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Event

SGA PR launches ‘ProTeen’ – India’s First Cohort Communications Program for early-age startups Partners with FAAD Network for maiden batch

New-age communications consultancy SGA PR announces the launch of India’s first Cohort Communications Program – ‘ProTeen’. The program is designed to empower early-age startups to communicate with their stakeholders and build their brand story while optimizing their marketing spends. The maiden cohort of the bespoke startup-only initiative has been launched with FAAD Network, a community of over 1600+ angels, high net-worth individuals and venture capitalists across India, Singapore, Dubai, the US, the UK, and Canada. The network has invested in 70+ startups.

ProTeen is unique in its construct as it deploys the ‘power of collective’ by bringing a group of young entrepreneurs together to navigate their entrepreneurial journey. Backed by SGA PR’s philosophy of being an invested partner in the startup ecosystem, it offers a never before proposition for early-stage businesses.

Rahul Jain, Partner & Joint CEO at SGA PR said, “India is the third largest startup ecosystem, and on average at least 2 to 3 startups are founded every day. Most of the founders focus on developing the product and technology and often fail to communicate their story to the external ecosystem. We have seen many good business models close prematurely because they could not develop the right narrative for their products and services. After watching the ecosystem closely for a decade now, we believe that this gap needs to be addressed.”

Karan Verma, Co-founder & Director of FAAD Network said, “FAAD Network is committed to supporting the growth and success of our community of founders. We are thrilled to be the first to launch ProTeen along with SGA PR. ProTeen will democratize storytelling for every founder trying to contribute to the digital story of India.”

The leadership team at SGA PR has a combined experience of 100 years in building brands from pre-seed to unicorn. With the launch of ProTeen, SGA PR is poised to become the go-to communications consultancy for startups in India.

Earlier this year FAAD Network received the approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch a ₹300 crore category-I alternative investment fund (AIF). The network aims to build the war chest in the coming months to invest across sectors in early-stage pre-seed to Series A technology companies, with special focus on healthtech, agritech, deep tech, and cleantech space.

About SGA PR

Part of the Strategic Growth Advisors (SGA) Group, SGA PR is a new age communications consultancy, specializing in startup (pre-seed to unicorns), corporates, financial and capital market communications.

Founded in 2010, SGA is a value-driven and value-led 360 – degree integrated communication consultancy encapsulating investor relations, public relations, corporate reporting, branding, design, and social media expertise. SGA’s competence lies in the ability to establish a compelling dialogue for each of its clients with all their stakeholders through research-driven sectorial knowledge, peer comparison, industry trends, and analytical reviews with an aim to reinforce a positive perception and a long-lasting connection. SGA infuses its analytical capabilities and sectoral insights to design a unique service blueprint, customized as per business needs. SGA is a consulting partner to over 250+ clients in varied sectors such as manufacturing, BFSI, media & entertainment, infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, real estate, retail & luxury, etc. SGA is a team of over 100 professionals and expanding across all four businesses.

About FAAD

FAAD Network invests in early-stage startups across various sectors & geographies. With 1600+ Angels, HNIs and VCs, FAAD Network has invested in over 70+ startups, with follow on rounds in more than 50% of its portfolio companies. FAAD Network enjoys a network of investors based in India, Singapore, Dubai, the US, the UK, and Canada. Some of their portfolio companies include BluSmart, Battery Smart, The New Shop, Crib, Castler, One Stack, and Cleardekho among others.

by Vivek Kumar

W7Worldwide proudly announces that Abdulrahman Inayat has been recognized as PR Leader of the Year at the prestigious Athar Festival 2025, in a category presented in association with the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) — the global representative body for PR associations and consultancies. Representing the world’s leading PR consultancies and national associations across more than 80 countries, ICCO serves as the global voice of the public relations industry. This recognition underscores Inayat’s exceptional leadership and W7Worldwide’s continued contribution to advancing the communications landscape across Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and international markets. “This achievement is not only personal; it reflects the collective dedication of our W7Worldwide team and the transformation we are witnessing across the Saudi communication landscape,” said Abdulrahman Inayat . “We are proud to contribute to shaping a globally competitive PR industry that mirrors Vision 2030’s ambition and creativity.” This honor adds to a recent series of distinctions recognizing Abdulrahman Inayat’s leadership in the communications sector. He was previously elected Chairman of the Regional Board of the International Public Relations Network (IPRN) for the Middle East and North Africa. He also made history as the youngest board member of PRCA MENA and was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award, further underscoring his influence across the regional marketing and communications landscape. Meanwhile, W7Worldwide has received over 30 awards in recent years across local, regional, and global platforms, being recognized among the leading communications consultancies in the region. “Abdulrahman’s recognition as PR Leader of the Year exemplifies the excellence and ambition driving the Middle East’s creative marketing and communications community forward,” said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Motivate Media Group and Festival Co-Founder. W7Worldwide has evolved into one of the region’s most respected homegrown communications consultancies, earning international acclaim for its strategic thinking, innovative storytelling, and deep cultural understanding. The agency continues to lead the way in positioning Saudi and MENA communications excellence on the global stage. About W7Worldwide W7Worldwide is a homegrown, award-winning communications consultancy known for its strategic insights, thought leadership, and culturally grounded storytelling. With a proven track record of partnering with more than 100 clients across diverse sectors, the firm has built deep expertise in reputation management and strategic communication, helping organizations strengthen trust and visibility. Operating across the MENA region and international markets, W7Worldwide continues to elevate Saudi communications leadership on the global stage.

by Vivek Kumar

The inaugural edition of CARE (Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability) forum series by Trescon, is set to become the MENA region’s most influential platform for sustainability investment and climate innovation. The forum will unite regional and global leaders driving the Middle East’s clean energy transition. Co-located with DATE, a Digitization, AI & Emerging Tech Summit, CARE MENA will take place on 26-27 November at the iconic Madinat Jumeirah. “With the GCC committing billions to renewable infrastructure, CARE MENA offers a unique, action-oriented platform where capital meets climate ambition,” said Naveen Bharadwaj, Group CEO, Trescon. He continued, “From solar and hydrogen to green finance and industrial decarbonisation, the series will spotlight investable opportunities that support net-zero goals and drive regional climate action.” Talking about the series, Jens Y. Zimmermann, President, Orios Venture Partners, said, “Looking forward to CARE and learning more about new developments, trends & investment opportunities in climate & renewable energy.”  For start-ups, scale-ups and climate tech ventures, CARE MENA is a launchpad and a great opportunity to secure investments.  “I’m looking forward to CARE as a platform to uncover investment opportunities in climate tech and renewables,” said Kevin Holliday, CEO, Venturebeam. Ahmed Refaie, CEO & Global CIO, G.P.I. Global Partners Investments Limited said, “CARE gives an opportunity for climate finance and investment practicing professionals to deploy capital in an environmentally impactful and responsible way.” Whether seeking Series A investment, strategic partnerships or market access, participants will gain direct exposure to venture capital firms, institutional investors, family offices, and sovereign funds. Backed by some of the region’s most prominent investors — from the Royal Group and Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) to ARM Holding, Venturesouq, Plug and Play, and others — CARE MENA is set to spark high impact collaborations. Talking about the opportunities at CARE, Sofia Kostiunina, Managing Director, 100VP commented, “From the VC perspective, I see CARE as an excellent platform to identify breakthrough opportunities in renewable energy and climate tech.” Flagship initiatives include: CARE ESG Awards, hosted by Trescon and supported by ESG MENA, will also spotlight and celebrate the “Responsible Investor of the Year” and the “Young Sustainability Pioneer of the Year”. Sessions at the summit will explore regulatory reform, capital flows and technology deployment, with a sharp focus on commercial viability and regional scalability. With the help of its sponsors including Emtribe, Cero Hero, Enjazponic, S&P Global and others, CARE MENA will also feature investor roundtables, pitch sessions and partnership forums — ensuring that conversations lead to commitments. For founders, it’s a chance to pitch to decision-makers. For corporates, it’s a front-row seat to the next wave of green innovation. And for investors, it’s access to the region’s most promising ventures and infrastructure projects.

by Vivek Kumar

TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, India’s largest deeptech summit, set the tonefor one of the nation’s most significant science and technology developments — the launch of the ₹1lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund by Prime Minister Narendra Modi atthe Emerging Science and Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. At the two-day TiEcon Delhi-NCR, a keynote fireside conversation titled “Quantum Leap: AcceleratingIndia’s Tech Sovereignty” brought together Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science& Technology (DST- GOI), and Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR. Thediscussion highlighted India’s focus on strengthening deep-tech capabilities through collaborativeR&D, private sector participation, and startup-led innovation – a vision that aligns closely with theobjectives of the newly launched RDI Fund. Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, GOI said, “India stands at adefining moment in its deep-tech journey. The Research, Development and Innovation Fund is afirst-of-its-kind initiative to empower corporates, industries, and startups across sunrise sectors suchas quantum, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. With liberalized norms and atwo-tier fund management model, it aims to catalyse private sector R&D, promote IP creation withinIndia, and strengthen our path toward technological sovereignty. The government’s role is to enable,not control – fostering risk-taking and long-term R&D investment that builds India’s innovationstrength.” Sharing his perspective, Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, “India’sambition to achieve tech sovereignty depends on uniting scientific excellence with entrepreneurialexecution. By deepening collaboration between academia, research, and startups, we can turncutting-edge discoveries into world-class products. TiE Delhi-NCR continues to be a catalyst for thisecosystem, connecting innovators, investors, and policymakers to drive India’s next wave oftechnological breakthroughs.”The session followed the inaugural keynote by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister ofCommerce and Industries, who emphasised the government’s vision to build a deep-tech ecosystempowered by innovation and youth engagement. Organised by TiE Delhi-NCR, TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 brought together policymakers, investors,founders, and global thought leaders to discuss India’s next growth frontier in technology andentrepreneurship. For over 25 years, TiE Delhi-NCR has been a driving force in India’s innovationlandscape, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and investment that continue to shape the country’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.About TiE Delhi-NCR TiE Delhi-NCR is one of the most active and vibrant chapters of TiE Global, dedicated to fosteringentrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, and funding. With a legacy spanningover two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR continues to empower innovators and founders, driving India’stransformation into a global innovation powerhouse.