Archives February 2024

Bangalore, India – 7th February 2024: BitSave, the leading crypto investment platform has announced the appointment of Ashwinder Raj Singh, CEO at Bhartiya Urban, as Chief Advisor. The advisory board led by Ashwinder is bolstered by his extensive experience in wealth management and real estate. As the author of A to Z real estate, and holding previous executive positions Ashwinder comes with adeptness at merging conventional business strategies with innovative tactics. This aligns with BitSave’s philosophy of democratizing crypto investing, most safely and securely possible.

As the Co-chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Real Estate Committee, Ashwinder holds strong expertise in managing high-value clients. With previous experience from Citibank, Deutsche Bank & ICICI Bank, he has served across leadership roles in traditional finance and wealth management companies.

“At BitSave, we prioritize delivering a premium and secure product for digital asset management. In our journey to retain and grow as a trusted platform; Mr. Singh’s guidance will empower us to navigate and penetrate the crypto wealth management industry,” said Zakhil Suresh, CEO at BitSave.

Since its launch in late 2022, BitSave has been growing organically managing over a hundred lakhs INR ($125,000) in AUM, the firm manages crypto portfolios transparently and securely. As the first retail crypto index fund tracking the Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index, BitSave stands to comply and grow as a regulated platform in various jurisdictions across India and globally. The published on-chain Proof-of-Reserves and Liabilities tracking on BitSave gives complete visibility of users’ fund’s balance sheet – democratizing crypto fund management.

“BitSave’s innovative approach to crypto investing aligns with my vision for strategic business initiatives. Founder Zakhil Suresh’s forward-thinking approach and the company’s commitment to revolutionizing the crypto landscape were compelling reasons for me to be part of this transformative journey,” said Ashwinder Raj Singh, Chief Advisor at BitSave.

Bangalore, 7th February 2024: upGrad, one of Asia’s largest integrated learning skilling and workforce development majors announced the launch of opening 100 offline Connect and Counselling touch-points & Learning Centres in India to augment its online growth. The first two such counselling centres have already been inaugurated in Mumbai and Delhi and the first two learning centres in Indore & Pune. Initial reactions have been strong as in the first 30 days have clocked 500+ career counselling. The goal is for the 100 centres to counsel over half a million on their career moves & the Learning Centres to see enrollments of over 10,000 learners.

The company sets aside an initial corpus of INR 100Cr to penetrate further across non-metros and smaller towns and accelerate operations in the next 12 months. This initiative augments upGrad’s existing offline presence with over 50 Franchises and 150 channel partners.

“India is very uniquely placed to dominate the global talent markets and therefore, in the current FY, we are integrating our offerings carefully to empower every age group with the right career guidance and high-quality learning suite and training encompassing both, long and short format courses. We’ve identified the high-demand geographic pockets that will allow talents beyond metros to experience the sincere handholding they need in their lifelong learning journey. Our centres are designed to enhance and ensure every learner who walks in, either existing or potential resonates with the brand DNA and mission to further support them in fast-tracking their decision-making process. In the competitive era we operate in, timely upskilling will act as a collaborative nation-building force aligning India’s supremacy onto the global stage,” added Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & MD, upGrad while talking about the expansion plans.

The Centres will serve as hubs for career counselling for those looking to upskill & reskill and will have access to all of upGrad’s courses and programs in one place.

Mumbai, 7th February 2024: Scripting history as the first Indian International jewelry brand to begin operations in Australia, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the 6th largest jewelry retailer globally, has launched their new showroom in Australia at Sydney. The showroom marks Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ expansion into the 13th country of operations. Currently, the brand has an extensive retail presence of over 340 showrooms spread across India, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, KSA, Bahrain, Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, the UK, Canada & Australia.

The new showroom was inaugurated by renowned Australian Cricketer Brett Lee in the presence of Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, MD – International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Mr. Asher O, MD-India Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds,Mr. Ajith M, Regional Head – Far East & Australasia, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Ameer CMC, Head of Finance & Admin, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Faisal A.K, Head of Manufacturing, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Shaji Kakkodi, Chief Digital Officer, Malabar Group; representatives from the Sydney government, other senior management team members from Malabar Gold & Diamonds, customers & well-wishers.

Commenting on the occasion, Malabar Group Chairman, M.P Ahammed said: “This is a proud moment for us as the first Indian International jewellery retailer to begin operations in Australia. We have been a strong proponent of ‘Make in India; Market to the World’, showcasing the artistry of Indian jewellery on a global stage and expanding into Australia is another testimony of our commitment to this initiative. This is also a great success story leveraging the strong trade relationship and recent bi-lateral free trade agreement between Australia & India. Our growth plan in Australia will lead to significant investments into Jobs & local Economy in Australia over the next few years. On behalf of Malabar Group, I would like to thank all our customers, management team members, shareholders, and other stakeholders for their invaluable contribution towards helping us craft this historic moment and move one step closer towards our goal of being crowned as the world’s no.1 jewellery retailer.”

Located at 109 Wigram Street in Harris Park within the Little India Precinct, Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ new outlet will be the largest jewelry showroom in Sydney. With an extensive collection of jewelry in 18K, 22K gold, and diamonds, the showroom will showcase over 30,000 designs across bridal wear, daily wear & and occasional wear. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has also facilitated a customized jewelry design facility at their showroom, enabling jewelry enthusiasts in the region to bring to life their jewelry design assisted by expert designers & craftsmen from the brand.

“We are extremely excited to begin our operations in Australia. Being our 13th country of operations, our venture into Australia will mark a significant shift in the country’s jewellery landscape. With a large diaspora of immigrants from the Indian Sub-continent, the jewellery sector in Australia remains a largely untapped one. Marking a significant shift in the country’s jewellery landscape, we aim to leverage our experience of over 30 years to bring forth an exceptional array of gold, diamond & precious gem jewellery. With our time-tested commitment towards providing customers with an exceptional & transparent jewellery shopping experience, I am sure that we will be able to replicate our global acceptance in Australia as well”, commented Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, MD-International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

Ethical & responsible sourcing has been a key tenant of Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ entire operations. With the exclusive usage of 100% traceable raw materials in their jewelry, the brand ensures strict compliance with international standards for transparent gold & diamond sourcing set by globally recognized organizations such as LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) and World Gold Council. The principles of sustainability and responsibility are incorporated into its core business through practices such as zero tolerance on compliance to the rule of law, Anti-money Laundering (AML) & Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), usage of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood for packaging, LEED Gold certified offices and outlets.

“In addition to adding another country to our global operational map, our expansion into Australia further solidifies Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ stature as a truly global enterprise with an expansive outreach across boundaries. With 100% transparent business practice being a hallmark of our entire operations and our stringent commitment to ensuring ethical & responsible sourcing at all levels of our supply chain, we aspire to be a model organization in the global jewellery sector that safeguards the auspicious nature of jewellery”, commented Mr. Abdul Salam K.P, Vice-Chairman of Malabar Group.

In pursuit of promoting India’s renowned indigenous craftsmanship on a global scale, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan, which involves strengthening their retail presence in existing regions with more showroom launches, as well as charting their expansion into new countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Bangladesh, Turkey and New Zealand.

Mr. Asher O, MD-India Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds said: “Malabar Gold & Diamonds is making remarkable progress in both the international and Indian jewelry sectors, gaining substantial momentum. The brand’s strategic global expansion into new countries and within Indian states such as Rajasthan, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Goa, Assam, Tripura, and Jammu & Kashmir is poised to elevate it to the coveted No. 1 position”.

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) initiative has been the primary commitment of Malabar Group since its inception in 1993, with 5% of net profits set aside towards such initiatives in each country of operations. The key focus is in the areas of Health, Hunger Free World, Housing, Education, Women Empowerment & Environment. The ESG goals of the organization are periodically strengthened to remain a socially conscious and responsible organization.

New Delhi, 07th February 2024: OTO, India’s leading digital commerce and lending platform for two-wheelers, has recently raised funding of $10 million. This round was led by GMO Venture Partners and saw participation from Turbostart, Indian cricketer KL Rahul, and a few other family offices. Existing investors Prime Venture Partners, Matrix Partners, and 9Unicorns funds also participated in the round.

Co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Sumit Chhazed and Harsh, OTO is reshaping the purchasing, financing, and resale journey for the 20 million annual two-wheeler buyers in India. Responding to evolving consumer demands, OTO introduced its Super EMI plan, reducing two-wheeler EMIs by up to 30% while granting customers the flexibility to upgrade or retain their vehicles at the end of the term. Complemented by digital financing, OTO’s app offers free home trials and the lowest price guarantee, streamlining the discovery and purchasing process tenfold.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, OTO has experienced remarkable growth by providing digital convenience and a spectrum of affordable, flexible financing options to motorcycle enthusiasts. The allocated funds will strategically expand OTO’s presence to over 30 cities, support the transition to electric vehicles, and fortify existing partnerships.

Sumit Chhazed, Co-founder and CEO of OTO, expressing his excitement about this new phase in OTO’s growth, said, “This funding marks a pivotal moment for us at OTO. Our focus has always been on making two-wheeler ownership convenient, affordable, and accessible. We’re leading the charge in the two-wheeler EV sector with our digital-first strategy, and this investment will further fuel our initiatives in that direction.”

The lead investor, Ryu Muramatsu from GMO Venture Partners shared his perspective on the investment. “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Sumit and Harsh at OTO. Their innovative approach to offering accessible purchase options and affordable financing in India—one of the largest markets for EV 2-wheelers—is remarkable. We are confident that by utilizing AI/LLM in their services, OTO has the ability to redefine the global two-wheeler industry, thereby creating significant value for both customers and investors,” the investor remarked.

OTO has made remarkable strides in the industry, selling over 75,000 two-wheelers and disbursing loans exceeding ₹550 crore to date. The company’s impressive management of non-performing assets has made it a preferred partner for several banks and NBFCs, which have committed over INR 800 crores for the upcoming 12 months. Furthermore, OTO has forged successful partnerships with major two-wheeler brands like Ola, Hero Motocorp, Royal Enfield, Ather, and Suzuki through their dealership networks.

7th February 2024: Right from its launch, ZEE Biskope has taken the Bhojpuri entertainment market on the rise. The brand has demonstrated its strength in sharply deep-diving into consumer insights. With a never-seen-before launch in the category, the channel has served the Bhojpuri entertainment industry with novel and category-first initiatives at all fronts – be it curated movie festivals based on topicality, new World TV Premieres, non-fiction chat shows & comedy shows or viewer engagement drives on the marketing front that were received with humungous response from its first to its present. In short, the channel has been the thought leader in showcasing how an otherwise commoditized Bhojiwood can be professionally served with curated and hyperlocal content. Taking this spirit ahead, the channel embarked on a new journey on the content front where it is producing original movies under the banner of “ZEE Biskope Originals”. Given Bhojpuri moves are largely created for single theatre male audience base in metros and mini metros, it leaves a large throng of family viewership devoid of homely entertainment and novelty in their own beloved category. ZBO is a curated attempt to satiate this deep-seated need to see cultural stories with the novelty of genre and format in one’s own beloved language and thus a wholesome entertainment to be savored by each unit of family in equal enthusiasm. The inaugural original production Preet Ka Saaya launched last year received huge success as it marked 166% slot viewership growth (Wk’20, 2023 basis prev 4 wks) and the third highest slot TSV in the quarter (Q1 FY24).

Taking this rewarding journey ahead, ZEE Biskope is all set to launch its second ZBO – Vishkanya on 17 February at 7 pm in Jila Top band. Starring Preeti Shukla, Ritesh Updhyay & Sanyojita Ray, the movie promises to captivate audiences with its enthralling storyline, vibrant characters, stellar performances and unparalleled family entertainment. The storyline revolves around Vishkanya Devika (Preeti) who enters in the union of marriage with the son of her father’s friend Ratan (Ritesh). Unaware of Devika’s reality, Ratan falls in love with her. Devika on the contrary restrained herself from getting any close with him as that would kill him. It is this difference between the newly wed that weaves a tale that is entangled with of high family drama between Vishkanya, her husband and her in-laws. The story takes a jaw-dropping turn when a third person enters their house trying to break their union and harm Ratan. Why did Vishkanya get married to Ratan? What are the consequences of this marriage? Are Vishkanya’s motifs hidden in her past? Who is the third person who tries to harm their union? Will Vishkanya save her husband or eventually kill him? The compelling narrative with rich cultural elements, and stellar performances unfolds with the premiere of ZBO Vishkanya.

The brand will be taking the movie experience a notch further with an immersive viewer engagement drive – Main Bhi Vishkanya. Viewers are invited to dress up like Vishkanya and make a video expressing their Vishkanya avatar either dancing or singing or acting and send the video to ZEE Biskope’s WhatsApp number. The 3 most creative entries will win the contest. 10 most creative entries (including the 3 winners) will be featured on ZEE Biskope on 17 Feb between 7 – 10 pm during Vishkanya movie telecast.

Talking about this new offering Samrat Ghosh, Chief Cluster Officer, East, ZEEL said, “Since its launch, ZEE Biskope has constructively contributed towards maturing the category further. ZEE Biskope Originals is yet another step. It is not only helping to grow the category but along with that, also helping to further strengthen the film creative ecosystem in the Bhojpuri space. It is an avenue to find and showcase new pool of talents including new set of actors, directors, writers, technicians among others. The captivating stories like Vishkanya are specially designed catering to the entertainment requirement of Bhojpuri film consuming audience on TV. ZEE Biskope Originals has also opened doors for relevant brand integrations for our advertising partners who look for deeper engagements and purposeful associations for their brands.”

On the commencement of ZEE Biskope Originals, Amarpreet Singh Saini, Chief Channel Officer, Bhojpuri Cluster, ZEEL, said, “At ZEE Biskope, we are committed to create new landmarks in the Bhojpuri category through innovation and novelty. The success of the first ZBO serves as a testament to the deep appreciation our viewers hold for the captivating content we curated. Staying true to our core brand philosophy of ‘rejoicing Bhojpuriyat to its unabashed best’, the second ZEE Biskope Original movie will super serve the growing preference for family-based programming. The story weaves in regional believes and cultural folklores around supernatural phenomenon, which is bound to connect and enthral the female and family audience to the core. However, this is just the beginning of an enriching journey. We will soon go on floor with the third.”

Join us to be a part of unleashing a magical cinematic experience that is set to captivate audiences and redefine the standards of excellence in Bhojpuri entertainment. ZEE Biskope is motivated to grow from strength to strength and break new ground in the industry as the ultimate Bhojpuri entertainer.

Touted as the go-to destination for Bhojpuri movies, ZEE Biskope offers a slew of robust content spread across an array of genres highly popular amongst Bhojpuri audiences such as romance, drama, action and comedy. The channel is available on Airtel (channel no 663), Tata Sky (channel no 1120), DEN Bihar(channel no 840), DEN Jharkhand (channel no 839), DD Free Dish (channel no 31), d2h (channel no 2073), Dish TV (channel no 1555), Siti Cable (channel no 214) and Darsh Digital (channel no 189). It’ll soon be available on all other major cable platforms.

Bellary, February 6, 2024: Kotak Mutual Fund conducts its investor education and awareness initiative, ‘Seekho Paiso ki Bhasha’, in partnership with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in Bellary. This initiative is set to pave the way for financial literacy by conducting an extensive series of education and awareness programs aimed at empowering teachers fostering their growth of financial understanding, and ultimately which can help contribute to India’s journey towards a potential progressive future.

The initiative aims to educate and create awareness about financial literacy among over 6000 CBSE teachers in Karnataka and over 375 teachers in Bellary. Out of these, 50% are expected to be female, underscoring to fostering of equitable growth and development.

As part of the initiative, Kotak Mutual Fund has brought on board over 500 proficient trainers from the Centre for Investment Education and Learning (CIEL) who lead the impactful sessions, ensuring that quality and relevance were upheld throughout the program.
Nandi School (Bellary), Principal Sayyed Imran said, “We are thankful to Kotak Mutual Fund and CBSE for this investor awareness program on Financial Literacy that our teachers are being allowed to learn about financial planning and investing, which are essential skills for everyone. We are confident that this program will help them to achieve their financial goals.”

Mr. Kinjal Shah, Head – Digital Business, Marketing and Analytics, Kotak Mutual Fund said, “Through this Investor Education and Awareness Program ‘Seekho Paiso ki Bhasha,’ we are deeply committed to cultivating financial empowerment. We believe that teachers play a vital role in shaping our nation’s destiny and moulding the new generation. Our partnership with CBSE is to educate and create awareness amongst esteemed educators about financial literacy and investment. Collectively, we can shape a future where financially aware teachers may help improve the economy.”

This initiative represents a significant step towards the realization of a financially empowered India, with an aim of aligning perfectly with the nation’s aspiration for progress and growth. With ‘Seekho Paiso ki Bhasha’ hope that it helps to shape the financial fabric of the country.

New Delhi;06 th February 2023:On World Cancer Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer reaffirmed its commitment to providing the best healthcare facilities and support to cancer patients, particularly those hailing from rural areas. On the occasion, Vedanta Group’s Raipur-based state-of-the-art cancer facility and one of India’s leading cancer care hospitals, BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), organised a series of cancer awareness activities in Chhattisgarh, focused on promoting prevention, detection, and treatment of the disease.BMC’s efforts were aligned with the theme ‘Closing the Care Gap’ by bringing cancer care to people’s doorsteps through a mammography van equipped with screenings for breast, cervix, and head & neck cancers – the 3 most common cancers in India as well as opening a chemotherapy daycare centre in the heart of Raipur so patients don’t have to travel far for chemotherapy.Similar activities and awareness camps were organised by BALCO in Korba, in collaboration with the NGO Help Age India.

 World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4th, is a global initiative dedicated to
raising awareness about cancer and acknowledging the tenacity demonstrated daily by
cancer fighters and survivors. As part of the activities, BMCalso organised awareness sessions in schools and societiesand a cancer awareness walk in the Raipur city. Along with this, BMC also announced a special offer on preventive cancer screening packages and pharmacy and a free second opinion for cancer patients.

 Since its inception in 2018, BMC has served the needs of over 35,000 patients, addressing existing gaps in domestic cancer awareness and treatment. It is the most preferred oncology hospital in central India for advanced radiation therapy, brachytherapy, nuclear medicine, surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood-related disorders, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and pain & palliative care. This cutting-edge medical facility features 170 beds and state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. BALCO Medical Centre is bridging the gaps in domestic cancer treatment, awareness, infrastructure, and expertise. Furthermore, the centre has formed alliances with prestigious institutions in the field, including the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai and Anuva, a transnational research company specializing in genomics biotech.

 On the occasion, Ms Jyoti Agarwal, Chairperson of BALCO Medical Centre,said, “World Cancer Day serves as a reminder that the battle against cancer is fought not only in clinics and laboratories but also in the hearts and minds of those affected. At BALCO Medical Centre, we are committed to providing people in rural areas with access to quality healthcare and bridge the universal healthcare gap, promoting awareness, and eliminating the stigma associated with cancer and promoting early detection and care, thereby fostering an environment of empathy and resilience.”

 Speaking about BALCO Medical Centre’s role in creating awareness around the illness, Dr
Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director of BMC, “The delay in cancer diagnosis means patients are not cured, suffer from financial & time toxicity, and the catastrophic expenditure pushes them more into poverty – this is counterproductive for our country’s heath. On this World Cancer Day, BALCO Medical Centre organized a series of cancer awareness camps to promote early diagnosis of the disease which will lead to higher cure rates, elevate quality of life, and reduce the cost and duration of treatment,thereby contributing to a healthier nation. Destigmatizing cancer was at the heart of all the initiatives conducted on that day.”

 Established by the Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) and backed by the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), BALCO Medical Centreis making a difference in the lives of
lakhs of people through increased access to quality medical care. BMC’s extensive roster of renowned cancer specialists regularly organises efforts to educate individuals on the cruciality of timely preventive screening and mitigation measures against various forms of cancer. Dedicated medical experts from the centre reach out to students, working professionals and other community members through several platforms such as awareness talks, health camps, and webinars. Along with cancer treatment, all patients at BALCO Medical Centre also receive robust psychological, nutritional and physical therapy, in addition to membership in patient support groups for emotional support during their care period.

Mumbai, February 06th, 2024: Aurionpro Solutions Limited (BSE: 532668) (NSE: AURIONPRO), announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 31^st December, 2023. Building on this robust Year-over-Year performance, the Company stands firmly positioned to achieve the guided performance expectations for the fiscal year 2024.

Results Highlights:

• Revenue for the quarter stood at INR 231 Cr, a growth of 37% on a YoY basis
• EBITDA for Q3FY24 stood at INR 51 Cr as compared to INR 37 Cr in Q3FY23, a growth of 38% on a YoY basis. EBITDA margins for the quarter stood at 22%
• PAT for Q3FY24 stood at INR 38 Cr, which is a growth of 45% on a YoY basis. PAT margins for the quarter stood at 16%

Operational Highlights:

Banking & Fintech

• Integro Technologies Wins Chartis RiskTech 100 – 2024 Award for Best Limits Management Software, in the category of Lending Operations
• Aurionpro wins “Best Transaction Banking Implementation: Most Impactful Project“ award at the 5^th IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Innovation Awards
• Aurionpro wins new order from one of the largest Public Sector Banks in India to supply, install, implement, customize and maintain iCashpro+, our Cash Management Solution
• India’s leading private sector bank, successfully implements Aurionpro’s AuroFX, an advanced FX automation tool covering the full range of branch FX operations
• Aurionpro completes strategic acquisition of Omnifin®, loan management system, from  A S Software Services Pvt. Ltd to complement and enhance its portfolio of industry leading Lending Solutions

Technology Innovation Group

• Aurionpro Transit, an Aurionpro subsidiary in transit business, announces partnership with MasterCard to provide commuters with a next-generation contactless payment method for public transport
• Aurionpro Transit and Vix Technology announces partnership to launch Next-Gen Mobility Solutions. As part of this collaboration, Aurionpro Transit will design and develop state-of-the-art All-in-One Driver Console and Mobile Data Terminal, innovative in-bus solutions which will streamline transit operations by providing a central on-vehicle hub for various functions from ticketing to communications
• Aurionpro signs multiple new wins in Data Centre segment which includes orders from the leading telecom company in Bhutan, a premier public research university and technical institute in India and expansion of an existing data center in Odisha
• Aurionpro Transit expands in Australian market, wins further orders from the leading transport agency in Canberra, the existing client in the market
• Aurionpro Transit expands in Mexican market with a new order for the automated gates for the transport agency in the city of Merida, Mexico

Management Commentary

Mr. Ashish Rai, Vice-Chairman & CEO said

“We are pleased to see continuing strong growth across both our major segments in Q3 and 9M FY 2024. Our 9M results showcase robust performance, with revenue reaching INR 641 crores and PAT at INR 103 crores—both increasing by 37% compared to the corresponding period last year. These results highlight the sustained strong growth momentum in the business, reinforcing the achievability of our long-term growth ambitions. As we approach the end of FY 24, we feel confident in meeting or exceeding our guided performance target for the year.

The recent quarter saw a significant uptick in deal activity, marked by the acquisition of substantial orders across our key segments. This significant win momentum will not only power our future growth but it also enhances our market position and credibility with global clients. The ongoing strong demand environment across our major offerings, reinforces our confidence in sustaining this growth trajectory and our immediate focus will be on continuing to scale our execution capabilities to capitalise on this demand.

The impressive performance in Q3 and over the years is a testament to the capability and dedication of our product and delivery teams across the globe. We remain committed to strengthening our sales, delivery, and R&D capabilities to sustain current growth momentum and ensure continued success.

Our expansion strategy adopts a multi-pronged approach, focusing on building a robust direct sales channel and forming strategic partnerships to maximise the market reach and impact for our continuously expanding portfolio of industry leading offerings. Recent key partnerships in the Transit segment and the acquisitions of Omnifin and Interact DX in the banking segment underline the strong execution of our growth strategy, emphasizing both organic and inorganic growth to penetrate our chosen markets.

Our capability to achieve the long term growth ambitions that we outlined in Vision 2030 is driven by strong and disciplined execution in building industry leading offerings through cutting edge ground up R&D as well as through proactive M&A and strategic partnerships where appropriate. Our order book now exceeds INR 900 crores and with the demand environment remaining exceptionally strong for our key offerings, we feel we are well positioned to sustain our strong growth trajectory in the upcoming quarter.”

Marquee Equity, a SaaS platform that aids startups in securing funding, has recently onboarded The Econophy Group LLC, a US-based biotech independent sponsor private equity firm that is based out of Florida and focused on the biotech space. In 2024, it is developing a life sciences-oriented holding company that will feature a patented, Phase III, first-in-class, safe, non-invasive nuclear medicine and molecular imaging (NMMI) diagnostic detection and monitoring technology that will exceed US and worldwide efficacy standards by 5x. The outgrowth of an industry pulmonary vascular disease vertical will evolve into a 7-NMMI disease-oriented product pipeline, in addition to related therapeutics and a COPD-patented device. The multi-country teams consist of MDs, PhDs, industry CEOs, and other experts in global patient healthcare.

In 2Q, it will integrate AI into its pulmonary vascular disease focus to evolve into a general industry AI focusing upon and featuring an automated diagnosis tool and a predictive epidemiology data platform.

Primary end-users will be medical doctors to simplify disease diagnosis and increase its accuracy. It will also provide international governments, NGOs, insurance companies, healthcare providers, public and private research facilities, and pharma companies with data analytics to mitigate diagnostic errors, disease spread, and unnecessary treatment costs and help solve other large-scale health industry problems.

For years, diagnostic delays and errors have been tolerated and often ignored, although they have been reported as a leading cause of patient harm. The National Academy of Medicine estimates that $750 billion, or 30% of annual healthcare spending, is wasted on unnecessary services and other inefficiencies. At least once in a person’s lifetime, they will receive a diagnostic error. Estimated resulting deaths range from 40,000 to 80,000

Marquee acts as a bridge between the startups looking for funding and investors/venture capitalists/angel investors thus making the process of fundraising swift and convenient. Marquee’s team collects and curates relevant data and projections to create a pitch deck that serves as a critical document in carrying forward the procedure. Once the pitch deck is approved, the AI-backed tech platform performs an investors-finding algorithm and connects the businesses to a suitable set of investors, VCs etc., thus making the process of fundraising convenient and effective. As opposed to marketplaces and digital listings that publicly display fundraising details, Marquee matched their clients with their personalized list of investors who would be the best fit for their mutual goals.

With a team of over 100 employees, Marquee Equity helps 1,500 businesses raise money effectively each year. Ash Narain, Founder & CEO of Marquee Equity comments, “We are very excited to have Econophy LLC on board with us and render our services. They are bringing in a positive impact through their work and we are very happy to work with them and help them in this endeavor. Marquee has curated the campaign to their requirements and helped them prepare their pitch deck and schedule calls with potential investors. We have a firm belief in their work and are witnessing some immense responses to the campaign, which just makes us work harder for the next phase of the campaign”.

M. Damian Billy, Managing Partner, and Founder of The Econophy Group LLC, appreciated the work of the fintech platform and said,

“Our relationship with Marquee Equity has been exceptional. Inclusive of all team members engaged, their attention to detail, promptness in responding to queries, willingness to accept input for changes, and document preparation exceeded our expectations for delivery and outcome. Throughout our interaction, professionalism and dedication remained constant.”

Marquee Equity’s success in raising funds for early-stage startups and SMEs comes from their time-tested methods, which are optimized by leveraging the power of technology. Marquee believes in using technology not to change the dynamic between investors and businesses, but rather to be the appropriate bridge between them.

By matching each entrepreneur with the ideal investors, Marquee Equity seeks to maximize the company’s fundraising efforts. The fintech platform works with businesses of all sizes, from conception to pre-IPO, with check amounts ranging from $100,000 to multibillion-dollar private equity firms that raise money from limited partners. For Ginik, Marquee also lent its support in the documentation and the startup’s founder also looks forward to dipping into Marquee’s network of investors for future rounds again someday.

NEW YORK, NY (February 6, 2024)—Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF), a national non-profit organization advocating for awareness and education for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), announces the appointment of three new members to join its board of directors: Paul Feuerstadt, MD, Debbie Trinker, BA, JD and David Shlaes Ph.D., MD.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Feuerstadt, Dr. Shlaes and Mrs. Trinker to our board of directors. They each bring a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the fight against C. diff,” said PLF President Dr. Gerard Honig.

Paul Feuerstadt, MD, joins PLF’s board of directors, bringing with him a deep medical knowledge of C. difficile infection and other infections of the small and large bowel. Dr. Feuerstadt received his M.D. from Weill Medical College of Cornell University. From there, he completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. After completing his Internal Medicine residency, Dr. Feuerstadt joined the Montefiore Medical Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York where he completed his Gastroenterology fellowship. Dr. Feuerstadt began with the PACT Gastroenterology Center, a partner of Hartford Healthcare Medical Group, in 2011. His special interests include C. difficile infection and other infections of the small and large bowel, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), ischemic diseases of the gut, and other diseases of the colon and small bowel, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Previous Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Rexall Sundown, Inc. and Kemin Health, L.C, Debbie Trinker also joins the board of directors at PLF—bringing with her over 26 years of domestic, international legal, and regulatory experience with FDA-regulated products. These positions included transactional and IP experience, and submissions to FDA, FTC, USDA and international and state regulatory bodies on e.g., safety, claims substantiation, clinical trial data, labeling, adverse events, recalls, inspections and Warning Letters. She has served as an officer and member of the Executive Board and Board of Directors of the Council for Responsible Nutrition and has published and made presentations in areas of FDA-regulated products. Debbie has a B.A. from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Dr. David Shlaes, Ph.D., MD, has had a 40-year career in anti-infectives, spanning academia and industry with a long-standing scientific interest in antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Shlaes trained in infectious diseases at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He then joined the faculty and ultimately became a Professor of Medicine. Dr. Shlaes left academia to become Vice President for Infectious Diseases at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in 1996. He was a member of the Forum for Emerging Infections of the National Academy of Sciences for seven years. In 2002, Dr. Shlaes became Executive Vice President, Research and Development for Idenix, Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on the discovery and development of antivirals. In 2005, he established a consulting company. During his career, he contributed significantly to the discovery and development of tigecycline, avibactam, eravacycline and lefamulin. Dr. Shlaes is the author of three books focusing on his scientific interest and extensive research on antimicrobial resistance. Since his retirement from Anti-infectives Consulting, he has authored a blog—Antibiotics the Perfect Storm—on Substack. Dr. Shlaes will bring methodical insight into antibiotic policy areas in his new board member position with PLF.

“We have made great progress in raising C. diff awareness, educating and supporting patients, and advocating for better policies, said PLF Chief Executive Officer Christian John Lillis. “These three new board members bring new insights and strengths to PLF as we look toward taking the fight against C. diff and drug-resistant infections to the next level.”

The new additions to PLF’s board of directors signal the beginning of another productive and impactful year of progress in C. diff education, advocacy and legislation. The additions come on the heels of PLF’s most successful C. diff Awareness Campaign to date. The 2023 “See C. diff” campaign achieved its goal of reaching 23 million people with C. diff facts and preventative information. Additional milestones reached this year include PLF organizing the first-ever FDA patient-led C. diff Listening Session, and the approval of new therapeutics to treat recurrent C. diff. The three new board members are expected to bring innovative ideas for PLF to continue spreading awareness and advocacy for C. diff.