Author: Neel Achary

France’s Iconic Roll-Dog Brand Debuts at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Hyderabad, June 6, 2025 – Frank Famous Hot Dog, the iconic French gourmet hot dog brand, has officially launched its first Indian outlet at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, bringing its signature Roll-Dog to Indian travelers for the first time.

Founded in France in 2020, Frank is known for revolutionizing the traditional hot dog with its Roll-Dog—a premium, European-style take on the street food classic. Combining high-quality gourmet ingredients, artisanal craftsmanship, and bold brand flair, Frank has quickly earned a cult following across France and is now expanding across Switzerland, Belgium, and India to become the world’s #1 hot dog QSR brand.

Strategically located in the Arrival Terminal of RGIA, the new outlet is designed to offer travelers a quick, satisfying, and distinctly international food experience the moment they land. The menu features Frank’s iconic Roll-Dogs, loaded fries, beverages, and vegetarian options customized for Indian tastes.

This debut marks Frank’s entry into the fast-growing Indian QSR sector, with plans for additional airport and high-street locations already underway.

Courseplay Partners with Easygenerator to Transform Corporate Learning and Accelerate Workforce Upskilling in India

Bengaluru, 04th June 2025: In a strategic move to transform corporate learning and upskilling in India, Courseplay, the AI-powered learning management and experience platform from CIEL HR Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Easygenerator, a global leader in e-learning content authoring. This collaboration aims to empower enterprises to accelerate the development and deployment of high-impact training content, enabling organisations to rapidly develop interactive, AI-powered training content in-house, cutting development time by up to 60%, reducing training costs and improving employee readiness.

The partnership addresses a persistent challenge in enterprise learning- the disconnect between content creation and course delivery. Traditionally, organisations have relied on external instructional designers or third-party vendors, leading to delays, higher costs, and reduced responsiveness to evolving business needs. By combining Easygenerator’s intuitive, AI-powered authoring tool with Courseplay’s robust AI-powered LMS, LXP and PMS platform, the partnership enables subject matter experts and business leaders to independently create and publish engaging, industry-compliant courses without relying on external help. Once published, these courses can be efficiently managed, assigned and tracked via Courseplay’s intelligent workflows, advanced reporting tools and performance dashboards significantly accelerate training deployment and enhance learner engagement across the enterprise.

The solution’s industry-agnostic and flexible framework helps streamline the learning ecosystem while ensuring seamless alignment between learning initiatives and key business objectives. It offers greater autonomy to L&D teams in building contextual, high-impact content, enables leaders to track learning against KPIs and empowers the workforce to deliver just-in-time training. Learners benefit from a personalised, engaging learning experience within a unified, data-driven ecosystem.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Arjun Gupta, CEO and Founder, Courseplay, said, “Our partnership with Easygenerator represents a strategic union of complementary strengths aimed at transforming how organisations build future-ready workforces. Easygenerator’s AI-powered authoring tool and global reach perfectly align with Courseplay’s automation engine, robust reporting dashboards and AI-driven skilling journeys. Together, we deliver a unified, scalable learning ecosystem tailored to the needs of digital-first L&D teams. By democratising content creation, we enable our clients to foster agile, contextual and continuously evolving training environments crucial for thriving in today’s fast-changing business world.”

Easygenerator’s extensive global presence, particularly in Europe and Southeast Asia, strategically complements Courseplay’s expansion objectives. The partnership strengthens Courseplay’s value proposition in emerging markets by delivering a localised, scalable and compliance-driven learning solution that effectively addresses regional training requirements and supports multilingual workforce demands.

Adding to this, Mr Faraz Ghashemi, Director of Partnership, Easygenerator, said, “We are delighted to partner with Courseplay to bring on-demand and collaborative course creation to the forefront of enterprise learning. This collaboration allows business teams to instantly create impactful learning experiences. When combined with Courseplay’s intelligent delivery and measurement capabilities, enterprises can drive adaptive, real-time learning at scale. Today’s dynamic landscape demands speed, adaptability and continuous learning. This partnership enables just that by giving organisations the power to respond to skill gaps and business needs with unprecedented agility.”

Mr Aditya Mishra, Managing Director and CEO, CIEL HR Group Company, said, “At CIEL HR Group, our focus has always been on creating future-ready organisations by aligning people, technology and purpose. This partnership between Courseplay and Easygenerator is a pivotal step in that direction. By combining intuitive content creation with intelligent delivery and analytics, we are enabling businesses to scale learning like never before. It’s a bold stride towards democratising upskilling and building agile, high-performing workforces that are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.”

VDO.AI Adds Motion to Static Ads with Its Innovative In-Scroll Display Ad Format

Gurugram, June 4, 2025 – VDO.AI, a global leader in advertising technology, has taken a giant leap forward with the launch of its first-of-its-kind In-Scroll Display Ad Format. Transforming the advertising landscape, this new ad format by VDO.AI brings motion and interactivity to the traditional static ads and is designed to work seamlessly across both desktop and mobile environments.

 Blending the power of static visuals with a captivating 3D scrolling experience, VDO.AI’s In-Scroll Display Ad Format features a dynamic 50-50 split design that works seamlessly across desktop and mobile environments. This ad format enables brands to display a striking, static brand image on one side. In contrast, the other side provides viewers with the opportunity to explore a product’s features and unique selling points in a more immersive and interactive way.

 Unlike traditional static ads that often fade into the background, this innovative ad format empowers brands to captivate users through an interactive 3D scrolling experience, resulting in an uplift of over 25% in engagement rates.

 Commenting on the launch, Amitt Sharma, Co-founder and CEO of VDO.AI, said, “The In-Scroll Display Ad Format from VDO.AI infuses static ads with new vitality, offering brands a powerful tool to visually showcase their products to viewers. As audiences become increasingly discerning about the content they engage with, this innovative, scroll-activated format is designed to captivate attention and foster meaningful interaction”.

 Arjit Sachdeva, Co-founder & CTO of VDO.AI, added, “At VDO.AI, our dedication to continuous innovation ensures that our advertising solutions keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The launch of this In-Scroll Display Ad Format exemplifies our dedication to offering cutting-edge solutions that help brands stand out in an increasingly competitive digital environment. We are proud to enhance our suite of offerings to ensure brands have the very best tools available to capture and retain audience attention.”

BINNI Unveils The Maharani Collection Ahead of Wedding Season

D2C brand BINNI announces the launch of its new collection – The Maharani Collection curated for modern brides and bridesmaids, just before the wedding season.

Inspired by the roots of India blended into contemporary tastes; BINNI’s Maharani Collection draws inspiration from regal designs and the heirloom jewellery passed through generations to Indian Queens and Princesses and binds it with modern stones and unique designs for the Brides of today.

This collection brings together style, individuality, and craftsmanship — everything that today’s bride and her squad are looking for. They are not just more aware and fashion-forward but also practical — they want jewellery that feels personal, matches their outfit, expresses who they are and should be equally statement and trendy – BINNI’s Maharani Collection offers just that. What’s even better, It vibes with both traditional and western attire!!

This Collection has everything and more that a Bride may need to curate her entire wedding look making BINNI a one stop shop this wedding season. With artisanal craftsmanship the ornaments are set in both gold and silver toned frames offering:

Detailed chokers, long and short layered necklaces in 2 or multiple layers, eccentric haslis, delicate beaded necklaces, bead mat chokers – BINNI’s got your neck covered, Literally!

Match it with long earrings, jhumkas, double jhumkas, chand balis, danglers, statement earrings and more

Complete your look with intricate Kadas and cocktail Rings

Take your accessorizing game a notch higher with maang tikas, earring saharas, hathful, anklets and more

The modern bride should slay every accessory, so put on your glasses or sunnies with added glass chains

Adorn your wrists with matching watches that are not only studded with kundan and beaded in pearls but also have danglers, Woohoo!

The collection is a mix of varied jewel forms like Pacchi kundan and Quartz. Pearls, beads, semi precious stones, and AD add to the detailing of every jewel. A true Paarkhi will know how delicately traditional and modern Motif’s have been added to level up simple designs. The elephant and peacock motifs add to the royal touch while floral and paisley add a feminine charm.

Myntra Cares Launches ‘Cupboard of Care’ and ‘Project Restyle’ in partnership with BBMP and Saahas Zero Waste

Bengaluru, June 04, 2025: Myntra, one of India’s leading fashion and lifestyle platforms, has launched two key initiatives, ‘Myntra Cupboard of Care’ and ‘Project Restyle,’ in collaboration with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Saahas Zero Waste, as a part of its CSR initiatives under Myntra Cares. Designed to promote a circular economy in the fashion and textile industry, and extend the life cycle of clothes through reuse, recycle, and upcycle; these programs have been launched in Bengaluru.

The Myntra Cupboard of Care is a set of thoughtfully designed all weatherproof donation-and-pick-up kiosks installed outside selected major tech parks in Bengaluru. Implemented in partnership with BBMP and Saahas Zero Waste, the initiative enables anyone to drop off their pre-loved clothes and anyone in need to pick them up. Unclaimed items will be sent to Saahas’ textile recovery centre for upcycling into new products.

Complementing the public-facing kiosks is Project Restyle, which aims to engage gated residential communities across Bengaluru. Branded collection bins will be placed in 20 apartment complexes, encouraging residents to donate clothes. The collected garments will be segregated into different grades by Saahas Zero Waste and accordingly sent to the textile recovery centre for reuse, recycle, or upcycle. This process will also create jobs and livelihood for underserved communities.

Adding to this, Ramesh K N., IAS, Commissioner, Mahadevapura Zone, BBMP, said, “Myntra’s CSR initiatives present a pragmatic model that addresses both environmental concerns and social equity. We commend Myntra’s approach in making this a collaborative effort that utilizes public spaces for the public good while aligning with BBMP’s sustainability priorities.”

Speaking on the occasion, Govindraj MK, CHRO Myntra, said, “With initiatives like the Cupboard of Care and Project Restyle, we’re taking small but meaningful steps toward promoting circular economy in the fashion and textile industry. By enabling reuse, recycling and upcycling of garments, and working closely with communities and partners like BBMP and Saahas Zero Waste, we aim to keep more clothes in use for longer while also supporting the creation of new livelihood opportunities.”

The first Myntra Cupboard of Care kiosk is inaugurated outside Myntra’s HQ in Kadubeesanahalli by Govindraj MK, CHRO Myntra, Shobha Raghavan, CEO, Saahas Zero Waste, Ramesh K N., IAS, Commissioner, Mahadevapura Zone, BBMP with four additional installations planned for July across key tech park locations in Bengaluru. In parallel, Myntra Project Restyle has also kicked off in apartments across Bengaluru. As a gesture of appreciation, select contributing residents will receive sustainable goodies from Myntra each month.

Commenting on the partnership, Shobha Raghavan, CEO Saahas Zero Waste, said, “Circularity in textiles requires more than just intent, it needs infrastructure, awareness, and inclusive value chains. Through our partnership with Myntra, we are driving measurable impact by generating livelihoods, promoting circular fashion and responsible consumption. By embedding transparency and traceability into these programs, we are working toward a replicable model that other cities can adopt.”

Home Loan Volume and Value See Double-Digit Growth; High-Ticket Loans Reach 21% Share: Urban Money

Mumbai, Maharashtra, June 4, 2025 – Residential property registrations across key Indian cities have continued to rise steadily in recent years. Data from Urban Money (FinTech venture by Square Yards), shows that the total number of registered residential transactions in key cities*, as recorded by the Inspector General of Registration (IGR), increased from 3.07 lakh units in FY 2019 to 5.44 lakh units in FY 2025—a 77% growth over the six-year period.

This upward trend is also reflected in the housing finance sector, which plays a critical role in supporting residential real estate. According to Urban Money’s latest report, ‘Housing Finance – The Quiet Catalyst Driving India’s Property Market’, both the volume and value of home loans in major cities have increased by 10% and 15%, respectively. The report covers cities including Bengaluru, Gurugram, Noida & Greater Noida, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.

Amit Prakash Singh, CBO Urban Money & Co-Founder, Square Yards, “At Urban Money, we started with a simple goal—make housing finance in India easier, faster, and more accessible. The market was largely fragmented, with long paperwork and delayed sanctions. So, we built a digital-first platform, forged strong partnerships with lenders, and scaled a robust on-ground network of 500+ offices and 50,000+ agents—enabling us to become India’s largest organised distributor of secured mortgages. What’s even more encouraging is how the broader market is evolving. As highlighted in our latest report, home loan volumes in top cities grew by 10% YoY, and the total value disbursed rose 15% YoY in FY25. Home loans above Rs. 1 crore now make up 21% of disbursals, reflecting rising demand for premium housing. And with 1 in every 5 home loans going to a woman borrower, we’re clearly witnessing a shift towards more empowered and inclusive homeownership. All these shifts highlight rising urban aspirations, stable credit conditions, and evolving homeownership trends across the country.”

Urban Money’s latest trends and insights for FY 2025 highlight key shifts in home loan segment across India’s major residential real estate markets:

· Property-linked loans, comprising home loans and loans against property, accounted for the largest share—63%—of total loan disbursals in FY 2025.

· During the same period, the number of home loans disbursed in the top cities grew by 10% year-on-year. This included a 10% increase among male borrowers and a 9% increase among female borrowers.

· In FY 2025, the total value of home loans disbursed in these cities rose by 15%, reflecting a shift towards premium homes as well as notable increase in property prices—up by approximately 55–60% on average since FY 2019. Year-on-year growth in disbursal value stood at 14% for men and a higher 23% for women.

· Home loans above the Rs. 1 crore ticket-size accounted for 21% of total disbursals in FY 2025. In comparison, home loans below Rs. 45 lakh accounted for 47% of disbursals, while those between Rs. 45 lakh and Rs. 1 crore made up 32%.

· One in five home loans disbursed during FY 2025 was to a woman borrower, reflecting rising participation of women in property ownership.

· The average home loan value in the top cities reached Rs. 74 lakh in FY 2025, marking a 5% year-on-year increase. For male borrowers, the average stood at Rs. 76 lakh (+3% YoY), while for women it was Rs. 70 lakh—growing at the fastest rate of 13% year-on-year.

· Mumbai and Gurugram recorded the highest average home loan values, at Rs. 99 lakh and Rs. 88 lakh respectively in FY 2025.

Note: Insights are based on disbursal data trends observed on www.urbanmoney.com and should be viewed as indicative, not definitive.

Fintech and Urbanisation Driving Momentum in Housing Finance

The ongoing growth in residential real estate and housing finance is being driven by strong end-user demand, continued urbanisation, progressive government initiatives, and rapid advances in digital infrastructure. The rise of fintech platforms has played a key role by improving credit assessment processes, expanding access to credit, and enhancing the overall borrowing experience.

Urban Money, a FinTech venture by Square Yards, is at the forefront of this transformation. As one of the largest mortgage distribution networks in India, Urban Money operates as a leading digital lending marketplace and fintech platform. It aggregates loan offerings from banks and NBFCs, delivering a seamless, end-to-end experience—from product selection to documentation, tax and insurance guidance, and disbursal support.

Launched in 2015, Urban Money has grown to become the country’s largest organised distributor of secured mortgages. As of FY 2025, it has facilitated loan disbursals worth 61 K.Cr+, supported by a network of over 50,000 agents and partnerships with more than 150 banks and NBFCs.

Go Makeovers Expands Its Footprint with Bold Vision and Global Presence

Kolkata, 3rd June 2025: Go Makeovers India Pvt. Ltd., one of Eastern India’s fastest growing salon chains, turned heads in the beauty and wellness industry with its bold expansion strategy, innovative service model and rising global profile.

The brand, known for blending luxury aesthetics with high-end personal care, is on a mission to open 25 outlets across Kolkata by the end of 2026. With its distinctive dual-tier model, offering both Signature luxury experiences and Classic premium services; Go Makeovers has struck a chord with diverse clientele seeking sophistication, quality and personalised care.

Spearheading this impressive growth is Rudra Bayen, the dynamic Managing Director, whose entrepreneurial vision is redefining beauty retail in India. While simultaneously pursuing Chartered Accountancy and a B.Com Honours degree, Rudra has brought fresh leadership and creative energy to the company. Under his guidance, Go Makeovers is not just expanding; it’s transforming how salons deliver beauty.

Founded by a team of professionals from contrasting yet complementary fields – real estate and cosmetology; Go Makeovers is a fusion of spatial elegance and beauty expertise. Each outlet is designed to be more than a salon; it’s a destination where luxury, transformation and style come together seamlessly.

Recently, the brand’s growing credibility was spotlighted at the 8th Times Business Awards West Bengal 2025, where it was honoured as the ‘Trusted Salon Chain’, presented by Bollywood icon Juhi Chawla. The recognition affirms Go Makeovers’ reputation for excellence and client trust.

Taking its influence beyond Indian borders, Go Makeovers also made a stunning appearance at the London Mahotsav 2025, participating in a fashion show that marked its global debut. In a proud moment, founding member Bidyut Bayen was conferred the Bengal British Icon Awards 2025, joined by his son Rudra Bayen, symbolising the brand’s strong family leadership and international ambition.

Rudra Bayen, Managing Director, Go Makeovers, expressed, “Our vision has always been to create more than just a salon; we’re building experiences that empower confidence and self-expression. This journey is just getting started and we’re committed to taking Indian beauty expertise to a global stage.”

Bidyut Bayen, Founding Member, Go Makeovers, stated, “Go Makeovers was born from a passion for aesthetics and excellence. Seeing it evolve into a trusted brand and earn international recognition is not just a personal milestone; it’s a celebration of the entire team’s dedication and belief in our mission.”