Category Archives: Technology

IIITH’s Social Tech Incubator launches cohort of GreenTech Startups with EPAM Systems

IIITH’s Social Tech Incubator launches cohort of GreenTech Startups with EPAM Systems:
Leverages AI, IoT, Robotics and GIS

Hyderabad, September 12, 2025: AIC-IIITH has launched the 3rd Akash EPAM Social Impact Innovation Program (ESIIP) to support GreenTech startups in areas like Green Energy, Smart Cities, Climate Tech, Sustainable Agriculture, and Mobility. The program also leverages IIITH’s strong research ecosystem to drive cutting-edge innovation in areas like AI/ML, Robotics, GIS etc to advance India’s UN SDG commitments with a focus on Climate Action (SDG 13). The program recognises the importance of research-led tech and entrepreneurial innovation towards sustainable climate action.

Startup-led innovation is a critical driver of climate action, especially in developing countries like India. Yet an analysis by Cambridge Associates shows that Emerging Market Greentech startups attract only 9% of total investment in the sector. As per AIC-IIITH’s research, a mere ~0.2% of total CSR spending has been spent on Innovation.

Through this program, AIC-IIITH Foundation and EPAM Systems, Inc., a leading digital transformation services and product engineering company, have selected 12 Startups. The program will provide these Greentech Startups with equity-free grants of up to INR 5,00,000 and Incubation Support. There is a special focus on helping these startups connect with Professor and researchers at IIITH and leverage institutes expertise in tech areas AI/ML, IoT, Robotics, GIS. Especially these Startups have good synergies with Smart City Labs at IIITH.

Congratulating the selected startups and these efforts, Prof. Ramesh Loganathan, Director of AIC-IIITH said, “Tech innovation is key to solving the climate crisis and as a leading Information Technology university in India focused on research that matters, this program fits perfectly with our overall vision. We look forward to actively supporting these startups with our expertise.”

T0 date AIC-IIITH has run 8 cohorts and supported 60+ startups with incubation support and INR 3+ Cr of funding. AIC-IIITH’s startups are solving pressing challenges in sectors like agriculture, education, accessibility, climate and creating 430+ jobs.

The key highlights of this year’s program include milestone-based grant support of up to INR 5 Lakhs, incubation support, business coaching and access to IIIT-Hyderabad’s Smart City Labs.

“Bold, early-stage ideas in climate tech often struggle to move forward due to limited access to capital, technical depth or networks. At EPAM India, we see it as an opportunity to close that gap. Our partnership with AIC-IIITH is designed to support entrepreneurs who are solving real-world problems with technology, and to create an ecosystem where purposeful innovation is rightfully enabled.”– Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director, EPAM Systems India Pvt. Ltd.

The Hartford Launches Technology Center in Hyderabad to Drive Innovation and AI Transformation

The Hartford Announces Launch Of Technology Center In Hyderabad To Drive Innovation And AI Transformation

HYDERABAD, India, Sept. 11, 2025 – The Hartford, a leading U.S.-based insurance company, announces the launch of its new technology center in Hyderabad, India. This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s technology transformation journey and reinforces its commitment to innovation, agility and global talent development.

The Hartford’s technology center will serve as a hub for engineering excellence, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and advanced technology development. The center will operate in a start-up-like environment, enabling rapid prototyping and experimentation across time zones. It will complement The Hartford’s existing U.S. technology centers in Hartford, Connecticut; Chicago, Illinois; and Charlotte, North Carolina, and support the company’s broader innovation agenda.

“This is an exciting time at The Hartford as we accelerate our use of AI as the foundation of innovation in our products and processes,” said The Hartford’s Chief Information Officer Shekar Pannala.

The Hartford’s Chief Data, AI and Operations Officer Jeff Hawkins added, “More than simply adopting new technologies, we are advancing our digital, data analytics and AI capabilities to create customized, fast, reliable and more meaningful customer experiences.” 

The Hartford has engaged Capgemini, a leading global business and technology transformation partner, to assist with a seamless setup and operational excellence from day one. India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, and Hyderabad has emerged as a premier destination for technology centers due to its infrastructure maturity, strategic location and thriving innovation ecosystem. The Hartford’s presence in India will offer exciting career opportunities for professionals with expertise in AI, data science, cloud architecture and digital engineering.

BenQ Launches InstaShow VS25 and WDC15 at InfoComm India 2025

September 11, 2025: BenQ, a global innovator in professional display and collaboration technology, today unveiled two advanced wireless collaboration solutions at InfoComm India 2025: the InstaShow VS25 wireless conferencing system and the InstaShow WDC15 wireless presentation system. The launch in India marks the first global rollout of these solutions, signifying the country’s critical role in BenQ’s worldwide expansion plans. These products address critical pain points in India’s rapidly evolving corporate sector, offering immediate, plug-and-play solutions for hybrid meetings and multi-presenter scenarios.

The InstaShow VS25 is a comprehensive wireless conferencing system designed for modern BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting) environments. Supporting up to 64 buttons total with 4 simultaneous presenters, the VS25 enables seamless integration with all major video conferencing platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet. With Wi-Fi 6 technology and native support for AirPlay, ChromeCast, and Miracast, the VS25 allows teams to share content from any device – laptops, tablets, or smartphones – while maintaining crystal-clear 4K@60Hz resolution. Its touchback control feature enables presenters to annotate and control content directly from interactive displays, making it ideal for collaborative brainstorming sessions and hybrid meetings.

The InstaShow WDC15, optimised for larger presentation and training scenarios, supports up to 16 simultaneous presenters – a game-changer for boardrooms, training facilities, and collaborative workshops. Both models feature BenQ’s patented hardware-based wireless technology that requires zero software installation, no network configuration, and no IT support. Users simply plug in the button and tap to present, with enterprise-grade AES 256-bit encryption and CVSS 4.0 certification ensuring complete data security.

“Indian enterprises lose valuable time to technical difficulties in meetings, with studies showing up to 15 minutes wasted per meeting on connectivity issues,” said Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India. “The InstaShow VS25 and WDC15 eliminate these friction points entirely. The VS25 particularly addresses the hybrid meeting challenge; allowing in-room participants to share content wirelessly while maintaining seamless integration with remote attendees through any video conferencing platform. Both solutions work straight out of the box – no apps, no drivers, no IT configuration required. Moreover, we’re thrilled to be introducing these game-changing products to the world through India first, which speaks to our deep faith in the Indian market’s readiness for next-generation workplace solutions and its influence in shaping global collaboration trends.”

Both products directly support India’s digital transformation and hybrid work evolution. As Indian enterprises embrace flexible collaboration models post-pandemic, InstaShow enables truly democratic meetings where any participant can share content instantly, regardless of their device or technical expertise. The stable 40-metre transmission range and support for multiple operating systems ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure while future-proofing meeting rooms for evolving collaboration needs.

Sandisk® Launches WD Blue® SN5100 NVMe™ SSD in India

NEW DELHI, INDIA– September 11, 2025 Engineered to accelerate AI-enabled workflows, handle demanding productivity tasks, and streamline 4K and 8K video editing, the WD Blue® SN5100 NVMe™ SSD delivers up to 30% higher performance over the previous generation3.

Powered by SANDISK® BiCS8 QLC 3D CBA NAND and enhanced with SANDISK nCache™ 4.0 technology, the WD Blue® SN5100 NVMe™ SSD achieves read speeds of up to 7,100 MB/s1 (1TB–2TB models). With storage capacities ranging from 500GB up to 4TB2, this SSD ensures faster large-file transfers, improved responsiveness for heavy applications, and reliable performance for today’s data-intensive workloads.

Key Features of the WD Blue SN5100 NVMe SSD include:

Highlights:

• PCIe® Gen 4.0 performance with read speeds up to 7,100MB/s (1TB–2TB models), delivering up to 30% faster speeds vs. prior generation3
• Copy large files or project folders in blistering speeds thanks to the SANDISK® nCache™ 4.0 technology. 
• SANDISK BiCS8 QLC 3D CBA NAND technology for higher density and capacity
• Capacities available in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB2 on M.2 2280 single-sided assembly
• 5-year limited warranty 4 
• Free Acronis® True Image™ for Sandisk software download for seamless data migration
• SANDISK Dashboard application5 for health monitoring and firmware updates

Escape Plan Bolsters Leadership Team with Veterans from Samsonite, Myntra, Wipro and More

Travel Platform Escape Plan strengthens core leadership with industry veterans from Samsonite, Myntra, Wipro, Blissclub, Porter and more

Bengaluru, September 11, 2025: Escape Plan, the design-first, fashion-forward travel accessories platform, today announced the expansion of its leadership team across product, sourcing, finance, creative, and growth. The new leaders bring decades of expertise from global and Indian companies such as Samsonite, Myntra, Blissclub, Wipro, Porter, etc. affirming Escape Plan’s ambition to reimagine travel gear for the new age traveller.

Key Leadership Appointments

Pankaj Shroff, Chief Financial Officer, Pankaj is a seasoned finance leader with over 20 years of experience across KPMG, Ernst & Young, Hindustan National Glass, and Porter, where he rose from Head of Finance to CFO. He brings deep expertise in corporate finance, investor relations, treasury, and compliance to boost the future growth of Esc Plan.

Soumen Samanta joins as Founding Member & Chief Business Officer after his notable stint as CXO of Blissclub. He leads the Online & Offline PnL along with category strategy, operations planning & tech+marketing support charters . He has in the past held leadership & impactful roles across Meesho, Swiggy, Myntra, Aditya Birla, Landmark Group & alum of XLRI Jamshedpur.

Anuj Singh, former Director of Sourcing at Samsonite South Asia, now leads sourcing and vendor management, ensuring they build a world class facility of R&D for every brand that wants to get into Travel as a category.

Rohit Rungta, joins us as Founding Member and Chief Commercial Officer. Rohit brings 15 years of strong experience from Wipro and Cuemath in corporate strategy, fundraising, and operational efficiency. He will anchor Escape Plan’s financial discipline and drive long-term strategic growth initiatives and enable rapid expansion.

“Travel today is no longer about utility, it is about expression, speed, ease and design. By bringing on leaders who have shaped some of the world’s most respected brands, we are building a strong foundation to build Escape Plan as the go to platform both online and offline — for everything travel,” said Abhinav Pathak, Co-founder & CEO of Escape Plan and a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus.

“Retail is about people, both the team that builds it and the consumers we serve. With this diverse, well seasoned leadership team, we are positioned to accelerate Escape Plan’s growth and design-led vision in India and beyond,” said Abhinav Zutshi, Co-founder of Escape Plan and a retail industry veteran.

As Escape Plan gears up for its next phase of growth, the company remains committed to designing travel gear that inspires freedom, style, and utility and build a platform for All things travel across different channels.

Celebrate World EV Day with These 5 Stylish and Eco-Friendly Electric Scooters

This World EV Day, take a step towards a cleaner and smarter future by switching to an electric scooter. EVs not only help reduce your carbon footprint but also deliver a stylish, efficient, and cost-effective ride for your everyday commute. Here are the top 5 electric scooters that combine innovation with sustainability, making urban travel both eco-friendly and enjoyable.

Ather 450X

The Ather 450X is engineered for the tech-savvy urban rider. It boasts a 6 kW motor delivering 26 Nm of instant torque, accelerating swiftly with a top speed suitable for city traffic. Its 161 km range and fast charging (80% in 3 hours) make it practical for daily use. Motorsport-inspired design, monoshock suspension, aluminium chassis, balanced weight distribution, and a low centre of gravity all contribute to superior handling and comfort even on bumpy roads. The Ather 450X is a perfect blend of performance, style, and sustainability.

Odysse SUN

The Odysse SUN is a high-speed electric scooter crafted for modern city riders who seek power, comfort, and smart mobility. Equipped with a 2500W peak motor, it reaches a top speed of 70 km/h and offers two battery options- 1.95 kWh (~85 km range) and 2.90 kWh (~130 km range). Riders enjoy premium features like an aviation-grade cushioned plus-size comfort seat, 32-litre under-seat storage, and keyless start-stop, along with City Drive, Reverse, and Parking modes for effortless control. With its refined design, superior suspension, and dual disc brakes, SUN delivers a perfect blend of performance, practicality, and everyday convenience.

TVS iQube Smart

For riders looking for a well-balanced mix of performance and practicality, the TVS iQube Smart is a compelling choice. Powered by a 3.04 kWh lithium-ion battery, it offers a real-world range of 75–100 km on a single charge and a top speed of 78 km/h. Built to handle daily commutes with ease, it supports a load capacity of up to 150 kg and can comfortably manage city inclines. The scooter is backed by a 3-year/50,000 km warranty, providing dependable support and confidence for long-term use.

Bajaj Chetak

For those looking for a premium yet practical electric scooter, the Bajaj Chetak makes a strong case. With a top speed of 63 km/h and a durable 2.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, it offers a real-world range of 90–108 km on a single charge. Built to carry up to 150 kg, it tackles city rides with ease and provides smooth handling on inclines. The Chetak also comes with a comprehensive 7-year or 70,000 km warranty on the battery, assuring riders of long-term reliability and low maintenance costs.

Hero Vida V1

For those looking for a premium yet practical electric scooter, the Hero Vida V1 stands out as a strong contender. With a top speed of 80 km/h and a robust 3.94 kWh lithium-ion battery, it offers a certified range of up to 165 km on a single charge. Built to carry a load capacity of around 150 kg, it delivers smooth performance and can handle varied terrains with ease. The scooter is backed by Hero’s trusted service network and comes with a 3-year or 30,000 km warranty, making it a dependable choice for long-term urban commuting.

Industry Leaders Back GST Reforms as Catalyst for Digital Innovation and Sustainable Growth

By – Amin Habibi, Co-Founder and COO, VergeCloud

“At VergeCloud, we believe rationalizing GST for digital infrastructure will not only accelerate innovation but also strengthen India’s position as a global hub for sovereign technology. Lowering the burden on cloud and CDN services can directly reduce the cost of doing business for startups, MSMEs, and enterprises that depend on reliable digital infrastructure. A fair GST framework would also encourage more foreign investment in India’s data economy, promote local R&D, and align with the government’s vision of Digital India”

By – Amit Relan, Co-Founder and CEO, mFilterit

“The GST 2.0 reform is not just a tax simplification exercise—it’s a structural shift that will reshape how businesses, especially consumer-facing industries, plan for growth. As demand picks up across sectors, companies will need to balance scale with compliance discipline. The winners will be those who can align efficiency with trust, both in their operations and in their customer relationships. For India, this is an inflection point where fiscal policy and market confidence can work hand-in-hand to unlock sustainable growth.”

France’s ECE Engineering School introduces Milo, a groundbreaking AI classmate

The 5 Laptop Features Every Small Agency Should Care About in 2025

For small agencies and SOHOs, the laptop is more than a device, it’s your creative studio, client pitch deck, and collaboration hub all in one. Yet, many decision-makers still focus only on processor speed and storage when buying new machines. But while most people only look at processor speed or storage, what really matters today are features that give you endurance, intelligence, and security for a business-grade edge.

Here are five laptop features worth prioritizing before your next upgrade:

1. AI-Powered Productivity with the Latest NPUs

Devices powered by the latest Intel Ultra Series 2 processors with integrated NPUs (Neural Processing Units) can offload tasks like real-time transcription, live translations, background noise cancellation, and auto-framing during video calls.

Unlike cloud-based AI, these run locally on the machine, ensuring better speed and higher data privacy—critical for agencies handling sensitive client conversations. For teams juggling multiple calls and presentations daily, these AI-powered capabilities reduce fatigue, improve collaboration, and give back valuable time.

2. Portability That Doesn’t Quit Mid-Meeting

Agency teams often work on the move, whether it’s client visits, co-working spaces, or travel. Having a slim laptop is great, but it’s useless if the battery drains halfway through a pitch. That’s why balance matters.

The ASUS ExpertBook B5 model shows what to look for: around 1.36 kg with all-day battery and rapid recharge, so you can run a client workshop, travel, then finish proposals without scrambling for a charger. Their ExpertBook P5 model follows the same principle, combining a compact build with practical endurance for teams who split time between home, office, client sites, and co-working spaces.

3. Worry-free Durability you can trust

Durability often doesn’t get enough attention until a laptop fails under pressure. Business devices should be able to survive more than just desk use—they need to handle travel, rough handling, and daily wear.

Laptops that pass MIL-STD 810H military-grade tests offer better assurance. These tests cover everything from shock and vibration to spill resistance and hinge strength. Models such as the ExpertBook P5 and B5, meet these standards—offering reassurance that they’re built for long-term use.

4. Enterprise-grade security plus business-first support

Client’s trust depends on layered security. Prioritize TPM 2.0, BIOS protection with root-of-trust, downgrade prevention, biometric login, a physical webcam shield, and long-term firmware updates. ExpertBook P5 and B5 tick these boxes. On the support side, ASUS Business provides dedicated assistance with priority responses and quick resolutions, and you can add extended warranties or accidental damage protection to keep downtime minimal.

5. Connectivity and Scalability

Ports and connectivity are often overlooked until you need them. A laptop that requires dongles for everything slows you down. Business users should check for Thunderbolt support, HDMI, Ethernet, and fast wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E.
Storage and memory scalability is equally important. Devices supporting dual SSDs or higher RAM ensure your machine doesn’t feel outdated in two years. Both the P5 and B5 are examples of laptops offering this flexibility, with dual NVMe SSD support and the latest Wi-Fi options.

If you need tailored setups, the ExpertBook B5405CCA adds factory-level customization for storage, memory, and connectivity, which is ideal for standardizing fleets across a small team.

ExpertBook P5 and B5 bring AI acceleration, serious durability, enterprise security, and business-class service together in a portable package. For small agencies, that combo translates into smoother pitches, faster delivery, safer data, and fewer IT headaches.

When Spaces Talk: The 4 Startups Giving Brands a Voice Through VR

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the identity of a brand extends far beyond logos or campaigns—it lives in the spaces where people experience it. Workplaces, showrooms, and retail outlets are no longer just functional environments; they have become immersive canvases that communicate values, culture, and vision. Virtual Reality (VR) is redefining this connection by enabling organizations to design and experience these spaces before they are built. Through immersive walkthroughs, collaborative reviews, and real-time visualizations, VR ensures that every detail aligns with the brand story while minimizing costly errors in execution. This new language of design allows stakeholders to “step inside” concepts, fostering deeper engagement and sharper decision-making. A new wave of startups is leading the charge, offering platforms that combine cutting-edge visualization, interactive design communication, and virtual tours. Their solutions are transforming how businesses plan, design, and present spaces—turning physical environments into powerful brand storytellers. By blending technology with creativity, these ventures are setting the stage for a future where space doesn’t just house a brand but actively speaks its voice.

Flipspaces

Flipspaces delivers end-to-end design and build solutions for commercial spaces globally. With in-house proprietary technology, it offers VR-supported video walkthroughs, an industry first. Enabling clients to visualize spaces upfront and reduce budget or timeline variances. A dedicated client dashboard provides real-time access to layouts, 3D renders, and project updates. With over 1000 projects delivered across 8 million sq. ft. in the last decade, Flipspaces stands out through its tech-enabled execution, in-house manufacturing, and a vast vendor network. Its integrated approach ensures high quality, faster delivery, and cost efficiency, setting a new benchmark in commercial interior design and execution.

Trezi

Provider of SaaS-based VR-based visualization solutions. Its platform provides users with features that include immersive design presentations, real-time design communication, collaborative design reviews, and VR-enabled coordination meetings.

SmartvizX

Provider of VR-based solutions for multiple businesses. It facilitates creating an interactive virtual environment to stimulate potential users into experiencing arenas and spaces that haven’t even been physically built like buildings, office desks.

PropVR

Provider of a cloud-driven virtual tour software for real estate professionals. It enables users to build VR tours using drag-and-drop tools and allows clients to visit multiple projects remotely. The company also provides 360 photography services, 3D floor plans, and virtual tour development services.