GrowthCap Ventures today announced its continued investment in Bengaluru-based portfolio company Spense, participating in the company’s USD 2.8 million Seed round led by Arkam Ventures, alongside Razorpay Ventures, Atrium Ventures, and a distinguished group of fintech and technology operators including Kunal Shah (CRED), Madhusudhan E (KreditBee), Ravishankar (Active.ai), Suresh Rayasam Venkatasubbaih (LinkedIn), and Sayandeb Banerjee (The Math Company). The round marks an important milestone for the company and reinforces growing institutional conviction in the future of asset-backed credit infrastructure.

Spense Founders and Growthcap Ventures Team, From Left to right – Srinivas Krishnamurthy, Pratekk Agarwaal, Pawan Kumar, Neeti Bokaria Source: Growthcap Ventures (Investors)

GrowthCap Ventures was the first institutional investor in Spense, leading the company’s pre-seed round in May 2025, and has continued to back the company as it scales. The follow-on investment reflects GrowthCap’s conviction in both the founders and the emerging opportunity to build the infrastructure powering India’s next generation of credit.

As India’s credit ecosystem evolves beyond unsecured lending, a vast pool of assets—including fixed deposits, mutual funds, equities, invoices and other financial assets—remains underutilised within the formal credit system. Spense enables banks to transform these assets into modern credit products through a bank-native infrastructure layer that integrates seamlessly with existing banking systems.

The company has already partnered with leading institutions to launch secured credit cards and credit lines backed by customer assets. Today, Spense works with seven major banks, powers over 2 lakh active cards, issues more than 40,000 cards every month, and contributes to nearly 8% of India’s monthly credit card issuance, underscoring the growing demand for modern asset-backed lending infrastructure.

The fresh capital will be used to deepen banking partnerships, accelerate product development, expand engineering and go-to-market teams, launch Credit Line on UPI (CLOU), and further build the infrastructure and intelligence layer for the future of asset-backed credit.

“India’s credit challenge is often viewed as a risk problem. We believe it is fundamentally an infrastructure problem. India does not have a shortage of assets. It has a shortage of infrastructure that can convert those assets into usable credit. We believe the next generation of banking will be built on two foundations: infrastructure that unlocks assets and AI that makes credit intelligent, scalable and accessible. If you have a valuable asset, you should have access to modern credit,” Pawan Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Spense.

“For decades, banks digitized accounts, payments and transactions. The next phase of banking is the digitization of collateral itself,” Srinivas Krishnamurthy, Co-founder & CTO, Spense.

“We invested in Spense at the pre-seed stage because we believed asset-backed credit would become one of the defining themes in financial services. Pawan and Srinivas have demonstrated exceptional clarity of vision and execution, building infrastructure that enables banks to unlock liquidity against assets at scale. We’re delighted to welcome Arkam Ventures and our fellow investors, and are excited to continue supporting the team as they build the future of banking infrastructure in India,” Pratekk Agarwaal, Founder & General Partner, GrowthCap Ventures.

About GrowthCap Ventures

GrowthCap Ventures is an operator-led early-stage venture capital firm focused on backing category-defining startups across FinTech, AI and DeepTech. The firm partners with founders from the earliest stages of company building, often as the first institutional investor, providing not only capital but also hands-on operational support, strategic guidance and access to an extensive network of founders, operators and enterprise partners.

The continued investment in Spense reflects GrowthCap’s high-conviction approach of backing exceptional founders early and supporting them through successive stages of growth. As an operator-led fund, GrowthCap works closely with portfolio companies on product strategy, customer introductions, hiring, fundraising and long-term company building.

Spense’s successful upround is another example of GrowthCap Ventures’ commitment to identifying category leaders early and partnering with founders building the next generation of foundational technology companies from India.

One of India’s most trusted hyper local real estate platforms catering to the Chennai market, This real estate listing platform has officially transitioned from Chennaiproperties.in to Chennaiproperties.com, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a more accessible, future-ready, and globally recognized property destination.

Chennaiproperties.com Ushers in a New Era of Digital Real Estate Discovery

Since its launch in 2014, Chennaiproperties.in has helped thousands of home buyers connect with reputed builders and discover residential projects across Chennai. What began as a vision to simplify property discovery in the city has evolved into a leading hyper-local real estate platform trusted by developers, investors, home buyers, and NRIs alike.

The move to Chennaiproperties.com reflects the company’s continued commitment to enhancing user experience, strengthening its brand presence, and expanding its reach to a wider audience, particularly the growing global community of Chennai-focused property seekers.

A Decade of Connecting Chennai’s Property Ecosystem

Over the years, Chennaiproperties.com has built a strong reputation for offering verified property listings, detailed project information, and localized insights that help buyers make informed real estate decisions.

With Chennai witnessing rapid urban growth, infrastructure development, and increasing interest from both domestic and international investors, the platform has emerged as a trusted digital gateway to the city’s real estate market.

Why Home buyers choose Chennaiproperties.com

• Chennai-Centric Expertise

Unlike generic property portals, Chennaiproperties.com is exclusively focused on Chennai and its surrounding growth corridors. This dedicated focus enables the platform to provide deeper market insights and more relevant property options.

• Trusted & Verified Listings

The platform emphasizes quality and authenticity, ensuring that listings are sourced from trusted developers and verified partners, helping users search with greater confidence.

• Hyper-Local Intelligence

Property decisions extend beyond square footage and pricing. Chennaiproperties.com offers valuable neighborhood insights, including information about schools, healthcare facilities, transportation connectivity, shopping destinations, and civic infrastructure.

• Direct Developer Connect

The platform facilitates direct interaction between buyers and developers, enabling faster communication, better transparency, and a more efficient property-buying experience.

• Comprehensive Property Discovery

From affordable housing projects to premium residential developments, users can explore a wide range of options tailored to different budgets and lifestyle requirements.

More Than a Domain Change

The transition to Chennaiproperties.com represents more than a new web address. It signifies the next phase of growth for the platform, with a sharper focus on innovation, user experience, technology integration, and market expansion.

The new domain strengthens the brand’s global visibility while creating a foundation for future enhancements that will make property discovery faster, smarter, and more intuitive.

Looking Ahead

As Chennai continues to establish itself as one of India’s most dynamic real estate markets, Chennaiproperties.com remains committed to helping home buyers, investors, and developers navigate the market with confidence.

With a stronger digital identity and an ambitious road map ahead, Chennaiproperties.com is poised to play an even larger role in shaping the future of property discovery in Chennai.

Visit: Chennaiproperties.com

• 5 DeepTech Start-ups bag PoCs worth 75 Lakhs in 48 hours

• In a first for India’s B2B manufacturing sector, AGI Greenpac and SIG Tattva take 8 deep-tech start-up founders onto the factory floor co-creating solutions to live operational challenges and awarding PoC pilot engagements on merit

SIG Tattva, the Corporate Venture Capital and Innovation arm of Somany Impresa Group, in partnership with Pontaq Ventures, successfully conducted a two-day Founder Immersion & Start-up Workshop on June 24^th & 25^th June, 2026, at the manufacturing facilities of AGI Greenpac Limited, one of the Group companies of Somany Impresa Group and India’s leading glass packaging manufacturer. The program brought together start-up founders, investors, and industry leaders to strengthen collaboration between start-ups and the manufacturing ecosystem through an immersive shop-floor visit on Day 1 and a start-up-focused workshop on Day 2, fostering knowledge exchange, industry insights, and opportunities for innovation-led partnerships.

Founders, industry leaders, investors and mentors come together at India’s first Manufacturing-Tech Founder Workshop by SIG Tattva

The workshop brought together 8 carefully selected deep-tech start-up founders from Pontaq’s portfolio for an immersive, outcome-oriented engagement with the manufacturing operations of SIG Tattva and AGI Greenpac.

Unlike conventional start-up showcases or what the industry privately calls ‘innovation theatre’, this was a structured workshopping model: founders walked the shop floor, observed live manufacturing processes firsthand, co-developed solutions alongside department heads, and presented a pilot project to the C-suite for evaluation. This is widely regarded as a first-of-its-kind model for AGI Greenpac and among the few such initiatives in India’s manufacturing ecosystem, where a manufacturing company has moved beyond pitch-deck-based start-up engagement to structured, outcome-driven, merit-based collaboration on the factory floor.

The two-day programme was structured for maximum immersion and outcomes. On Day 1, founders participated in introductory sessions with leadership teams from AGI Greenpac, SIG Tattva, and Pontaq, followed by guided factory walkthroughs led by department heads who briefed them on live operational challenges.

The start-up founders then worked independently and collaboratively before presenting their solutions to AGI Greenpac and SIG Tattva’s C-suite. Their presentation was followed by a detailed Q&A to establish the viability of solutions proposed. The programme concluded with the evaluation and awarding of PoC pilot engagements assessed on merit, milestone readiness, and potential for full-scale commercial deployment.

The 8 participating start-ups were shortlisted from a pool of over 20, drawn from Pontaq’s portfolio of approximately 180 start-ups, and selected based on thesis alignment with AGI Greenpac’s manufacturing-tech priorities spanning AI/ML, industrial automation, robotics, energy management, quality inspection, emissions control, supply chain traceability, and cybersecurity.

The participating start-ups and their founders were:

• Novorbis Itus — Harsh Neekhra (Founder & CEO). Patented industrial emission control and pollution reduction systems for manufacturing environments.

• Kredily — Devendra Khandegar (Founder & CEO). AI-driven HRMS platform; brings deep fintech and investment expertise to operational efficiency challenges.

• Cairovision — Vedpal Singh / VP Singh (Founder). AI and computer vision-powered video analytics solutions for industrial sectors including manufacturing, energy, and logistics.

• mSense AI — Surekha Gupta (Co-founder & CBO) and Shiv Shankar Maurya (Co-founder & CEO). AI-powered quality inspection through computer vision and acoustic intelligence for manufacturing lines.

• Maxbyte Technologies — Ramshankar C.S. (Co-founder & CEO). Industry 4.0 and digital transformation solutions covering industrial automation, robotics, and decarbonisation.

• Presage Insights — Atul Sharma (Co-founder). AI and IoT-powered predictive maintenance and asset performance management to reduce industrial downtime.

• Goat Robotics — Muthu Vangaliappan (Co-founder & CEO) and Mugesh S (Co-founder & MD). Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for industrial applications and intralogistics.

• Borlaug Web Services — Ayon Hazra (Founder & CEO). Blockchain-based supply chain transparency, carbon accounting, and sustainability traceability solutions.

The two-day workshop culminated in the awarding of PoC engagements worth INR 75 Lakhs to 5 deep-tech start-ups, spanning AMRs, computer vision, emission control, predictive maintenance, and logistics.

This workshop is the first in what AGI Greenpac and SIG Tattva intend to build as an ongoing, repeatable open innovation programme extending beyond Pontaq to include other leading VC funds.

Shashvat Somany, Founder, SIG Tattva, said, “The future of innovation lies in breaking down the barriers between start-ups and industry. For too long, founders have been expected to solve industrial challenges without direct access to the environments where those challenges exist. My vision is to democratise start-ups access to the shop floor, where the action really takes place. ‘Floor to Future’ is India’s first initiative to create a platform where start-ups, operators, and business leaders collaborate closely. This is the exact kind of structured, outcome-driven collaboration that accelerates successful pilots and drives long-term value creation for both start-ups and corporates. Through this initiative, we aim to bridge that gap by opening up SIG’s manufacturing ecosystem to entrepreneurs.”

Sriharsha Bandaluppi, Head, SIG Tattva, said, ” As an operator-led venture platform, our focus is on creating pathways from innovation to implementation. We believe this model can redefine corporate-start-up collaboration—moving away from superficial conversations and pitch decks toward real problem-solving, real pilots, and real outcomes. In the first chapter of ‘Floor to Future,’ we partnered with Pontaq bringing founders on the shop floor. What differentiated this workshop was the depth of execution, interactions with functional leaders to understand bottlenecks firsthand, and co-created solutions grounded in operational realities. Through this initiative, we aren’t just talking about the future of industry—we are building a repeatable model that transforms innovation from conversation into execution.”

Mr. Rajesh Khosla, CEO, AGI Greenpac Limited, said, “At AGI Greenpac, operational excellence and continuous innovation remain central to our growth strategy. As India’s leading glass packaging manufacturer, we see immense value in bringing external innovation into our manufacturing ecosystem. This workshop provided an opportunity for our teams to engage with entrepreneurs bringing fresh perspectives and emerging technologies to solve real business challenges. We are excited by the quality of ideas generated and look forward to exploring opportunities that can create tangible value for our operations, customers, and industry.”

Mr. Prem Barthasarathy, Founder & Managing Partner, Pontaq VC, said, “Large industrial conglomerates do not look for isolated point solutions; they seek integrated solutions that can improve quality, enhance productivity, increase revenues, and reduce costs across the value chain. Yet, for start-ups, breaking into large enterprises and securing pilot opportunities typically takes between 8 and 18 months. Through ‘Floor to Future’, we are fundamentally changing this dynamic. By bringing founders directly onto the shop floor alongside operational and business leaders, start-ups gain first-hand insight into real-world challenges while enterprises gain access to cutting-edge innovation. What is particularly exciting is that potential proof-of-concepts emerged within just 48 hours of engagement. This demonstrates that when industry and innovation come together in the right environment, the path from conversation to execution can be dramatically shortened.”

About AGI Greenpac Limited

AGI Greenpac Limited is India’s largest manufacturer of container glass and provides a comprehensive portfolio of PET bottles and products, along with anti-counterfeiting security closures. With seven strategically located manufacturing plants across India, the company serves over 500 globally recognized institutional clients.

About SIG Tattva

SIG Tattva, the corporate venture capital arm of Somany Impresa Group, empowers visionary founders and transformative start-ups. Inspired by the Sanskrit word “Tattva” – meaning essence, principle, or fundamental truth – the platform reflects a commitment to truth, excellence, and progress.

Focusing on early-stage ventures in deep-tech manufacturing, enterprise SaaS, clean technologies, next-generation e-commerce, and disruptive product innovations, SIG Tattva goes beyond capital to provide strategic guidance, industry access, and operational expertise. By bridging entrepreneurs with real-world industrial ecosystems, it aims to accelerate breakthrough ideas and strengthen India’s deep-tech innovation landscape.

About Pontaq

Pontaq was established in 2015 as the first India-UK VC fund in history.  Pontaq’s India HQ is in Chennai. Since inception Pontaq has been investing in impactful, scalable, and sustainable technologies that bridge domestic innovation with global opportunities.

Achievements –

• 190+ Investments: Spanning 23 Indian states and 2 UK regions.

• 15+ Multinational Operations: Portfolio start-ups operating in more than one country.

• Extensive IP Portfolio: Nearly 100 patents.

• Job Creation: Over 3,000 jobs created across India and the UK, with more than 10% for women.

• Women Leadership: ~30% of our portfolio start-ups are led by female founders.

Glow by Kirtilals, the contemporary natural diamond jewellery brand from Kirtilals, proudly announces the launch of its second showroom in Chennai, located at Mid Point, Block B, LB Road, Adyar. The inauguration ceremony, held on 29th June, was graced by the presence of the talented and beloved actress, Ramya Pandiyan. This expansion marks another significant milestone in the brand’s growth journey, bringing its signature collection of stylish, lightweight finest quality natural diamond jewellery closer to customers in one of Chennai’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Suraj Shantakumar, Director – Business Strategy, Kirtilals; actress Ramya Pandian; and Ms. Hamsapriya, Channel Partner, Glow Adyar, at the inauguration ceremony

Designed for the modern woman, Glow by Kirtilals offers an exquisite range of contemporary natural diamond jewellery that seamlessly blends elegance, versatility, and everyday wearability. With prices starting from Rs. 7,000, the collection is thoughtfully crafted for every occasion—from work and casual outings to celebrations and special moments.

Glow by Kirtilals new showroom at Adyar, 2nd showroom in Chennai

The Adyar showroom showcases an extensive range of rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, and everyday diamond essentials, offering designs that reflect individuality, confidence, and evolving fashion sensibilities. With Glow by Kirtilals, diamonds are no longer reserved for special occasions—they become an effortless part of everyday style.

To celebrate the opening of the Adyar showroom, Glow by Kirtilals is delighted to introduce exclusive launch offers, including Flat 50% off on making charges, Flat 26% off on diamond value, and Rs. 125 extra per gram on the exchange of old gold towards the purchase of finest quality diamond jewellery, making it the perfect time for customers to upgrade to natural diamond jewellery.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Suraj Shantakumar, Director – Business Strategy, Kirtilals, said, “Chennai has always been an important market for us, and we are delighted to strengthen our presence with our second Glow by Kirtilals showroom in the city. Adyar is home to a vibrant community that appreciates contemporary style while valuing quality and craftsmanship. With Glow, our vision is to make natural diamond jewellery more accessible for the modern woman by offering designs that complement her everyday lifestyle and celebrate her individuality.”

Conveniently located at Mid Point, Block B, LB Road, Adyar, the new showroom offers customers an immersive shopping experience with a wide selection of contemporary finest quality natural diamond jewellery. Customers can also explore the collection online at www.glowjewels.com.

About Glow by Kirtilals
Glow by Kirtilals is the Gen Z and millennial take on the legendary Kirtilals legacy, crafting fine jewellery for over 87 years. Glow by Kirtilals has 11 exclusive showrooms across South India. With in-house artistry, manufacturing, and expert craftsmanship, Glow creates natural diamond and gold jewellery designed for everyday confidence, style, and self-expression. 

Firefly Diamonds, one of India’s fastest-growing lab-grown diamond jewellery brands, has crossed a significant milestone with the opening of its 10th store in India, reinforcing its position among the country’s largest and most rapidly expanding players in the lab-grown diamond jewellery segment. Firefly Diamonds has established a presence across five major cities – Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad – serving a growing community of over 2,000 customers celebrating life’s most meaningful occasions, from engagements and weddings to anniversaries, birthdays and everyday milestones.

From left to right: Adit Bhansali and Aayush Bhansali, Co-Founders of Firefly Diamonds

The milestone follows the recent launch of one of India’s largest four-storey lab-grown diamond jewellery stores in Mumbai and marks another step in Firefly’s ambition to make premium diamond jewellery more accessible to a new generation of consumers. 

At the heart of Firefly’s offering are lab-grown diamonds that are chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds, while offering better brilliance, clarity and colour. Created using advanced technology and renewable energy, these diamonds are certified by the same globally recognised laboratories that certify natural diamonds.

“For three generations, our family has been in the diamond business. What has changed is the customer,” said Aayush Bhansali, Co-founder, Firefly Diamonds. “Consumers want exceptional craftsmanship, meaningful design, and a smarter way to own diamonds. Firefly was built to meet that demand. Reaching 10 stores across India is an important milestone, but it’s only the beginning as we work towards making world-class diamond jewellery more accessible to a new generation of buyers.”

Every Firefly jewellery piece undergoes a meticulous 20-step production process that takes over 100 hours to complete. Each diamond is set entirely by hand, followed by a rigorous 100-step quality assurance process. Only the top 2% of diamonds are selected, ensuring every piece is crafted to become a lasting heirloom for generations to come.

Firefly further enhances customer experience through a suite of personalised services. Through Firefly Studio, customers can explore more than 50,000 customised ring combinations across diamonds, settings and styles, while Firefly Reserve offers bespoke jewellery creation services that transform personal stories, inspirations and heirlooms into one-of-a-kind pieces. 

The brand’s Old Gold Exchange programme offers customers an opportunity to exchange their existing gold jewellery for Firefly store credit and added value, making it easier to upgrade to lab-grown diamond jewellery. As Firefly’s lab-grown diamonds are grown in India, every purchase supports domestic manufacturing and craftsmanship, ensuring that more value stays within the country rather than flowing into overseas mining supply chains. Together, the Old Gold Exchange programme and locally grown diamonds offer customers a modern, responsible way to own diamond jewellery while contributing to India’s jewellery ecosystem.

In 2025, Firefly secured USD 3 million in funding led by WestBridge Capital, a leading venture capital firm with over USD 8 billion in AUM. The investment will continue to support Firefly Diamonds’ plans to expand its store footprint to 25 stores this year and 60 stores next year, further strengthening its position as one of India’s largest lab-grown diamond jewellery brands. As part of this journey, the company is also looking to partner with franchisees who share its vision of bringing premium lab-grown diamond jewellery to customers across the country.

Its portfolio includes many collections, notably, All Ways You, a collection featuring transformable jewellery that transitions seamlessly from everyday wear to evening occasions; Maxim, a contemporary collection created for the growing men’s jewellery segment; and the Eden Collection, inspired by lush gardens, transforming freely climbing vines and light-catching leaves into delicate diamond silhouettes that capture nature illuminated. These sit alongside an expanding range of collections designed for versatility, self-expression and everyday celebrations. 

Sustainability remains central to the brand’s philosophy. The brand’s lab-grown diamonds are created using renewable energy, offering a more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional diamond mining. Extending this commitment beyond its products, Firefly plants a tree in the name of every customer. Through a digital tracking platform, customers can monitor their tree’s location, growth, carbon offset and oxygen contribution, creating a tangible environmental legacy linked to every purchase. 

Giving back to society is equally central to Firefly’s journey. The brand’s co-founders established CADIndia, a non-profit initiative that provides affordable training in CAD software used in jewellery design and manufacturing. The programme has trained hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have gone on to contribute to the jewellery industry, creating a direct link between skill development, employment and craftsmanship.

About Firefly Diamonds
Firefly Diamonds is a modern lab-grown diamond jewellery brand built on a 60-year legacy of craftsmanship. With a focus on sustainability, custom design, and everyday luxury, Firefly offers 100% real, certified diamonds powered by renewable energy, both online and across its stores in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Extending its sustainability-first ethos, Firefly plants a tree in the name of every customer, creating a lasting environmental legacy tied to each jewellery purchase.

For franchisee enquiries, contact us at info@fireflydiamonds.com

Trident Group, one of the world’s largest home-textile manufacturers and a global leader in terry towels and wheat-straw-based paper, has been Certified by Great Place To Work for the first time. The recognition is based entirely on what Trident’s own employees say about working there — and 95% of them said Trident Group is a great place to work, significantly above the national average.

Trident Group Earns Great Place to Work Certification with 95% Employee Trust Score

Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

“At a time of exceptional technological disruption and workplace uncertainty, Trident Group has demonstrated its commitment toward the wellbeing of all its employees by fostering a culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.”

“While we’ve always been ahead of the industry on employee wellbeing, being recognised by Great Place To Work is truly rewarding and has set the standard for a high-trust, high-performance culture,” said Pooja Luthra, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Trident Group India. “The 95% score matters most because it comes directly from our members. It tells us they feel part of a workplace where trust is high and performance is fairly rewarded.”

The certification follows years of forward-looking investment in policies built around the realities of a diverse, modern workforce. Trident’s benefits include menstrual leave, paternity leave, adoption assistance, and flexible short leaves that help employees manage their health and personal commitments without trade-offs. These are paired with health and life insurance, regular health check-ups, and lifestyle benefits spanning rental, travel, dining, and shopping — signs of a company investing in its people’s wellbeing both at work and beyond.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Trident Group stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.

About Trident Group

Trident Limited is the flagship company of Trident Group, an Indian business conglomerate and global player. Headquartered in Ludhiana, Punjab, Trident Limited is a vertically integrated textile (Yarn, Bath & Bed Linen) and Paper (Wheat Straw-based) manufacturer. Trident’s towels, yarns, bedsheets, and paper businesses have earned global recognition and are delighting millions of customers across India and the world. Trident is one of the largest players in home textiles in India.

Supplying national, captive, and retailer-owned brands; the organization is highly decorated with awards from its customers, vendors, and various government entities in recognition of advancing the highest standards in product quality, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. The company operates in three major business segments: Textiles, Paper, and Chemicals, with its manufacturing facilities in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.

RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC), one of the UAE’s leading international corporate registries for private wealth and cross-border structuring, today announced the launch of its new Business Centre in Ras Al Khaimah – a new destination designed specifically for advisors, entrepreneurs, family offices and international families seeking a professional and lasting presence in the UAE.

Sandra Marie Louw, Chief Executive Officer of RAK ICC

Officially opening on 1 July 2026, the Business Centre reflects RAK ICC’s broader vision of creating a more connected and relationship-driven private wealth ecosystem within the emirate.

Located within RAK ICC’s headquarters, the centre offers convenient access to major transport and commercial hubs, situated approximately 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport and within proximity to Ras Al Khaimah’s key business districts. Thoughtfully designed as a bright, modern and welcoming environment, the centre provides more than office space alone – it creates a professional setting where advisors and clients can meet, collaborate and build long-term relationships.

The launch comes at a time when the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global destination for internationally mobile entrepreneurs, investors and private capital. As families increasingly seek sophisticated structures to support succession planning, governance and long-term wealth preservation, demand is growing for jurisdictions that combine legal certainty with accessibility, flexibility and personal engagement.

Among more than 46 free zones operating across the UAE, only three jurisdictions offer foundations. RAK ICC occupies a unique position within this landscape as the only non-financial centre jurisdiction focused specifically on private wealth structuring, supporting international families, entrepreneurs and advisors in building long-term legacy structures across generations and borders.

The new Business Centre has been developed to support this growing community.

In addition to flexible workspace solutions and professional business services, clients will benefit from integration into RAK ICC’s wider ecosystem of international advisors, corporate service providers and wealth structuring professionals. The centre also supports companies seeking to establish operational presence and substance within the UAE while remaining connected to an internationally recognised jurisdiction.

Sandra Marie Louw, Chief Executive Officer of RAK ICC, said, “This Business Centre represents something far more meaningful than office space. It reflects our vision of creating a professional home for the private wealth community in Ras Al Khaimah – a place where advisors, entrepreneurs and international families can build trusted relationships and long-term structures for the future.

Private wealth is deeply personal. Behind every family office, holding structure or foundation is a story about continuity, responsibility and legacy. We wanted to create an environment that understands that reality – professional and internationally connected, while remaining accessible, personal and relationship-driven.”

The launch forms part of RAK ICC’s continued evolution as a leading jurisdiction for international structuring, succession planning and private wealth solutions, reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah’s growing role within the UAE’s broader wealth management landscape.

Reinforcing its commitment to research excellence and evidence-based policymaking, Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) successfully hosted the International Conference on Transition, Resilience and Applied Economics (ICTRAE 2026), bringing together leading economists, researchers, policymakers and industry experts from across the country to deliberate on emerging economic challenges and sustainable development.
 

Dr. Amit Soni Registrar MUJ felicitating Dr. Naresh Chandra Sahu of IIT Bhubaneswar in ICTRAE 2026
 

Organized by the Department of Economics, TAPMI School of Business, Faculty of Management, Commerce and Arts, the two-day conference served as a national platform for interdisciplinary discussions on economic transition, climate resilience, financial stability, public policy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, and sustainable development.
 

The conference was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, Manipal University Jaipur, and Dr. Brajesh Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Management, Commerce and Arts, along with university leadership, directors, heads of departments, faculty members and delegates from institutions across India. The event commenced with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
 

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Brajesh Kumar highlighted the significance of collaborative research in addressing contemporary economic issues.
 

In his inaugural address, Dr. Amit Soni emphasized the university’s strong research ecosystem and its continued efforts to promote interdisciplinary research and innovation. He also highlighted MUJ’s growing achievements in research, innovation and academic excellence, underscoring the institution’s commitment to creating globally relevant knowledge.
 

ICTRAE 2026 witnessed an enthusiastic response from the academic fraternity, attracting participants from premier institutions including IITs, NITs, Central Universities, State Universities and other leading higher education institutions across the country, reflecting the conference’s growing academic stature.
 

Delivering the inaugural keynote address, Dr. Naresh Chandra Sahu, Associate Professor at IIT Bhubaneswar, spoke on “ESG Performance: Evolution, Investor Behaviour, and Research Evidence from an Emerging Market.” He highlighted the increasing significance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices in shaping responsible investments, corporate sustainability and long-term economic growth, while emphasizing the evolving role of ESG in emerging economies.
 

Over the course of two days, the conference featured five thematic technical tracks, keynote lectures, expert sessions and panel discussions covering a wide spectrum of contemporary economic issues. Distinguished scholars including Dr. Ayona Bhattacharjee (IMI New Delhi), Dr. Tulika Tripathi (Central University of Gujarat) and Dr. Vishal Dagar (Great Lakes Institute of Management) delivered expert lectures, while technical sessions were chaired by eminent academicians from premier institutions, fostering meaningful academic dialogue and exchange of research ideas.
 

The conference concluded with the valedictory keynote address by Dr. Sarthak Gaurav from IIT Bombay, who spoke on “Some Thoughts on Complexity Economics,” offering fresh insights into understanding complex economic systems and their implications for public policy, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
 

The organizing committee stated that ICTRAE 2026 has emerged as a vibrant platform for advancing interdisciplinary research, encouraging academic collaborations and strengthening evidence-based policy dialogue. The conference reflects Manipal University Jaipur’s vision of promoting globally relevant research that contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while strengthening India’s research and innovation ecosystem.
 

University leadership expressed satisfaction over the successful organization of the conference and reiterated that such academic initiatives play a vital role in fostering high-quality research, nurturing innovation and positioning Manipal University Jaipur as a leading centre for knowledge creation and policy-oriented research.
 

To know more about Manipal University Jaipur please visit jaipur.manipal.edu.

Leap Ahead proudly announces a series of strategic partnerships with leading national and international organizations to accelerate innovation, global market access, business expansion, and cross-border collaboration for startups, MSMEs, and emerging enterprises.

Leap Ahead Makes a Powerful Start with Strategic MOUs

As Leap Ahead continues building a strong ecosystem focused on entrepreneurship, global connectivity, and business growth, these partnerships mark a major milestone in creating opportunities for Indian startups and enterprises to scale internationally.
 

Leap Ahead is focusing on building stronger business, innovation, and entrepreneurial connections across BRICS and SCO member nations by enabling cross-border collaborations, international market access, startup exchange opportunities, investor networks, and global business partnerships.

Strategic Partners Joining the Leap Ahead Ecosystem
BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry: A leading platform promoting trade, investment, and economic cooperation among BRICS nations, BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry will support international business networking, policy dialogue, and global market access opportunities for the Leap Ahead ecosystem.

Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC): ESC, one of India’s premier export promotion organizations under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, will collaborate with Leap Ahead to strengthen technology exports, international business linkages, and global outreach for startups and MSMEs.

SCO Business Incubator: SCO Business Incubator joins the Leap Ahead ecosystem to promote international startup collaboration, innovation exchange, incubation support, and entrepreneurial partnerships across member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The collaboration aims to create opportunities for startups and enterprises to engage with emerging international innovation ecosystems and cross-border business initiatives.

Global Management Associates LLC: GMA, Dubai based firm joins as a strategic consulting and international business support partner to assist startups and enterprises in business transformation, global strategy development, market expansion, and international operational readiness. The partnership will further strengthen Leap Ahead’s mission of enabling businesses to scale confidently across global markets.

SHC Partners: SHC Partners, a reputed Investment Banking and advisory firm based in Mumbai, joins as a strategic financial and growth advisory partner to support fundraising, investor connections, strategic expansion, and business scaling opportunities for enterprises associated with Leap Ahead.

Glexscale: Glexscale, France-based global business expansion specialists, will enable international collaborations and market-entry opportunities across Europe and other global markets, empowering Indian businesses to build stronger international footprints.

Building a Global Growth Platform
Leap Ahead is actively working to bridge the gap between innovation, capital, mentorship, policy ecosystems, and global business opportunities by creating a collaborative platform for entrepreneurs and enterprises.

With these partnerships, Leap Ahead aims to enable international market access for startups and MSMEs, facilitate investor and strategic growth opportunities, strengthen cross-border collaborations, support innovation-led enterprises and build global business networks and ecosystem partnerships.

The organization continues to engage with industry leaders, international institutions, investors, government bodies, and innovation ecosystems to create long-term impact for India’s entrepreneurial landscape.

“Indian startups and MSMEs have strong ambition and capability, but global growth needs the right access, trusted networks, and structured support. Through these strategic MOUs, Leap Ahead is creating meaningful pathways for businesses to connect with international markets, investors, mentors, and partners,” – Divya Multani Jain, Founder, Leap Ahead.

“Leap Ahead’s global network is not just an expansion milestone; it is a gateway for startups and MSMEs to access international markets with more confidence, credibility, and structure. At Marwari Catalysts, we see this as an important step toward building global pathways for businesses”- Sushil Sharma, Chairman, Marwari Catalysts Group.

“Technology and exports will play a key role in taking Indian enterprises global. ESC, together with Leap Ahead, can help startups and MSMEs access international markets, build global linkages, and strengthen their export-readiness through the right ecosystem support,” – Shree Gurmeet Singh, CEO and Executive Director, ESC.
 
About Leap Ahead
Leap Ahead is a growth and innovation-focused platform working towards enabling startups, MSMEs, founders, and businesses through strategic collaborations, ecosystem partnerships, global exposure, and business acceleration opportunities.

The platform focuses on building strong national and international networks that help enterprises scale sustainably and access new growth avenues globally.

To know more or explore partnership opportunities, visit www.leapaheadindia.com