Happiest Minds Announces Transformational Changes And Forecasts Double-Digit Revenue In FY26-FY27

Despite concerns about a potential US slowdown, Bangalore-based Happiest Minds Technologies anticipates healthy double-digit organic growth in FY26 and FY27, driven by strategic initiatives and acquisitions. 

Happiest Minds chairman Ashok Soota expressed confidence in the company's future, stating they "we see no recession-driven slowdown" despite market predictions of a US slowdown. “As the IT industry has come under pressure, I have been feeling that it needs to be strengthened by a products & SaaS solutions approach,” he said. A key part of this strategy includes Arttha, a banking product acquired through PureSoftware. “A product team is enhancing its capabilities and transitioning it to a SaaS platform. Both the product and SaaS solution will co-exist,” said Soota.

"After a few years of delay, we finally completed two acquisitions--PureSoftware and Aureus whose results were integrated in Q1 of FY25. The wait had been worthwhile because both organizations were aligned with our culture, brought in excellent talent and the acquisitions were cash-accretive. The results of these acquisitions led to our growth in FY25 being well above industry average," he said.

The company posted a 7.53 per cent rise profit to Rs 248.39 crore in FY24 compared to Rs 230.99 crore in the previous fiscal. Revenue for financial year 2023-24 was at Rs 1,624.66 crore, a 13.66 per cent climb over Rs 1,429.29 crore in FY23.

In October last year, the company established a new business unit, Generative AI Business Services (GBS), headed by Sridhar Mantha, the company's erstwhile CTO.

Happiest Minds has also appointed a Chief Growth Officer, Maninder Singh, who is responsible for net new sales. Singh's team is already making a visible impact by bringing in new logos, he said.

Happiest Minds 10 Strategy Changes

Happiest Minds Technologies has announced 10 strategic transformational changes aimed at driving growth and innovation amid industry disruption caused by macroeconomic shifts and the rapid rise of Generative AI (GenAI).

These changes is to drive growth and innovation, focusing on acquisitions, SaaS, and HaaS solutions, aiming for double-digit growth in FY26 and FY27 amid IT industry challenges.

The company aims to offer solutions tailored to the needs of PE firms, including security risk assessment, tech debt management, and innovation strategies.

These changes, initiated in FY24 and extending into FY26, come after the completion of two key acquisitions—PureSoftware and Aureus–which led to a strong growth in FY25, adds Soota.

Acknowledging challenges faced by the IT industry in recent years, Soota emphasised the need for a shift towards a products and software-as-a-solutions driven approach.

Future plans

Looking ahead, it plans to develop a private equity company eco-system and portfolio companies, address the requirements of GCC companies and create a large accounts focused strategy which will take about 10 – 15 of the company’s $2-3-million accounts, and raise them to $10-20 million.

On the product front, the company is enhancing its product capabilities and transitioning to a SaaS-based model, ensuring both solutions will coexist. Furthermore, it is set to launch a Hardware as a Service (HaaS) offering in two phases: with the product to be introduced by Q4, followed by the launch of the HaaS solution a year later.

Elaborating on these changes, Joseph Anantharaju, Co-Chairman & CEO, shared, “Over the last 13-14 years, we have acquired many logos of consequences and effectively deployed our ‘land and expand’ strategy. This has resulted in the average revenue per customer consistently increasing, resulting in many accounts that are $2-3 million in size, in addition to a few customers that are $5 million and $10 million customers. We want to take this strategy to the next level by moving some customers into the $20 million range and creating more $5 million and $10 million accounts.”

As part of this strategy, he said Happiest Minds will invest in seasoned client partners to bring focus and elevate conversations, creating customer-specific solutions, aligning incentives and responsibilities across several functions, and giving these sets of accounts prioritised focus and treatment.

Venkatraman Narayanan, the company’s Managing Director & CFO, emphasised additional focus areas, including sustaining “industry-leading margins” after 18 consecutive quarters of exceptional EBITDA performance, as well as continued efforts in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

Navabharat “ Inspiring Women Award “ Conferred On Rita Date

Rita Date, a prominent figure in the wellness industry, has recently been honored with the NavaBharat 'Inspiring Woman Award' for her significant contributions to health and well-being. Among the other prominent winners were Tarang Gianchandani - CEO, H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Pooja Asar- Marketing Head, Tata Motors Ltd .

With over two decades of experience, Rita has made a name for herself as a nutritionist and an advocate for healthy living. She has authored two influential books on nutrition. Her first book addresses the growing obesity epidemic in the country and emphasizes the importance of homemade meals. Her latest book, *Fighting Cancer with the Thali*, provides insights into cancer prevention and managing the side effects of cancer treatments through dietary choices.

Fighting Cancer with the Thali is a comprehensive book on how to help prevent cancer as well as how to manage the side effects of cancer treatment. The authors Rita Date and Dr Seema Sonis use the experiences in their practices to stress the importance of Mind, Nutrition, Movement- the MNM Principle.

Rita is also a strong proponent of yoga and meditation, having coached individuals in these practices for the past 10 years. To make these practices more accessible, she established *The Breathing Room* in Pune, a space dedicated to offering various forms of yoga and meditation. Her philosophy encourages people to explore different traditions and find what resonates best with them, as she often says, “Try them all and find what works for you!”

Beyond her professional achievements, Rita is passionate about hiking in the Himalayas, spending quality time with her family, reading, and delving into yoga philosophy. Her educational background includes a BA in Journalism from Boston College, an MBA from UMass Amherst, and multiple certifications in Nutrition, Yoga, and Meditation.

Rita Date’s dedication to wellness, combined with her expertise and compassionate approach, has made her a true inspiration in her field, earning her this well-deserved recognition.

Kinetic Green Sets New Standard With Industry-First Unlimited KM "Assured Buyback Offer" On E-Luna, Boosts Customer Assurance

* This limited period offers guarantees Rs.36,000/- buyback value for all E-Luna

* The buyback can be availed after the completion of vehicle ownership for 3 years featuring an unprecedented industry-first unlimited kilometre’s coverage

Kinetic Green, a pioneer in electric vehicles in India, has announced an exclusive ‘Assured Buy Back Offer’ for E-Luna. This limited-period offer reinforces Kinetic Green’s commitment to customer satisfaction and unparalleled peace of mind.

As part of this unique initiative, Kinetic Green guarantees a Rs.36,000/- buyback value for all E-Luna vehicles purchased during the offer period.  The buyback can be availed after the completion of vehicle ownership for 3 years with unlimited km’s covered under the scheme. This move underscores Kinetic Green’s confidence in enduring quality of its electric two-wheelers and not only aims to make sustainable mobility even more accessible and rewarding for customers but also address a key concern of resale value of e2W.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO of Kinetic Green, said, “At Kinetic Green, we are committed to redefining urban mobility with sustainable and affordable solutions. The E-Luna has been a game-changer, and with the Assured Product Buy Back Offer, we are making it an even more attractive choice for our customers. This initiative not only assures value but also strengthens trust in the growing electric vehicle ecosystem. We invite customers to take advantage of this special offer and be a part of the green revolution.”

The Assured Product Buy Back Offer is available exclusively across all Kinetic Green authorised dealerships across India, providing customers with a seamless and convenient purchasing experience. With this initiative, Kinetic Green continues to drive forward its vision of promoting eco-friendly and affordable mobility solutions.

About Kinetic Green:

Kinetic Green is one of the leading players in India’s electric vehicle sector, offering a wide range of electric 3-wheelers and electric 2-wheelers – manufactured in a state-of-the-art production facility near Pune, Maharashtra to advance green mobility solutions aimed at India and global markets. For electric golf carts and buggies, the company has formed a Joint Venture with the world’s leading luxury brand, Tonino Lamborghini of Italy.

Helmed by Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, a third-generation scion of the Firodia family, Kinetic Green is dedicated to building a robust pan-India EV ecosystem and developing sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, with a vision to democratise electric mobility, and to bring EVs to the mainstream- accessible to not just the classes, but to the masses.

Backed by over half a century of engineering excellence of the Kinetic Group, Kinetic Green has made its EVs accessible, thus democratising electric mobility with quality products that feature top-tier technology and safety.

Kinetic Green has had several firsts to its name, including being the first company to develop ARAI approved electric three-wheelers and the first to offer Lithium-ion battery technology in their electric three-wheelers in India. Kinetic Green recently launched e-Luna, an electric avatar of Kinetic group’s popular brand “Luna”, which has been well received both for personal mobility as well as for the growing e-commerce delivery markets. To fuel its aggressive growth plans, the company recently secured $25 million in its Series A funding round from UK based PE fund, Greater Pacific Capital and is in the process to raise another $30 million.

Coca-Cola® India Brings Yash Onboard To Redefine ‘Halftime’ Moments

* With its latest film, the brand partners with superstar Yash to redefine the power of a pause for its Halftime campaign, proving that the right break, fueled by an ice-cold Coca-Cola, can turn everyday moments into something extraordinary!

Campaign Film link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi-HtWjyw_w

Coca-Cola® is thrilled to announce Indian superstar Yash as the new face of the brand during its ongoing Coke Halftime campaign - emphasizing that a well-timed pause can sometimes be just what we need in the middle of our day-to-day tasks. By bringing Yash into the fold, Coca-Cola® reinforces its commitment to celebrating meaningful pauses - moments that do more than just stop time – with Coke Halftime.

The new campaign film, set in a bustling marketplace, showcases Yash’s effortless charm and the power of a Halftime moment. As neighborhood friends struggle to assemble a massive cutout, Yash signals for a pause, not with instructions, but with a chilled Coca-Cola. Just the break they needed, as they come together, refresh themselves with chilled Coke, take a break & complete their task, unveiling the cutout was of Yash himself.

Kaushik Prasad, Senior Director, Marketing for Coca-Cola category at The Coca-Cola Company's India and Southwest Asia Operating Unit said, “Coca-Cola is all about uplifting everyday moments and Coke Halftime is an invitation to take a pause especially amidst what feels like endless routines and even better if it’s with a delicious, ice-cold Coca-Cola. We’re thrilled & excited to welcome Rocking Star Yash to the Coca-Cola family, he personifies the power of delivering in the moments of high anticipation. We’re hopeful his fans & supporters see his dynamism, inspiring persona and mass connect with people as a perfect fit with Coca-Cola."

Speaking about his association with Coca-Cola, Superstar Yash said, “Halftime isn’t just a break—it’s the spark before the next big moment, and Coke makes every pause feel like a celebration. I'm pleased to partner with Coca-Cola—because with Coke, halftime hits different!"

The campaign film, crafted by the VML Delhi team & directed by, Kishore Iyyar, will be amplified across the IPL, television, and digital touchpoints to fuel the power of Halftime in everyday lives!

About Coca-Cola’s Halftime Campaign:

Coca-Cola brought to a life a game-changing campaign, inspiring fans to embrace the magic of a pause—a moment to reset, refresh, and reignite before diving back into life.

The brand announced the campaign through a blend of storytelling, brand films, and digital experiences; the campaign film highlights how a sip of Coca-Cola turns fleeting moments into something special.

As part of the Halftime campaign, Coke Studio Bharat’s “Holi Aayi Re” brought the vibrant spirit of Mathura and Vrindavan’s Holi to life. The track’s grand debut set the stage for a high-energy Coke Halftime performance during the ICC Champions Trophy Finals between India and New Zealand, elevating the festive mood for millions of cricket and music fans.

About Coca-Cola India

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Brandintellé Marketing Platform Gets Best Digital Transformation For Auto Marketing From Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister

Brandintellé bagged the ‘Best Digital Transformation For Automobile Marketing’ award from Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Honourable Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Government of India.

Brandintelle CEO Robin Das received the award on behalf of Brandintelle. The event was by a leading Delhi-based Auto Summit - a great validation of the ethics of hard work & excellence at Brandintellé. The entire team is filled with pride at this recognition of corporate excellence. On behalf of all Indian entrepreneurs, the Brandintelle team would like to thank Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Jury & the entire Times Internet team,

“Only when the pursuit of excellence is intrinsic, driven, can it lead to recognition from an evolved senior Minister like Shri Nitin Gadkari,” said Robin Das, CEO & Co-Founder.

A critical driver of business excellence for automobile giants, Brandintellé has demonstrated its ability to track significant marketing investments & activities and monitor their correlation with revenue. In the past 7 years, that is what we have implemented and achieved with our automobile clients Hero Motocorp, Tata Motors, and TVS Motors, etc.

Our enterprise SaaS model for Budget Management, Vendor Commercials, Invoice Reconciliation, and ROI Analytics has streamlined the execution of billions of marketing Rupees, thereby increasing stakeholder value for every rupee invested.

“Shri Nitin Gadkari, an accomplished entrepreneur himself is known to go out of his way to promote Indian entrepreneurs. After all, India flourishes when its entrepreneurs succeed. This is a wonderful recognition of the pursuit of excellence,” said Biswajit Das, Chairman & Co-Founder.

Tata Tea Gemini Brings The Spirit Of Telangana To Every Cup

Tata Tea Gemini, Telangana’s most beloved tea brand, brings the essence of strong, flavorful chai to every home. Steeped in heritage and crafted with precision, this iconic tea brand is known for its bold taste, rich color, and invigorating aroma—making it the perfect companion for every tea lover.  

Sourced from the finest tea gardens, Tata Tea Gemini is a carefully curated blend that caters to the distinct preferences of Telugu consumers, who cherish their tea moments throughout the day. Whether it’s an early morning cup to start the day, a refreshing break in between, or an evening gathering with friends and family, Tata Tea Gemini delivers a consistent, high-quality experience in every sip.  

Rooted in the culture and traditions of Telangana, Tata Tea Gemini is more than just a beverage—it’s a cherished ritual, bringing people together over meaningful conversations. Its rich taste, balanced flavor profile, and signature aroma make it a staple in Telugu households, ensuring that every cup is an indulgence in authenticity and excellence.  

As a part of the Tata Tea family, Tata Tea Gemini continues to uphold the legacy of trust and quality that Tata Consumer Products is known for. It celebrates the love for tea with a blend that is specially designed to resonate with the people of Telangana—where tea is not just a drink but an emotion.  

Tata Tea Gemini is available in a 250g pack for INR 135 and can be purchased across General Trade (GT), Modern Trade (MT), E-commerce, and Q-commerce platforms.

Federal Bank To Strengthen Partnership With Ageas Federal Life Insurance

Ageas Federal Life Insurance, a leading private life insurer in India, announced that the Federal Bank’s Board of Directors approved the execution of a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ageas Insurance International NV (“Ageas”) and Ageas Federal Life Insurance Company Limited (AFLIC) at a meeting held in Mumbai. The MoU will outline Federal Bank’s intent to acquire an additional 4% equity stake in AFLIC from Ageas, subject to the execution of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), fulfilment of customary conditions precedent, and requisite regulatory approvals.

This acquisition will increase Federal Bank’s total shareholding in AFLIC from 26% to 30%, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the life insurance sector.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Jude Gomes, MD & CEO, Ageas Federal Life Insurance, said, “We welcome this step by Federal Bank, which reflects the continued trust and confidence in our partnership and business growth potential. As we progress towards completing this transaction, we remain committed to strengthening our bancassurance-driven model, delivering customer-centric insurance solutions, and reinforcing our presence in India’s dynamic insurance sector.”

This strategic move aligns with Ageas Federal Life Insurance’s commitment to strengthening distribution across channels while broadening its presence in India’s dynamic insurance landscape. The company remains dedicated to offering innovative, customer-first insurance solutions that cater to evolving financial protection needs.

About Ageas Federal Life Insurance

Ageas Federal Life Insurance, one of India's leading private life insurers offers a diverse range of wealth management, protection, and retirement solutions to individual and corporate customers. Ageas Federal Life Insurance Co Ltd is a joint venture of Ageas, a multinational insurance giant based out of Europe and Federal Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks.

Having commenced operations in 2008, Ageas Federal was able to achieve breakeven within just five years; the Company's passion for innovation and growth helped it achieve this feat. Through a nationwide network of 3,800+ branches including partner bank branches, and a sizeable network of advisors, Ageas Federal Life Insurance has achieved presence across the length and breadth of the country. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has issued over 16.88 lakh policies with a sum assured of over Rs  1,54,425 crores. Ageas Federal Life Insurance has total assets under management of over 17,455 crore and a robust capital base of over Rs ?800 crores as of March 31, 2024.