Category Archives: Business

BFSI Takes Centre Stage in India’s AI-Driven IT-BPM Workforce Transformation: Finds Han Digital Solution

Bangalore, May 27: Han Digital Solution,  business consulting and talent advisory company, released findings from its India IT-BPM Talent Intelligence Report 2026, highlighting how artificial intelligence is driving one of the most significant workforce transformations across India’s technology and business operations ecosystem.

According to Han Digital’s talent intelligence insights, BFSI has emerged as a strategic nucleus of India’s IT-BPM growth story, contributing the largest share of industry revenues, while simultaneously becoming the strongest driver of AI-resilient operations hiring. At a time when automation and AI-led process optimization are significantly reducing recruitment across traditional non-banking operational functions; demand for skilled BFSI operations talent continues to accelerate, driven by the sector’s need for human-led governance, compliance, risk management, and decision-making capabilities. This shift marks a defining moment for India’s talent economy.

“India is witnessing a structural reset in enterprise hiring,” said Saravanan Balasundaram, Founder & CEO, Han Digital Solution. “AI is undoubtedly transforming the future of operations, but what we are seeing in the BFSI sector is equally important. Enterprises are doubling down on skilled human talent for high-accountability operational environments. The demand today is no longer for large generic workforces, but for productivity-ready professionals who can work alongside AI systems, manage regulatory complexity, and bring operational judgment that technology alone cannot replace.”

According to the study, non-banking operations hiring across outsourcing and support functions has declined by nearly 40–50% over the past 12 months compared to the previous year. In contrast, Banking and Insurance operations hiring has accelerated significantly across India, with more than 15,000–20,000 new roles created during the last year alone.

India’s broader IT-BPM industry continues to remain a global growth engine, with total sector revenue projected to reach $315 billion in FY26, reflecting a 6.1% year-on-year increase. BPM revenue alone is estimated at $59 billion, while the BFSI vertical contributes nearly 42% of the overall IT-BPM industry revenue, reinforcing its position as the sector’s most dominant growth contributor.

The demand surge spans a wide range of operational functions including banking back-office operations, live underwriting support, loan processing, mortgage operations, KYC and AML compliance, claims adjudication, financial crime operations, treasury support, collections management, and regulatory reporting. Han Digital estimates that BFSI hiring across India is expected to grow by 8–9% year-on-year during 2026–27, with the sector projected to create nearly 200,000 permanent jobs by 2030.

The hiring momentum is being distributed across multiple employer segments. BFSI Global Capability Centres (GCCs) account for nearly 30–40% of current hiring demand, with India now hosting approximately 190 BFSI GCCs employing more than 550,000 professionals. IT services and BPM firms contribute another 20–30% of hiring activity as they continue expanding dedicated banking operations delivery centres across the country. Specialized BPO operators focused on financial processing, claims management, and compliance operations make up the remaining demand, particularly for mid-level operational talent.

One of the strongest workforce trends identified through this study is the sharp rise in demand for professionals with one to four years of experience. This segment now represents nearly 40% of total BFSI operations hiring demand. Organizations increasingly prefer professionals who already possess process understanding, compliance awareness, and operational maturity, enabling them to work effectively in AI-enabled operating environments without extensive training cycles.

“AI is eliminating repetitive tasks, but it is simultaneously increasing the value of domain-aware operational talent,” added Saravanan. “The future workforce model will belong to professionals who combine operational expertise with digital adaptability. India is uniquely positioned to become the global hub for this next generation of BFSI operations talent.”

Geographically, Bengaluru continues to dominate the BFSI hiring landscape, accounting for nearly 35–40% of total demand, followed by Pune and Mumbai at 20–25%, Hyderabad at 15–20%, and Chennai at 15–20%. However, the next phase of expansion is increasingly shifting toward Tier-II delivery ecosystems including Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Indore, and Lucknow, where enterprises are finding strong talent availability, lower attrition levels, and significant cost advantages.

With India’s BFSI GCC market projected to grow from $40 billion in 2023 to nearly $125–135 billion by 2032, alongside the Indian fintech economy expected to touch $550.9 billion by 2033, Han Digital believes the ongoing hiring acceleration represents far more than a temporary workforce trend. It signals the emergence of a new AI-enabled operating model where India will continue to play a central role in powering the global financial services workforce of the future.

Schneider Electric strengthens smart building and home automation ecosystem with Samsung SmartThings integration

Paris (France), May 26:  Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, today announced that its SpaceLogic KNX solution can now be integrated with Samsung SmartThings for residential settings and SmartThings Pro* for enterprise-scale buildings and multi-site operations. 

Samsung has streamlined its certification process, enabling Schneider Electric to rapidly bring its full SpaceLogic KNX portfolio into the SmartThings ecosystem. As a result, Schneider Electric is expanding the range of connected devices available to homeowners and facility managers through a single platform.

The integration enables users to monitor and control SpaceLogic KNX devices through the SmartThings ecosystem, providing a single interface to manage building functions such as lighting, blinds, temperature control, sensors, and energy systems. This empowers users to optimize energy consumption across residential and commercial environments, enabling them to reduce buildings’ carbon footprint through smart automation.   

“Interoperability has become increasingly important in both residential and commercial environments, where customers expect connected systems to work together seamlessly,” said Laurent Roussel, SVP Commercial & Channel at Schneider Electric. “Integrating SpaceLogic KNX with Samsung SmartThings expands how customers can manage their connected devices, personalize their automation experience and gain greater visibility into energy usage across homes and buildings.” 

Centralizing Energy and Commercial Building Management

Managing energy and building systems across multiple commercial locations has traditionally meant navigating a fragmented landscape of products from different manufacturers, siloed data, and disconnected controls, leaving facility managers with no single view of what’s happening across their portfolio. 

The SpaceLogic KNX integration with SmartThings Pro enables facility managers to monitor and manage energy consumption for multiple commercial locations through centralized dashboards. SpaceLogic KNX devices can now be integrated into SmartThings Pro to monitor lighting, blinds, HVAC, occupancy, and energy consumption across commercial spaces.

Centralizing Connected Home Control

Smart home technology has delivered remarkable capability, but managing it has often meant juggling a growing number of separate apps, incompatible systems, and devices that don’t talk to each other. For homeowners, home builders, and residential contractors, that fragmentation has been one of the biggest barriers to realizing the full potential of connected home investments. 

But now, the integration enables the management of SpaceLogic KNX solutions and other connected home products within the SmartThings application. This gives homeowners a more centralized way to control connected devices like smart appliances and electronics like TVs, simplifying day-to-day management of comfort, lighting, and household energy use.

Nisus Finance Reports Q4 FY26 Results

Mumbai, May 27: Nisus Finance Services Co Limited, an alternative investment and urban infrastructure platform, announced its audited financial results for the second half and financial year ended March 31, 2026, reporting strong operational growth, platform expansion, and sustained profitability despite temporary geopolitical disruptions in Q4.

Strong Core Business Performance

Nisus Finance’s core business of fund management and transaction advisory delivered robust growth in FY26:

• Total Income: INR 141.07 crore (↑110% YoY)
• Profit After Tax (PAT): INR 67.76 crore (↑108% YoY)
• EBITDA: INR 100.80 crore
• EBITDA Margin: 70.5%

Assets under management (AUM) grew 67% YoY to INR 2,631 crore, driven by investments across India and Dubai, strategic exits, and strong traction in private credit and urban infrastructure opportunities.

Core Business Financial Highlights (Excluding NCCCL)

Q4 FY26 Performance and Outlook

The fourth quarter witnessed a temporary moderation in revenue due to deferred investment activity linked to geopolitical developments in West Asia. The company clarified that the impact was event-driven and non-structural, with several India and UAE transactions expected to be completed in FY27.

Consolidated Performance (Including NCCCL)

On a consolidated basis, including New Consolidated Construction Company Limited (NCCCL), Nisus Finance reported:

• Total Income: ₹574.92 crore
• PAT: INR 83.08 crore
• EBITDA Margin: 24.73%

Consolidated Financial Highlights (Including NCCCL)

NCCCL Integration and Order Growth

NCCCL, acquired during FY26, continued to strengthen Nisus Finance’s integrated infrastructure platform, adding over INR 1,200 crore in new orders till May 26, enhancing medium-term execution visibility.

International Expansion

The company’s Dubai-focused AUM grew 223% YoY to ₹1,516 crore, supported by investments in income-generating residential assets and high-yield opportunities. The UAE portfolio remained resilient despite regional geopolitical disruptions, reporting zero impairment and continued NAV appreciation.

Commenting on the performance, Dr. Amit Goenka, Chairman & Managing Director, said:

“FY26 was a defining year for Nisus Finance. We scaled the platform meaningfully while remaining resilient through global uncertainty. Despite temporary disruptions in cross-border investment activity in Q4, we exceeded our revenue guidance and maintained strong profitability. Our India and UAE businesses continued to show momentum, and the acquisition of NCCCL has further strengthened our integrated urban infrastructure strategy. We enter FY27 with a strong pipeline across fund management, structured credit, redevelopment, and infrastructure opportunities.”

Strategic Focus Ahead

During the year, the company also advanced strategic initiatives including Ni-YAM, a hybrid credit and asset appreciation platform, along with plans for SM REIT structures and GIFT City feeder platforms.

Nisus Finance reaffirmed its focus on capital preservation, disciplined underwriting, and long-term value creation, while continuing to expand its cross-border investment and advisory capabilities.

With a diversified platform spanning fund management, transaction advisory, strategic investments, and infrastructure execution, the company remains well-positioned to benefit from growing demand for alternative capital and urban infrastructure financing across India and the GCC region.

The Making of Texture: Inside the Techniques That Create Depth in Modern Rugs

Jaipur , May 27 : In contemporary interiors, texture has become one of the defining elements of luxury. Beyond colour and pattern, designers today are increasingly focused on how surfaces interact with light, movement, and touch. Rugs, in particular, have evolved from flat decorative pieces into highly tactile design elements that add depth, softness, and architectural character to a space.

What often appears effortless in a finished rug, however, is the result of highly engineered craftsmanship.

Behind every textured rug lies a complex interplay of weaving techniques, yarn combinations, pile variations, and finishing processes. From loop and cut pile constructions to carving, high-low weaving, and mixed material surfaces, modern rug texture is carefully constructed rather than accidental.

“Texture today is one of the most important aspects of rug design,” says Deepak Khanna, Founder of Man Made Rugs. “People are looking for rugs that create dimension and atmosphere within a space. Achieving that requires a deep understanding of technique, material behaviour, and craftsmanship.”

One of the most widely used methods in textured rug making is the combination of loop and cut pile weaving. Loop pile retains the yarn in its looped form, creating a structured and slightly raised surface, while cut pile produces a softer and smoother finish. By combining both techniques within a single rug, artisans can create subtle contrasts in height, density, and tactile feel.

This variation allows patterns to emerge through texture rather than obvious colour shifts, aligning with the growing preference for tonal and understated interiors.

High-low weaving further enhances this sense of depth. Through carefully controlled pile height differences, certain sections of the rug sit higher while others recede, creating sculptural surfaces that respond differently to light and movement. In minimalist interiors especially, these nuanced details bring warmth and complexity without overwhelming the space visually.

Material innovation also plays a significant role in contemporary textured rugs. Designers are increasingly blending wool with silk, bamboo silk, linen, and other speciality yarns to create layered tactile effects. Matte and reflective fibres interact differently with light, allowing surfaces to shift subtly throughout the day.

The result is a rug that feels visually dynamic despite using restrained colours and minimal patterning.

Carving techniques add another layer of sophistication. After weaving, artisans often hand-carve sections of the rug to sharpen patterns, enhance depth, or create fluid transitions between textures. This finishing process requires precision and craftsmanship because even small inconsistencies can alter the visual balance of the rug.

Importantly, these innovations are not replacing handmade craftsmanship. Instead, they are expanding its possibilities.

According to Deepak Khanna, Founder of Man Made Rugs, modern rug making is increasingly defined by the balance between artisanal skill and contemporary design thinking.

“Handmade rugs today are evolving far beyond traditional motifs,” he explains. “There is a growing focus on texture, material layering, and surface experimentation. The craftsmanship remains deeply rooted in hand processes, but the design language is becoming more architectural and globally relevant.”

This shift reflects broader movements within contemporary interiors, where subtlety is becoming more valuable than ornamentation. Rather than relying on bold patterns or excessive decoration, designers are using texture to create emotional warmth and spatial depth.

As a result, the technical construction of rugs is becoming just as important as their visual appearance.

The future of rug design is likely to be defined not by louder aesthetics, but by more intelligent craftsmanship. In that future, texture will continue to play a central role, quietly shaping how spaces feel, absorb light, and create comfort in increasingly refined ways.

La Tarté’s Summer Plate Is Fresh, Bright, and Completely in Season

May 27 : Tucked into Delhi’s dining landscape as a modern wine and espresso bar, La Tarté has always been about more than a meal; it’s about the hour spent lingering over something good. This summer, the brand deepens that intent with a new seasonal menu drawn from the unhurried café culture of New York, Florence, Nice, and Milan, reimagined for a Delhi audience that knows exactly what it wants from a table.

The Summer Menu arrives as a full sensory experience; lemon-inspired décor installations, Mediterranean-toned aesthetics, and a spread designed to carry guests from a slow morning coffee into an easy afternoon of wine and conversation. Live stations and interactive pasta-making experiences sit alongside the food menu, making the visit as much about participation as it is about dining.

On the plate, the kitchen leans into the season’s best; Watermelon & Feta Salad, Mango Avocado Salad, and freshly handmade pasta selections anchor a menu built on bright, balanced flavours. The Mango Tres Leches rounds out the dessert offering with the kind of indulgence that still feels appropriate for the heat, while the Boozy Tiramisu has quietly become a table favourite.

The beverage list is where summer really takes shape. Iced coffees, matcha-forward coolers, and wine pairings have been crafted to move through the day;  whether the occasion calls for a mid-morning Coconut Cloud Matcha, an afternoon Iced Shaken Espresso, or a Vanilla Cold Foam Latte as the light shifts. Ingredients like mango purée, coconut cream, cold-brew espresso, and seasonal fruit run consistently through the list, keeping things cohesive and considered.

Speaking to the vision behind the menu, Raayyaana Arora of La Tarté shares:

 “For us, summer is less about just introducing seasonal dishes and more about creating a feeling. We wanted La Tarté’s Summer Menu to reflect the kind of café and wine culture we experienced while travelling; where people spend hours over iced coffees, fresh food, conversations, and wine in spaces that feel effortless yet elevated.”

Throughout the season, the menu will continue to evolve; limited-edition beverages, curated wine evenings, and pasta-making workshops under the Love Station concept will keep things dynamic well beyond launch. The Summer Menu is available daily across La Tarté outlets from 10 AM to 11 PM, with an average spend of INR 2,000–₹3,500 for two for the full dining experience, and INR 500–₹800 for two over coffee.

Uber and Mews bring ride booking inside the hotel operating system

Hotels will be able to request, track and bill Uber rides directly from Mews, turning a manual front desk task into a connected workflow and a new source of ancillary revenue. 

AMSTERDAM and NEW YORK, NY  – May 27 – Mews, the hospitality operating system, has announced a strategic partnership with Uber to embed ride booking, real-time tracking and integrated billing directly into the Mews platform.

Uber announced GO-GET 2026 last month, organizing the app around three actions: go, get and travel. Alongside a series of partnerships on the rider side, the Mews integration extends the same direction into the hotel’s property management system (PMS), giving hoteliers a way to offer Uber rides as part of the guest stay rather than as a transaction that happens outside of their walls.

At Mews Unfold on May 27, 2026 in Amsterdam, Christophe Peymirat, Head of Uber for Business EMEA, and Mike Coscetta, President of Mews, will take the stage together to discuss how collaboration between travel technology, hotels and companies outside the traditional travel sector is reshaping the guest experience.

Transportation bookings are one of the most common guest requests and one of the most manual processes in hotel operations. Mews research from 2026 found that guests arrange their own transportation and spend an average of $50 on it per stay, money that bypasses the hotel entirely.1 With this integration hoteliers can drive additional ancillary revenue by offering this service to guests.

This highlights a significant opportunity: Guests today want a ‘frictionless’ stay where the hotel solves every problem for them, not just the room. By bringing these moments together, this integration allows hotels to move beyond just accommodation and deliver the fully connected experience guests are looking for.

Once live, the integration will allow staff to request a ride for guests with just a few clicks, to track the vehicle in real time and to process the payment automatically, all within Mews. Airport pickups and last-minute changes will be visible and manageable from within the Mews platform.

“Hotels put enormous effort into the guest experience within their four walls,” said Christophe Peymirat, Head of Uber for Business EMEA. “The journey to and from the property is just as much a part of that experience. Connecting Uber’s network directly into the Mews platform is a practical step toward giving hotels visibility and control over something they have been managing manually for decades.”

The same logic applies to hotel teams: Staff transportation for late and night shifts gives hotels a simple way to arrange safe, reliable journeys home for team members and improve staff satisfaction.

The integration is being built to include:

• Staff-initiated and guest-initiated ride booking, available via the Mews platform through accounts and the guest portal • Live vehicle tracking and trip confirmations, so staff and guests know exactly where a ride is • Automatic billing to the guest folio through Mews Payments, removing manual reconciliation and keeping every transaction inside the same platform • Full visibility for the hotel regarding all ride activity, and full transparency for the customer regarding costs • Insights into guest transportation patterns to help hotels plan better and manage services across the guest journey

“Embedding Uber into the Mews Operating System means hotels can offer transportation services as part of the stay and add it to one unified guest bill, making it part of the guest relationship rather than a separate transaction. Transportation is one of the clearest examples of a regular guest requirement that hotels are best positioned to provide but not currently set up to do seamlessly,” said Mike Coscetta, President of Mews.

The Mews and Uber integration is in development, with a pilot launching this year. Further details will be shared directly with customers and partners ahead of launch.

The entire Unfold program will be available to stream live and for free, with the session, “Vision for the industry – Uber” running on Wednesday, May 27, 11:50 AM to 12:05 PM CET.
1 Mews guide “How to unlock revenue beyond the room

Africa Rising Music Conference 2026 concludes with landmark international collaborations, artist development initiative, future-focused industry conversations and announces 2027 dates.

Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) 2026 concluded this past weekend at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, delivering two days of forward-thinking conversations, international networking, and cultural exchange that further cemented ARMC’s position as one of Africa’s most important music industry platforms. 

Bringing together over 1000 artists, executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, creatives and innovators from over 15 countries over the two conference days, ARMC 2026 focused not only on conversations about the future of music – but on creating tangible opportunities and real industry outcomes for African artists. The star-studded line-up and attendees featured leading voices from music, culture and government, including Elaine, TRESOR, Kim Jayde and Janesh, alongside key institutional representation from the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the German Embassy Pretoria, the Australian High Commission Pretoria and the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria.
One of the conference’s most significant announcements was the official launch of the Music Mentorship Program for South African Artists, a new collaboration between the German Embassy Pretoria, ARMC and Paradise Worldwide. Officially unveiled during the conference by representatives from all three organisations, the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between creativity and professional music industry development for South African artists.

“Music and diplomacy share many traits. They connect people. They foster collaboration. When successful, they create something bigger than the sum of its parts. ARMC’s Mentorship Programme for South African Artists is about just that: connections between German and South African artists to create something beautiful. As the German Embassy, we are glad to be part of this.” – Marten Menger, Head of the Cultural Department at the German Embassy Pretoria.

Applications for the programme are now officially open, with five selected artists set to receive comprehensive support for an upcoming release project including professional mastering, release strategy support, one-on-one international mentorship paired with established German music industry professionals and artists, EP and single artwork design, professional press shots, in-studio promotional content production and visual storytelling support. The launch marked a major step toward building stronger international creative exchange between South Africa and Germany while investing directly in the next generation of South African talent.
 
Another standout moment at ARMC 2026 was the introduction of the Berlin AI Think Tank in Africa, which created a critical platform for discussions around artificial intelligence, creator consent, licensing, attribution and fair remuneration within the rapidly evolving music landscape. With local and international stakeholders in attendance – including SAMPRA, CAPASSO, AIxchange, the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM), Fraunhofer IDMT and others – the Think Tank initiated critical conversations around the next steps toward a more independent and sustainable Pan-African AI ecosystem for music and the creative industries.

ARMC 2026 also strengthened international cultural ties to Australia, the official international focus country of this year’s edition, through the SA Meets Australia Networking Reception, presented in collaboration with the Australian High Commission Pretoria, Creative Australia and Alchemy Music. The reception featured a special live performance by Australian artist DOBBY, whose appearance became one of the conference’s defining moments when he invited emerging South African rappers onto the stage for an improvised freestyle collaboration – creating an authentic and spontaneous exchange between young artists from both countries. The moment reflected ARMC’s broader vision of fostering meaningful global collaboration through music and culture.

“ARMC provides an important platform to bring together artists and industry from around Africa and the world to exchange experiences, knowledge and ideas. Alchemy Music is proud to bring the first Australian delegation to the event, highlighting common challenges and opportunities as well as showcasing the extraordinary talent of First Nation rapper DOBBY and alt-r&b/ambient electronica singer, songwriter and producer Milan Ring.” – Frank Rodi, Alchemy Music

Beyond the conference programme, ARMC 2026 delivered a dynamic live music experience with performances and showcases from artists including Henrik Schwarz (DE), Young Duragg (ZA), Mörda (ZA), Doowap (ZA), Rouge (ZA), HARUNA (UK), TIMANTI (UK) and many more, celebrating the diversity and global influence of contemporary African music culture.

“Having hosted a workshop on female empowerment at last year’s conference, returning to ARMC this year as an artist was incredibly special,” said Rouge. “I’ve made so many meaningful connections through this platform and witnessed firsthand how important these spaces are for African creatives. ARMC is more than just a conference, it’s a growing movement that the global music industry should be paying close attention to.”

The success of ARMC 2026 was made possible through the support of headline partner Paradise Worldwide as well as Mint Digital Services, Johnnie Walker AfroExchange, Jaecoo, SAMRO, Ray-Ban, KFC, SAMPRA, Billboard Africa, Hype Magazine, Music In Africa, Trace, Resident Advisor,  sponsors, speakers, artists, delegates, media and collaborators who contributed to making this year’s edition one of the conference’s most impactful and internationally connected gatherings to date.
ARMC 2027 dates have officially been announced – save the date for 21st & 22nd May 2027. Early bird tickets for next year’s conference are now officially available on Quicket. 

Hexagon Nutrition IPO Opens on June 5, 2026

Chandigarh, May 27 : Hexagon Nutrition Limited  proposes to open an initial public offering of its equity shares of face value of ₹1 each  on Friday, June 05, 2026. The Anchor Investor Bidding Date is one Working Day before the Bid/Offer Opening Date, being Thursday, June 04, 2026. The Bid/ Offer Closing Date is Tuesday, June 09, 2026.

The Price Band of the Offer has been fixed from INR  42 per Equity Share to INR 45 per Equity Share. Bids can be made for a minimum of 333 Equity Shares and multiples of 333 Equity Shares thereafter.

The offer comprises an offer for sale of up to 30,859,704 Equity Shares, aggregating up to INR 1,388.69 million (INR 138.87 Crore (calculated at upper end of the price band)) by existing shareholders, Arun Purushottam Kelkar, Subhash Purushottam Kelkar, Aditya Kelkar and Nutan Subhash Kelkar 

Hexagon Nutrition Limited is a focused nutrition company with a differentiated and research-oriented approach, operating across the nutrition value chain through Branded wellness nutrition products/ clinical nutrition products , premix formulations (B2B2C), and Ready to Use Foods and Micronutrient Powder . The company is recognized as one of the largest premix players in India, supplying customised vitamin and mineral premixes to leading Indian and multinational FMCG companies. It is also one of the largest licensed suppliers of MNPs under UN programmes, supporting global food fortification and public health initiatives

Internationally, Hexagon Nutrition’s distribution network extends across non-exclusive 19 regional distributors covering Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The company also maintain 3 overseas offices located in South Africa, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong that support the overseas business operations. Over the past three Fiscals, their products were exported to over 75 countries. The Company has positioned itself as a holistic nutrition company with global nutritional expertise.

The Offer is being made in terms of Rule 19(2)(b) of the SCRR, read with Regulation 31 of the SEBI ICDR Regulations. The Offer is being made for at least 25% of the post- Offer paid-up Equity Share capital of our Company. The Offer is being made through the Book Building Process in accordance with Regulation 6(1) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations wherein in terms of Regulation 32(1) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, not more than 50% of the Offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers (“QIBs” and such portion the “QIB Portion”), provided that our Company may, in consultation with the Book Running Lead Managers, allocate up to 60% of the QIB Portion to Anchor Investors on a discretionary basis, in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations (the “Anchor Investor Portion”), of which 40% shall be reserved as follows: (i) 33.33% for domestic Mutual Funds; and (ii) 6.67% for Life Insurance Companies and Pension Funds, subject to valid Bids being received from domestic Mutual Funds, Life Insurance Companies and Pension Funds at or above the Anchor Investor Offer Price. In case the aggregate demand from Life Insurance Companies and Pension Funds is less than 6.67%, the remaining Equity Shares will be added to the portion allocated to domestic Mutual Funds, in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations. In the event of under-subscription or non-allocation in the Anchor Investor Portion, the balance Equity Shares shall be added to the remaining QIB Portion (“Net QIB Portion”).

Further, 5% of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis only to Mutual Funds, and the remainder of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to all QIBs, including Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price. However, if the aggregate demand from the Mutual Funds is less than 5% of the Net QIB Portion, the balance Equity Shares available for allocation will be added to the remaining QIB Portion for proportionate allocation to QIBs. Further, not less than 15% of the Offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Non-Institutional Bidders in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price, out of which (a) one-third of such portion shall be reserved for Bidders with application size of more than INR 0.20 million and up to INR 1.00 million; and (b) two-thirds of such portion shall be reserved for Bidders with application size of more than INR 1.00 million provided that the unsubscribed portion in either of such sub-categories may be allocated to Bidders in the other sub-category of Non-Institutional Bidders; and not less than 35% of the Offer shall be available for allocation to Retail Individual Bidders in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price.

All Bidders (except Anchor Investors) are mandatorily required to utilize the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (“ASBA”) process by providing details of their respective ASBA accounts and UPI ID in case of UPI Bidders using the UPI Mechanism, as applicable, pursuant to which their corresponding Bid Amount will be blocked by the Self Certified Syndicate Banks (“SCSBs”) or by the Sponsor Banks under the UPI Mechanism, as the case may be, to the extent of the respective Bid Amounts. Anchor Investors are not permitted to participate in the Offer through the ASBA process.

The Equity Shares of the Company are proposed to be listed on BSE Limited (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) (BSE and NSE together, the Stock Exchanges). For the purposes of the Offer, the Designated Stock Exchange shall be NSE.

Cumulative Capital Private Limited and Catalyst Capital Partners Private Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) to the issue.

All capitalised terms not defined herein would have the same meaning as attributed to them in the Red Herring Prospectus dated May 25, 2026.

Zendesk Commits Dollar 100M to Help Startups Build with AI, Expands VC Program

Bangalore, May 27 : At its annual Relate conference, Zendesk today announced a new Dollar 100 million, two-year commitment to help startups move faster, automate, and build world-class customer experiences into their stack from day one. The Zendesk for Startups program is built for the next generation of founders, offering access to products at no cost, along with resources and partner benefits to help them build and scale faster. For the first time, Zendesk is also extending dedicated benefits to venture capital partners across their portfolios. 

 “The decisions founders make early about their customer infrastructure shape everything that comes after,” said Adrian McDermott, CTO, Zendesk. “I joined Zendesk when we were a small startup, and those early decisions shaped everything that followed. We built this program with that experience in mind. AI has fundamentally changed what a small team can accomplish from day one—founders shouldn’t have to choose between moving fast and building right. With AI built in from the start, they can do both while extending their runway by removing cost as a barrier.”

More than 50,000 startups globally have scaled on Zendesk, including fast-growing companies like ElevenLabs and Canva. Built to grow with startups, the program supports founders and extends through Series B for companies with up to 250 employees. Members receive up to two years of access to Zendesk’s full AI suite the longest no-cost commitment of any CX startup offering currently available plus more seats and higher monthly resolution limits than comparable programs. They also gain access to a new digital membership hub and exclusive partner benefits from AWS, GitHub, Notion, and others. 

Qualified startups receive an enhanced offer, including:

• Runway: Up to two years of access to Zendesk at no cost, to help startups preserve capital while they build.

• Automation: AI Agents Advanced to automate support earlier before headcount becomes the constraint.

• Velocity: Frictionless VIP onboarding and implementation support, helping startups go live quickly and start seeing value fast.

• Support: Dedicated sales support, giving founders direct access to a team that can help as they scale.

• Community: Exclusive events, founder sessions, and partner programming, connecting startups with peers, experts, and ecosystem partners.

• Feedback: Direct access to Zendesk Labs, Zendesk Ventures, and Zendesk executives, creating more opportunities for feedback, product input, and strategic support.

“The process of organizing people and resources for government bids is notoriously inefficient, and the best teams often lose because of it,” said Lauren Burke Silva, Co-Founder and CEO, MERIT. “We built MERIT to streamline that pursuit process. By choosing Zendesk, we’re able to automate workflows and deploy AI agents from day one—allowing us to stay lean and focused on our mission to help our customers win.”

Zendesk is broadening the program to include dedicated benefits for venture capital firms. Through partnerships with a16z, Techstars, LvlUp Ventures, 500 Global, and others, investors gain access to closed-door interactive AI sessions, quarterly portfolio reviews, Zendesk Employee Service, direct access to Zendesk executives through the Executive Sponsor program, and more. 

“The best founders move fast and build with conviction,” said David Cohen, Founder and CEO, Techstars. “What Zendesk is doing here is meeting them at that pace with real resources and a real commitment to the ecosystem. This is exactly why Techstars is deepening its partnership with Zendesk. This is the kind of partnership that helps the next generation of breakout companies get off the ground and scale.”

RINA reaches one billion in revenue and continues its growth plan

Genoa (Italy), May 26: The shareholders’ meeting of RINA, the multinational inspection, certification and consulting engineering group, today approved the 2025 financial statements, reporting revenues of €1.03 billion, up 11% compared to 2024, and adjusted EBITDA of €155 million (+12.5% versus 2024, improving from 14.8% to 15% of revenues). The Group’s net profit rose to €39.7 million, up from €30.4 million on the previous year, while financial leverage remains stable at around 1x. In addition, RINA continues to build its future growth, supporting tomorrow’s revenues with a new order intake-to-revenue ratio above 1.2x.

The positive trend continued into the first quarter of 2026, with revenues of €246 million, up 2.7% on the same period in 2025. Order intake reached approximately €346 million.

Ugo Salerno, Executive Chairman of RINA, said: “Surpassing €1 billion in revenue underscores the solidity of RINA as a company able to evolve while maintaining a clear trajectory of growth. We plan to support further development also through targeted international acquisitions, focusing on businesses with strong strategic potential. This milestone is the result of a long-term journey built on our people, our expertise, and our ability to adapt in an ever-changing environment. These results confirm the Group’s capacity to seize market opportunities and translate them into development and long-term value.”

Carlo Luzzatto, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of RINA, commented: “We are accelerating the execution of our 2030 strategic plan, consolidating the Group’s commitment to innovation, a long-standing distinguishing feature of RINA. This path also includes the acquisition of Foreship, a strategic step which further strengthened our capabilities in the marine and naval engineering sectors, expanding our international footprint. I am very proud of the results achieved so far, thanks to the collective effort of all our colleagues.”