Category Archives: Business

Cloudflare acquires Astro web framework team to accelerate high-performance web development

Cloudflare, the leading connectivity cloud company, today announced that The Astro Technology Company team, the creators of the Astro web framework, will be joining Cloudflare. Astro is a popular JavaScript web framework used by major brands like Unilever, Visa, and NBC News, as well as hundreds of thousands of developers, to build fast, content-driven websites. Astro will remain open source to ensure the long-term growth and development of the project under Cloudflare’s stewardship. With the Astro team joining Cloudflare, the companies are doubling down on a sustainable future for Astro to remain the definitive framework for content-driven websites.

Search engines prioritize fast-loading, clean pages, and consumers today expect seemingly instant load times from the web pages they visit. Websites that rely heavily on JavaScript for initial rendering often struggle to deliver this speed, hurting search rankings and customer conversions. With Astro, each web page loads only the most critical code that is needed to display a page in a browser. This makes Astro the preferred choice for building high-performance, content-driven websites optimized for speed.

“Protecting and investing in open source tools is critical to the health of a functioning, free, and open Internet,” said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. “By acquiring this talented team and committing to one of the most impactful frameworks when it comes to speed and performance, we’re going to ensure Astro continues to be the best web framework for content-driven websites, not only as it is today but for years to come.”

“Joining Cloudflare allows us to accelerate Astro’s development faster and on a much larger scale,” said Fred Schott, CEO of The Astro Technology Company. “Astro will continue to be the best way for developers to build content-driven websites, whether they host on Cloudflare or elsewhere.”

Astro is already the backbone for successful platforms like Webflow and Wix that run on Cloudflare. Astro introduced the beta release of Astro 6 this week, which brings support for additional JavaScript runtimes, improves performance and speeds up build times. Cloudflare is also committed to continuing to support open-source contributions, via the Astro Ecosystem Fund, alongside industry partners including Webflow, Netlify, Wix and Sentry.

Troogue Co-founder Calls for Govt-Led Startup Scaling, AI Access and Stronger R&D Incentives

By:- Mr. Madhu Rajputra Peravalli, Co-founder, Troogue

“We keep talking about enabling startups, but real scale comes when the government becomes a customer, not just a regulator. A single government project says more to investors than ten pitch decks. On skilling too, we need to be brutally honest, training that doesn’t lead to employability is just expensive motivation. I would request the FM to consider funding platforms linking skilling to hiring. We also need to democratise AI access, which is currently affordable for only big tech, in order for India to become a leader in AI-led innovation. Finally, strengthening R&D tax incentives for startups building original IP will boost innovation, create more jobs and foster an environment wherein startups thrive.”

GJC Submits Pre-Budget 2026–27 Recommendations to Boost Gems & Jewellery Sector

GJC Submits Comprehensive Pre-Budget Recommendations for Union Budget 2026–27, Calls for GST Rationalisation and Measures to Boost Formalisation & MSME Growth in Gems & Jewellery Sector

Mumbai, Jan 19: All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the apex body representing India’s domestic gems and jewellery trade, submitted its detailed pre-budget recommendations to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for consideration in the Union Budget 2026–27.

The representation focuses on five core pillars:

1. GST reforms to restore affordability and eliminate working capital blockage
2. Direct tax relief on unrealised inventory appreciation due to gold price surge
3. Strengthening formalisation and consumer protection through policy clarity
4. Operationalisation of the long-pending Tourist GST Refund Scheme
5. Sector-specific measures to mobilise idle gold, deepen digital payments, and support MSMEs

Key recommendations include:

Reduction of GST on gold & silver jewellery from 3% to 1.25% (or a uniform 1.5% across the sector) on revenue neutral / equivalence ratio to offset inflation-driven tax burden and revive middle-class and rural demand.

Refund of accumulated ITC on input services or reduction of GST on key input services (rent, security, logistics, etc.) from 18% to 5% to correct inverted duty structure.

Clear circular affirming 5% GST on jewellery job-work services to protect karigars and prevent field-level harassment.

One-year deferral of income tax on unrealised inventory appreciation caused by gold price rise in FY 2025–26, without interest.

Exemption from capital gains tax on exchange of hallmarked jewellery when proceeds are reinvested in new jewellery.

Immediate operationalisation of the Tourist GST Refund scheme at major airports to boost inbound tourism retail spending.

Simplified compliance for MSME jewellers, including higher turnover thresholds for returns and protection from duplicate notices post-audit.

Policy framework for digital gold, rationalised MDR on credit card transactions, and introduction of formal EMI for hallmarked 22-karat jewellery.

The submission emphasises to strengthen India’s position as a global jewellery hub while aligning with national goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Viksit Bharat @2047.

Rajesh Rokde, Chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) said: 

“The sharp rise in gold prices has multiplied the absolute GST burden on consumers and created severe working capital stress for jewellers, even though no policy change has occurred. Our recommendations are not for concessions but for restoring proportionality, liquidity and fairness. A modest GST reduction, together with relief on notional inventory gains and job-work clarity, will bring millions of transactions back into the formal economy, protect karigar livelihoods, and make jewellery once again an accessible savings asset for Indian households. We are confident that the Hon’ble Finance Minister will consider these practical, calibrated reforms in the upcoming Budget.”

Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman, GJC added: 

“Our sector is deeply committed to formalisation, transparency and digital transformation. By operationalising the Tourist GST Refund Scheme, enabling EMI for 22-karat jewellery, capping credit-card MDR, and regulating digital gold, we can significantly enhance traceability, boost tourism-linked exports, and bring younger consumers confidently into the organised market. These steps will also help reduce India’s reliance on imported bullion over time by mobilising domestic gold through transparent banking channels. We stand ready to partner with the Government to implement these changes smoothly and effectively.”

The council remains committed to partnering with the government to drive transparency, formalization, and consumer trust, ensuring the sector’s contribution to India’s economic and cultural legacy.

Allcargo Terminals Secures 10-Year Extension from JNPA for Speedy Multimodes CFS

“The contract extension reflects our confidence in Allcargo Terminals’ operational capabilities and its contribution to port-led logistics efficiency at JNPA. With the planned infrastructure upgrade, Speedy Multimodes CFS will be equipped to handle the steadily growing cargo volumes at JNPA with its scale, efficiency, and digital-first logistics services. The extension of the contract and upgradation of the facility will contribute to JNPA’s vision to become the first Indian port to handle 10 million TEUs by 2027.”

“We thank JNPA for their continued confidence in us and look forward to further strengthening our partnership. This extension reflects the trust placed in our operational capabilities and reinforces our role in supporting EXIM trade and port operations at JNPT with enhanced efficiency and reliability. Our proximity to the port enables faster turnaround times and smoother cargo movement, while the expanded operating scale positions us to effectively handle the next phase of growth in cargo volumes at JNPT and contribute to a stronger, more integrated port ecosystem.”

Laura Mercier Officially Relaunches in India in Exclusive Partnership with LUXASIA

Laura Mercier, the iconic prestige beauty brand renowned for its effortless artistry and skin-enhancing formulas, announces its official relaunch in India through an exclusive partnership with LUXASIA India. The return marks an exciting new chapter for the brand, bringing its signature philosophy of effortless, refined beauty to a new generation of discerning Indian consumers through high-performance products designed to perform across every occasion. 

Founded by world-renowned makeup artist Laura Mercier, the brand is rooted in a singular belief: beauty should enhance, not mask, who you are. Trained as a painter, Laura discovered her passion for makeup at Paris’s esteemed Carita Institute, where her artistry was shaped by European elegance and perfected backstage on the world’s most influential editorial sets. Her career flourished in New York, where she became a trusted artist to global icons including Madonna, Julia Roberts, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 1996, she translated decades of professional expertise into a brand built on timeless techniques, intuitive formulas, and a belief in honoring women’s natural beauty through effortless enhancement.

Laura Mercier is a pioneer of modern makeup, defined by an uncompromising quality that stands the test of time and a legacy of creating and redefining product categories. The brand introduced Tinted Moisturiser to the world, forever changing how women think about complexion. Cult-favorite essentials such as the Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Caviar Eyeshadow Sticks, and Pure Canvas Primers have become industry benchmarks for performance, versatility, and ease of use. Central to the brand is the signature Flawless Face technique designed to create skin that looks perfected, yet completely natural.

The relaunch in India highlights a curated selection of the brand’s most iconic products alongside its broader portfolio of complexion, color, and tools, including the brand’s latest innovations designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumer. Key products include the Pure Canvas Blurring Primer for a smooth, perfected base; the award-winning Translucent Loose Setting Powder for invisible, long-lasting wear; Caviar Stick Shimmer Eye Color for effortless, blendable dimension; Caviar Matte Lipstick for richly pigmented, lightweight color; Real Flawless Concealer for seamless, crease-free coverage; Tinted Moisturiser Natural Dewy for sheer, radiant skin; and the Velour Puff, a professional-grade essential for a flawless, airbrush like powder application.

Laura Mercier speaks to a confident, creative, and quality-discerning woman who values thoughtful routines, proven performance, and products that feel both luxurious and wearable. Through its partnership with LUXASIA India, the brand will offer Indian consumers access not only to its iconic products, but also to expert guidance, personalised consultations, and the effortless artistry that has defined Laura Mercier for nearly three decades. 

Commenting on the relaunch, Ginny Wright, CEO of Orveon Global, the global beauty collective behind Laura Mercier, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying:

“We partnered with LUXASIA due to their deep market expertise and proven success in the luxury and prestige beauty sector. Together, we’re focused on strengthening and growing Laura Mercier’s brand footprint in India, with plans to double our distribution points by 2026. We plan to expand into new states such as Amritsar, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, bringing our most iconic products – including Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Real Flawless Foundation, and Caviar Eyeshadow Stick – to more prestige beauty consumers. This expansion allows us to deepen our connection with Indian beauty communities while introducing innovative color cosmetics and enhancing everyday artistry techniques and education.”

LUXASIA is proud to expand its partnership with Laura Mercier to India. India’s cosmetics market has been experiencing exponential growth, and we look forward to continuing to play a leading role in this segment.” – Satyaki Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer, LUXASIA Group

Praseed Changarath, Country Manager – India, LUXASIA Group, added:

“As Indian consumers become more discerning and sophisticated, we are confident that Laura Mercier’s innovative offerings will be well-received. With the make-up segment estimated to grow at a 5Y CAGR of more than 15%, we have no doubt that the prospects for both Laura Mercier and LUXASIA India are promising.” 

Laura Mercier will be available online and at select stores within the Nykaa, Tira, Sephora, Myntra, and Shoppers Stop Beauty footprints. More than makeup, Laura Mercier offers a philosophy of beauty—one rooted in artistry, authenticity, and confidence, helping every woman look and feel her best self.

IndiGo and Nobero Join Hands; Make Shopping More Rewarding for Travelers

Kochi, Jan 19: IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, and Nobero, the traveller brand from the house of TMRW, today announced a strategic partnership under the IndiGo BluChip loyalty program, unlocking more value for customers across lifestyle shopping and travel.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration allows IndiGo BluChip members to earn 1 IndiGo BluChip for every ₹100 spent on any Nobero product. By seamlessly connecting fashion and travel, the partnership transforms everyday apparel purchases into flight rewards, offering customers greater convenience and tangible benefits.

Designed to enhance the travel experience both on the ground and in the air, the partnership brings together Nobero’s apparel designed for the Modern Traveller who is always on the go, and IndiGo BluChip’s rapidly expanding loyalty ecosystem. Customers can now enjoy a rewarding journey that begins with their wardrobe and extends to IndiGo’s extensive flight network.

The partnership is valid for three years, effective immediately, reinforcing IndiGo’s commitment to building meaningful alliances that enrich customer experiences.

Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital and Information Officer, IndiGo, said:

 “At IndiGo, we are committed to creating a compelling value proposition that aligns with our customers’ expectations, while recognizing and rewarding their continued loyalty. We are thrilled to partner with Nobero and are confident that this collaboration will enrich our customers’ shopping and travel experiences with meaningful, easy-to-redeem benefits.

Says Karthik Venkat and Bala Satish, Co-Founders, Nobero,

“Our vision has always been to elevate the modern traveller’s journey. Partnering with IndiGo BluChip allows us to extend that value even further by rewarding customers not just with exceptional products but also with meaningful loyalty benefits. This collaboration marks a significant step in building an enriched travel lifestyle community.”

Why This Partnership Matters

• Seamless Value: Customers earn IndiGo BluChips with every purchase on the Nobero website

• Strengthened Travel Lifestyle: Aligns with Nobero’s mission of creating products designed for modern, on-the-move consumers.

Customers can start earning IndiGo BluChips immediately by shopping at Nobero’s official website. IndiGo Bluchips will automatically be credited to their registered IndiGo BluChip accounts after purchase validation.

Golubhai Badalia Diamond Named Luxury Partner for Bridal Asia SS’26 Season, Marking a Continued Alliance Rooted in Heritage

Golubhai Badalia Diamond has been announced as the Luxury Partner for Bridal Asia’s Spring Summer 2026 season, continuing the significant collaboration between two icons of heritage luxury. With this association, the revered diamond house brings its legacy of over five generations to one of the most prestigious bridal exhibitions in the country.

The showcase will span Bridal Asia’s key showcases in Mumbai and Delhi, offering visitors an exclusive opportunity to experience Golubhai Badalia Diamond’s signature creations. Each piece reflects the house’s philosophy of emotion-led luxury, where meticulous craftsmanship meets timeless design, creating jewellery that is deeply personal and enduring.

Headed by Golubhai Badalia, the brand represents a five-generation legacy rooted in trust, refinement and enduring relationships. Golubhai Badalia Diamond has built an enduring reputation for curating diamond jewellery that celebrates life’s most meaningful moments. Each stone is meticulously handpicked, and every design is crafted with intent, precision and an uncompromising eye for perfection.

Speaking on the continued association, Golubhai Badalia said,

 “The success of our association with Bridal Asia last year laid a strong foundation for this renewed collaboration. As a jewellery house built on generations of trust and craftsmanship, we see this partnership as an opportunity to further elevate the presentation of fine bridal jewellery in a space that complements our legacy. We look forward to the SS’26 season with renewed focus and intent.”

Through this continued partnership, Golubhai Badalia Diamond reinforces its position as one of India’s most trusted and respected luxury jewellery houses, where heritage, craftsmanship and emotion come together seamlessly.

Zscaler Appoints Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota as Executive Vice President of Agentic AI Security Engineering

Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), the leader in cloud security, today announced the appointment of Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota as Executive Vice President of Agentic AI Security Engineering to address a fundamental shift: AI is evolving from chat bots into autonomous agents that function as both users and applications. This shift breaks legacy security models and introduces a new spectrum of advanced threats. Dr. Kocherlakota will lead Zscaler’s strategy to solve the problem at the architectural level, where traditional vendors attempt to patch these risks with isolated tools.

“Agentic AI is the future of how organizations will work, creating enormous opportunities for automation and scale, but also introducing significant new risks that legacy security tools cannot address,” said Jay Chaudhry, CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Zscaler. “Swamy brings a unique depth of experience in shaping AI strategies within complex, highly regulated environments. Under his leadership, we plan to accelerate the expansion of our Zero Trust architecture to secure human and machine identities alike, ensuring Zscaler remains the industry’s most trusted security platform for the AI era.”

A 30-year technology veteran who previously led AI strategy at a global financial analytics leader, Kocherlakota plans to accelerate the expansion of the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™, the platform trusted by 45% of the Fortune 500 organizations, to secure agentic workflows. Under his leadership, Zscaler plans to innovate deeper in the AI stack, providing the foundation AI developers and business leaders need to protect against the complex new spectrum of cyberthreats.

“Zscaler defined and pioneered Zero Trust security for users and applications, and I believe it’s the only company with the data and architecture required to secure the AI era,” said Swamy Kocherlakota, Executive Vice President of Agentic AI Engineering, Zscaler. “I look forward to helping our customers accelerate this transformation, enabling them to empower their business leaders while rigorously protecting their intellectual property, brand, and data.”

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. These forward-looking statements include the expected benefits of the AI Security. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A significant number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including those factors related to our ability to successfully execute on AI security. Additional risks and uncertainties are set forth in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 25, 2025, which is available on our website at ir.zscaler.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based on the limited information currently available to Zscaler as of the date hereof, which is subject to change, and Zscaler will not necessarily update the information, even if new information becomes available in the future.

TIPS Reports Stellar Q3 Performance

Mumbai, Jan 19:  TIPS Music Ltd (formerly Tips Industries Ltd.), one of India’s leading music labels, announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, delivering strong growth across key performance indicators.

Financial Highlights Q3 FY26

• Revenue from Operations: Up 21% year-on-year

• Operating EBITDA: Up 34% year-on-year

• Profit After Tax (PAT): Up 33% year-on-year

• EBITDA Margin: Improved significantly on a year-on-year basis

• PAT Margin: Expanded year-on-year, reflecting operating efficiency

Key Financial Performance Snapshot

• Revenue from operations grew 6% quarter-on-quarter

• Operating EBITDA increased 10% quarter-on-quarter

• PAT rose 10% quarter-on-quarter

• For the nine-month period ended December 2025, revenue, EBITDA, and PAT all recorded double-digit year-on-year growth

Key Highlights

• Revenue growth of 21% YoY, demonstrating continued momentum in music monetisation

• PAT growth of 33% YoY, supported by strong margins and cost discipline

• 108 songs released during the quarter, including 70 film songs and 38 non-film songs

• Notable releases included “Sheher Ghumawa” and “Halki Halki Nami”

• YouTube subscriber base expanded to 145.3 million

• Interim dividend of ₹5 per share declared for Q3 FY26, reinforcing shareholder value creation

• Total dividend payout for the nine-month period reflects the company’s commitment to returning 100% of last year’s PAT to shareholders

Digital & Content Performance

TIPS’ music catalogue continued to perform exceptionally across digital platforms:

• “Soldier Soldier Meethi Baatein” generated 2.7 billion views on Instagram

• “Tere Liye” crossed 2.1 billion views during the quarter

• “Meri Kahani” emerged as a cultural trend, used widely by public figures including Kumar Taurani, Virat Kohli, and Ajay Devgn to express personal journeys through social media

Management Commentary

Commenting on the results, Mr. Kumar Taurani, Chairman & Managing Director, said:

“We are pleased to report a strong performance in Q3 FY26, with revenue growing 21% year-on-year and PAT increasing by 33%. Our consistent focus on high-quality content, catalogue monetisation, and digital-first distribution continues to deliver sustainable growth. The Board’s decision to declare an interim dividend reflects our commitment to shareholder returns, having fulfilled our promise to distribute 100% of last year’s PAT.”

He further added:

“During the quarter, our catalogue demonstrated strong traction across YouTube and Instagram, reaffirming the enduring value of our music. We are also delighted to announce our partnership with B4U TV as our broadcast partner, which will further expand the global reach of our rich content library.”

Outlook

With a growing digital audience, a robust content pipeline, and expanding distribution partnerships, TIPS Music remains well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving global music consumption landscape while delivering long-term value to stakeholders.

Tata Capital Brings Champions Closer to Home with 

Tata Capital has launched its inspiring campaign, #ChampionsKiGulliyonMein, celebrating how today’s women cricketers are creating pathways for tomorrow’s champions. Created and conceptualised by Schbang, the campaign positions the brand as an enabler of dreams and ambition with showcasing its meaningful contribution to the growth of women’s cricket in India. 

The campaign emerges from a powerful cultural shift happening across Indian streets and pitches. For decades, gullies have been the training ground for cricketing legends in a predominantly male space. But the story is evolving. More girls are stepping onto pitches, claiming space, rewriting norms, and reshaping the future of cricket. Tata Capital supports the journeys, dreams, and courage of women who show up every day to play. 

In ‘Champions Ki Gulliyon Mein’, the narrative captures where cricket’s real foundation lies: in cramped lanes and neighbourhood streets, where raw passion compensates for polished facilities, and every small victory demands genuine effort. As the players celebrate their achievements, they echo the paths of innumerable cricketers whose first boundaries were hit in dusty streets, local grounds, and residential bylanes. This underscores a fundamental truth that champions aren’t manufactured under stadium 

floodlights, but forged much earlier, in the very gullies where dreams first take flight. 

Dipshika Ravi, National Creative Director, and Rohan Hukeri, Executive Vice President at Schbang, added,

“Every dream begins in the gullies. And every gully echoes with passion and belief. ‘The Champions ki Gulliyon Mein’ campaign speaks to millions of girls who learn to dream on the streets. Some of those dreams grow louder until one day, an entire stadium chants their name. With this film, we show that passion doesn’t watch the clock – from girls playing under the harsh 12-noon sun to champions returning to the gullies, it’s for every champion who owns the gullies.” 

The ‘#ChampionsKiGulliyonMein’ campaign establishes Tata Capital as a brand that understands that true enablement means supporting not just today’s champions, but creating pathways for generations to come.