7, Aug 2025
NetApp Accelerates VMware Migrations with Amazon Elastic VMware Service Integration
India, August 7, 2025 – NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company, announced that Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP is now a supported external storage option for Amazon Elastic VMware Service (Amazon EVS) on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon EVS, now generally available, is a new AWS service that allows users to run VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) directly within their Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC), alongside other applications. With Amazon EVS, organizations can quickly migrate VMware workloads to AWS to seamlessly extend and expand their VMware environments and unlock business agility and transformation.
This integration with Amazon EVS combines NetApp’s proven, secure data management and protection capabilities with AWS’s scale, resilience, and performance, allowing customers to simplify and accelerate their AWS migration without re-platforming or re-factoring their existing applications or changing their data management workflows.
Migrating mission critical workloads to the cloud can help businesses drive transformation by eliminating aging infrastructure, reducing operational costs, and meeting critical business timelines, but they need an effective data strategy to avoid introducing new challenges such as unexpected costs, sprawling IT environments, and fragmented services. As the only enterprise storage solution provider with a first-party data storage service natively built on AWS, NetApp is uniquely equipped to help customers accelerate modern workloads in the cloud by offering enterprise storage solutions natively built on AWS. Customers have been able to reduce costs by 50 percent after adopting Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP®. Using FSx for ONTAP to migrate and manage their VMware environments enables customers to leverage Intelligent Data Infrastructure to improve migration planning and decrease total cost of ownership with built-in data management capabilities.
“Customers utilizing Amazon EVS with FSx for ONTAP can now enjoy the same data efficiency, protection, and automation they trust on-premises,” said Pravjit Tiwana, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cloud Storage at NetApp. “Through our collaboration with AWS, we’re making it easier to move critical workloads to the cloud and manage them at scale.”
“We foresee incredible benefits for Asia Pacific enterprises with the launch of Amazon EVS. The native integration of Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP into Amazon EVS elevates the security, efficiency and performance of VMware workloads whilst reducing the TCO for our customers,” said Matthew Swinbourne, CTO Cloud Architecture at NetApp Asia Pacific. “With this launch, APAC organizations can achieve the flexibility, performance, and cost benefits that they need to accelerate their cloud ambitions.”
To better support customers as they manage advanced workloads in the cloud, NetApp has released capabilities including:
- Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP support for Amazon EVS: Amazon EVS, the new self-managed cloud solution for VMware from AWS, is now generally available, and FSx for NetApp ONTAP is a supported storage option. Amazon EVS automates and simplifies deployments and provides a ready-to-use VCF environment on AWS. This allows VMware administrators to quickly migrate VMware-based virtual machines to AWS using the same VCF software and tools they already use in their on-premises environment. Using FSx for ONTAP as external storage for the Amazon EVS environment reduces overhead by providing advanced data management and protection functionality, reducing total cost of ownership and increasing cyber resiliency.
- Migration advisor for Amazon EVS workloads: The migration advisor feature of BlueXP workload factory for AWS now supports Amazon EVS workloads, helping simplify and speed up migration processes. Customers can now automate the discovery of on-premises virtual machines, provisioning of FSx for ONTAP, and placement of datastores in Amazon EVS.
- Expanded VMware disaster recovery support in BlueXP: BlueXP disaster recovery for VMware now integrates with Amazon EVS, leveraging FSx for ONTAP storage as a reliable disaster recovery target. Supported datastore options include NFS (file-based) and VMFS (block-based) via the iSCSI protocol, ensuring versatile and efficient disaster recovery solutions.
- Enhanced ransomware protection features: Further enabling customers to protect Amazon EVS workloads, NetApp ONTAP autonomous ransomware protection (ARP) for FSx for ONTAP is used to detect and respond to ransomware events in real time. Additionally, NetApp BlueXP ransomware protection service supports FSx for ONTAP to help customers with comprehensive orchestration of their defense against ransomware events. Enabling these features to support workloads natively in AWS helps protect customer data and minimize downtime by proactively detecting ransomware at the storage layer across the hybrid cloud.
Xtravirt, a NetApp Preferred Partner and an AWS partner, believes these latest announcements will come as good news to businesses looking to migrate VMware workloads to public cloud. “Enabling support for FSx for ONTAP on Amazon EVS gives customers more granular control over the data powering some of their most important workloads,” said Robin Gardner, CCO at Xtravirt. “Customers will be able access NetApp’s advanced data management functionality to reduce the overhead of managing virtual environments and more efficiently and securely manage hybrid deployments.”
No ransomware detection or prevention system can completely guarantee safety from a ransomware attack. Although it’s possible that an attack might go undetected, NetApp technology acts as an important additional layer of defense.
- 0
- By Neel Achary
7, Aug 2025
Arena Animation Announces the World Creative Excellence League (WCEL), a global platform for Arena Animation students
Mumbai, August 7th, 2025: Arena Animation, a leader in animation, gaming, digital content creation, and VFX training and a brand of Aptech Limited, proudly announces the launch of the World Creative Excellence League (WCEL), a pioneering global creative competition platform for its students. Designed to encourage and celebrate artistic excellence among students, the inaugural edition of WCEL invites participation from students of Arena Animation from across the world. The competition, aiming to showcase creative talent on a large scale, marks a significant milestone in Arena Animation’s journey as a truly global creative education leader.
Speaking about the new initiative, Mr. Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail Business, Aptech Limited and Brand Custodian, Arena Animation, said, “The World Creative Excellence League (WCEL) is more than just a competition; it is an outstanding platform that enables young creators to push their limits, gain recognition, and benchmark themselves against global creative standards. This initiative truly reflects Arena Animation’s long-standing commitment to nurturing creativity, innovation, and world class talent. By connecting students with international exposure and industry leaders, our aim is to build a talent pipeline for the future of the global creative economy.”
Students participating in the WCEL are competing across 12 creative categories showcasing a wide range of skills. The categories range from Comic Design, Brand Identity Design, Motion Graphics, Cinematic Scenes (Unreal Engine), 3D CGI Advertising, to UI/UX Design, Short Story Reel and many more. The top 2 students in each category stand to win from a prize pool of INR 6,00,000. In its first edition, over 5,500 students have registered for the WCEL competition. In addition to individual student recognition, Arena Animation centres will also have the opportunity to earn the prestigious title of “WCEL Centre of Excellence”. The title will be awarded to centres that demonstrate outstanding participation and performance across multiple benchmarks in the competition, which includes highest number of students participants, maximum no. of qualified artwork submissions, the most nominations across categories and top winning entries. It’s a recognition of the passion, mentorship quality and the creative culture nurtured at these top performing Arena centres – setting benchmarks for others to follow.
Participant entries comprise original artworks in their chosen categories highlighting the creative vision, skill, and storytelling abilities of Arena Animation students. All entries are judged by a Grand Jury comprising industry leaders and international experts, ensuring high standards of evaluation and global credibility. This elite panel brings diverse perspectives and ensures that the evaluation is aligned with global standards of creative excellence.
Participating students also benefit from 12 exclusive masterclasses led by experienced mentors, helping them hone their skills conducted by brands such as Adobe, Pantone, and more.
Arena Animation’s existing flagship event, Creative Minds, is also playing a vital role as a qualifying ground for the WCEL. The top artworks from each category at Creative Minds earn a direct spot, handpicked by the jury, into the WCEL. These jury picked entries are in addition to the top artworks from the primary categories, based on the quality of their artwork and skills of the students. These shortlisted students then compete at the international level, where one ultimate winner per category gets crowned.
With the World Creative Excellence League (WCEL), Arena Animation has taken a major step in building a truly international creative education ecosystem. and most importantly, creating a vibrant, competitive, and inspiring global creative community, reinforcing its position as a global creative education leader
7, Aug 2025
Medistep Healthcare Eyes ₹16.09 Crore Fundraise to Acquire New Plant & Machinery
Mumbai, India, August 7, 2025: Medistep Healthcare Limited is set to raise approximately ₹16.09 crore through its upcoming fixed-price Initial Public Offering (IPO), with the primary objective of strengthening its manufacturing infrastructure through the acquisition of advanced plant and machinery.
A significant portion of the IPO proceeds will be allocated toward the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art equipment at the company’s existing manufacturing facility in Kheda, Gujarat. At the core of this investment is a fully automated, high-speed sanitary pad production line, capable of producing up to 500 pads per minute. This integrated line features raw material feeding, embossing, adhesive application, and inline quality inspection within a single, streamlined workflow.
Additionally, the company will commission a twin‐shaft ribbon blender with vacuum‐sealed hoppers and an integrated volumetric filler from DEF Tech Industries. This system will enable precise and hygienic blending and packaging of energy powder sachets at speeds of up to 200 units per minute. To enhance the secondary packaging process, three modular tri‐axis flow‐wrap machines will also be installed. These machines are equipped for automatic bag feeding, sealing, date-coding, and stacking, thereby increasing throughput and significantly reducing manual processes.
The capital expenditure also covers plant-floor modifications, utility installations, operator training, and warranty support. All systems are expected to be fully operational and certified within three months of their scheduled delivery in Q4 FY26. This strategic infrastructure upgrade is projected to increase overall manufacturing capacity by approximately 30% over the next 12 months, markedly improving production efficiency, product quality, and the company’s responsiveness to growing market demand.
A portion of the funds will also go toward bolstering working capital to ensure uninterrupted raw material procurement and optimal inventory levels. Remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and expenses related to the IPO.
“The funds raised will support our next phase of growth by strengthening our manufacturing capabilities and supporting market expansion,” said Mr. Girdhari Lal Prajapati, Managing Director of Medistep Healthcare Limited.
Under the IPO, Medistep will issue up to 37,44,000 equity shares of face value ₹10 each at a fixed offer price of ₹43 per share. The offer opens for subscription on August 8, 2025, and closes on August 12, 2025, with a minimum lot size of 3,000 shares. A total of 17,79,000 shares are reserved for retail investors, 17,76,000 shares for non-institutional investors, and 1,89,000 shares for the market maker. Fast Track Finsec Private Limited is the lead manager to the issue, and Cameo Corporate Services Limited will serve as the registrar. The company’s shares are proposed to be listed on the NSE Emerge platform on August 18, 2025.
Founded in June 2023, Medistep Healthcare has quickly established a pan-India distribution network for a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, surgical, and intimate-care products. The company reported revenue of ₹4,965.48 lakh in FY25, up from ₹3,907.19 lakh in FY24. Profit after tax grew to ₹414.42 lakh from ₹332.76 lakh year-over-year. Following the IPO, Medistep’s equity share capital will increase from 1,04,65,546 to 1,42,09,546 shares, implying a projected market capitalisation of ₹61.10 crore.
7, Aug 2025
Medistep Healthcare IPO Opens Tomorrow
Pharmaceutical company Medistep Healthcare’s IPO Price Fixed at Rs.43 Per Share; Issue Opens tomorrow
New Delhi, August 7, 2025: Medistep Healthcare Limited, a rapidly growing player in India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare market, has fixed the price of its upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO) at Rs.43 per equity share. The offering comprises up to 37,44,000 equity shares with a face value of Rs.10 each. The IPO, which is being offered through a fixed price issue, will open for subscription on Friday, August 8, 2025, and close on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
The lot size for the issue has been set at 3,000 equity shares. The shares are proposed to be listed on the Emerge Platform of National Stock Exchange of India Limited on August 18, 2025.
Of the total offer, not less than 17,79,000 equity shares are reserved for retail individual investors, not more than 17,76,000 equity shares are allocated for non-institutional investors, and 1,89,000 equity shares are reserved for the market maker portion. Fast Track Finsec Private Limited is acting as the lead manager to the issue, and Cameo Corporate Services Limited is the registrar.
Medisteps intends to raise approximately Rs 16.09 crore from the ipo. The net proceeds from the IPO will be utilised to fund capital expenditure towards the purchase of plant and machinery for expansion at the company’s existing manufacturing facility, to meet working capital requirements, to meet general corporate purposes and to meet out the Issue Expenses.
Founded in June 2023, Medistep Healthcare Limited is engaged in the manufacturing of sanitary pads and energy powders, and in the trading of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, surgical, and intimate care products through an established distribution network. The company expanded its footprint in 2024 with the acquisition of the business of M/s MG Pharma, a proprietorship concern.
The company reported revenue from operations of Rs.4,965.48 lakh in FY25, compared to Rs.3,907.19 lakh in FY24. EBITDA stood at Rs.560 lakh for FY25, up from Rs.454.2 lakh in the previous year, while profit after tax (PAT) rose to Rs.414.42 lakh from Rs.332.76 lakh.
Following the issue, the company’s equity share capital will increase from 1,04,65,546 shares to 1,42,09,546 shares, with a post-issue implied market capitalization of Rs.61.10 crore.
Commenting on the IPO, Mr. Girdhari Lal Prajapati, Managing Director, Medistep Healthcare Limited, said, “The proceeds from the IPO will strategically support our expansion efforts and reinforce our footprint in both domestic and international markets. Our diversified and growing product portfolio positions us well to capitalize on the rising global and domestic demand for health and hygiene solutions.”
7, Aug 2025
74 Year Old Woman’s Life Saved with Advanced Heart Procedure at SUM Ultimate Hospital
7th August 2025, Bhubaneswar: A 74-year-old woman with several health problems was successfully treated for a serious heart condition at SUM Ultimate Hospital, Bhubaneswar. The treatment was led by Dr. Vibhutendra Mohanty, a senior heart specialist.
The patient was facing trouble in daily life due to breathlessness and weakness. She also had high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney problems. Years ago, she had undergone heart valve surgery, but the artificial valve had now worn out.
Due to her age and other medical issues, her was not fit for another open-heart surgery for replacement of the older valve. So, the doctors decided to go for a less risky, non-surgical option called TMVR (Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement).
This advanced procedure was done through a small opening in the groin and the new valve was implanted inside the heart through a vein, without needing to cut open the chest. It was performed under light sedation in a modern cardiac catheterisation lab equipped with the latest technology.
After the procedure, scans showed that the new heart valve was working perfectly. The patient recovered well and was discharged within a few days.
“This treatment is a life-saver for elderly patients who cannot undergo traditional surgery, Thanks to new India-made heart valves, we can now offer world-class treatment at a lower cost.” said Dr. Mohanty.
This case shows how advanced heart care in India is helping even the most complex patients live better, longer lives — especially when diagnosed early and treated on time.
7, Aug 2025
HBR and Infobip Highlight AI Shortfall in Customer Experience
New Delhi, India, 7th August 2025: Global cloud communications platform Infobip has today released findings from a new study conducted by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services (HBR-AS) revealing a sharp disconnect in customer experience (CX): while 93% of those surveyed from the HBR audience recognize the high importance of creating positive conversational experiences, only 36% believe their organization is highly effective at it. Even more striking, just 11% report they’re highly effective using AI to deliver human-like conversations.
The untapped potential of AI in customer engagement
The report, “Conversational Experiences: The Untapped Potential of AI in Customer Engagement” highlights a gap between organizations’ ambitions and execution: while many use SMS, messaging apps, email and chatbots at key points, most still fail to deliver the seamless, intuitive conversations customers expect.
“While everyone talks CX, almost no one delivers,” said Ben Lewis, VP Marketing and Growth at Infobip. “When brands can’t deliver meaningful, human-like conversations, they don’t just lose efficiency – they lose trust. It’s time to rethink what customer experience really means in the AI era”.
Why are so many organizations falling short?
The study identifies critical roadblocks standing between brands and the modern customer:
poor visibility of activity across all platforms (48%), difficulty capturing customer data across all stages of the customer journey (46%) and challenges integrating AI-powered features into communication platforms (44%). Nearly half cite a lack of best practices around using communication platforms (49%) and insufficient investment in advanced conversational technology (48%).
Improving conversational CX with automation, AI and integration
Encouragingly, companies recognize the need to close the gap. Over the next 12 months, when it comes to improving conversational experiences, 50% are prioritizing making processes more automated, 41% are prioritizing enhancing the use of AI in conversations, and 39% are prioritizing integration of communication platforms.
Infobip is leading that charge powering customer interactions that are automated, personalized and fully human at scale. “This isn’t about tools – it’s about trust,” said Lewis. “Every message, chatbot and notification should feel like it understands you. That’s what we help brands deliver – across every channel, at any scale.”
7, Aug 2025
India’s Fitness Industry Gets a Boost as Alphalete Launches with Sonu Sood
New Delhi, 7th August, 2025: Alphalete Premium, a new direct-to-consumer supplement brand was officially launched in India recently. The event brought together fitness lovers, industry professionals, and health experts, marking a fresh step toward making high-quality health supplements accessible across the country.
The highlight of the event was the presence of actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood, who attended as the Guest of Honour. He also launched the official Alphalete India website, making the brand’s products available to customers nationwide. Speaking at the event, Sonu Sood said, “Health and fitness are very important today, but so is honesty in what we consume. I support Alphalete’s mission because India’s fitness industry needs authentic, trustworthy supplements. It’s time we focus on clean products with real quality.”
Alphalete focuses on offering US-sourced, third-party lab-tested supplements without any middlemen ensuring high quality and fair prices. Alphalete announced partnerships with international supplement brands like Species Nutrition, Performax Labs, Eminent Nutrition, and Blackstone Labs. These tie-ups will bring global standards to Indian customers, ensuring both quality and performance.
Suresh Shukla, Founder & CEO of Alphalete, and Sravan Ghanta, Co-Founder & CFO, shared that India now needs reliable, affordable nutrition more than ever, especially as more people turn to supplements. They emphasised the use of cutting-edge technology and global manufacturing practices to ensure safety and performance. Speaking on the occasion, they explained, “In today’s market, many people are confused about what’s safe to use. We want to make things simple which is clean products, honest pricing, and clear information. Alphalete is not just a brand, but a movement toward healthier living.”
Addressing concerns about rising cases of heart attacks, especially among young fitness enthusiasts, they added, “Supplements are safe when used the right way and with expert advice. At Alphalete, all our supplements are tested and meet international standards. We always suggest people talk to a doctor, get regular checkups, and never rely only on supplements. A healthy lifestyle matters most.”
Alphalete’s goal is to redefine health and wellness in India by offering products that people can depend on. The brand caters to fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and everyday consumers looking for supplements they can trust.
6, Aug 2025
Algoquant Fintech Declares Record Date for Value-Enhancing Stock Split and Bonus Issue
Delhi , August 6, 2025
Algoquant Fintech Limited (BSE: 505725), a prominent player in the fintech industry, today announced that it has fixed Monday, August 18, 2025, as the Record Date for two major corporate actions: a sub-division (stock split) of its equity shares and the issuance of bonus shares to shareholders. These actions reflect the Company’s commitment to driving inclusive shareholder benefits, improving market participation, and reinforcing investor confidence.
In accordance with Regulation 42 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and other applicable legal provisions, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the following corporate initiatives:
1. Sub-Division (Stock Split) of Equity Shares
Each existing equity share of ₹2/- (Rupees Two only) fully paid-up will be sub-divided into 2 (two) equity shares of ₹1/- (Rupees One only) each, fully paid-up. This step is aimed at increasing the liquidity of the Company’s shares in the stock market and making them more affordable for retail and small investors.
The stock split will result in a proportional increase in the number of shares held by shareholders without altering their overall value of investment. This is expected to boost trading activity, widen the shareholder base, and contribute to better price discovery and enhanced investor interest in the Company’s stock.
2. Issuance of Bonus Shares
In addition to the stock split, the Company has also approved the issuance of Bonus Shares in the ratio of 8:1, i.e., 8 (eight) new fully paid-up equity shares of ₹1/- each for every 1 (one) existing fully paid-up equity share of ₹1/- held by eligible shareholders on the Record Date.
The issuance of bonus shares is a clear reflection of the Company’s strong financial health, consistent performance, and robust reserves position. This step not only rewards existing shareholders but also serves as a signal of management’s confidence in the Company’s future growth trajectory.
Objectives and Expected Impact
The twin corporate actions are designed with a strategic objective to:
* Reward long-term shareholders with a significant increase in shareholding at no additional cost
* Increase accessibility for new investors by reducing the face value and market price per share
* Enhance liquidity in the equity shares of the Company
* Encourage wider participation in the Company’s equity, especially among retail and first-time investors
* Strengthen shareholder engagement and market perception
These decisions underscore the Company’s unwavering focus on delivering sustained shareholder value and fostering long-term wealth creation.
Management Commentary
Speaking on the announcement, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer of Algoquant Fintech Limited , stated:
“This is a landmark moment for Algoquant Fintech Limited as we initiate steps that reflect both our financial strength and our desire to include more investors in our growth story. The stock split and bonus issue demonstrate our dedication to shareholder-friendly practices. We are confident that these measures will result in greater investor participation, enhanced stock visibility, and an overall strengthening of our presence in the capital markets.”
6, Aug 2025
Breaking Into Cybersecurity: Entry-Level Jobs and Career Paths
6th August 2025: Cybersecurity offers multiple entry paths for STEM professionals beyond computer science degrees. From security operations center analysts to security engineers, the field needs diverse skills including problem-solving, communication and technical analysis. Certifications and transferable experience from IT, networking or data analysis can lead to lucrative cybersecurity careers.
Cybercrime is booming, and so is the demand for cybersecurity expertise. In 2024 alone, malicious actors stole billions from companies worldwide, while millions of jobs protecting those companies went unfilled.
Part of the problem lies in perceptions and pathways. Many STEM professionals assume cybersecurity requires a computer science degree or elite hacking skills. In reality the field desperately needs analysts, communicators, auditors and problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds.
“Cybersecurity is evolving fast, but education and training haven’t kept up,” said IEEE Senior Member Vaibhav Tupe. “Many job listings demand years of experience, but few entry-level paths exist.”
The good news? There are multiple entry points into cybersecurity, and many technical skills transfer beautifully into security roles. Whether you’re coming from IT support, data analysis, network engineering or even fields like accounting or law, there’s likely a cybersecurity path that matches your background.
The SOC Path
One of the most accessible entry points into cybersecurity lies within security operations centers, or SOCs. These specialized facilities monitor and respond to cyber threats around the clock, offering a natural progression path that’s particularly welcoming to newcomers.
Tier one SOC analysts represent the most common entry-level positions in cybersecurity. These analysts respond to routine security alerts and escalate complex threats to more experienced colleagues. It’s ideal for beginners because companies expect to provide training, and the structured environment offers clear advancement opportunities.
As analysts gain experience, they can progress to tier two roles conducting detailed threat investigations, then to tier three positions focused on identifying security blind spots and fine-tuning monitoring systems. For those with leadership aspirations, SOC managers balance technical oversight with strategic management, handling team leadership and serving as the bridge to executive leadership.
Beyond SOC roles, the cybersecurity field offers numerous other specialized positions:
Information Security Analyst: Information security analysts typically focus on information protection policies, regulatory compliance, risk management and the physical security of organizational facilities.
Junior Penetration Tester: People in this role simulate cybersecurity attacks to identify vulnerabilities. They work under senior penetration testers that often design more comprehensive attacks.
Vulnerability Assessment Experts: Professionals in this role perform research to identify new, previously unknown vulnerabilities. They also manage the response to known vulnerabilities, prioritizing action according to risk.
Security Engineers: Cybersecurity teams use a lot of different software applications. The job of the security engineer is to evaluate that software and to get all of the different applications to work together.
Security Architect: The goal of this job is to plan, research and design a robust security infrastructure within a company. Security architects conduct regular system and vulnerability tests and implement or supervise the implementation of enhancements. They are also in charge of establishing recovery procedures.
Multiple Pathways Into the Field
The entry point into cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a computer science degree. An increasing number of cybersecurity-related degrees are being offered by departments outside of computing and computer science, with business, law and engineering serving as examples of other parent disciplines. At the same time, some companies are looking for key certifications and coursework, rather than a specific degree.
IEEE Senior Member Steven Furnell offered this advice to STEM professionals who are curious about cybersecurity but worried they don’t have the right experience.
“Think about the underlying skills that cybersecurity needs,” Furnell said. “Successive surveys of employers indicate that they value — and often claim to prioritize — transferable skills such as problem solving, collaboration and communication. These skills aren’t exclusive to those studying computer science. Holding any STEM degree or experience shows the ability to study and succeed at that level.”
Certifications also offer a pathway into entry-level positions, said IEEE Senior Member Kevin Curran.
“Often these certifications bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, job ready skills,” Curran said. “Especially for those with transferable tech backgrounds like IT, networking or programming.”
6, Aug 2025
Tech Talent Drives Pune Office Space Beyond 100 Mn Sq Ft
Pune, August 06, 2025: Knight Frank India, in its landmark report A Billion Sq Ft and Counting – India Office Supply Growth Story, has highlighted Pune’s emergence as one of India’s most dynamic and cost-effective office markets. With a total office stock of 106 million square feet as of H1 2025, Pune contributes 11% to India’s commercial real estate landscape and has recorded an impressive CAGR of 8.9% since 2005.
Strategically located and supported by world-class educational institutions, Pune’s evolution from a traditional manufacturing base to a technology and innovation powerhouse has cemented its place in the country’s top-tier office markets. Pune’s growth rate is the second highest and more than the national average.
PBDs Dominate Pune’s Commercial Landscape
Pune stands out for its strong peripheral orientation, with 51% of its office stock concentrated in Peripheral Business Districts (PBDs) such as Hinjewadi and Kharadi. These locations have emerged as major business corridors, thanks to proactive infrastructure investments and occupier preference for scalable, high-specification campuses.
SBDs like Baner, Aundh, Kalyani Nagar, and Yerwada account for 38% of stock, offering a balance between accessibility and affordability. Meanwhile, CBDs, including traditional hubs like Camp, Bund Garden Road, and Deccan, contribute only 11% of total stock, reflecting the city’s decentralised, corridor-led growth pattern.
Modern, High-Quality Stock Powers Growth
Pune’s commercial stock reflects a strong inclination toward quality, with 50% of inventory classified as Grade A and the rest of the stock in other grades, the city boasts one of the most modern and efficient real estate footprints in the country. This healthy mix has allowed Pune to cater to a broad spectrum of occupiers from startups and SMEs to global technology giants and R&D centres.
The presence of tech majors and multinational GCCs in PBDs, supported by lower rentals and a robust talent pipeline, continues to drive sustained demand for high-quality office spaces.
Key Milestones in India’s Office Stock Evolution
|
Period |
Phase |
Key Drivers |
Stock Growth (mn sq ft) |
% Change |
|
1990–2000 |
Tech Boom Foundation |
Economic liberalization, early IT services growth, emergence of tech parks, limited supply mainly in CBDs, rise of Indian software exports |
Grew to 192 |
– |
|
2000–2008 |
IT/ITES Expansion Era |
Offshoring boom, rise of IT/ITES occupiers, large integrated campuses, suburban corridor expansion (e.g., Whitefield, Hinjewadi, Cyberabad) |
192 → 278 (+86) |
45% |
|
2008–2010 |
Great Recession Impact |
Global financial crisis, demand contraction, rental corrections, consolidation of occupier footprints |
278 → 355 (+77) |
28% |
|
2010–2014 |
Recovery & Consolidation |
Demand recovery, infrastructure investments (metros, roads), growth of BFSI/consulting demand, entry of global funds |
355 → 544 (+188) |
53% |
|
2015–2019 |
Policy Reforms Era |
Launch of REIT framework, India’s first REIT (Embassy), implementation of RERA & GST, infra push, entry of coworking office players |
575 → 756 (+181) |
31% |
|
2020–2023 |
COVID Era, Recovery and proliferation of flex space |
Pandemic-led disruption, hybrid work adoption, resilience of REITs, rise in enterprise adoption of flex and managed offices, technology integration |
791 → 922 (+131) |
17% |
|
2024–Present |
Rise of GCCs and AI |
Rapid GCC expansion is accelerating demand for AI-integrated, tech-enabled workplaces. Flex space is becoming mainstream, ESG mandates are shaping asset choices, and design is increasingly centred on wellness, productivity, and innovation. |
973 → 993 (+20) |
2% |
Source: Knight Frank Research
P Vilas, National Director – Occupier Strategy & Solutions, Industrial & Logistics, Capital Markets, and Branch Head (Pune), Knight Frank India, said: “Pune has quietly emerged as a high-growth, innovation-focused office market with a unique blend of talent, affordability, and Grade A supply. The dominance of PBDs shows the city’s success in enabling corridor-based development models, particularly in IT and R&D. As global firms continue to adopt hybrid work formats, Pune’s flexibility and infrastructure edge make it one of the most attractive office markets for long-term commitments.”
As metro connectivity improves and road infrastructure expands across the Kharadi-Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar corridor, Pune is expected to see renewed investor interest and occupier expansion in its PBDs. These submarkets are already experiencing upward rental pressure, with newer Grade A assets commanding significant premiums.
The city’s ability to retain and attract young, digitally skilled talent while offering cost-effective, scalable workspaces ensures that it remains a focal point for tech, GCC, and manufacturing-linked office demand. With modern campuses, strong absorption trends, and institutional participation on the rise, Pune is set to play a central role in India’s journey to the next billion square feet of office supply.
Market Level Zone-wise Rentals (INR/sq ft)
|
Ahmedabad |
Bengaluru |
Chennai |
Hyderabad |
Kolkata |
MMR |
NCR- Delhi |
NCR- Gurugram |
NCR- Noida |
Pune |
||||||||||||
|
CBD |
40-51 |
130-220 |
70-95 |
55-65 |
70-105 |
190-277 |
220-390 |
120-192 |
80-110 |
82-143 |
|||||||||||
|
SBD |
47-55 |
100-180 |
75-105 |
70-95 |
55-95 |
98-427 |
90-230 |
85-140 |
50–65 |
64-128 |
|||||||||||
|
PBD |
55-60 |
60-95 |
38-70 |
30-65 |
27-65 |
54-99 |
NA |
40-45 |
30-35 |
48-110 |
Source: Knight Frank Research
