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Tag: Ankur Warikoo

  • Kuku FM and Penguin India launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks

    Kuku FM and Penguin India launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks

    MUMBAI: Kuku FM has joined hands with publishing giant Penguin Random House India (PRHI) to launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks adapted from Penguin’s bestselling titles.

    This partnership not only expands both brands’ storytelling universe but also caters to India’s booming demand for regional audio content. With digital audio consumption skyrocketing, the collaboration brings a treasure trove of literary works to life in a more immersive and accessible format.

    The curated collection includes works by some of India’s most celebrated voices Gaur Gopal Das, Devdutt Pattanaik, Harish Bhat, Indra Nooyi, Raghuram Rajan, Ankur Warikoo, and Neena Gupta, among others. These audiobooks, produced and adapted by Kuku FM, promise high-quality narration, cultural resonance, and a deeply engaging listener experience.

    “Our customers have higher expectations from us every day, and at Kuku FM, we love rising to that challenge. They know what they want and need plenty of choices. We aim to bring the best books to them in their language and give them a unique yet engaging listening experience,” said Kuku FM CEO & co-founder  Lal Chand Bisu.

    “We are excited to partner with an iconic publisher like Penguin to not only expand our library but also ensure that we’re opening up a whole new world of entertainment and knowledge for every Indian in more accessible formats.”

    Titles will be available on the Kuku FM Android app from April 2025, priced from Rs 175 making bestselling reads more affordable than ever in audio format.

    PRH India vice president  & product Vijesh Kumar added, “At Penguin, we are committed to making books more accessible and inclusive, ensuring they reach readers in the formats they love. Our exclusive partnership with Kuku FM marks an exciting milestone as we bring some of our most celebrated titles to Hindi audiobooks for the first time. With storytelling evolving beyond the page, audiobooks offer a dynamic and immersive way to experience books welcoming both avid readers and new audiences alike.”

    The collaboration aligns perfectly with the projected growth of India’s OTT audio market expected to hit $1.8 billion by 2025 with over 100 million users.

    “The collaboration is a critical extension of Kuku FM’s highly curated portfolio of stories and we are excited to expand this universe further with PRH India who are known to have some of the most storied authors and books in their library,” said Kuku FM head of content acquisition Prerna Vohra.

    PRH India manager & audio Vidhi Nangia added, “Audiobooks are seeing tremendous growth globally, and India is no exception, with the market expected to grow over 30 per cent annually. Recognising this shift in how audiences engage with literature, Penguin is thrilled to partner with Kuku FM to introduce 15 Hindi audiobooks by beloved authors such as Bhat, Warikoo, and Nooyi. Kuku FM’s commitment to exceptional curation and production ensures that our cherished works are presented with the utmost quality. This collaboration marks the beginning of a promising journey to make our stories accessible to an even broader audience.”

    The exclusive collection of Hindi audiobooks includes Tata Stories by Bhat, Bravehearts of Bharat by Vikram Sampath, and My Life in Full by Nooyi. Listeners can also enjoy Jeevan ke Adbhut Rahasya and Energise Your Mind by Das, along with India’s Most Fearless 1 and India’s Most Fearless 2 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. The line-up features Mythakon se Vigyan Tak by Gauhar Raza, Jaya and The Book of Ram by Pattanaik, and Breaking the Mould by Rajan and Rohit Lamba. Also included are Make Epic Money and Build an Epic Career by Warikoo, Sach Kahun Toh by Gupta, and Manoj Bajpayee by Piyush Pandey.

  • Social media influencers redefine power in Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 Top 100

    Social media influencers redefine power in Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 Top 100

    MUMBAI: Who holds power in India today? Politicians, business tycoons, and cinema stars may still dominate the limelight, but the rise of digital creators is rewriting the playbook of influence.

    The Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 List of the 100 Most Influential People has brought this shift into sharp focus, featuring 16 social media influencers alongside the likes of prime minister Narendra Modi, Indian cinema icon Shah Rukh Khan, and business mogul Gautam Adani.

    This evolution, driven by the Rs 12,000 crore creator economy and India’s insatiable appetite for digital content, reflects a new era where relatability often trumps legacy. The list, compiled from insights of 30,790 respondents and deliberations by an esteemed jury, celebrates individuals across politics, entertainment, business, startups, and more, offering a vivid snapshot of India’s changing influence landscape.

    The 2024 Bharat Dialogues List signals a seismic shift. Where once influence rested solely in the hands of politicians (24 on the list), industrialists (18), and cinema stars (12), creators like Ankur Warikoo, Raj Shamani, and Urfi Javed now share the spotlight.

    “These creators don’t just entertain,” said Bharat Dialogues co-founder Vivek Satya Mitram, “they connect deeply with audiences, shattering traditional hierarchies of power.”

    Take Ranvir Allahabadia, a fitness entrepreneur turned motivational force, or Dolly Chaiwala, whose satirical commentary draws a massive 10-million-strong following. They don’t merely inspire; they engage, offering something legacy figures often struggle to match: authenticity.

    Creators vs Titans

    The list paints an intriguing juxtaposition:

    . Politicians: With Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath dominating governance, their influence stems from shaping policy and public narratives. But creators bring a fresh voice to grassroots issues, connecting directly with audiences often underserved by traditional media.

    . Business leaders: Industrialists like Gautam Adani and Falguni Nayar continue to drive economic innovation. Yet influencers like Ashneer Grover blend entrepreneurial grit with digital savvy, reaching millions through bold, relatable content.

    .  Cinema celebrities: While Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone command cultural clout, influencers like Urfi Javed redefine stardom by shunning convention and celebrating individuality.

    Digital creators thrive in a space where relatability trumps wealth or authority. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram have removed gatekeepers, empowering figures like Acharya Dhirendra Shastri to merge spirituality with digital innovation, or Ankur Warikoo to transform financial literacy into an engaging digital movement.

    “Influence has shifted from boardrooms and red carpets to smartphones and social feeds,” observed Bharat Dialogues co-founder Pooja Priyamvada.

    By the numbers:

    . India’s creator economy grew by 25 per cent in 2024, reaching a staggering Rs 12,000 crore.

    . Social media advertising now accounts for 35 per cent of India’s total ad spend, reflecting brands’ increasing reliance on influencers.

    . Influencers generate 60 per cent higher engagement than traditional celebrity endorsements.

    As digital consumption surges, this trend shows no signs of slowing. With younger generations driving content trends, creators like Raj Shamani-a voice for entrepreneurial aspirations—are not just reshaping influence; they’re redefining it entirely.

    “Creators are more than disruptors,” said Vivek. “They’re the architects of a cultural shift that will continue to reshape India’s socio-economic fabric.”

    As India stands on the cusp of this transformation, Bharat Dialogues’ 2024 list offers more than a snapshot—it captures a nation in transition, where influence is no longer inherited but earned in the hearts of millions.

    Explore the full list here: Bharat Dialogues Top 100

  • Salesforce’s first edition of the Great India Sales & Marketing Summit

    Salesforce’s first edition of the Great India Sales & Marketing Summit

    Mumbai: Salesforce India organized the first edition of the Great India Sales & Marketing Summit on 24 May 2024. This virtual gathering empowered attendees with invaluable insights into cutting-edge technologies such as AI and their profound impact on sales and marketing functions. Event saw over 10,000 participants.

    The event highlighted the importance of digital transformation and the role of AI in achieving organizational success and customer-centricity.

    Salesforce India chairperson & CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya kicked off the session by expressing gratitude to the salesblazers and highlighted how sales and marketing drive organizational growth by engaging customers more meaningfully. Emphasizing the need for vibrant sales and marketing teams to foster innovation, she stressed that digital transformation is the key driver towards India becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world. She also discussed how technology, coupled with the AI revolution, is a significant enabler for sales and marketing teams in achieving success.

    At the Summit, several sessions explored the power of AI in sales, marketing, and customer service. Salesforce experts showcased how Salesforce uses its own AI products to achieve success.

    Kapil Dev: Setting goals and achieving them together

    Kapil Dev, former cricketer and captain of the World Cup-winning Indian team, shared leadership insights.

    He emphasized the importance of leading from the front, focusing on the process of winning, and recognizing the unique roles of each team member.

    He discussed how business leaders can apply these principles to align their teams with business goals.

    Ankur Warikoo: Marketing on a mission: maximize your impact, minimize your spend

    Ankur Warikoo, a teacher, content creator, and author, shared his expertise on cost-effective marketing strategies.

    He offered practical tips for frugal marketing, drawing parallels from successful brands and presenting a five-step approach.

    Warikoo highlighted the importance of maximizing impact while minimizing marketing expenditure.

    Srikanth Bolla: From hurdles to high performance: scaling your business with a winning mindset

    Bollant Industries CEO Srikanth Bolla, shared his inspirational journey from being a differently-abled student in a remote village to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

    He discussed how staying focused and true to his roots contributed to his professional achievements.

    Srikanth emphasized the importance of perseverance and self-determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

    Session highlights:

    How Salesforce uses Salesforce

    Speaker: Salesforce India Sr director & head of marketing Nipun Sharma

    Nipun Sharma offered insights into how Salesforce uses AI tools like Data Cloud and Einstein 1 to drive growth and align sales and marketing.

    Start with data, move forward with Tableau

    Speaker: Tableau India country head & regional VP Romil Agarwal

    Romil Agarwal discussed data-backed decision-making and the potential of generative AI with Tableau.

    Mulesoft: Connect, automate & scale AI-powered experiences

    Speaker: Mulesoft India head of sales Nehal Mehta

    Nehal Mehta explained how Mulesoft integrates data, systems, and AI models for seamless automation.

    AI masterclass

    Speaker: Dr. Dakshinamurthy V Kolluru

    Dr. Kolluru provided a deep dive into AI implementation, showcasing specific use cases and offering an upGrad certification in AI.

    LinkedIn + Salesforce: A winning combination

    Speakers: LinkedIn group head, B2B product marketing Alyce Erikson; LinkedIn senior director, product management Ajay Datta

    They showcased how Salesforce integrates with LinkedIn’s B2B solutions to engage audiences and generate leads.

    Accelerate growth with trusted AI

    Speaker: Salesforce head of solution engineering, SMB business Tanmaiy Chandanshive.

    Tanmaiy Chandanshive discussed how generative AI can drive productivity and customer-centricity.

    Fireside chat with Suraj Dodeja

    Speakers: Vashi Integrated Solutions CEO Suraj Dodeja

    Suraj Dodeja shared how Salesforce’s solutions enhanced their omnichannel efficiency and customer visibility.

    Drive customer experience and loyalty with data and AI

    Speaker: Salesforce director, solutions engineering Ritesh Chauhan

    Ritesh Chauhan discussed building customer experience and loyalty using AI and Data Cloud.

    Slack: The AI-powered platform for work

    Speaker: AVP & head of slack, service cloud, & platform Rahul Sharma

    Rahul Sharma demonstrated how Slack enhances team productivity through AI and workflow automation.

    Fireside chat with Satya Machiraju

    Speakers: Rahul Sharma; Whatfix VP, IT & information security Satya Machiraju

    Satya Machiraju shared how Whatfix leverages Slack for product analytics and process reengineering.

    Elevating customer experiences with AI-driven service

    Speaker: Salesforce director, product management, service cloud Abhisek Dash

    Abhisek Dash showcased how AI revolutionizes customer service through predictive analytics and intelligent case routing.

    DPDP Act 2023: Stay ahead and secure your data with Salesforce

    Speaker: Salesforce principal specialist SE, Amin Rehman

    Amin Rehman provided an overview of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and how Salesforce supports data security and privacy management.

  • Compelling titles from Audible at Rs 69 only

    Compelling titles from Audible at Rs 69 only

    Mumbai: With mercury levels soaring this summer, beat the heat by staying indoors with Audible’s vast collection of audiobooks and podcasts to keep you company. To provide listeners with an opportunity to explore, entertain and enrich themselves, Audible, a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, today announced the launch of a limited-period, a la carte campaign wherein customers in India can access over 150 audiobooks and podcasts from Audible’s catalogue at a nominal price of Rs 69 each.

    Through this special offer, Audible aims to promote the joy of listening among customers in a more accessible and affordable manner. It presents young listeners and freshers embarking on their professional journey, an opportunity to expand their horizons and elevate their skills. In a world that is time-strapped, Audible’s commitment lies in empowering audiences and inculcate the habit of listening to utilise their time effectively.

    This campaign also spotlights the breadth of Audible’s catalogue across genres – action and adventure, well-being, self-help or pop culture, comprising an array of formats such as audiobooks, podcasts, and scripted originals. Voiced by renowned talent, authors, and celebrities, these titles are available at an attractive price point for listeners in India for a limited time to indulge in engaging storytelling experiences. From timeless classics to contemporary bestsellers, listeners are in for an immersive experience as Audible offers something for everyone to enrich their summer.

    Customers in India can seamlessly access membership subscriptions and single a la carte titles using UPI and credit/debit cards.

    “At Audible, we’re committed to making audio storytelling accessible for all,” said Audible country manager – India Shailesh Sawlani. “With our latest campaign, we’re excited to empower listeners to explore and experience the length and breadth of audio content at exceptional value. This offer was designed to aid users in educating and entertaining themselves, by offering them access to a wealth of immersive audio experiences at the tap of a button. Whether someone is lounging by the pool, embarking on a road trip, or simply enjoying a leisurely afternoon indoors, we believe that this summer, audiobooks and podcasts will be the perfect companion for enjoyment and enrichment.”

    Ruskin Bond said, “Audible is truly providing a great service to users and I hope to see people listening to audiobooks extensively during the summer break. It excites me to know that many of my books and stories are accessible on Audible.in and I am confident that children will enjoy listening to these audiobooks on the service during their summer vacation.”

    Ankur Warikoo said, “For a generation that wants everything on the go, audiobooks are the right choice as they offer information and entertainment in a more digestible and convenient format. With this offer, users can now save money and get access to a ‘wealth’ of audio content on financial planning directly from me, broken down into simple tips without any complex jargon!”

    Experience the magic of storytelling like never before with Audible. Elevate your summer to new heights and celebrate the joy of storytelling with Audible, accessible on all devices and payment methods including UPI and cards.

    Some of the titles available for Rs 69 include:

    Self-Development:

    •    Ikigai (Hindi Edition) by Hector Garcia, Francesc Miralles,
    •    How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie,
    •    The 12-Week Fitness Project (Hindi Edition) by Rujuta Diwekar,
    •    Develop Self-Confidence, Improve Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie,
    •    Do Epic Shit by Ankur Warikoo

    Romance

    •    Falling in Love Again by Ruskin Bond
    •    Diary of My Love by Deesha Sangani
    •    Our Virtual Love Story by Juhi GP
    •    The Girl in the Red Lipstick by Ajay K Pandey
    •    Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

    Mystery and Horror

    •    Byomkesh Bakshi Stories by Saradindu Bandopadhyay
    •    You Die Alone by Novoneel Chakraborty
    •    The Perfect Murder by Ruskin Bond
    •    Ghost Stories of Shimla Hills by Minakshi Chaudhry
    •    Maut Ke Bad Kuchh Nahin (Hindi Edition) by James Hadley Chase

    Action and Adventure

    •    The Great Train Journey by Ruskin Bond
    •    Karna by Kevin Missal
    •    The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi
    •    Vikram and Vetaal by Kevin Missal
    •    Twisted by Chandrima Das

    Non-fiction

    •    Ambedkar’s India by B.R Ambedkar
    •    An Era of Darkness by Shashi Tharoor
    •    Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power by Rajiv Malhotra
    •    1984 by Pav Singh
    •    Lost and Found by Stuti Changle

    Religion, Spirituality, Mythology

    •    Durga by Kevin Missal
    •    Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu by Kevin Missal
    •    7 Secrets of Vishnu by Devdutt Pattanaik
    •    7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik
    •    Narasimha by Kevin Missal

    Children and Family Titles

    •    Ruskin Bond: The Essential Collection for Young Readers
    •    Masha and the Bear by Pegasus Books
    •    Bhagavad Gita for Children by Pegasus Books
    •    Ramayana for Children by Sudha Gupta
    •    365 Moral Stories by Pegasus Books
  • DocuBay announces ‘12 Digit Masterstroke’: An untold insight into India’s Aadhaar revolution

    DocuBay announces ‘12 Digit Masterstroke’: An untold insight into India’s Aadhaar revolution

    Mumbai: DocuBay, the global streaming service from IN10 Media Network, has announced the release of its latest original, ‘12 Digit Masterstroke – The Untold Story of Aadhaar’ that unravels a behind-the-scenes story of the creation of the world’s largest social identity program, culminating into what is today known as “Aadhaar Card”, crafting a unique identity for over 1.4 billion Indians.

    Motivated to highlight topics of national and global importance, DocuBay depicts the untold story of an unlikely team of public and private sector professionals who came together at UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to design & implement India’s ground-breaking Aadhaar card system. The documentary explores logistical, technological, financial & bureaucratic challenges faced by the team, spearheaded by tech wizard Nandan Nilekani, aiming to achieve something that no one had attempted before in India. Team Aadhaar worked under two governments led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    “While there is a lot of awareness about the remarkable initiatives that have benefited over a billion beneficiaries of various government schemes, through the Aadhaar project, not many people are aware of the gigantic efforts which were required from a team of technocrats led by Nandan Nilekani that executed the project to fruition,” said DocuBay COO Girish Dwibhashyam. “We are thrilled and grateful to have captured this historic story into our DocuBay Orignal film.”

    The documentary, narrated by entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo, features UIDAI former CEO Ram Sewak Sharma, an IAS officer, who articulates technology in a ‘Dabang’ way. Ganga Kapavarapu, a tech buff who brought a financial focus to the program. Srikanth Nadhamuni, the ‘tech guru’, introduced a powerful technological armoury for the creation of Aadhar. Shankar Maruwada, ‘Sir Panch’, played a key role in marketing Aadhaar with a small team of four. Pramod Verma the ‘Chief Royal Architect’ of Aadhar sketched the building blocks for the program. Lastly, Ashok Pal Singh modernised the Indian postal system through digitalisation and their stories of overcoming challenges.

    “How do you encapsulate a five-year rollercoaster journey into 50 minutes,” said Wide Angle Films founder and CEO Sujata Kulshreshtha, on the challenges faced during research that underwent to produce the film. She added, “We had to overcome the challenges like lack of archival material from the period of execution and to get access to the key members of the team. Our team did in-depth research, even before we formulated the narrative as the documentary brings this incredible ‘made-in-India’ story to viewers.”

    Today in India, with the introduction of UIDAI’s Aadhaar system, transformation has been enabled across 600,000 plus villages and 400 plus cities in India as the unique biometric secure number has become the bedrock for multiple government schemes. From enabling financial inclusion to powering direct benefit transfer schemes, Aadhaar has reshaped lives, earning international recognition as a model for digital identity systems.

    ‘12 Digit Masterstroke’, produced by Wide Angle Films, is now exclusively available on DocuBay, inviting audiences worldwide to witness the extraordinary story behind India’s Aadhaar revolution.

  • Seven Audible podcasts for life-breakthroughs

    Seven Audible podcasts for life-breakthroughs

    Mumbai: Feeling like you’re stuck in a rut, and need a little push to charge forward despite the challenges? We bring to you expert guidance for all aspects of life – be it finance, mental health, lifestyle, discipline, or enhancing your skill set from these best-in-class Audible titles. This World Podcast Day, tune into these popular motivational and self-help podcasts from Audible hosted by remarkable individuals such as Robin Sharma and Ranveer Allahbadia. Individuals who are steadfast in resolve are always ahead of the lot and are quick to pick up the pace to achieve success. These insights and expert guidance will help you achieve exactly that! Take charge and transform your life from scratch with new habits, focus, discipline, and knowledge.

    The Daily Mastery Podcast by Robin Sharma

    Written by: Robin Sharma

    This podcast guides aspiring professionals, entrepreneurs, sports superstars, and performers on ways to become the best version of themselves by accelerating productivity, enhancing leadership, building a business, and leaving their impact on the world. From the basics of self-respect, developing focus, and ideal habits to daily routines followed by monumental leaders – this podcast is an excellent collection of life lessons that come in handy to anyone. Make sure to jot down your business goals and conduct a S.W.O.T analysis for yourself, as you embark on a transformational journey with The Daily Mastery Podcast By Robin Sharma.

    Do Epic Shit

    Written by: Ankur Warikoo and Narrated by: Ankur Warikoo

    Entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo chronicles together deep, witty, and brutally honest thoughts on success and failure, money and investing, self-awareness, and personal relationships in this audiobook – ‘Do Epic Shit’. He speaks about ideas that have fuelled his journey—right from his aspiration to be a space engineer to finally creating content that has been seen, read, and heard by millions. His ideas range from the importance of creating habits for long-term success, the foundations of money management, embracing and accepting failure to learning empathy. Do Epic Shit is worth listening to on repeat, making notes from, and sharing with your friends and family.

    The Mountain is You

    Written by: Brianna Wiest; Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

    Contrasting needs and emotions in a stressed mind can lead to self-sabotaging behavior, but extracting insight from damaging habits and building emotional resilience through self-help audiobooks like ‘The Mountain is You’ can help. Mountains are often used as a metaphor for the big challenges we face, especially ones that seem impossible to overcome. To overcome these obstacles, we actually have to do the deep internal work of excavating trauma, building resilience, and strategizing how we deal with the climb. Does this encourage you to zoom out and seek a redirection in life? Think no more and tune into The Mountain is You on Audible.

    Don’t Believe Everything You Think

    Written by: Joseph Nguyen; Narrated by: Joseph Nguyen

    This audiobook helps people discover the root cause of all psychological and emotional suffering and ways to achieve a composed mind to effortlessly create the life we dream about. Offering a completely new understanding of human experience, and methods to ease mental scrutiny by dealing with pain differently. This self-help title provides step-by-step wisdom for understanding the psychological aspects of suffering, remaining unaffected by negative thoughts, living in the present, letting go of anxiety and self-doubt, and being okay with uncertainty.

    The Greatness Mindset

    Written by: Lewis Howes and Narrated by: Lewis Howes

    Are you sure you’re living your most authentic life? Have you managed to actualize your life’s purpose?

    All this requires is to identify the greatness inside you, a powerful mind can get through any difficult circumstance to realize one’s inner potential. Through his personal breakthrough discoveries, New York Times best-selling author Lewis Howes reveals how you can rewrite your past to propel yourself into a powerful and abundant future. Combining insights from his journey with science-backed strategies from industry-leading experts, and step-by-step guidance, Lewis Howes teaches us how to manifest our inner greatness.

    The Pilani Pioneers

    Written by: Gaurav Mandlecha, Durjai Sethi and Narrated by: Anindya Chakravorty

    Looking to scale up your business or change the trajectory of your entrepreneurial journey? The Pilani Pioneers on Audible has got you covered! The audiobook chronicles the inspiring journeys of successful BITS Pilani business leaders who have pioneered successful businesses, and startups and led the entrepreneurial space in India. Discover more about their learnings, business insights, and wisdom from the years of experiences that have shaped these visionary individuals into influential figures in the corporate realm. From their humble beginnings to groundbreaking achievements, The Pilani Pioneers on Audible showcases the indomitable spirit and entrepreneurial prowess of these extraordinary professionals.

    The Ranveer Show हिंदी

    Written by: BeerBiceps aka Ranveer Allahbadia

    Popular social media entrepreneur, YouTuber, motivational speaker, and leadership coach – Ranveer Allahbadia shares health, career guidance, and lifestyle advice on his podcast ‘The Ranveer Show’. Interviewing celebrities, veterans, business professionals, and other people from various walks of life, this podcast has a unique takeaway from every episode. Engaging in conversions without a filter with these renowned personalities, who share their life’s struggles, fears, career breakthroughs, and opinions on politics – this talk show rules the roost of contemporary Indian podcasts.

  • AI takes centre stage at the 12 edition of TiE Delhi-NCR’s India internet day

    AI takes centre stage at the 12 edition of TiE Delhi-NCR’s India internet day

    Mumbai: TiE Delhi-NCR, a leading organisation fostering entrepreneurship nationally, is all set to host the 12 editions of India Internet Day (iDay2023), a premier event that brings together the brightest minds of the tech industry. Scheduled for 24, 25 and 29 August  2023, the event will take place across India’s leading startup hubs – Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Bhubaneswar respectively.

    iDay is part of TiE Delhi-NCR’s commitment to nurturing an ecosystem where technopreneurs and investors converge to drive India’s tech landscape forward. This year iDay 2023 themed AI Powered India: Vision & Reality,  aims to unlock AI’s immense possibilities and potential for our nation.

    iDay will delve into how AI is shaping the future of India as it revolutionizes customer experiences, optimises processes, and drives business outcomes for startups and established companies while driving economic growth. With AI at the forefront, the 12 editions of India Internet Day aim to highlight discussions, propel innovation, and cultivate collaborations which will definitely shape the future of India’s tech landscape.

    The exceptional lineup of speakers for the event includes institution builders, leading tech-like entrepreneurs, the nation’s top investors and policymakers.  Expert panels will feature luminaries like Priyank Kharge-hon’ble minister for IT/BT and rural development & panchayat raj, govt of Karnataka | Bhavish Aggarwal – co-founder, Ola Cabs & Ola Electric| Rana Barua- group CEO, Havas India| Vani Kola – MD, Kalaari Capital | Ankur Warikoo – founder, WebVeda |  Priyanka Gill – group co-founder, Good Glamm Group & CEO – Good Media Co |Peyush Bansal – co-founder & chief executive & people officer, Lenskart | Deep Kalra – founder & chairman, MakeMyTrip |Rajan Anandan – MD, Peak XV partners & surge |Asish Mohapatra – co-founder & CEO, OfBusiness & Oxyzo |Anshoo Sharma – co-founder & CEO, Magicpin & many more.

    TiE Delhi-NCR Executive Director Geetika Dayal said, “After a successful debut in 2012 hosted by TiE Delhi-NCR, India Internet Day has grown from being relevant to indispensable for stakeholders across the ecosystem.

    Last year, India Internet Day (#iDay) expanded to two cities – Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR connecting the two startup capitals of the country. It is significant that Bhubaneswar is the next stop in this expansion.  TiE Delhi-NCR is delighted to collaborate with TiE Bangalore and TiE Bhubaneswar to bring iDay to the three startup hubs.

    This year’s event promises to ignite conversations about AI, innovation, and responsible growth. We are thrilled to provide a platform where game-changers can unite to shape the trajectory of India’s tech future.”

    iDay 2023 provides an unrivalled platform to connect with the who’s who of the internet industry in India at more than one level. It is an opportunity for founders to connect with visionary leaders and trailblazing startups to learn and foster meaningful collaborations and partnerships. Startup founders get an opportunity to mingle with potential investors, and collaborators, with initiatives like Bank on Breakfast, Lunch with Leaders & Lunch with Investors. What’s more, this year select groundbreaking AI startups from India stand a chance to pitch their tech and disruptive solutions as part of an electrifying showcase.

    The Conference is supported by Startup India, Havas Media Network India, PeakXV, Microsoft, Vaco Binary Semantics, SAP, AWS, Lufthansa, CRED, STPi and State Govt.of Odisha.

  • Groupon India raises funds from Sequoia, rebrands as Nearbuy

    Groupon India raises funds from Sequoia, rebrands as Nearbuy

    MUMBAI: In a drive to consolidate its position as a leading local commerce player in the country, Groupon India has raised funding from Sequoia India. Additionally, the company has also been rebranded as Nearbuy.

     

    Post the funding, Nearbuy is looking to expand its reach to 35+ cities across 18+ categories and function as an independent entrepreneurial entity, while still continuing to have Groupon as the large shareholder.

     

    Nearbuy India will continue to operate under the company’s CEO and founder Ankur Warikoo’s leadership. Groupon’s Shared Service Centers in Chennai and Bangalore will remain under the sole control and operation of Groupon.

     

    Over the past three years, Groupon India has delivered on an aggressive growth strategy, scaling up presence across the country, growing the customer base and partnering with quality merchants. Since its initial days, the company has gone on to command over 50 per cent market share in the Indian coupon industry. In 2014, the company sold over seven million vouchers with a redemption rate of 97 per cent amongst its customers. More than 100,000 merchant locations were featured in the year, with a merchant retention rate of 70 per cent+. Mobile has been a key driver accounting for over 40 per cent of Groupon India’s business, up from less than 10 per cent a year ago.

     

    With the increasing penetration of mobiles and explosive growth in mobile internet usage, Nearbuy aims to lead the confluence of local commerce across existing segments such as F&B, Travel, Wellness as well as new local services such as home and auto services, online food ordering, movies and in-store shopping.

     

    “We’ve had the opportunity to service some of the biggest and most-loved brands across categories as Groupon – and now as Nearbuy we plan to expand that portfolio. The unique location based services will allow merchants to target consumers that are closer to their establishments and will offer unprecedented value to address critical business requirements. We are glad to have received the support of Sequoia India as a strategic partner, who are bringing on board the value, knowledge and expertise they possess, along with the resources required to make our vision a reality. The local commerce market in India is growing at a never-seen-before pace, and mobile penetration is facilitating that. Add to that Groupon’s Global support and we become a truly local player with global expertise and technology,” said Warikoo.

     

    “The potential of the Indian market is huge — our decision to bring in Sequoia is expected to provide the additional resources our India business needs to grow and become a true local commerce leader,” said Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky.

     

    “Under the continued leadership of Ankur Warikoo, Nearbuy is well positioned to lead the dynamic Indian local commerce market. As a continued shareholder in the business, Groupon looks forward to seeing Nearbuy achieve its vision to become the leading local commerce company in India,” added Lefkofsky.

     

    Sequoia Capital India Advisors managing director Mohit Bhatnagar opined, “Tens of thousands of service and retail establishments across India have a new friend in Nearbuy. This mobile first platform will cause more consumers to walk into their stores, spas, hotels, movie halls and help them sell more products and services. The unique Nearbuy platform is all about hyper local discovery, discounts and frictionless payments. This we believe is an untapped billion dollar market opportunity. Nearbuy is best poised to exploit this opportunity, given the strong foundation Ankur and team have built with Groupon India.”

  • Groupon App now available on Android

    Groupon App now available on Android

    New Delhi- 25thJuly 2013; After tasting enormous success amongst the iOS users, Groupon India, a leading player in the daily deals segment today launched the app on Android platform as well. The Android App will be available on Google Play for download and will allow users to browse through hundreds of deals from an array of selections ranging from local, travel to shopping and offer suggestions on best things to do, see, eat, and buy. By a mere touch or press of a button, Android users will now be able to use their smartphones as a “Groupon wallet”.

    The feature-rich app is devised not only to deepen engagement with regular Groupon users, but also to reach out to a larger audience through the fastest growing platform.

    On the launch of the Android App, Ankur Warikoo, CEO, Groupon India said, ” The desire of the Indian youth today to stay connected and have instant access to internet is driving a dramatic growth for the smartphones market in India. After successfully launching the Groupon App for iOS users, we wanted to broaden our base by reaching out to a large number of Android users with this initiative. Our objective is to offer our customers the convenience of accessing our deals across various categories on the go and further creating an unparalleled experience in the deals segment across the country.”

    With the Groupon Android App app, you can:
    – Buy and redeem deals directly from your phone
    – Keep track of all your purchased Groupons by location and expiration date
    – Save ink, and avoid paper cuts by never printing another Groupon
    – Plan a relaxing retreat or a last minute break with Groupon Getaways
    – Use Groupon Goods to discover products made of reliably bonded molecules
    – Share Groupons with friends, family, and tech-savvy cats via Twitter