Veni Rao Foundation Partners with ISB to Launch ‘Tech for Social Good Challenge’ for Social Innovation

Hyderabad, January 22, 2025: The Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Veni Rao Foundation have partnered to launch the annual ‘Veni Rao Tech for Social Good Challenge’, an initiative aimed at sparking innovative solutions to pressing social challenges. Enabled by a generous endowment of ₹ 1 Crore by the foundation, the challenge will be hosted annually by ISB, drawing on its academic expertise to discover and support solutions with meaningful, scalable impact.

The initial focus of the challenge is on digital health innovations, with ISB’s Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM) spearheading this phase. The two organisations will foster ideas that leverage emerging technologies to address critical healthcare issues.

Building on the Veni Rao Foundation’s legacy of impactful healthcare initiatives—including surgical facilities and mobile health clinics across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka— the challenge will act as a platform for professionals, startups, and students to develop scalable solutions for underserved communities.

Ratna Reddy, Founder-Trustee of the Veni Rao Foundation and Founder of CHIREC International School emphasised the shared vision: “This partnership reflects our commitment to driving social impact through innovation. By engaging diverse stakeholders, the annual challenge will accelerate the development of practical solutions that improve lives in underserved communities.”

Professor Sarang Deo, Deputy Dean, Faculty & Research and Executive Director, Max Institute of Healthcare Management, ISB, highlighted the partnership’s significance: “There is a growing need to direct cross-functional teams to optimise the latest and emerging digital technologies in addressing pressing healthcare challenges. We are sure our partnership with the Veni Rao Foundation would go a long way in validating the innovations and measuring their impact on clinical and non-clinical outcomes.”

Check Point Software Opens Mumbai Office to Address Cybersecurity Needs of BFSI Sector’s Growth

India, January 22, 2025: Check Point Software Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, has announced the opening of its third office in India. Following on the heels of the launch of its second-largest global office in Bengaluru last year, the new Mumbai facility represents a key milestone in the company’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for prevention-first security solutions for organization in India.

Located in the prestigious Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai’s prime financial hub and home to many of India’s largest BankingFinancial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) organizations, the state-of-the-art office is designed to support Check Point’s rapid growth in the region. The facility features over 50 workstations, multiple advanced meeting rooms, and dedicated training spaces, enabling large-scale customer and partner training sessions and regional events. These enhancements mark a significant upgrade from the previous location, equipping Check Point to strengthen its channel ecosystem and scale operations effectively.

The need for robust cyber security solutions in India’s BFSI sector is critical. According to the RBI’s Financial Stability Report, the industry has endured over 20,000 cyberattacks, leading to losses of $20 billion in the last 20 years. Check Point’s Threat Intelligence Report further reveals that Indian BFSI organizations experienced an average of 3,284 attacks per week over the past six months—almost double the global average of 1,843 attacks.

Ruma Balasubramanian, President of the Asia Pacific & Japan region at Check Point Software Technologies, emphasized the importance of the new office, stating, “India is a key market for us, both in terms of talent and market potential. Given the rapid pace of digitalization and the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape in India, the region presents immense business growth opportunities. This office enables us to strengthen our presence, cultivate cyber security talent, and provide improved services to tackle the ever-changing threat landscape. By scaling our operations, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our customers and partners.”

She added “This expansion reflects our dedication to addressing India’s growing cyber security needs amid the rapid pace of digital transformation. Beyond delivering cutting-edge solutions, we aim to bridge the cyber security skills gap by empowering local talent through comprehensive training programs, solidifying Check Point’s role as an enabler of digital innovation.”

Sundar Balasubramanian, Managing Director for India and South Asia at Check Point Software Technologies, said “India is a vital market for us, and the opening of our Mumbai office underscores our commitment to accelerating and securing BFSI sector growth. With Mumbai at the heart of India’s financial industry, we are ideally positioned to deliver world-class security solutions and foster innovation in collaboration with our partners.”

Bharat Value Fund Series 3 Raises INR 1,250 Crore

Chandigarh, January 22, 2025: Bharat Value Fund– a category II AIF by India Inflection Opportunity trust has announced the first close of its third fund—Bharat Value Fund (BVF) Series 3—at INR 1,250 crore. The fund is managed by The Wealth Company Pvt Ltd, formerly known as Pantomath Capital Management Pvt Ltd. The milestone was achieved in a record 45 days, reaffirming the firm’s leadership in the mid-market Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) segment, especially in the closed equity segment. With a target corpus of INR 2,500 crore, including a green shoe option of INR 1,000 crore, BVF Series 3 underscores the firm’s commitment to driving growth in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This achievement builds on The Wealth Company’s remarkable fundraising trajectory. Over the past year, Bharat Value Fund has raised a total of INR 3,000 crore across Series 2 and Series 3, establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing funds in the AIF equity segment.

Commenting on the First Close of BVF Series 3 Fund, Madhu Lunawat, Managing Director, The Wealth Company said, “The Wealth Company is committed to fostering India’s mid-market growth through strategic investments and active ownership. We are humbled by the trust our investors have placed in our vision and execution capabilities. We remain dedicated to unlocking value for our stakeholders and driving the next phase of growth in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

At the core of The Wealth Company approach is a sector-agnostic investment thesis focused on resilient, asset-backed businesses. Through Bharat Value Fund, the fund targets mid-market, high-growth enterprises with revenues between INR 300 crore and INR 1000 crore. These businesses, often rooted in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, are strategically positioned for scale, profitability, and value creation. The fund emphasizes structured exit strategies, including IPOs within 30-36 months, while offering alternative paths such as PE or M&A.

The Wealth Company adopts an active ownership model, providing portfolio companies with comprehensive support in strategy, recruitment, business development, and corporate governance. This approach ensures sustainable value creation while delivering consistent returns for investors.

The Wealth Company’s AIF business has demonstrated unparalleled momentum in the alternative investments space. BVF Series 1 raised INR 500 crore in 2023, establishing a foundation for growth in the mid-market segment. BVF Series 2 further cemented the confidence of the investors and got commitments of more than INR 1800 crore earlier this year. With the first close of the third fund at INR 1,250 crore in record time, the company plans to achieve the full target corpus of INR 2,500 crore by mid-2025.

Advantage Assam 2.0 Roadshow in Hyderabad to Feature Investment Opportunities, Led by Dr. Ranoj Pegu

Hyderabad, January 2025: The Government of Assam, in partnership with FICCI as the Industry Partner, is set to host the Hyderabad chapter of its ‘Advantage Assam 2.0’ Roadshow on January 23rd, 2025; from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm; at Hotel Taj Krishna. This series of events builds momentum toward the Advantage Assam 2.0 – Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025, which will take place on February 25 and 26 in Guwahati.

Led by Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Education, Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward Classes, Government of Assam; the Hyderabad Roadshow will highlight Assam’s economic transformation and invite investments across diverse sectors. Dr. Ranoj Pegu and senior officials from the Government of Assam including B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam; K. S. Gopinath Narayan, Principal Secretary, Government of Assam and Oinam S Singh, Commissioner, Industries & Commerce, Government of Assam; will present Assam’s pro-investment as policies and engage in direct discussions with potential investors.

The Hyderabad Roadshow will emphasize Assam’s strategic strengths in key industries:

  • Electronics and Semiconductors
  • Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing
  • Renewable Energy
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Food Processing
  • Tourism and Hospitality

Advantage Assam 2.0 Vision:

The upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit aims to position Assam as a leading investment hub and gateway to Southeast Asia. With its enhanced infrastructure, natural resources, and a single-window clearance system for investors, Assam is primed for transformational growth.

Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu said, “We have already seen tremendous interest from national and international players in Assam’s potential. The Bengaluru Roadshow will continue this momentum, connecting us with the brightest minds and businesses that can help shape Assam’s journey as a top investment destination.”

Driving Assam’s Transformation:

Assam has witnessed unprecedented growth, bolstered by over ₹65,000 crore in infrastructural investments since 2014. Key initiatives include:

  • Semiconductor Manufacturing: Tata Group’s establishment of India’s first Semiconductor Assembly and Test Unit in Jagiroad
  • Infrastructure Development: Six-lane highways, bridges over the Brahmaputra River, and digital connectivity initiatives
  • Healthcare and Education: Partnerships with Tata Trust for world-class cancer care and the establishment of 23 medical colleges

Assam’s Call to Investors:

The Hyderabad Roadshow marks a significant step in realizing Assam’s vision of inclusive economic development and global investment partnerships. With its unparalleled growth story, strategic location, and investor-friendly policies, Assam invites industries across sectors to be a part of its transformational journey.

IDEMIA India Foundation and Microsoft Partner to Offer Skill Development and Certifications for Youth through ADVANTA (I)GE India

New Delhi, January 22, 2025: IDEMIA India Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of IDEMIA, a global leader in cryptography and biometric technologies, proudly announces its collaboration with Microsoft in India to introduce In-depth industry demand technology skills development initiative aimed at empowering underserved youth with globally recognized cloud and AI certifications.

IDEMIA India Foundation runs an in-depth skilling program focused on bridging the digital and economic divide for underprivileged youth, with a special emphasis on women participants, to help them build careers in latest technology, with more than 50% representation in the programs.

Through this partnership, IDEMIA India Foundation will offer Microsoft Certified courses on Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to equip participating youth with critical technology skills including training on digital productivity, software development, IT support, cloud computing, data management, data analysis and artificial intelligence. This program is designed to enhance the employability and earning potential of qualifying more than 500 candidates enrolled in IDEMIA India Foundation’s domain-specific training initiatives in a year.

The certification programs offer a strategic blend of foundational and advanced courses tailored to specific domains, ensuring participants gain industry-relevant expertise. For Master Data Management, the courses include Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals, equipping learners with essential tools for efficient data handling. The IT Help Desk track focuses on system administration and cloud-based solutions, addressing critical IT support needs. For those in Data Analysis, the program provides Associate Analyst certification and Data Analysis Fundamentals to build analytical proficiency. Each course integrates theoretical learning with practical, hands-on training, preparing candidates to excel in the workforce.

Matthew Foxton, Regional President of IDEMIA India, commented on the announcement, stating, “This partnership with Microsoft reflects our shared vision of fostering secure and sustainable socio-economic development by addressing critical workforce challenges through technology and innovation. By providing these globally recognized certifications, we aim to equip participants with in-demand skills, enhancing their employability and unlocking better career opportunities. Moreover, this initiative encourages a culture of lifelong learning, empowering individuals to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving industry landscape. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Microsoft for their shared vision and partnership in making this transformative initiative possible. Strategic corporate partnerships like this are key to accelerating positive social impact.”

Manju Dhasmana, India Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility remarked, “At Microsoft, we believe in the power of technology to transform lives and bridge societal divides. This partnership with IDEMIA India Foundation underscores our commitment under ADVANTA(I)GE India 2030 to equip the next generation with industry demand skills including AI skills to succeed in the AI enabled economy. By combining Microsoft’s expertise in latest technology certifications with IDEMIA’s commitment to inclusive development, we aim to create opportunities that empower underprivileged youth to achieve their full potential.”

The program follows a structured execution strategy to ensure effective training and certification. It begins with a pre-assessment to evaluate candidates and place them in suitable courses. The curriculum integrates domain-specific training with Microsoft certifications, delivered by expert, certified trainers. Upon completion, participants undergo final assessments to earn official Microsoft certifications, validating their skills and readiness for the workforce.

IDEMIA India Foundation has allocated funds to cover training costs, while the curriculum and certification will be provided by Microsoft, ensuring a high return on investment through enhanced employability and professional growth.

90% of India CEOs Confident in Growth: PwC Survey

Chandigarh, 22 January 2025: As global leaders converge to discuss the theme of “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age” at the WEF meeting in Davos, PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey: India Perspective, released here today, underscores the pivotal role played by the country in shaping the future of global innovation, sustainability, and reinvention.

According to the survey, which polled more than 4,700 CEOs across 109 countries, of which more than 75 were from India, 87% of India CEOs are upbeat about the country’s economic growth, surpassing the global average of 57%, while 74% are very confident about their respective companies’ revenue growth in the next three years. From a macro perspective, India’s robust economic growth, improved ease of doing business (EoDB), infrastructural developments, and its young and skilled workforce continue to attract investors.

However, this confidence is tempered by certain challenges. Of these, technological disruption remains top of mind for India CEOs, followed by macroeconomic volatility and inflation, and low availability of skilled labour. Disruptive technology was also listed by India CEOs as one of the top two factors influencing their company’s low economic viability.

Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India, said, “For CEOs today, the challenge is to envision the ecosystem in which their company will operate in the future. This includes thinking through the impacts of megatrends like climate change and AI, evolving customer needs, shifting value pools, and the roles that their company will play.”

Optimism around GenAI, but trust is a concern

Businesses across the world have witnessed efficiency gains and increased revenue with GenAI in the last 12 months. In India too, while 51% of India CEOs are positive about GenAI’s impact on profitability, trust remains an issue, with only a third of India CEOs having high trust in AI’s integration into business processes. Expectations for higher revenue growth are in turn prompting companies to increase hiring, with 68% of India CEOs planning to hire more staff, compared to 57% last year. Globally, 42% of CEOs will increase headcount in the next 12 months, and this is perhaps more on account of, rather than in spite of, AI.

“It’s clear from our survey that GenAI is not just a technological evolution but a strategic revolution, reshaping the landscape of global business. India CEOs should embrace GenAI’s potential while also taking steps to manage risks. Responsible AI practices can mitigate many issues and are most effective when baked into GenAI strategy from the start,” added Krishan.

The climate agenda

Back in 2019, few India CEOs were concerned about using data on the impact of climate change on business to make decisions around long-term success and durability of their businesses, nor did they consider climate change as a threat to their organisation’s growth prospects. The needle has moved considerably as organisations in India are now making investments to address climate change. The survey finds that more than one-third of India CEOs noted revenue increases from climate-friendly investments over the past five years. In addition, more than 60% said these investments had either reduced cost or had no significant cost impact.

More than half of global CEOs (56%) polled said their personal incentive compensation was linked to sustainability metrics. In India, the percentage of CEOs who said that a certain proportion of their personal incentive was determined by sustainability metrics was slightly higher at 58%. The higher the percentage of CEO compensation at stake, the higher is the revenue likely to be generated from climate-friendly investments.

Many companies, however, are yet to convert climate-friendly investments – which include transitioning to energy-efficient operations, developing greener products and services, and implementing emission-reducing technologies – into additional revenues. Be that as it may, sustainability is being increasingly built into the fabric of businesses across geographies, not only as a stakeholder management issue, but also as a vector of investment.

The reinvention imperative

The interplay between macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical reconfigurations, and other external and internal threats is poised to shape the future of business and society, and fuel intelligent reinvention for business viability in the decade to come. Our survey indicates that some CEOs have already commenced on this reinvention journey. Four in ten CEOs in India and across the world said their companies have started to compete in at least one new sector/industry in the last five years. Of these, 50% of India CEOs (as against 58% globally) stated that 1–20% of their revenue came from entering a new sector or industry in the last five years.

The most common reinvention actions taken by four in ten India CEOs over the last five years are developing innovative products and services and targeting new routes to markets – for example, selling directly to consumers rather than through intermediaries. Further, 38% of India’s CEOs, as against 32% globally, have aimed at acquiring a new customer base. Collaboration with other organisations has also been a strategy for 26% of CEOs both in India and globally.

On how staying the course on the reinvention track will be key to responsible business viability, Krishan concluded, “To drive transformation, business leaders must be willing to question deeply ingrained beliefs about their organisations’ business models, even when those beliefs were the foundation of past successes. This involves not only introspection within the organisation but also a keen focus on external dynamics, exploring how a rapidly evolving environment can unlock fresh opportunities.”

Canon India Rolls Out Official e-Shop for Effortless Access to Premium Products

January, 2025: Canon India today announced the launch of its first official e-Shop in India, marking a significant milestone in the company’s digital transformation journey. Serving as the ultimate ‘One-Stop Destination for Canon consumer products,’ the platform ensures seamless accessibility for customers across more than 89,000 PIN codes in India. By partnering exclusively with Canon-authorized business partners, the e-Shop offers a wide range of high-quality products, including cameras, lenses, printers, and accessories, enabling consumers to explore and purchase authentic Canon products from Canon authorized business partners. This strategic initiative aligns with the growing preference among Indian consumers for digital shopping to meet their technology needs.

With features like secure payment options and easy order tracking, the Canon e-Shop offers unparalleled convenience, reliability and security. In addition to offering Canon’s complete range of consumer products on a single platform, the e-Shop will showcase all ongoing offers and schemes, enhancing value for users.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India said, “At Canon India, we are committed to understanding and adapting to our customers’ evolving needs, thereby ensuring Customer Delight throughout. The launch of our e-Shop is a testament to this commitment, as it offers a seamless and trusted shopping experience at the convenience of a touch. By bringing our extensive range of Canon products onto a single platform, we ensure our customers can effortlessly transition from exploring our brand to fulfilling their technology requirements. This milestone aligns with our vision to enhance accessibility, convenience, and trust, reaffirming Canon India as a customer-first brand.”

The Canon India e-Shop launch reinforces the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital footprint. With a phased expansion strategy to onboard additional partners and products, Canon aims to establish a holistic platform to meet the dynamic needs of its customers. While the initial rollout emphasizes a cohesive shopping experience, future enhancements will include innovative features such as an AI-powered chatbot for personalised customer support.

Evening Shadows: Rangayan’s Tribute to Acceptance at Mumbai Pride Month

January is celebrated as Pride Month in Mumbai, with various cultural activities being held throughout the month culminating in the Pride March on February 1st

To celebrate pride month in Mumbai, Sridhar Rangayan’s award winning film Evening Shadows is being screened on January 21st at Cinepolis Andheri West. This special screening is a joint initiative of Reborn India Film and Cinepolis India.

Sridhar Rangayan, director of the film said, “We are very happy to bring this special screening to audiences in Mumbai to reiterate the importance of family acceptance of LGBTQ+ children. The film was a huge success and we now have a sequel to this film titled Kuch Sapney Apne ready for release. Everyone should come and join this journey of love and acceptance.”

Evening Shadows is a heartwarming story about a gay man Kartik (Devansh Doshi) coming out to his mother Vasudha (Mona Ambegaonkar) in a small town, and how she is unable to understand anything about his sexuality. But with love and care, they manage to understand each other and she stands up against her husband Damodar (Ananth Mahadevan) to embrace her son. Kartik’s partner Aman (Arpit Chaudhary), uncle Ramesh (Abhay Kulkarni), aunt Lata (Veenah Naair) and Sarita (Yamini Singh) form the supporting cast.

The film features a beautiful song composed and sung by Shubha Mudgal, with lyrics by Saagar Gupta, who has also written the dialogues for the film.

In 2018 the film stormed the festival circuit with official selection at 82 international film festivals, winning 27 awards globally! The film received a lot of love from not only parents of LGBTQ+ children across the world, but also non-queer youth and their family members. The film helped young gay & lesbian people to come out to their parents after showing the film.

The film also helped kickstart ‘Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents’, a support group for parents of LGBTQ+ children. It now has more than 500 members spread across several cities in India.

Tickets for this special screening are available online on BookMyShow and at the Cinepolis box office.

Amazon Future Engineer Trains 3M, Scholarships for 500 Women

Chandigarh, January 22, 2025: In its inaugural edition of Amazon Future Engineer program’s ‘Careers of the Future’ summit held in Delhi, Amazon today announced that the Amazon Future Engineer program, launched in 2021, has successfully trained 3 million government school students and over 20,000 teachers across 272 districts in 8 Indian states. Designed to bridge the gender gap in the technology sector, the program primarily targets students in grades 6 and above residing in tier 2 cities, providing them with access to engaging, multi-lingual learning materials in seven Indian languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, and Marathi. Enhanced with advanced computer science modules, the program empowers students to develop sophisticated applications while fostering a deeper understanding of foundational AI concepts, coding principles, and the transformative power of technology in their lives through immersive project-based learning.

To further empower young women in technology, Amazon is offering 500 merit-based scholarships worth INR 2 lakhs each, over four years, to female students pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science engineering or related fields. This initiative, aimed at bridging the gender gap in the tech industry, provides comprehensive support beyond financial aid. These include mentorship from Amazon employees, advanced personalized coding boot camps, and access personal laptops to facilitate learning and career development. Since launch of Amazon Future Engineer program in 2021, the company has offered over 1700 merit-based internships in India.

The ‘Careers of the Future’ Summit 2025, hosted by Amazon under the Amazon Future Engineer Program in Delhi today, brought together key public policy and industry leaders to discuss critical aspects of computer science education. The Summit explored the important role of computer science in preparing school children for future careers, identified best practices for scaling quality computer science education across the country, and examined the crucial roles of government, industry, and educational institutions in bridging the gap between education and career opportunities. Furthermore, the Summit highlighted the significance of self-paced learning platforms and online skill certifications in providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all.

“At Amazon, we are committed to bridging India’s digital divide through education. Our Amazon Future Engineer program is offering 500 merit-based scholarships worth INR 2 lakhs each to female computer science students. We have already trained 3 million government school students and 20,000 teachers across 8 states. By empowering India’s youth with future-ready skills, we are nurturing the next generation of tech innovators. This investment in diverse, inclusive education is key to unlocking India’s potential and driving sustainable growth,” said Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India.

“The Amazon Future Engineer program has been amazing for my students and me. It helps kids who don’t usually have these chances to learn how to code and solve problems using computers. I’ve learned new ways to teach computer science, and it’s been so rewarding to see my students get excited about coding and get better at it. This program isn’t just about closing the gap between those who have technology and those who don’t. It’s about helping kids learn the skills they need to become the next big inventors and creators,” said Rajashri Nanasaheb Mane, participant of the Computer Science Teacher Training initiative of Amazon Future Engineer Program.

ORRA Fine Jewellery Presents the ‘Diamond Festival’ with Beautiful Collections and Fantastic Offers

January 22, 2025, ORRA Fine Jewellery is inviting patrons / customers to bask in the brilliance of their ‘Diamond Festival.’ This exclusive festival promises an unforgettable journey through the world of fine jewellery, where customers can explore our latest collection, showcasing the finest diamonds in captivating designs. The Diamond Festival has emerged as a celebration of luxury, and this year, each piece has been meticulously crafted to capture the essence of contemporary fashion while preserving the timeless charm of diamonds. What’s more is that the brand will also have some first-time offers that you surely don’t want to miss!

The Diamond Festival holds profound significance at ORRA Fine Jewellery, transcending beyond a mere showcase of exquisite diamonds. It symbolizes a commitment to everlasting beauty, precision, and trust. In a world where trust is paramount, ORRA’s Diamond Festival becomes a trusted companion in crafting unforgettable memories.

Starting from 18th January to 17th February, patrons will have the unique opportunity to discover an array of stunning diamond pieces that reflect the vibrant energy of the season. And for the first time ever, ORRA will be offering an exclusive discount on the diamond value—a truly unique offering to elevate your jewellery collection.

To make it even more special, ORRA will offer additional discounts and special offers for its curated collections, promising a seamless blend of grace and style for every discerning customer.

Additionally, customers will also get an opportunity to explore a limited-edition diamond jewellery box-sets curated for Republic Day and Valentines Day, allowing them to mark the occasion with patriotic elegance.