Category Archives: Business

BrewBoldPlayBold: Third Wave Coffee and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Unite for an Unforgettable T20 Season

Mumbai, 21st March 2025: Third Wave Coffee (TWC), India’s beloved coffee-first QSR brand, is thrilled to announce its official partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the team’s exclusive Coffee Partner for T20 League 2025, scheduled to begin on 22nd March. This collaboration celebrates two homegrown powerhouses that embody the vibrant spirit of Bengaluru — where BrewBold meets PlayBold. United by the fearless spirit, RCB and TWC are set to create unforgettable moments for fans this season. More than just a partnership, this is a celebration of the shared love for cricket and coffee, brought to life like never before.

All through the season, fans can expect to see this synergy come alive — from exclusive RCB x TWC merchandise drops to the thrill of discovering hidden golden tickets in select purchases, offering lucky fans a chance to win unforgettable match-day experiences. On match days, Third Wave Coffee’s signature brews will fuel fans at RCB’s home stadium, turning every sip into part of the celebration.

And the action doesn’t stop there —Third Wave Coffee cafés will transform into fan zones, screening live matches, hosting giveaways, and building immersive experiences that make every RCB match a community event.

Speaking on this bold partnership, Rajat Luthra, CEO, Third Wave Coffee, said, Cricket and coffee have a lot more in common than we think — both ignite passion, bring people together, and thrive on boldness. RCB and Third Wave Coffee are both deeply rooted in Bengaluru’s culture — where tradition meets innovation, and every day is an opportunity to brew bold and play bold. This partnership is as seamless as your favourite cup of coffee on a match day — one that feels just right. With #BrewBoldPlayBold, we’re thrilled to create memorable moments for fans through the season, where every sip and every cheer carries the same energy.”

Even off the field, coffee will fuel the bold — with a dedicated Third Wave Coffee pop-up café set up inside the RCB team room, serving handcrafted brews to players as they gear up for the game.

Echoing this excitement, Rajesh V Menon, COO, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, added, “At RCB, we are fueled by passion, dedication, and the strong bond we have built with our fans over the past 18 years. We are excited to partner with Third Wave Coffee, a brand that shares our community-driven values. Bengaluru is home to both of our brands, and this collaboration celebrates the vibrant culture of a city where cricket and coffee are a way of life.”

With #BrewBoldPlayBold as the heart of the partnership, this season is all about bringing together the worlds of coffee and cricket — two things that fuel millions every day. As RCB takes the field with fearless cricket, Third Wave Coffee will be brewing bold flavours, creating experiences that heighten the thrill of the game.

Cinepolis Brings Exciting Friday Offer: Watch Any Movie, Any Show for Just Rs112

Hyderabad, March 21, 2025: Cinépolis is making movie magic more affordable than ever! This Friday, March 21, 2025, enjoy an incredible movie experience at just ₹112 per ticket across all Cinépolis cinemas in India. No restrictions—every movie, every show, one unbeatable price!

Whether you’re excited about the latest releases, nostalgic for re-releases, or eager to catch up on regional cinema, there’s something for everyone.

Check out this week’s lineup:

• Hindi: Baida, Tumko Meri Kasam, Ghatak (Re-Release), Yaariyan (Re-Release), Pintu Ki Pappi
• Kannada: Barget Basya, Narayana Narayana, OTP (Ondu Tatkalika Payana), Ballari Jille Ballari Taluk Grama Yalpi
• Telugu: Shanmukha, Kiss Kiss Kissik, Salaar (Part 1 – Ceasefire) (Re-Release)
• Malayalam: Leech, Lucifer (Re-Release)
• Marathi: RD, Follower, Sairaat (Re-Release), Hardik Shubheccha
• English: Locked, The Karate Kid (Re-Release), Disney’s Snow White (English with Subtitles)

This initiative is part of Cinépolis’ ongoing efforts to enhance the cinematic experience for audiences by making it more accessible and affordable.

The one-day-only offer is available for bookings through the Cinépolis website, mobile app, and at Cinépolis cinemas across India.

Cabinet approves UPI incentive of Rs1,500 crore to banks

Attributed to: Mr. Dilip Modi, Founder & CEO, Spice Money

“The Cabinet’s approval of ₹1,500 crore incentive for UPI transactions is a significant step towards strengthening India’s digital payments ecosystem by promoting transactions under INR 2000. This move will encourage greater adoption of low-value digital transactions and enhance financial inclusion at the grassroots level. This initiative is not just about boosting digital adoption, it will serve as an enabler for India’s vast network of small entrepreneurs, empowering them with seamless, cost-effective, and secure payment solutions. By accelerating digital penetration in Bharat, this step will unlock new economic opportunities for millions of micro and small businesses, enhancing their financial resilience and driving inclusive growth in the digital economy.

Non-bank Business Correspondents (BCs) remain the backbone of India’s fintech ecosystem, enabling last-mile financial services in remote and underserved regions. Continued support for digital transactions, coupled with policies that recognize and uplift BCs, will be instrumental in making financial services truly accessible to all.

As a leading fintech, we believe such incentives will accelerate digital penetration in Bharat, empowering small businesses and individuals to participate seamlessly in the digital economy. An incentive system for PPI operating in the inclusion segment would also be beneficial, ensuring that digital financial services reach even the most underserved communities. At Spice Money, we are committed to bridging the urban-rural digital divide by equipping our vast network of Adhikaris/Merchants with the right tools to drive UPI adoption across Bharat.”

Attributed to : Mr Deepak Verma, MD and CEO, Findi

“We welcome the government’s initiative to incentivize small-value BHIM UPI transactions, as it will encourage more businesses and customers to participate in the formal economy. This move enhances convenience and financial inclusion for the underbanked and underserved, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. For merchants, especially financial service providers, it creates opportunities to extend credit and other essential financial services to nearly 250 million underbanked individuals. While cash remains a crucial part of the financial ecosystem especially through ATMs and Micro ATMs, which serve as key access points, we see this initiative as a complementary step towards expanding financial access for all, especially the underserved.”

Transforming Consumer Insights: Elevate Insights and Consuma AI Collaborate to Combine Human Expertise with AI Power

Bangalore, 21st March 2025: – Consuma AI, a leader in AI-driven market research, and Elevate Insights, an established strategy consulting firm specialising in human-centric insights and innovation, today announced a pivotal partnership to revolutionise consumer intelligence. This collaboration combines advanced AI technology and deep human expertise, enabling brands to access rapid, contextual, and actionable insights at an unprecedented scale and speed.

Bridging Speed and Depth in Research: A Unique Insights Partnership
With consumer behaviors evolving at unprecedented speeds, traditional research methods that take weeks or months are no longer viable. This partnership brings together:

● Autonomous AI Research Agents: Consuma AI’s proprietary insights technology processes millions of data points in real-time, tracking market trends, sentiment shifts, and competitor landscapes instantly.

● Human Toolkit by Elevate Insights: A holistic ‘human-first’ approach to primary research, uncovering deep human motivations and behavioral nuances that AI alone cannot decode.

● Primary-Secondary Mesh Model: A first of its kind hybrid research framework that integrates AI-powered secondary research with qualitative primary research, ensuring brands get the best of both worlds—speed and depth.

For the first time, brands don’t have to choose between AI-driven efficiency and human-led depth, as they can get both. This partnership creates a seamless, end-to-end insights ecosystem, allowing brands to:

● Get rapid insights through AI-powered research without losing the depth and context that only human expertise can provide.

● Leverage scalable, tech-driven intelligence while still having strategic, conceptual support for complex research needs.

Ruchira Jain, Founder of Elevate Insights, stated “We provide consultative solutions to help founders and marketers solve their key business challenges. This often requires a multi-modal approach with AI led at-scale data analytics as well as in-depth problem specific human insights.

Our partnership with Consuma allows us to offer the best of insighting experts – a unique blend of Human experts and AI powered autonomous agents to our clients; offering depth; scale and speed to solutions.

We have partnered with Consuma as Abhilash and team are not just providing social listening, text or video based AI analytics insights but building AI based insights agents which work almost like our human experts and uniquely scale our consumer insights strategic consulting services”

Abhilash Madabhushi, Founder, Consuma AI said “Today, brands can’t afford to wait for insights, but cannot compromise on quality either – as today’s consumer is not only rapidly evolving, but also incredibly nuanced.

In my interaction with marketing and insights teams across India’s top brands – this need is already well recognized. There is always talk of a new insights model, and leveraging emerging technologies – with some brands well ahead in their adoption than others.

But what is clear is that the insights model of the future is one that drives high-quality insights at rapid turnaround times. Through our partnership with Elevate, we are bringing the future to the present.

This partnership sees our AI-powered Rapid Research Platform join hands with Elevate Insights’s consumer insights team – to create an insights workflow like never before.

We are confident that this will become the industry norm soon – as this is a no-brainer for any consumer brand. This is not a good-to-have but a must-have to stay relevant in today’s market.”

Project Management Institute and Kyndryl Strengthen South Asia Partnership to Drive Project Excellence

National, March 21st, 2025 – Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority in project management, and Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, have renewed their strategic partnership to enhance project management capabilities, thereby fostering innovation, and accelerating digital transformation for Kyndryl and its clients. This announcement underscores both organizations’ ongoing commitment to project success and excellence in project delivery.

With this, Kyndryl will leverage global standards, certifications, and resources from PMI to empower Kyndryl’s workforce with advanced project management skills, enabling them to deliver complex projects with greater efficiency and success. The partnership will further focus on exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in project management and provide access to cutting-edge PMI® eLearning resources to drive continued growth and innovation.

Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO, PMI said, “This partnership combines the expertise in project management of PMI with the global reach and technological prowess of Kyndryl. It will unlock new opportunities for innovation for Kyndryl and advance the PMI vision of enabling project professionals to deliver more successful projects. Additionally, as AI rapidly changes the landscape of project management, we’re happy to support Kyndryl with our full suite of resources, tools, and learning opportunities, all elements of our PMI AI initiative, allowing Kyndryl to leverage AI to its best potential.”

Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer of PMI, said, “Our engagement with Kyndryl, both globally and regionally, has already demonstrated the power of collaboration. We aspire to continue as a trusted partner in South Asia, supporting Kyndryl strategic objectives and contributing to their continued success in the dynamic IT landscape.”

Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, PMI, commented, “We are excited to deepen our relationship with Kyndryl. This partnership will enable us to connect with recently PMI-certified professionals and complex program managers from Kyndryl, fostering a community of practice and driving continuous improvement.

Kyndryl South Asia will be a key focus of this partnership, leveraging its talent pool and strategic importance to the Kyndryl global operations. PMI is committed to helping project professionals navigate this evolving landscape through initiatives like AI for the profession and learning courses.”

Michael Moesman, Senior Vice President, Kyndryl said, “Kyndryl’s continued collaboration with PMI is a testament to our unwavering commitment to project excellence and innovation. By leveraging PMI global leadership and resources, we are empowering our teams to deliver innovative solutions for our customers, driving business impact and elevating success across their organisations. This strengthened partnership is a strategic imperative for us as we navigate the complexities of the modern IT landscape and strive to be the trusted partner of choice for our customers’ mission-critical systems.”

Monal Dhama, Vice President, Consult Leader India Collaborative, Kyndryl, commented, “We are excited to build on our continued partnership with PMI and leverage their deep expertise in project management. PMI resources will be invaluable in helping us navigate the complexities of modern IT projects and deliver exceptional results for our clients. We are particularly interested in exploring how AI can evolve as an enabler in the project management profession. At Kyndryl, we are actively exploring how AI integration can optimize project workflows, improve resource allocation, and mitigate risks. We believe that AI can revolutionize how we manage projects, and we are excited to partner with PMI to explore these possibilities further.”

LG Electronics India Study Finds 45% of Urban Indians Find Happiness with Family and Friends

New Delhi, 21st March 2024 – On World Happiness Day, LG Electronics India Limited today unveiled a new report in partnership with NielsenIQ. The report, titled ‘Life is Good Survey’ delves into what makes urban Indians optimistic and happy based on a study with 1,313 survey respondents across eight major Indian cities. It reveals a strong correlation between personal relationships, achievement, and happiness.

Key Findings:

• Family First: 54% of urban Indians associate ‘life is good’ moments with quality time spent with friends and family, while 45% specifically link “Life is Good” to family bonding.
• Career and Personal Growth: The study reveals a strong emphasis on professional success, with 49% of respondents associating a good life with career success and recognition. Among working professionals, 64% find happiness in achieving work-life balance.
• Health and Well-being: 54% of respondents consider good health and well-being as key factors contributing to happiness, indicating a growing focus on wellness among urban Indians.
• Generational Insights: The study provides insights into Gen Z preferences, with 39% of students (aged 18-24) finding happiness through digital engagement and social media connectivity.

Modern Challenges:

40% cite work-related stress as the primary factor negatively impacting their happiness.
However, 24% of working professionals report improved work-life balance over the last five years, suggesting positive workplace evolution.

The Path to Optimism:

• 38% associate optimism with setting and achieving personal goals.
• 36% associate being optimistic in life with practicing mindfulness & meditation. 51% define a fulfilling life through strong relationships and family bonds.

“LG Electronics is proud to present the ‘LIFE’s GOOD’ research study. This initiative reflects our dedication to understand our consumers. The findings of Life’s Good Study provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to a healthy life. These insights serve as a roadmap for us to continue delivering meaningful experiences for our consumers’, said Mr. Hong Ju Jeon, Managing Director – LG Electronics India Limited.

Smiles Galore: Mahanagar Gas Limited Extends ‘Khushiyan Lakhon Ki’ Campaign for New PNG Users

21 March 2025, Mumbai: In the first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, Mahanagar Gas Limited, one of the largest city gas distribution (CGD) companies in India, had launched “Khushiyan Lakhon Ki” from 15th November till 31st December. Khushiyan Lakhon Ki was a consumer-based promotion wherein new customers from gasified buildings, registering for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) between 15 November and 31 December 2024, were eligible to participate in a computerised lucky draw, where 2172 customers would win amount ranging from ₹1,000 up to a grand prize of ₹1,00,000. The winners of ₹1,000, ₹5000 and ₹10,000 will receive credit in their MGL gas bills on conversion, ensuring an easy reward experience. The winners of ₹25,000, ₹50000 and ₹1 lakh were rewarded their prize money through cheque.

As a result of the program, MGL saw nearly double the number of new registrations from gasified buildings in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira -Bhayander, Kalyan, Dombivili, Ambernath, Badlapur, Bhiwandi, Taloja, Ulwe, etc.

On 7th January 2025, MGL successfully concluded the first phase of ‘Khushiyan Lakhon Ki’ by organizing a computerized lucky draw to determine the winners.

The lucky winners for the two grand prize of ₹1 lakh each are Mr. Freddy Patel from Mira Road (East) and Mr. Sanjay Parab from Kalyan (East). The individual winners were contacted by the MGL team and lucky winners of ₹25,000/-, ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh were invited and presented with their cheques.

Commenting on the success of the campaign, Mr. Ashu Shinghal, Managing Director, Mahanagar Gas Limited said, “At the outset, I would like to extend my congratulations to all the winners of the lucky draw. With ‘Khushiyan Lakhon Ki,’ we aimed to spread not just awareness about sustainability but also a sense of hope and happiness. It is fulfilling to see the campaign resonate so deeply with communities and inspire a greener way of living. This success is a collective achievement, and we are grateful for the support from our partners, employees, and the people we serve.”

Due to the tremendous response for the Khushiyan Lakhon Ki promotion, it has now been extended till 31st March 2025 allowing even more households the opportunity to participate and win exciting prizes.

Adani Gangavaram Port Strengthens Emergency Response with Cutting-Edge Multi-Purpose Fire Tender

Visakhapatnam: 21st March, 2025: Adani Gangavaram Port the deepest and the most modern port in the country has reinforced its safety infrastructure with the induction of a state-of-the-art Multi-Purpose Fire Tender. This latest addition is a testament to Adani Gangavaram Port commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards for its personnel, assets, and the environment.

The newly commissioned fire tender is equipped with cutting-edge firefighting technology, including an 11,000-liter water capacity, 1,000 liters of foam, a Dry Powder System, and multiple portable fire extinguishers. These advanced features enable a swift and effective response to diverse fire hazards, significantly enhancing the port’s emergency preparedness.

The new fire tender will play a vital role in strengthening Adani Gangavaram Port emergency response capabilities, ensuring rapid intervention and minimizing potential damage in the event of a fire. This strategic investment aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance operational resilience and maintain seamless port operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Adani Gangavaram Port Limited management said, At Adani Gangavaram Port, The acquisition of this advanced Multi-Purpose Fire Tender underscores our unwavering focus on safety and operational excellence. We are committed to proactive risk management and ensuring a secure working environment for all stakeholders.”

dollar310M Boost from Prodigy Finance Expands Education Access Globally, with Indian Students Leading the Way

Prodigy Finance, a global student loan provider, is taking a bold initiative in 2025 to fund students in India who wish to study abroad. In November 2024, they received a significant funding amount of USD 310 million from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). This financial support marks an important step in Prodigy Finance’s mission to make education more accessible, helping students from Prodigy-supported regions to attend higher education at Prodigy-supported schools.

Prodigy Finance is putting this funding to work in ways that make a difference. At least 30% of the funding is dedicated to women and 50% to individuals from low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Prodigy Finance is also extending its support to students from Tier 1 to Tier 4 cities and beyond, ensuring that those from smaller towns and rural areas receive the same opportunities as those from major urban centers. Additionally, part of the funding has already been utilised to provide scholarships for Fall 2025, with more scholarship programs set to be launched in the future. These initiatives reinforce Prodigy Finance’s commitment to fostering diversity and increasing access to global education for students who might otherwise be unable to pursue higher studies.

“At Prodigy Finance, we believe education is the most powerful tool for change,” said Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance. “This new funding enables us to expand our reach, empowering even more students, particularly women and those from underserved communities, to achieve their dreams. Indian students have always been a key part of our mission, and we are committed to removing financial barriers that stand in their way.”

Beyond India, Prodigy Finance has expanded education access globally, benefitting students across Africa and other global regions. By offering education loans, scholarships, and tailored support programs, Prodigy Finance is ensuring that students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can connect with top academic institutions, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Prodigy Finance is not only financing education but also responding to the concerns of families who seek ways to ease the burden of student loans. Since its inception, the company has primarily offered no-cosigner and collateral-free loans, enabling students to secure funding based on their future potential. However, recognising the needs of Indian parents, including single parents who wish to support their children’s education, Prodigy Finance has introduced co-signer-based loans for Indian resident students, empowering families to contribute while ensuring students maintain financial independence, creating a balanced approach to education funding.

This initiative was inspired by students like Prachi Mahapatra, a determined STEM student whose father, a retired Air Force officer, wanted to help fund her studies. While Prachi was committed to funding her studies independently, Prodigy Finance provided the financial backing she needed. With this, she excelled in her field of cybersecurity. She is now working on threat modeling, XDR, and quantum cybersecurity services and products, making significant contributions to the US economy with her innovative ideas in the cybersecurity field. Her exceptional accomplishments have earned recognition from the Air Force Association, Odisha, India, in an initiative celebrating the daughters of Air Force personnel on International Women’s Day 2025. This recognition highlights how financial support can empower talented individuals to attain their goals and make a lasting impact in their respective fields.

As Prodigy Finance continues its $310 million investment, stories like Prachi’s illustrate the transformative power of education. With this funding in motion, Prodigy Finance aims to expand into more courses and universities this year. This initiative brings Prodigy Finance one step closer to ensuring that every talented student, regardless of their financial background or choice of education, has the opportunity to succeed on the world stage.

Malabar Gold and Diamonds Expands Reach with 12 New Showrooms, Bringing Global Network to 391 Locations

Mumbai, 21st March 2025: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, world’s 6th largest jeweler, is set to launch 12 new showrooms by March 2025 to further strengthen its presence across India. The latest expansion drive will take the total showroom count to 391 showrooms across 13 countries and presence in 19 states across India.

The new showrooms will be located at Panvel in Mumbai, Sinhagad Road in Pune, Brahmapur and Soubhagya Nagar in Odisha; Dhanbad in Jharkhand, Hospet, Nagarbhavi and Chitradurga in Karnataka; Nandyal, Amalapuram, Machilipatanam in Andhra Pradesh, Varanasi in UP.

Malabar Group has invested Rs. 600 crores in this expansion phase and hired 406 employees in various roles this financial year.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds plans to open 60 new showrooms in 2025, further expanding its global presence. In April 2025, the Group is set to inaugurate 5 new showrooms, marking its expansion into the Middle East, UK, and Canada.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has launched a consumer awareness campaign with prolific actor and brand ambassador NTR Jr. The campaign highlights the brand as a responsible jeweller, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable practices, authentic hallmarked jewellery, and certified natural diamonds.

Commenting on the expansion, MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group said, “Our expansion plan is aligned with our broader vision of extending our global footprint and offering quality-focused, transparent retail practices coupled with a world-class shopping experience to more people across the world. We are deeply committed to ethical business practices and responsible sourcing, which are at the core of our values. As we continue to grow and enter new markets, each showroom opening represents a step closer to realizing our vision of becoming the world’s number one jewellery and luxury brand. This global market penetration not only broadens our reach but also strengthens our position as a trusted brand that offers excellence, integrity, and unparalleled luxury to our customers worldwide.”

All our showrooms will offer a diverse range of traditional and contemporary jewellery collections, coupled with a personalized shopping experience, demonstrating Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ dedication to customer service excellence.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds operates 11 state-of-the-art factories across India and 5 international units, ensuring world-class craftsmanship and quality in jewelry manufacturing. Its key facilities in Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Bangalore serve as innovation hubs, equipped with the latest technology to create exquisite designs while adhering to the highest standards of legal compliance, quality assurance, and sustainability. Beyond production, the company places a strong emphasis on employee well-being, occupational health, and safety, fostering a work environment that empowers artisans and upholds global best practices.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds is renowned for its commitment to customer satisfaction through its “Malabar Promises,” which include transparent pricing with a detailed cost breakdown, lifetime free maintenance services available at all global showrooms, and a 100% exchange value for old gold and diamonds. The company ensures that all jewellery is 100% HUID- compliant, offering complete transparency and authenticity. Certified diamonds undergo 28- point quality checks, and every jewellery purchase comes with one year of free insurance, with options for extended coverage and warranty. The brand also guarantees its gold is responsibly sourced from authorised channels, ensuring ethical practices throughout its supply chain.

Beyond India, Malabar Group’s global presence spans across the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. The company employs over 25,000 professionals from 26 countries. Malabar Gold & Diamonds also operates 14 wholesale units across eight countries, 15 jewellery manufacturing units in five countries, design studios, and boasts over 25 exclusive brand collections, serving more than 15 million satisfied customers from 100 countries.

A cornerstone of Malabar Group’s corporate social responsibility initiatives is the ‘Hunger Free World’ project, which aims to alleviate hunger by providing nutritious meals. Currently, the initiative distributes food packets to 60,000 individuals daily across 81 cities in 17 Indian states. In addition, 10,000 food packets are distributed daily to schoolchildren in Zambia, Africa. To date, Malabar Group has invested over ₹286 crore in various CSR activities.

Additionally, as part of the Malabar Group’s ongoing Hunger Free World initiative, 581 micro learning centers have been established across the country to provide basic education to street children and facilitate their transition into formal schooling.

So far, 25,800 children have been enrolled in these centres, where they receive one year of foundational education to help them return to or begin formal education. The initiative ensures each child continues their studies in a structured school environment, with an annual expenditure of Rs. 10,000 per child to support their education.