Category technology

Republic Day Sale 2026 Sets New Benchmarks: Beauty Surges While Electronics Dip; Online Payments Flip Cash on Delivery, Reveals GoKwik Insights

New Delhi, Jan 27: The 77th Republic Day has officially concluded, not just with parades, but with a massive digital footprint that cements the occasion as a primary shopping season in the Indian calendar. New data released by GoKwik reveals that the 2026 Republic Day sale period witnessed a robust 34% year-on-year growth in orders, signalling a maturing D2C ecosystem where consumer intent is high and distinct from traditional festive sales.

The e-commerce enablement platform released its post-sale insights, capturing how Indians shopped during the Republic Day period. The data reveals sharp shifts in category trends, payment preferences, and shopping timing.

The “Glow-Up” Surges, Electronics Dip According to GoKwik, the 2026 sale saw a massive acceleration in the Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) sector. Data indicates that the Beauty and Personal Care category nearly doubled its order volume, surging by approximately 74% year-on-year. This growth was driven by a high demand for “Clean Beauty,” haircare, and skincare products.

In contrast, the Electronics category saw a decline of nearly 24% in order volumes compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Fashion sustained its position as a dominant category, continuing to drive a significant portion of the total sale volume alongside Beauty.

Online Payments Flip the Script Perhaps the most significant behavioral marker of the 2026 sale was the collapse of Cash on Delivery (COD) dominance. For the first time in this sale period’s history, online payments accounted for the majority of orders, edging out COD. This marks a fundamental maturing of the Indian shopper, driven by increased trust in homegrown brands and the allure of “Prepaid Discounts.”

The “Coffee & Cart” Ritual Shopping activity showed a distinct move toward early hours. The “Morning Rush” emerged as the prime shopping window, contributing the highest volume of orders. Unlike previous years defined by late-night impulse buys, 2026 shoppers were decisive early risers, checking out their carts before clocking in for the workday.

The “Tiranga” Effect in Bharat The sale also highlighted a deep-rooted thematic connection. Merchants fully embraced the theme with “Patriotic” coupon codes like REPUBLIC26, BHARAT, and FREEDOM seeing category-wide adoption.

Beyond discounts, the sale spurred a demand for identity. Merchandise with “Republic” and “Tiranga” themes, ranging from tricolor apparel to special edition stationery and curated snack combos, saw brisk sales. Notably, a significant portion of these thematic orders were shipped to Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in states like Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha, highlighting that the patriotic sentiment driving consumption is a truly pan-India phenomenon.

Commenting on the findings, Chirag Taneja, Co-founder and CEO, GoKwik, said:

“The data reflects a fundamental shift in Indian consumer behaviour. What’s fascinating is how the top categories behaved this season. Beauty and Personal Care grew aggressively by ~75%, while Fashion sustained its strong contribution. Furthermore, with online payments overtaking COD, we are witnessing the maturation of the Indian online shopper in real-time. They are decisive, they pay digitally, and they shop before breakfast.”

GoKwik’s insights are derived from network data analyzing millions of orders across D2C brands, comparing the performance of the Republic Day sale period in 2026 against 2025.

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking and security, unveiled the results of its 2026 Data and Privacy Benchmark Study, showing a striking shift in how organizations approach data privacy and governance. As AI adoption accelerates, nearly all companies are expanding privacy programs and governance frameworks to protect their data and innovate at scale. The growing demand for high-quality data to power AI is exposing gaps in oversight, and raising the stakes for trust, security, and competitiveness. The bottom line: for organizations to succeed in the AI-era, scalable and responsible AI strategies must be built through a mature, integrated approach to privacy and data governance.

Cisco surveyed 5,200 IT, technology, and security professionals with data privacy responsibilities across 12 markets* worldwide. The study reveals AI as the primary catalyst, driving 90% of companies to report expanded privacy programs, with 93% planning further investment to keep up with the complexity of AI systems and expectations of customers and regulators. Notably, globally 38% of organizations surveyed spent at least $5 million on their privacy programs in the past year, up from 14% in 2024.

AI Raises the Bar for Privacy and Trust, But Governance Is Still Evolving

An overwhelming 95% of organizations report that robust privacy frameworks unlock AI agility and innovation, while an equal 95% recognize privacy is essential for building customer trust in AI-powered services.

This year’s report points to a deep structural shift, where trust is no longer established simply by meeting regulatory requirements. Data governance is now seen as a strategic business enabler with 100% of organizations surveyed in India reporting at least one tangible benefit from their privacy initiatives, such as enhanced agility, innovation, and greater customer loyalty. 46% say that clear communication about how data is collected and used is the most effective way to build customer confidence.

With this momentum, governance is evolving to meet the needs of this changing landscape. Many organizations are still working to define and establish the governance structures required to manage AI responsibly at scale. While nearly two-thirds of organizations in India report having a dedicated AI governance body in place, only 12% describe these structures as mature. And, as AI systems draw from increasingly complex and distributed datasets, 70% of organizations struggle to access relevant, high-quality data efficiently.

“AI is forcing a fundamental shift in the data landscape, calling for holistic governance of all data – both personal and non-personal,” said Jen Yokoyama, Senior Vice President, Legal Innovation and Strategy at Cisco. “Organizations must deeply understand and structure their data to ensure every automated decision is explainable. It’s not just for compliance, but a necessary scaling engine for AI innovation.”

AI Sparks Global Data Flow Challenges

While around 79% of respondents in India are generally positive about data privacy laws, there is a growing push to streamline and update data requirements.

The study found that 91% of organizations surveyed in India face heightened demand for data localization and global data complexity. 91% of organizations in India say data localization adds cost, complexity, and risk to cross-border service delivery. Further, 87% report these requirements limit their ability to offer seamless 24/7 service across markets.

Global companies increasingly prefer technology partners that match their footprint: 87% believe global‑scale providers are better at managing cross‑border data flows.

“To capture the potential of AI, organizations (87%) are advocating for a shift toward harmonized international standards” said Harvey Jang, Cisco Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer. “They recognize that global consistency is an economic necessity to ensure data can flow securely while maintaining the high standards of protection required for trust.”

Building Trust and Innovation in the AI Era

To successfully evolve from reactive compliance to a proactive approach, the data shows that companies should invest in robust data infrastructure, prioritizing transparency, and embedding security and privacy throughout AI initiatives.  Organizations should make informed decisions about data localization, establish strong AI governance, and empower their teams with comprehensive training and safeguards. These concrete actions are crucial for building enduring trust, driving responsible innovation, and ultimately thriving in the dynamic, AI-driven digital economy.

Personal wellness is a holistic concept encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. It goes beyond merely avoiding illness, representing a state of overall balance, fulfillment, and well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing wellness has become essential, with factors like stress management, nutrition, exercise, and emotional resilience playing critical roles in maintaining optimal health.

In recent years, technology has become deeply integrated into personal wellness practices. Digital tools, mobile applications, and smart devices now offer innovative ways to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From fitness trackers that monitor activity levels to mindfulness apps that enhance mental clarity, technology empowers individuals to take a proactive and informed approach to their health.

The Rise of Wearable Technology

Wearable devices have revolutionized personal wellness by making self-monitoring accessible and intuitive. Fitness trackers, smartwatches, and health-monitoring gadgets allow users to track physiological metrics such as heart rate, steps, sleep patterns, and stress levels. This data equips individuals to make informed lifestyle choices and set personalized health goals.

Modern wearables go beyond basic step counting. Advanced devices now include GPS tracking for outdoor activities, blood oxygen monitoring, and heart rate variability analysis. Gamification and real-time feedback encourage active engagement, motivating users to maintain consistent wellness routines. Smartwatches further enhance personal wellness by integrating apps for exercise tracking, mindfulness exercises, hydration reminders, and medication alerts.

Health-monitoring devices like continuous glucose monitors and sleep trackers offer comprehensive insights over time, helping individuals manage potential health concerns proactively. By making wellness data accessible and actionable, wearable technology has fundamentally reshaped how individuals approach self-care.

Telehealth: Accessible Healthcare Anytime

Telehealth has transformed the delivery of healthcare, offering convenience and accessibility like never before. Through virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and digital health records, individuals can access healthcare professionals without the constraints of travel or long waiting times.

Telehealth provides flexibility for patients and providers alike. Appointments can be scheduled at convenient times, and consultations occur from the comfort of home. This is especially valuable for those in remote areas or with mobility challenges. Real-time virtual access allows for quick assessments and treatment guidance, while online resources and support groups enhance health literacy and patient engagement.

Virtual consultations have proven effective in improving health outcomes by facilitating regular monitoring and follow-ups. As telehealth continues to evolve, it promises to make healthcare more personalized, timely, and convenient, further promoting overall wellness.

Mental Health and Digital Solutions

Technology has significantly advanced mental health care by improving accessibility and support. Mental health apps, teletherapy platforms, and online communities have emerged as critical resources for managing emotional well-being.

These applications offer features such as guided meditation, mood tracking, and educational resources, helping users cultivate healthy habits and mindfulness. Personalized algorithms tailor experiences to individual needs, improving engagement and effectiveness.

Teletherapy platforms enable individuals to work with licensed professionals via video, chat, or email. Receiving therapy in a familiar setting can enhance comfort and facilitate open communication. Online support communities further provide connection, understanding, and encouragement, helping to combat isolation and foster emotional resilience.

Through these innovations, technology is making mental health care more accessible, inclusive, and user-centered.

The Influence of Social Media on Wellness

Social media presents both opportunities and challenges for personal wellness. It fosters community support, connecting individuals on shared wellness journeys and providing motivation, accountability, and inspiration. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook allow users to share experiences, tips, and wellness practices, which can encourage healthier habits.

However, social media also has drawbacks. Constant exposure to curated content can lead to unhealthy comparisons, low self-esteem, and pressure to meet idealized standards. Overuse may contribute to stress, anxiety, or disordered behaviors. Mindful engagement, balancing inspiration with self-awareness, is key to harnessing the positive effects of social media while mitigating its risks.

Personalized Health Through AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping personalized wellness by offering tailored insights and interventions. AI-powered applications analyze data such as activity levels, dietary habits, medical history, and mental health inputs to provide customized wellness recommendations.

AI enables personalized nutrition plans that align with individual goals and preferences. Fitness applications adapt workout routines based on real-time performance data, optimizing results and progression. AI also supports mental health through personalized interventions, chatbots, and mood tracking, providing accessible emotional support.

By leveraging data-driven insights, AI empowers individuals to take control of their wellness journeys, creating a more precise, proactive, and personalized approach to health.

Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

Digital mindfulness tools have made stress management and mental wellness more accessible than ever. Meditation apps offer guided sessions, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques for users of all experience levels. These apps allow integration into daily routines, even for individuals with busy schedules.

Features like personalized reminders, progress tracking, and community forums encourage consistent practice and engagement. By combining convenience, accessibility, and community support, meditation apps are transforming how individuals manage stress and cultivate mental clarity.

Balancing Technology for Optimal Wellness

While technology provides immense benefits, overuse can negatively impact physical and mental health. Constant notifications, social media pressures, and excessive screen time can lead to anxiety, distraction, and physical strain, commonly referred to as “technostress.”

To maintain balance, individuals should practice mindful technology use—setting boundaries, establishing device-free zones, and scheduling specific times for digital engagement. Wellness apps can also support constructive interaction with technology, helping users integrate beneficial practices without over-reliance. Regular self-assessment ensures that technology serves as a tool for well-being rather than a source of stress.

The Future of Wellness in a Tech-Driven World

The future of personal wellness will increasingly intertwine with advanced technologies. AI, machine learning, telehealth, and digital wellness tools are poised to create highly personalized, holistic approaches to health management.

AI-driven insights will allow individuals to monitor, analyze, and optimize their well-being proactively. Telehealth will continue to expand accessibility, offering convenient and timely healthcare solutions. Mindfulness, mental health apps, and community-driven platforms will ensure that emotional and psychological well-being remain central to personal wellness.

As technology continues to evolve, it promises a more informed, empowered, and holistic approach to health—enabling individuals to take charge of their wellness journeys and fostering a society that values both physical and mental well-being.

TecSox today announced the launch of the TecSox Zen Single Wireless Earbud, a thoughtfully designed audio solution that blends premium sound, everyday comfort, and situational awareness. Priced at an accessible ₹399, TecSox Zen is crafted for users who want to stay connected to their audio without disconnecting from the world around them.

Unlike conventional dual-ear earbuds that isolate users from their surroundings, TecSox Zen adopts a single-ear Open Wireless Stereo (OWS) design, making it ideal for professionals, commuters, drivers, delivery partners, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who needs to remain alert while enjoying music, podcasts, or calls. The open design allows ambient sound to flow naturally, enabling safer and more practical listening throughout the day.

TecSox Zen delivers high-resolution audio tuned for clarity and balance, ensuring crisp vocals during calls and rich sound for music and spoken content. Equipped with advanced Bluetooth connectivity, the earbud offers a stable and seamless connection, allowing uninterrupted performance during work or leisure. The ergonomic, lightweight build ensures a comfortable fit even during extended wear, eliminating in-ear pressure and fatigue.

Built for real-life use, the Zen earbud features IPX water resistance, protecting it from sweat and light splashes, making it a reliable companion for workouts and outdoor activities. The device offers up to 5 hours of continuous playback and an impressive 48 hours of standby time, ensuring dependable performance throughout busy days.

Commenting on the launch, Puneet Gulati, Founder & Promoter of TecSox said:

“We’re committed to democratizing premium technology making smart, high-quality audio accessible to everyone without compromise. TecSox Zen redefines everyday listening: immerse yourself in crystal-clear music or calls while staying fully aware and connected to the world around you. It’s not just an earbud; it’s technology that empowers real life.”

With Zen, TecSox continues its mission of combining intelligent design, reliable performance, and disruptive pricing to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers.

New Delhi, India, Jan 27:  Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, today announced several key leadership appointments and expanded roles across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. These changes reinforce Zebra’s commitment to strengthening customer engagement and partner collaboration, enabling businesses to better address significant labor shortages, persistent supply chain disruptions, and the urgent need to modernize operations to stay ahead.

To support customers and partners in accelerating their adoption of AI-powered automation, Zebra has made two strategic appointments in the APAC region. Tom Christodoulou has been appointed as Sales Vice President, overseeing Australia & New Zealand (ANZ), Southeast Asia (SEA) and Korea. 

Based in Singapore, Christodoulou will lead sales strategy for an expanded territory covering ANZ, SEA and Korea. He was formerly the Vice President of Sales for Australia, New Zealand, and India Subcontinent. He will be closely supported by a strong local leadership team, including Brett Newstead, Sales Director for ANZ, and Heejung Seo, Country Lead for South Korea. Bringing over two decades of industry experience, Christodoulou will focus on helping organizations in these regions build more resilient supply chains by empowering their connected frontline with real-time asset visibility and AI-driven decision-making.

“Organizations are under immense pressure to improve productivity and meet rising customer expectations,” said Tom Christodoulou, Sales Vice President, Australia & New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Korea, Zebra Technologies. “We will continue helping businesses solve these challenges with intelligent automation, and I’m excited to deepen our collaboration to support their critical modernization journeys.”

Christanto Suryadarma is stepping into the newly formed role of Head of Partnerships for APAC. Previously, Suryadarma was the Sales Vice President of Southeast Asia, Korea and Channels for Asia Pacific (excluding China). In his new strategic role, Suryadarma will lead Zebra’s partnership strategy and expand a diverse partner ecosystem that delivers asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation solutions for the retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and healthcare industries. With more than 25 years of regional leadership experience, Suryadarma will be instrumental in empowering partners to help customers better modernize their operations.

“Our partners are essential for deploying solutions that build more intelligent operations for customers,” said Christanto Suryadarma, Head of Partnerships, APAC, Zebra Technologies. “I look forward to empowering our ecosystem with stronger collaboration and the best solutions to solve the intelligent operations challenges of today and tomorrow.”

To further support growing customer demand in key APAC markets, Zebra has also appointed two new country leaders:

• Subramaniam Thiruppathi has been appointed Country Lead for India Subcontinent (ISC). With nearly two decades at Zebra, he has been central to accelerating technology adoption in the region’s manufacturing, retail, and logistics industries.
• Joelle Booi has been appointed Country Lead for Singapore. She brings over 15 years of experience at Zebra and has been instrumental in advancing technology adoption in Singapore’s public and private sectors, particularly in manufacturing and AI.

Ryan Goh, previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific, will now also lead Zebra’s Global OEM business, driving the worldwide strategy for Zebra’s OEM portfolio, enabling customers to embed Zebra’s solutions like scan engines into their specialized market solutions.

“The pace of change across APAC is accelerating rapidly. Businesses, especially those in India and Japan, are facing significant pressure from increasingly disrupted supply chains and rising labor shortfalls,” said Ryan Goh, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific and Global OEM, Zebra Technologies. “Our expanded leadership bench across APAC strategically positions our best talent to collaborate closely with our customers and partners, driving productivity and advancing digital capabilities. This team’s deep expertise will be crucial in guiding organizations, as they adopt intelligent automation to build more resilient operations and empower the connected frontline workforce.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Zebra has strengthened its APAC leadership to help customers navigate key industry trends like supply chain disruption and AI adoption.
• The strategic appointments include Tom Christodoulou, leading sales for ANZ, SEA and Korea, Christanto Suryadarma heading the new APAC Partnerships role, and Ryan Goh also guiding Zebra’s Global OEM business in addition to the region.
• The leadership expansion deepens local expertise in key markets like India and Singapore, aligning resources with growing customer demand for modernization.

WHO IS ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES?

Zebra provides the foundation for intelligent operations with an award-winning portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility and automation solutions powered by AI. Organizations globally across retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, and other industries rely on us to deliver outcomes today while driving innovation for what’s next. Together with our partners, we create new ways of working that improve productivity and empower organizations to be better every day.

SalaryOnTime, a credible FinTech Marketplace that addresses the credit needs of working professionals, announced the introduction of their AI-based Risk Assessment System, which targets credit accelerating loan approvals with high degrees of precision and compliance. This newly introduced system uses advanced technologies like AI with the help of machine learning algorithms on the real-time information that the customers are providing. This further enables faster credit decisions and a smoother digital lending journey.

With the integration of the AI-based evaluation process, the organization can easily assess the key parameters like the salary profile, employment pattern, repayment ability, or credit behavior on the spot. This eliminates time consumption and involves automated risk scores instead, thus optimizing time while still deriving the offered decision. There are also intelligent signals related to fraud detection that assist in the identification of potential risks, hence reducing the occurrence of fraud risks.

The launch comes at a time when borrowers are increasingly demanding instant, transparent, and reliable access to credit. The system, through the elimination of document requests and other verification procedures, enables customers to get faster responses and updates on their eligibility and the online application process. The faster response and accurate decision, along with safer practices, help build customer trust.

In addition to optimizing speed and efficiency, this new risk assessment tool utilizing AI will further solidify SalaryOnTime’s commitment to responsible and compliant lending practices. The system aligns with RBI-compliant digital lending guidelines and facilitates improved KYC, check eligibility criteria, and repayment abilities, establishing itself as a regulated ‘customer-first,’ lender focused on long-term financial well-being.

Commenting on the launch, Ankit Modi, Managing Director of SalaryOnTime, said,

“Our vision was not only to disburse these loans quickly, but to also ensure a much safer and responsible experience for working professionals. The new AI- based risk assessment system further strengthens our promise to deliver transparent and ethical lending, with faster and more accurate results without compromising on compliance or customer trust.”

With this latest technology upgrade, SalaryOnTime continues to invest in intelligent digital infrastructure that balances the scales of speed, accuracy, and risk management. Its focus on providing secure, scalable, and responsible lending solutions that meet the expectations of today’s salaried employees in the industry.

Bengaluru, India,  Jan  24: AXISCADES Technologies Limited (BSE: 532395 | NSE: AXISCADES), a chip to product company and a pioneer in Aerospace, Defence, Electronics, Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (ESAI) applications, announces new wins in ESAI division by its subsidiary Mistral Solutions.

This strategic contract pertains to testing of audio products of its Hyperscaler customer in the newly established Acoustic Lab in Aeroland facility, Bengaluru.

This pilot order is for multiyear, valued at about $1Mn and is expected to generate more opportunities in innovative audio product development. These small form factor audio products stand out through advanced spatial audio processing, custom silicon for superior noise cancellation, and seamless integration with AI for proactive, ambient AI experiences.

Mr. Manikandan, CEO, Mistral Solutions said,

“This is the result of our efforts to expand beyond our traditional base of TI and Qualcomm ecosystem and add the global majors to our customer list by setting up exclusive facilities for them and forge long term relationship”.

Hyderabad, Jan 23:   SpeedTech.ai, a leading provider of conversational AI and intelligent automation solutions, today announced the strategic appointment of Mr. Raviteja Turram as Regional Chief Business Officer (RCBO). This key leadership addition underscores the company’s commitment to expanding adoption of its flagship RAIYA platform across enterprises seeking to transform customer engagement and business operations through AI-powered automation.

SpeedTech.ai’s RAIYA platform is revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers through three core solutions: RAIYA Telephony, which delivers human-like conversational AI phone calls with zero latency in multiple languages; RAIYA Concierge, an advanced virtual assistant leveraging Large Language Models (LLM) and Generative AI; and RAIYA IDP (Intelligent Document Processing), which automates workflow and data extraction processes. The platform serves diverse industries including real estate, hospitality, logistics, retail, healthcare, banking, and recruitment.

As Regional Chief Business Officer, Mr. Turram will spearhead market expansion efforts, driving adoption of RAIYA’s AI-powered solutions throughout his designated territory. His mandate includes building strategic partnerships, accelerating revenue growth, and ensuring enterprises can successfully leverage conversational AI to enhance customer engagement, improve operational efficiency, and drive measurable business outcomes.

“RAIYA is transforming how businesses engage with their customers through intelligent, multilingual AI conversations that feel remarkably human,” said Saleel Tatke, Senior Vice President at SpeedTech.ai. “Raviteja’s appointment as Regional Chief Business Officer enables us to bring RAIYA’s powerful conversational AI capabilities to more organizations ready to automate customer interactions, qualify leads more effectively, and scale their operations intelligently.”

RAIYA Telephony has demonstrated exceptional results across industries. B2B companies have reported conversion ratio improvements from 2% to 3.4%, while agricultural technology platforms have successfully connected over 12,000 farmers across multiple states through multilingual AI telephony in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, and Kannada. The platform’s real-time audio-to-audio model delivers conversations with natural emotions and zero latency, making interactions indistinguishable from human conversations.

“Conversational AI represents a fundamental shift in how businesses can scale customer engagement without compromising quality,” said Mr. Turram. “SpeedTech.ai’s RAIYA platform is genuinely transformative—enabling companies to handle thousands of customer interactions simultaneously in multiple languages while maintaining the personal touch that builds trust. I’m excited to lead regional expansion for a solution that delivers immediate, measurable impact across such diverse industries.”

This strategic appointment aligns with SpeedTech.ai’s mission to make sophisticated conversational AI technology accessible, practical, and transformative for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to design, build, and deploy AI-driven virtual assistants in minutes rather than months.

Intellect Accelerates Global Enterprise AI Adoption, Onboards 14 Value Discovery Partners for Purple Fabric Ecosystem

Intellect Design Arena Ltd, a global leader in enterprise-grade financial technology, today announced the onboarding of 14 Value Discovery Partners across India, Africa, Europe, the UK, APAC, and Canada, to accelerate AI-First value discovery and enterprise adoption of Purple Fabric, its enterprise-grade Business Impact AI platform.

As financial institutions worldwide face the challenge of moving Generative AI initiatives from “pilot mode” to production-grade “business impact,” this new partner ecosystem will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.

Built using First Principles Thinking and reinforced by Design Thinking-led solution discovery, Purple Fabric integrates knowledge derived from over three decades of domain expertise and more than 20 million engineering hours. The platform offers a robust suite of enterprise-ready Digital Experts that are already deployed and trusted by global financial institutions.

As Value Discovery Partners, these organisations engage early with customer leadership to lead AI-First value discovery identifying high-impact use cases, prioritising measurable value pools, and co-designing governed, production-ready AI solutions on Purple Fabric. This ensures enterprises move beyond experimentation and accelerate the delivery of tangible, scalable business outcomes.

At its core, Purple Fabric enables enterprises to operationalise AI through four foundational technology stacks. These include the Enterprise Knowledge Garden (PF EKG), which provides a unified, continuously updated domain data fabric; Enterprise Digital Experts (PF EDE), a multi-agent orchestration layer that automates and augments enterprise tasks across credit, risk, compliance, and customer experience; Enterprise Governance (PF Govern), embedding observability, auditability, and fairness controls to ensure trust and regulatory compliance; and the LLM Optimisation Hub (PF MOH), an LLM-agnostic layer that optimises speed, accuracy, and cost through intelligent benchmarking and resource allocation.

A New Collaborative Framework: Co-Build, Co-Exist, Build

The Purple Fabric Value Discovery Partnership Program is anchored on deep technical and strategic collaboration. Partners are not positioned as distributors but as co-creators within the ecosystem, working closely with Intellect to:

• Co-Build: Jointly develop new AI agents and industry-specific workflows.
• Co-Exist: Seamlessly integrate Purple Fabric’s Digital Experts into existing legacy and core architectures.
• Build: Create bespoke IP and differentiated solutions on top of the Purple Fabric foundation.

Flexible Engagement Models

To ensure broad market adoption and flexible go-to-market execution, the partner ecosystem operates under three distinct engagement models:

• Sell With: Partners leverage Purple Fabric to address customer challenges, with Intellect providing deep architectural and platform support.
• Sell To: Partners adopt Purple Fabric for their own internal operations, using pre-built Digital Experts to streamline workflows and decision-making.
• Sell Through: Designed for partners with strong cloud capabilities, this model offers dual deployment flexibility, either hosting Purple Fabric on partner infrastructure or reselling it via Intellect’s managed Purple Fabric Cloud, aligned to customer compliance and data preferences.

Commenting on the expanded partner ecosystem, Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Intellect Design Arena Limited & Chief Architect of Purple Fabric, said,

“AI must move beyond pilots to deliver measurable business impact at enterprise scale. This value discovery partner ecosystem reinforces our belief that Business Impact AI can only scale through trusted collaboration, where industry context, governance, and execution come together. Purple Fabric is designed as an open platform, and this growing global ecosystem will help enterprises move decisively from experimentation to outcomes.”

By:  Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, Microfinance Industry Network 

“The microfinance sector touching lives of nearly 30 crore low income people needs policy support in the form of robust KYC framework for accurate borrower verification and responsible credit reporting. In light of SC judgement restricting Aadhar use, the issue needs to be addressed through solutions such as Aadhaar last-four-digit storage or tokenisation. The other area requiring policy support is availability of stable funding mechanism. High dependence of NBFC-MFIs on bank funding leads to sudden drying up of funds and affects financial inclusion, like seen for last one year. This has resulted in nearly 50 lakh clients going out of formal finance fold.

Other than that, at a macro level, the sector has shown tangible improvement in credit discipline, with Portfolio at Risk (1–90 days) for RBI regulated entities declining from 5.3% in Dec 2024 to 2.4% by end December 2025 and nearly 96% of borrowers are within prescribed MFIN guardrails. We remain hopeful for an early announcement on the proposed credit guarantee scheme for microfinance, which will further strengthen lender confidence and start a virtuous cycle for the sector.”