All posts by Sujata Achary

New Delhi, January 28, 2025: Greko India today announced that it is all set to bring Mikel Coffee, one of the world’s fastest-growing coffee chains, to India through a partnership that will see the first store being launched in Delhi-NCR.

Greko India is the exclusive master franchise partner for Mikel Coffee in India. It offers a comprehensive gateway to Europe through the Greece Golden Visa program. The company aims to strengthen partnerships between India and Greece through economic partnerships and cultural exchanges.

Mikel Coffee, which is headquartered in the Greek city of Larissa, has created a strong wave in five continents, across 19 countries with 375 stores in its network. This expansion in India will be Mikel Coffee’s first footprint in South Asia.

Known for its rich aroma, distinct flavors, and exquisite experiences, Mikel Coffee was started in 2008 in Larissa, Greece by its Founder and CEO, Eleftherios Kyriakakis. It is celebrated across the world for its artisanal brewing techniques and will now offer Indians a slice of authentic Greek coffee culture.

Commenting on the entry of Mikel Coffee in India, Founder & CEO of Greko India, Gaurav Wadhera said, “We are extremely thrilled to announce that one of the world’s most loved coffee chains, Mikel Coffee, is coming to India. Despite being a tea-loving country, India’s coffee market has been growing exponentially. As per industry estimates it is expected to touch $1.2 billion growing at a CAGR of 9.8%.Since 2008, Mikel Coffee has made a strong reputation worldwide by setting new benchmarks for cafe culture. We are committed towards unlocking exceptional value for Mikel Coffee in India.”

Speaking on the partnership, Eleftherios Kyriakakis said, “We are excited to be finally in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Our presence in India offers us immense possibilities as the coffee market is expanding fast. The Indian market has evolved over the last few years with a growing appreciation and taste for an artisanal brewing experience. Our partnership with Greko India in bringing Mikel Coffee is a testament to our commitment of offering the finest in rich Greek heritage to Indian consumers.”

After launching the first outlet in Delhi NCR with a concept of a cafe-restaurant,Mikel India has an aggressive expansion plan. The brand is keen on making inroads in key markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru in coming years. Each outlet will offer coffee aficionados Mikel Coffee’s distinctive aesthetics and warm, welcoming ambience. The partnership also underlines Greko India and Mikel Coffee’s commitment to sustainability and community development.

Rahul Jain – CFO, NTT DATA Payment Services India

The Union Budget 2025 should allocate more funds to incentivize the use of low-value BHIM UPI-based payments and Rupay debit cards. Bank and payment service providers and NPCI typically incur a cost of nearly 0.25% of the transaction value for processing a UPI P2M transaction. As UPI continues to rise exponentially, the payment ecosystem needs to invest in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), face recognition payments, and blockchain. These technologies will make the digital infrastructure more robust, ensuring the safety of digital payments. To address the rising concerns of digital fraud, it is essential to create stringent mechanisms to mitigate these risks. Strong government support for the digital payment ecosystem, along with streamlined policies, can foster financial inclusion, innovation, and growth in the fintech sector. Additionally, targeted initiatives for employment generation and skill development will further bolster this growth. By focusing on these areas, the Union Budget 2025 can play a pivotal role in enhancing the digital payment landscape and ensuring a secure, inclusive, and innovative financial ecosystem.

National, 28 Jan 2025: Nu Republic introduces the “Girl Pwr” product line – a vibrant line-up of colorful, stylish TWS earbuds and super slim power banks, designed for women who demand more than just functionality. These aren’t your standard black tech accessories—they’re bold, beautiful, and made to complement your vibe, not cramp it.

The GRL PWR Collection is all about blending fashion and function. It’s tech you’ll want to show off, not tuck away. From dynamic colors to sleek designs, these earbuds are meant to be worn like your favorite accessory, making a statement wherever you go.

The GRL PWR Collection from Nu Republic® features the crowd-favorite Epic X3 True Wireless Earbuds in bold, eye-catching Hot Pink and Teal Green, adding a splash of personality to your daily tech. Complementing the earbuds is the sleek Powerpop X1 5000mAh power bank, also available in matching shades of Pink and Teal Green—perfect for tech that’s as stylish as it is functional.

Customers can choose between standalone products or opt for the specially curated gift pack, an ideal choice for celebrating the women in your life who value individuality and style.

Speaking about the launch, Ujjwal Sarin, Founder of Nu Republic®, said: “We want women to ditch the boring blacks, grays, and whites, and embrace colors that let them stand out and express their unique style with confidence.”

Shibani Akhtar, the brand ambassador for Nu Republic®’s GRL PWR campaign, shared her excitement:”I’m absolutely thrilled to be the face of Nu Republic®’s GRL PWR Series. This initiative feels deeply personal to me because it’s about more than just products—it’s about encouraging women to own their space, unapologetically. I’ve always believed that confidence and self-expression are two of the most powerful tools we have as women, and the GRL PWR series embodies that perfectly. From the bold colors to the innovative features, it’s a reminder that we should never shy away from standing out. I’m excited to be part of a campaign that celebrates individuality and empowers every woman to embrace her own unique power.”

In an exciting collaboration, Nu Republic® has launched the GRL PWR series on Swiggy Instamart, allowing consumers to access this innovative and stylish collection in just 10 minutes. This partnership delivers cutting-edge lifestyle tech directly to customers’ doorsteps with unmatched convenience.

Speaking on the launch, Hari Kumar G, Chief Business Officer, Swiggy Instamart, said, “At Swiggy Instamart, we are committed to offering our customers unique and exciting products, and the GRL PWR series by Nu Republic aligns perfectly with this vision. Gadgets are no longer just functional; they have become an extension of personal style. The GRL PWR series breaks away from traditional monotone designs, introducing a vibrant range of colorful, fashionable tech that embodies personality and confidence. This partnership merges bold design with everyday utility, catering to the large demographic of women users on Swiggy Instamart. We’re thrilled to offer these one-of-a-kind products, bringing style and convenience together in one place.”

28 January 2025, Mumbai: The final leg of the Standard Chartered Cup 2024, India Edition, successfully concluded in Mumbai with Tata Consultancy Services, Kolkata, team emerging victorious. The 5-a-side, 10-minute corporate football tournament witnessed football action with 7 winning teams from seven cities competing for the coveted trophy and prize.

In the end, Tata Consultancy Services, Kolkata, team defeated Tata Consultancy Services, Hyderabad, team (4 – 0) to emerge as the winner of the India edition of Standard Chartered Cup 2024.

The finale event was graced by Liverpool Football Club legend, Steve McManaman, along with senior officials from Standard Chartered Bank, India.

The winning team will visit Anfield, the iconic home of Liverpool Football Club to witness the Reds in action and have the privilege of soaking in the electrifying atmosphere of a live English Premier League match. They will also get an exclusive stadium tour, including a behind-the-scenes entry to the Dressing Room of the Home Team and the iconic Player’s Tunnel.

Speaking at the occasion Nitin Chengappa, MD, Head Affluent Distribution & Branch Banking, Standard Chartered Bank, India, said, “SC Cup 2024 gave us unforgettable moments to cherish with some great games coupled with fierce competition and team spirit. The tournament is in line with what the Bank, which has been present in India for over 165 years, aspires to achieve – continuously communicating with clients across the world based on our brand promise of ‘Here for good.’ Huge congratulations to the winning team on their outstanding achievement and we extend our appreciation to all participating teams for showcasing remarkable sportsmanship and dedication throughout the tournament.”

Liverpool Football Club legend, Steve McManaman said, “I would like to congratulate the winning team. It’s been a fascinating experience to soak in the sights and sounds of Mumbai and interact with football enthusiasts. I would like to thank Standard Chartered Bank for giving me the opportunity to visit Mumbai and engage with the employees and the participating teams.”

Standard Chartered’s partnership with Liverpool FC started in 2010 and it is one of the longest associations in the Premier League. The Bank is the second longest running Front of Shirt sponsor in the Premier League. In India, football has a sizeable following, particularly for marque clubs like Liverpool FC. Among Standard Chartered Bank’s top 7 markets, India is ranked one among the Liverpool FC internet connected followers and for the social and digital followers.

Mumbai, January 28, 2025: UGRO Capital, a leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, today announced its robust financial performance for the Quarter and Nine-month Period ended 31st December 2024. The company recorded its highest-ever quarterly loan origination of INR 2,098 crore, surpassing INR 1,552 crore in the same quarter last year. Its Emerging Markets Secured Loans (erstwhile Micro Enterprises business) experienced significant growth, with disbursements at INR 543 Cr in Q3’FY25, up from INR 180 crore in Q3’FY24, underscoring UGRO Capital’s commitment to empowering small businesses.

UGRO Capital sustained its growth momentum in Q3’FY25, achieving an AUM of INR 11,067 crore as of Q3’FY25 representing 32% increase compared to Q2’FY24. This surge can be attributed to increasing net loan origination, the opening of 74 new branches in the Emerging Market Segment in 9MFY25, achieving the highest-ever disbursement, Embedded Finance growth, and a data-driven underwriting model that together enable consistent quarterly disbursals of over INR 1,000 Cr.

In terms of financial performance, UGRO Capital reported a total income of INR 1,030 crore for the nine months (9M’FY25), reflecting a 37% YoY growth. For Q3’FY25, total income stood at INR 385 crore, marking a growth of 38% YoY and 12% QoQ. The PAT for 9M’FY25 scaled up to INR 103 crore, up 19% YoY, while Q3’FY25 PAT was INR 37 crore, reflecting an impressive 15% YoY and 6% QoQ increase. The company achieved net disbursements of INR 5,215 crore in 9M’FY25, reflecting 21% growth, with Q3’FY25 net disbursements reaching INR 2,098 crore, up 6% QoQ.

On the liability side, UGRO Capital mobilized its highest-ever debt of INR 1,400+ crore during Q3’FY25, bringing its total debt to INR 6,151 crore as of December 2024. The robust quarterly performance, coupled with optimal GNPA/NNPA metrics of 2.1%/1.5%, highlights the quality of UGRO’s portfolio and reflects a well-structured risk management framework. UGRO Capital’s distinctive co-lending approach, accounts for 44% of its off-book AUM, and its strategic partnership with 16 Co-lending partners, 59 lenders, over 60 fintechs, and 730+ GRO partners, facilitates data-driven, tailored financial solutions for more than 1.6 Lakh MSMEs across India.

Speaking on the performance, Mr. Shachindra Nath, Founder and Managing Director of UGRO Capital, said, “Our strong growth trajectory demonstrates the resilience of our business model and our unwavering focus on serving the MSME sector. The GRO Score patent exemplifies our commitment to innovation, and our growing branch network ensures deeper penetration into underserved markets. We aim to scale our micro-enterprise portfolio to ~35% of AUM by March 2026, driving yield expansion and fostering financial inclusion. As we move forward, we are confident in achieving our strategic goals while continuing to empower MSMEs across the country.”

“Agentic AI can transform productivity by handling complex tasks independently and adapting to feedback, but its responsible use is essential – making data privacy crucial for building trust. AI’s effectiveness depends on the quality of its data, making strong governance and data quality vital. Responsible data handling doesn’t just build trust—it unlocks AI’s full potential.

Protecting privacy today means being transparent, ethical, and proactive. As Agentic AI evolves, challenges like skill gaps, fragmented governance, and real-time data needs highlight the importance of clear processes and secure data pipelines. To succeed, businesses must upskill teams, implement strong governance, and invest in impactful AI solutions.

Building local cloud regions enhances data security and compliance, safeguarding sensitive information. With Gartner predicting that by 2028, 40% of enterprise AI assets will be traded through marketplaces, privacy and authenticity are more critical than ever. On Data Privacy Day, let’s commit to safeguarding data, building trust, and embracing the Agentic Systems Era, where intelligent agents create new opportunities for growth”

-Varun Babbar, Managing Director – India & SAARC, Qlik

Mr. Utham Gowda, Founder & CEO of Captain Fresh,

“As India charts its path to achieve ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports annually, the Union Budget 2025-26 is expected to play a pivotal role in driving this ambitious goal.

At Captain Fresh, we’ve seen how technology can form the foundation for creating a platform business connecting various nodes across the global supply chain. As digitization becomes an imminent theme in organizing global supply chains, India can position itself as an exporter of not just seafood but also technologies that transform the value chain. We hope the government will incentivize innovation by fostering collaboration with tech startups in the production ecosystem—both marine & aquaculture—to address critical challenges like scalability, market access, and international quality standards.

We expect the budget to emphasize technology integration, infrastructure development, and policy reforms to enable sustainable growth. Strengthening bilateral trade agreements to reduce tariff barriers and prioritizing R&D to advance domestic productivity will be crucial for meeting growing global demand.

By modernizing infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices, the government can boost exports and position India as a global leader in the Blue Economy, creating significant economic opportunities for coastal communities. Aligning fiscal priorities with sectoral needs will also enhance resilience, generate employment, and drive GDP growth while solidifying India’s standing in the $450 billion seafood industry.”

Mr. Haresh Karamchandani, MD & Group CEO, HyFun Foods

“As a pioneer in the export of frozen potato products from India, we recognize the vast opportunities presented by food processing – a sunrise sector. We believe the upcoming budget can be a turning point by focusing on three key aspects:

First, capital investments through measures such as long tax holidays for new capex above a particular threshold and export-linked incentives that make products competitive vis-a-vis larger manufacturing economies. Larger processing units benefit from economies of scale, making products globally competitive and boosting foreign exchange earnings.

Second, this sector has the potential to be a significant employment generator. Subsidies linked to additional job creation can accelerate labor absorption and improve livelihoods for many.

Finally, increasing domestic consumption by lowering taxes for the middle and upper-middle classes will stimulate demand and drive further economic growth.

We are optimistic that the budget will acknowledge these priorities and provide the support needed for sunrise sectors like the food processing sector to thrive and become a major driver of growth for India.”

By Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL SAS

India’s farmers have long played a pivotal role as custodians of the country’s food security. But they find themselves beset by challenges just when the country needs their farmlands to be at their productive best.

India, home to 1.4 billion people, is already the world’s most populous country. Its population, still growing, is only expected to peak at a whopping 1.7 billion in 2062.

This population surge, combined with a growing economy, rising disposable incomes, increasing urbanization and rapidly evolving dietary habits, is creating unprecedented demand for food.

India needs its farmlands to step up if it is to keep its growing population fed and hold on to its mantle as one of the world’s largest food exporters. We have to do this at a time when global warming-induced climate change is wreaking havoc, causing everything from disrupted weather patterns and extreme events to more frequent pest attacks.

To put it simply — India’s farmlands are being called upon to produce more food than they ever have at a time when growing that food has never been harder.

This pressure to meet growing domestic and global food demand is exacerbating the challenges farmers in India have already been grappling with like high costs of production, reduced farm incomes and cumbersome debt burdens.

Clearly, the approach to farming needs a re-think. We need to equip the agriculture sector and our farmers to meet the challenges facing them not just today but the challenges they will face tomorrow.

We need to equip them to boost the productivity of their farmlands while building resilience to the ever-worsening effects of climate change.

Technology could hold the key.

New-age digital solutions powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), sensor-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) has transformed nearly every aspect of human existence.

Similarly, it has the power to revolutionize India’s farmlands.

It can enable precision agriculture, a practice that uses technology and data on soil and crop health to determine the specific quantity and timing of water, nutrients and protection products a crop needs based on which stage of its growth cycle it is in.

Precision agriculture, therefore, turns farming into a far more regenerative, resource-responsible practice which brings down costs, boosts yields and therefore farm incomes, while also conserving soil health.

Other aspects of digital agriculture can help farmers plan crop cycles better.

Satellite technology, for instance, can help predict weather more accurately. This information can help farmers plan sowing and harvesting cycles to coincide with the most favorable weather.

This is crucial in today’s age of disrupted weather patterns, with delayed or unseasonal rainfall affecting yields of key seasonal crops like monsoon rice and winter wheat.

Digitization can also prove to be a formidable weapon against pest attacks. Drones, for instance, can fly over large tracts of land fast. Their imaging technology can scan for signs of a pest or disease outbreak, alerting farmers to it before it has had a chance to spread too far.

Digitization has already shown results. The World Economic Forum’s AI for Agriculture Innovation initiative carried out in collaboration with the Telangana government, for instance, helped chill farmers in the state achieve a 21 percent increase in yields.

At the same time, it helped them reduce pesticide use by 9 percent and, most crucially, delivered an $800 income boost per acre per cycle.

In fact, on a broader scale, research shows that digital agriculture has the potential to boost agricultural GDP of low-and-middle income countries by over $450 billion or 28 percent a year.

This is as strong a reason as any to change the way we do farming. The world is now in a digital age. Farming needs to go digital too. India’s farmers have sacrificed much to help the country achieve food security often at great cost. This food security has been the bedrock underpinning the economic growth that has made India prosperous. It’s time we recognized this. It’s time we empowered our farmers to prosper too.

Chandigarh, January 28, 2025: IIFL Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of IIFL Group, launches the ‘Sakhiyon Ki Baadi’ Anthem on the occasion of National Girl Child Day, January 24, 2025, to celebrate the spirit of millions of girls across India, fighting against all odds to become literate. This inspiring anthem serves as a testament to the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to empowering young girls and ensuring access to education for every child. It is a tribute to the resilience and determination of the girls who are the cornerstone of this initiative.

This beautiful anthem brings the cultural flavor of Rajasthan and was sung by the famous Rajasthani folk singer Kheta Khan. The video showcases vibrant pictures from Sakhiyon Ki Baadi schools taken by noted photographer Abhijit Bhatlekar and IIFL’s employee Rajiv Shinde. The video is edited by Kasbah Films and Media Private Limited.

Mrs. Madhu Jain, Director of IIFL Foundation, remarked, “The anthem is more than just a song; it is the voice of every girl whose dreams have found a nurturing platform through ‘Sakhiyon Ki Baadi’. This anthem will undoubtedly resonate far and wide, reminding us all of the power of education and the importance of investing in our future leaders. On this National Girl Child Day, we reaffirm our pledge to break barriers and create opportunities for young girls to thrive and shine.”

Under Mrs. Jain’s leadership, IIFL Foundation’s flagship education project, Sakhiyon Ki Baadi, has successfully enrolled over 36,000 out-of-school girls into 1,200 schools, primarily located in remote tribal villages of Rajasthan. The program provides educational opportunities for girls who have either never attended school or had their education interrupted. Currently, the initiative is active in the districts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Pratapgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur, Sirohi, Pali, Jalore, Bhilwara, Jodhpur, and Ajmer.

Besides Sakhiyon Ki Baadi, IIFL Foundation has many other education-focused initiatives. IIFL Foundation has adopted 102 girls’ schools in Rajasthan in partnership with Education Department of Rajasthan and is providing state-of-the-art classrooms, smart labs, and clean toilets. It’s another innovative model ‘Maa Bari’ project has transformed 30 schools with modern infrastructure and facilities to promote education for first-time learners from indigenous tribal communities in Rajasthan. Another project is ‘Sampark’, through which IIFL Foundation aims to reach over 4 lac students across 5800+ government schools in Rajasthan improving their English and Mathematics with an opportunity to expand to more schools.

IIFL Foundation’s ‘Digital Shaala’ project introduces 5000+ students to digital pedagogy with installation of TV sets equipped with AV learning material covering grades 6 to 10. IIFL Foundation’s Sesame Community radio initiative reaches over 2.5 lac students providing foundational literacy. IIFL Foundation also runs ‘Chauras’ a daycare-cum-literacy center for children staying at construction sites.

Besides education, IIFL Foundation is also well-known for its successful interventions in the areas of health, poverty alleviation and climate action among others. IIFL Foundation is one of the first CSR foundations to launch drone-based last mile vaccine delivery and introduction of agriculture drones. Through its various initiatives the foundation reaches over 10 lac beneficiaries.