Archives February 2024

India-wide release,1st February 2024 Hypothesis, a comprehensive one-stop AI-enabled influencer marketing platform, has partnered with Togglehead, one of India’s leading independent digital agencies. Hypothesis will bolster Togglehead’s data-driven approach to execute the agency’s robust marketing campaigns. The partnership will see Hypothesis empower Togglehead to make proactive decisions and support the entire campaign management pipeline by serving as a central platform of information, insights and tools.

Increasingly, more brands are considering working with creators and influencers as an integral part of their overall marketing strategy. However, in this largely unorganised space, agencies often find it daunting to discover the right talent that aligns with their clients’ brands. This is where Hypothesis comes in with its cutting-edge social prediction engine that enables agencies and brands to discover the right creator with detailed creator and audience filters, conduct outreach, and automate campaign performance tracking – all on one platform.

The partnership between Hypothesis and Togglehead represents a significant step towards constantly evolving and innovating the agency’s approach to influencer marketing by simplifying and streamlining the complex process. Hypothesis will enable Togglehead to make smarter decisions by providing actionable insights across all facets of a marketing campaign. This includes the ability to use advanced filters such as demographics, growth rate, and interest-based targeting to identify the most suitable influencers, automate creator and content recommendations, accurately forecast creator performance, and granular tracking of each content type and format – to optimise their client’s campaign ROI most efficiently.

Himani Agrawal, Senior Vice President – Product & Analytics at Hypothesis, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Togglehead, a fast-paced independent agency. By leveraging decades of knowledge gathered from bringing creators and brands together, we are committed to empowering Togglehead with an innovative AI-enhanced tool that focuses on enabling influencer marketing with data driven processes in a super easy to use interface. Hypothesis is a first-of-its-kind platform that tackles the pain point of limited access to verified creator information and the challenge of navigating through ‘the many’ to find ‘the one’. This, along with automated campaign tracking, makes it well positioned to save time and drive efficiencies in the entire influencer marketing journey.”

Aatef Bham, Co-founder & Director of digital Business at Togglehead, added, “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Hypothesis, a cutting-edge AI-powered influencer marketing tool. At Togglehead, we’ve always been committed to staying at the forefront of digital innovation, and this collaboration with Hypothesis exemplifies that dedication.

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, leveraging artificial intelligence is crucial to stay ahead of the curve. Hypothesis brings a new dimension to our influencer marketing team and capabilities, allowing our marketers to analyse and optimise campaigns with unprecedented precision. This collaboration empowers Togglehead to offer our clients a more strategic, data-driven approach to influencer marketing.”

Through this partnership, Hypothesis will play a significant role in bringing a paradigm shift in the overall synergy between creators and agencies.

New Delhi, India,1st February 2024: Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (Sona Comstar), one of the leading global providers of automotive technology solutions, has announced its participation in the inaugural season of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024, scheduled to take place at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 1st – 3rd of February 2024. The company will showcase its latest product innovations in sensors, motors, and driveline solutions developed to provide safer, smarter driving and better performance. The participation in this global mobility show will be led by Mr Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, in the presence of senior leadership of the company. The Sona Comstar pavilion is at Stall 45 Hall 11, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The company will be exhibiting the latest innovations in automotive technology, including the Electronic Locking Differential (ELD), an electronically operated EV differential that provides safer driving and superior traction control. Visitors can also see the In-Cabin Sensors (ACAM) and Short Range Sensor (ASPER), developed by the recently acquired company NOVELIC. These sensors are based on mmWave radar technology, which detects child presence and seat occupancy without invading privacy to meet increasingly stringent safety regulations.

In its inaugural season, Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 is set to be a groundbreaking event that will converge the global mobility value chain, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices and positioning India as a pivotal hub for automotive innovation and capability.

Management Comment

Speaking about the company’s participation at the expo, Mr Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024, a platform that symbolizes the country’s strong influence and significance in the future of mobility and innovation. At Sona Comstar, we are dedicated to driving technological advancements in the mobility sector and are aligned with the vision to position India at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that our manufacturing prowess resonates globally.”

Mr Vivek Vikram Singh, MD and Group CEO of Sona Comstar, said, “We are excited to participate in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 and showcase our latest mobility technology solutions and innovations. At Sona Comstar, we are committed to accelerating the future of mobility, sustainably. We look forward to engaging with industry leaders, innovators, and other stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and create a safer, smarter, and greener mobility ecosystem.”

The pavilion will also showcase high-efficiency High Voltage Motors, designed exclusively for the Indian LCV, PV, Bus, and HCV market, and the Laser-welded Differential, a final drive assembly with multiple design configurations providing lightweighting, higher durability, and better NVH characteristics. The company’s cutting-edge Epicyclic Hub Reduction Drive and Integrated Motor-Controller will also be featured at the pavilion.

Bangalore,1st February 2024: bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, recorded significant sales for patriotic products during Republic Day 2024 showcasing the deep patriotism and pride of their customers. The array of products offered included tricolour stoles and dupattas, the national flag, badges, caps, and wristbands.

A total of 18,073 tricolour stoles and dupattas, ranging from 1 to 7 meters in length, were sold on a single day. There was a notable demand for National flags in various sizes and units, totalling 17,588, equivalent to the height of 15 Eiffel towers. Additionally, the platform experienced high demand for tricolour badges and wristbands, reaching a total of 30,740.

Speaking about this, Mr Seshu Kumar, Chief Buying and Merchandising Officer at bigbasket, expressed, “We are humbled by the immense support from our customers during this Republic Day celebration. In each tricolour stole, fluttering flag, badge, and wristband worn with pride, we see more than just sales figures – we see a collective expression of our shared love for the nation. Our customers have transformed these products into symbols of unity, and we are honoured to be part of their celebrations.”

UGRO Capital, a leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, announced a significant milestone, having successfully raised ~INR 2,500 million through Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) from the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). This investment underscores ADB’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable prosperity by supporting small businesses at the grassroots level.

UGRO had received financing of INR 2,500 million through Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) from FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank in December 2023 as well.

Over the past 5 years, UGRO Capital has played a pivotal role in bridging the credit gap within India’s MSME sector, providing credit to approximately 90,000 small businesses. A recent survey revealed that 94% of participants experienced business growth, with a remarkable 36% surge in employment post availing loans from UGRO. This tangible impact demonstrates UGRO Capital’s dedication to driving economic growth and job creation.

UGRO Capital has an asset under management of INR 83,638 million as of December 2023. Over the last 5 years, it has raised total of INR 91,378 million Equity and Debt from diverse institutional sources:

The above truly demonstrates UGRO’s ability to attract institutional equity investors and diversified debt providers across all categories of lenders which gives UGRO a path to create a large scalable financial institution serving the need of MSME borrowers in India.

UGRO Capital’s commitment to the Micro Enterprises of India, backed by its technology-driven credit expertise, has positioned the company as a reliable partner for global DFIs. This strategic diversity ensures that the NBFC’s liability remains well-distributed, not solely reliant on the Indian banking system.

Mr. Shachindra Nath, Founder and Managing Director of UGRO Capital, expressed his views on the collaboration, stating, “This transaction is a proof of UGRO Capital’s ability to forge partnerships with and attract funding from reputed global DFIs. We share a common vision of financial inclusion with impact funding organizations and are excited to collaborate with ADB to meet the diverse financial needs of India’s underserved MSMEs. Impact investors are critical funding partners in enabling us to bridge India’s massive credit gap in the MSME sector, and we will continue to leverage our technology and credit expertise to service MSMEs across the spectrum via our multi-channel distribution model.”

Suzanne Gaboury, ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations, emphasized the significance of the partnership, saying, “We are pleased to partner with UGRO Capital in their mission to empower MSMEs in India. MSME Finance is a key driver for financial inclusion, and UGRO Capital’s mission to solve the small business credit need is in line with our vision of promoting inclusive and sustainable prosperity in Asia and the Pacific. We are confident that together we will positively impact the lives of MSME borrowers. This collaboration is consistent with our commitment towards greater financial inclusion in India.”

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Mumbai,1st February 2024 –Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released its entrepreneurial drama, Hustlers- Jugaad Ka Khel. With an impressive rating of 8.3 on IMDB, the compelling narrative captures Sanjay’s journey as he hustles through life’s challenges with determination and resilience and achieves success. In his journey, he meets Mihir Jain, a significant start-up investor, a revered business figure, and a venture capitalist who is known to bet on the ‘winning horse’. His interest in Sanjay’s start-up idea, followed by finance, sets off a chain of events that would lead to the launch of Sanjay’s start-up. Through sheer determination and hard work, Sanjay rises to the top and establishes his name in the competitive start-up industry.

Reflecting on his journey and key takeaways, Samir Kochhar, portraying the character of Mihir Jain in the show, expresses, “The crux of the narrative lies in recognizing that many people have talent but not all of them know how to grasp the opportunity. If you generate ideas that have the potential to uplift society, redefine values, and breathe life into them, seize those opportunities. I mean, the value of that idea is huge, so the initial step should be to identify them. Subsequently, transforming these ideas into a thriving business is an intriguing journey. The first thing is to identify that idea, and secondly, how to turn that idea into a full-blown business is a very interesting journey. Many people have talent, but attitude is a way to build a business. I believe this story will resonate with those who aspire to make a difference in their lives and those who strive to progress; they may not be academic achievers, but they can look at themselves and say, “Do I have any ideas, Can I bring about some change, Is there anything I can do so that not only will I earn money, but I will also bring a significant change in the society? ”

Furthermore, he added, “The story encompasses ups and downs, including how we (Mihir and Sanjay) met, how Sanjay comes up with an idea for a startup and eventually becomes overconfident. To bring him back on his path, my character declines his idea, but Sanjay doesn’t give up, and after a lot of effort, he achieves his goals. I had a fantastic time filming for this series. I believe that everyone will see their potential in this uplifting story. I think this is my main takeaway from the show.”

Hustlers – Jugaad Ka Khel, produced by Rainshine Entertainment and featuring Vishal Vashishth, Maharshi Dave, Anjali Barot, Anurag Arora and Samir Kochhar in pivotal roles, is streaming for free on Amazon miniTV, which is available on Amazon’s shopping app, Fire TV, and the Play Store.

Praanesh Bhuvaneswar

By Praanesh Bhuvaneswar, Co-Founder and CEO of Qoruz

In the ever-evolving landscape of influencer marketing, the influence of content mediums has been profound, with short videos emerging as a dominant force. Navigating through the digital landscape, let’s dive into the transformative role short video content plays in propelling brand growth within influencer marketing campaigns.

A recent analysis by Qoruz platform focused on influencer collaborations in short-form videos like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, unveiling that Apple topped the list, followed by Samsung, Netflix, Royal Enfield, ZEE5, and L’Oreal, highlighting how these brands effectively utilized influencers for growth. These figures underscore the substantial impact of short-form video collaborations on brand visibility, with brands strategically leveraging influencers to create engaging content, resulting in significant social media mentions. As we adapt to the evolving landscape of influencer marketing, these insights affirm the enduring power of short video content.

The Visual Power of Video

Undoubtedly, video content possesses a unique ability to captivate audiences in ways unparalleled by other mediums. In a world brimming with information, the amalgamation of visual and auditory elements creates an immersive experience. Influencers leverage the dynamic nature of short-form video, from unboxing narratives to tutorial guides, to craft compelling stories that deeply resonate with their followers.

Authenticity and Connection: A Catalyst for Brand Growth

When executed effectively, video content becomes a powerful conduit for conveying authenticity. Audiences connect profoundly with genuine, relatable moments, and short-form video serves as the medium through which influencers share their lives authentically. This authenticity, when aligned with brand values, becomes the cornerstone for building trust, a vital element for fostering brand growth through influencer partnerships.

Short-Form Content: A Strategic Growth Tool

In an era dominated by short attention spans, the surge of short-form video content on platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts demands attention. Influencers skilled in crafting concise yet impactful content have found success in conveying brand messages within limited timeframes. The challenge lies in the art of crafting engaging narratives that leave an indelible impression, an art in which influencers undeniably excel.

Storytelling Beyond the Static: Immersive Experiences for Growth

While static images hold their place in influencer marketing, short-form video content takes storytelling to an entirely new level. Whether showcasing a product in action, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses, or narrating a day in the life, influencers leverage short-form video to create immersive brand experiences. This narrative-driven approach resonates deeply with audiences, leaving an enduring imprint, a catalyst for sustained brand growth.

Measuring Growth: Insights Through Video Analytics

The impact of short-form video content is not informal, it’s measurable. Metrics such as views, watch time, and engagement rates offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of influencer marketing campaigns. As a co-founder of Qoruz, I’ve observed firsthand the transformative power of video analytics, enabling brands to measure campaign success and optimize strategies for maximum impact, thereby facilitating accelerated growth.

Integration with Influencer Marketing Platforms: A Strategic Nexus

In the contemporary influencer landscape, the seamless integration of short-form video content is facilitated by advanced influencer marketing platforms. From discovery to collaboration and performance tracking, these platforms empower brands to unlock the full potential of influencer-created video content. Qoruz, without overt boasting, has been at the forefront of this revolution, providing brands with tools to navigate the video-centric influencer marketing landscape effectively, fostering accelerated growth.

Looking Ahead: Propelling Growth with Video in Influencer Marketing

As we cast our gaze into the future, the trajectory of influencer marketing is undeniably intertwined with the transformative power of video content. Brands that embrace this evolution and collaborate with influencers excelling in short video content creation are poised not only to stay relevant but also to propel exponential growth and leave a lasting impact on their audiences.

In conclusion, the impact of short video content in influencer marketing transcends trends and it’s a driving force for transformative growth. As influencers innovate and brands recognize their potential, we anticipate a future where compelling video narratives shape the very essence of influencer-brand collaborations, creating meaningful connections that resonate and fuel accelerated growth across digital landscapes.

Vegas, the premier shopping and entertainment destination in Dwarka, celebrated the 75th Republic Day with unparalleled fervour and patriotism. The day commenced with a ceremonial flag hoisting in the morning, followed by captivating performances by the Bagpiper band in the evening.

The highlight of the event was a live band performance in the evening featuring soulful renditions of patriotic songs that resonated with the spirit of the occasion. Many attendees came together and were treated to a memorable evening filled with music and pride as they came together to honour the nation’s heritage and freedom.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ravinder Choudhary, VP, Vegas Dwarka, remarked, “Republic Day holds significant importance in our hearts as it symbolises the unity and diversity of our great nation. We are delighted to have hosted such a remarkable celebration, bringing together the community to commemorate India’s democratic values. The event encapsulated the essence of patriotism and unity, fostering a sense of belonging and celebration among our visitors.”

Hyderabad 1st February 2024: Office spaces are crucial in fostering collaboration, boosting productivity, and nurturing a sense of community among employees. They provide a physical environment for face-to-face interaction, brainstorming sessions, and teamwork that often leads to innovative ideas and solutions.

Co-working, a concept that was initially Westernised, has gained immense popularity and is rapidly taking over the Indian working industry. This transformation can be attributed to several factors, including the outbreak of Covid-19, evolving business models, and the impact of global trends.

CoKarma, a leading community-driven co-working space, is revolutionising the landscape of workspaces in Hyderabad with its innovative approach and strategic expansion initiatives. Offering a holistic environment for businesses to thrive, it aims to bolster entrepreneurship and growth within its vibrant co-working community.

With a focus on supporting enterprises, it currently offers private cabins, event spaces, and meeting room solutions in strategically located centres across Hyderabad. These include Hitech City, Madhapur, Kondapur, Begumpet, Kokapet, and Himayatnagar.

Over the past 15 months, CoKarma has experienced significant growth, expanding from 500 seats to 2,400 seats across eight centres. The recent signing of their ninth centre in Hyderabad marks another milestone in their remarkable journey.

While consolidating its presence in Hyderabad, CoKarma eyes exponential growth with plans to scale to over 30 centres in the city. Beyond Hyderabad, the company seeks opportunities in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune, aiming to replicate its successful model and community-driven ethos.

Boasting aesthetically pleasing designs, open spaces, and all-glass partitions, it encourages collaboration and creativity. Additionally, the company hosts a myriad of startup events, workshops, and meet-ups, fostering valuable connections and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs.

CoKarma’s flexible offerings cater to startups and established businesses alike, providing tailored solutions through private cabins, managed spaces, day passes, meeting rooms, and event spaces. The company’s competitive pricing makes its services accessible and appealing to a wide spectrum of clients, including esteemed names such as Royal Enfield, DishTV, and F5 Networks, alongside burgeoning startups like Hivel, Zetwerk, and Zepto.

Founder of CoKarma Tarun Mor says, “We’re redefining workspaces with our office space solutions. Our strategic expansion plans reflect our commitment to nurturing a vibrant community where businesses thrive and ideas flourish. We’re not just building offices; we’re crafting environments that help build connections and empower entrepreneurship.”

CoKarma’s commitment to strategic growth has been evident in its remarkable journey. Over the past year and a half, the company has significantly increased its capacity. Looking forward, the brand is set to continue expanding its presence, reinforcing its position as a key player in the co-working space sector.

1st February 2024 – Kyvos Insights, the GenAI-driven, cloud-native, high-speed data analytics platform, has won the prestigious “Cloud Disruptor of the Year” award at the 2023-2024 Cloud Awards. Kyvos was also one of the finalists in the “Best Cloud-Native Project/Solution” category. The dual recognition reinforces Kyvos’ unique innovation that can handle analytics on a billion rows of data to offer insights in sub-seconds, all while optimizing cloud costs by up to 4x.

Kyvos has disrupted the cloud space by introducing scalable OLAP, previously unseen on any cloud platform, to deliver accelerated advanced analytics and unmatched performance on all modern data platforms, on the cloud and on-premises. The platform processes enterprise-scale data and creates scalable multi-dimensional data models using its patented AI-powered smart aggregation technology and an underlying intelligent caching mechanism to provide instant insights without any latency.

Kyvos enables enterprises to analyze enterprise-scale data on the cloud without any speed, scale or complexity limitations, without compromising their OLAP and BI acceleration needs while also controlling cloud costs. It leverages the flexibility and power of the cloud to create scalable multi-dimensional data models that provide instant responses to queries across hundreds of dimensions and measures at the lowest querying costs.

Kyvos’ offers end-to-end analytics, from analytical warehousing to advanced visualization. With self-serve analytics and the ability to store aggregated & non-aggregated data in a single location, Kyvos eliminates the need to maintain separate data warehouses. The platform also promotes a data-driven culture by implementing a universal semantic layer and data mesh architecture that facilitates seamless data consumption and cross-functional analysis across the enterprise. Another factor that distinguishes Kyvos is its GenAI capabilities, which uses GenAI and LLMs to initiate interactive, conversational data exploration and deliver summarized insights.

The platform redefines how businesses derive value from 1000x more data for 100x faster insights and 3x higher ROI than any other analytics platform in the marketplace. To make deployments faster, simpler and more value-defined for their customers, Kyvos is also available on a pay-as-you-go model on all major cloud marketplaces.

Hundreds of organizations entered the 2023-2024 Cloud Awards program, with international entries by market-leading innovators from North America, Canada, Australia, UK, Europe and the Middle East. The head of operations for The Cloud Awards, James Williams, highlighted that the Cloud Awards remain at the forefront of recognizing outstanding organizations that contribute to the development of transformative technologies on a global scale.

New Delhi, 1st February 2024 U&i, India’s leading gadget, accessories, and consumer electronics brand, has introduced two exciting gizmos for gadget lovers in India: the Rainbow Series Bluetooth soundbar for those who want a dynamic-looking soundbar and a Finger Series smartwatch for fitness-conscious individuals.

The U&i Rainbow Series is a portable 10W (RMS) Bluetooth soundbar that boasts a six-hour battery life. When powered up, multicolor RGB LEDs fitted into the speaker turn the device into a mini-disco station. Two 4-ohms, 5-watt speakers inside the soundbar deliver crystal-clear audio across the 80Hz–18 kHz spectrum. Buttons on one side of the speaker enable users to control playback, change modes, answer calls, and control volume. The Rainbow Series is also equipped with an FM radio and is powered by a 1500mAh battery.

The U&i Finger Series is a sporty smartwatch that carries an IP65 rating, which means it is water-resistant and can be worn to the gym or out for a job in light rain. The 2.1-inch always-on display gives ample screen area to read messages, browse installed apps, and create customized dials. The watch comes with Smart Sense feature which allows you to answer the calls more smartly just by tapping the index finger and thumb together and talk directly into the watch, thanks to the built-in microphone and speaker. The watch is also equipped with a 24×7 heart-rate sensor and supports multiple sports modes, allowing its wearer to track exercises and monitor fitness routines whenever required. The Finger Series wearable is compatible with Android and Apple handsets and is rated to provide 3–5 days of service before needing to be recharged.

Availability:

The Rainbow Series and Finger Series are available in the market at an MRP of INR 3,699 and INR 2,999 respectively. These products can be purchased from U&i outlets and other leading retail stores across India.