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Tag: Vandana Verma

  • From Startups to SaaS: Women Entrepreneurs’ impact on tech trends and beyond

    From Startups to SaaS: Women Entrepreneurs’ impact on tech trends and beyond

    Mumbai: Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is a global initiative celebrated annually on 19 November to recognise and empower women entrepreneurs worldwide. Established in 2014 by Wendy Diamond, an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day aims to highlight the significant contributions of women entrepreneurs to the global economy and promote gender equality in the business world.

    In the dynamic realms of technology and business, the role of women is increasingly pronounced and influential. Their impact is particularly notable in shaping the trajectory of these industries, where innovation, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to social responsibility converge. This intersection is marked by a wave of women entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries who are not only breaking through traditional barriers but are actively shaping the future of business.

    As technology continues to evolve, women are at the forefront, leading startups, driving disruptive innovations, and contributing to diverse sectors such as health tech, e-commerce, and social impact tech. Their leadership extends beyond the boardroom, with a focus on fostering diversity and inclusion, championing tech education, and actively participating in the investment landscape.

    Here’s what new-age entrepreneurs have to say about women entrepreneurs making significant contributions to the tech industry and staying ahead of trends in the business world

    Wondrlab, co-founder & managing partner Vandana Verma

    “As a co-founder of Wondrlab, India’s largest platform-first martech startup, the one accomplishment that fills me with both humility and pride is the creation of Wisr—a SaaS platform meticulously designed to uplift school infrastructure and elevate teacher salaries across India, all powered by the influence of brands. This journey has been nothing short of thrilling, and as a woman entrepreneur navigating the ever-evolving tech industry, the sense of accomplishment has been immensely gratifying.

    Remaining at the forefront of industry trends isn’t just a professional aspiration; it’s a resolute commitment to perpetual innovation. Through Wisr, our innovative SaaS platform seamlessly connecting brands with the enhancement of school infrastructure, my aim transcends mere contribution—it’s about making a lasting impact. As women entrepreneurs, we aren’t just participants in the business landscape; we are the architects of transformative change, actively shaping the trajectory of technology and business with a potent combination of resilience, visionary foresight, and an unyielding determination to redefine industry standards.”

    Vahan chief marketing advisor Saakshi Jain

    In my journey through the ever-changing tech scene, I’ve discovered that success relies on empathy and adaptability. Women entrepreneurs bring a unique blend of tech expertise and a human touch, comprehending both the advancements and the people behind them. This empathy helps spotlight trends close to home, resulting in products that genuinely matter.

    Flexibility is crucial as tech moves fast, and women entrepreneurs cultivate environments that welcome versatility and continual learning. Collaboration makes diverse teams ignite innovation and anticipate trends. In the tech world, women entrepreneurs are overcoming obstacles, shaping the future with innovative, flexible approaches.

    In AI, women carve out spaces with forward-thinking endeavors, giving importance to ethical considerations and challenging stereotypes. They’re ahead of the curve on business trends, demonstrating a keen understanding of consumer needs. In my tech journey, I’ve learned that it’s all about sensing the tech pulse while staying authentic.

    Women entrepreneurs bring this dynamic blend of tech smarts and a human touch, grasping the tech and the people behind it. It’s that empathy that helps identify trends that hit home, creating products that truly matter. When it comes to adaptability, it’s about navigating it, keeping things flexible, and never halting the learning process. We’re not just following business trends; we’re steering the ship with a sharp eye on what people truly need. Using AI with finesse for efficiency and exceptional user experiences, we’re altering the script and inspiring the next wave. It’s a human-first perspective; women entrepreneurs are propelling the change, leaving a mark and ensuring the road ahead in tech is all about diversity and inclusion

    Virtue Worldwide senior account director Shaily Parmar

    In the progressive world of Indian advertising, I am witnessing firsthand how women entrepreneurs are crafting a new narrative filled with creativity, resilience, and groundbreaking innovation. These incredible individuals are not just making waves; they are personally reshaping the entire landscape of our industry. Breaking through gender norms, they inspire me with their determination to create work that resonates deeply. In a traditionally male-dominated space, their stories resonate personally, inspiring a new era of inclusivity. These women aren’t just entrepreneurs; they are my mentors of change, personally shaping the future of creativity and inclusivity in the captivating world of advertising.

    BC Web Wise founder – MD Chaaya Baradhwaaj

    Women have showcased exceptional leadership, and have innovated and disrupted industries. Let’s look at some of the torchbearers. Falguni Nayar got beauty from e-commerce with Nykaa, Richa Kar  of Zivame did the same with lingerie. Shraddha Sharma’s Yourstory has become a powerful vehicle that inspires entrepreneurs with authentic real stories. Trishneet Arora of TAC Security, has established a powerful presence in the globe and it’s a pioneer in cyber security. The list goes on and it is heartening that the women leaders and disruptors are coming from all walks of life and extend through Bharat.

    Assiduus Global Inc founder & CEO Dr. Somdutta Singh

    “My entrepreneurial journey has been phenomenal, marked by triumphs over challenges that echo the resilience of women in business. In every opportunity I have created over adversity has become a testament to my indomitable spirit and of women in the business. Whether faced with gender biases, skepticism, or barriers, every triumph became a resounding declaration that women can surmount any obstacle set before them. These victories are not just personal milestones but a collective anthem, resonating with the resilience that defines women in business.

    Securing funding for women-led ventures proved to be a formidable challenge, one that demanded strategic acumen and unyielding determination. The financial landscape has historically favored male-dominated industries, and breaking through this bias required not only a robust business plan but also the courage to challenge the status quo. As a first-generation woman entrepreneur, the journey was characterized by a delicate connection between perseverance and empowerment. Every rejection letter was a call to refine and reinforce my vision, turning setbacks into stepping stones toward a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.

    Naturally, being a trailblazer as a first-generation woman entrepreneur meant confronting entrenched stereotypes head-on. The societal narrative surrounding women in business often carried preconceived notions that needed dismantling. It involved proving that competence knows no gender, and success is not limited by traditional expectations. The empowerment derived from shattering these stereotypes was not just personal; it contributed to a broader cultural shift, challenging conventional norms and paving the way for future generations of women to chart their own entrepreneurial paths.

    I discovered that strength is not solely defined by overcoming obstacles. It also involves staying true to oneself amidst adversity. Embracing my unique perspective as a woman in the entrepreneurial realm became a source of strength in itself. The power to create change lies not in conformity but in embracing the diversity of thought and approach that women bring to the table. Being oneself became a mantra, a reminder that authenticity breeds resilience. Creating a solid support network was not just a strategic move but a lifeline during the stormy seas of entrepreneurship. Expressing gratitude for each lesson, setback, and triumph became a grounding force, fostering humility and perspective. And perhaps most importantly, not being too hard on oneself emerged as a crucial lesson in self-compassion, recognising that the journey is as significant as the destination.”

  • Wondrlab launches open tech platform WISR

    Wondrlab launches open tech platform WISR

    MUMBAI: MarTech network Wondrlab has launched ‘WISR’. This is an open tech platform that connects brands and schools with the ambition to empower schools through brand partnerships.

    Wondrlab said that it believes in the power of brands and ‘marketing for good’. WISR was created to fundamentally solve the problem of below-par teacher salaries and the poor state of infrastructure in schools. Brands have the power to solve this problem. Wondrlab believes that WISR has the potential to add 20 percent additional salary for teachers across every participating school.

    WISR is a platform that creates additional revenue streams for schools. The opportunity is to help brands create unique opportunities to connect with 260 million students in more than 1.5 million schools across the country.
    The segment presents an opportunity for brands. Kids have huge power and influence purchase decisions across many key categories. The pocket money of kids even in 2017 was 22000 crore and grew by 100 percent every five years (in fact the pocket money is more than the GDP of 52 countries).

    The problem for marketers has always been a disorganised database. Seeking permissions has always been a manual and extremely cumbersome process. There has never been any ability to track and measure the effectiveness of communication initiatives.

    WISR lets brands Identify schools: an intelligent algorithm selects the right schools based on the category, marketing objectives and budgets. The platform lets brands schedule, deploy and optimize campaigns at the click of a button.

    WISR, at its launch, covers more than 1500 schools across 21 cities.It will onboard more than 50,000 schools over the next five years.

    Wondrlab founder & CEO Saurabh Varma said, “Our schools need help. They need help to better teacher salaries, create better infrastructure and create superior experiences for students. Brands can play a constructive role in making this happen. India’s move towards a five trillion economy is conditional on a superior education. That is our power. It will be extremely satisfying if we can play a small role in making this dream a possibility.”

    Wondrlab co-founder & managing partner Vandana Verma said, “Our aim with WISR is to do marketing for good. But we understand that this comes with its own set of challenges. As schools benefit from brand partnerships, they are also faced with a moral responsibility towards children with regard to the pieces of communication they interact with. So, to safeguard this, the platform has on-boarded a panel of educationalists, child psychologists, and a legal team of experts responsible for vetting all brand communication. As a team, they will ensure that all school guidelines and ethical advertising principles are being adhered to. The open platform will let all brands, media agencies and creative agencies participate across key verticals like sports, health hygiene and edutainment.”

    Wondrlab CTO Siddhyesh Narkar said, “Building this platform in-house has been a thrilling and rewarding experience. Careful planning and a clear vision have helped us develop this platform into something impactful. WISR allows school and brands collaborations by successfully deploying technology, data, and robotization.”

  • Wondrlab appoints Sandesh Shetty as lead integration director – west, experience platform

    Wondrlab appoints Sandesh Shetty as lead integration director – west, experience platform

    NEW DELHI: Platform-first martech startup Wondrlab has appointed Sandesh Shetty as lead integration director – west, experience platform. He will report to Wondrlab co-founder and managing partner – experience platform Vandana Verma. 

    In his new mandate, Shetty will infuse new-age thinking with conventional mediums of experiential marketing, helping clients in India’s western regions win in these spaces.

    Verma said, “Our recent acquisition of What’s Your Problem and our new operations in NCR are testimony to our growth and momentum. Bringing in experienced talent like Sandesh to support this unprecedented pace is the natural next step. His ability to understand offline experiential touchpoints and leveraging technology helps nudge products off the shelf for clients. Sandesh has the unique ability to merge the best of traditional cross-category thinking with contemporary platform-first experiential solutions. With his appointment, clients can leverage his stellar experience and expect a deep commitment toward solving their business problems.”

    Shetty has over two decades of robust experience in activation, experiential marketing and strategy. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to different experiential marketing touchpoints. His last stint was as senior vice president – experiential at Arc Worldwide, Publicis Groupe’s full-service shopper marketing and experiential division. Apart from this, he has held senior roles in agencies such as DDB Mudra, Ogilvy, and Kidstuff Promos. At Wondrlab, Shetty will now help apply martech solutions to the conventional mediums of experiential marketing such as events, activation, rural and shopper.

    Shetty added, “Platformisation is a revolution in the business of experiential marketing. None of the existing players addresses this need-gap to lead brand experiences in the right direction, effectively. My experience and understanding of this space perfectly match Wondrlab’s long-term vision. I look forward to creating innovative, immersive work for brands as I kickstart my exciting journey here.”

  • Vandana Verma promoted as Arc Worldwide India COO by Publicis Communications

    Vandana Verma promoted as Arc Worldwide India COO by Publicis Communications

    MUMBAI: Publicis Communications India has announced the promotion of Vandana Verma as Arc Worldwide India COO. She will continue to report to Publicis Communications South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma.

    Verma holds over two decades of experience in experiential marketing and had joined Publicis Groupe in 2012 as its VP. She was handed the reins of Arc Worldwide India in 2017. Under her astute guidance, Arc Worldwide has grown to become one of the leading brand activation and experiential agencies in the country working with top notch clients such as Nerolac, Citibank, Nissan, Welspun, Shell, P&G, Fitbit, Hewlett Packard, IOC, Skoda SBI, UB Group, Hotstar, Odisha Government, Cisco, Godrej Security Solutions and Sandisk among others, within just two years.

    Through the Publicis Groupe’s “Power of One” model, Arc Worldwide works closely with its creative, media, digital and PR agencies i.e. Leo Burnett Group, Publicis Worldwide, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Digitas, MSL, to deliver best-in-class experiential solutions that create shopper interactions with brands. These solutions are designed using tools, learnings and expertise from across the Groupe’s global network.

    Publicis Communications South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma said, “Arc Worldwide has seen tremendous growth in the last two years in India. The agency, under Vandana’s leadership, has played a critical role in enabling and taking our ‘Power of One’ platform to greater heights. Arc Worldwide has provided its clients meaningful “Acts” merging data, technology, human insights and behaviours, to create incredible work. The next few years is going to be big for experiential marketing in India and I couldn’t have asked for a better leader than Vandana to take this head on.”

    On her new role, Vandana said, “India has proved to be one of the biggest markets for Arc Worldwide across the globe. The shopper and experiential market in India is witnessing a shift from being looked at as an “activation” or “event” management category to a more robust solutions partner for brands. This is primarily because today, people want to have an immersive experience with products. For brands in turn it’s a great time to invest more in experiential marketing because of the different tools, technology and data points we use currently to help them understand their consumers a lot more in detail. I’m looking forward to exploring more innovative ways to really use this market to its full potential and continue to deliver on best-in-class solutions for our brand.”

  • Publicis Comm merges experiential & brand activation arms

    Publicis Comm merges experiential & brand activation arms

    MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has announced the merger of its in-house technology-enabled experiential arm, Solutions, with its brand activation and experiential shopper agency, Arc Worldwide, effective immediately. The development fits perfectly with Arc Worldwide’s strategic expansion plans to scale up its geographical footprint in India.

    Publicis Communications India and Leo Burnett South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma says, “By merging the two entities, Arc can leverage their combined expertise in ways that are unprecedented for the industry. The merger of Solutions with Arc will create even more momentum for Arc’s trajectory in India. Arc has deep capabilities across the entire experience landscape. With Solutions, we will create meaningful value exchange straddling the entire shopping experience for greater impact on our clients’ businesses. The merger fits perfectly with our ‘Power of One’ strategy.”

    The newly merged entity will be called Arc Worldwide and will be headed by Vandana Verma, executive vice president and India head at Arc. Solutions’ entire team and its roster of clients will now come under the Arc umbrella.

    Verma adds, “Arc is focused on creating meaningful connected experiences. In India, Arc is a key platform within Publicis Communications. Solutions will add immense value to Arc through its expertise across technology-enabled solutions, paperless retail audits, merchandising and real time consumer feedback, among others. The merger will now help us lead experiential planning, data-driven shopper insights, and mobile-tracking and analytics-led initiatives designed to help our clients reach empowered consumers.”

    Solutions COO Virender Sharma mentions, “The merger with Arc means unparalleled access to all clients in the Publicis Communications portfolio. I look forward to seamlessly integrating ideas and solutions that will grow our clients’ businesses. We are happy to see the coming together of Arc Worldwide and Solutions at our new Big Apple office in Gurugram.”

    Arc Worldwide is globally one of the top three agencies in the experiential and shopper marketing gamut. It is present in 40 countries serving over 400 brands. The agency says its ‘Irresistible Commerce’ philosophy moves people to like, share, participate, and ultimately make a purchase. Arc’s key clients in India include Amazon, P&G, Huawei, Heineken, Bajaj and Häagen-Dasz. Solutions is an innovative and ideas-led digital offering serving some of India’s leading companies including HP, ITC, Fitbit, CP Plus, Usha and Sandisk, among several others.