From Aakash IPO for Byju's to Keeway K300R review, here are our most-read stories of the week
How Ashwin Desai of Aether Industries reached Forbes Billionaires 2023 list, Apple's first India store, and increasing demand for luxe real estate are some of the stories that piqued the interest of our readers this week
Every week, catch up on the best long form stories from Forbes India. Often peppered with our binge-worthy podcasts, videos or infographics too. Image: Shutterstock
1) Byju's golden goose
The closing of educational institutions due to the pandemic became a boon for the edtech sector. Byju Raveendran's eponymous brand made a killing—with the help of heady funding and aggressive acquisition strategy—and quickly became a giant in the field. One such important acquisition was bringing Aakash—an old-world test prep brand—to the fold. Funding winter and the dip in online education have increased Byju's woes. But there is at least one solution to the edtech giant's problems for now. Listing Aakash. Read why analysts, industry watchers, and funders believe that an Aakash IPO makes more sense than listing Byju's right now. Read here
2) Swimming against the tide
Ashwin Desai, founding promoter and managing director of Aether Industries reached the Forbes Billionaires 2023 list with a net worth of $1.2 billion. The road to this milestone has not been without its speed-breakers. He had to walk away from his family business after his father's demise. Then he had to trade his family's lavish bungalow for a one-bedroom house to save his business. He ultimately had to give up the control of a company he built from scratch. None of these deterred Desai. The swimmer in him fought the tides and kept cutting the waves to build the largest global manufacturer of some of the speciality chemicals. This is the story of his inspiring journey. Read here
3) Luxe with a reason
1) Pivot from basic to swanky
2) Apple (finally) comes to India
3) Why so bullish
