Category Archives: Business

CARS24 Introduces LOANS24 to Revolutionize the Financial Services Landscape

Gurugram, February 20, 2025: What started as a way to help customers finance their car purchases from CARS24 has now evolved into a comprehensive lending platform. CARS24 Financial Services Private Limited (CFSPL), the financial arm of India’s leading Autotech company, has launched LOANS24, a digital-first, hassle-free credit platform designed for everyone, car buyers, car owners, and beyond.

Since 2019, CFSPL is becoming a trusted name in auto financing, enabling over ₹4,000 crore in car loans for customers purchasing through CARS24. But financing needs go beyond just car purchases from CARS24. Customers need instant, flexible, and transparent credit options—whether for buying a car, refinancing an existing one, or securing additional funds. That’s where LOANS24 steps in.

Customers want a simpler, smarter way to borrow, whether for buying a car, refinancing one, or taking a top up loan or any car loan, LOANS24 is the answer.

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Access Credit
Traditional financing can be slow, confusing, and full of roadblocks. LOANS24 changes that by putting customers first.

● Instant Approvals – Fully digital and valuation-free for quick, hassle-free approvals

● Flexibility – Finance up to 100% of the on-road price for purchases or 200% for top-ups, with terms up to 6 years

● Affordability – Used Car Loans starting at 10.99% interest, ensuring transparency and fairness

“Getting a car should feel exciting, not exhausting. But for too long, car loans have felt like a necessarily difficult process-slow, complicated, and designed to test patience. If personal loans can be instant, why should car loans still feel like a maze of paperwork and waiting? That’s what we’re fixing with LOANS24. No hoops to jump through, no hidden surprises, just a loan that works for you, not against you. Because whether you already own a car or dream of one, access to credit should never be the thing that holds you back.” Ruchit Agarwal, Co-Founder & CFO, CARS24

72 percent of loans taken by Indians in metro cities
At CFSPL, we’ve helped over 80,000 customers buy their dream cars and facilitated over ₹15,000 crore in working capital loans to dealers, fueling growth across the industry. But our vision goes beyond just car purchases. We now offer loans against cars and top-ups, ensuring that financing is available to everyone—not just CARS24 customers. Whether you need to unlock cash from your existing car or secure additional funds, our fully digital process ensures quick, seamless access to credit.

Our reach continues to grow, with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh leading loan disbursements. While urban centers drive the majority of demand, smaller cities are quickly emerging as key players. More customers from these cities are now financing their cars with LOANS24, signaling a shift in the financial landscape. Whether it’s a salaried professional in Mumbai, a self-employed entrepreneur in Ahmedabad, or a first-time car buyer in Lucknow, the demand for accessible credit is rapidly expanding beyond metros.

The trend is also evident in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. While Tier-1 cities still account for 72% of total loan volumes, Tier-2 cities have steadily increased their share to 26%, reflecting a surge in demand outside traditional hubs. Even Tier-3 cities, though smaller in volume, are gradually adopting digital-first financing solutions. This shift demonstrates how technology is breaking down geographic barriers and making financing accessible to all, regardless of location.

In addition to the geographic spread, the increasing participation of women in borrowing is a transformative trend. Women now account for 20% of all CFSPL loans, up from 11% in 2021, marking a steady rise in financial independence. As more women take charge of their financial decisions, CFSPL is ensuring they have easy access to fair and transparent credit, breaking traditional barriers in auto financing.

By solving for both accessibility and affordability, LOANS24 aims to ensure that anyone, regardless of geography, background, or financial profile—can secure the credit they need with ease. Our goal is to make borrowing seamless, fair, and truly inclusive for all.

Beyond car loans, LOANS24 will also help the customers track and improve their credit scores while offering personal loans for broader financial needs. Now, these financial solutions are available to anyone, not just car buyers, making credit more accessible than ever.

Instahyre’s Hall of Fame 2024 Rewards Top Recruiters for Outstanding Performance

Gurugram, 20th February 2025: Instahyre, an AI-driven HR tech platform, recently organized the Instahyre Hall of Fame 2024, a flagship event to reward and spotlight recruiters who made a significant impact in the industry over the course of 2024.

2024 saw significant strides in recruitment, powered by AI-driven hiring, the adoption of flexible work models, and skill-based evaluations. Considering this shift, Instahyre stepped up to lead the game by organizing the Hall of Fame 2024, inspiring India’s HR and recruitment community with the encouraging inputs of key speakers and jury members – Aditya Pal Singh, Talent Acquisition Leader (Ex-KPMG), Zeeshan Mallick, Talent Partner (Atlassian), Gautam Ghosh, HR and Employer Branding Expert (SHRM) and Sarbojit Mallick, Chief Business Officer (Instahyre). The event was moderated by Harshita Gakkhar, Product Marketing Manager (Instahyre), who spearheaded the Hall of Fame 2024.

Commenting on the event highlights, Sarbojit Malllick of Instahyre said, “This is more than just a one-time event. It will be an ongoing recognition program that will reward recruiters every year. It will help us foster a culture of achievement and innovation in the recruitment sector, encouraging them to continue their journey with Instahyre while unlocking exclusive benefits and incentives.

Instahyre helped over 2.3 million candidates secure jobs in new-age industries, 110,000+ recruiters automate sourcing and got featured as a Top HR Startup in India. Hence, it decided to celebrate the visionaries shaping the future of talent acquisition and also awarded 8 talent leaders in the industry who have set new benchmarks for excellence in talent acquisition.

Some of the key winners of the event included Shantanu Bhombe, Head of Talent Acquisition at Jovveo as OG Influencer, Simran Khanna, Talent Acquisition Specialist at interface.ai as Hiring Genie, Prafulla Deori, Head of Talent Acquisition (APAC) at Ericsson as Top Hiring Voice, Amitha Madhu, Talent Acquisition Partner at Tekion as Employer Branding Ambassador and more recruiters.

Signify and FISS Revolutionize 100 Schools in Udalguri with Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Lighting

India, Feb 2025: Signify, the global leader in lighting, has partnered with Foundation for Integrated Support and Solution (FISS) under its Jagmag Pathshala CSR initiative, successfully enhancing the lighting and ventilation infrastructure in 100 government schools across the Udalguri district, Assam. Under this project, Signify will install 2800 inverter-powered lights and 1400 ceiling fans, ensuring uninterrupted lighting and ventilation for over 10,000 students and educators.

The inauguration ceremony of the project was graced by Chief Guest Shri Pulak Patgiri, ACS, District Commissioner, Udalguri, Assam, appreciating this impactful initiative for uplifting the existing educational infrastructure.

Speaking about the initiative, Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Government Affairs & CSR – Signify, Greater India, said, “Our CSR strategy reflects our brand purpose of unlocking the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. Through this meaningful collaboration with FISS, we are empowering young minds by creating an illuminated environment where the students can thrive. At Signify, we are committed to lighting up lives and driving positive change in communities across India.”

Key project activities include the installation of inverter-powered LED lights and fans across 100 schools and organising capacity-building workshops to ensure long-term sustainability. The initiative also empowers communities by improving educational facilities and promoting sustainable energy adoption, aligning with Signify’s commitment to quality education, sustainability, and community empowerment.

“Improving education in rural schools is important for India’s social and economic development. We are proud to collaborate with Signify on this project, under their Jagmag Pathshala CSR initiative to transform educational spaces in Udalguri. This initiative has enhanced the classroom experience for students.” said Pradip Hazarika, Director FISS.

Ashok Leyland Wins Prestigious Mother Teresa Award for CSR Excellence

Chandigarh, 20 February 2025: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, received the Mother Teresa Award for Corporate Citizen of the Year 2024 at an event held at Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA). The award and citation were presented to the CSR team of Ashok Leyland by Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Established in 1998, the Mother Teresa Award for Corporate Citizen is a prestigious honor that recognizes organizations demonstrating exceptional social responsibility, a commitment to community welfare, and a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Highly regarded across India’s corporate sector, this award celebrates companies that go beyond business imperatives to create a lasting and meaningful impact on marginalized communities.

Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, of Ashok Leyland said, “At Ashok Leyland, we see corporate social responsibility as an integral part of our business philosophy. Our commitment to nation-building goes beyond manufacturing world-class vehicles, as we strive to uplift communities, protect the environment, and drive meaningful change. Receiving the Mother Teresa Award is a great honor and a reaffirmation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future. Our Road to School and Road to Livelihood programs continue to make a meaningful impact, now reaching over five lakh students. This year, we proudly welcomed 92,000 new students, and we are set to expand further by adding another 1,00,000 students in FY26, reinforcing our commitment to education and empowerment.”

Mr. Balachandar NV, CSR, and Corporate Affairs, Ashok Leyland said, “Our CSR initiatives focus on holistic and long-term impact, aligning with our vision of creating a better society. This award is an encouragement for us to continue driving positive change through education, healthcare, environment sustainability, and skill development. We remain very proud of our ‘Road to School’ project, an initiative that takes education to the last mile and focuses on holistic child development enabling them to realize their full potential. For us, ‘Road to School’ is far more than just a CSR program; it represents a company-wide commitment to driving real, meaningful change in the lives of students.”

Road to School (RTS), Ashok Leyland’s leading CSR initiative in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation, strives to bridge educational disparities among students in rural and underserved areas attending government schools across India. The Road to School Program envisions fostering the holistic development of children from government schools in remote areas. It supports both academic and co-curricular growth, encompassing health, hygiene, physical and emotional well-being, and sports. RTS program is aligned with the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals on improving the quality of education, scholastic and co-scholastic development including sports, and art education, and promoting good health and well-being amongst underserved children from government schools.

Started in the year 2015 with 36 Schools in Shoolagiri and Anchetty in Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, the Road to School program has made significant strides in improving learning levels across 7 states mapping about 2505 schools impacting around 4,81,121 Students in Government Primary, Upper Primary and High Schools (2nd to 12th Std.). Ashok Leyland is dedicated in its mission to impact 1 million students, ensuring every child in India has access to quality education. With a commitment to nurturing this vision, the company aims to make a lasting difference in the educational landscape in India.

The company’s CSR initiatives span multiple domains, including education, healthcare, road safety, skill development, and women empowerment. Additionally, Ashok Leyland actively champions environmental sustainability through afforestation projects, water conservation efforts, and initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint.

This prestigious award reinforces Ashok Leyland’s dedication to creating a sustainable and inclusive future for all. The company remains steadfast in its mission to drive both economic growth and social development, making a meaningful difference in society that transcends business objectives.

H and MV Engineering Takes Bold Step in Global Growth with New Office in Bangalore

India, 20th February 2025: H&MV Engineering, a premier global provider of specialist High Voltage Design, Engineering, and Construction services, proudly announces the official opening of its new office in Bangalore, India. This expansion marks another significant milestone in the company’s ongoing global growth strategy, further solidifying its international footprint.

India’s rapidly growing economy and commitment to infrastructure development make it an ideal location for H&MV Engineering’s expansion. With a strong foundation in engineering and innovation, India offers a unique opportunity for collaboration and business growth.

India is home to a vast pool of highly skilled engineers across electrical and civil disciplines. Indian engineers bring extensive expertise in high-voltage design and engineering, making the office a design hub, valuable to H&MV Engineering’s projects globally. Additionally, India’s rich cultural diversity fosters a dynamic and inclusive work environment that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. With a strong presence in power generation, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure, Indian professionals will play a key role in H&MV Engineering’s continued success.

A Strong and Talented Team in India

H&MV Engineering’s new office in Bangalore will commence operations with a dynamic team of over 120 professionals. The new office will create over 300 new jobs including Lead Design Engineers, BIM Modelers, Power System Engineers, and other specialists. The company remains dedicated to nurturing local talent, providing opportunities for professional development, and creating opportunities for international collaboration.

Commenting on the opening of the Bangalore office, H&MV Engineering’s CEO, PJ Flanagan said: “Our expansion in Bangalore is about more than just growth—it’s about building a future-ready organisation. India’s talent pool is key in H&MV Engineering’s strategy in driving efficiencies, enhancing innovation, and supporting our clients in an evolving energy landscape. Venkatesan Kesavan, Managing Director India, has built an experienced team which will foster the development of the next generation of H&MV in India.”

Venkatesan Kesavan, Managing Director India, at H&MV Engineering added, ‘The opening of our Bangalore office is a significant step in our global journey. India is a hub of top-tier engineering talent and innovation, and we are excited to be a part of this dynamic ecosystem. Our goal is to bring world-class engineering solutions to our global projects while fostering local expertise and growth.

Gigin AI Expands Globally with Gursharan Singh Saggu as New Global Chief Revenue Advisor

New Delhi, February 20, 2025: Gigin AI, a workforce-focused, AI-driven platform revolutionising hiring and background verification solutions, has announced the appointment of Gursharan Singh Saggu as its Chief Revenue Advisor.

In this role, Gursharan Singh Saggu will lead global revenue growth, enterprise scaling, and AI product innovation across Gigin AI’s hiring, verification, and workforce intelligence solutions.

As a leader in AI-powered workforce transformation, Gigin AI integrates recruitment, workforce management, and verification into a single, intelligent ecosystem. By pioneering a human-first approach to AI in hiring, Gigin AI ensures businesses not only automate processes but also enhance human decision-making, fostering trust, efficiency, and personalisation in workforce management. With a strong foundation in India and beyond, Gigin AI is rapidly scaling its AI-driven hiring and verification capabilities to empower businesses globally.

With over two decades of executive leadership in global technology and workforce solutions, Gursharan has transformed hiring and operations at companies like Tech Mahindra and Perot Systems. His influence spans the U.S., India, MENA, and other global markets. Under his guidance, Gigin AI is set to accelerate AI-driven hiring and workforce intelligence, fostering sustainable global business growth. An expert in automation and strategic expansion, Gursharan Singh has successfully scaled businesses, led digital transformations, and optimized workforce solutions, developing AI-powered hiring frameworks to streamline compliance and operational efficiency.

At Gigin AI, Gursharan’s leadership will focus on advancing AI-driven hiring strategies, forging high-impact global partnerships, and spearheading next-generation AI workforce solutions. His strategic vision and expertise in driving sustainable growth will be pivotal in positioning Gigin AI as a global leader in AI-powered hiring, verification, and workforce intelligence.

Surinder Bhagat, Founder & CEO Gigin AI, stated, “Gursharan Singh Saggu’s appointment as Global Chief Revenue Advisor marks a transformative milestone for Gigin AI. His strategic expertise in revenue expansion, enterprise scaling, and AI-driven hiring solutions aligns perfectly with our mission to revolutionise workforce intelligence globally. With Gursharan’s leading our revenue strategy, we are poised to scale new heights in AI-powered hiring and verification solutions.”

Gursharan Singh Saggu, Global CRA, Gigin AI, added, “AI is redefining workforce intelligence, and Gigin AI is leading this revolution by bridging AI automation with human-centric hiring. My vision as Global CRA is to accelerate Gigin’s global expansion, advance AI-driven recruitment strategies, and create AI-powered tools that empower businesses to hire smarter, faster, and more ethically.”

Okto Rolls Out DollarOKTO Grant Program, Paving the Way for Ecosystem Growth with 2.5 Million Points Ahead of TGE

Bengaluru, February 20, 2025 – Okto, the leading Chain Abstraction Layer, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Okto Grants Program. Developers with a compelling idea, projects with proven proof of work, a live project or one ready to scale are eligible for grants of up to 2.5 Million Okto points, with funding decisions typically made on a monthly basis. Designed to fuel ecosystem growth, the program empowers developers and projects to build on the Okto platform while rewarding them for onboarding users to its embedded wallet SDK. With the Token Generation Event (TGE) scheduled for March 2025, the Okto Grants Program aims to create a vibrant, user-centric ecosystem that bridges the gap between Web2 and Web3.

The Okto Grants Program is structured to incentivize developers and projects to integrate the Okto embedded wallet SDK, enabling seamless onboarding of millions of users.

Why Build with Okto?
● One-Click Onboarding: Simplify user access to Web3 apps.

● Interoperable Wallets: Manage assets across multiple chains without bridging.

● Data Abstraction: Unified wallet balances and indexed on-chain events.

● Time-to-Market Advantage: Build faster with a 95% reduction in time compared to traditional methods.

● Developer-Friendly Tools: Okto Blocs offer pre-built APIs for quick integration.

“For Web3 to truly become all-pervasive and touch every tech stack in the world, we need to bring Web3 to the users and developers, and not the other way around,” said Rohit Jain, Head of DeFi Initiatives at Okto. “At Okto, our mission is to empower developers and accelerate the adoption of Web3. With our Okto Grants Program, we’re rewarding early adopters who are helping bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3. This initiative is designed to foster community-driven innovation and create a thriving ecosystem where developers can seamlessly integrate blockchain into their apps. As we approach our TGE, we’re excited to see the transformative impact this program will have on the future of blockchain technology.”

How Much Can You Get?
The Okto Grants Program rewards developers for integrating Okto SDK and driving wallet activity on their products. Here’s how it works:

1. Initial Grant Allocation:
   Each project can unlock up to 125,000 Okto points i.e. 5% of the total points pool after integrating Okto SDK and having at least one Monthly Active Wallet (MAW).
2. Milestone-Based Rewards:
   You earn Okto points per monthly active wallet onboarded* to your product via Okto SDK. For example:
   ○ Onboarding 1,000 monthly active wallets earns you 20% of the total Okto points supply i.e. 500k Okto Points, which can be converted into $OKTO tokens during the Token Generation Event (TGE).

JW Marriott Pune Hosts Cat Bite Club for Exclusive Bar Takeover

Pune, February 2025: Paasha at JW Marriott Pune is all set to ignite your senses as they bring Cat Bite Club, Singapore, the bar that has redefined Asia’s cocktail culture all set to bring its vibrant, convention-defying spirit for an exclusive three-day bar takeover from 21st to 23rd February 2025.

JW Marriott Pune invites you to dive into a world where flavors are fearless, spirits are wild and every cocktail tells a story of rebellion and creativity. Ranked #56 on the World’s Best Bars 2024 and #77 in Asia’s Best Bars 2024, Cat Bite Club has carved its name into the global cocktail map with its irreverent charm and unapologetically bold approach to mixology. Home to Singapore’s largest collection of agave spirits, boasting an unparalleled selection of over 200 spirits, the bar celebrates the rich heritage of agave while revolutionizing traditional cocktail culture. With a philosophy rooted in going beyond the norms while honoring tradition, this Singapore-based bar is set to shake up Pune’s cocktail scene with inventive, high-voltage creations that push the boundaries of agave spirits.

Known for its rich flavors, avant-garde mixology, and rebellious approach to cocktail craft, Cat Bite Club promises a distinctive and unforgettable drinking affair. At this exclusive bar takeover, guests can expect an intoxicating blend of adventurous profiles, unexpected ingredients, and an electric atmosphere that celebrates the art of cocktail-making with a playful twist. The bar’s mixologists Minwoo and Allen will showcase a specially curated cocktail menu featuring agave-forward creations that are as robust in flavor as they are in presentation.

Signature cocktails include Invisible Gin, a crisp blend of gin, pineapple, ginger, and apricot; Meow Now Brown Cow, a rich mix of Anejo tequila, coffee liqueur, and banana cordial; I Love Gold, a bold fusion of bourbon, rye, cacao blanc, and absinthe; Momma Mia Melon, a refreshing gin and rock melon creation; Garden City, a citrusy mix of bourbon, Italicus, and grapefruit and Passionista, a spicy, tropical blend of tequila, passionfruit, and jalapeno cordial.

Set against the breathtaking rooftop views of Paasha, JW Marriott Pune’s iconic rooftop lounge, this takeover promises an unforgettable blend of luxury, dynamism, and exquisite mixology. The ambiance will mirror the playful, unpredictable essence of Cat Bite Club, infusing the atmosphere

Yokohama Rubber in CDP’s A List on Climate Change

20th February 2025, India—The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., is proud to announce that it has once again been recognized for leadership in corporate sustainability by the global environmental non-profit CDP, which on February 6 named Yokohama Rubber to its A List of companies receiving the highest score for their leadership in environmental transparency and climate change. Yokohama Rubber’s selection recognizes its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change risks, and disclose highly transparent information, based on its responses to the CDP’s 2024 climate change questionnaire. This is Yokohama Rubber’s third straight and sixth time on the A list.

CDP runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions. Founded in 2000, it has motivated companies to disclose their environmental impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources, and protect forests. CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions toward a zero-carbon, sustainable, and resilient economy. In 2024, more than 24,800 companies around the world and more than 2,100 companies in Japan, including more than 70% of companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market, responded to CDP’s questionnaire on environmental disclosures.

Under the sustainability slogan “Caring for the Future,” Yokohama Rubber is creating shared value by addressing social issues through its business activities.

Media Invite: Sourav Ganguly Joins Vura as Brand Ambassador

Media Invite for the Announcement of Sourav Ganguly as Brand Ambassador of Vura – A Leading Construction Chemical Brand, to be held at The Park Hotel, Kolkata on Friday, 21st February 2025 at 3 pm.