NMIMS Indore SBM Celebrates MBA Convocation with Grandeur
Indore, 21 April 2025: SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Indore Campus, organized the Convocation Ceremony of the School of Business Management (SBM).The ceremony celebrated the successes of the graduating MBA students, acknowledging their educational journey and ushering them into a world of professional possibilities.
The ceremony was honoured by the dignified Chief Guest, Shri Gunjan Shah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bata India Ltd whose speech gave valuable inputs and motivation to the graduating batch. The ceremony was chaired by Shri Akhilesh Rathi, Nominee of the Hon’ble Chancellor, SVKM’s NMIMS Deemed-to-be University Mumbai. Other notable dignitaries present included Mr. Ashish Apte (Controller of Examinations), Mr. Ajay Bankda (Mentor, NMIMS Indore), and Mr. Arvind Banthia (Chairman, LPC & Mentor, NMIMS Indore).
The ceremony began with the NMIMS Anthem, followed by the lamp-lighting setting a reverent tone for the event. Shri Akhilesh Rathi officially opened the convocation, following which the dignitaries were greeted with bouquets and souvenirs.
Shri Ashish Apte, Comptroller of Examinations and the Nominee of the Registrar, facilitated the official proceedings, with the Welcome Address being given by Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar, Pro Vice Chancellor and Nominee of Vice Chancellor. A comprehensive overview of the School of Business Management through key milestones, academic developments, and student excellence was presented by Dr. Anshuman Jaswal, Director, SVKM’s NMIMS Indore.
Following the event, Dr. Jaswal said: “Today marks not just the end of an academic journey, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to growth, gratitude, and contribution. We expect our graduates to honour those who supported them, and move forward with the wisdom and responsibility that comes with true education. This is the journey of transformation — from being a Vidyarthi (student) to becoming a Vidvan (wise individual). They should embrace the challenges ahead with confidence, and strive to contribute meaningfully to society.”
A special moment of pride was the announcement of academic awards and the Dean’s List certificates by the Chief Guest, Shri Gunjan Shah. The crowning moment was the Best Student Award, also given by Shri Shah, awarded for outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.
In his convocation address, Shri Gunjan Shah motivated students with his experience spanning industries such as FMCG, Telecom, and Retail, and highlighted the importance of strategic thinking, flexibility, and people-focused leadership in the fast-paced global business environment today. Based on his vast experience at Bata India, Britannia Industries, Asian Paints, and Motorola, Shri Shah urged the graduates to remain dedicated to lifelong learning, perseverance, and teamwork.
The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks by the Associate Dean, Dr. Suman Chakraborty, the official announcement of the closure of the convocation, the National Anthem, and a photo session of celebration followed by lunch.
Dressed in their best ethnic wear, graduates, faculty, and family members exchanged smiles of happiness and pride as they attended the culmination of a momentous chapter and the launch of a promising new one. The convocation not only showcased the scholarly discipline and values ingrained in NMIMS, but the vision too of building leaders who are future-ready.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Exchanges MoU with Government of Mizoram to Drive Holistic Community Development
Bangalore, 21st April 2025: In a significant step towards fostering holistic growth and sustainable development in the Northeast, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Mizoram. Held in Aizawl, the MoU exchange ceremony marks an important milestone in TKM’s efforts to contribute meaningfully to the region’s progress through focused, community-centric CSR initiatives. Under this collaboration, TKM has implemented CSR interventions in three key areas identified by the local administration and enforcement agencies as below:
- Road safety awareness to commercial taxi drivers
- Upgrading traffic monitoring infrastructure and
- Enhancing disaster response capabilities
Each activity is designed to address on-ground challenges and deliver lasting impact aligned with the state’s needs.
The exchange ceremony, held in Aizawl, was graced by Mr. Lalduhoma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, officials from the Government of Mizoram including Mr. Lalhriatpuia, Deputy Commissioner, Aizawl, Mr. Paul, Deputy Commissioner Serchhip, Mr. Stephen, Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Mr. C.C Lalchhuangkima, Smart City CEO along with leadership from Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice President & Country Head, other senior executives and Mr. Zorammawia Tochhawng, Dealer Principal, Zote Toyota, reaffirming the spirit of collaboration and shared vision for long-term community transformation.
Under the MoU, TKM has formally handed over two major assets:
- ANPR/CCTV Equipment: In alignment with Aizawl’s designation as a Smart City, TKM has also facilitated the procurement and supply of 34 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and 20 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) units. This initiative aims to strengthen traffic monitoring, enhance road safety & regulatory enforcement across the city with beneficiaries up to 4,00,000 community members
- Back-hoe Equipment: In response to the state’s vulnerability to natural calamities such as landslides—highlighted by the Cyclone Remal in May 2024—TKM has also provided two backhoe machines to the district administration. This support aims to help the local government strengthen its disaster response capacity in regions prone to geological instability and unplanned urban development and benefits 4,00,000 community members
The MoU exchange also marks the culmination of a state-wide road safety and health awareness campaign to commercial taxi drivers held earlier this year. Conducted in collaboration with the Mizoram Traffic SP Office and timed to coincide with National Road Safety Month (January 18 – February 17, 2025), the campaign benefitted over 800 commercial vehicle drivers across the state. The initiative involved safety training sessions to instil best driving practices and reduce accident risks, coupled with free health screenings to ensure the physical well-being of drivers.
Present at the occasion, Mr. Lalduhoma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s support comes at a crucial time as Mizoram addresses both infrastructural gaps and natural vulnerabilities. With rising instances of landslides and road accidents, there’s a pressing need for stronger preparedness and public safety systems. What stands out in this collaboration is its responsiveness to local realities—be it providing vital equipment for disaster response or enhancing traffic surveillance in Aizawl. Toyota’s earlier road safety and health initiative for our drivers was also well received. These are meaningful contributions with tangible outcomes, and we deeply value Toyota’s commitment to Mizoram’s development.”
Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Governance – Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Northeast is not just a strategic region—it is a priority geography, rich in potential, resilience, and cultural depth. Our CSR initiatives across the region have consistently focused on creating meaningful impact through sustainable mobility, skilling, and road safety. This MoU with the Government of Mizoram is a continuation of that commitment. It reflects our shared goal of delivering community-centric solutions that are locally relevant and built for long-term impact. We are honoured to collaborate with the state in driving positive change and look forward to strengthening this collaboration in the years to come.”
Through these interventions, TKM continues to stay rooted in its philosophy of ‘Growing Together with the Community’—ensuring that every CSR initiative is tailored to the unique needs of each region. With a strong legacy of driving social change across India, TKM’s expanding presence in the Northeast reflects its belief in creating real, lasting impact through collaborations that are local in approach and national in spirit.
NITCO at Coverings 2025 – Where Design Meets Innovation
21st April 2025 – NITCO, a leading name in premium tiles, marble, and mosaic from India, is set to make a striking impression at Coverings 2025, the largest international trade show in North America dedicated to ceramic tile and natural stone. The event will take place from April 29 to May 2 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
This marks the fourth year in a row that NITCO will participate in the globally renowned exhibition. At this edition of Coverings, the brand will showcase its newest collection of surfaces that seamlessly blend timeless craftsmanship with contemporary design. Known for pushing boundaries in both aesthetics and technology, NITCO continues to raise the bar for surface innovation, drawing on over seven decades of legacy and expertise.
Speaking on the upcoming showcase, Diviyang Chheda, President Operations, at NITCO, said, “Coverings is where global design trends take shape, making it the perfect platform to share our vision for surfaces that are not only beautiful, but also resilient, sustainable, and versatile. This year, we’re excited to present a selection of surfaces that will be introduced to the North American and Latin American markets for the first time. We look forward to connecting with architects, designers, retailers, and distributors from around the world and showcasing what’s next in surface design.”
Visitors to Coverings 2025 can expect to experience the unveiling of a fresh portfolio of tiles, marble, and mosaic collections, designed to meet the evolving tastes of the global design community. The display will reflect NITCO’s commitment to high quality, design leadership, and customer-centric innovation, all hallmarks of the brand’s identity.
As NITCO continues to grow its international footprint, its presence at Coverings reaffirms the company’s position as a serious global contender in the premium surface materials space. With an emphasis on form, function, and finish, NITCO’s latest offerings promise to inspire professionals looking for unique design solutions backed by reliable performance.
Indoor Air Pollution: A Silent Trigger for Cancer Risk
Dr. Boppana Sai Madhuri, Consultant, Medical Oncologist, HCG Cancer Center – Vijayawada
As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the air we breathe indoors. However, the truth is that indoor air quality plays a significant role in our overall health, particularly when it comes to cancer risk.
The Indoor Air Pollution Problem
Indoor air pollution is a pervasive issue that affects millions of people worldwide. The air inside our homes, offices, and other buildings can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is due to the presence of various pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and radon. These pollutants can emanate from a range of sources, including building materials, furniture, household cleaning products, and heating systems.
The Link to Cancer Risk
Exposure to indoor air pollutants has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified some indoor air pollutants, such as radon and PM, as carcinogenic to humans. Radon, a radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the soil, is a known cause of lung cancer. Similarly, exposure to PM, which can come from sources like cooking and heating, has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Other Indoor Air Pollutants and Cancer Risk
In addition to radon and PM, other indoor air pollutants have also been linked to cancer risk. For example, VOCs, which can be emitted by building materials, furniture, and household cleaning products, have been shown to cause cancer in animals. Similarly, exposure to secondhand smoke, which can linger in indoor air, has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Reducing Cancer Risk through Improved Indoor Air Quality
While the link between indoor air quality and cancer risk is alarming, there are steps we can take to reduce our exposure to indoor air pollutants. Here are some strategies for improving indoor air quality:
- Use ventilation systems : Installing ventilation systems that exchange indoor air with fresh outdoor air can help reduce pollutant levels.
- Remove sources of pollution : Identify and remove sources of pollution, such as radon and secondhand smoke.
- Use air purifiers : Air purifiers can help remove pollutants from the air.
- Choose low-VOC products : Opt for building materials, furniture, and household cleaning products that emit low levels of VOCs.
The impact of indoor air quality on cancer risk is a serious concern that deserves our attention. By understanding the sources of indoor air pollution and taking steps to reduce our exposure, we can mitigate this hidden danger and create healthier indoor environments. The air we breathe indoors matters, and it’s up to us to take action to protect our health.
WEYTEC expands its India footprint with new Experience Center in Delhi
New Delhi, April 21, 2025. WEY Technology India Ltd., a subsidiary of the Swiss-based WEY Group AG, proudly inaugurated its second India Experience Centre in New Delhi, reinforcing the company’s strong and growing commitment to the Indian market.
This state-of-the-art facility complements WEYTEC’s existing Experience Centre in Mumbai and serves as a live showcase for the company’s cutting-edge technologies tailored for mission-critical environments such as trading floors, command and control rooms, and security operations centers.
The New Delhi Experience Centre was formally inaugurated by Armin Klingler, Chairman of the Board and CEO, WEY Group AG; Pascal Kreienbühl, Deputy CEO and CFO, WEY Group AG; and Rajiv Bhalla, Managing Director, WEY Technology India Ltd.
With a legacy of over 40 years, WEYTEC is globally recognized for its Swiss-engineered, high-performance workplace solutions. The company specializes in the seamless transmission, control, distribution, and visualization of real-time data, empowering professionals across sectors with efficient and integrated work environments.
“India is a strategic market for WEYTEC, and we’re excited to bring our globally trusted innovations to support its growth,” said Armin Klingler, Chairman of the Board and CEO, WEY Group AG. “Our solutions embody the precision, reliability, and operator-focused design that define Swiss engineering. The Delhi Experience Center reflects our commitment to delivering immersive, high-performance technologies tailored for India’s dynamic control room environments.”
“We see immense potential in India as it emerges as a global leader in both digital and physical infrastructure,” added Rajiv Bhalla, Managing Director, WEYTEC India. “With significant investments in Roads, Railways, Ports, Airports, Power & Utilities, and Public Safety, this is the right time for WEYTEC’s precision-engineered solutions to deliver transformational value to India’s mission-critical sectors.”
On display at the Experience Center are WEYTEC’s flagship innovations:
- WDP MX®: A solution that integrates and distributes analog and digital signals from and to systems and video walls in a single, independent IP network. Third-party systems can be integrated quickly and easily thanks to flexible APIs. The new turnkey WDP MX® solution creates high-performance working environments perfectly tailored for traders and control room operators.
- smartVISUAL plus: An interactive workplace solution with smartVISUAL plus, combining smartVISUAL technology with an intuitive interface for seamless multi-window operation. It supports fast-paced environments, enhancing productivity with easy-to-use features.
This expansion reinforces WEYTEC’s long-term commitment to India and its focus on developing localized solutions in collaboration with Indian partners and stakeholders.
Samsung Unveils 2nd Walk-a-thon India; Galaxy Watch Ultra Up for Grabs
GURUGRAM, India – April 21, 2024: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the launch of the second edition of ‘Walk-a-thon India’, a campaign designed to bolster the spirit of health and fitness in the country.
Starting today, users can participate in the challenge and track their daily step count for a period of one month until May 20, 2025 via the Samsung Health app. All users who complete 200,000 steps during this period will be eligible for prizes. Three lucky winners will get Galaxy Watch Ultra while all others who complete 200,000+ steps will get 25% discount on Galaxy Watch Ultra.
The second edition of ‘Walk-a-thon India’ builds on the tremendous response received during the first chapter held in February 2025, which saw over 100,000 entries from enthusiastic participants across the country.
The 30-day steps challenge will be hosted exclusively on the Samsung Health app, which is available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Participants can monitor their progress through a real-time leaderboard within the Samsung Health app, allowing them to compare their performance and stay motivated throughout the challenge. To qualify and be eligible for prizes, participants are required to complete a minimum of 200,000 steps over the 30-day duration. After completing the challenge, the finishers need to visit the Samsung Health app between May 26 and June 15, 2025 to claim their prize.
Samsung Health App
Samsung Health is a global wellness platform that allows users to track a wide range of health metrics including steps, exercise, calorie intake, blood pressure, ECG, and sleep patterns. The app is designed to promote healthy living and is compatible exclusively with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. With seamless integration and user-friendly features, the app empowers users to maintain and improve their overall well-being.
Breezy and Bold – LANGUAGE Unveils Summer Style Essentials
As temperatures rise and days stretch longer, summer calls for effortless fashion that blends comfort with style. Whether you’re escaping to a sun-kissed getaway, heading out for a relaxed brunch, or embracing the vibrance of an evening gathering, your footwear should be as breezy and versatile as the season itself. Introducing the LANGUAGE® Summer Collection – crafted for those who seek refined elegance and all-day ease, no matter where summer takes them.
Designed with precision and premium materials, each pair in this collection ensures breathability and flexibility making every step a statement of timeless craftsmanship.
Explore the Summer Collection from LANGUAGE®:
• Richard Sandal: A blend of comfort and style, this sandal features a plush, cushioned footbed and foam-padded lining, providing unmatched support for all-day wear. Available in versatile brown and black, it’s perfect for leisurely strolls or casual summer outings.
• Jake Sandal: Designed for the modern explorer, the Jake Sandal boasts a soft, adaptive footbed and premium leather upper. Whether you’re soaking up the sun at a resort or heading to an alfresco dinner, choose from navy, white, and brown to complement your summer style.
• Diego Sandal: Merging flexibility with superior underfoot support, the Diego Sandal offers a sleek yet comfortable design. Available in tan, black, and brown, this must-have summer essential is perfect for both relaxed afternoons and on any occasions.
• Eric Loafer: A sophisticated choice for those who appreciate understated luxury, the Eric Loafer features a breathable upper and soft leather lining, ensuring comfort from day to night. The intricate braided design adds an artisanal touch, making it the perfect companion for stylish summer evenings.
Each piece in the collection is thoughtfully designed to enhance your summer wardrobe while offering unparalleled ease. Whether you’re elevating your vacation look, dressing up for a city escape, or seeking the perfect seasonal staple, LANGUAGE® has the ideal pair to complement your style.
Where to Shop: The LANGUAGE® Summer Collection is available at exclusive brand outlets in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, and over 300 multi-brand stores across India. International shoppers can visit our store in Dubai or shop online at .languageshoes.com, Tatacliq.com, and Amazon.in to find the perfect pair
Xiaomi India Launches Redmi Watch Move – First Made-in-India Smartwatch for Daily Fitness
Bangalore, 21st April 2025 – Xiaomi India, a global technology leader, today announced the launch of the Redmi Watch Move, its first locally manufactured smartwatch, designed to support users through every part of their day — from fitness and wellness tracking to smart task management and hands-free communication.
Whether you’re starting your morning with a jog, checking meeting reminders at work, or managing calls on the move, the Redmi Watch Move is built to enhance how India moves — with comfort, accuracy, and always-on connectivity.
Commenting on the launch, Anuj Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer, Xiaomi India, said, “The Redmi Watch Move combines the features that matter most to Indian users — dependable performance, accurate fitness tracking, and a premium yet comfortable design. As our first locally manufactured smartwatch, it reflects our commitment to creating products that are thoughtfully built for the Indian market, while bringing the best of Xiaomi’s technology. With a vibrant AMOLED display and seamless HyperOS integration, it delivers a premium experience for users who want to stay active, organized, and connected throughout their day.”
Start Strong: Your Everyday Fitness Partner
Whether it’s a morning workout or an evening walk, the Redmi Watch Move is built to keep up. Featuring 140+ workout modes and 98.5% tracking accuracy powered by Xiaomi R&D, it helps users track runs, monitor calories, or time yoga sessions with confidence. Beyond just stats, the watch offers real-time feedback to help users stay motivated, achieve their daily goals, and build healthier habits over time.
Health That Syncs With Your Life
The Redmi Watch Move brings advanced health monitoring that integrates effortlessly into daily routines. Users can track heart rate, SpO₂, stress, and sleep cycles — including REM — offering deep insights into both day and night wellness. With menstrual cycle tracking, the watch also empowers women to better understand and manage their overall health. Its wellness made intuitive, personal, and accessible.
Brighter Days, Clearer Views
Whether you’re out in the sun or checking notifications mid-commute, the 4.69cm (1.85”) AMOLED display ensures exceptional clarity. With 600 nits brightness and a sleek 2.5D curved design, the display stands out for both visibility and aesthetics. The Always-On Display ensures time and essential updates are always visible.
Designed for Comfort. Built for Endurance
Made for all-day wear, the anti-allergy, anti-bacterial TPU strap sits comfortably on the skin, while the IP68 rating offers resistance to dust and water — ideal for daily commutes, gym sessions, or unpredictable weather. Whether trekking, travelling, or working, the Redmi Watch Move fits in — and keeps up.
Organise More. Stress Less.
With Xiaomi HyperOS, the watch becomes a smart extension of your digital life. It syncs notes, tasks, calendar events, and even real-time weather updates, keeping you informed and prepared throughout your day. The spinning crown enables quick navigation with just one finger — ideal for scrolling through apps and alerts on the move.
Stay in Touch, Even on the Move
From taking Bluetooth® calls to accessing contacts and managing notifications, the Redmi Watch Move ensures you never miss a beat — whether you’re in traffic, at the gym, or in a meeting. Plus, with Hindi language support, the experience becomes even more inclusive and accessible to users across the country.
Power That Lasts as Long as You Do
With up to 14 days of battery life, users can go longer without worrying about charging. Even with Always-On Display enabled, the watch delivers up to 5 days of performance. For moments when power is limited, Ultra Battery Saver Mode keeps key features running, ensuring you stay connected wherever you are.
Tally Solutions Unveils TallyPrime 6.0 with Connected Banking for SMEs
Bangalore, 22 April 2025: Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd, India’s leading business automation software provider, introduces its latest release, TallyPrime 6.0, designed to simplify financial operations for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and make it seamless via Connected Banking experience. This advanced upgrade revolutionizes bank reconciliation, banking automation, and financial management for businesses and accountants. Building on its expertise in delivering connected services such as e-invoicing, e-way bill generation, and GST compliance, Tally takes another significant step towards empowering SMEs with integrated banking capabilities. This new release reinforces Tally’s commitment to connecting businesses with their ecosystems and enabling them to operate with unparalleled simplicity.
Keeping with its vision of making the business network seamless TallyPrime’s Connected Banking feature takes integration to the next level by bringing banks inside Tally. Unifying accounting and banking into a single system, with secure login and real-time connectivity through partnerships with Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Users can access live bank balances and transaction updates directly within the platform, ensuring they always have the most updated information and insights about their working capital, empowering businesses to make smarter financial decisions. With the ability to process payments, instantly reconcile transactions, and monitor bank balances within Tally businesses can stay agile, optimize resources, and maintain full control over their financial operations.
While launching TallyPrime 6.0, Mr. Tejas Goenka, Managing Director, Tally Solutions said, “Our mission has always been to build technology that helps simplify business operations for SMEs. With TallyPrime 6.0, we’re addressing a critical need by integrating banking directly within the Tally platform empowering businesses to focus on growth and innovation without the distraction of operational complexities, enabling them to save 30-50% of their time. This release comes with multiple other features like enhanced bank reconciliation, working capital optimization through financial institution linkages, further strengthening the existing capabilities of GST compliance with connected e-invoicing and e-way bill generation.”
TallyPrime’s smart bank reconciliation transforms how SMEs and accountants manage their books by seamlessly aligning financial records with banking transactions. Enabling faster reconciliation, timely account finalization for audits, and real-time operational insights—all within a unified, intuitive platform. Additionally, the integration of UPI payments and payment links simplifies collections, ensuring smoother cash flow.
Commenting on the launch, Neeraj Gambhir, Group Executive & Head – Treasury, Markets & Wholesale Banking Products, Axis Bank said, “Axis Bank has always been at the forefront of innovation by introducing pioneering solutions for its customers for seamless banking experience. We are committed to empower our SME clients by integrating technology into financial solutions. The SME Business Banking landscape is evolving rapidly, and there is a need for a comprehensive solution for all their Banking and Beyond Banking requirements. With this ‘connected banking solution’, customers can integrate bank account inside TallyPrime and streamline their banking operations by improving efficiency and agility in financial decision-making. This initiative is a continuation of our ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the digital experience of our clients.”
Security remains a cornerstone of TallyPrime 6.0, incorporating end-to-end encryption, multi-layered access controls, and real-time fraud detection to ensure safe banking transactions. This launch reaffirms the company’s commitment to ensuring complete security and privacy of its customers’ financial data.
Tally continues to enhance business management with advanced technology, offering a seamless and holistic experience through TallyPrime 6.0. From connected GST and e-invoicing to WhatsApp-based alerts (WABA), cloud access, and integrated financing, Tally empowers businesses with simplified, efficient, and connected solutions for smoother operations.
Aurora Tech Award 2025 Names Shreya Prakash, Flexibees CEO, as Global Winner
New Delhi, 21 April 2025: The Aurora Tech Award 2025 has officially recognized this year’s top five outstanding female tech founders at its grand finale, held in Cairo from April 11-13. The flagship event brought together the top 10 finalists from around the world — women building market-defining ventures — to compete for the main award prizes. Shreya Prakash, co-founder and CEO of FlexiBees, has secured third place in the Aurora Tech Award 2025—a prestigious global prize celebrating women-led technology startups.
FlexiBees addresses a critical global challenge: low female workforce participation, particularly in India and beyond. The platform connects experienced women professionals with businesses through flexible, project-based, and remote work models, creating a win-win solution for both talent and employers.
This year’s shortlist featured groundbreaking innovators from APAC, MENA, LATAM and Central Asia, whose startups span diverse industries, including artificial intelligence, fintech, and health tech. The 2025 edition of the award saw an unprecedented 2,018 applications from 116 countries, doubling the number of submissions from the previous year.
The final stage of the competition took place within the regional SHE CAN conference, hosted by Entreprenelle, a leading Egyptian organization dedicated to empowering women through education, training, and entrepreneurial support. Since its inception in 2015, SHE CAN has become one of the MENA region’s most influential industry events, attracting over 7,000 attendees annually.
Before the winners were announced, the top 10 finalists — the top 0.5% from a multi-stage global selection process led by VCs — pitched their ventures to a cross-functional jury of investors, operators, and public sector leaders. This wasn’t a showcase. It was a high-stakes, high-conviction environment designed to surface one thing: which founders have the clearest path to building market-defining companies.
Everything about the event was intentional — from investor access to a strategic dinner with Egypt’s tech ecosystem. Aurora is more than a pitch stage. It’s a launchpad built to give top-tier founders what they need most: recognition, capital access, and the right people in the room to shape what comes next
“The Aurora Tech Award isn’t about representation for the sake of it — it’s about backing the highest-potential founders building real companies. These women aren’t here because of their gender. They’re here because they’re building businesses investors should care about. If the table wasn’t built for them, they didn’t wait for an invitation — they built their own. Aurora exists to make sure they get the capital, platform, and network to take it further.”, said head of the Aurora Tech Awards Isabella Ghassemi-Smith.
The 2025 Aurora Tech Award winners are:
- First Place: Solape Akinpelu, founder of HerVest, (Nigeria) – is a fintech platform providing financially underserved women in Africa with access to savings, impact investing, and credit, particularly for smallholder female farmers.
- Second Place: Loretxu Garcia Arraztoa, Nido Contech (Chile)– develops nature-based materials to reduce costs and environmental impact in the construction industry.
- Third Place: Shreya Prakash, FlexiBees (India) addresses a critical global challenge: low female workforce participation. The platform connects experienced women professionals with businesses through flexible, project-based, and remote work models, creating a win-win solution for both talent and employers
- Fourth Place: Laura Velásquez Herrera, Arkangel AI (Colombia) uses artificial intelligence to tackle preventable diseases through early detection. Their AI SaaS platform transforms medical data into AI algorithms without requiring coding expertise.
- Fifth Place: Leonie Korn, UpLeap (Switzerland) is an AI-driven platform revolutionizing medical training through interactive, hands-on simulations.
“Supporting female entrepreneurs in overcoming barriers and building strong networks is essential. Through the Aurora platform, we aim to attract future investment, boost visibility, and foster strategic partnerships. Our mission is to drive systemic change in emerging markets like MENA, closing the gender investment gap. The Aurora Tech Award is not just an accolade —it’s a launchpad for the next generation of unicorn founders,” said Evgenia Matrosova, Chief Growth Officer, Head of Ride-Hailing at inDrive.
“FlexiBees winning the third prize at the Aurora Tech Awards 2025, from among 2018 global applications and 10 finalists, is about more than just an award. It is a validation of our business and our vision, to create a new way of working with choice and flexibility at its heart and that enables the underserved talent pool of women professionals and small & medium businesses globally to find each other.
We are thrilled with this recognition, with the community that Aurora Tech has created, and the experience of meeting so many powerful yet purposeful individuals in the last week from inDrive. Aurora Tech is special, it puts its money where its mouth is, in creating access to opportunity for women founders, who are building for purpose, at scale.” Shreya Prakash, Co-founder & CEO, FlexiBees.
The winners of the Aurora Tech Award 2025 will receive cash prizes of $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 for first, second, and third place and per $10,000 for fourth and fifth places, respectively. Each finalist will gain exclusive access to the right investors, industry leaders, and strategic partners — the people who can move the needle on their business. But that’s not all. They’ll also tap into inDrive’s expertise, team, and global network, giving them the support and resources needed to accelerate their growth, secure funding, and scale globally.
For more information on the Aurora Tech Award 2025 winners, visit Auroratechaward.com or visit our Linkedin.