Increff today announced the availability of Increff Merchandising Software in Microsoft AppSource, an online cloud marketplace providing tailored line-of-business solutions.

L to R: Rajul Jain- Co-Founder & CEO, Anshuman Agarwal-Co-Founder & COO, Vishal Raj- Co-Founder & CTO, Kanika Bhalla-CRO, Vaibhav Shukla- VP & Global Head, Merchandising & Planning

Increff, a leading retail technology company specializing in inventory management and supply chain solutions, empowers 700+ global brands with AI-powered software for merchandising, omnichannel fulfillment, and warehouse optimization. These solutions enable data-driven decision-making, increased efficiency, and sustainable growth for businesses across various industries, including fashion, electronics, and consumer packaged goods. Partnering with Increff will optimize your operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

“For a startup like ours, Azure has been a game-changer,” said Rajul Jain, CEO & Co-Founder, Increff. “Our merchandising software as a product crunches huge volumes of retail data to help businesses manage their inventory better and drive more sales. Azure provides the backbone for all of this, handling everything seamlessly so we can quickly deliver powerful insights and dashboards to our clients. It frees up our team to innovate and grow, knowing we have enterprise-level performance without the enterprise-level cost. Listing on Microsoft AppSource and Azure Marketplace means businesses can now easily discover and seamlessly integrate Increffs powerful merchandising software into their existing Azure environment, accelerating their journey to smarter inventory and increased sales.”

“Microsoft AppSource welcomes Increff Merchandising Software, which joins a cloud marketplace landscape offering flexibility and economic value while transacting tens of billions of dollars a year in revenues,” said Jason Graefe, CVP, WW ISV and Digital Natives team at Microsoft. “Thanks to AppSource and line-of-business solutions from trusted partners like Increff, customers can do more with less by increasing efficiency, buying confidently, and spending smarter.”

About Increff
Increff is a leading retail technology company on a mission to become the most admired retail technology company. Our cloud-based solutions, including our innovative Merchandising Software and comprehensive Omni Solutions, empower warehouse and merchandising teams to make data-driven decisions, increase efficiency, and drive sustainable growth. With a global presence in New York, Bengaluru, London, Dubai, and Singapore, Increff serves 700+ brands, helping them streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Theia Ventures, one of India’s first specialist early-stage funds dedicated exclusively to energy transition, deep tech and decarbonization, today announced the first close of its maiden $30 million fund. Marking a significant milestone for the sector, the fund has already secured commitments exceeding 50% of its target corpus and has begun deploying capital. The anchor investor is British International Investment (BII), alongside a strong base of corporate venture arms, fund-of-funds, and family offices. Apart from BII, other global investors include Allocator One (Germany), Cisco Foundation (US), and Vitality Capital Partners (Australia). Domestic and global family offices backing the fund include Anand Mahindra, Meher Pudumjee (Thermax Group), JM Financial, Vimson: Shivanand Salgaocar Group, Pramit Jhaveri (former CEO of Citibank India).

Shilpa Kumar (MD, BII India) and Priya Shah (Founder, Theia Ventures)

With a focused investment thesis, Theia Ventures Fund I aims to back 18-20 early-stage startups developing differentiated technologies to decarbonize critical sectors such as heavy industry, manufacturing, material science, mobility, and supply chains. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $1 million, with over 50% of the corpus reserved for follow-on investments. The team brings a strong track record in energy transition investments, with prior proprietary investments in companies such as Exponent Energy, AltM Bio, Octolife, and Metastable Materials.

Through Fund I, Theia Ventures invested in Sarla Aviation, an Accel-backed electric air taxi company, and recently led a pre-seed round in Climitra Carbon, a biocoal company catering to the steel industry, run by a Stanford GSB, IIT-Bom & IIT-Dhanbad team. The fund has also signed on two additional companies in precision fermentation (biotech) and AI-based energy data modelling, with further investments expected to be announced in early 2026. The final close of the fund is expected by the end of the current financial year.

Priya Shah, Founder & Managing Partner of Theia Ventures, said,“We are thrilled to officially announce Theia’s first close and to partner with BII as our anchor investor, as well as other incredible stakeholders. Theia’s objective remains clear: to unlock much-needed, early stage capital towards Indian companies building transformative technologies to disrupt the energy status quo. Petroleum or coal-based products and processes are now being rapidly replaced by cleaner fuels and energy sources, which presents a huge opportunity for startup innovation and growth, particularly in emerging sectors such as carbon removal, novel materials, data centres, clean mobility, renewable energy and biotech. It’s fantastic to see international capital flowing into India to support talented founders building bold solutions that will shape the future.”

Shilpa Kumar, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII, said:“Through our partnership with Theia, we are delighted to support early-stage companies developing unique climate technologies that can protect the planet and vulnerable groups in India. The climate emergency affects every aspect of life. Our investment will help accelerate technology development to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience among low-income groups. This is aligned with our goal of contributing to India’s clean energy transition.”

India’s forward-looking energy strategy continues to power economic growth, particularly in areas such as renewables. India has become the world’s 3rd-largest solar energy producer, with renewables now powering over 50% of the country’s total installed electricity generation capacity of 484.82 GW.

About Theia Ventures

Theia Ventures is an early stage, thematic venture capital fund based in India, which invests in technology companies that are disrupting the energy status quo. It aims to support founders as a first cheque, and help them scale up throughout their operating journey.

About British International Investment

British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good. Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development. The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of 9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn,Bluesky and X.

Lifestyle, one of India’s most loved fashion destinations, has launched their newly renovated 51,000 sq. ft. store at Phoenix Marketcity, Bengaluru. Just in time for Diwali, the store now offers a new brand identity and an enhanced shopping experience with modern layouts, easy navigation, and curated fashion collections.

Grand Diwali celebration with Pooja Hegde, exclusive festive launches, and an elevated shopping experience

The store features over 300 national and international brands, with fashion at the centre of the experience. The new Lifestyle logo, redesigned layouts, and organized category displays make shopping more engaging and enjoyable.

Alongside the store launch, Lifestyle has introduced a specially curated Diwali collection across apparel, footwear, handbags, and accessories, providing customers a complete festive shopping experience. Showstopper Pooja Hegde graced the launch and showcased the collection, which features trendy outfit from Melange by Lifestyle and vibrant fusion styles from ColourMe. The collection highlights this season’s key trends – bright colors, intricate embroidery, sustainable fabrics, and ethnic-meets-modern silhouettes – perfect for Diwali celebrations.

Lifestyle has also reduced prices on apparel and accessories following the recent GST cut, offering customers better value without compromising on style or quality.

Dev Iyer, CEO & Executive Director, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to present Lifestyle’s new Diwali Collection at our newly renovated store with its refreshed identity at Phoenix Marketcity, Bengaluru. The collection blends traditional charm with contemporary flair, crafted to appeal to today’s fashion-conscious shoppers. This store represents Lifestyle’s new identity, where design and experience come together to create a vibrant retail destination. Customers can look forward to curated product categories, enhanced layouts, and a vibrant ambience that makes shopping seamless and inspiring.”

About Lifestyle
Lifestyle is Indias leading fashion destination for the latest trends. Part of Dubai-based retail and hospitality conglomerate – The Landmark Group, Lifestyle brings multiple categories including men, women and kids’ apparel, footwear, handbags, fashion accessories, and beauty under the convenience of a single roof. Lifestyle provides seamless and hassle-free shopping, offering leading national and international brands along with the convenience of a true omnichannel experience with its online store lifestylestores.com. The company is recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including Most Admired Fashion Retail Destination of the Year at Images Fashion Awards for 5 consecutive years; No. 1 India’s Best Company to Work for in the retail industry for 2 consecutive years and Top 10 Best companies to Work for in India in 2015 – Great Places to Work Institute. Currently, Lifestyle has a network of over 122 stores, in over 56 cities and delivers to over 19000 pin codes.

Lifestyle is a true omni-channel player with its online store www.lifestylestores.com.

L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Limited, one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the country, is pleased to launch ‘Pitch Point,’ a competition for AI startups ahead of RAISE’ 25, India’s premier Artificial Intelligence (AI)-themed event in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector.

The application period for Pitch Point is open till October 20, 2025

LTF is giving an opportunity to AI startups that are in their early to growth stage to present their solutions, applicable for any BFSI or Non-BFSI domains, to a panel of Venture Capitalist, LTF’s senior management, and industry experts at RAISE’ 25. Two winners will be eligible for prize money of Rs. 25 Lakhs each. In addition, winners will get an opportunity to engage in discussion with LTF, or with any of the L&T Group companies identified by LTF, to explore a PoC, as well as to engage in discussion with L&T Innovation Fund, the venture capital arm of Larsen & Toubro, regarding potential equity funding.

Mr. Sudipta Roy, Managing Director & CEO at LTF, said, “Given L&T Finances sharp focus on leveraging next-gen AI technologies to transform our lending business, this competition is a significant step towards identifying, mentoring, and investing in the next set of game-changing startups. The launch of ‘Pitch Point’ underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and exploring the broader applications of AI, discovering new solutions that can deliver value not only in the BFSI space but also across multiple industries.”

The product offering that will be evaluated at ‘Pitch Point’ must align with one of the domains that synergises with any of the LTF’s or L&T Group Company’s current and future offerings, namely, Cyber Security & Fraud Prevention, Rural & Agri Fintech, Gen AI Application, Embedded Finance Solutions, Smart Contract & Blockchain Solutions, Alternate Data Based Lending Solutions, AI-Driven Credit Scoring & Risk Assessment, Regulatory Technology & Compliance Tools, Digital Financial & Robo-Advisors, AI-Powered Collections & Recovery Solutions, Agentic AI for Enterprise, Image Processing and Recognition, and AI Geospatial and Remote Sensing.

LTF encourages eligible startups to apply online by submitting the registration form along with their pitch deck and product demo link. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a virtual interaction round, and five finalists will then be selected to present live at RAISE’ 25.

The jury members for Pitch Point are Mr. Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Peak XV Partners & Surge, Ms. Tanusree Deb Barma, IAS, Deputy Director General, UIDAI Technology Centre, Bengaluru, Mr. Piyush Shah, Co-founder, InMobi and President, Glance, Ms. Sushma Kaushik, Head, L&T Innovation Fund, Mr. Arpit Agarwal, Investment Partner, Blume Ventures, and Dr. Debarag Banerjee, Chief AI & Data Officer, LTF.

The application period for this program is open till October 20, 2025. The final shortlist is set to be announced on November 1, 2025. The program culminates in a final event at RAISE 25 on November 7, 2025, which will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Link to the ‘Pitch Point’ page:

www.ltfraise.com/event/4d429b6b-d104-434b-a315-62437285911d/pitch-point

For any questions pertaining to the application process, eligible companies can contact the organising team at raise.pitchpoint2025@ltfs.com.

About RAISE’ 25
LTFs RAISE’ 25 is an AI-focused event centered on the theme “Accelerating Financial Services with AI.” The conference offers a unique and comprehensive exploration of AI through its three-pronged approach: Accelerated, Applied, and Advanced. Attendees will unlock future trends with industry and tech leaders, get hands-on experience in the Generative and Predictive AI zones, and track real-time case studies on custom AI solutions. Building on the success of the inaugural RAISE’ 24, which convened over 4,500 virtual and in-person participants – including regulatory leaders, unicorn startups, deep tech firms, and representatives from media, the second edition is set to provide even more invaluable insights from the AI pioneers.

Find more information at www.ltfraise.com.

About L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF)
L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) (www.LTFINANCE.com) formerly known as L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., (LTFH) is a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), offering a range of financial products and services. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company has been rated ‘AAA’ – the highest credit rating – by four leading domestic rating agencies. S&P Global Ratings has recently upgraded LTF long-term Issuer Credit Rating to “BBB/Stable” from “BBB-/Positive” and short-term issuer credit rating to “A-2” from “A-3”. Fitch Ratings has assigned LTF Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings of “BBB-” with a Stable outlook. It has also received leadership scores and ratings by global and national Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating providers for its sustainability performance. The Company has been certified as a Great Place To Work and has also won many prestigious awards for its flagship CSR project – “Digital Sakhi”- which focuses on womens empowerment and digital and financial inclusion. Under Right to Win, being in the ‘right businesses’ has helped the Company become one of the leading financiers in key Retail products. The Company is focused on creating a top-class, digitally enabled, Retail finance company as part of the Lakshya 2026 plan. The goal is to move the emphasis from product focus to customer focus and establish a robust Retail portfolio with quality assets, thus creating a Fintech@Scale while keeping ESG at the core. Fintech@Scale is one of the pillars of the Company’s strategic roadmap – Lakshya 2026. The Company has over 2.6 Crore customer database, which is being leveraged to cross-sell, up-sell, and identify new customers.

X: x.com/LnTFinance

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LnTFS

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/lntfinance

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lntfinance

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ltfinance

HONG KONG SAR
The 4.5-star Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong has been crowned “Favourite Family Hotel“ by HK01 – one of Hong Kongs leading and most-viewed digital media platforms with 5M+ monthly traffic – at the 5th HK01 Parenting Favourite Lifestyle Brand Awards 2025 held on August 29. The award celebrates the hotels commitment to creating memorable family stays, with spacious rooms and thoughtful touches tailored for little travellers.

Dorsett Wanchai Crowned “Favourite Family Hotel” for Outstanding Kid-Friendly Hospitality by HK01

Located near Ocean Park and within easy reach of Hong Kong Disneyland, Dorsett Wanchai sets itself apart with its exclusive Dorsett 26 Hours experience – offering families flexible check-in and out time, such as check-in at 4:00 PM and check-out at 6:00 PM the next day – giving them extra time to explore and make lasting memories.

Award-Winning Comfort, Thats Fantastic for Families
To mark this achievement, Dorsett Wanchai introduces the Fantastic 4 Family Room Package – a year-round offer with up to 35% off family rooms, including Triple Rooms, Family Quad Rooms (for up to five), and Interconnecting Rooms. The package includes daily breakfast, kid-friendly amenities such as branded bath products and child-sized slippers, plus complimentary baby gear rentals – from bottle warmers to dining utensils – so families can pack light and stay stress-free.

Upon arrival, children are welcomed with a Little Foodie snack box and a Jasper Teddy plush, while selected rooms feature in-room pinata surprises. Throughout the stay, little guests can enjoy a daily candy bar, get creative with Dorsetts colouring kit, or have fun at the Star War pinball machine.

Conveniently located on Hong Kong Island, Dorsett Wanchai offers easy access to theme parks and family-friendly attractions, made smoother with the hotels complimentary shuttle service to key transport links.

“This award is a testament to our teams dedication to creating thoughtful experiences that go beyond expectations for families visiting Hong Kong. Paired with our exclusive Dorsett 26 Hours stay, were proud to offer a flexible and memorable hotel experience that brings comfort, joy, and convenience for families,” said Ms. Anita Chan, General Manager of Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong.

BOOK NOW for a family vacation at this award-winning hotel!

HONG KONG SAR

AsiaPac Net Media Limited (AsiaPac), a pioneer in AI-driven omnichannel digital marketing technology across the Asia-Pacific region, is proud to announce the launch of four innovative AI SaaS platforms under its subsidiary, AdTechinno. These platforms-OptAdEasy, KOOLER AI, Kolsify, and APHub-empower global brands with intelligent, data-driven solutions that enhance the impact and effectiveness of cross-border marketing.

Co-founders of AsiaPac-Daniel Chan, Christine Chong and Michael Chan-recently announced the launch of new AdTech products

Comprehensive AI SaaS Digital Marketing Toolset:

• OptAdEasy: A unified ad management platform for seamless campaigns across Meta and Google Ads. Its features include ad optimization, competitors’ ad analysis and AI-generated banners, allowing marketers to deploy campaigns with maximum quality reach with minimal budget waste.

• KOOLER AI: A KOL management platform that leverages deep analytics to identify optimal KOL matches from 200,000+ KOLs spanning 10 Asian markets and 8 social platforms. Besides KOL discovery, it provides KOL performance metrics and insights into 1000+ top brands.

• Kolsify: A next-generation platform for creating customizable avatars and content. Harnessing advanced Face Fusion technology, marketers, influencers, and individuals can generate both photorealistic and cartoon-style avatars, enabling seamless face swaps into images and videos.

• APHub: A programmatic DSP that integrates global and local ad exchanges, delivering premium online and pDOOH ad placements worldwide. With access to third-party audience data and diverse creative formats, APHub empowers advertisers to execute precisely targeted and effective, borderless campaigns.

Cross-Border Inbound and Outbound Marketing Fueled By Omnichannel Excellence

Leveraging cutting-edge innovation, AsiaPac delivers integrated solutions that enable the seamless execution of omnichannel marketing strategies across global markets. With a strong foothold in the Asia-Pacific region, AsiaPac serves as a strategic bridge between local and international markets-helping brands maintain global consistency while dynamically adapting to regional nuances. It is committed to continuously leveraging scalable, performance-driven intelligence to keep brands ahead in an ever-evolving global marketplace.

About AsiaPac Net Media Limited
AsiaPac is a leading AI-driven omnichannel digital marketing technology company with a strategic presence across 11 Asia-Pacific markets with 14 local offices spanning Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

With AdTechinnos proprietary tech and deep local expertise, it serves 5,000+ global brands across industries, offering data-driven solutions that unify online and offline campaigns for measurable growth and strategic market impact.

SBI General Insurance, one of India’s leading general insurance companies, announced the launch of its flagship retail health insurance product – Health Alpha. Designed for unlimited flexibility and over 50 coverage options, Health Alpha embodies the ethos of Your Health. Your Cover. Your Way, empowering customers to create personalized health plans that suit their lifestyle and healthcare requirements. This significant launch highlights SBI General Insurances dedication to delivering affordable, tailored and cutting-edge products, ensuring customers access to robust health coverage that meets their diverse healthcare needs and reduces the financial burden of medical and hospitalization expenses.

SBI General Insurance launches “Health Alpha” a fully customizable health insurance product – Industry first product after GST reform

The product provides wide range of sum insured options ranging between INR 5 Lacs to unlimited sum insured. Policyholders can opt for a long-term policy option of up to five years, which enables them to safeguard towards medical inflation while enjoying tenure-based discounts. The entry age to purchase the plan is 18 years to no restriction for adults and 91 days to 25 years for children.

Crafted to cater for the rapidly evolving ecosystem and wide array of customers, Health Alpha provides a range of customer-focused, personalized coverage options that emphasize comprehensive protection and flexibility. The key features of Health Alpha include:

• Up to 10x Cumulative Bonus – This is add-on cover which provides up to 10x cumulative bonus annually, if no claim is made under the policy.

• Unlimited Sum Insured- Base Sum Insured of the policy will be unlimited. A claim of any amount will become payable, subject to Policy terms and conditions

• Endless Sum Insured – Covers hospitalization expenses for a single claim beyond the Base Sum Insured, this benefit can be availed once in lifetime of the policy

• Gym & Sports Injury Cover – This is industry’s-first and exclusive add-on which provides OPD benefits for injuries sustained during hobby sports or daily fitness activities, covering specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, prescribed medicines, and physical therapy.

• Plan Ahead – This unique add-on benefit provides Waiting Period continuity earned by the policyholder to newly married spouse (age up to age 35 years) and/or newborn children (maximum 2 children), provided they are enrolled within 120 days of marriage or birth.

• Welcome Discount – The product offers distinctive “Welcome Discount” of 5%, if new policy is purchased within 5 days of quote generation.

Along with Hospitalization, the product brings together essential health insurance benefits such as Pre and Post hospitalization cover, Day Care Treatments, AYUSH Treatment, Critical Illness, Hospital Daily Cash, Global Cover, Personal Accident Cover to new coverages like Gym and Sports Injury Cover, Endless Sum Insured, Modifiers and many more. While all covers are offered on an optional basis therefore, reinforcing its DIY approach, Health Alpha allows customers to adjust coverage limits within each benefit, select from multiple sub-limits, and modify waiting periods, ensuring complete flexibility to customize their health plan to individual needs.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Mohd. Arif Khan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SBI General Insurance, said “At SBI General Insurance, we are delighted to introduce “Health Alpha”, an industry first offering post GST reforms, revolutionizing affordability and accessibility. With rising medical costs, securing the right health insurance plan with adequate coverage is more critical than ever. Health Alpha is not just another health insurance plan; it redefines the way people experience health coverage, combining customization, innovation, and customer-first solutions. With our extensive hospital network and robust claims process, we believe this product will set a new benchmark in empowering individuals and families to take control of their health insurance like never before.”

With this launch, SBI General Insurance aims to strengthen its leadership in the retail health segment and set new benchmarks in customer-centric health insurance.

About SBI General Insurance
SBI General Insurance, one of the fastest-growing private general insurance firms, backed by the robust support of SBI, upholds a legacy of trust and security. We position ourselves as Indias most trusted general insurer amidst a dynamic landscape. Since our establishment in 2009, our expansion has been substantial, growing from 17 branches in 2011 to a nationwide presence in 146 branches. In FY 2024-25, SBI General Insurance reported a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of INR 14,140 crores, recording a YOY growth of 11.1%.

The company received numerous prestigious accolades, showcasing its excellence across various domains. Key honors include being named as the Domestic General Insurer of the Year – India and Claims Initiative of the Year – India at Insurance Asia Awards 2025 Singapore, Large General Insurance category at the Mint BFSI Summit & Awards, the 3rd InsureNext Awards 2024 for Best Claims Settlement, and India’s Best General Insurer of the Year at the 7th Insurance Conclave Awards. At the India Insurance Summit & Awards 2024, the company secured titles for General Insurance Company of the Year and Leading Implementer of Analytics Technology in Insurance. Additionally, it was honored as the Best BFSI Brand at the ET NOW Best BFSI Brands Conclave 2024 and included in BW BusinessWorld’s India’s Most Respected Companies. Certified as a Great Place to Work in 2024, the company also excelled at the ETBFSI Exceller Awards 2024 with recognition for Best Claims Management in Insurance and Best CSR Campaign of the Year, further highlighting its commitment to social responsibility and innovation.

With a team of over 9,000+ employees and our multi-distribution model covering Bancassurance, Agency, OEM, Broking, Retail Direct Channels, and Digital collaborations, we are committed to providing both Suraksha and Bharosa to all our consumers. Leveraging a vast network that includes over 22000+ SBI branches, plus agents, financial alliances, OEMs, and digital partners, we extend our services to even the most remote areas of India. Our offerings cater to Retail, Corporate, SME and Rural segments, and our diverse product portfolio ensures accessibility through both digital and physical channels.

• Nationwide online test on October 12 to help students select from multiple BITSoM professional courses based on test scores

• Top 20 performers from each programme to get an exclusive chance to attend the Dubai AI Conference after programme completion

• Programmes align with India’s fast-growing AI sector, projected to create 2.3 million jobs by 2027 and add $450-500 billion in value

BITSoM, in collaboration with Masai, has announced the launch of the All India BITSoM Test for Online Programmes (TOP-2025), a nationwide online examination designed to enable students to qualify for and select from multiple professional programmes in business and technology. Scheduled for October 12, the test will introduce a marks-based course selection model that allows students to choose their preferred programme based on sectional performance.

L – R: Srnivas Pingali, Program Director, Saravanan Kesavan, Dean, Prateek Shukla, CEO Masai

The initiative aims to make management and technology education more accessible and flexible by combining a single-assessment entry with diverse learning pathways. Through this test, students can apply for BITSoM’s six-month online programmes in Product Management, Business Analytics, Fintech, and Digital Marketing. Each programme integrates artificial intelligence at its core, reflecting the growing demand for professionals skilled in AI-driven tools, analytics, and decision-making.

According to a report by Bain & Company, India’s AI sector is projected to create 2.3 million jobs by 2027 underscoring the need for specialised training in technology-led business domains. The four BITSoM programmes being offered reflect this transformation: Digital Marketing is witnessing 30% annual job growth and 65% AI adoption in personalization and campaign automation; Product Management shows 25% job growth with 65% AI integration in user research and product insights; Business Analytics is seeing 25% job growth with 80% AI adoption in data tasks and predictive analytics; and Fintech records 30% job growth with 60% AI use in fraud detection and risk management according to multiple industry reports – including those by Institute of Product Leadership and Web Marketing Academy.

Dr Saravanan Kesavan, Dean and Professor – Operations, BITSoM, added, “Our collaboration with Masai stems from a common belief that education must evolve with the pace of industry. At BITSoM, we focus on developing strategic thinkers who can apply knowledge to solve real business challenges, while Masai brings the agility and reach of technology-driven learning. The All India BITSoM Test for Online Programmes brings these strengths together, creating a merit-based pathway for learners to access transformative programmes and build the competencies required to lead in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment.”

Commenting on the announcement, Prateek Shukla, Co-founder and CEO of Masai said, “This initiative marks a decisive move towards democratising access to quality, AI-driven education in India. As emerging technologies continue to redefine the workforce, our focus is on creating fair and flexible pathways for learners to upskill and stay relevant. The All India BITSoM Test for Online Programmes is designed to identify talent based on merit and potential, not circumstance, allowing students from every part of the country to pursue programmes that align with their aspirations and the needs of a rapidly transforming digital economy.”

To further encourage excellence, the top 20 students from each programme will receive an exclusive opportunity to attend the Dubai AI Conference after the programme concludes, providing exposure to global innovations, networking opportunities, and insights into emerging AI trends.

The All India BITSoM Test for Online Programmes (TOP-2025) will be conducted online between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM on October 12, 2025. Students can register for a nominal fee of ₹99, which includes access to mock tests and practice material. The 60-minute test will assess candidates on quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. Based on their scores, students can choose from BITSoM’s AI-oriented online programmes designed with leading academic and industry experts, ensuring relevance to the future of work.

To apply for test- bitsom-top.com/bitsom/all-india-test.

AIONOS, an InterGlobe Enterprises company and a global leader in enterprise AI, announces its participation as a Silver Sponsor at the prestigious World Aviation Festival in Lisbon, being held from October 7 to 9. AIONOS will showcase its proprietary Agentic AI solutions that are specifically designed to enable the aviation industry’s seamless adoption of AI-driven transformation.

AIONOS Showcases Agentic AI Solutions at World Aviation Festival

The main highlight at the festival will be AIONOS’s IntelliMate™ platform, a pre-integrated and pretrained agentic AI platform built for rapid deployment for the aviation industry. AIONOS aims to drive smarter workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and help aviation enterprises fully leverage AIs potential, transforming how they engage with customers and manage internal operations.

CP Gurnani, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of AIONOS, said, “AIONOS is uniquely positioned to provide aviation leaders with agentic AI products & solutions that are not just innovative but also deeply integrated with industry needs. By leveraging InterGlobe’s 36 years of unparalleled expertise in aviation and travel, we understand the sectors unique challenges and opportunities. At the World Aviation Festival, we are excited to showcase how our agentic AI solutions can create real value, delivering real-world outcomes for the aviation industry.”

Vision for AI in Aviation

AIONOS innovative approach is rooted in agentic AI, which goes beyond traditional AI approaches by introducing intelligent agents that act autonomously with Human-in-the-loop and make decisions based on real-time context. This enables aviation companies to automate processes, optimize workflows, and improve customer experiences on a larger scale with confidence.

Arjun Nagulapally, Chief Technology Officer of AIONOS, added: “AI should be seen as a strategic investment, not just a trend. Our Agentic AI tech helps aviation companies move from speculative AI projects to real-world impact, addressing challenges like crew scheduling and customer service automation. The novelty of IntelliMate™ lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate into existing aviation workflows and systems, reducing repetitive tasks and allowing teams to focus on high-value, strategic work. From a tech perspective, we’ve built an aviation-specific Agentic AI product that combines machine learning, generative AI, and predictive analytics to create context-aware systems that evolve with the business.”

Panel Discussion: Debunking AI Myths

At the World Aviation Festival, AIONOS will also have its Aviation Domain Expert, Raghav Kumaria, participate as a panelist in the highly anticipated session: “Debunking AI Myths – How Can We Look Beyond the Hype and Deliver Real Value”

The discussion will tackle critical industry topics, including:

• Moving beyond AI for the sake of AI and how to differentiate between meaningful AI investments and trend-chasing initiatives.

• How AI can help airlines and airports streamline operations by focusing on smarter workflows and enhancing operational efficiency, from crew scheduling to customer service.

• Examining how AI adoption in aviation is not only a tech shift but also a leadership challenge, requiring executives to guide teams through this transformation.

Raghav Kumaria, Senior Vice President – CX Technology & Transformation at AIONOS, said, “As an industry, we must leverage the power of AI to create value in real-time operations. Through this discussion, we’ll explore how AI adoption in aviation is a combination of technological and leadership transformation, one that requires the right vision and strategy for long-term success.”

Duville Estates Private Limited, a distinguished real estate brand and the name behind the landmark 31-acre Riverdale micro-township in Kharadi, Pune, has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the Outlook Business Spotlight: Nation Builders Excellence Awards 2025.

The company was recognized for its strong commitment to sustainability and it’s in house design-thinking, securing two awards – Platinum Green Builder of the Year andArchitectural Excellence in Residential Projects, highlighting the brand’s design-thinking-led approach.

The awards event was attended by Shri Ram Shinde, Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, and Chandrakant Salunkhe, Founder & President, SME Chamber of India, as Guests of Honour. The evening celebrated the exceptional winners of the Nation Builders Excellence Awards 2025, whose visionary leadership, innovation, and contributions across industries are shaping India’s growth story and driving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Duville Estates’ dual recognition reflects its philosophy of balancing green, future-ready development with world-class architecture to create communities that redefine modern urban living.

Mr. Tushad B. Dubash, Director, Duville Estates

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Tushad B. Dubash, Director, Duville Estates, said, “These awards are a proud recognition of our efforts on two fronts – our commitment to green and sustainable development, and our focus on design-led, innovative architecture. At Duville Estates, we see building not just as construction, but as creating communities that bring people together and foster a sense of belonging. This recognition encourages us to continue raising the bar with responsibility, trust, and meaningful development.”

With a legacy spanning more than two centuries, Duville Estates stands among India’s most trusted developers. Its flagship township, Riverdale, has become a benchmark for modern community living in Pune, offering thoughtfully designed residential and retail spaces. Notably, Riverdale Grand, the latest development within the township, has achieved Platinum Pre-Certification by GEM (Green Energy Management), placing it among the highest-rated sustainable residential projects in the city.

By combining innovation with ethics and excellence, Duville Estates continues to redefine the landscape of urban real estate, building communities that inspire progress and responsibility in equal measure, with more on its sustainable practices available at www.duville.com.

About Duville Estates

Duville Estates is a renowned real estate developer operating in Mumbai and Pune, with a legacy dating back to 1810, making it the second-oldest family-run business in India. Recognized for delivering high-quality residential and commercial properties, the company is committed to redefining urban living through exceptional building design, modern amenities, and a customer-first approach.

Driven by the core values of ethics, trust, and transparency, Duville Estates focuses on creating strategically planned developments with zero-wastage apartment layouts that consistently exceed customer expectations. Its flagship 31-acre micro-township, Riverdale, exemplifies this vision with completed projects such as Riverdale Heights, Riverdale Residences, and Riverdale Suites, as well as upcoming projects like Riverdale Grove and Riverdale Grand.

A pioneer in sustainable living, Riverdale Grand has been awarded Platinum Certification by GEM (Green Energy Management), the highest green building certification making it one of the very few Five-Star Pre-Certified residential projects in Pune.