NUVO Champions Data Ownership And Inclusion With Its Blockchain-Powered Data Wallet

Inclusivetech startup NUVO is redefining how individuals access, own, and share their personal data. Founded in 2023 by Smriti Chaudhary and Saurav Raaj, the startup addresses a key challenge in India’s digital ecosystem — improving data access and control to strengthen financial and healthcare inclusion, especially among rural

women. With over half of rural women lacking mobile phone ownership and limited awareness of data rights, millions remain excluded from essential digital services, while organizations struggle with compliance due to inadequate consent management systems.

To bridge this gap, NUVO has built a Personalized Data Wallet powered by blockchain and enhanced with Zero Knowledge Proof Computation. This privacy-first platform enables users to securely manage digital identities, store verified data, and share it with institutions through a Universal Consent Layer that ensures privacy and compliance. It empowers individuals to take charge of their personal information while providing organizations with a trusted, consent-based data exchange framework.

Participation in the Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme provided NUVO with strategic mentorship, business insights, and access to a strong network of partners and experts. The programme helped NUVO refine its technology roadmap and strengthen its model for scalability and impact.

Smriti Chaudhary, Co-founder of NUVO, said, “At NUVO, our goal is to create a future where every individual has full control over their data. Kotak BizLabs played a crucial role in helping us sharpen our strategy and align innovation with real-world inclusion.”

Himanshu Nivsarkar, Head – CSR & ESG, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., said, “NUVO reflects the spirit of inclusive innovation that Kotak BizLabs strives to nurture. By building technology that bridges access gaps and strengthens trust, startups like NUVO are laying the foundation for a more equitable digital future.”

With its privacy-first, blockchain-powered solution, NUVO is setting new standards in inclusivetech — making data ownership a right and driving meaningful inclusion across India’s digital economy.

Large-Scale Indian Study Validates Rapid Visual Recovery With AI-Enabled SMILE Laser Tech Co-Developed By Bengaluru Surgeon

* Co-developed by Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh, the technology demonstrated high precision, faster recovery, and AI-driven accuracy in a 1,500-eye clinical study

* The study conducted at Nethradhama found 98% of eyes achieved 20/20 vision and 99% reached target correction within 15 days, reaffirming India’s leadership in advanced laser vision correction

A large-scale clinical study involving 1,500 eyes has confirmed that the latest generation of SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) laser technology delivers highly precise and safe outcomes for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Conducted at Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital in Bengaluru using the VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser system, the study represents one of the largest reported datasets globally for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. VisuMax 800 laser, the second-generation femtosecond laser was developed by ZEISS in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh, Chairman and Managing Director of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Bengaluru.

The retrospective study using data from 770 patients under 45 years of age, found that 98% of eyes achieved 20/20 or better vision without glasses, and 99% were within ±0.50 diopters of the intended correction within just 15 days after surgery, demonstrating rapid visual recovery and high refractive accuracy. As a pioneer in adopting next-generation ophthalmic technologies, Nethradhama’s experience and clinical rigor added significant depth to the analysis. The procedure was effective across all levels of myopia, and younger patients experienced faster recovery.

Nethradhama was among the first five centres in the world, and the first in India, to adopt the VisuMax 800 platform. The hospital is also the first one to conduct global trials assessing the system’s safety and efficacy.

Dr. Supriya Samak Sriganesh, Executive Director of Nethradhama and co-author of the study, said, “This study represents one of the largest datasets on SMILE surgery and contributes valuable evidence to global ophthalmology research. The results reaffirm Nethradhama’s position among the world’s leading centres for laser vision correction, achieving 98% accuracy. By systematically analysing outcomes across a diverse patient population, including long-term follow-ups, we are able to demonstrate both the safety and sustained effectiveness of this technology. The research underscores the importance of rigorous data collection, clinical monitoring, and evidence-driven innovation in delivering world-class eye care.”

The study also reported significantly reduced intraoperative risks, such as suction loss, which occurred in just 0.06% of cases compared to 0.5% in previous systems.

Commenting on the technology, Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh said, “We’re glad to position India at the forefront of global ophthalmic innovation and research, by co-developing and adopting advanced technologies like this. The VisuMax 800 laser has transformed the efficiency of SMILE surgery. Its high-speed operation and automated alignment tools allow surgeons to perform procedures in under 10 seconds of laser time while maintaining precision and safety. This reduces surgical stress, improves patient comfort, and accelerates recovery. With AI-enabled Nomograms and digital Centration & cyclotorsion control, the system ensures highly predictable outcomes, making advanced vision correction more reliable and accessible.”

The system includes AI-enabled Nomograms with centration guidance (CentraLign) and digital cyclotorsion control (OcuLign) to enhance procedural accuracy.

“The VisuMax 800 platform sets new standards for precision, patient safety, and surgical efficiency. By demonstrating the sustained effectiveness and reliability of SMILE, the study reinforces its status as a global benchmark in laser vision correction. Further, it showcases how rigorous, evidence-based adoption of advanced technology can drive world-class eye care and shape the future of refractive surgery internationally,” Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh added.

Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh has been recognized among the top 2% of researchers worldwide by Stanford-Elsevier (2025) for the2nd Year in a Row. This recognition reflects his lifelong dedication, pioneering spirit, and relentless pursuit of advancing eye care for patients everywhere.

The latest data from India reinforces that next-generation laser platforms are setting new standards in accuracy, recovery time, and patient experience. The procedure is completely painless, performed using only anaesthetic eye drops, and takes approximately 5–6 minutes for both eyes. It requires no admission; patients can simply walk in, undergo the treatment, and walk out. Most are able to resume normal activities the very next day without the need for extended rest.

The procedure is suitable for individuals above 18 years with stable short-sightedness or astigmatism (stable refractive power for at least one year). Comprehensive screening tests such as corneal topography and corneal thickness assessments are performed to determine suitability. More than 13 million SMILE procedures have now been performed worldwide, making it the fastest-growing refractive procedure for correcting short-sightedness and astigmatism. Its widespread adoption is driven by its high safety profile, comfort, predictable outcomes, and strong long-term efficacy.

Johnson Controls Metasys 15.0 Open Building Automation System Sets New Standard With Leading Scalability, Resiliency & Energy Intelligence

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader in smart, safe, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announced the launch of Metasys 15.0, its flagship open building automation system. Engineered to meet the demands of mission-critical environments, Metasys 15.0 delivers unmatched scalability, built-in resiliency and instant energy intelligence giving facility managers the tools to optimize building performance, ensure compliance and accelerate decarbonization. New features include support for up to 1,000 IP devices per server — 60 percent more than most Building Automation Systems available today, along with multi-server redundancy offering simultaneous backup and a preconfigured ready-to-use Energy Management suite that delivers real-time insights and actionable data.

“Building operators today must navigate a complex landscape of energy goals, operational demands and evolving workforce needs,” said Kaishi Zhang, vice president of Product Management for Building Automation Systems at Johnson Controls. “The latest release of Metasys delivers a secure, intuitive BMS platform that ensures reliability, simplifies energy oversight and reduces reliance on specialized labor – essential for deploying across critical applications where performance and uptime matter more than ever before. We’re thrilled to launch this highly anticipated release, a technology that symbolizes the roots of Johnson Controls and where our experts continue to redefine building automation.”

Metasys 15.0 simplifies deployment and can be scaled across multiple buildings and sites, bringing competitive advantages to mission critical industries such as healthcare systems, data centers and large campuses, while bolstering uptime and efficiency. Key features include:

Market-leading scalability: With support for 50,000 objects and 1,000 IP devices per server, Metasys 15.0 can be seamlessly deployed across large healthcare campuses, universities or multi-site enterprises without costly hardware upgrades. By allowing IP devices to communicate directly with the server, organizations can reduce infrastructure costs by up to 60% by eliminating the need for intermediary components.

24/7 data resiliency: New multi-server redundancy ensures critical alerts, trends, and audit logs are backed up on two Metasys servers simultaneously, helping to ensure operational continuity, data availability and compliance in mission-critical environments like hospitals and data centers.

Ready-to-use energy management applications: The Energy Management suite offers ready-to-use applications which allow users to easily access and understand data across energy management, engineering productivity and cybersecurity to improve operations and planning.

Fast industry configuration: Facility managers can now more easily configure and manage the system directly using a web client, reducing equipment setup time by nearly 95% compared to previous versions and eliminating the need for server shutdowns or external support.

Interoperability – as an open BAS solution, Metasys 15, along with previous iterations, is widely recognized by field technicians for its leading ability to support a wide range of third-party IT and OT protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, API and more.

Metasys is a cornerstone of the Johnson Controls’ product ecosystem, delivering seamless integration across a broad spectrum of building technologies to unlock energy efficiency, system-wide optimization and thermal performance. The combined impact of Metasys together with Johnson Controls’ advanced HVAC, fire, security technologies as well as the OpenBlue smart building ecosystem and network of more than 40,000 field and service technicians can deliver lower operating costs and a stronger return on investment.

To learn more about Metasys from Johnson Controls and the full range of its capabilities, visit https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/building-automation-and-controls/metasys

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnsoncontrols on social platforms.

Pexpo Partners With Upcoming Bollywood Star Studded Film “Dhurandhar” Starring Ranveer Singh

~A collaboration celebrating strength, sustainability and the spirit of modern India, while proudly advancing the Made in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision~

Pexpo, a leading Indian brand in sustainable steel bottle manufacturing, announced its strategic association with the highly anticipated film “Dhurandhar”, starring youth icon and Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh. The film is set to hit theatres on 5th December 2025.

As a proudly Made in India brand driving self-reliant manufacturing, Pexpo continues to champion homegrown innovation through such impactful collaborations.

This collaboration brings together the shared values of strength, resilience, health and conscious living, elements central both to the film’s narrative and to Pexpo’s brand ethos. As a brand that resonates strongly with young India, Pexpo’s partnership with Ranveer Singh, who commands massive youth appeal, creates a powerful platform to inspire better choices among consumers.

Ranveer Singh’s persona and his role in Dhurandhar reflect strength, commitment and physical endurance, qualities that mirror Pexpo’s promise of durable, safe and sustainable stainless-steel products.

Health and fitness being core to both Ranveer’s lifestyle and the brand’s philosophy, this collaboration highlights the importance of staying hydrated the right way, with non-toxic, reusable, eco-conscious steel bottles instead of single-use plastics.

The film showcases the central message of “Strength”, as portrayed by Ranveer Singh, and aligns seamlessly with Pexpo’s belief that real “Dhurandhars” make choices that are better for themselves and for the planet.

Speaking about the collaboration, Vedant Padia, Director, Pexpo, said, “Our partnership with ‘Dhurandhar’ and Ranveer Singh is a strong representation of what the brand stands for, which is strength, better choices and long-term value. Ranveer’s energy, dedication to fitness and strong national appeal deeply resonate with Pexpo’s vision for a healthier, more sustainable India. Through this association, we want to inspire more people to shift to sustainable, reusable stainless-steel products and support a lifestyle that is healthier and more responsible.”

Link to watch the ad film - https://youtu.be/tjREVBZq9Xk?si=HZcrAO0gubZs1at4

Kovai.co’s Document360 Surpasses $10 Million ARR, Sets Sights On $25 Million By 2028

With ₹220 Crore Investment In Coimbatore Development Centre Hub
“Bootstrapped SaaS leader becomes one of the few companies globally to build two $10M+ ARR products without external funding.”

Kovai.co, a bootstrapped, AI-first software company offering multiple products at scale in the B2B SaaS space, today announced that its flagship knowledge management platform, Document360, has crossed $10 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). The company has set a target to scale Document360 to $25 million ARR by 2028, fueled by accelerating global demand for AI-powered knowledge automation and a planned ₹220 crore investment in its Coimbatore Development centre over the next three years.

Document360 marks the second product from Kovai.co to achieve $10M+ ARR, following BizTalk360, positioning the company among a select few bootstrapped organizations worldwide to develop two category-leading SaaS solutions at this scale without venture capital. BizTalk360 is an all-in-one solution to efficiently administer, operate and monitor your Microsoft BizTalk Server environments.

With overall revenue now exceeding $20 million, Kovai.co is reinforcing its commitment to its Tier 2 hometown through this substantial investment, which will drive product development, enhance AI capabilities, and support global expansion.

“This is a landmark moment not just for Kovai.co, but for Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and the Indian SaaS ecosystem,” said Saravana Kumar, Founder & CEO of Kovai.co. “In an era where AI is transforming how enterprises create, manage, and deliver knowledge, Document360 is emerging as a mission-critical platform. Our ₹220 crore commitment to Coimbatore will supercharge product innovation, deepen AI capabilities, and solidify the region's status as a global technology center while enabling us to build more world-class products from here.”

Document360 is expected to grow 40–45% annually over the next three years, with Coimbatore serving as the central hub for advanced engineering, AI development, and talent scaling. “By focusing on deep tech and SaaS expertise in Coimbatore, we're not only powering our global roadmap but also elevating the area as a hub for innovation,” Kumar added.

Launched in 2019 to address gaps in the self-service knowledge base market, Document360 has evolved into one of the world's top platforms, directly competing with major Knowledgebase providers and securing enterprise wins. It now serves over 1,500 customers, including large enterprises, unicorn startups, global technology firms, and government organizations across key verticals such as IT, SaaS, manufacturing, and healthcare. Notable clients include VMware, NHS, Ticketmaster, Payoneer, Virgin Red, and Comcast.

As businesses increasingly embrace AI-driven automation, Document360 provides essential structured knowledge, instant answers, and intelligent search functionalities for teams worldwide.Looking ahead, Kovai.co is accelerating the growth of its third product, Turbo360, with the goal of making it the next $10M ARR success in its expanding portfolio. Turbo360 (Formerly Serverless360) is an advanced Cloud Management platform that identifies significant Azure Cost savings and provides Infra Monitoring for complex Azure Environments.

Care Health Insurance Issues Public Advisory On HEPA Filter Use Amid Rising Respiratory Illnesses And Worsening Air Quality Conditions

Demonstrating its continued commitment to public health and preventive care, Care Health Insurance today issued an urgent advisory encouraging households and workplaces to adopt HEPA-certified air filtration in response to escalating respiratory illnesses due to the increasing pollution.

In recent weeks, multiple regions have reported a sharp surge in asthma flare-ups, respiratory infections and pollution-related medical emergencies. This trend has been intensified by the high pollution levels.

According to recent national and global air quality assessments:

● Air pollution remains a leading contributor to premature mortality in India, accounting for millions of pollution-linked illnesses annually, including asthma, COPD and cardiovascular complications.

● India’s PM2.5 concentrations frequently rank among the highest globally, exposing populations to hazardous fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs.

● Asthma prevalence continues to be a public health concern, with tens of millions of individuals living with chronic symptoms that worsen during pollution spikes.

Care Health Insurance’s Advisory includes the following recommended measures:

Use HEPA-certified air purifiers in indoor spaces to reduce exposure to particulate matter and maintain them with timely filter replacement.

Keep windows and doors closed during severe pollution hours and ventilate only when air quality improves.

Limit outdoor activity and strenuous exercise during peak pollution times. Choose indoor exercise and avoid running, jogging or cycling outdoors in polluted air.

Use N95 or equivalent masks when stepping outdoors to reduce inhalation of harmful particles, and use lubricating eye drops if irritation occurs (on advise by a doctor).

For people with Asthma, follow prescribed medical guidance, keep inhalers and essential medication accessible, stay hydrated to reduce airway irritation, and maintain a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet to support respiratory health.

Minimise exposure to indoor pollutants by avoiding incense, candles and other smoke-generating elements during this period.

Speaking on the advisory, Manish Dodeja, Chief Operating Officer, Care Health Insurance, said:

“We are witnessing an unprecedented convergence of various factors impacting our air quality. These have a direct impact on our respiratory health. As a responsible health partner to millions, Care Health Insurance is committed to guiding our policyholders with timely, preventive measures. The use of HEPA filtration is a simple yet highly effective step individuals can take to safeguard their indoor air quality.”

Care Health Insurance continues to monitor environmental health indicators closely and remains committed to issuing timely guidance that supports the well-being of its customers and the broader community.

About Care Health Insurance

Care Health Insurance is a specialized health insurer offering products in the retail segment for Health Insurance, Top-up Coverage, Personal Accident, Maternity, International Travel Insurance and Critical Illness along with Group Health Insurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance for Corporates, Micro Insurance Products for the Rural Market and a Comprehensive Set of Wellness Services. With its operating philosophy being based on the principal tenet of ‘consumer-centricity’, the company has consistently invested in the effective application of technology to deliver excellence in customer servicing, product innovation and value-for-money services.

Care Health Insurance was conferred the ‘Overall Achievement Award’ (SAHI category) at the ASSOCHAM 16th Global Insurance Summit & Awards; ‘Smart Insurer’ and ‘Sales Champion’ awards in Health Insurance category at the 11th ET Now Insurance Summit & Awards 2024; ‘Claims Service Leader for the Year’ & ‘Best Health Insurance Company in Rural Sector’ awards at the India Insurance Summit & Awards 2024, and ‘Best Health Insurance Plan – Care Plus’ at the Global Financial Planner’s Summit 2024. The company was also awarded ‘Best Health Insurance Product’ and ‘Best Health Insurance Agents’ at the Insurance Alerts Awards, 2021 and ‘Best Health Insurance Product Award’ at FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards 2019.

Air Purifier Demand Climbs 30 Percent Year-On-Year At Croma

~ Delhi NCR alone accounts for nearly three in four air purifiers sold at Croma in 2025 ~

Croma, India’s trusted omni-channel electronics retailer from the Tata Group, has released insights on air purifier purchases based on its 2025 sales data across online and offline channels. The study highlights where the demand originated, evolving customer preferences, and the growing influence of design and technology on buying decisions.

According to the report, Delhi NCR accounted for 72% of all air purifier sales at Croma, reflecting the region’s response to persistent air quality challenges. Maharashtra followed with 12%, and Karnataka contributed 4%, indicating rising awareness and adoption in other states as well.

HEPA filters remain the top choice for customers, thanks to their proven ability to remove airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and mould. Many shoppers also opted for advanced models featuring multi-layered protection—combining pre-filters, activated carbon filters, and UVC LED technology—for comprehensive defence against pollutants and odours.

“Air purifiers are no longer viewed as niche or seasonal products, they’ve become an essential year-round necessity, especially for customers in cities like Delhi NCR. At Croma, our focus is to guide customers in choosing the right purifier based on room size, budget, and health needs, while ensuring they have access to advanced technology and designs that fit seamlessly into their homes.” said a spokesperson at Infiniti Retail ltd.

White is the preferred colour that was witnessed amongst consumer purchases. The study shows that 77 percent of air purifiers sold across India were in white, followed by 19 percent in black and 4 percent in metallic shades. This suggests that customers still prefer neutral, minimalist colours that blend easily with most home interiors.

The study found that the budget range of ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 price band is the largest segment by volume, contributing 49 percent of total air purifier sales at Croma. The super-premium segment is the next big category with a 36 percent contribution, indicating that more customers are ready to invest in higher end products with better coverage and smarter features. Philips and Dyson together commanded 84% of overall air purifier sales at Croma in 2025, reinforcing their leadership in this category.

Croma recorded its highest weekly air purifier sales in a single week alone, which accounted for 27 percent of the company’s annual air purifier sales. As compared to the last year, this year saw an increase of 30 per cent in the purchase of air purifier, proof of the prevailing air quality. This sharp spike reflects how customers increasingly respond to visible pollution alerts, changing weather and news around air quality by quickly upgrading their homes with air purifiers.

Approximately 12 per cent customers also chose to protect their devices with Croma’s ZipCare plans, adding extended warranty and service support to ensure long term performance of their air purifiers.

Croma’s constant analysis of customers’ purchases and existing external conditions ensure they cater to every customer’s requirement.

About Croma:

Infiniti Retail Ltd. is one of the first organised consumer durables and electronics retailers in India operating under the brand name Croma. With over 570+ stores across 200+ cities, the company continues to aggressively open new stores to expand its presence especially in suburban region of metro cities along with tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Croma offers its customers a world-class ambience to shop both in-store and staged at www.croma.com and allows for a seamless ‘omni-channel’ shopping experience that lets a customer enjoy the best of both worlds. Through its deep integration with the Tata Neu ecosystem, products from Croma are also available on the Tata Neu app. Croma has been featured among the 100 most valuable Indian brands by Brand Finance India 100 report for two years in a row.