20, Jan 2024
Insurance-Tech Startup Healspan Raises Pre-Seed Funding of INR 1.2 Cr Led by PedalStart
National, 20 January 2024: Bengaluru-based insurance-tech startup Healspan, a prominent provider of B2B insurance claims management software, has raised ₹1.2 Crore in a recently concluded pre-seed funding round led by startup community-builder and accelerator PedalStart. While this marks the first institutional fundraising round for Healspan since its inception in 2022, the startup has, through its strategic fundraising endeavors, raised a total funding of ₹1.7 Cr till date.
With the aid of its revolutionary claims filing and tracking software, Healspan has already helped 60+ hospitals pan-India in seamlessly managing the documentation, queries, processing, and other key aspects relating to cashless health insurance claims. The company will be utilizing the newly acquired pre-seed capital to bolster its technology, talent acquisition, and overall business operations and growth. Furthermore, the funds raised through this round shall play an instrumental role in growing and scaling Healspan’s clientele, and in boosting their subscriptions and revenue.
Speaking about the latest fundraise, Mr. Sabarinath U and Mr. Abhi Sinha, Co-Founders of Healspan said, “We are thrilled to announce our pre-seed fundraise led by PedalStart – an exciting milestone in Healspan’s journey of empowering our users across the country to experience efficient and hassle-free claims management. The funds raised will enable us to make significant product and tech-related enhancements and upgrades, especially in terms of optimizing the front-end of our flagship software, and shall further enable us to onboard the right talent, including core team members, so that we can focus on growing sustainably and profitably while increasing our clientele and impact. From the long-term perspective, it steers us in the right direction towards realizing our mission of making healthcare administration effortless via automating and streamlining claims management using SaaS technology. Going ahead, we at Healspan remain committed to ensuring that our software reaches to and benefits maximum hospitals and tertiary healthcare centers across India”.
“In today’s time when India is emerging as one of the fastest-growing insurance markets globally, technology-based solutions, ie. insurance-tech tools and platforms are creating a transformative impact for industry stakeholders. Despite the sectoral boom, not too many players in our country are currently solving pain points on the B2B side. For instance, we noticed that when it comes to cashless insurance claims processing for hospitals, the software that Healspan has built is a first-of-its-kind, disruptive solution for India, which provides the startup an early-mover advantage in this niche segment. Also, we at PedalStart have been impressed by the founders’ vision and zeal to simplify healthcare operations by solving comprehensively for claims management. These factors collectively enabled us to decide to provide financial and other forms of backing to Healspan, and we look forward to extending our continued support to help them grow furthermore in the years to come,” commented Mr. Manas Pal and Mr. Aditya Darolia, Co-founders of PedalStart.
Notably, Healspan has been associated with PedalStart for over six months now. Speaking about the association with PedalStart, Sabarinath U and Abhi Sinha added, “Of late, PedalStart has been playing a pivotal role in supporting our entrepreneurial journey. As a matter of fact, the PedalStart team has already helped us a lot in terms of overcoming our business challenges, figuring out priorities and additional revenue streams, and in building the initial momentum for our product. They have also assisted us in getting access to our workspace (office) setup and other important resources at discounted prices, and till date continue to guide us and provide varied solutions at every step along the journey”.
Owing to the ongoing support of PedalStart, over the last four months, Healspan has increased its revenue by 4x and has been actively focusing on adding new revenue streams and paid subscribers to the business. The startup has already established its major presence across multiple metros and tier 1 cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and others; and they are looking to expand to at least more locations across India while serving at least 1000 hospitals by the end of 2025.
Going forward, making cashless claim filing and tracking painless and effortless for hospitals and patients alike shall continue to remain the startup’s core focus area. However, over the long term, Healspan envisions being able to cater to new users beyond just the healthcare segment and shall attempt to solve various pain points for insurance and finance industry stakeholders as well.
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- By Rabindra
20, Jan 2024
Apollo launches India’s 1st AI-Precision Oncology Centre
National, 20 January 2024: In a significant move that will substantially enhance the quality of oncology care in India, Apollo Cancer Centre has launched India’s first AI-Precision Oncology Centre (POC) in Bengaluru. With this, the center will be able to offer the fastest and best treatment routes to oncologists, patients and care givers, using the enormous possibilities offered by AI.
The POC with its comprehensive and specialised medical services ensures accurate diagnosis, real-time insights, cancer risk assessment, treatment protocol and continuum of care, thus providing first-of-its-kind cutting-edge services in oncology care in India. The AI-POC is designed to be patient-centric, in the most personalized manner. It identifies eligible patients for targeted therapy and immunotherapy, as part of the diagnosis and treatment planning. With the help of conversational AI, it educates the patients and family on diagnosis, treatment FAQs and connections to support groups.
The facility was inaugurated by Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka in the presence of Ms Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director at Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC), and Dr Vishwanath S, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, ACC, Bangalore.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka, said, “As we inaugurate India’s first AI-driven Precision Oncology Centre at Apollo Cancer Centres, Bengaluru, I am honoured to witness a groundbreaking convergence of innovation and healthcare. This pioneering initiative not only represents a monumental leap in medical technology but it also symbolises hope and progress for patients and caregivers. Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to personalised oncology care through AI is a beacon of compassion and advancement, ensuring a brighter future for those battling cancer.”
Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, said, “The launch of AI Precision Oncology Centre marks a significant stride in redefining cancer care. This transformative initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to personalized medicine and technological innovation. The Precision Oncology Centre reflects our dedication to providing patients with the most advanced, tailored treatments, underscoring Apollo Hospitals’ relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare delivery.”
Apollo’s AI Precision Oncology centre will also play a significant role in aiding India in becoming a global medical hub offering world class cancer care at an affordable cost.
Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, ACC, Bengaluru, said, “The Centre will support new patient identification through auto-alerts to operational teams that identify eligible patients for PoCs. Patient SOS auto-alerts to operational teams on deteriorating patient outcomes for intervention and clinical escalation form another key feature.”
Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to innovation and excellence is embodied in the unveiling of the AI-driven Precision Oncology Centre. The Precision Oncology Centre embodies our dedication to revolutionizing oncology care through personalized, data-driven solutions, reflecting Apollo Hospitals’ unwavering pursuit of excellence in healthcare delivery.
20, Jan 2024
STAAH partners with ‘The World’, luxury hotel in Surat
Mumbai: January 20, 2024 – STAAH, the leading New Zealand-based hospitality solutions provider, has partnered with premium new luxury hotel – ‘The World’, located in Surat, Gujarat. As part of this collaboration, STAAH will enable the +200-room luxury property to integrate and streamline a range of functions seamlessly with the ultimate aim of generating healthy revenues and long-duration, repeat bookings.
By deploying STAAH suite of hospitality solutions including the STAAH Max Pro Channel Manager, SwiftBook Booking Engine Solution, Integrated Payment Gateway, and PMS, the property aims to better overall revenue generation, optimize online bookings, and enhancing its overall guest experience.
“Having launched in 2023, we are a fairly new property. However, right from the start we were clear that we will run a tight ship with the help of advanced technological interventions. We chose STAAH because we found their platform reliable, easy to use and efficient. Since we are located in Surat’s bustling diamond and textile hub, the profile of our guests is very different from any other hotel. Our guests require a living space for longer durations where they can enjoy the pleasure of home and the service of a hotel. We look forward to benefitting from STAAH’s targeted customized approach,” said Mr. Anurag Shrivastav, GM,The World.
‘The World’ located in Surat Smart City, is part of the Hindva Group, a premium global organisation that runs businesses across the Constructions & Real Estate Development, Textiles, Hospitality, Education and IT verticals. The property is centrally located with easy connections to India’s first Bullet Train Station as well as to the Surat airport. Surat is the 4th fastest growing city of the world.
“The technology requirements of ‘The World’ were very specific. Its location attracts more business travelers and it is a fairly new property. We are delighted that they chose the STAAH stack to help meet all their short-term and long-term goals. We look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with them,” said Shoaib Ali, National Sales Head, India
The technological expertise of STAAH will empower the group with tools like Channel Management — that helps hotels to list and manage their inventory across booking channels, to drive more business and boost revenue.
20, Jan 2024
Centricity expands its footprint into the South Market with a new office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, 20th January 2024: Centricity, a Gurugram-based wealthtech startup, proudly announces the grand inauguration of its new office in Bengaluru, expanding its footprint into the south market. Strategically located on the bustling Church Street, it will cater to a diverse set of requirements in wealth management and financial product distribution across the region. Centricity has started hiring select talent across a range of capabilities and is welcoming new hires in Bengaluru. Since Centricity started operations in April 2023, it has created a vast network of more than 1600 financial product distributors across 12 states and 15 cities, onboarding over 2000 clients.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the Bengaluru office, Anirudh Mahanot, Founding Team Member and Business Head (South & West India) at Centricity, expressed, “Bengaluru is a pivotal market for us, and this new office represents our commitment to innovation. With this new office, we are aiming to reach more people and bridge the gap among Investors, Wealth Managers & Asset Managers. Our tie-up with IIT Madras Research Park is working on specialized modules to integrate elements of AI and ML to make this platform efficient.”
Founding Partners, Manu Awasthy (CEO) and Gaurav Tiwari, along with senior team members Vinayak Magotra, Arpita Hegde, and Abhay Mishra, and Centricity team graced the event. The Bengaluru office will be led by Anirudh Mahanot and his dedicated team, including Attaur Khan (Branch Manager, Bangalore) and Shankar PA (Branch Manager, Bangalore).
Centricity’s “OneDigital” is India’s first tech-enabled multi-asset class, multi-product platform that enables MFDs to access a comprehensive digital financial product listing, execute transactions digitally, and deliver multi-product and multi-advisor client portfolio reports seamlessly. It also equips MFDs with tools such as goal planning, a learning & development library, portfolio analytics, and more.
Centricity’s second platform, “INVICTUS,” caters to single-family offices, UHNI, and corporate treasuries with portfolios exceeding 100cr. INVICTUS serves as an insight engine, simplifying investment management processes and offering holistic reporting, investment reckoner, portfolio scanner, liquidity profile, and performance tracking.
Having also achieved ISO27001:2022 and RIA licence, Centricity has ambitious plans for the upcoming year, including expanding business development teams, adding tech talent, achieving ESG compliance. Initiatives such as setting up a support call centre, applying for broking licenses, conducting many more distributor partner roadshows, and offering mortgages for distributors are also in the pipeline.
20, Jan 2024
Kia Seltos Introduces Seltos Diesel with 6-speed Manual Transmission
Mumbai, 20 January 2024: Kia, India’s leading premium carmaker, today launched 5 new Seltos 6-speed manual transmission variants in Tech line trims, featuring diesel engine options. Starting at a competitive price of INR 11,99,900 (Ex-showroom) across India, Seltos now comes with a total of 24 variants, offering its discerning customers the most extensive range of drive options. Launched in July 2023, the New Seltos has achieved remarkable success, with sales reaching 65,000 units to date.
The new Seltos offers 32 safety features, including Robust 15 Hi-safety features (standard across the range) and 17 most evolved Level 2 ADAS autonomous features. The mid-SUV boasts features like a dual-screen panoramic display with a 26.04 cm Full Digital Cluster and 26.03 cm HD Touchscreen Navigation, Dual Zone Fully Automatic Air Conditioner and R17 43.66 cm Crystal Cut Alloy Wheels. Other remarkable features include a Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof and an Electric Parking Brake.
Mr. Myung-sik Sohn, Chief Sales and Business Strategy Officer, Kia India said, “We always believe in empowering consumers with choices when it comes to drive experience. A lot of customers wanted to experience the joy of shifting gears, and hence, we are introducing 6-speed manual transmission in 5 Seltos diesel variants for true enthusiasts who love to have full control on the road. This inclusion in the new Seltos will make its positioning as the smartest, safest driving experience even stronger.”
Seltos, since its first launch in 2019, has sold 6 Lakh units in Domestic and International markets. The Seltos contribute more than 51% to Kia India’s total domestic dispatches. Seltos is one of the biggest brands for Kia Corporation, with 1 out of every 10 Kia cars sold globally being a Seltos. The new Seltos will grow the mid-SUV segment by reinventing and revamping it with its best-in-segment features and stunning design.
Price List:
|
Engine |
Variant | Transmission | Price (INR) |
|
1.5l CRDi VGT Diesel |
HTE |
6MT |
11,99,900 |
| HTK | 13,59,900 | ||
| HTK+ | 14,99,900 | ||
| HTX | 16,67,900 | ||
| HTX+ | 18,27,900 |
Customers can book their variant of choice through the Kia India official website: www.kia.com/in, and via any of the authorized dealerships of Kia India.
20, Jan 2024
Ayodhya Embraces Pakka’s Vision with Artful Cleanliness Brand Campaign
20th January 2024, New Delhi: Pakka Limited, formerly known as Yash Pakka Limited, a manufacturer of compostable packaging solutions, has launched a unique, art-centric brand campaign in Ayodhya. Ahead of the much-anticipated Ram Mandir inauguration, the campaign aims to raise awareness about cleanliness in the holy city. Themed around ‘Cleanliness is Service’ and ‘Cleanliness is Abundance’, the campaign echoes the Indian Government’s “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” initiative spearheading UP government’s Single-Use Plastic Free Ayodhya Campaign – RACE.
Pakka’s campaign is centered on adorning Ayodhya with vibrant illustrations depicting the ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ motif. These eye-catching visuals will strategically be placed on hoardings, painted police booths, and bio-toilets, reinforcing the message of responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.
In a significant move, Pakka has collaborated with the Ram Mandir Trust to further improve the campaign’s impact. Pakka’s flagship brand, CHUK, known for its compostable tableware, will exclusively distribute tableware before and after the Ayodhya Mandir inauguration event. This collaboration is a testament to Pakka’s dedication to promoting and spreading the message of sustainability.
Gautam Ghosh, Executive Director of Pakka Limited said, “The Ram Mandir consecration is undoubtedly one of the most momentous occasions in the history of the country. With this illustrative campaign, we aim to create awareness on the menace of single-use plastics that would benefit the community and city. The overarching goal of the campaign is not just solving end-to-end needs for disposables throughout the event but also cementing our position as the flag-bearers of sustainability originating from Ayodhya.”
20, Jan 2024
BMW Golf Cup 2024 held in Bengaluru
Bengaluru 20th Jan 2024: BMW India kickstarts its India edition of the largest amateur golf tournament – The BMW Golf Cup 2024 in Bengaluru. The much-awaited golf tournament will be held at spectacular golf courses across Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Noida, Kolkata and Gurgaon. The winners of the regional tournaments will compete at the national finals which will be held later in 2024.
BMW Golf Cup, one of the world’s largest amateur golf tournament series can trace its roots back a quarter of a century to a British-based initiative that ran on its own for five years before going international. The tournament started as the BMW Invitation Tournament in UK. It has now developed into a global series with 1,000 qualifying tournaments involving 100,000 players in up to 50 countries. The best players from each nation qualify for the highlight, the BMW Golf Cup World Final.
An exclusive, invitation-only event, the BMW Golf Cup 2024 is open to golfers who are members of recognised golf clubs in country. The tournaments are held in accordance with the rules of the respective local golf club. It is also a loyalty program that rewards BMW customers with a chance to qualify for one of the largest amateur golf tournaments in the world. BMW India dealers identify amateur golfers amongst BMW owners who would be interested in participating in the tournament.
India is one of 50 participating countries at the World Final of BMW Golf Cup 2024 which is a global series with 1,000 qualifying tournaments involving 100,000 players. The BMW Golf Cup is an amateur golf tournament series designed for customers, prospects, and opinion leaders and provides the right mix for an exclusive social interaction.
The BMW Golf Cup has three categories, A (for handicaps up to 12), B (for handicaps 13 – 28), and Ladies Category (for handicaps up to 28). The winners, runners-up and second runners-up of the individual handicap categories qualify for the National Final. The winners in each of the three handicap categories in the National Final qualify to take part in the World Final of BMW Golf Cup.
20, Jan 2024
Shiv Nadar University Delhi-NCR Hosts Inaugural Industry Partners Meet
New Delhi, January 20, 2024: Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, held its inaugural Industry Partners Meet today. Themed “Innovate, Educate, Elevate,” the event was attended by industry leaders from over 100 organisations spanning 11 major sectors: IT, core engineering, consulting, financial, FMCG, semiconductor, automobile, social sector, think tanks, startups, telecom, and more. The guests included CEOs of Microsoft, PwC, LinkedIn, and HR leaders from GAIL, McKinsey, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise India.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Shikhar Malhotra remarked, “To be the youngest university in India to get an Institution of Eminence tag tells us about the work done by Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR. This also puts pressure on us to deliver the best talent. Shiv Nadar University thrives on the symbiotic ties with the industry and holds a mutually interdependent relationship.”
The meet featured insightful sessions, including Leadership Panels. The CEO Panel, discussing ‘Elevating Innovation through Strategic Education Partnerships: A CEO Perspective,’ was a vibrant discussion with panelists including Mr. Shikhar Malhotra, Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University Delhi-NCR; CEO & Vice-Chairman, HCL Healthcare; Trustee, Shiv Nadar Foundation; Mr. Puneet Chandok, President Microsoft India & South Asia; Mr. Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India and Mr. Ashutosh Gupta, Country Manager, LinkedIn India.
The HR Leaders Conversation included Ayush Gupta, Director of HR at GAIL; Sailesh Menezes, VP and Head of HR at Hewlett Packard Enterprise India; and Harsh Sawnani, Head of India Recruitment at McKinsey & Company. They engaged in a discussion on the Art of Talent Management in the evolving employment landscape.
Thanking the guests for attending the event, Dr. Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR said, “We would like to deepen the partnerships with the industry through the various ideas exchanged during the event. We hope to follow up on these ideas exchange with some concrete steps.”
The event concluded with a fireside chat featuring Ms. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech and Trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation, with the university’s alum Kartik Arora, Co-Founder & CTO at Elevate HQ.
The Industry Partners Meet, besides offering a platform for meaningful conversations and strategic collaborations, also celebrated the vibrant community at Shiv Nadar University Delhi-NCR. As the first inaugural meet, it set the stage for future engagements and partnerships, reinforcing the university’s commitment to excellence in education and industry collaboration.
20, Jan 2024
Biggest Aerial Action Film ‘Fighter’ Launches Exclusive Merchandise Line
Mumbai, 20th January 2024: In anticipation of the much-awaited release of India’s Biggest Aerial Action Film, ‘Fighter,‘ the production team is thrilled to announce the launch of its own merchandise line. Collaborating with prominent platforms including FlipKart, Souled Store, HRX, Vega, A47, and more, ‘Fighter’ introduces an extensive range of exclusive merchandise to delight fans and enthusiasts alike.
The strategic partnership with renowned platforms is designed to transcend the cinematic experience and provide fans with an immersive connection to the world of ‘Fighter.’ The merchandise line encompasses a diverse array of offerings, ranging from trendy apparel and accessories to coveted collectibles and memorabilia.
Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios, shared “We are thrilled to bring the captivating world of ‘Fighter’ to life beyond the screen. Delighted to partner with multiple platforms for ‘Fighter’s’ exclusive merchandise line. Through a meticulously curated collection of apparel and accessories, fans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the thrilling universe of ‘Fighter’.”
“This is the first instance when such a comprehensive range of film merchandise has been curated for an Indian film. We are very proud of this work,” shared Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios.
The merchandise line is a testament to ‘Fighter’s’ commitment to delivering an unparalleled cinematic experience. Fans can now not only witness the heart-pounding action on the big screen but also carry a piece of the ‘Fighter’ legacy in their daily lives through these specially curated items.
Prepare to be part of the ‘Fighter’ universe both on and off the screen. Stay tuned for the theatrical release of ‘Fighter’ on January 25th, 2024, and gear up to own a piece of this cinematic brilliance through the exclusive merchandise line.
20, Jan 2024
India’s Premier ESDM Event to accelerate “Design-Led Manufacturing and Semiconductor Ecosystem”
New Delhi, January 20, 2024: The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), the premier trade body representing the Indian Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry, is all set to launch the 18th edition of its flagship event, IESA Vision Summit 2024, on January 24-25, 2024, at the Hilton Convention Centre, Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.
The theme of this year’s summit ‘Design-Led Manufacturing – Leveraging the Semiconductor Ecosystem’, will bring together over 1000 delegates from around 275 companies, 25+ top government officials and policy makers, 75+ top industry leaders from across the globe, multiple state pavilions encompassing prominent figures from deep tech, MSME and startup ecosystems, incubators, the latest products, innovations and embedded electronics solutions from 80+ exhibitors, industry report launches, MOUs, product launches, policy announcements from participating states.
Sanjay Gupta, Chairman IESA, and Ashok Chandak, President IESA commented, “We are delighted to welcoming all the stakeholders of the ESDM sector to the 18th edition of IESA Vision Summit theme of Design-Led Manufacturing – Leveraging the Semiconductor Ecosystem. We believe that India has the potential to become a world-class ESDM hub, by leveraging its strengths in design, innovation, and talent, and by creating a conducive ecosystem that supports the entire value chain of the semiconductor industry.”
Some of the notable attendees and keynote speakers at the event include Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India, Shri Priyank M. Kharge (Hon’ble Minister, IT, BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka), Shri S Krishnan, IAS (Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India), Mr. Gary Campbell (EVP, Central Engineering, ARM), Lars Reger ( CTO NXP Semiconductors), and leaders from world renounced companies such as Alphawave Semi, D- Matrix, Lam Research, Synopsis, KLA, Applied Materials, Kaynes, Siemens, Renesas, National Instruments and many more.
The two-day event will also host the IESA Technovation Awards, one of the most prestigious awards of the ESDM industry which recognizes and honors the most innovative and impactful individuals and organizations for their contributions to India’s ESDM ecosystem. The summit will also feature several sessions, panel discussions, and B2B meetings on topics such as semiconductor design, Electronics manufacturing, packaging, Product creation, Skilling and Talent Development, Multiple States ESDM policies, AI, automotive, and more.
