Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 30th January 2026: RCPL Enters Iced Tea, Apple Buys Q.ai, ITC Expands Fresh Foods & More
India’s business landscape saw notable strategic moves on 30th January 2026, with major corporations expanding into new categories and strengthening their technology capabilities. Reliance Consumer Products Ltd announced its entry into the ready-to-drink iced tea segment, while Apple boosted its artificial intelligence portfolio through the acquisition of Israeli startup Q.ai. Meanwhile, ITC signalled its push into fresher packaged food offerings via digital channels. Alongside these developments, India’s startup ecosystem continued to attract investor attention, reflecting sustained momentum across consumer, technology, and food sectors.
Key Business News for 30th January 2026
Reliance to launch bottled iced tea with Brew House brand relaunch
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL) is gearing up to enter India’s ready-to-drink bottled iced tea market with the relaunch of the Brew House brand. The company plans to debut lemon and peach flavoured iced teas, priced around ₹20 for a 200 ml bottle, aiming for a summer rollout after securing the trademark. The move marks RCPL’s expansion into niche beverage segments as part of its broader FMCG portfolio build-out, which includes other innovative drink concepts.
Apple acquires Israeli audio AI startup Q.ai for $1.6 billion: Report
Apple has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli artificial intelligence startup focused on advanced audio and machine learning technologies, in a deal valued at approximately $1.6 billion. The acquisition brings Q.ai’s team and specialised capabilities into Apple, strengthening its AI ecosystem—especially in audio enhancement and whispered speech detection. The move underlines Apple’s commitment to bolstering its AI capabilities amid rising competition in the sector.
ITC to roll out fresh packaged food range through online platform
ITC Group is set to expand into the fresh packaged food category by launching a variety of shorter-shelf-life products—including cookies, cakes, chutneys, and namkeens—through its food-tech platform. Leveraging its network of cloud kitchens and e-commerce partnerships, the company aims to cater to consumers seeking fresher, premium options beyond traditional packaged goods, initially rolling out the range in Bengaluru.
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