All posts by Neel Achary

India, Nov 20:-Stylework, India’s leading SaaS-based co-working and managed workspace aggregator, has successfully secured Pre-Series B funding at a cap pre-money valuation of INR 250 Cr, following the first close of INR 10 Cr led by Equentis Angel Fund, with participation from Karekeba Ventures / Cogniphy AIF Fund and continued subscriptions from Lets Venture Fund, MoneyVyapaar, HNIs, and other strategic investors.

The company plans to deploy the newly raised INR 30 Cr toward technology enhancement, domestic and international market expansion, and hiring key leadership in transactions, business development, and product growth roles. These funds will also support Stylework’s expansion of its AI-driven marketplace for operators, clients, and channel partners, predictive analytics, utilization-to-cost dashboards, and key partnership initiatives, while deepening its market penetration in Tier-1 and emerging Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India.

“We’re witnessing a fundamental transformation in India’s workspace market, poised to reach a $10 Bn flex portfolio in the next 2–3 years,” said Sparsh Khandelwal, Founder & CEO of Stylework. “While many workspace operators are raising marquee investments through public listings, Stylework, as a leading aggregator, is setting new benchmarks. Our model uniquely serves as an intelligent data arbitrage layer, connecting enterprises to the entire flexible workspace ecosystem. It creates unparalleled value for corporates seeking flexibility, cost optimization, and nationwide portfolio management through Master Service Agreements.”

In the past year, Stylework has maintained profitability while achieving INR 280 Cr in annualized GMV, selling over 70,000 seats, and expanding its network to 125+ cities. Backed by marquee investors including Capri Global Holdings, SCIF Fund, We Founder Circle, Inflection Point Ventures, Ah Ventures, and BizdateUp, Stylework has built one of India’s most comprehensive aggregator ecosystems for flexible workspaces, continuing to create significant value for stakeholders. The transaction was managed by Lexansh & Co.

“The flexible workspace sector in India is at an inflection point, driven by evolving enterprise needs and the shift toward managed and serviced workspace models. Stylework is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this transformation through its strong technology backbone, robust partner network, and profitable growth trajectory,” said Manish Goel, Founder & MD, Equentis Wealth. “Our investment underscores confidence in Stylework’s vision to redefine the future of workspaces in India.”

India’s flexible office market, currently valued at $3.5 billion, is projected to reach $11.39 billion by 2028–29, growing at a CAGR of 13.7%+. With enterprises increasingly adopting serviced workspace models and global capability centers establishing large offices in India, Stylework’s Master Service Agreement-led, tech-enabled platform continues to capture this demand via Flexboard and other products, connecting 650+ coworking and managed office operators (5000+ centers) to enterprise clients nationwide.

Be ready to taste Europe in a new way – its sunlit coasts, alpine villages, and countryside kitchens reimagined for today. Onrique now brings this spirit to the table with a menu that carries the essence of tradition yet speaks in a fresh, contemporary voice.

The menu travels across Europe; from the lavender fields of Provence and the alpine pastures of Ticino to the sunlit shores of Greece and Italy. The Head Chef builds on traditions where open-fire cooking, artisanal cheese-making, cellar-aged preserves, and communal bread rituals form the soul of everyday meals. Guided by the philosophy of heritage over haute, stories over trends, the menu revives ancestral techniques with a contemporary touch.

Highlights include the Ligurian Olive Focaccia layered with sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary, the stone-baked Pinsa Romana with its perfect char, and the delicious Seafood Nelusko crowned with a pistachio crust and silken mornay sauce. The Josper grill lends depth to French classics like Coq au Vin, while Alpine-style Spätzle arrives in a rich cheese sauce with peas and crisp onions. Sweet finales feature the chocolate-laden Swiss Nocturne and a lemon-zested Crème Fraîche Panna Cotta with lavender and almond crunch.

The craft behind the menu extends into methods like charcoal-oven roasting for depth and smokiness, preservation and pickling inspired by Alpine and Mediterranean pantries, and heritage grain pasta-making reminiscent of Roman artisanship. Layers of flavor emerge through unexpected pairings, lavender with pistachio, orange blossom with hazelnut, while slow braises and fire cooking bring authentic ingredients into focus with warmth.

Onrique’s inclusive philosophy responds naturally to Mumbai’s changing tastes with vegetarian favourites; nearly 40% of the menu caters to plant-based diners or adapts easily to vegan preferences. Dishes like Charred Aubergine with salsa verde, Grilled Peach Panzanella with burrata and heirloom tomatoes, and Swiss Potato Rösti with mushroom ragout prove that thoughtful dining can be both dietary-conscious and flavourful. Gluten-free elements weave through soups, fire-grilled mains, and desserts, while seasonal specials will evolve with the harvest calendar to keep the menu ever fresh.

“We’ve looked to the kitchens of Europe where cooking was slow, soulful, and rooted in memory,” shares The Head Chef. “From Provence’s sunlit slopes to Ticino’s mountain farms and the Aegean’s salt-tinged air, our menu is inspired by traditions where food carries stories across generations rather than leaning on fleeting theatrics.”

As thoughtful as the menu they accompany, the cocktails bring Europe’s pantry into the glass – herbaceous, citrusy, and bright, each one designed to pair naturally with the food rather than compete with it. 

Small rituals slip into the evening with ease, shaping dinner into an experience worth remembering. Every so often, a communal toast rises, a pause shared over a spirited cheer, a mindful bite, and a ringing “Santé!”, while rooftop gatherings sparkle with glasses raised for birthdays and anniversaries. Simple traditions, rooted in European dining culture, bring people together and mark the night with warmth and meaning. The rhythm they create stays with you long after the last dish leaves the table.

Adding a unique layer to the evening, Onrique’s Memory Makers bring an extra warmth to the table, setting a narrative around the experience and the small rituals that shape the meal. This keeps  the evening flowing with just the right mix of pace and personality, making sure the service feels personal. The presence turns service into storytelling, giving the experience a sense of occasion without ever feeling staged.

Gurugram, Nov 20: Furthering its mission to enable underserved consumers to access financial products and make informed choices, Paisabazaar has introduced Udyam registration, GST registration, and GST filing services across its retail stores. These services are aimed at self-employed individuals—one of the most credit-challenged segments—who often face barriers arising from inadequate documentation, insufficient financial records, and limited familiarity with digital channels.

At these stores, trained experts would provide consumers with expert advice, curated recommendations according to need and profile, and documentation assistance along with complete guidance on a range of financial aspects.

Santosh Agarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar, said; “For self-employed consumers and small business owners, access to credit and other financial products  has traditionally been challenging and complex. We, at Paisabazaar, are aiming to address this challenge through our phygital model to empower small businesses. This initiative is in line with our brand purpose – Har Sapna Hoga Sach – helping every Indian make smart financial decisions.”

The primary focus of these stores is on small business owners and shopkeepers, assisting them through every step related to their business and credit needs. Along with the FST and Udyam services, consumers can walk in and also explore various credit options, such as business loans, personal loans, home loans, etc., at these stores and get end-to-end assistance in choosing the right option for their credit requirements.

In addition to these services, consumers visiting Paisabazaar retail stores can check their free credit score and explore the best available loan and credit offers. Trained experts also assist them in understanding their credit profile, improving their credit health, and making better financial decisions.

Currently, Paisabazaar retail stores are operational in Gurugram (Jail Road), Noida (Sector 15) and New Delhi (Lajpat Nagar), where consumers can avail Udyam, Aadhaar and GST registration, along with expert assistance for GST filing.

The company plans to expand its retail presence to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where credit demand is growing rapidly. The number of these stores will be further increased as the initiative continues to deliver positive outcomes.

Chennai,  Nov 20:  – A new report from Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH) reveals the true cost of complexity for today’s businesses. The Cost of Complexity Report, based on a global survey of 706 professionals across IT, customer experience (CX), finance, and operations, highlights the three areas where complexity causes the most damage to a business: revenue, employee productivity, and morale.

The Freshworks report shows that software itself has become a primary drag on bottom-line efficiency and top-line growth, finding that organizational and software complexity drains an average of 7% of annual revenue—a loss roughly equal to the size of a typical R&D budget, according to EY.

Business software is a leading source of this complexity, according to the report, with companies wasting ₹1.20 for every ₹5 spent on software due to failed implementations, underused tools, and unexpected costs. While that’s damaging enough, the broader economic impact is staggering. Across the Indian economy, software complexity costs nearly ₹14,60,000 crore annually (approximately $175 billion USD).

“For years, companies have been conditioned to believe complexity signals sophistication. Our research confirms what I’ve long believed—the very tools meant to help businesses move faster are now holding them back,” says Dennis Woodside, CEO of Freshworks. “Organizations are realizing that complexity is a choice to grow slower than you should and that to compete, they must uncomplicate with urgency. The future belongs to those who remove friction, restore focus, and move faster toward their customers.”

Key global findings of the report include;

The Revenue Drain: 20% of Software Spend Lost to Complexity

The financial impact of software complexity extends far beyond the sticker price:

• More than half (53%) of companies admitted they haven’t received the return on investment (ROI) they planned from their software.
• On average, one third (34%) of companies cite revenue leakage from software delays and missed business opportunities.
• Many leaders (43%) say implementations have gone over budget in the last 12 months, with another third (32%) saying vendor support wasn’t helpful.

These inefficiencies can limit an organization’s ability to reinvest in innovation and scale new initiatives. Over time, these hidden costs quietly erode momentum and slow organizational growth until the cumulative damage becomes impossible to ignore.

The Productivity Crisis: Nearly a Full Workday Lost Each Week;

Adding to the ROI hit, workplace complexity is taking a steep toll on productivity. New research shows that employees lose nearly seven hours every week almost a full workday—to complicated processes and fragmented tools.

Every day, workers are contending with:

• 15 different software solutions and four communication channels on average.
• Almost half (45%) say their team works in siloes.
• Nearly two-fifths (37%) say their organization lacks a single source of truth.

This growing complexity across tools, processes, and systems hits CX and IT professionals the hardest. For CX teams, top frustrations include uncustomizable workflows (42%), toggling between too many tools (36%), and routine tasks taking too long (33%). For IT teams, top challenges are integrating with other systems (36%), siloed tools (32%), and clunky or outdated UX (28%).

“Complexity not only erodes the employee experience, but ultimately the customer experience as well. When people spend their energy managing systems instead of relationships, every customer interaction suffers,” said Mika Yamamoto, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Freshworks. “Technology should empower people, not overwhelm them. When companies unify systems and processes, taking a people-first approach to eliminate complexity, teams can focus on what matters: building relationships that keep customers happy and businesses growing.”

The Impact on Morale: 60% of Workers May Quit;

Beyond lost time and efficiency, the productivity crisis is taking a serious toll on morale. The research found that when employees are bogged down by complexity and poor change management, the impact extends far beyond engagement. It drives turnover, amplifies burnout, and ultimately stalls growth.

• 60% of surveyed employees said they are at least somewhat likely to leave their organizations within the next year
• Primary drivers behind potential departures include organizational complexity (38%), complicated processes (30%), burnout (30%), and poor or difficult software (17%)
• Software implementations impact morale, with nearly one in five workers (17%) saying someone on their team quit or burned out because of an implementation in the past year.

This isn’t just about people leaving their jobs—it’s about organizations operating far below their potential. When employees are burned out by complexity, they can’t show up for each other or their customers. Morale plummets, collaboration suffers, and the innovation that drives growth hinders to a halt. In today’s competitive talent market, every departure disrupts momentum, weakens creativity, and erodes the shared knowledge that helps a business grow.

Moving Forward: Simplicity as a Business Strategy;

The Cost of Complexity Report makes it clear that organizations can no longer afford to treat complex enterprise software as a normal cost of doing business. By rethinking their technology stacks and prioritizing simplicity, organizations can unlock real growth by optimizing budgets, recovering lost productivity, and improving employee morale.

To download the full report and take the quiz to understand your complexity archetype, visit https://www.freshworks.com/freshservice/resources/reports/complexity-cost/

Methodology;

Freshworks conducted a survey of 706 practitioners and decision-makers across six countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, India, France, Germany, and Australia. Respondents represented a wide range of organizational functions, including IT, customer experience (CX), marketing, finance, human resources (HR), and sales.

Participants came from organizations spanning multiple industries, such as retail, travel, entertainment, education, manufacturing, and government. To ensure representation across business scales, the sample included companies of varying sizes:

• Small: 10–250 employees
• Commercial: 250–500 employees
• Mid-size: 500–1,000 employees
• Large: 1,000+ employees

The average annual revenue of companies surveyed in a normal fiscal year was nearly $3 billion USD.

Freshworks also conducted 25 qualitative interviews with decision-makers such as chief information officers, chief technology officers, chief financial officers, and chief people officers.

Day 2 of the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 delivered major insights into the future of AI, autonomous business, and IT spending. Key discussions covered why GenAI projects fail, the evolving landscape of global AI regulation, the transition toward autonomous business, and crucial considerations for AI and GenAI contracts.

Key Announcements

India’s IT Spending Forecast

• Gartner predicts India’s IT spending will surpass $176 billion in 2026, highlighting accelerated digital and AI-driven transformation across industries.

Top Reasons Why GenAI Projects Fail And How to Fix Them

Speaker: Arun Chandrasekaran, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner

Enterprises are under pressure to demonstrate measurable value from GenAI pilots. Chandrasekaran outlined common pitfalls and how organizations can avoid them.

Key Takeaways

• “The biggest risk with GenAI today is not taking any risk or waiting for the dust to settle.”

• Reason 1: GenAI alone may not deliver optimal results—use composite AI combining multiple techniques.

• Reason 2: Avoid tech obsolescence by building composable architectures and ensuring AI-ready data.

• Reason 3: Don’t treat responsible AI as an afterthought; embed it at the core of all initiatives.

• Reason 4: Invest in data and AI literacy through hands-on training that emphasizes both understanding and application.

The State of AI Regulation: Building a Unified Strategy

Speaker: Anushree Verma, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

With AI laws emerging rapidly worldwide, organizations must navigate varied compliance frameworks without slowing innovation.

Key Takeaways

• “Most AI laws share a common structure… defining AI, assigning risk tiers, and outlining obligations.”

• High-risk AI systems require strong risk management programs to monitor, track, and mitigate risks.

• Ensure the quality of data used in training and inference for high-risk systems.

• Establish human oversight mechanisms to detect and address abnormal system behavior.

• Launch AI training programs so teams working with high-risk AI understand compliance requirements and can spot issues.

Autonomous Business: The Next Phase After Digital Business

Speaker: Kristian Steenstrup, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner

As AI reshapes products, customers, and operations, Steenstrup outlined the shift toward autonomous business—the next frontier after digital transformation.

Key Takeaways

• “Autonomous business is a force multiplier… enabling business innovation beyond traditional leadership.”

• Build an augmented workforce using AI-driven adaptive training to accelerate learning.

• AI-powered products will redefine customer expectations; leverage automation to unlock new revenue streams.

• Prepare for machine customers—AI agents engaging in transactions.

• The programmable economy will monetize new value forms; fintech adoption will be central.

Addressing Risks in AI and GenAI Contracts

Speaker: DD Mishra, VP Analyst, Gartner

GenAI introduces unique contractual risks related to data usage, responsible AI, and evolving pricing models.

Key Takeaways

• Ensure vendors clearly define data access, use, and responsible AI practices.

• Monitor market changes, as rising adoption and shifting pricing models can complicate contracts.

• Buyers should push for transparent, predictable pricing, as vendors often do not offer it upfront.

• Play an active role in shaping future standards by demanding greater transparency and risk mitigation from vendors.

End of Day 2

That wraps up Day 2 of the symposium. You can explore the agenda for Day 3 on the event website. If any session interests you and you’d like deeper insights, we can facilitate an interaction with the respective Gartner analysts.

CHENNAI, Nov 20: The Trinity Arts Festival 2025 is set to host a captivating Bharatanatyam presentation, ‘The Sacred Trinity,’ by the distinguished dancer, Dr Jagyaseni Chatterjee. The elegant performance is scheduled on 22nd November 2025, at RR Sabha Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Hall, Mylapore. The 50-minute recital promises to be a deeply immersive journey into the compositions of the revered Carnatic Trinity.

Dr Jagyaseni Chatterjee, a Bengali artist who has established a distinctive presence in the Bharatanatyam landscape over the last decade, is celebrated for her refined abhinaya and intellectual engagement with classical texts and history. Her work is characterised by a commitment to rigorous research, bringing cultural depth and scholarly precision to the classical idiom she has embraced with conviction.

‘The Sacred Trinity’ explores the luminous world of Carnatic music’s foundational composers—Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastry, and Saint Tyagaraja. Through the expressive language of Bharatanatyam, Dr Chatterjee will interpret the spiritual core of their masterpieces. The performance will feature Dikshitar’s majestic, meditative ‘Vande Meenakshi’; Syama Sastri’s deeply devotional compositions dedicated to Kamakshi; and Saint Tyagaraja’s bhakti-soaked outpourings to Lord Rama, forming the thematic and musical spine of the event.

The performance is ideated and choreographed by the veteran artist Dr Lakshmi Ramaswamy, Tamil Nadu State Awardee, Top Grade Artist of Doordarshan, Senior Fellowship Ministry of Culture, Fulbright Fellow, who will also lead the recital with Nattuvangam. The stellar ‘Live Orchestra’ features: Nattuvangam by Dr Lakshmi Ramaswamy, Vocalist Sai Sabapathy, Mridangam artist Veda Krishna Ram, Violinist Ananthakrishnan, and Flautist D. Yakeswaran.

This presentation, running from 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM, is an essential offering for connoisseurs of classical arts, promising an evening of cultural depth, artistic introspection, and a profound homage to three musical giants through the lens of Bharatanatyam.

What happens when your past comes to haunt your joyful present? In the modern dating scenario where love gets lost in its own quest, here comes Jalso, a film that captures the joys, insecurities, and unexpected turns that shape human relationships. 

It is a simple yet special story that stays close to the heart for the way it reflects the vulnerability and strength within each character.

Hiten Tejwani, a prominent face in the world of entertainment, has now made his presence in the second Gujarati film with Jalso. The actor is known for playing some very charismatic role and this time, he has given quiet an exciting performance, bringing a sense of sincerity and emotional honesty that anchors the film, making the audience feel both seen and understood.

Sharing his experience, Hiten said,

“Shooting for Jalso was refreshing at a creative and emotional level. The story is rooted, honest, and gave me a chance to explore a very real kind of character. Working with Gauri in her debut Gujarati movie, felt incredibly special. There was a natural comfort and chemistry that instantly came back. It felt like revisiting an old rhythm we both loved.”

Speaking about the evolving landscape of the industry, he added,

“Gujarati cinema is going through a beautiful evolution. Stories today are bolder, more authentic, and deeply connected to the audience. There’s a new confidence in the industry, and I feel fortunate that Jalso is a part of this new wave.” Audience loved seeing Hiten and Gauri together on screen after so long.

With its sincere storytelling and performances that linger long after, Jalso invites viewers to experience the quiet magic hidden in life’s simplest moments — now streaming on JOJO.

Coimbatore,Nov 20:  Ramraj Cotton participated in the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025, an event graced by the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the summit and addressed key stakeholders in the natural farming ecosystem. The three-day event focused on strengthening sustainable agricultural practices, improving soil health, and empowering farmer-led innovations across South India.

Representing Ramraj Cotton at the summit were Founder & Chairman Shri K.R. Nagarajan, Director Mrs. Sumathi Nagarajan, Managing Director Shri B.R. Arun Eashwar, and Joint Managing Director Shri S. Aswin. The leadership showcased the brand’s sustainable product portfolio, featuring pure cotton garments, bamboo fibre towels, and silkworm-cultivated Silk Dhotis, all reflecting Ramraj’s commitment to eco-friendly production rooted in India’s farming heritage.

Ramraj Cotton also highlighted the initiatives it supports, including the World Coconut Farmers Producers Organisation, which works towards uplifting coconut farmers and promoting the natural beverage Thenneera. The Vanam India Foundation, another agriculture-focused initiative associated with the brand, participated in the summit to spread awareness on natural farming and reinforce community-driven agricultural systems across Tamil Nadu.

Speaking about this, Ramraj Cotton Founder & Chairman Shri K.R. Nagarajan said;

“What began as a humble journey in handloom weaving has today grown into a movement that embraces our farmers and our soil, creating meaningful change for the future. Through garments made from pure cotton, towels crafted from bamboo fibre, and silkworm-cultivated dhotis, Ramraj Cotton continues to champion natural farming and uphold our Swadeshi values. Our goal is simple: to support our farmers, protect our soil, and promote a healthier way of living. This recognition reinforces our commitment to continue walking the path of sustainability with sincerity and responsibility.”