Archives February 2024

BENGALURU, 14 February 2024: Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced seven teams comprising university students and early-stage start-up entrepreneurs as winners of the third edition of Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) program 2023-24.

The seven winning teams are Abyom SpaceTech and Defence Pvt. Ltd. and Green Aero Propulsion Pvt. Ltd. from Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FIIT) – IIT Delhi, Glovatrix Pvt. Ltd. from Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) – IIT Mumbai, dVerse Technologies Pvt. Ltd. from IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Backyard Creators Pvt. Ltd., BONV Technology Private Limited and Coratia Technologies Pvt. Ltd. from Technology Business Incubator (TBI) – KIIT, Bhubaneswar. These winners will be further supported by Boeing and their respective incubator partners for over a few months to help develop their ideas into market-ready and viable business solutions.

Shri Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited and Member of Legislative Assembly, Karnataka; Shri C.B. Ananthakrishnan, CMD, HAL; Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, President, The Aeronautical Society of India  (Former Secretary DD R&D, Chairman DRDO, and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri), Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, Department of Space, along with Boeing leadership and seven incubator partners awarded the winners at the finale event organized at the new Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus, Bengaluru.

“BUILD has evolved into an aspirational and dynamic start-up platform, nurturing young entrepreneurial minds of the country with the right skills and support to scale up operations, develop cutting-edge technologies, and help implement ideas that impact not only the nation but the world at large. I want to congratulate our incubator partners for leading this program to success over these years and would like to congratulate winners and the applicants for their active participation this year,” said Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India. “We continue to remain committed to fostering innovation by nurturing the country’s brightest talent and ideas through our industry-academia collaborations and partnerships”, added Gupte.

Each of these seven teams received INR 10 lakh as a financial grant, and their ideas covered solutions for community development, the defence and space industry, and sustainability.

In its third edition, Boeing continues to partner with seven incubators, namely, SINE – IIT Mumbai, FIIT – IIT Delhi, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center – IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Society for Innovation and Development – IISC Bengaluru, T-Hub Hyderabad, and TBI – KIIT Bhubaneshwar, to organize BUILD in India. The applicants were invited to submit ideas in the fields of aerospace and defense, technology start-up, social impact, and sustainability.

Ahmed Elsherbini, vice president, managing director, Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center, and chief engineer, Boeing India said, “Every year, as we invite ideas for BUILD, we remain excited about the possibilities these young minds and their ideas bring for the country. The entire process of nurturing each idea to make it into a viable business solution is delivered through interactions between our engineers, technologists, partner incubators, and the student and start-up community. The mentorship, resources, and access to the right networks help pivot growth for these start-ups and entrepreneurs.”

In 2023, BUILD attracted a record number of entrants, with over 1200 ideas submitted by more than 2200 students and start-up participants applying from tier 1, 2, and 3 cities across India. Following a stringent evaluation process, 75 shortlisted teams entered the regional boot camp, of which regional and national finalists received guidance from start-up ecosystem experts, incubator partners, and Boeing engineers to incubate ideas. Participants further received access to Boeing’s innovation ecosystem.

Over the years, Boeing India has been helping contribute to skill development and capability building in the country through other programs such as the HorizonX India Innovation Challenge, Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Apprenticeship, and National Aeromodelling Competition with IIT.

Ahmedabad, 14 February, 2024: Well-known real estate consultants, Colliers, has won a significant assignment to construct the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Extension Hub in Ahmedabad for Infibeam Avenues. The Indian-based multinational fintech company plans to have an AI hub in GIFT City, Gujarat, and the Ahmedabad campus will be an extension of that, set to be up and running in 18 months.

Spread across 400,000 sq.ft., Colliers has won a cost-plus contract to complete the ambitious project. The AI and technology hub will have a symbiotic framework that will facilitate higher synergy within the ecosystem. Tech companies will be able to access a comprehensive system that enables collaboration and innovation.

“Winning the Infibeam project reflects our capabilities and continuous endeavor to create value for our clients. Our subject matter experts, rich in knowledge and market expertise, never fail to drive unmatched results and deliver exceptional projects.

With technology, innovation and operational excellence at our core, we are committed to creating future-oriented Grade A spaces that are aimed at long-term growth. Our proven track record and team of the industry’s best professionals will certainly warrant effective project management and deliver a remarkable project.”, says Indranil Basu, Managing Director, Project Management, Colliers India. 

INDIA –14th February 2024 – Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, today announced the findings of its 16th Annual Global Shopper Study which confirmed retailers are feeling the omnichannel squeeze, particularly with managing online returns and reducing shrink caused by theft, fraud and other contributing factors.

Globally, eight in 10 retailers agree minimizing fraud/shrink is a significant challenge (82%), and the ability to forecast demand is important to their organization (86%). In APAC, including India, retailers’ responses stand at 74% and 89% respectively. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers lost US$112 billion due to shrink in 2022, up from nearly US$94 billion in 2021. The Zebra study indicates 36% of global retailers (40% in APAC, including India) believe better analytics on shrink could help drive profitability. Many retailers expect to deploy loss prevention analytics (49% globally, 55% in APAC, including India) and demand planning and forecasting (54% globally, 61% in APAC, including India) by 2026.

While omnichannel shopping causes challenges for retailers, most shoppers prefer options. Nearly eight in 10 global and APAC, including India, shoppers favor a blend of online and in-store shopping, while 75% global and 72% of APAC, including India, shoppers choose to shop with online retailers that have a brick-and-mortar location.

As omnichannel shopping continues to grow, the volume of returns increases along with it. Around seven in 10 of global and APAC, including India, retailers say the pressure is mounting to improve the efficiency and expense of managing online orders, returns, and the fulfillment process. Six in 10 retailers say they are upgrading their returns management technology by 2026. In APAC, including India, more retailers are in the process of upgrading at 74%, 12% higher than global retailers surveyed.

Store associates will be pleased with this technology investment. Among associates managing returns from online orders, nearly three-quarters (74% globally and in APAC, including India) cite frequent returners as their top challenge. This year, the ease of making returns has moved ahead as a leading reason shoppers choose to shop in stores, outpacing comparison shopping. Where easy returns for global shoppers have increased slightly (32% in 2022 to 33% in 2023), APAC, including India, shoppers reported the greatest increase of 7%, from 32% in 2022 to 39% in 2023. The increase of returns has impacted retailers globally, growing to US$1.8T according to the IHL Group.

“Retailers are recognising that technology needs to be smartly employed when dealing with returns,” Subramaniam Thiruppathi, Director of Sales for India and Sub-Continent, Zebra Technologies. “While consumers have higher expectations to easily return items more frequently, retailers find themselves in a tailspin trying to manage the increased expenses associated with inventory visibility, reverse logistics and a high-level of returns.

The returns conundrum also impacts related industries, particularly warehousing. Retailers are tapping into the power of technology to help manage returns with 62% globally (68% in APAC, including India) saying they plan to deploy reverse logistics technology by 2026 to better manage fulfillment pressures. Nearly three in 10 (31% globally, 32% in APAC, including India) of retailers think charging a fee for online orders from frequent returners could potentially improve the overall profitability of online orders.

Consumers Dialing into Digital Checkouts

Since 2020, the number of shoppers who favor digital payment applications have increased substantially; solutions like Zebra Pay align with this trend. Those preferring pay/checkout anywhere in-store almost doubled from 15% to 26%, mobile payments jumped from 33% to 50% and “just walk-out” to avoid a long checkout line doubled from 14% to 30%. In APAC, including India, shoppers who preferred pay/checkout anywhere jumped from 16% to 28%, opted for mobile payments went from 46% to 58% and walked out due to long queues soared from 17% to 33%. Meanwhile, more than 4-in-10 (48% globally) of consumers opt for self-checkouts, with three quarters (75% globally) saying it helps improve their experience. This is also true for 45% and 74% of APAC, including India, shoppers respectively.

Hence, there is a clear signal that consumers want to settle their shopping experience quickly and will adopt any means to get to the end of line. Unsurprisingly, most retailers agree self-checkouts deliver value. In fact, eight in 10 of them agree the investment in self-checkouts is paying off (87% globally, 88% in APAC, including India), as this technology allows associates to work on higher value tasks and improves the customer experience. However, around eight-in-10 of retail decision-makers and associates agree store shrinkage and theft is a major issue with self-checkouts. These sentiments are similarly echoed in APAC, including India by 85% of decision-makers and 79% of associates.

Moving Modern Retail Forward

In anticipation of the advancement of retail offerings, consumers understandably have high expectations for technology. In fact, eight in 10 of surveyed consumers (80% globally, 81% in APAC, including India) expect retailers to use the latest technology, and seven in 10 (74% globally, 77% in APAC, including India) say it improves their shopping experience. In alignment with this trend, over half of retailers plan to deploy handheld mobile computers (56% globally, 64% in APAC, including India), scanners (54% globally, 61% in APAC, including India), RFID (61% globally, 69% in APAC, including India) as well as task (54% globally, 62% in APAC, including India) and workforce (56% globally, 62% in APAC, including India) management software by 2026.

Store associates will favor this outcome as the study shows 84% of both global and APAC, including India associates feel more valued–and view their employer more positively (81% globally, 79% in APAC, including India)–when they have technology to help them do their work. Today, 77% of associates–up from 67% in 2022–feel shoppers are better connected to information than they are. There is a similar increase for APAC, including India associates, from 64% in 2022 to 73% in 2023.

“To successfully operate a modern store today, it is critical retailers invest in technologies like mobile computers (TC53/TC58), tablets (ET40), printers (ZQ600 Plus, ZD421, ZD411), scanners (SP72) and software (Zebra VisibilityIQ Foresight, Workforce Communication, Workstation Connect), etc. that elevate the customer experience, engage associates and optimize inventory,” added Thiruppathi. “Consumers demand the way they browse, acquire, consume, and return merchandise to be seamless wherever they shop. To effectively build brand preference, retailers will need to adapt and work in new ways with technology to deliver the shopping experiences consumers expect, more profitably.”

KEY REGIONAL FINDINGS

Asia Pacific (APAC including India)

More retailers in APAC, including India(87%) believe they need better inventory management tools to improve accuracy and visibility compared to 84% globally.

Latin American

Over the next 12 months, 64% of Latin American shoppers say they plan to shop in-store and 71% will shop online more over the coming year compared to five in 10 shoppers across both channels in other regions.

Europe

Retailers in Europe are prioritizing sustainability, with 51% saying it plays an increasing role in their business strategy compared to 45% globally.

North America

Over three-fourths of retailers (77%) in North America say accepting returns of online orders is a significant challenge, compared to 81% globally.

Goa – On 14th February 2024, Circle Goa, the pulsating hub of music and culture, is set to host yet another extravaganza event with Nariyal Paani Evenings. This musical spectacle promises to be an enchanting fusion of talent, featuring the iconic artists Susmit Sen, Tipriti, and Valerie, at the legendary venue, Circle Goa. Music enthusiasts can anticipate a night filled with soulful melodies and unheard sounds, creating magic that resonates with the soul.

The event is scheduled to take place on the 17th of February at 7 PM at Circle Goa. The stellar lineup includes musical geniuses like Mama Tips & The Goa Cats featuring Tripti Soulmates and the Susmit Sen Trio from the iconic band Indian Ocean.

A special highlight of the event is the inclusion of Valerie, aka Selectress Iriela, on her healing world tour. Valerie, a DJ, producer, and futurist from Boston and New York, is dedicated to bringing people together through the transformative power of music.

Nariyal Paani Evenings with Susmit Sen, Tipriti, and Valerie will unfold at Circle Goa in Anjuna, Goa, on 17th February at 7PM. Tickets for this musical extravaganza are available for purchase online at Urbanaut, and early booking is recommended for an evening filled with magical musical moments

Mumbai, 14th Feb 2024: Mrs. Harsha Hinduja, President of the India Friendship Bonsai Society (IFBS) and Trustee of Hinduja Foundation and wife of a prominent business tycoon – Mr. Ashok Hinduja encouraged Indians to adopt sustainable living. She spoke at The National Society of the Friends of Trees (NSFT) annual Vegetable, Fruit, and Flower Show held at D.G. Ruparel College, Mumbai.

Speaking at the event, Mrs.Harsha Hinduja said “The profound connection between humanity and Mother Nature. Drawing from her journey as an avid Bonsai and Ikebana artist, Mrs. Hinduja underscored the importance of holistic education in nurturing environmental consciousness. She highlighted the urgent need for collective action in safeguarding our planet’s precious ecosystems”.

Mrs. Hinduja lamented the prevailing disregard for environmental sustainability amidst the pressures of modernization and development. Urging attendees to embrace sustainability principles, she emphasized the importance of using natural resources wisely to maintain ecological balance.

The NSFT’s commitment to environmental conservation was evident throughout the event, with initiatives to promote green spaces and foster appreciation for nature among attendees, particularly the youth. Mrs. Hinduja applauded the Society’s efforts in restoring green cover and planting trees, urging individuals to incorporate green practices into their daily lives.

As the event concluded, Mrs. Hinduja called upon attendees to pledge their commitment to rejuvenating Mother Earth and preserving the natural world for future generations. She emphasized that meaningful change begins with small steps taken by individuals, urging all to take responsibility for the well-being of our planet.

With a shared vision of a greener, more sustainable future, the NSFT and its supporters remain steadfast in their mission to protect, preserve, and respect the natural world.

The event was attended by other esteemed guest like Mr. JeetendraPardeshi, Superintendent of Garden & Tree Officer Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Prof.AniruddhaPandit, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, ICT University, Mumbai and Adv. RajanJaykar, Solicitor and Advocate, Bombay High Court.

Mumbai, 14th February 2024 – Spykar, the leading fashion brand, was thrilled to announce the launch of its latest campaign, “PocketFullOfLove.” With a mission to infuse positivity into communities and spread warmth and joy, the campaign sought to remind everyone that amidst life’s challenges, love stood above all. The campaign, was held on February 10th and 11th, 2024, at Phoenix Palladium Mall in Mumbai.

The campaign centered on spreading ‘Pockets full of love’ at the mall, featuring heartfelt compliments on small cards. These messages brought smiles and positivity to recipients, with Spykar representatives also hosting fun activities like the ‘Spin the Wheel’ game at the store, creating moments of joy and connection.

Participants also had the option to collect blank cards, allowing them to personalize compliments and spread kindness to others in their surroundings. Spykar aimed to encourage this chain reaction of kindness, creating a lasting impact and fostering a culture of positivity.

Mr. Vivek Shah, Marketing Head of Spykar, expressed that “In a world that often feels divided and chaotic, it was essential to remind ourselves of the love and compassion that bind us together. The ‘PocketFullOfLove’ campaign was Spykar’s way of spreading this message and fostering meaningful connections within audience. As a brand, Spykar is committed to delivering more than just fashion. We strive to create experiences that resonate with our audience. With the Valentine’s Day campaign, we hoped to inspire others to embrace kindness and make a difference in the lives of those around them.”

The #PocketFullOfLove campaign not only served as a reminder of the enduring power of love and kindness but also underscored Spykar’s commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Mumbai,14th February 2024: DSP Mutual Fund announced the appointment of Chirag Joshi as Head of Distributor Success and B2B Growth. Chirag has a professional experience of over 12 years in Marketing & Sales spread across brands like CNBC Awaaz, Hindustan Times and Samco Group. Chirag joins DSP Mutual Fund from the Samco Group, where he was the Chief Growth Officer and a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

At DSP, Chirag will be responsible for strengthening and supporting the distribution and sales processes, leveraging his experience in sales, marketing, and technology to enhance distributor value while leveraging tech to bolster B2B sales. He will also work closely with the leadership team to create value add for family offices and treasury clients.

“We hope to be more valuable to our MFDs with Chirag’s experience across marketing, digital & growth roles. I hope we will be able to create opportunities for growth for all our channel partners using data insights, analytics and technology as enablers,” said Kalpen Parekh, MD & CEO, DSP Mutual Fund.

“Chirag’s innovative approach to integrating sales, marketing, and technology will help catalyze our efforts to provide unmatched value to our distributors and partners. His strategic vision is perfectly aligned with our goal to expand our B2B sales,” said Usha Nair, National Sales Head, DSP Mutual Fund.

New Delhi, 14th February 2024: Consistent Infosystems, a leading provider of IT hardware, security and surveillance, print consumables, electronics and home entertainment products in India is proud to announce the launch of its latest product: Consistent UPS Battery. This groundbreaking addition to Consistent Infosystems’ portfolio represents a significant advancement in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) technology, offering unparalleled reliability and performance for businesses and individuals alike.

Designed with a focus on durability, efficiency, and seamless integration, Consistent UPS Battery is engineered to provide uninterrupted power to critical systems and devices during outages or fluctuation in the electrical supply. Whether safeguarding vital data centers, supporting telecommunications infrastructure, or ensuring the continuity of essential services, this innovative UPS battery delivers peace of mind and operational resilience in any environment.

Key features of the Consistent UPS Battery include:

Eco-Friendly Design: Committed to environmental stewardship, the Consistent UPS Battery is crafted using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
Fast Charging Technology: Equipped with advanced fast charging technology, the new UPS Battery ensures rapid recharging cycles, minimizing downtime and maximizing operational uptime for critical systems and devices. Long Life Battery: Leveraging state-of-the-art battery technology, the UPS Battery delivers exceptional longevity, with extended battery life cycles compared to conventional UPS batteries, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing overall reliability.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Consistent UPS Battery to the market. With its cutting-edge technology and unmatched reliability, the Consistent UPS Battery empowers businesses to stay connected and productive, even in the face of power disruptions or emergencies. We believe this product will set a new standard for UPS solutions and reinforce Consistent Infosystems’ commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality technology solutions to our customers.” said Yogesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder, CONSISTENT INFOSYSTEMS PRIVATE LIMITED

Pricing and Availability:

Consistent Infosystems new UPS Battery is available across the length & breadth of the country through Consistent branches. Price on Request.

In a momentous step aimed at enhancing financial inclusion in India, Paisalo Digital Limited has partnered with the Bank of India (BOI) as its National Business Correspondent partner. The collaboration is underscored by formalizing a Service Level Agreement, establishing a strong alliance between the leading financial entities.

This partnership will enable Paisalo to extend essential banking services such as the enrollment of customers (Account Opening) through digital eKYC solutions, the opening of all Saving Accounts, Deposit / Withdrawal of money in an account of any bank (Interoperable Banking), Balance Enquiry / Mini Statement of Account and Social Security Scheme viz PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana), PMJJBY(Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana) & APY (Atal Pension Yojana). This collaboration will also lead to self-employment generation and promise an inclusive financial ecosystem for the under-banked sections of society.

Move over chocolates & roses!🌹 Brew a classic tale of love and togetherness with this very special Limited Edition blend that is all things romance & wellness.

Unbox love & wellness.A Cup FULL of Tea + A Heart FULL of Love = The Perfect Valentine’s Day. Made with the utmost love, this Valentine’s Hamper by VAHDAM® India is an exquisite box curated just for you and your valentine. Gift your loved one something that’s going to make their heart smile. VAHDAM®

BLUSH Gift Set – 3 Tin Caddy Set
A delectable gift set of 3 unique tea blends with impeccable taste and a host of health benefits.

Weekend in Paris Gift Set
An exciting combination of 9 sensational Herbal, Black & Chai Teas

NeceSera Valentine’s Day Gifting Guide For Her

Love is in the air, and so is style! Celebrate Valentine’s Day with NeceSera. Discover romantic hues, chic designs, and buttery soft fabric to make your Valentine’s Day extra special.

Find the perfect outfit to express your love and style in comfort. Fall in love with fashion this Valentine’s Day with NeceSera

1. Pink Love Modal Pajama Set

Gear up for a cozy night with our pink heart-printed pajama set. Made from soft modal fabric, these PJs guarantee winter comfort. With a playful design, they’ll put you in the Valentine’s Day mood. Ideal for snuggling up with a good book or your favorite Netflix show.

Price: Rs. 2980
Availability: PINK LOVE MODAL PAJAMA SET

2. Pink Cotton Terry Hoodie Set

Add some flair to your wardrobe with this eye-catching Pink Yarrow Hoodie Set. The trendy, vibrant color is sure to turn heads, while the 100% cotton terry material keeps you comfortable all day long. Plus, the buttery soft fabric is sure to be a new favorite.

Price: Rs. 4900
Availability: PINK COTTON TERRY HOODIE SET

Valentine’s Day Gifting with Evocus Exquisite Latest Collection

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we find ourselves seeking the perfect way to express love and devotion to those who matter most in our lives. This year, we invite you to elevate the celebration with Evocus’s Hydration IV Electrolyte Drink Mix, a unique and thoughtful gift that goes beyond the ordinary.

Explore the next frontier in hydration with Evocus Hydration IV. This revolutionary electrolyte drink mix is a game-changer in the realm of staying hydrated, providing an unparalleled combination of flavor and nourishment. Thoughtfully available in four enticing varieties – Blueberry, Tangerine, Lime & Yuzu, and Cranberry – our offering extends beyond mere thirst quenching. It represents a comprehensive strategy for overall well-being, meticulously crafted to replenish and revitalize your body on a cellular level.

Price (Pack Of 6): Rs. 240

Availability: Hydration IV