Author: Sai Krishna

United Way Bengaluru Partners with Marvell to Drive Community Development in Bagepalli Taluk through ‘Rural Rising’ program

Bengaluru April 14, 2025: United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) collaborates with Marvell’s CSR support to implement ‘Rural Rising’, an integrated rural development program in the Bagepalli, Chikballapura district, Karnataka. The partnership is driven by a collective vision to uplift the communities with a commitment to enhancing education, health and sanitation, livelihood, and the environment.

The ‘Rural Rising’ program, now in its second year of implementation in Bagepalli has improved the quality of early child care and development services, supported school infrastructure, promoted drinking water, improved the health and sanitation standards and livelihood enhancement resources such as solar lights, and E-bikes to Public Health Centres (PHCs) to improve National Health Mission services.  Distinguished delegates and community leaders graced the occasion, including Mr. Navin Bishnoi, Country Head, Ms. Bharathi Kanuj, CSR Head, Mr. Ganesh Karnatakam, Finance Controller and Mr. Anshuman Ray, Head -Human Resources from Marvell India, Venkata Sudhakar Namala, Sr. Vice President, United Way Bengaluru, representatives of Gram Panchayats, and the local community.

Under the program, several key interventions have been implemented to ensure quality education- 3 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) have been constructed to create a safe and conducive environment for children (0-6 years), pregnant and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. Additionally, a total of 17700 sanitary napkins have been distributed along with 8 incinerators installation in two years, toilet refurbishment has been undertaken at 6 government schools and 5 Water ROs of 50 LPH each have been installed in schools and 6 community RO units to ensure access to safe drinking water.

Further, recognizing the significance of clean energy, 428 solar streetlights are installed to promote sustainable energy practices across 3 Gram Panchayats. Rural Rising has also extended mobility support by providing 9 e-bikes to Public Health Centres (PHCs) and 1 basic life support ambulance vehicle to Taluka hospital, Bagepalli.

‘Our commitment to rural development is rooted in the belief that education, income stability, clean energy, and access to safe drinking water are the key pillars for transforming communities. Our partnership with United Way Bengaluru towards the ‘Rural Rising’ program is a testament to our commitment to driving sustainable change for rural communities and building a more self-sufficient future for the community’, said Navin Bishnoi, AVP and Country Manager, Marvell India .

‘A key feature of the Rural Rising flagship program lies in the ‘collaboration’. By working with local authorities and involving community members, the program ensures that local voices and needs are included in the development process. This approach helps identify key issues and priorities, creating an implementation plan that matches the community’s specific needs’ said Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, of United Way Bengaluru.

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Remedium Lifecare Announces ₹49.19 Cr Rights Issue for Expansion

Mumbai, India April 8, 2025: Remedium Lifecare Limited, a fast-growing company trading into  pharmaceutical intermediates and specialty chemicals, is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for its proposed rights issue.

The approval paves the way for the company to raise growth capital from its existing shareholders, further strengthening its financial foundation and supporting its strategic initiatives, including manufacturing expansion, product development, and global market penetration.

Key Highlights of the Rights Issue (as approved):

• Record Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
• Issue Size: ₹4,919.04 Lakhs (Assuming Full Subscription)
• Price per Share: ₹1.00 per Equity Share
• Total Number of Shares: 49,19,04,000 fully paid-up equity shares of face value ₹1/- each
• Rights Ratio: 61 Rights Equity Shares for every 50 fully paid-up equity shares held as on the Record Date
• Instrument: Fully paid-up equity shares having a face value of ₹1/- each
• Purpose: Working capital Requirements, Equipment for R&D and expansion

“This approval from the BSE marks a significant milestone in our journey. We remain committed to enhancing shareholder value while scaling up our operations responsibly and sustainably,” said Adarsh Munjal , Managing Director, Remedium Lifecare Ltd.

The rights issue comes at a time when Remedium Lifecare is gaining strong traction in international markets. In February 2025, the company secured a multi-year export contract worth ₹182.7 crore with a leading UK-based pharmaceutical distributor. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on rising global demand in key therapeutic segments such as anti-infectives, cardiovascular, CNS, and oncology-supportive drugs.

Sofitel Mumbai BKC Triumphs at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2025 with Four Prestigious Wins

Mumbai, April 8, 2025 – Sofitel Mumbai BKC has once again solidified its position as a culinary powerhouse, emerging victorious at India’s most prestigious and longest-running food and nightlife celebration, the Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2025. The awards, held on March 29, 2025, recognized the exceptional dining experiences offered by Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s signature restaurants and bar, bestowing an impressive four accolades upon the luxury hospitality destination.

Renowned for curating exquisite culinary journeys that blend authenticity with innovation, Sofitel Mumbai BKC proudly announces its prestigious wins for Suburbs – Western, Eastern & Central:

• Jyran – Best North Indian Premium Dining 
• Pondichéry Café – Best All-Day Premium Dining 
• Pondichéry Café – Best Sunday Brunch 
• Le Bar Diamantaire – Best Wine Bar 

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s General Manager, Manish Dayya, shared, “These awards are a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in hospitality and gastronomy. Our culinary team constantly strives to craft immersive dining experiences that delight and inspire our guests. We are honored by this recognition and will continue to elevate Mumbai’s fine dining landscape.”

From the rich flavors of Jyran, which presents an ode to India’s North Indian culinary heritage, to the indulgent offerings at Pondichéry Café, and the sophisticated wine selection at Le Bar Diamantaire, each Sofitel Mumbai BKC venue delivers an unparalleled dining experience.

As Sofitel Mumbai BKC continues to set new benchmarks in hospitality and dining, these accolades reinforce its reputation as a distinguished culinary destination in the heart of Mumbai.

Scaling Smart: When and How Startups Should Consider M&A By Manali Jain

Manali Jain leads key TMT investment banking transactions at SMBC, including Blackstone’s $1.5B  bid for Hipgnosis Songs Fund. With a background in M&A at Deloitte and early-stage investing  across India, she brings deep expertise across deal stages. A Columbia MBA and social impact  

advocate, she co-founded Kala Akshar to drive financial literacy in rural communities.   

In the startup world, the path to growth often feels like you’re trying to build a  rocket while it’s already lifting off. You’re scaling, expanding, and hustling to stay  ahead, but sometimes it feels like you’re running on fumes. That’s when M&A  (mergers and acquisitions) can step in—not as a last-ditch effort, but as a smart way  to supercharge growth and stay competitive. 

For most startups, M&A isn’t something you wake up thinking about in the early  stages. It’s more of a “what if?” option that gets tucked away until growth demands  something bigger. But sometimes, the right time to consider M&A is when you want  to scale smart—not just fast. So, when should startups think about merging or  acquiring? 

The Right Moment to Think M&A 

Startups get to a point where organic growth can’t keep up with the ambition  anymore. You’ve built a solid foundation, but to grow into your next chapter, you  need something more—a larger market, new talent, or additional technology. That’s  when M&A can be a game-changer, offering a shortcut to things that would take  years to build from scratch. 

Here are some key moments when M&A can make sense: 

When You’re Ready to Scale Faster: Think of M&A as a rocket booster. You don’t  have to reinvent the wheel; you can acquire companies with the technology,  expertise, or market presence you need to accelerate. Instead of building from  ground zero, you can immediately tap into new resources. 

When You’ve Outgrown Your Current Model: A startup, like any living thing, needs  to evolve. At some point, your current model might not be enough to take you to  the next level. M&A can help diversify your business, provide the talent you lack, or  bring in new products that bolster your offering. 

When Competitors are Gaining on You: When you’re up against competitors  nipping at your heels, acquiring a competitor—or a company with complementary 

strengths—can help you stay ahead. It’s not just about survival; it’s about staying on  top of the game. 

How to Approach M&A with Confidence 

If you’re ready to scale smart through M&A, it’s time to break it down. Just because  it’s a powerful tool doesn’t mean you should dive in headfirst. Here’s how to do it  right: 

Know Your Value: Before making any move, get crystal clear on your own strengths.  What makes your startup tick? What can you offer in an acquisition, and what do  you need in return? M&A should fill the gaps, not just increase the headcount. 

Have a Clear M&A Strategy: It’s not about doing a deal for the sake of it. McKinsey  suggests that startups need a focused approach—whether it’s acquiring technology,  entering new markets, or bolstering your talent pool. Whatever it is, make sure it fits  your bigger picture. 

Programmatic M&A Over Large Deals: You don’t need one giant acquisition to  change the game. Instead, a series of smaller acquisitions can add up over time,  building a portfolio that accelerates your growth. This gives you flexibility and  reduces the risk of overextending yourself. 

Pick the Right Targets: This is where strategy meets art. You want to acquire  companies that complement your strengths, not duplicate them. The right target  can enhance your capabilities, whether it’s adding customers, improving products,  or opening new markets. 

Integration Without Overcontrol: One of the biggest mistakes in acquisitions is  trying to integrate too aggressively. The best acquisitions keep the spirit of the  startup alive. McKinsey highlights how the acquired team should maintain their  autonomy in key areas, ensuring that their innovation and drive stay intact. 

Governance and Alignment: Setting up a dedicated team to oversee the integration  process can make or break your success. McKinsey talks about having a Growth  Management Office (GMO) that keeps things on track—setting clear goals,  responsibilities, and ensuring that the integration process aligns with the company’s  broader strategy. 

Incentives and KPIs: Aligning incentives is crucial to ensuring everyone is on the  same page. You want to create the right incentives for both the acquired company 

and your team. Think performance-based bonuses or equity offers to keep the focus  on growth and integration. 

Final Thoughts 

M&A is not a magic bullet that solves all startup problems, but it’s a tool that, when  wielded with precision, can propel your startup into a whole new realm of growth.  It’s about choosing the right moment, having a clear strategy, and executing with  care. Done well, M&A is not just a path to faster scaling—it’s a way to expand your  business, strengthen your position, and keep innovating. 

So, when you’re thinking about scaling smart, consider M&A as your rocket booster.  But make sure you’re ready to manage the flight.

Nutrition Initiative tackles undernutrition among children in Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat, Wayanad, Kerala

61% increase in the children in the normal nutrition category and a 47% reduction in children suffering from protein-energy malnutrition in 21 months

Launched in 2022 as part of the ‘Rural Rising’ campaign by United Way of Bengaluru and in alignment with the Aspirational District development framework of NITI Aayog, the ‘Nutrition Initiative’ aimed at combating undernutrition in children within Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat, Kerala’s second-largest tribal-populated area, has achieved remarkable progress. With the successful implementation of 400 co-active kitchens, the program has directly impacted 700 children. Over 21 months, there was a 61% increase in the children in the normal nutrition category and a 47% reduction in children suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. A 3rd party study conducted revealed a social return on investment (SROI) of INR 7.4 for each rupee invested in the cooked meal intervention.

30 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) have been refurbished, creating safe spaces with child-friendly environments. The cooked meal intervention/nutrition initiative targeting the micronutrient requirements of children has been implemented in 42 Anganwadi centers. The focus was on improving the overall nutritional status, especially among the tribal communities of Wayanad, through nutrition education and behaviour change.

1. Infrastructure upgradation with a nutritious cooked meal: Children at AWCs received 3 meals a day, 6 days a week, with the menu consisting of local and culturally appropriate ingredients, encouraging healthy eating habits.
2. Nutrition promoters: influenced families to adapt to nutritious cooking and consumption and be co-partners in the child’s development process. This improved children’s attendance at AWCs. Community mobilization, nutrition sensitization, and frequent home visits to parents’ homes brought awareness and behavioural change among them.
3. Co-Active Kitchens for Enrichment (CAKE), a community-based model, was implemented in 30 AWCs to foster community-level change. It encouraged participation in cooking activities, introduced new recipes, and educated mothers on nutrition and healthy cooking.

The initiative implemented by United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) in collaboration with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partners has been closely supported by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Wayanad, and the members of Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat, whose valuable inputs and approach helped ensure the program’s success. The Panchayat has decided to sustain the initiative by allocating the required funds for the continuation of the initiative in the AWCs and communities in the panchayat.

This has garnered attention at both local and state levels due to the collaborative efforts of the Gram Panchayat and various government departments, including Local Self Governance, Health, National Health Mission, and Civil Food Supply. The partnership has played a crucial role in the success of this program, which is now set to serve as a model for similar initiatives not just across Kerala but on a Pan-India basis.

“We’ve seen remarkable improvements in the nutritional status of children in the Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat. The community-driven approach, combined with strong collaboration with the government, has ensured the sustainability and replicability of this program. It’s heartening to see that this model is now being discussed at the state level,” said Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, United Way Bengaluru.

WorldQuant Kicks Off 2025 International Quant Championship

• Global registration opens to participate in one of the world’s most preeminent quant competitions
• India has been represented in the 2023 and 2024 IQC finals and comprises half of the users and a large portion of the consultants on WorldQuant’s BRAIN platform
• Participants compete for a chance to be crowned the International Quant Champion in Singapore, alongside prizes from a pool of $100,000 USD for the winning teams and potential career roles

India, April 03, 2025– WorldQuant, a global quantitative asset management firm, kicked off the fifth International Quant Championship (IQC), its flagship global quant competition. The IQC is a three-stage, team-based competition engaging students and early career professionals from around the globe. Participants will have a chance to compete against some of the brightest minds in finance, mathematics and technology while applying their quantitative skills at the intersection of data science and financial markets. Registration is open until May 14, 2025.

India has demonstrated consistent and robust participation across the IQC and WorldQuant’s BRAIN platform

• 14,000 of the total 37,000 registrants, nearly 40 percent, represented India in the 2024 IQC
• India comprised 34 of the top 100 teams and 54 of the top 100 teams in the 2023 and 2024 IQCs, respectively, as well as earned spots in the last two IQC finals
• India represents half of the users and a large portion of the consultants on WorldQuant’s BRAIN platform, with over 58,000 of the 100,000+ total users and consultants globally

“We’re excited to continue to expand the IQC and cement its role as one of the leading global competitions for quants. We will bring together exceptional people from around the world to compete for the title of International Quant Champion,” said Igor Tulchinsky, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of WorldQuant. “When we launched this competition, our goal was to identify the best. While this goal remains unchanged, the continued interest in the IQC demonstrates the growth of the field and how high-quality talent exists all over the world.”

Since inception, more than 98,000 contestants from over 5,000 universities across 110+ countries and regions have competed for the title of Champion. 13 finalist teams, representing 13 regions, competed to win during the IQC 2024 Finals in Singapore. Prior IQC winners have represented locations such as Taiwan, Canada, the UK and India.

The 2025 IQC, which takes place on WorldQuant’s BRAIN platform, builds on existing competitions hosted by WorldQuant and encourages talent from eligible regions and across experience levels to participate. Top-scoring teams may qualify to win cash prizes from a pool of $100,000^[1] and to participate in the global finals in Singapore in September. WorldQuant seeks to engage top talent around the world, and certain eligible participants who score well in the IQC may be considered for research consulting, internship or full-time employment opportunities at WorldQuant.

“The IQC is a cornerstone of our broader mission to make quantitative finance more accessible while we identify the most talented future quants around the world,” said Nitish Maini, Chief Strategy Officer at WorldQuant.“Through initiatives like the IQC, our BRAIN platform, and the Learn2Quant program that launched this year, we are creating multiple pathways for aspiring quants to begin their journey and refine their skills.”

WorldQuant BRAIN has 100,000+ users and over 5,000 research consultants globally, who are eligible to receive compensation based on the quality of their ideas. BRAIN features comprehensive data fields and toolsets, powerful performance dashboards and value-added measures. It seamlessly integrates machine learning modules and AI algorithms within its platform, providing an integrated environment. The opportunity includes:

• 125,000+ data fields, performance dashboards and value-added measures to leverage
• In-depth educational bootcamp, support and mentorship from experienced quants
• Platform and tools to learn and submit more advanced signals in addition to Alphas^[2]
• Real-time, actionable feedback
• A community that fosters collaboration, competition, and professional growth