Archive: June 30, 2025

News

World Super Kabaddi League Kicks Off a New Chapter for Kabaddi – International, Inclusive, Iconic

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

June 30, 2025, National: SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, the exclusive rights holder for both the World Super Kabaddi League (WSKL) and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), proudly announces the launch of the inaugural edition of WSKL—a groundbreaking step towards making Kabaddi a truly global sport. With the active engagement of nearly 30 countries and formal confirmation from 20 national federations the inaugural season is tentatively scheduled for February–March 2026 and will be hosted in Dubai, a strategic location chosen to maximize international exposure and fan accessibility.

Following the success of UPKL, under the banner ‘Apna Bharat, Apna Khel’, which focused on nurturing talent within India, WSKL represents a bold new chapter. Unlike UPKL, which was largely India-centric, WSKL has been conceptualized as an international platform with a singular mission: to globalize Kabaddi and pave the way for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. WSKL is backed by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and holds commercial rights through the South Asian Kabaddi Federation, positioning it as a credible and globally supported league.

WSKL will adopt a franchise-based model featuring eight teams in its inaugural season. Setting itself apart from existing leagues, each team will showcase a strong international presence alongside Indian talent, reflecting the league’s commitment to building a truly global Kabaddi ecosystem.

WSKL is fully owned and operated by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd and has been founded by Sambhav Jain, a passionate advocate for the growth and modernization of Kabaddi. Speaking about this ambitious new venture, Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder, SJ uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd said, “Kabaddi has always deserved a larger stage not just for India but for the global sporting community. With WSKL, our goal is to reimagine the sport for a global audience, unlock international talent, and take decisive steps towards Olympic recognition. The success of UPKL gave us the foundation, but WSKL is about creating a Kabaddi league that belongs to the world. We are building this with a vision for the next decade, not just the next season.”

The league has committed a total player purse of ₹48 crore across its eight franchises, underscoring the strong investment appetite for this new sports property. WSKL has already secured interest and participation from prominent Kabaddi nations including South Korea, Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, and the United States, with discussions underway to onboard additional countries.

The World Super Kabaddi League is designed not as a seasonal tournament but as an evolving global sports property. SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd is committed to building WSKL as a 12-month, year-round Kabaddi ecosystem, creating opportunities for sustained fan engagement, off-season activities, and long-term player development.

With WSKL, SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd is setting a new benchmark for Kabaddi, creating an international movement that aspires to bring the sport to a much larger and more diverse audience.

Business

GAIL’s “Waah Kya Energy Hai” Campaign Achieves Massive Digital Success with Influencer-Led Rollout

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

New Delhi, June, 2025 — GAIL (India) Limited’s latest phase of its popular “Waah Kya Energy Hai” campaign has garnered impressive traction nationwide, successfully amplifying awareness and adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) through a powerful influencer-led approach.

Leveraging the reach and authenticity of digital content creators, the campaign has reached millions across urban and semi-urban India, with social media engagement soaring through reels, vlogs, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content. Influencers have been instrumental in showcasing how natural gas is seamlessly transforming everyday life—from fuelling eco-friendly vehicles to powering efficient, clean kitchens.

Dr. Jyoti Kumar, Head – Corporate Communications, GAIL (India) Limited, stated, “The overwhelming response to this campaign reinforces the growing public interest in sustainable energy solutions. Through relatable storytelling and trusted voices, we’re not only spreading awareness—we’re inspiring change.”

The campaign’s Instagram hub, @gailindia, has become a vibrant showcase of user experiences and innovations, helping to position CNG and PNG as smart, accessible, and future-ready energy choices. With over 2,800 CNG stations and an expanding PNG footprint, GAIL continues to lead India’s clean energy transition.

This success marks a pivotal moment in GAIL’s mission to create an energy-resilient India—one reel, one story, and one clean energy choice at a time.

News

From Mango Stains to Mehendi Prints: The Ethnic Girl’s Guide to Monsoon Messes

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

The Indian monsoon is incredibly romantic—a fragrance of wet mitti, hot cups of adrak chai, a bit of old Bollywood playing, and the excitement of impromptu rain dances on the terrace. But, for the ethnic fashion lover, there is also the level of treachery involved. Dupattas get wet and stick to your skin; lehenga bottoms trail through puddles, and if you have a new phulkari kurti, then each bite of the luscious mango threatens to put a stain on your t-shirt.

“The monsoon becomes a battlefield of sorts for a desi fashionista. That said, we say don’t let a little rain stop your ethnic slay. It is time to change your thoughts on the mess. With some styling strategy, you can enjoy elegant, rain and stain-proof ethnic fashion. Whether you are got to survive the festival season, or your best friend’s haldi ceremony in the height of downpour” said Jigar Patel, MD of G3+ Fashion

Here is your guide to owning your ethnic fashion this season, rain, stains, and all.

The Kurti that Could: Rain-Proof, Stain-Safe, but Still Gorgeous

Forget whites and creams, and drown your rain splashes and mango mishaps with indigo, deep greens, and maroons. When choosing a kurti, choose more breathable, quick-dry stuff, such as cotton blends or mul mul because, love, what you will need is something you can wash and dry easily after an event. A-line and straight-cut kurtis will be your go-to because you want to avoid drama with flared pants…and clingy pants are just absolutely terrible when wet.

Goodbye to Floor-Sweeping Lengths, Hello to Smart Hemlines

That 7-foot ghera lehenga may be dreamy— but this is the monsoon, and not the time to rock a royal train of your own. Opt for ethnic midi skirts, asymmetrical kurtas, or cropped shararas. Anything at or above your ankle is a win. You want to look stylish but not catch a puddle.

Dupatta Drama: Tie it, Belts it, Clip it!

A dupatta in the monsoon is a gamble. If you’re not careful about it, it will end up in a puddle or, catch the weirdness of the autos’ dirty splash. So, go handsfree with it— belt it over your kurta, swirl it into a scarf, or use quirky clips to hold it in place.

Mehendi Mayhem & How to Coordinate it Mehendi is totally a vibe in the rain but can be a total mess! One swift movement whilst dancing and Bam! There go your outfit. Stick to mehendi designed prints- the bandhani, ikat, or kalamkari prints. Like they say; you can’t beat ’em, so blend with ’em!

Rainproof, But Still Ethnic

Stay far away from heavy silks and velvets (unless you like smelling like wet laundry). Go with breathable, monsoon friendly fabrics: modal cotton, linen blends, viscose, and rayon as they dry faster, wrinkle less, and still effortlessly hold your ethnic elegance.

News

Gurdwara Sahib Turns Lifesaver Hub: CPR Training Empowers 40+ Household

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

New Delhi, 29 June 2025

In a remarkable display of community spirit and commitment to saving lives, Guru Nanak Satsang Darbar Trust, in association with Sabka Doctor Foundation, organized a Awareness and hands-on workshop on Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) today at the Gurdwara Satsang Guru Nanak Darbar, Lajpat Nagar Sahib premises, from 9:30 AM to 01:00 PM.

Gurdwara Sahib Turns Lifesaver Hub: CPR Training Empowers 40+ Household

Over 40 participants, including men, women, and youth from across the neighbourhood, attended the session and learned essentials of CPR techniques a skill that can mean the difference between life and death in cases of cardiac arrest.

The training was conducted by the Sabka Doctor Foundation and a team of AHA certified instructors, who demonstrated hands-on procedures and engaged the attendees through real-life emergency simulations.

“First 4 to 7 minutes are the most crucial in a cardiac arrest, timely conduct of CPR can triple a person’s chance of survival,” said Dr. Harmeet Singh, senior member of the Sabka Doctor Foundation. “By equipping ordinary citizens with this life-saving skill, we are turning bystanders into potential lifesavers.”

Gurdwara Sahib Turns Lifesaver Hub: CPR Training Empowers 40+ Household

Dr. Raju Gupta, Paediatrician and Consultant, Sabka Doctor Foundation, emphasized, “Conducting CPR awareness camps within the Gurdwara premises is not only a medical outreach it is a Sewa (selfless service). It is our shared responsibility to raise awareness and train the Sangat to act swiftly and responsibly during emergencies.”

Gurdwara is not only a place of worship, but also of learning, healing, and community service, said Shri. Charanjeet Singh, President, Satsang Guru Nanak Darbar Trust. “We are committed to organizing more such socially responsible initiatives to save the life which is the greatest act of humanity and we stand prepared for it.”

Shri. S.B. Singh, President of Lajpat Nagar III RWA, and a trustee of Satsang Guru Nanak Darbar Trust, congratulated the Trust and Sabka Doctor Foundation for organizing this much-needed workshop. In colonies like ours, timely intervention by even one trained individual can make all the difference. I encourage more residents to come forward and participate in such life-saving initiative intended to be organized in near future. He emphasised that at least one person per family be trained in CPR and everyone subsequently.”

Participants were overwhelmed with the training. Gurmohit Singh, one of the participants expressed that the session was interesting, informative and an eye-opener. We often think medical emergencies are someone else’s responsibility but today I learned that common man can also make the difference in the crucial golden period, first 4 minutes are important to save life of a person who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest. I urge all youth to come forward, learn CPR, and become first responders. You can save an entire family from grief.”

The training is part of an ongoing mission to empower the Sangat with practical knowledge that serves humanity at large.

Technology

LEAP24 Accelerates London Charging Rollout with Four New Ultra-Rapid Sites in a Week

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

30th June 2025, London, UK – LEAP24, the Dutch ultra-rapid EV charge point operator, has today announced the launch of four new ultra-rapid charging locations in Barking, Chingford, Pinner and Watford — all going live within 7 days of each other. With these additions, LEAP24 now operates 9 ultra-rapid charging sites inside the M25, making it the 6th largest ultra-rapid CPO in London.

Leap 24 Pinner site

Each site features multiple 150-300kW charging points, is fully open to the public, and provides wide bays for accessible, convenient use. There’s no app, membership or subscription needed — drivers simply tap and charge with contactless or charge cards. LEAP24 also offers the lowest average standard ultra-rapid rate in London at just 69p/kWh, making it a highly competitive option for both commercial and private EV drivers.

LEAP24 Accelerates London Charging Rollout with Four New Ultra-Rapid Sites in a Week

“We founded LEAP24 to remove the friction from clean mobility — and our London expansion shows how fast, simple, and fair EV charging can be,” said Pelle Schlichting, Founder and CEO of LEAP24. “We’re not here to take small steps — we take daily leaps toward a future where clean transport is truly accessible to all.”

Founded in the Netherlands in 2021, LEAP24 is building a North-West European network of ultra-rapid charging locations, with a focus on cities and transit corridors. In the UK, the operator is targeting high-demand areas like Greater London to support growing EV uptake — especially among delivery, ride-hailing and business fleets impacted by tightening clean air policies such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

“Building public charging infrastructure in London isn’t easy — from planning to power upgrades, it’s a complex and often slow-moving process. But the LEAP24 team is resilient and forward-looking. We’ve learned how to navigate those hurdles and deliver reliable, high-performance sites in record time. That’s what sets us apart,” added Ferry Bosgra, COO at LEAP24.

Momentum Across Europe LEAP24 is in rapid growth mode. In the Netherlands, it has built one of the country’s largest ultra-rapid networks and is the leading electricity supplier to HGVs — a key differentiator in a market demanding high-capacity, high-reliability solutions. The company is now also expanding into Germany, creating a North-West European footprint that positions it as a serious long-term player in the region’s EV infrastructure landscape.

This UK rollout marks a key moment in London’s transition to net-zero transport and underlines LEAP24’s commitment to making EV charging more accessible, more affordable, and more intuitive — for everyone on the road.

Business

AntiNorm is the bold new rebel in the beauty industry

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

Mumbai, India – [30 June 2025] – AntiNorm, a new-age beauty brand founded by former Silicon Valley investor turned entrepreneur Aparna Saxena, is officially launching in India with a mission to simplify personal care for Indian women. Built for time-starved consumers, AntiNorm offers high-performance, multifunctional essentials designed to cut through the clutter of traditional beauty routines.

With over two years of research and development, AntiNorm’s products are clean, conscious, and tailored for Indian skin, hair, and climate challenges like pollution, humidity, and heat. The brand is driven by a clear philosophy: less product, more impact.

Its debut collection features three smart multitaskers:

  • Bye-Bye, Blow-Dry – hydrates, controls frizz, and adds shine
  • High & Dry – a 7-ingredient dry shampoo that refreshes, volumizes, and texturizes
  • Fuller without Filler – a lip treatment that plumps, moisturizes, and glosses

Aparna Saxena brings a product-first mindset shaped by her background in tech investing and brand strategy. After working with startups and venture capital in Silicon Valley and India, she returned home with a sharp insight: most beauty products don’t solve real problems for Indian women. AntiNorm is her answer to that gap—purpose-built to meet everyday needs without unnecessary steps or overhyped claims.

Knowing that brand clarity would be key in a crowded market, Aparna partnered with branding and design studio Stratedgy to shape AntiNorm’s visual and verbal identity—balancing bold design with everyday functionality.

“We were drawn into Aparna’s no-BS approach immediately,” says Kruti Berawala, Co-founder at Stratedgy. “This wasn’t just another sassy beauty label—it was about solving real problems for real women.”

“The design demands attention, and the packaging tells the story at a glance,” adds Krupa Sheth, Creative Head and Co-founder. “Busy women can immediately understand what each product does and why it matters—no decoding required.”

With ₹5 crore in pre-seed funding co-led by Rukam Capital and V3 Ventures, and a lean team ready to scale, AntiNorm is set to carve out a new space in India’s beauty landscape—clean, intelligent, and made for women who do it all.

Technology

India-based SportVot expands globally with focus on APAC, MENA, and Europe

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

Mumbai, June 30, 2025: SportVot, a cloud-based sports-tech platform based in India, has announced its expansion into international markets after gaining traction across the country. The platform, which offers remote production and OTT distribution tools for sports organisers, is now making its entry into the APAC, MENA, and select European regions.

SportVot Production

Using its proprietary Cloud Studio, SportVot enables federations, clubs, and local organisers to stream matches with near-broadcast quality, while significantly reducing production costs.

Over the past year, the company has entered 10 new international markets, including Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia—regions with strong grassroots sports ecosystems but limited access to affordable digital broadcasting solutions. It also recently opened its first international office in Australia.

SportVot’s single-operator production model enables remote match coverage, making it a viable solution for grassroots leagues and tournaments. The platform has so far digitised over 3.5 lakh matches across 30 sports, with partnerships spanning organisations such as Japan Cricket, Thailand Cricket, Afghanistan Cricket, Saudi Cricket, Qatar Cricket, and Kommunity TV, among others.

In a notable development, SportVot has recently partnered with ITTF Oceania to stream a continental-level table tennis tournament—marking the first time an Indian sports-tech company has been involved at a federation level globally in this sport.

“Local sports across the world are rich in talent but often lack the visibility and infrastructure needed to grow,” said Siddhant Agarwal, Co-founder & CEO, SportVot. “Our aim is to bridge that gap by making broadcasting accessible and enabling athletes at all levels to build a digital identity. We believe this model can unlock both opportunities and revenue for grassroots sports globally.”

Beyond broadcasting, the platform provides a suite of digital tools, including live scoring, automated graphics, player profile building, and monetisation options such as pay-per-view and ad integration. According to the company, this has enabled some organisers to generate additional revenue, while also helping athletes—especially at the grassroots level—gain visibility through digital portfolios.

As it strengthens its foothold in global markets, SportVot remains dedicated to make grassroots sport visible, valuable, and viable—anywhere in the world.

Technology

Gartner: 45% of AI-Mature Firms Run Projects for 3+ Years

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

Gartner Survey Finds 45% of Organizations With High AI Maturity Keep AI Projects Operational for at Least Three Years

STAMFORD, Conn., June 30, 2025 — Forty-five percent of leaders in organizations with high AI maturity said their AI initiatives remain in production for three years or more to ensure sustained impact and value, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. This compares to only 20% in low-maturity organizations.

The survey revealed that choosing AI projects based on business value and technical feasibility, along with establishing robust governance structures and engineering practices, ensures the longevity of AI projects in high-maturity organizations.

The survey was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2024 to understand how organizations adopt AI and generative AI (GenAI). A total of 432 respondents from organizations in the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, India, and Japan participated in the survey. Gartner assessed an organization’s AI maturity with a seven-question survey based on Gartner AI Maturity Model, a structured framework to evaluate and enhance an organization’s capabilities in leveraging AI. Each area was rated from Level 1 (“planning/beginning”) to Level 5 (“leadership”). High-maturity organizations scored on average 4.2–4.5, while low-maturity organizations averaged 1.6–2.2.

“Trust is one of the differentiators between success and failure for an AI or GenAI initiative,” said Birgi Tamersoy, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner.

The survey found that in 57% of high-maturity organizations, business units trust and are ready to use new AI solutions compared with only 14% of low-maturity organizations. “Building trust in AI and GenAI solutions fundamentally drives adoption, and since adoption is the first step in generating value, it significantly influences success,” said Tamersoy.

Data Availability and Quality Challenge AI Implementation

Regardless of AI maturity, data availability and quality are among the top challenges in AI implementation, as identified by 34% of leaders from low-maturity and 29% from high-maturity organizations, respectively (see Figure 1). For high-maturity organizations, 48% of leaders identified security threats as one of their top three implementation barriers, while 37% of leaders in low-maturity organizations said finding the right use case was a top barrier.

Figure 1: Top Barriers for AI Implementation

Regardless of AI maturity, data availability and quality remain the top challenges in AI implementation, as identified by 34% of low-maturity and 29% of high-maturity organizations.

Implement Metrics for Optimal AI Results

The survey also revealed that creating metrics contributes to AI efficacy. High-maturity organizations can deliver high-level impacts on their AI projects over time because they regularly quantify the benefits of their AI initiatives and evaluate the success through multiple metrics. The survey found that 63% of leaders from high-maturity organizations run financial analysis on risk factors, conduct ROI analysis and concretely measure customer impact, which in return help them sustain AI success.

Appoint a Dedicated AI Leader to Foster AI Innovation and Develop AI Infrastructure

Ninety-one percent of leaders from high-maturity organizations said they have already appointed dedicated AI leaders. As part of their role, AI leaders prioritize fostering AI innovation (65%), delivering AI infrastructure (56%), building AI organizations and teams (50%), and designing AI architecture (48%).

In high-maturity organizations, almost 60% of leaders said they have centralized their AI strategy, governance, data and infrastructure capabilities to increase consistency and efficiency within their organization. “This reflects a strategic approach to managing AI resources and initiatives, which requires dedicated AI teams,” said Tamersoy.

Gartner clients can read more in AI Maturity Matters: Increased Trust, Improved Effectiveness, Optimized Operations. Learn how to fortify 4 AI strategy pillars to drive business impact in the complimentary Gartner AI Strategy Planner.

Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo

At Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, CIOs and IT executives will learn how to become agents of change in their organizations and harness AI for successful digital transformation. Follow news and updates from the conferences on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerSYM, and on the Gartner Newsroom.

Upcoming dates and locations for Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo include:

  • September 8-10, 2025 | Gold Coast, Australia
  • October 20-23, 2025 | Orlando, FL October 28-30, 2025 | Tokyo, Japan
  • November 10-13, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain
  • November 17-19, 2025 | Kochi, India
Business

Aurum Alumni Unveils INR 1100 Crore Vision for Luxury Living on the Yamuna Expressway

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

Greater Noida, June 30, 2025 — Aurum Alumni, a renowned name in real estate development, has announced the launch of two ultra-luxurious residential projects on the rapidly emerging Yamuna Expressway corridor — Aurum Alumni Accord and Aurum Alumni Bliss. These high-rise residential developments are designed to offer elevated living experiences, redefining comfort, space, and urban convenience. A third project with an investment of 600 crore is also under planning and will be launched soon.

Aurum Alumni Accord is strategically located at Jaypee Greens Sports City, Sector 25, Greater Noida, directly facing the iconic Buddh International Circuit. Spread across 3 acres, Accord comprises five high-rise towers, each with 21 floors. The project will feature 210 exclusive 4BHK units, all meticulously planned with just two residences per floor and three lifts in each tower, ensuring privacy and seamless accessibility.

Aurum Alumni Bliss is located in Sector 22D, a prime residential zone on Yamuna Expressway. Set across 7 acres, Bliss will feature nine towers ranging from 28 to 33 floors, offering a total of 528, 3 and 4 BHK premium apartments. Both projects are under construction, with expected possession timelines of July 2028 for Accord and September 2029 for Bliss, as per RERA guidelines.

These two projects are riding on the growing demand for low-density, spacious housing and the surge of interest in the Yamuna Expressway region. With high-rise towers, state-of-the-art amenities such as a mini-multiplex, temperature-controlled swimming pool, pickleball court, pet park, sauna and steam room, basketball court, lazy river, forest trail, and soft jogging track, both projects aim to offer a lifestyle that is both luxurious and holistic.

Each home is thoughtfully designed with elegant interiors featuring spacious layouts, large-format tiles, modular kitchens, and premium fittings, creating a refined living experience that balances functionality with sophistication. A key highlight is the 9-ft wide balconies, which offer panoramic views and promote a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living.

The projects are being developed on fully paid-up land, free of any dues, and are already approved for home financing by leading banks including SBI and HDFC. Constructed using advanced MIVAN technology, they ensure quicker, safer, and more durable delivery.

Located in close proximity to key upcoming infrastructure projects like the Noida International Airport and the Proposed Film City, these developments are well-positioned for high returns on investment. The area also boasts close connectivity to renowned educational institutions including Galgotias University, Noida International University, and Gautam Buddha University, as well as reputed hospitals such as Yatharth Hospital and APRC Healthcare. The developments are seamlessly connected to Noida and Greater Noida, ensuring access to retail, entertainment, and lifestyle hubs.

Delighted with the announcement Sachin Garg, Director of Aurum Alumni said, “With Aurum Alumni Accord and Bliss, we aim to set new standards in luxury and lifestyle living on the Yamuna Expressway. These projects are a reflection of our commitment to building not just homes, but holistic communities with future-ready infrastructure and premium amenities.”

“We believe the Yamuna Expressway is at the cusp of a transformative growth phase, and our projects are thoughtfully aligned with this vision. With the upcoming Noida International Airport and Film City, this region will be the new epicenter of opportunity. At Aurum Alumni, our goal is to offer not just homes, but future-ready living experiences that deliver both lifestyle and long-term value to our residents,” he added.

These projects underscore Aurum Alumni’s vision of transforming addresses into Landmarks on the Yamuna Expressway and reaffirm their position as a developer of trust, quality, and future-ready housing.

Business

Aukera Secures USD15M Funding to Further Cement Lead in Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery

Jun 30, 2025 by Neel Achary 0 Comments

30th June, 2025: Further bolstering its growth momentum, Aukera, the pioneering lab-grown diamond jewellery company, today announced that it has raised $15 million in growth capital led by Peak XV Partners with follow-on participation from existing investors including Fireside Ventures, Sparrow Capital, Prath Ventures and Alteria Capital. This strategic investment will accelerate Aukera’s aggressive retail expansion plans, enhance its product offerings, and further cement its position as the most credible and valuable player in India’s emerging fine jewellery market transformation.

Aukera founders

Aukera has established a strong presence with multiple company-owned stores in Bangalore, Delhi NCR, and Hyderabad, showcasing unmatched design standards, craftsmanship, and a customer-insight-driven approach. This has led to an overwhelming customer response and industry-leading sales per square foot. Building on this success, Aukera is expanding into new cities while maintaining brand control and consistency.

“Driven by structural tailwinds and a strong consumer shift, Aukera is well-positioned to lead India’s fast-growing lab-grown diamonds category. Lisa and Kumar are exceptional founders who bring complementary strengths and proven execution capabilities. We are excited to partner with them as they scale Aukera’s footprint and deepen the brand’s leadership in this emerging category.” – Abhishek Mohan, Principal, Peak XV Partners

“Aukera is built on a consumer insight, borne from research, that women were frustrated with the poor quality, tiny diamonds that were affordable given mined diamond prices. Aukera solves a consumer problem by offering the highest graded diamonds, designed & crafted into fine jewellery. Indeed, women in India are upgrading to grown diamond jewellery and Aukera is proud to lead that disruption, providing exceptional value to our customers. The brand will scale into a ₹1000 crore brand in the next 5 to 7 years”, said Lisa Mukhedkar, Founder & CEO, Aukera.

Its journey of two-years, the brand has scaled to 13 stores pan India and intends to continue to scale rapidly. “The investment from Peak XV Partners is meaningful for the business as we drive ambitious growth. Aukera is challenging the status quo. Our experience so far has only strengthened our conviction in our business model and ability to build a truly durable brand and business” said Kumar Saurabh, Co-Founder, Aukera

With this fresh funding, Aukera will continue its growth path, and maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly growing lab-grown diamond jewellery market. By doubling down on physical retail, investing in top-tier design, merchandising and marketing talent, and offering a strong omni-channel experience, the company is well-poised and positioned for the next chapter of growth.

Kanwaljit Singh, Founder and Managing Partner at Fireside Ventures said, “Aukera is not just another lab-grown diamond jewellery brand — it’s the front runner redefining the future of fine jewellery, built on consumer insight. With this investment, Aukera is now poised to scale rapidly and set the benchmark for the category. Aukera stands apart as a statement of intent for the industry and a signal of trust for the modern consumer.”

Aukera continues to focus on building not just a product, but a powerful narrative. With IGI-certified diamonds, classic contemporary designs, and a value-driven approach, the brand speaks to a growing class of women who are making a choice to buy and enjoy higher quality diamonds, better-designed and crafted jewellery. They buy grown diamonds by choice, not because of affordability. This raise will allow the company to further this vision and deliver even more value, trust, and creativity to consumers across the country. Aukera also gives back through a powerful program called Share the Sparkle which involves the education of a girl child with every piece of jewellery sold.

As the lab-grown diamond space begins to evolve, Aukera is emerging as the name that will spearhead the transformation of the precious jewellery market in India. The brand is fast becoming synonymous with scale, trust and aspiration.