Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Show Returns With Season 2, Offering Rs 10 Lakh Golden Grants To Women Entrepreneurs

~In collaboration with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Mindshare, the show premiered on April 19 on JioHotstar~

Britannia Marie Gold announces the launch of Season 2 of Her Start-Up Show. Launched in partnership with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Mindshare, it is the first-ever national reality series dedicated to women entrepreneurs from across the country, a platform to showcase their ideas. The show, which premiered on JioHotstar on 19th April, features 40 finalists competing for the Rs 10 lakh Golden Grant

Conceptualized by GroupM Motion Content, Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Show is more than just a series—it's a catalyst for change, empowering women to turn their ideas into impact through funding, mentorship, and national visibility.

The show is the culmination of the Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Contest, launched in July 2024, which saw participation from over one lakh aspiring women entrepreneurs across India. From these, over 100 women underwent professional training, with 40 moving to the shortlisting stage. Every participant stands to receive 10 Lakh of Britannia Marie Gold Grant or mentorship, in addition to national visibility and ecosystem access. The standout top 10 performers will win the prestigious Rs 10 lakh Golden Grant, while the other promising women entrepreneurs will gain entry into the NSDC Women Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program.

Representing cities like Indore, Aurangabad, Coimbatore, Jammu & Kashmir, and more, the 40 contestants pitch ideas across food, fashion, sustainability, tech, and agri-solutions. The show is presented in six languages—Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada—with subtitles and audio options available on JioHotstar. Spread across eight episodes, two new ones drop every weekend from April 19 on JioHotstar, showcasing journeys from pitches to mentorship to the Rs 10 lakh Britannia Marie Gold Grant.

Hosted by actress Shriya Saran, the show features an all-star jury: actor-entrepreneur Neha Dhupia, MasterChef winner Shipra Khanna, artisan Ruma Devi, Suta’s Sujata Biswas, Aarti Gupta (Jagran Group), Riya Joseph (Britannia), and Shreshtha Gupta (NSDC India), to name a few.

Siddharth Gupta, General Manager - Marketing, Britannia, said, “Britannia Marie Gold’s journey of empowering women entrepreneurs began five years ago with a simple belief that millions of women across India have powerful ideas, and all they need is a platform to be seen and supported. What started as a nationwide contest has grown into a robust ecosystem with initiatives like HerStore and now, Season 2 of Her Start-Up Show. Each step has deepened our commitment to helping women ‘Do More, Be More’. We’re proud to partner with GroupM and Mindshare, whose belief in the power of storytelling has helped bring these entrepreneurial journeys to life. With this show, we not only celebrate ambition but also create access to mentorship, funding, and national visibility. Together, we remain committed to enabling every woman who dares to dream and dares to build.”

Ashwin Padmanabhan, COO, GroupM South Asia, “We have always believed in media’s power to spark movements, not just moments. Her Start-Up Show blends storytelling with purpose, driving real economic empowerment. The overwhelming response to Season 1 showed how deeply this platform resonated with women in one region. That’s why, in Season 2, we are expanding to six languages and a broader reach across India.  Thus, bringing every ambitious woman closer to the support she deserves. This show goes beyond visibility; it is about bringing dreams alive via action, impact, and a re-imagined future for women entrepreneurship.”

“At Mindshare, we believe in building brands that don’t just sell but spark change. In its second season, Her Start-Up Show goes far beyond amplification, it’s about creating access, fuelling aspiration, and offering a platform to women entrepreneurs across India. We are incredibly grateful to our client, Britannia, for backing this bold vision and partnering with us to bring it to life. What started as a pioneering idea is now an award-winning show, with its impact resonating across markets and touching countless lives. With its expansion to a larger OTT platform, the show’s reach and influence have scaled significantly, finding its way into more homes, hearts, and boardrooms. These aren’t just stories; they are real journeys of transformation. Together with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Britannia, we are proud to drive a narrative where media becomes a powerful force for empowerment and enduring change.” Amin Lakhani, CEO, Mindshare South Asia.

Actress and host Shriya Saran said “Being part of Her Start-Up Show has been truly inspiring. It’s a powerful platform that gives women across India the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality. I’m proud to be part of a show that celebrates ambition, courage, and the spirit of women entrepreneurs.”

Britannia Marie Gold has always shown its unwavering commitment to empowering millions of women in their entrepreneurial dreams through initiatives like the Marie Gold HerStartup contest, previously known as MyStartup Contest and Her.Store. The Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-up Show is a continuation of that legacy, celebrating women who are shattering barriers and inspiring a nation.

Season 2 of Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-up show is streaming exclusively on JioHotstar.

Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: 97% Of Breaches In APAC Fueled By System Intrusion, Social Engineering, & Web Attacks

* The report further identified Malware in 83% of APAC Breaches, 80% Linked to System Intrusion, and Ransomware Hits Half of All Cases

Verizon Business today released its 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), sounding the alarm on a surge of system intrusions across the Asia-Pacific region. The report reveals that 4 out of 5 data breaches in the region stemmed from such attacks - up from 38% the previous year. Collectively, 97% of APAC breaches were caused by just three tactics; system intrusion, social engineering, and basic web application attacks, highlighting the region's increasingly concentrated cyber threat landscape.

Now in its 18th year, the report analysed more than 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches spanning 139 countries. Malware increased from 58% last year in APAC to 83% this year, with Ransomware accounting for 51% of breaches.

"This year’s report reinforces the growing complexity and persistence of cyber threats facing organisations worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region in particular, external actors are targeting critical infrastructure and exploiting third-party vulnerabilities. The rising incidence of breaches highlights the imperative for businesses to reassess their risk frameworks," said Robert Le Busque, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific for Verizon Business.

Key APAC Findings:

Social Engineering: The absolute number of Social Engineering breaches has been on the decline since 2021, it only accounts for 20% of breaches in 2025 due, in part, to the sharp increase of system intrusion

Malware: Malware in data breaches jumped significantly, from 58% last year to 83% this year with email being the key vector for distributing various types of malware

Ransomware:  Now accounts for 51% of the total breaches in this region and remains highly visible as threat actors often publicize breaches

Key Global Findings:

Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: This initial attack vector saw a 34% increase, with a significant focus on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs

Ransomware: Ransomware attacks rose by 37% since last year, and are now present in 44% of breaches, despite a noticeable decrease in the median ransom amount paid.

Third-Party Involvement: The percentage of breaches involving third parties doubled, highlighting the risks associated with supply chain and partner ecosystems

Human Element: Human involvement in breaches remains high, with a significant overlap between social engineering and credential abuse

The 2025 DBIR also shed light on industry-specific trends, revealing an alarming rise in espionage-motivated attacks in the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors, and persistent threats to the Education, Financial, and Retail industries. The report also highlighted the disproportionate impact of ransomware on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Verizon Business's 2025 DBIR serves as a wake-up call for businesses to take immediate action to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risks posed by evolving cyber threats. With the median ransom payment to cybercriminals last year being US$115,000, this is a significant amount for many SMBs. By adopting a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, businesses can help safeguard their assets, protect their customers, and ensure their long-term success in an increasingly digital world.

“This year’s DBIR findings reflect a mixed bag of results. Glass-half-full types can celebrate the rise in the number of victim organizations that did not pay ransoms with 64% not paying vs 50% two years ago. The glass-half empty personas will see in the DBIR that organizations that don’t have the proper IT and cybersecurity maturity – often the SMB sized organizations, are paying the price for their size with ransomware being present in 88% of breaches,” said Craig Robinson, Research Vice President, Security Services at IDC. “While there is no magic pill to swallow that will alleviate the pain of cybersecurity attacks, Verizon’s leadership in educating the public on the types of attacker motives, tactics and techniques is a key head start in raising global awareness and cyber readiness”

Visit our Cybersecurity Awareness page to learn more about data privacy and Verizon’s efforts.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business is a global leader in providing communication and technology solutions to businesses of all sizes. With a comprehensive portfolio of services, including network, cloud, security, and collaboration solutions, Verizon Business helps organizations improve their operations, enhance their customer experiences, and drive innovation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

HCL Technology Sees Soft Quarter; Uncertainty Limits Guidance

April 23, 2025

ADD 

CMP (Rs): 1,480 | TP (Rs): 1,600

HCLTech Q4FY25 performance was slightly below our estimate. Revenue declined 0.8% QoQ CC due to Software business seasonality. Services grew 0.7% CC QoQ, while Software declined 12.9%. EBITM declined by 150bps QoQ to 18%. New deal wins were robust at USD3bn (~50% of booking took place in March). Deal pipeline is near an all-time high even after strong bookings in Q4. Considering the uncertain environment with subdued discretionary spends and slow start of the year due to passing-on of productivity benefits in Q1, HCLT has guided to 2-5% CC revenue growth (same for the company and Services; ~1% contribution from CTG incrementally) in FY26, implying CQGR of +0.1% to +1.3%. The lower end of the guidance assumes further deterioration in demand while the upper end assumes a stable demand environment and certain large deal closures in Q1. We cut FY26-27E EPS by 1-2%, factoring-in the Q4 performance and FY26 guidance. We retain ADD while cutting our TP by ~6% to Rs1,600, at 22x Mar-27E EPS (earlier 23x).

Results Summary

Revenue declined 1% QoQ (-0.8% QoQ/+2.9% YoY in CC terms) to USD3.5bn, a tad below our estimate. EBITM contracted by 150bps QoQ to 18%, impacted by seasonality in the software segment (124bps decline). Services segment EBITM decline of 38bps QoQ was due to wage hike (-50bps) and investments in S&M (-34bps), partly negated by forex gain benefits (46bps). Services revenue growth was led by Telecom (13.7% QoQ in USD terms), Financial Services (4.6%), and Technology & Services (1.4%), offset by decline in Retail and CPG (-7.9%), Â Lifesciences & Healthcare (-4.6%), Â Public Services (-2.8%), and Manufacturing (-2.0%), respectively. HCLT announced a dividend of Rs18/sh. What we liked: Strong deal intake, closer to record-high deal pipeline even after healthy closure in Q4, ER&D momentum (deal booking grew 75% in FY25). What we did not like: Continued weakness in Manufacturing, Lifesciences, and Healthcare.

Earnings Call KTAs

1) Tariff and deglobalization are likely to impact growth in IT Services stemming from budget cuts and contract negotiations or delays (one large deal deferral by client in Q4). 2) Discretionary spending will be subdued amid ongoing macro challenges. Clients would need RoI justifications to undertake new tech projects amid macro uncertainty. 3) Retail and Manufacturing are expected to see a direct impact from tariffs; this impact is likely to spread to other verticals with a lag, maybe within a quarter. 4) Deal Pipeline remains strong and broad-based across service lines, verticals, and geographies, with AI and Gen-AI being integral components of almost every deal. 5) Four flagship AI offerings”AI Force (57 deployments among 22 clients in FY25; plans to deploy 100 clients by FY26-end), AI Foundry, AI Labs (delivered 500 AI engagements for 400 clients), and AI Engineering – saw substantial adoption and scaling in FY25. 6) AI-driven efficiency led to deflation; however, the company increased its wallet share with existing customers, as it bakes in AI-led productivity gains in its bids. 8) It added 1,805 freshers in Q4 (7,829 in FY25) and plans adding more freshers in FY26 (targets adding 2-3k every quarter).

Air India SATS Launches Rs 200 Crore Logistics Park At The Bengaluru Airport

* Developed with an investment of Rs 200 crore, the facility spans 8 acres and is among the largest on-airport logistics parks in South India.

* Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) on April 22 inaugurated the AISATS BLR Logistics Park at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

Developed with an investment of Rs 200 crore, the facility spans 8 acres and is among the largest on-airport logistics parks in South India. AISATS is a 50:50 joint venture between Air India (Tata Group) and SATS Ltd.

The park comprises three key components: a modern two-level main warehouse offering over 240,000 sq. ft. of Grade A space designed for freight forwarders, express courier operators, and logistics firms; a 11,000 sq. ft public bonded warehouse for importers and OEMs; and an office block with 24,000 sq. ft dedicated to customs house agents and support services.

The facility includes shared general warehouse space and cold storage on a pay-per-use basis. It also offers AISATS-run trucking services to facilitate smooth cargo movement between the park and the airport’s cargo terminals. Eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting, natural lighting, LED systems, and waste reduction practices have been integrated.

Located within Bengaluru airport — India’s third-busiest airport and a major air cargo hub handling 40% of South India’s volumes — the park aims to boost cargo handling capacity and support the airport’s target of managing 1 million metric tonnes of cargo annually by 2030. In FY25, the airport recorded its highest-ever cargo tonnage at 502,480 MT.

Nipun Aggarwal, chairman of AISATS, said the park is a landmark in India’s infrastructure-led growth and will enhance Karnataka’s position as a logistics hub while supporting Air India’s vision of seamless cargo connectivity. Bob Chi, CEO of APAC Gateway Services at SATS, highlighted the park’s role in strengthening Bengaluru’s cargo capabilities and global trade efficiency. AISATS CEO Ramanathan Rajamani said the facility reflects the company’s commitment to building a modern logistics ecosystem through cutting-edge infrastructure. BIAL MD & CEO Hari Marar called the park a strategic boost to Bengaluru’s cargo infrastructure, furthering its goal of becoming a globally connected logistics hub.

Since its inception in 2008, AISATS has provided end-to-end ground and cargo handling services across six Indian airports, employing around 15,900 staff. BLR Logistics Park complements its upcoming multi-modal cargo hub at Noida and is part of AISATS’ broader strategy to build a robust, tech-driven, and sustainable logistics network across India.

Turkish Airlines Celebrates aANew Era In European Aviation

 

* Triple Independent Runway Operations Begin at iGA Istanbul Airport

Turkish Airlines proudly marks a historic milestone in Türkiye’s aviation journey as iGA Istanbul Airport becomes the first in Europe to implement Triple Independent Runway Operations, effective as of April 17. This remarkable advancement reinforces the airport’s role as our global hub and solidifies Türkiye’s strategic position at the heart of international air travel.

Initiated by Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu with the attendance of, General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI) Chairman of the Board and General Director Enes Çakmak,? Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat, iGA Istanbul Airport Board Member Mehmet Kalyoncu and other notables, launch of this pioneering system saw three Turkish Airlines aircraft take off simultaneously under live operations, highlighting not only the capabilities of iGA Istanbul Airport but also the strength and sophistication of Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.

Emphasizing that the Triple Independent Runway Operations mark a first for Türkiye and European aviation and a historic step for global aviation, Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated the following during the inauguration: “We are proud as Türkiye is the only country to implement this system in Europe. Now, Istanbul Airport has risen to the top tier of global aviation—not only with its traffic volume but also in terms of operational capacity and technical capability. With this system, air traffic flow will accelerate, the dynamic capacity of our airport will significantly increase, and we will offer our passengers faster and safer service. When Istanbul’s strategic location which bridges continents, is combined with this new capability, our airport will take on an even more critical role in global aviation logistics.”

On playing a key part of this significant moment for Turkish aviation, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: “As Turkish Airlines, we are proud to be part of yet another historic moment for Turkish aviation. With the simultaneous take-off of three of our aircraft, our main hub iGA Istanbul Airport has achieved a first in Europe. This operational capacity will enhance the efficiency of our flights and serve as a significant milestone on our path toward continued growth.”

Commenting on the new capabilities, iGA Istanbul Airport Board Member Mehmet Kalyoncu said: “It is with great pleasure that I announce that as of April 17, 2025, we are officially commencing Triple Independent Runway Operations at iGA Istanbul Airport—marking a first in Europe and further strengthening Türkiye’s contribution to the international travel and aviation industry. This is not merely a technical achievement for us, but also a strategic milestone. The Triple Independent Runway Operation we are launching today stands as one of the most critical cornerstones of this ecosystem.

With this system, we are increasing our hourly air traffic capacity from 120 to 148 aircraft movements. This development enhances not only the efficiency of Istanbul’s airspace but also that of Europe’s. Istanbul is no longer just a destination—it is now a global aviation hub.”

With the integration of Triple Independent Runway Operations, iGA Istanbul Airport has increased its hourly aircraft movement capacity, significantly boosting operational efficiency. For Turkish Airlines, this means shorter taxi times, fewer delays, and enhanced punctuality, thus delivering a smoother, faster, and more sustainable experience for flag carrier’s guests. The system also contributes to reducing carbon emissions, aligning with global airline’s long-term environmental commitments.

As iGA Istanbul Airport continues its path toward becoming a global transfer hub with a vision to serve 200 million passengers, this new operational capability supports Turkish Airlines’ goals of seamless connectivity, superior service, and forward-looking infrastructure. On-time departures and arrivals are one of the core objectives of our strategy and a critical factor in enhancing financial efficiency. With this new operational capability, punctual performance across our fleet, which sees over 1000 daily flights, will enjoy benefits in both guest satisfaction and cost optimization.

As the flag carrier of the country, Turkish Airlines, celebrates this achievement as a testament to Türkiye’s aviation leadership and iGA Istanbul Airport’s capacity to set new benchmarks on a global scale. We remain committed to elevating the travel experience while strengthening Türkiye’s role in connecting the world.

About Turkish Airlines:

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 478 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 352 worldwide destinations as 299 international and 53 domestics in 131 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Star Alliance:

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

embedUR Systems And Infineon Collaborate To Showcase Advancements In Voice, Object And Facial Recognition Using Edge AI

* Demonstrated real-time Edge AI capabilities powered by Infineon’s PSOC™ Edge platform at Embedded World 2025

* Highlighted intelligent automation for smart home and industrial use cases

At Embedded World 2025, embedUR systems, a leader in embedded systems and Edge AI solutions, partnered with Infineon Technologies to unveil two innovative Edge AI demonstrations powered entirely by the PSOC™ Edge platform. These live showcases drew significant attention for their real-time responsiveness, ultra-low power operation, and practical use cases across consumer and industrial applications.

Voice-Activated Object Recognition + Recipe Generation

The first demo featured wake word detection and real-time object identification. Attendees activated the Edge AI system with a voice command, then presented an image featuring various ingredients. The AI identified the objects in real time and generated a relevant recipe suggestion—all processed locally on the PSOC™ Edge platform without cloud dependency. This demo illustrated the potential for intuitive, AI-powered user experiences in smart home devices.

Facial Recognition with Mobile-Based Registration

The second demo introduced a facial recognition use case with mobile onboarding. embedUR developed a companion mobile app allowing users to upload and register their facial profiles. Once registered, the PSOC™ Edge platform could detect and recognize these users in real time, running all AI inference locally on the board. This fully edge-based authentication solution demonstrated secure, low-latency identity recognition for consumer and industrial systems.

"Our collaboration with embedUR systems showcases the power of PSOC™ Edge in enabling real-time, power-efficient Edge AI applications," said Omar Cruz, Senior Manager at Infineon Technologies. "These demos highlight how our platform accelerates intelligent automation for smart home, consumer, and industrial use cases."

“At embedUR, we’re focused on making Edge AI real—delivering practical, production-ready solutions that run on today’s silicon,” said John Marconi, VP of Technology at embedUR systems. “The work we’ve done on Infineon platforms demonstrates how edge intelligence can be deployed quickly and securely, whether it’s voice-activated control or face-based access—all without relying on the cloud.”

Edge AI Innovation Powered by PSOC™ Edge

Infineon’s PSOC™ Edge family enables intelligent, always-on AI applications with hardware-accelerated neural network processing, a Cortex®-M55 core with Helium DSP support, and robust security features. Designed for consumer and industrial applications, the platform provides a seamless AI development experience, empowering developers to build fast, secure, and power-efficient solutions at the edge.

embedUR systems: Engineering the Edge AI Experience

embedUR systems designed, optimized, and deployed both showcased demos, integrating real-time voice and vision AI inference entirely on the PSOC™ Edge platform. With deep expertise in embedded software, AI model development and quantization, and real-time systems, embedUR enables companies to bring high-performance, AI-powered products to market faster—without requiring extensive in-house AI engineering. For Infineon customers, embedUR offers full-stack engineering support from mobile app integration and AI model tuning to deployment and system-level optimization.

More AI at the Edge: embedUR’s Broader Demo Showcase

In addition to the joint demos with Infineon, embedUR showcased a wide range of Edge AI applications at their own exhibit, running on various industry-leading AI silicon platforms such as the PSOC™ Edge from Infineon. These demonstrations reinforced embedUR’s ability to deliver efficient, high-performance AI on memory-constrained, low-power devices.

All demo models are available through ModelNova, embedUR’s AI resource hub. Developers can browse a growing library of pre-trained Edge AI models to build fast PoCs. When a model fits the target use case, embedUR offers services to help refine, optimize, and deploy it—accelerating time-to-market. Learn more at modelnova.ai.

About embedUR systems

embedUR systems is a Silicon Valley-based leader in embedded systems, AI, and Edge Computing. With over two decades of experience accelerating product development for telecom, network, and silicon vendors, embedUR delivers cutting-edge embedded solutions powering millions of devices worldwide. Its ModelNova platform offers pre-trained AI models for seamless integration into intelligent edge systems, enabling rapid PoC development—even for teams without AI modeling expertise. Learn more at www.embedur.ai.

About Infineon Technologies

Infineon Technologies AG is a global leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer, and greener. The company is at the forefront of power systems, automotive technologies, and industrial applications, driving innovations in AI, IoT, and security. Learn more at www.infineon.com.

Renault Opens New Design Centre, Marking Beginning Of “renault. rethink” Transformation Strategy In India

Highlights

Renault India announces its brand transformation strategy ‘renault. rethink’ reflecting a step towards implementation of its International Gameplan 2027 in India.

The initiative commences with the inauguration of its largest design Centre outside France and accelerating its vision to 'design in India'.

A harmonious blend of European and Indian Design – The philosophy of the design centre, defined as Tactile Confluence, merges sleek, modern European architecture with distinct Indian cultural influences, creating an inspiring and meaningful workspace.

Renault India unveils 'renault. rethink.' High-Tech Sculpture, showcasing the future design language of Renault in India.

The milestone follows the announcement concerning the project of a 100% takeover of the car manufacturing facility and the transformation of its dealership network in line with the new global brand identity.

Renault India, a fully owned subsidiary of Renault Group, unveils its new India-centric transformation strategy – renault. rethink with the inauguration of the Renault Design Centre Chennai.

The new Renault Design Centre in Chennai inaugurated here will play a significant role in enabling this transformation and accelerating Renault’s ambition to “design in India” following its strong “make in India” foundation. It is also expected to function as a hub of excellence, particularly due to its proximity to RNTBCI (Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India).

"India is highly unique and locally driven. Having a dedicated design studio is essential to understanding its nuances, listening to its needs, and building from its strengths. The Renault Design Centre Chennai will focus on developing models and concepts tailored to the Indian market while contributing to Renault Group’s global projects. By leveraging local talents and insights, this centre will play a key role in shaping Renault’s future mobility solutions. Its strategic location - at the heart of RNTBCI’s excellence hub - also enables closer collaboration across functions and faster integration of design into our engineering and innovation processes " stated Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group.

The French carmaker asserts that the year 2025 marks an inflection point for Renault in India creating a springboard for the company's next leap and accomplishing its ambitions in the world’s third largest automobile market. The renault. rethink strategy represents Renault’s renewed and bold commitment to orchestrate and propel the French carmaker’s new journey in the country.

The initiative is an invitation to customers and stakeholders to rediscover the brand with fresh eyes—rooted in design innovation, technological advancement, and deep localisation.

"The launch of the 'renault. rethink' strategy heralds a new era for Renault in India. We are proud to be the most Indian of European carmakers, boasting the largest R&D centre, manufacturing unit, highly localized supply chain, and now one of the largest design centres. The opening of new design centre in Chennai will play a crucial role in the deployment of the Renault International Game Plan 2027. Our commitment is to redefine our brand, product positioning, and customer experience to meet the evolving needs of our customers in the country, hence we recently witnessed the global debut of new ‘R store’ in Chennai, India," stated Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault India Operations.

The carmaker has emboldened its commitment to make in India with up to 90% localization and the recent announcement concerning the project of a 100% takeover of the alliance’s manufacturing plant RNAIPL.

The unveiling of the design Centre and renault. rethink strategy reflects the step towards implementation of the International Gameplan and enhanced focus on India. This pertinent step comes on the back of Renault Group's strong performance in its home country that has set the stage for this ambitious expansion. In 2024, Renault achieved the highest ever operating profit of €4.3 billion, which is 7.6% of its revenue, and saw its revenue grow to €56.2 billion, up 7.4% from the previous year.

Renault Group already has one of its largest R&D Centres globally, located in Chennai, with an employee strength of nearly 10,000 engineers. These engineers support local projects and significantly contribute to global initiatives. Renault has been sourcing made-in-India auto parts for vehicles manufactured worldwide. This robust and full-length operation showcases the company's focus on the growing India market. Renault has been present in India since 2005 with its initial operations in Mumbai.

A cutting-edge facility designed for innovation and market-specific design renault. rethink, a bold symbol of Renault’s future in India

The Renault Design Centre Chennai now extends over 1,500 m² and is equipped with the latest cutting-edge technologies, creating an ultra-modern environment tailored for innovation and creativity. The Renault Design Centre India, one of Renault’s most technologically advanced design spaces, offers:

An Immersive Exhibition Space – A high-tech environment designed for 3D model evaluation and virtual reality experiences, allowing teams to visualise and refine their concepts in real time.

A Next-Generation Visualisation Studio – Featuring advanced software and digital tools, this studio enables real-time design development and immersive, high-definition presentations.

A Creative Collaboration Zone – A dynamic, open space designed to encourage brainstorming, co-creation, and agile teamwork, fostering a fluid exchange of ideas.

High-Performance LED Wall – A massive 8.5m x 2.4m LED display (2 x 16/9 format) that delivers high-impact, crystal-clear presentations, used for both local and global projects.

Advanced Virtual Reality Integration – Three high-resolution VR setups provide hyper-realistic virtual reviews, allowing designers to interact with their creations in fully immersive environments before moving to physical prototypes.

A harmonious blend of European and Indian Design – The philosophy of the studio, defined as Tactile Confluence, merges sleek, modern European architecture with distinct Indian cultural influences, creating an inspiring and meaningful workspace.

A “people-first” design approach – The innovative layout includes WE/ME Zones, flexible areas that allow designers to step away from their desks, reset their thinking, and collaborate in a more creative, stimulating setting.

At the core of the Renault Design Centre India’s inauguration stands renault. rethink, a striking high-tech conceptual sculpture embodying Renault’s transformation and commitment to India.

“renault. rethink is more than a sculpture—it’s a bold expression of Renault’s vision for India. It symbolises our commitment to innovation and to designing cars in India, for India. This artwork captures the energy of a nation in motion, a future taking shape, and Renault’s ambition to be part of this exciting journey,” stated Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group.

The name renault. rethink reflects both India’s automotive evolution and Renault’s role in driving this change. Designed in India by Indian designers, it blends technology and art. Its fragmented surfaces create a sense of emergence and evolution, mirroring the spirit of innovation and change.

At its core, an inner light brings the sculpture to life - a metaphor for Renault’s vision taking shape, reinforcing a clear message: Renault is loading.

Key highlights of the renault. rethink sculpture:

Symbol of Transformation and Innovation: Represents more than just art; signifies Renault's commitment to change and progress.

Representation of New Design Language: The renault. rethink sculpture gives a preview of the design language Renault will be following in India.

Evokes Emergence and Continuous Progress: Name reflects the idea of ongoing development and dynamic creation.

Inspired by Art of Process and Glitch Aesthetics: Utilizes modern visual language, capturing the essence of the digital age.

Energy of Innovation: Imperfections are seen as catalysts for transformation, not flaws.

Fragmented Surfaces: Creates the impression of something emerging, evolving, and taking shape. Reflects Renault's dynamic spirit and commitment to India.

Central Light Feature:

Light animates the sculpture, symbolizing Renault's vision taking shape.

Reinforces Renault's readiness to evolve with the Indian market and contribute to sustainable development.

Commitment to Reinvent Automotive Design:

New centre represents Renault's determination to innovate in India.

Emphasizes collaboration and leveraging local talents to meet market challenges.

Aims to establish a collaborative model benefiting everyone.

RNAIPL – Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL).