Tag: Ananya Birla

  • Birlas and Galeries Lafayette dazzle Mumbai night

    Birlas and Galeries Lafayette dazzle Mumbai night

    MUMBAI: When Paris met Mumbai, it wasn’t on a runway but at a rooftop under the stars. The Birla family, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Neerja Birla, Ananya Birla, and Aryaman Birla, hosted a glittering private soirée with Galeries Lafayette, turning an ordinary evening into a masterclass in culture, couture, and conversation.

    The night unfolded like a love letter to Parisian charm with a Mumbai heartbeat. Guests journeyed floor by floor through immersive spaces, each telling a different story of elegance.

    At La Beauté on the lower ground, beauty and wine mingled to the sound of a live cello. The Ground Floor’s La Coupole shimmered with over 800 designer bags, champagne bubbles, and decadent desserts, indulgence at its most refined. On the first floor, L’Atelier transformed into an art-meets-fashion haven, while L’Édition Femme on the second floor glowed with violin notes, couture, and champagne.

    Style took a suave turn at L’Édition Homme, where whiskey flowed and a live saxophone serenaded guests amid sharp tailoring and timeless sophistication. The energy rose at Flip Side, a denim-fuelled floor pulsing with tequila, laughter, and live guitar, proving that luxury can let its hair down too.

    The evening reached its crescendo at Turner Terrace, the rooftop finale. A breathtaking cross-cultural symphony united harpist Victor Espinola, sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee, Japanese violinist Suyaka Kurokichi, percussionist Satyajit Talwalkar, and drummer Shikhar Naad, a harmony of East and West under the night sky.

    The 130-year-old French maison provided the perfect backdrop for a guest list that sparkled as brightly as the chandeliers. Among those in attendance were Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Aditi Rao Hydari, Arjun Kapoor, Tamannaah Bhatia, Angad Bedi, Neha Dhupia, Armaan Malik, Anuv Jain, Shankar Mahadevan, Tarun Tahiliani, and Ahaan Shetty, all adding their own flair to the soirée’s splendour.

    An evening of Parisian poise and Mumbai magic, it was a night where art, fashion, and music converged, proving that when the Birlas host, luxury takes centre stage.
     

  • Ananya Birla’s Lovetc splashes onto the scene with Janhvi Kapoor as its muse

    Ananya Birla’s Lovetc splashes onto the scene with Janhvi Kapoor as its muse

    MUMBAI: Ananya Birla, the multi-talented heiress and songstress, has dropped a bombshell on the Indian beauty scene with the launch of Lovetc, a premium cosmetics brand promising global glam with a desi soul. 
    And to front this vibrant new venture? None other than the dazzling Janhvi Kapoor.

    Kapoor, a bona fide youth icon, stars in Lovetc’s launch campaign, a technicolour explosion of fearless femininity. Think bold hues, sassy stares, and a whole lot of “you go, girl” energy. The campaign film, now doing the rounds on social media and digital platforms, is a love letter to the modern Indian beauty aficionado, who isn’t afraid to set her own standards of luxury.
    Lovetc rangeBirla Cosmetics Pvt Ltd (BCPL) founder & chairperson Ananya Birla purred, clearly buzzing with excitement: “I’ve always gravitated towards beauty that’s simple, effective, and enhances who you are – not transforms you into someone else.Lovetc reflects that philosophy. It’s a brand designed for real lives; with products that work hard, last long, and feel intuitive. Whether it’s a lipstick that stays on through a long day, or a mascara that volumizes without clumping, we want every product to pass that real-life test.”

    Lovetc’s initial drop includes a curated collection of long-wear lipsticks, precision eyeliners, and volumising mascaras, all designed to deliver a sensory punch. The brand’s ethos? High-performance, high-impact, and high-octane.

    For those itching to get their hands on Lovetc’s goodies, the collection is now available online at www.lovetc.com and on Nykaa, with plans for a retail blitz across India’s top cities. 

    It seems Birla is betting big on turning heads, one bold lip at a time.

    You can watch the TVC by clicking on this.

  • Nikhil Kamath unveils the first cohort of innovators under 25

    Nikhil Kamath unveils the first cohort of innovators under 25

    Mumbai: In a remarkable display of support for India’s entrepreneurial spirit, some of the country’s most influential figures, including Jeet Adani, Ananya Birla, Nithin Kamath, Jay Kotak,  Shashwat Goenka, and Kishore Biyani, among many others, gathered in Mumbai to celebrate the launch of WTFund, India’s first non-equity grant fund. This exclusive summit, held on the 4 September, marked a significant moment in India’s startup ecosystem, spotlighting the next generation of innovators poised to drive the country’s future.

    Nikhil Kamath unveils the first cohort of WTFund grantees

    During the summit, Nikhil Kamath announced the inaugural cohort of WTFund grantees. The fund, designed to empower entrepreneurs under 25, has selected fifteen exceptional individuals whose groundbreaking ideas are set to transform industries ranging from healthcare to AI, and sustainable consumer goods.

    Empowering the next generation

    Addressing the gathering, Nikhil Kamath stated, “Entrepreneurs are ageless; you can build the next big thing whether you are 25 or 80. But, let’s face it—the energy, drive, and sheer audacity often come easier when you’re young. We’re deeply passionate about fostering this spirit in India’s youth under 25. We went looking for the smartest, coolest kids who are daring to start something big, and we found our 15. But this is just the beginning. From our dream of funding 9 companies today to aiding 9,000 young companies one day, we’re committed to building an India that isn’t afraid to take risks and step outside our comfort zones. The next decade belongs to India, and it will be driven by those who choose to build their own dreams rather than helping someone else realize theirs. Feel like you aren’t doing enough? Screw the regular job. Start something. All the resources you need are within your reach.”

    The first fifteen innovators

    The inaugural WTFund grantees represent a diverse array of industries, from early detection of gastrointestinal cancer to sustainable pet food. The selected startups include:

    1    Pamawel: Plant-based, non-steroidal, FDA-approved pain relief formulations targeting menstrual pain.

    2    Mars: Virtual Workstations that eliminate hardware limitations, providing affordable solutions for creators and builders in AI and no-code spaces.

    3    Oh! Nuts: Premium, healthy nut-based snacks tailored for the growing Indian consumer market.

    4    Pawsible Foods: Sustainable, plant-based pet food utilizing Kavaka™ mycoprotein.

    5    RNT Health Insights: AI-assisted diagnostic software for gastrointestinal cancer detection.

    6    Biocompute: Affordable DNA data storage chips, revolutionizing data centre efficiency.

    7    CallPrep: AI-based B2B SaaS for sales preparation, integrating LinkedIn, CRM, and buyer intent data.

    8    Urban Animal: India’s first dog DNA testing service, redefining pet care.

    9    Pixa AI: AI-enhanced plush companions, merging the toy and AI companionship markets.

    Support beyond funding

    WTFund offers up to Rs 20 Lakh in non-equity grants, allowing founders to retain full ownership of their ventures. In addition to financial support, grantees gain access to mentorship from industry leaders, legal and accounting assistance, and strategic partnerships with top companies. These resources are designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools and connections they need to scale their businesses and make a lasting impact on their respective industries.

  • REPRESENT 2023 Wrapped: 11 billion+ streams and countless pop culture defining moments

    REPRESENT 2023 Wrapped: 11 billion+ streams and countless pop culture defining moments

    Mumbai: REPRESENT, one of India’s premiere music management agencies recognised as one of India’s top music startups to look out for, concludes an exceptional year as it proudly recaps its remarkable achievements and milestones in 2023. Offering an umbrella of services, from talent management to music consulting and investments, REPRESENT boasts an impressive artist roster consisting of over 20 artists including Ananya Birla, Armaan Malik, Anuv Jain, DJ Chetas, Lost Stories, KSHMR, MC Stan, Zaeden, among others.

    A LOOK BACK AT 2023

    1.  The year witnessed significant expansions within their artist roster, welcoming six outstanding talents: Saahel, Kamakshi Khanna, Kayan, Lisa Mishra, Kanishk Seth, and Shashwat Sachdev, each adding a unique flair and diversity to their formidable lineup
       
    2. The talent powerhouse also entered into a strategic partnership for distribution with Universal Music Group India to facilitate the growth and reach of their artists worldwide, thereby empowering them to stay independent while making the most of UMG’s resources and expertise
       
    3. REPRESENT’s strategic campaigns have garnered substantial attention, this year’s Spotify Wrapped witnessed the company garner an astounding 2.2 billion overall streams by over 247 million+ listeners for over 110 million hours, a testament to their widespread influence and musical prowess
       
    4. They conducted more than 500 live shows this year which include the curation of tours for their artists Anuv Jain (Guldasta Tour), DJ Chetas, Kayan (Kayan Vision Tour), MC Stan (Basti Ka Hasti Tour) and Zaeden (Revelation Tour) through their company’s live entertainment bookings agency, RE:PLAY, solidifying their position as a premier talent management company
       
    5. The company also secured prominent film syncs, notably featuring Hanita Bhambri’s ‘Chehra’ and Anuv Jain’s ‘Mazaak’ in the movie ‘Thank You For Coming’, and Zaeden’s ‘Socha Na Tha’ in the Netflix film ‘Friday Night Plan’
       
    6. Several tracks from the roster including ‘Baarishein’, ‘Haath Varthi’, ‘Basti Ka Hasti’, ‘Ek Din Pyaar’, ‘Aa Mil’ and ‘Dhundhala’, secured coveted spots in Spotify’s Top 50 charts, affirming the resonance and popularity of REPRESENT’s exclusive talents
       
    7.  Through meticulous curation, the agency successfully sealed over 250+ brand deals for its artists including esteemed brands like Maybelline, Crocs, Aldo, Samsung, Chanel, Fastrack, L’Oréal, among others
       
    8.  REPRESENT curated the launch of their artist KSHMR’s highly successful hip-hop album ‘KARAM’, marking a significant milestone in their journey and giving a platform for the Desi Hip-hop community to unite in a one-of-its-kind event.
       
    9.  Their artists OAFF and Savera went on to be recognised for their excellence by winning the ‘Best Upcoming Music Composers’ Award at the prominent Mirchi Music Awards and being nominated for the same at the esteemed IIFA Awards.
       
    10.  Artists also achieved global recognition with features on the eminent Times Square billboard, including MC Stan and KSHMR for ‘Haath Varthi’, Lisa Mishra for Spotify’s Equal playlist and Kamakshi Khanna as part of Spotify’s RADAR artists, further solidifying their position as international talents.

    Sharing his delightment about how this year has farred for the company, REPRESENT CEO & founder Aayushman Sinha said, “In 2023, we delved deeper into our artists’ music and strengthened fan engagement. For 2024, our aim is international; we are initiating major changes and investments to promote our artists’ music on a global scale and to create new opportunities abroad. Additionally, we plan to intensify our investments in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and artist-led businesses, recognising their significant long-term potential. Concurrently, we will continue to expand and foster our existing business.”

    The agency expanded its horizons by investing in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands, including the launch of SOL (a fragrance brand alongside Zaeden), Comet (a homegrown sneaker brand) and House of X (a creator-led incubator). They also expanded their portfolio by initiating ‘CREW’, a new venture focusing on creator management by onboarding incredible talents such as Aashna Hegde and Raj Shamani, thereby enhancing their diverse range of services and offerings.

    REPRESENT is poised for an even more remarkable 2024, promising an array of groundbreaking releases and collaborations that will further elevate the standards of innovation and creativity in the industry.