Manipal Academy of Higher Education And Sage Sign Open Access Agreement In India

Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India Institution of Eminence and Deemed to be University, a leading Multidisciplinary University and Sage, a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies, signed a Read and Publishing agreement.

The agreement with Sage will allow the faculty and researchers of MAHE to access over 1000 journal titles and researchers can publish their content as open access.

Commenting on the partnership, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) MD Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor, MAHE said, “The signing of an open access agreement between MAHE, Manipal and Sage marks a significant step towards enhancing the accessibility and visibility of research publications. This agreement aligns with the global movement towards open science, which aims to make scientific research freely available to all, thereby fostering greater dissemination, collaboration, and innovation.”

Sugata Ghosh, Vice President: Publishing Business, Sage said "We are delighted to partner with MAHE in our first Read and Publish Agreement with an Indian institution. This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting academic research and promoting open access in India.”

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE): Founded in 1953, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is a globally engaged institution with active partnerships with more than 250 leading universities around the globe. MAHE is synonymous with excellence in higher education and therefore conferred the status of Institute of Eminence (IOE) by Govt. of India. Research has always been an area of paramount importance at MAHE. The experts at MAHE are taking meticulous and meaningful steps to build reservoirs of intellectual wealth and academic excellence. In the process, MAHE has created some of the country’s best institutes and schools across several diverse streams like medicine, dentistry, nursing, engineering, pharmacy, hotel management, allied health, architecture and design, communication etc. Visit us at www.manipal.edu . Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedln.

About Sage: Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, 24-year-old Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioral science make an impact

Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning

Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new idea

Cooper Corporation And Sinfonia Technology Collaborate To Introduce “CPCBIV+ Certified LPG Gensets” In India And Beyond

Cooper Corporation, a leading engine, engine component and generator manufacturer, based in Satara, Maharashtra proudly announced its pioneering collaboration with Sinfonia Technology, a leading innovator in clean transport devices, power control and aerospace technologies, to introduce revolutionary LPG gensets to India, Japan and other ASEAN countries.

This landmark collaboration marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, as Cooper Corporation unveils the first-of-its-kind in India 10 KVA LPG CPCBIV+ certified genset, developed in partnership with Sinfonia Technology. Engineered to meet the stringent emission standards set forth by the CPCBIV+ legislation in India, this genset represents a quantum leap towards achieving zero carbon footprint and ushering in a new era of clean power generation. The CPCBIV+ LPG Gensets will be unveiled at Gas India Expo 2024 to be held on 4th – 6th July at Expo Center Greater Noida, U.P, India.

The COOPER SINFONIA genset, model name CSG-0010L-IN and its brand name ‘DAIMON’ in India, which happens to be name of the town Sinfonia is based in. The same product in Japan will be branded as ‘SATARA’, the name of the town Cooper Corporation has been based for the past 100 years. The genset offers unparalleled benefits to customers, delivering exceptional performance, economy and reliability. With its compact footprint, low operational costs and ease of maintenance, it emerges as a superior and economical alternative to traditional diesel gensets and grid power. Unlike other power sources, LPG stands out as a clean and sustainable fuel, ensuring minimal environmental impact and maximum efficiency.

Sinfonia is a multinational Japanese company, with turnover of over ¥ 94.5 billion for year ending 2021. Founded in 1917, the 100-year-old company has expanded into various business verticals are Automotive Testing Systems and Components, Aerospace, Industrial Vehicles, Industrial Robotics, Controllers, Printer Systems, Clutch & Brakes, Regenerating Medicines and Agriculture.

Similarly, Cooper Corporation, also a the 100-year-old company specializing in Component Manufacture, Engines both Diesel and Gas. They have over 13 factories, all placed in Satara, with more than 400 people to complete 40 years of service. Exports for Cooper Corporation account for 50% of its business revenue, with exports worth more than INR 10,000 Crores till date.

Mr. Farrokh N. Cooper, Chairman and Managing Director, Cooper Corporation Pvt. Ltd said, “At Cooper Corporation, we are committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the power generation sector. Our partnership with Sinfonia Technology exemplifies our shared vision of delivering cutting-edge solutions that not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers. With the heart of a true Parsee entrepreneur, we believe in excelling in whatever we do.”

Echoing Mr. Cooper's sentiments, Mr. Masaki Tatsuda, Manager of Social Infrastructure Sales Sec., Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd, remarked, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Cooper Corporation in introducing advanced LPG gensets that redefine industry standards. Through our combined expertise and dedication to technological excellence, we aim to empower customers with reliable, eco-friendly power solutions that pave the way for a greener future."

The collaboration between Cooper Corporation and Sinfonia Technology underscores their unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. They are also in the process of jointly developing a series of Hydrogen engines for both on-road and off-road use. Hydrogen as a fuel has already been introduced in countries like Japan and USA, with a possibility that India will soon use hydrogen as a fuel. As pioneers in their respective fields and each with a century old legacy, both companies are poised to revolutionize the power generation landscape and set new benchmarks for environmental stewardship.

In Bengaluru Honda Motorcycle And Scooter India Conducts Successful Road Safety Awareness Campaign

* A campaign that left an indelible mark on over 1900 students and staff members!!

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India reinforces its commitment to road safety with another impactful awareness campaign in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Hosted on the grounds of St Sophia Convent High School and National Public School, the campaign marked a significant milestone for HMSI, engaging over 1900 students and staff members.

The road safety campaign featured interactive activities such as safety riding theory session, danger prediction training, road safety quiz, helmet awareness, and Riding Trainer session that kept the participants engaged throughout the campaign.

HMSI prioritizes the safety of every individual, and in line with this dedication, the company has been conducting road safety awareness campaigns across various regions of the country. These initiatives aim to provide crucial information and guidance on safe driving practices. Bengaluru is the latest city to benefit from this initiative, as HMSI strives to equip the community with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe navigation on the roads.

HMSI extends its gratitude to the authorities of St Sophia Convent High School and National Public School, for their support in organizing this important initiative. Together, we can make a significant difference in creating safer roads and reducing accidents.

Since its inception, HMSI has educated nearly 4 lac adults and children in Karnataka, promoting responsible road usage, and cultivating safe riding habits. Additionally, HMSI has reached more than 60 lac individuals across the country with its road safety education initiatives.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s CSR commitment towards Road Safety:

In 2021, Honda globally made a vision statement for the year 2050 where it will strive for zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles. In India HMSI is working in line with this vision and the Government of India direction of reducing fatalities to half by 2030.

One critical aspect of achieving this goal is inculcating a positive mindset towards road safety in our children by the year 2030 and continuing to educate them thereafter. Road safety education at schools and colleges is not only to create awareness but also to inculcate a safety culture in young minds and turn them to be the safety ambassador. It empowers future generations to become responsible and significantly contribute to a safer society.

HMSI wants to be a company that Society wants to exist and is strongly focusing on Road safety awareness to all sections of society with unique ideas catering to each segment from school kids to corporates and society.

HMSI’s set of skilled safety instructors conducts daily programs at our 10 adopted traffic training parks (TTP) across India and 6 Safety Driving Education Centers (SDEC) to make road safety education accessible to every part of society, and the initiative has impacted over 5.7 million Indian citizens. HMSI’s National Road Safety Awareness program made learning fun yet scientific through:

SCIENTIFICALLY DEVISED LEARNING MODULE: Honda’s skilled instructors set the foundation with theory sessions on road signs & markings, driver’s duties on road, riding gear & posture explanation and safe riding etiquettes.

1.    PRACTICAL LEARNING: A special training activity on Honda’s virtual riding simulator was executed for all to experience over 100 possible dangers on road before actual riding.

2.    INTERACTIVE SESSION: Participants were given danger prediction training known as Kiken Yosoku Training (KYT) which helps in enhancing rider/driver’s sensitivity to danger and ensures safe driving behaviour on roads.

3.    EXISTING DRIVERS HONING RIDING SKILLS: Students & school staff members who are already existing riders tested & honed their riding skills through slow riding activities and riding on narrow planks. 

Varanasi Calls For Global Innovators To Enhance Crowd Flow Management As Part Of $9M Sustainable Cities Challenge

*      The city of Varanasi invites pioneering innovators from around the world to develop crowd management solutions for its ancient spiritual center of Kashi, as part of the Sustainable Cities Challenge.

*      Varanasi is one of only three host cities chosen, and selected innovators will have access to a share of $3m funding.

The initiative aims to demonstrate and test user-centered solutions that can improve safety and accessibility in Varanasi’s old city of Kashi for pilgrims, tourists and vulnerable groups.

*      Companies offering solutions that integrate elements of artificial intelligence, urban design, data analytics, behavioral and crowd science, and more are invited to apply by September 5, 2024.

*      Varanasi’s Innovating Crowd Flow Challenge has been designed by the city of Varanasi alongside Toyota Mobility Foundation, supported by Challenge Works and World Resources Institute.

As part of the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s $9m Sustainable Cities Challenge, Varanasi has launched a global call for innovators to find data-driven solutions to make the city safer for the millions of people who visit every year for pilgrimage. The Varanasi Challenge is looking for solutions that will allow the city to better manage the growing influx of annual visitors, while making the city more accessible for tourists and local residents, particularly older people and people with disabilities. 

Located on the banks of the Ganges River in northern India, Varanasi is widely known as the “spiritual capital” of the nation. The old city of Kashi within Varanasi is one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites, with millions of people visiting every year for religious and cultural reasons. The inflow of tourists, however, when coupled with the city’s narrow, winding lanes and dense urban fabric, raises potential questions around safety and overcrowding. Previous reports have suggested that Varanasi attracted around 70 million visitors, which reiterates the need to enhance the city’s safety and accessibility, especially as most tourists are middle-aged and elderly people.

As part of the Sustainable Cities Challenge, Varanasi is inviting innovators from around the world to develop innovative crowd management solutions that make it easier to accommodate its visitors and make the city safer and more accessible for both residents and visitors alike. 

Leveraging technology, data analytics, urban design, behavioral psychology, and crowd science, can provide insights into crowd dynamics and flow, enabling better crowd management and reduced congestion.

In addition to a share of $3 million of implementation grant funding, participants in the challenge will gain exclusive insights into the workings of this historic city and a real-world understanding of user-centered design.

Shri. Akshat Verma IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Varanasi Municipal Corporation, said:

“We are very excited to be involved in the Sustainable Cities Challenge. Millions of people visit Varanasi every year for religious, spiritual and touristic activities alike. Our leadership is committed to make Kashi safer and more accessible for all. We look forward to working with emerging innovators from around the world and hope that this challenge will help us identify technologies and the solutions that will benefit citizens, pilgrims and tourists of Varanasi. Kashi, one of the oldest surviving cities in the world, has various opportunities for it to be at the forefront of innovation in participatory and holistic development.”

Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director, Toyota Mobility Foundation, said:

“We are truly looking forward to working with Varanasi on their City Challenge and seeing how innovators from around the world can deliver mobility solutions in this historic and holy city. As Toyota Mobility Foundation, we work under the three principles of innovation, partnership and leaving a sustainable legacy, and believe that this project has the potential to develop innovative but human centric crowd management solutions that can also be applied to other cities facing similar issues.”

Kathy Nothstine, Director of Cities and Societies at Challenge Works, said:

“As an important site of pilgrimage, the population of Varanasi grows exponentially throughout the year as people come to visit. This presents challenges for the city. The Sustainable Cities Challenge is a global call for innovative solutions and means that visionaries from across the world can work to develop solutions to these challenges.”

Pawan Mulukutla, Executive Director of Integrated Transport, Clean Air & Hydrogen, Sustainable Cities and Transport, WRI India said:

In 2022, Varanasi's floating population was estimated to be 35 times of its local population. By strategic interventions and effective crowd management measures, the thriving heritage city of Varanasi can become a torchbearer of sustainable mobility for other tourist destinations globally. The Sustainable Cities Challenge fosters technology-driven innovative solutions aimed at transforming the public spaces and streets of the city. The Challenge seeks innovative mobility solutions that can be tested, adapted and scaled to suit local contexts, while advancing low-carbon mobility across geographies.”

Mr Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said:

"Towards the realization of our mission of generating “Mass happiness”, we at Toyota are constantly working towards creating Mobility for All by adopting sustainable, practical, and innovative solutions. The Varanasi Innovating Crowd Flow Challenge exemplifies this commitment that aspires to the creation of a city that is more accessible, safe, and inclusive in-line with the real local mobility needs. We are truly excited about this project, as it promises to scientifically and systematically streamline the unique mobility needs of the magnificent city of Varanasi.”

Varanasi is one of three cities to host challenges, alongside Detroit, USA and Venice, Italy. Over 150 cities from 46 countries around the world entered the challenge after the call to cities was first launched in June 2023.

Applications for the Varanasi Challenge are open from today until the 5th of September. Up to ten semi-finalists will be selected in November 2024 and receive a grant of $50,000 each. Companies will have the opportunity to directly engage with city leaders, end users, and beneficiaries to customize their solutions and demonstrate them on-ground in the city.

In May 2025, up to five finalists will be granted $130,000 each to test their solutions in a larger area of the city over an extended period to assess their impact and further customize their solutions. In March 2026, up to three winners will be selected to share final implementation funding of $1.5 million to further scale their solutions in the city.

The deadline for entries to the Varanasi Challenge is Thursday 5 September 2024. To find out more, visit the Sustainable Cities Challenge website.

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Launched May 29, 2024 - Once known as the ‘Motor City,’ Detroit is looking to become a ‘Mobility City,’ seeking innovators who can help the city deploy clean and cost-effective mobility solutions as part of its transition.

The challenge is focused on Eastern Market, the nation's largest food production and distribution center, where a growing residential and commercial presence means that the city wants to explore solutions that tackle congestion and pollution caused by freight, to improve the health and wellbeing of the surrounding community.

Venice, Veneto, Italy

Launched June 11, 2024 - Venice is often pictured solely as a historic city, famous for its intricate network of canals. In reality, most of the population lives and works in the mainland suburbs such as Mestre, Maghera, and other motorized islands, which serve as a crucial transportation hub connecting Venice to the mainland and beyond.

With a mobility landscape that is truly multi-modal, including land and water transport, the city has invested significantly in sustainable mobility infrastructure and services. In the Venice City Challenge, the city seeks innovative solutions that shift behavior, encouraging an increased use and adoption of existing sustainable transport modes.

Angel One Celebrates 25th Place In Great Place To Work® Top 100 Best Companies 2024

*         Makes significant leap in rankings over recent years, showcasing commitment to employee experience and inclusive workplace culture

Angel One Limited, one of India's leading Fintech players, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the 25th place among the Top 100 Best Workplaces in India, as recognized by the Great Place to Work® Institute. This ranking marks a significant progression for the company, advancing from its previous positions of 92nd in 2022 and 52nd in 2023.

Mr. Subhash Menon, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Angel One Limited, commented, ”We are incredibly proud to achieve the 25th position in the Great Place to Work® India 2024 rankings. This accomplishment reflects our relentless dedication to creating a workplace where every employee is valued and empowered. At Angel One, our North Star is to become the leading fintech brand, empowering a billion lives by leveraging data and technology. We prioritize fostering an inclusive culture that promotes growth, collaboration and trust. Embracing bold moves, we relentlessly drive forward, challenging conventions and pushing boundaries to create an innovative and transformative future. This recognition inspires us to continue striving for excellence in enhancing employee experience and sustaining a positive work environment."

Mr. Dinesh Thakkar, Chairman and Managing Director, Angel One Limited, added, "Being conferred with the 25th rank in Best Workplaces in India is not only an honour, but also a reflection of our core values in action. At Angel One, we believe that our success as a fintech leader is intrinsically linked to the growth and well-being of our people. This achievement fuels our commitment to fostering an environment where talent flourishes and innovation thrives, ultimately benefiting our customers and stakeholders."

The company's improvement in the rankings reflects its focus on enhancing employee experience and fostering an inclusive culture. Angel One has implemented several key initiatives contributing to this achievement:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Initiatives:

·         Jombay 1000 Women Leaders Program: Supporting women in leadership roles

·         UNPAUSE: A return-to-work program for women resuming careers in tech

·         Anonymous hiring: Removing bias to ensure fair opportunities

·         LGBTQ+ hiring: Promoting inclusive recruitment practices

Employee Benefits:

·         Flexible work arrangements balancing in-person collaboration and remote work

·         Angel Care+: Comprehensive benefits covering mental well-being, fertility support and gender re-affirmation

·         Profit sharing model: LTI, STI and PLI tied to company success

·         Learning Wallet: Financial support for external certifications

CSR Initiatives:

·       Empowering underprivileged youth and communities in multiple states through skilling,

digital literacy and financial literacy programs

·       Over 14,500 beneficiaries impacted through literacy training programs

·       More than 11,000+ youth placed in formal sector employment

·       Partnerships with 6 credible, not – for – profits organizations making the youth

financially independent to improve their skills and create employment opportunities

Notable Great Place to Work Recognitions:

·       Great Place to Work certified for 8 years in a row

·       Listed thrice among India’s top 100 Best Companies to Work for in India, in a row

·       Listed thrice among India’s Best Companies to Work for in Fintech, in a row

·       Listed 5 times among India’s Best Companies to Work for in BFSI

·       Listed among India’s top 100 Best Workplaces for Women and Millennials

·       Listed among India’s Best Workplaces for Building a Culture of Innovation for All

Angel One continues to invest in its workforce through various programs, including flexible work policies and career development initiatives. These efforts reflect our dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment. We look forward to continuing this journey, ensuring our employees thrive and succeed.

About Angel One Limited:

Angel One Limited, (NSE: ANGELONE, BSE: 543235) is the largest listed retail stock broking house in India, in terms of active clients on NSE. Angel One is a technology-led financial services company, providing broking and advisory services, margin funding and distribution of third-party financial products to its clients. The broking and allied services are offered through online and digital platforms to clients acquired directly and through assisted business.

Angel One Limited extensively uses Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science to create a superior digital experience. The company has built a host of digital properties like Angel One Mobile App, ‘ARQ Prime’ a rule-based recommendation engine, ‘SmartAPI’ a free-to-integrate API platform, ‘Smart Money’ an investor education platform for over 23 million clients.

Delta Exchange Launches Operations In India With Crypto Futures And Options Trading

Delta Exchange, a globally leading digital asset derivatives exchange, has announced the official launch of its Indian platform today. Founded by seasoned entrepreneurs, Pankaj Balani, Jitender Tokas and Saurabh Goyal, the company is proud to present a crypto derivatives platform that is fully compliant and is registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit—India, a regulatory requirement for crypto exchanges.

With this launch, Delta Exchange has become India’s first and only platform to offer Options trading on Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and more crypto assets. Among the other prime features of Delta Exchange, the platform allows seamless and instant INR deposit and withdrawals. This allows traders to operate on the derivatives exchange without the need of holding stablecoins or any other crypto coins. With a heavy focus on compliance and safety of its users, Delta Exchange India does not accept cryptocurrency deposits or withdrawals thereby eliminating any risks associated with crypto custody.

Backed by major investors such as CoinFund, Sandeep Nailwal’s family office, Aave, Kyber Network, SinoGlobal Capital etc., Delta Exchange is setting a new standard in the Indian market by offering a secure experience to Indian traders allowing them to trade in INR. With a Series-A funding and over 100,000 Indian users already onboarded on the beta-version of the Indian platform, Delta Exchange is one of the fastest growing Crypto derivatives exchanges in the region with the daily trading volume already hitting $300 million at its peak within just 2 months of its beta launch.

Globally, Delta Exchange has been operational for over six years, facilitating seamless crypto trading by introducing many innovative derivatives products such as Options with daily expiry, Altcoin Options, Interest Rate Swaps, etc. With a monthly transaction volume of $17B, the company has been witnessing a YoY growth of ~160%. 

On the launch, Pankaj Balani, Co - Founder & CEO, Delta Exchange said, "Our launch in India marks a significant milestone in our mission to bring a secure, compliant and trader-centric platform for Futures & Options (F&O) traders in the country. Delta Exchange’s unique platform focuses on select crypto derivatives, thus eliminating the need to park crypto assets for trading, allowing users to trade with confidence. This approach ensures that both seasoned traders and newcomers can explore the opportunities in crypto derivatives within a secure and compliant environment. Additionally, it allows traders to deal in INR only, making the process smooth and transparent.”

The company’s mission is not only to provide a comprehensive trading experience but also to ensure deep liquidity. The company works with market makers to provide rich order-books unlike other crypto companies who showcase the order-books of foreign exchanges and lack depth. As part of its Options offering, Delta Exchange offers daily, weekly and monthly expiries for Bitcoin & Ethereum’s Options contracts, thus allowing more opportunities for traders in the market.

Now, with its official launch in India, a nation known for its pioneering grassroots adoption in the crypto sphere (as highlighted by the Global Crypto Adoption Index) as well as a strong derivatives market in traditional finance, Delta Exchange is poised for strong growth.

At Delta Exchange, user-centricity is paramount. The platform offers lowest fee on trading of crypto futures and options for Indians ensuring customers retain more of their profits with every trade with very low margin required to get started compared to traditional markets. Moreover, Delta Exchange prioritizes data privacy, employing enterprise-grade security measures and manual withdrawal processes to safeguard users' funds. Additionally, the platform enhances security and trust by completely avoiding the custody of users' crypto assets and the company is also compliant with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-India) guidelines. With 24X7 customer support, Delta Exchange stands as the top destination for Indian F&O traders seeking a secure and rewarding crypto derivatives trading experience.

About the company:

Founded in 2018, Delta Exchange is a digital asset derivatives exchange backed by marquee investors. Delta Exchange offers Futures, Perpetuals, and Options trading across Bitcoin, Ethereum and leading Altcoins. The company's mission is to accelerate the advancement of the crypto financial system by building a highly-liquid and trusted derivatives trading platform developed to serve both retail and institutional traders. Delta Exchange provides access to an institutional-grade trading platform built for the digital asset markets. Whether traders are seeking high-speed execution, comprehensive market analysis tools, or robust risk management features, Delta Exchange delivers a seamless trading experience tailored to meet the diverse needs of today's F&O traders.

Visit: https://india.delta.exchange/

Almost 60% of MSMEs Plan To Digitize Business Processes By 2025, Reveals Vi Business ReadyforNext MSME Growth Insights Study

·         On the World MSME Day, Vi Business publishes findings from India’s largest MSME study - MSME Growth Insights Vol 2.0 2024, covering 1.6 lakh respondents across 16 industries

·         Launches enhanced Digital Assessment Tool for MSMEs, both in English and Hindi

Key Highlights of the Study:

·         Sectoral Insights: The top three sectors that emerged as most digitally matured are IT-ITES, Fi­nancial services and Transportation. While these lead in digital maturity, sectors like Retail and Construction are also making significant strides.

·         Budget Allocation: 43% of MSMEs plan to increase their overall digitalisation budget by 2025. Sectors with lower Digital Maturity Index (DMI) are particularly inclined to increase their investments reflecting a growing commitment towards digital transformation.

·         Involvement of Senior Leadership or CEOs results in more comprehensive Digital transformation: Success rates of Digitalization were higher when championed by the Senior Leadership and CEOs.

·         Despite challenges like knowledge gaps and financial constraints, MSMEs are increasingly using technologies like cloud computing, IoT, and advanced workspace tools to boost productivity, collaboration, & market reach. Study revealed 40% of MSMEs from IT & ITeS, Retail and Construction have adopted IoT Solutions in Business.

·         During the pandemic, while MSMEs prioritized digitalizing their workspaces, in 2024, the focus has moved on to engaging with their customers digitally. The study recommends MSMEs to focus on digital security, and digitally engaging with both customers (customer service) and prospects (customer engagement), indicating emerging need to focus on digital strategies to meet evolving customer expectations.

·         Digitalization has a direct positive correlation with the turnover. Further, as the firm size increases, the variation in digital maturity level narrows indicating that medium to large firms have embraced digitalization and there is scattered digital adoption among micro and small firms.

·         Growing need of data security and data privacy solutions: 43% of MSMEs are currently using device security technologies, data and device protection. Furthermore, MSMEs with turnover of less than ?10 Crore are using public cloud while those in higher turnover bracket of ?10 to 100 Crore use private cloud, indicating the need for greater data security and privacy with the increase turnover of MSME.

For the detailed study, please click here: https://www.myvi.in/content/dam/vodafoneideadigital/business/msme/ribbonBanner/MSME-Growth_Insight_Study_Vol_2024.pdf

Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of India’s economy, currently contributing ~30% to the country’s GDP. There are several studies that suggest MSMEs will boost their GDP contribution to 35-40% by 2027. Hence, it is crucial for MSMEs to adopt digital transformation to unleash their growth potential and play a pivotal role in making India a Viksit Bharat (a developed economy) by 2047.  Recognizing the need for digital adoption, GoI has introduced several key initiatives and policies such as Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Udyam Portal, Udyami Mitra and others to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and boost the overall competitiveness of the MSME sector.

As a steadfast partner to the GoI’s growth agenda, Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vi, a leading telecom operator, has released a nationwide study – ‘Vi Business ReadyForNext MSME Growth Insights Study (Volume 2.0 2024)’, on World MSME Day. This comprehensive study delves into the digital maturity of MSMEs across 16 sectors namely, IT & ITes, Financial Services, Transportation, Construction, Retail, Agriculture, Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, and others and how they are leveraging digitization and technology.

In addition to this, Vi Business has launched enhanced Digital Assessment Tool, both in English and Hindi as an extension of their dedicated MSME program, #ReadyForNext. The assessment focuses on three key pillars: Digital Customer, Digital Workspace, and Digital Business. Based on responses, the tool provides user specific report stating the digital maturity scores of business, benchmarked against the industry with relevant digital product recommendations. Click here to access the tool online:  https://www.myvi.in/business/enterprise-segments/smb/msme-readyfornext

Commenting on the study, Arvind Nevatia, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Vodafone Idea, said: "At Vi Business, we recognize the crucial role that MSMEs play in India’s growth agenda and their significant contribution to the economy. Our extensive MSME study, highlights the encouraging progress being made by small businesses in India as well as the challenges that remain in their digital transformation. Moreover, the findings of the study, arguably India’s largest MSME based digital assessment study, provide effective and useful insights on the way forward for such organizations. Vi Business is a steadfast partner to drive forward India’s digital economy and help MSMEs accelerate their growth potential.’’

Report Methodology

Vi Business ReadyForNext MSME Growth Insights Study Vol 2.0’ is based on the survey of 1.6 lacs MSMEs in India across 16 industries, namely IT & ITeS, Construction, Transportation, Media & Entertainment, Mining, Retail, Financial Sectors, Agriculture, Professional Services, Education, Tourism & Hospitality, Healthcare etc. The MSMEs were categorized by sector, operating locations, and company size to highlight variations in digital proficiency. Questions were provided for different industries, with IT and Telecom receiving more technical queries due to their higher technological reliance, while Agriculture and Manufacturing faced questions suited to their slower adoption rates and resource constraints. MSMEs were further classified based on turnovers ranging from less than 10 crore to 250 crore.

About Vodafone Idea Limited

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is amongst India’s leading telecom service provider. The company provides pan India Voice and Data services across 2G, 3G and 4G platforms. Company holds large spectrum portfolio including mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave 5G spectrum in 16 circles. To support the growing demand for data and voice, the company is committed to deliver delightful customer experiences and contribute towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The company’s equity share are listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in India. The company offers products and services to its customers in India under the TM Brand name “Vi”.  For more information, please visit: www.MyVi.in