McLaren Racing Announces Freshworks As An Official Partner Of The McLaren Formula 1 Team

 

Freshworks (NASDAQ: FRSH), announced a multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing, joining as an Official Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team. McLaren has integrated Freshworks' ITSM solution, Freshservice, to boost productivity through more efficient and improved IT services within the team. 

With AI-powered Freshservice, the McLaren Formula 1 Team is able to ensure its global IT operations run smoothly by addressing service requests quickly and seamlessly, even when spread across the globe during a busy race season – eliminating complexity and driving operational efficiencies across all aspects of the team.

 

Freshservice supports McLaren’s IT team to reduce tech-based issues so the team can maximise its efforts on performance on the track. Efficient and uncomplicated processes reduce friction and allow the team to resolve issues and deliver services faster.

 

Freshworks branding will feature on both McLaren Formula 1 Team race cars and the team kit for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond – starting with this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

 

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said, “Boosting our efficiencies off the track is a key factor in improving our performance on it. With industry-leading partners such as Freshworks, we’re able to do just that, and I’m delighted to welcome them to the team.”

 

Dennis Woodside, CEO, Freshworks, said, "We partner with McLaren Racing to optimize their IT operations, enhancing their critical support for winning performance. Our enterprise-grade solutions are designed for ease of implementation, use, and configuration, accelerating McLaren IT's capabilities with AI. We’re proud to deliver intuitive software that directly supports their mission to eliminate complexity on and off the track."

 

About McLaren Racing    

 McLaren Racing was founded by racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963. The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966. McLaren has since won 21 Formula 1 world championships, 198 Formula 1 Grands Prix, the Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.     

 

McLaren Racing competes across five racing series. The team competes in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team with drivers Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard, and F1 Academy with Driver Development programme member Ella Lloyd. The team also competes in the F1 Sim Racing Championship as McLaren Shadow.  

 

McLaren is a champion for sustainability in the sport and a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Commitment. It is committed to achieving net zero by 2040 and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture in the motorsport industry.   McLaren Racing – Official Website 

  

About Freshworks

Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH) builds uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional customer and employee experiences. Our enterprise-grade solutions are powerful, yet easy to use, and quick to deliver results. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, making employees more effective and organizations more productive. Over 73,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks’ customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) software to fuel customer loyalty and service efficiency. For the latest company news and customer stories, visit www.freshworks.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7 Pre-Orders Match S25 Series, Setting New Benchmark For Flagships In India

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  Pre-orders for Samsung’s seventh generation foldables hit a record high, signaling mainstreaming of foldable smartphones and extraordinary consumer excitement

• Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7 and Z Flip7 FE secured 210,000 pre-orders in the first 48 hours since their launch on July 9 in India

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, announced that it’s recently-launched - Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy ZFlip7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE smartphones – have received record pre-orders, signaling huge consumer demand and excitement for the brand’s seventh generation of foldable smartphones. Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy ZFlip7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE secured 210,000 pre-orders in the first 48 hours, breaking previous records, and nearly equaling the pre-orders received for Galaxy S25 series earlier this year.

"The record pre-orders for our ‘made in India’ foldable smartphones reinforce our belief that young Indian consumers are quick to adopt latest technology. Galaxy Z Fold7 delivers our most advanced smartphone experience yet - powerful, immersive, intelligent, and portable all in one. Galaxy Z Flip7 adapts, anticipates and empowers users, unlocking a smarter, more intuitive way to engage with the world. Powered by the new One UI 8 and Android 16 right out of the box, the new devices deliver true multimodal AI experiences. The success of the new devices are a stepping stone for our larger goal – the mainstreaming of foldable smartphones in India,” said JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Galaxy Z Fold7 seamlessly blends precision engineering and powerful intelligence to elevate everyday interactions – all in its thinnest and lightest design to date. At just 215 grams, Galaxy Z Fold7 is even lighter than Galaxy S25 Ultra. It is just 8.9 mm thick when folded and 4.2 mm thick when unfolded. It delivers the premium performance and experience of an ultra smartphone, while unlocking new levels of efficiency and productivity with a larger, more immersive display when unfolded.

Galaxy Z Flip7, a compact AI phone with multimodal capabilities, is powered by a new FlexWindow. Small enough to slip into a pocket, yet powerful enough to deliver the handiest assistance, it melds Galaxy AI with a new edge-to-edge FlexWindow, a flagship level camera and an ultra-compact and iconic design. From intuitive voice AI to the best selfie capabilities, Galaxy Z Flip7 is an intelligent pocket-sized companion built for seamless interaction and everyday reliability. Weighing just 188 grams and measuring only 13.7mm when folded, Galaxy Z Flip7 is the slimmest Galaxy Z Flip yet.

While Galaxy Z Fold7 is available in stunning colours such as Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow and Jet Black; the Galaxy Z Flip7 comes in Blue Shadow, Jet Black and Coral Red. Galaxy Z Flip 7FE comes in Black and White colours. Apart from this, consumers buying the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 through Samsung.com will have an additional colour to choose from – Mint.

Both devices bring multimodal AI capabilities, delivering experiences that maximize the benefits of the expansive foldable display of the Galaxy Z Fold7 to boost productivity.  Designed as a true multimodal agent, One UI 8 seamlessly combines large-screen multitasking with intelligent tools that understand what users’ type, say and even see. Thanks to Google’s Gemini Live, users can share their screen in real time while speaking with the AI assistant — enabling contextual requests based on what’s visible. In addition, One UI 8 brings enhanced privacy to personalized AI experiences with the new Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP). KEEP creates encrypted, app-specific storage environments within the device’s secures storage area, ensuring each app can access only its own sensitive information and nothing more.

The main display on Galaxy Z Fold7 is 11% larger than the previous generation. The 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display offers ultra-rich contrast, true blacks and vibrant detail that makes everything pop. It also gets Vision Booster and up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness.

 

The Armor FlexHinge on Galaxy Z Fold7 is thinner and lighter, thanks to an enhanced water droplet design and newly implemented multi-rail structure that reduces visible creasing. The cover display is made with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Ceramic 2, a new glass ceramic that has crystals intricately embedded within its glass matrix. Advanced Armor Aluminum in the frame and hinge housing increases strength and hardness by 10%. The main display is restructured to be thinner and lighter — yet stronger. This was achieved by implementing the Titanium plate layer. Additionally, Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) was increased to be 50% thicker, making the display tougher.

 

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, Galaxy Fold7 delivers stupendous performance boosts of 41% in NPU, 38% in CPU, and 26% in GPU compared to the previous generation. This power fuels Galaxy Z Fold7’s ability to process more AI experiences on-device without compromise. In addition, with the first 200MP wide-angle camera in the Galaxy Z series, it captures 4x more detail, producing images that are 44% brighter. In addition, Samsung’s next-generation ProVisual Engine processes images faster.

 

Galaxy Z Flip7 comes with a stunning FlexWindow display, which brings essentials front and center and makes it easy to type out quick messages. The 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow is the largest ever on a Galaxy Z Flip7, with edge-to-edge usability that enables users to see and do more on the cover screen. With 2,600 nits of peak brightness, the FlexWindow gets an upgrade with Vision Booster, enhancing outdoor visibility so users can stay connected wherever they are. The main display is a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, built for an ultra-smooth, immersive experience.

 

The cover and back of Galaxy Z Flip7 are protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2. The Armor FlexHinge is thinner than the hinge on the previous generation and features a restructured design and high-strength materials for smoother folds and long-lasting durability. A robust Armor Aluminum Frame provides a tough exterior for resilience. The 4,300mAh battery is the largest ever on a Galaxy Z Flip, delivering up to 31 hours of video play time on a single charge.

The French Institute In India Selected 34 Laureates For The Third Edition Of Villa Swagatam

Artists and writers from South Asia and France will visit partner residencies in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and France as part of a unique initiative that promotes cross-cultural exchange. 

The French Institute in India is pleased to announce the selection of 34 laureates for the third edition of its flagship residency programme, Villa Swagatam, which will run from August 2025 to August 2026. This pioneering initiative fosters cross-cultural dialogue and creative collaboration between French and South Asian artists and writers, who will each spend one to three months at one of the partner residencies across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and France.

 

Villa Swagatam brings together some of the most distinguished organisations committed to artistic and literary excellence and meaningful cultural exchange. In its third edition, the programme welcomes new partners that deepen the thematic, geographic, and creative diversity at its core. The literary strand of the programme now includes the Lakmahal Community Library in Colombo, marking the entry of Sri Lanka in the programme, and Chalet Mauriac in France, which introduces translation as one of Villa Swagatam’s literary disciplines. In the realm of arts and crafts, new partners include the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, æquō gallery in Mumbai, and the Centre international de recherche sur le verre et les arts plastiques (Cirva) in Marseille. This edition features a bespoke month-long itinerant residency for acclaimed French playwright and director Pauline Bayle, hosted by Villa Swagatam partners across Delhi, Varanasi, Tamil Nadu, and Bengaluru, to support the final development of her Mahabharata adaptation, premiering in September 2026 at the Théâtre Public de Montreuil.

 

Joining our network offers residencies meaningful access to the vibrant contemporary cultural scenes of France and India, and creates new opportunities for collaboration and co-creation.

 

Highlighting the value of this programme, Ms Nelcy Mercier, Director of Operations, La Napoule Art Foundation, said: “For many years, our residency programmes have welcomed artists from across the globe. Yet, meaningful and sustained engagement with Indian practitioners was relatively rare. After initiating a first partnership with Prameya Art Foundation in 2015 to welcome a young Indian art critic, our collaboration with Villa Swagatam from 2023 has since opened a vital pathway into the richness and complexity of India’s artistic landscape, allowing us to forge deeper, more sustained connections.”

 

Projects developed by former Villa Swagatam residents have already begun to leave a significant mark on the global stage. Many have gone on to showcase their work at major events, such as India Design ID, India Art Fair, and Jodhpur Arts Week, while others have collaborated with influential organisations like le19m and Rooshad Shroff’s Gallery. Alumni of the literary residencies have participated in major literary platforms, such as the Kerala Literature Festival, the Bangalore Literature Festival, and the Literature Live Festival in France, contributing to the dialogue of ideas. Many have signed with renowned publishing houses for works that explore India’s rich cultural, philosophical, and literary traditions.

H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, commenting on the success of the two previous batches: “Since its very inception, Villa Swagatam has been envisioned as a flagship initiative of our cultural cooperation with India, fostering a vibrant network of creative talents from both countries, with arts and crafts, and literature as key areas of exchange.”

 

The call for applications for the third edition of Villa Swagatam was open from 16 April to 9 June 2024, inviting writers, graphic novelists, visual artists, designers, and cultural practitioners to apply. The offer was widely disseminated across the Villa Swagatam network of Indian and French partner organisations, reaching diverse creative communities. As a result, applications were received from a total of 520 candidates, including 353 Indian and 167 French applicants. This accounts for more than double the number of candidatures from Indian applicants as compared to the previous edition, a clear sign of the growing resonance and excitement surrounding this unique platform for cultural exchange between India and France.

 

The selected residents representing a vibrant mix of emerging talents and established professionals, Jérémy Fabre, Director, Maison Julien Gracq, remarked: “In the first year, we welcomed Rahul Bishnoi, a young performance scholar whose project weaves together Julien Gracq’s interest in geography with his own interest in theatrical cartography. Next year, we will host Jacinta Kerketta, an acclaimed Indian poet and journalist whose evocative writing in Hindi brings Adivasi voices to the fore. Her participation strengthens our commitment to supporting diverse, rooted and resonant narratives, while introducing her poetry to the French literary landscape.”  

For many participants, this will be their first opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of France and South Asia, while for those already acquainted with these spaces, this is a reinvigorating opportunity to renew their professional and creative connections and advance specific projects. The long stay in their respective territories of residence allows them to participate in several outreach activities, fostering richer mutual exchanges of cultural perspectives and expertise between France and South Asia.

JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) Successfully Hosts 5-Day AICTE-MoE FDP On Innovation And Entrepreneurship

 

JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), proudly concluded a 5-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" recently.

This initiative aimed to equip faculty members and Incubation Managers from AICTE-Approved Institutions with the Tools, Frameworks, and confidence to mentor student innovators and support early-stage startups.

Key Highlights of the 5-Day FDP

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50 + Faculty Members from diverse institutions across south India participated actively in the sessions.

• 13 Expert Speakers from industry and startups shared their insights.

• Day-wise Thematic Sessions covering entrepreneurship mindset, innovation frameworks, and startup strategies.

• Hands-on Workshops on customer discovery, problem validation, and Business Model Canvas.

Interactive Tools Introduced:

 • Empathy Mapping

 • Problem Statement Canvas

 • Value Proposition Design

 • Build-Measure-Learn Loop

Exposure to IP & Startup Finance, with practical insights on protecting ideas and managing funding stages.

Startup Collaboration: Invited startup founders for live pitching, mentorship, and team building exercises.

Go-to-Market Planning: Guidance on launching, marketing, and scaling products.

Peer Learning & Reflections: Empathy map-based group activities, team reflections, and institutional action plans.

Real-World Application Focus: Participants drafted actionable strategies for integrating I&E into their institutions.

Extramarks To Usher In The Intelligent Classroom Era At AI Showcase On July 28

Extramarks, one of India’s leading education technology companies, is set to host a major AI Showcase on July 28, 2025, unveiling its vision for the next generation of teaching and learning — a future where intelligence powers every classroom. 

With the vision of integrating intelligence, inclusivity, and innovation into every learning environment, the event will mark the global unveiling of Extra Intelligence — a comprehensive suite of AI-first features designed to make classrooms more responsive, teaching more creative, and learning more personalized.

 

With years of experience working closely with top schools across India and around the world, Extramarks has developed a deep understanding of what teachers, students, and institutions truly need. Extra Intelligence is a direct outcome of this expertise — a robust suite of AI-powered tools designed to empower every stakeholder in the education ecosystem.

 

This launch represents a significant step toward blending cutting-edge artificial intelligence with human-centred education, redefining how learning is delivered in a rapidly evolving world. "This event marks a shift from what education has been, to what it truly can be," said Ritvik Kulshrestha, CEO of Extramarks. "We're excited to share a vision that’s not only ambitious, but deeply purposeful — to make education more intelligent, more equitable, and more empowering for everyone."

 

The showcase is expected to draw school leaders, educators, EdTech stakeholders, technology enthusiasts, and policymakers from across the country. It will be streamed online, and registration is now open at:  https://www.extramarks.com/event/ai-in-education-2025

Lobby Lounge At Taj Bangalore Unveils A New Menu — Global Flavours With A Southern Twist

Discover a refreshing take on casual dining as Lobby Lounge at Taj Bangalore introduces its all-new menu, where regional classics meet global culinary craftsmanship. With thoughtfully curated dishes, wholesome bowls, artisanal sandwiches, and playful desserts, the new menu invites guests to experience familiar comfort elevated with contemporary flair.

At the heart of this culinary offering is the Southern Twist — a unique concept where authentic regional flavours from Karnataka and beyond are reimagined using modern international techniques. The result is a delightful interplay of nostalgia and novelty in every bite.

A Symphony of Flavours Awaits:

Begin your journey with the Smoked Beetroot Salad, where earthy Peruvian red quinoa meets vibrant blood orange and candied walnuts, dressed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette. For those craving bold bites, the Minced Lamb & Cheese Pide — a Turkish flatbread layered with spiced lamb mince and molten mozzarella — offers hearty indulgence.

The menu celebrates innovation with the much-talked-about Waffle Dosa, a crispy rice and lentil waffle served with traditional chutneys and sambar — a playful take on a South Indian staple. Another highlight is the Mutton Kurumilagu Erachi Bao, where tender braised lamb and black pepper are tucked into a fluffy bao bun.

For those seeking lighter fare, explore wholesome bowls like the Mediterranean Mezze Platter, Tibetan Thukpa, or the Gourmet Avocado & Quinoa Bowl, each crafted to satisfy both the health-conscious and the gourmand.

Sweet Finishes & Summer Coolers:

End your meal on a refreshing note with Lobby Lounge’s innovative sorbet collection inspired by classic Indian summer coolers — from Watermelon & Mint to Aam Panna and Tender Coconut. The Chef’s Signature Chocolate Delicious and indulgent Basque Cheesecake promise to satisfy dessert cravings with elegance.

Join us at Lobby Lounge, Taj Bangalore, and savour this new menu that celebrates comfort, creativity, and the rich diversity of flavours — all served with the signature warmth of Taj hospitality.

Lobby Lounge, Taj Bangalore

Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

For reservations and inquiries, contact: +91 95133 96501

Karnataka Hosts Global Collaboration Meet To Drive Global Tech Partnerships

• Global Collaboration Meet invites global participation in BTS 2025

• BTS 2025 to be held at BIEC

• 60+ countries expected to participate

• Partner countries invited to host pavilions

The Department of E, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka, under its Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative, hosted the Global Collaboration Meet today at Hotel Four Seasons, to promote the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 (BTS 2025) to its partner countries & international trade mission representatives. The Meet held in Bengaluru, was graced by Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, IAS, Managing Director, KITS, Govt. of Karnataka and Shri Daljeet Kumar, IAS, Deputy Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka. Global Collaboration partners from United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, USA, France, Netherlands, Singapore, Israel, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, South Korea, Morocco, Vietnam, Czech Republic and other International Agencies were also present on this occasion.

The Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), an initiative of the Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, fosters partnerships with leading tech and innovation nations. Launched in 2017 under the Karnataka Unit for International Co-operation (KUIC), the GIA network has expanded from 10 countries in 2018 to over 35 nations by 2025.  

The Global Collaboration Meet was convened to further strengthen cross-border collaboration in the lead-up to the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, scheduled to take place from 18–20 November at BIEC, Bengaluru. Dr. Ekroop Caur shared an insightful overview of the Summit, highlighting the unique opportunities it offers for partner countries to showcase their cutting-edge technologies, government initiatives, leading industry players and academic excellence on a global stage through participation in the international exhibition, conference and country delegations. Dr. Caur also presented the various outreach activities under the GIA Initiative.

Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, IT & BT, and S&T, Government of Karnataka expressed, “Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 will be a powerful reflection of the global engagement by the Government under the GIA Initiative, particularly in the areas of innovation, skilling and emerging technologies. Bengaluru Tech Summit has grown into one of Asia’s leading platforms for innovation and global technology exchange. This year we host the 28th edition of BTS, for the first time at the world-class Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. I warmly encourage all our GIA partner countries to make the most of this opportunity by bringing strong participation of country delegations, hosting national pavilions in the exhibition and curating country-focused sessions in the Global Convergence conference track. This is a powerful platform to showcase your country’s innovation ecosystem, connect with Indian industry leaders and startups and explore collaboration across research, technology, and policy.”  

BTS 2025 will be held for the first time at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), a purpose-built, eco-conscious venue with world-class infrastructure, expansive exhibition halls and cutting-edge conference facilities. This new home for BTS marks a major leap in scale and ambition. The summit is expected to bring together over 1,00,000 attendees, including 20,000+ startup founders, 1,000+ investors, 15,000+ delegates, 600+ speakers, and 1,200+ exhibitors. The event will host over 100 knowledge sessions, 5,000+ curated meetings and welcome participation from 60+ countries and all 36 States and Union Territories of India.

Aligned with the theme ‘Futurise’, the BTS 2025 conference will feature 10 tracks including IT & DeepTech, Electro-Semicon, Digital Health & Biotech, the Startup Ecosystem, Global Collaboration and India- USA Tech Conclave, along with bold new tracks viz., AI Universe, Finverse, Defence & Spacetech and My Planet My Future, which focuses on sustainability and climate tech. A major highlight will be the Future Makers Conclave, an immersive programme showcasing a diverse constellation of changemakers, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, adventurers, artists and pioneers to be attended by more than 2000 startup founders. The multi-pavilion Exhibition will spotlight breakthrough innovations across sectors, with a significant scale-up in international participation and industry presence.

The event will feature a special focus on startups through the Startup Springboard, a curated programme that connects high-potential ventures with investors, mentors, and global networks. Activities will include Investor Pitching sessions led by top VC networks, one-on-one Mentoring clinics with industry experts, a dedicated Startup Pavilion in the exhibition and exclusive investor connect opportunities. Startups will also benefit from focused thematic sessions on scaling, fundraising, and international market access, alongside recognition through the prestigious Startup Awards. 

Special programmes like the Rural IT Quiz, Bio Quiz, Bio Posters, IT, Bio and Exhibitor awards, and Global Leaders Reception will further enrich the experience.

For more information on BTS 2025, visit www.bengalurutechsummit.com