18, Jul 2025
DBS Bank India waives prepayment and foreclosure charges for registered Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
Chandigarh, 18th July 2025 – DBS Bank India Limited (DBIL) has waived prepayment and foreclosure charges for all Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) borrowers registered with UDYAM, making it easier for businesses to access credit and manage cash flow. Announced on MSME Day, this move reflects the bank’s continued commitment to supporting India’s MSMEs. The waiver is effective going forward and applies to both new and existing active borrowers.
This proactive step aims to enhance borrower flexibility and aligns with regulatory guidance focused on improving transparency in lending. It also addresses a persistent challenge faced by many MSMEs—where foreclosure charges have often deterred early repayment or refinancing, restricting their ability to optimise cash flow management.
Commenting on the development, Sudarshan Chari, Managing Director, and Head – SME Banking, DBS Bank India, said, “Access to flexible and affordable credit remains a critical need for micro, small and medium enterprises. By waiving prepayment and foreclosure charges, we are addressing a common challenge that often limits financial agility. This change enables businesses to repay loans early without penalty and reallocate funds towards immediate priorities or critical areas like inventory, technology, and expansion. It aligns with our broader efforts to support MSMEs with need-based solutions that strengthen their resilience and unlock long-term growth.”
DBS Bank India is committed to empowering enterprises across the value chain, supporting their growth at every stage. Its SME banking proposition offers a robust suite of solutions tailored to meet the diverse requirements of entrepreneurs, combining innovative offerings with deep regional expertise.
With its online account opening feature, entrepreneurs can set up current accounts quickly and seamlessly, eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork. The bank also provides hassle-free business loans, enabling faster access to finance for growth and working capital needs. Through award-winning foreign exchange solutions and API-led banking integration, DBS Bank India helps businesses enhance operational efficiency, automate workflows, and respond swiftly to market opportunities.
DBS IDEAL, the bank’s mobile-enabled corporate banking platform, allows businesses to manage payments, monitor cash flows, and track transactions in real time. Additionally, the integration with Tally ERP enables connected accounting, allowing SMEs to automatically reconcile records and maintain better control over their financial reporting.
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- By Neel Achary
18, Jul 2025
Apollo Hospitals Ahmedabad Secures JCI Accreditation for the Fourth Time in a Row, Reaffirms Global Standards in Patient Care
Ahmedabad, July 18: Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, has received Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for the fourth consecutive time. Recognised globally as the gold standard in healthcare quality and patient safety, JCI accreditation assures patients that the hospital meets more a 1,000 rigorous standards across clinical care, infrastructure, operational excellence and staff competency.
The hospital first earned JCI accreditation in 2016, and has since consistently maintained and advanced its practices to match the highest international standards. JCI is one of the world’s most demanding accreditations in healthcare, awarded only to institutions that demonstrate sustained excellence in patient safety, clinical outcomes, and organisational processes.
“This fourth consecutive JCI accreditation is a reflection of the unwavering commitment of our doctors, nursing teams, and support staff. More than a badge of honour, it is a reassurance to our patients that they are receiving care at a facility that upholds the highest international standards for quality, patient safety, and excellence,” said Cdr Jeslon Kavalakkat, CEO of Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad.
The accreditation process includes an extensive evaluation by expert international surveyors. Through the SAFER Matrix (Survey Analysis for Evaluating Risk), JCI identifies areas of high priority, helping hospitals focus on continuous improvement while safeguarding patient outcomes.
Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad’s ability to maintain its accreditation across four consecutive cycles reflects a deep-rooted culture of quality and clinical rigour. It is one of the few hospitals in western India to achieve this recognition consistently. This achievement further cements Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad’s reputation as a leading quaternary care institution committed to global standards in patient care and safety.
18, Jul 2025
India’s Data Centre Capacity to Grow 4X by 2030, Hitting 4 GW IT: Savills India
18th July 2025: India’s data center market is poised for exponential growth, with total capacity projected to quadruple and reach 4 GW IT by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23%, according to Savills India. Annual average capacity additions are expected to accelerate to 350-450 MW IT between 2025 and 2030- nearly double the 150-200 MW IT added annually during 2022–2024. In the first half of 2025 alone, the country added 162 MW IT of new supply and recorded an absorption of 212 MW IT, led by high demand in Mumbai and Chennai. This momentum is driven by rapid digital transformation, accelerated cloud adoption, rising mobile data consumption, 5G rollout, and increasing AI-led workloads.
“There is continued demand from both hyperscalers and enterprises in Tier-1 cities, mainly Mumbai followed by Hyderabad. Also, Tier-II cities such as Lucknow, Chandigarh, Patna, Raipur, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Cochin, Vizag and Coimbatore emerging hubs for edge data centers reflects a pivotal shift in India’s digital infrastructure strategy. With their contribution to supply and absorption projected to exceed 20% by 2030, these markets are becoming critical to the sector’s decentralized growth. This momentum, combined with sustained policy support from central and state governments, is expected to drive significant investment activity from both domestic and global players, underscoring the long-term potential of India’s evolving data center ecosystem, “Srihari Srinivasan, Director & Lead Data Centre Services, Savills India.
In H1 2025, Mumbai maintained its lead, contributing 61% to total absorption, followed by Chennai at 26% and the Tier-II cities contributed 8% of the total absorption. On the supply side, Mumbai led the pack with 47% of its contribution to overall supply followed by Chennai (30%) and Bengaluru at 14% in H1 2025.
Capacity additions across India’s key data center markets are projected to grow between 7% and 70% from 2024 to 2030, signaling a period of rapid expansion. Kolkata is expected to lead with a 48% CAGR, owing to its strategic position as a gateway to Eastern and Northeastern India and the upcoming undersea cable landing station. Hyderabad (44%) and Ahmedabad (26%) are also witnessing strong momentum, backed by growth in IT, ITeS, and manufacturing sectors. Bengaluru, with a projected CAGR of 20%, remains a critical node in the national data center map, driven by its deep enterprise base, tech ecosystem, and demand for colocation facilities. Mumbai and Chennai, already the largest data center markets, continue to grow steadily at CAGR of 22% and 18% respectively, supported by strong cable landing infrastructure and demand from hyperscale players.
18, Jul 2025
MDI Gurgaon Concludes 12th AIM-AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium & International Marketing Conference 2025
MDI Gurgaon Successfully Concludes the 12th AIM-AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium and International Marketing Conference 2025
Gurgaon, July 18, 2025: The 12th AIM-AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium and the International Marketing Conference (IMC) 2025, which brought together some of the brightest minds in academia, industry, and policymaking from around the world, was held at the Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, from July 15 to 18, 2025. The twin events served as a vibrant confluence of intellectual exchange, thought leadership, and future-forward marketing discourse.
Global marketing academic stalwarts such as Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, Novartis Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation at the Indian School of Business; Prof. Venkatesh Shankar, Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, USA, Mr. Jayant Shah and Prof. Arvind Sahay led a welcome session for the Doctoral Consortium (July 15–16), providing doctoral scholars with insights into the changing role of marketing in society. Digital marketing, consumer neuroscience, service marketing, and publishing in prestigious journals were among the subjects covered in the two-day program’s numerous masterclasses, global café discussions, and editorial meetings. Prof. Kirti Sharma, Associate Professor,
Chairperson – G P Placements & Chairperson – PGDM, remarked on the occasion, “MDI Gurgaon fosters a vibrant ecosystem where scholars, faculty & practitioners converge to shape the future of marketing scholarship!”
Global Café was chaired by Prof. Kirti Sharma, Associate Professor, Marketing & Chairperson -G P Placements & Chairperson – PGDM & Prof. Neetu Yadav, Assistant Professor, Strategic Management.
Commenting on the evolving nature of value creation in marketing, Chief Guest, Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, Novartis Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation at the Indian School of Business, said:
“Twenty-first-century firms are shifting from traditional models to ecosystem-based market structures that drive value creation. The increasing importance of the price-to-book value ratio reflects this transformation. Indian firms are not only catching up—they are often surpassing global counterparts in scale and strategic innovation.”
Commenting on the event, Prof. Venkatesh Shankar, Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, USA, said: “Agentic AI is not just a tool—it’s a transformative force poised to redefine how we conduct academic research and generate knowledge. It challenges us to rethink our methodologies and embrace new paradigms of inquiry.” Added Prof Arvind Sahay, “The Doctoral Consortium is MDI Gurgaon’s contribution to helping management doctoral scholars to access & engage with top marketing & management scholars from around the world to enhance their skills, perspective and prospective collaborator network- so essential to creating quality at scale for management faculty in India.”
Speaking on the significance of the event, Prof. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI Gurgaon, said:
“The 12th AIM–AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium and International Marketing Conference 2025 reflects MDI Gurgaon’s commitment to shaping global leaders through knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and inclusive dialogue between academia, industry, and policy. At the same time, it underscores the MDI Gurgaon to address the urgent need for high-quality research at scale in Bharat—anchored in methodological rigour and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Following the Doctoral Consortium, the International Marketing Conference (July 17–18) centred around the theme “The Future of Marketing in a Virtual Borderless World.” It commenced with an industry round table that delved into sustainable consumerism in Viksit Bharat, Marketing 5.0, AI and learning featuring experts from NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Environment, and Indraprastha Gas Ltd.
Key Outcomes:
- Strengthening of cross-border academic collaborations
- Exposure of early-career scholars to top international editors and journal processes
- Policy-industry-academia alignment on sustainable, AI-driven, and inclusive marketing strategies
- Reinforcement of MDI Gurgaon’s position as a premier hub for future-ready marketing scholarship
As India continues to make progress toward its vision of Viksit Bharat, platforms like these ensure that marketing research, innovation, and practice remain aligned with societal impact and global excellence.
18, Jul 2025
CavinKare’s Meera Strengthens Its Goodness of Tradition Offering With The Launch of Rice Kanji (Rice Congee) Shampoo
Chennai, 18th July 2025: Reinforcing its legacy of bringing traditional wisdom to modern-day consumers, Meera, the flagship haircare brand from the house of FMCG major CavinKare, announced the launch of an innovative new product – Meera Rice Kanji Shampoo. Unveiled in a press conference in the city, Meera Rice Kanji shampoo is yet another first-of-its-kind innovation that harnesses the power of rice kanji—a potent, time-tested ingredient passed down through generations. With this strategic launch, Meera is set to further strengthen its footprint and market leadership in the haircare category. With the first phase of launch in Tamil Nadu, Meera also plans to scale up by launching the product across South India subsequently.
Crafted with the wisdom of tradition and the precision of modern formulation, Meera Rice Kanji Shampoo is a first-of-its-kind haircare innovation that taps into the power of Rice Kanji (Rice congee)—a time-tested beauty ritual from South Indian kitchens. Known for its ability to smoothen hair structure, add shine, and tame frizz naturally, making it especially beneficial for coarse, frizzy, or damaged hair. Meera’s Rice Kanji shampoo with goodness of aloe vera keeps hair smooth and shiny for up to 3 days, offering visible results from the very first wash.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Rajat Nanda, Business Head – Personal Care, CavinKare said, “While ingredients like rice water have gained global popularity through Korean beauty rituals, India has always had its own powerful counterpart—Rice Kanji—a deeply rooted, traditional haircare remedy used for generations. With the launch of Meera Rice Kanji Shampoo, we are proud to bring this indigenous wisdom to the forefront. At Meera, we’ve consistently championed the revival of such time-tested ingredients—from Shikkakai to Small Onion—translating them into modern formats that meet today’s haircare needs while staying true to our traditional roots.”
Mr. Rajat further added, “This launch reinforces Meera’s commitment to building categories where none existed—by bridging traditional wisdom and modern-day needs, we are setting new benchmarks in the natural haircare market. Whether it’s Gen Z rediscovering heritage or modern women seeking nature-led choices, this innovation speaks to a generation that values both authenticity and efficacy. With this disruptive launch, we are aiming to expand Meera’s footprint across key urban and rural markets, increase our share in the shampoo segment, and continue our momentum as one of the fastest-growing haircare brands in the country.”
Backed by over a year of intensive R&D, the product marries traditional wisdom with scientific precision. Meera’s Rice Kanji Shampoo is uniquely tailored for Indian hair needs, blending authentic rice kanji with a nourishing base of aloe vera. This combination not only honors regional traditions but also ensures a holistic, nutrient-rich experience rooted in nature.
Designed for the modern consumer seeking natural, effective, and traditionally resonant beauty solutions, this launch strengthens Meera’s position as a champion of heritage-driven haircare in today’s wellness-conscious world. The product is available across Modern Trade, General Trade, and Ecommerce. The Meera Rice Kanji Shampoo is available in a wide range of SKUs—from sachets to bottles.
18, Jul 2025
Kyndryl unveils Agentic AI Framework that dynamically evolves to drive enhanced business performance
BENGALURU, INDIA, July 18, 2025 — Kyndryl, a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today launched the Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework, a new approach to deploying agentic AI to augment human teams. The enterprise-grade Framework orchestrates and dispatches a portfolio of specialized, self-directed, self-learning AI agents that dynamically respond to shifting conditions and keep humans in the loop for oversight.
The Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework enables enterprises to adopt, deploy and scale agentic AI-powered solutions — whether on-premises, in the cloud or in a hybrid IT setting — to transform and improve their business operations. In deploying the Framework, Kyndryl leverages its expertise from thousands of infrastructure deployments and its experience with generating over 12 million AI-driven insights monthly via Kyndryl Bridge. The Framework combines advanced algorithms, self-learning, optimization and secure-by-design AI agents that translate complex data into clear, understandable insights.
“As customers worldwide adopt agentic AI to gain a competitive edge, it will increasingly impact the entire technology stack, including applications and business workflows. Kyndryl is uniquely positioned to provide a holistic, infrastructure-first perspective that enables customers to deploy AI with confidence across mission-critical systems with scalability and industry-standard security,” said Ismail Amla, Senior Vice President, Kyndryl Consult. “With our unique insights from Kyndryl Bridge, our differentiated Agentic AI Framework, and our experience managing some of the world’s largest technology estates, we can help companies design, implement and run agentic AI solutions at scale — tailored to their specific business productivity and innovation goals.”
Kyndryl’s new Agentic AI Framework deploys intelligent agents that act, learn and collaborate with humans to drive positive outcomes across complex workflows.
Customers across industries are already working with Kyndryl to explore and understand how they can leverage the Agentic Framework’s sophisticated capabilities, including:
A national government evaluating the Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework for a large-scale deployment across their complex IT estate. The government aims to enhance citizen experiences, improve public service, ensure compliance and reduce regulatory risks by leveraging the Framework and Kyndryl’s expertise in transparent and responsible AI. This will empower government stakeholders to align policies with best practices and operate efficiently for the benefit of their constituents. The capability will enable government employees to view real-time, up-to-date insights on metrics such as traffic congestion, hospital bed availability and school attendance.
As part of an ongoing modernization program, a leading financial institution is working with Kyndryl Consult to assess how it can apply Kyndryl’s Agentic AI Framework to introduce AI agents for automating compliance, optimizing IT and accelerating service delivery. By leveraging this solution, the institution aims to enhance agility, strengthen cyber resilience, meet regulatory standards, and drive long-term innovation and operational efficiency.
This new Framework comes at a critical moment for enterprise leaders who are struggling to see benefits from AI use cases. In fact, according to Kyndryl’s recently published 2025 People Readiness Report, only 4 in 10 leaders report using AI-powered insights to enhance decision-making or unlock business growth. In addition, only one-fifth of business leaders say the primary use case of AI in their organization is to develop new products and services for customers.
The Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework can help organizations confidently deploy AI with trust and security in mind. The Framework was built with industry-standard encryption protocols, privacy-by-design principles and zero-trust security — fostering trust in AI-driven processes and assurances that agent actions are traceable, interpretable and continuously improved with human oversight. It can also be tailored to meet enterprises’ needs and adapt to industries through self-directed learning, enabling organizations to apply the Framework to a wide range of use cases and projects with speed and confidence.
Kyndryl Consult experts will work side-by-side with customers to assess, design, engineer and plan deployments of the Framework that are tailored to individual customer business requirements.
18, Jul 2025
Runaya and NIT Raipur Join Hands to Support Women in STEM
India, July 18, 2025 – In a significant move toward building a more inclusive and future-ready engineering ecosystem, Runaya has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Runaya Reach Scholarship Programme, aimed at empowering aspiring women engineers and equipping them to lead the next wave of innovation in STEM.
The MoU was formally signed by Prof. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director of NIT Raipur, and Mr. Rajendra Nawandhar, Chief Financial Officer of Runaya, in the presence of senior officials and dignitaries from both sides. Representing Runaya were Ms. Amita Kar, Head – HR & CSR, along with key academic leaders from NIT Raipur including Dr. Manoj Kumar Chopkar (Dean – Student Welfare), Dr. A. B. Soni (Professor, Chemical Engineering), Dr. S. Gupta (Dean – Academics), Dr. Samir Bajpai (Head – Career Development Centre), Dr. G. D. Ramtekker (Dean – Planning & Development), Dr. Narendra D. Londhe (Registrar), Mr. Ajaii Sharma (Joint Registrar), and other distinguished guests.
The partnership is driven by Runaya Reach—the CSR arm of Runaya and underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to advancing gender equity and fostering meaningful careers for women in engineering and technology. Through this initiative, selected women students at NIT Raipur will not only receive financial support but also gain access to industry exposure, hands-on internships at Runaya’s cutting-edge facilities, and mentorship from sector leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Manoj Kumar Chopkar expressed heartfelt appreciation to Runaya for their meaningful contribution, emphasizing the significance of initiatives that inspire and enable more women to actively engage in the workforce and pursue careers in technology and engineering.
“At Runaya, we believe that real progress begins when opportunities are made accessible to all especially to those with the passion and potential to shape the future. Through Runaya Reach Scholarship Program, in collaboration with NIT Raipur, we’re proud to support aspiring women engineers by not only supporting their academic journey but also providing industry exposure to make them future-ready. This initiative is more than just an aid but a way to fuel ambition, foster equity, and pave the way for a more inclusive STEM ecosystem”. Said Jagannath Prasad Routray, CEO of Runaya Recycling Business, Runaya.
The Runaya Reach Scholarship Programme is designed to bridge the academic–industry divide and create pathways for high-potential women engineers to thrive in core sectors. By aligning academic excellence with real-world learning, the initiative aims to nurture a new generation of engineers who are not only skilled but also purpose driven.
18, Jul 2025
NETSCOUT Helps Make Zero Trust Architectures More Achievable
Bengaluru, July 18, 2025 – NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a leading provider of observability, AIOps, cybersecurity, and DDoS attack protection solutions, today announced how its solutions align with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiatives designed to help U.S. federal agencies adopt standards and best practices tied to zero-trust security frameworks that aim to protect data and resources across hybrid environments with high-availability needs.
Ever since NIST published NIST SP 800-207 in 2020, setting forth Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) as a means to combat both internal and external threats, the adoption of ZTA has accelerated, driven by a risk-based approach to cybersecurity. However, even NIST has acknowledged that building and implementing ZTA is a complex undertaking.
NETSCOUT’s Omnis Network Security Solution enables all five key steps to ZTA maturity, including: identifying and continuously monitoring all critical services, mapping all transaction flows across an organization’s entire digital infrastructure, verifying that micro perimeters are behaving as expected and detecting when a perimeter has been crossed, providing metadata and layer 7 visibility into all applications, and providing visibility throughout the dwell time of an incident with full context to restore normal operation with the shortest downtime.
“We’re proud to collaborate with trusted technology leaders across our robust partner ecosystem to deliver mission-ready solutions,” said Chris Wilkinson, executive vice president of sales at Four Inc., a leading public sector IT distributor. “NETSCOUT’s proven ability to strengthen Zero Trust Architectures and accelerate adoption—securely, efficiently, and at scale—makes them a critical pillar of our cybersecurity strategy for both DoD and civilian agencies in addition to SLED environments.”
“As the U.S. federal government actively modernizes its IT infrastructure, the need for Zero Trust Architecture to strengthen security postures becomes increasingly critical to protect sensitive information from the rise in cyberattacks,” said Karl Schaub, chief solutions architect, NETSCOUT. “We have established trusted relationships with federal agencies to address their observability and cybersecurity needs by embracing a zero-trust approach and working collaboratively with our partners to deliver robust and highly scalable solutions.”
NETSCOUT’s Omnis Cyber Intelligence, a key component of the Omnis Network Security solution and FIPS and Common Criteria certified, helps government agencies achieve zero-trust maturity through a highly scalable and cost-effective network detection and response (NDR) solution. The solution provides comprehensive network visibility into north-south and east-west traffic, enhances threat detection and investigation workflows, improves collaboration between NetOps and SecOps, and enables faster incident detection and response.
Omnis Cyber Intelligence’s Adaptive Threat Analytics continuously captures and stores all metadata and packets, independent of detected threats, and features seamless bi-directional integration with SIEM/SOAR/EDR/XDR platforms. This enables security teams to investigate alerts or validate zero-trust policies, thereby reducing response times and cybersecurity risks. The solution is fully integrated with other cybersecurity and observability solutions from Palo Alto Networks, Splunk, ServiceNow, VMware, and others.
18, Jul 2025
Estée Lauder Launches 4th BEAUTY&YOU India to Support Emerging Indian Beauty Entrepreneurs
BEAUTY&YOU India returns with launch partner Nykaa, the Government of India’s Startup India, and a new Visionary Women’s Award to fuel beauty innovation in dynamic Indian market
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INDIA – July 18, 2025 – The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) (ELC) today announced the launch of the fourth edition of BEAUTY&YOU India, an initiative designed to discover and propel the next generation of India-focused beauty entrepreneurs. Created by New Incubation Ventures, the company’s early-stage investment and incubation arm, the program offers financial support and industry expertise to entrepreneurs shaping the future of skin care, makeup, hair care, and fragrance in India. Under the theme Beauty Frontiers, the program celebrates bold ideas and the emerging talent reimagining the future of beauty in India. Applications are now open through August 24, 2025, at www.beautyandyouawards.com.
Nykaa, the pioneer of India’s beauty revolution, returns this year as lead partner, reaffirming its role as the driving force behind the country’s evolving beauty narrative. Over the past decade, Nykaa has redefined how India discovers, experiences, and embraces beauty, while playing a pivotal role in spotlighting Indian beauty on the global stage. This year’s program also features Startup India following the launch of its partnership with ELC through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) – the first-of-its-kind between a global beauty company and Startup India. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting Indian entrepreneurs and women-founded startups.
Advancing Innovation & Entrepreneurship in India
Nadine Graf, President, Europe, UK & Ireland, and Emerging Markets, The Estée Lauder Companies, said: “India continues to inspire—not only as a dynamic beauty market, but as a global force for innovation and bold entrepreneurship. Through BEAUTY&YOU India, we have seen firsthand how ideas rooted in culture and courage can shape the future of beauty. This year, I am especially proud that the program will launch a new Visionary Women’s Award—a tribute to the ambition, ingenuity, and leadership of women founders. Supporting them is more than an opportunity: it’s a responsibility we embrace with purpose.”
Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said: “Our collaboration with The Estée Lauder Companies underscores the role of public-private partnerships in advancing innovation and strengthening India’s startup ecosystem. Building on the program’s success, we are pleased to extend Startup India’s support to BEAUTY&YOU India 2025 and help create new opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.”
Shaping India’s Beauty Ecosystem
Falguni Nayar, Executive Chairperson, MD & CEO of Nykaa, commented: “At Nykaa, we’ve spent over a decade shaping India’s beauty ecosystem, from discovery to distribution, and from consumers to creators. As lead partner for BEAUTY&YOU India 2025, we are proud to extend that ecosystem to early-stage founders through a program designed to transform bold ideas into scalable, future-facing brands. In collaboration with The Estée Lauder Companies, this initiative offers the resources, network, and credibility needed to empower the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs.”
Rohan Vaziralli, General Manager, The Estée Lauder Companies, India, added: “BEAUTY&YOU India reflects our ambition to not just participate in, but actively shape the future of beauty in India. With the support of Startup India and DPIIT, this platform has become a national engine for beauty entrepreneurship—grounded in cultural insight, commercial potential, and inclusive innovation.”
Expanded Prize Program & New Visionary Women’s Award
Winners will receive financial support from a prize pool of up to $500,000 and earn recognition across four award categories:
· GROW: Best in-market beauty brands
· IMAGINE: Best pre-launch beauty concepts
· BREAKTHROUGH: Leading innovations in beauty, such as new product technologies and business model innovations such as ingredients, AI, and sustainability
· VISIONARY WOMEN’S AWARD: Inspired by ELC’s legacy as a beauty company founded by a trailblazing woman, this award, new in 2025 and presented with Startup India, will recognize the innovation and impact of outstanding women entrepreneurs.
Along with monetary awards, winners receive support and promotion, including:
· One-on-one mentorship from global beauty and business leaders
Brand-building and distribution support through Nykaa’s powerful ecosystem, spanning discovery, consumer insights, digital amplification, omnichannel presence, and access to its extensive network
· National visibility and strategic opportunities through Startup India, including participation in Startup Mahakumbh, the world’s largest startup event
BEAUTY&YOU India 2025 seeks applicants whose deep cultural insights and use of new technologies or formulations meet the evolving needs of Indian beauty consumers. Since its launch in 2022, the program has become a powerful platform—receiving more than 1,500 applications from 150+ cities in India and around the world, with the majority from women entrepreneurs. Finalists for this year’s program will be announced in September and invited to present their concepts to a panel of industry experts this October in Mumbai.
The Estée Lauder Companies is a leading prestige beauty company in India. Over the past 20 years, ELC has launched 14 brands locally across makeup, skin care, hair care, and fragrance. The company is committed to supporting rising brands, businesses, and talent in India through innovative programs and its strategic investment in Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited, the parent company of Forest Essentials, India’s foremost luxury Ayurvedic skin care brand. Through BEAUTY&YOU India, ELC, and partners including Nykaa and Startup India, continues to champion innovation, elevate entrepreneurship, and shape the future of beauty.
18, Jul 2025
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Welcomes a Diverse Cohort of 676 Students for its MBA Programmes (2025–27)
Mumbai, July 18, 2025 : K J Somaiya Institute of Management (KJSIM), an AACSB-accredited B-school based in Mumbai, has welcomed a vibrant new cohort of 676 students for the academic year 2025–2027 across its flagship MBA, MBA in Healthcare Management, and MBA in Sports Management programmes. The induction programme was held in the presence of the chief guest, Shri Ravi Kant, Former Managing Director & Vice Chairman, Tata Motors.
This year’s cohort represents students from 22 states across India, with a strong presence from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, alongside notable increases in enrolment from the Northeast and Southern India. The incoming batch comprises 56% male and 44% female students, reflecting a balanced gender representation across programmes.
Academically, the batch represents a diverse mix of backgrounds, including commerce, management, engineering, arts, and pure sciences. While 72% of the students are fresh graduates, 28% come with prior industry experience, bringing valuable perspectives and practical insights to the classroom.
This year’s induction programme was anchored in ‘Parivartan’—a transformative framework aimed at fostering both personal and professional growth. Built on two foundational pillars—Nurturing Potential (NP) and the Student Progression Index (SPI)—the framework empowers students to take ownership of their development from the very beginning. As part of the process, students undertook psychometric assessments to identify their strengths and areas for growth. These insights form the basis of their individual Parivartan Action Plan, which guides a student in building key competencies aligned with their long-term goals. The orientation also included modules on social media conduct, deep reflective learning through curated reading resources, team-building activities, and yoga.
Dr. Raman Ramachandran, Director, said, “At K J Somaiya Institute of Management, we’re delighted to welcome a diverse ahttps://bizdevelopmentnews.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=10048&action=editnd talented cohort from across the country. This year’s induction, guided by our transformative framework ‘Parivartan’, reflects our deep commitment to our purpose—Transforming, Together. It is more than just a theme; it’s a shared purpose that inspires us to nurture individuals into responsible, purpose-driven leaders who are ready to make a difference. Through a carefully structured journey of self-discovery, experiential learning, and mentorship, we aim to prepare our students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of meaningful leadership. It is especially encouraging to see greater regional, academic, and gender diversity in this year’s batch. We’re looking forward to being a part of their journeys as they grow, lead and create lasting impact.”
With transformation at its core, the institute empowers students to become leaders who not only succeed in the world of business but also contribute meaningfully to society.
