Category Archives: Business

Falguni Nayar Makes a Striking Debut at Cannes with Son Anchit Nayar

~A Celebration of Indian Entrepreneurship on the Global Stage~

(Left to Right)- Alexis Perakis-Valat – Global President, L’Oréal Consumer Products Division (CPD), Anchit Nayar – Executive Director & CEO, Nykaa Beauty, Falguni Nayar – Executive Chairperson, MD & CEO, Nykaa, Adrien Koskas – General Manager, SAPMENA Region, L’Oréal Consumer Products Division (CPD), Raagjeet Garg – Director, India, L’Oréal Consumer Products Division (CPD)

23rd May, 2025: Falguni Nayar, Executive Chairperson, MD & CEO, Nykaa, made a powerful statement at the 78th Cannes Film Festival as she graced the red carpet for the very first time, accompanied by her son, Anchit Nayar, Executive Director & CEO, Nykaa Beauty. More than just a glamorous debut, the moment marked a significant milestone for India, bringing the spotlight to the global rise of homegrown entrepreneurs on one of the world’s most celebrated cultural stages.

Dressed in an elegant red ensemble, Falguni Nayar stood as a symbol of bold ambition and visionary leadership, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to redefine modern India. By her side, Anchit Nayar, CEO and Executive Director at Nykaa Beauty, represented the next wave of leadership, a nod to legacy, continuity, and future-ready innovation.

Together, the duo seamlessly brought the worlds of business, beauty, and influence into the global spotlight, a celebration of Indian excellence and the spirit of a new India claiming its place on the world stage.

As the Official Beauty Partner for L’Oréal Paris in India, Nykaa brings a touch of Cannes to over 40 million beauty lovers across the country, celebrating a collaboration that bridges Indian entrepreneurial spirit with global glamour.

Covestro’s Smart Material Breakthroughs Propel AI Applications to New Heights

• High-performance plastic material solutions including polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) meet the application needs of various AI products

• Enhancing smart living quality by addressing demands for complex climate environments, signal transmission, and high-frequency usage

• Applications include high-end laptops, smart terminal devices, new energy solutions, and network communication equipment

In conjunction with the AI industry chain responding to the global tech event COMPUTEX 2025, the leading material producer Covestro will showcase its advanced polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) solutions at its Taipei headquarters from May 20-21. These innovations continue to support AI application upgrades in consumer electronics, automotive electronics, and new energy industries while achieving sustainable development.

As AI technology rapidly advances, material performance continuously breaks limits to address complex application environments. Whether in smart terminal devices, energy storage systems, or network infrastructure, high-efficiency heat dissipation, precise RF transmission, and reliable protection have become critical requirements, while user experience and sustainability are equally valued.

“As smart hardware evolves into neural networks of industries, our advanced materials act as both enablers and accelerators,” said Lily Wang, Head of Engineering Plastics at Covestro. “From molecular design to circular solutions, we’re engineering the material intelligence that turns AI’s limitless potential into tangible, sustainable progress across every industry frontier.”

Kevin Ho, Head of Sales and Market Development APAC of Covestro TPU, also stated: “As smart technology integration continues to proliferate across industries, Covestro’s innovative material solutions play a pivotal role in enhancing product performance and elevating user experience, ensuring sustained device performance under demanding usage conditions.”

With its customized services and technical expertise, Covestro is helping to accelerate innovation across the AI industry ecosystem. As a pioneer in sustainability trends, Covestro not only assists customers in developing materials that align with circular economy principles but also provides compliant polycarbonate and TPU solutions in response to international PFAS regulations.

Breaking Through AI Computing Thermal Bottlenecks

Thermal management presents significant challenges in slim devices with high-performance computing capabilities, such as gaming and AI laptops. Covestro has introduced innovative Makrolon® thermally conductive polycarbonate materials that effectively replace traditional metal cooling components while supporting complex, high-precision product designs. For these high-end laptops, Covestro’s Desmopan® XHR series TPU, with outstanding thermal wear resistance, enhances the heat-exposed capability of components such as foot pads. These technologies can also be extended to other high-performance computing devices.

Strengthening 5G Infrastructure and Smart Home Hubs

Nowadays, digital life relies on the deployment of high-speed network environments. For network communications, Covestro has developed low-temperature impact-resistant Makrolon® polycarbonate that enables outdoor communication infrastructure such as 5G base stations and satellite terminals to maintain stable signals under extreme temperature fluctuations (-40°C to 85°C) and high-salt environments. Covestro also provides customized RF design guidance to optimize signal transmission through polycarbonate materials.

For smart home network devices, Covestro’s Desmopan® IT series TPU integrated with PC/ABS materials creates an excellent tactile experience for smart Wi-Fi router outer panels and base plate while enhancing vibration dampening and ensuring long-term stability through UV resistance and low migration properties.

Innovative Materials Enhance Smart Device Experience

In response to lightweight design trends, Covestro pioneered a single-material design approach, using high-hardness TPU to replace conventional PC/ABS in laptop bottom covers while integrating seamlessly with TPU foam foot pads. This advancement enhances component integration while improving product lightweighting and recyclability. Additionally, Covestro’s Bayfol® LR 5902 adhesive film, with its low-temperature rapid curing, chemical resistance, and aging resistance properties, excellently bonds composite materials such as leather, carbon fiber, and metal, increasing product reliability while enabling thinner and lighter designs compared to single-material products.

For close-contact wearable devices such as smartwatches, Covestro’s soft-grade TPU provides comfortable tactile experiences with chemical resistance and antibacterial properties, enabling safe long-term wear.

As transparency and lighting effects become essential design elements for gaming electronic products, Covestro’s unique glass fiber-reinforced high translucent polycarbonate solutions offer excellent design flexibility, creating ideal visual aesthetics while providing high stiffness and flame-retardant safety certifications, delivering both sensory and performance benefits.

Strategic Focus on Key Components for Smart Home Appliances and Robotics

In the rapidly growing smart home appliance and robotics markets, Covestro demonstrates the advantages of its polycarbonate and TPU materials. Covestro’s polycarbonate materials ensure stable signal performance for sensor housings, while TPU materials enhance the durability of frequently used components such as wheels and cleaning brushes in robot vacuums. Additionally, in the trend toward human-machine interaction, Covestro’s In-Mold Structural Electronics (IMSE®) technology integrates illumination, touch, display, and electronic circuits into a seamlessly formed surface in a single manufacturing step, reducing device weight by 50-70%. This technology has already demonstrated excellent benefits in areas such as smart automobiles.

Enhanced Protection for Energy Equipment

In the global trend of energy transition, the stable operation of energy storage systems, charging stations, and other facilities is crucial. Covestro’s Makrolon® polycarbonate, with its excellent weather resistance and low-temperature impact resistance, enables stable operation of outdoor equipment such as charging piles and power conversion systems. For home energy storage equipment, it also supports lightweight designs and a rich selection of colors, meeting the aesthetic design requirements for home appliance-like appearances.

Advancing into the Aerial Transportation Industry Chain

Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles (eVTOL) will revolutionize urban air mobility. Covestro’s Makrolon® AG polycarbonate enables eVTOL autonomy by seamlessly integrating sensors for LiDAR and automated flight, offering high signal permeability. The material combines glass-like transparency with mechanical strength and weather resistance, ensuring reliable sensor performance in various environmental conditions. Additionally, Covestro’s carbon fiber-reinforced polycarbonate delivers extreme lightness, high-stiffness, and durability, helping manufacturers achieve an excellent weight-performance balance.

Advanced technological developments are merging with industries across all sectors to create novel smart services. Covestro’s reliable material solutions will continue to innovate, jointly driving the comprehensive upgrade of devices and equipment.

Five IHCL Hotels in Tamil Nadu Honoured with Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025

Chennai – May 23, 2025: Five iconic IHCL (The Indian Hotels Company Limited) hotels in Tamil Nadu have been honoured with the prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025. The award-winning properties are Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai, Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway, Gateway Coonoor, Savoy – IHCL SeleQtions, Ooty, and Gateway Madurai.

Tripadvisor presents the Travellers’ Choice Award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. This recognition underscores IHCL’s unwavering focus on customer-centricity and operational excellence.

Speaking on the achievement, Ian Dubier, Area Director Operations for Tamil Nadu and General Manager of Taj Coromandel, said, “We are truly honoured that five of our hotels in Tamil Nadu have been recognised by Tripadvisor’s global community of travellers. These awards reaffirm our commitment to delivering exceptional service and memorable experiences. We thank our guests for their continued support and trust, and our associates for their passion and dedication.”

Each hotel brings its own distinctive charm to its location. Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai, set along the picturesque East Coast Road (ECR) and built on the ramparts of an old Dutch fort, seamlessly blends contemporary design with rustic coastal beauty. The soulful and tranquil ambience of this beach resort combines beautifully with a plethora of experiences at the hotel, offering a refreshing escape at the water’s edge. Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway, located in the heart of Chennai’s IT corridor, is a sleek and stylish address for both business and leisure travellers. With modern interiors, vibrant culinary offerings and excellent amenities, the hotel delivers the perfect mix of comfort and convenience.

Gateway Coonoor, nestled in the scenic Nilgiris, is a luxurious haven for both business travellers and leisure seekers. Guests are attracted to its old-world charm and curated local experiences – making it a peaceful getaway in the hills. Savoy – IHCL SeleQtions, Ooty, a landmark in the misty hills of Ooty, is a heritage hotel steeped in old-world charm. Surrounded by pine forests and flower-filled gardens, it is a timeless destination offering a luxurious escape in the heart of Ooty. Gateway Madurai, set amidst 62 acres of lush greenery, is a serene sanctuary that offers a unique blend of heritage and modern comfort for an unforgettable stay. It is a preferred choice for both pilgrims and leisure travellers exploring the cultural richness of Madurai.

TBO Tek Ltd delivers a strong performance in FY25 on the back of robust growth in Hotels segment

Mumbai, May 23rd, 2025: TBO Tek Limited , one of the largest global travel distribution platforms, announced its unaudited financial results for Q4 & FY25 today.

Consolidated Financial Performance for FY25 [YoY Growth]

· GTV of INR 30,832 Cr v/s INR 26,536 Cr [+ 16% YoY]

· Revenue from operations of INR 1,737 Cr v/s. INR 1,393 Cr [+ 25% YoY]

· Adjusted EBITDA of INR 329 Cr v/s. INR 270 Cr [+ 22% YoY].

· PAT of Rs. 230 Cr v/s. Rs. 201 Cr [+15% YoY]

Consolidated Financial Performance for Q4 FY25 [YoY Growth]

· GTV of INR 7,788 Cr v/s INR 7,511 Cr [+ 4% YoY]

· Revenue from operations of INR 446 Cr v/s. INR 369 Cr [+ 21% YoY]

· Adjusted EBITDA of INR 79 Cr v/s. Rs. 69 Cr [+ 15% YoY].

· PAT of INR 59 Cr v/s. INR 46 Cr [+ 27% YoY].

Key Business Updates

Robust growth in Hotels & Ancillaries segment, both in India and international markets. Company is geared towards increasing Hotel saliency, accelerating market expansion and implementing AI-led technologies for improving customer engagement and operational efficiencies.

· Rolled out our next-generation hotel booking platform H-Next to customers in India (100% covered) and in international market. Very encouraging response from customers and witnessing increased conversion.

· Continued progress on automation of back-end processes using AI driven automatic handling of supplier notifications being scaled up.

· Significant ramp-up in adding on-ground salesforce – 73 additions in FY25. Supply and supporting functions also beefed up to support rapid growth.

· Sales leader for North America onboarded.

· Stakeholder outreach – felicitated the top-performing agents (both Air & Non-Air) in more than 40 cities across India.

Management Commentary

“Our Hotels & Ancillaries segment continues to demonstrate strong growth, now contributing 16% to India GTV,” said Mr. Ankush Nijhawan, Co-founder and Joint MD, TBO Tek Limited. “We are strategically focused on driving higher share of wallet through cross-sell initiatives, supported by robust demand for outbound travel and a clear shift in consumer preference toward experiential, high-value itineraries. These structural tailwinds position us well for sustained, profitable growth in the Indian market.”

Mr. Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-founder and Joint MD, TBO Tek Limited said, “In FY25, we laid the foundation for accelerating our business across geographies. Europe & APAC led the growth with 50%+ yoy growth. Company’s Tech and AI initiatives complement the rapid footprint expansion by helping drive better user experience and by improving platform performance. This gives us the confidence to maintain our expansion plans and aim for market leadership in the next 5-10 years.”

Venus Pipes & Tubes Limited – Commencement of Operations of 3,600 MTPA of value-added Welded Tubes

Dhaneti, Gujarat: 23rd May 2025: Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd, one of the leading stainless-steel pipes and tubes manufacturers and exporters in India has commenced operations for value added Welded Tubes; with a capacity of 3,600 MTPA. With this expansion the total capacity of Welded Pipes & Tubes for the company stands at 27,600 MTPA.

Commenting on the same, Arun Kothari, Managing Director, Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd, said, “We are happy to announce that the company has operationalized capacity for production of 3,600 MTPA of value-added Welded Tubes. This marks our entry into a high-margin product segment and represents a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming one stop piping solution provider. We are confident that this expansion will not only enhance our market presence but will also open doors for us to cater to companies which require critical applications. Furthermore, with the planned addition of fittings manufacturing capacity in coming months, we are set to become one of the few companies in the country offering a comprehensive and integrated range of piping solutions. This will significantly strengthen our value proposition and reinforce our commitment to delivering quality, innovation, and end-to-end service to our customers.”

Dvara KGFS Secures Long Term Capital From Foreign Institutional Investors

Mumbai, National, 23rd May 2025 – Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (Dvara KGFS), a major NBFC working in India’s financial inclusion space, has successfully raised Equity of 3Mn Euro from Sparkassen International Development Trust GmbH (SIDT) and 5Mn USD through issuance of Subordinated Bonds to FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank. This infusion will further strengthen the capital base of the Company thus enabling it to augment its growth plans and expand its outreach. The company is strategically pivoting towards enhancing wholistic financial access to Micro Entrepreneurs in the inclusion space.

SIDT is part of the German Sparkassen Group, considered the largest financial group in Europe. SIDT launches its first equity participation in the Indian financial inclusion space with this investment in Dvara KGFS.

FMO Entrepreneurial development bank is a public-private development bank supervised by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). FMO’s first investment in Dvara KGFS came in FY24.

Speaking about the funding, Mr. LVLN Murty, Managing Director and CEO, Dvara KGFS, said, “At a time when the inclusion space in India is witnessing unprecedented challenges, this fund raise is a testimony of the resilience, agility and scalability of the Dvara KGFS business model and lending infrastructure. With the strong backing of our highly reputed investors and lenders, we are confident in our ability to deepen our impact in providing finance to the underserved and reinforce our mission to enable financial well-being at the last mile by opening 50 branches in this financial year that would originate Enterprise Loans exclusively, thereby taking the total branch strength to 477 by the end of this fiscal This fund raise not only fortifies our capital base but also validates the impact driven, resilient path we have charted in the financial inclusion ecosystem. The company is investing in digital transformation using artificial intelligence for enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.”

On the development, Ms. Shilpa Bhatter, CFO, Dvara KGFS, said, “We have embodied highest standards of corporate governance and financial discipline in our organization. This infusion of capital reinforces our commitment to ethical and prudent portfolio management and further fortify our lending infrastructure by investing more meaningfully into state of the art technology and data analytics capabilities, thereby strengthening our core operations while continuing to deliver measurable social and financial outcomes.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Carsten Steffan from Sparkassen International Development Trust GmbH said, “We are pleased to support Dvara KGFS in its mission to improve financial access in rural India. As part of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, our focus is on enabling responsible and inclusive financial services in emerging markets. This investment reflects our commitment to creating sustainable impact by supporting institutions that demonstrate deep local insight, strong governance, and scalable models. We look forward to a long-term collaboration that contributes to financial empowerment and community development in India.”

Dvara KGFS provides an array of loans and third-party products tailored to meet its customers’ diverse financial needs through an omnichannel approach. It remains steadfast in its commitment to bridging the financial gap and empowering individuals and micro businesses through its financial services in the inclusion space. With the success of this fundraise, Dvara KGFS is positioned to significantly enhance its impact on the lives of its customers.

Tamarind Restaurant Introduces Refreshing South Indian Summer Specials

As the summer heat intensifies across Kolkata and South India, the craving for light, refreshing, and cooling food grows stronger. Tamarind Restaurant, known for its authentic South Indian cuisine, has introduced Summer Saviour Dishes—a special menu curated to provide relief from the sweltering temperatures. These dishes are designed to keep the body cool, aid digestion, and ensure hydration without being heavy or overly spiced.

 The Summer Saviour menu features classics like Curd Rice, Buttermilk with Mint and Coriander, and Lemon Rice, which are known for their cooling properties. For those seeking a heartier yet refreshing meal, Mutton Stew with Appam and Tawa Fish offer the perfect balance of flavor and lightness. Other highlights include Tomato Pappu, Beans Poriyal, Tamarind Rice, and Manidakai Pappu, each packed with nutrients while being easy on the stomach.

“Tamarind’s summer menu is crafted to help diners stay cool and comfortable during the hottest months,” said Gautam Purkayastha, Owner of Tamarind Restaurant. “From refreshing drinks to wholesome meals, every dish is meant to nourish while offering relief from the heat.” With a perfect mix of traditional ingredients and minimal spices, Tamarind’s Summer Saviour Dishes promise a flavorful escape from the summer sun.

Pointo Revive India’s Ambassador for a Greener Tomorrow in Kolkata

22nd May 2025, New Delhi : Pointo, a leading innovator in India’s Energy Solution sector, has announced a strategic collaboration with Jadavpur University (JU) to transform fossil fuel-powered Hindustan Ambassador cars into fully electric vehicles (EVs). This landmark project goes beyond retrofitting and is a powerful move towards the larger national goal of transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable electric mobility.

Known for their reputation in creating a circular economy in the battery industry, Pointo is at the forefront of offering affordable and scalable energy solution models and building a vast supply and distribution network. This collaboration marks a significant leap in showcasing batteries as power sources and also as enablers of transformation, converting decades-old diesel-run vehicles into emission-free electric cars.

The initiative follows a comprehensive two-part roadmap:

Part A involves the detailed design and engineering of the retrofitting process for Hindustan Ambassador models – Classic, Grand, Avigo, and Encore. This includes vehicle diagnostics, electric motor and powertrain integration, smart battery placement, chassis and suspension adaptations, and embedding advanced BMS (Battery Management System) and telemetry software.

Part B focuses on achieving full regulatory compliance for pan-India deployment. The EVs will undergo rigorous testing to meet the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), receive emission-free certification, and secure approvals from authorities like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

This project addresses a deeper societal and environmental challenge. For instance, the iconic yellow Ambassador taxis, still in operation in parts of Kolkata and other cities, are powered by ageing diesel engines. These contribute significantly to urban air pollution and declining public health standards.

By transforming these vehicles into EVs, the initiative tackles air quality degradation at its source, providing a replicable, scalable solution for thousands of such vehicles across Indian cities.

While the project begins in West Bengal, its implications are national. India’s larger vision of going all-electric by 2030, as championed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, makes the timing of this initiative especially significant.

With successful execution, this model can be replicated across other legacy diesel fleets and diesel engines in various other industries (energy storage, replacement of heavy diesel engines/ generators, integration with renewables and large-grid supplies) in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and beyond. This will usher in a new era of urban electric mobility and energy storage powered by Indian engineering and innovation, especially in areas with lower energy storage support and the use of heavy diesel engines as power source.

“This partnership with Jadavpur University marks a major step towards transforming India’s Clean Energy Storage and Power legacy,” said Riki Biswas, CEO and Director, Pointo. “With our expertise in battery technology and JU’s engineering excellence, we aim to not just retrofit vehicles but build a platform where the dependency on fossil fuels is reduced and batteries as a source of power and storage are promoted. This project has the potential to reduce emissions at scale, create livelihood opportunities, and preserve automotive heritage while aligning with our national electric mobility goals.”

The retrofitted Hindustan Ambassadors will represent a unique fusion of India’s automotive history with the future of electric transportation. More than a product innovation, this initiative embodies a systems-level change, bringing together battery technology, sustainable engineering, and energy policy alignment.

This collaboration between Pointo and Jadavpur University is a bold step in shaping a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India, one vehicle at a time.

Glance AI Launches AI-Native Commerce Platform Built on Deep Commerce Intelligence and Hyper-Real Visual Shopping

Chandigarh, May 22, 2025 – In a pivotal moment for global commerce and AI innovation, Glance, a leading consumer technology company backed by Google, has unveiled Glance AI, an AI-native commerce platform powered by its most advanced proprietary AI models. Built to revolutionize how people shop and to reshape how intelligence drives decisions and economies, Glance AI moves online shopping beyond search to an inspiration-led discovery experience. It also marks the emergence of the ‘AI consumer’, one who does not wait to browse, but expects the technology to understand them, imagine for them, and spark desire even before they know what they want.

The standalone app launches today available worldwide on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, with deeper integrations rolling out to Android handset makers and telecom operators. While the initial model is trained on fashion, Glance plans to extend the same experience to categories such as beauty, accessories, and travel later this year, setting a new benchmark in AI commerce.

Unlike conventional e-commerce stores that simply display multiple products to browse or search for, Glance AI lets users discover their AI-curated stylized looks. By simply taking a selfie or uploading an image, Glance AI immerses them in a visual world where they take centre stage. Each experience is generated in real-time with an AI-native commerce engine using advanced diffusion models, personalization engines, and a live commerce layer that maps each user’s unique AI look to real, shoppable products from curated brands across the globe. With one tap, users can now explore looks and products tailored to their preferences and complete purchases seamlessly from 400+ global brands. All of this while the user retains control over their data.

Naveen Tewari, Founder & CEO of InMobi & Glance shared “The internet is being rewritten from curated feeds to AI-generated realities. At Glance, we’re proud to lead this transformation with our most advanced AI-native commerce platform yet. Glance AI reimagines how billions of consumers worldwide will discover, visualize and shop, replacing intent with inspiration and search with intelligent, autonomous agents. Embedded across phones, TVs and brand stores, Glance AI marks a paradigm shift in commerce. It is one of the most ambitious technological efforts in our journey and a bold step toward shaping the future of AI-driven consumer experiences.”

At its core, Glance AI is built on a three-layered deep tech architecture:

· Commerce Intelligence Model; trained on decades of global commerce data, learning from new trends, cultures, and consumer behavior.

· GenAI Experience Model, generating hyper-realistic visualization based on thousands of parameters such as gender, body type, ethnicity, skin tone, fit, style and season to simulate how a particular clothing will look on an individual.

· Transaction Journey Model, an agent that understands shopping intent before consumers do, pairing visualizations with best matched product from millions of catalogues globally

Glance AI has integrated its proprietary models with cutting-edge platforms including Google Gemini and Imagen on Vertex AI delivering hyper-realistic, personalized experiences to users.

Glance AI is a fully opt-in platform, with privacy and user control built into its core design. Users can explore looks, save or share them, set them as wallpapers, and visualize themselves in unique looks and collections driven by global trends and occasions.

Glance AI is beyond the app experience. It is built on an open architecture with deep integrations across hardware and software with manufacturers, telecom operators, and brands. It turns phones into AI phones, TVs into household commerce devices and brand stores into AI shopfronts.

360 ONE Asset’s Early-Stage Strategy to Back India’s Next-Gen Startups

Chandigarh May 22, 2025: 360 ONE Asset, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 360 ONE WAM, one of India’s leading wealth and asset management companies, has announced the launch of its early-stage venture capital strategy. It is focused on building on its integrated lifecycle investing model, designed to partner with India’s most ambitious startups from their first institutional round through to scale.

Anchored by 360 ONE Asset’s broader Rs. 25,000 Crore+ (USD 3 bn+) private equity platform, this new strategy forms a cornerstone of 360 ONE’s integrated ‘Idea to IPO’ capital stack, designed to back bold founders building category-defining businesses across emerging sectors like Consumer Technology, Fintech infrastructure, Generative AI, and Frontier Technologies including Spacetech, Defence, and Precision manufacturing.

With a high-conviction approach, every investment is led with significant ownership, board participation, and hands-on involvement in value creation. This deep engagement enables 360 ONE Asset to support founders not just with capital, but also with strategic direction, governance, and access to the broader 360 ONE ecosystem, including late-stage growth capital.

Sameer Nath, CIO & Head, Private Equity & Venture Capital, 360 ONE Asset, said, “As India approaches its next wave of startup-led economic transformation, 360 ONE Asset’s early-stage strategy aims to be at the forefront – identifying, backing, and shaping the companies that will define the next generation of unicorns. Our strategy is backed by a highly experienced team and distinguished by proprietary deal flow through a network of over 7,000 founders and domain experts.”

Abhishek Nag, Senior Fund Manager & Strategy Head, Early-Stage VC, 360 ONE Asset, said, “India’s early-stage ecosystem is entering a pivotal decade. With our early-stage strategy we aim to bridge the white space between India’s robust micro-VC ecosystem and the large global funds – by backing exceptional founders early and supporting them with patient, long-term capital throughout their growth journey,”

“We follow a disciplined investment process with rigorous diligence, clear value creation plans, and defined exit strategies. We also offer active co-investment opportunities for strategic partners – all while staying focused on long-term macro trends like domestic consumption, financial infrastructure, healthcare, AI-led services, and deep tech innovation,” he added.

The early-stage strategy is led by a seasoned team with a sharp eye for emerging opportunities and a strong record of successful exits. The team is supported by a seasoned Advisory Board comprising Gaurav Kushwaha (Founder, Bluestone), Nigel Vaz (CEO, Publicis Sapient), Vaibhav Domkundwar (Founder, Better Capital & Co-founder, Mobileum), and Ashwin Mittal (CEO, C5i), each bringing unique insights from entrepreneurship, global technology, and early-stage investing.

This strategy has already built a robust pipeline, with deals term-sheeted and in advanced diligence across sectors including:

• A hybrid-casual gaming company whose India-focused title has surpassed 10 million downloads in 3 months.
• A hot sauce brand bringing Indian flavours to global palates with strong consumer traction.
• A SaaS startup creating a next-gen “mutual fund AMC in a box” solution.
• A space-tech innovator with deep experience at ISRO, building indigenous Synthetic Aperture Radar technology.