21, Oct 2026
Makani Creatives Conceptualises Limelight’s Shilpa Shetty-Led Campaign to Challenge Conventional Diamond Narratives
Mumbai, 21 October 2026: Makani Creatives, an independent creative agency, has conceptualised a new campaign for Limelight, the lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, featuring actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra and introducing the character ‘Miss Clarity’. The campaign takes a fresh approach to jewellery communication, using humour and cultural insights to challenge long-held assumptions around diamonds and the expectations associated with buying, wearing and gifting them.
At the heart of the campaign is a consumer insight: misconceptions around lab-grown diamonds can create hesitation among potential buyers. Rather than addressing these concerns through conventional product-led communication, the campaign introduces Miss Clarity, played by Diljot Kaur Chhabra, as a diamond expert who cuts through the noise and encourages audiences to reconsider what matters when making a purchase.
Through a series of films and social assets, Miss Clarity challenges familiar ideas around the cost of a proposal, the size of a diamond and the expectations surrounding wedding gifts. Shilpa Shetty Kundra brings a recognisable cultural perspective to these conversations, while Miss Clarity’s wit and directness give them an unconventional edge. The creative approach aims to make a category often associated with tradition and formality more open to everyday conversations.
The campaign extends across digital, outdoor and other media touchpoints. Its outdoor rollout includes more than 80 hoardings in Mumbai and over 500 hoardings across 45 other Indian cities, alongside digital films, lookbooks, social media assets and on-ground activations in select markets.
For Makani Creatives, the mandate was to build a distinctive brand association with diamonds while moving beyond the category’s familiar communication conventions. The work includes three digital video commercials, three lookbooks, Miss Clarity social assets, behind-the-scenes content and digital bytes.
Link: https://youtu.be/uj1kypXU8t4?si=wujRc505gVkCPqbV
“Jewellery is a category with deeply established codes, and we felt there was an opportunity to approach it from a more contemporary, conversational point of view. Instead of simply explaining lab-grown diamonds, we wanted to create a character who could challenge the assumptions surrounding them in a way people would enjoy engaging with. Miss Clarity gave us a way to bring humour and perspective into the category, while keeping the larger brand-building objective at the centre,” said Pavan Punjabi, CEO, Makani Creatives.
For Limelight, the campaign is part of a broader effort to strengthen the brand’s association with diamond jewellery and build greater consideration for lab-grown diamonds. The focus is not limited to communicating product attributes, but also on addressing the perceptions and social expectations that influence how consumers think about diamonds.
“Consumers are increasingly looking for choices that reflect their own priorities rather than simply following established conventions. With this campaign, we wanted to open up a more relatable conversation around diamonds and the assumptions people often carry when buying or gifting them. Miss Clarity helps us approach these conversations with a sense of humour, while Shilpa brings a familiar and engaging presence to the narrative,” said Pooja Sheth Madhavan, Founder and Managing Director, Limelight.
By placing a character-led narrative at the centre of its communication, the campaign reflects a broader shift in how established categories can engage consumers: not only by showcasing products, but by questioning the cultural assumptions that shape purchasing decisions.
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- By Neel Achary
21, Oct 2026
Riteish Deshmukh takes a leap into Telugu cinema with Ram Pothineni’s RAPO23
Riteish Deshmukh has never been an actor who likes to stay in one lane. From comedy and drama to playing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on screen, the actor has consistently taken on parts that push him into unfamiliar territory. And now he is taking another big leap: making his Telugu film debut with Ram Pothineni’s RAPO23.
The makers have released a video introducing Riteish’s arrival in the film, offering plenty of intrigue. Dark corridors, masked figures and an unsettling atmosphere set the tone for his entry into the psychological action thriller. Riteish is reportedly playing the antagonist, though the team has kept the character’s identity and motivations under wraps. For an actor who has built a career on moving between genres, the Telugu debut is a significant new step. In this year itself after Raja Shivaji, RAPO23 takes him into a different ecosystem, opposite a Telugu star who is himself making the transition to directing.
Written and directed by Ram Pothineni, RAPO23 casts the actor as Veera, described by the makers as a lone wolf. Samyuktha plays the female lead in the psychological action thriller, which is being mounted with a dark, neo-noir visual palette. Riteish’s reported casting as the antagonist adds another dimension to the film, setting up a clash between two actors entering unfamiliar territory in different ways.
Directed by Ram Pothineni in his directorial debut, #RAPO23 is produced by Krishna Pothineni under the Rapo Cinematics banner. The psychological action thriller stars Ram Pothineni, Riteish Deshmukh and Samyuktha, with cinematography by National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu (Thirru), music by Sam CS, production design by AS Prakash and action choreography by Peter Hein, Vikram Mor and Kevin.
https://youtu.be/cZt16OH-de0?
21, Oct 2026
TraceLink Achieves a Breakthrough with No-Code Supply Chain Agents that Reliably Perform Critical Work in Seconds
The OPUS Brain accelerates agentic work through optimized, verifiable Semantic Inference Plans, with versioned Agent Profiles and operational controls that support reliable performance at scale.
BOSTON, October 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TraceLink, the world’s largest Agentic Business Network, today announced a breakthrough in how no-code OPUS Agents perform critical supply chain work. Powered by the OPUS Brain—TraceLink’s intelligence and reasoning layer for OPUS Agents—the new capabilities transform agent instructions into optimized, verifiable Semantic Inference Plans (SIPs), enabling OPUS Agents to perform recurring work in seconds with greater reliability and consistency.
Enterprises can inspect, test, and approve agent plans before production, identify changes that could affect agent performance, and measure completed work through operational records and Agentic Business Process dashboards. These capabilities address critical barriers to scaling agentic operations, giving companies greater confidence, accountability, and cost visibility as they expand governed OPUS Agents throughout supply chain processes.
“For enterprise processes, agents have to be governed, reliable, fast, specialized, and perform work at predictably low cost,” said Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO of TraceLink. “Our innovations achieved all those goals. With these breakthroughs, TraceLink is bringing a new level of intelligence and operational capacity to global supply chains, enabling companies to manage greater complexity, expand the work they can perform, and drive growth in ways that were previously beyond their reach.”
Traditional AI agents often repeat complex reasoning each time they encounter a similar business event, increasing processing time, cost, and the potential for inconsistent results.
Each SIP defines an intended approach for achieving an OPUS Agent’s Objective based on approved Tasks, Decisions, Rules, and operational context. The OPUS Brain generates, evaluates, and recursively optimizes these plans to improve speed and accuracy, while enabling human teams to inspect, test, and approve them before production use. Once approved, optimized SIPs guide recurring agent work, reducing processing delays and supporting faster responses to changing supply chain conditions.
Evaluation Logs provide evidence of how agent work compares with an approved SIP, supporting inspection, validation, and refinement. Progress Logs track the progression of work, Work Logs capture completed activities and their business context, and Outcomes document the resulting business results. Together, these records establish the evidence needed to assess agent performance, maintain accountability, and improve Agentic Business Processes over time.
Versioned Agent Profiles associate each OPUS Agent with a specific operating definition, allowing companies to control when updated instructions, policies, or requirements are adopted. Dependency tracking identifies changes to Agent Profiles, Processes, Business Objects, Rules, and configurations that may require additional evaluation or retraining before they affect agent behavior. These controls help enterprises maintain reliability as business requirements and supporting systems evolve.
Work Logs and Agentic Business Process (ABP) dashboards provide visibility into operational activity, enabling organizations to evaluate productivity, work quality, and business results.
Pricing charts and cost dashboards provide visibility into agent operating expenses, enabling companies to develop more predictable financial models for individual Agentic Business Processes. By comparing costs against measurable Outcomes, business leaders can assess the value of agentic operations and prioritize investments accordingly.
TraceLink will demonstrate how optimized Semantic Inference Plans enable OPUS Agents to perform critical supply chain work in seconds at FutureLink Barcelona, October 19–21, 2026.
TraceLink powers the transformation to an Agentic Supply Chain Operating Model, enabling organizations to perform and improve supply chain work across their business and trading partner networks. The OPUS Agentic Supply Chain Operating System brings together Agentic Business Processes, Agentic Control Towers, governed OPUS Agents, and the Integrate-Once™ Agentic Business Network to link systems, end-to-end business transactions, and collaborative peer-to-peer processes with trusted, real-time operational context. In this agentic environment, humans and agents work together with greater speed, reasoning, control, and accountability to improve organizational productivity, service, inventory, working capital, cost, compliance, quality, resilience, and revenue performance.
Learn more at www.tracelink.com.
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21, Oct 2026
Gold Holds Above INR 1.47 Lakh, Silver Nears INR 2.10 Lakh as Dussehra Trading Pause Puts Bullion in Focus
Mumbai, Oct 21: Gold prices remained above ₹1.47 lakh per 10 grams in India on Dussehra, while silver traded close to ₹2.10 lakh per kilogram, as investors assessed global economic signals and the outlook for US interest rates. Trading on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) remained suspended during the morning session due to the festive holiday, with the evening session scheduled to begin at 5 pm.
Representational Image
In the previous trading session on Monday, gold futures for December delivery declined by ₹618, or 0.42 per cent, to settle at ₹1,47,300 per 10 grams. Silver futures for December delivery closed largely unchanged at ₹2,09,825 per kilogram.
According to bullion.co, 24-karat gold in Mumbai was priced at ₹1,47,340 per 10 grams, while 22-karat gold stood at ₹1,35,062 per 10 grams.
Gold and Silver Deliver Strong Annual Returns
Despite recent volatility, precious metals have recorded substantial gains over the past year. Gold prices in India have risen by more than 25 per cent since Dussehra last year, while silver has outperformed the yellow metal, delivering returns of approximately 45 per cent over the same period.
The gains have kept both metals in focus among investors, although short-term movements continue to reflect changing global economic conditions and expectations about monetary policy.
US Interest Rate Outlook Weighs on Gold
International gold prices faced pressure amid elevated crude oil prices, which have fuelled concerns about inflation and strengthened expectations that the US Federal Reserve could maintain a restrictive monetary policy or consider further rate increases.
Spot gold edged up 0.1 per cent to $4,144.15 per ounce, while spot silver advanced 0.6 per cent to $57.44 per ounce.
Higher US Treasury yields have also weighed on gold, which does not offer interest income. As bond yields rise, interest-bearing assets can become more attractive relative to precious metals, potentially limiting demand for gold.
A recovery in US technology stocks has further reduced some demand for government bonds as safe-haven investments, contributing to higher Treasury yields and adding pressure on bullion.
Investors Track Inflation and Federal Reserve Signals
Market participants are closely watching US inflation trends and signals from Federal Reserve policymakers for clues about the future direction of interest rates.
Expectations of higher borrowing costs can strengthen the US dollar and raise the opportunity cost of holding gold, creating headwinds for the precious metal. Conversely, expectations of monetary easing or increased demand for safe-haven assets can support prices.
Gold has largely remained above $4,100 per ounce during October, recovering some stability after falling more than 6 per cent in September. However, the metal continues to face pressure from a stronger dollar and elevated bond yields.
Geopolitical Developments Add to Market Uncertainty
Geopolitical tensions have also contributed to uncertainty in international markets. Gold has remained sensitive to shifting investor sentiment, with its performance influenced by the competing effects of safe-haven demand, inflation concerns and expectations surrounding US monetary policy.
Despite its recent consolidation, international gold prices remain around 20 per cent below their levels before the US-Iran conflict began in late February, according to the figures cited in the market report.
With domestic futures trading set to resume in the evening session, investors are expected to monitor international bullion prices, currency movements and interest-rate expectations for further direction.
For buyers planning festive purchases, the latest prices underline the importance of checking prevailing local rates, as retail jewellery prices may vary depending on purity, making charges, taxes and the jeweller.
21, Oct 2026
Middle East Conflict Disrupts Gulf Flights; Air India, IndiGo Extend Saudi Arabia Suspensions
New Delhi, Oct 21: Air travel between India and the Gulf region continues to face disruptions amid escalating security concerns linked to the Middle East conflict, prompting airlines to cancel services and revise flight schedules despite the resumption of operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport late last week.
Representational Image
The latest wave of cancellations has affected passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf destinations, while travellers connecting to Europe and other Western countries are also facing uncertainty as airlines adjust routes to avoid potentially dangerous airspace.
The disruptions follow Houthi missile and drone attacks that have heightened concerns over the safety of civilian aviation in the region.
European Aviation Agency Extends Airspace Warning
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its advisory cautioning airlines against operating over parts of the Gulf region, including waters around the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. The advisory remains in effect until at least November 16.
According to the agency, the presence and potential use of missiles, drones, combat aircraft and air-defence systems pose significant risks to civilian aircraft operating at various altitudes.
The warning applies to European Union airlines as well as non-EU carriers authorised to operate flights to, from or within the bloc.
In response to the heightened risks, several international airlines have suspended services to affected destinations or modified flight paths to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli and parts of the Gulf airspace.
Air India, IndiGo Suspend Saudi Arabia Services
Indian carriers have announced temporary suspensions on several routes connecting India with Saudi Arabia.
Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24. The airlines are monitoring developments before deciding when normal operations can resume.
IndiGo has also cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 24.
Akasa Air, meanwhile, has suspended its Riyadh services until October 24 and flights to Jeddah until October 21.
The suspensions may affect both departing and returning passengers, including those travelling for business, tourism, employment and family visits.
Passengers Advised to Check Flight Status
Airlines have advised passengers with affected bookings to check the latest official updates before travelling to the airport. Travellers should also review available refund and rebooking options, as arrangements may vary depending on the carrier and ticket conditions.
Passengers connecting through Gulf airports to destinations in Europe and elsewhere are being urged to verify their entire itinerary, as changes to one sector could affect onward connections.
With the security situation remaining uncertain, airlines are continuing to assess operational risks and determine when suspended services can safely resume.
Uncertainty Continues for International Travel
The continuing disruption highlights the vulnerability of international aviation to geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions that serve as major transit corridors between Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.
Although operations have resumed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, that development has not resulted in an immediate return to normal flight schedules across the region.
For Indian travellers, the duration of the disruption will depend on security assessments, airspace restrictions and decisions taken by individual airlines. Passengers planning journeys to the Gulf or travelling through regional hubs are advised to remain alert to schedule changes and rely on official airline notifications for the latest information.
21, Oct 2026
From Four Friends to a Cultural Movement: Kahani Junction Reimagines the Ramayana for a New Generation
Brampton-based cultural organisation brings Broadway-style theatrical production to Canadian audiences, with upcoming performances in Brampton and Ottawa
Ontario, Canada, Oct 21: What began as a conversation among four friends over evening snacks in the winter of 2023 has evolved into Kahani Junction, a Brampton-based non-profit cultural organisation using theatre to bring India’s timeless epic, the Ramayana, to contemporary audiences.
At the heart of this journey is Ram Ki Leela, a large-scale theatrical retelling of the Ramayana that combines traditional storytelling with contemporary stagecraft, elaborate costumes, music, dramatic lighting and immersive visual effects. The production aims to bring the scale and technical sophistication of Broadway-style theatre to the epic while preserving its emotional, spiritual and cultural essence.
Unlike traditional touring productions brought from India, Kahani Junction is a Canadian initiative built by local community members. Its performers include accountants, scientists, parents, senior citizens and children who come together to rehearse and stage the production alongside their professional lives. Spanning three generations, the ensemble transforms the stage into a cinematic experience, bringing the timeless story to life for audiences of different ages.
From a Conversation to a Cultural Movement
The idea behind Kahani Junction emerged from a simple question: How can traditional stories and cultural values remain relevant to younger generations in an increasingly technology-driven and AI-enabled world?
For its founders, the answer was to make culture something people could experience and participate in rather than simply observe. Through live theatre, the organisation seeks to create meaningful connections between generations while introducing younger audiences to the stories and values that have shaped Indian heritage.
The scale of this community engagement is reflected in the organisation’s reported audience figures. Kahani Junction highlights an extraordinary milestone of 80,000 people coming together for a single event, while its productions have collectively reached more than 150,000 live audience members. Its owned digital channels and organic community sharing have also generated more than two million digital reaches, with the organisation attributing its growth to word-of-mouth rather than paid advertising.
The initiative has also attracted institutional interest. An ISKCON centre commissioned a performance after witnessing the production firsthand, while the Office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also attended a performance.
Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/
Two Founders, Two Contrasting Roles
At the centre of Ram Ki Leela are its two co-founders, Gaurav Pratap (GP), Business and Strategy Director, who portrays as Ram, and Deep Shukla, Creative Director, who takes on the role of Ravan.
Their contrasting characters bring the epic’s central conflict to life, combining the creative vision and organisational leadership behind the production with their on-stage performances.
“Every night, I lose to my business partner,” jokes Deep Shukla, referring to their dynamic as Ram and Ravan on stage.
Bringing Broadway-Style Production to the Ramayana
A defining feature of Ram Ki Leela is its emphasis on production quality. The performance combines the narrative depth of the Ramayana with the technical elements of contemporary commercial theatre, using carefully designed costumes, props, lighting, music and stage effects to create an immersive experience.
The production’s attention to detail extends to its materials and execution:
Authentic artefacts: Props weighing between 4 and 8 kg have been brought directly from Ayodhya.
Handcrafted costumes: Costumes valued at approximately $ 3,000–4,000 each contribute to the production’s visual scale.
Large-scale execution: A dedicated team of more than 150 artists and crew members works behind the scenes to bring the performances to life.
The organisation’s journey began with community performances at Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton before expanding to audiences across the Greater Toronto Area, including Oshawa and Mississauga. Its growing presence at established theatrical venues represents a further step in bringing Indian cultural storytelling to mainstream stages in Canada.
Passing Cultural Heritage to the Next Generation
In May 2026, the organisation presented a children’s Sundarkand Leela at Triveni Mandir in Brampton. The performance brought young participants onto the stage, allowing them to experience traditional storytelling while developing a deeper connection with their cultural heritage.
Upcoming Performances in Brampton and Ottawa
The organisation reached another significant milestone on October 3, 2026, when it staged two performances of Ram Ki Leela at Brampton’s Rose Theatre. Kahani Junction is preparing to bring Ram Ki Leela to two major events in October.
On October 20, 2026, the production will be presented as part of the Dussehra celebrations at Hindu Sabha in Brampton.
On October 24, 2026, Kahani Junction will take the production to Ottawa, marking its expansion beyond the Greater Toronto Area and bringing its Canadian-produced theatrical interpretation of the Ramayana to Canada’s capital.
These performances form part of the organisation’s broader ambition to develop Ram Ki Leela into a touring cultural experience across Canada and the United States.
21, Oct 2026
Govinda Sets Jharpada Durga Puja Pandal Abuzz With Signature Dance Moves in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Oct 21: Bollywood actor Govinda brought his trademark energy, charisma and dance moves to the Durga Puja celebrations at Jharpada in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, delighting fans and adding a touch of Bollywood glamour to the festive atmosphere.
The ‘Hero No. 1’ star visited the puja pandal to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga before making his appearance on stage. His lively performance, including a dance with an Ollywood actress, drew attention from the audience and became a highlight of the celebrations.
Known for his distinctive dancing style, impeccable comic timing and popular screen presence, Govinda entertained the gathering with his characteristic flair, blending the festive spirit of Durga Puja with the excitement of a celebrity appearance.
Govinda Expresses Love for Odisha
Beyond the celebrations, the actor spoke warmly about Odisha’s cultural heritage and the affection he has received from people in the state over the years.
Describing Odisha as a sacred land, Govinda expressed happiness at being part of the festivities and thanked the Jharpada Durga Puja Committee for inviting him on the auspicious occasion.
“I bow to the sacred land of Odisha. I am thankful to the Jharpada Durga Puja Committee for inviting me on this auspicious day. I pray that Maa Durga blesses us all,” the actor said.
He added that the people of Odisha had always showered him with love and that he considered his visits to the state an opportunity to seek the blessings of the Goddess.
Concluding his message with “Jai Jagannath,” Govinda acknowledged Odisha’s spiritual significance and expressed his gratitude for the warm reception.
Bollywood Glamour Meets Festive Tradition
Govinda’s visit brought together the cultural vibrancy of Durga Puja and the appeal of Bollywood entertainment. His appearance at the Jharpada pandal offered fans an opportunity to see the popular actor beyond the silver screen, while his dance performance added to the festive excitement.
Durga Puja celebrations across Bhubaneswar draw large gatherings of devotees and visitors, with elaborately decorated pandals, cultural programmes and special events forming an integral part of the festivities.
At Jharpada, Govinda’s presence added a celebrity dimension to the celebrations, leaving the audience with a memorable blend of devotion, entertainment and festive cheer.
21, Oct 2026
SPJIMR marks 100 batches of PGEMP; reinforcing its commitment to developing business leaders
The 100th batch of SPJIMR’s AMBA-accredited PGEMP marks a milestone in the institute’s longstanding engagement with working professionals, industry and leadership development
MUMBAI, India, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) marked a significant milestone in its executive education journey on 16 October 2026, as the 100th batch of its Post Graduate Executive Management Programme (PGEMP) graduated at its Mumbai campus.
The cohort comprised 100 leaders from leading organisations across engineering and manufacturing, energy, healthcare, financial services and consulting. With work experience ranging from five to 33 years and an average of nearly 13 years, the participants brought a wealth of industry knowledge and professional experience to the classroom.
Prof. Preeta George, Associate Dean, Executive Education, SPJIMR, said: “SPJIMR’s 100th PGEMP batch is a milestone in our longstanding commitment to executive education. We believe that management learning must remain closely connected to the realities of business, enabling experienced professionals to broaden their perspectives, lead through change and create lasting value for their organisations and society.”
Reaching its 100th batch reflects the enduring relevance of executive education in helping professionals navigate changing business environments, broaden their managerial capabilities and prepare for leadership roles. For organisations, it highlights the importance of developing leaders who can connect functional expertise with a wider understanding of strategy, people, operations and business transformation.
Congratulating the cohort, Prof. ShabbirHusain R.V., Chairperson, PGEMP, SPJIMR, said: “Congratulations to our 100th PGEMP batch on reaching this significant milestone. You represent the spirit of learning, collaboration and leadership that has shaped this programme over the years. We are proud to welcome you to SPJIMR’s alumni community and look forward to the impact you will make in your organisation and beyond.”
PGEMP: Management education for professionals who lead while they learn
SPJIMR’s Post Graduate Executive Management Programme is an AMBA-accredited, 21-month modular programme for working professionals with more than five years of experience. It enables participants to develop general management capabilities while continuing in their careers, without taking a career break.
As one of the early business schools in India to recognise the importance of executive education, SPJIMR Executive Education has sought to connect management learning with the evolving needs of professionals and industry for over 25 years. Its approach reflects the belief that leadership development must go beyond functional expertise to include strategic thinking, responsible decision-making and the ability to work across organisational boundaries and industry silos.
SPJIMR aims to support more resilient organisations and responsible business leadership. As the institute marks the 100th PGEMP batch, it reaffirms its commitment to developing leaders who create value not only for their organisations, but also for the communities and society in which they operate.
About SPJIMR
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) is one of India’s leading postgraduate management institutes. It is recognised in the Financial Times Masters in Management 2026 ranking as the #26 business school globally and #2 in India and in the Financial Times Global MBA 2026 ranking as the #74 business school globally for its PGPM programme. SPJIMR is also consistently ranked among India’s top business schools by leading publications, including Business Today, Fortune India, India Today, and MBAUniverse. It has also been recognised by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the world’s top five business schools for societal impact. Known for its innovative and socially conscious approach to management education, research, and community engagement, SPJIMR seeks to influence managerial practice and enable value-based growth for students, alumni, organisations, and society. The institute holds the international Triple Crown of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, placing it among a select group of business schools worldwide to hold all three accreditations.
Visit SPJIMR.org for more information.
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21, Oct 2026
Pigment Raises $250M at $2.3B Valuation
Series E raise is led by Scaleup Europe Fund managed by EQT, with participation from existing investors, WIL (World Innovation Lab), and a planned investment from NVIDIA
New capital accelerates Pigment’s move toward autonomous planning, powered by its proprietary Graphite engine
PARIS, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pigment, the AI business planning and performance management platform, today announced a $250 million Series E funding round at a $2.3 billion valuation. The round was led by Scaleup Europe Fund, managed by EQT, with participation from WIL (World Innovation Lab), existing investors including Greenoaks, ICONIQ, IVP, and Meritech, and a planned investment from NVIDIA. This capital will accelerate Pigment’s mission to move fast toward autonomous planning for global enterprises.
The investment comes on the heels of a milestone year for Pigment, which surpassed $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) earlier this year, once again doubling year-over-year. Adoption of Pigment’s AI is also accelerating: today, 85% of new metrics in Pigment are created by an Agent. The fundraise puts Pigment in a position to build on this momentum and expand its presence and growth in new regions.
Pigment has rapidly cemented itself as the enterprise-ready platform of choice for large enterprises like Danone, DirecTV, Siemens, Snowflake, ServiceNow, and Unilever displacing legacy incumbents. And, instead of building internal solutions, the world’s most AI-savvy and engineering-dense organizations, including Anthropic, ElevenLabs, and Uber, trust Pigment to serve as the reasoning runtime for their enterprise data.
A commitment to technical superiority and continuous innovation is why some of the largest organizations trust Pigment to replace their legacy systems. It also ensures that Pigment has the capacity to seamlessly support massive global deployments, such as its recent selection by L’Oréal, who is replacing its salary planning tool for their 95,000+ employees globally by deploying Pigment.
On the raise, Pigment Co-Founders Eléonore Crespo and Romain Niccoli said, “Enterprise planning will change more in the next few years than it has in the last thirty. Legacy tools are being left behind, and the world’s most advanced AI companies now run their planning on Pigment. With the backing of our investors, we are moving fast to make autonomous planning a reality for every enterprise. With AI agents running planning workflows end to end and turning decisions into action, companies can respond to change as fast as it happens.”
Enterprise-Ready Scale and Engineering
This $250 million injection will significantly accelerate Pigment’s R&D and fuel the expansion of Pigment’s engineering team, focused on its proprietary, patent-pending compute engine, Graphite, and the AI agents that run on it.
AI agents are only as good as the engine underneath them. Graphite already lets thousands of AI agents and people work on the same governed model at once, scaling to hundreds of billions of data points with deterministic, fully traceable results. That is what makes autonomous planning possible: agents can only be trusted to run planning workflows and act on the results when every number they produce is accurate and every action can be traced. With this funding, Pigment will keep advancing Graphite to handle even larger and more complex workloads, while extending its agents from building models and analyzing data to running planning workflows end to end.
“In most companies, the richest picture of how a business actually runs sits in its plans. Pigment has built that foundation with a single platform connecting finance, sales and workforce planning – and put AI agents to work on it, helping teams model, analyse and act in hours rather than months. Eléonore and Romain have built a global category leader from Paris, and that is exactly the kind of company the Scaleup Europe Fund was created to back,” said Shannee Braun, Managing Director, EQT and Scaleup Europe Fund.
Try Pigment for free at pigment.com
About Pigment
Pigment is an AI business planning and performance management platform. Built for the complexity of modern enterprises, Pigment combines dynamic modeling with autonomous AI agents and an intuitive UX, to help teams make intelligent decisions with speed and clarity. Across finance, sales, supply chain, and other business functions, teams at companies like Unilever, Snowflake, and Anthropic use Pigment every day to anticipate change, plan ahead, and act with confidence. Try Pigment for free for 14 days at Pigment.com.
About the Scaleup Europe Fund, managed by EQT
The Scaleup Europe Fund, managed by EQT, is a commercially driven alternative investment fund backing ambitious European technology companies with the potential to become global leaders. Targeting €5 billion, the Fund brings together public and private capital and invests across DeepTech, AI Apps and Life Sciences.
http://scaleupeuropefund.eu/
About EQT
EQT is a global investment organization with a Nordic heritage and more than three decades of experience developing companies. With €341 billion in total assets under management, EQT invests across the full lifecycle of companies, from start-up to maturity.
https://eqtgroup.com/
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21, Oct 2026
Odisha Plans International Research Centre for Olive Ridley Turtles at Berhampur University
Berhampur, Oct 21: Odisha is set to strengthen its marine conservation efforts with plans to establish an international research centre dedicated to Olive Ridley sea turtles at Berhampur University in Ganjam district. The proposed facility aims to deepen scientific understanding of the endangered marine species, with a focus on migration routes, breeding behaviour, mass nesting and habitat protection.
Representational Image
The initiative brings together the Forest Department, Berhampur University’s Department of Environmental Science and the Zoological Survey of India’s Gopalpur centre. Researchers and institutions from Odisha and beyond are expected to contribute to studies aimed at addressing critical questions about the turtles’ life cycle and annual movements.
Rushikulya Coast to Remain a Key Research Focus
The Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district is one of the world’s important nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles, attracting large numbers of the species during the breeding season. The turtles travel long distances across the ocean before arriving at Odisha’s sandy shores to lay their eggs.
Following incubation, which generally lasts around 45 to 60 days, hatchlings emerge from the nests and make their way towards the sea. However, several aspects of their migration, breeding cycles and ability to return to specific nesting beaches continue to require further scientific investigation.
The proposed research centre is expected to provide a dedicated platform for examining these patterns and improving understanding of the environmental factors that influence turtle nesting and survival.
Advanced Technology to Support Conservation
Satellite tagging and other scientific techniques have already helped researchers track the movements of Olive Ridley turtles across marine environments. The new facility could expand such investigations by encouraging collaborative studies on migration corridors, nesting frequency, breeding behaviour and the condition of coastal habitats.
The findings could help conservation authorities develop more effective strategies to protect nesting beaches, reduce threats to hatchlings and adult turtles, and safeguard the marine ecosystems on which the species depends.
Research Institutions to Collaborate
Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer Sunny Khokhar said Berhampur University, Khallikote University, the Zoological Survey of India and other research institutions would be involved in the initiative.
He added that researchers interested in studying Olive Ridley turtles would be able to submit research proposals to the centre, opening opportunities for wider academic participation and scientific collaboration.
Professor Anjan Prusty of Berhampur University’s Department of Environmental Science said research conducted over the past three decades would provide an important foundation for future investigations.
According to Prusty, researchers intend to explore several unanswered questions, including whether the turtles follow mass or periodic nesting patterns, how their arrival patterns vary and what role habitat quality plays in their reproductive behaviour.
Strengthening Odisha’s Conservation Efforts
The proposed centre is expected to create opportunities for researchers from India and other countries to exchange scientific knowledge and develop a more comprehensive understanding of Olive Ridley turtles.
For Odisha, where large-scale turtle nesting is an important feature of the coastal ecosystem, the initiative could help bridge gaps between scientific research and practical conservation measures.
The centre’s operational timeline has not yet been announced. However, its proposed focus on long-term research and institutional collaboration signals a push towards strengthening the scientific basis of marine wildlife protection in the state.
As conservationists continue to work to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles and their nesting grounds, the planned facility could emerge as an important hub for research, knowledge-sharing and evidence-based protection of the species.
