Tag: T Koshy

  • ONDC appoints Anupama Priyadarshini as Sr VP – corp governance, risk & compliance and investor relations

    ONDC appoints Anupama Priyadarshini as Sr VP – corp governance, risk & compliance and investor relations

    Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, recently announced the addition of Anupama Priyadarshini to its team. By assuming the position of senior vice president – corporate governance, risk & compliance, and investor relations, she will play a crucial role in elevating the governance, risk management, compliance, and investor relations within the ONDC network, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and responsible business practices.

    With a career spanning 25 years, Anupama has demonstrated her expertise in various sectors, including retail, steel manufacturing, and beverages. Most notably, she has spent 14 years with IKEA, serving as the CFO, Business Navigation Manager, and Director for IKEA Supply, South Asia. During her tenure, Anupama played a pivotal role in driving responsible and sustainable purchasing practices for IKEA’s global stores and markets while also increasing local sourcing in the Indian retail market. Her significant involvement in establishing IKEA’s footprint in India and South Asia has been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth strategy.

    Prior to her tenure with IKEA, Anupama made substantial contributions to Tata Steel’s growth strategy, concentrating on enhancing its cost competitiveness on a global scale. She also had a brief but impactful stint with PepsiCo, where she was responsible for overseeing capital investments within the Indian beverages market. Beyond her corporate role, Anupama has served as a visiting faculty member at some prestigious institutions, including XIM University, MDI Gurgaon, and IRMA.

    ONDC MD & CEO T Koshy said, “The ONDC team is delighted to welcome Anupama onboard. With her vast experience and proven expertise across diverse sectors, notably her instrumental roles at IKEA, Tata Steel, and PepsiCo, we are confident that she will be a key asset in enhancing ONDC’s commitment to corporate governance, risk management, compliance, and investor relations. We eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions she will bring as we continue to strengthen our commitment to excellence and responsible business practices within the ONDC Network.”

    Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Anupama Priyadarshini stated, “I’m excited to be a part of ONDC, which aims to make digital commerce more inclusive and accessible on a large scale for the country. By assuming the responsibilities of my new role, I foresee a tremendous opportunity to be a part of the evolutionary journey of a democratic ecommerce ecosystem. ONDC’s focus on leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure to benefit the masses through innovation and technology mirrors my values. I look forward to collaborating with this exceptional team to drive excellence as the network continues to grow and expand.” 

  • ONDC launches the “ONDC Guide app” as a go-to resource for the ONDC user community

    ONDC launches the “ONDC Guide app” as a go-to resource for the ONDC user community

    Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, recently announced the launch of the ONDC Official Guide App, a significant milestone in its commitment to help and support the user community like Sellers, Buyers, Logistics Providers and the Network Participants. The guide is available for download from the Google Play Store with language support in English, Hindi and ten other Indian languages.

    The ONDC Official Guide App is a vital tool, to help the user base to participate in the  ONDC ecosystem effectively. Designed as a go-to resource, its key features include:

    1.   Authenticated Information: The app offers verified and validated information, ensuring users have a reliable source of knowledge about the ONDC ecosystem.

    2.   Ecosystem Insights: Users can gain valuable insights into ONDC’s core principles, functionality, and benefits. This includes detailed explanations of the Network’s operations, key features, and the value it brings to various stakeholders.

    3.   Latest Updates: The app keeps users informed about the latest developments, news, and announcements related to ONDC, ensuring they are always up-to-date with changes and improvements within the ecosystem.

    4.   Interactive Features: Users can engage with the app through interactive elements such as videos, infographics, and FAQs, making it an engaging and informative resource.

    The Guide App has been launched after successful development and rigorous testing to ensure functionality and compliance with Google Play Store policies and guidelines.

    “We are thrilled to introduce the ONDC Official Guide App, designed to empower users for the ONDC ecosystem. It is an extension of our continued dedication to transparency and accessibility for all. We look forward to the app’s pickup on the Google Play Store and remain dedicated to continuously enhancing its functionality to provide ongoing value to our ecosystem.” said  ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy. 

  • ONDC announces the appointment of Rachita Gupta as vice president – communications

    ONDC announces the appointment of Rachita Gupta as vice president – communications

    Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, recently announced its leadership appointment of Rachita Gupta as vice president of communications.  In her current role, Rachita is entrusted with leading the Communications function with a clear mandate to build the brand of ONDC and drive leads for network expansion.

    A seasoned marketing professional, equipped with an MBA from IMT, Ghaziabad, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University, Rachita comes with two decades of multi-industry experience in marketing, digital marketing, brand communications, sales strategy, and strategic alliances across varied sectors.

    She has an extensive background working with esteemed companies such as Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Pearson Education and Idea Cellular. In her previous role at Tech Mahindra, Rachita spearheaded global marketing efforts for Emerging Technologies, covering pivotal areas such as Data Analytics, AI, Gen AI, Metaverse, Cybersecurity, and SaaS.

    ONDC MD & CEO T Koshy said “We are delighted to have Rachita onboard. Her extensive experience combined with proven strategic acumen makes her an invaluable asset in driving our next growth phase. ONDC is confident that Rachita Gupta’s expertise, innovative approach, and profound understanding of many industries will play a pivotal role towards the Network’s success in future”.

    Expressing her enthusiasm for the role Rachita Gupta VP of communications said, “ONDC  is a pioneering initiative with immense impact potential and I am excited to be a part of this Network, particularly at a juncture where it is set to transform the entire e-commerce ecosystem. ONDC’s vision to create a no-barrier, open network through innovation, technology, and a customer-centric approach perfectly resonates with my own values. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team to drive excellence at every phase of the Network’s growth and expansion.”

  • ONDC and Proxtera to unlock cross-border B2B prospects

    ONDC and Proxtera to unlock cross-border B2B prospects

    Mumbai:  Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, forays into international B2B exports with Proxtera coming in as its first international Buyer App.

    Proxtera is the operationalisation of the Business Sans Borders (BsB) initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Proxtera is an innovative meta-hub that will connect B2B platforms and SMEs to explore trade opportunities, secure essential financing, and embrace digital transformation through the ONDC Network.

    With the ONDC Network enabling B2B exports, Indian businesses will benefit from increased product visibility and digital access to digital markets. Businesses can eventually expect a seamless experience of being discovered, negotiating the best deal, exchanging relevant documents, completing cross-border payments and managing shipments, all facilitated within a fully digital framework.

    In addition, SignCatch and Rapidor, with Bech.app and placeorder.com respectively, will be among the first seller network participants to join ONDC for international B2B trade, facilitating the reach of Indian products to global markets. Liquid Group, a fintech company within Proxtera’s financial services network, specializing in digital payments, joins as a cross-border payments provider for B2B buyers in Singapore.

    This landmark collaboration cements a clear vision of the future of financial technology, ultimately establishing a globally recognised framework and democratizing access to global trade.

    The ONDC – Proxtera collaboration was showcased during the fourth G20 global partnership for financial inclusion (GPFI) as part of the Global SME Finance Forum, held in Mumbai, India.

    ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy said, “The demonstration today is a step towards enabling digital market access across borders for Indian businesses and SMEs. Proxtera, as the first international buyer app from Singapore, and the roles of SignCatch and Rapidor on the seller side in bridging the gaps between businesses through cross-border trade, are thus highly instrumental in this journey.”

    SignCatch founder & CEO Sumit Duggal further stated, “As the first B2B Seller Platform for International Trade, SignCatch is closely working with ONDC and Proxtera to create a seamless digital highway connecting Bharat’s MSMEs to Global markets by leveraging Secure & Transparent Protocols. Our marquee export Seller platform Bech.app has been built to address the digital transaction needs of global commerce and the coming together of ONDC, Proxtera and SignCatch is a game-changer that would provide a huge impetus to foreign trade.

    Proxtera CEO Saurav Bhattacharyya added, “As the first international B2B buyer app on ONDC, Proxtera is proud to enable new opportunities for SMEs to engage in cross-border trade.  This collaboration is a pioneering step towards democratizing access to international trade for SMEs in India, Singapore and across the globe.  With cutting-edge digital technology from Proxtera, buyers are able to effortlessly discover products and engage in real-time conversations with sellers across different buyer and seller platforms. Together with ONDC, we are simplifying global commerce, breaking down barriers, and unlocking a world of opportunities for B2B SMEs worldwide.”

  • PepsiCo India joins Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network

    PepsiCo India joins Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network

    Mumbai: PepsiCo India, one of largest foods and beverages company, announced that it has joined Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network. This partnership will enable discoverability of the company’s expansive product portfolio by buyers and help in extending customer outreach through the diverse array of ONDC-affiliated seller applications.  

    Speaking on the partnership, PepsiCo India president Ahmed ElSheikh said, “ONDC’s creation as a centralized solution for diverse consumer needs is a notable step by the Indian Government to reshape the national e-commerce industry. At PepsiCo India, the focus is to maximize choices on how consumers want to source our products.  We are always looking to innovate our go-to-market models. The integration with ONDC marks a pivotal step in this journey as it not only helps us to leverage latest technology platform solutions that will make us faster and flexible in our speed to market but also helps us to solidify our commitment to elevating consumer experiences.”

    ONDC managing director and CEO T Koshy said, “As ONDC Network aims to create a transparent ecommerce ecosystem creating equal opportunities for all, we are happy to see PepsiCo India on board. PepsiCo India can now reach a wider customer base, while offering expanded choices for buyers on the network.”

    PepsiCo India’s consumer portfolio of beverages and foods including Pepsi, 7UP, Mountain Dew, Sting, Slice, Tropicana, Gatorade, Mirinda, Aquafina, Lipton, Lay’s, Kurkure, Doritos, Uncle Chips and Quaker Oats will now be available across the ONDC network. 

  • Meesho partners with ONDC to democratise internet commerce

    Meesho partners with ONDC to democratise internet commerce

    Mumbai: E-commerce company Meesho on Wednesday announced its integration with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to help connect buyers with hyperlocal sellers and support India’s vision of creating an inclusive e-commerce ecosystem.

    In line with Meesho’s mission to democratise internet commerce for everyone, the integration will fuel the discoverability of products for consumers while creating a wider market for hyperlocal suppliers. The pilot will first be launched in Bangalore and gradually rolled out in other locations over the coming months.

    With 80 per cent of Meesho’s 14 crore annual transacting customers coming from tier-two+ cities, the company has been instrumental in boosting access for underserved users across the country.  More than eight lakh sellers are currently registered on the platform, of which 40 per cent are from tier two cities and beyond. Meesho has always focused on making e-commerce more inclusive and the integration with ONDC will amplify the company’s efforts in that direction.

    Meesho founder and CEO Vidit Aatrey said, “With a shared goal to empower small sellers and give a fillip to hyperlocal businesses, the integration will boost our efforts to democratise internet commerce for everyone. ONDC will also play an important role in expanding India’s e-commerce sector by bringing more consumers online. We have been working closely with ONDC to ensure that the integration is smooth and the user experience remains seamless.”

    ONDC chief executive officer T Koshy commented, “At ONDC, our aim is to create an open e-commerce ecosystem that caters to one and all. We are pleased to onboard Meesho, as its deep capabilities in small towns will set the network flywheel in motion and take ONDC closer to our goals. E-commerce is still small in India, and new-age platforms like Meesho will be strong network participants for ONDC in this journey.”