Kanodia Group sets stage for a new era of luxury living in Sector-46, Gurgaon

Delhi-NCR, 9th May 2024: Situated at the heart of city of Gurgaon, Sector 46 is one of the most prime prime residential localities, drawing the attention of developers and global investors alike. Recognising the immense potential of location, top-seeded realty players are venturing into this promising location with their upscale projects. Among them, Kanodia Group has already taken a lead and announced its ambitious expansion in the area.

Sector 46 offers a blend of convenience and luxury living with its proximity to key landmarks like Medanta Hospital, IKEA’s largest upcoming project in the country, leading educational institutions, and easy access to major roads such as Sohna Road and NH48 and Golf Course Road. The locality is also well-connected to the metro network via Huda Metro Station, ensuring ease of commute for residents.

Kanodia Group, a distinguished business conglomerate, has recognised the potential of Sector 46 and recently acquired a prime 1.74-acre land parcel in this thriving locality for approximately INR 153 crore. Commenting on the acquisition and the choice of Sector 46,

Mr. Gautam Kanodia, Co-Founder of Kanodia Group said “Sector 46 in Gurgaon is strategically located, offering a perfect blend of urban convenience and serene living. Its proximity to key landmarks, excellent social infrastructure, and connectivity options make it an ideal choice for our upcoming luxury project. We aim to redefine luxury living in the NCR market with this project, setting new standards in design, amenities, and overall experience.”

Kanodia Group plans to generate revenue exceeding INR 1000 crore from this project, scheduled to be launched by the end of this year and completed within 48 to 60 months. The Group’s commitment to excellence is further underscored by its investment of over INR 5000 crore in the real estate sector over the next 5-7 years, with a focus on launching projects with a global outlook.

The land acquired by Kanodia Group is strategically located near Medanta Hospital and Huda City Centre Metro station, enhancing its appeal to prospective residents.

With a vision to establish itself as a leading real estate player in the region, Kanodia Group aims to offer homebuyers unparalleled living experiences. Kanodia Group’s entry into Sector 46, Gurgaon, marks a significant milestone in the real estate landscape of the region. With a legacy of delivering premium projects that redefine luxury living, Kanodia Group is poised to elevate the standards of upscale living in Sector 46. The group’s meticulous planning and attention to detail, combined with its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, are set to create a benchmark for luxury real estate in Gurgaon.

Lam Research to Foster a Semiconductor Fabrication Equipment Supply Chain Ecosystem in India

Bengaluru, India – May 9, 2024 – Lam Research Corp. (Nasdaq: LRCX) today announced its plans to expand its global semiconductor fabrication equipment supply chain to include India. The company is assessing capabilities across various supply chain segments and is exploring India-based suppliers who can collaborate to fulfil the need for precision components, custom parts, high purity gas delivery systems and other assemblies that go into cutting-edge semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment.

The global semiconductor industry is expected to grow to $1 trillion in annual revenue by the end of this decade, according to experts. Lam continues to focus on fostering a strong, resilient, and geographically diverse supply chain to address current and future demand. This announcement is part of Lam’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a more resilient supply chain through strategic expansion in the region.

As demand for semiconductors increases, there is an even greater need for collaboration and global engagement of expertise, intellectual property, materials, and talent. Lam has a “close to customer” strategy that drives collaboration with thousands of suppliers around the world. This helps build resilience against region-specific supply chain issues and prevent supply bottlenecks. Lam has been operating in India for more than 20 years, benefiting from its prime location close to customers in Asia.

“At Lam, we believe that collaborative supply chain relationships are key to fostering innovation and the best service for our customers,” said Karthik Rammohan, group vice president and head of global operations at Lam Research. “Leveraging the infrastructure and talent of our India Center of Engineering, our new proactive initiative to drive supply chain growth in India also has the capacity to contribute to improved performance, sustainability, and enhanced capabilities for our customers regionally and across Asia.”

“We are proud to be expanding our supply chain in India,” said Rangesh Raghavan, corporate vice president and general manager at Lam Research India. “By enhancing Lam’s strong global supply infrastructure with capabilities from local suppliers, integrators and other strategic providers, we look to enhance the flexibility of our supply chain, while further supporting the semiconductor ecosystem in India, where Lam has been a proud leader for more than two decades.”

India’s leading SaaS Fintech firm, Zaggle announces re-appointment of Avinash Ramesh Godkhindi as the MD & CEO

May 09, 2024 – India’s leading SaaS Fintech firm, Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services has recently announced the re-appointment of Mr Avinash Ramesh Godkhindi as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Godkhindi has been at the helm of Zaggle since February 2012, demonstrating exceptional leadership as the Co-Promoter, MD & CEO. Under his guidance, Zaggle has emerged as one of India’s few profitable SaaS FinTech companies, achieving a successful IPO in September 2023. Prior to his tenure at Zaggle, Mr. Godkhindi played a pivotal role in launching and managing the Citibank PremierMiles credit card in India as the Product Head for PremierMiles.

Mr. Godkhindi, an esteemed International FinTech & Payments Leader, brings with him over two decades of extensive experience across 12 countries spanning 5 continents. He has worked in various capacities including product, sales, marketing, strategy, technology, and operations roles. He has held key positions at esteemed financial institutions such as Citibank, Barclays, and ING Bank, as well as leading finTech companies such as Misys, and NIIT Technologies.

CrowdStrike Falcon for Defender Augments Security for Microsoft Defender Deployments

BENGALURU, India – May 09, 2024. CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) today announced the launch of CrowdStrike Falcon® for Defender augmenting Microsoft Defender1 deployments to stop missed attacks. As part of the AI-native CrowdStrike Falcon® XDR platform, Falcon for Defender deploys alongside Microsoft, elevating the security posture of endpoints running Microsoft Defender.

For organizations relying on Microsoft Defender, managing complex policies, signature updates, and multiple consoles places significant operational burden on security teams. This complexity leads to protection gaps that adversaries seek to exploit. Falcon for Defender provides organizations with the visibility into threats that bypass Defender and the threat hunting required to stop breaches.

“Security professionals saddled with deploying Microsoft Defender through E3 and E5 licensing have long asked us for help. Falcon for Defender fills critical security gaps at a disruptive price point,” said Michael Sentonas, President at CrowdStrike. “Delivering visibility into missed threats and best-in-class threat hunting raises the cybersecurity bar. Falcon for Defender gives cybersecurity professionals the technology they want and need with the outcome they so desperately seek – stopping the breach.”

Rapidly deploying with no reboots and running silently alongside Microsoft, Falcon for Defender hardens defenses with:

· Visibility into Missed Attacks: CrowdStrike’s proven AI-powered detections, enriched with industry-leading threat intelligence, identifies the threats that Microsoft Defender misses.

· Falcon OverWatch 24×7 Threat Hunting: OverWatch combines human expertise with technology to detect and hunt anomalous activity that evades Microsoft Defender.

· Surgical Response: Eradicate the most sophisticated threats directly from the Falcon platform.

Lodha Ventures Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Ranvir Bhandari as President – Hospitality

Mumbai, 9th May 2024: Lodha Ventures – An Abhinandan Lodha Enterprise has announced the appointment of Ranvir Bhandari as President – Hospitality. With a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the hospitality industry, Ranvir brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role.

Prior to joining Lodha Ventures Ranvir has served as MD operations Soneva Resorts, COO ITC Hotels and SVP & GM Oberoi hotels. He has also served as the General Manager of several award-winning hotels like Soneva Fushi, Oberoi Grand, Trident Nariman Point, ITC Maurya, ITC Gardenia, ITC Grand Chola.

Ranvir is known for his exceptional leadership skills and strategic acumen. His core competencies include strategic planning, business development, revenue management, process re-engineering, zero-based budgeting, change management, and innovation. He is deeply passionate about creating sustainable and responsible luxury experiences that positively impact the environment and the communities served.

Ranvir is a people-oriented leader who values relationships, communication, and talent development. He has a keen interest in coaching and guiding the next generation of hospitality professionals to excel in their careers.

Speaking about this addition, Mr. Abhinandan Lodha – Chairman, Lodha Ventures – An Abhinandan Lodha Enterprise said, “I’m delighted to welcome Mr. Ranvir Bhandari to our ecosystem. With over 40 years of profound expertise in the hospitality industry, Ranvir joins us at an exciting time as we embark on our journey into the world of luxury hospitality. His extensive experience, particularly in crafting memorable guest experiences, aligns perfectly with our vision to redefine luxury in this sector. Ranvir’s hands-on leadership style, coupled with his strategic acumen and his commitment to innovation will undoubtedly be instrumental in shaping our brand identity and driving positive change. I am confident that Ranvir’s mentorship and expertise will be invaluable assets as we forge ahead.”

Speaking on his appointment, Ranvir Bhandari – President Hospitality said, “Joining Lodha Ventures as President – Hospitality is an exciting opportunity to merge my passion for creating exceptional luxury experiences with an organization renowned for innovation and excellence. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Lodha Ventures – An Abhinandan Lodha Enterprise to drive sustainable growth, deliver unparalleled service, and make a positive impact in the world of hospitality.”

Ranvir Bhandari’s appointment underscores Lodha Ventures’ commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality experiences and reinforces its position as a leader in the industry.

AIC T-Hub Selects Startups to Drive Innovation in the Mobility Sector

Hyderabad, India, 9th May 2024 – T-Hub, India’s leading startup incubator, in collaboration with Atal Incubation Centre (AIC), today announced the launch of the mobility cohort of the AIC T-Hub Program. This initiative is poised to revolutionize the automotive industry’s future, with visionary startups selected to participate.

The selected startups will focus on critical areas including battery technology, battery management systems (BMS), electric vehicle (EV) development, shared mobility solutions, and distribution networks. Amongst the selected startups are- VPush Technologies Pvt Ltd, Sock8, Zeromatter Tech Pvt Ltd, Electriq, Savy Electrics, Blumotiv, Sunmit Electronics, Bambam Kart.

The 3-month program aims to provide startups with exclusive 1:1 mentoring, collaborative group sessions, vital investor connections, and opportunities for market pilots. These resources will empower startups to secure initial customers, engage with investors, tap into government incentives and grants, and refine their business models. Startups were meticulously chosen based on founder credentials, business viability, and product innovation.

Mahankali Srinivas Rao (MSR), CEO, T-Hub, said, “Empowering startups to drive the wheels of innovation forward, AIC T-Hub’s Mobility Cohort accelerates the journey towards a sustainable automotive future. With visionary startups onboard, we are charging ahead, catalysing breakthroughs in battery tech, EV development, and shared mobility solutions.”

Rajesh Adla, CEO, AIC T-Hub Foundation, said, “”In every stride, AIC T-Hub remains steadfast as a guiding light for startups. Our unwavering mission is to equip every startup in the cohort with the necessary guidance and resources, empowering them to ascend to unparalleled heights of success.”

Looking forward, AIC T-Hub envisions establishing an EV lab for startups and forging collaborations with automotive giants to bolster market penetration and fuel innovation in the mobility sector. AIC T-Hub remains steadfast in its commitment to shaping India’s automotive industry’s future, fostering innovation through partnerships with corporations, startups, policymakers, and academia to drive sustainable growth.

Since its inception, AIC T-Hub has nurtured 147 startups, facilitated funding totaling 15 crore INR and engaged over 100 mentors, thus significantly enriching the innovation ecosystem.

Atomgrid, a Specialty Chemical Manufacturing platform, Secures Seed Funding Led by Merak Ventures

New Delhi, India – May 09, 2024: Merak Ventures, a sector-agnostic early-stage, B2B venture capital (VC) firm, has announced a new investment in Atomgrid, an R&D-first platform for contract development, manufacturing, and sourcing of Specialty Chemicals. Merak Ventures led the INR 10 Cr seed round, in which other venture firms including Dexter Ventures, Upsparks, Point One Capital and the founders of UniCards (Nitin Gupta and Prateek Jindal) also participated. This marks Merak’s third significant investment of the year.

Atomgrid is co-founded by IIT-BHU alumni Lakshit Bansal, Siddharth Gupta, and Pratik Chowdhury, each bringing a special set of skills to the venture. Lakshit previously worked as a Business Head at WorkIndia, while Siddharth was a business head at Uni Cards and Pratik was working with Amazon.

As per the Frost & Sullivan Report, India’s specialty chemical companies are gaining favour with global MNCs because of the geopolitical shift after the outbreak of Covid-19 as the world looks to reduce its dependence on China. Currently China accounts for ~15-17% of the world’s exportable specialty chemicals, whereas India accounts for merely 1-2% indicating that the country has large scope of improvement and widespread opportunity. It is anticipated that Specialty chemicals will be the next great export pillar for India, with an anticipated growth of ~12.2% CAGR. [1]

Through interactions with over 250 manufacturers, the co-founders identified significant challenges Indian manufacturers face, including limited access to research and development resources, global distribution networks, efficient raw material sourcing, and technology-driven solutions. These factors contribute to suboptimal capacity utilisation and a restricted presence in the export market.

Sheetal Bahl, Partner at Merak Ventures, said, ” As India’s Specialty Chemicals sector drives industry growth, Atomgrid stands out by maximizing underused MSME capacities. More than just filling the demand-supply gap, Atomgrid redefines its role in the supply chain—from mere distributor to vital manufacturing partner. This strategic approach sets them apart, perfectly aligning with Merak Ventures’ commitment to innovative B2B tech solutions.”

Amidst a global shift in manufacturing operations from China to India, Atomgrid endeavours to facilitate India’s evolution into a prominent chemical manufacturing hub. The startup aspires to play a pivotal role in positioning India as a hub for Specialty Chemicals and accelerating the export of such chemicals worldwide from India.

“A massive global speciality chemical market coupled with inefficiencies that we see on a daily basis makes us believe that we are solving the right problem at Atomgrid. With this funding, we are poised to accelerate our mission of empowering Indian chemical manufacturers on a global scale. We are excited to have Merak Ventures as a partner to enhance our efforts and achieve our goals,” said Siddharth Gupta, co-founder at Atomgrid.

The investment from Merak Ventures will enable Atomgrid to expand its in-house R&D infrastructure, increase global outreach, build a supply chain tech platform, and hire teams across Business Development, R&D, and fulfilment functions.

5 Unique Mother’s Day Gifts to Delight Every Mom

In the journey of life, it is often said that behind every strong individual, there is an even stronger mother, whose love knows no bounds. From our first role model to our forever confidante, she is someone who has been there for us through every thick and thin. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to celebrate these extraordinary women who have shaped our lives with unwavering love, sacrifice, and endless support.

This Mother’s Day, ditch the clichés and surprise your supermom with something as quirky and lovable as she is. We have curated a collection of fun and offbeat gift ideas, each tailored to suit every type of mom, to bring a smile to her face and express just how much she means to you.

For the chic mom who seamlessly juggles multiple roles

NoiseFit Grace: If your mom is a busy bee who juggles a million things, then the NoiseFit Grace smartwatch is an ideal gift for her. Available in Metal Silver, Rose Gold, or Jet Black, it is not just a sleek accessory—it is her own personal assistant, right on her wrist! With call alerts, a built-in AI voice assistant, a quick access dial pad, and storage for up to 10 contacts along with step tracking, SPO2 tracking heart rate monitoring and more, this smartwatch is a perfect fit for any on-the-go mom.

For the ‘you before me’ moms

Luna Ring by Noise: This Mother’s Day, spoil the moms who have always put others first with Noise’s latest innovation, the Luna Ring. With its sleek design, long-lasting battery and advanced health-tracking features, this minimalist smart ring empowers moms to effortlessly prioritise their well-being. From monitoring sleep patterns to tracking activity levels, Luna Ring is their dedicated wellness companion, providing constant support and nurturing every step of the journey.

For the new mommies who deserve some peaceful ‘me time’

Qubo Smart Baby Camera: Looking for an ideal gift for a new mommy? Stop searching because the Qubo Smart Baby Camera is exactly what you need. Whether she is navigating the whirlwind of new motherhood or a seasoned pro craving a little extra assurance, this AI-powered wonder is her perfect sidekick. With its intuitive features, Mom can stay connected to her little one’s world, no matter where she is. Make her day shine with this because every mom deserves the gift of worry-free moments and endless smiles.

For strong moms who deserve a cup of relaxation

Third Wave Coffee’s Vienna Roast South Indian Coffee Beans and French Press: Introducing the ultimate treat for strong, coffee-loving moms: Third Wave Coffee’s Vienna Roast South Indian Coffee Beans and French Press. Crafted to perfection, just like her, the brand’s Vienna Roast South Indian Coffee Beans boast flavours of rich chocolate, caramel, and toasted walnuts, offering a delightful moment all to themselves. Paired with the French Press, this combo ensures café-quality bliss at home for moms who appreciate a strong brew. It’s not just a gift; it’s her daily ticket to indulgence and a moment of “me-time” to recharge and savour the simple pleasures of a perfect cup.