Archives May 2025

Dehradun, 29 May 2025: Today, the School of Computer Science (SoCS) at UPES, announced a collaboration with, Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM*, to launch a skilling initiative at UPES, reinforcing the university’s commitment to delivering industry-aligned, real-world education. This first-of-its-kind initiative in Uttarakhand marks a significant milestone for UPES and exemplifies its belief in co-creating future-ready learning ecosystems in collaboration with global industry leaders.

Together, they organised ‘Salesforce Day @ UPES’, focused on the theme “Talent. Purpose. Partners. – Co- Creating the Ecosystem of Tomorrow”. The event brought together leading Salesforce partners, including TCS, Wipro and IBM, who will be supporting the Talent Hub with strategic inputs, mentorship, and certification-backed skilling opportunities for students.

The day began with an ‘Executive Dialogue’ featuring Salesforce leaders, partners, and UPES leadership, followed by Trailblazer engagements, where selected students participated in small-group themed discussions and hands- on workshops led by industry experts. Topics ranged from the ‘College to Cloud’ transition and value of certifications, to cultivating a ‘Client-First Mindset’ and exploring how CRM intersects with creativity. The day culminated in a high-energy student address and panel discussion, which allowed the students to gain direct exposure to real-world industry insights, expectations, and emerging opportunities, through an interaction with Salesforce and partner leaders.

The skilling initiative at UPES SoCS in collaboration with Salesforce was envisioned as a platform that will deliver future-ready Salesforce-certified courses—both paid and free—while also encouraging deeper faculty-industry engagement to ensure continuous curriculum enrichment. Additionally, it will act as a high-impact talent pipeline, connecting UPES students with employment opportunities across Salesforce and its globally renowned network of partners.

With a focus on advanced domains such as AI-enabled customer relationship management, low-code/no-code platforms, customer data platforms (CDP), and workflow automation, the hub will ensure that students are well- prepared for enterprise-level digital transformation projects. These capabilities are aimed at making graduates immediately deployment-ready, enabling them to contribute effectively to the evolving needs of industry.

UPES has consistently focused on skilling its students through robust academia-industry collaborations. This collaboration with Salesforce is the latest addition to this endeavour—creating immersive opportunities in AI, data, cloud, and automation, and preparing the next generation of digital professionals with purpose and precision.

Speaking on the launch, Dr. Vijaysekhar Chellaboina, Dean, School of Computer Science, UPES, said, “The collaboration exemplifies our ethos as the ‘University of Tomorrow’, of integrating real-world industry insights into academic learning. In a digital-first economy, students must not only be well-versed in emerging technologies, but they must also gain industry context and mentorship. With support from Salesforce and its global partners, this hub positions our students at the forefront of digital innovation and enterprise readiness.”

Sanket Atal, Managing Director – Operations & Technology at Salesforce India, shared, “As technology continues to redefine every aspect of how we live, work, and learn, it’s critical that we reimagine how talent is nurtured and prepared for the future. Our collaboration with UPES is a meaningful step in that direction – bringing together academia, industry, and innovation to build a workforce that’s not only digitally fluent but also purpose-driven. By embedding Salesforce skills, tools, and mentorship into the learning journey, we’re equipping students with the certifications, hands-on experience, and industry exposure they need to thrive in an AI-first, digital economy.”

This marks not just a milestone for UPES, but a forward-looking investment in the future of digital education and employability. By enabling deeper partnerships and creating platforms for innovation, UPES continues to shape a learning environment that responds to the evolving needs of industry and empowers students to thrive in a tech- driven world.

Dehradun, 29 May 2025: Today, the School of Computer Science (SoCS) at UPES, announced a collaboration with, Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM*, to launch a skilling initiative at UPES, reinforcing the university’s commitment to delivering industry-aligned, real-world education. This first-of-its-kind initiative in Uttarakhand marks a significant milestone for UPES and exemplifies its belief in co-creating future-ready learning ecosystems in collaboration with global industry leaders.

Together, they organised ‘Salesforce Day @ UPES’, focused on the theme “Talent. Purpose. Partners. – Co- Creating the Ecosystem of Tomorrow”. The event brought together leading Salesforce partners, including TCS, Wipro and IBM, who will be supporting the Talent Hub with strategic inputs, mentorship, and certification-backed skilling opportunities for students.

The day began with an ‘Executive Dialogue’ featuring Salesforce leaders, partners, and UPES leadership, followed by Trailblazer engagements, where selected students participated in small-group themed discussions and hands- on workshops led by industry experts. Topics ranged from the ‘College to Cloud’ transition and value of certifications, to cultivating a ‘Client-First Mindset’ and exploring how CRM intersects with creativity. The day culminated in a high-energy student address and panel discussion, which allowed the students to gain direct exposure to real-world industry insights, expectations, and emerging opportunities, through an interaction with Salesforce and partner leaders.

The skilling initiative at UPES SoCS in collaboration with Salesforce was envisioned as a platform that will deliver future-ready Salesforce-certified courses—both paid and free—while also encouraging deeper faculty-industry engagement to ensure continuous curriculum enrichment. Additionally, it will act as a high-impact talent pipeline, connecting UPES students with employment opportunities across Salesforce and its globally renowned network of partners.

With a focus on advanced domains such as AI-enabled customer relationship management, low-code/no-code platforms, customer data platforms (CDP), and workflow automation, the hub will ensure that students are well- prepared for enterprise-level digital transformation projects. These capabilities are aimed at making graduates immediately deployment-ready, enabling them to contribute effectively to the evolving needs of industry.

UPES has consistently focused on skilling its students through robust academia-industry collaborations. This collaboration with Salesforce is the latest addition to this endeavour—creating immersive opportunities in AI, data, cloud, and automation, and preparing the next generation of digital professionals with purpose and precision.

Speaking on the launch, Dr. Vijaysekhar Chellaboina, Dean, School of Computer Science, UPES, said, “The collaboration exemplifies our ethos as the ‘University of Tomorrow’, of integrating real-world industry insights into academic learning. In a digital-first economy, students must not only be well-versed in emerging technologies, but they must also gain industry context and mentorship. With support from Salesforce and its global partners, this hub positions our students at the forefront of digital innovation and enterprise readiness.”

Sanket Atal, Managing Director – Operations & Technology at Salesforce India, shared, “As technology continues to redefine every aspect of how we live, work, and learn, it’s critical that we reimagine how talent is nurtured and prepared for the future. Our collaboration with UPES is a meaningful step in that direction – bringing together academia, industry, and innovation to build a workforce that’s not only digitally fluent but also purpose-driven. By embedding Salesforce skills, tools, and mentorship into the learning journey, we’re equipping students with the certifications, hands-on experience, and industry exposure they need to thrive in an AI-first, digital economy.”

This marks not just a milestone for UPES, but a forward-looking investment in the future of digital education and employability. By enabling deeper partnerships and creating platforms for innovation, UPES continues to shape a learning environment that responds to the evolving needs of industry and empowers students to thrive in a tech- driven world.

Mumbai, May 29, 2025: Footwear major Bata India Limited today announced results for the quarter ended 31st March 2025. Revenue from operations for the quarter stood at Rs. 7877.70 million vs. Rs. 7976.74 million for Q4FY24. The Operating Profit for the quarter stood at Rs. 374.09 million vs. Rs. 582.65 million for Q4FY24. Despite continued market headwinds, we witnessed volume led growth for the second quarter consecutively, led by Franchise and E-Commerce channels. Bata continued expansion with a network of 1962 Company Owned Company Operated and Franchise stores driven by franchise model.

Inventory tightening both in terms of quantity and quality was a key focus area. Initiatives in place to improve stock turns and forecast accuracy to achieve an optimal level of inventory and with significantly higher agility. Gross inventory was reduced by 15% and stood at Rs. 8150.57 million as on 31st March 2025.

Zero Base Merchandising Project was scaled to 146 stores with continuing exciting results on consumer experience and revenue per sqft.

Speaking on the Q4FY25 performance, Gunjan Shah, MD and CEO – Bata India Limited, stated:

 “Despite navigating through the demand headwinds persisting during the quarter, we managed to gain volumes and in line with our strategy of driving volume led growth. We continue to drive affordability and reducing complexity across categories. Our initiatives on inventory, merchandising and decluttering worked well and all key inventory metrices improved. We added 19 Franchise Stores in the quarter driven by franchise model focused on town expansion/semi-urban markets

 Along with cautious control on costs and focus on efficiency and productivity, we continued to manage our inventory while having strong in deployment of fresh merchandise in anticipation of demand revival and consumption uptick.”

Gera Developments has announced the launch of A Father Daughter Podcast, a candid new series featuring Rohit Gera, Managing Director, and Diya Gera Mehta, Chief Customer Experience and Risk Officer. Offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the workings of a family-led real estate business, the podcast moves beyond traditional boardroom discussions to share authentic, unscripted conversations on leadership, innovation, and legacy.

With no corporate scripts or filters, Rohit and Diya explore the realities of steering a family-owned enterprise in a dynamic environment. The series delves deep into generational leadership, the evolving real estate landscape, customer-centric design, and the delicate balance between preserving tradition and driving future-ready innovation.

Mr. Rohit Gera highlighted, “This podcast is an honest reflection of the conversations, debates, and lessons that have shaped our journey at Gera Developments. It’s a candid exchange of stories behind the storeys we build. Through these interactions between Diya and me, we hope to offer insights into leadership, legacy, and the evolving dynamics of real estate — from both sides of a generational bridge.”

More than a conversation about buildings, A Father Daughter Podcast by Gera Developments captures the values, veracity, and vision needed to create lasting legacies. The bond and chemistry between the father and daughter shine through beautifully, but what is even more striking is how the podcast feels like a conversation between equals. Through heartfelt exchanges — sometimes aligned, sometimes at odds — Rohit and Diya offer listeners a refreshing, behind-the-scenes look at what shapes the future of real estate.

New Delhi, May 29, 2025 | Cube Highways Trust (“Cube InvIT”) [NSE/BSE: CUBEINVIT/543899], managed by Cube Highways Fund Advisors Pvt. Ltd. (the “Investment Manager”) today announced its results for the quarter and the year ended March 31, 2025.

The Board of Directors of the Investment Manager has approved a Distribution Per Unit (DPU) of  ₹ 3.75 for the quarter, payable to ordinary unitholders. The total distribution for the quarter amounts to ₹ 500 crore. This distribution comprises ₹ 1.96 per unit as interest, ₹ 0.32 per unit as dividend, ₹ 1.46 per unit as repayment of SPV loan and ₹ 0.01 per unit as treasury income.

Pankaj Vasani, Group CFO of Cube InvIT, stated: “Cube Highways Trust concluded its second financial year post-listing on a strong note, reporting a total consolidated income of ₹ 3,453 crore – a 12.3% YoY increase – and a consolidated EBITDA of ₹ 2,380 crore, reflecting a robust 21.7% YoY growth. The Trust declared an annual distribution of ₹ 1,468 crore for FY25. During the year, traffic volumes grew by 6.2% while the Asset Under Management (AUM) grew 25% to ₹ 32,266 crore as of March 31, 2025. The Net Debt to Enterprise Value ratio was maintained at 44.65%, offering ample headroom for future growth. As we enter the third year, we remain well-positioned to leverage our strong fundamentals and sustain the positive momentum.”

The annual DPU of ₹ 11 declared for the FY25 comprises ₹ 5.71per unit as interest, ₹ 0.55 per unit as dividend, ₹ 4.71 per unit as repayment of SPV loan and ₹ 0.03 per unit as treasury income. The annual DPU for FY24 was ₹ 10.09.

Vinay Sekar, CEO of Cube InvIT, said, “Our performance in FY25 reflects the leadership position we enjoy amongst InvITs in India. Our diversified highway portfolio continues to deliver strong and predictable traffic growth and continues to receive accolades for its O&M quality. We have successfully executed our strategy of deploying our debt capacity by acquiring seven road assets and, in addition, have executed binding Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs) for two additional acquisitions. These acquisitions are accretive to unitholder yields and value and will simultaneously de-risk the portfolio.”

India, May 29, 2025 – Today, adidas unveils the Adizero Evo SL – a fast-paced trainer built for those wanting to look good and feel fast.  adidas’ product and design teams set out to democratize the top benefits of the Adizero franchise by creating a fast-paced trainer that merges advanced racing technology with the design DNA of the groundbreaking Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. The design takes inspiration from this iconic silhouette, featuring clean lines and a minimalist white finish, highlighted by bold black three stripes that blur as the runner gains speed. Underneath this sleek exterior, the new footwear is specifically built for fast training runs.

Key updates include:

FULL LENGTH LIGHTSTRIKE PRO FOAM

• The lightest training shoe in adidas’ entire running line, weighing approximately 188g for women and 224g for men*, the shoe is equipped with a full-length, high-stack Lightstrike Pro midsole without stiffening elements, providing a smooth and dynamic feel.

ENGINEERED MESH UPPER

• Offering targeted support where needed most, the engineered mesh upper is designed to enhance breathability.

Chennai, India – May 29, 2025: Social Beat, India’s leading digital growth partner, has won the SEO and content marketing mandate for Pothys, one of South India’s most iconic textile and retail brands. This strategic collaboration aims to amplify Pothys’ digital presence, enhance organic visibility, and drive meaningful customer engagement across India and beyond.

With deep expertise in search engine optimization and content strategy, Social Beat will work closely with Pothys to craft a comprehensive SEO roadmap and high-performing content initiatives. The goal is to elevate the brand’s online footprint while aligning with its legacy of quality, tradition, and innovation in the textile space.

Vikas Chawla, Co-founder, Social Beat

Vikas Chawla, Co-Founder, Social Beat, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Partnering with Pothys is an exciting opportunity to bring together tradition and technology. Through our focused SEO and content strategies, we aim to drive long-term growth by making the brand more discoverable and relevant in today’s digital-first world.”

Varun Ramesh, Director, Pothys, added: “As consumer journeys become increasingly digital, it’s essential for us to stay ahead with a robust organic strategy. We’re confident that Social Beat’s proven capabilities in SEO and content will help us reach our audience in more impactful ways and reinforce the Pothys brand story online.”

This partnership marks a significant step in Pothys’ digital journey as it continues to evolve with the changing retail landscape while staying rooted in its heritage and customer-first philosophy.

About Social Beat:

Founded in 2012, Social Beat is a digital growth partner, enabling brands to rise to the impossible. They drive business outcomes with a 300+ strong team of digital experts across Bengaluru, Mumbai, NCR, and Chennai. They are India’s fastest-growing independent digital marketing solutions company and manage 4% of digital media investment in India. Social Beat is a Google Premier Partner, and Meta Business Partner and works closely with ecosystem partners like Amazon, Hotstar, Salesforce & LinkedIn. D2Scale is their center of excellence for commerce & omni channels brands to drive growth via D2C & Marketplaces. Influencer.in is their creator economy product driving discovery and real-time reporting of impactful influencer marketing campaigns. They work as extended growth teams with leading brands like Bharat Matrimony, Adani Wilmar, Jaquar, Indian Terrain, Samsonite, Mankind Pharma, Kalpataru Group, Go Colors, Mahindra Finance, JK Cement, Sundaram Mutual, Khazana Jewellery and with hyperscaling startups including boAt, Niyo, Gamezy, A23 Games, EaseMyTrip, Kapiva, Drools and Sukoon Health on driving business outcomes through a combination of creativity and performance.

Mumbai, May 29, 2025: BlackSoil, a leading alternative credit platform, concluded FY25 on a strong note, having backed 98 companies and deployed over ₹2,470 crore in cumulative capital. In a standout year, BlackSoil’s Supply Chain Finance (SCF) business nearly doubled its book to ~₹350 crore, contributing significantly to the Company’s robust performance.

The Group’s Assets Under Management (AUM) rose ~30% year-on-year to ₹1750 crore, supported by heightened credit appetite in sectors fuelling India’s consumption and infrastructure-led growth.

Top sectors driving deployments included:

• Agri – 24%
• Fintech & Financial Institutions – 23%
• FMCG & Grocery – 16%

These sectors form the bedrock of India’s economic transformation and represent BlackSoil’s sharp focus on real-economy impact.

Ankur Bansal, Managing Director of BlackSoil, said, “FY25 has been a landmark year for BlackSoil, marked by strong growth across our core verticals and continued backing of high-quality, high-impact businesses. The doubling of our SCF business and consistent performance of the overall portfolio indicate our disciplined approach and deep sector understanding. We remain focused on building a resilient credit platform that supports the ambitions of India’s evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Deployment Highlights:

Of the 98 companies supported in FY25, 58 were new additions. Total deployments grew nearly 30% YoY, further diversifying the portfolio and reinforcing BlackSoil’s scale-up across verticals.

The year also saw investments in several category-defining companies, including:

• Moneyview – India’s latest fintech unicorn
• Bluestone – Omnichannel fine jewellery brand
• Curefoods – Cloud kitchen & QSR House of Brands
• AquaExchange – agritech innovator
• Celebal – Data & AI services company
• Chai Point – Tea retail and vending machine provide

The portfolio also marked two IPOs – MobiKwik and Manba Finance, and one unicorn – Moneyview, further underscoring BlackSoil’s ability to identify and support scalable, high-growth businesses.

In addition to its deployment momentum, BlackSoil successfully completed 37 exits, including from marquee names like TVF, Upstox, Yatra, and Airworks, showcasing its ability to generate timely liquidity and deliver meaningful outcomes.

The Company’s portfolio remains resilient, with ~70% of companies being EBITDA-positive — a testament to BlackSoil’s disciplined underwriting and focus on financial sustainability. In addition, portfolio companies raised over ₹3,700 crore in equity capital during the year, reflecting strong investor confidence and external validation of the platform’s credit-first approach.

BlackSoil continues to play a vital role in India’s alternative credit ecosystem by bridging capital gaps for high-growth businesses. With a strong impact and ESG lens, the firm remains committed to delivering long-term value across sectors while fuelling inclusive and sustainable growth.

Mumbai, May 29, 2025: BlackSoil, a leading alternative credit platform, concluded FY25 on a strong note, having backed 98 companies and deployed over ₹2,470 crore in cumulative capital. In a standout year, BlackSoil’s Supply Chain Finance (SCF) business nearly doubled its book to ~₹350 crore, contributing significantly to the Company’s robust performance.

The Group’s Assets Under Management (AUM) rose ~30% year-on-year to ₹1750 crore, supported by heightened credit appetite in sectors fuelling India’s consumption and infrastructure-led growth.

Top sectors driving deployments included:

• Agri – 24%
• Fintech & Financial Institutions – 23%
• FMCG & Grocery – 16%

These sectors form the bedrock of India’s economic transformation and represent BlackSoil’s sharp focus on real-economy impact.

Ankur Bansal, Managing Director of BlackSoil, said, “FY25 has been a landmark year for BlackSoil, marked by strong growth across our core verticals and continued backing of high-quality, high-impact businesses. The doubling of our SCF business and consistent performance of the overall portfolio indicate our disciplined approach and deep sector understanding. We remain focused on building a resilient credit platform that supports the ambitions of India’s evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Deployment Highlights:

Of the 98 companies supported in FY25, 58 were new additions. Total deployments grew nearly 30% YoY, further diversifying the portfolio and reinforcing BlackSoil’s scale-up across verticals.

The year also saw investments in several category-defining companies, including:

• Moneyview – India’s latest fintech unicorn
• Bluestone – Omnichannel fine jewellery brand
• Curefoods – Cloud kitchen & QSR House of Brands
• AquaExchange – agritech innovator
• Celebal – Data & AI services company
• Chai Point – Tea retail and vending machine provide

The portfolio also marked two IPOs – MobiKwik and Manba Finance, and one unicorn – Moneyview, further underscoring BlackSoil’s ability to identify and support scalable, high-growth businesses.

In addition to its deployment momentum, BlackSoil successfully completed 37 exits, including from marquee names like TVF, Upstox, Yatra, and Airworks, showcasing its ability to generate timely liquidity and deliver meaningful outcomes.

The Company’s portfolio remains resilient, with ~70% of companies being EBITDA-positive — a testament to BlackSoil’s disciplined underwriting and focus on financial sustainability. In addition, portfolio companies raised over ₹3,700 crore in equity capital during the year, reflecting strong investor confidence and external validation of the platform’s credit-first approach.

BlackSoil continues to play a vital role in India’s alternative credit ecosystem by bridging capital gaps for high-growth businesses. With a strong impact and ESG lens, the firm remains committed to delivering long-term value across sectors while fuelling inclusive and sustainable growth.

By Surinder Bhagat, Founder and CEO, Gigin AI

In today’s jobs market, job seekers require protection in addition to their ambition. Thousands of prospective employees are being deceived, taken advantage of, and cheated out of their money as employment scams proliferate on sites like LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and obscure job boards. Job searching has become an emotionally and financially risky process due to the increase in phishing tactics, impersonating recruiters, and fraudulent job postings. This is especially true for blue- and grey-collar workers who are already dealing with uncertainty.

But quietly and powerfully, AI is becoming their shield.

From identifying fake job postings in real time to automating employer verification and learning from community feedback, AI is no longer just a tool for hiring—it’s a safeguard for job seekers.

Here are five ways artificial intelligence is changing the game in fraud prevention—making the job search safer, smarter, and more human.

1. AI-Powered Job Posting Scanners

Fraudulent listings often share red flags: possible grammatical errors, inflated salaries for minimal work, or requests for upfront payments. AI tools now can analyze job descriptions in real-time using Natural Language Processing (NLP), cross-checking employer details against verified databases. For instance, if a post claims to represent an established company but uses a generic email domain (@gmail.com), the system can flag it instantly. AI algorithms can also learn from historical scam patterns—like past “resume fee” scam incidents and reports—to pre-emptively block similar cons.

2. Automated Employer Verification

Impersonation of legitimate companies remains a prevalent tactic in job scams across India. Recently, a group of fraudsters duped over 1,000 individuals by posing as recruiters for one of India’s leading telecommunications companies, utilizing forged documents and fake email IDs to lend credibility to their fraudulent offers. To combat such deceptive practices, AI-driven systems can now perform layered verification checks: matching company domains with official websites, validating tax identification numbers, and scanning employee review platforms for inconsistencies. If a purported recruiter cannot provide a corporate email or lacks an online professional footprint, these AI systems can promptly flag or suspend the profile for further investigation. This automation accelerates the verification process, reducing the time from days to mere minutes, and minimizes human error or bias.

3. Phishing Email Detection

Job seekers are frequently targeted through deceptive emails that appear to be from legitimate companies but are designed to steal personal or financial information. These may include fake interview invitations, urgent document submission requests, or fraudulent job offers. AI systems trained specifically for recruitment and employment contexts now monitor these communications in real time. They analyze sender domains, flag mismatches between display names and actual email addresses, detect suspicious URLs or attachments, and recognize psychological manipulation tactics like urgency or threats (“Submit your Aadhar number within 24 hours to avoid disqualification”). Unlike generic spam filters, these AI tools are calibrated to spot red flags unique to hiring workflows—making them more effective in preventing phishing attempts before they escalate.

4. Behavioral Analysis in Interviews

AI can spot scam interviews by analyzing behavioral patterns. Virtual meetings where the “interviewer” keeps their camera off, avoids skill-based questions, or offers a job too quickly (common in “money mule” scams) trigger warnings. AI platforms can also transcribe interviews to flag inconsistent responses (for instance, a company’s representative who can’t name the company’s core products). These subtle cues—often missed by humans—are quantifiable red flags for AI.

5. Community-Driven Fraud Prevention

As scammers adopt new techniques, AI-powered platforms stay one step ahead by learning from real-time user feedback. Every time a job seeker flags a suspicious message— e.g., a recruiter asking for passport scans prematurely or the recent case where credit card was mentioned as a prerequisite —the system treats it as valuable training data. This feedback is fed into machine learning models, enabling them to recognize emerging scam trends early and act preventively. Over time, this creates a community-shield effect: the more job seekers contribute by reporting red flags, the smarter and more responsive the AI becomes—protecting thousands of others from falling into the same traps.

Employment scams exploit the job seekers that are striving to change their life, but AI is shifting the balance. By combining real-time detection, employer vetting, and collective vigilance, AI platforms are making job searches safer. As threats grow, so will the tech—because landing a role shouldn’t mean risking your security.