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Tag: Pune

  • Machaxi aces $1.5m fund raise from Padukone and Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter

    Machaxi aces $1.5m fund raise from Padukone and Nithin Kamath’s Rainmatter

    BENGALURU:  Machaxi, a Bengaluru-based grassroots sports-tech startup, has netted $1.5 million in fresh funding to power its AI-driven badminton coaching revolution. The round was led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Nithin Kamath’s Zerodha, and featured a rousing smash from Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone himself.

    The funding will fuel Machaxi’s expansion into Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai, while laying the groundwork for over 1,000 tech-enabled coaching centres over the next four years, in partnership with the Padukone School of Badminton. At the heart of this initiative: an AI-led training system built to bring consistency, performance tracking and scalability to India’s fractured coaching landscape.

    “I’ve always believed the future of Indian badminton lies in structured grassroots development,” said Padukone. “Machaxi’s AI vision ensures quality without compromise — no matter where you’re from.”

    The startup’s tech doesn’t aim to replace human coaches but to empower them — standardising training methods, flagging performance gaps, and ensuring even remote centres can tap into world-class insights.

    Machaxi co-founder Pratish Raj said, “This partnership is a big step forward in our mission to make quality sports coaching accessible to everyone in India. With the support of Rainmatter and the visionary backing of Padukone, we’re working toward a future where every aspiring athlete no matter where they come from can train with consistency, purpose, and access to world-class infrastructure. Our AI powered model is built to ensure that potential is discovered and nurtured, not overlooked. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this shift in grassroots sports.”

    The playbook is timely. According to MarketsandMarkets, the global AI-in-sports market is set to grow from $1.03 billion in 2024 to $2.61 billion by 2030. Machaxi aims to ride that wave straight into India’s heartland, transforming courts and communities alike.

    Founded in 2022, Machaxi has made a name blending on-ground grit with digital smarts — and now, it’s game on for India’s next gen of champions.

    (Pictured Above (L-R)-Nithin Kamath,  Ashish Anand, Tushar Raj, Prakash Padukone, Pratish Raj, and Dilip Kumar)

  • Casagrand bats for a third term with Sourav Ganguly as brand face

    Casagrand bats for a third term with Sourav Ganguly as brand face

    MUMBAI: From test matches to testaments of trust, Sourav Ganguly is playing a long innings off the pitch this time, as the face of Casagrand for the third year running. South India’s leading real estate developer, Casagrand, has extended its partnership with the cricketing icon, reaffirming its national ambitions with a familiar, dependable face. With its eyes set on expanding footprints in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Coimbatore, the brand is sharpening its game plan and who better than the man who redefined Indian leadership on the field?

    Known for his fearless captaincy and ability to build winning teams, Ganguly echoes Casagrand’s own growth story: bold, strategic and future-focused. “A home isn’t just a structure, it’s a dream nurtured,” said Ganguly. “Casagrand reflects that belief by building spaces that care for well-being and legacy. I’m proud to partner with a brand that understands the spirit of togetherness and vision.”

    Founded in 2003, Casagrand boasts over 160 completed projects and a cumulative 53 million square feet developed across urban hubs. In FY 2024–25 alone, the company launched over 18 projects, ramped up activity in Hyderabad and debuted in Pune cementing its reputation as one of India’s fastest-scaling real estate players.

    But Casagrand isn’t just about handing over keys. It’s pioneering post-handover support with features like assured rentals, resale assistance, and maintenance services, giving homeowners more than just square footage peace of mind. Its communities prioritise green spaces, smart layouts and multi-generational amenities, built with a vision that housing should enable legacy, not just lifestyle.

    The renewed Ganguly partnership goes beyond celebrity endorsement, it positions Casagrand as a brand built on shared values of trust, resilience, and ambition. With India’s property landscape getting more competitive, this brand–captain duo seems ready for a new innings complete with boundary-pushing aspirations and a stadium full of dreams.

  • Plush and Blinkit deliver pads with a purpose this Menstrual Hygiene Day

    Plush and Blinkit deliver pads with a purpose this Menstrual Hygiene Day

    MUMBAI: Most people dread a legal-looking envelope but this one holds no fines, just facts. In a bold, attention-grabbing move for Menstrual Hygiene Day, femcare brand Plush has teamed up with quick commerce platform Blinkit to deliver more than just products, they’re delivering a cultural reckoning. In five Indian cities, over 25,000 homes received what appeared to be formal legal notices. But instead of summons, the sleek envelope bore a blazing message: “This is your final notice to put your comfort first.” Inside? A Plush 100 per cent rash-free pad and a mission to challenge the silence around periods.

    As part of its larger PeriodFriendlyWorld campaign, the activation brought period care straight into the spotlight (and the living room), removing the metaphorical brown bag from sanitary pads and giving menstruators permission to expect dignity, comfort and normalcy.

    The campaign ties into Plush’s wider digital movement, “Volume Up. Period.” which addresses a quiet truth: most menstruators instinctively lower their voices when talking about periods, not out of choice but conditioning. Plush is on a mission to unlearn that silence.

    “Periods have been tiptoed around for too long inside homes, offices, and even marketing boardrooms,” said Plush co-founder Prince Kapoor. “This campaign isn’t just about delivering pads, it’s about speaking up. To expect better. To demand comfort. To turn the Volume Up. Period. We’re proud to do it in partnership with Blinkit, who help us take this message straight into the homes where it matters most.”

    Blinkit Senior vice president for revenue Anish Shrivastava added, “This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we’re proud to collaborate with a femcare brand like Plush to support a cause that underscores the need for period care to be seen, respected, and prioritised. It’s about making room for honest conversations, and ensuring that something so fundamental is never out of reach.”

    The campaign ran across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai on May 27 and 28, making a case for how direct-to-home marketing can become a megaphone for cultural change. And while the pads were soft, the message was loud and clear: periods aren’t taboo, they’re part of life and they deserve to be treated that way.

    Because building a PeriodFriendlyWorld doesn’t start with a billboard, it starts at your doorstep.

  • Fasten your card belts Niyo delivers travel banking at jet speed

    Fasten your card belts Niyo delivers travel banking at jet speed

    MUMBAI: Passport? Check. Luggage? Check. Forex card… still stuck in the mail? Not anymore. India’s travel fintech disruptor Niyo has just rolled out Niyo Express, a 24-hour doorstep delivery service for its international debit card and it’s aimed squarely at last-minute jet-setters. For those who treat travel plans like pop quizzes, this might just be the perfect lifeline.

    Available across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, Niyo Express promises to swoop in and save the day getting a Niyo DCB Debit Card into travellers’ hands within 24 hours, complete with doorstep KYC, account setup, and card activation. And for now, it’s completely free.

    This rapid-response rollout isn’t random. Niyo dug deep into shifting travel behaviours and found that 48 per cent of flight bookings in 2024 were made just 0–7 days before departure, with over 41 per cent of international travellers leaning toward visa-free destinations to accommodate spontaneous trips. So, in a world of impulsive getaways, delayed cards and sky-high forex rates were becoming all-too-familiar travel tantrums.

    Leisure getaways account for nearly 40 per cent of last-minute trips, while work travel and family emergencies make up a significant chunk too, according to Niyo’s pre-launch survey. The result? Travellers often end up paying steep forex rates or relying on patchy currency fixes from local agents or WhatsApp groups.

    Niyo Co-founder and CEO Vinay Bagri said, “As international travel continues to rise, particularly among first-time travellers, and with the growing accessibility of visa-free destinations, impromptu travel plans have become more common than ever. Coupled with India’s thriving quick-commerce culture, it’s clear that the needs of today’s travellers are evolving rapidly. With Niyo Express, we are redefining travel banking by offering fast, seamless solutions that cater to these changing demands, ensuring our customers have access to the financial tools they need, when they need them.”

    By merging fintech agility with the urgency of travel, Niyo Express is giving travellers one less thing to panic about now you can pack late and swipe early. The brand plans to expand the service beyond its current metros, meaning last-minute might just become the new first-class.
     

  • Retail’s runway moment as offline struts ahead of digital discounts

    Retail’s runway moment as offline struts ahead of digital discounts

    MUMBAI: Clickbait may be sexy, but cash still walks into stores. That was the clear takeaway at the Phygital Retail Convention 2025 (PRC), where industry heavyweights made a persuasive case for why offline retail continues to bag the profits even as online steals the spotlight.

    “Online is a matter of discount in India,” quipped Kumar Nitesh, CEO of Ajio Business and Trend Footwear, Reliance Retail, summing up the e-tail paradox, it boosts valuations, sure, but often bleeds the bottom line. While online contributes about 25 per cent to business, Nitesh noted it’s the brick-and-mortar game that ensures retailers aren’t just surfing trends but making money from them.

    Earlier in the day, P Senthilkumar, senior partner at Vector Consulting, flagged a deeper inventory dilemma: with fashion trends flying faster than ever, predicting demand has become a retail roulette. “What was sold in the previous session is no longer relevant in the next,” he said, highlighting that the average product lifecycle has shrunk to just four months, a ticking timebomb for inventory planners and merchandisers.

    Management thinker Shiv Shivakumar didn’t hold back either, calling out the “buy two, get one free” gimmickry plaguing the apparel space and lamenting the sector’s lack of innovation. Drawing a sharp contrast, he urged retailers to borrow a leaf from the IT playbook where rupee costs meet dollar revenue to de-risk their models and rethink profitability.

    Zooming out from fashion to the broader consumer mindset, B S Nagesh, chairman of Shoppers Stop and founder of Trrain, urged traditional grocers to embrace tech-driven scalability, echoing the wider theme of phygital fusion. Meanwhile, Nikhil Bhatia of CBRE India offered a glimpse into the future of retail real estate: where families don’t come for shopping, they come for a showdown of experiences.

    Based on insights from 700 voices across metros, Bhatia revealed that entertainment-led retail saw a 150 per cent surge, thanks to rising demand for gourmet food courts, upscale bowling alleys, and family entertainment centres especially in Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. “Entertainment is the new anchor tenant,” he said, painting a vivid picture of malls where dining and dancing might just edge out discount deals.

    At PRC 2025, the message rang loud and clear: online may be the poster child, but offline is still the parent paying the bills. And as the retail universe evolves, the future may just lie in a perfect stitch between the two.

  • Zouk and Kriti Sanon unpack pride and purpose with A Bagful of You campaign

    Zouk and Kriti Sanon unpack pride and purpose with A Bagful of You campaign

    MUMBAI: Fashion just got a little more soulful and a lot more personal as Zouk, India’s proudly vegan and 100 per cent Indian lifestyle brand, has launched its latest campaign, A Bagful of You. Featuring National Award-winning actress Kriti Sanon as the face of the movement, the campaign isn’t just selling bags, it’s celebrating roots, resilience, and cultural pride.

    Rolling out during IPL 2025 across Connected TV, Youtube, and Meta’s social platforms, A Bagful of You marks Zouk’s grand debut on India’s biggest cricketing stage. Offline, the campaign is making waves too, turning malls and city streets into style runways where tradition meets ambition. With Zouk’s signature Indian prints and cruelty-free materials front and centre, the message is loud and clear: fashion isn’t just what you wear, it’s who you are.

    Commenting on the launch, Zouk founder Disha Singh said, “With ‘A Bagful of You’, we wanted to spotlight something that often gets overlooked the silent strength, pride, and individuality of the modern Indian woman. She is everywhere. She’s in cities and small towns, boardrooms and classrooms, weaving tradition into ambition every single day. At Zouk, we build cultural continuity into daily life. Our prints are proudly Indian, our materials consciously vegan, and our purpose deeply personal. This campaign is an extension of the message that fashion serves beyond looking good, it honours one’s connection to their identity and culture.”

    Kriti Sanon shared her personal connection to the campaign’s message as well, saying, “What spoke to me most about ‘A Bagful of You’ is that instead of selling an image, it’s a reminder of who we already are. What I carry says everything about what I stand for. Whether it’s a mood, a memory, or a moment of pride, it’s all part of me. So, beyond an
    accessory, it’s an extension of my personality, my roots, and my values. Zouk’s bags, with their beautiful Indian prints and cruelty-free materials, make that connection even stronger. When I carry a Zouk, I carry my culture with me, and I do it with pride.”

    Built on the belief that fashion should fit your soul, not just your style, A Bagful of You blends Zouk’s design philosophy with a relatable, heart-warming narrative that resonates with modern Indian women. It reflects everyday pride from boardrooms to classrooms where ambition and tradition weave effortlessly together.

    With over 15 lakh happy customers and exclusive stores now in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Lucknow, and Gurgaon, Zouk continues to expand its footprint across India. The brand recently launched its women-first luggage line, further solidifying its commitment to creating functional, stylish essentials for today’s traveller.

    As Zouk grows its community of vibrant, rooted, and fearless women, A Bagful of You stands tall as a reminder that true style isn’t about fitting in, it’s about standing out, authentically.

  • PVR Inox brings IPL cricket to the big screen across 30+ cities

    PVR Inox brings IPL cricket to the big screen across 30+ cities

    MUMBAI: PVR Inox Ltd, India’s largest cinema exhibitor, is set to send cricket fans into a frenzy by screening Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) matches live in theatres across the country. In a  partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the cinema chain will transform its plush screens into virtual stadiums for the 2025 season.

    Starting today with the opening ceremony, cricket-mad fans can catch weekend matches and playoffs on the big screen, complete with stadium-worthy sound systems and comfy seats—a far cry from the plastic chairs and overpriced lager at actual grounds.

    The opening weekend promises a cracking lineup:
    * 22 March:  Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
    * 23 March: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, followed by the mouth-watering Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians rivalry

    “We are excited to bring together India’s two greatest passions—cinema and cricket—through IPL screenings, offering an unparalleled viewing experience in a larger-than-life environment,” said PVR Inox chief executive for revenue and operations Gautam Dutta..“During the last cricket match screenings, we witnessed an overwhelming response from our audiences, with an influx of footfalls to our screenings across cities, affirming the immense popularity and success of this initiative. We are committed to providing a premium experience that takes sports entertainment to the next level this year as well

    The cinema chain appears keen to cash in on India’s cricket fever, offering premium experiences that might make watching at home seem positively dull by comparison. Gourmet food combos and surround sound for every six and wicket? Howzat for a Saturday night out.

    The screenings will blanket the country, hitting not just the usual suspects like Mumbai and Delhi, but also stretching to smaller cities where big-screen entertainment options are typically thinner on the ground than hair on a spinner’s head.

    Fans in Maharashtra can catch matches in Mumbai, Pune and even Latur, while those in Gujarat have options in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Anand, among others. The eastern cricket faithful aren’t left on a sticky wicket either, with screenings in Kolkata, Guwahati, Odisha and Jharkhand.

    The initiative extends to Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and across southern India, including Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kochi.

    This crafty move by PVR Inox not only fills cinema seats during what might otherwise be quiet weekend afternoons but also provides cricket enthusiasts with a novel way to soak up the IPL atmosphere without battling stadium crowds or straining their eyes on tiny mobile screens.

    For those who prefer their cricket with air conditioning and the option of a decent meal, the boundary lines have just been redrawn.

  • TCS partners with DNB Bank to drive digital innovation

    TCS partners with DNB Bank to drive digital innovation

    MUMBAI: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is doubling down on its long-standing relationship with Norway’s DNB Bank ASA, securing a five-year extension as the bank’s strategic technology partner. This renewed alliance will fuel DNB’s digital modernisation, leveraging cutting-edge solutions in AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.

    For over 12 years, TCS has played a pivotal role in DNB’s digital evolution, helping launch peer-to-peer mobile payments and enhancing the bank’s operational resilience. Now, with this extended partnership, TCS will continue developing new applications, fortifying security measures, and driving next-generation innovations from its Sahyadri Park campus in Pune, India.

    “We already have a longstanding and proven relationship where TCS has helped enable some of our biggest transformations and innovations,” said DNB group EVP of technology & services Elin Sandnes. “We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the future.”

    “We are always looking for new ways to equip DNB in their efforts to be Norway’s most innovative bank,” said TCS president of banking & financial services Shankar Narayanan. “We are pleased to continue our collaboration and push the boundaries of banking technology.”

    TCS’ Machine First Delivery Model has already automated DNB’s operations, improving customer experience and productivity. As one of Norway’s top IT partners for over three decades, TCS remains a dominant player in the Nordic banking sector, supporting 20,000 plus employees across leading enterprises in financial services, telecom, and hi-tech industries.

  • Godrej Properties sells over Rs 1,000 crore of homes at Pune project launch

    Godrej Properties sells over Rs 1,000 crore of homes at Pune project launch

    MUMBAI: Godrej Properties Ltd has achieved record-breaking sales exceeding Rs 1,000 crore at the launch of its Godrej Evergreen Square project in Hinjewadi, Pune. The Mumbai-based developer sold 1,398 homes with a combined area of more than 1.23 million square feet.

    The project, launched in November 2024 just four months after land acquisition, represents Godrej’s most successful launch ever in Pune by both value and volume. Godrej Evergreen Square has a developable potential of 2.41 million square feet and an estimated revenue potential of approximately Rs 2,045 crore.

    Located in Hinjewadi, an established residential area in western Pune, the development benefits from proximity to well-developed social infrastructure including schools, healthcare facilities, retail outlets and entertainment venues. The area offers strong connectivity to major highways and expressways, with additional appeal coming from a new metro line connecting Hinjewadi to Shivaji Nagar. A metro station just two minutes from the project will significantly enhance accessibility for residents.

    “We are delighted with the response to our project, Godrej Evergreen Square. This has now become the best-ever launch in Pune residential real estate,” said Godrej Properties MD & CEO Gaurav Pandey. “We’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our customers and all stakeholders for their trust and confidence in Godrej Properties. We will do our best to ensure Godrej Evergreen Square offers its residents an outstanding living experience.”Gor

  • Danube Properties hosts roadshow in Pune to built ties with Indian investors

    Danube Properties hosts roadshow in Pune to built ties with Indian investors

    Mumbai: Danube Properties, recently hosted an exclusive roadshow in Pune, Maharashtra, aimed at fostering stronger connections with Indian investors and expatriates. The event showcased the developer’s premium property portfolio in the UAE, underscoring its commitment to expanding its footprint in the Indian market.

    At the roadshow, Danube unveiled its latest campaign, “Danube Hai Na!!”, which highlights over 40 exclusive amenities across its projects. The campaign focuses on intelligently designed living spaces, with standout features like 24/7 Doctor-On-Call services, reinforcing the company’s dedication to convenience and holistic living. The slogan, “Whatever convenience you think of, it’s there in Danube’s projects,” reflects the developer’s aim to blend luxury with practical, resident-focused solutions.

    Danube Group, founder and chairman, Rizwan Sajan said, “India remains a key focus area for us, and the roadshow is designed to bring Dubai’s world-class real estate closer to Indian investors and expatriates,” he stated, further promoting Danube’s affordable yet luxurious offerings in Dubai’s thriving property market.

    The event also served as a platform to recognise Danube’s Channel Partners in India, offering attractive incentives for their sales achievements. It highlighted the growing interest among Indian investors in Dubai’s real estate, particularly in Danube’s projects, which are renowned for their strong launch-to-delivery ratio.

    With the UAE’s Golden Visa programme opening doors to long-term residency and property ownership, the event emphasised the potential of Dubai’s real estate as a lucrative investment opportunity. Danube’s properties offer an impressive return on investment of 6-10%, along with flexible payment plans, making them particularly appealing to Indian investors.

    Pune was strategically chosen for the roadshow due to its dynamic business environment, flourishing IT sector, and active investor community. The event forms part of Danube’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in India and connect with investors seeking high-quality, affordable homes in Dubai.