Category Archives: Business

Toss Brings 30 Million Users Into the AI Data Economy in Partnership With Poseidon

Toss users can now contribute real-world data to train AI and get paid for it, in a first-of-its-kind model launching in Korea ahead of global expansion

SEOUL, June 26, 2026 — Poseidon, the data infrastructure built to source and license real-world data for AI, today announced a partnership with Toss, the mobile financial platform operated by Viva Republica, to let everyday users contribute to AI training and be paid for what they provide. It is Toss’s first move into AI data, and it opens that market to its roughly 30 million users.

Frontier AI has run out of internet to scrape. The next generation of models depends on real-world data, the kind that captures how people actually speak, move, and react, which does not exist on the open web and has never had a clean way to be sourced, licensed, or paid for. Poseidon is building the infrastructure to change that, and Toss brings the reach to do it at scale.

Through the partnership, Poseidon’s contributor app, Numo, launches inside the Toss app. Toss users can help build Korean-language training data across voice, image, and video, and receive payment tied directly to what they contribute. Poseidon provides the infrastructure that tracks each contribution and its value, while Toss provides the user base and the financial experience that turns participation into payment. Together they offer a working answer to a question the AI industry has struggled with, which is how to compensate the people whose data makes models better.

Every contribution made through Numo is registered on DATA, the AI data network that Poseidon refines data for. DATA gives each record a verifiable provenance trail through Trace, its public audit layer, so a buyer can see where a piece of training data came from and a contributor can see that their work was counted and paid. DATA Foundation, which launched this week from the rebrand of Story, is building this layer alongside integration partners including the human data marketplace Kled, and Poseidon is one of the largest sources of refined data flowing into it.

What Numo collects is first-person data, recorded by real people in real environments, which is among the hardest and most valuable categories to obtain. It is the raw material for physical intelligence, the AI that has to operate in the physical world across robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other applications. Demand from global AI labs for this kind of data is climbing, and Korea is positioned to supply it, with its dense real-life data and Toss’s user base. Poseidon and Toss intend to prove the model in Korea, then expand to global markets.

Changhoon Seo, Executive Director of New Business at Toss, said: “As the AI industry grows, demand for high-quality data is rising just as fast. Toss plans to build an environment where users can take part in the data economy more easily and naturally, and to expand a structure in which the value they contribute is rewarded transparently.”

SY Lee, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman of Poseidon, said: “Korea is one of the few markets where the strategic importance of AI data, a mature financial system, and world-class mobile experience all exist at once. Toss is the right partner to turn user-contributed AI data from an early idea into a standard the rest of the world can adopt.” Lee previously founded the web-novel platform Radish and sold it to Kakao Entertainment, co-founded Story, the IP infrastructure that recently rebranded as DATA Foundation, and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum this year.

2026 Pair’d Festival Program Announced Australia’s leading wine festival returns to Margaret River this November

Friday, 26th June 2026
Pair’d Margaret River Region has today unveiled its 2026 program – a masterful, multi-sensory celebration of wine, food, music and culture, that will utilise the region’s incredible natural assets as the backdrop for the four-day festival this November (19-22).

Hot off major global recognition at the prestigious Eventex Awards (the only Australian festival to receive this accolade), today’s program announcement will see Pair’d bring together a once-in-a-lifetime combination of Michelin stars, global music icons, rare museum wines and beachside feasts at Australia’s leading wine-first festival.

Pair’d Festival Director Hannah Pike said the team were thrilled to present a program that pushes far beyond the traditional food and wine festival format. “The 2026 program is about the art of the blend, from museum pours and fire feasts, to musicians in caves and sunset sessions by the ocean, we’ve curated a collection of experiences that simply couldn’t happen anywhere else in the world.” Ms Pike said. “In between festivals, we spend the year scouring the world to find talent who genuinely love and have a real connection to wine – be it musicians, chefs or artists – to deliver a multi-sensory celebration of place, creativity and connection. The program is wine-led, designed to be inclusive and welcoming to guests of all tastes, interests and price-points. I strongly encourage anyone interested in attending to start exploring the program now, ahead of tickets going on sale next week.” Ms Pike finished. The Grand Tasting returns to Howard Park Wines as the only event of the year where Margaret River’s most prestigious and iconic producers gather on a single lawn. Guests can indulge in a festival menu curated by Matt Moran and Aaron Carr, explore legendary vintages through Museum Masterclasses with Erin Larkin and Nick Ryan in the Howard Park Wine Chapel, and enjoy live music from jazz artist Mark Turner
and a headline performance by Isabella Manfredi (The Preatures).

Western Australian-born chef Dave Pynt (Burnt Ends, Singapore) will return home for the hugely anticipated Burnt Ends & Friends at Wills Domain. Selling out within minutes last year, the next instalment will see Pynt collaborate with American BBQ Pitmaster and Netflix royalty Rodney Scott, Hong Kong chef Matt Abergel, Larissa Goncalves (Si Paradiso) and Ben Cross (Mason Bali) for one of the festival’s signature dining events.

Scott will also host An Evening with Pitmaster: Rodney Scott alongside good friend Morgan Mcglone (The Goodies Group), an intimate live-fire feast on the festival’s opening night. Festival favourite Pair’d Beach Club will return to Meelup Beach, bringing together two ex-Noma alumni – Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Published on Main and No. 17 in North America’s 50 Best, and Ben Ing, Noma’s former head chef now behind Alberta’s in Busselton.

Guests will arrive to oysters, sparkling and coastal spritzes before choosing their experience: the Beach Club Restaurant, where a three-course menu is matched with Margaret River wines curated by sommelier Cyndal Petty or the Beach Bar, a more relaxed setting of casual beach bites, wine, music and dancing on the sand. WA seafood chef Scott Bridger of Pearla & Co. will offer a live raw bar throughout the event.

The Pair’d Beach Club is also your ticket to experience this year’s music headliners, legendary Austrian electronic duo Kruder & Dorfmeister for their only Australian performance in more than a decade. Pioneers of the “Vienna Sound” and passionately involved in the wine industry themselves, they are a natural fit for Pair’d – artists who have shaped both sound and wine culture, performing at sunset overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Led by proud Wadandi-Pibulman man Zac Webb, Nature’s Table will return under the canopy of Tanah Marah Forest, with Paul Iskov (Fervor) and Bundjalung woman Mindy Wood (World’s 50 Best Restaurants ‘Champions of Change Award) teaming up to present an exclusive four-course lunch that weaves the essence of the blooming Peppermint Tree. Paired with a prestigious wine list curated by Erin Larkin and the soulful melodies of Noongar artist Bumpy, this is a dining experience in complete harmony with the forest around.

With so many of the events in the program utilising the incredible natural assets of the Margaret River Region, Ngilgi Reverie will transform the ancient chambers of Ngilgi Cave into one of the world’s most unique stages with didgeridoo and soulful acoustic performances, followed by a Cullen Wines-led and bushfood-inspired tasting experience. Meanwhile, Xanadu Wines Under the Stars will celebrate WA’s glittering night sky for a unique evening of food, wine, astronomy and cultural storytelling.

If it’s Michelin stars you’re chasing, Vasse Felix x Bonheur presented by Lexus is an exclusive event bringing together the artistry of Vasse Felix Estate chef Cam Jones and winemaker Virginia Willcock, with the world-class refinement of Gordon Ramsay protege, Matt Abé, Chef Patron of Bonheur (London), who gained 2 Michelin stars in his new restaurant within months of opening. The event celebrates heritage, innovation and the deep connection between premier wine-making and world-class gastronomy.

Wayfinder x St. John presented by Lexus will see Wayfinder’s Brendan Pratt join forces with London’s legendary St. John to present a menu that honours the regenerative cycles of the land. Set against the backdrop of the estate, this forward-thinking dining experience is a raw dialogue between the winemaker and the chef, merging St. John’s pioneering nose-to tail philosophy with Wayfinder’s soil-first viticulture.

In 2026, New Wave Gathering is taking over crowd favourite Chow’s Table for a night of wine, delicious Chinese food, and live music headlined by Australian indie-electronic favourites Boo Seeka. Guests can expect fresh pours from the region’s next-gen labels with big tunes to match.

Oenophiles are in for a treat at The History Makers hosted by Nick Ryan, with a menu masterfully delivered by Dave Pynt and Leeuwin Estate’s Dan Gedge. Space is strictly limited to 24 seats, with Leeuwin Estate opening its gallery for the ultra-exclusive dinner featuring pinnacle bottles and revered museum releases never before tasted by the public. Ryan said: “I’ve drunk a lot of great Margaret River wines in my time, but never have I seen a collection quite like what’s on offer at this dinner. It really is the best of the best and we’ll be talking about this night for years to come.”

Western Australian Tourism Minister the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA said the WA Government is excited to invite local, national and international guests to experience an event celebrating world-class wine, food, culture, and creativity in a truly unique destination.

“Now in its third year, Pair’d Margaret River Region is a proudly West Australian homegrown event that has already built a strong presence on the global stage, Minister Whitby said. “The 2026 program showcases internationally recognised chefs, musicians and storytellers through unique experiences that highlight the region’s natural beauty and exceptional wine and culinary offerings.”

“This event plays a key role in driving visitation to the Margaret River Region, supporting local businesses and delivering strong economic outcomes for the community, while further cementing Western Australia’s reputation as a world-class destination.” 

Key Notes:

• Access the full Media Toolkit HERE
• Festival dates: Thursday 19 November – Sunday 22 November 2026.
• The full program can be viewed now at pairdmargaretriver.com with tickets on sale at 10am AWST (Perth), Wednesday 1 July.
• The 2026 program includes more than 40 wine-led events set across beaches, forests, caves and vineyards in the Margaret River Region.
• Crowd favourite Burnt Ends & Friends will see Dave Pynt (Burnt Ends, Singapore) return and join forces with American Pitmaster, Netflix royalty Rodney Scott and Hong Kong’s “King of Chicken,” Matt Abergel (Yardbird, Hong Kong), for a smoke fuelled masterclass in global flavour. Scott will also host An Evening with Pitmaster: Rodney Scott with Morgan Mcglone, an intimate live-fire feast on the festival’s opening night.
• Legendary Austrian DJ duo and now winemakers, Kruder & Dorfmeister (K&D) will return to Australia for the first time in a decade for their only Aus gig at two exclusive sunset sets at Pair’d Beach Club on Meelup Beach.
• Ben Ing (Alberta’s, Busselton) will team up with Gus Stieffenhoffer-Brandson (Published on Main, Vancouver) celebrate the best of Western Australian seafood across a variety of dining options at Pair’d Beach Club, with wines curated by Cyndal Petty.
• Wayfinder x St John presented by Lexus will see the esteemed London restaurant that is credited with pioneering nose-to-tail dining collaborate with chef Brendan Pratt on a menu that honours the regenerative cycles of the land.
• Vasse Felix x Bonheur presented by Lexus brings together Vasse Felix chef Cam Jones and winemaker Virginia Willcock with Gordon Ramsay protege Matt Abé, Chef Patron of Bonheur (London), who gained 2 Michelin stars within months of opening.
• Returning favourites include Nature’s Table, Ngilgi Reverie, The Grand Tasting, New Wave Gathering, and Pair’d Beach Club.
• Many events sold out within 20 minutes of going on sale last year, so early movement is strongly encouraged for those wanting to attend the event.
• Early Access sign-ups and travel packages are available now via Pair’d Margaret River Region.
• For interstate guests, direct flights available from Sydney and Melbourne straight into Busselton Margaret River Airport.

Event Owner
Tourism Western Australia Tourism Western Australia (WA) is the WA Government agency responsible for promoting Western Australia as an incredible holiday and events destination. Their role is to inspire more people to visit WA from Australia and around the world. Tourism WA does this by marketing the state to the world through innovative campaigns; developing, attracting and promoting major sporting, arts, cultural and business events; working with government and the tourism industry to improve access, accommodation and tourism experiences for our visitors; and by informing and empowering the WA tourism industry through sharing key insights and global trends, building stakeholder relationships and providing leadership to the sector.

Event Organisers

Mellen Events With over 30 years of experience, Mellen Events is Western Australia’s leading concert promoter and event management company. As the exclusive concert operator at Kings Park for more than two decades, they have staged over 140 outdoor concerts for more than one million fans, hosting global artists such as Sting, Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Lorde, and Groove Armada. Their portfolio also spans major festivals and bespoke experiences, including Kaleidoscope Festival of Light and Dark Sky Festival. In partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, Mellen combines global talent access with a deep understanding of the WA market to deliver premium events that unite communities and showcase the region on the national and international stage.

We Are Gather

2025 winners of ‘Best Small Event Agency in Australia’ at the Australian Event Awards, and 2026 Winners of Event Ex Rising Star Agency and Boutique Agency. We Are Gather is a bold, collaborative curator of premium experiences, designing and delivering large-scale festivals, destination-led events, and brand activations with clarity, creativity, and commercial acumen. Built on deep roots in food, wine, tourism, and culture, we create immersive experiences that not only elevate brands and bring people together but also drive real results for regions, communities, and collaborators. We believe in creating gatherings that ‘leave a legacy’.

AHOY Management

AHOY Management specialises in festivals that sell out, build loyal followings, and are beloved in real life. Their standout events include Cabin Fever in Margaret River, Taste Great Southern, and Subi Spritz in Subiaco. With years of local and international experience, AHOY brings bold ideas to life, turning seeds of concepts into thriving celebrations. They work closely with communities, brands, and agencies, delivering big agency expertise with a boutique, boundary-pushing approach.

ASPIRE Scheme Boosts Rural Entrepreneurship with 109 Business Incubators Across India

New Delhi, June 26: The Centre’s ASPIRE (A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship) initiative is strengthening rural entrepreneurship by supporting innovation and self-employment through a nationwide network of 109 business incubators.

The scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), aims to promote entrepreneurship in rural and semi-urban areas by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with access to incubation facilities, skill development, mentoring, and business support.

Officials said the incubators are helping startups and first-generation entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures, while creating employment opportunities and encouraging local economic development.

The ASPIRE scheme focuses on fostering innovation in the agriculture and rural sectors by supporting enterprises that generate sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the MSME ecosystem.

The government said the initiative is playing a key role in promoting inclusive economic growth by nurturing entrepreneurship at the grassroots level and empowering rural youth to become job creators instead of job seekers.

The scheme continues to expand India’s rural innovation ecosystem, supporting the government’s vision of strengthening the MSME sector and accelerating rural economic development.

Building the Bengal of Tomorrow: Industry, Innovation and Women’s Leadership

Brand Confidence Builds as FIFA World Cup 2026 Momentum Accelerates on ‘Z’

Mumbai, June 26: As the greatest show on earth steps into the highly anticipated Round of 32, leading content and technology powerhouse, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z‘) continues to witness strong advertiser momentum, reflecting growing brand confidence in the tournament’s ability to deliver meaningful consumer engagement at scale. 

Building on the strong opening weeks of the tournament, several leading brands including Lenovo, Ceat, Jaguar Land Rover, Adidas, Zydus and JBL have partnered with ‘Z‘, further strengthening its advertiser portfolio across categories. These brands join an impressive sponsorship roster led by Mahindra as the Co-Presenting Sponsor, Diageo as the Co-Powered by Sponsor, alongside several other marquee brands including Apple and Pernod Ricard, which have associated with the tournament across platforms. The Company cherishes its partnership with all the brands and acknowledges the support received in uplifting football as a sport across India. 

The continued influx of brands underscores the increasing excitement around the tournament as audiences gear up for the high-intensity knockout stages.

The sustained advertiser interest reflects the robust engagement being witnessed across the Company’s integrated ecosystem. Through Unite8 Sports channels and Zee 5, brands are leveraging multiple consumer touchpoints including LIVE matches, studio programming, highlights, analysis and digital activations – to build impactful and contextual connections with audiences. The Company’s ability to offer bespoke advertising solutions across television and digital has enabled brands to align their investments with specific business objectives while maximizing campaign effectiveness. 

Following 300+ million omni-platform unique reach, FIFA World Cup 2026™ on ‘Z‘ continues to deliver encouraging performance for advertisers. Zee 5 is seamlessly hosting millions of concurrent viewers, with a notable increase in platform engagement as they consume the LIVE action, highlights and multi-language studio programming. The sporting action, coupled with key programming initiatives has enabled Unite8 Sports 2 to achieve the leadership position amongst all English sports channels in India. Adding to the viewing experience, renowned football experts, former players and celebrated commentators have been engaging fans through comprehensive pre-match, half-time and post-match analysis.

While several marquee brands came on board ahead of the tournament, the excitement generated through the group stages has prompted a fresh wave of advertiser interest as the competition moves into its most anticipated phase. The Company is also witnessing healthy demand from additional brands evaluating partnerships for the Round of 32 (28th June – 3rd July), Round of 16 (4th – 7th July) and the latter stages of the tournament. 

Speaking about the continued advertiser momentum, Sandeep Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer – Advertisement Revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said: “The FIFA World Cup has consistently demonstrated its ability to bring together highly engaged audiences at scale, and the momentum we have witnessed over the past few weeks has further strengthened advertiser confidence. Our focus has been on delivering bespoke, outcome-led solutions that enable brands across categories and investment levels to participate meaningfully in the tournament. The response has been encouraging, with several new brands coming on board and continued interest from advertisers looking to leverage the excitement around the knockout stages. We remain committed to creating impactful opportunities that deliver measurable value for our partners.” As the FIFA 

World Cup 2026™ moves into its decisive knockout rounds, ‘Z‘ remains well-positioned to further strengthen audience engagement and advertiser participation through innovative, integrated solutions that help brands capitalize on one of the world‘s biggest sporting spectacles.

NSE Commands 93 pc Share, Investor Base Hits 12.9 Crore

New Delhi, June 26: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) continues to maintain a dominant position in the country’s financial markets, with a 93% market share and a registered investor base of 12.9 crore, according to Centrum Broking.

Centrum said the exchange’s scale and deepening retail participation highlight the strong structural growth of India’s capital markets, supported by rising financial awareness and increasing participation from individual investors across the country.

The brokerage noted that NSE’s expanding investor base underscores the growing penetration of equities and other financial instruments, driven by digital onboarding, simplified investment processes, and broader market access.

Industry data indicates that India’s stock market participation has expanded rapidly in recent years, with retail investors contributing significantly to trading activity across segments such as equities, derivatives, and ETFs.

Analysts said the dominance of NSE reflects its strong ecosystem, high liquidity, and continued preference among market participants, reinforcing its position as the primary trading platform in India.

Centrum’s assessment highlights the broader trend of deepening financialisation of savings in India, with increasing participation from younger investors and non-metropolitan regions.

Fermenta Biotech Limited Ranked 7th Nationwide in India’s Great Mid-size WorkplacesTM 2026

Mumbai, June 26: Fermenta Biotech Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of premium-grade APIs, intermediates, and nutritional premixes for the global markets, today announced that it has been ranked 7th nationwide in the Top 50 category as part of India’s Great Mid-size WorkplacesTM  2026 by Great Place To Work®.

This recognition marks a significant milestone for Fermenta as the company celebrates 75 years of trust, science and service. Over 2,000 organisations partnered with Great Place To Work® India this year to assess and benchmark their workplace culture. To place 7th among them, across a wide range of sectors, reflects the culture we have built together over the years.

The achievement comes shortly after Fermenta was recognized among India’s Best Workplaces™ in Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Biotech 2025, further reaffirming the company’s commitment to nurturing an environment where employees feel valued, empowered and inspired to contribute to the organization’s growth journey.

Comment from Prashant Nagre – Managing Director

“At Fermenta, our growth has always been powered by our people and our partners. This recognition belongs to every team member that brings commitment, ownership and pride to work every day, and our partners whose constant support and guidance have helped us reach here. As we celebrate 75 years of Fermenta, being ranked 7th nationwide makes this milestone even more meaningful. It is a reflection of the culture we have built together; one rooted in trust, responsibility, collaboration and the belief that great organizations are created by great people.”

India Real Estate Sees Dollar 1.13 Billion PE Inflow in H1, Office Leads

New Delhi, June 26: Indian real estate sector attracted private equity (PE) investments worth $1.13 billion in the first half of the year (H1), with the office segment accounting for the bulk of inflows, according to industry data.

The report highlights that the office segment captured around 89% of the total PE investments, reflecting strong investor confidence in Grade-A commercial assets and continued demand for premium office spaces across major urban centres.

Analysts said the inflows indicate sustained institutional interest in India’s commercial real estate market, driven by stable rental yields, improved occupancy levels, and long-term growth prospects in key office hubs.

The residential and other real estate segments accounted for the remaining share of investments, though activity remained comparatively moderate.

Experts noted that India continues to remain an attractive destination for global and domestic investors due to its resilient economic growth, expanding corporate sector, and increasing demand for organised real estate assets.

The strong dominance of the office segment underscores the ongoing shift towards formalised commercial spaces and the growing presence of multinational companies in the country.

Digital Payments Drive Women-Led Businesses: 84 Percent of Female Entrepreneurs in India Use Digital Tools, Finds DBS Study

Mumbai, June 26: Ahead of MSME Day 2026, DBS Bank India has unveiled the second report in its Women and Finance series, with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP  as the research partner.

The report, The Digital Opportunity: Access, Adoption and Trust, explores how female earners across India are engaging with digital payments, banking, credit and investment platforms. The study draws insights from 1,342 women across North (23%), South (36%), East (14%) and West (27%) India, reflecting the perspectives of female entrepreneurs, High-Net-Worth (HNW) women and rural women earners.

The latest edition focuses on how digitalisation is shaping the financial journeys of women across different life stages, income segments and geographies. It also explores spending priorities, key drivers of digital adoption and awareness of safe digital banking practices across different segments.

The findings highlight that female entrepreneurs are the most active users of digital financial tools and platforms among all cohorts surveyed. Digital payment tools are the most widely adopted, used by 84% of female entrepreneurs. Across cohorts, UPI continues to gain traction, with usage standing at 72% among female entrepreneurs, 77% among HNW women and 54% among rural women earners surveyed, underscoring the growing ubiquity of India’s digital payments infrastructure.

Beyond banking and payments, female entrepreneurs are increasingly engaging with a wider ecosystem of digital financial tools and platforms. Among those surveyed, 38% use loan and credit platforms, while 29% use brokerage platforms. Among HNW women surveyed, 28% are actively using brokerage platforms for their investments, reflecting growing comfort and proficiency in using digital investment tools, driven by the convenience and accessibility they offer.

Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head, Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking, Financial Institutions and SMEs said,

 “The findings of this report highlight an encouraging shift in the way women are engaging with their finances. Among female entrepreneurs, digital tools are becoming increasingly integral to business management, supporting everything from payments, credit and payroll to customer acquisition and future planning. The study also underscores the importance of trust, convenience, and accessibility in driving digital adoption.”

“As digital adoption deepens, entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support their growth ambitions. Sustaining this momentum requires going beyond traditional banking to create connected ecosystems that help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. By deepening our understanding of this segment and continuing to innovate in response to evolving needs, we aim to help female entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses”, he added.

Other key insights

Credit card usage is gaining momentum among female earners in urban India

Half (50%) of the female entrepreneurs surveyed report using personal credit cards frequently, including 19% who use them daily and 31% who use them a few times a week. Among HNW women, credit cards are used by 53% of respondents, making them the second most-used payment method after UPI.

Travel rewards top the list of preferred credit card benefits

Travel-related rewards, including hotel offers, air miles, lounge access and travel insurance, are the most preferred credit card benefit among both female entrepreneurs and HNW women, cited by 65% of respondents. Preference for travel-related rewards is particularly pronounced among younger respondents, rising to 70% among HNW women aged 25–30 years and 68% among female entrepreneurs aged 26–35 years.

Spending patterns across segments

Spending patterns were analysed to identify key business expenditure areas among female entrepreneurs and rural women earners, alongside personal spending among HNW women.

• Among female entrepreneurs surveyed, spending is concentrated on people, growth and technology. Beyond staff salaries and contractor payments (65%) and marketing, branding, content creation and customer acquisition (53%), 37% report spending on software, technology tools and platforms.
• For rural women earners, expenditure is largely directed towards day-to-day business operations, with 82% reporting spending on raw materials, 47% on rent and 35% on transportation to market.
• Among the HNW women surveyed, spending patterns are more diversified across both essential and discretionary categories, led by groceries and daily essentials (50%), utility bills (32%), healthcare and medical expenses (28%), and travel and vacations (27%).

This edition builds on the first report in the series, Money Matters: Mindsets, Financial Agency and Behaviour Across Life and Career Stages, released on International Women’s Day earlier this year, which examined the financial autonomy of women earners, key financial drivers and life goals, preferences for engaging with financial institutions, as well as their perspectives on career breaks, work-life balance, retirement planning and long-term financial preparedness.

Piyush Goyal Conferred UK-India Award for Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties

New Delhi, June 26: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has been conferred the UK-India award in recognition of his contribution to strengthening economic and trade relations between India and the United Kingdom.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/PiyushGoyal

The award acknowledges his efforts in deepening bilateral engagement, promoting investment flows, and expanding cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest, including trade, industry, and innovation.

Officials noted that India and the UK have witnessed growing collaboration in recent years, supported by sustained high-level dialogue and efforts to enhance economic partnership frameworks. Goyal’s role in advancing these engagements has been highlighted as a key factor in strengthening ties between the two countries.

The recognition comes at a time when both nations are exploring new opportunities to further expand trade relations and build a more comprehensive economic partnership.

The award underscores the importance of continued cooperation between India and the UK in fostering long-term economic growth and strategic collaboration.