Archive: December 1, 2021

CIE (IIITH Incubator) selected for INR 5 Crore startup funding grant from Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

Hyderabad, 1 Dec 2021: CIE (IIITH Foundation), the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship of IIIT Hyderabad, has been selected for the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India.

INR 5 Crores was sanctioned to the incubator by the Experts Advisory Committee(EAC) after evaluating IIIT-H Foundation’s impact on startups, progress and achievements over the past 13 years.

CIE helps enable and support eligible early-stage technology startups creating innovative solutions in areas of Deeptech (AI/ ML,CV, NLP, Robotics, VR/AR, Blockchain), Enterprise Tech, Edutech, Healthcare and Medtech. Startups based on research or those that have been started by researchers will be preferred.

The funds will enable proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization by providing financial assistance upto INR 25 Lakhs.

For the next 3 years IIIT-H Foundation will support around 20-25 startups through this scheme to enrich CIE’s active deeptech startups seeding and growth programs. In recent years CIE has seeded 15+ startups from research and in 2021, 4 startups including Revos, Instoried, Paymatrix, Scholr have exited, returning 4x multiples on the equity held by CIE.

“IIIT Hyderabad has always had serious aspirations to translate research into solutions for industry and society. Our incubator was started in 2008 to enable this. Over the years we have seeded several startups, and nurtured a few hundred startups.  Very happy to see this support from Startup India” says Prof. P. J. Narayanan, Director, IIITH.

Five Offbeat Career Options to Explore

India is replete with doctors, engineers, chartered accountants and lawyers. But there are a few areas of disciplines that have newly attracted interest of future job seekers. There are a few offbeat career options that keep your future secured considering the growing demand of these new designations. Let us check out five unconventional career choices to set yourself apart from the others and swim against the current:

Jewellery Design

Jewellery design is another specialised segment that has scope for someone with an eye for detail. The employment prospects of jewellery designers are quite bright in India.Gemology courses are also required to get a deeper understanding of different gems. If your child has the interest, patience and aptitude for this, you can also sign up for classes at an early age.

Check out:https://jecrcuniversity.edu.in/department/department-of-design

Pet Grooming

Pet grooming is a relatively new career with booming potential. This is for natural pet lovers, who love to care for the health and hygiene of pets. The clientele is now extending beyond the rich and celebrity profiles to office going individuals and couples who are looking for an integrated solution of kennel and styling for their pets. Some veterinary knowledge is also a must to pick up on medical ailments. While, there are pet grooming courses available, developing a keenness for pets from an early age certainly helps.

Check out: https://thepetnest.com/pet-grooming-course

Game Designer

Worldwide, Game Developers are in high demand, commanding impressive salaries.Game Designing is one of the most upcoming Courses for students who wanted to make a Game Designer Career in India in animation. The gaming industry is rapidly growing at a pace of 50% per annum. There is a very wide and bright future in game design in India.

Check out: https://www.niit.com/india/graduates/information-technology-courses-college-students/game-development-cours

Solar Science

The renewable energy sector is fast growing now and the solar industry is becoming a major job creator. According to reports, Indian solar sector is expected to generate 3,00,000 jobs by 2022 to achieve its target of 175 GW.This makes it a hotspot for establishing future careers among students.

Check it out: https://indianinstituteofsolarenergy.com/

Travel Consultant

Travel consultants coordinate and arrange travel for individuals/groups. Depending on your expertise and management skills, you can work for a travel agency or create your own agency. Travel consultants need to have good network, they must be technologically sound and must be able to negotiate well. Once a travel consultant can establish himself well, there is a scope to earn handsomely and gain more clients.

Check out: https://col.thomascook.in/centreoflearning/course.html

Commvault Wins Two Prestigious Indian Industry Awards

Bangalore, December 1, 2021 – Commvault (NASDAQ: CVLT), a recognized global enterprise leader in intelligent data services across on-premises, cloud, and software as a service (SaaS) environments, has recently been awarded two distinguished industry honors. The company has been listed as one of India’s Best Workplaces in IT and IT-BPM 2021 by the Great Place to Work® in India from November 2021 to November 2022. Commvault has been recognized for its excellence based on the five dimensions of High-Trust, High Performance Culture, Credibility, Pride and Camaraderie.

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits, and government agencies in more than 60 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades.

In addition, Commvault has been awarded the ‘High Growth in Exports – IT/ITES’ by Software Technology Parks in India (STPI), Bengaluru. Commvault has been recognized in the category of exports greater than INR 5cr and up to INR 100cr. The awards ceremony was held during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021 on November 17, 2021. In FY 2020-21, STPI-registered units under STPI-Bengaluru jurisdiction contributed Rs. 2.14 lakh crore IT/ITeS/ESDM exports.

Initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the STPI award recognizes and commemorates top performing IT/ITES companies of the state for their export performance and contribution during the financial year. STPI-Bengaluru has been the backbone for the growth of the software and hardware industry in the Karnataka region for three decades and has enabled Bengaluru to emerge as one of the largest IT clusters across the globe, coined as Silicon Valley of India. STPI-Bengaluru has warranted the growth of software exports from the Karnataka region and generated employment and entrepreneurial opportunities by buoying the economic progress of the nation.

“Driven by our purpose and people, we are honored to be acknowledged with two reputable industry recognitions. A positive and high employee engagement rate is a key parameter for a company’s performance and productivity. Our employees are the key to our innovation and success. These recognitions reinforce our continued efforts to sustain our commitment to fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and inspiration for our diverse and inclusive Vaulter community. I want to thank each Vaulter for their contribution, resilience and dedication in a challenging year, and look forward to many more significant milestones together,” said Ramesh Kalanje, Vice President, Center of Excellence, Commvault.

About Commvault

Commvault (NASDAQ: CVLT) liberates business and IT professionals to do amazing things with their data by ensuring the fundamental integrity of their business. Its industry-leading Intelligent Data Services Platform empowers these professionals to store, protect, optimize, and use their data, wherever it lives. Delivering the ultimate in simplicity and flexibility to customers, its Intelligent Data Services Platform is available as software subscription, an integrated appliance, partner-managed, and software as a service—a critical differentiator in the market. For 25 years, more than 100,000 organizations have relied on Commvault, and today, every quarter, Metallic is doubling the number of customers who leverage it to modernize their environments as they look to SaaS for the future. Driven by its values—Connect, Inspire, Care, and Deliver—Commvault employs more than 2,700 highly-skilled individuals around the world. Visit Commvault.com or follow us at @Commvault.

American Standard launches Spalet for superior personal hygiene and luxurious comfort

American Standard, a division of the LIXIL Group and one of the most iconic international brands in sanitaryware, introduces the Spalet. The American Standard spalet collection includes beautifully crafted shower toilets such as the Aerozen and Acacia E, as well as electronic bidet seats with pampering spa-like functions to provide everyday comfort and enhanced personal hygiene right in your own home.

Some of the hygienic features of the American Standard spalet is the Dual Nozzle, which has dedicated front and rear cleansing nozzles. Posterior Cleansing is a powerful, direct spray that provides a thorough cleanse. With Feminine Air Bubble Soft Cleansing, a gentle flow of warm aerated water provides a soothing shower that is gentle enough for a woman’s delicate areas. Then there’s the deodorizer, which is activated as soon as the user is seated. It also has Anti-Bacterial Protection, which includes the use of antibacterial resin on the seat, cover, nozzle, and remote control. Siphonmax is a dynamic vacuum mechanism that uses side water jets to create a powerful swirl and a lower jet to completely remove heavy and light waste. The nozzle tips that are rinsed with water before and after each use benefit from Self-Cleaning Nozzles. There is a nozzle shutter that prevents waste materials from getting to the nozzle tips, thus ensuring better hygiene. To prevent bacterial growth, the Auto Drain System automatically replaces unused water in the boiler after 72 hours.

The spalet has an Instant Heating System for comfort, which provides instant and consistent warm water as well as a heated seat with an easily adjustable temperature. It also has a Massage spray, which alternates between strong and mild sprays to create a relaxing massaging effect. The temperature of the Dryer can be easily adjusted for comfort. The computer remembers the settings, allowing the previous user’s settings to be retained.

For Convenience the Quick- Detach Seat Cover design allows the seat cover to be easily detached for convenient cleaning of hard-to-reach areas. It also has an Auto seat and flush; a sensor that detects your presence and opens (and closes) the lid and flushes automatically; this function determines the type of flush based on the amount of time spent on the shower toilet. The Remote Control allows you to easily operate all bidet functions with the help of a handy remote control.

It also has energy and water-saving features, such as the One-Touch Power Saver, which disables water heating and seat heating while allowing cleansing and flushing to continue. After 8 hours, the machine will return to its original settings. It is Water-saving in both an ecological and economic sense. Under unusual circumstances, the power supply will be cut off automatically with the help of the Circuit Breaker, assisting in energy conservation. With these technologically advanced features, you will be pleasantly surprised by this innovation, and you might even wonder why it didn’t make its way into your bathroom sooner.

American Standard continues to offer beautiful bathroom products that suit diverse lifestyles and personalities by combining superior design with innovative technologies. American Standard provides total relaxation and maximum utility that remains relevant to the needs of today’s families and that of future generations.

XLRI ExPGDM to Host their Flagship CEO Conclave “Avensis”

XLRI ExPGDM batch of 2021-22 will be hosting Avensis, XLRI’s flagship International CEO Conclave, on 10th December 2021. The theme for the conclave is Enabling Change, Facilitating Growth.

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Participants can register here-

https://forms.gle/kY7xdpBPhL1281pR9

The CEO Conclave will have an inaugural address by Dr. H K Pradhan, Professor, Finance & Economics, XLRI Jamshedpur, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ex-Faculty, XLRI Jamshedpur & Chief (HRD + OL&D) at Tata Steel.

After Dr. Jitendra’s welcome address, the chief guest Mr. R.Gopalakrishnan, CEO – The Mindworks and Former Executive Director TATA Sons, will share his insights on Managing in Turbulent Times, followed by the Keynote Address by Mr. Jaspreet Bindra, Founder, Tech Whisperer Ltd., UK on the topic The Digital Workplace: Think, Share, Do.

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The day will further witness an Expert Opinion with Leaders on Foreign Investors Perspective on Indian Startup investment with a panel comprising of Mr. Pankaj Gupta, Founder & Co-CEO, Gulf Islamic Investments & Mr. Gaurav Biswas, Founder & CEO, Trukker, and moderated by Dr. Trilochan Tripathy, Professor, Finance, Associate Dean (MLS, Case Research Center), XLRI Jamshedpur. Next will be the Keynote Session by Mr. Rajaram Sankaran, CEO, Pharma Giant, African Landscape on African Cluster: A continent of Opportunity for Pharmaceutical Market.

The post-lunch session will be a series of keynote sessions by Mr. Thomas Kuruvilla, Managing Partner, Member of the Global Board, Arthur D’Little on Transformation Journeys: The Reasons- Why and The Art of How, by Mr. Joseph Anwyll, CEO, Radical Sportscar on How Radical Sportscars Turn Amateurs into Racing Drivers Without Breaking the Bank, by Mr. Arjun Mohan, CEO, Upgrad on EdTech that Empowers People- Optimizing the Online Learning Experience, by Mr. Premal Desai, Dy CEO, Evolutionizer on Revolution of Strategy Development, by Ms. Shinjini Das, CEO and Founder, Das Media Group on Content with Meaning – Convert Followers to Dollars, by Mr. Naman Shrivastava, CEO, Global Governance Initiative on Your Skills Instantaneously have a Global Market: GenZs, by Mr. Guru Sankararaman, Co-Founder, CFO and SVP of Operations, Tekion on Journey of Tekion – Unicorn Status – Former Tesla Executive’s Automotive SaaS Retail Platform. The event will be concluded with a Batch Profile Presentation and Vote of Thanks by the Placement Committee, ExPGDM, XLRI Jamshedpur.

The one-day ExPGDM flagship International CEO conclave is a virtual event and looks forward to hosting an eclectic mix of professionals and students globally.

 

How Internet is enabling businesses from Tier 3 cities to reach metros

The advent of the Internet has made the world a global village. There is thus some poetic justice to the fact that more and more villages are going global today with the help of internet connections. As the world moves towards holistic and integrated tech-lead lives, the promise of deeper internet penetration in India is an advantageous reality. It has enabled a greater bout of connectivity across regions, territories, and unstructured parts of the nation. The internet dispersion is strong and the infrastructure is rapidly building up which has enabled tier-2 and tier-3 cities to revolutionise their presence and become digital.

The impact of reliable and fast internet in tier-2 and tier-3 cities have made them more digitally literate and has helped establish their virtual holdings. The benefits that can be scavenged with a speedy internet connection are numerous, but one that takes the cake is entrepreneurship. It has provided home-grown entrepreneurs the ability to grow and evolve while addressing a wider set of niche, thus eventually making inroads with metro cities.

A recent study conducted by Instamojo highlighted that entrepreneurs, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 locations, are increasingly understanding the significance of having an online presence. These businesses are ready with agile, dynamic models that function in a hybrid online-offline environment and focus on a particular problem statement with distinctive solutions.

Not just limiting their interaction to https in the world of wide web, these budding enterprises are also expanding their presence on social media pages that facilitated e-commerce growth in other tier-2 and tier-3 cities. With accounts on social networking platforms like Instagram and Facebook, businesses are able to post real-time updates of their products, services and the reviews which helped create a regulated and revered audience and quicker customer interactions and acquisition.

The examples of unique business ventures that stem out of and are a clear indicator of technical growth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India are multifold. For instance, GenRobotics, a Trivandrum-based business made its first product—a robot called Bandicoot that automates manhole scavenging and eliminates manual involvement. A company called Inntot, based out of Cochin has an affordable way of digitizing analog radio and is rendering services in India as well as in multiple international markets. Another interesting case study is of a Bhubaneshwar-based establishment named Milk Mantra where you can digitally buy milk along with other dairy products.

While these regions are big on innovation, they are big on spending too! Some research data suggests that smaller towns now account for 46 % of the Indian e-commerce sector, up from 32% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Furthermore, user consumption and expenditure on the internet has increased from 26% to 43% in these cities.

With these statistics, ISPs should aggressively expand into more and more tier-ii and tier-iii cities. These cities are currently the gold mine of ideas which have the potential to become the next popular start-up but the only piece missing from the puzzle is seamless interconnectivity.

As we go online and look for opportunities, we shall also strive to provide them for small businesses from small towns and cities.

Pranjal Agrawal, CEO, Furnmill

The realm of bespoke luxury finds an eclectic new definition at Hèrmosa Design Studio, a home décor haven that is boldly redefining industry trends, under the leadership of their young and dynamic CEO Pranjal Agrawal, who has recently also launched a second home decor label named Furnmill – a smart, modern and functional brand that uses 100% solid wood as a base for most products. Born out of their passion for original design and the desire to create products for every home, his futuristic vision for solutions and alliances for making the latest in interior design accessible to tier two markets serves as the driving force for the brands.

Pranjal completed his Bachelors’ degree in Banking from Jai Hind college and soon after he began his entrepreneurial journey with a social project under the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, owing to which he committed to manufacturing and installing 4,000 toilets in Rajasthan.

He joined his family group and started working on Orilite, a building solutions manufacturing brand, as a second-generation entrepreneur. There on, he envisioned a bespoke elevated home décor label that catered to crowds beyond the large metropolitans and thereby, Hèrmosa Design Studio was born in 2018 and Furnmill,in 2021. The multi-faceted entrepreneur is the CEO of the parent company Oriental Power Cables Ltd, contributes as the Partner at one of its brand undertaking Orilite Lifespaces LLP and also serves as the CEO of its counterpart Hèrmosa Design Studio and sister company Furnmill. In addition, he zealously performs his duties as the Co-founder of Jiffy Eats (a venture of Emote Food Products Pvt Ltd).

Furnmill

“With emphasis on minimal, sleek and contemporary design, we have the best furniture solutions for urban families,” says Pranjal Agrawal, CEO, Furnmill and Hèrmosa Design Studio. “The goal is to create a product that will fulfill the desired functionality as well as appeal to the senses. Our furniture is built for convenience, comfort and durability. We choose only the best raw materials to ensure every single piece is as durable as it looks.” says Pranjal. About Hermosa’s flagship outpost in Jaipur, Pranjal points out, “Modern Rajasthan is reviving up and being urbanised at an accelerated pace. People of Jaipur like experimenting with new things, which is what makes it the perfect starting point to tap into the tier two market,” he adds. The road to making his dreams a reality is paved with actionable milestones, and tempered with intuitive foresight about the future of the market.

Pranjal elaborates, “We are looking to explore augmented reality and artificial intelligence in manufacturing, to make it smart and sustainable.”

To that extent, they envisaged their soon-to-be-launched e-commerce portal, an engaging digital medium that will afford customers an experience akin to a physical shopping spree. The design team at Hèrmosa Design Studio and Furnmill pull together global inspirations and local techniques. With a range of industry experts who have carefully studied furniture in terms of form, design, essences and finishes, the brand aims to push boundaries through creative approaches and original designs.

Guided by a thoughtful leadership philosophy that prioritizes long-term, big-picture thinking, Pranjal has also been recognized as one of the youngest members of the Entrepreneurs Organization, Jaipur and CII – Young Indians. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, he continued to build high brand saliency for Hèrmosa Design Studio, even while navigating the new normal.

He pivoted with the changed realities in the pandemic era and scaled up its environmentally-conscious manufacturing facility in Kota by 4.5 fold, to a sprawling area of 2, 00,000 sq. ft. The expansive factory is supplemented with state-of-the-art machinery imported from Germany and Italy and has a certification of compliance, the impressive Quality Management System meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, for the manufacture and supply of wooden furniture, handcrafted items and accessories for domestic as well as export sectors. This production facility was created under the leadership of Schuler Consulting, an independent company of the HOMAG Group AG, that is known for their expertise in the woodworking industry.

Pranjal undertook several philanthropic activities as a dedicated response to the unprecedented pandemic. He made available and accessible everyday rations for marginalised communities and distributed 10,000 ration kits containing everyday food staples, enough to last a week. He further donated newly purchased steam cleaners and sanitation equipment for plants and local hospitals in Rajasthan. They worked hand-in-hand with government hospitals to arrange for PPE kits, masks and essential medicines for their employees, amounting to 2,000 masks and 5,000 sanitiser bottles. These efforts were supplemented with the creation of a hotline number for any emergency services needed during the lockdown. Going truly above and beyond the mandate, he also aided the local administration of Kota by providing 30 commercial vehicles for the distribution of essential goods and supplies during the two months of lockdown. Hèrmosa Design Studio and Furnmill stand strong by its commitment to aiding
all sectors of the society on the road to a better tomorrow and CEO Pranjal Agrawal is demonstrating impeccable leadership in making that a reality.

Earn money by sharing products you recommend using Zingoy

Zingoy, India’s fastest growing cashback platform has a feature that allows its customers to earn money, by sharing called the “Share and Earn Money” feature, it is Zingoy’s take on affiliate marketing.

With over 500 registered merchants offering cashback options when customers purchase through the Zingoy app, this feature offer’s Zingoy’s shoppers a chance to share their favourite products and earn money while they do so.

By following three simple steps, a user can help their favourite brands reach a wider audience using a “magic link”, that allows them to earn back some of the money. The money earn in the form of cashback can be transferred to the bank account directly or can be used for shopping.

To start earning money through their suggested products, Zingoy customers can copy the product URL of the product or store they wish to share with their friends and followers. Open Zingoy’s “Share and Earn Money” featured page. Paste the product or website URL in the earn URL generator to receive their personal “magic link”. Share the “magic link” generated with friends, family and through their social media platforms, encouraging more people to purchase from the link.

Zingoy customers can opt to receive the money earned as a gift certificate or directly in their bank accounts. With over 1000 retailers to choose from, Zingoy is giving everyone a chance to earn some money while they shop through the platform.

About Zingoy:

Zingoy Rewards Pvt. Ltd. was established in 2015 with the acumen to become the best cashback platform for online shopping. Based out of Mumbai, the company offers three different models for customers from different categories.

The B2B model serves companies looking for corporate gift cards and prepaid cards at the best prices. The B2C model assists customers with online shopping deals and cashback offers from 500+ top merchants in India. In addition, in its C2C model, users can sell gift cards to another Zingoy customer with safety assurance from the company. The foremost and most in-demand model of the company is the B2C model.

With the highest cashback rate for online shopping transactions and branded gift cards from over 1500+ merchants, Zingoy is an all-in-one marketplace for online shopping, gifting and earning through surveys. Besides allowing its users to sell their unused gift cards to other users at the best rates. Zingoy also allows its users to make money from filling suitable surveys.