13, Dec 2023
Today Global Developers Unveils Navi Mumbai’s First ‘E-Motion’ Homes, Redefining Lifestyle Living
Navi Mumbai, December 13, 2023: Today Global Developers, a leading name in the Navi Mumbai real estate market, has launched its first ‘E-Motion’ homes at its latest project, Codename Belle Vue, set to revolutionize the concept of Lifestyle Homes in Navi Mumbai.
At the project’s core is a profound thought: “We understand your emotions like no one else.” The ‘E-Motion’ homes are conceptualized to cater to the aspirations of a forward-thinking segment of homebuyers seeking large-sized apartments within a secure gated community. The 3BHK homes launched at Belle Vue go beyond being just residences; they are a collection of personalized experiences that offer a unique blend of moments and small memories that set the mood, all made possible through the enchantment of lights, music, and window-motorised curtains.
Each ‘E-Motion’ home leverages mood-inspired Smart Home Automation technology to inspire individual moods and lifestyles. Whether for parties, work, or spiritual contemplation, ‘E-Motion’ homes capture and customize the various moods, placing families at heart. The 3BHK homes primarily cater to young homebuyers who appreciate innovation and seek a fresh approach to Lifestyle Homes.
Commenting on the campaign launch, Mr. Bhavesh Shah, Joint Managing Director-Today Global Developer, said, “At Today Global Developers, we firmly believe that the essence of life is happiness, and our ‘E-Motion’ homes are a testament to this belief. We’ve harnessed the power of technology to curate happiness through experiences that evoke positive emotions. What truly sets these homes apart is our ability to tailor solutions based on the emotions of our customers. Homebuyers can customize experiences to match their mood patterns, effectively addressing their emotional needs. We are thrilled to unveil these transformative homes and are confident that we will revolutionize the Navi Mumbai real estate market by offering these ‘E-Motions’. It’s a game-changer that not only meets but surpasses the emotional needs of our homebuyers, setting a new benchmark for Lifestyle Homes in the region.”
Today Global Developers has seamlessly merged technology with emotions in creating these ‘E-Motion’ Homes. Homebuyers can customize and create unique experiences that suit their moods through voice assistance and motion-sensing device control, automated mood lighting, musical device control systems, and the most advanced keyless security system with app-based notifications.
Homes with ‘E-Motions’ is the company’s response to the growing demand for spacious layouts and unique experiences within gated communities. Inspired by internal research, this technological marvel from Today Global Developers is poised to redefine Lifestyle Homes in Navi Mumbai. The company has partnered with “AHA” Homes to enhance the offerings in these homes.
While ‘E-Motion’ homes are positioned as a premium customized solution exclusively accessible to 3BHK buyers, Today Global Developers is committed to making these innovative solutions accessible and affordable for a broader range of customers. For Today Global Developers, ‘E-Motion’ homes aren’t just another project but an emotional revolution that will forever transform how people perceive Lifestyle Homes in Navi Mumbai, setting a new standard for modern living.
About Today Global Developers – With a prestigious 20-year legacy sculpting Navi Mumbai’s skyline, Today Global Developers has firmly engraved its name as a paramount player in the real estate realm. The group has seamlessly woven the tapestry of quality residential and commercial projects into the fabric of Navi Mumbai, punctuating its journey with on-time project deliveries. In recent years, Today Global Developers have become the coveted choice among discerning homebuyers. To date, the illustrious Today Global Developers has flawlessly delivered over 20 projects and has an impressive 20 lakh square feet under construction, aiming to usher in 5,000 new homes within the next seven years.
Navi Mumbai has undergone a transformative evolution, fuelled by the emergence of critical ongoing and forthcoming infrastructure ventures, making it the preferred haven for prospective homeowners. With unwavering experience and unassailable expertise, Today Global Developers envisions projects that meet and transcend customer expectations. The group’s foundational ethos orbits around pursuing “Happiness and Prosperity” for all, materializing through meticulously designed spaces that breathe life into their projects. At the helm of this visionary journey stands Mr. Bhadresh Shah, the Promoter Director, who embarked on this odyssey with a mere seed capital of Rs. 50 lakhs. Today, the group stands poised to reach an astounding annual turnover of over Rs. 450 Crores by the end of the current financial year.
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- By Rabindra
13, Dec 2023
The Quest to Find India’s Next Unicorn Begins as Prime Video Unveils the Trailer of the Original Reality Series Mission Start Ab
MUMBAI, India — December 13, 2023 — Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today unveiled the captivating trailer of its upcoming Original competitive reality series – Mission Start Ab. The series has been conceptualized as part of Prime Video’s partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Mission Start Ab is a first-of-its-kind series that celebrates innovative, grassroots ideas.
The show meticulously evaluates 10 early-stage founders and entrepreneurs under the mentorship of three distinguished investors – investors Kunal Bahl (co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital), Anisha Singh (founder of She Capital, founder, and ex-CEO, MyDala), and Manish Chowdhary (co-founder WOW Skin Science).
During the course of this competition, the competing founders also face challenges featuring prominent faces from the business and entertainment world such as Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Rohit Shetty (Filmmaker), Riyaaz Amlani (Impresario Entertainment Hospitality), Zeenah Vilcassim (Zomato Live Entertainment), Nilesh Kothari (Trifecta Capital) and Saikiran Krishnamurthy (xto10x Technologies). Executive Produced by Indrajit Ray and directed by Srimanta Sengupta, this Endemol India production is written by Bhavesh Mehta, and hosted by Masaba Gupta and Cyrus Sahukar.
The series is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on December 19. Mission Start Ab is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership for just ₹1499/ year.
Enthralling, engaging, and inspiring, the trailer of Mission Start Ab, introduces audiences to the three top investors along with ten extraordinary early-stage founders. Each founder confronts formidable challenges that test their entrepreneurial mettle. Promising a ‘deal of a lifetime’ for the winner, the trailer heightens anticipation for the series launch on December 19 enticing viewers to discover the last-standing founders and potentially witness the birth of India’s next Unicorn.
“India is a land of billion-plus dreams, and these dreams encapsulate infinite possibilities. Mission Start Ab is a series that aims to fuel the dreams of an increasingly entrepreneurial India,” shared Aparna Purohit, head of Originals, India & Southeast Asia, Prime Video. “At Prime Video, we are committed to telling stories that are rooted, relatable, and designed to entertain, inspire and provoke. Mission Start Ab goes beyond storytelling; it embodies the very essence of dreams, aspirations, and brilliance scattered across the length and breadth of India. As storytellers, we believe there is nothing more compelling or inspiring than the stories of resilient individuals using their unwavering grit, determination, and tenacity to achieve success. The core philosophy of Mission Start Ab aligns with Prime Video’s overarching vision of serving as a catalyst, actively contributing to the economic growth and development of the nation. We are confident that audiences, not only within India, but across 240 countries and territories will be inspired and entertained by it.”
Elaborating on the role that series like Mission Start Ab can play in furthering the growth of India’s startup ecosystem, Shri Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India said, “I am extremely happy to see Prime Video has developed episodes on the storyline shared by Office of PSA for future startups to learn through OTT on skill sets required to lead as founders of startups. Scalable capacity building can be achieved through such breakthrough interventions.”
“Entrepreneurship is an intense, transformative journey, and I’ve witnessed this through the lens of being a founder, mentor, and investor,” said Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital. “The startup sector in India buzzes with brilliant minds and innovative ideas that have immense potential to accelerate our nation’s economic growth. To catalyze their success, we need a robust ecosystem that provides them with the necessary resources, support, and guidance. This is where Mission Start Ab steps in, marking a significant leap towards building a stronger foundation of knowledge and support for our aspiring entrepreneurs and startups. Each of the 10 founding teams on the show represents the youthful energy and diverse talent of our nation, embodying not just skills but an insatiable hunger to succeed against all odds. I am elated to be a part of this journey, sharing my experiences and insights, and acting as a guide and mentor to these passionate individuals who are scripting their own stories of struggle and triumph across India.”
“When people look at a founder’s life, especially a successful founder’s life, people assume it is an easy ride. But founder life is hard, and everyone needs to work crazy hard on each little thing. Having been a founder for most of my life, I deeply respect founders who can stick to their values and show grit.” said Anisha Singh, founder of She Capital, founder and ex-CEO, of MyDala “Mission Start Ab is unlike any other startup show – it is a boot camp that gives a bird’s eye view into the real ‘founder’s life’.
The best part about it is that you get to see how Bharat’s start-up ecosystem and founders have evolved. They are building from Bharat for Bharat and from Bharat for the world. I am thrilled to be part of a series that shows just how cool these founders are, and how the pressure they deal with on the show makes them diamonds.”
“Mission Start Ab is not just another reality series, it is a potential gamechanger for the Indian startup economy,” said Manish Chowdhary, co-founder WOW Skin Science. “It offers deep insights into the kind of challenges and opportunities our innovators face, and at the same time, what the investor community looks for, while evaluating investment in a startup. I am immensely proud to be a part of such a pathbreaking show and grateful to Prime Video for this unique opportunity. As investors, incubators, and mentors, we cannot reach out to every aspiring entrepreneur, but with this show, every budding entrepreneur will have a better insight into the right measures they need to take to grow in their space.”
13, Dec 2023
Electric Excavators Light up the Future at the Tata Hitachi Pavilion at EXCON 2023
Bengaluru 13th December’23: Tata Hitachi, a frontrunner in the construction equipment industry, inaugurated its pavilion at Excon 2023 (The largest Construction Equipment Exhibition in South Asia), under the theme of “Aao Kartavya Nibhaye, Chalo Desh Banaye.”
Leveraging the platform of EXCON, this theme reinforces Tata Hitachi’s commitment to fostering a sense of duty and collective responsibility towards nation-building through technologically advanced machines and innovative solutions.
This commitment is also embodied in Tata Hitachi’s demonstrated obligation towards environmental sustainability. In line with this, Tata Hitachi displayed technologically advanced futuristic electric machines that included the ZAXIS 55U-6EB (Electric Battery) and India’s first indigenously developed E Electric concept mini excavator.
Tata Hitachi also launched four new products, along with 2 new attachments at EXCON 2023:
Newly Launched Machines:
Newly Launched Attachments:
1) EX 210LC PRIME
1) Vibro Ripper
2) ZAXIS 220LC ULTRA
2) Drum Cutter
3) EX235 LC-VR
4) ZAXIS 490H ULTRA
Also, on display were ZAXIS 140H ULTRA, EX130 PRIME, and EX70 PRIME with AC cabin; SHINRAI PRO 49HP and SHINRAI POWER-4 four-wheel drive backhoe loaders; the country’s only Hydrostatic Wheel Loader TL340H PRIME; 5-Tonne Class Wheel Loader ZW225; and other EX Series and ZAXIS Series range of Hydraulic excavators. Tata Hitachi’s support solutions on display will include a range of attachments and genuine spare parts, and an array of service offerings.
Tata Hitachi’s presence at EXCON 2023 reaffirms the company’s position as an industry leader dedicated to driving innovation and shaping the future of construction equipment by introducing cutting-edge technology, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices.
Commenting on Tata Hitachi’s participation, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director at Tata Hitachi, said, “Our customer-centric philosophy, people, and processes have stood us in good stead in our journey of over 60 years. It is this ethos that has enabled us to build one of India’s largest customer-facing networks in the excavator segment. In recent years, we have also bolstered our portfolio with Backhoe Loaders and Wheel Loaders to enable us to better service the customer as a one-stop solution provider.”
Speaking about the protptype electric excavators on display at the pavilion, he said, “These state-of-the-art machines are a demonstration of the technical prowess of Tata Hitachi and our parent company Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM) in addressing emergent market requirements. At the same time, this also fulfills our environmental obligations to ensure that development and progress do not come at the cost of a sustainable future for coming generations.”
With regard to Tata Hitachi’s continuing commitment towards nation building, he added, “Tata Hitachi’s showcase at Excon 2023 will not only spotlight its advanced machinery and technological innovations but will also emphasise the responsibility of industry leaders as harbingers of change. Echoing this spirt is our avowed philosophy of ‘Aao Kartavya Nibhaye, Chalo Desh Banaye.’ This slogan transcends boundaries and unites people under the common goal of nation-building, fostering a sense of pride, unity, integration, and responsibility towards our beloved country.”
13, Dec 2023
Visionary leader Mr. Sanjay Nigam, Founder of Fashion Entrepreneur Fund and India Fashion Awards, Honored with Zee Real Heroes Award
New Delhi, 13th December 2023- Sanjay Nigam, the founder of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund and India Fashion Awards, is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to the fashion industry. Acknowledging his outstanding achievements, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr. Anurag Thakur, presented Mr. Nigam with the prestigious Real Heroes Award during a glittering ceremony on December 11th, 2023.
Mr. Sanjay Nigam is a successful entrepreneur; who is also a visionary leader and a dedicated advocate for the growth, creativity, and inclusivity of India’s fashion industry. His remarkable initiatives, unwavering commitment, and philanthropic contributions make him a luminary figure driving positive change in both the business and social spheres.
This award comes as a recognition of Mr Nigam’s leadership which has been instrumental in fostering a paradigm shift in the field of fashion by nurturing and bringing forth numerous stalwarts onto the global stage.
On receiving the award, Mr. Sanjay Nigam said: “This acknowledgment validates our collective commitment to nurturing indigenous talent. As we continue to champion the cause of fostering homegrown brilliance, let us collectively empower, create, and elevate. The future of fashion lies in the hands of those who not only dream but dare to turn those dreams into reality,”
“Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ ethos, the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund transcends being merely a financial support system; it stands as a catalyst for dreams, an incubator for innovation, and a guiding light for the resilient youth of our nation. Through the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), our mission is to ignite inspiration within the upcoming generation of fashion enthusiasts, encouraging them to have faith in their craft and actively contribute to the global evolution of style,” he added.
Mr. Nigam has undertaken a noteworthy endeavor known as the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF). Commencing with an initial investment of Rs 20 crores for its inaugural season, this groundbreaking initiative is committed to empowering individuals in the fashion and lifestyle sectors. Notably, FEF has grown into a 200-crore property, underscoring its significant impact on propelling India’s fashion industry to unprecedented levels of success.
Held at the ITC Maurya in New Delhi on December 11, 2023, the event honored leaders like Para Athlete Sheetal Devi and Architect Nikhil Sompura. Celebrities including Parineeti Chopra and Rajkumar Rao added star power, making the celebration of real heroes more glamorous. Distinguished dignitaries, including Smriti Irani, Union Cabinet Minister for @MinistryWCD and @MOMAIndia, and Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information & Broadcasting elevated the event’s prestige.
13, Dec 2023
Shriram Life Drives Insurance Awareness, Donates Books In Govt School In Telangana
Hyderabad, 13th December 2023: Serving its first mandate as lead life insurer of Telangana, Shriram Life Insurance today launched an insurance awareness campaign; ‘Fuelling Dreams, Powering Education’, in Zila Parishad High School (ZPHS) in Shivarampally in Rangareddy district. Shriram Life Insurance MD & CEO Casparus Kromhout donated library books to school principal M Kishan during the school assembly.
Through this campaign Shriram Life Insurance emphasizes the importance of grassroots education, a critical force that empowers children across communities to make meaningful and informed decisions in life. The initiative was also conducted in commemoration of the Shriram Group’s Golden Jubilee Year which falls in April next year.
Shriram Life Insurance MD & CEO Casparus J H Kromhout said, “As we celebrate our Group’s 50-year journey, we are reflecting on our commitment as an insurer to the public. As lead life insurer for Telangana, our commitment goes beyond business and extends to community welfare. This campaign has helped us reach out to young people who will be key decision-makers of tomorrow. It is important to educate people living in rural areas on the importance of life insurance and how it will serve to protect families in times of vulnerability. In line with this commitment, we are proud to donate books to ZPHS Shivarampally, a school that has one of the largest student populations in the district.”
‘Fuelling Dreams, Powering Education’ was organized as a bike rally led by Casparus Kromhout, MD & CEO of Shriram Life Insurance, and other several senior leaders, accompanied by fifty team members of the company. Covering 24km the rally served as a platform for spreading insurance awareness, and community engagement as well as in building a roadmap for insurance inclusion. Shriram Life Insurance hopes to encourage more people to come forward to insure their lives, thus aligning with IRDAI’s mandate of ‘Insurance for All’ by 2047.
With its purpose to provide insurance coverage to all segments of the society, especially in the more vulnerable areas, Shriram Life has been able to reach and serve an increasing number of customers attaining a growth of 30% in retail new business premium and 24% in retail policies sold up to November 2023. Last fiscal, Shriram Life recorded a claim settlement ratio of 97.4%, settling non-investigated claims within 12 hours depending on the last document received (LDR).
13, Dec 2023
DriveU and WeWork India Partner to Encourage Safer Commute for Employees and Members
National, December 13, 2023 – DriveU, India’s largest on-demand car driver service and a super app for car owners, today announced their collaboration with WeWork India to provide a safe, reliable alternative for transport. Employees and members of WeWork India, the largest and leading flexible workspace provider, who own a car can now travel for business meetings in a hassle-free manner. In the country with two cities (Bangalore & Pune) in the top 10 of the “Tomtom’s Traffic Index”, this partnership will help save time and encourage safer modes of commute.
With traffic congestion becoming an increasingly prevalent challenge in cities like Bangalore and Pune, the demand for innovative transportation options has never been more apparent. In bustling metropolises like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where traffic bottlenecks are a daily reality, car owners are seeking alternatives that are reliable, and efficient and help enhance productivity while on the road.
Key Features of the Partnership:
Dedicated Drivers: Access to DriveU’s vast network of professional and verified drivers for a safe and comfortable commute.
Flexibility: Schedule rides as per convenience, as per the diverse needs and varying work hours.
Customized Packages: Exclusive transportation packages and cost-effective solutions.
Enhanced Productivity: Reduced stress regarding commute, will lead to increased productivity and a better work-life balance.
Ashok Shastry, Co-founder & CEO at DriveU, said, “We are happy to partner with WeWork to introduce a more convenient way to get around the city in one’s own car, and a safe option for car owners to get home after festivities. Our collaboration with WeWork is about making life simpler, and safer, for their tenants and employees. With this partnership, not only will we impact the lives of thousands of people, but we will also encourage socially responsible behaviour while enhancing a car owner’s transportation needs in the comfort of their own vehicle.”
Priti Shetty, Chief People & Culture Officer, WeWork India commented, “As a member and employee-first organisation, we continually look for ways to enhance their overall experience. At WeWork India, we have implemented various safety and security measures, and our collaboration with DriveU is yet another step towards the same. We are delighted to partner with them to provide safer modes of travel for our members and employees, across locations. With DriveU’s extensive network of professional drivers, traveling to and from business meetings and social gatherings will become seamless.”
13, Dec 2023
Fresh Ayurvedic beauty brand ‘Nat Habit’ secures $10.2Mn in Series B funding led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII); With 80Cr current ARR, eyes more than 4X growth in the next 24 months to reach 350Cr ARR
New Delhi, December 13, 2023: Nat Habit, a pioneering D2C natural beauty and wellness brand has raised $10.2Mn in series B funding led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII). The round also saw participation from existing investor Fireside Ventures along with other investors including Amazon India Fund, Mirabilis Investment Trust, and Sharrp Ventures. Born out of the founder’s (Swagatika Das) personal commitment towards holistic wellness Nat Habit remains steadfastly committed to its ‘100% Natural Care’ mission. The company is currently clocking an ARR of 82Cr. It plans to allocate the funds strategically to propel growth and expansion (new categories, retail, R&D, and talent). With this strategy, Nat Habit eyes a 4X+ growth in the $30Bn beauty and personal care market to land at 350Cr ARR in the next 24 months.
Commenting on the announcement, Founder Swagatika Das said, ‘’Nat Habit was founded with a vision to make true & wholesome natural care available to all. We have been doing that with Fresh products from our Ayurvedic Kitchen. Over the years, we have witnessed great support from our investors who have helped us in our journey of delivering high-quality, sustainable, and truly natural personal care products. Natural or ayurvedic care is not merely a trend for us; it is a lifestyle or habit we would like consumers to adopt for a safer, longer and happier life. With the recent Series B funding, we aim to double down on our efforts in terms of building a stronger community and making larger strides towards making Nat Habit the go-to brand for every Indian’s daily personal care needs.’’
Commenting on the fund raise Pankaj Makkar, Partner Bertlesmann said, “Nat Habit has taken personal care to a new level by offering fresh products using proprietary techniques and natural ingredients. We are excited by their unique products that have led to immense customer love and strong retention. This investment is a sign of our confidence in Nat Habit’s potential and our relationship with its founders. We’re excited about a future filled with mutual success and ongoing teamwork.”
Speaking on the investment Fireside Ventures Partner, Dipanjan Basu said, “India’s beauty & personal care market is on a steep growth trajectory with multiple emerging needs and gaps of consumers. We are extremely impressed with what Nat Habit is trying to achieve in this market, with its disruptive products & strong commitment to goodness. This certainly is a brand that’s here to win. Fireside will continue to support such visionary purposes & entrepreneurship – it also strongly aligns with our fund’s purpose of building responsible brands that do good for the environment and people.”
The Industry and Business Model:
Over the last 5-6 years the BPC industry in India has seen a significant shift towards clean and natural ingredients owing to the increasing consumer awareness and demand. According to Statista, India’s Natural Cosmetics market is projected to generate a revenue of INR US $0.90bn by 2023 and is anticipated to experience an annual growth rate of 3.52% (CAGR 2023-2028). This in turn, has given rise to homegrown clean ingredients-led brands like Nat Habit that are committed to making fresh, 100% natural personal care products more accessible to consumers across the country.
Since its inception in 2019, Nat Habit has been committed to making true natural personal care accessible to every Indian household. With a strong R&D backing, NatHabit creates proprietary formulations out of fresh ingredients such as raw milk, fruits & herbs. The products are made and shipped fresh daily, straight from its Ayurvedic kitchen. Nat Habit beats all levels of nature.
It is one of the rarest brands to serve NOT just natural but 100% natural personal care. Strong founder commitment, own R&D & own manufacturing allow for such high-quality servings. This in return breaks the clutter of BPC and brings immense brand love and cheer from users. Nat Habit today serves nearly 14 lakh customers, ships 15,000 units per day, and has 35 product lines. More than 70% of its users hail from Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities while the brand sees a good 30% demand from Tier 3 cities and beyond.
Next Steps:
Over the next 24 months, Nat Habit envisions expanding its product portfolio which currently includes Malais (moisturizers), Hair Oils, Facewash, Ubtans, and more. There will be channel expansion into offline and a substantial focus on creating more brand awareness. Additionally, approximately 2mn USD will be used to give exit to angels and very early stage investors – nearly 4.5 to 5X returns over 4yrs.
Past Funding:
In 2022, Nat Habit successfully secured $4 million in its Series A round, spearheaded by Fireside Ventures, renowned for its focus on consumer brands. It also has Peak XV Partners as an investor. Past funding has helped the brand grow more than 4X in revenue, improve its reach in marketplaces, invest in R&D, and expand its portfolio of products in the last 2 years.
13, Dec 2023
BGauss’s latest campaign takes over BEST buses across Mumbai
Mumbai, 13th December 2023: BGauss Electric Scooters, along with their agency Admatazz has launched the next phase of its creative and innovative campaign. Their latest creative and innovative work graces Mumbai’s BEST buses by transforming routine BEST bus rides into an engaging visual experience. After receiving a successful response in the first part of the campaign, where the brand took over the lifeline of Mumbai’s transportation, the Mumbai local trains, they have now extended their campaign and transformed routine BEST bus rides with captivating visuals.
The campaign adorns BEST buses with visuals showcasing passengers seemingly gliding on BGauss scooters. This campaign aims to turn the heads of the public and show them an alternative and a whimsical escape to riding a swift, eco-friendly ride that’s just a BGauss away.
“At BGauss, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of marketing. The positive response to our local train campaign has fueled our determination, inspiring us to expand our reach to the Mumbai local buses and magnifying our connection with the city’s heartbeat” said Priyanka Kabra, Brand Director, BGauss Electric Scooters.
“Crafting this campaign was not just strategic, but a whole lot of fun. The power of hyperlocal marketing is profound, and while Mumbai has proven to be a phenomenal playground for us, we are eager to infuse that same energy into diverse markets” commented Yash Chandiramani, Founder and chief Strategist, Admatazz.
13, Dec 2023
Smart home startup Aliste Technologies raises $1 million from YourNest Venture Capital and Artha Venture Fund
13th December 2023: Smart home automation startup Aliste Technologies has raised $1 million in a round led by YourNest Venture Capital and Artha Venture Fund. The round also saw participation from renowned investors like Dholakia Ventures, KRS Jamwal, and Anikarth Ventures, among others. Existing institutional investors in the company include 100X.VC. Aliste, which has built a strong presence in NCR & has now expanded to Bangalore, is seeing phenomenal growth owing to its subscription-based model for its customers.
Founded in 2021 by VIT batchmates Aakarsh Nayyar, Anant Ohri, Bhavya Kansal, Konark Gautam, Shreyansh Jain, and Udit Pandoh, Aliste Technologies is addressing the home automation market to make tech-enabled homes within the reach of homeowners and businesses looking to provide an upgraded customer experience and save energy. The brand offers innovative retrofit automation products allowing users to control their existing appliances via an app or voice assistants with a subscription model starting at ₹1 per appliance per day. Their footprint currently spans over 2,500 residential, commercial, and hospitality projects with clients like The Taj group of hotels, Vouchagram India, and Stanza living in their portfolio.
Anant Ohri, Co-founder of Aliste, said, “We see a major gap in the consumer IoT segment in India. As aspirations of working Indians soar, we believe our solution has the ability to not only provide a well-packaged automation solution but also result in energy savings. Aliste’s products are designed with the luxury and convenience of its users in mind while providing 10 – 15% savings on their monthly electricity bills. Our aim is to save electricity worth $1 Million by 2025.”
Commenting on the fundraise, Sunil K. Goyal, Managing Director & Fund Manager, YourNest Venture Capital, said, “Aliste’s innovative low capex and subscription model makes it unique and gives it the capability to scale at a rapid pace by targeting young adults in the expanding high-income and upper/middle-income demographics across India. The founding team has already been solving this problem for the last three years since their final year of college and has the motivation and energy to create a large global organization.”
Anirudh A. Damani, Managing Partner at Artha Venture Fund, adds, “We see unprecedented growth in the automation market from different angles. In the last 5 – 7 years, Indian consumers have warmed up to subscription-based services. Aliste has been able to tap into this changing consumer behavior and has also managed to keep it affordable. Even on the B2B side, as more Indians resume travel, they expect a high-end experience from the hospitality sector, and hotel chains are well aware of this changing scenario. The surging demand for automation in residential and B2B channels and Aliste’s approach to leveraging the market opportunity with a subscription-led model prompted us to invest in the company.”
Ninad Karpe, Partner, 100X.VC, said, “The home automation industry is a rising sector in India. Aliste Technologies has carved a niche for itself with its innovative subscription-based model in this market. The company has achieved the unimaginable by introducing home tech that is not only convenient but also affordable for customers. We are happy to be a part of their progressive journey and are looking forward to extending our support in all ways possible.”
High capex is one of the biggest reasons why smart home adoption in India remains one of the lowest in the world. With sub-1% adoption of smart homes in India, Aliste Technologies is addressing an enormous market opportunity while making home automation affordable and accessible. At a subscription cost of just ₹1 per appliance per day, a typical 3 BHK can now get automated at just ~₹ 500 per month, compared to a conventional automation route requiring homeowners to shell out upwards of ₹ 1 lakh in a single go.
Aliste Technologies is showing phenomenal growth owing to its subscription-based model for its customers. It has a strong presence in the Delhi-NCR region and has recently entered the Bangalore market. With the freshly infused capital, the company intends to spread its footprints pan-India and boost brand awareness initiatives.
13, Dec 2023
Indian Organizations Say Hybrid Cloud Approach is Critical to Unlock the Power of Generative AI: IBM Report
Bengaluru, India, December 13th, 2023 — A new global survey from IBM (NYSE: IBM) revealed that in India, 64% of hybrid cloud users have a formal, organization-wide policy and/or approach for the use of Generative AI (GenAI). However, barriers that once slowed down hybrid cloud adoption are now impeding the implementation of GenAI. Cloud leaders are concerned about the challenges associated with the privacy and confidentiality of data and information when adopting GenAI. In addition to the ability to unlock the power of generative AI being cited as one of the key benefits of a hybrid cloud approach, leaders agreed that a cloud environment is essential for managing sustainability initiatives at an enterprise level, but workforce deficiencies in cloud skills are impacting implementation.
The IBM Cloud Transformation Report 2023 commissioned by the IBM Institute for Business Value and conducted by independent research firm, The Harris Poll, was created to help organizations map their cloud transformation and empower them to self-classify their progress. Built on a foundation that leverages insights from experienced cloud professionals, enterprises can use the Index to gain measurable metrics that can help quantify their progress and uncover areas of opportunity and growth. Over 3,000 IT and business decision-makers in 12 countries and across 23 industries were surveyed.
“As GenAI gains momentum in India, organizations need to harness the power of a robust hybrid cloud approach to tackle challenges that are coming to the forefront. Investing in the right cloud technologies and tools will help businesses tackle increasing security and compliance concerns and deliver on their sustainability goals,” says Viswanath Ramaswamy, Vice President – Technology, IBM India & South Asia. “As evidenced by the report, hybrid cloud models aided by the right talent capabilities will play a huge role in shaping the success of business transformation initiatives. It is heartening to see that about 85% of respondents have said they are creating new job positions to fulfill the need for cloud skills in this Generative AI era.”
The IBM Cloud Transformation Report 2023 – India Findings
Need for Cloud Skills Takes Center Stage
In India, on average 68% of the business leaders surveyed agreed that lack of cloud skills remains a considerable challenge in their digital transformation journeys, which is higher than the global average of 58% – ranking second to only Japan (75%). However, the strong intent of Indian businesses to overcome this obstacle to innovation is becoming evident – about 85% of the surveyed organizations said they have created new positions to fulfill the need for cloud skills. Indian organizations are leading the efforts to close the skills gap, followed by those surveyed in the United States of America (80%), United Kingdom (77%), Germany (72%), Spain (72%) and Australia (70%).
Security and Compliance Concerns Slowing Down GenAI Adoption
As businesses ramp up digital transformation efforts in a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape and strive to remain compliant with cybersecurity laws, they are also concerned about the exposure of sensitive data. In India, about 36% of cloud leaders expressed concern about cybersecurity or the privacy and confidentiality of data and information when adopting GenAI. In fact, 60% of cloud leaders cite security and compliance as reasons for moving certain workloads from public clouds to private clouds or on-premises data centers, which represents an increase of 18% from the previous year.
Leveraging the Cloud for Sustainability Initiatives
As the adoption of GenAI grows, the data processing power required for AI workloads can present new challenges to organizations that are looking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Using the right tools for tracking, managing, and reporting on sustainable goals – including for partners and third parties – has never been more important. In fact, 43% of decision-makers surveyed in India agreed that they use the cloud to help deploy, track, and manage sustainability goals internally, while 44% say they use the cloud to help deploy, track, and manage sustainability goals for third parties.
Organizations surveyed recognize the role that strong technology partnerships play in helping them achieve their sustainability goals. About 92% of the organizations surveyed in India agree that open innovation with business partners is the biggest driver for sustainability initiatives – with India ranking the highest of all countries surveyed alongside Brazil.
Methodology:
The “Cloud Transformation Report,” is a new global survey from the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV). Survey data was collected online from 3,018 IT and business decision-makers in 12 countries and across 23 industries by The Harris Poll on behalf of IBM and the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) in May/June 2023. Industries included financial services, manufacturing, government, telecommunications, and healthcare, to understand where organizations are advancing, or merely emerging, on their transformation journeys.
