Author: Neel Achary

Mahanagar Gas Limited Ventures into Renewable Energy

Mumbai, Mar 17th: Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), one of the largest city gas distribution (CGD) companies in India, has signed a Share Subscription Agreement (SSA) and Shareholding Agreement (SHA) with Fourth Partner Energy’s FPEL Reliant Energy Private Limited and its holding company FPEL Saur Vidyut Private Limited on March 09, 2026, to acquire a 26% stake in FPEL Reliant. With this investment in solar power, the company has taken a step towards strengthening its sustainability agenda.

The investment, amounting to approximately INR 389 lakhs, will support the setting up of a solar power plant in the state of Maharashtra. The power generated from the power plant will be utilised for consumption at CNG stations across the State and will help the company move towards cleaner energy sources while optimising energy costs.

The acquisition is compliant with regulatory requirements related to power consumption under the Electricity Act, 2003 (read with the Electricity Rules, 2005. By integrating renewable energy into its operations, MGL aims to strengthen its commitment to sustainable business practices and reduce the carbon footprint associated with its operations.

Commenting on the company’s foray into renewable energy, Ashu Shinghal, Managing Director, Mahanagar Gas Limited said, “Mahanagar Gas Limited is continuously exploring opportunities to integrate cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions into its operations. Our foray into solar energy is a step towards adopting cleaner energy sources for our CNG station network while optimising energy costs and meeting regulatory requirements. As we continue to expand our footprint within the state of Maharashtra and beyond, incorporating renewable energy solutions will remain an important part of our long-term growth strategy.”

The acquisition will be completed through a cash investment and is expected to be finalised within six months from the execution of the agreements. Following completion, FPEL Reliant will become an associate company of Mahanagar Gas Limited.

Jay Kumar Waghela, CEO (Distributed Business Unit), Fourth Partner Energy said, “We at Fourth Partner Energy are proud to partner with Mahanagar Gas Limited in its endeavour to integrate renewable power into their operational ecosystem and supporting India’s transition towards cleaner energy solutions. Corporates across various sectors are boosting their use of solar and other renewables to lower carbon emissions and promote a greener environment.  At FPEL, we are proud to offer all integrated clean energy solutions including solar, wind, battery storage, hybrid power and carbon credits on a single platform to help players like MGL fast-track its net zero goals. We are thrilled and look forward to this new journey with MGL.”

Fourth Partner Energy is India’s leading renewable energy developer, with an operational capacity of over 1.6 GW clean energy assets, and a target of a 9 GW portfolio by FY31. The firm has solar and wind projects under development across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu – with a focus on clean power supply to hard-to-abate sectors.

US Dollar Sees Volatility Risks On Geopolitical Developments And Ahead Of Fed

Today’s markets analysis on behalf of Zaheer Anwari – Co-Founder and CEO at The Revacy Fund

The dollar stabilized to a certain extent today after retreating in the prior session, but could remain relatively volatile as markets react to geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Treasury yields were firmer following a pullback on Monday as well. While the dollar and yields receded yesterday as oil slipped, the resurgence in crude prices could drive them to the upside again.

From a technical perspective, while oil prices have been edging up since December 2025, caution is important as risks remain, unless a sustained trend above $100 is confirmed. Meanwhile, the trend could remain bullish overall, leaving short bets at risk.

As a result, traders could continue to monitor the developments in the Middle East and their impact on inflation expectations. Plans to put in place military escorts for oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz could drive oil, the dollar, and yields down if they materialize. 

While the market could react to a certain extent to the ADP job data today and PPI figures tomorrow, the focus remains on the Federal Reserve’s Wednesday decision, where a hold is expected. However, markets could respond to Chair Powell’s comments and inflation outlook under current conditions, in addition to the Fed’s economic projections.

15-Year-Old Inaara Mehta Luthria Secures Top Global Rankings at FEI World Dressage Challenge 2025

Mumbai, Mar 17th: The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) has officially declared its rankings for the FEI World Dressage Challenge (WDC) 2025, with India’s young equestrian talent, Inaara Mehta Luthria, delivering an exceptional performance on the global stage.

Representing the Amateur Riders’ Club, Mumbai, the 15-year-old rider competed astride her horse, Dasha Deluxe, achieving an impressive score of 69.875% in the Youth Category (12–16 years). Inaara secured the No.1 rank in India, No.1 in FEI Zone 9 (comprising India, Singapore, Philippines, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and China), and an outstanding No.6 rank in the world.

Inaara was also selected to represent Team India alongside Gaurav Pundir, Miraya R. Dadabhoy, and Samanna Everaa T. The team delivered a commendable performance, securing the No.1 position in FEI Zone 9 and ranking No.7 globally.

The FEI World Dressage Challenge is a unique global initiative designed to promote dressage worldwide. Under this format, international judges travel across participating countries throughout the year to evaluate riders locally, ensuring a fair and consistent standard of judging while eliminating the need for horses and riders to travel internationally. In 2024, India was judged by Natalia Rubashko from Belarus.

Inaara Mehta Luthria is a student of Hillspring International School. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “I am extremely grateful to my parents and my coach, Hriday Chheda, who have continuously supported me and helped me through this journey. My horse, Dasha Deluxe and I have formed a strong bond which truly enriched my experience and made it successful.”

This remarkable achievement highlights the growing prominence of Indian equestrian talent on the global stage and underscores the country’s continued progress in the sport.

Beyond Meetings: Why Flexibility Matters in Business Travel

Mar 17: Corporate travel is no longer defined by rushed itineraries and back-to-back meetings. Today, it is evolving into a more thoughtful experience that balances productivity with comfort. As Indian companies expand into new markets, business travel is picking up pace. But with packed schedules, flight changes and tight itineraries, many professionals are finding that work trips can quickly become exhausting rather than productive. As travel increases, expectations are shifting. Today’s business travellers are looking for smoother, more flexible journeys, whether that means easier booking options, the ability to adjust plans on the go or a travel experience that allows them to stay focused and refreshed.

1. Flexibility is Essential
Business travel often requires a degree of flexibility. Meetings run over, schedules shift, and priorities change. Flexible fares and booking options allow companies to adjust plans effortlessly, ensuring travel stays smooth.

2. Supporting Both the Company and the Traveller
As business travel grows, companies are increasingly looking for programmes that offer both convenience and added value. With MHcorporate by Malaysia Airlines, businesses can manage work travel more efficiently while offering employees additional benefits – not only for work trips but also when travelling for leisure with their loved ones. When employees book their personal travel through the portal, companies can also earn Corporate Loyalty Points that can be redeemed for flights across the Malaysia Airlines network. This allows organisations to streamline travel management while rewarding both the business and its employees.

3. Travel Supports Business Growth
For many organisations, travel remains a key driver for building partnerships and expanding into new markets. Strong airline networks and reliable regional connectivity help teams move efficiently across key destinations in Asia-Pacific and beyond. Corporate programmes such as MHcorporate by Malaysia Airlines offer structured benefits while keeping travel simple and manageable.

4. Efficiency Makes a Difference
Time saved during travel can be reinvested into business priorities. Reliable routes, convenient connections and smooth coordination all contribute to a more efficient travel experience. For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, a dependable travel programme helps reduce uncertainty and allows teams to focus on their core work.

5. Smarter Travel Planning
Frequent business travellers are increasingly choosing airline partners based on reliability, connectivity and ease of booking. In response, companies are taking a more strategic approach, prioritising long-term value over one-off bookings.

As business travel continues to grow, companies of all sizes are rethinking how they manage it. Flexible options, clear benefits and strong global connectivity are now central to decision-making. Programmes such as MHcorporate by Malaysia Airlines – offering corporate fare benefits, greater booking flexibility, and access to the airlines’ international network – provide a practical way for companies to manage business travel with greater flexibility and value.

The Wise Idiot Hosts Second Edition of Agency Meetup, Bringing Mumbai’s Marketing Leaders Together

MUMBAI, Mar 17:  Deep Shah and Divyank Jain, partners at Mumbai-based marketing agency The Wise Idiot, hosted the Second Edition of The Agency Meetup on Saturday, 14th March 2026, at FinX Commune, Kemp’s Corner. The curated, closed-door gathering brought together 30+ agency founders and marketing leaders for an afternoon of candid conversations, meaningful connections, and collaborative opportunities.

 The event brought together 40+  agency founders, independent marketers, and marketing leaders in what organisers describe as a deliberate antidote to transactional networking – a space for the industry to slow down, get honest, and grow together.

  A Community Takes Shape

 The Second Edition built on the momentum of a successful first run, and by all accounts, it exceeded expectations. Attendees engaged in open business discussions, shared strengths and challenges, and celebrated each other’s successes – over networking, conversation, and a spread of high tea and evening snacks.

 What organisers found most notable was not the agenda, but the energy. The event’s community-first spirit was evident from the start, with attendees initiating conversations, exchanging referral opportunities, and exploring white-label arrangements – all without any formal prompting.

 “This is no longer just The Wise Idiot’s event. The moment 30+ marketers walk in and make it their own, you know something real has started. What we saw on the 14th wasn’t just networking – it was the beginning of a genuine ecosystem. Agencies are beginning to see each other as partners, not competitors, and that shift in mindset is exactly what our industry needs.”

  – Deep Shah, Partner, The Wise Idiot

 Redefining How Agencies Grow

The premise behind Agency Meetup is rooted in a simple but powerful observation: after interacting with over 1,000 marketing agency owners over nearly a decade, Deep Shah noticed that the most successful agencies aren’t those that try to do everything themselves – they’re the ones that build networks of specialists.

 When an agency doesn’t have a capability in-house, the most effective move is to refer to a trusted partner – and share in the opportunity. This is the engine Agency Meetup is designed to fuel. The event creates a room where agencies can whitelabel for each other, pass referrals, and grow together – turning what might have been lost leads into shared revenue.

 “Deep and I have been running The Wise Idiot for almost ten years, and I can tell you honestly – no two founders can figure everything out alone. Whether it’s tax filings, scaling challenges, or hiring decisions, the answers we needed most often came from other founders who’d already been through it. Agency Meetup is built on that truth. The most valuable part of the room isn’t the presentations. It’s one founder saying ‘I’m struggling with this’ and another saying ‘Here’s what worked for us.’”

 – Divyank Jain, Partner, The Wise Idiot

 What’s Next: Fireside Chat and a Growing Community

The Second Edition concluded with plans already in motion for the community’s next chapter. A virtual Fireside Chat, open to agency founders from the meetup community, is scheduled for later this week – continuing the candid conversations that began in person.

 The Fireside Chat format mirrors the ethos of the organizers itself: no polished presentations, no scripted pitches – just founders helping other agency founders with what they know or have learnt: what’s working, what isn’t, and what they’re still figuring out. This knowledge-sharing helps everydone do more!

 For The Wise Idiot, the event signals something bigger than a single afternoon gathering. It is a proof-of-concept for an emerging model of community-driven agency growth in India – one where collaboration is the competitive advantage.

Former Geojit Fin CEO Gopinath Natarajan joins Wealthtech AI platform InvestorAi as President

Mumbai, Mar 17: India’s first foundation AI equity recommendation platform, InvestorAi, has announced a series of senior leadership appointments across key functions as it strengthens its foundation for the next phase of growth.

The company has appointed Gopinath Natarajan as President & Head of Markets, Ajay Munni as Chief Financial Officer, Prema Deepthi Garlapati as Chief Technology Officer and Aditya Raj Mohan as Head of Platform, Product, Production and Transformation.

These critical additions to the senior leadership team accentuate InvestorAi’s commitment to accelerating its ambitious 10x organic revenue growth plans and cementing its position as a frontrunner in AI driven investment solutions.

Speaking on the appointments, Mr. Bruce Keith, CEO & Co-founder of InvestorAi, says,

 “As InvestorAi enters a phase of rapid growth, strengthening our leadership bench is critical. To have a stalwart like Gopi by our side along with Ajay, Prema and Aditya, we are more confident than ever in achieving the key milestones that we have been working towards. These appointments bring the depth of expertise needed to scale responsibly, balancing growth velocity with robust processes, strong controls, and efficient delivery. This ensures we continue to innovate while maintaining the operational rigor our stakeholders expect.”

Gopinath Natarajan is a seasoned leader in the capital markets and asset management industry, bringing over 25 years of rich experience in building and scaling Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and managed assets businesses. Prior to joining InvestorAi, he served as CEO – Asset Management at Geojit Financial and has held senior leadership roles at reputed financial institutions including YES Securities, IIFL and Kotak Securities.

Marking the second stint with InvestorAi, Gopinath has been appointed as President and Head of Markets. In this role he will spearhead market strategy, operations, and execution, driving the company’s growth and strengthening its market presence. 

Speaking on his appointment, Gopinath Natarajan, President and Head of Markets, InvestorAi, says,

“As Indian markets evolve from traditional models to tech-led ecosystems, I’m excited to be back with InvestorAi, a pioneer in Ai-first investing, with our unique Ai & ML driven tools, we are enabling investors globally to decode markets, enhance decision-making and navigate opportunities with greater clarity.”

A part of Senior leadership, Ajay Munni, who joins as the CFO of the company, will take charge of comprehensive responsibility overseeing Finance, Risk, Legal, Compliance and Administration functions. He previously served as Head of Finance at Lendingkart and brings deep experience across senior finance roles at regulated businesses.

He is joined by Prema Deepthi Garlapati who has joined from Cyara where she was responsible for building the team, delivering new products and contributing to growth in the business.

To further accelerate business growth, innovation and revenue, InvestorAi will add additional roles and functions to its Lab facility in Hyderabad. To drive platform agility and scale, Aditya Raj Mohan has been appointed as Head of the new Platform, Product, Production and Transformation team. This multi-disciplinary team will take over the existing product and production activities. Aditya comes with a platform management background and experience of multiple NBFC integrations having held senior engineering roles at Creditech and Alpha Money.

TrafficGuard Appoints Scott Thomson as Head of AI to Drive Next-Generation Fraud Prevention and Platform Innovation

Thomson brings over 10 years’ experience in AI technology and strategy from Google, Adobe, and Telstra to one of the industry’s earliest AI-native ad fraud prevention platforms.   

Australia, March 17: TrafficGuard, a leading platform in AI-powered digital ad verification and invalid traffic (IVT) prevention, has appointed Scott Thomson as Head of AI. Thomson will oversee and accelerate the execution and embedment of AI into TrafficGuard’s platform and processes, building on more than eight years of machine learning innovation that has positioned the company at the forefront of ad fraud detection since its founding. He brings over a decade’s worth of experience in technology and AI innovation, having previously worked for Google, Adobe, and Telstra, as well as founding strategic consultancy firm SCRYPTID.   

TrafficGuard was among the first ad verification platforms to deploy machine learning models for real-time invalid traffic detection, processing billions of data points to identify fraud patterns invisible to rules-based systems. That early investment in AI infrastructure now serves as the foundation for the company’s next generation of detection capabilities – engineered to combat an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.   

“We are delighted to welcome Scott in an executive capacity at a pivotal time for TrafficGuard. His deep expertise in AI spanning Google Cloud, generative AI strategy, and enterprise innovation is directly aligned with where we are taking this business,” said Mat Ratty, CEO of TrafficGuard. “Scott’s appointment accelerates our ability to execute our AI roadmap and deliver advanced fraud prevention to advertisers globally. We look forward to the contribution he will make as we enter our next phase of growth.”   

Scott Thomson will support TrafficGuard’s expansion of its AI capabilities, ensuring the platform is well positioned to manage ad exposure and fraud risks as the digital advertising ecosystem undergoes its most significant shift in a decade. He will leveragehis extensive experience in AI strategy and innovation to accelerate product development and commercial execution, bringing to market advanced solutions that monitor, detect, analyse, and respond to invalid traffic, while driving adoption across new verticals and channels.   

Scott Thomson, Head of AI, Traffic Guard said: “Having served as a non-executive director since early 2024 with TrafficGuard, I’m looking forward to adding my experience and guidance more directly to our already significant team. The AI arms race in ad fraud is real. Fraudsters are already deploying agentic bots and generative AI to evade detection at scale, and staying ahead requires deep AI expertise and a platform built for continuous evolution.   

The appointment comes at a critical inflection point for the industry. The rapid proliferation of agentic AI – autonomous bots capable of browsing, clicking, filling out forms, and mimicking genuine user behaviour, is fundamentally reshaping the threat landscape for digital advertisers. Unlike traditional bot traffic, agentic bots operate with human-like intent patterns, making them significantly harder to detect using conventional verification methods. Industry analysts project that AI-generated invalid traffic will account for an increasingly material share of digital ad spend waste over the coming years, creating an urgent need for AI-native detection that can evolve at the same pace as the threats it defends against.   

“TrafficGuard has a strong foundation in machine learning-driven detection, and I’m here to accelerate what’s next,” said Thompson. “Expanding our AI-powered capabilities beyond fraud detection into intelligent optimisation tools that help advertisers not just protect their spend, but maximise its performance. We’re evolving the platform to cover new channels and deliver actionable insights that turn fraud data into a genuine competitive advantage. Tackling ad fraud has become increasingly essential for advertisers, and I can’t wait to be part of the talented team building the future of ad verification.”   

This strategic appointment will further strengthen TrafficGuard’s commitment to driving innovation in ad fraud prevention. It supports TrafficGuard’s wider global channel growth strategy, following its recent expansion in the United States and the appointment of CPO Miguel Lopes. The company plans to significantly expand its team, enabling brands to boost their revenue and confidently scale advertising campaigns by eliminating invalid traffic. As brands allocate record budgets to digital channels, TrafficGuard’s mission to ensure every ad dollar reaches a real human has never been more commercially critical. 

One-carbon Therapeutics Signs Strategic Collaboration with Tempus to Advance Molecular Insights and Enable Precision Oncology Development of TH9619

Solna, Sweden, March 17: One-carbon Therapeutics, a clinical-stage oncology company pioneering first-in-class targeted therapies based on deep understanding into cancer biology, today announced a strategic collaboration with Tempus AI Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine. The collaboration will leverage Tempus’ proprietary, de-identified multimodal database and bioinformatics expertise to advance molecular insights supporting the clinical development of TH9619.

Through this collaboration, One-carbon Therapeutics will utilize Tempus’ analytical services to characterize the expression landscape across prioritized solid tumor indications. By integrating RNA sequencing data with clinical variables, the teams aim to uncover deep molecular insights that will inform the development of TH9619.    

“Understanding the molecular dynamics of one-carbon metabolism across tumor types and treatment settings is fundamental to advancing TH9619 with precision,” said Ana Slipicevic, Chief Executive Officer at One-carbon Therapeutics. “Tempus’ depth of molecular data and analytical rigor enables us to generate statistically robust evidence that can potentially guide clinical decision making and optimize development.”

“At Tempus, our goal is to accelerate progress in oncology by translating complex molecular insights into meaningful therapeutic advances,” said Ezra Cohen, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Oncology, at Tempus. “Through comprehensive analysis of our multimodal dataset, we are supporting One-carbon Therapeutics in characterizing the metabolic signatures across diverse tumor types. These insights are essential to informing research strategies and advancing the development of next-generation targeted cancer therapies.”  

By deepening the understanding of the biological mechanisms and genetic profiles associated with one-carbon metabolism across tumor types, the collaboration will strengthen the precision-driven clinical strategy for TH9619. Building on a deep understanding of how cancer cells depend on this pathway, these analyses may help identify patient populations most likely to benefit from treatment. This approach has the potential to enhance development efficiency, reduce uncertainty and ultimately help ensure that innovative targeted therapies reach the patients who need them most.

lomarlabs and Blaze Energy to Pilot Compact Onboard Fuel Reforming for Multi-Fuel Engines

London,  March 17— lomarlabs, a venture catalyst advancing maritime innovation, has entered into a collaboration with Blaze Energy to pilot a third-generation, compact, engine-integrated fuel reformer designed to accelerate the practical adoption of alternative fuels in commercial shipping.

The collaboration will culminate in a pilot installation onboard a Lomar vessel, enabling Blaze Energy to validate its multi-fuel reforming system, under real marine operating conditions. The Flex-Fuel Reformer converts ammonia, methanol, or LNG into hydrogen directly onboard the ship, allowing propulsion and power generation machinery and equipment to efficiently operate on full or partial hydrogen blends to reduce associated emissions without compromising operational flexibility. The installed system will be first proven through ammonia.

Addressing a critical barrier to alternative fuels

Against the backdrop of tightening regulation – including the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime – shipowners face increasing uncertainty around future fuel pathways, fuel availability, and long-term compliance strategies. With vessels representing multi-decade investments, the risk of premature lock-in to a single fuel or propulsion solution has become a central strategic concern.

Blaze Energy addresses this challenge by enabling existing engines to operate efficiently with multiple alternative fuels through compact, engine-integrated fuel reforming. By converting ammonia, methanol, or LNG into hydrogen directly at the engine, the system supports hydrogen-assisted combustion without the need for large standalone equipment or dedicated hydrogen supply chains.

Injecting small quantities of hydrogen accelerates combustion of slow-burning fuels such as ammonia – reducing ammonia slip, improving combustion efficiency, and mitigating methane slip in LNG engines. This allows owners to achieve measurable emissions and efficiency benefits while preserving operational and commercial optionality across fuels.

From laboratory validation to marine pilot

Building on successful laboratory validation, Blaze Energy is preparing for its first marine pilot as the next step toward real-world deployment. The pilot will be installed onboard a Lomar vessel and tested under real marine operating conditions, a key validation step towards the first commercial retrofit and newbuild deployments.

The pilot is designed as a capital-efficient first-ship deployment, generating the technical and operational evidence required to progress towards full classification society approval and enable follow-on installations with additional owners and engine OEM partners who seek early engagement in AiP-driven fuel-flexible deployment pathways.

A shared commitment to fuel flexibility

The collaboration reflects a shared view between lomarlabs and Blaze Energy that fuel flexibility, rather than reliance on a single future fuel, will be central to maritime decarbonisation. By enabling vessels to bunker locally all available fuels – subject to storage tank availability – and convert them onboard, compact reforming technology offers a pragmatic pathway through uncertain fuel availability, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory evolution, for owners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to manage fuel uncertainty and transition risk without premature commitment to a single future fuel propulsion solution.

Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing Director of lomarlabs, said:

“The energy transition in shipping will be non-linear, and multi-fuel for longer than we may want or expect. Technologies that create optionality, rather than betting on a single outcome, will be strategically important. Blaze Energy works to bring to market a technology that delivers optionality to owners and resolves engineering bottlenecks. Our collaboration is about giving new technology the space and support it needs to iterate, learn, and prove itself in the real world.”

Rok Sitar, CEO and co-founder of Blaze Energy, said:

“This pilot marks a deliberate shift from proving technology to proving operability. By integrating Blaze Flex-fuel System with a trading vessel we are addressing one of the key bottlenecks in adopting alternative fuels: practical, safe, and flexible use in existing vessels. Collaborating with an owner of this caliber allows us to validate the system under class-relevant conditions and build a credible pathway toward broader deployment with owners, OEMs and class societies.”

Sven Schwarz, Strategic Advisor to Blaze Energy and former CEO of two leading European chemical tanker operators, adds:

“For shipowners, the defining challenge is navigating regulatory uncertainty, uneven fuel availability, and long asset lifecycles at the same time. Technologies that preserve fuel optionality while working within existing engines and class frameworks are critical to de-risk compliance and long-term investment decisions.”

Nicholas Georgiou, CEO of Lomar, adds:

“There are many pathways to improve and develop fuel use, but one common and essential direction: decarbonisation. This collaboration has the potential to help us transform the practical adoption of alternative fuels in commercial shipping which would be of great value to owners of vessels in the water, especially those with diesel engines.”

Looking ahead

The pilot is scheduled for installation in early 2027, following land-based testing and engagement with classification societies. Both parties view the collaboration as a step toward developing engine-compatible, operationally credible pathways for alternative fuels—grounded in real-world testing rather than assumptions.