All posts by Neel Achary

Bengaluru India June 19, 2023 – Recent market analysis reveals a substantial decline in start-up valuations across the globe. This downward trend has raised concerns among investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The decreasing valuations indicate a shift in the start-up ecosystem and highlight the need for careful assessment and adaptation in this evolving landscape opines Venu Kondur CEO Lobb Logistics.

Factors contributing to the drop in start-up valuations are multi-faceted and influenced by a combination of market dynamics, investor sentiment, and regulatory changes. Some key factors include:

Market Correction: After a prolonged period of rapid growth and high valuations, the market is undergoing a natural correction. Investor expectations have shifted towards more realistic and sustainable valuations, leading to a recalibration in start-up pricing.

Increased Scrutiny: Investors are becoming more discerning and cautious in their investments, conducting thorough due diligence and demanding stronger business fundamentals. Start-ups with unproven business models or unsustainable growth trajectories are experiencing downward pressure on their valuations.

Regulatory Environment: Regulatory changes, particularly in areas such as data privacy, digital currencies, and technology governance, have introduced uncertainties and increased compliance costs. These factors can negatively impact start-up valuations, as investors factor in potential risks and legal challenges.

Evolving Investor Landscape: The investment landscape for start-ups is evolving, with a shift in focus towards sectors such as health-tech, climate tech, and sustainable solutions. Start-ups operating in other sectors may face greater challenges in attracting funding and achieving favourable valuations.

While the decline in start-up valuations presents challenges, it also brings opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. This changing landscape encourages a renewed focus on business fundamentals, sustainable growth strategies, and demonstrating clear value propositions to investors.

Industry experts emphasize the importance of adopting a long-term perspective and adjusting strategies accordingly. Start-ups should prioritize building robust business models, cultivating strong customer relationships, and differentiating themselves in the market to withstand market fluctuations and attract investment.

Investors, on the other hand, are advised to conduct thorough due diligence, carefully assessing a start-up’s market potential, team expertise, competitive advantages, and scalability before making investment decisions. Collaborative partnerships and strategic investments in promising start-ups can yield significant returns in the long run.

“While the decline in start-up valuations may present challenges, it also brings an opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to recalibrate their strategies and build sustainable businesses,” said Venu Kondur, CEO Lobb Logistics. “By focusing on solid fundamentals and addressing market needs, start-ups can position themselves for long-term success despite the changing investment landscape.”

The declining start-up valuations are indicative of a maturing market that requires adaptability, resilience, and strategic planning. Entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers are urged to monitor market trends closely and collaborate to foster an ecosystem that encourages innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.

Mumbai: Mrs. Juhi Vyas, a sensational and determined individual hailing from the picturesque town of Durg in Chhattisgarh, has captured the attention and admiration of the entire nation with her recent achievement as the runner-up in the prestigious Mrs. India Inc 2022 pageant. Displaying unwavering dedication and a remarkable ability to overcome obstacles, Mrs. Vyas has become an inspiration to many.

The Mrs. India Inc 2022 pageant, renowned for celebrating the strength, beauty, and talent of married women, witnessed Mrs. Juhi Vyas mesmerizing the audience and judges alike with her grace, confidence, and undeniable charisma. Standing out from the crowd with her exceptional performance, Mrs. Vyas’s achievements are a testament to her commitment and unwavering spirit.

Mohini Sharma, the National Director of Mrs. India Inc, praised Mrs. Vyas’s accomplishments, stating, “Mrs. Juhi Vyas has showcased exceptional talent and poise throughout her journey in the Mrs. India Inc 2022 pageant. Her determination and unwavering spirit have been truly commendable. We are immensely proud of her achievements and believe that she has the potential to leave an indelible mark on the international stage at Mrs. Globe 2023. We wish her the very best in her pursuit of yet another significant milestone.”

Buoyed by her success, Mrs. Juhi Vyas is now setting her sights on an even grander stage as she prepares to compete in the esteemed Mrs. Globe 2023 international pageant. Mrs. Globe is a globally recognized beauty pageant that celebrates the beauty, intelligence, and philanthropic endeavors of married women from around the world.

With her sights firmly set on the Mrs. Globe 2023 crown, Mrs. Juhi Vyas is leaving no stone unturned in her preparation. Known for her unparalleled work ethic and determination, Mrs. Vyas has been relentlessly working on refining her skills, enhancing her confidence, and showcasing her immense talent to shine on the international stage.

Mrs. Juhi Vyas said, “I am honoured to have been chosen as the runner-up of Mrs. India Inc. 2022. This incredible recognition has given me the confidence to strive for even greater heights. The opportunity to represent my country and community on an international platform like Mrs. Globe is a dream come true. I am excited to showcase the rich culture and values of India while competing against talented women from around the world.”
Mrs. Vyas’s journey is an inspiration to all, proving that with unwavering determination, dedication, and the ability to overcome any obstacle, one can achieve extraordinary success. She serves as a role model for aspiring women, encouraging them to break barriers and pursue their dreams fearlessly.

As Mrs. Juhi Vyas gears up for the Mrs. Globe 2023 pageant, the town of Durg, Chhattisgarh, and the entire nation stands firmly behind her, extending their support and best wishes for her upcoming endeavor. The journey of Mrs. Juhi Vyas continues to captivate hearts, and she is poised to achieve yet another significant milestone in her illustrious career.

Automation capabilities allow finance teams to better stabilize receivables and reduce operating costs across the organization, according to a recent study. “Teams recoup an average of 227 hours per month along with better employee retention rates,” said Yan Lazarev, Co-Founder & CEO of Gaviti.

Tel Aviv, Israel, June 14, 2023 — The latest research conducted by Gaviti, a leading accounts receivable collections platform, revealed B2B companies who collect payments using online payment gateways reduce late payments by an additional 33% compared with companies that use A/R automation alone for their dunning process. Researchers reviewed over 14 million invoices sent through automation or preset workflows between 2019 and 2023, highlighting the contrast between those who used a gateway and their peers who saw an increase in delinquent payments.

While there has been a rise in the adoption of accounting and receivables automation over the last number of years, the majority of companies still rely on traditional manual practices. Gaviti’s research showed that by adopting A/R collections automation, companies see DSO improvement of up to 34% in the first six months alone. What’s more, the study shows that companies who go one step further to implement payment gateways into their collections strategy, experienced an additional cash flow improvement of 35% for a total of over 50% improvement.

“The 33% faster time to receivables is only the upfront benefit,” said Yan Lazarev, Co-Founder & CEO of Gaviti. “Teams who utilize multiple tools across our platform are seeing collections teams recoup an average of 227 hours per month along with better employee retention rates.” The study focuses solely on the benefits of payment gateways, not taking into account the boost in cash flow teams experienced when moving from manual processes to full automation.

“In addition to a more reliable cash flow, the study showed a drop of late payments by 9% year over year and average days late (ADD) decrease by 34%,” said Michelle Cohen, Lead Data Analyst at Gaviti. “In addition, we were pleasantly surprised to find a 3% increase in early payments YoY.” With near-quarterly interest rate hikes, companies are putting more effort into avoiding financing ventures and keeping cash on hand. The ability to reduce both resources necessary to process invoices and the ability to collect on them in a third of the time can give companies the boost they need to move faster towards new initiatives at a lower cost.

Bringing dedicated automation technology for the A/R collections teams will empower the teams beyond collecting receivables faster. For the first time ever, finance teams have data at their fingertips to manage credit in a smart way using customers’ payment histories. In addition, managers can gain an overview of department and employee processes, identifying opportunities for further optimization.

Entrepreneur and certified life coach Tracee Lynn to speak at St. Louis nonprofit’s event.

(St. Louis, Mo., June 13, 2023) – Association of Women in the Metal Industries (AWMI) will hold a Lunch & Learn on Thurs., June 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Conflux Co-Learning’s headquarters located at 8221 Minnesota Ave. Entrepreneur and certified life coach Tracee Lynn will discuss how to overpower obstacles through persistence and resilience while writing your own success story.

Tracee Lynn

Tracee Lynn will highlight how to effectively deal with setbacks, as well as find the fastest solutions to personal challenges. She will examine how to believe in yourself and your dreams even during tough times plus how to use your own failures to your advantage.

Tracee Lynn is a licensed Zumba instructor and owner of MLCA Lux Aura, a luxury collection that focuses on the personal affirmational journey. She launched Aligned Faith Coaching with her husband in 2022.

The Association of Women in the Metal Industries (AWMI) is a nonprofit business league with four cornerstones that include network, grow, educate, and mentor. For more information, visit www.awmi.org.

Conflux Co-Learning is the nation’s first co-learning space that exclusively serves manufacturers and distributors. The membership-based nonprofit organization creates content, connections, and space so manufacturing and distribution leaders can navigate and grow in a rapidly changing industry. For more information, call (314) 754-8712 or visit www.confluxcolearning.com.

General admission is $50, AWMI corporate sponsor employee admission is $45, and AWMI individual member admission is $40. Lunch will be served prior to the presentation. To register, visit

https://checkout.eventcreate.com/traceelynn-lunch-n-learn/select-buy

World Chess, a leading chess organization, seeks to captivate chess enthusiasts with its upcoming Europe and Africa week of the Armageddon Championship Series. Kickstarting on June 12th, the high-stakes event will follow the same dramatic format and immense time pressure constraints as the previous Armageddon events.

This enthralling tournament will witness the participation of eight exceptional players from the Europe and Africa region, including Michael Adams (England), MaximeVachier-Lagrave (France), Richard Rapport (Romania), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland), Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands), Vincent Keymer (Germany), as well as Matthias Bluebaum and Alexander Donchenko, both of whom qualified successfully through online qualifiers on the FIDE Online Arena. This star-studded lineup will battle it out in a double-elimination format, with daily matches consisting of two blitz games with the potential for an additional Armageddon game if a victory does not emerge.

The winner and runner-up will join an exciting roster of finalists in the Grand Finale to be held at World Chess’ newly opened Chess Club in Berlin, where they will compete against Wesley So, Sam Shankland, Gukesh D, NodirbekAbdusattorov, BibisaraAssaubayeva, and Humpy Koneru for the total prize of €200,000.

The tournament will follow a dramatic format with daily matches consisting of two blitz games (three minutes plus a two-second move increment) and, if necessary, an Armageddon game (five minutes for White, four for Black). Novelties such as live displays of the players’ heart rates and calories burned data points make the Series a riveting spectacle for viewers.

The Armageddon series is being broadcast on 17 television channels worldwide, as well as World Chess’ official YouTube channel, with expert commentary and analysis provided by Grandmaster Simon Williams and International Master JovankaHouska every day at 19:00 CEST.

For the first few days, the players were divided into pairs as follows:

Day 1, June 12
Michael Adams (England) — Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland)
Vincent Keymer (Germany) — Alexander Donchenko

Day 2, June 13
Richard Rapport (Romania) — Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands)
Matthias Bluebaum (Germany) — MaximeVachier-Lagrave (France)
Ilya Merenzon, Chief Executive Officer of World Chess: “It has been fantastic to watch the global accumulation of chess players come together to compete in the Armageddon series. As we now head towards the Grand Finale it has been a real joy to watch the fast-paced matches between chess players of different experiences, playing styles and nationalities.

“The series has created an atmosphere of suspense and excitement and highlighted the benefits of embracing innovative formats such as Armageddon, enabling top-level chess to entice a broader audience and ignite greater passion amongst fans.
“We offer our best wishes to all the players and are excited to get Europe and Africa Week of the Armageddon Championship underway.”

Andrey Insarov, Chief Executive Officer at Intis Telecom (it.com Domains): “We are thrilled to witness the convergence of intelligence and skill in the Armageddon Series. At it.com we are excited to support this great sport within our meaningful partnership with World Chess. We eagerly await the exciting and intense battles and extend our best wishes to all the players participating in Europe & Africa Week. Good luck!”

Leading partners supporting the Armageddon Championship Series:

The it.com Domains as the Official Partner;
FIDE Online Arena as the Official Gaming Platform;
Kaspersky as the Official Cybersecurity Partner.

For further questions, please contact media@worldchess.com.
Official website: https://chessarena.com/armageddon

Licensed professional counselor Justine Froelker to speak at St. Louis nonprofit’s event.

(St. Louis, Mo., June 9, 2023) – Conflux Co-Learning, the nation’s first co-learning space that exclusively serves manufacturers and distributors, will hold its fall workshop on Wed., Sept. 6 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Conflux’s headquarters located at 8221 Minnesota Ave. Keynote speaker Justine Froelker will focus on teaching the tools and techniques needed to lead with courage while highlighting the impact it creates on one’s personal and professional life. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Justine Froelker is a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience in traditional mental health and personal and professional development. She provides training nationally on topics including leadership, mental health, preventing and coping with burnout, resilience, and courageous communication. Froelker, a St. Louisan who is the best-selling author of 11 books, has been certified in the work of Dr. Brené Brown for the past nine years.

“Justine brings a wide range of practical ways to inspire courage and leadership into your daily life,” said Conflux Co-Learning’s Chairman of the Board Brandon Dempsey. “We look forward to having Justine educate both our clients and the general public so they can create lasting changes at home and at work.”

Conflux Co-Learning is a membership-based nonprofit organization that creates content, connections, and space so manufacturing and distribution leaders can navigate and grow in a rapidly changing industry. For more information, call (314) 754-8712 or visit www.confluxcolearning.com.

Reservations for the workshop are required for the free workshop. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conflux-workshop-with-justine-froelker-tickets-651015283237.

Demica, one of the world’s largest providers of supply chain finance SaaS solutions, has partnered with Lenovo’s channel solution and service team to co-develop and enhance the distributor finance platform, allowing Lenovo to provide extended services to its distributors.

Lenovo’s channel solution and service team has a longstanding and successful track record of extending credit to its strategic channel partners with flexibility to extend terms as required to fund working capital and drive sales. Moving forward, the Demica platform will allow Lenovo to retire its existing technology platform and extend its range of services to its distributors.

Demica and Lenovo’s channel solution and service team have worked together since 2019 after Lenovo brought the activity in-house and launched a trade receivables securitisation, one of the largest launches that has ever signed. Lenovo appointed Demica to report on the transaction covering 31 markets globally and in 14 currencies.

Maurice Benisty, Demica’s COO comments: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Lenovo’s channel solution and service team and add this important supply chain finance product to the Demica platform. The product has tremendous application across the banking and captive finance market and we are excited to drive its commercialisation with the Lenovo channel solution and service team.”

Christoph Heitjans, Executive Director and GM of Lenovo’s Channel Solution and Service Team comments: “The decision to appoint Demica as a platform provider to Lenovo’s channel solution and service team reaffirms the importance of distributor finance as a tool to drive growth and optimise terms for Lenovo and its channel partners. The Demica platform represents the future of supply chain finance for banks and fintech as the market transitions from legacy technology to flexible, modern cloud-based solutions.”

Trish Von Ruden brings more than 20 years of insurance industry expertise to the growing alliance.

Trish Von Ruden

(St. Louis, Mo., June 9, 2023) Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois, recently hired Trish Von Ruden as Personal Foundation Coach. Her responsibilities include assisting new alliance members with setup and implementation of VIAA’s core technology. Von Ruden will also coach new and existing team members on best practices for all property and casualty insurance issues including coverages, claims, carriers, and processes.

Von Ruden has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience. Prior to joining VIAA, she worked at various insurance agencies across the nation where she was an account manager, producer, and agency owner. She has her Missouri, Illinois, and Texas licenses for Property & Casualty, Life, and Accident & Health.

“Trish brings a strong results-oriented background to our organization in terms of productivity and operations management,” said VIAA’s President JD Powers. “She has a proven track record for success, and we look forward to her joining our growing team.”

Founded in 2006, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a $11 billion national alliance. Founded in 1991, sister company Powers Insurance & Risk Management provides personal and business insurance, surety, risk management, and employee benefits. The companies are headquartered at 6825 Clayton Ave. For more information, call (314) 725-1414 or visit www.viaa4u.com.

Mumbai Metropolitan Region – Naigaon, June 8, 2023: There isn’t anything more enjoyable than time spent in a park, the feel of the lush green grass below your feet, neatly trimmed hedges, colourful flower beds, butterflies and the cheerful chirping of birds. Bringing joy to the residents of Naigaon East this World Environment Day, Sunteck Foundation offered development of a park at Tivri in Naigaon with the help of the local authorities to provide a clean and green community and a recreational space for children and adults.

Sunteck Foundation by Sunteck Realty have always been in the forefront to improve community conditions and uplifting the environment towards a sustainable lifestyle.

Parks positively impact the environment as they help in improving air quality, promote biodiversity, and also naturally cool air and surfaces. Moreover, they offer people recreational opportunities and encourage an active lifestyle helping to relieve stress and increase sense of wellness. This initiative by Sunteck to develop the community park at Naigaon is towards building more sustainable spaces to encourage and engage the community in green initiatives for the betterment of the overall environment and society.

Speaking about sustainability being central to Sunteck Anupma Khetan, the customer experience evangelist at Sunteck Realty, expressed, “As an organisation we are committed to developing sustainable spaces and believe that development should not be limited to within the boundaries of our projects. In our endeavour towards the betterment of community, we have been dedicatedly working towards supporting environment and social causes that encourage sustainable living among public at large.” 

Sunteck has supported in the development of this 450 sqmt park at Tivri in Naigaon by providing soil & manure filling, along with lawn grass and a variety of plants and shrubs namely Calliandra Brevipes (Powder Puff), Tecoma Stans (Yellow Bells), Murraya Paniculata (Orange Jasmine), Nerium Oleander (Sweet Scented Indian Oleander), Hibiscus Variegated (Javakusum), among others.

For media queries, Contact BeanstalkAsia: 

Jyoti Prakash | +91 8010681238 | jyoti@beanstalkasia.com

Samakshi Sawal | + 91 9082980959 | samakshi@beanstalkasia.com

Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of To Find A Killer: The Homophobic Murders of Norma and Maria Hurtado and the LGBT Rights Movement by Doug Greco. The book is published by Gaudium Publishing, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding works of non-fiction in a variety of fields.

Beginning with a gripping, firsthand account of the 2011 anti-gay murder of twenty-four-year-old Norma Hurtado, a student the author taught in an Austin high school ten years earlier, To Find A Killer is a series of interwoven essays that employs a mix of narrative nonfiction and political analysis to uncover the intersectional nature of the disparities impacting the LGBTQ community.

Despite monumental gains in legal equality over the past decade, including the landmark Obergefell ruling on same-sex marriage, the LGBTQ community still faces harsh disparities in physical and mental health, economic status, racial stratification, and hate crimes victimization. To Find A Killer discussed the next phase of the LGBT rights movement

Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tim Kirkman calls To Find A Killer, “A heartbreaking, infuriating, illuminating book. Greco traces a line connecting class, sexual orientation, gender and ethnicity that forces you to confront your own biases. This is essential reading for both the burgeoning and the seasoned activist, educator and political scientist.”

Purcell Carson, documentary filmmaker and lecturer at Princeton University says “This carefully wrought book harnesses Greco’s considerable experience as an organizer, storyteller, and scholar, weaving the specific lives of the victims and their murderer together, but setting them against a backdrop of national crisis in the LGBT community.”

To Find A Killer, by Doug Greco, 136 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-298-2, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available in eBook. Titles published under the various imprints of Histria Books are distributed worldwide by the Independent Publishers Group (IPG). For information on publishing with Histria Books, please visit HistriaBooks.com or contact us at info@histriabooks.com

Histria Books
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