Simple Energy, an automotive company headquartered in Bengaluru, has raised $10 million in an all-equity funding round. The round was led by existing investor Dr.Arokiaswamy Velumani, Founder of Thyrocare’s Family Office, in participation with fellow existing investors – Balamurugan Arumugam and the Haran family office. The funds will aid Simple Energy’s network expansion across India and marketing initiatives. A percentage of the amount will also be directed towards R&D.
Simple Energy was founded in 2019 by Suhas Rajkumar and co-founded by Shreshth Mishra, with Ankit Gupta later joining as co-founder. Since then, the company has built smart, high-performance electric two-wheelers with deep localisation. It pioneered the longest-range electric two-wheelers in India. It became the first in the industry to achieve full vertical integration of the powertrain, covering both development and manufacturing. It is also the first Indian OEMs to offer an 8-year motor warranty, setting new standards of consumer trust. The company’s manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, delivers an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Most recently, Simple Energy became the first Indian OEM to commercially produce heavy rare-earth-free motors – cementing its leadership in electric mobility.
Commenting on the fundraise Suhas Rajkumar, CEO and Founder, “This investment will bolster our next phase of growth. It will help in making electric mobility more accessible to customers across India. Nearly 80% of the capital will be directed towards expanding our retail presence and building a robust dealer and service network. The rest of the funds will be employed towards R&D. With this influx, we are confident in scaling into both established and emerging markets – delivering India’s longest-range electric two-wheelers that meet the needs of Indian riders.”
Dr. A. Velumani, Creator, Thyrocare said, “Simple Energy’s unique strengths are indigenously made with 1. Best Battery system and 2. Excellent motor Quality. Their focus and frugality with disciplined execution gives me confidence in its future. With localized operations, sharp operational & R&D focus, and a clear strategy for scaling, the company is well-positioned to be in top 3 players in EV 2W market in India by 2030.”
Balamurugan Arumugam, prominent investor and mentor to several high-growth companies, said, ‘It is inspiring to see Simple Energy turn its ambitious vision into consistent growth and meaningful impact. Its focus on R&D and high-range electric two-wheelers, strategic market expansion, and strengthening customer engagement reflects the brand’s potential for lasting impact. We are excited to continue supporting their journey as they shape the future of two-wheeler mobility in the country.”
To date, Simple Energy has raised $51 million from marquee investors. Looking ahead, the company is planning an IPO in FY’27, with a target of raising $350 million to fuel manufacturing expansion and other growth initiatives.
In February 2025, Simple Energy launched Gen 1.5 of Simple One with a 248 km IDC range, followed by Simple OneS in March 2025 with a 181 km IDC range. These models are now available at the company’s 53 outlets across cities including Bengaluru, Goa, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Kochi, amongst others. The company is rapidly expanding nationwide, with plans to open 150 new stores and 200 service centres this year.
Google has launched Mixboard, a new AI-powered moodboard app that helps people turn ideas into visuals. The app is available in the U.S. in public beta through Google Labs. With Mixboard, users can create boards using text prompts, uploaded images, or ready-made templates.
This launch positions Google directly against platforms like Pinterest, but with a stronger focus on AI-driven creativity.
How Mixboard Works
Mixboard begins with a simple text prompt. If we enter an idea like “cozy living room in pastel colors,” the app generates visuals instantly. Users can also select from custom boards or upload their own images. The system builds designs around these images to create a cohesive finish.
One of the standout features is Nano Banana, Google’s advanced image editing model. It lets users edit visuals with plain language commands, such as “make this more modern” or “blend these two styles.” The AI can also regenerate variations or show “more like this” options, making the design process smooth and flexible.
The app not only builds image collages but also adds AI-generated captions or short text descriptions to match the boards. This helps users explain the mood behind their ideas more clearly.
Why It Matters
Mixboard is more than a fun tool. It’s also part of Google’s broader push to bring AI into creative workflows. Designers, marketers, event planners, and DIY creators can use it to brainstorm faster and watch projects visually take shape.
Unlike other traditional moodboard websites, Mixboard lowers the hurdle for those who do not have an unlimited library of images. Anyone can start with a prompt and watch the AI build a board within seconds.
Google is treating this rollout as an experiment. The company is calling on early adopters to try it out and give feedback through its community forums. It is only available to U.S. users for now, but there are suggestions that wider rollout will occur depending on demand.
Looking Ahead
Mixboard could change how people and teams collaborate on creative projects. In the future, it might not just be a personal tool but a shared workspace. Imagine teams in different time zones building the same moodboard together, watching AI generate variations in real time.
If Google adds live collaboration and version tracking, Mixboard could become a powerful hub for design teams, startups, and even classrooms. It has the potential to reshape not only how we gather inspiration but also how we work together visually.
The app is still in its early stage, but its arrival signals that AI will not just answer questions or write text, it will also help us see ideas in entirely new ways.
OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank have revealed an ambitious expansion of their Stargate AI infrastructure project, announcing five new data centers across the United States. The move is part of a $500 billion plan to build the compute backbone needed for the next generation of artificial intelligence.
The new facilities will bring Stargate’s total planned capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts, with over $400 billion invested in just the next three years. The long-term goal is 10 gigawatts of AI data center capacity by the end of 2025, ahead of earlier targets.
This expansion follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s January announcement of the Stargate initiative, which gathered top tech CEOs at the White House. The project is being framed as a milestone not only for AI, but also for U.S. infrastructure and energy policy.
Where the New Data Centers Will Be Built
OpenAI and Oracle will jointly develop three new sites in:
Shackelford County, Texas
Doña Ana County, New Mexico
An undisclosed Midwest location
These sites, combined with an expansion near Abilene, Texas, are expected to deliver over 5.5 gigawatts of capacity and create more than 25,000 onsite jobs.
Two additional sites will be developed with SoftBank:
Lordstown, Ohio
Milam County, Texas (through SoftBank’s energy arm, SB Energy)
Together, these centers will scale to 1.5 gigawatts in 18 months.
In total, Stargate reviewed 300 proposals from more than 30 states before selecting these sites. More U.S. locations will be announced in the coming months.
A Gigawatt Every Week? Altman’s Bold Vision
In the whole history of technology, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described the project in a blog post called “Abundant Intelligence” as one of the most ambitious infrastructure endeavors. His goal in the blog post was to construct a gigawatt of AI infrastructure every week.
To illustrate, one gigawatt has the capacity to supply power to 876,000 houses in a year. At that pace, the scale that would be achieved would mean building the energy footprint of a whole city every one week. Altman, although had to admit the implementation would be “extremely hard” and they would have to accept the possibility that difficulty would remain “the coolest and most important infrastructure project ever” of the future.
The Energy Challenge Ahead
The primary concern is energy. Just running Nvidia’s $100 billion, 10-gigawatt data center contract with OpenAI burns vast quantities of electricity. Analysts suggest the U.S. grid may be unprepared for the surge in demand. Those in the sector regard power supply as the ‘quiet choke point’ in the growth of AI.
Altman and partners show, though, that such problems can be framed as chances to reimagine energy infrastructure for the 21st century. With SoftBank’s and Oracle’s combined expertise in renewable energy and scalable cloud infrastructure, the project looks to decentralize AI advancements along with electricity.
Conclusion
The Stargate project is more than just a race to build data centers. It marks a shift where AI development, national policy, and energy planning intersect. The initiative could force governments and companies to accelerate renewable energy deployment, strengthen power grids, and rethink infrastructure at scale.
If successful, Stargate won’t just shape the future of AI. It could redefine how nations build and manage energy for the digital age.
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated festivals in India. It is a time of joy, togetherness, and the triumph of light over darkness. While Diwali is traditionally celebrated in homes, many companies also join in the festivities by decorating their office spaces. The vibrant decorations not only create a festive atmosphere but also foster a sense of camaraderie among employees. In this article, we will explore a plethora of creative Diwali decoration ideas for your office, ensuring that your workplace is adorned with the spirit of this joyful festival.
Rangoli Designs: Welcome Prosperity at Your Doorstep
Diwali Decoration Ideas for Office – Rangoli Designs
No Diwali decoration is complete without a beautiful rangoli design adorning the entrance. Rangoli, a traditional art form, involves creating intricate patterns and designs on the floor using colored powder, flowers, or Diyas (earthen lamps). These vibrant designs not only add a touch of elegance to your office but also bring good luck and prosperity. You can find a variety of rangoli design stencils online or offline, making it easy to create stunning patterns even if you don’t consider yourself an artist. Embrace vibrant colors such as red, orange, pink, green, and yellow, and elevate the look with flowers and Diyas. This can be a beautiful office decoration idea this Diwali.
Diyas: The Quintessential Festival of Lights
Diyas are quintessential for every Diwali decoration. Diyas are small earthen lamps that symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. They not only add a warm glow to your office space but also create a serene and peaceful ambiance. You can choose from a variety of Diyas, including earthen Diyas, hand-painted Diyas, or ones with multiple wicks. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, Diyas are also cost-effective and eco-friendly, making them an ideal choice for sustainable Diwali decorations.
Candles: Illuminating Every Nook and Corner
Diwali Decoration Ideas for Office – Candles
Candles are another perfect addition to your Diwali office decoration. They can be used to decorate various areas, including dark corners, staircases, and tabletops. The market offers a wide selection of candles, ranging from scented jar candles to decorative tea light candles. You can explore different shapes, sizes, and fragrances to suit your office decor. If you want to avoid the mess associated with traditional candles, you can opt for electric candles, which are convenient to set up and provide a similar warm glow. Having candles can be one of the most beautiful bay decoration ideas in office for Diwali in the offices.
Floating Candles: Adding a Magical Touch
To take your Diwali decorations to the next level, consider incorporating floating candles. These ethereal decorations create a magical and enchanting ambiance, especially when used as a central decoration item. Simply place some beautiful floating candles in a large bowl of water and add colorful flowers or glitters to enhance the festive vibe. You can place these bowls around the office space, making it look exquisite and captivating.
Cubicle Decor or Bay Decor: Spreading Festive Cheer
To create a festive atmosphere in your office, don’t forget to decorate the workspaces. Cubicle decor or your bay decor plays a crucial role in spreading the festive cheer and involving every employee in the celebration. Hang streamers, balloons, and fairy lights to make the cubicles more welcoming and vibrant. While traditional Diyas and candles may not be suitable for cubicle decor due to fire hazards, you can use electric candles and floating Diyas as safe alternatives. Encourage employees to personalize their cubicles with flowers, rangolis, and string lights, fostering a sense of ownership and creativity.
Fairy Lights: Adding a Magical Glow
Fairy lights are a timeless classic when it comes to Diwali decorations. These tiny, twinkling lights instantly uplift the ambiance and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. You can drape fairy lights across pillars, outline window and door frames, or place them on top of office cubicles. The versatility of fairy lights allows you to get creative and experiment with different arrangements. Whether you prefer warm white lights or vibrant multicolored ones, fairy lights are a must-have for a truly enchanting Diwali office decoration.
Chinese Lanterns: Infusing Oriental Glamour
For a touch of oriental glamour, consider incorporating Chinese lanterns into your Diwali office decor. These vibrant lanterns bring a unique charm to the traditional decorations and create a dreamy and picturesque vibe. Hang them along bare walls or staircases to add a pop of color and elegance to your office space. Chinese lanterns are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing you to choose the ones that best complement your office decor.
Bottle Lights: Recycling with Style
Diwali Decoration for Office – Bottle Lights
Embrace sustainability and modernity by incorporating bottle lights into your Diwali office decoration. This recent trend allows you to recycle old glass bottles and transform them into chic and elegant decor items. Clean up old glass bottles, place string lights inside them, and watch as they create a mesmerizing and magical effect. Bottle lights add a touch of sophistication and uniqueness to any space, making them an ideal choice for a modern Diwali office decor. It can also be one of the beautiful decoration ideas for office desk.
Lights on Plants: Bringing Nature to Life
Adding greenery to your office space not only enhances the overall aesthetics but also promotes a sense of well-being. Take your plant decor a step further by wrapping string lights around the office plants. This simple yet effective decoration idea creates a captivating visual appeal and adds a warm glow to your office environment. Consider placing these “decorated plants” in the lobby or balcony space to create a welcoming and festive atmosphere for employees and visitors alike.
Balloons: Simple Yet Vibrant Decorations
Balloons are versatile and vibrant decorations that can instantly brighten up any festive setting. Incorporate balloons into your Diwali office decoration to add a pop of vibrance and playfulness. You can choose balloons in various shapes, sizes, and colors to match the theme of your office decor. Hang them from the ceiling, create balloon arches, or place them strategically around the office to create a joyful and celebratory ambiance.
Flower Garlands: Fragrant and Auspicious
Diwali Decoration Ideas for Office – Floral Garlands
Flowers hold a special place in Indian culture and are integral to Diwali celebrations. Adorn your office space with beautiful flower garlands, such as marigold wreaths, to bring a touch of tradition and auspiciousness. This office decoration idea with flowers looks marvelous when hung on walls, doorways, and staircase railings. The vibrant colors and fragrant aroma of the flowers create a festive and enchanting atmosphere, spreading joy and positivity throughout your workplace.
Diwali Torans (Wall Hangings): A Symbol of Warm Welcome
To add a finishing touch to your Diwali office decoration, consider incorporating torans or wall hangings. Torans are used to decorate the top of doors, symbolizing a warm welcome for guests and the Goddess Lakshmi. Besides their traditional significance, torans also brighten up any space with their vibrant colors and ornate designs. You can create torans using flowers, beads, or colorful threads, incorporating the auspicious colors of red, yellow, and orange. Hang them on doors or walls to infuse a festive and inviting atmosphere into your office.
Decorating the Reception Area: Making a Great First Impression
The reception area is the first point of contact for visitors and sets the tone for the entire office. Enhance the look of your office reception this festive season by incorporating various decor ideas. Create a vibrant and eye-catching rangoli in the middle of the room, using a mix of vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Decorate the reception area with fairy lights, floating candles, and Chinese lanterns to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Flower vases or planters with fairy lights can also add a touch of elegance and freshness to the space. Don’t forget to deck up the walls and roofs with decorative wall hangings, such as torans or creatively designed wall art, to complete the festive look.
Innovative Gift Packaging: Adding a Festive Touch to Gifts
Diwali is a time for exchanging gifts as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation. To make your Diwali gifts stand out, focus on innovative and festive gift packaging. Ditch the old, dull wrapping paper and opt for beautiful, trendy gift wraps that reflect the festive spirit. Explore different patterns, colors, and textures to create a personalized and appealing look for your gifts. Innovative gift packaging not only adds to the excitement of receiving presents but also enhances the overall festive atmosphere in your office.
Streamers: Giving a Party Look
Streamers are a simple way to brighten up and decorate any space. Not sure how to liven up an empty hallway? Just grab some colorful streamers and hang them up!
They’re also convenient because you can reuse them for almost any celebration. Plus, even if you’re not great at decorating, streamers are easy to work with and can make any space look festive.
Urli Bowls: Bringing in the Traditional Way
Diwali Decoration Ideas for Office – Urli Bowls
Urli bowls are one of the most beautiful Diwali decorations. These traditional bowls are usually made of brass or iron and often coated with golden paint. They are decorated with flowers, candles, and diyas. Urli bowls come in different shapes and designs—some even have built-in diyas, while others are just deep bowls that you can fill with flowers, diyas, or floating candles.
You can place Urli bowls near rangolis, in the center of the office, on conference tables, at cubicles, or by the reception. They look great anywhere! Decorate urli bowls in different styles to match the office’s look and feel and having Urli bowls is one of the best Diwali bay decoration ideas.
Themed Photo Booth: Capturing Festive Memories
Create a Diwali-themed photo booth for employees to take fun and memorable pictures. Use a colorful festive backdrop and provide props like diyas, lanterns, Diwali hats, or traditional outfits. Add a camera on a tripod with a timer so everyone can click DIY snaps easily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Diwali is a time to celebrate and spread joy, and decorating your office space is essential to the festivities. Incorporating these Diwali decoration ideas into your workplace can create a vibrant and festive ambiance that fosters a sense of togetherness and positivity among your employees. Embrace the spirit of Diwali and let the lights and colors illuminate your office, bringing prosperity and happiness to all.
Alibaba has released its strongest AI yet on September 24, 2025. According to the Alibaba Cloud website, the open-source Qwen series saw 7 million downloads by May 2024 (just after launching in April 2023). Notably, Qwen is now ranked third globally on the LMArena text leaderboard. To best serve its users, this Chinese AI has made significant improvements to its new version. So, the new model is all set to compete with AI giants like OpenAI’s GPT-5, Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4. How is the new version different? How does it rank compared to others? Learn more.
Qwen3-Max-Thinking (Heavy). Image credits Qwen official website
What Is Qwen-3 Max?
Qwen-3 Max is part of Alibaba’s Qwen series of AI models, also known as the Qwen family.
This is the first Qwen model to surpass the 1 trillion parameters (these parameters are the connections in the brain of the AI. More parameters mean a more advanced AI model).
Qwen-3 Max was trained on a whopping 36 trillion tokens (these tokens are words that an AI reads while getting trained).
The capabilities of this model are such that it can read, remember and process huge amounts of text all at once (let’s say, an entire book, long research paper, or even full codebases).
In technical terms, it can take a context length of up to 1 million tokens.
Qwen3-Max-Thinking (Heavy). Image credits Qwen official website
What Can Qwen-3 Max Do Better Now?
According to Alibaba, the Qwen-3 Max is improved in:
Reasoning (meaning figuring things out step by step).
Instruction following (the model can understand and carry out all the tasks you give it).
Multilingual support (for now, the model can work well in both English and Chinese).
Long-tail knowledge coverage (meaning the AI now knows about more complex subjects that are less common).
Math, coding, logic, and science (this version is now trained to solve any technical tasks more accurately).
Reduced hallucinations (this version is less likely to make things up as compared to its older models).
High-quality response to open-ended or complex questions.
Text Arena official ranking
How Does It Rank Compared to Others?
Lmarena’s Text Leaderboard
Qwen-3 Max is ranked third on the LMArena’s text leaderboard (it’s a ranking given to AI text-based models.
It is ahead of GPT-5.
And a little behind Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Opus 4.1 (thinking mode), OpenAI’s o3, 4-o, GPT-4.5, and GPT-5 High models.
SWE-Bench Verified
Qwen-3 Max has scored 69.6. on SWE-Bench Verified (it is a test for AI models to rank their real coding problem-solving skill).
It has scored better than DeepSeek V3.1 and just a little below Claude Opus 4.
Tau2-Bench
Qwen-3 Max has scored 74.8 on the Tau2-Bench (it’s a test for AI to see how well the uses tools in an agent-like way).
In this test, Qwen-3 is well ahead of Claude Opus 4 and DeepSeek V3.1.
How Can You Use Qwen-3 Max?
Qwen is an open-source AI model. The new Qwen-3 Max is also free.
One can access the new version on the Qwen app (available on iOS and Android) or directly on the Qwen website.
If you are a new user, the app will default to install as Qwen-3 Max.
In case you don’t see the new version, here’s what you can do:
Tap on the top left corner of the Qwen app and then select the Qwen-3 Max model, and there you go.
It’s just like ChatGPT or Gemini, you can interact and ask the AI any question you have.
We’ve reached the fourth day of Navratri, where the spotlight shines on Goddess Kushmanda. Her name itself tells a story: “Ku” means a little, “Ushma” is warmth and energy, and “Anda” stands for the cosmic egg, the very beginning of creation.
Goddess Kushmanda is believed to bless her devotees with health, strength, and prosperity. Inspired by her spirit of abundance, we asked a few amazing women entrepreneurs how they’ve created prosperity in their businesses and what advice they’d share with fellow female founders chasing growth.
Let’s explore their stories and soak in the energy of Kushmanda together.
Nidhi Sabbarwal, Founder at Kalyanamm Holy Waste Recycling Pvt. Ltd.
Abundance, for me, is more than just financial wealth; it’s value creation for people, communities, and the planet. At Kalyanamm, we’ve turned waste into wellness by recycling temple flowers, creating livelihoods for women artisans, and providing consumers with better options. This abundance is a combination of business growth and positive impact. For other women founders, I’d suggest anchoring your business for a purpose bigger than profits. When your work serves people and the environment, abundance follows naturally. Be patient, remain innovative, and don’t be afraid of new ideas; true success comes from creating opportunities for others while growing yourself.
For me, creation has never just been about clothes; it has been about possibilities. Kushmanda’s essence of abundance inspires me to design activewear that celebrates women in their own skin. Each piece is crafted to be versatile and inclusive, with the hope that it adds confidence to someone’s journey. To other founders, I would say: create with heart, and the abundance of opportunities, growth, and impact will follow on its own.
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Tip: Create with heart and opportunities and growth will follow.
At Sciative, abundance has come from creating measurable value for our customers. Our clients consistently achieve 15–20% uplift in revenues, and that impact multiplies across industries, bringing prosperity not only to our clients but also to their entire ecosystems of staff, suppliers and customers.
For female founders, my tips would be:
Root yourself in value: if your product or service improves your customer’s outcomes, growth will follow.
Invest in scalable systems: build processes and technology that can grow with you.
Don’t shy away from numbers: track metrics obsessively; data is your ally.
Build networks of support: surround yourself with mentors and peers.
Balance persistence with agility: keep moving forward, but pivot when needed.
When you create abundance for others, it always finds a way back to you and your business, in greater measure.
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Tip: Focus on creating measurable value, and abundance will return.
At Shryoan, we have achieved prosperity through value creation that goes beyond sales, while building trust and a loyal community. We have been intentional about affordable price points while maintaining quality, and this has given us a strong consumer base. To fellow women founders, my advice is to think long-term, create offerings that solve real-life problems. Success doesn’t occur overnight; it is the result of sheer determination, adaptability, and belief in yourself.
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Tip: Long-term thinking and resilience bring lasting growth.
Ambika Bhaik, CEO, Yellow Fertility
Prosperity arrives when you think beyond yourself. By giving others opportunities, whether through jobs, partnerships, or innovations that create value, prosperity multiplies naturally. To other female founders, my advice is: don’t be fearful of scaling. Dream big, but pair it with structure. Develop systems where your imagination can expand, and always keep customers at the centre.
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Tip: Share opportunities generously, and prosperity multiplies.
Dishi Somani, Founder of DishiS Designer Jewellery
At DishiS, prosperity has been created through creativity, customer loyalty, and strong relationships. I’ve always been committed to delivering value through craftsmanship, openness, and customer service. To my fellow female entrepreneurs, I’d say: build businesses on trust and innovation. Success comes when you create something that lasts. Teamwork and continuous upskilling also open new opportunities, even in competitive markets.
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Tip: Trust and innovation are the cornerstones of success.
Priyanka Jain, Co-Founder & Director of Marketing, Snow World Entertainment
For a successful business, the aim is to create impact over revenue. When people walk into our ventures, we want them to leave with unforgettable memories. We have always focused on offering experiences that customers are looking for, and that is the success of our business.
Advice for other women entrepreneurs is to have faith and confidence in yourself that you can turn your idea into a successful venture. As no one out there is going to believe you until you have faith in yourself. Once the root of confidence is built, there is no looking back. Confidence comes when you are aware and have complete knowledge of the field you are entering.
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Tip: Confidence built on knowledge is the key to progress.
Gopika B Raj, Co-Founder & CCO, MyDesignation
Abundance, for me, is peace of mind, knowing I’m doing what I love. Building a business you care about is challenging, and success is personal. It’s not just numbers; it’s about listening to customers, refining designs, and staying transparent. At MyDesignation, our pride lies in designs crafted with heart and effort, building trust and community along the way.
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Tip: Abundance is doing what you love and listening to your customers.
Kushmanda’s energy reminds me that creation begins from within. At Sammyukk, we’ve built abundance by nurturing a strong foundation, values, vision, and a supportive team. Prosperity isn’t just financial; it’s also impact, integrity, and meaningful relationships. My advice to women entrepreneurs: trust your intuition, stay consistent, and never be afraid to take up space. Align your business with purpose, not pressure, and abundance will follow in ways you never imagined.
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Tip: Lead with values and prosperity follows naturally.
Tanul Mishra, CEO, Afthonia Lab
Apart from the many things a business needs to thrive and grow, Bourdieu’s capital theory highlights three forms of capital: Economic, Social, and Cultural. For a business owner, accessing all three is essential for growth. Joining startup communities, incubators, and accelerators can help you gain this access. Additionally, focusing on execution and adopting an execution bias is key to achieving success.
Naina Ruhail, Founder and Co-CEO, Vanity Wagon
I nurtured my business with creative campaigns and strategies in order to achieve our goals and grow large. There are many factors that contribute to creating a prosperous business, but all of them converge to one aim – to foster a strong customer relationship.
For aspiring female founders, my advice is to be bold and not let yourself be confined by conventions. Always believe that the world needs a person like you who breaks the mould and creates a new one. So keep daring in your pursuits and carve out your unique path.
This article has been contributed by Louis D’Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global
India’s travel market is in the midst of a dramatic transformation, moving from traditional tour packages to highly personalized, experience-based travel. This transformation has been driven by a new generation of tech-savvy, adventurous travelers – many of whom hail from smaller cities – who are looking for curated, meaningful experiences instead of generic itineraries, says Louis D’Souza, Managing Partner, Tamarind Global. Connectivity has been key to this evolution: better roads, short-haul flights and air travel infrastructure has made these often-remote destinations accessible.
At the same-time, the hospitality sector has elevated its offering to combine the best of local culture and service to satisfy rising expectations. According to industry leaders and various reports from McKinsey, changes in travel infrastructure and hospitality are redefining travel and travel behaviour and providing accelerated economic growth – ushering in a new era of destination management in India that is based on the pillars of curated experiences and seamless access.
From Packages to Personalization
India’s travel industry is shifting gears from a rigid, generic package model to a more customized and emotional travel experience. Travellers want itineraries that represent their personal interests, values, and aspirations, not standard, one-size-fits-all travel plan. While travel companies try to customize the experience for travellers, the industry pushes further personalization by using technologies like AI, data analysis, etc., to gain a deeper understanding of traveller behaviour and design experiences that match traveller’s interests.
To create personalized travel, travellers need to actively participate in their travel plans. The development of user-friendly mobile apps and digital platforms allows for this real-time customization of travel plans to make the changes quickly, easily, and seamlessly while the traveller is travelling. When a better travel experience is created through personalization, it leads to better satisfaction, deeper cultural experiences, and stronger sustainable tourism, personalizing authentic, high-quality local products over the mass-market experience.
Technology and Seamless Logistics
India’s destination management sector is undergoing a transformational phase as technology stitches together highly personalised experiences to seamless guest logistics. Destination management companies (DMCs) and online travel agents (OTAs) are harnessing AI-driven recommendation engines, data-driven segmentation and client virtual previews to curate bespoke itineraries that reflect traveller preferences, and genuine local authenticity.
At the same time, DMCs are using integrated logistics platforms, local operator networks, and real-time operations dashboards to ensure that on-ground activity co-ordination is frictionless from transfers, to event staging, to location set up. Clients experience the normalcy and expectations of late minute customisation, contactless services and measurable sustainability credentials and expect destination management firms to continue to combine their creative curation ability with operational orchestration and operational resiliences.
India’s travel landscape is evolving quickly, and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) are leading the way by fuelling a transition from packaged holidays to neighbouring, high-touch experience journeys. Travellers today expect their itineraries to infuse seamless transportation and logistics with deeply personal and enriching experiences, such as private vineyard tours in Nashik, wellness experiences in the Himalayas, and conservation-led safaris in Ranthambore.
The demand for all-encompassing or deeply immersive experiences has transformed DMCs from simple plotters into experience curators, coordinating everything and anything from exclusive local experiences to luxury hospitality. As client expectations become more nuanced, so the industry has its focus as they promote authenticity, cultural engagement and seamless execution. The transition is forcing the destination management in India to reconsider their operations and redefine their industry with bespoke experience travel becoming their new normal.
Luxury with Local Flavour
India’s destination management sector is undergoing a significant evolution, driven by the desire of luxury travelers for customized and personal journeys into local culture. Travel is no longer confined to visiting popular sights. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) now offer experiences and itineraries that provide guests with meaningful engagement: think culinary trail experiences through royal kitchens in Jaipur, wellness retreats that are led by local yogis in Rishikesh, or artisan-led textile workshops in Kutch. Such experiences combine logistical excellence with authentic engagement, and speak to an emerging client preference for meaningful luxury over material luxury. DMCs are developing increasingly meaningful ties with regional suppliers, boutique accommodations, and community-based experiences to deliver exclusivity without losing cultural authenticity; acting as total stewards of the experience rather than just organizing the travel.
Evolving Client Expectations
India’s travel sector is changing, as Destination Management Companies move towards more engineered styles of travel. The full-service DMCs are more than handling the cut-and-dried logistics (hotel, transport etc.) it’s actually curating rich and multi-layered experiences that are deeply personal, immersive of local culture. Travellers no longer wish to conduct travel only for the basics included in a trip. They aspire to more than what the ordinary itinerary would dictate. For example, a traveller could now have their very own private culinary trail in Jaipur or an art-focused heritage trail in Kolkata.
As travellers are becoming increasingly more discerning, DMCs are moving towards designing experiences that merge seamless travel logistics and rich local touch points. Clients are also expecting ethical or responsible tourism – eco-conscious stays in Ladakh or community-run experiences in Kerala – to evidence alignment of their values to travel. As clients’ expectations evolve, DMCs are now moving towards data driven planning backed up by active stakeholder engagement, to curate experiences that are unique, effortless and place-based.
With demand growing for personalized travel, culturally-rich experiences, and responsible travel, DMC’s are changing their role as storytellers and experience makers. With development in infrastructure and hospitality, we are witnessing travel that is seamless yet soulful. It is a meaningful shift where the destinations of India are being managed not simply as places to visit, but experiences to dive deep into and take away meaningful memories.
India’s startup ecosystem saw major activity on 24th September 2025. Gullak raised $7.5 Mn, Oolka $7 Mn, Good Capital launched a $30 Mn AI-focused fund, Xbattery secured $2.3 Mn, and P-Tal raised $3 Mn. In corporate news, Paytm Money partnered with JioBlackRock to launch an AI-driven equity fund, Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal were appointed CEOs of T-Mobile and Molson Coors, Gant named Shahid Kapoor as brand ambassador, Accenture plans a new campus in Andhra Pradesh, and PhonePe filed confidential IPO papers with SEBI.
Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 24th September 2025
Company
Amount
Round
Lead investor(s)
Sector
Gullak
$7.5 Mn
Series A
Chiratae Ventures (with White VC, Samved Ventures)
Gold savings / Fintech
Oolka
$7 Mn
Seed
Lightspeed India Partners, Z47 (with participation from 8i Ventures)
Gullak raises $7.5 Mn to expand gold savings platform
Fintech startup Gullak has raised $7.5 Mn in a Series A round led by Chiratae Ventures, with participation from White VC and Samved Ventures. The platform enables users to save in gold digitally, making wealth accumulation accessible and convenient. The funding will be used to scale operations, enhance technology, and expand user acquisition across India.
Oolka secures $7 Mn seed funding to grow AI-driven fintech
AI-powered fintech startup Oolka has raised $7 Mn in a seed round led by Lightspeed India Partners and Z47, with participation from 8i Ventures. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to deliver personalized financial solutions and improve customer experience. The new capital will help scale the technology, expand team, and increase market penetration.
Good Capital launches $30 Mn Fund II to back AI startups
Venture capital firm Good Capital has launched a $30 Mn second fund to invest in AI startups. The fund will focus on early- and growth-stage opportunities in AI-driven sectors, aiming to support innovative solutions and accelerate technology adoption in India.
Xbattery raises $2.3 Mn seed to innovate in deep tech batteries
Deep tech startup Xbattery has raised $2.3 Mn in a seed round led by the Bipin Patel Family Office and Jhaveri Credits. The company focuses on next-generation battery solutions, aiming to make energy storage more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective. The funds will be used for R&D and scaling pilot projects.
P-Tal raises $3 Mn Series A to expand kitchenware brand
Handcrafted kitchenware brand P-Tal has raised $3 Mn in a Series A round led by VC Grid and Rainmatter, with participation from Connecticut Innovations, Anicut, Zeropearl, and angel investors. The funding will help scale production, expand distribution, and introduce new product lines, targeting home chefs and culinary enthusiasts.
Key Business News for 24th September 2025
Paytm Money partners with JioBlackRock to launch AI-driven equity fund
Paytm Money, the investment arm of Indian fintech company Paytm, has partnered with JioBlackRock to introduce the JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund, an AI-powered systematic active equity (SAE) fund aimed at retail investors. This collaboration aims to democratize access to advanced investment strategies, allowing Indian retail investors to invest with a minimum of INR 500 through lump sum or SIP options. The fund leverages BlackRock’s AI and machine learning techniques to analyze complex data sets and produce investment insights for nearly 1,000 Indian companies.
Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal appointed as CEOs of US giants
Srinivas Gopalan has been appointed as the CEO of T-Mobile, effective November 1, 2025, succeeding Mike Sievert. Gopalan, previously the Chief Operating Officer, has a background in digital transformation and 5G expansion. Rahul Goyal will assume the role of CEO at Molson Coors Beverage Company on October 1, 2025, replacing Gavin Hattersley. Goyal has been with the company since 2001, holding various senior positions, and is well-positioned to lead the company through changing consumer patterns and growing trade barriers in the US market.
Gant appoints Shahid Kapoor as brand ambassador in India
American sportswear brand Gant has appointed Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor as its brand ambassador in India. The partnership debuts with the launch of Gant’s new campaign, “Button Up. Build Your Story,” which celebrates resilience, individuality, and self-expression. The campaign aims to deepen Gant’s connection with Indian consumers and bring them closer to the brand’s world of culture, lifestyle, and elegance.
Accenture plans new campus in Andhra Pradesh
Accenture, the world’s largest IT services company by market capitalization, is planning to establish a new campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This move is part of the Andhra Pradesh government’s policy to attract top IT firms by offering land at a highly subsidized rate. Accenture is expected to receive around 10 acres of land and plans to hire approximately 12,000 employees for the upcoming campus. The proposal is currently under review by the State Investment Promotion Committee and is anticipated to be cleared by mid-October.
PhonePe files confidential IPO papers with SEBI
PhonePe, a leading digital payments platform, has confidentially filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an initial public offering (IPO) worth $1.5 billion. The company is targeting a valuation of $15 billion. The confidential route allows companies to submit IPO documents privately before making them public, enabling more flexibility in planning and preparation. This move marks a significant step in PhonePe’s journey towards going public and accessing capital markets.
This article has been contributed by Mr. Rajeev Taneja, Founder and CEO, GlobalCare Health
If you think medical tourism is just about saving money on surgeries abroad, think again.
India’s medical tourism industry is racing toward USD 142.7 billion by 2032, but what’s fueling this rapid growth isn’t only affordability; it’s a new breed of traveller, led by Millennials, Gen Z patients, and the increasingly discerning new Indian traveller. For them, healthcare journeys are no longer about flying in for a bargain surgery. They want clarity, comfort, digital support, cultural nuance, wellness add-ons, and experiences that make their journey feel less like a clinical errand and more like a blend of healing and discovery.
Beyond Cost: What Younger Patients Really Want
Healthcare Expectations
A decade ago, medical tourists came to India primarily because of affordable treatment options. Global patients could access world-class cardiac, orthopaedic, or cosmetic surgeries at a fraction of what they would spend in the US, UK, or Europe. Cost was the magnet, plain and simple.
Today, while affordability remains relevant, it’s no longer the central pillar — more like the starting point. Millennials and Gen Z patients are wired differently. They want:
Quality of Care: Advanced, accredited hospitals, cutting-edge technology, and experienced specialists.
Time Efficiency: No long waiting lists. Healthcare on-demand is an expectation.
Digital Experience: Seamless online consultations, medical records sharing, and clear communication.
Customization: Tailored treatment journeys that reflect cultural and personal needs.
Reputation & Trust: Hospitals with global accreditations and doctors whose expertise is easy to verify.
This evolution marks a major shift. Instead of being passive recipients of affordable care, young medical tourists are active decision-makers — researching, comparing, and curating their own healthcare plans. They want healthcare that is accessible, reliable, technologically advanced, and compassionate.
When younger patients think about medical tourism, cost is just one lens. What takes priority is peace of mind. They want clarity at every step, from initial enquiry to after-care. Transparency is essential: pricing, treatment plans, recovery timelines, even hidden charges. They often demand video consultations before travel, allowing them to make informed decisions.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
For Gen Z and Millennials, trust, guidance, and a holistic experience matter as much as the surgery itself. Here are the numbers that speak for themselves. In 2020, India’s Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector stood at USD 2.89 billion. By 2026, it’s expected to hit USD 13.42 billion. Already, in just the first few months of the year, over 1.3 lakh people came to India for treatment, over 4% of all foreign tourists.
But these numbers are more than statistics. They reflect the rise of healthcare facilitator specialists who are not just “middlemen,” but trusted partners who connect patients to hospitals, ensure transparent pricing, organize logistics, and offer post-care support. They’re the bridge between anxious patients and world-class Indian medical institutions.
Think about the new generation, how Millennials and Gen Z shop, eat, travel or even date. Everything is researched, reviewed, and compared online. Healthcare is no different. Millennials and Gen Z are digital natives. They research online, compare hospitals across destinations, read patient stories, and value transparency. That’s why digital platforms and healthcare facilitators are critical. They connect patients with Indian providers and offer curated, end-to-end journeys.
This makes digital-first healthcare facilitation platforms critical. They’re not directories; they’re end-to-end ecosystems offering second opinions, visa support, curated treatment packages, accommodation, and wellness add-ons. Essentially, they transform treatment plans into patient experiences. This approach ensures that both patients and hospitals gain from the ecosystem. For them, a medical journey isn’t just treatment. It’s an end-to-end experience, where recovery doesn’t stop when they leave the hospital; it extends to aftercare, wellness, and peace of mind.
The Role of Facilitators & Hospitals
Top facilitators go beyond treatment coordination. They understand cultural sensitivities, provide translators, and even curate healing itineraries. For example, a patient coming for cardiac treatment might also receive an option to extend recovery at a yoga retreat in Rishikesh. Meanwhile, Indian hospitals are making bold moves too:
Centres of Excellence in specialties like cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, and reproductive medicine.
International accreditations like NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) or JCI (Joint Commission International).
Global patient departments with trained staff to handle visa paperwork, foreign currencies, and translational services.
This two-way collaboration facilitators curating journeys and hospitals strengthening clinical depth, ensures India remains competitive against international hubs.
Government’s “Heal in India” Push
The Indian government has recognized this shift and is actively supporting medical tourism through its “Heal in India” initiative. It is designed to make medical travel smoother, covering everything from making appointments to tracking treatment easier. Launching digital patient portals to reduce the unnecessary time and procedures, enabling families and patients to travel easily. Easing of medical visa processes and the initiative promotes India’s natural diversity, offering the best of modern medicine with traditional wellness like Ayurveda, yoga and Indian medicines, where treatment and recovery go together with all-around well-being.
This integration of modern healthcare with holistic wellness resonates especially with the Millennial and Gen Z traveller, who increasingly values both physical recovery and mental balance.
Yes, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and Mexico are established medical tourism hubs. But India has a unique blend that’s hard to beat because of its budget-friendly treatments, doctors who speak English and accredited hospitals, along with traditional wellness. Alongside the balance between modern and traditional healthcare makes India appealing to new generations and new Indian travellers who want to experience both wellness and overall well-being with modern care. This mix speaks directly to the younger traveller, someone who wants healthcare but also a chance to recharge, grow, and experience something meaningful.
Sure, countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Turkey are strong competitors. But India offers a rare combination of affordability + accessibility, even after flights and lodging, costs remain far lower than in developed countries, language advantage – english-proficient doctors make communication smoother; world-class expert Surgeons and specialists trained at leading global institutions; the cultural depth – the option to combine advanced surgery with holistic wellness like Ayurveda, meditation retreats, or scenic rehabilitation stays. For Millennials and Gen Z patients, this is gold. They’re not just seeking a surgery; they want an experience where care, travel, culture, and wellness blend together. India delivers that mix.
The Future: Less Transactional, More Transformational
Medical tourism is no longer “book ticket → get surgery → return home.” It’s about transparent journeys, digital handholding, and transformational healing; Millennials and Gen Z want healthcare journeys that are transparent, digitally-enhanced, and culturally enriching. And in India, all of the ecosystem- hospitals, facilitators, and government programs- are working together, giving India the opportunity to establish itself as not just the treatment center, but a place for healing, wellness, and human connection on a global stage.
In short, the next generation of medical tourism isn’t about saving dollars; it’s about building trust and experience. India is stepping up to that challenge and thriving. India, with its unique mix of affordability, clinical depth, and cultural richness, is positioned not as a fallback solution for cheap healthcare but as a global healthcare destination where treatment, wellness, and human connection converge.
The next chapter of medical tourism isn’t about saving a few thousand dollars on a hip replacement. It’s about building trust, creating meaningful patient experiences, and making health journeys transformational rather than transactional. Millennials, Gen Z, and the new Indian traveller are leading this shift, and India is embracing the challenge beautifully. With hospitals, facilitators, and government aligned, the subcontinent stands on the brink of redefining global healthcare itself. India is no longer just where you come to get treated. It’s where you come to heal, learn, and grow.
The second richest person in the world, Larry Ellison (founder of Oracle), is worth $393B in 2025. In 2010, he officially signed what’s called the “Giving Pledge”, which is a promise to give away 95% of his fortune. He only became the second richest person after the stock price of Oracle (and Tesla’s as well) skyrocketed due to the AI boom. And all eyes turned to his wealth and his pledge. So, will he give away his fortune? If so, where does he want to see his money? Charity or no charity? Learn more.
His Promise to Give Away Money
It was in 2010 that Larry Ellison (over $28 billion, back then) signed the “Giving Pledge” as a promise to give away his fortune. Generally, it’s a promise by billionaires.
Ellison promised to give away not 10, 20 or 30 but 95% of his fortune.
However, his wealth would go into donations on his own terms (especially through his own projects), not like traditional charities.
The Ellison Institute of Technology (Eit)
This institute is based at the University of Oxford, and it is described as a for-profit philanthropic organisation (meaning, doing good, but it also works like a business).
Well, the Ellison Institute of Technology is Ellison’s main project. The big goals for this project are to work on:
A $1.3 billion fund has been invested in creating a new campus in Oxford, with plans to open by 2027.
Leadership Shake-up at Eit
For the same project in 2024, Ellison hired John Bell, a scientist, to lead research at EIT.
However, in August 2025, on-boarded Santa Ono (former president of the University of Michigan), who joined John Bell to collaborate.
Interestingly, two weeks later, John Bell announced his registration, stating that the project was “very challenging.”
Several reports hint at the rising tension about:
How will Ellison want to make money from the research alone?
Whether or not EIT can trust him to keep up his financial promises? What he has already given
When compared to other billionaires, Ellison gave less to the charity (directly). However, that’s not a small amount:
Key Donations of Ellison So Far:
He donated about $200 million to the University of Southern California (USC) for a cancer research centre.
He gave about $1 billion to the Ellison Medical Foundation (his own foundation), which worked towards ageing and disease prevention. However, that is now shut down.
He promised a huge funding of $1.3 billion to the Oxford EIT campus (project underway).
His Future Commitment
Giving back to society typically means charity, but not for Ellison. He said that he will eventually donate all of his fortune, but in his own way and at his own time.
He doesn’t want to give away his fortune to public charities all at once. Rather, spend money on his personal projects like EIT.
Unlike Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, he structured his donation (of billions) in a way that doesn’t resonate with a typical charity.
