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  • InsideFPV Signs Strategic Development MoU With Israel-Based UAV Dynamix, to Supply 10,000 Drones

    An Israeli drone business called UAV Dynamix and an Indian deep tech drone and Shart Tank India-featured firm called InsideFPV have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). InsideFPV is changing the game when it comes to consumer, agricultural, and defence drones. UAV Dynamix has also committed to receiving an estimated 10,000 drones from InsideFPV over the next decade.

    The goal of the memorandum of understanding is to leverage the combined technical expertise of the two companies to develop ground-breaking drone solutions that will propel their global expansion. There will be a great chance to exchange technology, both software and hardware, thanks to the relationship. The collaboration will also highlight the creation of practical and effective solutions utilizing cutting-edge technologies from both organizations. Over the past few years, InsideFPV’s drones have gained a lot of traction and support from the Indian defence forces in various demonstrations. Now, they are aiming to build trust with important global defence partners so that they can accelerate their expansion. Additionally, the arrangement is in line with InsideFPV’s long-term goal of becoming the world’s leading drone manufacturer by consistently exceeding expectations in innovation, creativity, and execution.

    With its cutting-edge drones, the Indian firm just hit a new benchmark, with a recorded flight duration of 141 minutes on a single battery. There are current preparations afoot for the Indian drone business to shatter the Guinness World Record. The record-setting flight by the Indian drone business was the result of years of research and development, man-hours spent in the lab, and intensive testing in the field.

    The Indian drone manufacturer now owns three patents and a plethora of technical know-how. As part of its first phase of development for its defence vertical, InsideFPV has surpassed another milestone in remotely commanding drones, this time from 7,000 km away (the Netherlands, Oman, and Bangalore). Also, the research team at InsideFPV has done a fantastic job of finding ways to make drone batteries last longer.

    “As a company dedicated to solving problems through extensive R&D, we tackled the issue of flight time, leading to significant improvements,” explained InsideFPV CEO Mr. Arth Chowdhary, who provided a detailed account of the partnership. Since drone technology is still in its infancy in India, we set up drone labs in universities and high schools. In support of India’s Make in India program and our goal of becoming a world leader in drone production, we have agreed to supply 10,000 drones. We are looking forward to conducting more research and development in the drone industry.

    “From surveillance to surveying operations, the growing dependence of UAVs is critical to shaping the future of modern aviation,” stated Mr. Tal Appelbaum, CEO of UAV Dynamix, emphasizing the increasing demand for UAVs in several areas of contemporary aviation. Drone technology in aerial imagery, surveillance, and surveying will make a significant impact on the future of this sector, thanks to InsideFPV, India’s technological prowess, UAV Dynamix’s vast network of foreign pilots, and their extensive experience in the field.

    Drone Labs is a research arm of the Gujarat-based company that provides drone education to students at army academies through a variety of interactive learning programs. Its goal is to get people talking about drones and excited about STEM education so that they may use Drone Arena as a tool for experiential learning. The use of cutting-edge drone platforms, curriculum support, technical aid for teachers, and training for students in electronics, coding, and robotics all contribute to this goal. Anyone can learn to fly drones in a risk-free environment thanks to InsideFPV’s innovative simulator, which powers The Drone Labs. In this training program, newcomers can practice in a variety of settings to hone their skills and gain self-assurance. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, or level of education, is welcome to participate in this program’s training sessions.

    A New Era Is Dawning for India’s Drone Industry
    Inspired by the rapid development of the drone industry, India is aiming to become the world’s leading drone manufacturer by 2030.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • German Lens Producer Carl Zeiss Invests INR 2,500 Crore in Indian Facility

    Bengaluru will be home to one of Carl Zeiss’s largest lens manufacturers, as the German medical technology and optics business prepares to invest $10 billion in the city.

    With an investment of INR 2,500 crore, the new plant will produce five times as much as the company’s current facility, which is also located in Bangalore but in a separate part of the city. Miguel G. Diaz, MD of the India business, told the media that the company is not only doing this, but it is also increasing its research and development efforts in India. This is because the company leverages India to work on solutions that are implemented globally.

    Investing in India is a smart move because the country is a great place to do business. Further, the economy is expanding rapidly.

    Strengthening the Manpower by Hiring Around 800 New Employees

    In preparation for the opening of its new facility at the end of 2024, Carl Zeiss India intends to recruit an extra 800 workers. Carl Zeiss first set up shop in India in 2012, after breaking into the country’s market in 1998. The planned facility is going to integrate three existing facilities in Bengaluru, while the corporation currently operates four units in India. Europe, Asia, the MENA, and the Middle East are some of the locations that receive more than 60% of the company’s manufactured goods.

    Revenue Carl Zeiss Generating From Its Indian Units

    The company’s total sales in India was INR 1,500 crore last year, and it employs 1,400 people across all of its activities. The company claims that all of its businesses are experiencing include, making it a market for everything.

    The German manufacturer has five divisions in India. One of them is medical technology, which brings in INR 800-900 crore annually. The other two divisions are industrial quality solution (IQS), which makes metrological and dual-use equipment, research microscopy (RMS), vision care (VIS), and consumer products (COP), which include cinema and photography lenses, binoculars, and sports optics.

    About Carl Zeiss

    Carl Zeiss, an optician, started the company in 1846. Since then, it has evolved into a world leader in producing optical instruments and lenses with the highest levels of perfection. Medical technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, photography, and many more fields make use of Zeiss’s cutting-edge products. Zeiss claims that it has a long history of innovation in optics, and the company is just as well-known for its contributions to image technology, where it has established benchmarks for accuracy and reliability. The corporation will always be at the forefront of technical innovation because of its dedication to R&D.

    Lenskart Success Story: Leading Ecommerce Portal for Eyewear
    Explore the remarkable success story of Lenskart, India’s leading eyewear company. Discover about Lenskart founders, funding, revenue, business model, and more.
    StartupTalkySarika Anand

  • Bridging Cultures Through Bollywood and Beyond

    Meera, originally from China, discovered her passion for Indian culture upon moving to Delhi a few years ago. Enchanted by the Hindi language and traditional customs, she pursued a diploma course at Jawaharlal Nehru University, solidifying her connection to India. Her social media presence, boasting over 8 million followers, serves as a platform where she shares her love for Indian traditions, often seen wearing sarees and celebrating Bollywood classics.

    Spicy Rail x Desi Trail with Meera

    In a recent YouTube podcast with SPICY RAIL X DESI TRAIL, Meera spoke about the romantic and cinematic themes that resonate in both India and China. She spoke fondly of Bollywood’s emotional depth, highlighting how films like “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” “Secret Superstar,” and “Hindi Medium” have enriched her perception of Indian storytelling. During the podcast, Meera mentioned her favourite Bollywood actor, Hritik Roshan. Meera had also explored popular Chinese dramas like “Meteor Garden,” drawing parallels between the romantic tales cherished by audiences in both countries. These stories, she noted, share universal themes of love and emotional connection, demonstrating how deeply human experiences transcend cultural boundaries.

    During the podcast, Meera shared her journey of adopting the name “Meera” instead of her Chinese name, Chu Chink Chink. This name change symbolizes her embrace of Indian culture and her mission to create a cross-cultural identity. She also reflected on her Hindi learning experience, mentioning the fewer number of learners and the resulting lesser competition. Her proficiency in Hindi allows her to sing Indian songs with impressive accuracy, further endearing her to her followers.

    She highlighted how Indian films and songs, such as those from “Baahubali” and “Dangal,” have gained immense popularity in China, contributing to a positive image of India. These films have performed well at the Chinese box office, fostering a deeper appreciation for Indian culture among Chinese audiences.

    Meera also discussed youth cultures in both countries, noting the similarities and the increasing interest among Indian youth in Chinese girlfriends. She mentioned the popularity of Korean series among Indian families and the growing influence of Indian family dramas in China. Through her content, Meera aims to dispel stereotypes and promote a nuanced understanding of the vibrant cultures of India and China.

    Revolutionizing Reels: From Silver Screens to Streaming
    While cinemas offer the communal experience of watching on the big screen, OTT platforms cater to the convenience and personalization desired by modern audiences.
    StartupTalkyNadeesh Kareemdathil

  • MapMyIndia Claiming That Ola Electric Plagiarised Its Map Data for Their Own Ola Maps

    Ola Electric was served a legal notice by CE Info Systems, the parent company of MapMyIndia, which allegedly accused Ola Electric of copying its data following the launch of Ola Electric’s mapping service in India (as reported by a media group).

    Ola Electric is accused of breaching its licensing agreement in the notification. Ola Electric began using MapMyIndia in 2022 to help guide riders of their S1 Pro electric scooter.

    As per MapMyIndia, the agreement forbade Ola Electric from doing things like combining the licensed product with competitive products or trying to reverse engineer the API or related software of the licensed product to extract or copy its source code.

    “In order to construct OLA Maps, you have stolen our client’s proprietary APIs and software development kits and used them to create your own. “Our client’s exclusive data has been copied/derived by you to further your illegal motive and for your unjust commercial gains,” CE Info Systems warned, as quoted by the media outlet in its report.

    “Your assertion that you have developed API and map data/Ola Maps solely through open map is factually incorrect and not tenable,” the company said in its legal document.

    Specifically, the conditions of the 2021 agreement prohibit co-mingling and reverse engineering in accordance with Intellectual Property standards; the legal notification reportedly highlights this fact.

    “By engaging in such dishonest and unlawful practices, you have clearly disregarded the agreement’s provisions and have violated our client’s copyright regarding the source code,” the warning went on to state, as reported by the media agency.

    Ola Refuted All the Allegations

    Ola Electric has denied the accusations leveled by MapMyIndia, calling them “false and misleading.” The firm promised to respond to the legal complaint in due course. 

    Ola Electric would like to make a statement regarding the accusations made by CE Info Systems Limited regarding the purported problems with Ola Maps compared to MapMyIndia, which have been highlighted in the media. “We want to make it clear that these accusations are completely unfounded, intended to mislead, and spiteful. When it comes to doing business, Ola Electric is unwavering in its honesty”. An Ola Electric representative promised a proper response to the notification soon.

    Google to Lower Maps Platform Fees for Indian Developers From August 1
    Google is making it easier to build location-based solutions by cutting Google Maps Platform pricing for Indian developers by 70% from August 1, 2024.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

    Ola Maps to Substitute Google Maps

    Ola, headquartered in Bengaluru, India, debuted Ola Maps earlier this month to compete with Google Maps. The business also stopped using Google Maps and started using its own mapping service.

    “We have now fully exited Google Maps,” wrote Ola Cabs CEO Bhavish Aggarwal in a message on X (previously Twitter). This follows Azure’s departure last month. “We eliminated that expense this month by switching to our own Ola maps, which saved us INR 100 crore compared to last year! To see if an update is necessary, open your Ola app,” added CEO.

    MapmyIndia Business Model | Funding, Marketshare and More!
    MapmyIndia is India’s most comprehensive GPS navigation solutions provider. Read to know the business model of MapmyIndia, how it earns money, and more!
    StartupTalkyPV Vyshnavi

  • Yashwant Singh on Leadership, Overcoming Compliance Challenges, and Team Mentorship in the Financial Services Sector

    In this engaging interview, StartupTalky talks with Mr. Yashwant Singh, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the financial services sector. As a Compliance Officer, Singh shares his insights on handling complex challenges, his leadership style, and his dedication to team mentorship.

    He also opens up about his motivations, future aspirations, and how he balances his demanding career with personal relaxation. Join us as we explore Singh’s professional journey and gain valuable lessons from his broad experience and unique perspective.

    StartupTalky: Could you share insights into your professional journey and experiences? Additionally, what drives and motivates your daily routines?

    Mr. Singh: Being in the Financial Services Sector for more than 2 decades and having worked in different organizations and different departments equips me with the insight to navigate complexities effectively.

    Throughout my professional career, I have gone through many challenges, but with my experience, knowledge, and teamwork, I have been able to overcome them.

    Success is what motivates me to do a good job. Knowing the fact that my hard work and perseverance will help me achieve greater professional success is what keeps me going. I feel that aligning the company’s vision and values with my own is one way to achieve that. When I know that my efforts are following the correct path, it encourages me to push more.

    Hence, for me, success is important both at a personal as well as at organizational level. Motivation is seeing the organization grow, which ultimately leads to personal achievement and success.

    I always try to keep the hopes alive.

    StartupTalky: Reflecting on your extensive industry background, what standout lessons have you gained, and can you elaborate on your distinctive leadership style?

    Mr. Singh: As the famous quote goes “Teamwork makes the dream work.” An important life lesson is that working as a team can do wonders. So I emphasize this quote, I worked in a team and achieved my goals. I picked up plenty of skills from teammates which developed my communication and collaboration skills and I also learned how to effectively manage work.

    I believe that great collaboration and teamwork are essential for successfully completing tasks. Whenever I start collaborating with the leadership board, including regulatory bodies, industry groups, or vendors, I always try to communicate my ideas clearly, listen to them patiently, and explain the requirements of the task. I am also open to accepting constructive feedback, which helps me improve the end result while collaborating.

    StartupTalky: What is your approach to mentoring your team? How do you deal with learning and development?

    Mr. Singh: As a mentor, I have the responsibility and the opportunity to guide, inspire, and empower my team members. I define my vision and goals to my team and myself.

    Another key aspect of managing my team as a mentor is to know their strengths and weaknesses, their learning styles and preferences, understand their problems, and try to solve them. As a mentor, I have the responsibility to provide feedback and coaching to our team members. Feedback and coaching are essential for learning, improvement, and development, and they should be a continuous and collaborative process.

    Open and honest communication is the foundation of a successful team. I communicate with them regularly, which helps me build the interpersonal skills necessary for effective teamwork, which ultimately helps in embracing improvements in their experience and capabilities. Sharing ideas, points of view, information, and expertise helps keep them informed and in loop. I always take feedback, brainstorm ideas, and listen to my team members.

    I try to create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable learning and developing their capabilities.

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    StartupTalkyGorish Dua

    StartupTalky: In navigating your role as Compliance Officer, what significant business challenges have you confronted, and what strategies did you employ to successfully overcome them?

    Mr. Singh: As a Compliance officer, I have confronted business challenges like making the company compliant in view of the regulatory framework vis-à-vis company business.

    I try to create a healthy compliance culture for everyone, from leadership to frontline employees, that makes them understand what is considered “Right” in our industry and see how regulatory compliance upholds our organization’s mission, purpose, and core values.

    I use my knowledge, past experiences, and facts effectively to resolve the issues. I try to identify the root cause of issues, and according to that, I develop an action plan in order to resolve the issues and avoid recurrence.

    StartupTalky: Envisioning the future, could you elaborate on the destination you are steering towards in your professional journey?

    Mr. Singh: I envision myself as a successful compliance officer using my experience and innovation to make a positive impact on the industry and want to remain at the top always.

    StartupTalky: What do you do to relax when you are unplugged from work?

    Mr. Singh: Watching news channels, spending time with my 4-year-old daughter and my family, I have a little bit of interest in cooking (especially non-vegetarian).

    6 Must Have Online Collaboration Tools For Teams
    Team collaboration is an essential part of team building. Check out the list of the most recommended online team collaboration tools.
    StartupTalkyRishabh Rathi

  • Working with the Customer Interests in Mind: Satyakam Sahoo on How AI is Changing the World of Retail

    The impact of emerging AI technology is mostly discussed regarding the highly digitalized fields, such as software development or digital marketing. However, other aspects of the economy will not escape the influence of AI, and retail is no exception. The industry, which constitutes an essential part of daily life for US citizens, is undergoing a massive change, as defined by the growing adoption of AI and machine learning.

    Strategic professional Satyakam Sahoo, currently a Senior Product Manager at Walmart, works on the leading edge of these new developments. He anticipates them as the changes that will benefit businesses and customers and aims to implement this approach in practice. His career path provides a vivid example of the developments of the industry. With his experience of more than 15 years of continuous professional improvement, he shares his insight regarding the current state of the industry and its future.

    In the course of his career, Satyakam Sahoo performed the roles of Strategic Consultant, Analyst, and Product Manager at companies operating in various fields, from retail (Walmart, Tesco) to charity organizations (JDRF International, ALSAC). It is a true illustration of the universal skills and expertise he possesses, which allow him to achieve success in adapting to the specifics of a particular field. However, whether it is the case of creating a commercial product or establishing connections for a fundraising campaign, Satyakam Sahoo focuses on crafting a solution that is beneficial for both parties.

    “While the end goals of the consumer and the business may seem contradictory to each other, in reality, it is possible a win-win solution,” points out Satyakam Sahoo. “And it is not only desirable but necessary for businesses that strive for long-term, sustainable success.”

    He explains that one of the most obvious, low-hanging fruits of the AI applications in retail serves exactly this purpose. Machine learning and generative AI allow businesses to create content that is adapted to the needs of particular users, providing them with the information or offers they will be more likely interested in.

    However, the applications of AI-powered tools are not limited to personalized content. Technology facilitates interactions between customers and the business in general. At Walmart, Satyakam Sahoo implemented a tech-driven approach, which included the development of the Customer Self-Service Portal, providing customers with a user-friendly, accessible, and flexible way to acquire relevant information, submit claims, and track their progress.

    While creating a convenient customer experience remains one of the priorities, supporting the employees is another essential component for the sustainable development of the retail business. It is no wonder that AI can be of use here as well. Satyakam Sahoo comments that his experience of implementing AI-powered automation at Walmart is a vivid example of the idea:

    “Automation solutions powered by AI technologies are able to relieve employees from routine tasks, freeing up their resources for more complex tasks which may require a more creative approach. The result is beneficial both for customers who get their cases resolved fast and for employees who avoid routine and repetitiveness.”

    It is worth noting that automation in retail is not limited to digital interaction between customers and businesses. Digital transformation spills out into the physical world in the form of robotics. Currently, Satyakam Sahoo is working on research on applying retail robots in practice. He comments that they can take over routine and physically demanding tasks, including inventory management, shelf-stocking, order picking, and cleaning. They can also interact with customers, helping them to orient themselves in the store or providing other information.

    For Instance, Satyakam Sahoo participated in the peer review of the “Spark IntelliCart” product, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the shopping experience. The technology provides customers with advice on the ingredients needed for a particular dish and the aisles or shelves where they can find them. The feedback provided by Mr.Sahoo helped to improve the products making it more convenient and beneficial for the customers. He concludes that while this field is currently in its early stages and implementing robotics and automation in retail requires significant investment at the start, the benefits for the companies that manage to do so will be immense.

    Finding the right balance between profitability, sustainability, and convenience remains a priority for Satyakam Sahoo in his current role at Walmart, as it was at his previous workplaces. He provides the trend for greener shopping as an example, explaining that thanks to the tech-driven approach and implementing cutting-edge solutions, they were able to reduce packaging waste, transition to renewable energy sources, and create an eco-friendlier customer experience.

    While working on implementing new solutions and consulting others, Satyakam Sahoo finds it important to inspire others in his team and beyond to innovate and find creative solutions. Recently, he participated as a jury member in the Globee Awards, which is a global event conducted to honor organizations from all around the world for their achievements in business and technology. Its panel of judges unites recognized professionals from diverse industries and backgrounds. Satyakam Sahoo highlights the importance of staying open to ideas and solutions from other industries and fostering an environment for recognizing excellence and supporting innovations in the field.

    “The ever-evolving digital landscape creates a constant push for progress and sustainable development, which can eventually improve people’s lives,” concludes Satyakam Sahoo. “To get an advantage of using these technologies, retail businesses should implement them focusing on common values such as employees’ well-being or customer convenience alongside increasing profitability.

    In Walmart’s particular case, Satyakam Sahoo’s work resulted in creating a better and more convenient Customer Claims Portal, which increased customer satisfaction and provided a smoother way to process claims. However, this is just a single part of a wider tech-driven approach, providing a valuable lesson for other businesses in the industry.

  • Over 200 Workers Are Laid off by Agritech Company Waycool

    To increase its profitability, the agriculture supply chain company Waycool has terminated the employment of more than two hundred people across all departments. This is the third wave of layoffs that have been implemented at the corporation situated in Chennai.

    Waycool’s businesses are all working hard to put their strategies into action to achieve profitability. A further simplification and automation of roles and structures is included as a component of this. A spokeswoman for Waycool stated that this will be an ongoing procedure at all times.

    There was no statement from the corporation regarding the number of employees who were terminated. A total of more than 370 workers were terminated from their positions during the two previous firings, which took place in July 2023 and February of this year respectively.

    According to a well-known media outlet, which was the first to report on the news, the layoffs have affected employees in the cities of Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, as well as staff working for the company’s two subsidiaries, CensaNext and BrandNext.

    Why Did the Company Decide to Initiate This Move?

    Waycool was reportedly in the process of negotiating a new round of funding on the order of more than fifty million dollars, which would have resulted in the company’s valuation being in the range of $900 million to $1 billion. The negotiations, on the other hand, did not succeed. The company’s most recent stock round resulted in a valuation of $700 million.

    It is estimated that Waycool has received approximately $160 million in investment at this point from a variety of sources, including Lightrock, International Finance Corporation, FMO, and 57 Stars.

    Several headlines in the media earlier this week brought attention to the fact that Waycool was having difficulty scaling and was unable to acquire a fresh round of funding. Even though the company has not yet submitted its annual report for the fiscal year 24 (FY24), it has reported a 62% increase in its operational revenue, which went from INR 772 crore in FY22 to INR 1,251 crore in FY23. The company continued to suffer losses, which increased by 89% to a total of INR 685 crore in the fiscal year 23.

    Delayed Payment Hampers Brand Name

    The situation has become worse as a result of unfulfilled payment obligations to various vendors, such as millers, logistics partners, and service providers such as SGSs. A report in the media stated that payments to vendors were made rotationally over the previous three months; however, this practice has completely ceased since June because collections from customers have been delayed.

    Several times in the past, salaries have been delayed, and the employer has not yet processed the payslip for June. As a result of the drought of funding, the payments from customers have become stalled, as mentioned in a media report.

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  • Eighth Episode of Crafting Bharat Podcast Series featuring Tejas Rathod, Co-Founder and COO of Mobavenue, Shares Insights on the Indian Startup Ecosystem

    Tejas Rathod, Co-Founder and COO of Mobavenue discusses his entrepreneurial journey, building a successful startup and the future of MadTech Industry.

    The startup ecosystem of India is blooming exponentially with great various human capital advantages and enormous opportunities coming in limelight due to technological adoption and digital transformation across sectors.

    The “Crafting Bharat – A Startup Podcast Series” powered by AWS, and an initiative by NewsReach, in association with VCCircle, unlocks the secrets behind these successful entrepreneurs’ journeys aiming to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts with invaluable insights. The podcast series is hosted by Gautam Srinivasan, famed for hosting a diverse range of TV and digital programs, currently consulting editor at CNBC (India), CNN-News18, Forbes India, and The Economic Times.

    Digital transformation across sectors has brought forward various opportunities for budding entrepreneurs, and a humble and visionary entrepreneur Tejas Rathod, Co-Founder and COO of Mobavenue, is streamlining how brands communicate to users. In the Crafting Bharat Podcast Series, Rathod talks about his entrepreneurial journey, building a successful startup, and the future of the MadTech Industry.

    Explore the tales of Indian startup founders’ transformation from dreams to reality, navigating challenges to seize opportunities through the Crafting Bharat Podcast Series.

    Crafting Bharat, Episode 8 With Tejas Rathod, Co-Founder and COO of Mobavenue

    Segment 1: The Incubator

    From starting off with 100$ in a small cubicle to creating a leading ad-tech and mar-tech platform; It all began at a very early age for you. Describe the experience of being a startup founder at a very young age?

    Kunal (Co-founder & CGO) and I started with content monetization, which got us our first paycheck of $100. This motivated us to do more. With that, we started off by helping brands… through digital marketing. When that was going well, we met Ishank (Co-founder & CEO), and he helped propel us with the clientele. With that we got on the journey of Mobavenue. The journey was amazing, we never thought of creating such a big company coming from a humble background. It was overwhelming to have so many clients and various products across our table along with doing exceptionally well in the industry.

    How has Mobavenue enabled more creative ways to bridge the gap between publishers and advertisers while still maintaining a privacy-first approach during this shift?

    It was a great challenge for us because the AdTech industry is ever evolving and very dynamic. You need to be on top of everything. Privacy has been a major concern of government institutions and the entire ecosystem. We thought of including contextual targeting in our Demand Side Platform (DSP). This is where we try to understand the users, what they are reading from the content, and how we can target the users. We try to target the content that is being read by the user and place the advertisement around that content.

    As Mobavenue evolved its solutions to address single and multiple use cases to build an end- to-end platform for growth and ad-tech, what were the key challenges that you faced in trying to address client needs from diverse sectors?

    Each sector has different requirements with respect to acquiring customers through our platform. Every company has a different problem statement. As we work with enterprises, they have already acquired the initial set of customers, their purpose of approaching us is to discover and acquire a new customer base. 

    Segment 2: The Accelerator

    What lessons can we learn from Mobavenue’s journey of being bootstrapped and the ways to achieve profitability at a quick pace?

    Finding the right talents, especially in a lean team, being adaptive to situations, and understanding finances deeply in terms of revenue and expenses can be helpful for budding entrepreneurs. We even try to avoid overburdening our cash flows— as we directly work with clients without any mediators to effectively show our value proposition.

    What’s the best way to stay grounded as a startup founder if you achieve a lot in very little time?

    We come across a lot of people and converse with them. When you come across someone who has done greater things in life than you, it makes you realize that you need to achieve more. I haven’t reached the peak where I can say that I have done everything. I would say that you should thrive better and achieve more.

    Over the past decade, India’s startup ecosystem has evolved dynamically, offering fertile ground for innovation and abundant opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive and compete at global level in the years to come.

    Stay tuned to the Crafting Bharat Podcast Series as they bring you these inspirational entrepreneurs for insightful and candid discussions with Gautam Srinivasan.

  • ISRO-NRSC Launches Immersion Startup Challenge, Attracting Space and AI Enthusiasts to Be Part of It

    The ISRO Immersion Startup Challenge: AI for Space and Geospatial Innovation is being launched by ISRO-NRSC in partnership with the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. To inspire, connect, and enable the subsequent generation of space-tech innovators, the ISRO Immersion Startup Challenge is an all-day event planned to be held annually. The challenge will include an immersive event on August 3, 2024, that unites entrepreneurs, students, academics, and business tycoons from the geospatial and space industries. The challenge application is available now.


    The Motive of the Challenge

    The challenge’s goal is to encourage creativity, foster relationships between ecosystems, and provide a platform for the upcoming space tech pioneers. Startups, students, faculty, academics, and industry experts in space and geospatial technology will all be present at this event. Through brainstorming sessions, pitching rounds, industry presentations, panel discussions, and mentorship programs, it will encourage the creation of artificial intelligence solutions that can be used in space.

    Immersion Startup-Challenge

    By providing a stage for the presentation of ideas and the possibility of financial backing, the challenge hopes to encourage creative solutions and bring together important players. There will be a startup challenge and a student/researcher challenge within the program.

    Startups in their early stages or well-established businesses who have an innovative AI-powered space solution are welcome to apply for the startup challenges. Students and researchers can demonstrate their abilities in artificial intelligence (AI) for space research and investigate potential commercialization opportunities through the student/research challenges. The competition is open to teams of professionals, researchers, senior engineering/science students, and companies in their early stages or already established.

    Along with spending a day in the lab with ISRO experts, participants will also get an opportunity to apply for funds to back their projects. Opportunities for finance and exposure to the space ecosystem will be provided to them. Members of ISRO, IN-SPACe, and DST will be available to them personally. They might even team up with well-known space tech companies and present their innovative concepts to an esteemed panel of judges.

    Registration Process

    The entire registration process has been made user-friendly so that a maximum number of people can participate in this mega event. Applicants need to follow the simple steps that are mentioned below to complete their registration.

    • Visit the official website of out
    • Applicants will get a Google Doc link
    • Fill out the form carefully
    • Click on submit

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  • Key Considerations for Licensing Your Intellectual Property

    This article has been contributed by Ada Shaharbanu, Senior Associate, Spice Route Legal.

    Licensing intellectual property is a strategic and largely commercial play that involves a nuanced mix and match of rights and obligations. This note aims to provide an overview of considerations that businesses should assess while licensing their intellectual property to users who require such licences for their operations.

    Key Considerations in Licensing Agreements

    Key considerations that should be captured in suitable contractual arrangements typically arise from various factors, including the commercial intent between the parties, the bargaining power of each side, the licensee’s ability to rely on other vendors, whether the intellectual property is being licensed for a development project, general software-as-a-service (SaaS) requirements, or specific customisations, the ability to collaborate with the licensee’s competitors, whether it is a distributor or reseller arrangement, and the importance and uniqueness of the product with attached intellectual property rights, among others.

    Defining the Scope of the License

    While negotiating a licence clause, a licensor should closely analyse the scope of the licence that is provided to potential licensees. While intellectual property requirements and enforcement vary across jurisdictions, most jurisdictions recognise rights that are automatically vested upon intellectual property owners, usually as a result of the creation of the concerned property that the rights are associated with. Defining the scope of the licence becomes crucial, as the commercial benefits from that intellectual property will be closely linked to the defined scope.

    Flexibility in Defining Licence Rights

    Licensors have the flexibility to define and restrict rights to align with specific business strategies. They might limit usage to specific regions or industries to avoid conflicts with other licensing agreements or to maintain exclusivity in certain markets. These restrictions help in managing and maximising the value of their intellectual property. Geographic or industry-specific restrictions might limit a licensee’s operational flexibility. Clear language on rights will help licensees assess whether the product fits their needs and avoid potential legal issues.

    Licensors should therefore expressly specify the rights available to licensees and (also) expressly specify the rights not available to them for better clarity, with a confirmation that licensees will not receive any ownership interest, where relevant. Knowing the limits will also help licensees avoid inadvertently breaching their agreement with licensors. Limiting or restricting licences may not, however, (always) be possible, especially in situations where licensees invest heavily in product or software development – they would typically insist on broad licence terms so that they have the flexibility to utilise the product across departments and applications. Unrestricted licences are typically seen for high-value deals where the licensee is willing to pay a premium.

    Exclusive Licences and Strategic Decisions

    Offering exclusive licenses can be a strategic decision for licensors, allowing them to charge higher fees to grant specific rights. However, this limits their ability to license the product to others, so they must ensure the exclusivity premium justifies the potential revenue loss from other possible users. Exclusive licences are particularly important for distributors seeking to dominate specific markets.

    Revocability of License Terms

    Licensors should also closely study the revocability of their licence terms. Granting an irrevocable licence means giving up significant control, as the licensor cannot revoke the rights even in cases of breach by the licensee. Licensors ought to weigh this against the stability it offers to licensees, and reserve irrevocable terms for high-value or long-term relationships. Licensees naturally value irrevocable licenses for the security they provide, ensuring they can continue using the product regardless of potential disputes. This is particularly crucial for mission-critical applications where continuity is essential.

    Payments and Financial Considerations

    Payments and taxes are another significant aspect that licensors should contemplate. Licensees are likely to insist on royalty-free licences to avoid recurring expenses and budget management. However, licensors must ensure that the payment structures adequately compensate for the lack of ongoing royalties.

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    Sublicensing and Transfer Rights

    Licensees may generally also insist on the ability to sublicense or transfer rights to third parties, such as partners or clients. It allows them to extend the licence’s benefits throughout their supply chain or client base. Licence offerings should carefully be structured to avoid the uncontrolled proliferation of their product. Clauses to regulate sublicensing or assignment should therefore be included within contracts. Further, licensors need to contractually differentiate between transfers and sublicenses to maintain necessary control over their intellectual property. Sublicences are intended to allow for broader distribution rights while generally keeping the primary licensee accountable, while a right to transfer may allow licensees to easily transfer licences in the event of an assignment or other similar change of control events.

    Preventing Unauthorised Use

    Licensors should also, where possible, insist on specific terms regulating unauthorised access to their intellectual property and list out specific scenarios and examples of unauthorised use of licensees. Again, whenever possible, licensors should insist on providing their own draft agreements, as these will be tailored to accurately reflect their technology, product structure, and licensing arrangements.

    Managing Copies and Modifications

    Usually, licensors should consider limiting copies a licensee can make to prevent unauthorised distribution and loss of control over their product. However, large companies often negotiate for unlimited or multiple copies of the licence to facilitate broad use across teams. In such cases, licensors may offer enterprise licences, which are customer-friendly and eliminate the need to track unauthorised users.

    Licensees often require the ability to modify software to tailor it to their specific needs and integrate it with other systems. Allowing modifications and the creation of derivative works can be a double-edged sword for licensors. While it can enhance the licence’s value and adaptability, it may also lead to versions that deviate from the original intent or quality standards. Licensors must balance these risks by setting clear boundaries and conditions. Clear rights to modifications would also help licensees avoid legal pitfalls and ensure seamless customisation.

    Termination Clauses and Transition

    Finally, licensees should prepare for the implications of termination clauses, while they seek agreements that allow sufficient time to transition away from the product and ensure that their operations are not abruptly disrupted. Ensuring that licensees cease using their products upon termination is vital for licensors to protect their IPs from continued unauthorised use. Clear termination clauses help licensors reclaim control over their products and prevent potential revenue losses from ongoing exploitation.

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