Category Archives: Business

Mafatlal Industries strengthens its sustainability commitment, commissions a 4 MW solar power project at its Nadiad plant

Dec 17: Mafatlal Industries Limited (MIL), the flagship of the Arvind Mafatlal Group and one of India’s oldest and most respected textile institutions, has partnered with Kosol Energie to commission a state-of-the-art 4 MW solar power project at its Nadiad manufacturing facility. This initiative marks a significant step in the company’s long-term transition to clean energy, reinforcing its commitment to future-ready, responsible, and energy-efficient manufacturing.

For over a century, Mafatlal has embedded sustainable thinking into the heart of its business, long before ESG became a formal framework. This legacy of responsibility now enters a new phase with the commissioning of this solar project, which stands as a powerful testament to the Group’s commitment to building a resilient, energy-secure, and environmentally conscious future for Indian textiles.

The planned ground-mounted solar project is estimated to deliver approximately 6.5 million units of clean energy annually. This will substantially cut dependence on conventional grid electricity, enhance energy efficiency, and contribute meaningfully to Mafatlal’s decarbonization goals. By integrating renewable power at scale, the company reinforces its belief that sustainability is not an obligation, but an essential driver of competitiveness and long-term value creation.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Priyavrata Mafatlal, Managing Director of Mafatlal Industries Limited, said, “At Mafatlal Industries, sustainability has never been a new direction; it has always been part of our DNA. For over a century, we have believed that responsible progress is the only progress that lasts. This solar initiative strengthens that belief and marks an important step in how we prepare our business for the future. Clean energy, efficient manufacturing, and long-term value creation are not goals we pursue occasionally; they are principles we live by every day. This project reflects our commitment to building a more resilient future for our industry and for India.”

Mr. Kalpesh Kalthia, Chairman & Managing Director, Kosol Energie Private Limited, commented, “We are honoured to partner with Mafatlal Industries—an institution that represents over a century of Indian industrial excellence. This 4 MW solar project is more than an energy installation; it reflects a shared vision for a cleaner and more responsible manufacturing future. At Kosol Energie, our mission is to empower industries with reliable, high performance solar solutions, and this collaboration stands as a testament to the growing trust in our technology and engineering capabilities.”

The Nadiad facility, home to a multigenerational workforce and one of the company’s largest production centres, has long been central to Mafatlal’s growth journey. Over the years, the company has also advanced several sustainability practices, including responsible water use, improved waste management, and cleaner manufacturing processes.

The new solar project builds on this legacy by providing long-term energy stability, improving operational efficiency, and reducing the facility’s environmental footprint. With this milestone, Mafatlal Industries reinforces its position as a heritage brand that continues to evolve with purpose, combining innovation with responsibility and growth with sustainable impact.

Ashtech Group Begins Construction of ‘The Presidential Towers’ in Greater Noida West

Ashtech Group Performs Bhoomi Pujan, Begins In-House Construction of its hi-end residential project ‘The Presidential Towers’ in Sector 12, Greater Noida west.

New Delhi, Dec 16:  Ashtech Group, a leading name in India’s construction and infrastructure landscape with a legacy spanning over three decades, marked a significant milestone with the auspicious Bhoomi Pujan ceremony and commencement of construction of its flagship high-end residential project, The Presidential Towers, located in Sector 12, Greater Noida West. With this development, Ashtech Group marks its entry into the premium residential real estate segment, leveraging its deep-rooted expertise and construction legacy to develop and build its own project, backed by decades of experience in executing large-scale infrastructure and industrial developments.

Spread across 5.5 acres, The Presidential Towers is a thoughtfully planned high-end residential development comprising five elegantly designed towers rising 30 storeys. The project will feature 456 premium 3 and 4 BHK residences, designed to offer a refined living experience defined by privacy, comfort, and contemporary aesthetics.

Using its own construction capabilities and engineering expertise, Ashtech Group is directly responsible for the execution of the project, ensuring strict quality standards, technical precision, and disciplined construction practices. All statutory approvals, including RERA, are already in place, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to transparency and compliance.

Designed for discerning homebuyers, Ashtech Presidential Towers places a strong emphasis on space, light, and exclusivity. Each tower features 3 side open residences, enabling superior ventilation, ample natural light, and panoramic views.

The residences will offer 12-foot ceiling heights, private lift lobbies, wrap-around balconies, Italian marble flooring , modular kitchens, and premium sanitary fittings from Toto and Kohler. Smart-home features such as intelligent lighting, video door phones, and smart washrooms further enhance the living experience, while centralized air-conditioning in 4 BHK residences adds an elevated level of comfort.

Strategically located in Greater Noida West, the project offers strong connectivity to Noida’s major commercial and social hubs. With thoughtfully curated amenities, multi-tier security systems, ample parking, and expansive green spaces, Ashtech Presidential Towers is envisioned as a landmark high-end residential address in the region.

Elmentoz Research Raises Seed Funding to Transform Animal Nutrition with Smart Feed Technology

IndiaNorway Backed Elmentoz Research Secures Seed Funding to Revolutionize Animal Nutrition and Smart Feed Technology

Elmentoz Research Pvt. Ltd., a deep-tech biotechnology company specializing in precision animal health nutrition and smart feed solutions for poultry, aquaculture, and pet food, has successfully closed its first seed funding round with angel investors from India and Norway. This capital infusion will support the establishment of India’s largest BSF-based smart protein facility, capable of processing 2,000 MT per month of industrial byproducts through proprietary advanced automation technologies. The facility is scheduled to launch in January 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s sustainable feed and next-generation smart protein sector.

The funding accelerates Elmentoz’s mission to develop sustainable, next-generation biofeed solutions that reduce India’s reliance on imported functional feed additives, mitigate biosecurity risks—including antimicrobial resistance—and enhance farmer profitability. The company’s IP-driven innovation platform combines genomics, proteomics, advanced automation, and cGMP manufacturing to deliver AMP-fortified immune-smart premixes, smart protein formulations, and functional oil ingredients under its flagship product lines ELGROW and ELTIDE. These precision-nutrition solutions improve gut health, feed conversion efficiency, and disease resilience, effectively replacing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) with functional immuno-nutrition.

Key Uses of Seed Funding:

• Scale India’s first advanced automated cGMP smart-protein manufacturing facility

• Expand ELGROW and ELTIDE product portfolios

• Advance antimicrobial peptide (AMP) technology and platform development

• Strengthen strategic international partnerships

• Grow research, manufacturing, and commercial teams to support rapid expansion

Dr. Jayashankar Das, Founder & CEO, stated:

“India must prioritize nutritional security alongside food security. Our insect protein and AMP platforms deliver consistent amino acid profiles, better gut health, and antibiotic-free performance across poultry, aquaculture, and pet segments. With genomics, proteomics, and cGMP manufacturing, we can replace AGPs with targeted functional feeds that are safer, smarter, and more resilient for farmers and feed manufacturers.”

Dr. Padmaja Mohanty, Co-Founder & CTO, added:

“Insects are nature’s most efficient bio-converters. At Elmentoz, they become drivers of sustainable protein security. This funding enables us to scale research to understand animal health mechanisms and translate insights into precision feed formulations. Sustainability isn’t a feature; it’s the operating system for the next decade of animal nutrition.”

Christen Hveem, angel investor from Norway, commented:

“Nutritional security is becoming a global priority. India, with innovators like Elmentoz, can emerge as a global leader in next-generation smart proteins and precision feed nutrition. Elmentoz is building a transformative platform that can shape the future of sustainable food systems.”

Elmentoz is poised to create India’s first research-driven insect protein line, unlocking a significant opportunity in the global insect-enabled feed industry and redefining sustainable animal nutrition for the coming decade.

Gulshan Group Partners with Taj to Redefine Branded Living in Noida

Gulshan Group, one of North India’s most respected real estate developers, today announced the signing of a Taj hotel and Taj Branded Serviced Apartments in Noida, in partnership with The Indian Hotels Company Limited India’s largest hospitality company. This landmark greenfield development, located in Sector 129 along the Noida Expressway, marks a defining moment in Noida’s evolution as a global destination for luxury living, business, and hospitality.

Developed by Gulshan Group, the project reflects the Group’s long-standing philosophy of creating future-forward landmarks that elevate urban lifestyles while delivering enduring value. The association with Taj further strengthens Gulshan’s commitment to curating high-caliber developments aligned with global standards of excellence.

Gulshan Nagpal, Chairman, Gulshan Group, said,

“This collaboration represents more than a partnership  it is a convergence of two legacy-driven brands committed to excellence. Bringing Taj to Noida under Gulshan’s vision is our way of shaping the city’s luxury narrative and delivering an address that will stand as a benchmark for generations to come.”

Yukti Nagpal, Director, Gulshan Group, added,

“This project is our statement to the industry  reimagining luxury beyond traditional boundaries by blending the glamour of hospitality with the magnanimous scale of real estate. At Gulshan Group, we are driven by trust, design integrity, and a long-term vision. In partnership with Taj, we are envisioning what we believe will be India’s tallest Taj  a global-standard address destined to become one of the most iconic landmarks in the country.”

The development will feature a luxury Taj hotel with 150 guest rooms and 74 Taj Branded Serviced Apartments. The hotel will offer premium dining experiences with an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, and two specialty restaurants. For conferences and celebrations, the project will include an expansive 8,000 sq. ft. ballroom, complemented by sophisticated pre-function areas and versatile meeting rooms.

Wellness and recreation will be central to the guest experience, with access to a swimming pool, gym, health club and Taj’s celebrated J Wellness Circle.

The Taj Branded Serviced Apartments will present ultra-luxury residences spanning approximately 7,500 sq. ft. each, designed for connoisseurs of elevated living. Residents will enjoy exclusive access to a private Residents’ Club featuring terraced gardens, a children’s play area, lounge spaces, sports facilities and an infinity swimming pool.

Situated in the heart of NCR, Noida has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing urban centres, powered by strong infrastructure, corporate expansion, and a thriving lifestyle ecosystem. This project further reinforces Noida’s position as a preferred destination for luxury and investment.

Finarkein Appoints Former CIBIL Business Head Subbu Sundaresh Vennelakanti as Director – Growth

Pune, Dec 16: Finarkein, a leading financial technology company, today announced the appointment of Subbu Sundaresh Vennelakanti, former Business Head at CIBIL, as Director – Growth at Finarkein. This strategic hire reinforces the company’s commitment to building India’s fintech infrastructure layer and accelerating innovation in the financial technology sector. 

Subbu brings 25 years of experience in the insurance and wealth industry, having led the insurance vertical at TU CIBIL & CRIF Highmark, where he drove advanced risk scorecards, predictive analytics, and customer acquisition solutions for insurers and wealth institutions. At Finarkein, he will be responsible for leading the development of solutions for the Wealth, and Insurance sectors – starting with decisioning models built on data pipes fully compliant with DPDP guidelines, driving the company’s mission to strengthen India’s fintech ecosystem. 

Nikhil Kurhe, Co-founder & CEO, Finarkein, said,

“As insurers and wealth platforms rethink growth and distribution in a post-DPDP environment, the need for intelligent, compliant customer acquisition and decisioning solutions has become clear. Subbu brings deep domain expertise and a strong execution mindset, and we’re excited to have him lead our efforts in building products that deliver tangible business outcomes for financial institutions.”

Subbu Sundaresh Vennelakanti, Director – Growth at Finarkein added,

“India’s Fintech, Wealth and Insurance sectors are entering a pivotal phase of digital transformation, especially as customer acquisition models evolve in a post-DPDP world. Finarkein is uniquely positioned to support the industry with compliant, future-ready solutions that drive sharper customer segmentation and profitable decision-making. I’m truly excited to join Finarkein at such a defining moment and look forward to building cutting-edge, high-impact products for the ecosystem.”

Commenting on the appointment, Anand Datta, Partner, Nexus Venture Partners, said,

“India’s fintech ecosystem is at an inflection point, particularly across wealth and insurance, where sophisticated decisioning must coexist with evolving data privacy regulations. Subbu brings rare, hands-on experience operating at this intersection. We believe his leadership will accelerate Finarkein’s mission to become a foundational layer for financial services innovation in India.”

This leadership addition marks a significant milestone for Finarkein as it continues to scale operations, innovate solutions, and expand its influence across India’s fintech ecosystem.

NueGo Expands Network with Multiple New Routes in South India

Bengaluru,  Dec 15: NueGo, India’s first electric intercity bus brand by GreenCell Mobility, has announced the launch of its all-electric bus service on the Bengaluru Mangalore route. This new connection strengthens NueGo’s commitment to sustainable mass mobility while offering guests a premium, eco-friendly travel experience between two major cities in Southern India.

The launch marks a significant milestone for NueGo, bringing clean, quiet, and comfortable electric mobility to one of the region’s most scenic long-distance routes. Designed to deliver safety, comfort, punctuality, and sustainability, NueGo’s electric buses operate with zero tailpipe emissions and undergo 25 rigorous safety checks, including comprehensive mechanical and electrical inspections, to ensure reliability on long-haul journeys. With a range of over 250 kilometres on a single charge, the Bengaluru–Mangalore service promises smooth and efficient travel for all guests.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Devndra Chawla, CEO & MD, GreenCell Mobility, said,
“We are delighted to strengthen NueGo’s southern network with the addition of this new intercity route. This expansion aligns with our mission to transform bus travel in India through sustainable, technology-enabled, and guest-centric mobility solutions. With continued route development, enhanced safety measures, and upgraded in-bus amenities, we remain committed to offering an elevated travel experience while contributing to a greener, emission-free future.”

Strengthening its nationwide footprint, NueGo has launched multiple new routes across North and South India, reinforcing its position as the country’s fastest-growing electric intercity travel network. With this expansion, NueGo now connects 120+ cities, offering travellers wider access to safe, comfortable, and sustainable electric mobility.

NueGo’s electric buses are equipped with advanced features including real-time geo-location tracking via the NueGo App, enhanced in-cabin comfort, and access to airport-like lounges in select cities, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey.

The brand also places a strong emphasis on women’s safety, offering a 24×7 helpline, a “Pink Seat” option during ticket booking, and buses equipped with CCTV surveillance, GPS tracking, driver breath analyser tests, and speed limits capped at 80 km/hr.

Odisha Unveils Ambitious Cold Chain Vision at Cold Storage Conclave & Buyer–Seller Meet 2025

Bhubaneswar, Dec 15: APICOL, in association with ASSOCHAM, successfully hosted the Cold Storage Conclave & Buyer Seller Meet 2025 at Welcomhotel by ITC, Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, agri-entrepreneurs, farmer groups, financial institutions, and technology providers to accelerate the growth of Odisha’s cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, who formally opened the exhibition and visited various stalls showcasing Odisha’s agri-horti potential. During the inaugural session, approval letters were distributed to cold storage beneficiaries.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo stated, “The state government is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Emphasising sustainability, we aim to establish cold storage units in 58 sub-divisions by FY 2029–30, with a proposed budget outlay of INR  252 crore.”

He highlighted key policy interventions such as capital investment subsidies and interest reimbursement to revitalise defunct cold storage units and ensure the long-term viability of new projects. He urged banks, industry associations, technology providers, and large buyers to collaborate closely with Odisha’s farmers and entrepreneurs, noting that strong value-chain partnerships are essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.

Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, highlighted Odisha’s transition towards market-led agriculture. He noted that the state has been rice-surplus for the past 16–17 years, supplying over 12 states, and produced nearly 15 million tonnes of food grains along with an equal volume of horticultural produce in the last agricultural year. Dr. Padhee emphasised the government’s concise yet comprehensive cold storage policy with attractive incentives to strengthen the ecosystem and attract private investment, highlighting that over 15 proposals have already been received from investors setting up units.

Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, IFS, Director of Horticulture, Government of Odisha, explained that the horticulture sector is entering a pivotal phase through the visionary Cold Storage Policy, which aims to strengthen post-harvest management by building a reliable cold storage and logistics network. The Horticulture Directorate, in collaboration with APICOL, is operationalising support mechanisms including capital assistance, time-bound completion of new units, and electricity tariff subsidies to ensure viable operations.

From the industry perspective, Dr. Prabodh Mohanty, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Odisha (Mining, Steel, and Agri Council) and MD, SNM Group, emphasised that Odisha’s next growth leap depends on modernising post-harvest logistics and processing. He highlighted the importance of integrated cold storage solutions with pre-cooling, digital quality tracking, grading, sorting, and access to organised buyers, noting that market predictability and long-term procurement commitments are key to attracting private capital.

Shubhranshu Mishra, Managing Director, APICOL, reaffirmed the government’s vision for a robust and sustainable cold storage ecosystem. He highlighted new schemes under the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department aimed at reviving defunct units, ensuring sustainability beyond the scheme period, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing farmers’ incomes.

The event also featured panel discussions on scaling supply chains in Odisha, market access, branding and financing rural enterprises, and developing Odisha’s cold chain and market linkages. The Buyer–Seller Meet emerged as a major highlight, connecting producers, FPOs, SHGs, and entrepreneurs with national buyers from retail, export, and e-commerce sectors. A parallel exhibition showcased a diverse range of local and value-added products, including GI-tagged cashews, honey, spices, mushrooms, and exotic vegetables, facilitating direct business interactions and trade opportunities.

Experts from organisations such as APEDA, NABARD, DANFOS, and leading technology firms shared insights on strengthening cold chains, reducing food waste, improving market access, and integrating Odisha’s agri-enterprises with organised domestic and export value chains.

The conclave concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Geetashree Parhi, Additional Director, Directorate of Horticulture, reaffirming the collective commitment of the government and industry to build a resilient, market-linked, and investment-friendly agri-horti ecosystem in Odisha.

MRF Tyres honoured with FIA ERC Team Title at FIA Awards Gala 2025

Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Mr Arun Mammen received the trophy at the prestigious annual event held this year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Tashkent (UZB), Dec 15 — The night of Friday, December 12th, marked a high-point for MRF Tyres as its Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Arun Mammen, stepped on stage at the FIA Awards Gala in Tashkent to collect the official Team Trophy after securing the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) Team Title.

The FIA Awards Gala, the annual season-closing ceremony organised by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), brings together champions, teams and leading figures from every major branch of international motorsport to celebrate and formally recognise their achievements over the past season. It is the highest institutional moment of the sport’s global calendar, where world titles are officially awarded.

The 2025 ERC campaign saw Team MRF Tyres deliver consistently outstanding performances across diverse terrain, rally by rally. Thanks to strong results, strategic tyre choices and seamless coordination with crews and engineers, MRF Tyres secured the ERC Team Championship for the third time, following the titles achieved in 2022 and 2023. The result stands as a testament to tyre performance, reliability and to the overall strength of the programme.

At the gala, Mr. Arun Mammen, commented: “We are deeply honoured to receive the Team Title at such a prestigious occasion. This award recognises not only the work of our engineers and staff, but also the spirit, dedication and resilience of the entire MRF Tyres organisation, both on and off the stages of the 2025 European Rally Championship. When preparation, performance and passion come together, tyres can make the difference. This trophy underlines our commitment and encourages us to continue delivering our very best in the seasons to come”.

MRF Tyres extends warm congratulations to all drivers, co-drivers and team personnel who contributed to this achievement. The recognition at the FIA Awards Gala reinforces MRF Tyres’ commitment to excellence and confirms its position as a leading force in international motorsports.

TheCloudSEO Bootstrapped Marketing Firm Empowering MSMEs to Scale Category:

TheCloudSEO, founded in 2024, is a new-generation growth systems company helping MSMEs and startups simplify marketing using performance, storytelling, and AI. Bootstrapped with zero external support, the company has already served 46 clients, with 12 actively scaling today.

Born out of deep frustration with slow turnarounds, confusing agency workflows, and a massive gap in B2B lead generation, TheCloudSEO was created to fix the broken marketing processes that hold small businesses back. The company’s operating belief is simple: marketing should be fast, predictable, and system-driven.

TheCloudSEO runs on a signature 3-layer growth framework combining:

• Visibility Engine – brand story, content, ads, awareness

• Lead Engine – funnels, landing pages, AI-powered ads, audience intelligence

• Conversion Engine – CRM workflows, WhatsApp automation, retargeting, AI follow-ups

This model helps businesses build predictable revenue without increasing manpower or marketing spend.

Founder Krishna Gaur, who has led marketing transformations across India, GCC, and the US, says:
“MSMEs don’t need more manpower they need smarter systems. They don’t fail because of their product; they struggle because marketing feels overwhelming. We started TheCloudSEO to fix that with simpler, cleaner, more effective systems.”

With integrated services across performance marketing, social media marketing, AI-SEO, branding, e-commerce growth, and cloud infrastructure, TheCloudSEO is positioning itself as a dependable and system-driven growth partner for India’s emerging and fast-growing brands.

Built for Founders, Trusted by Founders

Despite being bootstrapped, TheCloudSEO has gained rapid trust because of its execution-first, operations-led culture. The agency runs its clients’ marketing “as if they were its own brands,” leading to strong retention and meaningful revenue outcomes.

With India’s MSME sector undergoing digital acceleration, TheCloudSEO aims to empower founders with the systems, tools, and execution models required to scale sustainably without complexity.

Tata AIA Delivers Benchmark-Beating Fund Performance Across Its ULIP Offerings

Tata AIA Life Insurance continues to set benchmarks in fund performance through its Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). The company’s funds have outperformed market benchmarks. This offers policyholders an ideal combination of long-term growth and life insurance protection.

Fund Benchmark: Multi Cap Fund, India Consumption Fund, Top 200 Fund: S&P BSE 200.

Inception Dates: Top 200 Fund: 12 Jan 2009, Multi Cap Fund: 05 Oct 2015, India Consumption Fund: 05 Oct 2015.

Tata AIA has established its expertise in investment-linked plans, consistently delivering benchmark-beating fund performance. An impressive 96.06% of the company’s assets under management (AUM) is rated 4 or 5 star by Morningstar, a globally recognised rating agency, on a 5-year basis. In contrast, the average for the private life insurance industry is only 31%.

Tata AIA’s offerings provide policyholders with access to high-growth equity opportunities, backed by robust life and health insurance benefits. The funds focus on high-performing stocks, offering a balance of risk and return across all market caps.

Harshad Patil, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Tata AIA, said,

“At Tata AIA Life, our investment philosophy is anchored in delivering sustainable, long-term value to our policyholders. India’s remarkable economic growth, powered by a young and dynamic population, rapid urbanisation, and an expanding middle class, is creating unprecedented opportunities across sectors. By leveraging rigorous research frameworks and a disciplined bottom-up stock selection process, we aim to capture this potential while ensuring consistent, risk-adjusted returns. This approach not only helps us build resilient portfolios but also reinforces our commitment to safeguarding and growing our customers’ wealth in one of the world’s most attractive markets..”

With a steadfast focus on policyholder benefits, Tata AIA Life Insurance continues to lead by delivering consistent, benchmark-beating returns and redefining life insurance through its integrated ULIP offerings.

As of 31^st July 2025, Tata AIA has grown its Assets Under Management (AUM) significantly to INR 134,215 Crores, translating to 20.55% YoY growth. This has been possible due to robust Individual New Business Premium income and exceptional investment performance.