• Flipkart doubles down on tech to deliver trusted, personalised shopping – from smarter search and creator-led commerce to faster, seamless delivery

• With a deep focus on credit access and loyalty programs, Flipkart is simplifying commerce and making it affordable for a broader, more inclusive audience

• Next-gen technologies and platform-first thinking take center stage ahead of The Big Billion Days 2025

Flipkart today hosted Flipkart Tech Day 2025: ‘Next-Gen E-commerce – Unlocking Value Through Innovation at its Core’ at its headquarters in Bengaluru. The immersive showcase brought together technology experts and senior leadership from Flipkart for a behind-the-scenes experience of the cutting-edge technologies fueling the platforms transformation.

Flipkart Technology Leaders Sandhya Kapoor, Bharath Chinamanthur, and Ramesh Gururaja at Flipkart Tech Day 2025

As Flipkart prepares for the upcoming festive season and The Big Billion Days 2025, Tech Day underscored its commitment to platform-first thinking and innovation-led growth.

Speaking at the media briefing, Flipkart leaders presented the company’s ambitious vision to lead India’s e-commerce through platform-first innovation.

Bharath Chinamanthur, SVP, leading seller experience, fulfillment & supply chain technology, shared Flipkart’s tech-led approach to scaling seller and logistics systems. Sellers use NXT Insights for real-time data and CVP (Customer Value Proposition) Insights for GenAI-driven recommendations on selection, speed, and inventory. Logistics innovations like address intelligence, auto-geocoding, and a two-tier last-mile model enable faster, more precise deliveries.

Ramesh Gururaja, SVP, Consumer Products and Growth, offered a preview of Flipkart’s refreshed app experience for The Big Billion Days. Built for next-gen users, the app features a personalized, trend-aware homepage, decluttered product pages, and AI-powered search for smarter discovery. Enhancements include deal-aware feeds, dynamic recommendations, and a new Flipkart Black paid loyalty program with exclusive benefits.

Sandhya Kapoor, SVP & Head, Central Platform Organisation, shared how Flipkart’s platform-first approach drives scale and reliability across the customer journey. Built for peak festive demand, its platforms ensure seamless app performance, automated testing, and real-time monitoring. These core capabilities enable Flipkart to deliver consistent, high-quality experiences at scale.

The Big Billion Days 2025: Where Innovation Meets Celebration
Flipkart Tech Day 2025 served as a strategic prelude to this year’s The Big Billion Days (BBD), one of India’s most-anticipated festive shopping events. With a renewed emphasis on joyful discovery and seamless value delivery, Flipkart is set to offer its most intelligent and immersive TBBD experience to date. The following innovation pillars are central to shaping the TBBD 2025 journey:

1. App Experience and Interface Design: Flipkart has reimagined its homepage as a dynamic, visually rich environment that enables effortless offer discovery. Enhanced storytelling, high-quality imagery, and subtle motion design guide users intuitively across categories. Haptic feedback adds a tactile dimension to key interactions, making the app feel more responsive and premium.

Post-purchase, the redesigned order details page offers complete shipment visibility through a clean, decluttered interface – reducing customer anxiety and enhancing satisfaction.

2. Discovery and Personalisation: Flipkart’s AI-powered semantic search bridges vocabulary gaps and accurately interprets user intent, matching queries with both textual and visual catalog data. Advanced recommendation engines analyze user preferences and product attributes at a granular level to deliver highly relevant suggestions.

The Feed – Flipkart’s infinite scroll discovery interface – draws inspiration from visual discovery engines, enabling real-time, snackable product exploration. It adapts instantly to user behavior, encouraging repeat engagement.

3. Content-Led Commerce: Recognizing that over 70% of Gen Z shoppers prefer video-assisted experiences, Flipkart is scaling video commerce through two key initiatives:

Creator Cities: Large-format production studios in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram for high-quality content creation.

Creatorhood: A digital onboarding platform enabling remote video creation for aspiring influencers.

Video content is now embedded across the user journey – from homepage and category pages to search and product detail pages. Dedicated destinations like ‘Play’ and ‘LiveShop’ surface personalized video content based on browsing behavior.

4. Loyalty & Rewards: Flipkart Plus now features Silver and Gold tiers, determined by annual transaction volume. Members earn SuperCoins (1% for Silver, 2% for Gold) and enjoy up to 5% savings across purchases. Benefits include Plus Treats and Early Access Days with enhanced bank offers of 12%-15%.

Flipkart Black, the paid loyalty program, offers uninterrupted lifestyle benefits such as YouTube Premium, free Cleartrip cancellations, and 5% SuperCoin earnings across Flipkart platforms. Priced at Rs. 1,499/year, it is currently available at an introductory pricing of Rs. 990.

5. Fintech and Affordability The Fintech team continues its mission to democratize credit access. Credit For All (CFA) allows both Existing To Bank (ETB) and New To Credit (NTC) users to access instant EMIs. ETB users benefit from one-tap approval, while NTB users undergo eKYC and real-time Flipkart EMI limit approvals.

Flipkart has launched a co-branded credit card with SBI to enhance affordability and expand access to formal credit. It offers 5% cashback on Flipkart and 4% on select partners, making everyday purchases more rewarding. Customers can apply digitally via the Flipkart app and receive instant joining benefits worth Rs. 1,250, along with fee waivers and 1% unlimited cashback on other eligible spends.

6. Scale and Reliability Readiness: Flipkart ensures platform stability and performance during peak demand through advanced fault simulation. This system rigorously evaluates infrastructure resilience across Kubernetes and virtual machine environments. Supported by strong cross-functional collaboration and a culture of seamless execution, these efforts help maintain reliability, scalability, and a consistent customer experience during high-traffic periods.

7. Logistics and Last-Mile Innovation: The Wishmaster App now enables 10-minute self-serve onboarding using real-time document authentication and facial recognition. WhatsApp-based asynchronous communication reduces failed delivery attempts. Earnings are calibrated based on delivery effort and density, while automated payouts help streamline settlements.

8. Seller Empowerment and Tools: Flipkart’s Seller Hub has been redesigned for simplicity and speed, built on the MURV (Modular, Upgradable, Reusable, and Versatile) design system. Sellers begin with added benefits such as product quality and delivery speed that helps them to grow their business on the platform. Marketplace fees and settlements have been streamlined to support competitive pricing.

The NXT Insights Platform offers AI-powered analytics – covering selection, returns, reliability, pricing, and market trendsfree of charge, enabling informed decision-making for sellers of all sizes.

9. Customer Support & Post-Purchase Enhancements: GenAI-powered CX Copilots assist support agents in real time, enabling faster query resolution. A new image-based returns engine uses product visuals and metadata to validate claims, facilitating quicker refunds and reducing fraud.

The Experience Centre – ‘Unboxed’: Immersive, Interactive, Informative Attendees were guided through Flipkart’s Experience Centre, ‘Unboxed’ – a dynamic space demonstrating how the Flipkart Group integrates intelligence, infrastructure, and integrity to serve its consumers and empower its sellers.

The tech walkthrough affirmed the Flipkart Group’s commitment to innovation – fulfilling billions of dreams.

• Career Achievers, Icons, Early Career Excellence and Second Career Professionals were honored

• A one-of-its kind Career Conference drew hundreds of professionals for career opportunities, skilling and mentoring

As the age of AI unfolds, bridging the skills gap and offering professionals opportunities to reskill and the guidance to recalibrate their careers has become essential. Avtar hosted its 2nd edition of myAvtar Career Conference (MACC), a day-long career expo for professionals at the NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bengaluru on 30th August.

Avtar Group Announces Awards for Career Excellence at MACC 2025

Hosted by myAvtar.com, Avtar Group’s diversity hiring portal, the career conclave offered participants four growth tracks – Career Track that showcased emergent job options; mentoring track that connected participants with experienced industry leaders; knowledge track that featured panel discussions and sessions with thought leaders’ and skilling track that focused on essential skill-building and adaptive learning.

Inclusive organizations such as Publicis Sapient, Indegene, Kenvue, Weaver, Biocon Biologics, KBR India, Merit Data & Technology, NatWest Group, State Street, Genesis, HCL BPO & Zuci Systems offered jobs, skilling and mentoring to the participants.

Speaking about MACC 2025 and its impact, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder – President, Avtar Group, said, “AI is transforming the way we work. It’s automating repetitive tasks & sparking innovation. Yes, it’s disrupting some jobs, but its also creating new opportunities. But to truly benefit from this shift, every professional must invest in reskilling. Avtar’s research shows that close to 50% of organizations struggle to fill AI-related roles. Also, while reskilling is essential, its not just about learning new tech -mentorship, peer support, and immersive learning remain deeply important. That’s what MACC offered: skilling along with human connection, where professionals from across industries came to learn, connect, and plan their next move. We need more such platforms to build well-rounded, future-ready professionals.”

Avtar Group announced winners in the following categories:

Early Career Excellence Award for individuals between 2-8 years of experience demonstrating strong appetite for learning and growth

• Annapurna Ramesh, Data scientist/engineer, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India

Career Achiever (Mid Career) for individuals between 8-15 years of experience and have demonstrated fast-track growth

• Mahendra Joshi, Solution Architect, COE, Data & Analytics, Tech Mahindra

Career Icons (Matured Career) for individuals with 15 plus years of experience

• Shilpi Mitra, Principal Software Engineering Manager, Microsoft India

• Sobhitha Neelanath, Senior Manager, Software Engineering, Salesforce India

Inspiring Second Career Professional for having made successful career comeback.

• Preethy Senthilkumar, Lead Business Analyst, Zuci Systems India Private Ltd

Best Talent Development Program for Corporates

• KBR India won the award for its excellent and sustained efforts in developing and advancing talent in the organization. Geetha Ramamurthi, managing director, KBR India received the award.

The conference was well attended by early & mid – career professionals from diverse industries such as finance, IT, services and manufacturing, but also industry thought leaders keen to build smart workplaces. Themed #TheDoublePunch: Winning Strategies to Unlock Career Momentum, MACC 2025 underlined the significance of intentional career planning along with adaptive learning.

Presenting the awards, the Chief Guest, Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Group, said, “Hard work is non-negotiable in building a sustainable career and one day the rewards will come back to you. Career intentionality is what helps one pick their path when presented with the right opportunities. Constant reinvention and learning is what powers your career at every career stage. And as one moves forward in their leadership journey, it is important to be the leader who you always wanted.“

The conference featured inspiring addresses from Rakesh Ravuri, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering, Publicis Sapient; Manjushree Dutta, Managing Director, Head of Business Strategy, Planning & Legal Entity Governance, State Street India, Rajesh Puneyani, VP & Managing Director, GCC site leader, Kenvue India GCC, and Srinivasa Rao Somepalli, Head of Operations, Bengaluru, KBR India among other distinguished speakers.

The Guest of Honor, Louis Mathew, GDS Enablement Services Leader, EY, said addressing the audience said, “Building careers is like running- one needs to pace oneself very well. It is important to stay in your lane and sometimes it is okay to walk and embrace the second wind. We also need to accept the suffering that comes with this if you are intentional about a long career. And finally, it is discipline that brings us closer to success.“

To know more, visit www.avtarinc.com | www.myavtar.com

About Avtar
Avtar, founded in 2000 by Dr Saundarya Rajesh, is one of India’s leading workplace culture consulting firms, supporting hundreds of companies in creating diverse and supportive workplaces. Avtar is also the country’s largest provider of second career opportunities for women.

An ISO 20700 certified firm, Avtar conducts corporate India’s largest annual benchmarking studies – the Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) and the Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI). Done in partnership with Seramount, BCWI and MICI have paved the way for the employment of more women and other under-represented groups. Avtar also promotes inclusive hiring through MyAvtar, India’s first job portal for under-represented professionals.

A snapshot of Avtar’s work in the last 25 years:

• Provided advisory services in inclusive practices to 800+ organizations

• Conducted 20,000+ training programs in companies of different sizes, spanning industries and locations

• Facilitated the re-entry of 1,00,000 second-career women into the workforce through MyAvtar.com

• Provided Intentional Career Pathing training to 200,000+ women, preventing them from leaving the workforce

• Offered unique skilling programs such as DigiPivot (a prestigious course in digital marketing, conducted in partnership with Google, HUL, and ISB) to hundreds of women.

• Provided career intentionality training, employment guidance, and access to industry leaders every year to 10,000+ girls from underprivileged backgrounds through Project Puthri, an initiative of the Avtar Human Capital Trust (AHCT).

• Impacted 4000+ schoolboys through MITR (Men Impacting Trust and Respect), an initiative by AHCT that mentors boys to be advocates for women.

For its transformational impact in the realm of DEI, Avtar Group was listed in the prestigious Steward Leadership 25 Listing by Strait Times & INSEAD at Singapore in 2022.

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, proudly announces that its Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) program at SIMATS Engineering has been awarded the highest level of international recognition from ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, USA), the world’s leading accreditor for college and university programs.

SIMATS Engineering’s CSE Program Earns Prestigious ABET Accreditation

The program has been granted full accreditation for six years – the maximum possible term – by both the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) and the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC). The accreditation is valid from October 2023 through September 2031.

This dual accreditation reaffirms SIMATS Engineering’s position as a global leader in engineering education. It highlights the institution’s unwavering commitment to:

• Delivering world-class academic standards aligned with international benchmarks.

• Employing innovative teaching methodologies that prepare students for evolving industry demands.

• Providing a globally relevant curriculum focused on research, innovation, and problem-solving.

Speaking on this achievement, Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan, Founder and Chancellor of SIMATS, said, “This recognition by ABET stands as a testament to our vision of transforming education with global standards. It validates the dedication of our faculty, the hard work of our students, and our continuous pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and industry collaboration.”

Why these matters for students
ABET accreditation ensures that graduates of the CSE program are globally recognized, equipped with industry-relevant skills, and prepared for advanced studies or careers worldwide. It also enhances opportunities for international research collaborations, student exchange programs, and placements with leading global companies.

With this achievement, SIMATS Engineering joins an elite group of institutions worldwide that have earned ABET accreditation, reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination for engineering education.

For more details, please visit www.saveetha.com.

About SIMATS Engineering
SIMATS Engineering, part of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, is dedicated to delivering transformative education in engineering and technology. With a strong emphasis on innovation, research, and industry partnerships, SIMATS Engineering nurtures future-ready engineers equipped to lead in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Beta Tank Robotics Pvt Ltd, (BetaTANK) has developed the 2nd generation of robots for cleaning petroleum crude oil tanks. This application of moving thick viscous sludge out of the large crude oil storage tanks by robots, has been known to be a difficult robotic application. These Deep Tech robotic machines costing around half-a-million-dollars each, are highly specialized and usually powered and controlled by hydraulics to avoid sparking risks.

BetaTANK Robot and the thick sludge pumped out by the robot

The current generation of tank cleaning robots worldwide, employ suction method to remove sludge, and do not have a pump on the robot. These have not been very successful, since suction is limited by nature to only one bar pressure. BetaTANK robot has a pump on the robot and uses the pump discharge pressure of 10 bar. This ‘technology leap’ solves the main limitation in the performance of the 1st generation of robots.

In a completely different product, BetaTANK has made a robot with foldable arms to enter the neighborhood petrol pump underground storage tanks and clean it.

DC Sekhar, the founder of BetaTANK – an Ex merchant navy oil tanker captain with extensive petroleum tank cleaning experience, says – “The petroleum industry sector, which includes many Fortune 500 companies, is quite underserved by the robotic technologies“. Industry reports peg the growth of this niche petroleum industry robotic sector to between 6 and 13 billion USD in the next decade.

BetaTANK patented robot has received the IECEx Zone ‘0‘ standard certification for its robot. This is the highest international safety standard worldwide, for operating within hydrocarbon environments. BetaTANK has also secured the patent for its robot.

BetaTANK is currently receiving enquiries for robotic solutions, from Steel, Pharma and other industrial sectors. These industries are seeking to derisk their maintenance operations in hazardous tank spaces, by eliminating man entry, using robotics.

Sekhar shared that pioneering technological capabilities & effectively meeting customer needs, shall remain the strategic growth ‘Mantra‘ of BetaTANK.

The Banyan, Indias leading preschool and corporate daycare provider, today announced its groundbreaking integration of artificial intelligence technology across its centers. The initiative introduces an advanced AI companion designed specifically to enhance early childhood education through safe, interactive, and personalized learning experiences.

Swati Jain – Director, The Banyan

This historic milestone positions The Banyan at the forefront of educational innovation, leveraging AI technology to revolutionize how children aged 6 months to 12 years learn, interact, and develop critical skills. The integration builds upon The Banyans 22-year legacy of excellence in early childhood education and reinforces its commitment to preparing children for a digitally integrated future.

The introduction of AI represents a paradigm shift in early childhood education, offering children access to responsible AI with built-in safety guardrails developed in collaboration with Meta. The AI companion features advanced capabilities including voice recognition, sentiment detection, and personalized learning adaptation, creating an engaging and safe environment for young learners. As the global AI in childcare and parenting market is valued at USD 4.7 billion in 2024 and predicted to reach USD 35.2 billion by 2034, The Banyans pioneering initiative positions the organization at the center of this rapidly expanding sector.

“We are thrilled to pioneer this revolutionary approach to early childhood education,” said Swati Jain, Director at The Banyan. “By integrating AI into our curriculum, were not just keeping pace with technological advancement – were defining the future of how children learn, grow, and develop essential skills in an increasingly digital world.“

AI companion’s sophisticated technology suite encompasses multiple educational and developmental tools designed specifically for young learners. The AI companion teaches STEM concepts, languages, and general knowledge through fun, interactive activities while responding to childrens questions and commands with conversational AI. Its friendly voice is comforting and perfectly tailored to childrens needs, incorporating sentiment detection that recognizes and adapts to kids emotions, offering empathetic responses or tailored interactions.

Recognizing the paramount importance of child safety in AI interactions, The Banyan has implemented comprehensive safeguards including parental control applications that allow monitoring of usage and setting limits. The system features safe design with non-toxic materials, rounded edges, and kid-friendly interfaces to prioritize safety.

“Our commitment to safety is unwavering,” added Swati. “Every aspect of AIs integration has been carefully designed with child protection as the primary consideration, ensuring parents can have complete confidence in their childrens AI interactions.“

This AI integration announcement comes following The Banyans recent recognition as “Most Influential Preschool of the Year 2024” and “Best Daycare of the Year 2024”, further solidifying its position as an industry leader. The organization operates centers across Delhi, Noida, Jaipur,

Gurgaon, Karnataka, and other major Indian cities, serving thousands of families through both standalone facilities and corporate partnerships with major organizations including HCL, Taj Hotels, Indigo Airlines, Ashoka University, and MetLife.

Founded in 2003 by Mr. Nitesh Jain and spearheaded by Swati Jain, The Banyan is Indias premier preschool and corporate daycare provider, serving children ages 6 months to 12 years. With a mission to empower working parents, particularly women, The Banyan operates multiple centers across India and maintains partnerships with leading corporations. The organization is recognized for its innovative curriculum, commitment to child safety, and exceptional parent satisfaction rates.

Himachal Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s leading states in education reforms. Under the leadership of Shri Rajesh Sharma, IFS (2000 batch), the state has moved from Rank 21 in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2021 to being among the Top 5 in PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. Under his leadership, Himachal Pradesh has also achieved near-universal enrollment and one of the lowest dropout rates in government schools across the country.

Shri Rajesh Sharma receiving award from Anupam Kher

Sharma’s focus on data-driven governance, global collaborations, and student learning outcomes has positioned Himachal Pradesh as a model of education reforms for other states.

In recognition of these achievements, Sharma was conferred the ET Leadership Excellence Award – North 2025 by the Times of India Group at a ceremony in New Delhi. The event was graced by Chief Guest Anupam Kher. The award celebrates leaders across India for their contributions in governance, corporate leadership, social service, and public administration.

Sharma’s career reflects a rare blend of academic depth and administrative experience. He holds a degree in Forestry from the Indian Forest College, Dehradun, and an MBA in Public Policy and Management from MDI Gurgaon with an international module at George Mason University. He has also attended training programs in Japan, the UK, and Singapore, giving him valuable global exposure.

Before becoming State Project Director in 2023, Sharma held diverse roles including Regional Passport Officer (MEA), Managing Director of HP Skill Mission, Chief Conservator of Forests, and Director of Youth Services & Sports. These roles gave him a 360-degree perspective on governance, combining fiscal discipline with people-focused reforms.

As State Project Director, Samagra Shikasha, Himachal Pradesh, Sharma has ensured 100% fund utilization under flagship schemes like STARS, PM SHRI, and Samagra Shiksha. He has championed international partnerships with UNESCO, Cambridge University, and the Principal Academy of Singapore, and tied up with IITs and IIMs for training government schools teachers in pedagogy and assessments.He also pioneered India’s largest tablet-based diagnostic assessment for nearly 50,000 students, embedding remedial learning for students in government schools through strong education data-governance systems in Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) Himachal Pradesh.

His tenure has also seen a utilisation of ICT infrastructure in schools, reducing the urban-rural divide through digital classrooms and technology-based monitoring. He has further strengthened institutions by activating School Management Committees, decentralizing leadership, and aligning state and national education priorities.

From conserving forests to shaping classrooms, Sharma’s journey reflects a consistent vision-whether protecting trees for a greener tomorrow or shaping schools for a brighter future. Just as he nurtured ecosystems for sustainability in his early career, he now brings the same commitment and innovation to shape the future of education and prepare the next generation of India’s leaders. The Leadership Excellence Award is therefore not only a personal honour but also a recognition of Himachal Pradesh’s enduring success story in education governance.

Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has successfully concluded its annual Hong Kong Travel Mission to India, held from August 18th to 26th across five major cities that started from Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and concluded in Chennai.

This year’s mission featured a strong delegation of 41 Hong Kong tourism industry partners, including iconic attractions, theme parks, leading hotels, destination management companies (DMCs), airlines, and cruise lines. The Hong Kong team engaged with over 750 Indian travel agents and tourism professionals, including representatives from key satellite markets. Against the backdrop of a strong recovery in India market, the travel mission highlighted how Hong Kong is evolving its offerings to appeal to leisure, business, and family travellers alike, and is known for its visa-free and direct flight options.

Hong Kong Tourism Board delegation connects with 750+ travel partners during its 5-City Travel Mission to India

The timing couldn’t be better. Between January and July 2025, Hong Kong welcomed 233,000 Indian visitor arrivals, an 8% year-on-year growth in arrivals, reaching 94% of pre-pandemic levels. India now ranks 11th among key visitor source markets, with travellers staying an average of four nights, and nearly two-thirds choosing overnight stays. Connectivity is also stronger than ever, with 53 weekly flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, making Hong Kong India’s most accessible international destination in Asia.

The data tells a promising story. More Indians are discovering Hong Kong for the first time (43% in 2025), family and group travel is on the rise (up from 29% in Q1 to 43% in Q2), and India ranks 5th in per capita spending, reflecting demand for premium travel experiences and services among Indian visitors to Hong Kong. On the business travel side, MICE travel has registered a strong rebound, with arrivals up 33% year-on-year and 55,587 Indian delegates visiting Hong Kong in the first half of 2025 for Business Travel and MICE.

Puneet Kumar, Director – South Asia, Hong Kong Tourism Board, said, “There is no place like Hong Kong that is such a super cosmopolitan city with world class theme parks, attractions, best in class infrastructure, unique experiences that are only available in HK such as Derby racing, yachting, island hopping, our city’s culinary & nightlife is second to none, world famous Art & Cultural events yet you can find the nature’s calm within few minutes as we have oceans, mountains, hiking trails, beaches, 263 island, water sports that attracts active adventure seekers from around the world. Hong Kong is a year-round destination with a packed calendar of mega events, festivals from Summer Viva to Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance to Halloween to Hong Kong Wine & Dine to WinterFest and most spectacular New Year Countdown Fireworks. There is never a dull moment in Hong Kong making it the perfect destination for leisure & cruise holidays, family trips & celebrations, or MICE travel.”

With a near full recovery in arrivals, visa-free travel and an expanding portfolio of events and cruise offerings, Hong Kong is set to welcome even more travellers from India in the future to experience leisure, family holidays, or business incentives. The city offers experiences that are fresh, diverse, and rewarding throughout the year.

About Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhancing visitors experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities.

The HKTB’s missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.

• The event witnessed the announcement and felicitation of the winners of the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE) 2.0

• To further promote clean tech development, investment partners signed MoU to unleash catalytic capital and fund the winning solutions of ENTICE

• BRPL and GEAPP announced signing of MoU to launch the Digitalization of Utilities for Energy Transition (DUET) program at two sub-stations in Delhi

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) hosted its Alliance in Action Convening on 29 August 2025 at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, bringing together key stakeholders, investors, innovators, and DISCOMs to advance India’s clean energy transition. The event featured the announcement and felicitation of the winners of the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE) 2.0, along with the signing of MoUs to scale winning solutions and unlock catalytic capital for clean-tech innovation.

ENTICE 2.0 winners felicitated at Alliance in Action Convening, hosted by GEAPP in New Delhi

GEAPP also announced the launch of the Digitalization of Utilities for Energy Transition (DUET) program with BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), to be piloted at two substations in Delhi.

ENTICE, GEAPP’s flagship India program, addresses the funding gap faced by clean-tech innovators by providing grants, mentorship, and market access. The second edition focused on two problem statements:

• Developing AI tools to analyze behind-the-meter (BTM) energy consumption patterns and create digital twins of appliances.

• Using AI to analyze smart meter data, identify large-scale flexible assets, and detect inefficiencies in industrial energy use.

By partnering with distribution companies like Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) and BRPL, ENTICE provides startups access to real-world data and pilot opportunities, bridging the gap between innovation and deployment.

The winning solutions to the first problem statements were Enlog and Flock Energy. Enlog delivers autonomous energy intelligence via a compact, patented plug-and-play loT device + Al. It cuts electricity use and improves appliance-life without manual effort. Flock Energy uses a modular, Al-powered platform to disaggregate smart meter data into appliance-level insights, tailored for Indias 15/30-minute intervals.

Trillectric and Faclon Labs were announced winners for the second problem statement. Trillectric offers a modular system that analyzes smart meter data to flag inefficiencies and flexibility using standardized, structured data. Its lightweight architecture emphasizes usability and integration-readiness, making it ideal for rapid industrial deployment. Faclon Labs uniquely integrates Al, Big Data, and energy systems to optimize consumption. With 400+ projects executed across India and tens of thousands of energy meters digitized, Faclon’s Al tools enable real-time diagnostics, anomaly detection, and demand forecasting.

To accelerate deployment of these solutions, investment partners AWE Funds, Synapses, Theia Ventures, ZeCa Capital, Spectrum Impact, and Ankur Capital signed MoUs pledging funding support and implementation assistance, subject to due diligence.

Gurdeep Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, NTPC felicitated the winners and remarked, “Innovation thrives when diverse minds come together to challenge conventions and co-create solutions. The Alliance in Action event demonstrates how constructive disruptors can address some of our toughest energy challenges, turning today’s problems into tomorrow’s possibilities.”

Woochong Um, CEO, GEAPP, added, “India’s strides in clean energy show how innovation and strong policy support can drive transformation. The urgency of the climate challenge demands collaborative action, where governments, businesses, civil society, and philanthropy come together to unlock capital, deploy solutions, and share knowledge at scale. India’s example offers both inspiration and practical models for the Global South to accelerate an equitable and inclusive transition.”

The convening also featured a fireside chat with Ashish Khanna (DG, International Solar Alliance), Woochong Um (CEO, GEAPP), and Saurabh Kumar (VP – India, GEAPP) on the role of the Multi Donor Trust Fund, which aims to mobilize funds for high-impact solar projects. A panel discussion on ‘Economic Development through Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE)’ followed, moderated by Samit Mitra, Managing Director, Country Delivery – India, GEAPP.

Saurabh Kumar, Vice President – India, GEAPP, noted, “India’s journey towards a sustainable and energy-independent future is an alliance-driven mission. Initiatives like ENTICE provide a collaborative platform for innovators to scale the climate-tech solutions needed to build a smarter, more resilient grid.”

Building on this momentum, GEAPP will soon launch ENTICE 3.0, which will expand focus on deep tech innovation, grid resilience, and digitalization-driven energy efficiency, further advancing India’s renewable energy transition.

About Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is an alliance of philanthropy, governments in emerging and developed economies, and technology, policy, and financing partners. Our common mission is to enable LMIC’s shift to a clean energy, pro-growth model that accelerates universal energy access and inclusive economic growth, while supporting the global community to meet critical climate goals during the next decade. As an alliance, we aim to reduce four gigatons of future carbon emissions, expand clean energy access to one billion people, and enable 150 million new jobs. With philanthropic partners, IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund, GEAPP works to build the enabling environment, capacity, and market conditions for private sector solutions, catalyze new business models through innovation and entrepreneurship, and deploy high-risk capital to encourage private sector solutions and assist just transition solutions.