3i Infotech Provides Oracle Cloud Customers In US With Next-Gen Secured Desktop-As-A-Service

3i Infotech, a leading provider of IT solutions and advisory, and a member of Oracle Partner Network (OPN), today announced that its desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) product, NuRe Desk has achieved ‘Powered by Oracle Cloud Expertise’ status. NuRe Desk is now available in the Oracle Cloud Marketplace for customers to access. NuRe Desk provides virtually seamless integration of the applications to the users from any device, while deployed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The solution provides DaaS for employees by delivering desktops, CRM & other applications - on premise, outsourced or remote work providing a no compromise work speed even with low bandwidth. 3i Infotech’s NuRe Desk also offers deep security that integrates with OCI’s data isolation, data security, internal threat detection, and highly automated threat remediation. 

Powered by Oracle Cloud, NuRe Desk offers OCI customers these additional benefits: 

Optimize cost: With the ‘pay as you go’ model, organizations reduce their total cost of ownership by up to 40% while increasing the agility and productivity of employees. 

BYOD or Work from Anywhere: Regardless of location, IT Managers can administer their entire fleet of devices. With NuRe Desk, users have the freedom to work from their own choice of device like tablets, PC or smart phones. As an MSP (Managed Service Provider), 3i Infotech provides a secured DaaS that can be connected with just a browser. 

End-to-end managed service: NuRe Desk can bring all the functions under a single console for the end-to-end service. The solution reduces the complexity which comes with virtual desktop and helps ensure better performance. This frees the IT team for focused tasks instead of having to manage the VDI environment and the various aspects involved making it a tedious process. 

Data Security Control and Customized security: NuRe Desk offers the solution to replace the thick Client based computing and thus reduces the time and efforts required for managing the OS and Windows vulnerabilities in end point devices. It replaces the traditional VPN method with zero-trust network access and helps prevent data from vulnerability. Based on the user requirement, access and security can be customized with features and policies, irrespective of the locations, devices used and end user. 

NuRe Desk is a simple, smart and secure solution for any industry or enterprise. Building the NuRe Desk DaaS solution on OCI was easier than it would have been with other providers. Some of 3i Infotech’s customers run on-premises infrastructure, which requires stretching the capacity of in-house resources. By moving the virtual desktop solution to OCI, these customers gain operational efficiency and more robust security. Oracle Cloud Guard provides a layer of security that is always running on 3i Infotech’s behalf and helps provide more comprehensive security. 

“Our partners are our key to success, and Oracle has been an integral part of this ecosystem for us. We identified a need among our customers to bring desktop virtualization as a SaaS offering and needed a trusted cloud technology infrastructure partner to deliver it seamlessly. We chose Oracle Cloud Infrastructure because its enhanced data management capabilities give customers operational efficiency, robust security, migration support, and manageable virtualization all together,” said Thompson P. Gnanam, Managing Director and Global CEO, 3i Infotech. 

“With digital transformation of enterprises at the core of what we do, we needed an able technology partner that could help deliver a differentiated value proposition to our customers at a global scale. In Oracle we found a strategic fit, as the company’s cloud lineage and expertise combined with 3i Infotech’s market know-how would pave the way for our synergistic growth in the coming years,” said Sax Krishna, Chief Growth Officer, 3i Infotech. 

"The cloud represents a huge opportunity for our partner community," said David Hicks, vice president, Worldwide ISV Cloud Business Development, Oracle. "We value 3i Infotech’s commitment to innovation with Oracle Cloud and quality execution to help our mutual customers receive cloud-enabled DaaS solutions ready to meet critical business needs." 

The Oracle Cloud Marketplace is a one-stop shop for Oracle customers seeking trusted business applications offering unique business solutions, including ones that extend Oracle Cloud Applications. Oracle Cloud is an enterprise cloud that delivers massive, non-variable performance and next generation security across a comprehensive portfolio of services including SaaS, application development, application hosting, and business analytics. Customers get access to leading compute, storage, data management, integration, security, HPC, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain services to augment and modernize their critical workloads. Oracle Cloud runs Oracle Autonomous Database, the industry's first and only self-driving database. 

The Powered by Oracle Cloud Expertise achievement by an OPN member offers customers confidence that the partner's application is supported by the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure SLA, enabling full access and control over their cloud infrastructure services as well as consistent performance. 

Upstox Aims To Grow Indian Customer Base By 3x During FY23

This season, Upstox, as part of its multi-year partnership with Indian Premier League (IPL), launched a new campaign ‘Own Your Future’. The objective of the campaign is to promote financial inclusion in the country. The campaign aims to encourage young Indians to invest in the equity market, own assets that will grow over time, and control their financial future.

With over 9 million customers, Upstox is getting close to hitting another milestone in the company’s history by crossing 10 million customers. The ever increasing number of customers on the platform testifies that people across the country are actively choosing Upstox as their investment platform.

“Our exponential growth is proof that customers trust us and recognize the value of our cutting-edge technology and our hassle-free investment process. We are growing 3X year-on-year and we are anticipating the same growth of 3X by the end of FY23. We aim to have 200 - 300 million customers onboarded in the next four to five years. Upstox believes that wealth creation should be democratized, welcomed, and adopted by everyone in India and Upstox strives to play a significant role in enabling and empowering Indians in their financial investment journey.” said Kavitha Subramanian, Co-Founder, Upstox.

Upstox's current customer base is over 9 million, with investors from Tier 2 and 3 cities in India representing about 85% of the customer base. Over 80% are millennials. Nearly 70% are first-time investors. The company believes millennials are playing an active role in driving equity market participation in the country and thereby participating in India’s growth story. The millennial mindset is inclined towards experimentation and portfolio diversification and hence the company’s financial literacy efforts will continue  to scale up.

Upstox is set on the path to build a diverse suite of investment products for customers and become a trusted partner for all their investment needs, by catering to the specific needs of different segments. Upstox’s product, content and marketing will all be designed to expand into more regions, languages and use cases.

In order to be the financial platform of choice for Indians, the company will continue to innovate and  invest heavily in the new-age tech stack and features. Recently Upstox has integrated with WhatsApp for IPO application and demat account opening, and launched features such as Good-Till-Triggered (GTT) and instant withdrawal. Upstox is working on building a new version of their application that will transform the way its customers invest and make hassle-free investment decisions with the help of educational content. Upstox is set to build an on-the-go, simple, intuitive, and seamless experience for its users that helps to build their confidence in their investment decisions.

The company has been on an aggressive growth trajectory since the last few years. Partnering with IPL would further enable Upstox to capitalize on cricket craze to further strengthen the brand among younger demographics. The company expects that Tier 2 and 3 towns will lead the increasing equity participation in the country.

Ballantine’s Ushers In A New Era Of Golf In India With First Golf Mixed Pro Challenge

* 18 teams with two men golfers and one woman golfer each to tee-off for the title 

In continuation with their promise of many firsts in the Indian Golf Circuit, Ballantine’s, from the house of Pernod Ricard, is ready to host India’s first Golf Mixed Pro Challenge. The tournament will be played over 36-holes at the DLF Golf and Country Club, Gary Player course and is open to men and women professional golfers, from the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI). In a unique format, one lady professional will team up with two gentlemen professionals and compete. 18 such teams would be teeing off for the championship between 5th and 6th of April.

Known golfers from across the country such as Veer Ahlawat, Khalin Joshi, Udayan Mane, Yuvraj Sandhu, Gaurika Bishnoi, Vani Kapoor and Jahanvi Bakshi will play in the Mixed Pro Challenge.

Speaking about the launch of the Ballantine’s Golf Championship, Mr. Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, said “Greatness in the game of life always stems from self-belief. Something Ballantine’s has unwaveringly stood for. It and celebrates self-belief in individuals. Inspiring them to stay true to their passions and excel on their own terms. The game of golf is a reflection of these values. Every golfer has his or her unique swing and stroke. The Ballantine’s Golf Championship celebrates these unique quirks, and drives you to stay true to YOUR game. 

Resonating with the fact that the soul of Ballantine’s and golf is Scotland, this tournament takes the brand’s timeless affiliation with the game even further by setting new precedents – including India’s first ever mixed pro golf challenge. This tournament, with its nationwide footprint, is an attempt to bring the illustrious sport of golf on the map of India.

We believe that through this initiative, we will inspire and bring together a tribe of Indian golfers to raise toasts of accolades and conviviality, as well as engender a great exchange of ideas. Golf and Ballantine’s: both a class act. Made for the discerning.”

Speaking about the championship, Ms. Kavita Singh, President, Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) said, “It gives me immense pleasure to know that the DLF Golf & Country Club will be hosting the first ever mixed gender event for professional golfers in India. I am sure that this unique experiment in getting the men and women professionals together in a team competition will generate huge interest amongst lovers of the Sport and act as a catalyst for promotion of professional golf in India. I take this opportunity to thank Ballantine's, the Sponsors, for their support in making this innovative format a reality and congratulate both the PGTI and WGAI professionals taking part in this historic tournament. I wish all players the very best and extend my good wishes for the success of this exciting team championship”

Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), said, “The PGTI is excited to be part of this first-of-its-kind event in India where men and women professionals will rub shoulders and compete alongside each other. The event is a step in the right direction in promoting both men’s and women’s professional golf in India. The unique format of the event promises to be an enthralling experience for Indian golf fans. We thank the WGAI for sharing our vision by partnering with us in this event. We also thank Ballantine’s and the DLF Golf & Country Club for supporting the event and making it possible.”

The tee-off is scheduled for 8 AM onwards at DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, on 5th and 6th of April, 2022.

About Pernod Ricard:

Pernod Ricard is the world’s no. 2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin and Malibu, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of 18,500 people and operates through a decentralized organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

About Ballantine’s:

https://www.ballantines.com/en-EN

Tata Motors Launches The All New Tigor EV Sedan With Ziptron Technology In Nepal

* Comes with GNCAP 4-star rating, continuing Tata Motors’ legacy of making safe cars

* With this launch, Tata Motors intends to make EVs mainstream for the personal segment

* Comes with an ARAI-certified range of 306 kms (under standard testing conditions)

* Available in 3 trim options – XE, XM, XZ+ (XZ+ Dual Tone option available)

Tata Motors, in partnership with Sipradi Trading Pvt. Ltd., is all set to excite the electric vehicle market in Nepal with the launch of the Tigor EV. Starting today, the Tigor EV deliveries will commence across the country. Following in the footsteps of its ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) sibling, the Tigor EV has also been lauded by GNCAP with a 4-star rating for adult (12.00 points out of 17.00) and child (37.24 points out of 49.00) occupant protection. Set to scale new heights in the dynamic world of electric mobility, the Tigor EV features Tata Motors’ proprietary high voltage EV architecture, Ziptron, and is built on the three strong pillars of Technology, Comfort, and Safety. The vehicles are now on display at showrooms and have been made available for test drives across the dealer network by Sipradi Trading Pvt. Ltd. 

Price chart (Ex-showroom):

Tigor EV XE         NPR 29.99 Lakhs

Tigor EV XM        NPR 31.49 Lakhs

Tigor EV XZ+       NPR 32.99 Lakhs

Speaking on the launch of the Tigor EV in Nepal, Mr. Mayank Baldi – Head PVIB, Tata Motors, said, “EVs are fast gaining popularity on the back of rising comfort of customers, as the barriers to adoption are being overcome and due to growing preference for environmentally friendly solutions. This has been spearheaded by our very own Nexon EV, which today is the most popular EV in the markets. The Nepal market has been a strong propagator of EVs, which has indeed inspired us to widen our offerings here. We are ecstatic to launch the Tigor EV today, powered by the capable Ziptron Technology. The Tigor EV is a perfect option for all aspiring sedan buyers who are looking to own a vehicle that is technologically advanced, comfortable and high on safety standards, while also being an environmental-friendly commute, making it an irresistible choice for the buyers to #EvolveToElectric.”

Commenting on this momentous occasion, Mr. Rajan Babu Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer, Sipradi Trading Pvt. Ltd., said, “With the introduction of the new Tigor EV sedan, after the overwhelming response to the Nexon EV, marks another milestone with our partnership with Tata Motors. The new Tigor EV is engineered to rule the roads with the best given value proposition and experience an unparalleled performance. Tigor EV Sedan is uniquely suited to address the aspirations of the Nepalese customers while also promoting hassle free EV adoption. We are excited to be a part of this electrifying journey and will continue bringing the best of the products to our customers in Nepal.”

Providing an optimal range, the new Tigor EV has an extended ARAI certified range of 306 kms (under standard testing conditions), making it more desirable for personal commute. Armed with stunning design, class leading safety coupled with comfort and thrilling performance, the Tigor EV delivers a peak power output of 55 kW and a peak torque of 170 Nm and is powered by a 26-kWh liquid-cooled, high energy density battery pack and an IP 67 rated battery pack and motor to make it weather and worry-proof.

Tata Motors is offering the new Tigor EV in three variants: XE, XM, XZ+ (XZ+ Dual Tone option available), which come with an 8 years and 160,000 KM battery and motor warranty for the EV owners. Moreover, it also delivers superior driving dynamics and balanced suspension for sharper handling. Other features include electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, smart key with push button start, portable charging cable, etc.

The Impact-Resistant Battery Pack casing of Tigor EV complies with AIS - 048 standard for nail penetration at cell Level. Based on a proven platform with Rear Crash suited structure, the car is compatible with globally acceptable CCS2 charging protocol and can be fast-charged as well as slow-charged from any 15 A plug point. In addition to a silent cabin, spacious interiors with ample headroom and legroom for comfortable seating, the Tigor EV comes packed with technology across its powertrain, infotainment & charging, all while promising a comfortable, and smooth drive. Tata Tigor EV is a nimble offering with powerful underpinnings and gives one the benefits of an EV at an accessible price.

To know more about the Tigor EV, customers can visit https://cars.tatamotors.com.np/cars/tigor-ev.php or visit their nearest dealership.

TiE Mumbai Organized A Webinar On Media & Entertainment -Next Fast Forward

TiE Mumbai organized an interactive session on Media and Entertainment hosted by Ravikant Sabnavis (CEO, Innovative Oral Care) and four unique startups founders, Kavita Shenoy (Founder & CEO, Voiro), Paula McGlynn (CEO, Bharatiya Digital Party (BhaDiPa)), Gaurav Srivastav (Founder & Director, Firstkut) and Sumedh Chaudhry (Co-founder, NewsBytes & Cricketpedia). The participating Startups discussed their individual journey so far, adapting to changing consumer trends and opportunity mapping of future trends in Media and Entertainment sector.

“This webinar gave an interesting insight on how the way content is being consumed will change. With changing audience taste, there must be a balance between content creation and the viewer. The session also discussed aspects of being disruptive, evergreen and trending content, ways of monetizing digital content and how to handle concept rejections and barriers.” said Ravikant Sabnavis – Charter Member, TiE Mumbai &  CEO, Innovative Oral  Care 

Firstkut offers options to watch trailers of movies and OTT shows on their app and aids viewers in deciding what they want to watch. They are designed to help in the decision-making process of the viewer. After a viewer watches a trailer, they work to ensure that the viewer either buys tickets to the movie or visits the OTT platform to watch. Going forward the company intends to sell OTT content, by being a subscription and transaction-based platform.

NewsBytes leverages the power of AI to generate content across media formats using AI and the platform is used by more than 50 million users every month. Cricketpedia is “fantasy cricket meets AI” and lets users  create fantasy cricket teams based on the past performance of players. . The content creation of Newsbytes  is entirely automated and their ability to create content using technology has helped them scale their business.

Bharatiya Digital Party (BhaDiPa) is a content platform for young Marathi viewers that develops, produces and distributes OTT content that is truly unique much like their audience. They have been disrupting the regional landscape with their content. The main idea of this Startup was to create original IPs, shows and films in the Marathi language which can be monetized through advertising. They have also ventured into talent management, managing writers, directors and standup comedians. The company also provides content marketing solution to brands.

As the viewer is spoilt for choice so is the advertiser. Voiro was created after the founders recognized the diverse content choices offered to viewers have led to the complexities of driving revenue. It is a startup that builds monetization infrastructure for advertising-based businesses. They work with the monetization teams of multiple OTT provider companies, essentially simplifying work for media sales, finance and operation teams and making them more efficient.  They draw insights from revenue data, empowering teams to manage their risks and therefore build higher performing businesses.  

About TiE Mumbai

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. Since 1992. TiE has been supporting entrepreneurs by offering education, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities. The mission of TiE is to foster entrepreneurship globally through the 5 pillars of TiE : mentoring, networking and education, funding and incubation. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community. TiE’s focus area is to generate enable the next generation of entrepreneurs. There are currently 11,000 members, including over 2,500 charter members in 60 chapters across 17 countries. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE’s focus is on generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs.

For more information visit https://mumbai.tie.org/ 

Uber Hosts Its First Data Conference Datacon 2022 In Indian Market

Uber India Engineering team successfully hosted Datacon 2022, a day-long conference focused on the use of data to make better business decisions. Technology leaders and subject experts from Uber and leading global technology companies such as LinkedIn, Rakuten, and Microsoft, came together to share insights into their work on improving data quality and reliability at scale. 

At Uber, Data is a First Citizen equivalent to the applications and services and teams are involved in analysis activities to make the platform better. The right use of this data helps provide the best experience to Riders, Eaters, Drivers, and Delivery partners. Product teams at Uber are constantly engaged in work related to data so that Drivers and Delivery partners on our platform can earn more, while Riders and Eaters have the right ETA calculated to the last second. 

Vast amounts of data are being generated for large companies across industries. The emergence of bigger companies has led to support systems becoming more complex. Data observability has fast risen as an important function that holds the key to making better decisions. At Datacon 2022, various such challenges and opportunities were discussed by experts with topics ranging from:

Data-driven optimization in real-time marketplaces

Handling data at scale using Remote Shuffle Service (RSS) in Spark

Applying anomaly detection and automation to improve data reliability

Building Serverless Hive - A PetaByte Scale Data Warehouse

Consistent Metrics In Online And Offline World

Speaking at the conference, Manikandan Thangarathnam, Senior Director, Engineering, Uber, said, “The core experiences offered by Uber, from Uber Eats to Uber rides, are powered by data. With data becoming the most powerful tool to make better business decisions, there are several common questions faced by Uber and our technology peers. Datacon 2022 was our attempt to discuss the criticality of improving data quality for business and bringing diverse voices to the table. We will continue to encourage cross-learning across industries and look to build in the future.”

Some highlights from Datacon 2022:

Datacon keynote: On Data-Driven Optimization In Real-Time Marketplaces 

Ritesh Madan, Senior Director at Uber, who leads the pricing and incentives for Uber Rides and Delivery businesses, talked about how Uber runs real-time marketplaces for multiple lines of businesses with complex matching, pricing, promotion, and payment structures. During his talk, Ritesh also covered strategies and data architectures to generate the input data and state to enable ML models and sophisticated optimization algorithms for an efficient marketplace.

LinkedIn Sales Insight For Smarter Sales Planning

Linkedin Sales Insights (LSI) is a self-service tool that gives you direct access to real-time data and insights on companies and employees in your target market.

During their session, Shishir Sathe & Harpreet Singh of LinkedIn went over the Data Foundational aspects that were built for LSI in order to enable self-serve analytics that gives customers a lot of flexibility. They also covered how LinkedIn solved these data and design challenges around scaling count distinct operations for Big Data and tackling the pre-compute and store approach as it was not technically possible to do this for all possible combinations of over 15+ attributes (due to the memory and computational resources).

On Future Of Data Observability

Uber DataCon included a panel discussion on the topic of, ‘Future of Data Observability’. The discussion started with an overview on the importance of Data Observability and hearing the perspectives of each of the panelists from their experience. It was followed by a deep-dive on aspects like data SLA, data quality, tools and framework and pain points of consumers. Discussion extended on how data observability is handled at Uber and factors that should be taken into consideration while designing to make the application more observable. The panelists included, Divya B, Chirag Parmar, Javed Abdulla Alok Srivastava while Pallavi Rao moderated the discussion.  

Data Reliability At Scale For Rakuten Data Science And ML Workflows

Traditional data quality and reliability mechanisms follow deterministic rules coded by a human programmer. But these cannot evolve fast enough or scale quickly enough to keep up with the data velocity and volume. Sekhar MK VP of AI Products Rakuten and his team, talked about how various ML techniques and tools can be leveraged for ensuring Data Reliability at Scale to address issues in the areas of Automatically discovering & flagging issues, Tracing and generating data lineage for critical data pipelines, Flagging erroneous predictions, Auto-auditing raw as well as derived data sources for completeness

Data Mesh Architecture At Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365, has a compliant experimentation platform that allows Microsoft data scientists to build machine learning models by providing the necessary tools, processes, and infrastructure. Raj Srivastav & Vinit Tiwari from Microsoft talked about the platform that started off as a centralized data lake, which is now evolved into a distributed architecture, more closely aligned with a Data Mesh paradigm. This talk shared their experiences and insights through this journey and described the various challenges with both architectures.

Kassio, A Global Crypto Platform, Receives A Pre-Seed Funding Of US$ 1.6 Million

Kassio, a crypto for everyone platform that allows users to buy, sell, borrow, earn and utilize cryptos, successfully raised a funding of 1.6 million US Dollars in the pre-seed round. Kassio received its funding in February 2022 from two major European investment funds and the round was successfully led by Aalto Capital. 

Kassio is a comprehensive crypto platform that instantly unlocks all the benefits of crypto through a simple and secure app, where there is something for everyone. The platform offers options where a user can stick to the earn feature if the trading feels risky, and earn up to 13% profits simply by converting funds into a stablecoin pegged to the USD. Alternatively, crypto users can instantly buy and trade in real-time and use the crypto they already own as collateral to receive instantly approved low-interest loans. Kassio also offers a unique crypto card that enables users to utilize their crypto in daily life.

The platform consists of an international team and was founded in October 2020 by Sachin Singh, Anuj Yadav, and Bharat Vivek, who have strong experience in product development and blockchain technology. Speaking about the funding, Sachin Singh, CEO and co-founder of Kassio, said, “This successful pre-seed funding round is a testimony to the strength of our project Kassio, its roadmap, offerings, and the innovative product that brings together crypto investment and much-required crypto utility features”.

Swedish Investors at Aalto Capital, along with two major European investment funds, immediately saw the potential of Kassio and its team. In February of 2022, they decided to invest 1.6 million US Dollars in the company's pre-seed round of funding to accelerate and globally scale the company's mission of making crypto mainstream. Shayan Khan, Partner at Aalto Capital added, “While crypto is the next biggest equalizer after the internet revolution, Kassio with its strong offerings, is a project that changes the whole dynamics of the community. I am confident that Kassio will be instrumental in providing quality crypto offerings to end-users and bring about the change that the world has been waiting for in this ecosystem.”

While the product is set to exit private beta in mid-April in India and mid-May in the EU, the platform already has an AUM(Digital Assets under Management) worth 16M US dollars and a loan playbook of 9M US dollars.  Kassio will use the funds to launch its operation in the Indian and European markets, further strengthening its product development process and adding more talent to the senior management across its legal, compliance, institutional relationships, and design functions.

About Kassio

Established in October 2020, Kassio is a one stop unified crypto platform that provides the users ability to earn, borrow, trade, shop, and utilize cryptos. The company aims to establish itself as the number one trusted and secure platform in the crypto space with its secure asset management feature, along with increasing the utility of the crypto holdings, allowing users/businesses to earn more value out of their crypto assets. Kassio aims to build the most secure and straightforward platform to facilitate these transactions for everyone from the crypto curious to the expert trader. If you are interested in following the journey of kassio and being one of the first to know about their official launch, you can join the waitlist at kassio.com today.

ServiceNow Opens Two India-Based Data Centres In Response To Strong Customer Growth

* ServiceNow to reach 18,000 technology professionals in India, by year-end, to keep up with demand for ServiceNow expertise

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), today launched local data centre facilities in Mumbai and Bangalore, strengthening its commitment to help Indian customers embrace innovative digital solutions and meet local data residency preferences.

“India is a top growth market for ServiceNow and we are seeing larger local organisations partnering with us to benefit from the power of our Platform to drive their digital transformation needs,” said Arun Balasubramanian, ServiceNow Managing Director India & SAARC. “ServiceNow is committed to manage data locally and meet India’s data protection and sovereignty standards. The new data centres enable even more financial services, technology and other regulated verticals to reap the benefits of ServiceNow’s single, unifying Platform for digital business.”

Mike Lents, ServiceNow Senior Vice President Global Cloud Services, said that the new data centres are large sites for ServiceNow with full network and capacity, to deliver performance at scale and increased sustainability. “ServiceNow has certified Data Centre Sustainability Professionals (CDCSP®) serving our customers and partners in every region we operate, including Asia Pacific.”

With forecasts for the India data centre market to grow more than 15 percent through to 2027, ServiceNow invested in the new data centre locations with sustainability top of mind.

“These data centres give ServiceNow’s customers and partners a sustainable way to responsibly source cloud data hosting in India and contribute positively to their own ESG commitments,” said Lents.

ServiceNow also announced a total of 18,000 people will be trained and certified in India by the end of 2022, together with partners and customers, to meet the burgeoning demand for ServiceNow product specialists.

“As more companies take bold steps to leverage ServiceNow’s innovative digital solutions to modernise their business and better serve customers and employees, more experts are needed to help them with integration” said Balasubramanian. “The skills drive supplements existing NextGen and Partner Training and Certification programs, enabling thousands of Indian workers the opportunity to build rewarding careers within our fast-growing ecosystem.”

Axis Bank Partners With RBI For Swanari TechSprint Initiative To Advance Digital Financial Inclusion For Indian Women

Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank today announced its association with The Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub (RBIH) for Swanari TechSprint initiative that aims at advancing digital financial inclusion for women across the nation. RBIH will host Swanari (???-????) TechSprint from 18th - 22nd April 2022 to create and produce smart, creative and sustainable solutions for underserved, low and middle income (LMI) women and for women-owned enterprises in India.

With this launch, RBIH will create a platform for fintechs, financial service providers, innovators and subject matter experts to collaborate, ideate and solve specific problems and code prototype solutions in real time. This partnership will enable Axis Bank to strengthen its commitment towards financial inclusion and also reinforce its Bharat Bank strategy of ensuring last mile connectivity.

Speaking on the occasion, Munish Sharda, Group Executive & Head Bharat Banking, Axis Bank, said The Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub (RBIH) has been consistently demonstrating their commitment in developing new and innovative ways to accelerate financial inclusion in India, and it gives us immense pleasure to associate with RBIH for Swanari TechSprint initiative.  As a responsible citizen, we are committed to continue supporting emerging fintech solutions and work collaboratively for ensuring best financial outcomes for women."

An RBIH white paper entitled Gender and Finance in India supporting the program is also now available at www.swanaritechsprint.in. Participants can register for Swanari Techsprint till Midnight on 4th April.

About Axis Bank:

Axis Bank is the third largest private sector bank in India. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of services to customer segments covering Large and Mid-Corporates, SME, Agriculture and Retail Businesses. With its 4,700 domestic branches (including extension counters) and 11,060 ATMs across the country as on 31st December 2021, the network of Axis Bank spreads across 2,665 centers, enabling the Bank to reach out to a large cross-section of customers with an array of products and services. The Axis Group includes Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Securities Ltd., Axis Finance, Axis Trustee, Axis Capital, A.TReDS Ltd., Freecharge and Axis Bank Foundation.

Jaguar Land Rover Announces 2030 Sustainability Targets To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

* Jaguar Land Rover commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its own operations by 46 per cent, and 54 per cent per vehicle across its value chain, by 2030 

* Commitments are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming the company’s pathway to a 1.5°C emissions reduction in line with the Paris Agreement 

* Jaguar Land Rover is aiming for net-zero carbon emissions across the supply chain, products and operations by 2039 

Jaguar Land Rover has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its operations by 46 per cent by 2030. In addition, the company will cut average vehicle emissions across its value chains by 54 per cent, including a 60 per cent reduction throughout the use phase of its vehicles. 

The goals, which are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirm the company’s pathway to a 1.5°C emissions reduction in line with the Paris Agreement. The commitment by Jaguar Land Rover meets the most ambitious goal set in Paris. 

By the end of the decade, Jaguar Land Rover will reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions across vehicle manufacture and operations by 46 per cent in absolute value compared to a 2019 baseline. The company has also committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle by an average of 54 per cent across the entire value chain, including a reduction of 60 per cent in the vehicle use phase. 

These targets represent Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to 2030, followed by a second-decade ambition for net-zero emissions across the supply chain, product, and operations by 2039, as part of its Reimagine strategy. To achieve this, the company will decarbonise across design and materials, manufacturing operations, supply chain, electrification, battery strategy, circular economy processes, and up to end-of-life treatment.  

To support its mission, Jaguar Land Rover has introduced the new role of Sustainability Director, appointing Rossella Cardone to drive its transformation and support François Dossa, Executive Director, Strategy and Sustainability. 

Rossella Cardone, Director and Head of Sustainability Office at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Sustainability sits at the core of our Reimagine strategy, with the aim to achieve net carbon zero by 2039, as the creator of the world’s most desirable modern luxury vehicles. As we move from climate ambition into action, we are now embedding sustainability into the Jaguar Land Rover DNA to minimise our carbon footprint across our value chain. Science-based targets tell us how much and how quickly we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as well as keeping stakeholders informed about our progress.” 

Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Managing Director, Science-Based Targets at CDP, one of the Science-Based Targets initiative partners, said: “We congratulate Jaguar Land Rover on setting science-based targets consistent with limiting warming to 1.5C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement. By setting ambitious science-based targets grounded in climate science, Jaguar Land Rover is taking action to prevent the most damaging effects of climate change." 

Jaguar Land Rover first announced its commitment to the SBTi as part of its support for COP26, the climate change summit held in November 2021. 

Hero Motocorp Unveils Its New Destini 125 ‘XTEC In The Scooter Segment

In keeping with its aggressive growth strategy in the scooter segment, Hero MotoCorp the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycle and scooters, today launched the new Destini 125 ‘XTEC’.

The new elegant Hero Destini 125 ‘XTEC’ packs a host of new design and theme elements that add to its appeal. The new LED headlamps, enhanced retro design and unmistakable chrome elements, conveys a powerful sense of character. The new vibrant color Nexus Blue adds a striking statement to the contemporary urban mobility.

The enhanced technology features such as Hero’s revolutionary i3S Technology, (Idle Stop-Start System), front USB charger, New Digi Analogue Speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity with call and SMS alerts, Side-Stand Engine cut off  and Seat Backrest provides further increased comfort and enhanced riding experience.

Hero Destini 125 will be available at Hero MotoCorp dealerships across the country at a starting price of INR 69,900* for STD variant and Destini 125 XTEC starts at INR 79,990*.

*(Ex-Showroom, Delhi).

Malo Le Masson, Head of Strategy and Global Product Planning, Hero MotoCorp, said, The XTEC technology package has started to make a name of its self, being the signature for latest technology and segment first feature. We introduced XTEC editions on the Glamour 125, the Pleasure+ 110 with great success and today, on the Destini 125, which will further strengthen its popularity. The Destini XTEC combines a dash of classic elegance through its handle cover signed by a chrome strip, the elegant speedometer artwork, the embossed backrest, together with a load of technology through its new LED headlamp and Bluetooth connectivity. If you are looking for a timeless commuter that is smart, the Destini 125 XTEC edition is for you!”

Ranjivjit Singh, Chief Growth Officer, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The Destini 125 scooter enjoys a strong connect with the customers. Riders waiting for a distinctive experience will be drawn to the multi-faceted Hero Destini 125 XTEC. The new Destini 125 XTEC shows our continued technological advancements and follows after our other key scooter portfolio brands including Maestro Edge 125 Connect and Pleasure+ XTEC.   Now in the new ‘XTEC avatar’, the Hero Destini 125 has upped the excitement once again in its segment. Designed with a clear focus on comfort and styling, the new Hero Destini 125 XTEC is surely going to strengthen our scooter portfolio in the country.”

Highlights - Destini 125 XTEC

LED Headlamp

The new LED headlamp provides unprecedented illumination. The new headlamp ensures more light intensity with a longer and wider road reach and anti-fog advantage offers maximum on-road visibility in all driving conditions.

Impressive Modern Retro Style

The new Destini 125 XTEC featuring numerous premium chrome elements, underlines a strong retro character of the scooter. The chrome additions on mirrors, muffler protector, and handlebar contribute to style and durability. The ‘XTEC’ badging, dual tone seat and colored inner panels give the scooter a powerful presence in terms of its overall appearance.

Enhanced Comfort

Whether the journey is long, or you are zipping through your daily city route, the branded seat backrest for the pillion promises high-quality comfort.

Connectivity

With Destini 125 XTEC, the rider can access vehicle and connectivity functions swiftly and conveniently. The New Digital analog Speedometer with Bluetooth connectivity displays incoming and missed call alerts, new message alerts, timings along with the RTMI and low fuel indicator.  It also gets a front USB charging port.

New Color Theme

Available in seven exciting colors, the Nexus Blue specially created for the Destini 125 XTEC ensures even further enhanced exclusivity.

Engine

The Destini 125 XTEC comes with a 125cc BS-VI compliant engine producing a remarkable power output of 9 BHP @ 7000 RPM and torque on demand of 10.4 NM @ 5500 for a high- performance ride. Delivering the brand promise of performance and comfort, the new Destini 125 XTEC comes with the i3S patented technology for a better fuel efficiency.

Safety

Ensuring utmost safety for both rider and pillion, the scooter has a side-stand visual indication and a ‘Side-stand Engine cut-off’.

Microsoft Enables startups In India From Idea To Unicorn With New Microsoft For Startups Founders Hub Platform

* New platform will support founders in India at every stage of their startup journey with access to more than US$300,000 in benefits including technology and tools from Microsoft and partners  

* Startups will also be able to gain mentorship and skilling opportunities with industry experts and Microsoft Learn

Microsoft today launched its Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub in India, to empower startups’ vision and fuel innovation to drive economic and societal progress for India and beyond. Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub  is a new digital and truly inclusive platform for startup founders in India. The platform offers over US$300,000 worth of benefits and credits, giving startups free access to the technology, tools, and resources they need to build and run their business. From the most trusted, secure, open-source friendly and compliant cloud platform, to best-in-class developer and productivity tools including GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise and Microsoft 365.

Beyond access to technology, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub will empower entrepreneurs to innovate and grow by connecting them with mentors who will provide them with industry, business, and technical support to guide them through their next business milestones. Microsoft is also partnering with innovative companies like OpenAI, a global leader in AI research and deployment, that develops AI systems such as GPT-3 and Codex to provide startups with exclusive benefits and discounts. In addition, founders will have access to Microsoft Learn for tailored startup-centric training and a variety of startup and unicorn programs to help them build connections with customers or industry veterans and accelerate their growth. 

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is designed specifically for early-stage startups to lower the barriers of business creation, be a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, and contribute to easing the journey from an idea to a unicorn. It is available to all startups in India, including those without third-party validation or funding, as part of Microsoft’s commitment to empower startups’ ambitions to drive innovation from India to the world.

“Disruptive innovation in Indian startups is accelerating India’s position to become one of the leading startups hubs of the world. As a trusted partner, we want to empower every startup in India help scale their idea to become a unicorn and beyond. As a platform company, our cloud services and solutions are designed to empower founders to concentrate on what they do best – innovate at their own pace. Our aim is to provide startups access to the resources that will power their innovation, connect them with customers, and an ecosystem of developers, partners and investors to help them scale in India and beyond,” said Sangeeta Bavi, Director - Startup Ecosystem, Microsoft India. “Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub was created following extensive research and conversations with hundreds of founders who explicitly shared their need for access to a digital ecosystem that promotes opportunities and democratizes innovation regardless of background, location, progress, or passions. We look forward to how our new offering will support more founders in Asia and provide access to the technology, tools, and resources they need to build and run their business.”

As the third largest ecosystem for startups in the world, India holds tremendous opportunities for emerging businesses across industries. Microsoft continues to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to India’s startup ecosystem and founders through specially curated initiatives. Last year, Microsoft launched a program for nurturing and scaling startups that are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) called Microsoft AI Innovate. The program supports startups in India leveraging AI technologies, helping them scale operations, drive innovation, and build industry expertise. In collaboration with Accenture, Microsoft has also expanded Project Amplify to support startups focused on sustainability and social impact, with hands-on support and technologies, mentoring and collaboration opportunities.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Announces Price Of The Iconic Hilux At Rs. 33,99,000/-

* All variants come with a 4X4 drivetrain enabling customers to engage in smooth off-roading

* Automatic Transmission (AT) variant provides segment-leading power of 204 hp & torque output of 500 Nm; Manual Transmission (MT) variants generate 204 hp and 420 Nm

* Toyota Hilux is available in exciting colors – Emotional Red, White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Super White & Grey Metallic 

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), today, announced the ‘One Nation One Price’ of the iconic Hilux at Rs. 33,99,000/- (ex-showroom price for 4*4 MT Standard). Launched earlier this year, the Hilux is aimed to fulfil the needs of the customers seeking an incredible lifestyle utility vehicle that is best suited for off-roading adventure drives on tough terrains, and everyday city use.

Commenting on the announcement of the price of Toyota Hilux, Mr. Tadashi Asazuma, Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Today, we are happy to announce the price of the Hilux. Ever since its launch, the sophisticated Hilux has managed to win the admiration and hearts of the customers with good response.  With our ‘customer first’ approach, drawing inspirations from the lifestyles of the people, our offering in the whole new lifestyle segment with Hilux is a step ahead to deliver ‘mass happiness to all’.  We are grateful to our valued customers for placing their confidence in our brand.

The Toyota Hilux is the epitome of world-class engineering, unparalleled safety, and best-in-class comfort, all perfectly channeled to create the incredible lifestyle utility vehicle for those who enjoy adventure, thrill, and creating enduring memories with friends and family.” he added.

Globally, the Hilux sales has surpassed 20 million units winning hearts of millions from over 180 countries. Through more than five decades and eight generations, the Toyota Hilux created extraordinary experiences and an unbreakable bond with those who desire awesomeness during their everyday drives, whether they are on business or with their families.

Hilux’s global reputation as a powerful performer is attributed to its rigid Innovative Multi-purpose Vehicle (IMV) platform and a powerful powertrain system with 2.8 L Four Cylinder Turbo-Diesel Engine & available in an option of 6- Speed Automatic or 6-Speed Manual Transmission. In addition to a variety of remarkable features coupled with a robust engine, the Hilux also offers exceptional endurance, low maintenance cost, and great practicality for a variety of usage purposes. Furthermore, the Hilux's water wading capability of 700mm makes it suitable for driving through Indian trails, setting new standards in its off-road capability.

Further to facilitate an awesome digital experience, the Toyota virtual showroom enables customer to enjoy the Hilux from the comfort of their home, a true reflection of ‘We Are Where You Are”. Now customers can seamlessly get a 360-degree external and internal views, check out all the available variants and colors, experience the key features and get variant-wise comparison.

Nielsen Enhances Identity System For Digital Ad Ratings In India

 

* Demographic data from multiple data providers will power up the Nielsen Identity System to bring scale for the digital measurement of the open web 

On April 1, Nielsen will enhance its open web methodology in India for Digital Ad Ratings through the Nielsen Identity System, alongside seven other markets: Germany, Australia, Japan, Spain, Indonesia, Canada and Brazil. 

The Nielsen Identity System revolutionises how digital ad campaigns are measured in a rapidly changing media ecosystem. The India launch of the Nielsen Identity System follows successful launches in Italy, France and the UK earlier this year. 

Dolly Jha, Nielsen India Managing Director said, “We’re leading the way in tackling digital consumer behaviour fragmentation. From granularity, to large-scale measurement, we’re delivering actionable insights to help advertisers measure, manage and optimise their campaign budgets and results.” 

Thanks to the Nielsen Identity System powering Digital Ad Ratings advertisers and publishers can measure reach and frequency of their audiences with confidence knowing that when a digital ad is viewed, demographics are deduplicated across mobile and PC platforms to get to true people-based metrics. 

The Nielsen Identity System measures digital campaigns for the open web alongside the integrations already in place for the walled gardens. The Nielsen Identity System connects digital ad impressions for the open web to Indian demographic data from both Nielsen and third-party data providers. In India, it is powered by more than 700 million device identifiers in a privacy-centric manner.

Nielsen is excited to be working with global & local data providers and will continue to expand its relationships with more data providers to further increase coverage within the Nielsen Identity System. 

These strategic relationships, combined with Nielsen’s unique data assets and sophisticated machine learning models, cement Nielsen’s position as a leader in digital ad measurement, both in India and globally.

Sarah Miller, SVP, Product Management at Nielsen commented “With this enhancement to our Identity System we are taking another step to assure the continuity of ad measurement amidst the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. Because of Nielsen’s unique data assets, we are not only able to adjust and correct licensed third party demographic data using panels, we have also developed sophisticated machine learning algorithms to cluster digital identifiers into people and correct for any possible imbalances from the market’s universe of users. It is this advanced data science methodology fueled by the sheer volume of Nielsen Identities that will empower the digital ad measurement into the future.”

April will also see the launch of the enhanced Nielsen Identity System in Japan, Germany, Australia, Spain, Indonesia, Canada and Brazil with Singapore, Mexico, Thailand, The Philippines and Hong Kong to launch in May. We will continue to launch the enhanced Nielsen Identity System in additional markets through the rest of 2022

This is an important milestone as we continue to evolve our technologies and methodologies as we move toward our global Nielsen ONE strategy, underpinning a strong digital measurement capability which helps with the vision of a true cross-platform that measures across all screens.

ABOUT NIELSEN DIGITAL AD RATINGS

Nielsen Digital Ad Ratings delivers people-based measurement of digital campaigns, including reach and frequency, against Walled Gardens (a closed ecosystem in which all the operations are controlled by the ecosystem operator) and the Open Web and can provide de-duplicated reach across all of these properties.

ABOUT NIELSEN

Nielsen shapes the world’s media and content as a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics. Through our understanding of people and their behaviours across all channels and platforms, we empower our clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their audiences—now and into the future.

An S&P 500 company, Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) operates around the world in more than 55 countries. Learn more at www.nielsen.com or www.nielsen.com/investors and connect with us on social media.

Wipro GE Healthcare Boosts Local Manufacturing, New Factory Under PLI Goes Live

* With an investment of over INR 100 crores, this greenfield facility is one of 15 medical device manufacturers approved under the government’s PLI Scheme towards Atmanirbhar Bharat

* As a key enabler in driving Karnataka’s commitment to underpin the growth of the ESDM industry, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) welcomes Wipro GE Healthcare’s new manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India

Wipro GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology and digital solutions innovator, today announced the launch of its new manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India, under the Indian government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. The new plant, Wipro GE Medical Device Manufacturing factory (MDM), is aligned to the National Agenda of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and will further boost local manufacturing of medical devices in India. The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) is at the forefront of enabling a global ESDM ecosystem in Karnataka and has welcomed the first association of its Partner in Progress for Electronics, System, Design, and Manufacturing (ESDM) Program through the inauguration of Wipro GE Healthcare’s medical devices manufacturing plant. The plant is a 100% subsidiary of Wipro GE Healthcare and has been setup as a green field legal entity. The company has invested a little over INR100 crore in this facility.

A 35000 sq ft facility, the MDM factory is set up for 24/7 operations for manufacturing CT machines, cathlab equipment, ultrasound scanners, patient monitoring solutions, ECG machines and ventilators. It is equipped with automated testers to assess performance of the medical devices. This facility currently has 35 employees in its shopfloor which is expected to increase to 100 in next 2 to 3 years.

Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro GE Healthcare and Chairman, Wipro Enterprises, said “India is on an accelerated growth path in gaining global prominence for medical devices manufacturing. Wipro GE Healthcare’s new factory, with support from the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, will aid the health ecosystem in India to realize its true potential in addressing local and global challenges for healthcare providers.”

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Shravan Subramanyam, Managing Director, Wipro GE Healthcare, said, “The new facility is a testament to our continued commitment to an Atmanirbhar Bharat and is a step forward in elevating India’s capability as a global manufacturing hub. We applaud the government’s initiatives towards making India self-reliant. The new draft of the National Medical Devices Policy 2022 provides further impetus towards empowering India’s healthcare ecosystem, and we at Wipro GE Healthcare are very optimistic about the future of MedTech in India. 

“We congratulate Wipro GE Healthcare for its contribution towards boosting local manufacturing and generating employment in the local communities. Through our Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, we will provide continued support to the company’s efforts towards augmenting the ESDM sector and providing fillip to the region’s digital economy,” said C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister of Information Technology - Biotechnology, Higher Education, Science and Technology of Karnataka in his virtual address.

Mahesh Kapri, Managing Director, GE BEL & General Manager - ISC, South Asia, GE Healthcare, said, “The country’s import dependency for medical devices stands at 75-80%* and for India to rise the ranks as the leading MedTech devices market, local innovation & production is pivotal.  We are confident that our new factory will contribute meaningfully to India’s self-reliance goal and will accelerate India’s profile on the global product development map”

Addressing those gathered at the inauguration, Dr E V Ramana Reddy, ACS, Dept of Electronics, IT BT S&T said, “Karnataka has always led the country’s technological progress. Policy initiatives at the central and state level have additionally encouraged the growth of the ESDM sector along with the growing demand for superior technology products. Industry 4.0 and the medical devices sector is heavily dependent on India’s electronics and manufacturing capabilities and creating a suitable ecosystem to foster this growth will take the nation far ahead. Initiatives such as these by Wipro GE Healthcare reflect their commitment towards making the state a pivot for innovation and growth. The industry’s acceptance of KDEM’s ESDM-led programs is a positive sign towards building the state’s IT and ESDM sector and taking it to a global platform.”

Sharing his thoughts on the inauguration of the unit, Shri B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission said, “The KDEM has always strived to focus on innovation, skill development, identify and nurture talent in the start-up and ESDM space in clusters of Karnataka. We believe that the state has immense drive and hunger to learn, innovate and contribute significantly to the nation’s growth. When we launched our Partner in Progress program, the overwhelming response received by industry leaders was a reassurance to our commitment of building a strong ESDM ecosystem in Karnataka. Today’s inauguration of the new manufacturing unit of Wipro GE Healthcare, our first partner in the program is a step towards enhancing this ecosystem while building a nurturing platform for our very able capable and diverse workforce.”

Speaking on KDEM’s contribution to nurturing a strong talent pool in the ESDM space, Shri Sanjeev Gupta, CEO, KDEM said, “KDEM’s Partner in Progress for ESDM was an important step in pledging our commitment to making Karnataka a global hub for ESDM and Wipro GE Healthcare was one of the first partners in leading the charge for this. With its landmark project of a manufacturing plant for medical devices with a focus on diversity, is an important milestone in recognising the nation’s diverse talent force and their exceptional capabilities. We at KDEM are extremely happy to partner with the industry think tank to take the Beyond Bengaluru vision to the next level that will impact and ignite the next wave of development in India.”

The Karnataka Digital Economy Mission is a special entity set up to strengthen the digital economy in Karnataka. It is a first-of-its-kind organization designed to function as the knowledge bridge between the Government of Karnataka and industry with a view of accelerating the growth and investments of the ESDM, IT, BT, and S&T sectors in the state. KDEM’s efforts to scale the growth of the electronics, system, design and manufacturing (ESDM) industry has received wide acceptance from the industry. 18 large corporations have given their Letter of Intent (LoI) so far to set up operations in the state. This comes at a time when the Government of India recently announced its semiconductor policy to promote the manufacturing of semiconductor chips in the country.

The Government of Karnataka projects the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM)sector to yield more than 20% of regional GDP by 2025. The state government has been shaping its digital economy with new policies in the IT, ER&D, ESDM, and Skill Development sectors. Wipro GE Healthcare’s new facility promotes the ESDM sector in Karnataka and is in sync with the state government’s goal to build up the digital economy for the world through state-of-the-art medical devices made in India.

About Wipro GE Healthcare:

Wipro GE Healthcare Private Limited is a Joint Venture (JV) between General Electric Company, USA and Wipro Enterprises Limited, India. Established in 1990, it is one of the most successful and longest-running JVs in the region with operations spread across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan. The company is the largest Medical Technology player in the South Asia region. Wipro GE is focused on addressing some of the toughest healthcare challenges - lowering maternal and infant deaths, enabling early detection of cancer, addressing heart diseases.

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare is the $17.7 billion healthcare business of GE (NYSE: GE). As a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics and digital solutions innovator, GE Healthcare enables clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions through intelligent devices, data analytics, applications, and services, supported by its Edison intelligence platform. With over 100 years of healthcare industry experience and around 47,000 employees globally, the company operates at the center of an ecosystem working toward precision health, digitizing healthcare, helping drive productivity and improve outcomes for patients, providers, health systems and researchers around the world.

Image caption: From left to right: Mahesh Palashikar, President, GE South Asia; Dr. Shravan Subramanyam, MD, Wipro GE Healthcare; Ian Dale, Chief Supply Chain Officer, GE Healthcare; Shri B V Naidu, Chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM); Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro GE Healthcare & Chairman, Wipro Enterprises; Dr. E V Ramana Reddy, ACS, Dept of Electronics - IT BT S&T, Govt of Karnataka; Mahesh Kapri, MD, GE BEL & GM, ISC - South Asia, GE Healthcare; Krishna Srinivasa Rao, Managing Director, Wipro GE MDM; and Vardarajan Saravanan, Business Team Leader, Wipro GE MDM

Vedantu Launches W.A.V.E 2.0, An Immersive LIVE Platform That Reimagines Online Learning In India

* Advanced 67 LIVE interactive features that enhance students' learning experience

* Key features include - 3D++, Multi Teacher Model, Portal, AR Filter, Drag/Drop, Stars, Badges & Dhol, On Stage, Instant Doubt Solving, Leaderboard, Report Card & Milestones

* W.A.V.E 2.0 uses 40% lesser bandwidth than other platforms

* In the last year alone, 280 million students visited Vedantu, and it’s YouTube channels witnessed 500 million views.

Vedantu, a pioneer in LIVE online learning, today, launched W.A.V.E 2.0, the world’s most interactive and effective classroom, at their event - Vtopia. The patented technology will redefine the learning experience and performance recognition at a whole new level. The 2.0 version of W.A.V.E (Whiteboard Audio Video Environment) learning platform, envisions inspiring every child and making quality education accessible, and creating an impact at scale in India.

The power of W.A.V.E is in its groundbreaking ability to measure 100+ parameters in real-time using AI/ML to drive student engagement, teaching effectiveness, and learning outcomes. The disruptive technology delivers precise insights through face recognition, content, whiteboard usage analysis, verbal interaction analysis, doubt analysis, tone, and sentiment analysis, and much more.

With the advent of technology and personalization at an unimaginable scale, students today engage better with study methods that are fun, interactive, and rewarding, W.A.V.E 2.0 brings the best of - Personalized Teaching, Learning, and Recognition for each child, it is 10X more engaging, effective, predictable, and designed for transformative learning outcomes at a fraction of the cost for millions of students. With the integration of advanced AI/ML technology, Vedantu is setting benchmarks for the future of online pedagogy. The platform’s holistic user experience aims at increasing active student participation. Truly designed for Bharat, where high-speed internet has still not reached everywhere, W.A.V.E 2.0 delivers the highest quality content and uses 40% less bandwidth than other platforms.

Vamsi Krishna, CEO & Co-Founder, of Vedantu said, “We are determined to provide the best education for students with our patented technology. Since its inception, W.A.V.E has been used by 4000+ teachers to teach 24 million students for 70 million hours. And these students came from 7300+ cities and towns, that’s almost 92% of the total cities and towns in India. With W.A.V.E 2.0., we want to create a learning experience that sparks curiosity and makes a student more immersed in the entire learning process. We are excited to invent an offering that pushes the boundaries of education & addresses the current challenges prevailing in the education sector in India. Irrespective of geographical boundaries, we aim to create an impact at scale for children all over the country.”

Today, W.A.V.E has 5 patents filed, and 1 patent already granted in the US. W.A.V.E 2.0 encapsulates 67 LIVE interactive features that enable students to unlock their true potential by boosting student interactions and improving learning outcomes. Major highlights in the new version include -

1.  A Portal - Digital notebook for students to write and demonstrate the concepts per their understanding. Teachers can evaluate and assist students 1:1 and the notebook can also be shared in the LIVE classroom.

A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated with medium confidence2.   3D++ models to break down complexity - This makes complex diagrammatic concepts easy to understand. Students can enter the 3D world, zoom in to view minute details, and rotate the 3D model.

3.  Multi Teacher Model - Facilitates seamless handling of bigger classrooms through batches without compromising on the quality of interaction. Master teachers can focus on teaching while a second teacher, known as the Class teacher, can simultaneously solve the students’ doubts in real-time. This allows us to mentor and guide every single student, irrespective of class strength while ensuring they are understanding the concepts inside-out.

4. Milestone, Report Card, and Leaderboard - This encourages students to perform better. Teachers can trigger a report card during certain milestone events in class for students to understand statistics around their quiz attempts. ‘Leaderboard’ is an A-game feature that ranks students in a Top 15 list basis the points that they accrue by participating and getting correct answers in an activity.

5.  Stars, Badges, and Dhol Instantly - Instant gratification enhances student morale. This feature drives it by showering Stars and Dhol to create a fun experience, reward classroom performance & behavior, and celebrate birthdays with animation and sound effects.

6. AR Filters - Further to make learning entertaining and educational, teachers can use filters while teaching the younger grade students for undivided attention.

7. On Stage Appreciation - With motivation and appreciation at the centre, ‘On stage’ allows teachers to do what they would ideally do in a physical classroom when they bring students in front of the blackboard to acknowledge and reward them.

8. Tag, Drag, Drop - Touch-based interactions between a teacher and student made simpler with Tag & Drag/Drop feature. Objects can be moved and matched around on the whiteboard matched and actual images can be clicked on to select answers.

9.   Instant Doubt Solving - The biggest difference between a recorded video and a LIVE real-time class is a student's ability to interact and ask doubts. W.A.V.E 2.0 enables ‘Instant Doubt Solving’ with multiple Teacher Assistants (TAs) in a LIVE class to support the Main Teacher in resolving student doubts. Their teamwork makes the dream work!

Students have the access to the best quality teachers from across the country and can explore high-quality personalized content to advance their learning through real-time post-class detailed insights along with feedback on their engagement in every class. For large group classes, the platform can accommodate more than 2K students, and, for webinars, more than 10K students.

Atlassian Doubles Down On Its VC Fund To Propel The SaaS Ecosystem In 1.5 Years Since Its Inception

* Atlassian Ventures has invested $110M in funding 

Atlassian Corporation Plc (NASDAQ: TEAM), a leading provider of team collaboration and productivity software and the maker of Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket and Trello products, has deployed over US$110 million in VC funding and now supports over 30 organisations, just shy of 18 months since launching Atlassian Ventures. 

The global funding provides an opportunity for SaaS startups looking to work with Atlassian’s best-in-class cloud products and platform. The company which is passionate about the future of work and new ways to collaborate in the cloud will also look to tap into India’s growing SaaS startup ecosystem and the country’s rich talent pool. Globally, it considers India a key market for innovation, having grown its office in Bengaluru into a world-class R&D center employing over 1,000 in India across engineering, design, product management and more. 

Established in late 2020 with an initial investment of US$50 million, the Atlassian Ventures team invest in companies across three focus areas where it can uniquely accelerate growth. Firstly - the early-stage startups, who are building apps for Atlassian’s cloud products. Secondly - larger, growth-stage startups deepening their partnerships with Atlassian; and thirdly, Atlassian channel partners creating new cloud products and services that support the future of teamwork. 

Head of Atlassian Ventures, Matt Sonefeldt says, “Our goal for Atlassian Ventures is to build a world-class venture capital fund, not just a great corporate venture program. We measure our success by how well we help founders grow their companies through Atlassian, and we’re excited about supporting awesome companies that are driving collaboration for teams on the cloud. This year we’ve built a dedicated team inside Atlassian to support Ventures and our portfolio founders as we set our sights on a much bigger goal, several times larger than the $110 million invested today.” 

Atlassian Ventures portfolio companies receive mentorship from the Atlassian team and global exposure at its events, in addition to the capital they receive. The mentor meets them regularly to check in on progress, give advice based on their experience in the ecosystem, and help with any roadblocks they may be facing. 

Highlighting the success of the venture fund, Dinesh Ajmera, Site Lead and Head of Engineering, India, Atlassian says, “One and a half years later, we've really seen first-hand the impact this funding has had on the global ecosystem. We’ve seen wonderful growth across the portfolio whether its partners seeing more integrated users, teams hiring talent or growing revenue, and developers turning side projects into full-time jobs. With the increasing focus on cloud and India being one of the biggest startup hubs in the world, we’re committed to doing our part to ensure a vibrant ecosystem. We’ve been amazed at how our ecosystem has innovated on top of Atlassian products and we want to continue enabling their success and growth.” 

Atlassian Ventures' three core focus areas are agile development, work management and IT service management. Outside of these fields, the corporate VC would also consider investing in start-ups playing in spaces such as product-led growth, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). 

For further information on how to apply for funding, visit http://atlassian.com/company/ventures. 

Wagh Bakri Foundation Donates Delivery Vehicle To Akshaya Patra, Reiterates Support Towards Feeding 65,000 Children

* The donations made by Wagh Bakri Foundation will help 3,300 nutritious meals reach about 65,877 students in government schools in Bengaluru

Adding another milestone to their long-standing relationship, Wagh Bakri Foundation has reiterated its support towards The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s mission to eliminate child malnutrition in India by donating a delivery vehicle that will help transport hot and nutritious mid-day meals to government schools in Bengaluru.

The vehicle that will be part of Akshaya Patra’s kitchen in Bengaluru will help the NGO deliver 3,300 meals to about 65,877 children.

The generous donation is one of the many initiatives undertaken by Wagh Bakri in collaboration with on Akshaya Patra. As part of their decade-long partnership, both organizations have come together on various occasions to provide mid-day meals, distribute Happiness kits, and cooked meals to the underprivileged.

The delivery vehicle donated to Hare Krishna Hill was flagged off in Bengaluru on 30th March 2022 in the presence of Mr. PV Suresh, Senior General Manager (Sales), Wagh Bakri Tea Group and Sri Sridham Krishna Dasa, Director, Resource Mobilisation, The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Speaking on the decade-long association, Mr. Paras Desai, Executive Director, Wagh Bakri Tea Group and Trustee, Wagh Bakri Foundation, said, “The Group is elated to join hands with The Akshaya Patra Foundation for the noble cause of providing nutritious meals to underprivileged students across India. The culture of Wagh Bakri Group has always been to ‘Give back to society. We at Wagh Bakri Tea Group believe 'Food is a fundamental human right' hence we strive to work towards fulfilling this responsibility towards the society we live in. Stepping ahead towards the goal of providing the right nutrition, we aid Akshay Patra with 6 food distribution vehicles for serving ‘Mid-Day Meal’ scheme of the Government of India. The vehicles will help Akshay Patra Foundation to reach the larger area and needier.”

Expressing gratitude for the donation by Wagh Bakri Foundation, Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said, “For the past 21 years, we’ve served hot and nutritious meals to children with an aim to eradicate classroom hunger and ascertain that no child should be deprived of education due to hunger. Our mission can only be achieved through partnerships like the one we have with Wagh Bakri. This long-standing collaboration and the donations being made as a part of a larger goal will go a long way in expanding the reach of Akshaya Patra’s meals to thousands more students in Bengaluru.”

About Wagh Bakri Tea Group

The Wagh Bakri Tea Group has been actively involved in philanthropic activities even before it was mandated by the CSR law. The Group has been making sincere endeavors to bring about a visible change in the society by contributing in the fields of education, healthcare, women empowerment and other socio-economic development activities.

Some of their notable contributions include the construction of education infrastructure at Vishvamangalam, Anera – Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, the creation of an endowment fund for ‘Cataract Surgeries’ to Blind People’s association, health equipment support to ‘Jivraj Mehta Smarak health Foundation’ in Ahmedabad, among others.

The Group has also extended support to the ‘Gujarat Cancer Society’ for spreading awareness & Prevention and joins hands during various relief interventions through partner organizations during the COVID pandemic.

About The Akshaya Patra Foundation

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that strives to address classroom hunger and malnutrition in India. By implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Government and Government-aided schools, Akshaya Patra aims to fight hunger and, at the same time, bring children to school. Since 2000, Akshaya Patra has worked towards reaching out to children with wholesome food every single school day. The Foundation is continuously leveraging technology to cater to millions of children. Its state-of-the-art kitchens have become a subject of study and attract curious visitors from around the world.

In partnership with the Government of India and various State Governments and the inestimable support of many philanthropic donors and well-wishers, Akshaya Patra has grown from humble beginnings serving just 1,500 school children across five schools to becoming the world’s largest (not-for-profit run) mid-day meal programme, serving wholesome food to over 1.8 million children from 19,039 schools [as of March 2020] across 14 states and two union territory in India.

RFPIO Appoints New VP Sales To Bolster Global Expansion Plans In EMEA And APAC

* Astrid Masle-Boer has joined as Vice President of Sales to lead the company’s international expansion

RFPIO, the leading response management platform, today announces the appointment of Astrid Masle-Boer as vice president of sales to lead the company’s expansion plans and continue advancing its international presence in EMEA and APAC. With an estimated 20% of the company’s revenue from the EMEA and APAC in 2021, RFPIO further aims to expand its international presence with the new leadership team.

In the last six months, the company has witnessed a strong growth trajectory on the heels of two acquisitions including the acquisition of RFP360 to bolster best-in-class response management solutions for organizations of all sizes and InHub, a leading RFx management solution for the investment community. RFPIO also preparing for a year of expansion through investments in hiring and product development.

“A transformation in sales analytics and AI is redefining the way B2B organizations buy and sell. The process has been cumbersome and slow for too long,” says Ganesh Shankar, CEO and co-founder of RFPIO. “Growth leaders have realized they need to prioritize response management and there is a global need. With a huge market opportunity, Ms. Masle-Boer will play a key role in the creation and execution of RFPIO’s global strategy by adding team members and forming new alliances to expand its presence.”

Since its founding six years ago, RFPIO’s product vision has evolved to meet the market needs and include stakeholders well beyond the sales team. The platform's user base grew by an estimated 105,000 since the start of 2021 alone.

“Astrid is an outstanding addition to our leadership team. She is a proven sales leader with a demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships and will help RFPIO scale international operations.” continued Shankar. “As organizations embrace new work methodologies and environments, Astrid will play a critical role in ensuring that RFPIO’s offering aligns with what our customers need to meet their revenue goals.”

To learn more about RFPIO,  visit www.rfpio.com/.

About RFPIO

RFPIO is the market leader in response management software, trusted by some of the world's smartest companies to support RFP and security questionnaire response, create and manage sales proposals, and resolve inefficiencies rooted in decentralized and inaccessible content and knowledge. The software's robust and bi-directional integrations, along with an open API, allow teams to digitally transform response management processes and to harness the power of the knowledge and content across their teams. RFPIO supports response management for growing organizations of all sizes including Google, Adobe, Atlassian, Microsoft, Tenable, Zoom Video and others.

For more information, visit rfpio.com or follow @rfpioinc on Twitter.

Avaya And Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Announce Strategic Partnership To Accelerate Their Customers’ Transformation To The Cloud

Avaya (NYSE: AVYA), a global leader in solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration, and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading international provider of communications, networking and cloud solutions today announced a strategic partnership that extends the availability of Avaya’s OneCloud CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) composable solutions to ALE’s global base of customers while also making ALE’s digital networking solutions available on a global basis to Avaya customers.

Through this partnership, ALE will offer Avaya OneCloud™ CCaaS, which provides advanced AI, Identity and Security, Workforce Engagement Management (WEM) and customer service capabilities to ALE customers. Avaya will offer ALE Digital Age Networking solutions to its customers, covering the full spectrum of enterprise wired and wireless connectivity technologies with advanced cloud platform services, leveraging the latest in IoT analytics, digital workflow, secure mobility, AI for network automation.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Avaya to deliver market-leading CCaaS capabilities to our customers and expand the market reach of our Digital Age Networking solutions,” said Jack Chen, CEO, ALE. “The extensibility and composability of the Avaya OneCloud CCaaS platform allows us to work with an ecosystem of industry-leading partners to build with Avaya deeper and more engaging experiences our customers need.”

“We are very excited to partner with ALE to offer our OneCloud CCaaS to their global base of nearly one million customers and nearly 3,000 partners, while bolstering our portfolio with the addition of ALE networking technologies,” said Jim Chirico, President and CEO, Avaya. “The partnership we announced today is highly complementary and we believe it represents a significant opportunity for Avaya and ALE customers alike to accelerate their move to the cloud by deploying world-class cloud technologies from two global communications leaders.”

Business customers across the globe will be able to achieve their digital transformation and move to the cloud delivering differentiated customer experiences for their end customers and better work experiences for their employees.

“The addition of ALE to the Avaya OneCloud ecosystem reflects the growing strength of Avaya’s cloud offerings, as well as the success of the company’s strategy for delivering a highly composable architecture for the Experience Economy,” said Zeus Kerravala, Founder and Principal Analyst with ZK Research. “ALE benefits by gaining access to Avaya’s growing ecosystem of Experience Builders, as well as a surging customer base of companies that need support at all levels of cloud migration strategies while Avaya solutions will be enhanced through the addition of ALE’s digital age networking portfolio, including their industry-leading IoT connectivity solution. This combination of ALE’s end-to-end IoT management, plus their broader enterprise digital age network portfolio, coupled with the OneCloud Experience Platform will deliver unrivaled ability for their customers to compose the future of work, connect all elements of their enterprise, serve the everything customer, and compete in the Experience Economy.” 

About Avaya

Businesses are built by the experiences they provide, and everyday millions of those experiences are delivered by Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA). Avaya is shaping what's next for the future of work, with innovation and partnerships that deliver game-changing business benefits. Our cloud communications solutions and multi-cloud application ecosystem power personalized, intelligent, and effortless customer and employee experiences to help achieve strategic ambitions and desired outcomes. Together, we are committed to help grow your business by delivering Experiences that Matter. Learn more at http://www.avaya.com

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers’ success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world.

With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.