Category: BUSINESS
IIT M, Zuppa Geo Navigation Tech & India Air Force’s 8 BRD Forge MoU
Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies, IIT Madras, Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies, and Indian Air Force’s 8 BRD Forge MoU IIT Madras, and the 8 Base Repair Depot (8 BRD) of the Indian Air Force have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly undertake in-house Research & Development (iR&D) in defense technologies. This collaboration marks an important milestone in strengthening self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the defense sector by bringing together complementary strengths from industry, academia, and the armed forces.
The tripartite partnership leverages the deep-tech expertise of Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies in UAVs and navigation systems; the renowned research and innovation ecosystem of IIT Madras, and; the operational experience and domain knowledge of the Indian Air Force’s 8 BRD.
Commenting on this collaboration, Sai Pattabiram, Founder & Managing Director at Zuppa said, “This MoU represents the convergence of industry innovation, academic excellence, and operational defense experience. By aligning with IIT Madras and the Indian Air Force, we aim to create next-generation UAV and navigation solutions that will serve the nation’s defense with indigenous strength and global benchmarks.“
Together, the three partners will focus on developing cutting-edge indigenous solutions that enhance operational efficiency, autonomy, and resilience in defense aviation and related systems. The initiative aims to accelerate the co-creation of advanced technologies adaptable to the evolving requirements of the Indian Air Force, while also contributing to India’s strategic independence in critical defense technologies.
This partnership will enable us to develop practical solutions to the operational challenges we face in the field. By leveraging IIT Madras’ research capabilities and Zuppa’s proven technology expertise in real-world applications, we can enhance our preparedness and self-reliance in key areas. It also exemplifies the role of academia in nation-building.
Zuppa is a deep-tech drone intelligence company headquartered in India, specializing in autonomous aerial platforms and flight control systems. With a focus on precision agriculture, smart logistics, and AI-driven automation, Zuppa’s drone stack integrates proprietary hardware and software designed to operate in challenging real-world conditions. Founded by aerospace engineers and technologists, Zuppa’s vision is to build the future of unmanned flight from India to the world.
Exotel Accelerates AI-Led Customer Engagement Transformation, Poised for Strong Growth in FY25
Exotel, a leading provider of AI-powered customer engagement and experience solutions, is setting new benchmarks in the customer experience (CX) domain with its transformative product roadmap and vision for FY25. At the heart of this innovation is Exotel’s Harmony platform, an AI-first customer engagement solution designed to unify conversations, context, and workflows across channels and systems.
The Harmony platform is Exotel’s cornerstone for driving enterprise-grade CX transformation. By integrating advanced AI capabilities—such as Generative AI voice bots and Conversational Quality Analysis (CQA)—Harmony enables seamless collaboration between human agents and AI. This approach empowers businesses to:
- Deliver hyper-personalized, context-rich customer interactions
- Make real-time decisions with intelligent routing
- Boost customer satisfaction while reducing costs and increasing revenue
The platform’s dynamic, industry-specific capabilities are tailored to meet the needs of BFSI, healthcare, e-commerce, and other sectors, setting a new standard for customer engagement.
Customer-Centric Innovations Driving Growth: Exotel empowers teams across customer service, sales, collections, and marketing with AI-driven tools, omnichannel engagement, and personalized strategies to boost customer satisfaction, conversions, and campaign performance. Additionally, it provides unified solutions across diverse customer journeys, positioning itself as a trusted global partner for enterprises aiming to redefine their customer engagement strategies.
“FY24 has been transformative for Exotel as we advanced our product strategy to empower enterprises with cutting-edge AI-driven solutions,” said Adarsh Dikshith, CFO, Exotel. “Our focus on innovation and operational efficiency not only enhances customer outcomes but also creates new growth opportunities for businesses navigating the complexities of modern CX.”
Strong Financial Milestones Reinforce Success: Complementing its product advancements, Exotel reported significant financial achievements in FY24, underlining its operational resilience:
- Exotel turns profitable with positive EBITDA in Q3 and Q4 FY24, with projections of 100% year-on-year EBITDA growth in FY25
- FY24 losses reduced by 65%, from ₹108.8 crore in FY23 to ₹38.8 crore
- Entry into high-growth markets, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the USA, unlocking new revenue streams and strengthening international presence
Commenting on Exotel’s progress, Gautam Mago, General Partner at A91 Partners, said, “We have been delighted to be partners with Exotel for the last 4 years. Exotel’s robust product roadmap and customer-centric innovation is inspirational for their customers and employees. The company’s commitment to constant improvement and transforming customer engagement through AI will allow Exotel to maintain its industry leadership status while continuing its financial growth path.”
Looking ahead, Exotel aims to sustain its growth trajectory by continuing to invest in AI-powered innovations, expanding its global footprint, and empowering enterprises to achieve exceptional customer outcomes.
UiPath Launches Test Cloud to Bring AI Agents to Software Testing
UiPath agentic testing can significantly reduce the 25% of IT budget typically dedicated to traditional software testing methods
UiPath (NYSE: PATH), a leading enterprise automation and AI software company, announced the launch of UiPath Test Cloud, a revolutionary new approach to software testing that uses advanced AI to amplify tester productivity across the entire testing lifecycle for exceptional efficiency and cost savings.
Through Test Cloud, agentic testing for quality assurance teams becomes reality, equipping professionals with AI agents such as UiPath Autopilot™ and testing agents built with Agent Builder to act as collaborative partners throughout the testing lifecycle. In augmenting testers with AI, businesses can enable faster time to market, improve production stability, and deliver higher-quality software to customers.
Manual testing and test automation with legacy tools is costly, slow, and resource intensive. In fact, one study found up to 25% of IT spend is dedicated to quality assurance and testing. Test Cloud represents a shift toward AI-augmented testing, focusing on collaboration between people and AI agents to enhance the complete testing process. It is designed to address both technical and personal challenges faced by testers in an increasingly complex software development landscape.
UiPath Test Cloud introduces agentic testing to quality assurance, engineering, and testing teams at any organization via:
- Autopilot for Testers: an out-of-the-box agent that harnesses a broad collection of built-in and customizable AI to accelerate the testing lifecycle, including agentic test design, agentic test automation, and agentic test management.
- Agent Builder: a toolkit for building custom AI agents tailored to unique testing needs, giving teams flexibility to create exactly what they need, when they need it, according to their own specifications.
According to a study by IDC commissioned by UiPath, organizations using Test Cloud have improved test efficiency by 36% and doubled the throughput of delivering new features as well as reduced outages by 50% and troubleshooting time by 93%. For example, Cisco is cutting its manual testing efforts nearly in half with Autopilot, freeing up valuable time for its testing teams to focus on challenges that benefit from human creativity, strategic thinking, and decision making.
“Agentic testing marks an exciting new era for companies to advance an area of their business that is still stubbornly manual and time intensive. With Test Cloud, testing teams engage interactively with AI agents that act like partners in collaborating, supporting, and working in tandem with testing professionals around the clock across the entire testing lifecycle,” said Gerd Weishaar, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Testing Products at UiPath. “Traditional testing is recognized by CIOs and CTOs as the biggest bottleneck to delivering new innovations to customers rapidly. Implementing agentic testing with Test Cloud enables faster time to market and improves production stability, which increases customer satisfaction and helps companies grow revenue.”
Capabilities of Test Cloud
UiPath Test Cloud is a full-featured testing offering that equips software testing teams with enterprise-ready, production-grade, resilient end-to-end automation for modern and enterprise applications as well as a deployment environment catered to the needs of testers.
Agentic testing extends, accelerates, and simplifies testers’ work, increasing their productivity and job satisfaction. Together, Autopilot and Agent Builder form a powerful duo: built-in, customizable AI capabilities with Autopilot to get started fast, and the freedom and flexibility with Agent Builder to create the exact agents needed to accelerate testing. These agents are more than just conversational partners—they can perform tasks using tools teams equip them with like UI and API automations or even other agents.
Veranda Learning merges the operations of 4 key verticals in its business
Veranda Learning Solutions has grown leaps and bounds through organic and inorganic route over the last few years. It has now initiated a major restructuring exercise under its Veranda 2.0 vision—primarily aimed at unlocking long-term value, enabling focused growth, and sharpening operational agility in the rapidly evolving education sector by carefully studying the synergies between its various businesses and unbundling / re-bundling operations of its 4 key verticals namely, academic, commerce, government test prep and vocational training.
A sub-committee of the Board, primarily consisting of independent directors, has been set up by the Board to study the above with the help of independent consultants and make appropriate recommendations to the Board including merger/demerger of its key verticals.
Veranda’s flagship commerce education brands—JK Shah Classes, BB Virtuals, Navkar Digital Institute, Tapasya College of Commerce, and Logic School of Management have built a formidable presence in the test preparation space for CA, CS, CMA, and ACCA, with over 2000 CA rankers since 2001 and a growing roster of All-India top performers. This vertical, which is led by Prof. J.K. Shah, Founder of JK Shah Classes, would play a critical role in helping drive growth in the years ahead.
The proposed QIP for which the enabling resolution has been approved by the members in the EGM is expected to help provide liquidity, fast track growth, and to ensure that critical business verticals are made debt-free.
Commerce Education: A High-Growth Sector
Veranda 2.0 vision comes amid India’s emergence as a global hub for finance and accounting talent. With over 1,580 Global Capability Centres and 4.32 million B.Com enrolments annually, the demand for certified commerce professionals is rapidly increasing. The company’s commerce education vertical is expected to grow in line with sectoral growth but faster through consolidation of market share from local/regional players driven by Veranda’s preeminent position as the leader in this segment. It is projected to grow revenue from ₹281 crore (pro forma) achieved in FY25 to over ₹1,000 crore by FY30. Student enrolments are also expected to more than double from the present 4.01 lakh in FY25 to over 8 lakhs during the same period.
Given the scope for cross selling across brands, operational efficiencies achieved through economy of scale, offering value-added products across the entire commerce education spectrum, and by expanding the Lifetime Value of each student, the company expects to increase margins from the current 36% in FY25 to over 50% by FY30.
This potential strategic realignment would aim to position Veranda to create distinct verticals which are education powerhouses—each poised for scalable, sustainable, and stakeholder-driven growth.
“The proposed restructuring would be a strategic step toward focused execution and value creation. We are confident in the continued growth and excellence of each one of our key verticals, the commerce vertical being our largest by revenue and profitability,” said Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director and Chairman, Veranda Learning Solutions.
Ginni Filaments Ltd. awarded the recognition by Business Co-ordination House
Ginni Filaments Ltd. proudly announces its latest achievement as the recipient of the Market Leader Award in the Wet Wipes category accoladed by BCH at the 6th Edition of Right Hygiene. With unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability, Consumer Products Division of Ginni Filaments Ltd. has emerged as the largest manufacturer of wet wipes in India, setting new standards in the industry.
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Executive Yash Jaipuria, Executive Director Saket Jaipuria, and CMD Shri Shishir Jaipuria, Ginni Filaments Ltd. has witnessed remarkable growth and success. The Company’s commitment to excellence is evident through its two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, with a collective turnover exceeding 100 Crores for wipes.
Since its inception in 2007, Ginni Filaments Ltd. CPD has continually expanded its capabilities, serving a diverse client base of over 50 national and international customers. The company’s vertical integration, from fabric to finished wipes, ensures superior quality control and unmatched product reliability.
In response to the global demand for hygiene solutions, Ginni Filaments Ltd. has demonstrated agility and innovation, achieving a remarkable 50% growth during the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the challenges. The company’s swift response, including the launch of disinfectant wipes within 30 days, underscores its commitment to meeting customer needs with efficiency and effectiveness.
A testament to its pioneering spirit, Ginni Filaments Ltd. has introduced revolutionary products such as 99% and 99.9% Water Wipes, setting new benchmarks for purity and performance in the market. These innovations, coupled with the company’s relentless pursuit of sustainability, have solidified its position as the preferred supplier for leading multinational corporations.
Mr. Yash Jaipuria, Chief Executive of Ginni Filaments Ltd., expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. At Ginni Filaments, we remain committed to delivering exceptional products while upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.”
Ginni Filaments Ltd. continues to lead by example, not only in business but also in its commitment to social causes and environmental sustainability. Through initiatives such as supporting education, healthcare, and environmental conservation, the company is driving positive change and making a lasting impact on society.
As Ginni Filaments Ltd. looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to innovate, inspire, and exceed expectations in the wet wipes industry.
OYO Thailand launches 60% discount for Indians tourists
Global hospitality technology company OYO has announced upto 60% discount for Indian tourists in OYO hotels in Thailand. OYO has a network of more than 170 hotels across Thailand in different categories such as budget and premium properties. OYO has multiple brands of hotels in Thailand such as Capital O in premium category and OYO Rooms in budget category. OYO footprints in Thailand are spread across key tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and business cities like Bangkok, Rayong and Chonburi.
The discount scheme will be in effect from October 11th to October 31st, 2023, allowing guests to make reservations at OYO hotels in Thailand until December 31st, 2023. Guests can avail this discount by logging in to OYO app , selecting the city and choosing eligible property. They should select from the coupon codes ‘OYOSPLDEAL’ and hit the Book Now and Pay at Hotel button.
OYO recently launched Super OYO hotels in Thailand to ensure that its guests have a comfortable and memorable experience. These hotels are selected hotels after a careful analysis of their performance on multiple parameters such as customer ratings and reviews, keeping maximum rooms operational consistently, smooth check-in experience, among others. OYO has already added 13 Super OYO hotels in cities such as Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Thailand has emerged as a popular international destination for Indian travelers, renowned for its pristine beaches, expansive nature reserves, picturesque countryside, enchanting hill stations, vibrant cities adorned with magnificent temples, delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and a wide array of high-quality accommodations available at affordable prices.
Thailand is in the process of considering more relaxed visa rules for Indian tourists, which could potentially make travel to the country more accessible and appealing for Indian travelers. This move aims to promote tourism and strengthen the ties between India and Thailand.
Elaborating more about the scheme, Daniel Khoo, Country Head, OYO Thailand said “We understand that affordability is a crucial factor when planning a trip, and this initiative is our way of showing our gratitude to the Indian community for choosing OYO as their preferred holiday destination”.
As per the data released by Tourism Authority of Thailand, India was the second largest source of tourists to Thailand after Malaysia. In 2022, almost a million Indian tourists visited Thailand out of a total 11 million overseas travelers. A report by Thomas Cook in 2021 also highlighted that Thailand is among the top three most desired destinations among Indians. The other two are UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and Maldives.
Waters Corporation Opens New State-of-the-Art Global Capability Center in Bengaluru
Waters inaugurates Global Capability Center in Bengaluru’s RMZ Ecoworld technology park with dignitaries from government, customers, partners, and employees. • New $16M [USD] facility will employ 300+ for roles enabling leading-edge software engineering, technology and product development, data analytics and IT.The Global Capability Center will enable Waters to accelerate technology and software development, digitization, operational excellence, and productivity
Waters Corporation (WAT: NYSE) inaugurated its new Global Capability Center (GCC), a strategic investment to accelerate technology adoption, innovation, digital transformation, and business efficiencies through a concentrated hub of talent that will operate across the Waters global enterprise. The Waters India GCC is in a newly built facility in Bengaluru’s RMZ Ecoworld technology park, a WELL and LEED Platinum-certified campus that exemplifies a commitment to a healthy and eco-conscious workspace.
The new $16M [USD] workspace will employ 300+ for roles that were formerly outsourced to various outside service providers and will transform into an India-based global hub designed to in-source talent, accelerate technology adoption, and drive technological innovation. “India continues to be one of our fastest growing markets and a key location for the talent that we need to drive global customer success and innovation forward,” said Dr. Udit Batra, President and CEO of Waters Corporation. “The Waters India GCC is an integrated extension of our global team, serving as a center of excellence across areas such as software engineering, technology and product development. This is an exciting day for Waters as the future holds many possibilities.”
“Opening the Waters GCC is a significant milestone for our team in India. We chose Bengaluru because of the availability and depth of talent, the friendly business environment, and its close proximity to our customers,” said T Anilkumar, General Manager of Waters India Pvt. Ltd. “Our GCC in Bengaluru will allow us to access and develop exceptional talent within Waters to accelerate our technological capabilities, operational excellence and productivity in support of our customers in India and around the world.” For more than 60 years Waters has focused on improving human health and wellbeing around the world as a leading developer of scientific instruments, software, and chemistries.
In 1988, Waters became one of the first analytical instruments companies to start operations in India and has since grown to nine sites and over 430 employees, serving customers across more than 2,300 laboratories in India. Waters technologies and services help customers and innovators around the world ensure the safety of medicines and vaccines, the purity of food and water, and the quality and sustainability of products that millions of people use every day. About Waters Corporation
IMC Honoured as ‘Best Company in Direct Selling Industry’ at Bharat Ki Udaan
IMC (International Marketing Corporation) has been conferred with the prestigious award for Best Company in the Direct Selling Industry at the ‘Bharat Ki Udaan’ event, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The recognition was presented by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, to Mr. Satyan Bhatia, Managing Director, IMC.
The award celebrates IMC’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, promoting wellness through Ayurveda, and building a sustainable ecosystem within the Direct Selling Industry.
‘Bharat Ki Udaan’, a flagship initiative highlighting the growth journey of India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), brought together policymakers, visionaries, and business leaders to honour innovation and impact across sectors. IMC was recognised for its contribution to local employment, economic independence, and promoting Indian heritage globally.
Commenting on the honour, Mr. Satyan Bhatia, Managing Director, IMC, said:
“This award is a reflection of our unwavering belief in the power of direct selling and Ayurveda to transform lives. At IMC, our mission has always been to enable people to become self-reliant while embracing natural wellness. I dedicate this recognition to our vast network of associates and customers who are the real pillars of our journey.”
This accolade marks yet another milestone in IMC’s pursuit of building a healthier, more empowered India.
Sharks Scouting for Their Next Big Investment at Farmley’s Indian HSS’25
Farmley, a leading healthy snacking brand, is all set to provide a gateway to budding entrepreneurs by partnering with Shark Tank India. As part of this special arrangement, business owners attending the upcoming Indian Healthy Snacking Summit on Friday in New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam can grab the golden opportunity to be part of the show by recording their business pitches at the dedicated Shark Tank booth to be set up there.
Since its debut in 2021, Shark Tank India has been instrumental in spotlighting innovative business ideas and connecting them with strategic investments and expert mentorship. As the show gears up for its 5th anniversary this year, the sharks are on the lookout for innovative business ideas at the Indian Healthy Snacking Summit 2025. Pitches recorded at the Shark Tank booth will serve as audition tapes and be forwarded to the show’s production team in Mumbai for evaluation.
Selected entrepreneurs will earn the coveted opportunity to present their pitches on the main Shark Tank India show, potentially securing investments from the panel of seasoned business sharks.
Talking about the initiative, Akash Sharma, co-founder of Farmley, said: “Every successful entrepreneur’s journey begins with a single opportunity to be heard. This on-ground audition format is revolutionizing how we discover and nurture talent, giving founders the chance to showcase their vision in a more personal, accessible setting. It’s not just about pitching – it’s about empowering the next generation of business leaders.”
The Indian Healthy Snacking Summit, in its 2nd edition, expects over 1,500 attendees and 50+ speakers, including Revant Himatsingka aka FoodPharmer, Amitesh Jha, CEO, Swiggy Instamart, Arjun Vaidya, Founder, Dr. Vaidya’s and V3 Ventures, investors, senior leaders from the retail, FMCG, and quick commerce sectors, as well as representatives from Amazon, Blinkit, Zepto, Meesho, etc. These speakers will participate in various panel discussions, offering insights into investment trends, the future of food distribution, and emerging health-conscious consumption patterns.
Billion-Dollar Funds Rally for Health at the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship
Sport, community, and well-being take centre stage as top founders and investors return to the court
Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) hosted its seventh annual Bertelsmann Badminton Championship at the DDA – SBS, New Delhi, its first in the city. The tournament received an exceptional turnout with participation from 80+ venture capitalists from over 40 firms such as Accel, Infoedge, Innoven, Trifecta, Chiratae Ventures, Indigoedge and others, and founders such as Pranit Arora (Univest), Dhruv Gupta and Tarun Bhambra (Orange Health Labs), and Priyadarshi Mohapatra (CureBay). Beyond the competition, the event created a unique space for camaraderie and “zero-pitch” networking, bringing together India’s startup ecosystem in the spirit of sport and community.
This year’s theme, “Rally for Health,” spotlighted the often-overlooked well-being of founders and investors. In an industry where stress, burnout, and cardiac health issues are on the rise, the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship urged participants to pause, reflect, and prioritise health. The championship became a much-needed reminder that success is nothing without health, offering industry leaders a chance to connect in a relaxed setting away from packed calendars and boardroom pressure.
Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director, BII, said, “Since 2016, the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship has been our annual ritual where investors and founders meet, play, laugh and bond, with no shop talk. What began as a small gathering is now a tradition that puts health alongside strategy and growth – in fact, this is an event people look forward to every year.”
BII’s focus on health is also reflected in its portfolio, which includes Orange Health Labs and CureBay with further investments in the sector planned.
Talking about the championship, Rohit Sood, Partner, BII, added, “Over the years, the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship has evolved into a trusted, low-friction platform for India’s startup ecosystem. This year, we’re placing a special focus on health and well-being — both within and beyond the boardroom. Because ultimately, it’s enduring people who build enduring businesses and lasting relationships.”
Cdr Ramesh Kumar Sir, Secretary, DDA – SBS, said,“Hosting the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship aligns with our mission to make sport part of daily life. With purpose-built courts and supporting facilities at DDA-SBS, we hope guests take today as a cue to add a short, regular dose of movement, no matter their level.”
Amit Jhunjhunwala, CFO, Accel, added, “I’ve had an amazing experience at the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship. The theme, Rally for Health, is pretty much the mantra for me – I run, I workout, and I eat healthy, and I believe it’s what we need, with this much stress. This was my first time, and I wouldn’t want to miss it again.”
A key highlight this year at the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship was the ‘Message Board’, where founders and investors shared their personal health mantras, simple practices that grounded and resilient while building India’s future.
With over 40 teams participating, the 7th annual Bertelsmann Badminton Championship showcased the perfect synergy that sports and business have, with energetic matches and intriguing conversations. Jai Arora and Rajat Sharma from Univest emerged winners, while Shashvat Rai (Aavishkar Capital) and Peeyush Asati (Vecmocon Technologies) were runners-up. In the Knockouts, Dr Pinak Shrikhande and Nilay Shah (HealthKois) won, followed by Tejas Bode (Bertelsmann India Investments) and Manoj Satti (Penguin Random House), who were the runners-up.
Akshay Gulati, Co-Founder and CEO, Shiprocket, said, “Building a company is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m glad BII is putting wellbeing front and centre with ‘Rally for Health’. The conversations off court – about sleep, recovery and balance – are as valuable as the rallies on court.”
Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Founder and CEO, CureBay, said, “We’re delighted to be part of this year’s Bertelsmann Badminton Championship. At CureBay, our mission is quality healthcare for every community, and it’s heartening to see investors like BII place the wellbeing – of their teams and the wider startup ecosystem – front and centre.”
Dhruv Gupta and Tarun Bhambra, Founders, Orange Health Labs, added, “Health is at the core of what we, at Orange Health Labs, do. To have investors who believe in health as much as we do shows that we’re with the right people. To see so many industry leaders rally for health at the Bertelsmann Badminton Championship furthers the message of holistic wellness.”