25, Aug 2026
Teledyne FLIR OEM Selected for U.S. Army DUTCH Award to Advance Next-Generation Uncooled Thermal Imaging
Award strengthens trusted domestic thermal imaging industrial base, critical to defense modernization and uncrewed systems priorities
Aug 25: Teledyne FLIR OEM, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY), announced it was selected to support the U.S. Army’s Delivering Unmatched Thermal Capability Hastened (DUTCH) initiative, led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center, to enhance next-generation uncooled thermal infrared (IR) sensing for defense applications.
The DUTCH initiative is focused on strengthening U.S. thermal sensor capabilities. The program will focus on improving uncooled thermal sensor performance while reducing size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). The initiative also emphasizes scaling these technologies for high-volume production to enable future defense programs. Uncooled thermal sensors are essential technologies for a variety of defense applications, including uncrewed aerial systems, loitering munitions, thermal binoculars, and weapons sights.
Under the award, Teledyne FLIR OEM will further the development of uncooled thermal imaging technologies and apply its system integration expertise to help drive development and demonstration efforts aligned with U.S. Army modernization priorities. The work builds on the company’s continued investment in advanced small-pixel pitch uncooled thermal architectures and recent product innovations that scale integration across defense and uncrewed missions.
“Teledyne FLIR OEM is proud to contribute to the U.S. Army’s efforts to accelerate next-generation uncooled thermal performance while strengthening a secure, resilient domestic industrial base,” said Paul Clayton, president of Teledyne FLIR OEM. “Our ability to deliver state-of-the-art, NDAA-compliant thermal imaging solutions on time and at scale helps reduce program risk and ensure reliable long-term access for critical defense programs, like Drone Dominance.”
The DUTCH initiative aligns with Department of War priorities to strengthen secure microelectronics supply chains and restore domestic manufacturing capacity for mission-critical technologies. Teledyne FLIR OEM’s role builds on its experience as a U.S.-based non-traditional defense contractor providing high-volume manufacturing and system-level integration for uncooled thermal imaging systems, helping expand a scalable, low-risk domestic supply base for infrared components.
“A trusted, scalable, and resilient domestic supply of high-performance thermal imaging camera modules is vital to U.S. national security,” said George Bobb, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne Technologies. “Across Teledyne, we are committed to moving quickly to develop and deliver the critical defense technologies needed by our war fighters.”
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- By Neel Achary
25, Aug 2026
Sokka Tableware by Sravanya Pittie Brings Artisanal Luxury to Mumbai with the Launch of Their First Flagship Store in Worli
Mumbai, Aug 25: Sokka Tableware, the contemporary design house by Sravanya Pittie, has opened its first flagship store in Mumbai at Ready Money Terrace, Ground Floor, Worli Naka. Encompassing tableware, serveware, barware, linens, accessories and gifting, the store marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey to build a distinctive identity within contemporary Indian design.
Founded on the vision of creating the complete experience of a beautifully set table, Sokka Tableware looks beyond conventional tableware, bringing together design, functionality, craftsmanship and storytelling. The brand takes its name from the Swedish word Söka, meaning “to seek,” reflecting its enduring curiosity and pursuit of new ideas, materials, and forms.
With years of immersion in the luxury lifestyle and interiors realm, Sravanya Pittie brings a depth of expertise that positions Sokka Tableware as the natural evolution of a long-standing practice rather than a debut venture. Her refined eye for contemporary entertaining honed through the creation of high-end, design-led pieces for discerning hosts has consistently balanced heritage craftsmanship with a sleek, modern sensibility, serving an audience of design-conscious individuals aged 25 to 45 who seek beauty in both everyday rituals and seasonal celebrations. Sravanya Pittie has also designed bespoke tableware and lifestyle pieces for prestigious destinations across India that reflect the brand’s ability to translate its design language across distinctive spaces.
The Worli flagship offers an expansive selection of tableware, serveware, barware, linens, accessories and gifting, designed for everyday dining as well as intimate gatherings, celebrations and festive occasions. The brand works across a considered range of materials, including vegan porcelain, vegan leather, glass, metal, linen and wood, complemented by details such as 24-karat gold, lead-free colours and authentic, FDA-certified, lead-free Kansa, making the brand fully vegan with conscious material choices and craftsmanship at its core.A defining feature of the store is itsilluminated placemat installation, which transforms an everyday table essential into a striking visual centrepiece, a fitting expression of the brand’s belief that everyday objects can be beautiful and worthy of attention.
The newly launched gifting edit features mithai boxes, date jars, Arabic cups and espresso cups, among a wider selection of pieces designed to bring character to celebrations and everyday rituals, drawing on travel, lived experience and India’s rich artisanal traditions.Alongside its ready-to-shop collections, Sokka Tableware offers a bespoke service for private clients, hospitality brands, corporations and celebrations, translating an idea or occasion into a fully customised design.
Sravanya Pittie, Founder, Sokka Tableware, says:
“The new store is an extension of our design philosophy; a space where tableware, craftsmanship and storytelling come together. I wanted it to feel warm, inviting and inspiring, allowing customers to experience our collections beyond the products themselves. Our relationship with Indian artisanship is central to this journey, and the store allows us to show how traditional craft can sit beautifully within a contemporary setting.”
The Worli flagship adds to the brand’s growing international presence across Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London. Positioned on a prominent main road near Sokka’s design atelier, the store brings customers closer to the creative process while establishing a dedicated Mumbai destination for the brand.
25, Aug 2026
The Lakmē Edit: Icons, Innovations & Everything In Between
Aug 25: For decades, The House of Lakmē has been at the forefront of India’s beauty landscape, evolving alongside the Indian woman and her ever-changing relationship with makeup. From everyday essentials to trend-led innovations, Lakmē’s diverse portfolio brings together beauty, performance and accessibility across every makeup ritual. With products designed to complement every mood, moment and expression, Lakmē continues to make beauty more intuitive, exciting and relevant to the modern Indian consumer.
The Lakmē 9to5 Forever Matte Lip Crayon reimagines the classic lip colour in a playful, easy-to-use crayon format. Available across a versatile range of shades, its Vitamin C-infused, moisture-rich crème base delivers intense pigment in a single stroke while keeping lips hydrated for up to 8 hours – making it effortless to line, fill, mix and match. And then there are the icons that have stood the test of time.
25, Aug 2026
Over 30 CFOs and Big Four Leaders Join Simandhar Education–LPU Initiative to Shape the Future of Finance and AI
The engagement focused on the changing nature of the finance and accounting profession, with discussions around the impact of AI, evolving industry requirements and the importance of developing globally relevant skills. The initiative also provided students with greater exposure to professional pathways and career opportunities across the global finance and accounting ecosystem.
“The convergence of technology, academia and industry is increasingly important in preparing students for the future of work. At LPU, we are committed to creating opportunities that allow students to engage with industry leaders, understand emerging technologies and gain exposure to evolving career pathways.”
“At Simandhar Education, we believe that the future of finance will be shaped by professionals who can combine strong technical knowledge with an understanding of technology and global business practices.“Our engagement with LPU provides an opportunity to bring these conversations closer to students and help them understand how professional qualifications, industry exposure and emerging technologies are influencing finance careers. We are pleased to work alongside LPU in creating greater awareness of the opportunities available to students in the evolving global finance ecosystem.”
“As artificial intelligence continues to reshape finance and accounting, professionals need to look beyond traditional technical knowledge and develop a broader understanding of technology, analytics and business. Professional certifications can play an important role in helping students build specialised capabilities and align their knowledge with global industry expectations. We are pleased to support initiatives that give students greater awareness of these evolving opportunities and the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven finance ecosystem.”
25, Aug 2026
Häfele and Sachin Tendulkar Take Maximising What Matters the Most into Its Next Chapter
Aug 25: Häfele India brings a fresh perspective to its continuing campaign with brand ambassador Sachin Tendulkar, taking forward the established hook, “Maximising what matters the most.” Building on the relatable, product-led storytelling of its previous films, the latest chapter brings everyday functionality to life through simple, memorable narratives that demonstrate the tangible value of Häfele’s solutions.
Rooted in Häfele’s brand purpose, “Maximising the Value of Space. Together.”, the campaign puts individual routines and preferences at the centre of its storytelling. Recognising that priorities differ from one household to another, the films demonstrate how Häfele’s solutions respond to the way people experience and use their kitchens, bringing ease to daily routines so they can focus on what they value, while enabling greater personalisation and design freedom.
The campaign continues its familiar slice-of-life storytelling with Sachin Tendulkar and Ajay Bhaiya, who plays a trusted member of his home staff. Their on-screen camaraderie adds warmth and relatability to everyday kitchen situations, while allowing product benefits to emerge naturally through the narrative. The first film in this phase spotlights Häfele Dishwashers, bringing their functionality to the forefront, with another film set to follow as the campaign narrative progresses.
Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, Brand Ambassador for Häfele, shares,
“Over time, I have come to appreciate how much of a difference the little details can make to the way we experience our homes. In a space like the kitchen, it is not only about convenience and functionality, but also about creating an environment that reflects your individual style and preferences. I like that Häfele’s campaign captures these thoughts through simple stories that people can connect with.”
Mr. Frank Schloeder, Managing Director, Häfele South Asia, shares,
“At Häfele, our approach has always been to create solutions that respond to how people experience their spaces. As lifestyles evolve, so do the needs and expectations people have from their homes. Today, value goes beyond functionality to include how a space reflects individual preferences and ways of living. Through this next phase of our campaign with Sachin Tendulkar, we are bringing this philosophy to life by demonstrating how thoughtful solutions can combine everyday convenience with greater choice and personalisation.”
Ms. Shweta Rangra, Vice President, Marketing, Häfele India, adds,
“Our approach with this phase of the campaign is to turn strong product propositions into simple, memorable stories that audiences can immediately connect with. For the film featuring Häfele Dishwashers, the capacity to clean up to 100 utensils in a single cycle gave us an interesting creative opportunity to draw on Sachin’s iconic association with a century, turning a functional product benefit into a distinctive communication idea. Across the two films, we are bringing different aspects of the Häfele experience to life, spanning functionality and the freedom to personalise spaces, while remaining connected by our central thought of ‘Maximising what matters the most.’”
The campaign was shot at Häfele’s state-of-the-art Design Centre in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, that offered a real-life environment to effectively showcase product functionality. With this new series, Häfele demonstrates its continued commitment to empowering people to make the most of their space and maximise what truly matters.
25, Aug 2026
Nayax Launches EV Charging Payments in Brazil with a Certified Terminal for Paying at the Charger
VPOS Media 4 Mini accepts cards and digital wallets directly at the charging point, giving drivers a faster, broader range of ways to pay
CURITIBA, Brazil, Aug 25: Nayax Ltd. (NASDAQ: NYAX, TASE: NYAX), a global commerce enablement, payments, and loyalty platform, today launched its electric mobility business in Brazil. At the center of the launch is VPOS Media 4 Mini, a payment terminal certified and validated to process local payments at charging stations. Drivers pay at the charger itself, with a broader range of payment options available.
Payment flexibility is one of the practical factors that shapes the charging experience. Giving drivers the option to pay directly at the charger, alongside app-based payment, makes the experience closer to a fuel pump, where paying takes seconds and drivers can choose what works best for them, cutting friction at the charger.
That friction is costly in a market where each charger already serves many drivers. Brazil’s public and semi-public network reached 25,429 charging points at the end of May 2026, a rise of 20.7 percent in three months, according to the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association. The country’s plug-in fleet stands at 505,806 vehicles, close to 20 for every charging point.
VPOS Media 4 Mini pre-authorizes the payment when the charging session begins and captures the final amount automatically once charging is complete. The driver taps once at the start and is charged the correct amount at the end, with nothing further to do.
The terminal is certified by ABECS, which governs payment security in Brazil, and by Anatel, which covers connected devices. It is built for unattended outdoor sites, with reinforced protection against dust, water and mechanical impact.
The solution is built for charge point operators, charger manufacturers and management-system providers. Operators can keep the systems they already run, with no migration required. Charger manufacturers can integrate through a proprietary protocol embedded directly in their equipment, gaining the ability to expand into new markets with Nayax’s support as they grow internationally.
“Electric mobility can only scale if the charging experience is simple and accessible. Payments should no longer be an obstacle. They should enable a seamless charging journey. Our goal is to connect charge point operators, manufacturers, and management platforms through an open ecosystem that delivers a frictionless experience for drivers while improving operational efficiency for infrastructure operators,” said Eduardo Muniz, CEO of Nayax Brazil.
Nayax supports tens of thousands of EV charging points worldwide. In Brazil the company operates as Nayax Brazil, following its 2024 acquisition of VMtecnologia, whose network covers more than 6,300 retailers across all 27 states.
The solution is available across Brazil.
25, Aug 2026
Hansa Research Festive Insights 2026: Indian Consumers Gear Up for a Bigger, Earlier and More Conscious Festive Season
India, Aug 25: Hansa Research, India’s largest consumer insights provider, has released its Festive Season 2026 analysis, capturing evolving consumer sentiment, spending patterns, shopping journeys and brand preferences across India. The findings point to stronger spending intent, earlier shopping journeys, digital-led discovery and increasingly conscious consumption, offering brands a closer look at the changing festive consumer.
Festive Spending Set to Rise
For 95% of respondents, the festive season is an important period for shopping, with 95% planning to spend more than usual. While 45% plan to spend 25–50% more, another 22% expect to spend over 50% extra, while just 2% say they will not increase their festive spending.
The festive sentiment is equally strong, with 82% expressing excitement about the upcoming season. Diwali remains the most widely celebrated festival at 85%, followed by Dussehra/Navratri 73%, Raksha Bandhan 65% and Ganesh Chaturthi 60%.
Fashion Leads as Festive Baskets Broaden
Apparel and fashion lead festive shopping at 69%, followed by home décor/furniture at 51% and electronics & gadgets at 50%. Sweets and snacks account for 43%, while jewellery stands at 35%, pointing to a festive basket that extends beyond traditional categories into lifestyle and considered purchases.
Online Becomes Integral to Festive Shopping
38% of consumers plan to shop through online platforms, while another 25% will combine online and offline channels. Together, 63% are incorporating online into their festive shopping journey, while local markets account for 18% and physical retail stores for 12%.
The Festive Shopper Is Starting Earlier
Festive shopping is increasingly moving ahead of the traditional last-minute rush. 50% begin shopping two to four weeks before the festival, while 11% start one to two months in advance. Overall, 61% begin at least a week before the festival, with only 2% shopping at the last minute.
Discounts Lead, But Social Influence Matters
Discounts and deals remain the strongest purchase influence at 60%, followed by family traditions at 53% and social media/influencer recommendations at 48%. Brand trust and legacy influence 35%, while advertisements influence 32%.
However, there is a clear festive brand recall gap: while 95% prefer buying from brands running festive-specific ads or offers, only 39% recall a brand that stood out in last year’s campaigns.
Sustainability Goes Mainstream
85% of respondents consciously make eco-friendly choices during festive shopping. Among these, 68% avoid plastic decorations, 59% choose eco-friendly packaging, 58% prefer gifting experiences over products and 48% shop from local, handmade or small businesses.
The findings indicate that conscious consumption is extending beyond products and packaging to how consumers celebrate and where they choose to spend.
What Consumers Want From Festive Campaigns
Product discounts and bundles lead festive campaign preferences at 43%, followed by cultural storytelling and emotional advertising at 35%. Community or cause-driven campaigns account for 15%, while 8% prefer exclusive limited-edition offerings.
For brands, the findings highlight the need to balance value with emotional and cultural relevance to create stronger consumer engagement during the festive season.
Commenting on the findings, Praveen Nijhara, CEO at Hansa Research, said,
“The 2026 festive season reflects a consumer who is optimistic about spending, but increasingly intentional about where, how and why they spend. What stands out is the shift from a concentrated festive buying period to a longer, more digitally influenced and considered consumer journey. Earlier shopping, digital discovery and conscious choices are reshaping how consumers engage with brands. For marketers, the challenge is no longer simply to capture festive attention, but to remain relevant throughout this journey. The gap between the high preference for festive advertising and relatively low brand recall also highlights that visibility alone does not guarantee impact—brands need to create distinctive experiences that combine value, emotion and cultural relevance.”
Hansa Research Festive Insights 2026 highlights a consumer who is optimistic about spending but increasingly intentional in how they discover, evaluate and purchase. For brands, understanding these behavioural shifts will be critical to turning festive visibility into meaningful consumer engagement.
25, Aug 2026
IVCA Welcomes Consultative Approach on Draft FEMA NDI Rules
Mumbai, Aug 25: The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association has welcomed the recent stakeholder consultation on the draft Foreign Exchange Management Rules, appreciating the open and constructive consultative approach adopted by the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Department of Economic Affairs with the alternate capital industry.
The consultation brought together policymakers, regulators and industry participants to discuss the proposed framework and its practical implications. IVCA members participated actively in the discussions and appreciated the opportunity to share concerns, suggestions and implementation-related inputs directly with the relevant authorities.
The industry welcomed the proposed measures aimed at further liberalising foreign investment and improving ease of doing business, as regards to stakes below 10% and the likelihood of a move towards allowing market forces to determine valuation. At the same time, IVCA emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing treatment of AIFs under the IOCC framework, grandfathering transactions and funds undertaken under the current regulations, and ensuring that any new provisions be applied prospectively.
Srini Sriniwasan, Chairperson, IVCA, said,
“We deeply appreciate the joint forum of RBI, SEBI, DPIIT and DEA on this important reform and liberalisation measure. Bringing policymakers, regulators and industry together provides an important opportunity to discuss the practical implications of the proposed framework and ensure that industry perspectives are considered as the regulations evolve. Such a consultative approach will be important in creating greater predictability, improving ease of doing business and strengthening India’s attractiveness for global capital.”
IVCA believes the consultation reflects the value of bringing policymakers, regulators and market participants together while regulations are being shaped. Such a consultative approach enables practical implementation issues to be discussed early and provides industry an opportunity to contribute its experience towards an efficient and investment-friendly regulatory framework.
IVCA looks forward to continuing to provide relevant industry inputs as the proposed framework evolves and supporting efforts towards a simpler and more predictable foreign investment regime.
25, Aug 2026
From India to the World: D4 Commerce Rallies Over 100 Founders to Crack the Code on International E-commerce
Mumbai, Aug 25: D4 Commerce (D4C), a Mumbai-based global e-commerce accelerator dedicated to helping Indian founders build and scale their brands on the world stage, hosted the fifth edition of their Global Ecom Meetup in Mumbai recently. The day-long gathering drew over 100 entrepreneurs, business owners and experienced business professionals as well as aspiring sellers for a series of sessions led by Rishiraj Kalra, Founder & CEO of D4 Commerce, alongside Riya Arage, Co-Founder Atlasia Global, Parshwa Mehta, Inside Sales Representative at Doola, Chiranjivi Kothekar, Co-Founder Bloody Marketers, Tanvi Sharma, Senior Associate Marketing at ShipGlobal, Manan Tibra, Founder Tibra International and Shreyansha Singh, Lead Designer at D4 Commerce. The conversations traversed the full arc of building global D2C brands for international markets; from US business incorporation, taxation and compliance to international logistics, Meta and Google advertising, customer acquisition, branding and sustainable growth.
As a growing cohort of Indian entrepreneurs sets its sights beyond the domestic market, D4 Commerce is quietly building the ecosystem to get them there by helping founders carry Indian-owned brands and intellectual property (IP) directly to consumers across key global markets, including the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, wider Europe, the UAE, KSA and Australia. This shift is unfolding alongside a broader change in how Indians are thinking about income and work, with Randstad’s Workmonitor 2026 finding that 58% of Indian employees are running a second job alongside their primary employment.
Founded by Rishiraj Kalra, who brings more than 12 years of global e-commerce experience to the venture, D4C helps founders build private-label businesses, guiding founders through every stage of the journey: product research, sourcing, business setup, compliance, branding, market activation and scale. What began as a consulting practice has quickly evolved into a full-stack accelerator, one that pairs strategic counsel with hands-on execution and, increasingly, selective co-founding and equity participation in the businesses it helps build. Working off a proprietary 21-point framework, the company has trained more than 12,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, helped launch upward of 14 brands in the past 14 months alone, and driven over $10 million in revenue across the businesses it has built.
Rishiraj Kalra’s own founder journey underpins the model. After studying Computer Science at BITS Pilani Dubai, he returned to India and continued building on an e-commerce journey that had begun while he was still a student. It was then that he first explored selling directly to US consumers through Amazon. His early experience with Amazon Global Selling gave him first-hand exposure to the possibilities of building for international markets. He built his first private-label brand, a magnetic-blocks toy business, from a liquid investment of roughly ₹2.7 lakh in 2017, scaling it to several crores in revenue within 20 months. This was proof of concept for the private-label playbook D4C now teaches. That grounding in outcomes, rather than theory, has shaped a portfolio of brands built through the D4C ecosystem, including Solvio, a premium home and bath label; TruSatva, positioned as the US’s first Ayurvedic sleep supplement; and Jilee Joy, a modern kids’ oral-care brand, each selected and built against a proprietary, data-led framework the company uses to size market opportunity and de-risk capital before it is deployed.
“The opportunity for Indian founders to build global brands has never been greater, but entering a market like the US is far more complex than simply putting a product online,” said Rishiraj Kalra, Founder & CEO, D4 Commerce. “Product selection, unit economics, compliance, logistics, positioning, strategy and customer acquisition all have to come together. Through D4 Commerce, our focus is on helping founders make sharper decisions and de-risk that journey. The Global Ecom Meetup by D4 Commerce is created to bring that learning into one room through real businesses, seasoned practitioners and the kind of conversations that show entrepreneurs what building a global business actually demands.”
Conceived as a case-study and conversation-led meetup rather than a conventional seminar, the event featured day-long sessions helmed by Kalra, along with discussions and an extensive Q&A that gave participants direct access to the expert speakers. The event was supported by Atlasia Global, a cross-border financial services firm that helps founders incorporate, stay tax-compliant and manage their books across the US and Australia, and ShipGlobal.in, a cross-border shipping and logistics platform built for Indian exporters and Amazon sellers, recently recognised by Amazon India Global Selling for Export Service Provider Excellence. Together, their presence rounded out the spectrum of capabilities founders need to incorporate, comply and ship across international markets.
Launched earlier this year, the Global Ecom Meetup series by D4 Commerce has become an offline platform where entrepreneurs, business owners and experienced professionals engage directly with real e-commerce case studies, practitioners and businesses operating in global markets. Across its editions, the format has stayed true to its founding premise: practical insight over theory, and direct access over passive learning.
Beyond its consulting and accelerator work, D4 Commerce runs Basecamp, its e-commerce foundation programme, which has crossed 8,000 registrations since launching in April 2025. Through Kalra’s creator platform, INDIAMAAN, D4C also reaches a community of more than 200,000 people across YouTube and Instagram with educational content centred on building and operating e-commerce businesses for global markets. The company has also introduced Co-Found with D4C, an equity co-founding model through which it takes a stake in select ventures and operates as their back-end execution partner with an early ambition to build an equity portfolio of roughly 50 brands over the next two years.
As more Indian founders set their ambitions beyond the domestic market, D4 Commerce is working to build the strategy, operating capabilities and ecosystem that transition demands. Through its consulting, education, execution and emerging co-founding model, the company is steadily enabling a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs to build globally competitive businesses and, in the process, strengthening the footprint of Indian-founded brands on the world stage.
