Category Archives: Business

mPokket onboards global executive Todd Ruppert to its Advisory Board

2nd May 2024: mPokket, one of India’s leading digital lending platforms, today announced the appointment of Todd Ruppert to its Advisory Board. Todd brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as a venture partner at Greenspring Associates and Founder of Ruppert International, a firm with diversified global interests in startup companies.

Todd, the ex-CEO of T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services and co-president of T. Rowe Price International, holds senior advisory and board positions with multiple PE/VC firms, including Antler, the largest early-stage company builder worldwide. During his tenure at T. Rowe Price, Todd spearheaded the firm’s investment in UTI, one of India’s leading asset managers.

“Todd’s wealth of experience and deep understanding of the financial landscape will be invaluable as we strive to propel towards our aim of empowering the underserved youth of India. With his expertise, we are not only focused on meeting the credit needs of the youth but also on providing them with new earning avenues and career growth opportunities.” Mr. Gaurav Jalan, mPokket’s Founder and CEO, said in a statement.

Beyond finance, Todd is deeply also passionate about education and youth development and protection. He has served as a board member of INSEAD Business School from 2012-to 2021 and is currently a member of its Advisory Council. He also serves as a board member of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as a global ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

“I am honored to join mPokket as an advisor and contribute to their journey towards becoming a leading force in India’s youth growth story over the next decade. With a commitment to education, youth development, and financial inclusion, mPokket is poised to make a significant impact, and I’m excited to be a part of this journey.” Todd Ruppert, said in a statement.

mPokket has disbursed ~US$2 billion in loans till date with minimal default rates powered by its proprietary AI-based underwriting algorithm. The company recently announced a $61 million debt raise from BPEA credit.

Here are 5 reasons why you can’t miss Amber Girls School on Amazon miniTV

Mumbai, 2nd May 2024: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released its riveting coming-of-age teenage drama, Amber Girls School. The series follows Ojaswini as she moves from being a teenager to becoming an adult, delving into the difficulties of adolescence set against the backdrop of 2008. Produced by Reliance Entertainment Studios and directed by Rajlaxmi Ratan Seth, the series captures the clash between traditional values and the modern aspirations of young women. Along with bringing a compelling narrative of rebellion, self-discovery, and the pursuit of individuality, here are the top 5 reasons why Amber Girls School must be on your binge-watch list.

● An intriguing narrative that questions the changing dynamics of growing up : Set in the premise of an all-girls school, the series Amber Girls School offers a unique cultural setting that intensifies the narrative, with a blend of teenage struggles, high emotions, and a compelling storyline. With a conflict between the desire to venture into impermissible adventures or march towards a well-planned goal, the narrative deftly unfolds the drama and development of each character.

● Exploration of teenage life and challenges: The series delves into the heart of adolescence, exploring a variety of struggles faced by them in a conservative society. Taking the viewers through the journey of Ojaswini and her friends, the series showcases the struggles, curiosity and excitement of transitioning into adulthood while one goes through rapid changes. It also offers a raw and unfiltered look at the lives of teen girls who are not afraid to push boundaries and break free from societal expectations.

● Emotional depth and relatable storyline: The series touches on various relatable themes that resonate with the audience. From the daily conflicts in family and its complex dynamics to school life and financial highs and lows, the storyline explores the world of sisterhood, aspirations and self discovery. The emotional aspect of the series will take the viewers through each character’s journey, resounding with their joys, struggles, and triumphs while navigating through different challenges.

● Talented cast ensemble with character development: Led by the talented Celesti Bairagey as Ojaswini, the cast of Amber Girls School also features Kajol Chugh, Adrija Sinha, Ishika Gagneja, Harsh Khurana, and Shruti Panwar in pivotal roles. Through their powerful performances, they bring depth and authenticity to their roles. The series showcases the unique challenges encountered by each girl.

● Watch for free: Immerse in the journey of self-discovery and defiance against traditional constraints with Amber Girls School for free on Amazon miniTV. There is no need to pay anything to tune in to this engrossing coming-of-age teenage drama on a subscription basis. It is now available to stream on Amazon miniTV and Fire TV within the Amazon Shopping App and on Play Store.

Dive into the captivating world of Amber Girls School exclusively on Amazon miniTV, available on Amazon’s shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and Play Store!

Bluevine Invests in Financial and Mental Well-Being to Help Improve Personal and Professional Lives for Employees

With a vision to create balance and growth in the lives of its employees and long-term investment in its human capital, Bluevine India has announced expanded employee benefits through enhanced plans with Modern Health and NorthStar, a leading mental health platform and an all-in-one financial advisor, respectively.

These new tie-ups have been introduced under Bluevine’s new Employee Value Proposition (EVP) program, comprised of five foundational pillars: Culture, Wellness, Growth, Rewards, and Values. This approach defines the essence of employment at Bluevine, highlighting the company’s commitment to holistic employee well-being.

Talking about how these new programs have been benefiting the employees, Mr. Ritesh Kumar, Manager, Customer Success, Bluevine India said, “Partnering with Modern Health and NorthStar has truly transformed how my team and I approach well-being. Having the benefit of accessibility to mental health resources and financial guidance at the workplace allows me to focus on my performance while not ignoring other crucial aspects of my life. This holistic support system empowers me to thrive both personally and professionally.”

Modern Health is a leading mental health platform that provides employees at Bluevine with a comprehensive suite of mental health solutions allowing them to come to work with a positive mental attitude. The facilities that Bluevine employees can access through these resources include: virtual therapy sessions, coaching, self-guided resources, and community support groups. Every January, the annual package renews, offering 12 sessions per calendar year to all employees and their dependents, regardless of their joining date, ensuring that the employees always have access to sufficient support at all times.

Through Bluevine’s partnership with NorthStar, an all-in-one financial advisor and personal finance tools platform, the Company aims to increase employee satisfaction by ensuring that their compensation packages are working to help employees achieve larger life goals. The employees benefit from personalised financial guidance, budgeting assistance, and decision-making tools that help them make informed financial decisions and optimise their compensation and benefits package.

Speaking about Bluevine’s dedication towards its employees’ well-being, Ms Payal Singh, Head Of People, Bluevine India, said, “At Bluevine, we prioritise the overall well-being of our employees. We chose to work with Modern Health and NorthStar to provide comprehensive support beyond traditional benefits that create long-term impact. By offering mental health solutions and personalized financial guidance, we aim to better the quality of life of our employees. We firmly believe in creating a harmonious workplace where both positivity and productivity are given outcomes.”

Complementing these partnerships are crucial initiatives such as Bluevine Voices – employee-led groups promoting inclusivity. Notable groups include Women’s Voices, Pride Voices, and Abled Voices, each addressing unique aspects of diversity and fostering a sense of belonging.

Recently celebrating 10 years in business that included passing milestones for 500,000 customers served and over $14 billion in loans delivered, and currently trusted with more than $1 billion in managed customer deposits, Bluevine continues to be a pioneer and U.S. market leader with its small business digital banking platform. All these initiatives underscore Bluevine’s commitment to creating a workplace that sees each employee as a whole person – prioritizing mental health, financial well-being, and inclusivity, and fostering an environment where all employees feel seen and valued.

Loox5s Constant Voltage Drivers by Hafele

Loox5 encapsulates the essence of four generations of lighting systems that have redefined home ambiance and ergonomics over the last 10 years. With its high-quality LEDs, the Loox5 system provides accentuated illumination to every desired nook and corner. It impresses with assembly that easily integrates in furniture production processes, smart and easy-to-use light control, and its connectivity to third-party systems.

The core of Häfele’s Furniture Lights, the Loox5 constant voltage drivers enable efficient energy conversion and low noise operation. Upgrading this functionality, the new Loox5s constant voltage drivers offer enhanced capabilities that provide seamless convenience, installation flexibility and compact design. With the new drivers, Häfele now introduces the 24V, 60W constant voltage driver to its portfolio, improving the solution coverage and meeting market requirements. Loox5s drivers also come with a sensor slot for connecting light switches directly to the driver, enabling switching functions in applications like wardrobe/cabinet lighting where the switching of lights is required on detecting a motion, all while using less number of accessories. The Loox5s drivers offer seamless compatibility with Loox5 accessories, making them suitable for retrofitting into existing Loox5 systems.

Schneider Electric announces the appointment of Anshum Jain as Vice President, Global Supply Chain in India

Mumbai, April 30th , 2024: Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced the appointment of Anshum Jain as the Vice President of their Global Supply Chain in India today. In his role, Anshum will focus on driving the performance of the Global Supply Chain vertical in the country and building supply chain capabilities in India in a synergistic way. He will be part of a supply chain council that will focus on creating a strong supply chain ecosystem in the country to meet the growth aspirations of both domestic and international markets.

An alumnus of NIT Nagpur, Anshum studied mechanical engineering, and later obtained his Master’s in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration from Wayne State University. With 27 years of domestic and international experience in managing all aspects of manufacturing, operations, and supply chain, he has navigated the complexities of global operations, international markets, and diverse business environments. Before joining Schneider Electric, Anshum held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles. His prior roles include positions at esteemed organizations such as Bosch (India), Cummins (US), MTU Detroit Diesel (US), and Terex (India). Additionally, he served as the COO for seven years at John Deere (India).

Welcoming Anshum to the company, Mr. Deepak Sharma, Zone President, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric, Greater India, expressed, “I am pleased to welcome Anshum to Schneider Electric India as our new VP of Global Supply Chain. Anshum brings extensive knowledge in the domain and will play a key role in driving our growth strategy in India and across the globe. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to innovate, deliver sustainable solutions, and provide exceptional value to our customers. India is one of the 4 global hubs for Schneider Electric for Manufacturing, People, R&D, and Innovation. We are steadfast in our commitment to ‘Make in India’ for India and the globe, making the country a global hub for exports.”

Sharing his thoughts on joining Schneider Electric, Mr. Anshum Jain, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Greater India said, “I am thrilled to be a part of Schneider Electric, a company that is incredibly passionate about innovation and sustainability. I am eager to collaborate with the talented team here and to apply my experience to enhance supply chain practices, help the division achieve its strategic goals, and further solidify its position as a global leader.”

iluvia, a salon professional hair care brand, celebrates National Hairstylist Appreciation Day

30th April 2024, Bangalore: In the world of personal grooming, the impact of a professional hair salon extends far beyond merely changing hairstyles. A salon visit offers a transformative experience, empowering individuals to express their unique personalities and boost their confidence through expert styling. In such an ever-evolving industry of beauty and fashion, hairdressers emerge as influential figures, shaping trends and redefining standards with their creativity and expertise.

On the occasion of National Hairstylist Appreciation Day on April 25th, iluvia, a professional haircare brand under Renaura Wellness Pvt. Ltd, acknowledges the significant contributions of hair-gurus to the craft and the industry. As a token of appreciation, iluvia undertook the initiative to honour hairstylists in over 200 salons, acknowledging their expertise and dedication to exceptional customer service.

Speaking on the occasion, Nishant Gupta, Co-founder of iluvia, said “Hair stylists and hairdressers are our biggest influencers in the salon industry. Their commitment towards pushing boundaries to achieve excellence in their craft and customer service is something, we as a brand, would like to honour. The occasion of National Hairstylist Appreciation Day has presented us with this opportunity, one which we would like to continue. As hairstylists, their ongoing contributions not only transform appearances but also uplift spirits and inspire confidence. Our objective is to continue enabling these dedicated individuals, acknowledging their invaluable impact in the world of professional hair care.”

iluvia as a brand believes in recognising the community’s role in pushing boundaries and innovating trends and techniques constantly to meet the evolving customer landscape. This ethos resonates with iluvia’s focus on performance-driven and tailored products, reflecting a commitment to excellence in every aspect of their endeavours.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Introduces New Grade of the Toyota Rumion

Bangalore, April 30, 2024 – Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), today, officially announced the opening of bookings and the price of New Grade G-AT of the Toyota Rumion along with reopening of E-CNG bookings. The newly launched G-AT variant is expected to further boost the market acceptance of the Rumion with its unmatched space and comfort, excellent fuel efficiency, stylish and premium exterior design.

The latest offering by TKM will be available at an attractive ex-showroom price of Rs. 13,00,000 with deliveries expected to commence from 5thMay onwards. Customers can book the vehicle at any of the authorized dealerships or online with a booking fee of Rs 11,000/-.

Toyota Rumion G-AT variant is powered by the 1.5-litre K series petrol engine with 6-speed Automatic Transmission, featuring the Neo Drive (ISG) technology ensuring responsive performance. While the petrol grade has a power output of 75.8 kw @6000 rpm and torque of 136.8 Nm @4400 rpm for, the CNG grade boosts of 64.6 kw output @5500 rpm and torque of 121.5 Nm@4200 rpm. The Toyota Rumion is now available in seven variants of Neo drive MT: S, G and V grade. Neo Drive AT: S, G and V grade. E-CNG: S grade offering a wide range of options for customers.

The G-AT variant is enhanced with advanced technology including a 17.78 cm Smartplay Cast Touchscreen audio system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Equipped with Toyota i-Connect, it offers remote control for climate, lock/unlock, hazard lights and many more connected features. The Toyota Rumion also prioritizes safety for its owners with advanced safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, Hill Hold, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and more.

Making the announcement, Mr. Sabari Manohar, Vice President – Sales and Strategic Marketing, TKM said, “We are excited to announce the addition of the new grade to the Toyota Rumion lineup thus offering a wider choice and more options to customers based on their mobility needs and requirements. Bookings for the G-AT variant is now open. Since its launch in August ’23, the Toyota Rumion has generated much excitement among customers, leading to strong inquiries and healthy bookings. We deeply appreciate the love and trust shown by our valued customers.

In line with Toyota’s customer centric approach, we have continued to deepen our focus towards catering to the evolving customer demands by introducing new products and variants at regular intervals with a focus on delivering them ever-better cars. We believe that with its unmatched space, advanced features, and exceptional performance, backed by Toyota’s value-added proposition and excellent after sales service, the Toyota Rumion will become a preferred choice for the discerning families looking for awesome ownership experience, ensuring every drive is filled with comfort, joy, and peace of mind.”

The Rumion brings in a stylish and premium exterior design for a tough appearance with robust characteristics like Toyota MPV signature front grille, Front Bumper with chrome finish, LED tail lamps with back door chrome garnish and machined two tone alloy wheels that exude style and sophistication. The luxurious interior offers premium dual-tone with wooden finish dashboard and door trims, premium dual-tone interiors, and a range of convenient amenities.

Toyota Rumion also beholds the highest safety standards. It comes with Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Engine immobilizer, ESP, Hill Hold assist, and ISO Fix Child seat anchorages further enhance the safety quotient. Its features also include front seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters, seat belt reminder for all seats, and a high-speed alert system.

The Toyota Rumion is packed with the legacy of Toyota service offerings with a host of customized finance schemes and unmatched value additions to enhance the customer ownership experience. The offers include – finance options for Value Added Services like Extended Warranty & Toyota Genuine Accessories, focusing on affordability and flexibility that will be beneficial to the customers. Other options include upto 8-year finance schemes, low EMI with increased affordability, pre-approved funding for value added services and Toyota Smart finance [ Balloon Finance] to support aspirational buying and present customers with a wide variety of choices.

Other value benefit services include Toyota’s newly introduced 5-year complimentary Roadside assistance, warranty – standard warranty of 3 years/1,00,000 km, which can be extended to 5 years/2,20,000 km at a nominal cost.

In addition, the company also recently launched an industry-first “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution” that extends vehicle logistic services till delivery touchpoints by eliminating possible drive down of new cars by the dealer staff to the delivery location. As an industry first, the new initiative will enable Toyota dealers to transport new vehicles from dealer stockyards to their sales outlets on a flat-bed truck.

Sonic Sanctum Studios A Haven for Musical Creation powered by Neumann

Fueled by a deep-seated passion for music and an unyielding pursuit of excellence, Sonic Sanctum Studios was established in March 2023 by renowned violinist and composer V. Sanjeev. More than just a recording studio, Sonic Sanctum is Sanjeev’s vision of an artist’s retreat where industry professionals across various fields, such as music production, film, and commercials, gather to unleash their creativity and create music. His quest for acoustic perfection permeates every facet of the studio’s operations, that is powered by world-class equipment and recording tools, including not but limited to an impressive collection of Neumann studio microphones and studio monitors.

The studio is named “Sonic Sanctum” to reflect the studio’s philosophy and dedication to the craft of music making. “Music is such a big part of everyone’s lives and the process of making it is so integral to the outcome. At Sonic Sanctum Studios, our mission is to empower artists, producers, and sound engineers to unleash their creativity. By employing state-of-the-art technology, providing personalized mentoring and maintaining our uncompromising commitment to quality, we aim to cultivate a vibrant community of music creators, and together create unique sonic experiences that set new benchmarks in the industry,” shared Sanjeev.

Technology meets artistry.

Stepping into Sonic Sanctum Studios is like entering a sonic wonderland. The studio boasts a 2.1 setup featuring a pair of KH 420 midfield studio monitors as the left and right speakers and a KH 750 DSP as the subwoofer. The studio boasts a large collection of Neumann microphones, such as the TLM 103, TLM 67, KM 184, M 147, as well as a good range of Sennheiser microphones, including the AMBEO VR Microphone. Depending on the production needs, and whether it is purely vocals or instrumentals, different microphones are deployed based on the specific requirements of the project to ensure optimal sound capture.

Sanjeev shares his personal experience with the KH 420s, which are some of the latest additions to his set-up. “After integrating KH 420s into my setup, I could immediately feel the difference in terms of the exceptional audio clarity. The lows had a distinct tightness, the mids enunciated the lifelike textures of vocals and instruments with remarkable precision, and the highs managed to retain their crispness without inducing listener fatigue. The stereo imaging and depth are also really remarkable, which has significantly simplified the process of instrument positioning through enhanced spatial cues,” Sanjeev explained.

“Most importantly, the KH 420 maintain good balance and detail at different volumes, which minimizes ear fatigue during long studio sessions. I have to say, the KH420s are a huge step-up, and have really made a difference in my mixing and mastering process,” he added.

A symphony of collaboration

Sanjeev shared his opinion about the seeming lack of awareness and understanding of sound quality, particularly within the Carnatic music scene in Chennai. But having an appreciation for the importance of community within such a niche industry, Sanjeev hopes that as Sonic Sanctum continues to grow, he can also build a strong community and foster a spirit of collaboration to help push the boundaries of music exploration. “My hope is that one day the music production in India can meet international standards. And my vision is for Sonic Sanctum to be part of the key drivers in bridging this gap by offering exceptional recording, mixing, and mastering services,” shared Sanjeev.

PayNearby partners with MyShubhLife to provide MSMEs with easy access to revolving credit

Mumbai, 30 April 2024: PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network, has announced a strategic partnership with MyShubhLife, an embedded credit platform. This collaboration aims to provide the distributors with easy access to revolving credit lines, enhancing financial agility in the MSME sector.

This partnership comes at a crucial time, with a growing demand for digital financial services among MSME distributors, particularly in underserved and remote areas. By leveraging innovation and technology, both companies are poised to meet the evolving needs and drive financial progression at scale.

MyShubhLife’s innovative technology platform, powered by advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning from its Datasciences Centre of Excellence (CoE), enables the scoring of thin credit files and facilitates simple micro-lending experiences for customers. This enables them to secure loans seamlessly, based on PayNearby’s bharosa score parameters.

PayNearby, with its extensive reach and presence, serves 75% of India through its DaaS network. The platform offers a wide range of services, including cash withdrawal, ecommerce, bill payments, savings, travel and insurance. With over 12+ lakh microentrepreneurs spread across 22,000+ PIN codes, PayNearby is at the forefront of driving financial accessibility across Bharat.

Commenting on the partnership, Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said, “We aim to provide our distributors with enhanced access to revolving credit lines, enabling them to secure better working capital and drive growth in their businesses. This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering our distributors with the financial tools they need to thrive in today’s dynamic market. By leveraging innovative solutions and technology, we strive to address the evolving requirements of our distributors and provide financial access. Together, we are dedicated to creating a lasting impact and fostering economic growth across the country.”

Monish Anand, CEO and Founder, MyShubhLife remarked, “The company has always focused on building a solid data-science-based platform to help speed up financial inclusion, with a special focus on the underserved MSME merchants across the country. The MSME segment in India is still largely ignored by the traditional banks and financial institutions due to issues such as a lack of documentation and poor or no credit history. As an organization our focus has always been the underserved and unserved segments. Our sophisticated embedded credit platform offers several advantages to the end customer. This strategic collaboration will help us achieve our shared goal of boosting the accessibility of credit and creating financial agility in the MSME space,”.

Together, we are committed to unlocking new opportunities, advancing financial accessibility, and empowering businesses to thrive in the digital age.

PUER, D2C Brand reported 130 percent Yearly Growth, Expects a 200 percent Rise in the Coming Years

New Delhi, 30th April 2024: D2C brand PUER has experienced remarkable growth from 2021 to 2024, boasting an average annual surge of 130%. The brand, which has a good hold in e-commerce platforms and quick commerce, has built a community of over 1 lakh loyal consumers who have shifted from chemical-based cleaning products to plant-based home care. Significant expansion has been concentrated in key metropolitan areas such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Pune.

PUER is planning to further boost its growth, with an anticipated 200% increase in year-on-year growth projected over the next three years, by using multi-channels like Modern Trade and starting with General Trade to make the products more accessible across India.

Ankit Daga, Co-Founder of Brand Nourish’s PUER shared, “The entire homecare market is about 53000 Cr. Among this, the persona of the customers is gradually shifting towards a more sustainable and conscious way of living in retrospect to lifestyle and all choices. PUER is driving the change, from conventionally chemical-based home cleaning into a safer and sustainable option by using plant-based ingredients. Our goal is to redefine the standards of homecare. We want to offer solutions that are not only effective but also free from harmful toxins. We want our customers to feel confident that they are making a positive choice for their homes and the environment.”

He further added, “PUER’s expertly formulated blends harness the power of plant-based enzymes to effectively combat dirt and stains, guaranteeing a pristine home environment while prioritizing safety and efficacy. Crafted with bio-enzymes and natural surfactants, the brand’s products are free from LABSA, bleach, sulphates, and phosphates. These products offer a cleaning experience without compromising on environmental or personal wellness.”

Drawing inspiration from the concept of ‘Do Better’, Brand Nourish introduced its PUER range, encompassing Home Care, Personal Care, and Baby Care essentials. In the same vein, ‘Do Better’ was also the key theme of the ‘Catch Up with Her’ video campaign that PUER launched featuring rapper ERP Iyer for International Women’s Day. The video celebrated the spirit of womanhood by showcasing how women are stepping up their game in every field and it’s men who need to ‘do better’ to catch up with them.

Shedding light on the brand’s products, within the home care lineup, PUER offers thoughtfully crafted liquid detergents, dishwashing gels, fabric conditioners, and floor cleaners. Meanwhile, the personal care selection includes gentle hand wash and liquid antiseptic solutions. Driven by a commitment to promoting the use of natural and nature-derived ingredients, the formulations of PUER’s products underscore the potency of these botanical treasures. This underscores the brand’s philosophy that efficacy doesn’t necessarily stem from harsh chemicals but rather from harnessing the power of nature’s bounty. Furthermore, PUER prioritizes sustainability. Their commitment is evident in their 100% recyclable packaging and their dedication to responsible sourcing practices.