Author: lakshmanan

In a significant boost to India’s manufacturing startup ecosystem, Shree Cement Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to nurture and support product-based startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector.The MoU signing ceremony was attended by key officials, including Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director of Shree Cement, Sumeet Jarangal, Director at DPIIT, and Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at DPIIT. This partnership is a major step towards strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities and promoting self-reliance through domestic production.Under the terms of…

Agritech startup Greenikk announced on Monday that it is shutting down operations and plans to return partial capital to investors. The Thiruvananthapuram-based company, which focused on providing a digital ecosystem for banana farmers, cited issues of loan defaults and funding challenges as major reasons for the difficult decision. Founded in 2020 by Fariq Naushad and Previn Jacob Varghese, Greenikk had raised around ₹5.04 crore ($1 million) in a pre-seed funding round led by 9 Unicorn Ventures in January 2023. Despite impressive growth of 300% in FY22 with sales of ₹1.58 crore, the startup struggled with several challenges that ultimately led…

The world of enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, and Simplismart has emerged as a dominant force in the Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) space. By offering a no-code, cloud-agnostic platform designed for large-scale machine learning (ML) deployments, they are helping enterprises unlock the true potential of AI. With a focus on speed, cost-efficiency, and flexibility, Simplismart has set itself apart from competitors and redefined how businesses deploy and scale AI models.In this insight article, we’ll explore how Simplismart is revolutionizing MLOps, the technology and strategies that underpin their success, and how they address the critical challenges in modern AI…

In the heart of India’s bustling small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) landscape lies a story of innovation and transformation. PagarBook, a workforce management platform, emerged to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by these businesses. The journey of PagarBook is not just about software; it’s about understanding the real-life struggles of entrepreneurs and creating solutions that empower them. This article takes you through the narrative of PagarBook’s inception, its motivation to enter the sector, and the impact it has made on the SME ecosystem.The Seed of an IdeaA Personal JourneyThe story of PagarBook begins with the founders’ recognition…

In 2012, Ashish Goel and Rajiv Srivatsa set out to address a major challenge in India’s home furnishings market: the lack of convenient, stylish, and high-quality furniture options for the modern Indian consumer. This journey began not as a straightforward business pursuit, but as a solution to a deeply personal frustration—something many Indian households could relate to.The Beginnings: A Search for the Perfect FurnitureBoth Ashish and Rajiv, who came from successful careers in management and technology, faced their own challenges when trying to furnish their new homes. They found that the Indian furniture market was overwhelmingly fragmented. Local stores had…

Women’s western fashion brand Berrylush has announced a strategic partnership with e-commerce enablement platform GoKwik, marking a significant move to strengthen its digital presence and accelerate growth in the Indian D2C fashion space. The collaboration aims to leverage GoKwik’s extensive network of 120 million shoppers to enhance customer experience and expand Berrylush’s footprint across India’s deeper regions.The partnership comes at a crucial time as Berrylush, a bootstrapped company, targets ambitious growth metrics including Rs 100 crore revenue this fiscal year while maintaining a healthy 7% EBITDA profit margin. The collaboration is expected to help Berrylush double its order volume and…

In the bustling world of Indian commerce, a transformative force has emerged, revolutionizing how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) procure materials and manage finances. Founded in 2016, Ofbusiness has become a beacon of innovation in the B2B e-commerce sector. But what prompted the founders to enter this space, and how has the company carved out its niche? This article delves into the story of Ofbusiness, exploring its origins, motivations, and the impact it has made on the market.1.A Vision Born from Necessity: The Seeds of OfbusinessIdentifying the NeedThe journey of Ofbusiness began with a keen observation of the challenges faced…

Zetwerk is a leading player in the Indian manufacturing and supply chain sector, offering innovative solutions that connect businesses with a diverse network of manufacturers. Since its inception in 2018, the platform has established itself as a critical facilitator of custom manufacturing, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and quality. This article explores Zetwerk’s business model, market position, strengths, challenges, and future outlook, providing insights into its role in the evolving manufacturing landscape.Understanding Zetwerk’s Business ModelB2B MarketplaceZetwerk operates as a business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, linking manufacturers and businesses seeking customized solutions. This direct connection simplifies the procurement process, allowing for faster turnaround…

In an unprecedented cross-border collaboration, students from Northern University in JaƯna, Sri Lanka have teamed up with Chennai-based space start-up SpaceKidz India to develop a communication satellite. The groundbreaking project, set to launch via ISRO next year, will provide hands-on experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields to participating students.MoU Signed to Formalize PartnershipNorthern University founder-chairman Indira Kumar Pathmanathan and SpaceKidz India CEO Srimathy Kesan recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to oƯicially kick oƯ the student satellite initiative. The agreement paves the way for students from Northern University and government schools in JaƯna to work alongside their…

Legendary cricketer and former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni has boosted his investment in Chennai-based drone startup Garuda Aerospace. Dhoni, who also serves as the brand ambassador for the company, expressed his confidence in Garuda’s vision to make India a global drone hub by 2030. The investment comes as Garuda Aerospace prepares for an IPO and focuses on expanding its presence in the agriculture, defense, and consumer drone sectors.Dhoni’s Continued Support and InvestmentIn a recent Facebook post, Dhoni announced that his journey with Garuda Aerospace continues to grow stronger as he tops up his investment in the startup. “As…