Archive: February 1, 2023

Crossbeats unveils REVOLT Earbuds

Crossbeats unveils REVOLT EarbudsBengaluru 01 February 2023: Crossbeats is one of the leading smart wearable brands in India that offers a range of TWS earbuds and smart wearables. The homegrown brand is known for bringing new technologies to the wireless audio segment. 

In the latest edition, Crossbeats has announced REVOLT – its premium TWS earbuds that offer Hybrid Active Noise cancelling of up to 35dB. REVOLT claims to offer a concert-like music experience with its EcoDrop TM  Bass Units, the earbuds include — 3 noise cancelling modes i.e. ANC On, ANC Off & Ambient mode with a built-in wind noise reduction feature in order to pick up crisp vocal notes.

Further, REVOLT offers the fastest charging in the TWS category in which the users can expect around eight hours of listening time by just charging for 10 mins with SnapChargeTM and is equipped with a powerful 380mAh battery capacity to run for extended hours.

Among other features, the true wireless earbuds are made with in-built woofers to give an immersive music experience to the user. Its 6 powerful microphones are a big boon for those working professionals, who are continuously on calls amidst a crowded environment. The feature ensures to offer crisp and clear voice quality. The attractive TWS comes in black colour to add the extra style quotient to your personality.

The buds are built with an IPX4 Water-resistant rating and claim to offer a 40MS lower latency and are designed to ensure lag-free immersive gaming audio throughout the game. The affordable buds come at an introductory price of 2499/- and are available through the Crossbeats website along with Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, JioMart, Nykaa Fashion, TataCLIQ, and other leading offline retail stores.

Griffins International School celebrates Annual Sports Day

Griffins International School celebrates Annual Sports Day

Kolkata / Kharagpur: Griffins International School Kharagpur successfully celebrated Annual Sports Day. Games and sports have become an integral element of present-day education. Sports teach us the most valuable lessons of life i.e. Resilience, Perseverance, Leadership and Team-work, which, in turn, help an individual to build a strong character.

Griffins International School, Kharagpur, with an aim to bring holistic development among students, organised its Annual Sports Meet 2022-2023 for students of Nursery to Grade V on Saturday, 28th January, 2023 in the school premises.

The event was graced by distinguished Chief Guest Ms. Shahwar Hashmi, President – SERWWO (South Eastern Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation), Kharagpur Division.

Ms. Priyanka, Senior Sports Officer, IIT Kharagpur, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

The programme commenced with the Welcome Speech by the Principal Ms. Renu Aneja. Soon after, the dignitaries and the guests were greeted with the Welcome Song and was followed by the Lighting of the Torch. Post the ceremonial inauguration of the Annual Sports Meet by the dignitaries, the Chairman Mr. Abhishek Kumar Yadav enlightened the students with his encouraging words. The Guest of Honour was very delighted to see students of Primary wing performing with enthusiasm and motivated them with important life skills learnt through sports and games. She also emphasized on discipline and urged the parents to encourage them to play outdoor games rather than playing mobile games. The Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of the teachers and students in putting up the event. She further encouraged the students to work hard and put their best in all the work they take up.

The welcome rally was performed by the students of Classes Nursery to Grade II showcasing the motto of the school and sports. The Oath Taking Ceremony took place House wise with students from Grade III to V, spearheaded by the Headmistress Ms. Ruma Mazumdar. A series of colourful events followed soon after comprising of Puzzle Race, Flag Race and Jacket Race to name a few. The sports events for Grades III to V included Flat Race of 50m, 100m and Relay Race of 4x100m for both girls and boys.

During the Prize Distribution Ceremony, the enthusiastic winners were awarded by the honourable Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour, the Chairman, the Principal, and the Headmistress. The delightful winners bagged the medals and certificates in different categories of events.

The prestigious Champion Trophy was bagged by Phoenix House for scoring the highest points.

The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Aripra Chakraborty, Junior School Prefect, followed by the National Anthem sung by the gathering with immense pride.

ESDS Announces Unique Wellness Leaves Organization-wide

01 February 2023, Nashik, India: ESDS Software Solutions ltd is all set to implement the 11-day paid leave policy for Vipassana meditation to promote better mental and physical health across the organization. This unique policy will be available for ESDSians from Jan 2023 onwards, making ESDS one of the first organizations to introduce this distinctive practice.

Piyush Somani, the Managing Director, and Chairman of ESDS is a true believer and follower of a healthy lifestyle along with good mental health, and he has been practicing Vipassana for many years now. The idea behind introducing this new policy was to encourage the team members to take time off to focus on their overall well-being.

As Vipassana is a form of meditation that has been proven to reduce stress, increase focus, and improve overall well-being. The addition of this exclusive leave policy allows ESDS members to take advantage of this powerful practice and to return to work refreshed and rejuvenated and leading a healthier lifestyle.

This upgrade to their leave policy is one of many ways that ESDS is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive work environment. “We believe that the well-being of our people is a critical aspect of our success and growth. Investing in the health and happiness of our team members will lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. I am a firm believer of Happiness in the Workplace and with better mental health along with a good physical health our ESDSians will truly be able to achieve Happiness both at Home and Workplace. Vipassana meditation is a form of mindfulness meditation that aims to promote mental well-being through Spiritual Happiness. The moment when our soul and our life feels in sync. It involves focusing on the present moment and observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment. By regularly practicing Vipassana meditation, an individual can experience reduced stress and anxiety, improved emotional regulation, increased self-awareness, decreased negative thought and improved sleep quality all these benefits can contribute to overall improved mental health and well-being.” said Komal Somani, Whole Time Director and CHRO of ESDS Software Solution Ltd. Komal has been the official Happiness Officer at ESDS with planning and implementing initiatives to keep the Happiness quotient up and running.

The Managing Director and Chairman of ESDS Software Solutions Ltd. Piyush Somani expressed, “We are excited to offer this new benefit to our ESDSians and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our organization. I feel in this hectic life we don’t take our health that seriously until we are forced to. Why wait for your body to force you to take a break when you can start taking control today? I am sure that this practice will motivate our ESDSians to take charge of their life and focus on living better and spreading this habit within their families as well.”

ESDS Software Solutions Ltd. a Nashik-based company is amongst India’s leading managed cloud service and end-to-end multi-cloud requirements providers (Source: Ken Research Report).

Yokohama Rubber’s ADVAN tires coming factory-equipped on Toyota’s new GR Corolla

Yokohama Rubber’s ADVAN tires coming factory-equipped on Toyota’s new GR CorollaMumbai February 01, 2023: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that it is supplying its ADVAN APEX V601 tires as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new GR Corolla, which was launched in Japan in early 2023 and has been gradually introduced to the overseas markets. The GR Corolla is being fitted with 235/40R18 91W size tires.

The ADVAN APEX V601 tire being fitted on the GR Corolla is a high-performance summer tire that features the latest tire technologies as well as an asymmetric tread pattern reminiscent of that first used on one the Company’s most historically important tires, the YOKOHAMA A008. The ADVAN APEX V601 tires provide the GR Corolla with strong gripping power as well as superior wet performance and handling performance.

Under Yokohama Rubber’s current medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023), the consumer tire business aims to maximize the sales ratios of high-value-added YOKOHAMA tires, namely the global flagship ADVAN brand, the GEOLANDAR brand of tires for SUVs and pickup trucks, and various winter tires. One of the key initiatives under this strategy is expanding the adoption of ADVAN and GEOLANDAR tires as original equipment on new cars. Yokohama Rubber also is strengthening sales of its ADVAN flagship brand in the replacement tire market, where it introduced its ADVAN Sport V107 global flagship tire and the ADVAN NEOVA AD09, a new high-performance street sports tire, in 2022.

The NEW Shop ropes in Rajkummar Rao as brand ambassador: unveils expansion plans for 10000+ convenience stores by 2030

The NEW Shop ropes in Rajkummar Rao as brand ambassador:

New Delhi – The NEW Shop, India’s largest convenience retail company has appointed Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao as the brand ambassador. In a series of campaigns to expand its footprints across the country, the actor will be featured in a variety of digital and print platforms such as social media, OTT, OOH, and IVR messaging to connect with prospective consumers through physical The New Shop stores and in-app services.

Within two years of its inception, The NEW Shop has expanded to over 100 stores with 70+ franchised stores in the last 18 months, while surpassing the ARR mark of INR 100 crores in the past year. Navigating the unexplored convenience retail sector in India, the company’s omnichannel presence and hyperlocal services offer a “next-gen everyday shopping” experience to a wide variety of demographic. With its plans to expand and open new stores in the near future, the company wants to go beyond conventional strategies of consumer engagement through collaboration with Rajkummar Rao.

Sharing her excitement on the recent development, Aastha Almast, Co-Founder and Head of Business, at The NEW Shop, said, “We are proud to have come a long way since our inception. We are growing rapidly across India through franchise partnerships, but we intend to create 10,000 successful independent stores by 2030. We have so far seen a phenomenal response to our franchise model; thus we want to spread the word even more about this idea. We believe that now is the right time to bring on board a brand ambassador and strengthen our brand-building initiatives.”

While carving a niche as an actor in Bollywood can be quite daunting, Rajkummar Rao has proven to the world over time and time again that talent is not only a product of merit but a combination of perseverance and diligence. What sets him apart is the unconventionality with which he has navigated through the industry by setting his own rules and striking a chord with the audience. His risks have been nothing less than entrepreneurial, which resonates with the company’s organic growth and breaking systemic barriers by providing round-the-clock quality services to consumers.

In continuation on the same, Aastha further added, “It is quite admirable how Rajkummar Rao has overcome all obstacles to become a renowned Bollywood star. Despite coming from a humble background, he has made his mark through honesty, hard work, dedication, and persistent efforts. And for this reason, audiences connect with him immensely. We are honored to be associated with a celebrity that personifies the entrepreneurial spirit of taking risks and overcoming obstacles with courage and determination. Due to his business savvy and hard-working demeanor, he is the ideal brand ambassador for our brand and franchise partners. We thank Rajkummar Rao for believing in us and being a part of our growth journey.”

India is the third-largest consumer market in the world with its largest ever adolescent and youth population. A uniform, state-of-the-art convenience retail service that is available everywhere in the country at reasonable prices and catering to millions of Indian customers with regard to time and location is an exciting space for creating business opportunities. The franchise model aims to offer around 70 million traditional shopkeepers, aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses to enable them to build a successful business in convenience retail driven by technology and consumer needs.

Expressing his happiness, Rajkummar Rao said, “I am thrilled to be partnering with The NEW Shop, a youthful and energetic brand exhibiting rapid growth. I identify with the co-founders’ determination to create a brand, ensuring its sustainability, and profitability; and I believe this comes from their prior entrepreneurial experiences. By encouraging our nation’s workforce to become future entrepreneurs, the brand is on a mission to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Simultaneously, it strives to provide consumers with standardized round-the-clock convenience in the truest sense and makes consistent progress toward reaching the zenith. I am excited to be a part of the brand’s journey and look forward to contributing to its success in all ways possible.”

The NEW Shop offers a wide range of quick-consumption goods, including groceries, OTC, FMCG, and fresh food and beverages. It also offers add-on services such as printing, ATMs, courier, EV charging stations, freshly prepared food, etc. With its aim to provide services in busy transit hubs, office buildings, schools, and densely populated neighborhoods; the company serves clients across all touchpoints, including physical retail, e-commerce (via its website and app), as well as through marketplaces like Zomato, Swiggy, and Dunzo, owing to its tech-enabled hybrid omnichannel strategy. Customers can use the app to order delivery to their doorstep, visit the nearest store, or even opt for in-store pickup. With a new feather added to the hat, the company’s focus in 2023 is to establish a strong pan-India presence and grow 10x capturing more territorial presence in 20+ cities.

The Indian Institute of Architects (Karnataka Chapter) and Marble Centre International launches community app for the AID fraternity

 1st February 2023: The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), the national body of Architects in India with more than 1,24,000 members and Marble Centre International (MCI), one of India’s largest importers and retailers of marble and natural stones, have collaborated to launch the IIA Mobile App for its Karnataka Chapter. The IIA Mobile App is a networking and knowledge-sharing platform exclusively for the community to connect, create and collaborate. With the app, IIA and MCI’s focus is to strengthen the community by facilitating smooth and effortless communication among members. In turn, this will encourage the AID fraternity to reach out, share, learn, and evolve.

The creation of the IIA Mobile App stems from understanding the needs and gaps of the Architect & Interior Designer (AID) community making it a truly unique solution-oriented platform. The app aims to address, resolve and enhance the digital ecosystem for the community. It not only serves as a repository of architects across the state but also as a ready reckoner for project listings and locations in each neighbourhood. It is a space for discussions, debates, knowledge sharing and networking.

In terms of experience, the app is truly user-centric in design. With its visually appealing interface, the app endeavours to seamlessly integrate key elements of the most popular and frequently used messenger and social media platforms, so that content can be exchanged and shared across platforms. It is a cohesive digital ecosystem for architects to connect with others in the industry and build businesses. The possibilities for the community will continue to grow and evolve over time as more architects and designers download, register, and use the app.

Speaking on the IIA App, Rahul and Gaurav Maheshwari, Directors, MCI said, “The AID community is an integral part of our industry. While there are numerous apps that aid in drawing, sketching and other technical essentials, we noticed a gap in the industry for a strong platform for the AID fraternity to build connections and network. We are delighted to collaborate with IIA – Karnataka Chapter to launch the IIA App. Our vision and purpose of giving back to the community resonated with that of the IIA-Karnataka body. We believe that it is these collaborations within the industry that make the fraternity stronger, well-informed and cohesive. We hope to further integrate the AID community and explore a whole range of opportunities to build and strengthen the community as a whole.”

MCI has played a foundational role in building the IIA App. The support and involvement of MCI has enabled IIA – Karnataka Chapter to realise the full potential of the app and generate awareness about its valuable features. The vision is to integrate and explore additional possibilities together for the AID community.

The launch of the app in collaboration with IIA is in line with MCI’s corporate philosophy to remain at the forefront of industry transformation and evolution. In a largely unorganized market, MCI steers the way for excellence, thought-leadership and evolvement of the AID fraternity as a whole.

The IIA app is available on The Play Store and The App Store and is currently available for architects across the country apart from those registered with IIA Karnataka chapter. With the app, the vision was to create a one-stop digital destination developed by IIA-K and adopted by members of IIA Chapters across all the states of India.

Fire-Boltt introduces its Outdoor Series of smartwatches with Cobra

New Delhi, February 01, 2023: Fire-Boltt- India’s No.1 smartwatch brand*, announces the launch of its latest smartwatch – Cobra, the first from its ‘Outdoor’ series. This rugged timepiece comes with a huge 1.78-inch always-on AMOLED display with 368*448 pixels resolution, providing an outstanding visual experience to the users. Designed especially for outdoor enthusiasts, Fire-Boltt Cobra has been passed through a series of toughness tests to withstand even the most challenging and thrilling environmental conditions like dust, water splashes, pressure, etc. A perfect match made between rugged looks and outstanding features; this Bluetooth calling smartwatch will be exclusively available on Flipkart & Fireboltt.com from 31st January onwards at an introductory price of INR 3499.

The all-new Fire-Boltt Cobra exudes toughness from the inside out. Its three-layered body composition is lightweight yet high in strength and resistant to corrosion. The smartwatch is equipped with a solid internal structure with a high-strength metal frame that upgrades the watch’s defence structure and makes it ready for the thrill of the outdoors. While the solid body of the smartwatch tackles outdoor activities with ease, its skin-friendly silicon strap with a sweat-wicking design ensures it stays dry and sits comfortably on the user’s wrist. Inspired by the spirit of military and nature, the smartwatch comes in 4 striking colour variants- Solid Green, Solid Black, Camouflage Green, and Camouflage Black.

Fire-Boltt Cobra seamlessly combines technology with a bold design which is reflected in its 123 sports modes and intelligent sports algorithm feature that helps in tracking down even the minutest of details of your workout sessions. The smartwatch is equipped with an inbuilt mic & speaker and supports Bluetooth calling which comes with HIFI audio quality. With the availability of a quick dial pad on the watch, the users can make, reject or accept calls on the go. It also has a call log function which lets you save a few important contacts on the watch itself. Another striking feature of the smartwatch is its powerful battery which lasts up to 15 days on a single charge. If used in battery saver mode, the Fire-Boltt Cobra can keep running tirelessly for up to 30 days. Moreover, the smartwatch comes with a 60 Hz high refresh rate and 500 Nits brightness, making the smartwatch experience more seamless for the users.

Commenting on the launch, Aayushi Kishore and Arnav Kishore, Co-Founders of Fire-Boltt, said, “At Fire-Boltt, innovation is at the very centre of all the initiatives we undertake. The Cobra smartwatch is one of its kind innovation from the all-new outdoor series by Fire-Boltt. It is a reflection of our continuous hustle to provide people with the best of products & innovation that not only is up to mark but also a testament for all the adrenaline enthusiasts to follow their passion without compromising on style or price points. Our success has been the result of the increasing trust our customers have in us that motivates us to continue to serve them with the best options in the market.”

The smartwatch is equipped with a Voice Assistant feature which lets users set alarms or reminders on the go. It also comes with 24/7 dynamic heart rate monitoring, female health care, sleep monitoring and SpO2 monitoring. It is further complimented by a camera and music control option with multiple watch faces along with a layout customisation option to unleash one’s creative side. Rated IP68 for water resistance, the smartwatch can easily handle accidental water splashes and strenuous workouts in the gym. With in-built games and app support system, the smartwatch never lets anyone have a dull moment. The smartwatch also gives periodical health reminders, weather forecast, alarm clock, timer and stopwatch that allows user to fully utilise their time outdoors.

Professional upskilling provides learners job advancements and help future-proof career opportunities, according to Emeritus India Impact Survey

Mumbai, February 01, 2023: In order to keep pace with a rapidly changing business environment, professionals are increasingly using the upskilling programme to learn new skills, fill in knowledge gaps, grow in their current jobs and future-proof their career opportunities.

In a recent survey with learners in India – Emeritus – the global leader in world-class professional education, has gathered insights to determine the exact nature of how professional programmes help learners.

An overwhelming majority (81%) of the respondents from the survey believe that the programme they took had a positive impact on their career and professional development. Knowledge enhancement and gaining better understanding of a new field that is relevant to their practise area were cited as the key drivers for taking up an upskilling programme.

The professionals surveyed revealed they have seen a positive impact within 12 months of completing a programme, while many of the respondents believe that the programme, they underwent helped them validate and fill knowledge gaps in their job. More than half (58%) of respondents stated that the programme provided them with the necessary skills and training needed to advance their careers and helped them future-proof their careers. The Emeritus India Impact Survey also points to how learners have more options for career progression after completing an upskilling programme.

According to a McKinsey Global Survey on reskilling in 2021, the urgency of addressing skill gaps is clear and, across industries, more important than ever. Most respondents say that skill building is the best way to close those gaps and that they have doubled down on their efforts to reskill or upskill employees since the pandemic began. The survey suggests that the need to address skill gaps is more urgent than ever. Majority respondents said that closing skill gaps in their companies’ workforces has become a higher priority since the pandemic began.

The positive impact of the upskilling programme is not limited to one’s direct work, as 2 out of 3 learners stated that the programme helped them find new meaning and inspiration in their lives, and more than 90% reported the programme helped them build their self-confidence, leadership skills & expand their network. Professionals also stated that they felt more engaged at work if they are learning new things. The top driver for learners in India to take up upskilling programmes is the need to improve their skill set at their current roles and improve their effectiveness at work to overall advance their careers.

Speaking about the India Impact Survey, Mr. Mohan Kannegal, CEO, of India and APAC, Emeritus, said, “At Emeritus, we are committed to our mission of making high quality, impactful education accessible to everyone in India. Upskilling oneself today has become an essential element in one’s professional journey. It is heartening to see the rising numbers of learners who are choosing quality upskilling programmes in order to enhance their knowledge, grow within their current organisation or looking to move to another role outside.” 

The India Impact Survey was conducted in September 2022, with learners who have completed Emeritus professional education programmes through its partner schools before June 2022.

Emeritus connects learners through global virtual classrooms, partnering with over 60 top universities to offer online and app-based learning in formats including courses, certificates, online degrees, boot camps, etc. The company has a truly global reach – serving more than 250,000 learners across 160 countries, with programmes offered in a variety of languages.

Pre-Budget Expectation Quotes from Indian Startups

PrepInsta- Edtech Startup

Budget 2023 is expected to deliver much assistance to EdTech companies in the form of ease of doing business and faster document approval, as well as incentive policies to support innovation and job creation. A strong educational network, we believe, is critical for stimulating the economy and fostering new ideas, technologies, and next-generation businesses. Currently, taxation in India is very high in comparison to other nations, giving investors room for a second thoughts before investing. Therefore, for Ed-tech firms to lure foreign or domestic funding and accelerate business momentum, the government must lower taxes such as dividend tax and capital gains tax to gain investors’ faith to invest in India.– said Mr. Aashay Mishra, Co-founder & COO of PrepInsta

India has the highest proportion of generation Z and millennials interested in digital learning to improve their skills and prepare for the technical jobs. Despite Ed-tech’s success post COVID-19 pandemic, India still falls short of technological resources to provide eLearning to aspirants. Over the years we have come to realise how students suffer because of inadequate internet speed and absence of smartphones, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Therefore, from the budget 2023, we anticipate government to ramp up connectivity and offer schemes that bridge the accessibility gap for smart devices. Doing so can enhance the skills of aspiring students as education can be managed and customized as per their preferences. — said Mr. Atulya Kaushik, Co-founder & CEO of PrepInsta

Since the COVID-19 pandemic’s outbreak, EdTech services have massively lowered the country’s skill gaps by linking the country‘s agrarian populace with digital learning. Without a doubt, the government has confined funding to develop high-quality educational infrastructure in outlying areas, but with the adoption of smart tools and hybrid learning models, we can conquer the large percentage of areas where modern education is still missing. Therefore, loan and finance practises must be simplified for Ed- tech startups, which also serve as a driving force in the Indian economy by retaining India’s brilliant minds.– said Mr. Manish Agarwal, Co-founder & CMO of PrepInsta

Pre-Budget Expectation Quote- Cypto Friendly Neo Bank

The Budget for 2023 is scheduled to be discussed on 1st Feb 2023, after imposing a 30% fixed tax rate on all income generated through crypto trading in Budget 2022. After having launched the e-rupee, we are expecting that the government would bring in more regulations for cryptocurrencies. Estimations point out that crypto ownership in India is almost double compared to the rest of the world. These being said, the government will more likely introduce a regressive tax for cryptocurrencies.– said Mr. Kumar Gaurav, Founder & CEO of Cashaa

Mr. Gaurav VK Singhvi, Co-Founder, We Founder Circle

“In the upcoming Union Budget 2023, I expect to see a reduction in Capital Gain Tax for unlisted investments to help encourage angel investors and VCs to hold on to their investments for longer, providing more stability for the startup ecosystem.

I also hope the government takes the correct measures to promote entrepreneurship and startup growth and support innovation and technology development. Additionally, I hope to see efforts to improve the ease of doing business in India, such as simplifying regulations and providing access to funding for small businesses. Overall, I believe that a budget that prioritizes these areas would benefit the Indian economy and society.”– said Mr. Gaurav VK Singhvi, Co-Founder, We Founder Circle

SuperBot:- It’s an intelligent, AI-powered voice agent SaaS startup

Over years, the popularity of Artificial Intelligence (Al) has skyrocketed across industry sectors as a result of the greater push toward automation. While previous budgets acknowledged the relevance of AI technology in modernising India, we now expect prospects and large government initiatives from budget 2023 which can position India as one of the world’s favoured Al leaders. Since we have an AI-powered voice-based product, we are also anticipating announcements and measures to improve digital infrastructure such as high-speed internet and data centres. Moreover, as the founder of the startup, I eagerly look forward to funding and investment opportunities such as venture capital and angel funding to accelerate our business momentum.– said Mr. Sarvagya Mishra, Co-founder & Director of SuperBot (PinnacleWorks)

In the aftermath of COVID-19, almost every second business migrated online after recognizing the significance of automation. Given the centre’s objective for a digitally robust Bharat, Al technology is one of the major sectors that anticipates the Budget 2023 to unveil AI-friendly policies that can revolutionize India’s tech ecosystem. We are hopeful that easier loan disbursements, electronic authorizations, and incentive programs for startups to use digital finance can advance the growth rate of Indian startups. With AI- technology playing a critical function in shaping the nation’s economy, the Union Budget should also include tax relaxation to spur innovation as well as minimize regulatory burdens to aid in the ease of doing business.– said Mr. Ankit Ruia, Director & CTO of SuperBot (PinnacleWorks)

SupplyNote:- India’s first SaaS+ e-commerce platform helping food businesses to scale

As a technology start-up in the food and beverage industry, SupplyNote is keenly aware of the challenges facing the sector. From high taxes to complex liquor regulations and difficulties in obtaining permits and licenses, the industry is in dire need of a more streamlined and business-friendly environment. We hope that the Budget 2023 will address these issues by simplifying the tax bracket and easing regulations around liquor, permits and licenses. Additionally, as the food and beverage industry is one of the largest job creators in the country, we look forward to the government creating a positive environment for the sector, including relaxation on taxes for start-ups and the positive induction of private companies in the government ecosystem. We also hope to see the impactful implementation of ONDC, as it will help to digitize and optimize the backend operations of food businesses and increase profitability.– said Mr. Kushang, Co-founder & CEO of SupplyNote

In the eye of rising costs and reduced margins, we need a budget that supports interest-free loans, allows greater subsidies and reduces tax structure. Another, is the non availability of input tax credit (ITC) that impacts the P&Ls adversely.

We hope the union budget 2023-24 will address these issues to accelerate the growth of the F&B sector– said Mr. Harshit Mittal, Co-founder & CTO of SupplyNote

EV 2-Wheeler Manufacturer- Enigma Quote

The proliferation of electric vehicles exemplifies their growing popularity, as indicated by previous sales figures and the visibility of the number of EV vehicles on the roads. What’s more encouraging is that electric two-wheelers are paving the way for the greater adoption of electric vehicles in India. Despite being a large market, the government must prioritise research over sales if India is to become a world leader in this technology. Incentives should be allocated for collaborations with universities to advance the R&D of EV technology.
Recent controversies involving the alleged misappropriation of funds under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) subsidy program, highlight the need for careful consideration of the long-term consequences of such incentives. Therefore it would be beneficial to allocate the FAME subsidies directly to customers’ accounts. As the growth of the EV industry depends on charging infrastructure, designated funds for the development of charging stations along major roads, both national and state is required. In this regard financial provisions to establish solar-powered charging stations in collaboration with the government to achieve zero-emission capabilities for electric vehicles is highly desirable– said Mr. Anmol Bohre, Co-founder & Managing Director of Enigma

Automovill- After sale car servicing

“Impending recession and negative sentiments in the market has been a great concern for growth stage startups. Demands for higher margin and lean structure from stakeholders and investment ecosystem making startup journey tough for any charismatic results. This could be the time where Govt. could do best for boosting Startups, MSME sectors and entrepreneurs vying for growth post pandemic. We strongly support GST regime, however at the same time MSMEs/Startups also need flexibility of in filings. Working in B2B environments and long-standing contracts makes regulatory filings difficult, which needs more freedom in terms of time and options.

Coming to the Automotive and specially aftersales segment, the entire sector is reeling under tremendous pressure against the availability of spares and low spending of consumers. For better customer satisfaction, we need support for facilitating the availability of imported spares, relaxation on rules by insurance companies and curbs on vehicular lifetime management. Reducing the GST norms for billing on labour specially in After sales ecosystem is always a demand. Labour rates should be at 5% GST like the service charges in some other industries (i.e. hotels). Most of the auto workers lies in the bottom of the pyramid, reducing GST on labour to 5% will boost the income and livelihood opportunities as well as can create more entrepreneurs in the segment.– said Mr. Mridu Mahendra Das, Co-founder & CEO of Automovill

India’s first home-grown Superfood brand Nourish You raises $2 million in Seed round

1st February 2023, National Having introduced the concept of ‘Superfoods’ and their benefits to Indian households, India’s first home-grown Superfood brand, Nourish You continues to lead the category with high-quality homegrown products. Further strengthening its market dominance and gearing up for the next phase of growth, Nourish You announces, it has raised $2 million as a part of its Seed funding round that received participation from seasoned investors including Y Janardhana Rao of Triumph Group; Rohit Chennamaneni, Co-founder, Darwinbox, Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder, Zerodha; Abhijeet Pai Co-Founder, Gruhas Proptech; Abhinay Bollineni, CEO, KIMS Hospitals, among others.

Founded in 2015 by Sowmya Reddy, Krishna Reddy, and Rakesh Kilaru, Nourish You pioneered and created the category of Superfoods in India, by offering homegrown super seeds – quinoa and chia seeds – to Indian consumers.

The fresh infusion of funds will enable Nourish You to double down its investment toward research and development of new products, further diversifying the brand’s portfolio. A part of the funds is also allocated for branding and marketing, new talent acquisition and significantly strengthening distribution and market presence.

Speaking on the fundraiser, Rakesh Kilaru, Co-founder and CEO, of Nourish You said, “Having personally experienced the benefits of quinoa and chia- we launched Nourish You to introduce Superfoods to Indian consumers. As India’s foremost Superfood brand, we are confident of driving the category’s growth in a sustainable manner. The fundraising will help us expand our team, and distribution channels and increase our investment in R&D. It will accelerate growth and cement our position as a preferred brand for Superfoods in India.”

Speaking on investing in Nourish You, Rohit Chennamaneni Co-founder, Darwinbox, said, “Even though I have been using Nourish You products for more than 5 years, it’s only now I got to understand the fascinating story of Rakesh and his team bringing Quinoa and Chia to India way back in 2013. From getting the mother seed, and government approvals, to field trials across India and finally large-scale cultivation of Quinoa and Chia. As a category-creating brand, Nourish You’s proposition of homegrown chia and quinoa seeds is attractive.”

In addition to its retail business in India, Nourish You exports its portfolio spanning Quinoa, Chia, Millets, Edible Seeds (Flax, Pumpkin, Sunflower, and Watermelon), and Breakfast Cereals (Muesli and Fills) to countries including Singapore, Nepal, Kenya, Dubai, Mongolia, and Maldives.

Nourish You products are available on www.nourishyou.in and leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Big Basket, among others.