Villgro and Cisco Celebrate Success of TVARAN Accelerator Program

New Delhi, 10 Oct 2023: Villgro and Cisco India Cash Grant Program has announced the successful conclusion of the TVARAN Acceleration Program. The program was designed to support early-stage women entrepreneurs and amplify the market presence of women-led startups in renewable energy, water and waste management, and climate-smart agriculture.

Dr. Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology honoured the first cohort of exceptional startups, including Climate Sense, Green Grahi, Green Delight, MOWO Fleet, Swachha Eco Solutions, KNP Arises Green Energy, and Bharat Krushi Seva, during the closing event. The event was dedicated to spotlighting the startups’ remarkable entrepreneurial journey, acknowledging their outstanding achievements, and recognizing the challenges they overcame during the program. Moreover, it provided a valuable platform for them to articulate their strategies for future expansion and sustained growth.

During the six months of this acceleration program, these startups received invaluable support, including a financial grant of 20 lakh rupees per startup to execute their Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies. Furthermore, the startups also had access to Cisco mentors, who offered expert insights into technology and strategic planning. The program also facilitated connections with market and channel partners, leveraging the extensive networks of both Villgro and CISCO to aid in commercializing and scaling their ventures. In addition, the startups were connected with potential investors and venture capitalists to secure funding for their innovative initiatives.

In just six months, these startups have expanded their operations into new geographical areas, experienced substantial revenue growth, secured investments from venture capitalists, and successfully launched commercial pilots of their products in collaboration with various businesses and channel partners.

Bharat Krushi Seva, through the support from the program, expanded to two new geographies and has onboarded 400 farmers to embrace climate-smart agricultural practices. GreenGrahi Solutions is starting a commercial pilot of their insect-based fertilizer in Karnataka in partnership with ESSMART (A B2B e-commerce platform for rural networks) through the program. With the support of TVARAN, GreenDelight is launching its first commercial B2B pilot with a commercial bank in Bangalore, which has over 3000 women employees. Collectively, the startups have raised funding of 3.05Cr in the form of grants & equity investment.

While sharing about the achievement of the program, Harish Krishnan, Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India & SAARC, shared, “As a technology company, we recognize the tremendous potential of digital technology and the transformative impact of data and emerging technologies. Throughout TVARAN, we observed these attributes playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of each startup. We take immense pride in the achievements, growth, and refinement demonstrated by each cohort participant during their engagement with the program. Together, we are making significant strides towards a truly inclusive future for all.”

Kalyani Krishna, Manager, Gender Inclusion, Villgro, expressed enthusiasm for the successful conclusion of this program, “Villgro has had the privilege of supporting seven women-led startups through this initiative. With over two decades of incubation experience, we recognize that startups, particularly those led by women, require vital support in terms of market connections and access to finance, and that has been the focal point of our program. This program aligns seamlessly with two of Villgro’s core priorities – climate action and gender equality. Our partnership with Cisco has been invaluable, with their support playing a pivotal role in mentoring the startups within this cohort.”

The application for the program, which was initiated in October 2022, received 140 applications from various regions across India. After careful evaluation, 11 startups were chosen to receive one month of dedicated support focused on go-to-market strategies and scaling. This support included four essential masterclasses covering topics like finance for scaling, the strategic value of impact data, customer understanding through design thinking, and effective pitch building. By March 2023, an expert Jury evaluated the startups on their business, readiness for the market, role of technology & impact to arrive at the first cohort of 7 startups.

Aruna Tara launches her newest luxury furniture venture – Curato by Aruna Tara

Mumbai, 10th October 2023: Curato by Aruna Tara is South Mumbai’s newest luxury home décor and furniture boutique. Located at Worli’s Shiv Sagar Industrial Estate, this delightfully appointed 4500 sq ft gallery houses some of the world’s finest collection of home adornments; each personally handpicked by Aruna Tara herself, the founder and curator-in -chief. Aruna has over two decades of expertise in furniture curation, having introduced India to several celebrated international brands. Her previously successful venture, Hurtado, located at the same address, has been the choice of luxury furniture aficionados, especially in South Mumbai. Known for her exquisite taste, her curations can easily be found in the lavish homes of business families and HNIs across the city.

“I have travelled the world and handpicked over 950 pieces of furniture and collectibles that would look simply fabulous in both classic and contemporary Indian homes,” smiles Aruna Tara. As one wanders across the newly launched Curato by Aruna Tara, one can’t help but admire how she has transformed from classical forms into transitional lines to match the needs of contemporary architects and interior designers who lean towards a more modern design aesthetic.

Walk in through the doors of Curato by Aruna Tara and you are transported into a home décor wonderland. The collection includes luxurious living room sets with their transitional design appeal, enticing bedroom sets and artifacts and other home decorative pieces that are purely a work-of-art. This must visit store is easily accessible from South Mumbai and is also minutes from the Bandra-Worli sealink.

FedEx Enhances Shipping Experience for E-tailers in India

India, October 10, 2023 – FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, is enhancing the online shipping experience for its customers. The new automated e-commerce capability in FedEx Ship Manager™ (FSM) supports small businesses and e-commerce merchants in India, helping them efficiently manage their shipments online.

In addition to India, this service is available across 44 countries and territories in Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa This enhancement to FSM allows businesses to create shipments and paperwork from their online orders in a few simple steps, saving considerable time compared to manually entering information to create shipping labels. Customers will now be able to synchronise their Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and PrestaShop store with FSM at fedex.com. More e-commerce platforms and marketplaces will be added over time.

In addition, FedEx customers can now:

· Link their e-commerce platform or marketplace with FSM to automatically download their order information.

· Create and print labels for multiple orders in one click and sync with electronic trade documents for a smooth clearance process.

· Synchronize update of tracking numbers and order status on sales channels, notifying buyers that orders have been shipped.

Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA) marketing, said, “At FedEx, we are dedicated to empowering small businesses and e-commerce merchants by providing them access to digital intelligence. The enhanced FSM, including seamless e-commerce integration and simplified shipping processes, underscores our commitment to being an enabler for SMEs to gain a competitive edge and foster business growth.”

FedEx is building out its e-commerce offerings and adding a wide range of solutions. These include B2B marketplace integration through FedEx Compatible and Alliances programs, customizable last-mile delivery options plus direct messaging and convenient tracking through digital tools like FedEx Delivery Manager International and Picture Proof of Delivery which gives consumers the assurance that their package has been delivered to their doorstep.

Sterlite Power secures new orders worth INR 1,300 Crores in Q1 FY ’24

Mumbai, 10 October 2023— Sterlite Power, a leading global products and solutions provider has bagged orders worth ~INR 1,300 crores across its Global Products & Services business that caters to high performance, green products and specialized Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services. The new set of orders, won across the domestic and international market in Q1 FY24, builds on the total orderbook of over INR 5,200 crores, that the business has garnered in the last financial year.

With an increasing focus on integrating renewable energy into the grid, the power sector in India is witnessing a surge in demand for high performance products and specialized EPC services. The Global Products business is leveraging the buoyancy in the sector by securing significant orders in both domestic and international markets. In Q1, it has secured a substantial order to deliver high-performance conductors for Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL)’s Part E Green Energy Corridor Project in Rajasthan, that will aid renewable energy evacuation from the region. Through new order acquisitions, the company continues to cement its position in international regions like Americas, European Union, Africa, and Middle East.

In the Power Cables business, the company acquired several strategic orders including delivery of Extra High Voltage (EHV) cables to a solar park in Rajasthan, multiple cable delivery projects for Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL) as well as the Nepal Electricity Authority. Amongst other significant wins, the company will supply medium voltage (MV) cables for the expansion of Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery – one of South Asia’s largest integrated petrochemical plants.

The company’s specialized EPC arm bagged turnkey orders from UPPTCL for the fiberization of ~3,400 km of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for its 220kV & 132kV lines. It has also been entrusted with an order from PGCIL for uprating the 132kV North-Eastern Corridor with an aim of doubling the potential capacity of the existing corridor. This order is also in addition to the existing portfolio of projects that Sterlite Power is delivering for PGCIL, towards decongesting the critical transmission corridors across the country.

Manish Agarwal, CEO, Global Products & Services, said, “We are excited about our role in accelerating the global energy transition. Our strong order book is a testament to the confidence that our customers have in our capabilities and expertise. We expect a robust order booking for all our products in Q2 as well.”