Archives March 2026

Kinaxis Announces Amendment to Maximize Size of Normal Course Issuer Bid

Business Wire India

Kinaxis® Inc. (“Kinaxis” or the “Company”) (TSX: KXS) today announces that, further to its previously announced intention to maximize the size of its normal course issuer bid (the “NCIB”), it has received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) to amend (the “Amendment”) the NCIB, effective on March 11, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), to increase the maximum number of common shares (the “Shares”) that may be repurchased from 1,403,042, representing 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Shares as at October 31, 2025, to 2,799,843, representing 10% of the Company’s “public float” as at October 31, 2025, the maximum amount allowable under the rules of the TSX. No other terms of the NCIB have been amended. The Company has already invested US$54 million under its current NCIB. At the average price paid to date for the Shares under the current NCIB, repurchasing 10% of the Shares would represent an additional investment of approximately US$284 million.

 

In its February 4, 2026 news release, Kinaxis highlighted the rationale for maximizing the NCIB, with Razat Gaurav, chief executive officer, stating, “There is a fundamental misunderstanding of the opportunities and threats from generative and agentic AI to mission-critical enterprise software, like ours, that solves deeply complex problems and enables highly consequential decisions. As a result, the public markets may not be fully reflecting the underlying value of Kinaxis from time to time. We see value to shareholders in maximizing our ability to buy back Shares under the NCIB structure or other structures that may also be available to Kinaxis. Our substantial moat in industry is built on decades of deep domain knowledge, and our Maestro platform represents the most granular and holistic representation of how underlying supply chains operate. Maestro’s predictions, intelligence and prescriptive decisions are made possible by leveraging a fusion of advanced machine learning, optimization and heuristics. These capabilities are fundamental to supply chain planning and decision making and are enhanced, not replaced, by GenAI, composable agentic AI, and the latest semantic and data architectures to achieve the next generation of supply chain orchestration. We are excited about the possibilities.”

 

The NCIB, which began on November 12, 2025, and will end no later than November 11, 2026, is being conducted on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and/or alternative Canadian trading systems or by such other means as may be permitted by the applicable securities regulators. Except for block purchases permitted under the rules of the TSX, the number of Shares to be purchased per day under the NCIB will not exceed 14,137, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume of the Shares on the TSX for the six calendar months ended October 31, 2025 (being 56,549 Shares). Kinaxis previously entered into an automatic share repurchase plan under which its designated broker will repurchase Shares pursuant to the NCIB, and the automatic plan, which will be amended as of the Effective Date to account for the Amendment, will continue to apply to the amended NCIB. The actual number of Shares purchased under the NCIB, including under the automatic plan, the timing of such purchases and the price at which Shares are purchased will depend upon future market conditions and will be determined by management of the Company, subject to applicable law and the rules of the TSX. The automatic plan, which was pre-cleared by the TSX, provides for the potential repurchase of Shares at any time, including when Kinaxis ordinarily would not be active in the market due to it being in a blackout period.

 

Under the NCIB, to date, Kinaxis has repurchased for cancellation an aggregate of 447,738 Shares (at an average price of C$167.50 per Share).

 

About Kinaxis
Kinaxis is a global leader in modern supply chain orchestration, powering complex global supply chains and supporting the people who manage them. Our powerful, AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro™, combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain – from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. We are trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate today’s volatility and disruption. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information relates to future events or the anticipated performance of Kinaxis and reflects management’s expectations or beliefs regarding such future events. In certain cases, statements that contain forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements with respect to the potential future purchases by Kinaxis of Shares pursuant to the NCIB and the benefits of the NCIB. By its very nature forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance of Kinaxis to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

 

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated March 4, 2026 for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and other risks identified in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available on SEDAR+ at https://www.sedarplus.ca.

 

The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and is inherently uncertain, and the Company’s actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company’s statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

 

SOURCE: Kinaxis Inc.

 

 

 

 

kyron.bio Announces Strategic Partnership with Servier to Advance Precision Glycosylation in Antibody Therapeutics

Innovative glycobiology platform aimed at enhancing the efficacy, safety, and scalability of next-generation antibody therapeutics across multiple disease areas

Paris, Mar 09 – kyron.bio, a biotechnology company pioneering precision glycoengineering for antibody therapeutic development, today announced a strategic partnership with Servier, an international pharmaceutical group governed by a Foundation.

Under the terms of the agreement, kyron.bio will use its technology to glycoengineer an antibody selected by Servier, who will fund the associated research activities. Servier will have the option to further explore antibody engineering and development opportunities based on the outcomes. Financial details are not disclosed.

kyron.bio’s proprietary glycoengineering platform can enhance therapeutic performance of antibodies by enabling precise control of the glycan structures to improve efficacy, safety, and scalability. In this partnership kyron.bio will seek to demonstrate clear glycan control on the Servier antibody of interest for a specific pre-determined N-glycoform.

To date, engineering of glycans have been under-exploited, due to technical challenges, limiting the use of glycan engineering in drug design. kyron.bio is changing that. The company has developed a scalable, proprietary method to achieve comprehensive control over glycosylation, unlocking the possibility to use precision glycosylation in next generation drug design.

Dr. Emilia McLaughlin, founder and Chief Executive Officer of kyron.bio said,

“We are delighted that Servier has chosen to explore the potential of our glycoengineering platform. Servier has deep expertise in therapeutic development and combined with our precision glycosylation technology, this partnership provides a powerful opportunity to unlock new levels of antibody performance and deliver better outcomes for patients.

“Precision glycosylation represents a transformative approach in biologics development. By engineering defined glycan profiles, therapeutic antibodies can be optimized for improved immune engagement, pharmacokinetics, and reduced variability.”

In 2024, kyron.bio was the winner of the Servier Golden Ticket award which has provided invaluable support and mentorship through the company’s early translational phase and has developed a foundation for understanding the potential of kyron.bio’s technology.

Dr. Emmanuel Nony, Director of External Innovation Europe at Servier said,

“Meeting kyron.bio as a winner of Servier’s Golden Ticket award has enabled our scientists to develop an understanding of the kyron.bio glycan engineering technology and its exciting possibilities in antibody drug design. This collaboration is opening new frontiers for antibody derivatives as well. Together, we are exploring innovative pathways to optimize drug design and production, with a shared commitment to bringing safer and more effective therapies to patients.”

kyron.bio’s strategy is to form strategic drug design partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies working on next-generation antibody therapeutics, alongside in house therapeutic development programs.

A successful company creation from the French Entrepreneur First Scheme, in 2025 kyron.bio raised €5.5m in a seed round from an experienced syndicate of venture investors including HCVC, Verve Ventures, Entrepreneurs First and Saras Capital, as well as private angel investors and the European Innovation Council. It has established an R&D base at the biotech hub Paris Biotech Santé in the Cochin Hospital.

Whiteflower Appoints Manu Pathak as Corporate General Manager, Strengthening Leadership Across Its Expanding Hospitality Portfolio

Whiteflower Appoints Manu Pathak as Corporate General Manager, Strengthening Leadership Across Its Expanding Hospitality Portfolio

New Delhi, Mar 09th: Whiteflower, a premium experiential hospitality brand celebrated for its thoughtfully curated retreats across the Himalayas, has announced the appointment of Manu Pathak as Corporate General Manager. This leadership addition reflects the brand’s continued focus on strengthening operational excellence, enhancing guest engagement, and supporting its ambitious growth journey across emerging leisure destinations.

In his new role, Manu will lead corporate operations strategy for Whiteflower’s growing portfolio, which includes properties in Jim Corbett, Mussoorie, and Dehradun, along with upcoming destinations such as Haridwar, Nainital, and Rishikesh. His mandate will include strategic planning, performance optimization, team leadership, quality benchmarking, and ensuring brand consistency across all guest touchpoints.

Manu brings extensive hospitality experience backed by a strong record of operational leadership and property management. Before joining Whiteflower, he worked with leading hospitality brands including Ramada, Clarks Inn, and Tuxx Hospitality, where he held key leadership roles focused on operations, guest experience enhancement, and business performance. His professional journey reflects deep industry insight, strong team-building capabilities, and a consistent focus on service excellence and brand standards.

Commenting on the appointment, Sanjeev Baisoya said, “We are delighted to welcome.”We are delighted to welcome Manu to our leadership team. His strong industry experience and operational expertise will play an important role as we grow our presence and further enhance our service standards.”

Sharing his thoughts on joining the organization, Manu Pathak said, I’m honored to join Whiteflower and contribute to its growth journey. I look forward to enhancing operational performance and ensuring memorable guest experiences across all properties.”

As Whiteflower continues to grow across prominent leisure and urban destinations, Manu Pathak’s appointment highlights the company’s focus on strengthening leadership capability, nurturing guest relationships, and achieving sustainable growth. With a leadership team that combines operational depth with strategic vision, the brand is well-positioned to deliver memorable, destination-led experiences for today’s evolving traveller.

Amazon Pay Expands Vehicle Insurance Portfolio with Great Deals for 280 Million Vehicle Owners

Bangalore, Mar 09: Amazon Pay announced the expansion of its vehicle insurance portfolio, extending its low prices on cars and two wheelers through its partnerships with HDFC ERGO, ACKO and ICICI Lombard providing seamless nationwide coverage. Customers can now find the right plan for their vehicle insurance directly through Amazon Pay and secure insurance for their vehicles in a simplified manner.

More than 250 million two-wheeler owners and 30 million car owners nationwide can now purchase vehicle insurance at competitive prices with ease, in just a few minutes through the Amazon app. The service eliminates common friction points—significantly reducing the need for physical inspections of two-wheelers, digital issuance, and no sales calls while processing the policy. Customers also gain access to cashless claims processing at more than 9,000 network garages across India, subject to policy terms, extending convenient service from metros to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities including Coimbatore, Kota, Gwalior, Jamshedpur, Jhansi, Udupi, Sambalpur, Alwar and Bharatpur.

“Amazon Pay strives to innovate for every Indian, simplifying lives and fulfilling aspirations by solving for their payment and financial needs. Our latest expansion of the vehicle insurance portfolio is a direct reflection of that commitment. With more than 70% of India’s registered two-wheelers uninsured, we are focused on driving deeper insurance penetration into tier 2 and tier 3 cities where access has been limited by partnering with India’s most trusted insurers to bring a comprehensive cashless garage network, we are not just offering a service—we are providing a critical safety net for millions of road users and helping to build a more financially secure society.” said Vikas Bansal, CEO of Amazon Pay India

The insurance journey has been designed to be seamless and entirely digital with no requirement for a physical vehicle inspection for two-wheelers. Customers enter their vehicle registration number, select their preferred coverage level and complete the purchase in a few steps. The policy is processed in just a few minutes and is made instantly available on their Amazon orders page for easy access and reference. The entire process is 100% digital issuance. Additionally, customers can make seamless payments through Amazon Pay while enjoying additional cashback benefits.

Benefits of Amazon Pay Vehicle Insurance:

  1. Competitive premiums
  2. Compare and choose from multiple insurer options
  3. Digital onboarding with minimal sales interference
  4. Exclusive discounts on insurance premium for Prime members by the insurer

SRMIST Grants License for Patented Solar Cell Encapsulant Technology to Anabond Ltd., Chennai

 

Moving from Fundamental Research to Translational Research”: Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST, on ₹1-Crore Solar Technology Licensing Agreement with Anabond Limited, Chennai

SRMIST Licenses Patented Solar Cell Encapsulant Technolgy to Anabond Ltd, Chennai

 

Chennai, Mar 09: In a significant step toward strengthening India’s clean energy manufacturing ecosystem, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) has licensed a patented solar cell encapsulant technology to Chennai-based specialty materials manufacturer Anabond Limited. The agreement represents an important milestone in the commercialization of university research and highlights the growing role of academia in advancing indigenous technology development.

The licensing agreement includes an upfront payment of ₹1 crore for the patented technology, along with a seven-year royalty arrangement linked to the commercial turnover of products based on the technology. The partnership reflects a broader trend of industry–academia collaboration aimed at translating laboratory innovations into scalable industrial solutions.

India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, with solar power expected to account for the largest share. As the country rapidly expands domestic solar manufacturing under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and other policy initiatives, advanced materials such as encapsulants—which play a critical role in protecting solar modules and ensuring long-term performance—are emerging as strategic components of the renewable energy supply chain.

Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, described the partnership as a significant step toward aligning academic research with industry needs and national priorities. “Universities must move beyond knowledge dissemination to knowledge creation—and ultimately to translating that knowledge into real-world solutions.” He emphasized that while universities traditionally focus on education and placements, research achievements become truly meaningful when they lead to practical technologies that benefit society. “When industry partners come forward to adopt research developed in university laboratories, it brings immense satisfaction to researchers and demonstrates the real impact of academic innovation.” Dr. Sathyanarayanan also revealed that SRMIST is planning to establish an Industrial Research Park, which will bring industry R&D units closer to the university campus and create opportunities for students, researchers, and companies to collaborate on real-world technological challenges.

Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor of SRMIST, described the technology licensing agreement as the culmination of a long institutional journey from academic teaching toward research and innovation. Over the past two decades, SRMIST has steadily strengthened its research ecosystem, moving from a focus on scholarly publications to cutting-edge research supported by government agencies and industry partners. According to the Vice Chancellor, the university currently receives around ₹35 crore annually in research funding across domains such as energy, environment, healthcare, water technologies, and disruptive innovations. “If we can enhance the performance of solar cells by preventing environmental degradation and significantly extending their life and performance, then we are truly moving from fundamental research to translational research.” Prof. Muthamizhchelvan also highlighted the university’s growing intellectual property portfolio, noting that SRMIST currently holds more than 538 granted patents. With this expanding IP base, the institution has begun focusing on commercialization pathways that allow research outcomes to benefit society and industry.

“We wanted to move our research from publications to solutions that benefit society,” he added, emphasizing that the collaboration with Anabond Limited represents a visible example of how academic innovation can translate into industrial applications.

Dr. Shantanu Patil, Director of the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (DEI), SRMIST, explained that the university has developed structured mechanisms to support intellectual property development, startup incubation, and technology commercialization. “The Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves as a central hub that helps transform ideas developed by students, faculty, and researchers into startups, technologies, and impactful solutions.” He added that the SRM Center for Intellectual Property Rights and Protection plays a crucial role in identifying and protecting innovations emerging from the university, while the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) focuses on commercializing these innovations through industry partnerships.

The licensed technology was developed by Prof. K. Ananthanarayanan and his research team from the Department of Chemistry, SRMIST, who have been working on advanced materials for solar energy systems. Explaining the importance of encapsulation technology, Prof. Ananthanarayanan noted that while solar cells are becoming increasingly efficient, they remain highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as ultraviolet radiation, moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations. “Encapsulants protect solar modules from ultraviolet radiation, moisture, dust, and environmental stress. When panels are expected to operate for 25 to 30 years, the reliability of this protective material becomes critical.” To illustrate the concept, he compared encapsulation to the tempered glass used to protect smartphone displays. “Just as a protective glass layer prevents damage to a phone screen, encapsulation materials protect solar cells and ensure that they continue to function reliably throughout their lifetime.”

The research team spent four to five years developing a patented polymer encapsulant specifically designed for next-generation solar technologies such as TOPCon and perovskite–silicon hybrid solar cells, which place greater performance demands on encapsulation materials than conventional systems.

“Solar energy will power the world in the future, and we are proud, in our own small way, to contribute to making that future more reliable and durable,” Prof. Ananthanarayanan said.

For Anabond Limited, the collaboration represents an important step in expanding its portfolio into renewable energy materials. Founded in 1979 by a scientist with experience in India’s nuclear research establishments, the company has grown into a major manufacturer of specialty adhesives, sealants, and advanced materials.

Mr. M. Rajan, Managing Director of Anabond Limited, said the company has built its growth on a strong foundation of research and development combined with the ability to scale laboratory innovations into commercial products. “This technology has strong potential for the future, and we are proud to partner with SRMIST in taking this innovation toward commercialization.” He explained that Anabond has extensive experience in technology transfer and industrial scaling, having worked with strategic organizations including ISRO and defense research establishments, where its products have supported demanding aerospace and missile applications. “Scaling laboratory innovations into reliable industrial products is a complex challenge, and we are confident this collaboration will successfully bring the technology to market.”

The company currently operates multiple manufacturing facilities across India and maintains a wide distribution network that supports industrial clients across sectors including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and defense.

Highlighting the broader importance of partnerships between universities and industry, Mr. Abraham, Joint Managing Director of Anabond Limited, said such collaborations are essential for converting research breakthroughs into technologies that create economic and societal value.

“Universities are hubs of innovation and new technologies. Partnering with industry enables these innovations to move from laboratory research to production scale, ultimately benefiting society and contributing to economic growth.” He also acknowledged the role of government initiatives in enabling collaboration between academic institutions and industry, particularly programs that allow companies to access advanced research infrastructure available within universities. “The partnership between SRM Institute of Science and Technology and Anabond Limited will certainly contribute to technological advancement and economic growth, while supporting the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.

Institutional leaders at SRMIST emphasized that the licensing agreement was made possible through the university’s growing innovation ecosystem. Together, these institutional platforms help bridge the gap between academic discovery and real-world application.

According to SRMIST’s Technology Transfer Office, the university has already facilitated more than 17 technology transfer agreements with industry partners. However, the solar encapsulant licensing stands out as one of the first to include a structured royalty model linked to commercial success.

The university also organizes the Industrial Research and Innovation Summit (IRIS), an annual platform that brings together industry leaders, investors, researchers, and startups to explore commercialization opportunities for emerging technologies. With this licensing milestone, SRMIST reinforces its broader vision of positioning academia not only as a generator of knowledge, but also as a key contributor to India’s industrial capability and sustainable technological future.

 
 

Smartsheet Investing in Global Capabilities Center in India to Accelerate Innovation

Business Wire India

Smartsheet, the Intelligent Work Management platform that unites people, data and AI, today announced it is expanding its Global Capabilities Center (GCC) in Bengaluru. The hub is a primary innovation engine for the company, currently employing teams across product management, engineering, UX, IT, security and customer support to design and build enterprise-grade, agentic work management tools that transform global customers’ enterprise AI operations. The company envisions the center as a strategic hub for all business functions.

Smartsheet formally opened its GCC in India in 2025 and has plans to increase its headcount at the location by more than 200 employees in 2026. The rapid expansion provides Smartsheet access to a vast, future-ready talent pool and a technology ecosystem with the maturity necessary to shape product direction and operational excellence. Bengaluru was selected for its thriving tech ecosystem and status as a global innovation hub, which offers a unique concentration of leadership depth and cross-industry expertise in AI, engineering and cybersecurity. A partial list of Smartsheet Inc. customers in India includes Infosys, Vedanta, Maruti Suzuki and Swiggy.

 
Stated Rajeev Singh, chief executive officer of Smartsheet, “The establishment of the Smartsheet India GCC demonstrates our commitment to the India market, and the local talent will accelerate our ability to execute our strategy at scale. We are intentionally building this hub as a multi-functional powerhouse anchored in AI-first operating principles, where talented teams own critical, end-to-end capabilities that meaningfully shape our company and our customers’ experience and success worldwide.”

After quickly establishing the GCC, the company is now entering an aggressive multi-year growth phase. Smartsheet is committed to significantly scaling its presence in Bengaluru:

  • Headcount Expansion: Over the next year, the company will hire more than 200 local employees.
  • Diverse Technical Roles: Hiring efforts are focused on deep technical talent, including data scientists, DevSecOps engineers, product managers and UX designers.
  • Functional Diversification: While rooted in engineering, the center will also include customer support, marketing, sales, talent acquisition and G&A functions.
  • High-Engagement Environment: The company is committed to cultivating a vibrant destination culture where top talent in India can enjoy a multi-year career path and a world-class employee experience, including a custom-outfitted office space designed for colocation and collaboration.

“Exceeding our first-year targets is a testament to the elite talent available in Bengaluru and the compelling vision Smartsheet has for this Global Capabilities Center,” said Madhusudan Krishnapuram, vice president, engineering and site lead. “The team has already built a robust software development engine that is fueling core components of our global product roadmap and delivering significant outcomes in engineering and technical excellence for customers.”

To learn more about the Smartsheet India GCC and available job opportunities, click here.

Sayaji Hotels Expands Strategic Presence with Business-Centric Effotel by Sayaji in Sangli

Sayaji Hotels Expands Strategic Presence with Business-Centric Effotel by Sayaji in Sangli

Sangli, Maharashtra, Mar 09:  In a significant development for Western Maharashtra’s hospitality landscape, Sayaji Hotels announced the launch of Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli, the group’s newest property under its Effotel brand. Strategically located within Shiv R City Mall on Sangli-Miraj Road, the property marks a timely entry into Sangli, a city long known for its robust commercial and agricultural activity yet notably underserved in quality branded accommodation.​

This addition makes Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli, the third Effotel property in Maharashtra, joining its sister properties in Sarola, Pune district, and Navi Mumbai, reinforcing the group’s deepening commitment to the state and its vision of bringing mid-upscale hospitality to Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets.​

Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli offers 59 thoughtfully appointed guest rooms across five categories: 15 Grande Rooms (284 sq. ft.), 34 Premium Grande Rooms (309 sq. ft.), 6 Executive Grande Rooms (373 sq. ft.), 2 Grande Suites (506 sq. ft.), and 2 Premium Suites (766 sq. ft.), catering to business travellers, leisure guests, and discerning long-stay visitors alike.

Dining at the property is set to be a key highlight, with two distinct food and beverage outlets: The Cube, an all-day dining restaurant with a capacity of 120 covers, and Good Old Days, a bar seating 30 guests, catering to both hotel residents and local patrons seeking quality dining experiences in the city.​

The hotel features two versatile banquet spaces, Jardin 1 and Jardin 2. Jardin 1 spans 4,295 sq. ft. and can accommodate up to 350 guests in theatre-style seating, while Jardin 2 covers 2,355 sq. ft. with a capacity of 150 guests in a theatre format. Together, they position Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli as a well-equipped MICE and social event destination in the city, a significant advantage in a market that has historically lacked premium banqueting facilities.​

Widely regarded as the Turmeric Capital of India, Sangli is a thriving agrarian and commercial hub also known for its grape cultivation. Conveniently located just 7 km from Sangli Railway Station and 50 km from Kolhapur Airport, the property ensures easy access for both domestic travellers and regional visitors.​

The property’s location is particularly strategic given Sangli’s proximity to Kolhapur, a major cultural and commercial centre housing the revered Mahalakshmi Temple and a rapidly growing business district, as well as access to notable regional attractions including Chandoli National Park in the Western Ghats, Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sangli Fort, and the serene Dandoba Hills Forest Reserve.

Mr. Rajendra Joshi, Associate General Manager at Sayaji Hotels, said, “Sangli has always been an economically active and culturally significant city, yet it has not had the branded hospitality infrastructure its stature deserves. Effotel by Sayaji, Sangli changes that narrative. This is not just another hotel opening; it is a commitment to elevating the travel and events experience for an entire region. With our Effotel brand, we bring the promise of quality, warmth, and value to markets ready to embrace it. The Kolhapur-Sangli belt represents tremendous potential for business and leisure travel, and we are proud to be the first from our portfolio to plant our flag here.”​

Mr. Avinash Gangwani, Director, LKG Lifestyle LLP, shared, “When we envisioned this project, we saw a clear gap. Sangli is a city that punches well above its weight economically, but visitors and business delegations have had very few quality accommodation options. Being part of the Effotel by Sayaji family brings not just a trusted brand name but a proven model of hospitality excellence. Now that we have handed over our property to Sayaji Group, we place complete trust in their exceptional services and operational expertise. We are confident this property will redefine Sangli’s position on Maharashtra’s hospitality map and will serve as a catalyst for the city’s growing tourism and corporate event ecosystem, especially given our proximity to the pilgrimage and tourism circuit around Kolhapur.”​

For families, pilgrims, corporate delegates, MICE groups, agri-trade professionals visiting Sangli’s markets, and tourists using Sangli as a base to explore the Kolhapur-Sangli belt, this property is set to become a natural first choice.​

Ubitium tapes out universal processor to end embedded computing complexity crisis

Ubitium Tapes Out First Silicon of its Universal Microprocessor Architecture on Samsung 8nm

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY, Mar 09: Ubitium, a German semiconductor start-up, today announced the tape-out of its first silicon on Samsung Foundry’s 8nm process. The tape-out was completed in December 2025. The chip is the first universal RISC-V processor to replace the stack of specialized processors used in modern embedded systems.

Embedded computing, a $115 billion market, has reached a breaking point. Cars once ran on one processor; today’s vehicles contain more than 200, each with its own toolchain, software stack and supplier. Performance is no longer the only limiting factor. Complexity is. As AI workloads move into robots, drones, and industrial machines, this complexity becomes unsustainable.

Ubitium builds on RISC-V, the open-source architecture already used in billions of chips worldwide and extends it beyond a conventional CPU. Its universal processor runs Linux and RTOS simultaneously, handles radar and audio signals in real time, and executes neural networks for inference at the edge, without separate accelerators or coprocessors. Full RISC-V software compatibility preserved. 

“This tape-out turns a long-held thesis into silicon,” said Martin Vorbach, CTO of Ubitium. “Embedded workloads have outgrown the architectures the industry relies on today. Consolidation isn’t optional anymore. It’s inevitable.”

Ubitium does for embedded compute what software-defined radio did for wireless: replaces fixed-function hardware with one reconfigurable silicon. The result: embedded systems that ship faster, cost less, and have long product lifecycles.

Ubitium is working with Samsung Foundry, Siemens Digital Industries Software and ADTechnology as it advances toward production silicon.

“The shift toward software-defined, reconfigurable compute is accelerating. Ubitium’s approach, one universal processor replacing multiple specialized chips, aligns with where we see embedded systems heading. We’re proud to manufacture their first silicon.” Said Taejoong Song, vice president and head of Foundry Technology Planning Team, at Samsung Electronics.

“Shift-left verification helps teams validate system behavior earlier by running more realistic workloads ahead of first silicon,” said Jean-Marie Brunet, Sr. Vice President, Hardware Assisted Verification, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “Ubitium’s use of Siemens’ EDA tools, specifically the Veloce CS hardware-assisted verification and validation system, highlights how early validation can de-risk integration, support design closure, and accelerate time to first silicon.”

“Advanced-node silicon delivery depends on disciplined back-end execution across timing, power, and signoff,” said Jun-Kyu Park, CEO of ADTechnology. “We are pleased to have supported Ubitium throughout the implementation process as it progressed to tape-out on Samsung Foundry’s 8nm process.”

Ubitium’s founders have spent decades building programmable architectures and the software stacks that unlock them at scale. CTO Martin Vorbach created PACT XPP, an early commercial reconfigurable processor, and holds 200+ processor-architecture patents. The core team combines deep industry experience from Intel, Texas Instruments, Apple and NVIDIA, with 350+ peer-reviewed publications.

The tape-out validates the foundational components of Ubitium’s architecture: the Universal Processing Array with runtime reconfiguration and LPDDR5 memory interface. A second tape-out is targeted for later this year, with volume production in 2027.

Technical Notes

  • Workload coverage: Ubitium’s universal processor spans general-purpose computing, real-time signal processing, and massively parallel AI inference on a single die; in a homogeneous architecture

Software stack: Full Linux and RTOS support, standard RISC-V toolchains, and compatibility with modern software frameworks. No need for proprietary languages or vendor-specific compilers.Target applications: Radar and multi-sensor signal chains, real-time audio and voice, computer vision, edge AI, automotive cockpits, industrial HMI.Runtime adaptability: The Universal Processing Array shifts execution mode at runtime (CPU, DSP, GPU, parallel accelerator) without context-switch penalty or external offload.System consolidation: One processor, one toolchain, one qualification cycle. Reduces BOM cost, board complexity, and supplier dependencies across product lifecycles.

 

Staatsolie to Chart Suriname’s Offshore Future at Caribbean Energy Week 2026

The national oil company will showcase its role in shaping offshore investment opportunities, recent exploration milestones and initiatives to prepare Suriname’s private sector for the country’s emerging oil and gas boom

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Mar 09: Suriname’s national oil company Staatsolie is set to highlight the country’s expanding offshore opportunities at the inaugural Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026, taking place March 30 to April 1 in Paramaribo. Offshore Exploration Manager Sharista Kalapnat-Kisoensingh is expected to speak on Staatsolie’s strategic offshore initiatives, alongside sessions on the company’s Enterprise Development Center (EDC), which aims to strengthen the local private sector and prepare Surinamese businesses for participation in the country’s growing oil and gas industry.

Staatsoilie has been at the center of Suriname’s offshore oil boom. The company’s declaration of the Sloanea field as commercial in November 2025 marked a major milestone, highlighting the basin’s growing hydrocarbon potential. Staatsolie’s seismic survey program with TGS and BGP Offshore, launched late last year, is generating critical geological insights across multiple offshore blocks, while new production sharing agreements for Blocks 9 and 10 are attracting further international investment. Together, these initiatives position Staatsolie not just as a producer, but as a strategic enabler – coordinating development, structuring investment opportunities, and shaping Suriname’s broader offshore growth agenda.

Further supporting the sector’s growth, Staatsolie launched an Open-Door Offering in late 2025, making roughly 60% of Suriname’s offshore acreage available under flexible exploration agreements. Alongside its 20% stake in the $10.5 billion GranMorgu development on Block 58 – which is set to generate over $1 billion in local content expenditure – Staatsolie is driving Suriname’s evolution from a modest onshore producer into a globally relevant offshore player with significant investment, production and local economic potential.

At CEW 2026, Staatsolie’s sessions will also highlight the EDC, a flagship initiative to prepare Suriname’s private sector for offshore participation. As GranMorgu and other developments advance toward production, the EDC will ensure that local companies are equipped to capture opportunities arising from exploration, construction, and supply chain activities.

Staatsolie’s upstream operations already account for roughly 9.5% of Suriname’s GDP and 32% of government revenues, figures expected to rise as offshore production ramps up. Kisoensingh’s participation is expected to outline how the company is managing Suriname’s offshore growth, supporting private sector engagement and positioning the country as an emerging hub in regional energy markets.

Rivet by WeWork India Debuts as End-to-End Design & Build Platform for Enterprises & End-Users

Arnav S Gusain elevated as Chief Executive Officer, Rivet, to drive the next phase of growth

Rivet by WeWork India Debuts as End-to-End Design & Build Platform for Enterprises & End-Users

 

Mumbai, Mar 09: WeWork India Management Limited (“WeWork India”), one of India’s leading premium flexible workspace operators, today announced the launch of Rivet by WeWork India – a design & build platform delivering integrated, experience-led, customised workspaces tailored to the unique needs of enterprises and end users – backed by a proven large-scale operating footprint and expertise. The launch comes at a defining moment for India’s commercial office market. As enterprise expansion accelerates, GCCs scale rapidly, and workplace strategies grow more complex, the demand for execution certainty is rising — a need the fragmented, multi-vendor design and build (D&B) ecosystem has struggled to meet. Built on WeWork India’s extensive experience designing, delivering, and operating commercial workspaces across industries and businesses of all sizes, from global enterprises to high-growth startups, Rivet introduces a fundamentally distinct model to the market: a single contract, unified accountability, and end-to-end delivery from concept to commissioning. Alongside the launch, WeWork India has elevated Arnav S Gusain as Chief Executive Officer, Rivet, in addition to his ongoing role as Chief Supply Officer at WeWork India, underscoring the strategic significance of this new vertical and ensuring leadership continuity.

India’s office market is witnessing unprecedented momentum, with gross leasing activity reaching 83.3 million sq. ft. in 2025 alone, according to JLL. This surge underscores growing demand for high-quality, future-ready environments that place human experience at the centre, enabling collaboration, productivity, and ESG-led performance. Today, WeWork India has evolved from a flexible workspace operator into a full workspace-as-a-service platform, supporting members at every stage of growth — from a day pass for an entrepreneur to fully customised managed offices for large enterprises and GCCs. Despite the scale of opportunity, the D&B ecosystem in India remains deeply fragmented. Enterprises today are required to manage multiple vendors across design, engineering, and construction, with limited cost visibility, dispersed accountability, and significant execution cost risk. The result is workspaces that are delivered late, over budget, and underperforming against the brief.

Rivet represents the next step in that evolution, addressing the gaps through an integrated, governance-led delivery model that combines unified ownership with full lifecycle visibility. The platform is powered by BIM-led planning, real-time site monitoring, and structured financial governance, offering enterprise clients the transparency and delivery performance that the traditional D&B model has struggled to provide. The launch of Rivet reflects WeWork India’s broader vision to build a comprehensive workspace-as-a-service ecosystem, and over time, extend into infrastructure-as-a-service – removing friction points for enterprises as they scale.

Commenting on the launch, Karan Virwani, Managing Director & CEO, WeWork India, said, “India’s workplace landscape is evolving rapidly. Over the past eight years, we have built deep insight into how enterprises operate and how workspace shapes performance, while designing, evaluating, and operating over 8.2 million square feet across markets. Working with businesses of varying scale and sizes, and a broad partner ecosystem has given us real-time understanding of what truly drives workplace success. Rivet brings that experience together into an integrated platform by combining behavioural insight, operational depth, and execution capability. It is built to deliver premium commercial workspaces that perform at scale, with the precision and confidence that enterprises demand.

As we launch this new vertical, Arnav takes on the role of CEO of Rivet, bringing deep domain expertise and a proven track record. With over three decades of experience, he brings a holistic understanding of the real estate and workspace ecosystem. In his capacity as Chief of Supply at WeWork India, he has been instrumental in expanding our portfolio and strengthening delivery capabilities. Furthermore, backed by an experienced team that has delivered large-scale projects across markets, we are committed to building Rivet into the benchmark for end-to-end workspace delivery in India.”

Rivet’s delivery model is powered by technology and built for long-term performance. Its tech-enabled systems bring structure, precision, and real-time visibility to every stage of the design-and-build process – improving cost control, timeline predictability, and execution clarity while reducing inefficiencies. Sustainability is embedded from the outset, with durable materials, efficient layouts, and design choices that enhance longevity and minimise waste, alongside eco-conscious options tailored to client goals. Rivet’s accountability extends well beyond handover, supporting the workspace as an evolving ecosystem through integrated infrastructure, workplace technology, and a curated network of trusted partners. Backed by scale and long-standing vendor relationships, the platform delivers smarter value, consistent quality, and execution certainty without compromising speed or design integrity. Some of the successfully completed projects include workspace for a global leader in agricultural equipment and smart farming solutions, One World Centre, and Embassy One (EMBARK/Embassy Group HQ), spanning over 1 lakh sq. ft. and representing a cumulative project value of nearly ₹ 50 crore. “Rivet is a natural extension of our core business. It allows us to continue serving members who have grown with us and may now seek their own independent spaces, while also engaging new enterprise clients who can benefit from our integrated design and build expertise. It strengthens our ability to serve their broader workspace needs across markets. Together, flexible workspaces, managed offices, and D&B create a connected ecosystem that removes friction and enables seamless scale – advancing our vision to evolve into a comprehensive infrastructure-as-a-service platform for enterprises in India,” added Karan Virwani.

Arnav SGusain, CEO, Rivet by WeWork India and Chief Supply Officer, WeWork India, added, “Enterprises today are making increasingly strategic workplace investments, yet the delivery ecosystem has not evolved at the same pace. Rivet is connected to our larger vision of building infrastructure as a platform and service, where D&B is not isolated from real estate intelligence, but informed by it. Having assessed over millions sq. ft. of real estate across markets, we bring a deep understanding of site potential, constraints, cost variables, and delivery risks, allowing us to integrate those insights into design, cost optimisation, and execution planning from day one.

What differentiates us is our operational DNA. We don’t just design spaces, we understand how they perform at scale and over time. That perspective enables future-ready design thinking – from smarter space planning and adaptability to embedding human-centric elements that enhance collaboration, productivity, and well-being. We also recognise that every organisation carries a distinct design language and cultural identity. Rivet’s role is to translate that into a workspace that is not only aligned to brand and behaviour, but engineered for long-term performance. In my role as CEO, my focus is to build Rivet into a delivery platform enterprises can rely on with complete confidence – not just to create a space, but to deliver infrastructure that performs consistently, sustainably, and in step with how people actually work.”

Rivet further differentiates itself through the operational intelligence embedded within its platform. Drawing on WeWork India’s experience designing and executing large-scale commercial workspaces, Rivet integrates real-world performance insights into every design and infrastructure decision. Transparency is embedded within its operating architecture, with technology-enabled systems providing continuous visibility into timelines, cost structures, and project milestones, ensuring informed decision-making throughout the lifecycle.

With the launch of Rivet WeWork India further strengthens its position across the full workspace lifecycle, from operating flexible workspaces to enabling how modern offices are designed and delivered. As enterprises place greater strategic importance on workplace performance and execution certainty, Rivet positions WeWork India to play a more strategic, end-to-end role in shaping India’s next phase of commercial office development. WeWork India is currently operational across 8 cities, with over 1.21 lakh desks, with robust relationships across key stakeholders such as landlords, IPCs, and members. With solutions for all kinds of businesses – solopreneurs to startups to Fortune 500 companies – WeWork India offers the perfect workspace solutions that deliver a premium experience.