Small businesses are riding the ecommerce wave; UPI transactions cross 1 trillion

Daily Capsule | 3rd Jan Hello 2019 may be brand new but magnetic strip-based cards are history. That's what you need to remember if your old debit/ATM card fails in this new year. Your bank should have sent you a new one already. If they haven't, simply ask for one. The new chip-based cards have actually been around for a few years now and have been gradually replacing the ones with a magnetic strip on one side – a component that is believed to be easier to duplicate and hence responsible for bank fraud cases. So back in 2015, the RBI had passed a directive making it mandatory to replace the old cards with EMV ones that have a security chip inside them. The mandate came into effect on January 1, and if you're still using a chip-less card, your transactions are likely to fail. So head over to your bank to ask for a new card, or simply use net-banking. Sorted! Cheers, Team YourStory Stories you shouldn't miss Say hello to startups that are enabling small businesses to go online. When it comes to ecommerce, the conversation unsurprisingly includes a mention of biggies like Amazon and Flipkart. [But there’s an emerging crop of startups – like ShopX, LaYuva, Meesho, Shopmatic, Shyplite, Shop101, GlowRoad, Ezmall Zepo, Kartrocket, and Shopify – who are enabling small sellers to ride the ecommerce wave in India.]( These ecommerce startups are providing end-to-end services for these small businesses, from sourcing products from India or abroad to ensuring last-mile delivery. Work with Viacom18 to jointly deliver pilots and a chance to become a business partner. VStEP 2.0 also offers access to Viacom18’s extensive network and expertise to help startups find the right product/market fit, dedicated mentoring from Viacom18’s leadership team, and more. Additionally, get entry to advance level of 100 open startups which gives you access to global corporates and events as well as get access to the investor networks of Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs India and Exfinity ventures. The last day for applying for Viacom18 Startup Engagement Program is now January 8, 2019. [Click here]( for more details. [Apply here!]( What is AI? Simply put, it is basically a bunch of algorithms that learn constantly and take actions cognitively when challenged with complex tasks. Why is it important? Other than the fact that the entire world seems to be talking about and leaning towards artificial intelligence and machine learning, most businesses and startups are actively utilizing this new tech, which means it’s imperative for Indian [job seekers and professionals to upskill in order to keep pace]( the growing demand. In November, the total number of transactions processed by payment infrastructure Unified Payments Interface (UPI) stood at 524.94 million. A month since then, [the transaction volume has increased by 18 percent]( with UPI registering 620.17 million worth ₹102,594.82 crore in December. The 18 percent growth rate seems promising especially after November had seen one of the slowest growth rates of 8.8 percent for the network. Rob Biesenbach’s book [Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results]( is all about – as you would have guessed it – storytelling. In a world of information overload, noise and hype, the author suggests that stories can cut through the clutter, get the message across, and influence people. His book covers company origin stories, the use of stories during presentations, and personal brand stories. 2018 has been significant for foodtech unicorn Zomato in several respects. Apart from launching new programmes, the 10-year-old company [made multiple acquisitions and even raised two rounds of funds]( Ant Financials. It was also in the past year that the company diversified into areas where its competitors are yet to make inroads – its entry into the supply chain business. Google Maps announced the launch of Messages – its instant messaging service to chat with local businesses – in November last year. [And now the feature has caught attention, thanks to media reports. The feature is an extension of the company's Business Profile feature.]( in case you were worried about the cons of yet another instant messaging service – there are way too many chat services/apps already – this feature is not for exchanging messages with your friends and family. Prompt investor connect, vibrant ecosystem, diverse and constant mentoring, world-class infrastructure, and free credit programmes are just a few of the advantages that a dedicated incubation programme like the AIC-NMIMS Incubation Centre offers. Housed in the heart of Mumbai, this state-of-the-art incubation centre brings together the right mix of people, resources, and values to build an innovative and collaborative ecosystem for young entrepreneurs to thrive. The centre is now calling for applications for its second cohort of vibrant entrepreneurs hoping to build sustainable businesses. [Click here to apply for the programme.]( -- [Click Here]( to unsubscribe from this newsletter.