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Tag: Blue Dart Express

  • Fundalogical Ventures offers $5 million funding for supply chain & logistics firms

    Fundalogical Ventures offers $5 million funding for supply chain & logistics firms

    MUMBAI: Are you –  or is someone you know – in any one of these business areas: optimising sourcing/ procurement and inventory management, manufacturing innovation, warehousing services, automation and robotics, 3PL/4PL services, e-commerce enablers, sustainability, green logistics (encompassing the entire EV ecosystem, and promoting a circular economy through efficient waste management practices, including plastic waste, e-waste, and battery waste recycling) and reverse supply chain management?

    Well if you are – or are planning to get into one of these promising initiatives –  then  reach out to Fundalogical Ventures (FV) and you could become a part of FV Trailblazers (it’s in its first edition), an early growth program designed to propel promising companies to industry leadership. The program offers selected companies access to:

    * Growth capital: Access to up to $5 million in funding to fuel growth

    * 1×1 mentorship: Personalised guidance from industry veterans

    * Strategy masterclasses: Expert-led sessions to refine business strategies and accelerate growth

    * Access to Fundalogical Ventures expert network (FVEN): A network of strong individuals including successful founders, industry leaders and senior consultants 

    * Service provider network: Access to a curated network of service providers for marketing, accounting, and other crucial business functions

    The fund is anchored by industry veterans such as Krishna Kotak (JM Baxi group), Tushar Jani (original co-founder of Blue Dart Express), Suryakant Parekh (Parekh group), Khalid Vohra (Sai Shipping), and Mehernosh Currawalla (Fak Cargo), while the management is led by Ratna Mehta (MD, CEO), who brings over 20 years of experience from blue-chip firms like JP Morgan Chase, BCG, and Everstone Capital (approximately US$7 billion in assets under management).

    Applications for FV Trailblazers close on 18 January 2025, at 5 PM IST. Shortlisted companies will be contacted within two weeks of the application deadline.

    Apply through this quick form – https://forms.gle/kpESXE8Su4HNwvUH6

    Says FV CEO & managing partner Ratna Mehta: “This program is designed to provide not only capital but also the strategic guidance and network access necessary to navigate the complexities that fast-evolving businesses demand. We believe that by combining our deep domain expertise with the innovative spirit of these companies, we can drive significant advancements in India’s supply chain ecosystem. Our ethos is to be India’s most credible fund driving the country’s supply chain story. We are committed to partnering with entrepreneurs in their journey from early growth to industry leadership, while simultaneously delivering strong returns for our investors.”

  • Blue Dart re-appoints Balfour Manuel as managing director for second five-year term

    Blue Dart re-appoints Balfour Manuel as managing director for second five-year term

    Mumbai: Integrated transportation and distribution logistics company, Blue Dart Express has re-appointed Balfour Manuel as managing director for another term of five years with effect from 16 May 2022. The shareholders of the company approved his re-appointment at the recently held Annual General Meeting, the company said in a statement.

    Balfour Manuel has been instrumental in the success of Blue Dart since its inception. He has been with the organisation since its initial days in 1983 and has played a key role in focusing its ‘People Centric’ philosophy.  

    Blue Dart chairman Sharad Upasani commented, “Despite the VUCA environment, under Balfour’s leadership, we are elated to see the robust growth that Blue Dart has achieved in the last four years. His extensive knowledge and all-round experience in the logistics sector has enabled the organisation to surpass emerging challenges and remain a leader in the logistics space. We are optimistic that, the ensuing years, will be more rewarding and Blue Dart will continue to deliver excellent results year over years.

    Balfour Manuel said, “The next five years are going to be challenging and I am grateful to have this opportunity to set new benchmarks. Like always, we will persistently focus on overall sustainable growth and expansion and remain the nation’s trade facilitator and a deeply customer-centric brand, offering wide range of logistics solutions that cater to our customers’ needs.”

    “With a keen focus on technology & digitalization, infrastructure, strengthening of our aircraft fleet, our brand and ‘people connect’, we will continue to remain a Provider of Choice, consistently working towards the group’s credo, ‘Connecting People, Improving Lives,” he added.

    Further, Blue Dart has strengthened its present Board composition with the induction of Prakash Apte and Padmini Khare Kaicker as Independent Directors of the Company for a term of five years, effective from 28 July 2022.

    Prakash Apte’s professional career spans over 40 years, most of which has been with multinationals in various positions related to Specialty Chemicals, Pharma & Agribusiness industries.  He brings with him experience in the areas of global business & strategy, finance, governance, leadership and personal values.

    A qualified chartered accountant from ICAI, Padmini Khare Kaicker is managing partner of B. K. Khare & Co.. She brings with her experience in the areas of strategy, finance, risk & governance, business and organisational matters.