Venturi Partners Launches INR 225M Fund for Consumer Brands in India & SEA
Singapore/Mumbai, March 20, 2025 – Venturi Partners, a leading growth-stage consumer-focused investor in India and Southeast Asia, has announced the launch of its second fund, targeting $225 million, with a hard cap of $250 million. Building on the success of its first fund, the new fund will continue to focus on Venturi’s core strategy of backing consumer brands that are disrupting their sectors and creating innovative products and services tailored for the evolving Asian consumer.
The second fund will target high-growth sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), with a continued focus on India and Southeast Asia. Venturi is aiming for a first close by Q2 CY2025, with visibility towards $130 million, backed by continued strong support from existing investors.
In April 2022, Venturi had raised $180 million from prominent families in Europe & Asia. Venturi’s first fund has invested in 7 high-growth consumer companies across various sectors such as education, F&B subscription, beauty & personal care, retail, and home interiors. Its existing portfolio includes Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, DALI, K-12 Techno and JQR.
Nicholas Cator, Founder of Venturi Partners, said: “Our investment philosophy remains unchanged, backing brands that create meaningful change and deliver innovative solutions to consumers. We take an active ownership approach with our portfolio companies, working closely with founders to help unlock growth and scale their businesses. With this second fund, we are excited to continue partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs across the region.”
Venturi’s unique hands-on approach is centred around working closely with management teams to scale operations and create lasting value. The firm’s expertise in identifying and scaling consumer businesses has made it a trusted partner for founders in India and Southeast Asia.
ITDC Strengthens Leadership as Shri Rajesh Rana Becomes Director (Commercial & Marketing)
Chandigarh, 20 March 2025: Shri Rajesh Rana has been appointed as the Director (Commercial & Marketing) of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. He took charge of the office in his new role on March 17, and will serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
With a career spanning over 26 years in the hospitality industry, Shri Rana brings expertise in catering, tourism, marketing, and business operations. Shri Rana began his career as a Management Trainee with the Jaypee Group of Hotels before moving to THDC India Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). In 2005, he joined IRCTC, where he played a pivotal role in shaping its hospitality and tourism initiatives.
During his 19-year tenure at IRCTC, he held key positions across Regional, Zonal, and Corporate Offices, progressively rising through the ranks as Deputy General Manager, Joint General Manager, Additional General Manager, and General Manager. His diverse expertise spans catering, tourism, operations, administration, marketing, product development, and management.
Shri Rana has demonstrated strong strategic leadership and risk management capabilities, contributing significantly to business growth in the hospitality, tourism, and railway catering sectors. Prior to assuming the role of Director (Commercial & Marketing) at ITDC, he served as General Manager at IRCTC’s Corporate Office in New Delhi, where he also held the critical responsibility of Chief Risk Officer (CRO). A distinguished alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Lucknow, he also holds an MBA in Marketing.
Hexaware Wins Multiple Accolades at World HRD Congress 2025
Mumbai, India, March 20th 2025: Hexaware Technologies, a leading global provider of IT services and solutions, made a remarkable impact at the 33rd World HRD Congress, securing multiple prestigious awards in recognition of its transformative learning initiatives and leadership development programs. The company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous growth earned it top honors, including three organizational awards, one results-based training award, and the coveted Chief Learning Officer of the Year title for Satyendu Mohanty, Executive Vice President & Global Head – Talent Supply Chain and L&D, Hexaware.
Hexaware’s award-winning programs showcased its dedication to empowering employees at all levels:
Best Leadership Development Program for Middle Management
The Mid-Management Transformation Program (MMT) under Hexaware’s Ignite initiative equips delivery and sales leaders with strategic skills to drive business growth. Through workshops, mentoring, and peer learning, MMT cultivates client-centricity, solution-oriented thinking, and measurable outcomes, enabling leaders to scale key accounts and foster high-performance teams.
Best Organizational Development Program & Excellence in Training & Development Awards
Hexaware’s role-based upskilling engine, Sonic, offers employees access to 1,000+ industry certifications and 800 Target State Roles (TSRs) across domains like Cloud, AI, and Agile. With gamified learning paths, hackathons, and full certification reimbursements, Sonic ensures a future-ready workforce. Over 17,000 certifications have been achieved, reinforcing Hexaware’s industry-aligned talent strategy.
Best Training and Development Program
Hexaware’s democratized learning model prioritizes choice and recognition. Employees design their growth journeys via curated e-learning modules, virtual labs, and collaborative platforms like technical clubs. The innovative Learning Partner system bridges individual units with Hexavarsity (Hexaware’s L&D arm), tailoring training to niche needs while fostering a “learn-for-fun” culture.
Celebrating a Visionary Leader
Satyendu Mohanty was honored as Chief Learning Officer of the Year for his transformative impact. With over 22 years of experience, Satyendu has redefined Hexaware’s L&D landscape through initiatives like:
- Sonic Program: Driving role-based certifications and skill democratization.
- Ignite 3.0: Leadership development for 155+ managers via programs like MMT and Unlock Executive Coaching.
- GenAI Readiness: Certifying over 90% of employees in GenAI, positioning Hexaware as an AI-first organization.
- Mavericks & Segue: Revolutionizing campus hires’ onboarding with virtual training and early skill-building, ensuring seamless project readiness.
“These awards reflect our unwavering belief in our people’s potential,” said Vinod Chandran, Chief Operating Officer, Hexaware. “By investing in cutting-edge learning ecosystems, we’re not just building skills—we’re shaping leaders who drive tomorrow’s innovations. Our efforts are yielding tangible results, too. We have one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry and are among the top-rated workplaces on Glassdoor.”
Elaborating on Hexaware’s learning culture, Satyendu Mohanty added, “Empowering employees to own their growth is at the heart of our strategy. From GenAI to gamified hackathons, we’re creating a culture where learning is limitless, collaborative, and aligned with global tech evolution. When learning is joyful, it becomes transformative.”
Hexaware’s triumph at the World HRD Congress underscores its efforts to be the best place to learn and grow. By blending technology, inclusivity, and strategic foresight, the company continues to set benchmarks in talent development, ensuring its workforce—and clients—stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.
RedVersity Trains Cult.fit Workforce in Emergency Response in One Day
India, March 20, 2025: In a landmark initiative to enhance emergency preparedness in fitness spaces, RedVersity, the training and education arm of Red Health, successfully partnered with Cult.fit to equip its employees with hands-on training in CPR, first aid, and emergency response protocols. On 12th February, 611 employees across 12 centers were trained to respond effectively to medical emergencies and fire hazards, reinforcing the commitment of both organizations to workplace safety and public well-being.
Fitness centers are high-energy environments where immediate response to emergencies can be critical. Through this large-scale training program, Cult.fit’s trainers, support staff, and employees gained practical knowledge in Basic Life Support (BLS), first aid essentials, and fire safety measures. Conducted by expert trainers from RedVersity, the hands-on sessions included real-life simulations, interactive demonstrations, and skill assessments, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to handle critical situations with confidence.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Prabhdeep Singh, Founder & CEO of Red Health, said, “Emergencies don’t come with a warning, and in those critical moments, immediate action can save lives. Through RedVersity, we are committed to empowering individuals with the right skills to respond effectively. Training over 600 Cult.fit employees in a single day aligns with the growing awareness and need for emergency preparedness in India. Our collaboration with Cult.fit is a step towards making life-saving knowledge a fundamental skill for every individual.”
Emphasizing the impact of the initiative, the spokesperson of Cult.fit said, “The safety of our members forms the foundation of everything we do at Cult.fit. With our centers serving numerous clients throughout the day, from personal training sessions to group classes, ensuring security in these close-contact environments is paramount. Through RedVersity training, we’ve significantly enhanced our emergency response capabilities. Our team now stands ready to handle critical situations with confidence and expertise, reinforcing our commitment to creating secure fitness environments across India.”
Through RedVersity’s expertise, this initiative marks a pivotal step toward integrating emergency preparedness into fitness and corporate environments. As more organizations recognize the value of life-saving training, the ripple effect of such programs extends beyond workplaces, ensuring safer homes, communities, and public spaces.
Hatsun Agro Strengthens Retail Presence with 4000th HAP Daily Outlet in Andhra
Mumbai / Chennai,20th March 2025: Hatsun Agro Product Limited, India’s leading private sector dairy company, today inaugurated its 4000th HAP daily Outlet in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh. This milestone reflects the company’s continued commitment of delivering fresh and high-quality dairy products directly to consumers.
HAP daily Exclusive Stores is part of the company’s retail expansion strategy, offering a range of brands including Arun Icecreams, Arokya, Hatsun, and Hanobar. These stores will retail ice creams, fresh milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer, yoghurt, juices, chocolates, butter, and more. Apart of direct consumer sale, HAP daily Outlets will cater to the retail outlets in their vicinity and increasing availability of the products and expanding the brand reach.
Speaking on the occasion to mark the 4000th HAP daily Outlet, Mr. R.G. Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., said, “The opening of our 4000th HAP daily Exclusive Store in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh is an important milestone in the company’s journey to bring fresh, high-quality dairy products closer to the consumers. Hatsun Agro’s focus has always been on innovation, quality, and ensuring accessibility while creating newer opportunities for dairy farmers and franchisee partners. We aim to continue expanding our footprint, strengthening our distribution network, and enhancing customer experience through such modern retail formats.”
To further enhance its market reach, Hatsun Agro has recently made strategic acquisitions to expand processing capacities to meet the growing demand for dairy and ice cream products, strengthen distribution networks in key markets, and increase its product portfolio with novel value-added dairy offerings.
Arun Icecreams, a leading flagship brand under Hatsun Agro, is distributed from HAP daily across India and exported to 6 countries (Singapore, Seychelles, Maldives, Brunei, UAE Ajman, & Mauritius) further strengthening its global footprint.
Hatsun Agro continues to expand its retail presence across existing and new markets, with upcoming outlets planned in Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Andaman Nicobar Islands, while further deepening its presence in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, and Goa. With this milestone, Hatsun Agro is reinforcing its vision of transforming India’s dairy retail landscape, making fresh dairy products easily accessible while supporting the livelihoods of dairy farmers and entrepreneurs.
Acer Expands TravelLite Range, Catering to Modern Business Professionals
Mumbai, 20th March 2025 – Acer, one of the leading brands in the PC industry, today unveiled the first 39.6cm (15.6 inch) model laptop TL15-53M in the TravelLite series. These laptops are qualified under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and tailored for professionals who demand performance, security, and a seamless user experience. The TravelLite series boasts a sleek metal body, an ultra-slim design, and a 180-degree hinge for enhanced versatility. With Intel® Core™ processors, up to 64GB DDR5 RAM support, and SSD storage options up to 2TB, these laptops offer cutting-edge performance in a portable form factor.
The TravelLite series is available in both DDR4 and DDR5 platforms and supports 13th Gen Refresh Intel® Core™ processors, including Core 3 100U, Core 5 120U, and Core 7 150U. The laptops are built to withstand rigorous use, TravelLite TL15-53M are MIL-STD 810H certified for durability, ensuring they can endure tough environments. The lightweight form factor, starting at just 1.58 kg, makes these laptops highly portable without sacrificing reliability. Including a privacy camera shutter further enhances security for professionals working on the go.
The laptops boast a range of high-performance features, including Intel® Iris® Xe and Intel® UHD Graphics, with FHD IPS panels and FHD web camera, and up to 4X faster storage performance with Gen4 NVMe SSDs. Additionally, the models offer various connectivity options, including 3 USB 3.2 Type-A and 2 Type-C 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.0, an audio combo jack, and an optional fingerprint reader on the touchpad for enhanced security. Security features are at the core of the TravelLite TL15-53M, with discrete TPM 2.0, a Kensington lock slot. With the inbuilt copilot button enhance the productivity of the professional.
Sudhir Goel, Chief Business Officer, Acer India, stated, “The launch of the TravelLite TL15-53M series brings bigger screen model that addresses a crucial market need. This series reflects Acer’s drive for innovation and strong support for the Make in India initiative. It is designed for professionals and offers exceptional portability without compromising performance. With advanced security features, a robust metal chassis, and state-of-the-art hardware, we take pride in manufacturing them in India, delivering globally competitive technology with a local touch.”
National Level IP Yatra Programme for MSMEs
Kolkata, 20th March, 2025: MSME-Development & Facilitation Office, Kolkata under Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India organized National Level IP Yatra Programme (2 Days IP Workshop) at Hotel Hindusthan International, Kolkata from 19th March, 2025 to 20th March, 2025. The Government of India envisioned creating the MSME Innovative Scheme through a combination of Incubation, Design intervention and IPR protection initiatives to enhance MSME competitiveness and transform them as National and International Champions.
The National Level IP Yatra Programme for MSMEs was inaugurated by: Mr. Vijay Bharti, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, Govt. of West Bengal; Dr. Tapas Kumar Bandyopadhyay, Professor, IIT Kharagpur; Mr. Pramathesh Sen, Joint Controller of Patents & Designs, Head of office, Patent Office Kolkata; Mr. N. Babu, Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks and G.I., Head of office, Trade Marks office, Kolkata; Mr. P. K. Das, JD & HoO, MSME-DFO, Kolkata & many other eminent personalities.
On this occasion, Mr. P. K. Das, Joint Director & HoO, MSME-DFO, Kolkata expressed his satisfaction for organizing this event for exclusive benefits of MSMEs for the State of West Bengal. He also informed that more than 300 MSMEs are expected to participate in the Programme. Sharing his views, he said, “Government of India has taken several measures to enhance the competiveness of MSMEs through IPR which is a new concept for MSMEs with a combination of innovation in incubation, design intervention and by protecting IPR in a single mode approach to create awareness amongst MSMEs about India’s innovation and motivate them to become MSME Champions. This acts as a hub for innovation activities facilitating and guiding development of ideas into viable business proposition that can benefit society directly and can be marketed successfully”.
MSME Innovative Scheme is an amalgamation of the Incubation, Design and IPR Schemes of the Ministry of MSME. These erstwhile three schemes are operated as separate verticals with interflows and connections. These verticals are also integrated sequentially and parallelly into one singular formulation to promote and encourage innovative activities for improved synergy and higher efficiency.
The programme covered workshop cum seminar on Intellectual Property Rights with special focus on Basic understanding on various components of IPR, Procedural and Regulatory Aspects of IP Prosecution, with reference to MSMEs, IP strategy and Startups, role of IPR in Technology commercialization challenges and opportunities, Importance of Packaging for GI Products & use of IP in Packaging, Technology Transfer and impact of IPR on Business growth etc.
OPPO’s Picks for Holi 2025 From Gulal to Great Shots
The colors of Holi fade, but the memories don’t have to! OPPO smartphones capture every moment of laughter and love in all its vibrancy. Celebrate Holi with a gift that keeps the festival alive all year long!
Capture the Festival of Colors with the OPPO Find X8 Series
The OPPO Find X8 Series is the perfect Holi companion, capturing every vibrant moment with its dual periscope system and 50MP low-light sensor. Its IP68 rating ensures protection against splashes, while the 5,630mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging powers up fast for all-day celebrations. The 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display brings your festive memories to life, and the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset ensures seamless performance for capturing and sharing. This Holi, let the Find X8 Series make every color pop with stunning clarity!
The OPPO Reno13 5G Series is your perfect Holi companion, capturing every color-splashed moment—even underwater! Click stunning underwater selfies during Holi water with its AI-powered Underwater Mode, ensuring vibrant, crystal-clear shots. Its 50MP and 8MP ultra-wide lens, deliver breathtaking detail, while AI tools like AI Live Photo, AI Clarity, and AI Eraser 2.0 ensure every festive moment is preserved flawlessly. The IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications make it waterproof and dustproof, so you can enjoy carefree celebrations. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and a 5600mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging, it keeps up with your energy all day.
Available in Luminous Blue, Ivory White, and Mist Lavender, the Reno13 5G is more than just a smartphone—it’s your Holi memory maker!
The OPPO K12x 5G is the ultimate Holi companion, combining style, durability, and power! Available in Breeze Blue, Midnight Violet, and Feather Pink, its stunning colors perfectly match your festive outfits, making it the ideal smartphone to twin with your Holi look. With an IP54 rating, it’s resistant to dust and splashes, ensuring worry-free celebrations. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G processor, it delivers smooth performance, while the 120Hz AMOLED display enhances every visual with vibrant clarity. The 5,100mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC charging keeps you powered up throughout the festivities with minimal downtime. Whether you’re capturing Holi’s colorful chaos or indulging in a gaming session, the OPPO K12x 5G is built for non-stop fun—bold, durable, and Holi-ready!
Wrinkle Up, Green Up! Ecofy’s #WrinklesForGood Campaign Fights Climate Change
New Delhi, 20th March 2025: Ecofy, India’s pioneering green-only NBFC, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative #WrinklesForGood campaign. Commenced on March 17, 2025, this initiative challenges conventional energy consumption habits by encouraging individuals and organizations to skip ironing for a day, highlighting the significant yet often overlooked environmental impact of everyday activities. The campaign emerges from Ecofy’s unwavering commitment to accelerating the transition to a net-zero carbon world.
Ironing may seem harmless, but it is an energy-intensive activity. By choosing to skip ironing for just one day, individuals can contribute to significant energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. An individual contributes to emitting approximately 172.31 gms of carbon emissions by ironing his/her clothes for 15 minutes.
Ecofy’s #WrinklesForGood campaign will also feature a social media contest running from March 26 to March 31, 2025, where participants will be able to share their experiences of skipping ironing on social media platforms while tagging Ecofy Finance. Through this digital engagement strategy, the green financing company aims to create a movement that encourages both – individuals and businesses to embrace and promote sustainable energy practices.
Shraboni Fernandes, Head of Marketing, at Ecofy, commented, “The #WrinklesForGood campaign resonates with our philosophy that sustainability isn’t limited to major financial investments or corporate policies; it starts with mindful everyday choices. By simply skipping ironing for a day, individuals can reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the collective carbon reduction goals. Since Ecofy’s inception, we have witnessed firsthand how small actions, when embraced by people, create meaningful environmental impact. This campaign extends our mission beyond financial solutions to inspire lifestyle changes that align with our vision of a sustainable future for all.”
As a leader in green finance with a presence across 17+ states in India and a customer base of over 65,000, Ecofy continues to demonstrate that meaningful environmental change begins with small, impactful steps that collectively make a significant difference. Since the commencement of its operations in 2022, Ecofy has reduced over 21,492+ tons of carbon emissions through its various green financing initiatives. The #WrinklesForGood campaign represents another innovative step in Ecofy’s journey to promote sustainability through both financial solutions and lifestyle changes.
Vietjet Welcomes Travelers with New Direct Flights from Hyderabad & Bengaluru to Vietnam
Mumbai, March 20, 2025 – Vietjet, Vietnam’s leading new-age airline, is further strengthening its presence in India with the launch of new direct flights connecting Hyderabad and Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic powerhouse, on March 18 and 19, 2025, respectively. These new routes mark a significant milestone in Vietjet’s commitment to expanding its global network while enhancing connectivity between India and the Southeast Asia region.
To celebrate the launch, Vietjet is running two special promotions from now to March 24, 2025. For the Hyderabad/Bengaluru-Ho Chi Minh City routes, the airline offers tickets starting from INR11 plus taxes & fees for flights between June 1 and October 15, 2025 (*). Additionally, flyers can enjoy a discount of up to 20% (**) with the promo code “HOLIINDIA” on other India-Vietnam routes, for flights between April 1 and September 30, 2025 (*). Tickets are available on www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app.
The two new routes are expected to provide Indian travelers with seamless access to Vietnam’s largest metropolis. Located in Southern Vietnam and at the heart of Southeast Asia, Ho Chi Minh City stands as a dynamic economic hub, renowned for its vibrant urban energy, thriving business landscape, and world-famous street-food scene.
Both Hyderabad, a key economic and technology center, and Bengaluru, a major IT and business hub, are vital additions to Vietjet’s operations in India. With the new services, Vietjet is solidifying its position as the airline with the most extensive flight network between the world’s most populous country and Vietnam, operating 10 direct routes with 78 flights per week. This network connects New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, to key Vietnamese hubs—Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang.
Since launching the New Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City route in 2019, Vietjet has pioneered in expanding air links between India and Vietnam, operating over 8,300 flights and transporting nearly 1.62 million passengers. The introduction of new direct flights is expected to boost tourism and trade among Asian regions, offering travelers from India more affordable options to explore Vietnam and beyond. Indian travelers can take advantage of Vietjet’s international connections to popular destinations, including Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or major cities in Australia and Northeast Asia.