Month: November 2022

India’s 1st Multi-potential Learning Platform, ‘Ulipsu’ Raises 1.5 Million USD from the UK and Middle East-Based Angel Investors

The startup has raised two rounds of Pre-series A funding of 2.5 million USD since the launch

Bengaluru based Ulipsu, India's first multipotential OTT like learning platform, from Kidvento Education and Research Private Limited, recently raised $1.5 million in funding from angel investors based in the Middle East and the UK. This round of investment comes as an addition to the initial $1 million USD Pre-Series A round funding received in October 2021. With this, the Pre-Series A round of fundraising has amounted to a total of 2.5 million USD.

 

Ulipsu Founders – CEO, Sumanth Prabhu and CTO, Nikhil Bhaskar

 

The current round of fundraising will be used to improve overall product service, boost consumer engagement through strengthening the technology stack, gamification, and analytics for real-time user data evaluation, scale operations, and increase sales via new consumer acquisition initiatives.

 

The first round of funding was utilized for content, curriculum research and development, acquiring an initial set of customers, and building the platform.

 

Screens have become an undeniable part of children, and, therefore, Ulipsu is on a mission to create a healthy relationship by transforming passive screen time into active screen time with age-appropriate, engaging learning content.

 

The brand offers structured learning opportunities for all children from ages 6 to 16. The vast repertoire of curated ‘bit-sized’ courses covers 10+ skills, from music to art & craft, yoga to life skills, STEM projects to artificial intelligence, and many more, in just one subscription. Ulipsu courses also align with the National Education Policy (NEP) of holistic child development and digital learning inclusion.

 

With the brand positioning of ‘Learn what you wish to’, Ulipsu is committed to the idea of democratizing learning, which lets young ones truly explore and learn at their own pace and space. Ulipsu subscriptions are cost effective and don’t require parents to pay separately for each of the courses.

 

Ulipsu is ever-growing, with new courses uploaded every week that are accessible through a single subscription. Ulipsu plans to have over 300 courses spanning 15+ skills by March 2023 and aims to secure over 300,000 paid subscribers by the middle of 2023.

 

At the moment, Kidvento employs more than 100 people and generates close to 1 million USD in sales annually.

 

Expressing his optimism over the new round of funding, Sumanth Prabhu, Co-founder & CEO of Ulipsu said, “Education as a market has been a hotbed of experimentation, and the Indian consumers are leading the market in style with their mature understanding of the product differentiation and value available to them. In that sense, we are at the right place at the right time. Our investors clearly understand this and strongly believe in the possibility of what Ulipsu could be! In 2 years, we will be the world's largest curated platform for skill learning for young minds.“

 

Nikhil Bhaskar, Co-founder & CTO, said, “We have a competitive advantage in the skill learning market as we truly understand our TG, whether it is the product or the technology. We are delighted that our investors find value in our business proposition. We are currently strengthening our product portfolio with a focus on technology-driven gamified content.”

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

NSE-BSE bulk deal: Kairus Shavak Dadachanji buys stake in Shrem InvIT

Increases stake to 4.6 % in Shrem InvIT

 

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Among the top bulk deals by family offices, Kairus Shavak Dadachanji, Chairman of the Dadachanji Group of Companies through a bulk deal bought 15 million units in Shrem InvIT at Rs 104 per unit increasing his stake in the InvIT to 4.6%. The total value of the deal is around Rs 156 Cr.

Kairus Shavak Dadachanji quoted that he started with a small investment at the time of the IPO of Shrem InvIT and based on its impressive performance and distribution decided to increase the stake to 4.6%. 

 

Shrem InvIT holds a bouquet of 24 assets with an ideal mix of Annuity, HAM, and Toll Projects across 5 states in the country and has made five quarterly distributions so far since its initial listing last year on 22nd September 2021 aggregating to Rs 17.92 per unit. The InvIT closed at Rs 104. The company is in the process of acquiring 10 more assets. Out of which 4 projects will be acquired in November this year and the balance by March 2023. These are annuity road assets located in different states like Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. The total lane km of the 10 newly acquired assets is approximately 2501 km.

 

Investments in InvITs are gaining traction these days. The model is a win-win situation for investors as well as infrastructure developers as it enables the release of capital to developers for funding new infrastructure projects while providing steady long-term attractive returns for investors.

 

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

 

Ecom Express Receives Timely Delivery of Two Facilities from Welspun One

Welspun One Logistics Parks (WOLP), an integrated fund, development, and asset management organization has successfully delivered two fully operational warehousing facilities to Ecom Express – an e-commerce focused tech-driven logistics company. The four lakh sq. ft. area facilities are spread across two cities – Bhiwandi in Mumbai and Farukhnagar in Haryana.

 

The warehousing facility at Farukhnagar, Haryana is a stand-alone facility that was developed within seven months from the announcement of its lease. This unmatched timeline is a clear indicator of the facility’s elevated standards. This facility boasts of customised amenities – advanced level firefighting and safety standards, efficient electrical systems and a tailor-made staff accommodation. Furthermore, its proximity to the KMP Expressway at 7 km is ideal for businesses that wish to cater to neighbouring high-consumption clusters.

 

The warehousing facility at Bhiwandi, Mumbai is located within a logistics park that adheres to Grade A specific design principles. However, what singles out this logistics park is its non-negotiable 100% compliance standards integrated across infrastructure, safety, legal and health. This consistency in compliance has an overarching impact on business operations.

 

With greater connectivity, global compliance standards and bespoke amenities, Welspun One has been instrumental in meeting Ecom Express’ requirements for quality large scale warehousing facilities in strategic locations.

 

Commenting on this handover, Anshul Singhal, managing director, Welspun One Logistics Parks, said, “The demand for Grade A warehouses has grown significantly over the past 2-3 years. Welspun One is at the forefront of providing warehousing facilities to fast-growing sectors throughout the country. To capitalise on the burgeoning demand from clients in emerging sectors such as express logistics, 3PL, etc., Welspun One adheres to strict compliance standards across multiple cities, which results in more efficient movement of goods, higher safety standards and better handling of goods.”

 

T. A. Krishnan, Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder, Ecom Express, said, “We believe in setting up quality facilities in strategic locations and are happy to work with partners such as Welspun One, who are vested in the growth of our express logistics business. The opening of centres in Bhiwandi and Farukhnagar is a step in that direction and will be instrumental to our e-commerce fulfilment service as we scale up operations.”

 

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

How elite companies are achieving fortunes by leveraging OKRs

The unicorns, Google, Intel, and Amazon, attained their titles by leveraging a culture of OKRs, and Zimyo is walking the same path.

GURUGRAM, India, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Zimyo, the leading HR-Tech platform that provides SMEs with supreme employee experience, is walking the path that paramount companies like Google, Netflix, Deloitte, and many others traveled to become the unicorns of today. 

The perpetual success that came toward Zimyo by enforcing a culture of OKRs for themselves is now being taken to the world. With a vision of adding more value to their crest as a number one employee experience provider, Zimyo introduced a new scoop to their product suite – the OKR Software.

The foundation of OKR software and implementing goals and OKRs within their own workplace was inspired by exquisite companies like Google, Accenture, Netflix, etc. These unicorns implemented the OKR framework early in the race and are now reaping the benefits of practicing a performance-driven culture.

“The credit for our exceptional growth goes to the relentless efforts of the entire Zimyo team. We became the trusted performance management provider for 1000+ CHROs with our product innovations, customer satisfaction, and quality user experience. Zimyo will keep rising perennially by driving the performance of every organization out there,” expressed Kumar Mayank, CEO of Zimyo.

Objectives and Key Results are an effective goal-setting strategy that eliminates disruption and aligns the focus of the workforce in one direction. The OKR methodology guides organizations toward setting ambitious goals, developing alignment, and tracking & measuring the results, all the while prioritizing tasks as per their importance.

Now successfully climbing the ranks domestically as well as internationally by implementing OKRs as a performance management metric, Zimyo is offering the same to everyone. With eminent names like Bajaj Capital, Amity University, Soho House, etc, as their customers, their road to success is already paved.

The success of an organization hinges entirely on its employees, from bringing in customers to loyalty and retention. In view of that, to keep the workforce happy and valued, a quality performance management solution is the way forward.

Employees know what is expected of them, how to work on those expectations, how to improve with feedback, and getting recognized by being awarded. Everything above is led and managed by Performance Management Software.

OKRs themselves are a part of the performance management feature, and ultimately, these functions, when appropriately implemented, lead an organization toward immense growth and success.

The unwavering dedication toward their employees and customers has enabled Zimyo to carve its name in stone as a leading performance accelerator in such a short span. Thriving and exceeding with the same zeal and determination, the venture is committed to driving the performance and productivity of every organization worldwide.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

Student Leaders Discuss Thought-provoking Ideas on Global Issues at JMUN Conference

Oakridge International School, Bangalore had just concluded its 7th edition of Bangalore JMUN on the 28th and 29th of October. This year was exceptional due to the big turnout of 200+ students from 10 different schools throughout the city, as well as the fact that it was physically held on the school campus for the first time after being virtual for the previous two years.

 

The 7th chapter of Oakridge Bangalore JMUN

 

JMUN stands out from any other debating conference in today’s time as it targets the youngest students from Grades 6 to 9 who are entering the world of diplomacy and debate. This year the conference consisted of WHO, UNHRC, and ECOSOC which were beginner committees, DISEC an intermediate committee, and UNSC the advanced committee. JMUN gives these students a platform to inculcate 21st-century skills and align with the school vision to create compassionate future-ready individuals who can positively influence the world.

 

The event witnessed some excellent arguments and persuasion over the course of 2 days on the issues such as illegal healthcare markets, protection of minorities, rapid rates of inflation, cyber warfare, and modern-day imperialism. It also hosted press conferences where the young delegates were able to face some pressing questions raised by the press members.

 

Ms. Minnku Buttar, well known TEDx speaker and recipient of numerous national awards, including the STRI SHAKTI AWARD in 2021, and is also a recipient of the Swami Vivekananda Award: Change Maker of 2020 adorned the opening ceremony as a chief guest. According to her, students are the change-makers of the future, and they need to take the right action to make the world a better place. “Bangalore JMUN is a platform that provides students an opportunity to strengthen leadership skills, use research communication & collaboration, giving them a preparatory ground to become a responsible global citizen,” said Pallavi Mishra, Principal of Oakridge Bangalore.

 

The event is entirely owned and conceptualised by the senior students at Oakridge Bengaluru school. The MYP and DP students chair each committee session under the guidance of director generals and secretary general which gave them the opportunity to hone leadership and collaboration skills.

 

“I could stand here and talk to you all about various consultations, points of order, draft resolution formulation, and alliance formation for as long as I can talk, but what I come here to talk to you about, is instead something very different confidence. I recall being hesitant in participating in the first JMUN in 8th grade because of the intimidation. The intimidation of MUN procedures, the intimidation of competition, and the intimidation of failure. Slowly but surely, I opened up in committee. Before I knew it, I was one of the most outspoken and active delegates in the committee, constantly contributing in one way or another,” said Jia Mishra, Secretary General, Bangalore JMUN 2022, student of DP1 who spearheaded the conference with great agility.

 

The conference was concluded with press reports and an entertaining band performance by the Oakridge Band on ‘Unstoppable’ by Sia.

 

“We see this event as a steppingstone into your future with other MUNs and into public speaking, and we were incredibly surprised by the level of debate,” commented the Director Generals Aagney Gorthi and Siddharth Satish, DP1 students to conclude the conference.

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

Launch of India’s first Health Maintenance Organization, Athina Healthcare

NEW DELHI, Nov. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Athina Healthcare has rolled out its first version of the health application for corporate employees and insurance policyholders. The SAAS platform is a single health & wellness hub to get proper care for individuals and their families with a handful of medical care services backed by a strong on-ground team and health assist managers, available 24X7.

With the proliferation in need for trusting healthcare platforms among a rising number of e-pharmacies and e-consultation platforms, the launch of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) like Athina Healthcare is a must for the healthcare industry.

The platform brings its users easy access to 24×7 health concierge, unlimited teleconsultation for 20+ specialties, lab & radiology testing at leading diagnostic centers, surgery by top surgeons, healthcare at home services, complete assistance for hospital admissions & insurance claims, chronic disease management, discounts up to 55% on all health checkups, same day medicine deliveries and road & air ambulance, PAN India.

Athina Healthcare also provides second opinions and hospital assistance at top global hospitals including UCLA Health in the US, Sunway Medical Centre in Malaysia, Hirslanden Hospitals in Switzerland, Wooridul Spine Hospital in Korea, and others.

Mr. Hanish Bansal, Founder & CEO – Athina Healthcare in a statement said, “Athina Health App is your one-stop solution to all healthcare needs. Users get suggestions and recommendations for the right treatment and surgeons. Moreover, medical expenses for all users and their dependants is supported with zero cost treatment finance. Our vision is to provide the best medical care under one roof and reducing annual medical expenses by upto 40%, that also enables a huge reduction in annual health insurance premiums.”

Corporates even get to conduct regular vaccination drives, health camps & webinars with annual health packages and health talk by leading physicians.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

Trimble Commits to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions to 50 Percent by 2030

Global construction technology leader Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) has announced its commitment to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 50 percent by 2030, with 2019 as the base year. This is in line with the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement and a net-zero future to keep global temperature increase to 1.5°C. 

 

Paul Wallett, Regional Director, Trimble Solutions, India and Middle East

 

Trimble also said that it is committing to achieve 100 percent annual sourcing of renewable electricity by 2025. The company added that it has received approval of its emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a coalition of the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature, joining a growing number of companies taking urgent action on climate change.

 

“We are putting sustainability at the front and center of everything we do at Trimble. We are not only increasing sustainability in our operations and products but also enabling our customers to drive sustainability. Today, our customers in India and around the world are able to experience reduced environmental impact, lower operational costs, increased productivity and quality and improved safety and transparency, while maintaining regulatory compliance.”

 

“Since 1978, Trimble's industry-specific solutions have helped businesses accomplish more, while promising a lower environmental impact. As the need for sustainability becomes more urgent in the India and around the world, we are putting sustainability at the front and center of everything we do at Trimble. We remain committed to acting quickly to protect the environment and make society more resilient, productive, and connected. Our Sustainability Report details this vision, and our solutions meet the highest sustainability standards and help develop sustainable projects,” says Paul Wallett, Regional Director, Trimble Solutions, India and Middle East.

 

Trimble’s recently released its 2021 Sustainability Report highlighting that the company’s technology solutions enable greater accuracy, less rework, and increased efficiency across industries, and therefore yield fuel savings that are estimated to prevent over seven million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The company’s integrated solutions span key segments that play a critical role in day-to-day life, including buildings and infrastructure solutions for connected construction, geospatial, resources and utilities, and transportation. 

 

Trimble’s Sustainability report 2021 describes how Trimble is helping to create a better future for our planet and the communities it serves, in line with the company's mission of transforming the way the world works. The report summarizes its initiatives and performance across Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics, highlighting the company's sustainability approach, end-user industry solutions, community philanthropy through its Trimble Foundation Fund; employee engagement and development as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives; and governance.

 

Trimble employs 11,500 people in 40 countries worldwide, out of which over 1,200 are based in India. The company has sales and support networks in over 125 countries, while it serves customers in more than 150 countries. The company reported US$3.66 Billion in revenues for 2021.

 

We should rephrase this sentence. “The Trimble 2021 Annual Sustainability Report can be downloaded from here”

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(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

Healthium Medtech recognized by Great Place to Work(R) for India’s Best Workplaces™ in 2022

BENGALURU, India, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Healthium Medtech, a global medical-technology company focused on products used in surgical, post-surgical and chronic care, announced that they have earned the Great Place to Work-Certified™ 2022 certification under the mid-size category. The certification is awarded after rigorous independent assessment conducted by Great Places to Work Institute basis employee feedbacks and surveys related to the company's work culture and practices.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Anish Bafna, CEO & MD, Healthium Medtech said, “It is an absolute honour to receive this prestigious certification. It takes immense effort to foster a work culture which is inclusive and empathetic to the greatest stakeholder of a company – the employees. The certification substantiates our long-standing commitment to building a sustainable work environment and nurture the growth of every talent working in the organisation.“

In India, Great Place to Work® fosters partnership with 1000+ organizations annually across multiple categories such as large size and mid-size organizations to help nurture High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures™ which are thus intended to deliver persistent business results. The certification is entered by multiple CEOs and CXOs of eminent companies across the country striving towards gaining competitive edge as well as receive global recognition.

Kankana Barua, Group CHRO, Healthium Medtech added, “At Healthium, we encourage employees to always exercise their choice and voice and thereby ensuring that the excellence and integrity of workforce is always prioritized. We strongly adhere to the thought that employees are the backbone of any thriving company and hence, it is of paramount importance for us to create a positive and nurturing environment for them to flourish in. When employees are led well and given the right tools to achieve their goals, the efforts lead the business to the glory of a Great Place to Work status.”

The reputation of Healthium has been built on the strength of its high levels of job satisfaction, performance culture, and employee engagement. These elements were analyzed and measured using Great Place to Work's expert and knowledge-driven parameters. Great Place to Work assesses organizations on its proprietary Trust Index™ Survey and Culture Audit™ people practices framework, which impacts innovation, financial growth, and other business results for organizations.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same) 

Diamond baron from Surat takes employees on fifth spiritual trip during Diwali vacation

SURAT, India , Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Govind Dholakia, Founder & Chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd (SRK), a global leader in the diamond industry recently organised a 14-day all-inclusive trip to Uttarakhand for nearly 1000 staff members and their families.

SRK Family during Rishikesh trip 2022.

SRK Gange Express- an AC special train was booked to facilitate the tour to Rishikesh from Surat. The 5th 'SRK Family Tour' to Rishikesh commenced on the auspicious day of Dhanteras, 22nd of October.

Under the leadership of Govindkaka, SRK Exports organises the trip every alternate year during the Diwali season, as they believe in strengthening the bond among employees by travelling together.

Each morning started with a rejuvenating Yogasana session followed by a Ganga samuh snan (community bath) and recitation of verses from the holy book Shrimad Bhagavad Gita by Govindkaka.

In addition to soaking in the spiritual atmosphere of Rishikesh, there were a variety of team building activities that included adventure and cultural programmes from river rafting and sports tournaments to Patanjali ashram tour, blood donation camp, motivation seminars, Ganga aarti darshan and dandiya-raas. There were also 2 free days for the employees to sight see the town with their families.

“We plan these journeys so that our entire SRK family and their leader are aligned with the same sentiment and value system. The reason I recite the Bhagavad katha is to motivate everyone to do the same,” said Govindkaka. Everyone is encouraged to actively participate in the Bhagavad Gita session by asking questions to Govindkaka and also recite the verses if they wish to.

As a firm believer in the preservation of the environment and with the spirit of giving back to the nature, SRKians also organised the 5th Ganga Safayi Abhiyaan (Clean Ganga Campaign) on the ghats of the holy river.

“Govindkaka treats us like his own family members and travels with us. He also ensures that our family too is a part of the holiday which makes the whole experience very memorable,” remarked an SRKian.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)

Kerala becomes the First State to Introduce Uniform Gold Price Based on Bank Rate

Kerala becomes the first state in India to launch uniform gold price based on the bank rate. The decision to introduce uniform price on 916 purity 22 carat gold has been taken at a meeting between officials of Malabar Gold and Diamonds, one of the largest gold and diamond retail chains in the country and key members of All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association which sets the board rate for gold.

 

Commenting on the development, Mr. MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group said, “We are extremely happy to be a part of this momentous occasion. We would like to thank all members of the jewellery trade in Kerala for coming together and launching a standardized gold rate across the state to safeguard the interest of the consumers and bring in price transparency to the trade. At Malabar Gold and Diamonds, we have shown the way by launching uniform gold price across all our stores in the country with our 'One India One Gold Rate' policy. Being a top gold consuming state in the country, Kerala can set the stage for a countrywide roll-out of uniform gold price.” MP Ahammed also demanded that the selling price of gold should be unified everywhere in the country.

 

The gold rate should be uniform across the country based on bank rate. However, in most states, gold is priced Rs.150-300 per gram extra over the bank rate. In Kerala, gold used to be sold at different prices on a particular day. Uniform gold price based on bank rate offers an opportunity to the consumers to purchase gold at a reasonable and transparent price.

 

According to Mr. Ahammed, there should be a system to determine the price of gold based on the bank rate on a specific day in the country. Bank rate on gold, GST and other taxes including import duty are the same across India. For example, on November 4, 2022, the bank spot rate of 916 (22 carat) gold was Rs. 1,640 per ounce, the bank premium was Rs. 3.50, the import duty was Rs. 6,67,467 per kg and the bank cost per gram of gold was Rs. 5,008. Adding all these, the bank rate of November 4, 2022 amounts to Rs. 4610 per gram of 916 gold. Thanks to the price standardization, jewellers in Kerala now charge the same price as the bank rate for gold.


(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir India and this publication takes no editorial responsibility for the same)