Category Archives: Business

VNTR Concludes Mumbai Investor Roundtable, Plans to Launch Dollar5M Fund to Back India’s Emerging Tech Ventures

New Delhi, June 5, 2025 – In a significant move to accelerate India’s innovation ecosystem, VNTR, a global community of active investors, successfully concluded its first India-focused Investor Roundtable in Mumbai and announced the plan to launch a $5 million fund exclusively for early-stage to late-stage Indian scaleups.

Hosted at HIVE8, India’s most scenic co-working space, the high-powered roundtable brought together over 30 prominent venture capitalists, family offices, and angel investors, sparking vibrant discussions on India’s thriving startup environment. This marks a major milestone in VNTR’s India expansion strategy, aimed at backing disruptive technologies that address both local and global challenges.

“India is at the epicenter of the global startup movement. Our $5 million fund is more than just capital—it’s a gateway to strategic mentorship, cross-border collaboration, and global investor networks. We’re here to catalyze India’s innovation story and scale high-impact ventures.” said Jignesh P Jain, Chapter Director, VNTR

A Platform for Global-Local Synergy

The roundtable featured an insightful panel with top industry voices:

Sachin Tagra, Managing Partner, JSW Ventures

Dr. Bijna Kotak Dasani, MBE, FRSA, Entrepreneur, Investor and VC, The Bijna Group

Dr. Ritesh Jain, Investor, Mentor & Advisor – VC/PE, Taranis, Growthcap, Equentis

Punit Shah, Managing Partner, Alteria Capital & IC Member, JIIF

The event facilitated powerful networking and one-on-one investor-only conversations, reinforcing VNTR’s mission to bridge global capital with local innovation.

The fund will primarily target Seed to late-stage scaleups across fintech, healthtech, deep tech, climate tech, and SaaS sectors. It will concentrate on investments in key ecosystems like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad & Pune. With a sharp focus on scalable, tech-driven solutions that are stage agnostic.

What sets VNTR apart is its global-first approach—each portfolio company will benefit not only from financial backing but also from access to VNTR’s global community spanning 40+ countries. This includes deal-sharing, mentorship, co-investment opportunities, and market access strategies.

As part of its India roadmap, VNTR is actively partnering with Indian VC firms, family offices, incubators, and angel networks to co-create a high-trust, high-impact investment ecosystem. The organization is extending invitations for local players to join its global investor community, strengthening the India-to-global innovation corridor.

Momentum right for India to accelerate its innovation trajectory powered by AI and Deep Tech: IGIC 2025

Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 – Global Industry experts outlined AI, deep tech, clean tech, structural and process reforms as pillars of Innovation in Viksit Bharat at the 4th edition of India Global Innovation Connect (IGIC) in Bengaluru. The two-day Summit will bring together a powerful global assembly of technology leaders, policymakers, startup founders, investors and academicians to explore the theme “Innovation in the Age of AI: Business, Society and Governance.” Entrepreneurs from India, US, Japan, Korea, Germany, Singapore, Israel, Switzerland, France, the UAE and other nations engaged in technology and business interactions on the inaugural day of the Summit.

The opening day of the two-day event focused on the transformative role of key sectors in reshaping industries and societal frameworks, with a series of keynotes, dialogues, fireside chats and brainstorming sessions exploring India’s positioning as a global innovation powerhouse.

The day further witnessed key global industry leaders from Indian and global startup founders, VCs and investors, corporate and government leaders, technology and public policy experts under one common platform. The leaders and industry experts engaged with attendees on a range of topics, including AI and deep tech as the new frontier of innovation, invisible reforms toward “Developed India” (Viksit Bharat), new developments in fintech, shaping AI for society and society for AI, what next in Aerospace, the coming blood revolution, AI-driven learning revolution innovation dynamics between startups and established corporations, etc.

Claude Smadja, Chairman Smadja & Smadja Strategic Advisory said, “India today stands at a pivotal inflection point, both in its domestic evolution and its global positioning. As we navigate an era marked by transformative shifts in AI and deep tech, the momentum is right for India to accelerate its innovation trajectory. Despite the challenges that major global powers are facing, India is uniquely placed to emerge as a global hub for technological advancement, particularly in the domain of data and big data, where it holds a distinct advantage.”

Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital said, ” As we prepare for the age of quantum computing and grapple with the reality of machines performing most of the human tasks, we must rethink how we educate the next generation and how we build networks, not just of nations, but of people and cities across the world, to ensure that innovation benefits everyone. And there is no better place to lead this future than Bengaluru.”

Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), India said, “When we speak of building a Viksit Bharat, we must look beyond structural reforms and focus on process reforms. They play a pivotal role in improving efficiency, reducing friction, and delivering real impact across government and business systems. I am optimistic that states like Karnataka and ecosystems like Bengaluru’s innovation community will play a catalytic role in this transformation.”

In his opening note during the session ‘Invisible reforms toward “Developed India” (Viksit Bharat)’, Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) highlighted that true digital transformation demands hands-on effort, capacity building and systems thinking. For reforms to succeed, they must create tangible value for citizens and industry, bridge siloed functioning, and be supported by documented learnings that empower officers to be tech-enabled and outcome-driven.

Vic Bhagat, Senior Vice President and Global Advisor of the leading global IT Infrastructure Services Provider Kyndryl said, “AI’s power and its seamless integration into enterprise technology delivers exceptional productivity and automation. The collaboration between scale and speed is key. The ability of enterprises to effectively harness AI will redefine their competitive edge and long-term growth.”

Jay Krishnan, Partner & Head of India Investments, Beyond Next Ventures said,“As investors, especially in deep science, we often enter before compliance frameworks exist, focusing on ideas rooted in physics, chemistry, and biology that can meaningfully impact areas like energy transition and climate. While not every risk can be anticipated or controlled, belief in transformative potential guides our thesis”.

IGIC 2025 continues to foster India’s position as a key node in the global innovation value chain. IGIC 2025 is backed by Strategic Partner – Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, Sponsors – Axilor and Esri India, and Knowledge Partners – Covington & Burling USA and Swissnex, and Partner Organizations – The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Start2Group, and IVC Association (IVCA), among others.

Unix Launches Z2 Bloom Earbuds with ANC and 40-Hour Playtime

Mumbai, June 2025: Unix, one of India’s leading mobile accessories and consumer electronics brands, has launched its latest True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds – the Z2 Bloom. Designed to blend performance with modern aesthetics, the lightweight Z2 Bloom offers Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), HD sound quality, and up to 40 hours of total playtime, making it a strong contender in the premium yet affordable audio segment.

The latest Unix Airbuds Z2 Bloom delivers a crystal-clear calling experience and is engineered with high-quality components such as pure cobalt battery earbuds and a composite membrane ANC speaker. The earbuds come with a 300mAh case battery that can charge them at least four times, enabling users to get an average of one week’s usage from a single charge. Additionally, the earbuds feature intuitive touch controls, making them convenient and easy to use on the go.

The Z2 Bloom is equipped with the latest Bluetooth v5.4 for seamless connectivity and a 13mm speaker driver that ensures immersive audio quality. It also includes MOS IC protection, which plays a crucial role in ensuring stable power management, preventing overheating, and extending the life of both the earbuds and the charging case. The case supports Type-C charging and reaches full charge in just 45 – 60minutes, offering a hassle-free experience for users.

Speaking on the launch, Imran Kagalwala, Co-Founder of Unix, said, “At Unix, we are offering advanced features at competitive pricing has always been at the heart of our strategy. With Z2 Bloom, we continue to strengthen our premium portfolio while delivering innovation that resonates with Gen Z and millennial users.”

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

Kavita Sanghvi Joins Kotak Education Foundation as Director of Education

Dr. Ganesh Raja, CEO of Kotak Education Foundation said “We are delighted to welcome Ms. Kavita Sanghvi to the Kotak Education Foundation family. Her exemplary track record and deep-rooted passion for education will be instrumental in advancing our mission to foster equity and excellence in learning. With her leadership, we aim to accelerate impactful change in the communities we serve and redefine what’s possible in education.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Sanghvi said, “I am deeply honored to join Kotak Education Foundation, whose mission aligns with my lifelong vision of making education equitable, empowering, and future-ready. I look forward to working with passionate educators and leaders to create transformative learning opportunities for every child.”

1. Holistic interventions with children and educators in school, 
2. Equitable scholarships for higher studies, and 
3. Vocational education and skills training for livelihood. 

ISFA and Russia Franchise Federation Forge Strategic Partnership to Foster Global Franchising Cooperation

New Delhi | 04^th June 2025 — In a significant move to strengthen international cooperation in the franchising sector, the Indian Small Business & Franchise Association (ISFA) and the Russia Franchise Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 28, 2025, in Moscow, Russia. This landmark agreement marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and fostering the growth of franchising across both nations.

The MoU establishes a framework for comprehensive interaction and collaboration between the two organizations with a shared objective: to support and scale up small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the robust vehicle of franchising.

Key Objectives of the Partnership:

• To facilitate information exchange and foster regular dialogue through meetings, communications, and joint initiatives;
• To support existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in both countries;
• To co-develop programs and policies that promote franchise development and entrepreneurial activity;
• To enable an environment conducive to the global expansion of Indian and Russian franchise brands.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Marya, Chairman of ISFA and a leading voice in global franchising, remarked: “Franchising is no longer just a business model—it’s a global language of entrepreneurship. This partnership between ISFA and the Russia Franchise Federation is a progressive step toward building an inclusive and borderless franchise ecosystem. Together, we aim to open new doors of opportunity for Indian and Russian businesses to grow, expand, and lead in global markets.”

Areas of Joint Action Include:

• Coordinated development and promotion of joint training programs, seminars, exhibitions, and business forums;
• Cross-posting and dissemination of franchising-related content on each other’s platforms;
• Identifying and connecting with new business and government partners across India, Russia, and globally;
• Facilitating participation in third-party entrepreneurial events, to promote cross-border franchise investments;
• Supporting Moscow-based businesses in exploring global markets and vice versa, with a strong emphasis on India-Russia collaboration.

ROCCO names Infobip a leading Tier 1 RCS vendor in 2024 Messaging Market Impact report

New Delhi, India, 4 June 2025 – Global communications platform Infobip is recognized by ROCCO as a Tier 1 vendor in RCS, A2P SMS – for MNOs and for enterprises, and SMS monetisation. This recognition highlights Infobip’s excellence in business, customer service, technology, and innovation, establishing it as an industry leader. In the 2024 RCS Messaging market impact report, ROCCO notes the high satisfaction of Infobip’s customers and its impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS), underscoring its position as a trusted partner and technology provider in the RCS space.

Jason Bryan, CEO at ROCCO, said: “Infobip has been ranked as a Tier One provider in ROCCO’s RCS Messaging Market Impact report. The simplicity of the implementation process has been praised by operators worldwide, which is a key aspect for operators. Furthermore, Infobip excels in terms of its pricing model and traffic monetisation, which are two areas that MNOs need to fully benefit from RCS.”

In the SMS space, Infobip connects to over 800 operators to deliver SMS messages reliably and securely, driving this mature ecosystem for both MNOs and enterprises.

Infobip received the multiple Tier 1 recognitions at the recently concluded ROCCO Genesis event in Vienna. ROCCO Research conducts industry surveys where mobile operators and enterprises evaluate the performance of vendors across various technologies, from Roaming and signalling to SMS, SMS monetization, and RCS. Vendors ranked as Tier 1 have demonstrated the highest levels of excellence in business, customer service, technology, and innovation, and are regarded as industry leaders in their respective fields.

Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, said: “At Infobip, we are honoured to receive these Tier 1 recognitions which serve as motivation for further innovation in technology as well as business models. Our high customer satisfaction and Net Promoter Score (NPS) reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional service and building trust with our customers. We continue to focus on advancing RCS as a powerful tool for richer and more interactive communication and remain committed to protecting mobile networks and users from unsolicited and fraudulent messaging.”

Decathlon India Leads the Way: First in Sports Retail to Embed Circularity into Core Business

India; June 4, 2025: Decathlon, the leading global multi-specialist sports brand, today announced the launch of its circular business model in India, furthering its global commitment to sustainability, waste reduction and a regenerative business. Through circular models such as repair, buyback, resale, and DIY spares, Decathlon is set to triple its circular turnover by 2027, a projected 200% growth compared to 2024.

With this pioneering step, Decathlon becomes the first sports retailer in India to embed circularity at scale. Decathlon’s circular business model in India is currently anchored around three core offerings: repair services available in over 95 stores, second life resale of refurbished products in more than 90 stores, and buyback of used equipment in over 50 stores, which will be slowly scaled across the country and will later be made available online. These services not only extend the life of Decathlon products but also ensure a reduction in wastage and in the product’s carbon footprint. As a result of these initiatives, over 3,00,000 sports products are projected to be diverted from landfills by 2027, significantly reducing environmental impact.

The India launch is a key part of Decathlon’s global decarbonisation strategy, which includes achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a 42% reduction in absolute CO₂ emissions by 2030. This is being driven by a focused approach to eliminating single-use plastic, designing long-lasting, repairable products, scaling second-life solutions and reducing site emissions.

Sankar Chatterjee, CEO, Decathlon India, said: “We have always believed that accessibility and sustainability must go hand in hand. As our customers evolve, so must our responsibility to offer high-quality, long-lasting products that reduce environmental impact and also address affordability. Sustainability is a year-round commitment for us, but the Second Life Bazaar holds special significance as we mark World Environment Day, a moment to reaffirm our dedication to responsible consumption. With this campaign, we are reimagining sports retail into a space where people can play more, pay less, and make choices that are better for both the planet and their performance.”

Annie George, Leader Sustainable Development, Decathlon India commented, “As a brand deeply rooted in purpose, we have always believed that sustainability must be built into the way we design, deliver and take back our products. With India moving towards a circular economy, our focus is on creating real, scalable solutions – from designing for durability to enabling easy repairs and buybacks. It’s not just about reducing environmental impact; it’s about reshaping how people access sport in a more responsible way.”

Decathlon first rolled out its circular business model nearly five years ago across markets such as France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the UK and Poland, where it has seen strong consumer uptake and operational maturity in repair and DIY spares and accessories. With the India rollout, Decathlon strengthens its position as a global leader in low-impact, circular sports retail, committed to moving people through sport, while building a more sustainable future.

“With 133 stores across India, Decathlon’s growing retail footprint spans metros and emerging cities alike, enabling greater access to both sport and sustainability. Key hubs such as Bengaluru with 19 stores, Delhi NCR with 17, Hyderabad with 13, and Mumbai with 11 stores lead this growth, alongside Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune with 6, 6, and 5 stores respectively. These cities continue to play a vital role in accelerating the brand’s circular transition, as more customers embrace repair, resale, and buyback retail experiences.”

Micron Ships World’s First 1γ-Based LPDDR5X, Enabling Rich Mobile AI Experiences

Bangalore, India – June 4, 2025: Micron Technology, Inc., announced today that it is shipping qualification samples of the world’s first 1γ (1-gamma) node-based low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) memory, designed to accelerate AI applications on flagship smartphones. Delivering the industry’s fastest LPDDR5X speed grade of 10.7 gigabits per second (Gbps), combined with up to a 20% power savings,[1] Micron LPDDR5X transforms smartphones with faster, smoother mobile experiences and longer battery life — even when executing data-intensive workloads such as AI-powered translation or image generation.

To meet the industry’s increasing demand for compact solutions for next-generation smartphone designs, Micron’s engineers have shrunk the LPDDR5X package size to offer the industry’s thinnest package of 0.61 millimeters,[2] making it 6% thinner compared to competitive offerings,[3] and representing a 14% height reduction from the previous generation.[4] The small form factor unlocks more possibilities for smartphone manufacturers to design ultrathin or foldable smartphones.

“Micron’s 1-gamma node-based LPDDR5X memory is a game-changer for the mobile industry,” said Mark Montierth, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron’s Mobile and Client Business Unit. “This breakthrough technology delivers lightning-fast speeds and remarkable power efficiency — all within the industry’s thinnest LPDDR5X package — paving the way for exciting new smartphone designs. This solution demonstrates our commitment to empowering the ecosystem to create extraordinary mobile experiences.”

The company’s 1γ-based LPDDR5X enables dramatic leaps in performance for mobile users by enabling faster AI insights. For example, Micron evaluated mobile AI response times from large language model Llama 2, based on 1γ LPDDR5X’s 10.7 Gbps bandwidth compared to 1β (1-beta) LPDDR5X’s 7.5 Gbps bandwidth,[5] finding:

Responses are 30% faster when asking for location-based restaurant recommendations.
Results are more than 50% faster when translating a voice inquiry in English to text in Spanish to ask for directions.
Responses can be up to 25% faster when requesting car purchase recommendations based on vehicle type, affordability and certain infotainment and safety features.[6]

Now ramping in Micron’s mobile portfolio, Micron’s 1γ-based LPDDR5X is the company’s first mobile solution to leverage advanced EUV lithography — providing customers with early access to the latest performance and power efficiency advancements, based on the industry’s most advanced memory node technology. This milestone builds on Micron’s February sampling of 1γ-based DDR5 memory for next-generation CPUs in the data center and client segments. Micron’s optimized 1γ DRAM node leverages CMOS[7] advancements like next-generation high-K metal gate technology for improved transistor performance and incorporates leading-edge EUV lithography for enhanced bit density.

As energy-intensive mobile AI workloads are increasingly processed on-device rather than only in the cloud, low-power chips are crucial for devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops, which need to conserve power while performing AI computations.

Micron’s 1γ-based LPDDR5X’s significant 20% power savings will allow mobile users to enjoy their favorite AI applications, games and video content longer on a single charge. In addition, as AI intensifies the need for powerful, energy-efficient compute, data center servers, intelligent vehicles and AI PCs may also increasingly adopt LPDDR5X for its unique blend of optimized power efficiency and high performance.

Trend Micro’s Risk to Resilience World Tour Kicks Off in Mumbai with a Focus on Proactive Security in the Age of AI

Mumbai, 4th June 2025 – Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity, launched the India chapter of its Risk to Resilience World Tour 2025 in Mumbai, bringing together over 130 security leaders from 70 organisations (Enterprises and Government). This year’s theme, “Proactive Security Starts Here,” highlighted the urgent need to move from reactive defenses to forward-looking, AI-driven security strategies.

Sharda Tickoo, Country Manager for India & SAARC at Trend Micro, in her keynote address highlighted how attackers are increasingly leveraging AI to automate and accelerate cyberattacks, reducing exploit timelines from weeks to hours. Yet, she emphasized that defensive AI is outpacing offensive AI, enabling real-time detection, automated response, and proactive threat mitigation. She introduced Agentic AI as a paradigm shift in cybersecurity—where intelligent AI agents work in parallel, sharing context to deliver unified, pre-emptive protection. At the core of this transformation is Trend Micro’s AI powered platform — Trend Vision One™, integrated with specialised cybersecurity LLM, TrendCybertron, which combines predictive analytics, risk scoring, and automated remediation across environments. While AI is transforming SOC operations, she reiterated that a fully autonomous SOC is still aspirational, with human judgment still having a pivotal role in decision-making.

The panel discussion titled, “Proactive Security in the Age of AI” brought together Rajesh Thapar, CISO, NSE and Abhijit Chakravarty, EVP – Networks & Cybersecurity, Kotak Mahindra Bank to discuss what proactive security means in practice. Mr. Rajesh Thapar, CISO, NSE, noted that proactive security has become a strategic imperative, which requires alignment within the ecosystem that goes beyond being tactical or reactive. Mr. Abhijit Chakravarty, EVP – Networks & Cybersecurity at Kotak Mahindra Bank, stressed that true proactiveness begins with visibility—i.e., visibility into unmanaged assets and user activity—and the ability to take data and make it actionable intelligence.

On vulnerability prioritization, Mr. Thapar noted the limitations of legacy scoring methods and the need for contextual risk-based methods. Mr. Chakravarty emphasized the role of criticality-based methods and operational limitations, and the importance of framing risk in business-relevant terms. He shared a framework called TRIC (Threat, Risk, Impact, Consequence), which helps bridge communication between security teams and business stakeholders. Both panellists noted artificial intelligence as an enabler as well as a threat, and agreed that while AI can greatly augment SOC capabilities, human oversight is required for effective and responsible security operations.

The industries in the Mumbai region, especially within manufacturing and BFSI, are pioneers in embracing emerging technologies and advanced security measures—making it a mature market for cybersecurity adoption. The BFSI sector, in particular, demands strict compliance, driving increased interest in hybrid security solutions that meet evolving operational and regulatory needs.

The Mumbai event marks the beginning of a four-city India tour, following the global success of last year’s series across 60+ countries. The next leg of the event is scheduled to happen on 20th June, 2025 in Kolkata.

Lava Bold N1 Goes Live on Amazon for Rs5,999

New Delhi, June 04, 2025: Lava International Limited, the leading homegrown smartphone manufacturer, is set to go live with the Bold N1, the budget-friendly 4G smartphone that delivers clean performance and style, starting June 04, 2025, at 12 PM, exclusively on Amazon India. Priced at ₹5,999, the Bold N1 will be available under the Amazon Specials program and comes with Free Service@Home for pan-India post-sales support.

Introduced under the recently launched Bold Series, the Bold N1 is designed for users who want function without fuss and performance without pretence. Built for students, first-jobbers, and digital natives who value clarity over clutter, it runs on Android 14 Go Edition, delivering a bloatware-free, intuitive experience. Its 6.75-inch HD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate ensures smoother visuals, while the 13MP AI dual rear camera and 5MP front camera are tuned for quick, everyday captures. Powered by a UNISOC Octa-core processor with 4GB + 4GB Virtual RAM, the Bold N1 offers all-day utility with a 5000mAh battery, Type-C charging, and IP54-rated durability, wrapped in a bold, glossy design that looks as effortless as it feels.

With a perfect blend of performance, reliability, and price, the Lava Bold N1 is made for those who want more without paying more. Don’t wait, the sale is live on Amazon India.

Specifications