InCred Alternatives Closes Maiden PE Fund with Over ₹500 Crore Raised

Mumbai, 8th April, 2025: InCred Alternative Investments Private Limited (“InCred Alternatives”), part of InCred Capital Financial Services Limited (‘InCred Capital”) announced the successful final close of its maiden Private Equity fund – InCred Growth Partners Fund-I (“IGPF-I”, the “Fund”). The Fund has secured capital commitments in excess of ₹575 crores, well above its target size of ₹500 crores (after exercising the greenshoe option), with support from large family offices, UHNI and HNI investors.

IGPF-I is focused on the themes of consumption, enterprise, technology and financial services, and has made investments in multiple high-growth and well scaled companies including Manjushree Technopack, Shadowfax, Niva Bupa and Purplle. Of these, Niva Bupa has already been listed since November 2024. In addition, the Fund is in advanced stages of discussions and has recently offered term sheets to two more companies.

IGPF-I is led by Vivek Singla, Managing Partner & CIO – Private Equity at InCred Alternatives, who has more than two decades of investment management experience in both the private and the public equity markets.

He believes that private equity investing in India is at a very attractive juncture. There has been a broad-based reset in the pricing expectations and a concomitant shift in the founders’ mindset from ‘growth at any cost’ to ‘profit after all costs.’ This offers very exciting entry points for fresh investing by new funds like IGPF-I.

Commenting on the successful close of the Fund, Vivek said, “The close of IGPF-I marks a significant milestone for InCred Alternatives and reflects the confidence that the investors have placed in our strategy and approach. We remain committed to identifying and partnering with high-quality businesses in India and supporting ambitious entrepreneurs in the next phase of their growth.”

Eric Yuen Takes Lead as Partner and Head of Data Science at Decimal Point Analytics

Mumbai, India – April 8, 2025 — Decimal Point Analytics, a leading AI and data analytics company serving global financial institutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Yuen, as Partner and Head of Data Science.

Eric joins Decimal Point Analytics with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of finance, technology, and data science. Most recently, he served as Managing Director and Head of Data Science at Blackstone Credit, where he was responsible for building and leading a high-impact data science team supporting both Liquid and Private Credit strategies. Under his leadership, the team drove innovation across investment diligence, market intelligence, and portfolio management.

Prior to Blackstone, Eric held a variety of senior leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase & Co. over a distinguished 19-year career. His tenure included overseeing digital strategy and fintech investments, driving enterprise-wide regulatory initiatives, and leading business operations for global commodities and capital management functions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Eric Yuen to Decimal Point Analytics,” said Shailesh Dhuri, CEO of Decimal Point Analytics. “His unique blend of financial expertise, technological foresight, and data-driven thinking aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver a performance advantage to our clients. Eric’s leadership will be pivotal as we continue expanding our AI and data science capabilities across global markets.”

Eric holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Information Systems from the University of New South Wales and is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) from CPA Australia. He has also served on the boards of private companies and educational institutions.

Commenting on his appointment, Eric Yuen said, “Decimal Point Analytics has a bold vision for transforming how data and AI drive insights in the financial sector. I’m excited to join a firm that is deeply committed to innovation and look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth.”

AuthBridge Appoints Amit Balwani as Senior VP, Technology

Mumbai, 08 April, 2025: AuthBridge, India’s leading authentication technology company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Amit Balwani as Senior Vice President – Technology. With over two decades of experience in modernizing technology infrastructures, leading large-scale digital transformations, and driving high-performance engineering teams, Amit will play a pivotal role in strengthening AuthBridge’s technology vision and innovation.

Amit has held key leadership positions at organizations like Ecom Express, Paytm, Expedia Group, Nagarro, and TCS. His expertise spans AI integration, data engineering, event-driven architectures, and API-first ecosystems. At Paytm, he was instrumental in building conversational platforms, while at Ecom Express, he spearheaded large-scale technology modernization initiatives.

Amit Balwani

“We are thrilled to welcome Amit to the AuthBridge family,” said Ajay Trehan, Founder and CEO, AuthBridge. “His deep understanding of emerging technologies and strategic approach to innovation will help us accelerate our mission to redefine identity management and authentication solutions.”

Amit is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Technology. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, listening to technology podcasts, music, and playing table tennis with his child. He expressed his enthusiasm for joining AuthBridge, stating, “AuthBridge is at the forefront of technology-driven authentication solutions. I look forward to contributing to its growth and driving technological excellence.”

Xavier University Fosters Stronger Ties with India During Strategic Visit

Delhi, India April 08, 2025 – Xavier University, a distinguished U.S. institution known for its holistic Jesuit education and an outstanding 98-99% student success rate, is reinforcing its commitment to India’s education sector with a strategic visit aimed at fostering new collaborations.
Vice President of Enrollment and Strategy, Mr. Scott Clyde, and Director of International Recruitment, Ms. Tsvety Karaivanova, will lead discussions with school counselors, independent education consultants, and academic institutions to explore partnerships and opportunities for Indian students.
“Our goal is to build meaningful, long-term relationships with India’s educators and institutions,” Mr. Clyde said. “This visit is about collaboration, innovation, and strengthening pathways for student success.”
During the visit Mr. Clyde and Ms. Karaivanova will engage with school counselors, independent education consultants (IECs), current and prospective partners and leading academic institutions to explore collaboration opportunities and gain deeper insights into the Indian education landscape. Through this dialogue, Xavier will also establish and strengthen partnerships with India’s schools and universities while exploring innovative academic programs and scholarship opportunities for Indian students. Additionally, conversations addressing key concerns related to student visa processes and ensuring clear pathways for prospective students will take place during the visit.
As part of this initiative, Xavier University will also hold an exclusive podcast session with the Hindustan Times where Clyde will share his insights on fostering deeper, mutually beneficial educational relationships between Xavier and India.
Xavier draws students from all over the world, with 36 countries — including India — represented among the approximately 5,500 students enrolled at the University. These students become immersed in a community that not only celebrates all cultures and faiths but also gives students the personal attention they need to succeed with a 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
The University’s location in Cincinnati, recently ranked as the No. 1 U.S. city for young professionals by both Niche and Forbes, positions students for success after graduation. The region features a host of Fortune 500 companies, quaint neighborhoods and a variety of festivals and entertainment for all occasions, offering an environment conducive to both personal and professional fulfillment.
Known for its strengths in the health sciences, Xavier sees 86% of its pre-med students accepted into medical school, a rate that more than doubles the U.S. average. The University’s impact in the field stands to expand in the years to come, with plans to launch a college of osteopathic medicine in 2027 and, subsequently, to construct a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary sciences building.
Xavier is also recognized for its excellence in business, with several specialties consistently ranking among the top programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, including entrepreneurship, marketing, business analytics and finance

Gurugram driving force in Indian property market strength

The latest market analysis from eXp India has revealed that Gurugram, Greater Noida and Bhubaneswar have been the strongest performing areas of the Indian property market over the last year having registered the highest rates of annual price growth.

eXp India analysed the latest market data for Q4 2024, looking at how property values have changed across the Indian property market on an annual basis (Q4 2023).

The analysis shows that it’s the Gurugram region that has seen the strongest market performance, with property values increasing by a notable 33.9% in the last year alone.

Greater Noida has seen the second strongest rate of growth at 24.2%, with Bhubaneswar sitting in third where property values are up 22.1% over the last year.

Coimbatore (+21.1%) and Noida (21%) have also seen an annual rate of growth in excess of 20%.

Such has been the strength of the Indian property market over the last year that just three areas of the market have seen a decline in property values.

Thiruvananthapuram has seen the largest decline with property values falling by -5.8% on an annual basis, whilst Howrah (-3.5%) and Ludhiana (-1.6%) have also seen a decline.

Whilst house prices across Delhi are up over the course of the year, the annual rate of growth of 0.4% is the lowest of all areas to have seen positive movement.

Data tables and sources

Finding Balance: Screen Time Guidelines for Children’s Health

Dr. Sindhu M.V, Consultant – Paediatrics & Paediatric Intensive Care, Aster RV Hospital

In today’s digital era, screens are an integral part of our life.  Post COVID, from learning to entertainment and social interactions, all of us are spending more time in front of screens than ever before. While technologies are beneficial, excessive screen time can negatively impact a child’s development, physical and mental health, and over all well-being.

As a pediatrician, I frequently encounter concerned parents asking: How much screen time is too much? and how can we create a healthy balance? Let’s explore the effects of screen time, recommended guidelines, and practical strategies to ensure responsible usage.

Too much screen exposure can affect children in multiple ways:

Sleep Disruptions: Screens emit blue light which suppresses melatonin (the hormone responsible for sleep). This can result in difficulty falling asleep, poor quality of sleep and disturbed sleep pattern.

Delayed Social, Language and Emotional Development: Children who spend excessive time on screens may have fewer face-to-face interactions, leading to delays in language development, reduced empathy, and difficulty understanding social cues.

Obesity and Physical Health Concerns: Sedentary screen time replaces active play, leading to decreased physical activity, a higher risk of obesity, and related health problems such as diabetes and poor posture. Food advertisement is an important link connecting media time with unhealthy food consumption and subsequent obesity.

Attention and Learning Challenges: The fast-paced content on digital platforms can shorten a child’s attention span, making it harder for them to focus in school and develop patience for problem-solving.

Emotional and Behavioral Issues: Increased screen time has been linked to irritability, anxiety, depression, and difficulty managing emotions. Exposure to violent or inappropriate content can also influence aggressive or impulsive behaviors.

Eye Strain and Headaches: Extended screen use, especially close-up viewing, can lead to digital eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, and even nearsightedness (myopia).

Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time

Striking the right balance between screen time and other activities can be challenging, especially with screens being so accessible in our daily lives. Here are some practical, real-life strategies that parents and caregivers can use to help children develop healthy digital habits while ensuring their overall well-being.

  1. Create Screen-Free Zones at Home

Designate specific areas in the house where screens are not allowed. This helps in reducing passive screen exposure and encourages family bonding.

  1. Set a Daily Screen Time Schedule

A structured screen time schedule helps children understand when and for how long they can use devices.

  1. Encourage Active Breaks (The 20-20-20 Rule)

Spending long hours on screens can lead to eye strain, poor posture, and reduced physical activity. Introducing short breaks ensures better health and engagement in non-digital activities.

  1. Prioritize Outdoor Play and Physical Activities

Outdoor play is crucial for a child’s physical and mental development. It reduces stress, strengthens muscles, and encourages creativity.

  1. Co-View and Discuss Digital Content

Instead of banning screens altogether, engage with your child while they watch or play. This helps them understand educational content, internet safety, and digital responsibility.

  1. Monitor and Use Parental Controls

While technology is a great learning tool, not all content is child-friendly. Using parental controls ensures kids access only appropriate and educational content.

  1. No Screens Before Bedtime (at Least 1 Hour Before Sleep)

Screen exposure before bedtime disrupts melatonin production, making it harder for kids to sleep.

  1. Be a Role Model:

Children imitate their parents. If they see you glued to a screen, they are likely to do the same.

  1. Use Screens for Learning, Not Just Entertainment:

Encourage children to use screens as a tool for learning and creativity, rather than passive entertainment.

  1. Encourage Social Interaction:

Screens should not replace face-to-face human interactions, which are essential for a child’s social skills and emotional development.

Technology is an integral part of modern life, and rather than completely banning screen time, moderation and mindful use are the keys to raising a healthy, well-rounded child. By setting clear boundaries, offering alternative activities, and actively engaging in children’s digital experiences, parents can help shape responsible digital habits while promoting a balanced lifestyle. Let’s guide our children to use technology as a tool for learning and creativity, rather than letting it replace real-world interactions and experiences.

Vellore Institute of Technology and Autodesk Partner Innovations

Vellore, April 8, 2025 – Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), today, has announced the launch of a state-of-the-art Design and Make Studio, developed in partnership with Autodesk. This new initiative aims to provide students with direct access to industry-leading design and make technology, fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills essential for the modern workforce.

The VIT-Autodesk Design and Make Studio will serve as a dynamic learning space where students can engage in real-world design and make challenges using Autodesk’s advanced software suite, including Fusion. The cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool, integrated with generative design (GD) technology, will allow students to develop sustainable and efficient design and manufacturing solutions, preparing them for the evolving demands of the industry.

“Our goal is to create an environment where students can immerse themselves in cutting-edge design technology practices,” said Dr. G. Viswanathan, Chancellor, VIT University. “By launching this Design and Make Studio in partnership with Autodesk, we are equipping our students with future- ready skills and hands-on experience that will give them a competitive edge in careers spanning engineering, architecture, and product design.”

The new Design and Make Studio will act as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together students from various engineering and design backgrounds to work on projects that address real-world challenges. With this launch, VIT reinforces its position as a leader in experiential learning, driving innovation, and setting new benchmarks for technical education in India.

“At Autodesk, we are dedicated to empowering the next generation of engineers and designers with the right tools and knowledge,” said Parminder Singh, Design and Manufacturing, Autodesk, India & SAARC. “Through the Autodesk design and make studio, the students will get access to the latest design technology solutions especially with future technologies such as AI that will further nurture innovation and creativity, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the future of design and make industry.”

Autodesk is committed to empowering students and educators with the required tools and training needed and make them industry ready. In India, more than five million students across 14,000 secondary and post-secondary institutions are gaining hands-on experience with our technology. By expanding access to latest technology and fostering industry-relevant learning, Autodesk is enabling the workforce of the future.

ICICI Bank Inaugurates a Branch in Jammu Location

Jammu: ICICI Bank has set up a new branch at Preet Nagar in Jammu. This branch, the Bank’s fourteenth in the city, is equipped with an ATM.

Shri Vikram Randhawa, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Jammu & Kashmir inaugurated the branch. Ms. Devyani Rana, Vice-President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Jammu & Kashmir, graced the occasion.

The branch offers a comprehensive range of accounts and deposits including savings and current accounts, fixed and recurring deposits and loans like home loan, personal loan, auto loan, business loan and education loan along with remittance and card services. It also provides locker facility at its premises. It operates from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Monday to Friday and on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month.

The branch also offers Tab Banking facility that provides nearly 100 services at the customer’s place by an employee through a tablet device. The services include opening of accounts and Fixed Deposit (FD), raising cheque book request, generation of e statements and change of address, among others.

ICICI Bank has more than 70 branches, and over 80 ATMs and cash recycling machines (CRMs) in Jammu & Kashmir.

ICICI Bank services its large customer base through a multi-channel delivery network of branches, ATMs, call centres, internet banking and mobile banking.

Cricket Tournament at Consistent Sparks Stronger Team Connections

New Delhi, 8th April 2025 – Consistent also known as Consistent Infosystems, a leading name in IT hardware, Print Consumable, Storage Security Surveillance and Gaming Segments, recently organized an exhilarating cricket tournament for employees to motivate and create team bonding bringing together teams from Sales Hitter, RMA Defender, Accounts Closer, and Logistics Ender. The friendly yet competitive event aimed to foster team spirit, camaraderie, and a healthy work-life balance among its workforce.

The much-anticipated Day and Night Tournament was held at SPV Sports, Khan Market saw enthusiastic participation from employees, who displayed remarkable sportsmanship and teamwork on the field. The event served as a platform for employees to unwind, engage in physical activity, and strengthen their interdepartmental relationships in a fun and relaxed setting.

Speaking about the initiativeRitesh Das, Marketing Manager, Consistent Infosystems, said, “At Consistent, we believe that a motivated and well-connected team is the backbone of success. This cricket tournament was not just about the game; it was about building stronger relationships, encouraging teamwork, and celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship. We are proud to see our employees come together with such enthusiasm.”

The Tournament was filled with thrilling moments, with each department showcasing their cricketing skills, strategic game play, and unwavering team support. Spectators, including other employees and senior management, cheered for their respective teams, adding to the excitement and energy of the game.

After an action-packed competition, Account Team emerged as the winner and was awarded a trophy for their outstanding performances.

Consistent Infosystems continues to prioritize employee engagement and well-being by fostering a positive work environment through various initiatives and team-building activities. The company remains committed to promoting a culture of collaboration, enthusiasm, and excellence both inside and outside the workplace.

Times Music CEO Mandar Thakur Recognized as ‘International Music Person of the Year’ at MUSEXPO 2025

MUSEXPO 2025 marked its milestone 25th global edition by recognizing Times Music and awarded its CEO, as the ‘International Music Person of the Year’ on behalf of the company. This historic honour is the first ever to be awarded to any company and executive from the India/ Asia region and is bestowed upon individuals and companies contributing significantly to the global music industry.

Mr.-Mandar-Thakur-CEO-Times-Music

The award ceremony, held in Burbank, California (widely known as the media capital of the world) featured official proclamations from the Mayor of Burbank, the County of Los Angeles, and representatives from the State of California, underscoring the significance of this recognition.

Times Music, a joint venture between The Times Group and Primary Wave, has transformed into a dominant force in recorded music, publishing, and artist management. The company’s diverse portfolio includes Junglee Music, which focuses on Bollywood soundtracks, and ffs, an indie music sub-label that champions India’s rich musical landscape.

Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group stated, “This award is a recognition of Times Music’s and its team’s dedication and effort toward building a global business and I wish Mandar and team continued success.”

Reflecting on this achievement, Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music shared: “This recognition highlights India’s expanding influence in the global music industry and cements Times Music’s role as a key player on the world stage”.

Previous “International Music Person of the Year” awards honourees have included Grammy & Emmy Award Winning & Oscar nominated global hit songwriter Diane WarrenMonte Lipman & Avery Lipman, Co-Founders, Republic Records; Harvey Goldsmith (renowned concert promoter – Live AidLive EarthPrince’s Trust); Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive & President Music, EA Games; George Ergatoudis, Head of Music, UK & Ireland Apple; Pete Ganbarg, President A&R Atlantic RecordsDaniel Glass, President & Founder, Glassnote Entertainment Group amongst others.