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Tag: technology

  • Zivame appoints Monish Kaul as chief technology and product officer

    Zivame appoints Monish Kaul as chief technology and product officer

    Mumbai: Intimate wear brand, Zivame has announced the appointment of Monish Kaul as its chief technology and product officer (CTPO). Kaul has over a decade of experience in helping to build organisations that deliver innovative solutions by applying cutting-edge methodologies and managing, engineering and product teams in the digital economy. Prior to his appointment at Zivame, he served in leadership roles with Halodoc, Mfine, Myntra and Intel. His academic credentials include an executive program in Management from SC Johnson School of Business, Cornell University and a Computer Sciences major from Jaypee University of Information Technology.

    Speaking on the appointment, Zivame chief operating officer Lavanya Pachisia said, “At Zivame we strive to offer the best-in-class user experience for our consumers and Monish’s leadership will help further strengthen and elevate this. His technological expertise across data driven consumer products and growth platforms will play an essential role in strengthening our operations in readiness for the next phase of growth.”

    Monish Kaul added, “Over the years, Zivame has been enabling women across the country to shop uninhibitedly for intimate wear. Our aim will be to consolidate consumer needs in the category and enrich consumer experience with hyper-personalised & secure outcomes via our omni-channel shopping platforms. We aim to build platforms and products which further increase the customer love we take so much pride in.”

  • XtraCover announces appointment of Anirudh Singhania as its new chief technology officer

    XtraCover announces appointment of Anirudh Singhania as its new chief technology officer

    Mumbai: XtraCover, a new-age e-commerce platform catering to the lifecycle management services of smartphones and other electronic devices, has announced the appointment of Anirudh Singhania as its new chief technology officer (CTO) to strengthen the company’s technological prowess.

    Singhania has more than 25 years of experience in creating technology solutions, hatching growth strategies and leading high-performing software engineering teams. Prior to joining XtraCover, Anirudh was part of the founding team of Lulu and Sky Private Limited as the Chief Technology Officer. He also built dharma.h Software Technologies. Furthermore, he has worked with multiple tech startups from the stage of ideation to exit.

    Also read: Geo-targeted campaigns ramp up as brands go hyperlocal

    On the appointment XtraCover CEO & founder Soumitra Gupta commented, “As we prepare for our next stage of growth at XtraCover, we are thrilled to welcome Anirudh to our executive team. Anirudh’s extensive experience developing technology solutions and leading engineering teams in the IT and e-commerce space make him ideally suited to strengthen the company and drive growth to the XtraCover business.”

    In the new CTO role, Singhania will be responsible for integrating and advancing XtraCover’s technology platform. He will drive forward the technical vision for the business in delivering a range of after-sales services to buyers of refurbished electronic gadgets. His expertise in application development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital marketing and strategy will help XtraCover accelerate technological and business growth.

    Commenting on his new role at XtraCover, Anirudh Singhania said, “I am extremely excited to contribute to the vision and opportunity to scale at XtraCover. XtraCover has a great culture and I am looking forward to leading and mentoring this team of talented people. My deep technical and leadership experience will enable me to build and execute strategies that propel the business and exceed the needs of our customers.”

    Launched in 2019, XtraCover is an e-commerce platform that caters to the lifecycle management services of smartphones and other electronic devices. Operating in the B2C and B2B2C segments, the company offers services such as price discovery and comparison for new appliances, warranty support, refurbished device warranty, accidental damage and protection and repair and refurbishment services, among others. The e-commerce platform aims to create awareness in the Indian ecosystem to make refurbished devices a valued choice, if not the first choice.

    Witnessing a paradigm shift in the market growth of refurbished products since the global pandemic, XtraCover has clocked a revenue of over Rs 100 crore in FY 2022. With an aim to continue this growth trajectory, the company intends to surpass the Rs 275 crore target revenue in FY 2023. Additionally, the e-commerce platform plans on increasing its global outreach through export-oriented units (EOU) in India.

  • GUEST COLUMN: How the metaverse, web3, and blockchain are changing the dynamics of marketing

    GUEST COLUMN: How the metaverse, web3, and blockchain are changing the dynamics of marketing

    Mumbai: Web3, blockchain, and metaverse are three concepts that are generating a lot of buzz and enthusiasm in the domain of business technology right now. There are new technologies emerging all the time, and web 3, blockchain, and metaverse are among those that have the potential to change many industries. Digital marketing is always evolving and developing as new technologies emerge. We now have a much better approach to connecting consumers and companies as we go to Web 3. The metaverse, on the other hand, is now a catch-all term for virtual worlds in which users may connect with one another and interact using applications and services in a significantly more realistic manner. With the advent of digital marketing, various new and innovative internet marketing trends have emerged to target customers. Things are set to change again, especially with the advent of blockchain technology.

    Let’s have a close look at what Web3, blockchain, and metaverse play in digital marketing and how these three are changing the dynamic of the industry-

    1)   Web3

    What really is the purpose of the name web3? because it is expected to be the third significant development of the internet, following the worldwide web (web1) and the consumer web (web2, or social media). The idea behind the creation of web 3 was to create a more democratic internet. No single party will be able to restrict the information flow or “pull the plug” and terminate a network just because they possess the hardware on which it runs.

    Web 3 undoubtedly raises the bar in order to provide something innovative and remarkable, but also engaging and uplifting in the digital marketing industry. Web 3 seems to be something that allows businesses to engage with customers and give them reliable solutions. It clearly works, and if used correctly, it may yield fantastic benefits. Web3 intends to be wiser and more knowledgeable than earlier internet eras. We can anticipate digital marketing changing as a result of newer, more immersive technology. Digital marketing is by far the most effective method of reaching out to audiences and consumers.

    2)   Blockchain

    Blockchain technology improves transparency, prevents fraud, and ensures that data collection is done correctly and without issues. It undoubtedly contributes to this element and experience, yet pushes the boundaries in a really unique way. Blockchain marketing is a modern digital marketing method that makes use of blockchain technology. A blockchain is a database that enables transactions to be safe, transparent, and tamper-proof. It is an ideal marketing tool since companies can trace data transfer and guarantee its accuracy.

    Blockchain technology overcomes this problem by bypassing networks such as Facebook and Instagram, providing companies with immediate access to their clients. As an outcome, companies may be more creative in their marketing strategies and more proactive when anything goes wrong.

    3)   Metaverse

    Marketing in the metaverse is still very much in development. While everyone wants to enter the metaverse, leading companies say that the industry is still trying to figure out what marketing in the virtual world entails, whether through social media, public relations, or digital marketing. An entrepreneur evaluates and understands if marketing in a metaverse leads to a greater return on investment (ROI) or more engagement with their end customers than marketing in the digital or physical worlds where they are directly targeting their consumers.

    Old-fashioned advertising methods are being phased out in favour of fresh concepts that reach individuals of all ages. Influencers, who post photos or videos on social media platforms like Instagram and other platforms to show off their products in an engaging way, are the most popular type of digital marketing—it’s not uncommon for personal sponsorships from everyday people with a large number of followers (or “influencer”) accounts to attract thousands, if not millions, more views than traditional ads alone!

    Web3, metaverse, and blockchain are technologies that will influence our future. As we speak, the way we live, earn, and socialise is changing dramatically. The greatest method is to have an open metaverse in which everyone may come and depart whenever they choose. This is where everyone may explore projects and communities that they are interested in. Blockchain technology is changing not just the way digital marketers buy advertisements, but it is also opening up new prospects for small companies. Blockchain’s security, transparency, and simplicity will revolutionise the way businesses do business online, including making their social responsibilities more visible to customers.

    The author is Hyper Connect Asia co-founder and business & growth lead Ankur Pujari.

  • Mattel’s Masters of the Universe launched on NFT platform Cryptoys

    Mattel’s Masters of the Universe launched on NFT platform Cryptoys

    Mumbai: The non-fungible token (NFT) platform that combines toys, gaming and entertainment to create an expansive playable universe Cryptoys has announced the launch of Masters of the Universe in a multiyear and global partnership deal with Mattel. 

    A new way for fans to collect and play with toy brands, Cryptoys are animated, playable collectibles that come to life the moment they’re unwrapped. The upcoming launch, timed to He-Man’s 40th birthday celebration this fall, will be the first to bring Masters of the Universe digital toys into a collectible, interactive world through the Cryptoys universe.

    Masters of the Universe fans will have a first look at the Cryptoys and Mattel partnership at San Diego Comic-Con, where exclusive collectible lapel pins featuring iconic characters (including arch enemies He-Man and Skeletor along with Battle Cat) will be given away daily at the Mattel booth.

    OnChain Studios CEO & co-founder Will Weinraub said, “The Masters of the Universe franchise is full of iconic, nostalgic characters that fans have been watching, playing with, and collecting for decades. Many of us grew up with Masters of the Universe, which is why we felt it was the perfect property to launch first on the Cryptoys platform as we partner with Mattel to bring new life to these beloved characters.”

  • PVR Cinemas revamps its Ghatkopar property

    PVR Cinemas revamps its Ghatkopar property

    MUMBAI: PVR cinemas has remodeled its four-screen multiplex at PVR R Odeon Mall in Ghatkopar East, Mumbai. Strategically located, the renovated PVR property, the company said it has the latest technology and features and can accommodate 976 guests.

    With this launch, PVR Cinemas consolidated its foothold in Maharashtra with 137 screens in 29 properties and 233 screens across 51 properties in the West.
    The four-screen property is equipped with cinematic technologies including 2K projectors, Next Gen 3D and advanced Dolby 7.1 sound. There are recliner seats in the last row of all the audis for the discerning audience who prefer an extra comfort and a lavish experience while watching movies.

    PVR joint managing director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli said, “We are happy to welcome movie buffs back in Ghatkopar with an experience they have never seen before. With audiences getting back to theatres in full swing, we feel extremely privileged to launch our twelfth property in the city of entertainment. We have carefully curated all the experiences and are confident that PVR Ghatkopar will be a delight for one and all in the region.’’

    Adding to the overall ambience, PVR has launched the property featuring an all-vegetarian menu with an extensive range of gourmet delicacies served in the luxury of comfortable recliners which further adds to the property’s unique offerings and provides a warm and welcoming ambience.
    PVR CEO Gautam Dutta said, ‘’The new Ghatkopar property has been designed to offer an exemplary and engaging and movie-viewing experience. PVR Cinemas has always been focused on providing a holistic experience and the new revamped property is a testimony for that as it is backed by best-in-class hospitality and cutting-edge in-theatrical technology. In addition, we have a long, delectable food slate with scrumptious flavors that will leave our vegetarian patrons wanting more.’’

    With this opening, PVR strengthens its growth momentum in FY 2022-23 with 854 screens at 173 properties in 75 cities (India and Sri Lanka).

  • What’s a VPN?

    What’s a VPN?

    MUMBAI: You might want to know what a VPN is. A virtual private network, or VPN, is a comfortable connection hooked up over the net between a tool and a group of people. The secure connection helps to make certain that sensitive data is adequately sent. In addition to permitting the user to do remote work, it also prevents unauthorized parties from getting to know the traffic’s location. Enterprise settings regularly make use of VPN technology.

    Connecting to a VPN can help in guarding your active records against numerous dangers. The use of a VPN protects your information and keeps your login data and anything you do on the internet private, even outside of your internet service provider (ISP).

    Types of VPN

    You could use several types of VPN programs in diverse conditions. The most commonplace VPNs are personal VPNs, but you would possibly additionally need a site-to-site VPN or a remote access VPN.

    1. Remote access VPN

    A tool outside the business enterprise’s place of business may be correctly connected through a remote access VPN. They’re called endpoints and are likely laptop systems, tablets, or smartphones. The development of the VPN generation has made it viable to perform safety checks on endpoints to make sure that they’re in a selected posture before turning into members. Consider remote access as a network to the computer.

    2. Site-to-site VPN

    The corporate workplace and branch workplaces are connected through a site-to-site VPN over the internet. These VPNs are used due to the fact that an immediate community connection between these offices is not feasible because of the gap. It takes specialised hardware to prepare and preserve a link. Consider site-to-site access to be similar to network-to-network connectivity.

    Advantages of a VPN

    The online transfer of information or data that you do is protected from outdoor access and is disguised by the use of a VPN connection. Unencrypted statistics are accessible to anyone with a network connection and the desire to view them. Hackers and online criminals are unable to decode these records whilst using a VPN.

    1. Convenient encryption

    You require an encryption key so that you can have a look at the information. A brute force attack on a PC to crack the encryption ought to take hundreds of thousands of years to finish without an encryption key. The time you spend on the internet looking for something and the activities you engage in are hidden by the use of a VPN, even on private networks.

    2. Secure data transfer

    If you operate remotely, you may want to get proper access to vital files on your organization’s network. This sort of statistics needs a at ease connection for safety reasons. A VPN connection is often important to connect to the community. VPN offerings use encryption techniques and connections to non-public servers to lower the risk of record leakage.

    3. Hide your location

    Your VPN servers correctly function as your online proxies. Your unique region can not be diagnosed since the demographic location information originates from a server located in every other kingdom.

    Furthermore, non-public VPN providers do not maintain information about your moves. However, there are some services that reveal your conduct without telling anyone else. This means that any possible record of your behavior online is kept secret all the time.

  • CleverTap acquires San Francisco-based Leanplum

    CleverTap acquires San Francisco-based Leanplum

    Mumbai: CleverTap has completely acquired San Francisco-based Leanplum, a leading multi-channel customer engagement platform. The acquisition, originally announced on 19 May, was closed in a record time of three weeks. It becomes revenue accretive for CleverTap from 1 June 2022.

    With this acquisition, CleverTap has strengthened its footprint in the US and Europe. CleverTap will combine the product stack of both organizations and extend its world-class solutions & technology to all its customers and prospects worldwide.

    Leanplum co-founder Momchil Kyurkchiev has joined CleverTap’s leadership team as chief strategy officer. With the completion of the acquisition, CleverTap also welcomes marquee investors Norwest Partners, Shasta Ventures, Canaan, and Kleiner Perkins as its shareholders.

    “We are very excited to welcome Momchil and all Leanplum employees to the CleverTap family and expect full integration of the two companies, including an integrated product in the market to get completed over the next three to four quarters,” said CleverTap co-founder and executive chairman Sunil Thomas.

    “With this acquisition customers will now have a wide variety of product features and options to choose from the best of both product line-ups (A/B testing, segmentation, campaigns, journeys etc.) At the same time, the acquisition provides a much bigger growth, exposure and learning opportunities for employees and collectively we will now become a dominant force with a large global footprint,” he added.

    “As we expand globally, we are looking to retain as well as grow 100 percent of the Leanplum customers by bringing all combined capability on one platform in due course. We also plan to increase our headcount in the US and Europe. Together, we aspire to be recognized as a SaaS talent powerhouse built on a strong people-first culture driven by values and equality,” added Sunil.

    CleverTap chief strategy officer Momchil Kyurkchiev commented, “The Martech landscape the world over is evolving at an exponential rate and hyper-personalized digital engagement at scale is the need of the hour. I am sure that together, Leanplum and CleverTap will address this need and continue to drive innovation in this space. CleverTap and Leanplum individually have had a robust presence in terms of geographical reach, industries, and categories. Collectively we will now become a dominant force with a large global footprint.”

  • LoanTap’s technology division LTFLoW elevates Gautam Sinha as CEO

    LoanTap’s technology division LTFLoW elevates Gautam Sinha as CEO

    MUMBAI: The technology focussed division of LoanTap, LTFloW announced the appointment of Gautam Sinha as chief executive officer on Thursday. Prior to this, Sinha was marking his time as senior vice president of LTFLoW division of the online Fintech platform.

    Based in Pune, Sinha’s responsibility will involve working towards the functioning of and executing all projects at hand of LTFLoW. He will be responsible for business growth and build upon the company’s success in growing client participation and meeting commitments. He will be working towards the operational perspective of the organisation. Sinha will be responsible for the smooth functioning of LTFLoW and lend his knowledge and governing skills as a tech expert to the growth of this independent division.

    Sinha has over two decades of experience, having served in responsible positions in organisations like Infosys, HCL, and Edgeverve, to name a few.

    He has been instrumental in bringing about major innovations within LoanTap and has been actively involved in bringing operational efficiency to the organisation, said the company in a statement. He specialises in digital transformations, innovation and building components which help to homogenize and augment business processes for development. His deep-rooted knowledge and experience in product development, managing large size programs, goal-oriented project planning and executions & defining strategies for continuous improvement have been key assets for the organisation.

    Speaking on the appointment, LoanTap founder and CEO Satyam Kumar said, “Gautam is not just an industry insider, but his experience and knowledge make him one of the biggest assets to the industry. We are extremely proud to have him as a part of the leadership team. His expertise and leadership are sure to guide the company towards heightened customer success and create new products that will take this space to a whole new level.”

    As the CEO of LTFLoW, Gautam Sinha added, “It brings me immense pleasure to have been given the opportunity of Chief Executive Officer of LTFLoW. I am looking forward to this role. Tech enabling is the backbone of every business today as it widens the scope of every business and in a post-pandemic world, this is exceptionally important. With technology at its heart, we are looking at transforming every transaction and every process to get more efficient, seamless and hassle-free.”

    “Our customers are our motivation and we at LTFLoW understand that financial inclusion is only going to be possible when we digitise the entire process and make it beneficial for them. Business transformation towards growth has always been key and in my new role, my aim will be to mobilise the team and continue with our pursuit of impactful customer experience,” he further said.

  • HiveMinds wins digital marketing mandate for Rupeek

    HiveMinds wins digital marketing mandate for Rupeek

    Mumbai: The digital specialist of Madison World, HiveMinds won the digital marketing mandate for the leading gold tech platform Rupeek. The agency won this mandate following a multi-agency pitch.

    Rupeek is an asset-backed digital lending platform founded by IIT Bombay alumnus Sumit Maniyar in 2015. Rupeek’s investors include Sequoia Capital, Accel Partners, Bertelsmann, GGV Capital, VEF, and Lightbox. They recently recorded an annual disbursement run rate (ARR) of $1 billion in December 2021 making them the first-ever asset-backed lending company to achieve this milestone in the fintech space. Currently, they serve over five lakh customers in over 55 cities across India.

    Speaking of this association, Rupeek spokesperson said, “Rupeek is the first brand that has digitized the entire process of obtaining secured credit against gold holdings, allowing users to get instant credit from the comfort of their homes. As we continue to grow and unlock gold backed credit for a billion Indians, digital marketing will play an important role in driving this momentum further via tech-led gold monetization (GoMon) in over 120 cities across the country. We are happy to partner with HiveMinds in this digital led growth.”

    Expressing her thoughts on this win, HiveMinds chief strategy officer Deepti Bhadauria commented, “Gold asset loan is a $2 trillion opportunity in India. There is a massive consumer segment looking for access to cheap capital and monetization of gold assets that can be unlocked using digital marketing effectively. I am happy that we will be partnering with Rupeek, in scaling and building India’s largest digital asset-backed fin-tech platform.”

  • ZEE unveils its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru

    ZEE unveils its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced the launch of its Technology and Innovation Centre in India’s tech capital – Bengaluru. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai on Friday.

    The sprawling 80,000 feet centre will be the Company’s epicentre to build a strong cohort of tech, data and talent.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Bommai said, “For decades, the state of Karnataka has maintained its position as the technology capital of the country and Bengaluru, its capital city, has now become the Silicon Valley of the nation. The ecosystem that Bengaluru has created, is difficult to replicate and has been created by none other than the citizens of the city. The government of Karnataka is extremely delighted to be a part of Zee’s initiative and I am confident that the Technology & Innovation Centre set up by Zee will help to accelerate the growth prospects of the state. Public-private partnership is essential for the growth and long term success of any state and we will ensure that we walk shoulder to shoulder with Zee in this journey.”

    The governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot said, “The coming years promise fast paced growth & development for the state of Karnataka, mainly due to the evolution of the IT and start-up ecosystem in Bengaluru. The capital city has been consistently ranked among the Top 30 Global Start-up Ecosystems and we are glad that Corporates like ZEE are focusing their investments on India’s Silicon Valley. I congratulate ZEE on launching the tech centre and firmly believe that it will assist in propelling the state to a global stage and uplift the lives of professionals in the tech industry.”

    Zee’s president -technology Nitin Mittal said “At the Tech & Innovation Centre, we are building the ability for ZEE to leverage digital technologies to improve our reach and engage our customers anytime, anywhere across all devices. We have been a frontrunner in creating engaging content for more than 1.3 billion viewers and are currently focused on building Web 3.0 entertainment platforms. This Centre will build the metaverse future of ZEE including AR, VR, NFTs and relevant data models to our digital platforms.”

    Zee’s president-HR and Transformation Animesh Kumar said, “Our newly inaugurated Technology & Innovation Centre is an amalgam of a cross-functional talent pool of like-minded individuals ready to challenge the status quo and create innovative solutions in the digital ecosystem. The vibrant workspace is designed with a unique employee value proposition focused on culture, collaboration & innovation is bound to spark ideas and disrupt the ConTech space. We have onboarded some of the brightest tech talent in India that will create the next level of frictionless, highly personalised delivery platforms for content consumption, thereby setting new standards in the country. This is the Centre that will drive our ambition to dominate content consumption in India and for South Asians globally”.