Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Qdesq, India’s leading marketplace for flexible workspaces, offers workspace solutions to freelancers, startups, MSMEs, and larger enterprises. With a track record dating back to 2015, the company has successfully catered to over 30,000 corporate clients. As part of its service portfolio, Qdesq is now focusing on expanding and strengthening its hyperflex capabilities.
Qdesq, Flexi for Enterprise, is a technologically agile and flexible desk booking platform that has played a crucial role in effectively addressing various challenges related to hybrid work models, proximity to home, and on-demand solutions in numerous locations across India.
Anil Tahlani, Vice President of Client Servicing at Qdesq, said “The importance of our hyperflex capability in empowering bootstrapped companies within the industry to attract enterprise clients and contribute to India’s growth trajectory. We are delighted to observe that operators, particularly from emerging cities, are effectively collaborating and leveraging our technological solutions to fortify their positions and capitalize on market opportunities.”
He further explains that the confidence instilled by their portfolio clients in their HyperFlex platform has been instrumental in expanding the capabilities and strengthening relationships with both occupiers and providers. Initially established as a cost center during the COVID-19 pandemic, their HyperFlex platform has now evolved into a fully profitable division, thanks to a remarkable 17% year-on-year increase in demand. A highly efficient and dedicated team now oversees the HyperFlex vertical, ensuring its smooth operation.
This growth is a testament to the positive sentiments among occupiers, as evidenced by a threefold increase in flexible workspace supply in Tier 2 cities and a twofold increase in Tier 1 cities from March 2020 to March 2023. The reasons behind this surge are clear when considering the optimized real estate operational expenses (OPEX).
According to market speculations, the penetration of flex office spaces is projected to reach 35% of the total office stock, which amounts to 1.4 billion square feet, by March 2030. This represents a significant increase from the current 20% penetration rate, which corresponds to 1 billion square feet, as of March 2023.
Furthermore, an intriguing trend that deserves attention is the substantial growth in meeting room bookings within hybrid work setups. In the second quarter of the 2023-24 fiscal year, these bookings have tripled compared to previous periods. Several factors contribute to this surge in demand, including seamless team collaboration, enhanced privacy, superior facilities, convenient scheduling, and centralized control.
Finally, technology has served as the foundation for ensuring flexibility in locating and reserving a workspace or conference room. Moreover, it provides a more efficient revenue generation system for service providers, particularly in Tier 2 and 3 cities, enabling them to capitalize on their underutilized resources.
Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Pepperfry, the ecommerce furniture and home goods company, today announced the appointment of Mahip Dwivedi as the new Vice President of Marketing. In his role as the head of marketing, Mahip, who assumed office on 20th December 2023, will spearhead the organisation’s marketing strategy, brand communication, performance marketing, retention, and public relations functions.
Mahip holds an MBA degree from MS Ramaiah Institute of Management in Bangalore and brings over 14 years of extensive experience in digital and performance marketing to Pepperfry. Prior to joining the ecommerce furniture company, he served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Tyke Investment & the Head of Performance Marketing & SEO Growth at Flipkart. In fact, as a seasoned leader and strategist in the online space, Mahip has successfully led and executed multiple campaigns and initiatives to drive user acquisition, retention, and engagement for various brand like Big basket and Commonfloor, among others.
Ashish Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Pepperfry, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mahip Dwivedi to the Pepperfry family as our new Head of Marketing. Mahip’s wealth of experience and proven track record in driving successful marketing campaigns aligns seamlessly with our vision for Pepperfry’s future growth and innovation. We are excited about the invaluable contributions he will bring to the table. We eagerly await the positive impact Mahip’s expertise will have in steering Pepperfry towards unprecedented success.”
Mahip Dwivedi, Vice President and Marketing Head, Pepperfry, said, “I am honoured to join Pepperfry, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in the e-furniture and home decor sector. I look forward to leading the marketing team and making valuable contributions to ensure the ongoing success and growth of Pepperfry.”
Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Accor, a global leader in hospitality, presented an exclusive event for female members of ALL – Accor Live Limitless, the group’s lifestyle loyalty programme, in celebration of International Women’s Day on Friday, 8 March 2024. Held at Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, guests were treated to an appearance by renowned stylist, Dolly Jain, who captivated the audience with her mesmerising fashion talent and inspiring presence.
ALL extended a warm invitation to its members to be a part of this memorable occasion. Members redeeming their reward points to be a part of the event and were treated to a spectacular showcase of Dolly Jain’s exceptional skill and creativity in styling traditional Indian silhouette, sari.
A distinguished stylist, Dolly began her fashion journey more than a decade ago in Kolkata, and today her contemporary silhouettes have become relevant in the Indian fashion milieu. Notably, she has dressed several icons from the Indian film industry.
During the event, Dolly showcased her unique style, reflecting the ancient traditions of India in a contemporary vocabulary. Her commitment to redefining the perception of saris and empowering women through her art was skilfully showcased.
Commenting on the celebration event on International Women’s Day, Mr. Puneet Dhawan, Sr. Vice President of Operations – India & South Asia, Accor“, said, “The group takes pride in curating limitless experiences for our members of ALL. The International Women’s Day with Dolly Jain was a testament to our commitment to celebrating diversity and embracing the richness of talent across various domains. We believe in creating moments that resonate with our members, providing them with unique and memorable encounters that go beyond traditional hospitality. This is just the beginning of our journey to offer unparalleled experiences to our valued ALL community.”
Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, the venue for the event, seamlessly blends design, functionality, and intuitive experiences, providing guests with effortless transitions between work, leisure, and family time. As one of Bengaluru’s largest hotel complexes, strategically located in the eastern tech hub near the IT corridor, it offers sleek, contemporary rooms with modern amenities for both business and leisure travelers. After inspiring meetings, guests can enjoy Food & Beverage social Hubs for quality family moments and lively times.
ALL – Accor Live Limitless is the loyalty program from Accor designed to reward the individual spirit. With over 40 brands that make up more than 5,500 hotels around the world – including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Novotel and Ibis – members never have to worry about blackout dates when using ALL Reward points to pay for some or all of their hotel stay. Offering amazing flexibility, ALL Reward points can also be redeemed towards dining, merchandise, charitable donations, partners and even spectacular once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Get ready, Namma Bengaluru! Zomaland Season 4, the food and music festival by Zomato Live, is having its grand finale in your city. Mark your calendars for 16th and 17th March at NICE Ground. We’re bringing the chart-topping headliners KING and Jonita Gandhi along with electrifying performances by Tranquil, Shia x Zero Chill, Arijit Anand, Anoushka Maskey, When Chai Met Toast, Hanumankind and more. That’s not all! For a comic experience like no other be sure to enjoy the funny anecdotes on life by legends Atul Khatri and Gaurav Kapoor.
So, what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in a non-stop weekend of entertainment, music, and culinary delights from over 60+ of Bangalore’s finest restaurants. It’s time to create unforgettable memories, go gather your buddies and begin the countdown to Zomaland Bangalore!
Book your tickets now to indulge in the ultimate Zomaland experience.
When: 16th and 17th March 2024
Where: NICE Ground, Bangalore
Cost: INR 799 onwards
Bookings via: Events tab on the Zomato app
Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
TiEcon Delhi 2024 flagship startup event by TiE Delhi-NCR was a roaring success, demonstrating the power of resilience and innovation in the startup ecosystem with the theme ‘The New Bharat: Confident | Bold | Inclusion’. The conference witnessed the celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, exclusive business networking opportunities, and the recognition of outstanding achievements through various awards.
The inaugural session commenced with a keynote address by Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairman of SIDBI. He said “The Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS) committed Rs 9,500 crore for the promotion of new ventures in the country. The commitment of Rs 9,500 crore has led to over 100 AIFs raising Rs 56,000 crore more. In line with the Start-up India Action Plan, the FFS aims to support development and growth of innovation-driven enterprises, including facilitating the funding needs for start-ups through participation in the capital of SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds.” Acknowledging the need to recognize and measure women’s contributions to the economy, he further added, “The participation rate for women in states has been constantly dropping and to look for rapid growth there is a need for women to be far more active players outside the home.”
Speaking at TiEcon Delhi, S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics, and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He said “The government’s target is that artificial intelligence graphics processing units (GPUs) under the government’s Rs 10,372 crore AI Mission will be available in the next 18-24 months. Aligned with the broader vision of the India AI Mission, these initiatives aim to bolster India’s global leadership, foster technological self-reliance, ensure ethical and responsible AI deployment, and democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society.”
The TiEcon Delhi 2024 event, also announced its support for the– ‘Startup Mahakumbh’, the groundbreaking new initiative by Government of India scheduled to kick-off on March 18th, 2024. It is a first-of-its-kind gathering, bringing together the key players in the startup ecosystem – from incubators and investors to accelerators.
In support of the Startup Mahakumbh initiative, Rajan Anandan, MD, PeakXV & Surge said “The Startup Mahakumbh is being brought together by the entire Indian ecosystem of startups, investors, incubators, accelerators, and industry experts across sectors. Several industry associations, such as TiE Delhi-NCR, ASSOCHAM and NASSCOM have all joined hands to put together the ‘Startup Mahakumbh’. With the aim of providing exposure to the upcoming startups, allowing them a platform to showcase their innovation.”
Vishal Dhupar, MD Asia South, NVIDIA further added to the vision of New Bharat. He said, “Let’s build the Intelligence in India and Export it. It will transform India from the Back Office of the world to ‘the Office’ of the World. India is a country of software engineers, and it is the time now for the country to start building its own AI models. The global data center industry is around USD 4 trillion which is going to double, and India has close to about 1-2 percent of the total global capacity. And we are going to take this whole world’s software into accelerated computing.”
TiEcon Delhi 2024 served as a platform for brands to share their insights with the larger ecosystem. Such as the Report by Havas Media Network India in partnership with Klug titled ‘Echoes from Social Media Influencers: In shaping the cultural narratives in Tier 2 & 3 cities in India’. The report delves into the pivotal role of regional content creators in driving local language content, transcending mere translation to foster deep resonance and impactful communication beyond metropolitan areas. As digital media penetrates every corner of India, granting content access to all, the regional influencer economy is firmly taking root in the deeper sections of the country. With a focus on tier 2 and 3 cities, the report offers comprehensive insights into how these influencers shape cultural narratives, amplifying voices and influencing consumer behavior and preferences. Understanding these dynamics is essential for brands and marketers seeking to effectively engage with diverse audiences across India.
TiEcon Delhi 2024 also recognized the power of resilience and innovation in the startup ecosystem with three award categories. TiE Delhi-NCR & Power2SME celebrated the 10th Season of the Spirit of Manufacturing Awards, honouring startups in the manufacturing domain for their remarkable achievements and innovations. The 16th edition of the TiE-Lumis Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, recognized startups who have demonstrated resilience. In addition to these, the conference marked the inaugural edition of the Startup CFO Awards in collaboration with Binary Semantics Ltd.
TiEcon Delhi 2024 was supported by acclaimed business and industry partners such as Startup India, Maruti Suzuki Innovation, Havas India, SAP, AWS, PeakXV, Microsoft, STPI, NETAPP Excellerator, and many more, reflecting the collaborative spirit driving India’s startup ecosystem forward.
Mar 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) on behalf of Karnataka Higher Education, Government of Karnataka signs a Education Cooperation Arrangement (ECA) with Education New Zealand, which is the government agency responsible for taking New Zealand’s education experiences to the world. This strategic partnership signifies an epic step forward in transforming the educational landscape by promoting collaboration, facilitating student and faculty mobility, engaging in research endeavors, and sharing best practices and emerging trends in education.
The ECA was signed by Dr. K G Chandrashekara, Executive Director of KSHEC and Ms. Lisa Futschek, General Manager – International of Education New Zealand. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Dr. M C Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka; Sri Srikar M S., Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, GoK; Prof. S R Niranjana, Vice Chairman of KSHEC, GoK; Dr. Thandava Gowda T N, Administrative Officer of KSHEC, GoK; Vice Chancellors and representatives from State Public Universities along with Mr. Damon Salesa, Vice Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, and his team.
The delegation, comprising representatives from eight Universities in New Zealand and eleven Karnataka State Public Universities, engaged in breakout session to identify mutual areas of interests. This session facilitated discussions to discover common ground for potential collaborations in academic and research activities.
Through this dynamic alliance, the Karnataka Higher Education Department and Education New Zealand are prepared to:
- Explore avenues for international partnerships and collaborations between New Zealand and Karnataka HEIs in STEM, Social Sciences, Hospitality, Tourism, and Multimedia to broaden the global perspectives of both students and Faculties.
- Facilitate collaborative research initiatives between institutions to drive innovation and address pressing challenges in education.
- Sharing the best practices, trends, educational exchanges, and promotional activities.
Dr. M C Sudhakar, Hon’ble Higher Education Minister Government of Karnataka, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Education New Zealand reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting excellence in higher education. Together, we will cultivate a vibrant learning environment that nurtures research, innovation and continuous improvement in our institutions.”
Ms. Lisa Futschek, General Manager – International, Education New Zealand said, “We are thrilled to join hands with the Karnataka Higher Education Department to drive positive change in the international education sector. This collaboration drives a shared vision: fostering internationalization of education and student and faculty mobility initiatives. By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we aim to empower students and educators alike to thrive in the ever-evolving educational landscape. Our commitment to India as a valued education partner is embodied in initiatives that contribute to the transformative education landscape and provide opportunities for students from both nations to explore, collaborate, and learn.”
This landmark collaboration emphasizes a shared dedication to advancing higher education and empowering the next generation of learners to excel in an increasingly dynamic world.
