Agriculture’s New Decision-Making Tool Biome Makers Launches BeCrop Farm

Davis, CA, July 18, 2024 –Biome Makers, a leading global agtech company on a mission to recover soil health and improve farmer profitability, announces the latest evolution of BeCrop® technology. BeCrop® Farm is the first digital platform designed to maximize the potential of every acre. This innovative solution evaluates over 1,000 parameters, including complex biological data and environmental factors, to provide precise input recommendations and tailored agronomic insights on soil health, disease risk, and management practices.

For nearly a decade, Biome Makers has led the industry in building the largest global soil microbe database and scientifically verifying the claims of over 400 biological input products and management practices from ag input manufacturers, retailers, and other agribusinesses around the globe. Biome Makers has now taken a step further to revolutionize agriculture by empowering the industry with real actionable insights to save time and money and recover soil health.

With the increasing adoption of biological products and the expanding options available to farmers each season, proven and precise product recommendations are becoming essential for ensuring consistent performance and ROl. BeCrop® Farm addresses this by eliminating guesswork and providing farmers and retailers with tools to help them choose the right products and receive agronomic insights and recommendations that are easy to visualize and implement.

“Understanding the impact of products and management practices on soil is complex and most often requires experienced scientists and agronomists to make sense of the data,” said Alberto Acedo, co-founder and CSO at Biome Makers. “BeCrop® Farm combines biological, chemical, and environmental data and utilizes advanced AI to provide farmers and retailers with an actionable recommendation to make informed decisions and maximize impact.”

Key features of BeCrop® Farm include:

Product Recommendations: Tailored, brand-agnostic, data-driven recommendations for biological inputs.

Hi-Definition Maps: Biological soil functionality metrics pinpointing areas needing attention at the field level.

Agronomic Insights: Turns biological analysis into clear, actionable guidance on which management practices to implement.

User-Friendly Digital Experience: A retail and farmer-focused digital platform with intuitive analysis tools.

Biome Makers’ focus is on farm empowerment—providing 21,500+ farmers in 56 countries across 201 crop types with the information they need to validate, prescribe, and manage farms and fields in a more efficient way.

Join Biome Makers Virtual Product Launch, “BeCrop® Farm: Revolutionizing agriculture with agronomic insights and product recommendations.” You can register for the event on their website.

The Konstanz-Based Startup Beawear Launches Its Innovative Size Recommendation Solution for Customers Worldwide

Konstanz, Germany, July 18, 2024 –-Konstanz – After years of development and intensive testing with pilot customers, the innovative startup Beawear is now making its groundbreaking scanning solution available to online shops worldwide. This technology revolutionizes size recommendations by using AI systems to create a 3D avatar with precise measurements from a simple video of the user. Unlike many providers that rely on estimates from questionnaires, Beawear captures actual body measurements.

“As a German startup specializing in size recommendations, the accuracy of our scans was extremely important to us,” said Volker Seitz, co-founder of Beawear, industry expert, and long-time lecturer at the Academy of Fashion Management in Nagold. This is why pilot customers included providers of swimwear and custom swimsuits, who have a particularly high need for precision.

Beawear has also focused on a user-friendly and straightforward application. End users will find a button under each linked product that opens a widget and accesses the laptop or smartphone camera. The user then stands in a typical A-pose in front of the device and turns around once. Just three seconds later, the software has determined the body measurements and compared them with the clothing measurements to provide a reliable size recommendation.

Beawear is currently seeking business customers who offer their own products and therefore have access to all size information of their items. Through a self-developed translation solution, Beawear generates ideal body measurements from the clothing measurements in dialogue with its customers. The system also considers the stretchability of the materials and the preferred fit of the garments.

The team, led by founders Volker Seitz and Verena Ziegler, aims to reduce returns and CO2 emissions while increasing customer satisfaction and conversion rates with its solution. The startup is also working on virtual try-on and in-store scanners.

Bookings Open for Maan Ranakpur Festival 13 to 16 September 2024

Ranakpur, India, July 18, 2024 –Mana Hotels Ranakpur today opened reservations for the Maan Ranakpur Festival 2024 – A weekend of adventure.

Scheduled to be held during the 2nd weekend of September from the 13 to the 16, the Maan Ranakpur Festival has garnered a lot of attention from all quarters.

“We are seeing a lot of interest & engagement on our website & social media accounts apart from our face to face interactions with the travel community. Due to the strategic timing of the festival in the midst of many regional holidays, we are hopeful of getting a strong response,” said Mr. Ajay Seth, Sales Manager at Mana Hotels.

“The activities confirmed so far include hot air ballooning drops, zip lining, animal rides, folk dance & western music programs, rain dance, pottery workshops to name a few,” said Mr. Vikas Bhati, Mana Operations at Mana Ranakpur.

“A 2 night package for 2 adults for the Maan Ranakpur festival will be starting at Rs. 17,000 inclusive of GST. This we feel is a very competitive price considering that all the activities including the hotly anticipated Hot Air Ballooning drop will be included in this price,” said Mr. Dheeraj Jain, Marketing Manager at Mana Hotels.

How to book your spot for the Maan Ranakpur Festival:
The reservation for the Maan Ranakpur festival are now open. They request their guests to visit their website to book a room for themselves. In addition, you may choose to visit your nearby travel agent for assistance in booking a room with them during this period.

Toshiba Launches New Series of eFuse ICs, Electronic Fuses That Can Be Used Repeatedly

July 18,2024,Kawasaki, Japan : Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has launched a lineup of eight compact, high-voltage electronic fuses (eFuse ICs), the TCKE9 Series, that support multiple functions for the protection of power supply lines. Shipments of the first two products “TCKE903NL” and “TCKE905ANA” start today, with others to follow.

The TCKE9 Series products have a current limit and voltage clamp function to protect the lines in power supply circuits against overcurrent and overvoltage conditions, something that standard physical fuses cannot do. Even in the event of abnormal overcurrent or overvoltage, the specified current and voltage are maintained.

The new products also feature over-temperature protection and short-circuit protection, which protects a circuit by immediately shutting off the eFuse IC when abnormal heat is generated in the circuit or an unexpected short-circuit occurs. A further eFuse IC advantage is the elimination of complex circuit design and a reduced component count, realizing much simpler circuit designs with fewer components and a smaller area than is possible with a protection function secured with discrete parts.

Toshiba intends to obtain IEC 62368-1 certification, the international safety standard for high level safety, for the eFuse ICs, which will also simplify certification tests customers’ devices are required to undergo.

The product lineup offers eight products: four, 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 20V, are suitable for overvoltage protection of a range of power supply voltages, and each has two types – an auto-retry type, where the eFuse IC automatically recovers the circuit itself, and a latch type, where recovery is triggered by an external signal. Customers can select the appropriate product for their requirements and the size of their equipment.

Reference designs for an eFuse IC Application Circuit (with Thermal Shutdown) and an eFuse IC Application Circuit (with Enhanced Overcurrent Protection) are available now on Toshiba’s website.

Applications

Protection of power supply circuits (servers, SSDs, laptop PCs, gaming consoles, augmented reality and virtual reality equipment, etc.)

Features

Maximum input voltage : VIN (max)=25.0 V
Low On-resistance : Ron=34mΩ (typ.)
High-output current rating : IOUT = 0 to 4.0A
Input overvoltage clamp function (4 types)
Overcurrent limit accuracy : ILIM accuracy =-17%/+14% (Ta=-40 to 125°C, RILIM=487Ω)
Output-Short Reaction Time : tSHORT = 2μs (typ.)
FLAG function
Thin and compact WSON8 package : 2.0×2.0mm (typ.), t=0.8mm (max)

Xsolla Boosts Payment Presence in Asia Through New Partnerships, Focusing on Local Gamer Markets

July 18,2024,Los Angeles, United States : Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, announces the further expansion of its payment solution across Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Pacific markets. The entry into markets unlocks new territories and optimizes existing payment channels for the most important region for gaming worldwide, representing 46% of global game revenues. Xsolla extends its payment solution by integrating Maya, PayNow, WeChat Pay HK, JazzCash, and Easypaisa for video game developers and gamers in the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Pakistan. With this expansion, game developers can reach over 76 million gamers across these markets and increase conversion rates through localized payment interfaces and local processing.

Maya is the fastest-growing digital bank in the Philippines and the top-rated consumer finance app on the Google Play Store and Apple Store. PayNow in Singapore is a real-time payment channel that offers universal accessibility through its broad network of banks, stringent security measures, and enhanced payment connectivity for more than 5 million users. JazzCash and Easypaisa are Pakistan’s number one digital apps, serving more than 18 million and 15 million users annually, respectively. WeChat Pay HK is a convenient mobile payment channel embraced by more than 1 million online and offline merchants in Hong Kong and beyond. It offers its services to 5 million residents.

For game publishers, large or small, looking forward to international growth—particularly within Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Pacific regions—Xsolla’s latest move offers them an invaluable resource: access not only to advanced technology and local payment solutions but also to deep market insights which come from working closely with local industry experts.

David Stelzer, President of Xsolla, comments, “We are unlocking access to five new payment channels across four booming Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Pacific markets, providing game developers with the tools to reach more gamers, improve conversion rates, and increase revenue. These markets are growing faster than the global average, with an annual growth rate of 9.47% compared to the global rate of 8.76%.

With 54% of global players in the APAC region, these predominantly younger gamers benefit from a high mobile penetration rate: 80.5% in Pakistan and over 140% in the other three countries, far above the global average of 69% in 2023. By offering local payment methods like Maya, PayNow, WeChat Pay HK, JazzCash, and Easypaisa, we’re making it easier for developers to monetize their games in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming regions.”

The Xsolla Payments solution offers a global reach with over 700 payment methods through a highly customizable multi-platform checkout, delivering a more comprehensive selection than most payment solutions in the industry. This expansion aims to help developers monetize and distribute their games globally while building a credible local presence in Asia.

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Unveils Privé – A One-of-a-Kind Program that Provides Unparalleled Coverage and Service Excellence

18th July 2024  Pune, Maharashtra, India  Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, one of the leading private general insurers in India, today announced the launch of Privé, an exclusive customer experience program offering access to elevated and unmatched customer service excellence. Traditionally, in India, the strive to increase insurance penetration over the last few years has largely been focused on tapping the customer base across the tier 2/tier 3 locations and rural markets, predominantly covering middle, upper middle class, and rural customers. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, in addition to its strong focus on increasing insurance penetration across all the above-mentioned customer segments, will now also cater to a special segment of customers typically requiring insurance solutions with enhanced coverage limits. Recognizing the multifaceted requirements and comprehensive protection that align with such discerning customers’ financial and lifestyle preferences, Privé goes beyond the traditional insurance offerings. By being part of Privé, the customers gain access to an array of exclusive and prioritized insurance services, ensuring their requirements are met with precision.

To become a part of Privé, the customers have the flexibility to select from a range of products across health, home, motor, personal accident, and cyber, insurance as per their specific needs. Insurance products currently include the My Health Care Plan, offering customizable health insurance coverage, with a minimum sum insured of INR 1 crore as the eligibility criteria; the Global Health Care offers coverage like overseas medical treatment and planned and emergency treatments both international and domestic, and the customers can choose any of the sum insured options for eligibility. In addition, a motor product along with V-Pay add-on cover will be offered. This add-on cover consolidates the benefits of an array of fragmented motor insurance add-ons under one offering, requiring a minimum Insured Declared Value (IDV) of INR 25 lakhs or more for a motor vehicle. The My Home Insurance All Risk Policy ensures comprehensive insurance coverage for both home structure and valuable contents in the home. The eligibility criteria here would be a minimum sum insured of INR 3 crores for structure, INR 30 lakhs for non-portable contents, and INR 6 lakhs for portable items. Moreover, in conjunction with the above products, customers can also opt for a higher range of sum insured for advanced products like the Global Personal Guard Policy that extends worldwide personal accident coverage with a range of additional add-ons, and the Cyber Care plan, to protect against losses resulting from cyber-attacks owing to the ever-evolving digital space.

Privé is committed to elevating the service experience through experts focused on expediting claims processing and assistance. Such customers would also have access to ‘Privé Connect,’ a dedicated team available to swiftly address all insurance queries and requirements for catering to any service request or claims. In case of health claims, additional services like hassle-free discharge and pre-policy check-ups at home by professionals are also provided. Furthermore, the service is complemented by ‘Care Angels,’ who are trained professionals offering personalized assistance and support throughout the hospitalization journey. For the motor insurance add-on product V-Pay, the claim process is streamlined to provide rapid responses, including surveyor deployment on a priority basis. Non-motor insurance claims, such as home insurance claims, will be similarly handled efficiently, with a claim handler reaching out to the customers within turnaround times, which is amongst the best in the market today. Privé offers a seamless claim experience that will enhance the entire lifecycle of the insurance journey, setting a new standard in customer service excellence.

Privé, being a unique first-of-its-kind program, was launched in Pune. Mr. Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Ltd., also graced the event. At the launch event, renowned Indian music composer duo Vishal Shekar enthralled the attendees with an electrifying musical performance. Fashion designer Rocky S also added glamour to the event by showcasing his unique collection. A few select partners and employees also graced the ramp. The event also saw the launch of the Privé logo unveiled by Mr. Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Ltd., Mr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Rocky Star, Indian Fashion Designer, and Mr. Vikram Bhayana, Head – Marketing, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, said, “At our core, we’re dedicated to pioneering insurance solutions that cater to the diverse needs of every individual across our nation. With Prive, we’re reaffirming our commitment to continuously innovate and address the unique requirements of discerning individuals. We understand that their sophisticated asset portfolios, astute financial planning, and distinct lifestyles demand insurance offerings that transcend conventional norms. Privé stands out with its best-in-class products and services tailored to the discerning preferences of this exclusive clientele, accessible at their fingertips for unmatched convenience.”

What truly distinguishes Privé is our unwavering dedication to service excellence at every touchpoint. Privé ensures an elevated and seamless service experience from dedicated teams to swift claims resolutions and much more. Our customers can expect unparalleled support and assistance throughout their insurance journey. Privé isn’t just another insurance program – it’s a commitment to delivering unmatched service and protection.

“We recognize that individuals of this strata expect nothing but the absolute best in products and services. With Privé, we aspire to be the go-to insurer, consistently surpassing customer’s expectations.”

Privé represents another pioneering initiative by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to create a segmented category for niche customers that addresses their unique needs with a curated selection of personalized insurance offerings, empowering them to safeguard their lifestyle.

Nebula by Titan: Precious Mother’s Day Gifts in Diamonds and Gold

18th July 2024  Bengaluru, Karnataka, India  Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse to spoil the mother figure in our lives, and Nebula by Titan offers a range of exquisite timepieces in 18-carat gold embellished with precious stones that are sure to delight. Drawing inspiration from India’s rich heritage, Nebula artistically blends the best of jewellery-making with skilled watchmaking. A Nebula is not just a mere tool for measuring time, but a symbol of profound sentiments. Each piece is a testament to the atelier’s relentless pursuit of excellence and a passion for the exquisite. This Mother’s Day, go beyond the ordinary and gift Mom a symbol that honors her roots, and the legacy she passes on to you, a gift that she will cherish for years to come.

We pick three of the brand’s bestsellers (image – from left to right):

WATCH 1: Designed painstakingly by keeping the perenniality of the elements in mind, this piece gorgeously shows off the studded diamonds and its tonneau-shaped case. The whispering extravagance of this piece makes it perfect for a connoisseur.

WATCH 2: Reminiscent of Indian monsoons, this 18K gold timepiece showcases a breathtaking interpretation of raindrops with the help of diamonds. The soft rippled texture of the dial completes the narrative by offering a subtle nod to the theme.

WATCH 3: Synonymous with luxury is the flower-patterned strap, home to several pearls that sit delicately on the wearer’s wrist, while the traditional case offers a nostalgic take. Intricately crafted, the bracelet as well as the dial offer a sense of duality between the new and the old.

IRMA Campus Placements Report

18th July 2024  Anand, Gujarat, India The campus placement drive for the participants of the 43rd batch of IRMA’s flagship Post Graduate Diploma in Management program – the PGDM(RM) – culminated with a total of 265 participants getting placed. The median CTC secured by the batch is INR 15.00 lakhs per annum, and the average CTC is INR 14.14 lakhs per annum. The highest CTC is INR 31.16 lakhs per annum.

63 organizations participated in the campus placement, with 325 job offers made to the participants.

The batch secured 25 pre-placement offers, all of which were accepted by the participants. Organizations that offered pre-placement offers included CMS, Dabur, Godrej Agrovet Ltd., ICICI Bank, Mother Dairy, National Payments Corporation of India, Tata Steel, and Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, among others.

The industrial classification of recruiting organizations presented below shows that Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) continues to be a major recruiting segment, with nearly 39% of the batch being placed in the sector. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and CSR & Social Business emerged as the second and third largest recruiting sectors, respectively.

Industrial Classification of Recruiting Organizations

Major organizations that participated in the campus placements process included the National Dairy Development Board, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Adani Wilmar Ltd., Arvind Limited, Axis Bank, BAIF, Banas Dairy, BigBasket, Brooke India, Care Health Insurance, Caspian Debt, CDD India, Cipla Health Limited, Coromandel International Ltd., Dabur, DCM Shriram, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India, DBS Bank, ESAF Small Finance Bank, Ernst & Young, Godrej Agrovet Limited, Grant Thornton Bharat, Heritage Foods, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank Ltd., KPMG, Lactalis India, Louis Dreyfus Company, McDonald’s, Mother Dairy, National Co-operative Organics Ltd., Navadhan Capital, NPCI, Panchmahal District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd., PI Industries, Piramal Pharma Limited, Reliance Retail, Sambodhi Research and Communications Pvt. Ltd., Satya Micro Capital Limited, SeedWorks International Pvt. Ltd., Tata Steel, Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, Yubi, among others.

Realty Consultancy Rise Infra Achieves Massive 110 percent Increase in Gross Sales

18th July 2024  Gurugram, Haryana, India  Leading Real Estate Consultancy Firm Rise Infraventures Ltd. announced that it has achieved massive gross sales of Rs. 2620 crores in FY 2023-24. This is a whopping 110% higher than the previous year’s numbers. In FY 2022-23, the company’s gross sales figure was Rs. 1428 crores. This stupendous performance comes on the heels of record realty sales in the last two years and the boom in premium and luxury housing.

Buoyed by the numbers, the company has set its sights on a gross sales target of Rs. 4000 crores for the next financial year, 2024-25.

“Gross sales target of Rs. 4000 is an easily attainable number. The last two years have been immensely good for the real estate sector. Riding on the back of India’s economic growth as well as rapid infrastructural development, the realty sector is experiencing a massive tailwind and is poised to scale new heights of growth. Besides, we are investing in this potential, which will enable Rise Infra to attain the numbers we have set our sight on,” says Sachin Gawri, Founder & CEO, of RISE Infra.

Meanwhile, the company, seeking to capitalize on NRIs’ interest in India’s realty market, has opened a new vertical called Rise International. It has also opened two new offices in Mumbai and set up a new division, Rise Homes. The company has also leveraged its services while consolidating its leadership position in the luxury segment.

Rise Infra will tap new markets, open 5 new offices, and increase its current manpower strength by 55% to attain a whopping 1.5 times increase in the percentage of its gross sales.

Further, Rise Infra has also announced its targets for the next three financial years – 5000 cr (2024/25), 6250 (2025/26) and 7500 (2026-27).

Attractive pricing, improved service, and availability at a large number of locations will further help Rise Infra seal the deal.