The FCC is whole again with the Senate’s confirmation of Anna Gomez as the agency’s fifth commissioner, empowering it to take more and faster action regarding all matters regulatory in communication and, increasingly, space. Gomez was nominated to the seat in June after a year and half of Republican resistance to the previous candidate, Gigi […]
Rannvijay Singha, the iconic Indian actor, television personality, and former VJ, has embarked on an inspiring journey as he joins forces with Pune-based ABC Fitness Firm to encourage young minds to embrace the world of sports. Rannvijay, whose fame began with his groundbreaking victory in the inaugural season of MTV Roadies back in 2003, has since become a household name across India.
His remarkable journey through television hosting, acting, and his recent stint on Shark Tank India has solidified his status as a beloved figure nationwide. Now, Rannvijay assumes a new role as the brand ambassador for ABC Fitness Firm.
ABC Fitness Firm, a burgeoning Indian sports startup rooted in Pune, has made a significant stride by enlisting Rannvijay Singha as their brand ambassador. Rannvijay’s profound passion for basketball brings an authentic connection to the sport and the company’s mission.
Anirudh Pole, the founder of ABC Fitness Firm, expressed his elation at having Rannvijay Singha on board. He shared, “I am thrilled that Rannvijay has joined our venture. I have been a dedicated fan of his since his Roadies days. His involvement in motivating young talent in the Pro Basketball League will undoubtedly infuse glamour into the sporting world and elevate the status of basketball to new heights.”
ABC Fitness Firm’s remarkable growth, particularly following its appearance on the second season of Shark Tank India with investment from Peyush Bansal, founder of Lenskart, has been nothing short of impressive. The company has witnessed an astonishing fourfold expansion since its appearance on the show.
With plans to expand operations across Pune and into cities such as Bengaluru, Noida, and Hyderabad by the end of October, ABC Fitness Firm not only offers coaching but also operates the first and only professional basketball league in India. Rannvijay’s presence in the Pro League Season 2 underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to promoting sports and fitness.
In an exclusive interview with Punekarnews.in, Rannvijay expressed his excitement about joining ABC Fitness Firm and highlighted the importance of instilling a fitness culture in children through sports. He emphasized that sports instill valuable life lessons such as leadership, camaraderie, friendship, resilience, and the ability to cope with both success and failure.
Rannvijay stated, “I am very excited to be part of ABC Fitness. I am a huge basketball fan, and when I realized that these guys are also passionate about basketball, it resonated with me. As a parent, I understand the significance of introducing a fitness culture to kids from an early age. Sports teach you so much—leadership, camaraderie, friendship, and the ability to build resilience. You experience pain in the face of challenges, but you also become better every day. Both success and failure teach you valuable lessons. When sports culture becomes a part of your life at a young age, it’s incredibly beneficial.”
“When I discovered that ABC Fitness embodies all these values and principles, I felt a strong connection because I live by this ideology. It’s fantastic, and I’m thrilled to be part of this company. Together, we can reach out to more families and inspire their children to become fit, strong, and confident citizens of our country.”
About ABC Fitness Firm:
ABC Fitness Firm is at the forefront of a fitness revolution in India with its innovative approach to promoting sports. With 120 dedicated coaches and 2,700 students benefiting from their programs, they are nurturing young talent and creating healthier and more confident individuals.
Welcome back to Chain Reaction. To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important crypto stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday at 12 p.m. PT, subscribe here. Annyeong, or hello, friends! While I’m typically based in New York City, this week I’m reporting from Seoul, South Korea for Korea Blockchain Week. The week […]
Groww, the online discount broking and investment platform, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its index fund called the “Groww Nifty Total Markets Index Fund.” This marks a significant step for Groww as it diversifies its offerings into the mutual fund space.
Index funds are passive mutual funds designed to track and replicate the performance of popular market indices. They provide investors with a way to gain exposure to a wide range of assets represented by these indices.
Lalit Keshre, Co-founder of Groww, announced this development on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “Groww Mutual Fund got approval for its first NFO – Groww Nifty Total Market Index Fund.”
Groww plans to launch this index fund through a new fund offering (NFO). An NFO is similar to an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the stock market and is the first-time subscription offer by Asset Management companies to introduce a new category of fund. It serves to raise capital for the fund and attract investors.
This announcement comes shortly after one of Groww’s competitors in the broking space, Zerodha, revealed its plans to launch mutual fund schemes under its mutual fund business, Zerodha Asset Management Ltd. Zerodha formed a joint venture with the wealth management platform Smallcase to establish the new fund house, which will offer a mix of index funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
Groww’s entry into the mutual fund sector was facilitated by its acquisition of the mutual fund business of Indiabulls Housing Finance (IBHFL) for Rs 175.6 crore, a move that received regulatory approvals in May. This acquisition provided Groww with a head-start in establishing its own Asset Management Company (AMC).
Groww has seen substantial financial backing, with a total of $393 million raised thus far. In its latest funding round in October 2021, led by ICONIQ Growth, Groww achieved a valuation of $3 billion after securing $251 million.
CashKaro, the renowned Cashback & Coupons app, has announced a significant partnership with popular Bollywood actress Genelia Deshmukh. This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for CashKaro as the platform continues to flourish, having played a pioneering role in the cashback industry and now standing tall as a leader in India’s rapidly expanding landscape of cash rewards.
As part of this strategic alliance, CashKaro has unveiled a comprehensive advertising campaign featuring Genelia Deshmukh. This campaign revolves around the narrative of how shopping through CashKaro can enable users to earn additional Cashback that can be seamlessly transferred to their bank accounts. The campaign comprises a series of three entertaining films that ingeniously convey CashKaro’s value proposition in a humorous manner. Genelia, along with three family members, adds a relatable touch, making the message resonate strongly with today’s audience.
CashKaro is ambitiously striving to expand its user base from 20 million to a staggering 100 million in the coming years, and its partnership with Genelia is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving this monumental goal.
Rohan Bhargava, Co-founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, expressed his enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to have Genelia Deshmukh joining the CashKaro family. Her enthusiasm, sincerity, and popularity make her the ideal ambassador for CashKaro as we strive to change the online shopping experience for millions of Indians. This partnership ushers in a new and exciting era as we remain dedicated to our commitment of providing our users with unmatched value, convenience, and savings.”
Adding to this sentiment, Swati Bhargava, Co-founder of CashKaro & EarnKaro, remarked, “Our association with Genelia will further solidify CashKaro as the country’s go-to savings destination for shoppers. Through this campaign, our attempt is to build awareness about CashKaro and demonstrate how it is super easy to save 1000s every month via CashKaro. Online shoppers can get extra Cashback from us on top of all Diwali sale discounts, and that’s why this campaign is rightly called #CashKaroAishKaro!”
Expressing her excitement about this partnership, Genelia Deshmukh shared, “I am really excited to embark on this journey with CashKaro. It’s a game-changing app that is reinventing the way Indians shop & save online. After all, who wouldn’t want money back on their online shopping? I love how the core CashKaro idea is so simple, yet powerful. One click, and 1000s in savings across 1500 brands! Rohan and Swati’s commitment & vision for the brand is truly inspiring, and I look forward to contributing to this exciting chapter of CashKaro’s growth.”
Nuvepro, India’s leading hands-on learning platform, has partnered with Edtech edForce to transform the educational landscape and train over 10,000 students in the next few months.
This strategic collaboration aims to elevate the learning experience for students by embracing a practical and immersive hands-on approach.
Drawing upon Nuvepro’s expertise, learners at edForce gain invaluable real-world experience and develop practical skills in cloud technologies. Through the utilization of virtual machines, traditional learning barriers are overcome, enabling students to bridge the gap between theory and application.
“This collaboration with EdForce underscores Nuvepro’s dedication to pioneering immersive learning experiences. Together, we are shaping not only the curriculum but also the future paths of countless learners. Our goal extends beyond simply imparting knowledge; we strive to foster an environment where learners can practically apply their insights to be job-ready or project-ready. The future of learning is hands-on, and in partnership with EdForce, we stand at the forefront of this evolution,” Arun Reddy, COO of Nuvepro.
This partnership directly addresses the skills gap, ensuring students possess project-ready capabilities from the outset. Nuvepro’s Challenge Labs encompass a wide range of career pathways, including DevOps and Cloud Solution Architect, while focusing on popular platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and GCP.
Nuvepro’s hands-on projects and simulated sandbox environments empower students to upskill and reskill, enhancing their cloud proficiency. This collaboration equips edForce learners with the requisite knowledge and practical expertise demanded in today’s highly competitive job market.
“At edForce, we believe that learning should prepare today’s workforce for the dynamic demands of the ever-evolving technology landscape. Our collaboration with Nuvepro signifies a remarkable step forward in this direction. By emphasizing practical hands-on learning, we are reshaping the upskilling journey, helping our enterprise clients to not only thrive but excel and align their workforce with the business requirements,” Ravi Kaklasaria, Co- Founder & CEO.
About Nuvepro:
Nuvepro’s Personalized Approach to Skilling helps develop Critical Thinking Skills, Real World Experience and accelerates Job Readiness for today’s fast-paced and competitive Job Market. With millions of learners from enterprises, universities, and EdTech platforms already benefiting from its approach, Nuvepro Hands-on Learning platform provides access to 1000+ Real World Scenarios and Sandbox environments, enabling learners to practice, reinforce and validate their learning.
RiseBack.org, World’s 1st affordable education a pioneering force in youth empowerment and innovation, proudly announces its official launch in Indonesia. The organization’s commitment to fostering creativity, problem-solving, and cross-disciplinary collaboration will play a pivotal role in shaping Indonesia’s future as a tech-driven economic powerhouse.
Rise N Start Ignite, Indonesia’s First Startup Pitch Competition For Students, a trailblazing Startup Pitch Competition from RiseBack.org, is at the forefront of shaping Indonesian youth into tech trailblazers and budding startup leaders. Aligned with the Indonesian government’s vision of fostering innovation-driven economic expansion, this event strategically leverages affordable IT education and training. Embracing sustainable development, HealthTech, Agritech, EV, and AI, participants are inspired to formulate inventive solutions.
What sets this Startup Pitch Competition apart is its accessibility – open to both individuals and groups, with no application fees. Students from schools and universities are invited to partake, empowering a diverse range of aspiring entrepreneurs. The brightest minds will not only secure certificates but also gain exposure for potential funding, extending the impact of their visionary concepts.
• Hackathon Launch Date: September 5th 2023
• Hackathon Event: December 1st – 2nd, 2023 10 AM – 5 PM
• Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Deadline for application: November 25th, 2023
• No Application Fees
Affordable IT Education and Training: Igniting a Tech Revolution RiseBack.org recognizes the critical role that affordable IT education and training play in shaping the next generation of tech leaders. By making technology education accessible, RiseBack.org seeks to empower Indonesian youth with the knowledge and skills needed to build startups, create high-paying jobs, and drive economic growth.
“Technology is a crucial segment of our economy. Indonesia ranks third in Asia for creating startup unicorns, and we see immense potential to elevate our nation further,” stated Fitria Sudiro, MD for RiseBack Indonesia. “Through Rise N Start Ignite, we can equip our youth to become entrepreneurs and technopreneurs, potentially making Indonesia the Silicon Valley of Asia.”
In 2023, the Indonesian IT Services market is anticipated to achieve a revenue milestone of US$4.9 billion, with IT Outsourcing leading the domain, projecting a market volume of US$1.7 billion for the same year. The market trajectory is poised for robust growth, displaying an annual growth rate of 13.35% from 2023 to 2028, resulting in an impressive market volume of US$9.1 billion by 2028. Notably, the anticipated average Spend per Employee in the IT Services market is projected to reach US$34.35 in 2023 reports Statistica.
In recent years, Indonesia’s economic advancement has been notably propelled by its vibrant startup ecosystem and rapidly expanding internet economy. During 2022, the country’s startup ecosystem secured the second position in the Southeast Asian region. Following closely behind Singapore in the count of unicorns, Indonesia has unquestionably established itself as a frontrunner in the region’s thriving startup landscape reports Statistica.
Fostering Tech Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystems Rise N Start Ignite is poised to unlock a realm of possibilities for Indonesian youth. By encouraging innovative problem-solving and collaboration, the hackathon nurtures the seeds of entrepreneurship. Affordable IT education equips participants with the skills to not only become job creators but also to establish startups that drive the tech ecosystem forward.
“The pathway to a brighter future for Indonesia lies in the hands of its youth. By providing affordable IT education and training, we are nurturing a new wave of tech-savvy entrepreneurs and innovators,” stated Dr. Tausif Malik, Founder of RiseBack.org. “Our goal is not only to fuel personal growth but to align with the Indonesian government’s vision of innovation-driven prosperity.”
Expanding Reach to Multiple Cities In addition to the launch of RiseBack.org and the RiseHack Ignite event, RiseBack Indonesia is excited to announce its commitment to reach youth beyond the capital. The organization plans to host the Rise N Start Ignite hackathon in cities such as Surabaya, Bandung, Semarang, and Yogyakarta, enabling young talents across the nation to access opportunities for growth and innovation.
RiseBack.org’s launch is a call to action for businesses, institutions, and government bodies to join hands in building a brighter future for Indonesia. By investing in the youth and providing them with the tools to excel, RiseBack.org is paving the way for a tech-powered renaissance.
For more information about RiseBack.org, the Rise N Start Ignite Pitch Competition, and partnership opportunities, please visit https://riseback.org/events/indonesia/
About RiseBack.org: RiseBack.org is a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering the youth through innovation, mentorship, and experiential learning. By fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration, RiseBack.org aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and mindset needed to drive positive change.
About Fitria Sudiro, MD for RiseBack Indonesia: Fitria Sudiro , is a visionary leader with a passion for youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. With a strong commitment to technological advancement, Fitria envisions making Indonesia a hub for innovation on the global stage.
About Dr. Tausif Malik, Founder RiseBack, is a visionary Indian American social entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable development.
Glossaread, a pioneering education technology company, is rapidly transforming the higher education landscape by bridging the accessibility gap for students in tier 2 and 3 colleges across India. Founded in 2018, Goseeko, under the parent company, Glossaread Technologies, entered the market in 2019 with a mission to provide high-quality study materials and resources to students who often face challenges due to limited access to educational resources compared to their counterparts in tier 1 cities.
Goseeko’s unique approach sets it apart in the edtech space. The platform offers content curated by professors hailing from tier 2 and 3 cities, who understand the specific needs and challenges faced by students from these regions. This strategy has enabled Goseeko to create a comprehensive content repository that caters precisely to the requirements of students in ‘Bharat’, thereafter creating a social impact through education in this part of India.
Since its inception, Goseeko has experienced remarkable growth, achieving a year-on-year growth rate of 42%. The platform’s user base has expanded significantly, with an 80% year-on-year increase in new users, now totaling an impressive 2 million unique visitors. This growth has been primarily driven by referrals, a testament to the platform’s value and user satisfaction. The average user spends a substantial 25-30 minutes on the platform, reflecting the engaging and valuable content offered.
Chandrabhanu Pattajoshi, Founder Partner at Glossaread Technologies said, “Catering to the educational needs of students in tier 2 and 3 cities has always been at the heart of Goseeko’s mission. With Klub’s flexible funding without any equity dilution, we’ve not only realised our financial goals but have also embarked on a journey toward global expansion.“
Glossaread’s financial performance is equally impressive, with a top-line gross revenue of INR 7 crores. In a remarkable feat, the company has recorded a profit of close to INR 60 lakhs in the fiscal year 2023 and has ambitious plans to achieve cash positivity by the end of the FY 2023-24.
This success can be attributed to the company’s strategic choices, which include an intentional decision not to rely heavily on massive equity funding rounds during its initial years. Instead of focusing on widespread marketing campaigns, Goseeko adopted a zonal and on-field marketing approach, engaging directly with students and understanding their unique challenges. By doing so, the company managed to keep its Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) under control while efficiently addressing user needs.
Sonam Choudhary, Founder Partner at Glossaread Technologies commented, “As we look ahead to further expand the company’s profitability route, our commitment to fostering accessible education remains unwavering, and we are excited to build a future where every student’s potential can flourish, regardless of their geographical location.”
One of Glossaread’s remarkable achievements is the launch of SkillCamper, as an extended arm of Goseeko, a skill-building solution designed to enhance employment prospects for students and young professionals in India. With plans for international expansion in 2023, SkillCamper is set to make a substantial impact on employability both within and outside India’s borders.
Throughout its journey, Goseeko has found a valuable partner in Klub, a financial growth partner that understands the company’s challenges and provides debt funding through its capital platform. The collaborative partnership with Klub where funding is provided without any equity dilution has played a pivotal role in supporting Goseeko’s expansion and profitability goals.
As Goseeko continues to grow and thrive, the company has its sights set on raising Series A funding in 2024 or a future listing on the BSE SME stock exchange. The focus remains on building an ecosystem that is not only educationally enriching but also sustainable and profitable, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of higher education in India.
About Klub
Klub, India’s leading Revenue Based Financing platform, provides flexible funding up to Rs. 30 crores to digital businesses and SMEs with recurring revenue. The company partners with leading NBFCs, HNIs, financial institutions, and its own SEBI registered fund to provide growth capital. Klub offers different capital structures for businesses across all stages (early, growth & late) for recurring marketing, inventory, and capex expenses. The company has deployed more than 1200 investment rounds enabling growth for 500+ brands across India. Klub raised $20 million in seed funding from Sequoia Capital India’s growth program Surge, US-based Alter Global, Japan-based GMO VenturePartners, and 9Unicorns in 2021. For more information, visit www.klubworks.com
STIMVIA, a pioneer medical technology company, is introducing an effective non-invasive
neuromodulation treatment that offers a way to stimulate deep brain structures without the need for medication or surgery. Dysfunctions in these structures contribute to the development of various chronic conditions, such as overactive bladder. STIMVIA has made remarkable progress in the treatment of this condition. Current clinical studies demonstrate that their technology, known as URIS®, stands as one of the most efficient approaches in combating this ailment, affecting approximately 40 million individuals in the USA.
The Technology Capable of ‘Hacking’ the Brain
The uniqueness of URIS® technology lies in its ability to precisely stimulate a specific nerve using new type of electrodes applied to the patient’s skin, as well as delivering an electric signal directly to the patient’s brain. This is something that other non-invasive methods currently cannot achieve. Developed by the team at the Czech company STIMVIA, located in the heart of Europe, the technology utilizes a method called peroneal neuromodulation (Peroneal eTNM®), which involves stimulating peripheral nerves that extend from the extremities to the spinal cord and brain.
“We have demonstrated the capability to non-invasively reach deep brain structures, where the origin of many chronic diseases caused by imbalanced activity in different parts of the brain arises. Through what is known as neuromodulation, we can restore this balance. We can activate centres that are underactive and conversely, dampen the activity of regions showing excessive activity,” explains Lukas Doskocil, CEO of STIMVIA.
Effective Treatment for Overactive Bladder Without Medication or Surgery
Currently, STIMVIA is at the forefront of treating overactive bladder, a condition that affects approximately 40 million people in the USA, of whom more than 30 million remain untreated. A recent American clinical study demonstrated that more than 60% of women will experience a certain form of incontinence during their lifetime. According to clinical studies, URIS® ranks among the most effective methods in combating this condition. Clinical results have been achieved in more than 90% of patients treated with URIS, comparable to the effectiveness of invasive sacral neuromodulation—a costly surgery with a risk of serious consequences.
In contrast, treatment with URIS® technology is optimal for everyone and is associated with only a minimal amount of risks and side effects, which have appeared in only 0.01% of cases. “It is the outstanding ratio between clinical effectiveness and negligible risk of adverse effects that makes this treatment unique,” says Prof. MUDr. Jan Krhut, Ph.D. from the Urology Clinic at the University Hospital Ostrava.
Telemedicine in Practice
With the press of a simple button, the latest version of the device URIS II autonomously calibrates optimal stimulation settings and identifies precise neural locations for treatment. Powered by advanced proprietary AI algorithms, it eliminates manual adjustments, thereby setting a new user- friendliness standard.
“This distinct capability gives us a competitive edge, miles ahead of current
market solutions. In our mission to revolutionize healthcare, our
commitment to innovation and personalized patient care remains strong. To enhance the system’s efficacy, we’ll integrate personalized stimulation plans via our cutting-edge app. Using deep analytical algorithms, the app predicts treatment outcomes accurately, while seamless integration with URIS II enhances real-time data collection for improved effectiveness,” says Doskocil.
To date, over 200 patients have undergone treatment using URIS® technology as a part of clinical studies. The device could reach more people by the end of this year when STIMVIA is preparing a commercial pilot project in Europe. Due to its unique technology, the company plans to expand to international markets and aims to treat tens of millions of patients worldwide within a matter of years. As early as this fall, STIMVIA is launching a pilot study to determine whether URIS® technology is suitable for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.
About URIS® neuromodulation system
URIS ® neuromodulation system is an innovative non-invasive neuromodulation system with active closed-loop biofeedback designed for an afferent stimulation of higher levels of the central nervous system using a novel treatment method called peroneal eTNM® via stimulation of common peroneal nerve on the lower limbs of patients for the home-based treatment of overactive bladder.
About STIMVIA
STIMVIA is a clinical-stage pioneer MedTech company focused on developing and commercializing innovative non-invasive therapies for urologic conditions. The Company’s lead product candidate, URIS® neuromodulation system, is a non-invasive electroceutical neuromodulation device for home-based therapy, 30 minutes once- daily for 12 weeks. STIMVIA previously reported positive data from the 6-weeks pilot trial using the URIS® neuromodulation system in refractory overactive bladder and from the recent clinical study which compare URIS® neuromodulation system versus solifenacin in treatment of naïve patients with overactive bladder.
99 Pancakes, India’s first QSR chain in the pancakes segment, is on an aggressive expansion spree via Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) and
franchise models across different cities of India. The QSR chain is planning to open 100 + outlets in the next 18 months taking the total number of outlets of the brand to 140-plus.
Currently, 99 Pancakes has 40+ outlets in 10+ cities, of which 22 are operating on the COCO model. As part of the expansion plans, the brand will invest approximately Rs. 20 crores, and enter markets such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Nagpur, Nashik, etc.
Aiming to aggressively expand its presence in tier II cities, the brand plans to open 10-12 outlets per city in the near future. Moreover, the company plans to raise funds and use them to open new outlets PAN India.
Vikesh Shah, Founder, 99 Pancakes, said, “Since the inception of 99 Pancakes, the company has operated on Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) and franchise model, which has worked really well for us. Looking at the prospects of growth in other regions of India, we wish to enter the untouched markets in collaboration with the master franchisees and retail franchisees. We will also invest in outlets that will be company owned and company operated.”
“We have always focused on the quality and the menu that we offer and intend to keep up to it in the future as well. Therefore, with our new partners also, we would be setting the SOPs in our menu, taste, and look and feel of the outlets. We aim to provide the same experience all across our outlets,” added Vikesh.
At present, the QSR chain has a presence in tier I and II cities such as Mumbai, Kolhapur,
Varanasi, Surat, Prayagraj, Pune, Indore, Rewa, Hyderabad, Nashik and Raipur.
Founded in Mumbai in 2017, 99 Pancakes now has a presence in 10+ cities with 40+ outlets across India within a span of six years.
About 99 Pancakes
99 Pancakes is one of the leading QSR chains in India, which specializes in offering a variety of pancakes. The QSR started its first outlet in Kala Ghoda in Mumbai 2017 and within a span 6 years, the company already has a presence in 10 plus cities across India with 40+ outlets.
The company is on an aggressive expansion spree and plans to open its outlets in North India through a Franchise and company-owned model.
99 Pancakes also has FMCG products into the snacking category.
Last year in May, the company raised INR 6.5 crore in a round of funding from a group of angel investors and currently is on a lookout again to raise funds.
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