Author: Team

Digital Lending Solutions Expand Access to Microfinance for India’s Blue-Collar Workforce

The core of India’s economy is its blue-collar workers, who propel expansion in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and services. This group has historically had difficulty obtaining formal credit, which has forced them to rely on unofficial loan channels with exorbitant interest rates and strict terms, despite their crucial contributions.

 Leading tech-driven disruptors like RupeeRedee, Kredit-Bee, and Cashe are changing the way financial services are provided to underprivileged areas. These platforms are removing obstacles in lending by utilizing technology, data analytics, and streamlined procedures to provide fast, transparent, and easily accessible loans that are customized to meet the particular requirements of blue-collar workers.

 Here are the leading lending platforms that are connected to RBI-registered NBFCs, if you want to be protected from scams.

 RupeeRedee: Tech driven digital lending platform that was founded in 2018 to provide quick and hassle – free personal loans to underserved segments of the Indian population. By leveraging advanced technologies and robust data protection, RupeeRedee Simplifies the borrowing process for individuals who may not have access to traditional banking services. The platform focuses on offering medium-sized loans (up to 1,49,000) with minimal documentation, making it accessible to individuals from lower-income groups, especially those in need of immediate financial assistance. RupeeRedee operates through its captive Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), FincFriends Private Limited, ensuring faster loan disbursals and a seamless KYC process

 Freo (formerly MoneyTap)
Freo revolutionizes personal lending with its innovative credit solutions and user-friendly app. By offering flexible credit lines and instant loans, Freo caters to modern financial needs with ease. Its real-time loan tracking and personalized credit options enhance the customer experience, making borrowing convenient and transparent. Freo’s focus on simplicity and efficiency sets it apart as a top choice for digital lending.

 Cashe
Cashe is redefining short-term lending with its fast and accessible microloans. The platform’s emphasis on rapid approvals and disbursals ensures that customers can quickly access funds when needed. Cashe’s use of alternative credit data allows it to serve a wide range of borrowers, including those with limited credit histories. Its dedication to clear communication and customer support enhances the overall lending experience.

 KreditBee
KreditBee stands out with its tailored loan offerings for young professionals and underserved segments. The platform provides a straightforward application process and instant loan approvals, leveraging technology to meet diverse customer needs. KreditBee’s personalized loan products and flexible repayment options make it a preferred choice for those seeking convenient and adaptable financial solutions.

Crown Worldwide Group Honors 60 Years of Innovation, Continues Strengthening India Operations

National, March 18, 2025: Crown Worldwide Group, a global leader in logistics, records management, and international mobility, is celebrating 60 years of innovation, seamless service delivery, and steadfast industry leadership. Since its founding in 1965 by Jim Thompson, Founder and Chairman the company has supported corporations and families in relocating and establishing their workspaces and homes with ease.

Over the decades, Crown has built a reputation for excellence in transporting priceless art collections and safeguarding enterprise-level data and records through its renowned records management service. With a strong presence in 45 countries and servicing over 10,000 corporate clients globally, the company remains committed to expansion and strengthening global partnerships, including key markets such as India.

As the company looks ahead, Group CEO Jennifer Harvey emphasized Crown’s adaptability and focus on future growth. She said, “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication of our employees and the trust of our clients. As we look ahead, we remain focused on innovation, sustainability, and expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals worldwide. Our journey has been remarkable, and we are excited for what the future holds.”

India has emerged as a crucial market for the group, contributing 15-20% of its global revenue and ranking among its top 4-5 markets. Recognizing the country’s vast potential, Crown Worldwide Group established its India operations in 1997, becoming the first foreign corporation in the sector with 100% foreign participation. Starting in Mumbai, the company quickly expanded across Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ludhiana, and Hyderabad. As part of its long-term strategy, Crown Worldwide Group transitioned from leasing properties to acquiring assets, solidifying its presence in the market.

As part of its continuing shift in emphasis for growth in more ‘glocal’ services, Crown is:

• Rebranding its Records Management business, which currently stores more than 40 million cartons of hardcopy information, to emphasize an ongoing focus on digitalization and simplifying workflows.
• Continuing to invest in sustainable services, including furniture and IT renewal through its Crown Workspace division, to help organizations meet changing workplace needs.
• Leveraging the company’s $1.4 billion property portfolio to provide more storage solutions for clients in every region.

Though demand for its heritage business has declined, in 2025 Crown will launch new technology to enhance visibility, compliance, and simplicity around corporate international relocation, while introducing new services that support assignee wellbeing in a world that is becoming more challenging to navigate culturally.

Building on a strong legacy of corporate social responsibility, the organization is also continuing to sharpen its focus on decarbonization, having completed the mapping of its global carbon footprint last year.

Commenting on Crown’s commitment to India, Srinivas Krishnan, Managing Director, South Asia at Crown Worldwide Group, said, “As the group celebrates six decades of delivering exceptional services, there is a renewed focus on further elevating our India operations. India has also become one of the fastest-growing Crown Worldwide Group markets. Solid partnerships, integration of technical advancements, and a deep understanding of unique customer needs and pain points have defined our journey here.”

With Crown India displaying steady growth, substantial investments are being made in infrastructure, technology, and training to fuel the group’s new ventures in healthcare and pharma logistics, custom-bonded warehouses, wine and cold storage chains, and high-end premium goods storage and warehousing. Additionally, India is emerging as the backbone of Crown’s information management business, with increasing demand for secure digital records storage, compliance solutions, and data protection services. The global information management industry is projected to reach USD 100 billion by 2027, with India playing an increasingly vital role in shaping the sector’s future. The group also plans to strengthen its workspace and third-party logistics business units while integrating AI into its workflows without any workforce reductions.

Hypergro.ai Secures INR 7 Crore to Drive Growth and Innovation in AI Video Marketing

Bengaluru, 18th March 2025: Hypergro.ai, an innovative AI-powered video generation and conversion platform, has secured INR 7 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Eternal Capital. Other marquee investors such as Silver Needle Ventures, VCats, Astir Ventures, and FAAD Network have also participated in the round. The funding will accelerate Hypergro’s AI innovation and global expansion, strengthening its position as a leader in AI-powered marketing automation.

Founded in 2022 by Rituraj Biswas and Neha Soman and headquartered in Bengaluru, Hypergro.ai is solving fundamental inefficiencies in digital marketing—manual execution, fragmented data, and lack of real-time intelligence. The company’s AI-driven platform automates video generation, optimizes performance campaigns, and engages leads through AI-powered sales agents, allowing brands to execute marketing strategies at an unprecedented scale.

In breakthrough milestones, the platform has achieved and delivered 92% faster video production—at 80% lesser cost—compared to traditional methods. In addition, Hypergro.ai offers AI-automated video personalisation and adjustments of aspect ratios and formats, thereby addressing brands’ needs for audience- and geography-specific tailored video content and multi-platform video optimisation, as they operate at scale.

This funding comes at a time when enterprises are rapidly adopting AI-driven automation for revenue growth. Hypergro.ai is expanding aggressively into global markets, including the US, APAC, and GCC, while investing heavily in AI R&D, strategic hiring, and enterprise partnerships to establish itself as the category leader.

Speaking on the fundraise, Rituraj Biswas, Co-founder & CEO of Hypergro.ai, said, “At Hypergro.ai, we combine AI-driven content generation, real-time campaign optimization, and automated lead engagement into a single intelligent system. This ensures brands drive maximum revenue impact with minimal effort.”

Dhruv Dhanraj Bahl, Founder & Managing Partner of Eternal Capital, added, “AI is fundamentally transforming how brands engage with audiences, and videos are and will remain at the heart of this evolution. Hypergro.ai is pioneering a shift from slow, resource-intensive video production to an AI-powered storytelling engine that is scalable and cost-efficient. In an increasingly digital-first world, Hypergro’s technology is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity for brands. We are confident in the founding team’s vision and are excited to partner with them as they scale globally.”

Looking forward, Hypergro.ai is setting the stage for its Series A funding round in the next 6-8 months, aiming to deepen AI integration in enterprise ad-tech solutions—with a vision to become the global ERP for AI in marketing by 2027. The company currently serves brands across e-commerce, retail, entertainment, gaming, travel, and hospitality, working with leading names like ClearTrip, Newton School, Gameskraft, and Docube, among others.

PropEquity Highlights 66% Growth in Housing Sales, with Gurugram and Delhi NCR as Key Drivers

Gurugram: According to PropEquity, Gurugram housing market experienced strong demand for luxury housing units in 2024, where the sales rose by 66% to approximately Rs 1.07 lakh crore. In Delhi NCR, the sales value of residential units rose by 63% to 1,53,000 units from 94,143 units.

As per the data, Gurugram’s housing sales rose from 64,314 units to 1,06,739 units in 2023.

This significant growth in Gurugram’s housing market, specifically in the luxury segment can be attributed to multiple key factors. The city’s strategic location and ongoing infrastructure developments, including Dwarka Expressway, Delhi – Gurugram expressway, Delhi – Mumbai expressway, and new metro route plans enhance connectivity to Delhi and other significant areas. These developments have made the city an attractive destination for luxury homebuyers.

Mr. Mohit Malhotra, Founder & CEO, NeoLiv said, “Gurugram has emerged as a prominent housing market, with 66% growth in sales value, as per PropEquity. This has been seen due to growing corporate presence, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development. As a result, demand and property prices have increased in various micro markets of Gurugram. Infrastructure projects like Dwarka Expressway, Delhi – Mumbai Expressway, and Golf Course Road have proved to contribute to this growth. Along with expressways and highways, metro routes have also been planned for better connectivity to prominent locations. Gurugram is a prime example of how new age cities close to major metros become a thriving hub and provide premium lifestyle living. Hubs like Alibaug, Panvel around Mumbai and Sohna, Sonipat, Jewar around Delhi are poised to emerge as clear front runners for attracting mega real estate investment and returns.”

Additionally, as a major corporate hub with numerous MNCs and businesses, Gurugram attracts a growing number of professional population looking for premium residential options. The demand for luxury housing remains robust, which is driven by high – net – worth individuals (HNIs) and non – resident Indians (NRIs) seeking exclusive living spaces offering suitability and a basket of amenities.

Mr. Adil Altaf, Managing Director, Trinity Infratech said, “According to PropEquity, the Gurugram housing market is experiencing strong demand with sales growing by 66%. The city’s real estate market has witnessed a remarkable surge in 2024, with luxury housing sales rising by 66% to approximately Rs 1.07 lakh crore. This growth is driven by the city’s strategic location and ongoing infrastructure developments, such as the Dwarka Expressway and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. As a major corporate hub, Gurugram attracts professionals seeking premium living spaces. The demand for luxury properties remains robust, fueled by high-net-worth individuals and NRIs. With developers focusing on upscale projects, Gurugram has emerged as a leader in India’s luxury real estate sector, surpassing cities like Mumbai in ultra-luxury housing deals”

In the broader Delhi NCR landscape, these factors have contributed to an overall growth in sales of residential units. This has been underpinned by the region’s ability to offer a blend of luxury, infrastructure, and investment opportunities, which has placed it as a leading catalyst in the Indian real estate sector.

Mr. Robin Pahuja, Co- founder & Director, ElitePro Infra(Gurugram based Property Consultant) says, “Gurugram’s housing market experienced significant growth in 2024, specifically in the luxury segment, with sales rising by 66% to around 1.07 lakh crore, as per PropEquity. This growth number is attributed to the city’s strategic location, ongoing infrastructure developments like the Dwarka Expressway, and its status as a major corporate hub. The demand for luxury housing is highly driven by high – net – worth – individuals (HNIs) and non – resident Indians (NRIs) looking for premium living spaces. The city’s appeal as a business center attracts professionals, further driving demand for high – end properties in the commercial segment as well. This further gives way to the city’s commercial landscape, with a growth in establishment of luxury showrooms, retail spaces, and offices. Improved connectivity and infrastructure makes it an attractive destination for luxury investors, contributing to its robust growth in the real estate segment.”

Regulatory frameworks like RERA have also improved transparency and investor confidence, further boosting the market. Along with this, rising disposable incomes and growing lifestyle aspirations among homebuyers have added to the demand for high – end properties, making Delhi NCR at the forefront of the Indian real estate landscape a thriving real estate market.

The real estate market will further experience a surge in new supply, with the new government in place in Delhi introducing various plans and reforms. The Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2041 will likely show some positive trends. It emphasizes on sustainable urban development, which gives way to better infrastructure and housing, which will open significant opportunities for developers and homebuyers. Moreover, the Union Budget 2025 has allocated funds for infrastructure projects and urban transformation, including the Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund and interest – free loans to states. Such measures, combined with tax reforms and better liquidity are likely to boost housing demand with new projects launched in Delhi NCR.

Gartner: AI Personalization to Revolutionize Over 20% of Workplace Apps by 2028

Grapevine, TX., March 18, 2025 — By 2028, more than 20% of digital workplace applications will use AI-driven personalization algorithms to generate adaptive experiences for the worker, according to Gartner, Inc.

Digital workers satisfied with work applications are nearly three times more likely to report being much more productive compared with those who are not satisfied. Yet, a Gartner survey of 5,141 employees conducted from April through July of 2024 found that only 23% of digital workers are completely satisfied with their work applications in 2024, down from 30% in 2022.

“The apps used for work should feel as intuitive and empowering as the most popular consumer apps,” said Tori Paulman, VP Analyst at Gartner. “That’s exactly what employees are craving—a seamless, personalized, and omnichannel digital experience that mirrors the ease and consistency of mainstream consumer applications.

“Yet, over the past ten years, the gap between consumer and enterprise app experiences has widened. Many work applications remain isolated, inconsistent, and rigid, leaving much to be desired in terms of user experience,” said Paulman.

To enhance workplace applications and bridge the gap with consumer-like experiences, technology leaders should take five direct actions:

• Implement Best Practices: Focus on AI-driven personalization within workplace applications. These tools should analyze workstyles to provide personalized insights, prioritize tasks, and automate workflows, all tailored to enhance each employee’s productivity.
• Ensure Transparency: Clearly communicate how digital workplace algorithms function and adhere to ethical guidelines. Detail the decision-making processes and implement strong data privacy and security measures to protect employee information and build trust.
• Prioritize Key Outcomes: Identify critical business goals, such as improving customer service first-call resolution. Determine which employee roles will benefit most from AI-driven personalization and explore how adaptive user experiences can reduce friction and boost productivity.
• Define Clear Requirements: During vendor selection, prioritize applications that feature AI-driven adaptive user interfaces, personalized task management, and designs centered around the employee experience to ensure intuitive and effective tools.
• Monitor and Adapt: Regularly assess the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization. Collect employee feedback and make continuous improvements to ensure these tools align with evolving employee needs and organizational objectives.

“In the realm of digital workplace applications, these algorithms can be game-changers for productivity by understanding and observing workers’ behavior, preferences, and past interactions to provide crafted recommendations,” said Paulman. “The power of these algorithms brings valuable insights to the surface, streamlines information, prioritizes tasks for workers, and even automates workflows to save time and make core work easier.”

Meeting Market Needs: Botanic Healthcare Expands Ethical Berberine Production

Hyderabad, 18 March 2025 – Botanic Healthcare, a global leader in the nutraceutical sector and a manufacturer and exporter of premium herbal extracts, reinforces its commitment to sustainability by ethically sourcing and producing Berberis aristata (Kashmal). The company’s trademark products, BerBix™ and BERMAX™, reflect its dedication to environmentally responsible operations while strengthening regional economies and contributing to the global herbal market.

 The company has signed an Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreement with the Himachal Pradesh Department of Biodiversity, ensuring sustainable and legal extraction practices. Recognized for its role in regulating blood sugar, improving lipid metabolism, and enhancing cardiovascular health, BerBix™ is a key offering in the company’s product portfolio. Complementing this is BERMAX™, an advanced liposomal berberine formulation designed to improve bioavailability and absorption.

 Established in 2013, Botanic Healthcare is driving the global recognition of Indian Ayurveda through innovative nutraceutical formulations. Its manufacturing facility in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, specializes in extracting Berberis aristata, valued for its bioactive alkaloid, berberine, known for multiple health benefits.

 Committed to sustainability, the company adheres to the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, ensuring the legal and responsible extraction of Berberis aristata while paying required ABS fees to support biodiversity conservation.

 Botanic Healthcare’s BerBix™ is a high-purity berberine extract (70% and 97% berberine hydrochloride) that meets stringent EU and USP standards. BERMAX™, an advanced liposomal berberine, undergoes rigorous testing for stability, ensuring optimal absorption and efficacy.

 Supporting over 1,000 farmers in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi and Barot valleys, the company sources approximately 8,000 MT of raw material annually, guaranteeing fair pricing and employment opportunities while reinforcing its commitment to environmental and socio-economic sustainability.

 “As the global demand for berberine-based products continues to rise, with projections estimating the market to reach USD 4.22 billion by 2033, Botanic Healthcare is strategically positioned to capitalize on this expanding opportunity. Our flagship products, BerBix™ and BERMAX™, are integral to shaping the future of India’s herbal industry,” said Mr. Gaurav Soni, Founder & Managing Director of Botanic Healthcare.

 “At Botanic Healthcare, we remain committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing, adhering to legal and ethical practices. By doing so, we not only contribute to the global health market but also foster the long-term growth and global competitiveness of India’s herbal industry,” added Mr. Madhu Krishnamani, Founder and Managing Director of Botanic Healthcare.