Celebrate Diwali In Abu Dhabi With Family Fun, Fireworks, And Bollywood Beats!

“ISS SAAL ABU DHABI WALI DIWALI”

This Diwali, escape to Abu Dhabi for an unforgettable celebration filled with vibrant traditions, exciting entertainment, and family-friendly adventures. From dazzling fireworks and themed markets to thrilling theme parks and live concerts featuring Bollywood legends like AR Rahman and Diljit Dosanjh, Abu Dhabi offers a Diwali experience like no other.

8th October – 10th October - Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow Party at the Etihad Arena

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party debuts in UAE! Watch your favorite monster trucks roar in the dark at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena. Four shows, featuring Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Demo Derby, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster, and the new HW 5-Alarm. Enjoy a dance party, light shows, toy giveaways, and the fire and frost-breathing, transforming dragon ARCTICGON!

31st Oct to 1st Nov – Diwali Spice Market at Hilton, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Share a special meal with your loved ones with vibrant and flavourful spread at the ‘Diwali Special Spice Market’ hosted at Hilton, Abu Dhabi. From an array of tandoori tikka meats to decadent Indian dessert feel at home away from home.

31st Oct – Yas Island Special Diwali Theme Park Offers

Double the fun and excitement this Diwali for your kids with special theme park offers at Yas Island. Enjoy an adrenaline fuelled ride for the whole family at Ferrari World or bask under the sun in the wave pool with your kids at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. Uncover the interconnectivity between life on earth and ocean at SeaWorld, Yas Island leaving the kids mesmerized by the marine life. A one stop family entertainment at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi will guarantee giggles for the younger ones, whereas shopping and dining venues will keep the grownups happy and energised.

2nd Nov - AR Rahman Live In Concert 2024 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Celebrate the magic of Diwali with your loved ones at Etihad Arnena Abu Dhabi with a live concert performance of the legendary singer AR Rahman. Enjoy an evening filled with entertaining and enchanting tunes that will leave you spell-bound. Rahman’s iconic melodies will leave you and your loved ones with lasting memories of a lifetime.

9th Nov – Diljit Dosanjh – Dil-Luminati Tour – Etihad Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Double in on your Diwali celebration and dance your heart out to the blockbuster tunes of Diljit Dosanjh who brings his iconic and world famous Dil-Luminati tour for the first time to Yas Island Abu Dhabi. A celebration of Desi music and a musical night out that’s perfect for fans of all ages will leave you with unforgettable moments making this Diwali super special.

HP Launches OmniBook Ultra Flip AI PCs To Enhance Content Creation

News Highlights:

OmniBook Ultra AI PC comes with Intel Lunar Lake Processors for seamless collaboration and productivity

HP’s first 2-in-1 next-gen AI PC with a dedicated NPU capable of 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS)

Offers up to 21 hours of battery life

HP’s first consumer AI PC with HP Wolf Security for AI-generated threats

Today, HP unveiled OmniBook Ultra Flip in India, its first 2-in-1 next-gen AI PC designed to empower young freelancers and creators with unmatched style, performance, and versatility. Tailored for those seeking an optimal AI-powered creative experience, the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip is equipped with Intel’s Lunar Lake Processors, and its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), capable of 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This enables powerful generative AI to run locally for enhanced content creation and productivity.

As today’s work environment demands high-performance AI PCs, the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip pushes the boundaries of innovation, allowing users to focus on what matters most. Designed specifically for creators and freelancers with dynamic lifestyles, this versatile device delivers exceptional performance for tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and virtual collaboration. Packed with AI-driven enhancements, it elevates video quality, battery life and collaboration tools, making it the ideal companion for creators on the go. Additionally, the OmniBook Ultra Flip comes with HP Wolf Security which offers advanced security features to protect against cyber threats and ensure robust data security, offering creators peace of mind as they navigate their projects.

"At HP, we are committed to fostering growth, nurturing creativity and unleashing limitless innovation. We understand the evolving needs of today’s freelancers and creators, who require power, flexibility and security in their devices to keep pace with their lifestyles. The OmniBook Ultra Flip is our answer to that demand, blending cutting-edge AI capabilities with uncompromising performance and security. This is more than just a device—it’s a tool that empowers users to focus on what they do best,” said Vineet Gehani – Senior Director (Personal Systems), HP India.

Flexible Style and Performance Without Compromise: The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip

Designed to inspire: Create, edit, and sketch on an ultra-thin form factor that easily switches between laptop, tablet, and tent modes. A stunning 2.8K OLED display offers an immersive visual experience to draw or review creative designs.[i] Personalize content generation on the world’s first 2-in-1 next-gen AI PC with inking and a haptic touchpad.[ii] Collaborate with others clearly and crisply with the device’s 9 MP AI camera and Poly Audio.

Balanced power and performance: On-the-go creators can confidently create on a device engineered to be cool and quiet – yet performant. The OmniBook Ultra Flip leverages the Intel® Core™ Ultra Processor (Series 2)[iii] with a dedicated AI engine,[iv] delivering up to 21 hours of battery life (local video playback)[v] for a seamless creation experience.

Trusted security powered by AI: HP Wolf Security for consumers includes a unique security chip and self-healing PC core for professional-level security, keeping data secure and provides protection against cyber-threats.[vi] McAfee Smart AI™ Deepfake Detector detects AI-generated audio to warn users of potential fraud or misinformation.[vii]

Copilot+: Coupled with Copilot+ PC, these PCs supercharge creativity and productivity for a more personalized, powerful computing experience. Whether generating content or brainstorming ideas, Copilot+ empowers creators every step of the way.

Productive ways to interact: The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip PCs offer the user easier and more productive ways to interact with content. It comes with new gesture controls to seamlessly scroll up or down the screen and increase or decrease the volume.

Sustainability for today and tomorrow: HP remains committed to reducing environmental impact and optimizing energy efficiency. The OmniBook Ultra Flip is built with 90% recycled metals, 50% post-consumer recycled plastics,[viii] and an EPEAT® Gold with Climate+ and ENERGY STAR® certified design.[ix]

Personalization Built-In: HP AI Companion & Poly Camera Pro

HP’s 2-in-1 next-gen OmniBook Ultra Flip AI PCs are equipped with AI Companion[x] and Poly Camera Pro,[xi] which personalize and optimize a user’s experience for greater productivity and collaboration.

Interact intuitively: AI Companion uses generative AI to help people analyze private files and discover information to refine and create content or respond quickly and accurately to key tasks. The Perform assistant helps users optimize PC performance, customize settings, and troubleshoot HP products.

Collaborate clearly: Poly Camera Pro utilizes the NPU to power webcam features like Spotlight and Background Blur & Replace to maintain CPU performance more efficiently while preserving battery life.

Pricing and Availability

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Next-Gen AI PC Ultra 7 is available now on HP online store, Amazon, Flipkart along with offline stores starting at Rs. 1,81,999 in Eclipse Grey and Atmospheric Blue colours.

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 Next-Gen AI PC Ultra 9 will be available[xii] on HP online store,  Amazon, Flipkart along with offline stores starting at Rs. 1,91,999 in Atmospheric Blue colour.

Consumers will get Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements (PEPE) worth Rs 9,999 free of cost on the purchase of HP OmniBook Ultra, till 31st October 2024.

Consumers can also avail No cost EMI 18/0 with Bajaj Finance. 

About HP

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, visit http://www.hp.com.

[i] All performance specifications represent the typical specifications provided by HP's component manufacturers; actual performance may vary either higher or lower.

[ii] HP internal analysis based on all Next Gen AI convertible PCs in the market as of September 2024.

[iii] Multi-core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. Performance and clock frequency will vary depending on application workload and your hardware and software configurations. Intel’s numbering is not a measurement of clock speed.

[iv] Features and software that require a NPU may require software purchase, subscription or enablement by a software or platform provider, and third-party software may have specific configuration or compatibility requirements. Potential NPU inferencing performance varies by use, configuration, software and other factors.

[v] Battery life tested by HP using continuous FHD video playback, 1080p (1920x1080) resolution, 200 nits brightness, system audio level as image default, player audio level at 100%, played full-screen from local storage, headphone attached or through speaker (if no audio jack port), wireless on but not connected. Actual battery life will vary depending on configuration and maximum capacity will naturally decrease with time and usage.

[vi] Based on HP Wolf Security support, which includes a hardened HP BIOS with HP Sure Start and Endpoint Security Controller (ESC). Select capabilities require BIOS configuration.

[vii] McAfee Deepfake Detection is offered as a 30-day trial feature in addition to the McAfee pre-installed trial. Account subscription required. Must login to the McAfee app and activate the Deep Fake detection feature by consenting to install a browser extension. After trial expiration customers will have an option to add the Deepfake Detection feature with an in-app toggle at any time.

[viii] Laptops manufactured with recycled ocean-bound plastic material in product speaker enclosures, recycled aluminum material in product cover and post-consumer recycled plastic in keycaps. Percentage of material contained in each component varies by product.

[ix] See www.epeat.net for registration status and tier levels by country.

[x] HP AI Companion is available preloaded on select HP next gen AI PCs or is available for download from the Microsoft store and requires a HP next gen AI PC with a NPU supporting 40-60 TOPS and requires Windows 11. Perform requires account setup within 30 days of PC boot or enrollment through the HP AI Companion app. Some features require customer upload of local data. Five (5) library 100MB limit each, supported files may vary at launch include pdf, .txt., .docx files.

[xi] Requires Windows OS.

[xii] To be available from November 2024.

Marriott International Announces Global Launch Of Connect Responsibly With Marriott Bonvoy Events

* New program to offer meeting planners a meeting impact report and access to select carbon offset projects

Marriott International, Inc. (Marriott) today announced the launch of Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events (Connect Responsibly), a program designed to help meeting planners embed sustainability into their events at participating hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Connect Responsibly plans to offer meetings and events customers access to detailed Meeting Impact Reports to measure the environmental impact of their events and select options to purchase carbon credits. The program is anticipated to go live at managed and franchised properties from participating brands globally by the end of October. As part of the global launch, Connect Responsibly is expected to be available in nearly 133 hotels in India, and nearly 500 properties in Asia Pacific Excluding China.

“There is nothing like connecting in person, and doing so responsibly makes it that much better. With the Connect Responsibly program, we are giving our meetings and events customers options to better understand the impacts of their meetings as we collectively strive to create a more resilient future for travel,” said Erika Alexander, Chief Global Officer, Global Operations, Marriott International.

Fueled by growing demand for meeting solutions that address sustainability and informed by research and consumer insights from its global pilot program, Marriott is focused on offering a Meeting Impact Report through the Connect Responsibly program. Available following an event, the user-friendly Meeting Impact Report is intended to capture event details, property-specific sustainability practices implemented for the event, and the event’s carbon and water footprints, calculated through established hospitality industry methodologies. Marriott expects the Meeting Impact Report to be available in 11 different languages based on location. 

In collaboration with South Pole, a carbon asset developer and climate consultancy, Marriott plans to offer meetings and events customers the ability to access select carbon offset projects. Through the Meeting Impact Report, these customers will have the option to utilize the South Pole online shop to choose from a range of carbon offset projects – verified by independent third-party organizations – that can be purchased as part of their event.

“Meetings and events are important business for Marriott. Our customers are eager to participate in sustainability efforts. Connect Responsibly expands ongoing initiatives and strengthens our efforts focused on sustainability in hospitality,” said Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Marriott International. “We are excited to build on our sustainability reporting capabilities to provide our meetings and events customers with detailed Meeting Impact Reports and offer access to a select portfolio of verified carbon offset projects, through our collaboration with South Pole.”

This announcement is part of Marriott’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at properties and in the supply chain. As of April 2024, Marriott is the largest global hospitality company to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative for both near-term and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets (SBTs). To drive progress toward its SBTs, Marriott launched the company’s Climate Action Program (CAP), which includes property-level carbon reduction goals and actions.

Connect Responsibly supports Marriott’s Sustainability and Social Impact Platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction. For more information on the company’s Serve 360 initiatives, visit http://www.marriott.com/Serve360.

About Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of approximately 9,000 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 141 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.

Glance And Swiggy Instamart Join Forces To Make Quick Commerce Quicker

Highlights

* The partnership brings one-tap shopping to Android lock screens, enhancing speed and convenience for millions of shoppers across CPG categories

* Direct interaction from Glance's smart lock screens guides users seamlessly to Swiggy Instamart’s product pages for swift and effortless purchases

* Integration with Glance and InMobi Exchange enables targeted advertising across thousands of premium apps, enhancing campaign reach and effectiveness

* Initial campaigns with five leading CPG brands showed a 10-20% increase in sales and significant market share gains

Glance, the world’s leading smart lock screen platform, and Swiggy Instamart, India’s pioneering quick commerce platform, have announced a disruptive partnership to launch a one-tap purchase feature directly from Glance’s smart lock screens. This allows CPG brands on Swiggy Instamart to connect with over 230 million active users from the lock screen of their smartphones, making it easier for users to go from product discovery to purchase.

With 4 out of 5 Android users in India interacting with Glance’s smart lock screen as their first point of contact, Glance has emerged as the premier discovery platform for brands. Their presence on the most prominent screen of the smartphone enables brands to connect with consumers early, driving both awareness and purchase decisions with ease.

Through this partnership, Glance looks to deliver impactful brand communication directly to users' lock screens at optimal intervals, sparking interest in products and making it easy for users to take action. With a single tap on branded promotional content, users are seamlessly redirected to the corresponding product page on Swiggy Instamart, enabling a quick and effortless purchase for consumers

To deliver this experience, Glance leverages Swiggy Instamart’s user behaviour and preference data to create sharply defined audience cohorts, allowing CPG brands to target consumers more effectively. By combining Swiggy’s user affinity signals with Glance’s engagement metrics, this data-driven approach ensures that promotions reach the right audience at the right time, improving purchase intent and conversion rates for brands.

Glance and Swiggy Instamart have rolled out this innovative approach with five leading CPG brands, including a well-known energy drink that saw a 20% increase in its baseline sales, and a leading nutrition supplement brand that recorded a 10% rise in sales and a 7% gain of market share growth on the platform. On average, these brands experienced over 10% uplift in sales, driven by both existing and new customers, demonstrating the potential of the Glance smart lock screen to drive meaningful consumer action.

Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, of InMobi Consumer and Performance Advertising, said, “We are excited to partner with Swiggy Instamart to transform the way India’s CPG brands drive growth on quick commerce. By integrating Glance’s premier screen presence, targeting capabilities and reach of over 230 million users with Swiggy Instamart’s quick commerce convenience, we are setting a new standard for brand engagement in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. With one-tap purchases directly from lock screens, we aim to empower CPG brands to connect with consumers in real-time, effortlessly turning intent into action.”

Glance has deep integration with InMobi Exchange which allows Glance and Swiggy audiences to extend their advertising campaigns to mobile app users across around 30,000 apps in India. Homegrown InMobi Exchange is one of the biggest and most addressable mobile exchanges which allows brands to seamlessly extend their campaigns on other premium apps.

Amitkumar Banka, Head of Growth Marketing, Swiggy said, “Glance smart lock screen has proven to be a powerful first touchpoint for Android users, driving meaningful results for CPG brands on Swiggy Instamart. As Swiggy Instamart continues to grow, we’re excited to collaborate with Glance to engage users instantly, creating real-time connections that translate into tangible business results.”

Kashish Vasandani, Director Growth, Swiggy, said, “This unique partnership between Glance and Swiggy allows brands on our platform to seamlessly reach their audience on either the lock screens of their smartphones or within 1000’s of other premium apps that consumers use via InMobi Exchange.”

Glance and Swiggy Instamart aim to replicate the success of initial campaigns across hundreds of CPG brands converting everyday lock screen interactions into measurable business outcomes.

Glance is an AI-driven platform that delivers a wide range of engaging experiences directly on Android lock screens, including games, entertainment, news, sports, and shopping, all available in seven Indian languages. By partnering with reputed publishers and developers, Glance's AI curates premium content tailored to each user’s preferences. This allows users to access relevant information seamlessly, without unlocking their phones or navigating through multiple apps. 

About Glance:

Founded in 2019, Glance is a consumer technology company that operates some of the most disruptive digital platforms including Glance, Roposo, and Nostra. Glance has redefined the way the internet is consumed on the lock screen, removing the need for searching and downloading apps. Over 450 million smartphones now come enabled with Glance’s next-generation internet experience. Roposo has revolutionized commerce by launching a destination for creator-led live entertainment commerce. Headquartered in Singapore, Glance is an unconsolidated subsidiary of InMobi and is funded by Jio Platforms, Google, and Mithril Capital. For more information visit glance.com, roposo.com and inmobi.com

Manipal Academy Of Higher Education: First university In India To Host An IELTS Test Centre!

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first university in India to host an IELTS test centre. MAHE Manipal signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IDP Education India Private Limited, New Delhi towards this engagement. With the test centre now accessible on campus, students will have convenient access to course modules, along with additional benefits such as discounted memberships and trained faculty mentors for assistance. The Department of Humanities & Management, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal will be hosting the Centre as a closed avenue exclusively for MAHE students. Registrations are now open for the first IELTS paper-based test going live on November 7, 2024.

The MoU was officially executed on 14 October 2024 in the presence of Dr Giridhar Kini, Registrar MAHE Manipal and Mr Kishan Kumar Yadav, Area Manager – IELTS Operations (South India), IDP Education India Pvt Ltd.

Dr Anil Rana, Director MIT Manipal, Dr Anup Naha, Director International Collaborations, Dr Yogesh Pai P, Head – Department of Humanities & Management at MIT Manipal and colleagues witnessed this exchange. Mr Abhishek Swamy, Assistant Territory Manager – Karnataka, IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd was present during the occasion.

"We are incredibly proud that MAHE has become the first university in India to host an IELTS Test Centre. This achievement reflects our commitment to enhancing global opportunities for our students and the community. Having a test center on campus will provide easier access to international education pathways and strengthen our efforts in promoting academic excellence and global exposure for our students”, said Dr. Giridhar Kini.

Achieving this significant milestone is yet another testament to MAHE’s commitment to fostering global education standards towards the holistic development of students and staff. This joint initiative between MAHE and IDP Education India Pvt Ltd will have a profound impact on both the university and the region, creating numerous pathways for students and professionals alike.

MIT-WPU Honours Scientist Dr. Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan With Vigyan Maharshi Samman At 6th Convocation Ceremony

In a celebration of scientific excellence and educational achievement, MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) honoured distinguished scientist Padma Shri Dr. Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan with the prestigious MIT-WPU Vigyan Maharshi Samman during its 6th convocation ceremony. The award was presented by the Chief Guest, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in recognition of Raghavan's outstanding contributions to the field of science. The accolade included a certificate, an idol of Saraswati, and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs.

Dr. Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan, a recipient of the Padma Shri, serves as a DAE Homi Bhabha Chair and Emeritus Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). He is also a former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and chairs the Prime Minister's Science Technology and Innovation Council. His extensive career includes serving as Secretary to the Department of Biotechnology and Director of NCBS at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

In his address at the convocation, Dr. Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan expressed his gratitude upon receiving the prestigious MIT-WPU Vigyan Maharshi Samman, stating, "I am very proud to receive this honor. A university education is not solely about your time in classrooms. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the classroom is relatively incidental. The key aspect is your ability to communicate and connect with one another, so that you can break these silos as you enter the world." He also emphasized the critical global challenges we face today and their potential solutions, adding, "The world is now a far more complex place than it was even 10 years ago, and certainly over the last 50 years. We face many formidable challenges: climate change, extreme weather events, issues of sustainable development, water scarcity, and economic growth. These problems are indeed significant, but there is no challenge that cannot be tackled by us."

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Chief Guest of the ceremony, congratulated Dr. Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan on receiving the MIT-WPU Vigyan Maharshi Samman and extended his best wishes to the graduating students. He stated, As you embark on this new journey, remember that the continuous acquisition of knowledge, coupled with the ability to face challenges with determination and hard work, will be the pillars of your success. These milestones will guide you as you transition into the corporate world. It is your responsibility to prove your capabilities and, through your dedication and excellence, uplift the reputation of your family, your organization, and the community you represent. The true value of education is not merely in the knowledge gained but in how effectively you utilize that knowledge to bring about positive changes. Strive to innovate, find solutions to pressing challenges, and work towards enhancing the well-being of others. Your actions have the power to make a lasting impact on society and create a better future for all."

Prof. Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, Founder President of MIT-WPU, shared his vision rooted in the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, reiterating the importance of harmonizing science and spirituality. "In 1893, Swami Vivekananda declared a vision at the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago a vision guiding us today, where science and spirituality coexist harmoniously. We must foster a value-based universal education system connecting spirituality with science, through discipline and character building,"

Shri Rahul V. Karad, MIT-WPU’s Executive President, emphasized India’s potential to become a global leader in spirituality and science. He discussed the university's vision for a Global Education Managing Council to integrate spiritual components into technical education and encouraged students to innovate, rather than merely replicate Western models, fostering original thinking in engineering and technology.

During the ceremony, MIT-WPU also honoured other outstanding achievers. Abhijit Pawar received the 'Founder President Medal,' while Anushree Kulkarni was awarded the 'Executive President Medal.'

The convocation saw over 5,000 students receive degrees across multiple disciplines, including Engineering and Technology, Computer Science and Engineering, Business, Economics and Commerce, Health Science and Technology, Science and Environmental Studies, Law, and Consciousness Studies.

The ceremony was graced by several esteemed guests, including international business consultant Prof. Ram Charan, MIT-WPU Founder Trustee Prof. P.B. Joshi, Chairman of the Management Committee Prof. Dr. Mangesh T. Karad, Vice-Chancellor Dr. R.M. Chitnis, and other distinguished dignitaries adding further prominence to the event.

Michelin India Announces Winners Of The “Michelin AI Challenge”

* The challenge received over 100+ applications from 25 cities

* Winners: Kogo.ai, Prophecy and Zangoh.ai

Michelin, the world leader in tyre technology, announced the winners of the “Michelin AI Challenge”, the first AI challenge in the sector. Launched in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and Startup India, the initiative aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the Indian AI startup ecosystem while exposing them to global best practices.

The award ceremony undertaken at IIT Delhi, was honored by the presence of our special guests Mr. Petros Sourmelis, Minister-Counsellor, Delegation of EU to India and Bhutan, Ms. Marie Khater, Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia, Embassy of France, Dr. Ambica Rajagopal, Michelin Group's Chief Data and AI Officer, and Mr. Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India.

During the event, 10 startups pitched their ideas, and Kogo.ai, Prophecy, and Zangoh.ai were recognized for their innovative contributions, learning opportunities to co-build on strategic projects and receive mentorship. The startups were carefully evaluated by a team of Michelin’s AI data scientists, business leaders, product managers and developers. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between Michelin and DPIIT, aimed at fostering sustained innovation and entrepreneurship, while creating an enabling environment for startups to thrive.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ambica Rajagopal, Michelin Group's Chief Data and AI Officer said " The Michelin AI Startup Challenge is designed to identify and support innovative startups to build solutions using AI agents, LLMs, computer vision, and robotics to enhance manufacturing, product quality, road and pedestrian safety, and how to use AI in a responsible, explainable and ethical way. By leveraging LLMs and generative AI, we are not just automating workflows but enabling intelligent agents to discover optimal paths of action through complex choices. These AI systems are now able to generate insights from distributed knowledge, linking structured and unstructured data to build deeper models of customer behavior. The potential to unlock creativity and innovation has never been greater.”

Mr. Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director of Michelin India, said; “At Michelin, our commitment to India is reflected in our decision to establish our AI headquarters in Pune and in our continued partnership with the government through initiatives like the MOU signed with DPIIT. We believe in the power of collaboration, where our global expertise and mentorship, combined with the government's scale and vision, create a win-win scenario. We sincerely extend our gratitude to DPIIT for their invaluable support in making this challenge a success."

Mr. Petros Sourmelis, Minister-Counsellor, Delegation of EU to India and Bhutan, said; “The AI Challenge is a novel initiative of Michelin that aims to expand Data and AI capabilities and bring innovation to the forefront. That it has received 200+ applications from startups across the country speaks volumes about the interest this program and its themes have generated. I hope this will give a huge spur to industry linked innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.”

Ms. Marie Khater, Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia Embassy of France said; “The work and activities engaged by Michelin in India embodies the profound and concrete partnership that our two countries have on digital technologies. Not only is Michelin an industrial group, one of the leaders in tyre manufacturing but the company is deeply engaged in innovation and R&D, particularly in the digital space. I am really looking forward to seeing how we can build on existing initiatives from French and Indian companies like this one to find synergies and strengthen our bilateral ties on innovation, notably in the perspective of the Indo-French year of innovation in 2026.”

The Michelin AI Challenge, a 12-week-long initiative, was undertaken in multiple stages which included, outreach, applications, shortlisting and mentorship until September 2024, followed by the grand finale featuring the shortlisted startups. The challenge saw an overwhelming response, with 106 startups applying from all over the country. Around 60% startups from tier 1 cities and tier 2 cities applied, showcasing diverse, innovative AI solutions that highlight the nation's talent and break geographical barriers.

The top ten AI innovators from the AI Startup Challenge presented their projects at the demo day at IIT Delhi. The three winning teams were awarded paid pilot projects from Michelin, with funding of up to INR 5 lakh each. Furthermore, these winners will gain access to global contracts and incubation support from Michelin leadership.

DPIIT has been proactively working towards mobilizing startups in the manufacturing space, and to provide them with early-stage support necessary for their growth. The Department is building an initiative to bridge the gap between industry and startups, by supporting with setting-up of incubators and incubation programs led by the industry. The initiative aims to empower manufacturing startups with innovative technologies and sustainable practices, enabling them to become leaders in the global market through incubation supported by the industry.