Category Archives: Business

Taggd Certified as a Great Place to Work® in India, Championing their Commitment to Employee Well-being and Inclusivity

120th April 2024, Gurugram: Tagged, India’s leading Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) firm, celebrates its prestigious certification as a Great Place to Work® in India (from February 2024 to January 2025). The certification proves their belief that “people care is good business,” with progressive practices woven into their culture and technology. Investing in People, Powering Success

The company prioritizes continuous learning and development, fostering a culture of growth. Notably, Taggd champions gender diversity, with a remarkable 60% of its payroll going to women. Additionally, Taggd empowers its team to excel by offering a supportive environment and a unique well-being leave policy each month. These initiatives, along with many others, played a vital role in securing the Great Place to Work® certification.

The company excelled in areas like trust, workplace culture, transparency, respect, credibility, camaraderie, and inclusivity, particularly shining in employee empowerment, workplace safety, and promoting equality.

Devashish Sharma, CEO and Founding Member of Taggd expressed his pride: “We are deeply honored by this recognition. At Taggd, our core values revolve around prioritizing people and fostering growth. We cultivate a culture where joy, purpose, and energy thrive, allowing our team to excel both personally and professionally. Taggd is the sum of its talented team members, the #Taggers, who live these values every day. They are the heart of the Taggd brand and the driving force behind our exceptional client service.”

The Power of the “5Gs”

Taggd’s success thrives on its dedicated team and their unwavering commitment to excellence. The company’s core values, the “5Gs,” guide employee behavior:

• Go-getter: Focus on solutions, embrace challenges, and deliver results resourcefully.
• Gifted: Be exceptional, identify connections others miss, and thrive on change while simplifying processes.
• Genuine: Be authentic, transparent, known for candor, and consistent in all interactions.
• Guides: Be curious learners and admired sources of knowledge in your expertise.
• Grounded: Be open to diverse viewpoints to find the best solutions.
• Taggd’s journey as a Great Place to Work® exemplifies its commitment to its people and its innovative approach to recruitment.

Modular Interoperability Layer Union to Integrate with the AggLayer, Connecting the Polygon and Cosmos Ecosystems

DOVER, DE—20th April 2024 — Union Labs, the modular interoperability layer, will be integrating with the AggLayer, a decentralized service developed by Polygon Labs that safely connects chains to enable shared state and liquidity, to facilitate message passing and asset transfers between the Polygon ecosystem chains connected to the AggLayer and the broader Cosmos ecosystem. This integration will position Union as a key IBC gateway in and out of the AggLayer, a unified zk-bridge connecting sovereign, modular chains while maintaining the unified liquidity and UX of the monolithic architecture.

The integration will unlock greater liquidity access and movement between AggLayer-connected chains and IBC-enabled chains, ensuring a trustless, efficient, and low-latency process. Layer 2 solutions leveraging Polygon CDK will benefit from the seamless access to liquidity without vendor lock-in, freedom for technical innovation through open standards, and unrestricted liquidity movement and composability with other Web3 protocols, provided by the integration.

“The integration between Union and the AggLayer, developed by Polygon Labs, extends beyond a physical integration; it is a testament to both projects’ commitment to addressing the siloed nature of blockchains while upholding sovereignty,” said Karel Kubat, Founder of Union Labs. “A secure link between AggLayer-connected blockchains and IBC-enabled chains will greatly benefit projects in both ecosystems and developers looking for the freedom afforded by the modular design and zk-proof bridging technology.”

The AggLayer is a shared zk-bridge contract enabling all CDK-based chains to seamlessly tap into the liquidity and user base of Layer 1s while benefiting from unified liquidity among Layer 2s themselves. The modular design allows developers to customize networks according to specific needs and zero-knowledge proofs ensure cryptographic security.

“Union’s integration into the AggLayer is a significant milestone for both the Polygon and Cosmos ecosystems leveraging the AggLayer’s unique architecture to unlock modular and monolithic benefits for both ecosystems,” said Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs. “It streamlines liquidity flow for current projects and users while catalyzing innovation.”

Union, recently joined forces with Scroll, Noble, Movement, and Celestia to enhance liquidity flow across the modular tech stack, further enhancing the utility of native assets within the Polygon ecosystem and reducing liquidity and user fragmentation throughout the entire rollup ecosystem.

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Concept PR bags mandate for Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF)

New Delhi, 20th April 2024 Concept Public Relations India Limited (Concept PR), part of the Concept Group, an independent integrated communication group, has won the PR mandate for the esteemed Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), a venture studio that supports entrepreneurial ideas of the fashion industry and fosters a collaborative fashion ecosystem, is inviting fashion entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and grab the opportunity to transform their dreams into reality, with an initial investment of Rs 20 crores.

Led by Mr. Sanjay Nigam and Mr. Vagish Pathak (Chairman, Fashion Entrepreneur Fund), the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) has garnered the support of prominent key business leaders as investors, including Indian film director Karan Johar, Vinod Dugar (Honorary Consul of Malawi and Co-Promoter of RDB Group), Mr. Sandeep Jain (Director of Vega Industries Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Gaurav Dalmia (Chairman of Dalmia Group Holdings), Mr. Sukhraj Nahar (Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of Nahar Group), Ms. Manju Yagnik (Vice-Chairperson, Nahar Group), Mr. Prithviraj Kothari (Managing Director of RiddhiSiddhi Bullion Ltd – RSBL), Ms. Sonali Dugar (Dugar Finance & Investments Limited) and Mr. Naveen Jindal (Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power Limited). Together, they bring invaluable expertise to complement Mr. Nigam’s entrepreneurial vision.

The partnership with Fashion Entrepreneur Fund not only amplifies Concept PR’s diverse portfolio but also solidifies its position as a leader in shaping and elevating brands. With a commitment to strategic prowess and immaculate execution, Concept PR is poised to bring its unique blend of creativity and expertise to the forefront of these prominent ventures.

Mr. Ashish Jalan, Managing Director of Concept PR, conveyed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Concept PR is truly honored to be entrusted with the PR mandate for the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund. This partnership not only reflects our steadfast dedication to fostering success in fashion and entrepreneurship but also underscores the exceptional concept behind FEF. As a venture studio, FEF is committed to nurturing innovative ideas within the fashion industry and fostering a collaborative ecosystem. With FEF inviting fashion entrepreneurs to showcase their visionary business ideas, we are eager to leverage our expertise and creativity to enhance the brand presence of this prestigious venture. Together, we look forward to turning dreams into reality.”

Highlighting Concept PR’s strategic prowess, Mr. Jalan emphasized the value addition to the company’s diverse portfolio through the inclusion of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund. He stated, “Collaborating with industry leaders not only boosts our portfolio but also provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the success of these ventures. We are confident that our strategic insights and execution capabilities will play a pivotal role in making the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund a resounding success.”

Mr. Sanjay Nigam, Founder of FEF India Fashion Awards and Fashion Entrepreneur Fund, conveyed his confidence in Concept PR. He stated, “Selecting a PR partner is a critical decision, and Concept PR’s stellar industry reputation, coupled with their history of successful campaigns, made them the clear choice. I have full belief in the team’s ability to authentically convey the essence and vision of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund.”

“Entrusting them with our ‘baby’ is a decision I make with absolute trust in their capabilities,” affirmed Mr. Nigam.

This partnership signifies the alignment of shared values and goals, and Concept PR is geared up to deploy its expertise to enhance the visibility and impact of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund. The collaboration promises a synergy of creativity, innovation, and strategic communication that will undoubtedly set new benchmarks in the fashion and entrepreneurship industries.

Professor Dr Robert Zeiser receives DKMS Mechtild Harf Science Award 2024

Hyderabad/Tuebingen, 20th April 2024: The DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden honored Professor Dr Robert Zeiser, one of the world’s most exceptional scientists in the field of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, with the DKMS Mechtild Harf Science Award 2024. The award recognizes the lifetime achievements of internationally renowned physicians and scientists in the field of stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. “Prof Dr Robert Zeiser’s findings in fundamental research of Graft-versus-Host Disease have led to new therapeutic approaches that are changing standard practices and are significantly improving the outcome for patients after stem cell transplantation. This is also true of his studies on the control of disease relapse after transplantation,” explains Prof Dr Katharina Fleischhauer, member of the DKMS Medical Council and Head of the Institute for Cell Therapy Research at Essen University Hospital, in recognition of this year’s award winner. Zeiser, Head of the Department of Tumor Immunology and Immune Regulation, and Head of the Zeiser Laboratory at the Department of Internal Medicine I at Freiburg University Hospital accepted the award on 15 April 2024 in the presence of doctors and guests from all over the world at the annual EBMT (European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation) meeting in Glasgow. At the ceremony, four outstanding young scientists in the field of blood cancer therapy were also awarded the highly coveted DKMS John Hansen Research Grant 2024.

“Zeiser is one of the most internationally renowned scientists in the field of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and he has decisively advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of Graft-versus-Host disease (GvHD),” said Prof Fleischhauer at the presentation of the DKMS Mechtild Harf Science Award, which comes with 10,000 Euro. “The new therapeutic principles based on his findings in the treatment of this serious complication are a prime example of successfully implementing fundamental research findings to improve patient care.”

New therapy to counter life-threatening immune recations

For the majority of patients with acute leukemia, an allogeneic blood stem cell transplant remains the only hope of a cure. However, the therapy is associated with risks: After the transplantation, around one in two patients experiences a life-threatening immune reaction known as Graft-versus-Host disease (GvHD). In this case, certain cells (T cells) in the donor’s transplant recognize the recipient’s cells or organs as foreign and cause damage to them. GvHD triggers painful inflammation in various organs. Around half of GvHD patients do not respond to standard immunosuppressive therapies, such as cortisone, and for a long time, no alternative treatment was available. This has changed thanks to the work of Prof Zeiser and his team. Through detailed research into the disease processes, they recognized that an active substance from the Janus kinase inhibitor family can inhibit the inflammatory messengers that occur in GvHD. With the help of an already-approved cancer drug, the undesired reaction can be mitigated and partially prevented. The results of an initiated international multicentric phase-III study led to the approval of Ruxolitinib for the treatment of acute and corticosteroid-refractory GvHD.

Through further research, Zeiser and his team were able to prove that the acute immune reaction after a transplant often begins in the intestine, as it loses its barrier function. “Our analyses showed that blood cancer cells can influence and even switch off the function of immune cells with the help of lactic acid. We now want to investigate exactly how these processes take place. We aim to find new, targeted therapies that can prevent serious complications after a stem cell transplant,” says Zeiser, who is also the spokesperson for the Collaborative Research Centre 1479 OncoEscape and a member of the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS (Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies).

How young scientists help to improve blood cancer treatment

During the ceremony, four outstanding fellows were also announced as the recipients of the prized DKMS John Hansen Research Grants 2024: Livius Peter, MD (Charité, University Hospital Berlin, Germany), Tobias Wertheimer, MD (University of Freiburg, Germany), Senthil Bhoopalan, MD, PhD (Memphis, USA), and Nicoletta Cieri, MD, PhD (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA). All four of these excellent young scientists are currently working on research priorities in the field of blood cancer therapy. These include the early diagnosis of disease relapses, the development of a GvHD prognosis tool, cellular interactions between immune and leukemia cells, as well as rare diseases such as Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). “We are convinced that supporting young medical and scientific talent is a valuable investment in the future,” emphasized Prof Dr Marcel van den Brink, Chairman of the DKMS Medical Advisory Board. With the DKMS John Hansen Research Grant, up to four young scientists are given the opportunity each year to advance their research projects in the field of stem cell transplantation and cell therapy for blood cancer. The grant awards recipients 240,000 Euro over three years. Information on the call for applications and the application process for the DKMS John Hansen Research Grant is available here.

Mahindra Lifespaces sells homes worth350 Cr in 2 Days at Mahindra Zen, Bengaluru’s 1st Net Zero Waste + Energy Homes

Bengaluru, 20th April 2024: Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, today announced the successful launch of Bengaluru’s 1st Net Zero Waste + Energy residential project, Mahindra Zen. The project witnessed an outstanding response from homebuyers, with over 150 homes booked within just 2 days, which is ~ 65% of the launched inventory. This remarkable achievement, totaling over ₹350 crores in value, underscores the growing demand for sustainable living solutions in Bengaluru.

Against the backdrop of rising environmental concerns, Mahindra Lifespaces’ innovative offering has resonated strongly with homebuyers, reaffirming the company’s position as a leader in sustainable real estate development.

Vimalendra Singh, Chief Business Officer (Residential), Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited said, “The successful sales of Mahindra Zen reinforces our commitment to environmentally responsible development and highlights the growing preference for sustainable living among our customers in Bengaluru. As pioneers of Net Zero homes in the country, we aim to contribute to reducing the environmental impact of real estate and are delighted with the response that our project has received. This achievement highlights the increasing awareness and desire among homebuyers to contribute to a greener future.”

Mahindra Zen offers ‘nature-crafted living’ with features inspired by the five elements of nature viz. Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Air: like the urban forest, solar-powered working pods, and symphony corner. Additionally, Mahindra Zen embodies a climate-responsive design with features such as solar-powered amenities and low-flow sanitary fixtures, contributing to resource conservation. With amenities also promoting sustainable living, Mahindra Zen reflects a holistic approach to community well-being.

The location of Mahindra Zen offers easy access to major business parks and IT hubs like Electronic City, ensuring a convenient daily commute. The neighborhood features renowned educational institutions, shopping centers, supermarkets, entertainment venues, and dining options, catering to family needs. Residents can also enjoy Bengaluru’s vibrant nightlife, adding to the overall lifestyle appeal.

Comcast Launches NOW in FL a New Low-Cost Brand

Miami, FL, April 19, 2024 –Today, Comcast introduced NOW, a new brand of quality, low-cost Internet, mobile and streaming TV products that consumers can purchase month-to-month. NOW Internet is a prepaid service that provides more reliability than fixed wireless options for a better price. NOW Mobile is a new prepaid service that includes unlimited 5G data combined with access to more than 23 million WiFi hotspots, unlike any other provider in the prepaid category.

Backed by the powerful Xfinity network and the most reliable 5G, NOW delivers a connection customers can rely on for Internet, mobile or streaming in their homes or on the go. NOW products are designed to be incredibly simple with all-in pricing, no contracts or credit checks. Customers can sign up, pause, or cancel online, anytime.

“You spoke. We listened. NOW Internet, Mobile and TV are designed specifically for budget-conscious consumers who know what features they want and only want to pay for what they use. We want to make sure consumers know we deliver NOW over our Xfinity network, which includes more than 23 million WiFi hotspots nationwide and is 99.9% reliable,” said Jeff Buzzelli, Comcast Regional Senior Vice President, Florida.

Unveiling the Full NOW Portfolio & Pricing
NOW Internet and Mobile join NOW TV and NOW WiFi Pass to create a comprehensive portfolio of quality, low-cost products that consumers can purchase month-to-month, whenever they want.

– NOW Internet customers will be able to choose between two prepaid options: 100 Mbps for $30/month, or 200 Mbps for $45/month. Each tier includes unlimited data and an Xfinity gateway.

– NOW Mobile will provide unlimited 5G data, talk and text for $25/line and will be the only prepaid wireless option that seamlessly connects customers to more than 23 million Xfinity hotspots.

– NOW TV is a streaming offering for Xfinity Internet customers that includes live and on-demand programming from 40+ networks, more than two dozen integrated FAST channels, and Peacock Premium, all for $20/month.
– NOW WiFi Pass gives customers unlimited access to more than 23 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots for $20 for 30 days.

A New Option for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Customers
The NOW portfolio is poised to be particularly impactful for Americans looking for cost-effective connectivity. The federal government recently announced that April is the last full month of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) if it does not receive additional funding. NOW Internet and Mobile will provide customers enrolled in ACP with another option for affordable, reliable connectivity – supplementing Comcast’s longstanding low-income broadband adoption options internet Essentials and Internet Essentials Plus and Xfinity’s current suite of offerings.

Engel & Volkers Sixth Year as Tampa Bay Top Workplace

Tampa, FL, April 19, 2024 –– Engel & Völkers South Tampa, Engel & Völkers Belleair, and Engel & Völkers Madeira Beach ranked, for the sixth consecutive year, one of Tampa Bay’s Top Workplaces 2024 by the Tampa Bay Times.

This program was created by the Tampa Bay Times and Energage. Energage is an employee engagement platform which enables users to learn, understand and leverage employee ideas to align and equip leaders, and empower employees to participate and take actions that make a difference in their workplace. Multiple leading companies within the Tampa Bay region were evaluated by their employees and were ranked by the Tampa Bay Times based on leadership, compensation and training, workplace flexibility, and diversity. To be considered for participation, companies or government entities had to employ at least 50 workers in Florida and be at least one year in business.

Employees from hundreds of local Tampa Bay area businesses were surveyed about several topics, including practices and policies that make these companies the top places to work. “We are honored to have been recognized as a top workplace for six consecutive years, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and the dedication of our exceptional team,” states Cherie Pattishall, Broker and License Partner for both Engel & Völkers Madeira Beach and Engel & Völkers South Tampa. “This prestigious award reflects our enduring success in fostering a workplace culture defined by achievement, collaboration, and unparalleled service.” Pattishall is also a member of the Luxury Home Marketing Institute and holds several designations including Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), e-Pro, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), and Professional Property Management Certificate (PPMC).

Tiny Stars Creative Achieves Certification as a Women-Owned Business

Mukilteo, WA, April 19, 2024 — Tiny Stars Creative, a leading design agency based in Mukilteo, Washington, is proud to announce its official certification as a Women-Owned Business in Washington. This certification highlights the agency’s commitment to diversity, equality, and the advancement of women in the business community.

Led by Dawn Anderson, Tiny Stars Creative has established itself as a premier destination for web design, graphic design, and branding solutions. With a dedication to creativity, innovation, and client satisfaction, the agency has earned recognition for its exceptional work and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Becoming certified as a Women-Owned Business is a significant milestone for Tiny Stars Creative. It underscores the agency’s ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity and empower women in design and entrepreneurship. This certification reflects the agency’s values and opens up new opportunities for growth and collaboration in the local community and beyond.

“We are thrilled to receive certification as a Women-Owned Business in Washington State,” said Dawn Anderson, Founder and Creative Director of Tiny Stars Creative. “This achievement represents a significant milestone for our agency and reinforces our commitment to diversity, equality, and women’s empowerment. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients excellently while contributing to women’s advancement in the business world.”

As a certified Women-Owned Business, Tiny Stars Creative is poised to expand its reach, strengthen its partnerships, and positively impact the design industry and beyond. With a talented team of designers, developers, and strategists, the agency remains dedicated to delivering outstanding results and exceeding client expectations.

Strong Overall Growth Reported for SkySparc

Stockholm, Sweden, April 19, 2024 — Headquartered in Stockholm, SkySparc was founded in 2002 with a mission to drive value for corporates and financial institutions by creating efficiencies through innovation. It focuses on providing strategy and transformation services, as well as a suite of progressive SaaS platforms including OmniFi and Optimizer.

– SkySparc reported a 20% year-over-year growth in its core operating profitability, as measured by EBITDA.

– This significant growth is accompanied by a 43% increase in its client base from the previous year.

– Last year, SkySparc expanded its workforce by nearly 27%, reaching a total of over 110 team members worldwide.

Thanks to recent strong financial results, SkySparc has invested heavily in services, including development of its Strategy & Transformation and Center of Excellence services, that will increase the company’s capabilities in the coming years. It also released an updated version of its award-winning, SaaS-based automation platform, OmniFi v9, and improved its fully automated Optimizer solution.

Joakim Wiener, CEO, SkySparc, said: “With our remarkable growth and solid financial performance in 2023, we are moving the practice into a new phase of modernization and advancement. I am truly delighted with our achievements, which will allow us to confidently navigate the fast-evolving landscape our clients face. This involves strategic, compliance and operational matters, while helping them gain overall efficiencies.”

EMERG-NC Property Rescuers Celebrates Landmark Achievement

Raleigh, NC, April 19, 2024 — EMERG-NC Property Rescuers is delighted to announce a significant milestone in its journey of excellence – the reception of its 200th Google review, accompanied by an outstanding 4.9-star rating. This achievement underscores the company’s unwavering dedication to providing top-tier property restoration services and exceeding customer expectations.

As a family-owned and operated business, EMERG-NC takes immense pride in its commitment to excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction. Each positive review and high rating received reflects the company’s relentless pursuit of delivering exceptional quality and reliable solutions to its valued customers.

“We are thrilled and honored to reach this remarkable milestone of 200 Google reviews with a stellar 4.9-star rating,” said Ryan Oakley, President of EMERG-NC Property Rescuers. “This accomplishment is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to providing top-notch property restoration services.”

EMERG-NC Property Rescuers extends its heartfelt gratitude to its loyal customers for their trust and support. The company remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the highest standards of service, efficiency, and integrity, ensuring that it continues to be the preferred choice for property rescue needs in Raleigh and beyond.

With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, EMERG-NC Property Rescuers looks forward to building on this success, fostering lasting relationships, and delivering exceptional experiences to its customers for years to come.