Tag: startup

Technology

Revolutionizing Lifestyle with AI: Mumbai To San Francisco The Blitzfa and IndusVale Startup Journey

Dec 2, 2024 by Mansi Praharaj 0 Comments #Journey, #startup

Bengaluru, 02nd Dec 2024: In the dynamic crossroads of fashion and technology, Blitzfa Ecommerce and its flagship lifestyle brand, IndusVale, have carved out a unique space. Led by Vivek Tiwari, their story is one of persistence and innovation—a journey that reflects how vision and determination can reshape industries.

From $11 Groceries to Generative AI Innovation

The roots of Blitzfa’s vision trace back to 2017. Vivek, a student exploring blockchain and AI in supply chain management—fields largely overlooked by technopreneurs at the time—began to dream of a future where fashion could intersect with groundbreaking technology. Inspired by his first exposure to generative AI in 2014, his ambitions started taking shape.

“I survived on rice, eggs, and a single slice of bread a day,” Vivek recalls, reflecting on his days studying Intelligent Robotics at the University of Southern California. Far from a struggle, these years forged the resilience that would later define Blitzfa’s ethos.

Blitzfa: Fashion Meets Technology

Blitzfa, a name inspired by the word “blitz” (symbolizing speed and intensity), is more than an e-commerce business. It represents a movement focused on using technology to elevate fashion and lifestyles. Vivek’s early fascination with Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) fueled the vision for a brand that would go beyond creating designs—it would offer unique experiences.

This vision gave birth to IndusVale, a lifestyle brand deeply rooted in Indian culture. The products are not just stylish—they stand apart globally for being crafted with the help of AI.

Revolutionizing Lifestyle with AI: Mumbai To San Francisco The Blitzfa and IndusVale Startup Journey

IndusVale’s Distinctive Identity

IndusVale avoids the path of mass-producing graphic tees. Instead, it focuses on crafting intricate all-over prints (AOP) and custom apparel, with every piece telling a unique story of innovation and imagination. Vivek observed how brands have recycled trends every decade, disguising them as “new concepts.” He wanted IndusVale to break away from this cycle, aiming to create a lifestyle ecosystem that seamlessly blends fashion with entertainment.

“We want to do with lifestyle what Apple did with computers,” Vivek remarked. For him, the key to this transformation lies in leveraging AI.

IndusVale doesn’t stop at production. It empowers customers to become part of the creative process. Through tools like their innovative VanGO platform, individuals can develop and customize their designs. The brand also aims to foster innovation and craftsmanship on home soil, aligning its ethos with its name—a homage to the creative and heritage-rich Indus Valley civilization.

Even the brand’s logo tells a story, generated using proprietary AI technology developed in-house, emphasizing its commitment to innovation.

The Breakthrough: VanGO

In September 2023, IndusVale unveiled  an AI tool that lets users translate emotions expressed through music into custom designs. This concept emerged from a simple yet profound realization: what we wear often mirrors how we feel, just like the music we choose.

VanGO takes musical input, processes it through advanced AI, and transforms it into visual art. These visuals can then be used on apparel or inspire other products. “With VanGO, the world gets to see more of you,” Vivek explains. It’s a tool that blends technology and self-expression, allowing people to wear their emotions.

The Road to Success: Challenges and Triumphs

The journey of building Blitzfa and IndusVale wasn’t without its challenges. The creation of AI-generated designs, especially complex AOP patterns, demanded substantial innovation. Convincing manufacturers and navigating high costs required countless iterations and perseverance.

But these obstacles became stepping stones. Today, IndusVale stands as a global leader in crafting complex AI-driven lifestyle products, proving that persistence and vision can overcome even the most daunting barriers.

The Team: A Lean Innovation Machine

Financial constraints led Vivek to assemble his team via LinkedIn, finding talented individuals who shared his vision. Operating remotely due to budget limitations, this nimble and multidisciplinary team thrived on collaboration and innovation. Together, they tackled challenges and redefined what’s possible in fashion.

Vision 2034: An AI-Powered Lifestyle Ecosystem

Blitzfa’s ambitions extend far beyond apparel. By 2025, the company plans to launch Gaia, an AI tool designed to empower users to create music, short films, and custom art using simple prompts.

“Imagine designing your home décor, crafting personalized costumes, or composing songs—Gaia will make this possible,” Vivek shares. This bold vision highlights Blitzfa’s mission to create an AI-powered lifestyle ecosystem where creativity knows no bounds.

Transforming Fashion, One Innovation at a Time

Blitzfa and IndusVale are not just brands—they’re movements. By merging human creativity with generative AI, they are reshaping how we express ourselves, demonstrating that technology can unlock limitless possibilities.

From Vivek Tiwari’s humble beginnings to the pioneering innovations of VanGO and Gaia, the journey is just beginning. The revolution is far from over, and the future of fashion promises to be even more exciting.

Business

Shreyas Webmedia Solutions Revolutionizing Online Media Coverage Services

May 14, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #advanced analytics tools, #analytics tools, #content creation, #creativity, #data-driven approach, #Digital marketing, #diverse industries, #igital presence, #influencer marketing, #online media coverage services, #search engine optimization, #Shreyas Webmedia Solutions, #social media management, #startup, #strategic planning, #technological prowess

In today’s digital age, establishing a robust online presence is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in the competitive market landscape. As consumers increasingly rely on the internet for information and entertainment, companies need to adapt their marketing strategies to effectively reach their target audience. Recognizing this need, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions emerges as a pioneering force, offering comprehensive online media coverage services tailored to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses.

Founded on the principles of innovation and excellence, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions has swiftly risen to prominence as a trusted provider of digital marketing solutions. With a team of seasoned professionals possessing a wealth of expertise in the realm of online media, the company is dedicated to helping clients amplify their brand visibility and engagement across various digital platforms.

At the core of Shreyas Webmedia Solutions’ offerings lies its cutting-edge online media coverage services. Leveraging a potent combination of creativity, strategic planning, and technological prowess, the company crafts bespoke media campaigns designed to resonate with target audiences and drive tangible results. Whether it’s generating buzz around a product launch, managing online reputation, or fostering meaningful interactions with customers, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions employs a multifaceted approach to deliver impactful outcomes for its clients.

One of the key strengths of Shreyas Webmedia Solutions is its versatility in catering to businesses of all sizes and across diverse industries. Whether you’re a burgeoning startup looking to carve out your niche or an established enterprise seeking to maintain relevance in the digital sphere, the company offers tailored solutions to suit your specific objectives and budgetary constraints. From social media management and content creation to search engine optimization and influencer marketing, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions provides a comprehensive suite of services aimed at elevating your brand’s online presence and driving sustained growth.

Furthermore, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and measurable results. By employing a data-driven approach and utilizing advanced analytics tools, the company ensures that every campaign is meticulously tracked, analyzed, and optimized for maximum efficacy. This emphasis on transparency and accountability not only fosters trust and confidence among clients but also enables Shreyas Webmedia Solutions to continuously refine its strategies and stay ahead of evolving market trends.

In addition to its dedication to delivering exceptional results, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions places a strong emphasis on fostering long-term partnerships with its clients. By providing ongoing support, strategic guidance, and personalized attention, the company seeks to empower businesses to navigate the complex digital landscape with confidence and achieve sustained success in their online endeavors.

In conclusion, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions stands at the forefront of the digital marketing industry, offering innovative online media coverage services that empower businesses to thrive in the digital age. With its unwavering commitment to excellence, versatility, and client-centric approach, the company is poised to redefine the way brands connect with their audience and drive meaningful engagement in an increasingly interconnected world. Whether you’re embarking on a new venture or seeking to elevate your existing digital presence, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions is your trusted partner for all your online media needs.

Business

TiE Delhi-NCR and Binary Semantics unveil Startup CFO Awards

Feb 28, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Alok Mittal, #Binary Semantics, #CFO Award, #Delhi-NCR, #Srijan Choudhary, #startup

New Delhi, February 28, 2024 – Leading organization fostering entrepreneurship nationally, TiE Delhi-NCR, in collaboration with global technology company, Binary Semantics recently announced the 1st Edition of the Annual Startup CFO Awards. This groundbreaking initiative I aimed at celebrating the exceptional achievements of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the startup ecosystem. The awards aim to acknowledge these trailblazers whose transformative leadership reshapes the trajectory of modern Startups.

CFOs today transcend conventional boundaries. The CFO roles have it all – a dynamic acumen of an entrepreneur and a strategic mindset driving them to navigate evolving market space. It is paramount to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of CFOs. These visionary leaders emerge as the face of innovation drivers of India, propelling organizational success to unprecedented heights.

Srijan Choudhary, Growth and Strategy Leader from Binary Semantics said, “India’s entrepreneurial growth story needs their continued focus on harnessing technology to build strong, sustainable startup ecosystems. At Binary Semantics along with TiE Delhi-NCR, we are proud to be part of transformative journey of acknowledging and honoring the visionary CFOs shaping India’s entrepreneurial terrain.”

Highlighting their significant contributions to India’s entrepreneurial landscape, the awards will recognize CFOs across 8 categories: 1. Energy, Infrastructure and Cleantech Startup CFO of the year; 2. Manufacturing Startup CFO of the year; 3. Pharma, Chemicals & Biotech Startup CFO of the year ; 4. Consumer Products, E-commerce Startup CFO of the year; 5. Logistics Startup CFO of the year ; 6. Digital Innovation Startup CFO of the year ; 7. Financial Management & Reporting Excellence Startup CFO of the year; 8. Governance and Compliance Excellence Startup CFO of the year.

Talking about the awards Alok Mittal, President, TiE Delhi-NCR & CEO, Indifi stated, “TiE Delhi-NCR is proud to unveil the Startup CFO Awards in collaboration with Binary Semantics at TiEcon Delhi 2024. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to recognizing and honoring the unsung heroes and leaders who contribute to a venture’s success. The Startup CFO Awards aim to shine a spotlight on the financial architects behind startup triumphs. TiEcon Delhi 2024 will serve as a convergence for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, providing a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and celebration. We invite the entire entrepreneurial community to join us on this remarkable journey of acknowledging excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.”

The distinguished panel of experts comprising the jury for evaluation of the entries includes Mandeep Mehta – Group CFO, PB Fintech; Mayank Gupta – CFO, CarDekho; Rohit Sabherwal – Founder & Managing Partner, Integra Solutions LLP; Siddhartha Khaitan, CFO – ESME Consumer P Ltd . The awards provide a unique opportunity for industry recognition, networking with senior business leaders, and sharing success stories. Shortlisted applicants will receive a 6-month subscription to GSTrobo® – GST Compliance, return filing and Reconciliation, e-invoicing and e-way bill solution courtesy of Binary Semantics.

TiEcon Delhi 2024, themed the New Bharat: Confident, Bold, Inclusive will be a hub for networking, funding and learning. It will witness the convergence of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and finance professionals. The Startup CFO Awards add a unique dimension to the event, recognizing key players in financial leadership driving innovation and economic growth, while underscoring TiE Delhi-NCR’s commitment to fostering excellence and innovation in entrepreneurship.

Business

Post Budget Reaction on startup, youth and technology, microfinance | Fibe, Shardeum & Stain Creditcare Network Ltd

Feb 2, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Akshay Mehrotra, #Ashish Goyal, #HP Singh, #microfinance | Fibe, #Nischal Shetty, #Shardeum & Stain Creditcare Network Ltd, #startup, #youth and technology

By Akshay Mehrotra, Cofounder & CEO, Fibe (on youth aspirations, entrepreneurship and financial services)  

“We applaud the Finance Minister’s emphasis on the country’s youth by recognizing their aspirations and providing support in terms of policies and schemes for their welfare and prosperity. The Budget’s focus on ‘youth and entrepreneurs’ will help in realizing the Government’s vision of a developed India by 2047 as they are the key drivers of growth. As one of India’s leading digital lending companies, Fibe’s vision of empowering and upskilling the youth to fulfil their aspirations are aligned well with the initiatives laid down in the Union Budget 2024. We welcome the announcement of creating a corpus of one lakh crore with five-year interest free loan and providing long term financing and refinancing with low or nil interest rates. It will not only harness the potential of this vibrant, tech-savvy generation but also foster innovation and contribute to technological advancements and economic progress. We applaud the success of the ‘Skill India Mission’ that has been able to train 1.4 crore youth, while upskilling 54 lakh youth.

Further, Honorable Finance Minister also acknowledged the positive impact of strengthening the financial sector in making savings, credit, and investments more efficient. This is well aligned with Fibe’s commitment of making financial services and credit accessible to every individual in the country thereby fostering financial inclusion.”

 By Ashish Goyal, Cofounder & CFO, Fibe (on overall economy)

“I commend the Indian Government for its steadfast governance and visionary initiatives during the past decade that has paved the way for India to be on a sustainable growth path. This is reflected in the Government’s commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit below 4.5 per cent by 2025-26, creating employment opportunities for the youth, boosting entrepreneurship ecosystem and promoting innovation. In the Budget speech today, the Honourable Finance Minister outlined structural reforms and the strategic pro-people programs undertaken to successfully navigate the geo-political challenges. This showcases the Government’s resilience and reaffirms its commitment to strengthen India’s position on the global stage. Through progressive policies, right governance and people-centric approach, I am optimistic that our nation is on a high growth path and the economy will continue to outperform its global counterparts.”

 By Nischal Shetty, Cofounder, Shardeum (on youth and technology)

“In this transformative era, where the confluence of youth and technology holds boundless potential, the Hon’ble Finance Minister’s establishment of a Rs. 1 Lakh crore corpus with 50-year interest free loan is a welcome move. India’s youth have a keen knack for exploring new-age and innovative technologies such as Web 3 and blockchain and this announcement by the government will be pivotal in facilitating more research and development on such innovative technologies. It will fuel growth of more Web3 professionals in the country thereby redefining India’s growth trajectory on the global stage. Harnessing the youth’s energy and embracing technological advancements, will pave the way for a future where creativity, entrepreneurship, and digital prowess converge to shape a thriving and resilient nation. The interim budget has truly unlocked the potential of web3 and blockchain industry that will further drive economic growth and ensure a ‘golden era’ for the tech savvy youth.”

By HP Singh, CMD at Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. (on women entrepreneurship and rural housing aspirations)

“The government’s pivotal focus on women empowerment throughout the past ten years have enabled ‘Nari Shakti’ to be a true force by defying erstwhile entrepreneurial impediments, making them realise their calibre and emphasising their capability to contribute significantly towards the country’s growth and GDP. The Lakhpati Didi Scheme empowering nearly 1 crore women, 30 crore MUDRA Yojana loans for women entrepreneurship and ease of living and dignity underscores a dedicated effort towards women’s empowerment in the last decade. Emphasising the need of SHGs (Self Help Groups) through the already 83 lakh SHGs with 9 crore women transforming the rural socio-economic landscape until now, will aid women to become more resilient and contribute efficiently to the workforce in the country.

 Undertaking additional 2 crore projects over the next five years under the PM Awas Yojana Gramin is a significant stride to help lower-income groups realize their housing aspirations, contributing to the resolution of the housing crisis prevalent in rural India. By combining efforts to empower women economically and addressing essential living conditions, these measures set a trajectory for India’s economic growth, aiming to reach the milestone of the set target of 5 trillion-dollar economy in the coming years.”

Technology

Tech startup raises 1 million Dollars within 4 weeks for game-changing smart ring

Nov 2, 2023 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Indiegogom, #Muse Wearables, #Prathyusha K, #Ring One, #Sai Prasanth, #smart ring, #startup, #Tech, #wearable technology

Bengaluru, 2 November 2023 — Muse Wearables, an Indian tech startup founded by graduates of IIT Madras and NIT Warangal, is poised to revolutionize the wearable technology industry with the global launch of ‘Ring One.’

Ring One was launched on Indiegogo on September 26th and set a world record by reaching its goal of raising $1 million USD within 4 weeks.

This groundbreaking innovative smart ring combines cutting-edge health-tracking capabilities with seamless contactless payments, making it the world’s first smart ring that uses NFC for wireless charging and payments to date.

The smart ring is available for an early backer special price. Muse Wearables currently serves nearly 30 countries through its “Direct to Consumer” business model.

Key Features of ‘Ring One’:

Advanced Health Tracking: ‘Ring One’ can measure six different vitals, including Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, Temperature, Respiratory Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and Blood Pressure. With clinical-grade accuracy and cuff-less blood pressure measurement, it sets a new standard in health tracking technology.

Contactless Payments: ‘Ring One’ is the world’s first smart ring to offer NFC (Near Field Communication) payments, making transactions as simple as a wave of the hand. Muse Wearables has partnered with major payment networks, including Mastercard, and VISA, to ensure global accessibility for payments.

Unique Design: The ‘Ring One’ boasts a sleek and stylish design with a “Turn wheel” interface, allowing users to switch between various modes effortlessly. Made with Titanium grade 2 and Ceramic (Zirconia), it is lightweight, durable, and water-resistant up to 100 meters.

Battery Life: With up to seven days of battery life and an extended battery life of up to a month with the charging case, ‘Ring One’ ensures users can track their health and make payments without interruption.

Global Availability: Contactless payments will be live in India, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Singapore, and UAE, making ‘Ring One’ a truly global solution.

Mr. K.L.N. Sai Prasanth, Co-Founder and CEO of Conzumex Industries, the parent company of Muse Wearables, commented, “With its one-of-a-kind ‘Turn wheel’ interface and the charging case’s all-new ‘Magic Glyph’ interface, Ring One offers a truly unique experience that sets it apart from any other competitor smart ring in the market.”

Mrs. Prathyusha K, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Muse Wearables, explained, “Our observations of hundreds of users during the COVID-19 pandemic gave us priceless insights. The most notable one is that the wrist may not be the most optimal position on the body to retrieve accurate data. We married these findings with the learnings from the payment feature of our first hybrid smartwatch and developed something we feel is truly path-breaking – the Ring One. We like to think of it as the best of both worlds, a culmination of our past experiences and a leap into the future.”

Ring One is set to redefine the future of wearable technology, offering users a discreet and stylish way to monitor their health and make secure contactless payments. With its innovative features and craftsmanship, it is poised to become a global sensation.

Business World

Tekie – India’s First Animated Coding Startup, Emerges as a Major Contender to WhiteHat Jr

Mar 18, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Anand Verma and Naman Mukund, #startup, #Tekie

For a society that has grown rapidly since the Internet boom, Coding is definitely a must-have skill. As per National Education Policy 2020, students will be taught coding from Class 6 onwards. This will give children an early start, with valuable skills that are useful even if they don’t opt for a computer science-related field.

A startup based out of Bangalore, named Tekie, has taken a unique approach to this. While many coding classes focus on simple block-based tasks, Tekie has built an interactive – animated educational series. Along with this, there are many activities that teach them about real world concepts and abstract sci-fi problems, with easy to consume lessons for kids in class 6th to 12th.

Tekie was founded in 2017 by Anand Verma and Naman Mukund. Commenting on the inspiration behind Tekie, Naman stated, “With Tekie, we aim to deliver a hands-on programming experience to our students. After some quick lessons, our students build basic algorithms like programming an elevator, a calculator, guessing a number, etc.”

Tekie has been an instant hit among schools as the National Education Policy complements text-based coding, unlike its contenders. The team at Tekie invested 3 years in product development & research and launched the beta version in July 2020. Since then, Tekie has grown to over 10,000 paid users and continues to expand at an unprecedented pace.

A typical class of Tekie starts with a student watching an animated interactive video. Animated characters across the video introduce kids with the concept of programming – like how kids follow a set of rules to get ready for school, a computer also follows a sequence of commands to perform any task. And to communicate with the computer, programming languages are used.

After the video, a chat window appears to help kids discuss their lessons. While Tekie has pioneered “coding for kids” with animated interactive videos, a teacher is there to walk the student through the lesson and make sure that the concept is understood by the child.

With Tekie’s unprecedented success, several competitors have tried to hack their business model. In October, 2020, a WhiteHat Jr. employee, allegedly impersonated a grade six student’s persona to attend Tekie’s trial class.

But unlike its competitors, Tekie doesn’t promise students that will be able to build an app within a week – that according to its founders, is a plain marketing gimmick. According to Naman, “Coding helps students excel across various verticals, and it is not just limited to computer science-based verticals. All we’re saying is coding will help a child build skills for the future, to excel in their career.”

Business World

U.S & Singapore based startup Aampe raises US$1.8 Million funding from Sequoia Capital India’s rapid scale-up program Surge

Dec 1, 2020 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Aampe, #Paul Meinshausen, #startup

Bengaluru: In an era of fast-changing customer needs and the desire for more curated experiences, personalised messaging software startup Aampe has announced US$1.8 million in funding to help businesses innovate and optimise how they communicate with customers. The investment is led by Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, a rapid scale-up program for startups in Southeast Asia and India.

Founded in July 2020, Aampe uses machine learning to personalise messages and communication for customers, helping businesses drive better customer retention and growth.

The increased adoption of new digital channels by consumers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has not only given businesses access to rich insights but has also opened new opportunities to build more customised experiences for an enhanced customer experience. As the future of customer engagement is continuous and personalised – focusing on an ongoing conversation rather than a series of bulk “blasts” – Aampe allows communication to adapt and keep up with fast-changing consumer behaviour. Aampe’s product dynamically tailors message content, timing, and channels based on experimentally generated customer insights. The result is incrementally personalised customer conversations over time.

Aampe Founders. Paul Meinshausen, Sami Abboud, Schaun Wheeler (left to right)
Aampe Founders. Paul Meinshausen, Sami Abboud, Schaun Wheeler (left to right)

For product managers who have keen intuition about their customers and brilliant product instincts but struggle operationally to get past manually driven A/B testing, Aampe can help to unlock the power of data and continuous experimentation in order to deliver business value.

Aiming for seamless integration, Aampe’s APIs and reinforcement learning pipelines and models can be easily plugged into messaging and communication providers that companies already use. This allows product managers, data scientists, and growth marketers to avoid expensive and time-intensive engineering projects.

Aampe uses historical data to guide initial timing experiments for communication, helping to personalise when users are most responsive. It also prioritises customers’ message copy to track granular elements of push notifications, SMS, and email. For example, Aampe can decipher whether ‘Priyanka’ is more likely to engage on a weeknight with a message containing an offer, social proof, or a recommendation. Then, it personalises messages to Priyanka with the hooks that will most appeal to her.

“As a data scientist, I’ve struggled repeatedly across multiple companies with the quality of tools for user messaging. Naive automation has been prioritised over reliable inference and quality data generation. We’re building Aampe to make first-class data science serve one of the most important responsibilities of any business: speaking and listening to customers,” said Paul Meinshausen, Co-Founder of Aampe.

“Most companies believe they’re sitting on massive stores of incredibly valuable data. While this is true to some extent, the usefulness of data also degrades quickly – and many companies underestimate the importance of continuously generating new and high-quality data. Aampe’s APIs do this and feed that data back into product development at both strategic and tactical levels,” he added.

While still at an early stage, Aampe has acquired key customers across multiple countries in Asia, including India, Singapore, Myanmar, and Indonesia. The funding from Sequoia Capital India’s Surge will further accelerate Aampe’s growth momentum and product development to serve global customers.

Aampe is co-founded by Paul Meinshausen, who previously co-founded the fintech company PaySense, which was acquired by PayU in 2019; Sami Abboud, a software developer and data scientist who earned his PhD in Neuroscience from the Sorbonne in Paris; and Schaun Wheeler, an experienced data science leader who co-developed an award-winning Consumer Graph product at top US marketing and adtech company, Valassis. Along with other members of the startup’s broader founding team, they have worked together across ten years and multiple companies. Customers can sign up for Aampe by emailing get@aampe.com.

Business World

5 Startups providing authentic local news

Nov 19, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dailyhunt- & videos, #DB Digital, #Khabri:, #local news, #Lokal, #Public by Inshorts, #startup

As we proceed to the third wave of covid, many people are looking for authentic and localized updates to be aware of their city’s condition. Hence, the need for localized content and news in region friendly language is seeing a rapid demand. Many startups have acknowledged this pattern of users and thus introduced various forms of localized news consumption.

Here are a few startups that help you get real-time updates of the local news in your area and in the language you are most comfortable.

1. Public by Inshorts – a location-based social network allowing people to record and share happenings around them through short videos. The public has registered 10 million users within 6 months of launch, becoming the fastest Indian social app to cross the milestone. Witnessing tremendous growth in Tier 2-3 cities, Public has become No.1 app on Play Store in the category.

2. DB Digital – India’s leading digital products startup offering best news products – Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi and Dainik Bhaskar, DB Digital aims to be the provider of trusted and go-to sources for people for high-quality vernacular content delivered to them daily in the easiest to consume way, personalized for their specific needs. The startup ensures that the content is completely authentic and valuable. Its core product offerings keep their users updated with the latest breaking news, analysis on political news, sports news, business news, entertainment news, technology news, and automobile.

3. Khabri – A digital audio platform for content in vernacular languages. Khabri is India’s fastest growing audio platform targeted at the next billion internet users. The platform helps users discover and listen to the best audio content in their local language. Anyone can create content on the platform. Simply put, Khabri is a Youtube for Audio.

4. Dailyhunt- & videos-Dailyhunt (formerly Newshunt) is an application loved by more than 150 million users. Dailyhunt goes local! Enjoy immersive videos from your favourite sources, and 300+ locations across India. At present, Dailyhunt claims to offer more than 250,000 fresh pieces of news and content articles every day in 14 languages, licensed from over 1,300 publication partners.

5. Lokal – India needs to be informed in the right way and Lokal is a one-stop platform for life services and hyperlocal news interaction. Lokal carries news content from over 20 districts in the above region including Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Chittoor, Mahabubabad, Khammam, and Warangal. The app aims to bring local news, classifieds to 900 million Indians in their regional languages. Lokal is also building a network of stringers and freelance reporters who produce original reporting around the issues and current affairs of local towns and cities.

Business World

Five young teams win Block Covid, a global startup challenge. Indian Edtech startup Kidzpreneur gets roped in to bring their ideas to reality

Nov 18, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Amit Mishra, #Block Covid, #Global shapers community, #Kidzpreneur, #startup, #startup challenge

The pandemic has revolutionized the education ecosystem globally. The current generation is witnessing an unprecedented event which has caused staggering economic and social challenges globally. This new normal calls for an urgent need to equip students with not only basic education but also life skills to embrace themselves with challenges in the real world. Kidzpreneur, an Indian Edtech startup, with its unique transformative learning mechanism aims to develop a more aware and conscious future, thought leaders. This has caught the attention of global groups such as BLOCK COVID Initiative which recently ran a global program for children to solve challenges for the new world in times of the current pandemic. They sought partnership with Kidzpreneur for supporting their winners whilst helping them understand and create viable businesses out of their selected ideas.

Since its inception, Kidzpreneur is working on providing a unique and transformative learning platform for students from age 10 onwards, enabling them to understand the current global crisis and to foresee future challenges in their lives. The idea is to make them self-aware of their thoughts, choices and how they can impact others while imbibing qualities like empathy, creativity, teamwork, design thinking etc. and not fear failure.

Kidzpreneur through its innovative programs has created quite a buzz in the global startup arena. Block Covid, a startup challenge run by Global shapers community partnered with Kidzpreneur to coach their 5 winning teams and support their ideas to spread awareness and bring in change about Covid19.

“We, at Kidzpreneur, believe that young minds should get opportunities to work on global problems. Sometimes, we need a fresh start and an idea to drive that change. The youth today is more aware and positive to make their mark. We also strongly believe in the youth taking charge, coming up with solutions to deal with problems and playing an active role in shaping the future. Our programs are designed to help the young entrepreneurs create their footprint with their ideas while making them more feasible. Therefore, we were approached by the BLOCK COVID Initiative for support in achieving their goals to bring their ideas to reality,” said Amit Mishra, Co-founder, Kidzpreneur.

“Kidzpreneur believes in hands-on learning and creating an environment which is important to implement simulations or real-time scenarios coupled with gamification of critical management lessons for effective learning. This is achieved with a sound amalgamation of technology and creative ideas to improve on learning that students can practice in the real world too. There would many more such global partnerships with us in the new normal period,” he added.

Kidzpreneur learnings are a blend of activity-based hours including real interaction with entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and ecosystem players to help learn from industry stalwarts at a young age. Kidzpreneur team crafts the ideas of students into more validated business plans with training, mentoring, insights and provides any other additional entrepreneurial assistance to bring ideas to life. With a wide sphere of influence, Kidzpreneur has students from India, Taiwan, HongKong, USA and the Philippines.

Projects such as an Online Museum for Cultural Exchange and Online Tutoring for students with special learning needs by the students, for the students, were among the winning ideas. Kidzpreneur primarily focuses on transformative development in education using an entrepreneurial mindset and technology. The founders believe that development of life skills and cognitive thinking is important at an early age.

As Kidzpreneur focuses on transformative development in education, the Global Shapers were in perfect alignment with it for training support. The community of Global Shapers comprises of a network of young people who have the desire to drive dialogue, action and change.

Business World

How to Scale Your Startup Sales in 2020

Sep 19, 2020 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #businesses, #startup

Growth is the goal for every company that exists.  Unfortunately, a big mistake many businesses make is thinking that their advertising and lead generation can run the same way despite the size of the company changing.  You can scale your scales, your advertising,  and your customer relations with a few changes that put value back into your company.

Here’s how to scale your sales and encourage that growth to keep going as your company picks up pace.

Think About Your Company’s Purpose

What is the root belief, skill, or item that your company offers?  Consider how this differs from other companies and consider how you can make this clear to your leads and customers.  You will need to prove your company’s worth in a way that you can believe in, and your potential leads will be more likely to have faith in it as well.

Make a mission statement out of this purpose, and use the ideals you set to advertise your company effectively.

What’s Your Demographic?

This information is something you should consider before you start up your company.  Who are you trying to sell your product?  Who could most benefit from your service or product?  From there, research what platforms or sites these people would use, what time of day they’d be more active, and what kind of advertisements would work best on them.

This information is vital since you’d want to advertise to women over fifty on Facebook, but younger people of any gender are more easily caught on TikTok or Twitter.  Advertise in a way your audience would connect with, and find them at their level.

What Image or Personality Does Your Company Show

Your advertisements should show some flavor of personality.  Think about what attitude your company gives off, and how you can make that into almost a character with which your customers can interact.  You don’t have to be as sassy or extreme as Wendy’s is on twitter– but you can use an artificial personality like this to garner attention and give your leads an emotional connection to your company.

Work On How You Bring In Leads

There are dozens of ways to bring in leads; it’s vital that you think about passive ideas that inspire leads to click your website.  These include SEO, PPC, and things like social media integration.

Search engine optimization will pull in leads faster than any other type of advertising.  This plan can be achieved by hosting articles on your site, creating guest articles on other sites, or riddling your website with searchable terms.  Companies that have blogs on their site get clicked more often and are more likely to turn those clicks into customers.

Pay per click is even more passive since it’s classic advertising that finds your customers and pulls them in.  With proper advertising, from short videos for youtube ads to static images to go through Google Adsense, you can see which type of advertisements work best for your company.

Social media is vital for every startup.  Twitter and Instagram are like storefronts for many companies, that help funnel customers directly to their websites.  This type of advertising means that they can reach a possibly unlimited number of leads, and will open options for how to advertise.

Look At Past Data

Review what types of advertising has worked for your company in the past.  This option will also help you see what hasn’t worked and can give you the push you might need to drop advertising or communicating styles that don’t work for your company.

If you don’t have much information on your advertising practices and results yet, now is the time to collect it.  Knowledge is financial power and will give you the support you need to feel confident in any changes.

Check Your Pricing

If your sales are going up, now is the time to review your product and pricing.  Your business isn’t a can of Arizona tea that permanently has a price stamped on it.  As you grow, rework your product, or have the power to revalue it- your price should increase to some degree.  This work will give your company more money to invest back in itself and give you the chance to think about whether your product can be improved.

Retrain Your Team

No change is complete until your entire team has been trained on it and understands the transition.  Take ideas from your unit, anything from how they would approach advertising, to how your sales meetings can become a personalized experience.  Explain how any changes you’re making will help the company and let them know what steps to implement these changes and do their part.  Your company is only as reliable as its least informed employee.

Follow Up To Ensure Changes Work

Once your changes are completed or are well underway, go over what information you gather from your changes.  If the changes don’t seem to be working right off the bat- give them a little more time.  Don’t wait longer than a quarter before declaring something successful or not, but also don’t waste time on anything that may damage your business.  You have to think about what will benefit your company in the long term and groom your advertisements and company to fit that mold.