Category Archives: Business

Q-CTRL Expands Presence in India with Local Reseller Network to Support National Quantum Education Mission

NEW DELHI, INDIA – June 11, 2025 – Q-CTRL, the global leader in quantum infrastructure software, is expanding access for students and professionals across India to Black Opal, the company’s award-winning quantum workforce development platform, through four new collaborations with ELTECH Consulting, Kquanta Research, Quantum Biosciences, and Uttkrist.

These partnerships reinforce the company’s standing as the leading quantum computing education provider for those new to the industry, while demonstrating its close alignment with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Over 30,000 students have also upskilled across the UK as part of the National Quantum Computer Centre (NQCC).

The expansion builds on a successful Black Opal rollout last year in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, in partnership with Quantum AI Global. The platform provides a comprehensive introductory quantum computing course in a single software platform, from basic quantum principles to specialized programming techniques. The quantum coursework was delivered as a core learning module for engineering students within the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation’s (TNSDC) Naan Mudhalvan Upskilling Platform. Among the almost 3,000 students who enrolled, 83% have successfully passed the program.

“After the success that we have seen implementing Black Opal in Tamil Nadu, we could not be more excited to continue the rollout of Black Opal with new partners in India,” said Aravind Ratnam, Chief Strategy Officer of Q-CTRL. “The Indian workforce has much to offer the quantum ecosystem, and Q-CTRL is humbled to be a part of empowering this next generation of workers.”

These new partnerships reflect Q-CTRL’s priority of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the quantum technology ecosystem, along with demonstrating Q-CTRL’s ongoing commitment to equipping the Indian market for careers in quantum and with the skills to be a global leader in quantum computing.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Q-CTRL to help close the quantum skills gap and future-proof the sector,” said Anita Nandi-Ray, Policy Director at Kquanta Research. “Our partnership with Q-CTRL is a strategic collaboration, focused on equipping professionals to harness quantum’s transformative potential and strengthening the financial ecosystem.”

As part of this expansion, Q-CTRL and Quantum Biosciences are also supporting a workshop in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science — the Q-Karyashala 2025 — to introduce teachers to Black Opal and make it easier for educators to use the platform in their classrooms. The goal is to kickstart this work with over 150 teachers.

“Our partnership with Q-CTRL, leveraging their Black Opal platform, is a pivotal step in our mission to cultivate a quantum-ready workforce in India,” said Subu Gupta, Chief Technology Officer at Quantum Biosciences. “By empowering students and professionals with world-class quantum education, we are addressing the critical need for skilled talent and fostering innovation at the intersection of these transformative fields.”

The partnership between Uttkrist and Q-CTRL is a significant step towards making quantum computing more accessible for Indian learners in both academia and the workforce. This partnership also supports the country’s overall deep-tech innovation goals.

“We will use this collaboration with Q-CTRL to provide students, researchers, and professionals with the best tools to learn and excel in quantum computing,” said Shivam Karn, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Uttkrist. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision to drive technological advancement in India through education and strategic partnerships.”

The Black Opal platform is designed with students and teachers in mind to allow both groups to create customized quantum education programs. For students, the platform features interactive learning modules, practice areas, skill badges, and completion certificates.

Educators can align the curriculum with specific learning outcomes by creating tailored assignments, building an unlimited number of assignments, and tracking student progress via exportable analytics.

Grill & Graze: A Father’s Day Backyard Brunch Bash at JW Marriott Kolkata

Inspired by classic backyard cookouts and elevated with JW Kitchen’s signature culinary finesse, the brunch blends fire-grilled favourites with bold brunch twists. Whether Dad is a grill master at heart or prefers to sit back and let the chefs take the reins, this is a celebration where he’s the centre of attention—fork in hand, appetite ready.

 Among the standout offerings is the Smoked Rewaji Mutton Benedict—a distinctly Bengali take on a brunch icon, where tender slices of smoky rewaji mutton and poached eggs rest on English muffins, all topped with a velvety chipotle hollandaise. It’s comfort food with a kick.

 For those craving something a little more daring, the Bourbon-Maple Glazed Bacon Flight features thick-cut bacon glazed three ways: sticky bourbon-maple, fiery honey-sriracha, and smoky black pepper caramel. There’s also the Grilled Avocado & Corn Salad, with flame-kissed avocado halves filled with charred corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lime crema.

 Adding to the indulgence is the BBQ Pulled Pork Hash, where sweet potatoes and roasted red peppers form the base for fork-tender pulled pork, topped with a runny egg and served sizzling in a cast-iron skillet. Rounding off the spread are Mini Pancake Sliders, playful stacks of fluffy buttermilk pancakes layered with sausage, egg, and cheddar—drizzled (optionally) with maple-dijon sauce for the perfect sweet-and-savoury bite.

 “Grill & Graze” isn’t just a meal—it’s a mood. With live cooking stations, grill-side theatrics and a laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of summer afternoons at home, this brunch strikes the perfect balance between luxury and nostalgia.

Table Space Launches New 180,000 sq. ft. Centre at Embassy Manyata Business Park in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, June 11, 2025 — Table Space, one of India’s leading managed workspace providers, announced the launch of its newest centre – Table Space MFAR 2B Embassy Manyata Business Park located on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR). The ORR has swiftly emerged as Bengaluru’s most vibrant hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

The centre, spread across six floors (B+G+5) and covering over 180,000 sq. ft., further strengthens Table Space’s position in India’s office market. Table Space MFAR 2B Embassy Manyata Business Park’s strategic location provides proximity to an entire ecosystem of schools, restaurants, hospitals, banks and housing options, helping modern teams maintain a healthy work-life balance. With this launch, Table Space now has multiple centres in ORR, one of India’s leading tech corridors and several centres in Bengaluru.

This facility brings together both of Table Space’s key offerings under one roof – custom-built workspaces for specific needs of MNCs and GCCs, and Suites, Table Space’s premium ready-to-move-in solution with seats designed to serve a wide range of enterprise needs. The launch highlights the growing demand for flexible, scalable and high-quality workspaces in Bengaluru’s key business corridors.

Commenting on the launch, Kunal Mehra, Co-CEO & President, Table Space said, “India continues to be a global hotspot for enterprise expansion, with rising demand for agile, scalable and premium workspaces across sectors such as IT/ITeS, BFSI, healthcare, and advanced tech. The launch of Table Space MFAR 2B Embassy Manyata Business Park further strengthens our commitment to this momentum. It marks another milestone in our growth journey in Bengaluru, India’s most competitive and dynamic office market.”

Sharing her perspective, Anamika Gupta, Executive Director – Sales, Table Space said, “ORR continues to be a prime hub of Bengaluru’s commercial real estate. The launch of Table Space MFAR 2B at Embassy Manyata Business Park is a significant addition to our growing footprint in this vital corridor.”

Table Space concluded FY25 with a remarkable growth in its total managed office portfolio, which now stands at over 9 million sq. ft. across India’s metro cities, as of 31st March, 2025. The company launched several new centres during the year, adding significantly to its portfolio of premium workspace across Bengaluru, Delhi, NCR, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai.

IREDA Successfully Raises Rs2,005.90 Crore via QIP to Boost Green Financing

Mumbai, June 11, 2025: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has successfully raised ₹2,005.90 crore through a Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP). The capital was mobilized by issuing 12.15 crore equity shares at a price of ₹165.14 per share, which includes a premium of ₹155.14 per share over the face value of ₹10.

The issue price of ₹165.14 reflects a discount of 5.00% to the floor price of ₹173.83 per equity share. Launched on June 5, 2025, the QIP issue closed on June 10, 2025, receiving an encouraging response from a diverse set of both domestic and foreign qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) including insurance companies, scheduled commercial banks and foreign portfolio investors. The Board has approved allotment of equity shares to eligible qualified institutional buyers in its meeting held today i.e. June 11, 2025.

The QIP was oversubscribed with bids amounting to ₹2,005.90 crore against the base issue size of ₹1,500 crore, achieving a subscription of 1.34 times. The capital raised through this successful issue will further strengthen IREDA’s Tier-I capital and overall Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), enhancing the company’s capacity to support the expanding renewable energy sector in India.

Reflecting on this achievement, Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director, IREDA, said: “The successful completion of this QIP in a short span after our IPO in November 2023 is a testament to the trust and confidence the investor community and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy have reposed in IREDA. This capital infusion will empower us to scale up our financing activities, enabling greater investments in renewable energy projects and accelerating India’s transition towards a greener and sustainable energy future.”

CMD, IREDA expressed his gratitude to Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution; Shri Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy; Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE; Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM); and the Board of Directors for their support and invaluable guidance.

IREDA extended its gratitude to all institutional investors and stakeholders for their continued support, reaffirming its commitment to leading the country’s clean energy financing initiatives.

Unix India to Showcase Cutting-Edge Consumer Electronics at 31st Edition of Gifts India Expo 2025

Mumbai, 11th June 2025: Unix India, a leading name in mobile accessories and consumer electronics, is set to participate in the 31st edition of the Gifts India Expo 2025, taking place from June 12–14 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. Recognised as India’s largest trade event for corporate gifting and stationery, this year’s edition will host over 2,590 exhibitors, 700+ brands, and welcome more than 15,000 visitors.

At the expo, Unix India will unveil its latest lineup of innovative products, including TWS earbuds, smartwatches, power banks, Bluetooth speakers, and multi-device charging solutions, all designed for today’s tech-savvy consumer. This year’s collection incorporates next-generation technologies such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), advanced sensor tech, Bluetooth 5.4, and wireless fast charging with MagSafe, Qi, and GaN compatibility.

With a renewed focus on India’s Gen Z and millennial audience, Unix’s showcase highlights its evolved brand identity—sleek, high-performance gadgets that double as ideal personal and corporate gifts. Visitors can experience exclusive gifting combos, festive-ready collections, and live product demos, emphasising Unix’s commitment to design excellence, innovation, and everyday utility.

“At Unix India, we believe great tech should be accessible, practical, and gift-worthy. Events like Gifts India Expo help us connect directly with businesses and understand their evolving needs. We’re not just showcasing products, we’re presenting smart, everyday solutions that resonate with people. It’s exciting to witness corporate gifting moving beyond the conventional, and we’re proud to be a part of that shift,” said Mr. Imran Kagalwala, Co-founder, Unix India.

Built on the pillars of design, functionality, and affordability, Unix India remains committed to delivering Made-in-India electronics backed by a customer-first innovation strategy. The brand operates through a robust network of 70+ super stockists and 4,000+ distributors, with a presence in 500+ cities and over 60,000 retail stores across India. Its products are also available on leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, contributing to the company’s sale of millions of units annually.

With a target of 300% revenue growth in FY 2025, the brand is aggressively expanding its product line to meet the growing demand for quality, affordable consumer electronics in India.

Affordability woes cast shadow on Gurgaon’s soaring luxury property market despite continued high-end demand

Delhi-NCR, 11th June 2025: Gurgaon, the Millennium City, has undergone a tremendous change in its real estate market due to increasing demand for luxury residential spaces. During the last few months, the premium market has seen a record boom with top developers introducing ultra-luxury housing projects with state-of-the-art amenities like smart home automation, infinity pools, and health-focused community areas.

This growth is part of a larger movement in India as a whole, where high-end residences are increasingly gaining market share. Several years ago, luxury apartments represented 7% of total residential transactions; today that number has more than tripled. This shift reflects an increased desire among high-net-worth individuals for homes that serve as lifestyle statements as well as investments. Even then, the rapid increase in property prices is gradually pushing out middle-income and first-time buyers.

In Gurgaon, mid-segment localities are also experiencing upward pressure on real estate prices.

Sharing his thoughts on the status of Gurgaon’s real estate, Mr. Vijay Jain, Managing Director of Star Estate said “Gurgaon continues to attract homebuyers, largely due to its rapidly developing infrastructure. Excellent connectivity through the Dwarka Expressway, NH48, NE4, and the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway ensures smooth travel across Delhi-NCR. Upcoming metro projects are also set to further reduce commute times and significantly enhance urban living standards. Gurgaon’s real estate market remains a hub for investors and homebuyers looking for high returns and a cosmopolitan lifestyle.”

He advocated that balanced growth with luxury intertwined with affordability. Greener and technology-driven living is the future of the real estate industry in Gurgaon with the developers following the same to highlight green buildings, smart energy efficiency, and intrinsic digital solutions commensurate with the evolving aspirations of homebuyers today. These facilities are not only indicative of the eco-friendly character but are also indicative of longevity and cost-effectiveness to the users.

Gurgaon’s realty story is not one sided. While the high-end segment being in the limelight, long-term market sustainability will be achieved through solving the issue of affordability, sustaining infra push, and inclusive growth. Through strategic interventions and pro-active measures, Gurgaon is best placed to be a building block in India’s realty story going forward.

Vodafone Idea Launches 5G Commercial Service in Bengaluru with Samsung’s Versatile Solutions

Bengaluru, 11th June 2025

Samsung powers Vi’s 2G, 4G and 5G commercial networks in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Patna with its industry-leading solutions, bringing advanced connectivity to India

Leading telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) today announced the commercial launch of 5G services by partnering with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung) in Bengaluru region, one of the key telecom markets in India and a global IT hub known as the “Silicon Valley of India”. Since 2024, the companies have been working together to deploy a new generation, 5G network and modernize Vi’s legacy 2G and 4G networks with Samsung’s industry-leading solutions in major telecom circles of India including Bihar, Karnataka and Punjab1.

As part of this collaboration, Vi had already launched 5G commercial services in Chandigarh and Patna in April 2025. Vi has successfully deployed Samsung’s small form-factor, energy-efficient and high transmit power radios for enabling a seamless 5G experience across all the three circles. These solutions offer increased cell capacity and energy savings features to deliver better consumer experience with greener and more sustainable approaches for Vi’s customers.

For this deployment, Samsung provided its wide range of radios supporting diverse spectrum bands, including 32T32R Massive MIMO radios, along with Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions that encompass baseband and software functions known as the virtualized Central Unit (vCU).

The companies have also implemented the nation’s first virtualized Base Station Controller (vBSC), a key network element for 2G services, thereby modernizing its network with cutting-edge software solutions while still ensuring legacy technology and services are supported.

Virtualization of network functionalities enable Vi to streamline network deployment and facilitate easier management, which results in greater efficiency, lower operational costs, better resource allocation control, and increased customer satisfaction. With this virtualization adoption, operators can build software-based and flexible networks more easily, gaining a competitive edge in bringing future networks.

Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea said: “The launch of Vi’s 5G services in Bengaluru as well as Chandigarh and Patna, marks a key step in introducing Samsung as a new partner in our ecosystem and towards delivering seamless, highly reliable next-generation services to our customers. By partnering with Samsung, our endeavor is to offer the best customer experience and provide our customers with enhanced mobile broadband throughputs and high capacity required in today’s digitally connected world.”

Woojune Kim, President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics said: “India, especially Bengaluru, stands at the forefront of the global digital transformation, and we are proud to accompany Vi’s innovative journey in delivering next-generation connectivity to its customers in one of the world’s most dynamic and advanced IT markets. Samsung always thinks a step ahead, anticipating future needs of mobile operators. Through this collaboration, Samsung is fully committed in supporting Vi to satisfy the demands of mobile users and boost enterprise growth with our innovative spirits.”

Prega News Honours the ‘Invisible Journey’ of Fathers with Heart-warming Father’s Day Campaign

National; June 11, 2025: Prega News, India’s No. 1 pregnancy detection kit brand from Mankind Pharma, has launched a touching Father’s Day campaign that celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of expectant fathers during the pregnancy journey. The campaign highlights how pregnancy transforms both partners’ lives, even when one’s journey remains largely invisible to the world.

The heart-warming campaign film features leading stand-up comedian Aashish Solanki as an expectant father who attempts to experience pregnancy by wearing a belly for a day, undertaking challenges that pregnant women face daily. From picking up objects to sitting comfortably during work calls, the humorous yet enlightening exercise reveals the physical difficulties expectant mothers endure. However, the narrative takes a meaningful turn when his pregnant wife Rashi and her friends arrive, shifting the focus to acknowledge the emotional and practical support that fathers provide throughout the pregnancy journey.

“This Father’s Day, we wanted to shine a light on the invisible half of pregnancy – the father’s journey,” said Mr Joy Chatterjee, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Head, Consumer Business Unit, Mankind Pharma. “While the physical changes of pregnancy are visible in mothers, fathers too undergo a significant emotional transformation, taking on the responsibility of ensuring financial security for the growing family, working tirelessly to meet increased household needs, and making countless sacrifices to prepare for parenthood. They transition from carefree individuals to responsible partners, often working extra hours, planning long-term investments, and making critical life decisions to provide a stable foundation for their child’s future.

The campaign draws inspiration from recent research indicating that 95% of Indian fathers believe that parenting is a shared responsibility, reflecting the evolving dynamics of modern Indian families. This progressive outlook marks a significant departure from traditional gender roles, with 94% of fathers actively participating in household chores and childcare.

“Pregnancy changes both lives, even when one stays quiet. Through this campaign, we want to honour the countless ways fathers contribute to the pregnancy journey; from making late-night food runs, planning budgets and providing emotional stability to making major life adjustments and long-term planning for their child’s education and healthcare,” Mr. Chatterjee added. “These contributions may not be physically visible, but they are equally important in creating a supportive environment for both mother and child. Through this campaign, we wanted to highlight that every line tells a story. His, too.”

The film concludes with the powerful message: “Prega News wishes a Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads whose invisible journey may not be visible, but who stand by their partners through every joy and challenge of parenthood that begins with good news.”

With this campaign, Prega News reinforces its commitment to celebrating all aspects of the pregnancy journey, recognising that behind every confident expectant mother is often a supportive partner who takes on significant financial and emotional responsibilities, making crucial life decisions and sacrifices that often go unacknowledged but are essential for creating a stable foundation for the growing family.

Christie expands LED lineup with Vivia video wall solutions

BANGALORE, India – (June 11, 2025) – Christie® is proud to announce the launch of Christie Vivia®, a new range of LED video wall solutions designed to deliver exceptional performance, versatility, and value. This launch marks the continued expansion of Christie’s direct-view LED portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, service, and support.

Available in Surface-Mounted Device (SMD) variant, Christie Vivia features a sleek, ADA-compliant design with advanced SNMP-based monitoring capabilities. It combines aesthetic appeal with robust reliability for applications such as digital signage, auditoriums, operations centers, corporate environments, and more.

“Christie LED video wall solutions have been widely embraced in India across sectors such as corporate, museums, and education,” said Rishubh Nayar, sales director for India, Christie. “With the introduction of Christie Vivia, we’re further expanding our LED portfolio to offer even greater choice, flexibility, and value. Whether customers are looking for enhanced performance, effortless integration, or dependable long-term operation, Vivia strengthens our ability to meet a broader range of needs with the trusted quality Christie is known for.”

Christie Vivia SMD is available in pixel pitches from 0.9mm to 2.5mm and delivers high-quality visuals with wide viewing angles. A 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 3840Hz refresh rate ensure rich, dynamic images, while seamless integration with Christie’s visual solutions including Pandoras Box® and Spyder-S, for advanced content management and processing. Flicker-free playback adds to an engaging experience across a range of professional environments.

In addition to Vivia, Christie offers the Lumia Series, an existing series of Chip-on-Board (COB) based LED video wall solutions tailored for the Indian market. Lumia COB features optional touch interactivity and is available in fine pixel pitches from 0.7mm to 1.5mm. It integrates seamlessly with Christie’s video wall solutions and includes an IP2x rating and a protective front LED coating that enhances durability and simplifies maintenance. COB technology further delivers lower power consumption and improved heat dissipation, ensuring long-term reliability. Lumia COB offers a high-value, cost-effective solution for a wide range of indoor applications.

Both Vivia SMD and Lumia COB LED video walls are compatible with Christie E510 and E600 controllers, supporting up to 4K resolution at 60Hz and delivering excellent performance at low brightness levels. Designed for 24/7 operation, the displays boast a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours.

Tier-III Cities Drive 62Percentage of New Insurance Premiums: Probus Report

Mumbai, June 2025: Probus, one of India’s leading InsurTech and insurance broking firms, has released a new report highlighting a major shift in the country’s insurance landscape. The findings reveal that Tier-III cities and beyond now contribute nearly 62% of total new insurance business in the current fiscal year, signalling a dramatic decentralisation of India’s insurance growth story.

Once considered peripheral markets, smaller towns are rapidly emerging as the real growth engines of Digital Bharat, a transformation propelled by the success of UPI, expanding digital payment infrastructure, and deepening internet penetration. Most UPI transactions now originate from non-metro regions, indicating a high level of digital adoption and financial participation.

Probus notes that this is not a temporary or seasonal trend, but a consistent pattern of growth observed over the past three consecutive fiscal years – rising from 58% to 62%, reflecting a sustained upward momentum. In FY 2024-25 alone, the Motor Insurance segment registered the highest growth at 25.6%, fuelled by rising awareness, digital accessibility, and a strengthened PoSP (Point-of-Sale Person) network.

Local distribution models, especially those built on app-based onboarding, regional language interfaces, and education-first selling, have played a key role in bringing insurance products closer to underserved consumers. What was once a passive, compliance-driven purchase is now increasingly seen as a proactive financial planning tool in Tier-III cities and beyond.

The report also highlights strong momentum across insurance verticals for FY 2024-25 compared to FY 2023-24, with life insurance premiums growing by over 60% in fresh policies. Non-life insurance premiums, led by motor, health, and SME segments, showed significant growth, with SME insurance emerging as the fastest-growing segment in FY 2024-25, registering a 112% increase.

Commenting on the findings, Mr. Rakesh Goyal, Director, Probus, said, “At a global level, the Indian economy has shown remarkable resilience despite external headwinds. A key reason behind this strength is the steady rise of Tier-II and Tier-III cities, and our latest data confirms that. At Probus, we are proud to be aligned with the Government of India’s vision of ‘Insuring India by 2047. We’ve built digital tools and strengthened our PoSP models to deliver seamless, contextual insurance solutions to the emerging consumer in India.”

The company’s robust PoSP network continues to be the vital bridge connecting underserved markets to comprehensive insurance solutions, driving Probus’s mission to empower every corner of India with financial security.