Steelcase Inaugurates ‘Work Better Conference’ To Celebrate Its Glorious 25 Years In India

* Steelcase Hosts The Work Better Conference Featuring Leading Indian Thought Leaders And Unveiling The Karman High Back Chair

* Expands its collaboration with Stanley Lifestyles, incorporating the SimplyIndia Collection into its offerings

* Partners with CEPT University to provide unique opportunities for emerging design and architecture talents in India

Steelcase, a global leader in office furniture, proudly marks over 25 years of innovation and leadership in transforming workspaces across India. Since its initial joint venture, Steelcase has steadily expanded its presence, offering tailored solutions that cater to local needs and investing significantly in local manufacturing. This commitment has enabled the creation of inspiring, people-centered environments that boost productivity and enhance employee engagement across Indian workplaces.

To commemorate this significant milestone, Steelcase hosted its first Work Better Conference in Asia, held in Bengaluru, India. This premier event brought together top industry professionals, providing a platform for discussing the latest trends and innovative solutions in office design and functionality.

Attendees of the conference had the opportunity to engage with a distinguished panel of experts, including:

Lalit Ahuja, CEO of ANSR

Dr. Arvind Subramanian, VP of Human Resources at Reliance

Saleem Bhatri, Dean of the Faculty of Design at CEPT University

Sunil Suresh, CEO of Stanley Lifestyles

These thought leaders shared their insights on the evolving landscape of workspaces and the critical role of design in fostering collaboration and productivity.

Steelcase unveiled its latest innovation – the Karman® Executive High-Back Chair. This cutting-edge product epitomizes Steelcase’s commitment to combining ergonomic excellence with aesthetic sophistication, designed to meet the highest standards of comfort and functionality for modern executives.

Tirthankar Basu, India Managing Director of Steelcase, shared his enthusiasm about the new product, stating, "We are excited to introduce the Karman® High Back chair to our customers in India. This latest innovation embodies our dedication to creating ergonomic and stylish solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern workplaces. With its unique patented hybrid seat and advanced comfort delivered by the proprietary new mesh material Intermix®, the Karman® chair combines comfort with aesthetic design, ensuring that all professionals can work comfortably throughout their day."

The year 2024 stands as a turning point for Steelcase, as it pledges to serve a dual role as both a partner and a catalyst in the advancement of design professionals and design thinking practices in India. As part of its key initiatives, Steelcase is intensifying its local collaboration efforts, considerably broadening its array of partner brands to incorporate Indian-made enhancements. This includes artisanal rugs, plush sofas, and accent pieces procured from premium companies like Stanley Lifestyles. A standout new inclusion to the Steelcase SimplyIndia collection will be accent pieces from Stanley Lifestyles, esteemed for its refined craftsmanship and designs inspired by Indian culture. Now part of the Steelcase offerings, these meticulously selected items blend seamlessly with the existing product range, enriching the overall design portfolio and offering customers an eclectic mix of high-quality, locally influenced options.

"We are committed to contributing to the growth of the design community in India. Our product portfolio gains a fresh vitality through our partnerships in India. The SimplyIndia, a curated Steelcase Collection will now include Stanley products, making them more accessible to commercial customers in India.

Our global product, Personality Plus, is proudly made in India, exemplifying the 'Make in India' initiative. Moreover, our globally recognized Think chair is made in India for the Indian market, further underlining our commitment to local production. This dynamic blend of global and local offerings enhances the superiority and accessibility of Steelcase products for the Indian consumer."

- Samantha Giam, Vice President, Marketing, Asia Pacific

During the conference Steelcase also announced its special collaboration with CEPT University and is set to offer unique opportunities for emerging talents in India This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements, equipping students with the skills and experiences needed to excel in the field of design and architecture. Additionally, this initiative leverages Indian design talent, enabling them to create products for their own market using local insights. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the unique needs and preferences of the local market, further enhancing the relevance and appeal of our products.

As Steelcase celebrates over 25 years in India, the inaugural Work Better Conference underscores its commitment to innovation and local collaboration. By partnering with CEPT University and expanding its product range with broadening SimplyIndia collection with products from Stanley Lifestyles, Steelcase blends global excellence with local craftsmanship. These efforts enhance the design community and make high-quality, culturally rich products accessible to both Indian and global markets. Steelcase looks forward to continuing its journey of creating inspiring, productivity-boosting workspaces in India.

About Steelcase:  

Steelcase is a global design and thought leader in the world of work. For over a century, we have designed, manufactured and partnered with the world’s leading organizations to create furnishings and solutions for the many places where work happens — including learning, health and work from home. Through our research, we deliver insights and design innovation to our customers around the world. Our solutions are brought to life through our Steelcase dealer community, Steelcase store and retail partners. And because we’re dedicated to doing our best work for the places, we all share, we come together for people and the planet.  

Established in 1912, Steelcase is a global design, research and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Along with more than 30 creative and technology partner brands, we design and manufacture innovative furnishings and solutions for the many places where work happens — including learning and work from home. Our solutions come to life through our community of expert Steelcase dealers in approximately 770 locations, as well as our online Steelcase store and other retail partners. Founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase is a publicly traded company with fiscal year 2024 revenue of $3.2 billion. With our 11,300 global employees and dealer community, we come together for people and the planet — using our business to help the world work better. 

Photo Caption: Tirthankar Basu, Steelcase Managing Director India and SAARC, Asia Pacific &  Samantha Giam, Steelcase Vice President Marketing, Asia Pacific at Steelcase’s inaugural ‘Work Better Conference’ India 2024 to celebrate it’s glorious 25 years in India.

Google Wallet In India Comes With A First-To-Market Gift Cards Integration Powered By Pine Labs

*        Pine Labs’ market-leading presence in powering brand Gift Cards combined with Google’s tech prowess set to boost customer engagement for brands.

*        Deliver a frictionless usage experience for consumers to manage their Gift Cards journey from within the Google Wallet app.

*        Empower brands to improve customer experience and build long-term engagement with their customers.

Earlier this month, Google launched its much-awaited Google Wallet™ app in India. Leading fintech company Pine Labs today shed more light on the close collaboration with Google Wallet to enable a seamless integration of Gift Cards on the product.

The ‘power of choice’ associated with e-gifting appeals to young consumers and therefore brands in India are constantly looking to cater to this important and growing consumer base. Many exciting Gift Cards use cases such as issuing refunds, credit notes, and promotional offers have emerged as growth drivers which offer brands the opportunity to foster customer loyalty and build long-lasting engagement.

The Gift Cards market in India is expected to increase from US$7.6 billion in 2023 to US$15.7 billion by 2028, as per a report by Research and Markets.[1] A frictionless Gift Cards usage experience enabled by this exclusive partnership between Google Wallet and Pine Labs will provide unprecedented ease and convenience to existing and new users and will eliminate the complexity around usage. Google Wallet users will be able to seamlessly store and manage their Gift Cards journey from within the app and will be intuitively reminded to use it at the point of purchase.

“Pine Labs is delighted to partner with Google India to enable Gift Cards integration with the Google Wallet app. In recent years, we have witnessed a seismic shift in the way merchants have embraced digital modes of payments. Considering the huge Android user base in the country we anticipate a sharp jump in the usage of Gift Cards as more retailers and brands will now look to leverage it in their omnichannel strategy to expand their customer base, improve customer experience, retention, and loyalty,” said Navin Chandani, President - Issuing Business, Pine Labs.

Highlighting the significance of this launch in bringing new levels of convenience for Android users across the country, Ram Papatla, GM & India Engineering Lead, Android at Google, said, “The arrival of Google Wallet in India marks an important milestone in Android’s India journey, bringing innovative and convenient experiences to simplify peoples’ daily lives. We are delighted to partner with many of India’s top brands to offer a comprehensive solution that helps you securely access and manage your everyday essentials. From boarding passes to loyalty, gift cards, and event tickets to public transport passes – they’re there when you need them.”

Pine Labs' issuing business offers end-to-end capabilities to businesses across diverse industry verticals to issue, process, distribute, and manage prepaid cards. With a market-leading presence in India, the business is now expanding its footprints in Southeast Asia, Australia, USA, and the UAE.

Google Wallet is a trademark of Google LLC.

About Pine Labs

Pine Labs is a leading merchant commerce omnichannel platform operating across India, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Pine Labs’ tech-first approach to digital payments and focus on simplification at the front end aims to help many businesses embrace fintech products at scale.

In digital payments, our online payments cloud-based software Plural represents a one-stop payments destination across channels. Plural is designed to deliver secure and frictionless online payment experiences to the end user, powered by an advanced tech stack that can augment an existing online business or build an all-new e-commerce payment setup from the ground up.

Our Issuing business is powered by Qwikcilver – Qwikcilver offers a cutting-edge, full-stack, end-to-end technology service solution in the Pre-paid Transaction Management, Gift Cards, and Sales/ Distribution Space, with a strong presence in multiple countries and live service engagements with leading brands and major customers from the Retail, Hospitality and Airline Industries, across the following geographical  regions; South Asia - India, South East Asia and the Far East - Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines,  Middle East and Africa - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Europe - Luxembourg and Czech Republic, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii in the United States of America, at  the present moment.

In consumer app, Fave is a fintech platform for the next generation of consumers, providing smart payments and savings, while empowering merchants with a loyalty solution to grow and engage with their customers in a whole new way.

Schneider Electric Inaugurates One Of Its Largest Employee Campuses At Bagmane, Bengaluru

·         This state-of-the-art campus will host a Global Innovation Hub, Training Center, R&D Center, Skill Center and Digital Hub

·         Prioritizes sustainability with off-site green power, energy-efficient systems, and 100% greywater reuse via a sewage treatment plant.

·         Spread across 6.3 lakh sq.ft. and built with an investment of INR 200 crore (EUR 22 million), the new campus in Bengaluru will house over ~ 8000 professionals.

Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and nextGen automation, today inaugurated one of its largest employee campuses globally, at Bagmane Solarium City, Bengaluru, also known as India's Silicon Valley. This state-of-the-art campus covers an area of ~ 630,000 sq.ft and features a Global Innovation Hub, Training center, R&D center, Skill center and Digital Hub with a capacity to accommodate over ~ 8000 professionals.

This new campus reaffirms Schneider Electric’s commitment to be an employer of choice by providing world class infrastructure for employees to collaborate, develop, and deliver industry leading solutions for customers. It also reinforces the company's pledge to "Make in India for India and for the world," showcasing ongoing investments in manufacturing, innovation, people, R&D, and skill building.

Underlining Schneider Electric focus on accelerating its investments in India, Peter Herweck, Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Electric, said, “I am delighted to open one of our largest employee campuses worldwide in India. This new investment underscores our dedication to accelerating our contribution to India’s rapid growth. We strongly believe in its potential as a springboard for innovative ideas benefitting local customers, while making a global impact.”

Commenting on the new campus inauguration, Deepak Sharma, Zone President - Greater India, MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India, said, “Our new employee campus goes beyond being just a workplace. It exemplifies the creation of a dynamic ecosystem aimed at fostering collaboration and igniting creativity across the entire energy sector value chain. Through this campus, we aim to provide an immersive, hands-on learning experience, offering comprehensive insights into energy management and industrial automation. Furthermore, it underlines our commitment to expanding our workforce of over 37,000 in India to drive the development of cutting-edge products and solutions not only for India but also for the global markets”

The innovation Hub at Bagmane offers an immersive experience that integrates all Schneider Electric offerings to showcase a comprehensive journey, transforming sustainability ambitions into tangible actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. This innovative approach underscores Schneider Electric's commitment to providing a holistic view of its solutions and their impact on driving sustainable practices and outcomes.

The Bagmane Campus Training Center will feature interactive demonstrations, workshops, and expert-led sessions, ensuring that our employees, partners, and customers, gain practical knowledge and expertise in the latest technologies and solutions. It will harness internal expertise to foster a learning culture, offering an advanced learning environment equipped with latest technologies and infrastructure.

Standing by its commitment towards sustainability, the Schneider Electric Bagmane Bengaluru Campus is designed to prioritize sustainability with off-site green power, energy-efficient chiller systems, and 100% greywater reuse via a sewage treatment plant. The campus has already applied for LEED Gold certification, demonstrating Schneider Electric’s commitment to international sustainability standards. Further, the Schneider Electric interior fit-out works are also striving for LEED – Platinum certification, reflecting the company’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in sustainable building practices.

Pioneering Workshop On The Design, Development, And Commercialization Of Medical Devices

The MIDAS (Medical Instruments, Devices, and Allied Services) Hub, an initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) — recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the Ministry of Education, Government of India — is proud to announce the successful completion of a pivotal workshop on the design, development, and commercialization of medical devices.

In the contemporary healthcare system, technology plays a crucial role, driving up costs significantly. Hospitals and healthcare centres rely heavily on expensive diagnostic devices and equipment, most of which are imported. Despite numerous attempts to manufacture these devices domestically, success has been limited. To address this, MAHE has launched the MIDAS Hub in Manipal, supported by the DST, Government of India, through a public-private partnership model.

The vision of the MIDAS Hub is to design, develop, and conduct ethical and clinical trials, leading to the manufacturing and marketing of innovative healthcare devices. This initiative aims to serve institutions and industries along the west coast region of India. The MIDAS Hub at Manipal will provide a platform for individuals, institutions, and industries to engage in multidisciplinary and collaborative technical activities, leading to the development of a variety of medical devices.

A significant aspect of the Hub's activities is the training it offers in various facets of healthcare technology development. In line with this, the Hub organised a workshop on the design, development, and commercialization of medical devices.

The workshop was inaugurated by Lt. Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, who expressed pride in the substantial participation from faculty members and doctoral students from both MAHE and external institutions. He emphasized that the widespread interest in the MIDAS, DST-MAHE Hub reflects its broad reach among future academicians and entrepreneurs.

Dr Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences, underscored the necessity for cost-effective, high-quality indigenous medical devices to improve healthcare in the country. Dr G Arun Maiya, Dean of MCHP, and Principal Coordinator of the DST-MAHE HUB, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the primary objectives of the Hub.

The workshop featured eminent national and international specialists, including Dr Lazar Mathew, Senior Advisor; Dr Premanath, CEO of Venture Centre, Pune; Dr Joseph L Mathew of PGIMER, Chandigarh; and Dr Sudesh S, Head of the UCT Med Tech Laboratory at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Their insights and experiences enriched the event, which saw the many delegates from institutions along the west coast region.

This workshop represents a significant step towards realizing the MIDAS Hub's vision of fostering innovation and self-reliance in the development of medical devices, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare in India.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact: Deputy Director PR and Communications, Phone: 7338625909, Email: sachin.karanth@manipal.edu

AiDash Rolls Out Its First ESOP Buyback Plan For Employees

* New buyback plan underscores the company’s commitment to shared wealth creation

* The company has offices in Gurugram and Bengaluru and over 300 employees in India

AiDash, an enterprise SaaS company making critical infrastructure industries climate resilient and sustainable with satellites and AI, announced the rollout of its first Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) buyback programme. The new buyback programme underscores AiDash’s commitment to shared wealth creation.

The introduction of the company’s new buyback plan follows the recent closing of its successful, oversubscribed $58.5 million Series C funding round, which brought the total amount raised to $91.5 million. The new buyback plan covers existing full-time employees with an established tenure of more than three years, allowing them to cash in their vested shares to realize the value that has accrued over time.

“Our growth is a testimony of the hard work demonstrated by our team members,” said Cofounder and CEO Abhishek Singh. “We have always been an employee-centric company that believes in giving a strong sense of ownership.”

ESOPs have traditionally proven to be a very successful compensation tool and a way to attract and retain talent for top tech companies. With recent investments in AiDash, the company plans to continue to scale its products and services and grow by adding new talent to its current bench of all-stars around the world.

“Our employees are the driving force behind our success,” said Co-founder and CPTO Rahul Saxena. “This buyback underscores our commitment to rewarding our team and nurture a culture of growth within the organisation.”

To learn about employment opportunities at AiDash, please visit: https://www.aidash.com/careers/

About AiDash

AiDash is making critical infrastructure industries climate-resilient and sustainable with satellites and AI. Using our full-stack SaaS solutions, customers in electric, gas, and water utilities, transportation, and construction are transforming asset inspection and maintenance – and complying with biodiversity net gain mandates and carbon capture goals. Our customers deliver ROI in their first year of deployment with reduced costs, improved reliability, and achieved sustainability goals. Learn more at www.aidash.com.

MayaaVerse Creations And NTPC School of Business Partner To Explore Virtual Reality And Immersive Tech Education

MayaaVerse Creations Private Limited (MCPL), a leading developer of World’s first photo-realistic Immersive Tech platforms, and NTPC School of Business (NSB), a premier business school under the NTPC Education and Research Society, today announced a strategic collaboration to explore the use of virtual reality (VR) technology and create an immersive virtual campus within MCPL's Immersive Tech space.

This groundbreaking partnership aims to combine MCPL's cutting-edge Immersive Tech development capabilities with NSB's expertise in business education. By leveraging virtual reality, the collaboration seeks to provide students and faculty with an innovative and engaging learning environment within a fully realized virtual world.

"At NTPC School of Business, we are committed to embracing innovative technologies that enhance the learning experience for our students," said Dr. Rajeshwari Narendran, Director of NTPC School of Business. "By partnering with MayaaVerse Creations, we aim to explore the boundless possibilities of virtual reality and the Immersive Tech in education, fostering a more engaging and interactive learning journey for our students while preparing them for the digital future."

As the initiator of this long-standing partnership, MCPL is creating a virtual experience center for the NTPC School of Business. This center will provide students and visitors with an immersive journey through the institution's rich history, vision, achievements, and faculty lectures, along with various videos. Attendees will navigate through the remarkable story of this significant institution, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of its contributions to the country.

MCPL and NSB will also work together to create a virtual replica of the NSB campus within MCPL's Immersive Tech platform. This virtual replica will also allow students to attend classes, participate in discussions, and engage in various academic and extracurricular activities in a fully immersive and realistic digital environment.

By making education immersive, this collaboration is a joint step towards making education more comprehensive and extensive. With this enablement, we are adding a new chapter to modern education, where students don’t just learn but experience learning.

"We are thrilled to join forces with NTPC School of Business in pioneering the future of education in the metaverse," said Ashish Minocha, Chief Business Officer at MayaaVerse Creations. "This collaboration represents a significant step towards revolutionizing the way knowledge is imparted and experienced, empowering students with immersive and interactive learning opportunities that transcend traditional boundaries."

The collaboration between MCPL and NSB represents a significant milestone in the integration of virtual reality and Immersive Tech technologies into the education sector. As the Immersive Tech continues to evolve and gain mainstream adoption, this partnership positions both organizations at the forefront of this transformative shift, paving the way for new and innovative learning experiences.

About MayaaVerse Creations Pvt Ltd:

MayaaVerse is dedicated to delivering more than just a concept—it’s a comprehensive immersive technology platform embedded with AI, accessible to everyone. By empowering individuals and organizations to create, experience, and monetize in unprecedented digital environments, MayaaVerse is setting new standards in immersive experiences.

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About NTPC School of Business:

NTPC School of Business, established in 2014 under the aegis of NTPC Education and Research Society, is a premier business school dedicated to nurturing human capital for the energy sector. With a focus on innovation and industry-relevant education, NSB aims to produce future-ready professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive the energy industry forward.

Wacom Launches Its First OLED Pen Display Wacom Movink

* Weighing 420g & measuring a mere 4mm at its thinnest point, Movink is the thinnest & lightest Wacom pen display ever

Wacom, the leading innovator of digital pen and ink solutions, today announced the launch of Wacom Movink, its first OLED pen display designed and developed to meet the needs of creative professionals, digital artists and design students.

Wacom Movink is a radically new product category that combines the professional pen experience of the Wacom Pro Pen 3 with a brilliant 13.3” inch full HD OLED display in a super slim, ultra-light, highly versatile, portable device at a competitive price. Because it works with most operating systems, users have access to their full software suite without compromising on performance, precision and preferred operating system.

“Wacom Movink is a first of its kind OLED pen display, designed to open up new possibilities for creative users. It is a great, competitively priced upgrade for many existing setups,” says Koji Yano, Senior Vice President for the Branded Business Unit at Wacom. “Market Data shows that 1 in 3 digital creatives use more than one creative pen device. They are also increasingly looking for portable solutions that deliver the same experience as their studio or desktop solutions. With Wacom Movink we can offer them the perfect solution that takes them wherever they need to be without compromising on performance, precision or experience. This quality could only be achieved with the cutting-edge OLED technology developed and provided by Samsung Display.”

“Wacom leaps into the next generation of display technology with the launch of a ground-breaking new product category. Wacom Movink unites the art of drawing and inking with moving and portability by combining a professional pen experience with a brilliant 13.3” inch, full HD OLED display in a super slim, ultra-light, highly versatile, sturdy device without compromising on performance, precision and software preferences”, says Rajiv Malik, Director, Wacom India.

Weighing only 420g and measuring a mere 4mm at its thinnest point, Wacom Movink sets a new standard as the thinnest and lightest Wacom pen display to date and many all-in-one devices currently on the market. The robust Corning Gorilla Glass and durable magnesium alloy body make Wacom Movink is a sturdy device that easily fits into any bag. The 13.3" Samsung OLED display delivers a Full HD resolution with 10-bit color, a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and perfect black point thanks to the exceptional qualities of OLED technology.

Wacom Movink comes with a dedicated version of the Wacom Pro Pen 3* that offers impressive pen sensitivity and tilt detection for a wide range of artistic expressions, from powerful brushstrokes to delicate lines. Wacom Movink achieves the fastest response time along with increased pen detection height and no visible parallax. Wacom Movink is compatible with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Android operating systems. Wacom Movink is also fully supported by Wacom Bridge, an innovative solution that radically improves working on supported remote desktop connections.

Wacom Movink 13 is very competitively priced at 72,999 INR, respectively and will be sold exclusively through the Wacom eStore (https://india-iws.in/products/wacom-movink-13) and selected resellers for enterprise and education customers starting today.

About Wacom

Wacom’s vision is to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface solutions. This has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen tablets and displays as well as of digital styli and solutions for saving and processing digital signatures. The advanced technology of Wacom’s intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727) with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries. For further information about the products of Wacom, see also www.wacom.com.