes amid investor interest in AI first enterprise

software, we've seen companies like Warfix, RocketMain and even Unifor race funds.

Alright, now to big tech where AI is not just a product but reshaping how companies basically

operate and change their playbook.

Companies like Meta and Alphabet are increasing investments in AI while also rethinking how

teams are structured.

The shift is towards doing more with fewer people.

Meta for instance is cutting down about 10% of its workforce while increasing its capital

expenditure outlook to as much as $145 billion, largely for AI infra.

Alphabet is projecting even higher spending up to $190 billion as its scale AI products

across its services.

Now executives have highlighted how AI is compressing work cycles allowing smaller teams to deliver

outcomes that previously required larger teams.

Now this points for new operating model itself where AI is central to productivity not just

an add-on tool.

So the takeaway here is that companies are combining higher infra investments with leaner teams

to drive output.

Alright, finally to cars 24 where there is a leadership per reshuffle ahead of its planned

IPO.

Co-founder Mehul Agrawal has stepped down from his operating role after more than a decade

with the company.

Now remember this comes just today after another co-founder, Gajendra Jungidh also moved

away from an executive role although he will continue to be involved in strategic

initiators.

Some background here cast 24 was founded in 2015 which has grown into a large online

use car marketplace with operations in India and international markets like UAE and Australia.

But the twin exit comes at a very important time.

The broader changes in the leadership at the company also comes when the company is

moving into the IPO landscape.

Earlier this year it's India CEO for use cars, Heman Shuratnu also stepped down.

So while founder transitions are common as companies prepare for public listings, multiple

exits in a short span are likely to be closely watched.

Alright, that's a wrap for today's episode of Tech 3 from Money Control.

A big shout out to our reporters and the Reconcord are a team for the stories we covered

today.

So much listeners, we air every Monday to Friday between 7.30 and 6.30 pm.

So if you own in for more news, minus the boring beds, this is Bhavya Delip Kumar signing

off.

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We'll be back in your inbox on May 4th.

That is Monday.

Thank you so much again.

You were listening to Money Control's Tech 3 podcast.