• New survey data shows four in ten (39%) adults find making genuine connections harder with age, but music and dancefloors found to be the ultimate fix

• Over a quarter (27%) of 25–35-year-olds say the strongest friendships are made at live music events

• Velo and Tomorrowland joined forces for “Echoes of Tomorrowland” to champion authentic self-expression and create a unique space for dance music fans to experience something new together.
   

New global research* from Velo highlights the growing need for shared experiences, as Velo launches “Echoes of Tomorrowland” – a global network of live events and synchronised livestreams that bring the magical experience of Tomorrowland to fans around the world.
 

Velo Echoes of Tomorrowland
 

The campaign is backed by new research* that found that almost two in five adults (39%) say building meaningful connections has become harder with age. This is driven by a range of factors, including difficulty in finding people with the same interests (28%), feeling awkward (27%) fear of rejection (24%), and a fear of being judged (21%).
 

Velo, the leading nicotine pouch brand in Europe** made for true originals, and Tomorrowland together believe the ultimate catalyst for breaking down these barriers is the music itself. The physical dancefloor acts as a powerful space for connection, driven by its unique role in self-expression. 30% of respondents agree the dancefloor is where they feel most able to show up as their authentic selves and “dance like nobody’s watching”, while 61% feel more comfortable expressing themselves when they see others doing the same. This leads to meaningful connections, with 27% of 25-35 year olds agreeing that friendships made at live music or cultural events are more genuine than those formed in other social settings.
 

Velo Echoes of Tomorrowland
 

With many fans unable to attend Tomorrowland in person, Velo brought the festival’s energy, culture, and community beyond. And to prove that self-expression is contagious, the campaign kicked off with a bespoke social experiment at the Tomorrowland Store in Ibiza where guests were handed a beautifully crafted physical butterfly half and challenged to find a stranger holding the other half to complete the butterfly. This interactive social experiment instantly turned a room of strangers into an active, collaborative community.
 

The event, which took place on Friday 17th July, was headlined by Ukrainian house and techno DJ, Korolova, and featured a livestream from Tomorrowland’s mainstage. Recreating Tomorrowland’s unique culture of spontaneous community, Velo welcomed a mix of consumer fans alongside hosted media from the UK and Spain, and lifestyle and music creators flown in from all corners of the globe.
 

Through connected “Echo” events in Ibiza and others – featuring live stages, synchronised streams, and DJ sets – “Echoes of Tomorrowland” creates a unique space and opportunity for dance music fans to fully express themselves and experience something new together.
 

Reflecting on the unique energy of the night, global DJ headliner Korolova said, “The dancefloor is one of the few places where people feel completely free to express who they are without judgment. That’s the energy I felt throughout the night in Ibiza, thanks to Velo – it was incredible to watch everyone let go, show up as their true selves, and celebrate their originality together.”
 

Tomorrowland
 

Supporting artist Camden Cox added, “What stayed with me from the night was watching total strangers connect so easily through a shared experience. Sometimes all people need is a small invitation to start a conversation, and seeing the crowd use the physical butterflies to break the ice and dance together was pure magic.”
 

Malky Brown, Global Head of Content & Partnerships at BAT, commented, “With ‘Echoes of Tomorrowland’, we wanted to recreate the sense of connection that makes the festival so special. By encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones and connect with others, we brought to life Velo’s belief that self-expression can bring people closer together.”
 

To watch the official event wrap film and discover more about Velo, visit @velo.global.
 

For +18 nicotine consumers only. This product contains nicotine and is addictive.
 

* 2009 Nicotine users (Aged 18+), who have used nicotine products for at least the past six months and are currently at least weekly users of nicotine products across the UK, Spain, Pakistan, Poland, and Austria. Research conducted between 16.06.2026 – 22.06.2026.

** Based on Velo estimated volume share in measured retail in the following key nicotine pouch markets in Europe: Sweden, Denmark, UK, Poland and Switzerland, calculated for the year 2025.

Aster DM Quality Care Limited, one of the leading integrated healthcare service providers in India, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Aster DM Quality Care (Combined Proforma) Performance for Q1 FY27 

• Revenue for Q1 FY27 grew by 20% YoY to INR 2,597 Cr

• Operating EBITDA grew by 30% YoY to INR 576 Cr; (excl. Kasargod up by 31% Cr).

• Operating EBITDA margin at 22.2%, increased by 170bps YoY 

• Excl. Kasargod Op. EBITDA margin stood at 22.4%, increased by 190bps YoY 

• Kasargod Hospital achieved Monthly EBITDA break-even within 9th month of operations 

• ROCE stood at 22.9%, increased by 246 bps YoY

• The merger became effective on July 1, 2026

Dr. Azad Moopen, Executive Chairman, Aster DM Quality Care

Commenting on the merger, Dr. Azad Moopen, Executive Chairman, said, “The coming together of Aster DM Quality Care marks a defining milestone in our nearly four-decade journey of building world-class healthcare institutions. We aspire to create one of India’s leading integrated healthcare platforms, bringing together Aster, CARE, KIMS India, and Evercare into a unified network with over 10,800 beds across 28 cities, positioning Aster Quality Care among the top three hospital chains in India. Over the coming years, we expect to expand this network to more than 15,000 beds.”

Varun Khanna – Group Managing Director & CEO, Aster DM Quality Care

As we embark on this new chapter, our philosophy is simple: greater scale, greater clinical excellence, and greater impact. By combining exceptional medical talent with advanced technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, research, and innovation, we will redefine the future of healthcare delivery.
 

Above all, remains to provide world-class, compassionate, and affordable healthcare, while advancing medical education, research, and innovation. Our purpose is to touch and improve millions of lives across India and beyond – “*We’ll Treat You Well”.

Commenting on the performance for Q1 FY27, Mr. Varun Khanna, Managing Director & Group CEO, said, “The recent merger and formation of Aster DM Quality Care, marks a significant moment for the companies, our patients, our doctors and clinical staff, and for the industry overall. In this new chapter we are committed to keeping our core and value system unchanged, with continued focus on patient care, enabling doctors and hospital operations through technology, and best-in-class clinical outcomes. 

Aster DM Quality Care on a combined proforma basis achieved a revenue of INR 2,597 Cr, a growth of 20% YoY, with an EBITDA Margin expansion of +170 bps at 22.2%, on the back of an operating EBITDA increase of 30% to INR 576 Cr. We had the privilege of serving 2 million people in our OP and IP in Q1 FY27, which is 13% more people than in the previous year. Our focus in the coming quarters is on disciplined execution – enhancing patient care, unlocking the full potential of our combined platform, and driving long-term value through operational excellence.”
 

Aster DM Healthcare Key Highlights for Q1 FY27

• Revenue for Q1 FY27 grew 22% YoY to INR 1,311 Cr

• Operating EBITDA (ex-Kasaragod) grew 30% YoY to INR 279 Cr in Q1 FY27 

• Operating EBITDA Margins (ex-Kasaragod) stood at 21.7% in Q1 FY27 Vs. 20.0% in Q1 FY26 

• Normalised PAT1 (ex-Kasaragod) grew 46% YoY to INR 131 Cr in Q1 FY27

• ARPP IP rose 10% YoY to INR 1,30,352 in Q1 FY27

• Total patient volume grew by 16% YoY 

• Matured hospitals saw a revenue growth of 19% YoY in Q1 FY27

• Emerging hospitals revenue grew by 95% YoY in Q1FY27

Quality Care Key Highlights for Q1 FY27

• Revenue for Q1 FY27 grew 19% YoY to INR 1,287 Cr

• Operating EBITDA grew 32% YoY to INR 299 Cr in Q1 FY27 

• Operating EBITDA Margins stood at 23.2% in Q1 FY27 Vs. 21.1% in Q1 FY26

• ARPP IP rose 9% YoY to INR 1,44,064 in Q1 FY27

• Total patient volume grew by 10% YoY 

• Matured hospital registered revenue growth of 18% YoY in Q1 FY27

• Emerging units noted revenue growth of 47% YoY in Q1 FY27

About Aster DM Quality Care
Aster DM Quality Care Limited is one of India’s leading integrated healthcare providers, formed through the merger of Aster DM Healthcare Limited and Quality Care India Limited. The merged entity brings together four leading healthcare brands – Aster DM Healthcare, CARE Hospitals, Evercare and KIMSHEALTH, creating a scaled and diversified healthcare platform with a network of 39 hospitals across 28 cities and over 10,890 beds. With a strong presence across South and Central India, the merged entity will deliver comprehensive healthcare services spanning primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care, supported by centers of excellence across key specialties including oncology, cardiac sciences, neurosciences, gastro sciences, orthopedics, nephrology, organ transplantation, mother and child care, and critical care.For more information about us, please visit www.asterqualitycare.com 
 

Disclaimer
Certain statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local, political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. Aster DM Quality Care Limited will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Quality Care numbers are indicative and subject to statutory audit adjustments. Proforma numbers for merger entity are also subject to finalization and audit of the merged accounts. Actual amounts, losses or impact on net profit could materially differ from those that have been estimated. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated include harmonization of accounting policies and practices.

Solinas Integrity, an IIT Madras-incubated climate deep-tech and robotics company, today announced a USD 5.5 million Series A1 funding round led by Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures and co-led by Mela Ventures, with participation from Luthra Group. Existing investor SBI Ventures, through the SVL-SME Fund, doubled down on its position, alongside continued backing from Rainmatter and 8X Ventures Fund I. The round follows Solinas’s Series A, led by SBI Ventures through the SVL-SME Fund (Neev II) in May 2024, and underscores the deepening alignment between India’s climate-tech innovation ecosystem and global sustainability-focused capital.

Team Solinas Integrity, robotics startup incubated at IIT Madras, backed by Hero Enterprise, Mela Ventures, SBI Ventures, Rainmatter, Luthra Group and 8X Ventures

Founded by Divanshu Kumar and Moinak Banerjee, Solinas builds robotics and AI systems that inspect, clean, and digitize underground water and wastewater infrastructure, solving problems of water leakages, contamination & elimination of manual scavenging . Its technology is deployed across 35+ cities and 15+ states in India, with expanding operations in the Middle East, helping utilities run safer, smarter networks.

“Solinas has come this far by proving that the technology & the model works, city after city, contract after contract, at a sizable scale. As we enter our next phase, we have the leadership team as well as the backing of mission aligned institutional investors in place to build India’s largest tech company in the underground asset management space. From here, we’re also planning to extend into adjacent, highstakes sectors — starting with Oil & Gas and Defence, where the same discipline around critical, unseen infrastructure applies,” said Divanshu Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Solinas Integrity.

Solinas will use the fresh capital to scale aggressively — deepening penetration in existing markets while expanding into new states and municipal corporations across India, and building out its international footprint with a strategic focus on the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The company will also accelerate development of next-generation robotic inspection and cleaning technologies, strengthen its AI-powered software and asset management platforms, and expand its industrial solutions portfolio — positioning Solinas as India’s first end-to-end value creator for underground infrastructure, engineered to global technology standards. Solinas is targeting Rs. 100 crore in revenue by FY28, driven by growth in its core water and sanitation business alongside continued momentum in industrial asset management.

Commenting on the fundraise, Sunil Kant Munjal (Chairman, Hero Enterprise), “At Hero Enterprise, we have long believed that India’s most consequential infrastructure challenges will be solved not by incremental fixes, but by bold, technology-first thinking. Solinas Integrity embodies exactly that conviction, a team that has taken the hardest problem in urban infrastructure, underground water and wastewater networks, and reimagined it from the ground up with robotics. Their work directly addresses water security, worker safety, and the long-term resilience of our cities. This investment reflects our commitment to backing entrepreneurs who are building for India’s future with both scale and purpose.”

Commenting on the fundraise, Krishnakumar Natarajan (Managing Partner, Mela Ventures): 
“Current methods of maintaining India’s water infrastructure are manual, hazardous, time-consuming, and costly, with virtually no visibility into what lies beneath. Solinas is changing that through a vertically integrated robotics platform that maps underground infrastructure, diagnoses issues, and delivers end-to-end solutions. At Mela Ventures, we have followed Divanshu and the team’s journey for four years, and their growth has been remarkable. Backing fearless founders solving globally hard problems from India is core to our investment philosophy, and Solinas is one of the best examples of that,“ — Krishnakumar Natarajan, Managing Partner, Mela Ventures.

Commenting on the fundraise, Akshay Panth (CIO, Neev Funds, SBI Ventures Limited) said, “Solinas Integrity has done what few deep-tech companies manage – translating genuine engineering innovation into repeatable commercial traction at the exact intersection of water security, worker safety, and climate resilience. This follow-on reflects Neev’s conviction that technology-led transformation in underserved infrastructure sectors is where India’s next decade of impact will be built.”

Kumbhat Advisors, led by Akash Sethia, served as Exclusive Financial Advisor to the transaction.

About Solinas Integrity
Solinas Integrity, founded by Divanshu Kumar and Moinak Banerjee and incubated at IIT Madras, is a climate deep-tech company transforming the management of urban water and wastewater infrastructure. Through its proprietary robotics, AI-powered analytics, and digital asset management solutions, the company enables utilities and municipalities to inspect, clean, digitize, and manage underground networks more efficiently. The company is also leveraging its robotics and AI capabilities in the industrial sector, where it already works with leading automotive, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing companies for asset inspection and management, providing a strong foundation for further expansion in the industrial infrastructure market. Its innovations, including robotic inspection platforms and the Manhole Cleaning Robot, are helping drive safer, smarter, and more sustainable sanitation operations.

Recognized and honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Solinas solutions have been deployed across 35+ cities and 15+ states in India, enabling large-scale inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of underground water and wastewater systems. The company has worked with leading urban utilities and municipal bodies including Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), Sangli, Miraj Municipal Corporation, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation, Tripura Jal Board, Greater Chennai Corporation, and Noida Authority. To date, Solinas has executed 100+ projects, identified over 25,000 defects across underground networks, and served 20+ industrial clients. Its technology supports significant reductions in water loss, saving up to 600,000 litres per kilometre of inspection per day while lowering operational costs by up to five times..

About Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures
Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures is the investment arm of Hero Enterprise, led by Chairman Sunil Kant Munjal. Rooted in over six decades of entrepreneurial legacy, Hero Enterprise channels the group’s deep industrial heritage into backing the next generation of transformative businesses. Headquartered in New Delhi, Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures invests across growth-stage and deep-tech ventures that are entrepreneurial in nature, sustainable in scope, and potentially global in scale. The Investment Office focuses on companies with innovative business models and technologies that embed the principles of inclusive growth, with particular interest in climate resilience, clean infrastructure, applied AI, and impact-driven sectors. Hero Enterprise seeks to partner with founders building enduring enterprises that create measurable value for India and the world.

About Mela Ventures
Mela Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on DeepTech, EnterpriseTech, and ClimateTech companies. With a portfolio spanning GalaxEye, Mindgrove, Vunet, and other category-defining startups, Mela Ventures focuses exclusively on the B2B technology segment, with a sharp eye for category creators building scalable solutions to globally relevant problems. Mela’s Managing partners are Krishnakumar N and Parthasarathy NS, who previously founded Mindtree, a multi-billion-dollar IT services leader. 

www.melaventures.in
 

About SVL-SME Fund
SVL-SME Fund (Neev II) – is a private equity fund managed by SBI Ventures Limited, (a subsidiary of State Bank of India; and manages ~INR 300 Bn across different strategies including climate-tech investments, real estate and Fund of funds). Neev II aims to bridge the private equity gap required for India’s transition towards climate resilience and low emissions. The fund invests growth capital in high impact and commercially attractive business models across priority sectors including clean energy, circular economy, energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure.

sbiventures.co.in/funds-managed/neev-fund-ii

Greaves Cotton Limited reported consolidated revenue of INR 974 crore and standalone revenue of INR 629 crore for Q1 FY27, driven by disciplined execution across its businesses. The company further strengthened its international footprint with the incorporation of Greaves International Trading FZE in Dubai, UAE, while reaffirming its commitment to Greaves Electric Mobility through a INR 331 crore rights issue subscription.

Greaves Cotton posts a steady start to FY27, backed by resilient execution and its GREAVES.NEXT strategy

Greaves Cotton Limited, one of India’s leading diversified engineering companies, announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, delivering a steady performance across its diversified businesses. During the quarter, the Company continued to execute its Greaves.Next strategy by strengthening its core businesses, expanding its international footprint and making strategic investments to support future growth. These actions reflect Greaves’ commitment to prudent capital allocation, portfolio diversification and building a globally relevant engineering enterprise positioned for sustainable long-term value creation.

Financial Performance
Consolidated

• Revenue for Q1 FY27 stood at INR 974 crore, up 31 percent YoY. 

• EBITDA stood at INR 56 crore. 

• Operating PBT stood at INR 27 crore. 

Standalone

• Revenue for Q1 FY27 stood at INR 629 crore, up 16 percent YoY. 

• EBITDA stood at INR 71 crore. 

• Operating PBT stood at INR 67 crore. 

Parag Satpute, MD & Group CEO, Greaves Cotton Limited, said, “We have begun FY27 on a strong note, delivering a solid performance on the back of disciplined execution across our businesses, while strengthening our strategic foundations under Greaves.Next. During the quarter, we expanded our international footprint with the establishment of a subsidiary in Dubai, UAE, enhanced our manufacturing capabilities through advanced automation, and continued to grow across our domestic and international businesses despite commodity price and supply chain pressures. We also reaffirmed our commitment to future-ready businesses through investments in Greaves Electric Mobility and Greaves Finance. Supported by a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to drive organic growth, invest in our portfolio companies, and capitalise on emerging growth opportunities. Demand across segments remains encouraging and we remain focused on executing our strategy with discipline to build a stronger, more future-ready Greaves.” 

Business Highlights
Energy Solutions continued its growth momentum during the quarter, delivering revenue growth of 21 percent YoY, supported by healthy demand across infrastructure, manufacturing and industrial applications. Domestic sales of the Medium Horsepower (MHP) genset portfolio grew by 32 percent on a YoY basis, and we commissioned a BESS pilot towards strengthening our integrated solutions portfolio.

The Mobility Solutions business delivered 18 percent year-on-year revenue growth, supported by strong performance across key segments. Automotive engines recorded robust growth of 36 percentYoY, while the Engineered Components businesses grew 14 percent YoY, driven by healthy domestic demand and steady export momentum. Demand for Euro V+ compliant engines remained encouraging in export markets. The Engineered Components domestic business also secured new orders from large OEMs such as Caterpillar UK and TAFE.

Industrial Solutions witnessed sustained demand across defence, marine and agriculture applications, strengthening engagement with OEM customers across specialised industrial applications.

Supported by strong market execution, the international business continued to contribute 13 percent to core business revenue. The Company incorporated Greaves International Trading FZE in Dubai, UAE establishing a regional hub to strengthen customer engagement and distribution capabilities across the Middle East and Africa.

Greaves Electric Mobility business strengthened its market position through sustained network expansion and portfolio enhancements. In electric two-wheelers, VAHAN volumes more than doubled, growing 101 percent year-on-year in Q1 FY27, while market share increased from 4.3 percent in FY26 to 5.6 percent in June ‘26. In three-wheelers, L5 VAHAN volumes grew 39 percent year-on-year, with electric L5 volumes nearly doubling, reflecting strong demand and continued market penetration across key segments. The Company has informed that its INR 530 Crore rights issue has been fully subscribed with its Board approving the allotment of equity shares to all eligible shareholders. Greaves Cotton Limited has subscribed to its full entitlement of approximately INR 331 Crore, and our shareholding in GEML remains unchanged at 62.48 percent.

Greaves Finance continued its growth trajectory with Assets Under Management crossing INR 560 crore, an increase from INR521 crore in Mar’26; and expanded its reach by 12 more locations. During the quarter, Greaves Cotton subscribed to the rights issue of INR 50 crore to support the company’s next phase of growth.

Outlook
The Company remains focused on strengthening execution across its core businesses while continuing to invest in technology, international expansion and future-ready opportunities under the Greaves.Next strategy.

Supported by a strong balance sheet, disciplined capital allocation and a diversified engineering portfolio, Greaves Cotton remains well positioned to deliver sustainable long-term growth while navigating an evolving macroeconomic environment. The Company will continue to focus on operational excellence, innovation and customer-centric solutions to create long-term value for all its stakeholders.

Bisleri International, India’s leading packaged drinking water brand, has announced its limited-edition bottles celebrating ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ bringing the fun and excitement of one of the most anticipated superhero blockbusters in recent times to consumers across the country. The special-edition packs feature three of the movie’s stellar cast, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Sadie Sink, and are now available nationwide.

Bisleri Brings the Magic of Spider-Man: Brand New Day to Consumers with Limited-Edition Packs and Merchandise

Timed perfectly with the film’s theatrical release, the exclusive range transforms everyday hydration into a collectible experience. ‘The Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ association will feature across Bisleri’s 250ml, 500ml, and 1-litre water bottles.

Commenting on the launch, Tushar Malhotra, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at Bisleri International, said, “We are thrilled to associate with ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ the next chapter of one of the biggest and most iconic global movie franchises, and a significant part of today’s global pop culture. The association will be brought to life through our limited-edition bottles, which will be an exciting collectible for our consumer base.“

The launch will be supported by a high-octane, 360-degree marketing campaign spanning digital engagement and vibrant in-store retail visibility. Taking the excitement directly to the streets, a spectacularly branded Spider-Man x Bisleri Truck will traverse Mumbai, generating massive out-of-home (OOH) buzz and creating high-impact visibility in the lead-up to the film’s release.

The limited-edition water bottles are now available across general and modern trade outlets pan-India.  

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd 

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country’s largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water. 

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep. 

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com. 

At a time when industries are demanding more reliable and efficient fluid handling solutions, Meet Jain, Founder of Antlia Engineering Works, is building one of India’s emerging industrial pump manufacturers by focusing on engineering excellence rather than reinventing proven technology. Specializing in Air Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pumps, Antlia Engineering Works has grown by delivering dependable pumping solutions for industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, paints, wastewater treatment, mining, and oil & gas.

“Some things aren’t disrupted because they’re already perfect. The AODD pump is one of them—and Meet Jain has built a business on that foundation.”

Antlia Engineering Works, a leading AODD Pump Manufacturer in India, provides reliable industrial pumps for chemical processing and fluid handling applications

The Call That Started Everything

In 2017, a young entrepreneur in Mumbai picked up the phone and called India’s biggest Air Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pump manufacturer. Meet Jain was excited, ambitious and ready to build something significant. What he heard on the other end of that call would define the next decade of his life.

“What value addition will you bring to my company?” the owner asked. Then: “What’s your MOQ?” That was the end of that conversation.

Rather than being discouraged, Meet made a different call to a mid-level manufacturer who gave Antlia Engineering Works the importance a new business deserved. Best pricing. Excellent after-sales service. And crucially, a willingness to co-develop products. Together, they developed a flap-type AODD pump that would become a cornerstone of Antlia’s product range.

Within three years, Antlia became that manufacturer’s top purchaser. The foundation was set.

The Decision That Changed Everything

Growth, however, rarely travels in a straight line. When their supplier raised prices by 30–35% overnight, Meet faced one of the most consequential decisions of Antlia’s journey: absorb the cost, or rebuild the supply chain from scratch.

He chose the harder path. Antlia shifted its entire aod pump manufacturing operation from Vasai to Gujarat, a move that initially demanded significant investment, coordination, and patience. The result was transformative. Better quality. Better after-sales service. A stronger partnership built on mutual respect rather than dependency.

Five years on, India’s biggest AODD pump manufacturer has been actively approaching Antlia for over a year, hoping to win back their business. The student had become the standard.

Building One of India’s Leading AODD Pump Manufacturers

Today, Antlia Engineering Works is recognised as one of India’s largest AODD Pump manufacturers. Founded in 2017 and ISO 9001:2015 certified, the company manufactures a comprehensive range of Air Operated Double Diaphragm pumps available in Polypropylene (PP), Stainless Steel 316 (SS316), PVDF and Aluminium alongside barrel pumps and centrifugal pumps, serving the chemical, pharmaceutical, paint, oil & gas and automotive industries.

The AODD pump invented by Jim Wilden in 1955 has remained fundamentally unchanged for 70 years, and for good reason. It requires no electricity, is intrinsically safe near flammable fluids, self-primes, runs dry without damage, handles abrasive slurries and operates submerged. No other pump technology replicates this combination of capabilities. Antlia has built its reputation on mastering and manufacturing this irreplaceable technology.

The company’s client roster reflects the trust it has earned: Ministry of Defence, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), Asian Paints, ITC, Godrej, Adani Solar, Coca-Cola, and 3M  a global brand that found Antlia through a Google search and reached out directly, without a single cold call.

Thinking Global From a Mumbai Factory

With exports to over 20 countries  including the USA, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, Ghana, Nigeria, Nepal, Chile, and beyond.  Meet’s vision for Antlia has always extended beyond Indian borders. In 2024, that global thinking took a concrete digital form.

Antlia became one of the first Indian industrial pump manufacturers to launch a fully multilingual website available in English, French, and Arabic. The reasoning was strategic: over 300 million French speakers across Africa and Europe search and buy in their language, not English. The Middle East, home to some of the world’s largest oil and gas companies relies on Arabic-language search. Google’s algorithm rewards local-language content with higher rankings in local search results. If your website doesn’t speak your customer’s language, it effectively doesn’t exist for them.

Antlia also holds GeM (Government e-Marketplace) seller registration, Ministry of Defence approval, and has exhibited at industrial trade expos in Indore, Hyderabad, and Delhi with international exhibition plans in the pipeline.

Redefining How Industrial Equipment Is Bought in India

In a sector still largely defined by phone calls, distributor networks, and long procurement cycles, Meet made a move that no Indian AODD pump manufacturer had attempted before: he launched a direct diaphragm pump e-commerce website where customers can purchase AODD pumps online, directly from the manufacturer.

Platforms like Amazon, IndustryBuying, and Moglix list double diaphragm pumps but as third-party sellers. Antlia’s e-commerce platform is different in a fundamental way: the company that designs, manufactures, tests and services the pump is the same company taking your order. No resellers. No markups. No middlemen. Accurate specifications, application guidance, and after-sales support are built into the purchase, not bolted on after.

This manufacturer-to-customer direct model, rare anywhere in the world for industrial pump equipment, is a signal of where Antlia is headed: a modern, digitally-native industrial company that happens to make world-class pumps.

The Man Behind the Machine

Meet Jain is the founder and owner of Antlia Engineering Works. With over a decade of experience spanning B2B sales, strategic partnerships, manufacturing operations, and international trade, he brings a rare combination of technical depth and commercial sharpness to industrial manufacturing.

Meet Jain holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from NMIMS-MPSTME and an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) one of India’s most prestigious business schools while simultaneously building Antlia Pumps.

At Antlia, he personally oversees product quality, customer delivery and technical support ensuring that every pump leaving the factory meets the stringent standards demanded by defence establishments, PSUs, and global industrial clients.

What’s Next for Antlia

From a Mumbai-based startup that once couldn’t get a callback from India’s biggest pump manufacturer, Antlia Engineering Works has grown into a globally exporting, ISO 9001:2015 certified, Ministry of Defence-approved manufacturer with clients spanning some of India’s most demanding industries and over 20 countries worldwide.

With international trade exhibition plans in Southeast Asia, a multilingual digital presence, a direct e-commerce channel, and a YouTube channel whose technical content has crossed 465k organic views. Antlia is building the digital and physical infrastructure to serve industrial customers across the world.

The AODD pump has survived 70 years without being replaced. Meet Jain is betting that the company he has built around it will last just as long.

Tata Gluco+, from Tata Consumer Products Limited, has partnered with the 135th Durand Cup as the Official Beverage Partner, marking the brand’s association with one of India’s oldest and most prestigious football tournaments.

Tata Gluco+ joins the 135th Durand Cup as Official Beverage Partner, energising players, officials and fans at one of India’s oldest football tournament

As part of the association, Tata Gluco+ will keep players, officials and fans refreshed throughout the tournament while engaging with football-loving communities across the country. The partnership reflects the brand’s commitment to connecting with consumers through shared experiences and the growing popularity of football in India.

A popular glucose based instant energy drink from Tata Consumer Products Limited, Tata Gluco+ is available in refreshing flavours including Orangy Burst, Lemony Zing and Lychee Zap. Through the Durand Cup, the brand strengthens its presence across football-loving markets, from the passionate fan bases of West Bengal and the Northeast to emerging football hubs across the country.

The 135th Durand Cup promises another exciting season of football, featuring top clubs, emerging talent and passionate fan engagement across multiple host cities. As Asia’s oldest football tournament and one of India’s most celebrated sporting events, the Durand Cup has played a defining role in shaping Indian football since 1888.

The 2026 edition features 24 teams, including Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC, alongside clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, Services and international teams. Hosted across multiple cities, the tournament continues to bring top-tier football closer to fans while strengthening India’s football ecosystem.

By partnering with the 135th Durand Cup, Tata Gluco+ continues to strengthen its connect with football-loving communities across India, bringing refreshing energy to fans through one of the nation’s most enduring football legacies.

About Tata Consumer Products Limited

Tata Consumer Products Limited is a focused consumer products company uniting the principal food and beverage interests of the Tata Group under one umbrella. The Company’s portfolio of products includes tea, coffee, water, RTD, salt, pulses, spices, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat offerings, breakfast cereals, snacks and mini meals. Its key beverage brands include Tata Tea, Tetley, Organic India, Eight O’Clock Coffee, Tata Coffee Grand, Himalayan Natural Mineral Water, Tata Copper+ and Tata Gluco+. Its foods portfolio includes brands such as Tata Salt, Tata Sampann, Tata Soulfull, Ching’s Secret and Smith & Jones. In India, Tata Consumer Products has a reach of 290 million households, giving it an unparalleled ability to leverage the Tata brand in consumer products. The Company has a consolidated annual turnover of ~Rs. 20,290 crores with operations in India and International markets.

IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST), a global leader in payment, connectivity and cybersecurity solutions, announced the release of a new suite of payment APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), structured into five core service families spanning the entire card lifecycle. These APIs are designed to help banks, fintechs, aggregators, and issuing partners elevate their current issuance capabilities and accelerate the deployment of physical and digital payment experiences.

Success in today’s payment landscape requires issuers to enhance both the customer experience and the efficiency of their internal operations. 

For cardholders, payment experiences are expected to be instant, seamless, and connected across both physical and digital channels. Customers increasingly demand faster card delivery, premium personalization, instant activation, real-time card controls, instant digital issuance, push provisioning to mobile wallets, and secure frictionless payments—all directly accessible through their banking applications.

For issuers, these expectations require modern infrastructure that supports real-time issuance, production, tracking, digitization capabilities, and API-driven issuance operations to support stock and forecast management. Banks and fintechs require standardized APIs to support instant issuance and digital use cases and simplify integration by minimizing connections to third-party platforms and mobile apps.

Personalization as a Service: The digital backbone of modern payment card journeys
Since March 2025, IST has rolled out a new suite of APIs that modernize how issuers, IST personalization centers, and delivery systems interact. These APIs enable every step of the card issuance process—from order to delivery—to be tracked in near real-time. Card personalization APIs redefine what’s possible by converting a static production step into a dynamic, connected service. This shift creates the digital backbone that powers real-time issuance, automated workflows, and an entire ecosystem of real-time digital services throughout the payment credential lifecycle.

“The shift to API-based personalization is about unlocking new value potential for our customers. It unlocks operations from batch constraints, real-time innovation for customer experience teams, and frees up workflows from manual silos. Issuers don’t just become more efficient; they become more agile, more responsive, and better equipped to deliver the personalized experiences customers now expect. That’s the real power of this transformation,” said Elyette Roux, EVP Payment Services, IST.

A comprehensive API suite covering the full card lifecycle
Building on its personalization capabilities, IST is expanding its offering with a new suite of APIs that spans from physical card personalization to full digitalization services and beyond. These modular building blocks enable issuers to easily access, combine, and scale a comprehensive set of payment capabilities, accelerating innovation while reducing integration and operational complexity.

Designed to connect seamlessly with issuer back-end systems (including Card Management Systems and Authorization Servers) as well as mobile applications, the IST APIs are organized into five core service families aligned with the card lifecycle.

• Issuance APIs: Enables issuers to orchestrate and automate the complete card issuance lifecycle covering the creation, personalization, provisioning, and delivery of physical and digital payment cards. For physical cards, these APIs support card pulls, inventory management, PIN/CVV generation etc.

• Lifecycle APIs: Allow issuers to manage the full physical and digital card lifecycle in real-time, including production and shipment status updates, PIN services, renewals, replacements, and tokens and wallet management. Issuers can also securely process and orchestrate proximity and remote digital payment transactions and card services in real-time, including wallet interactions, workflow authorizations, tokenized payment transactions, and fraud controls.

• Authentication APIs: Enables strong and secure end-user FIDO-based authentication, especially in the context of online operations and agent-initiated payments.

• Customer Experience APIs and Mobile SDKs: Exposes mobile-first card services designed to enhance cardholder experiences directly within banking applications, including card art selection, card delivery tracking, access to digital inserts, card activation, secure display of card details and PIN, virtual card generation, push provisioning to mobile wallets, mobile authentication, and tap-to-pay enablement.

• Payment Cryptography & Key Management APIs: Enables banks to secure their payment card issuance infrastructure with our HSM-as-a-Service, managing cryptographic keys, encryption, and transaction signing. Issuers can also access the IST test environment to explore the quantum-ready cryptographic library and build future-proof applications.

With more than 700 million physical payment products issued in 2025, IST combines proven expertise in large-scale physical card issuance with advanced digital payment capabilities. As a major independent tokenization provider, the company has now provisioned more than 500 million payment tokens across a wide variety of digital payment use cases. Built on PCI-certified, resilient, secure, and scalable SaaS platforms, IST’s API-driven services enable issuers to accelerate innovation while benefiting from a flexible business model and modular approach, allowing issuers to select and consume only the services they need.

WAE, a sustainability-led engineering OEM advancing carbon-neutral water and circular hydration solutions, today announced its participation in the Indian Hospitality Exposition (IHE) 2026, where the company introduces two of its most significant technology innovations for the hospitality sector—Aqua-Smith™, WAE’s advanced Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) platform, and Infinity™, the company’s patented continuous-flow water purification and dispensing technology.
 

WAE Showcases Next-Generation Sustainable Water Technologies at the India International Hospitality Expo 2026
 

Designed for hotels, resorts, corporate campuses, airports, healthcare institutions, educational facilities, premium residential developments and public infrastructure, the two technologies represent WAE’s vision of transforming the way organizations produce, purify, dispense and manage drinking water—while eliminating dependence on single-use plastic bottles and significantly reducing carbon emissions associated with conventional water logistics.

Aqua-Smith™ converts atmospheric humidity into safe drinking water through advanced air-to-water engineering, offering an independent and sustainable source of potable water in regions facing increasing water stress. The platform has been developed to complement WAE’s broader Carbon Neutral Water ecosystem and supports organizations pursuing ambitious ESG and Net Zero commitments.

The exhibition also marks the official introduction of Infinity™, WAE’s patented breakthrough in water purification and dispensing. Unlike conventional storage-based systems, Infinity™ delivers continuous-flow purified water without interruption, ensuring consistent quality, enhanced hygiene and operational efficiency. The technology is engineered to provide chilled, ambient and hot water on demand while eliminating the limitations associated with storage tanks and batch processing. Its intelligent architecture enables superior water quality, lower energy consumption and a significantly improved user experience for high-demand commercial environments.

Speaking on the occasion, A. Vikram Joshe, Managing Director, WAE, said, “The hospitality industry is redefining luxury through sustainability. Guests increasingly expect experiences that are environmentally responsible without compromising quality. Aqua-Smith™ and Infinity™ have been developed to address exactly that challenge—combining engineering excellence, operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. These innovations reflect WAE’s commitment to enabling a future where sustainable water becomes the new standard rather than the exception.”

Also on display is WAE’s latest breakthrough innovation – Primus, a state-of-the-art, fully automatic glass bottling plant, engineered to wash, fill, cap and deliver every bottle with precision. Built for hospitality properties of every scale, it underscores WAE’s continued push to help hotels and institutions produce their own premium glass-bottled water in-house.

Visitors to the WAE pavilion will experience live demonstrations of the new technologies alongside the company’s integrated portfolio of sustainable water solutions, advanced purification technologies, IoT-enabled water intelligence platforms, water recycling solutions and long-term Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) operating models.

With sustainability becoming central to the future of hospitality, WAE continues to work alongside leading hotels, institutions and enterprises to accelerate the transition towards carbon-neutral water infrastructure and circular water management. Visitors are invited to experience the future of sustainable hydration at the WAE Pavilion during the Indian Hospitality Exposition 2026.

About WAE

WAE is a sustainability-led engineering OEM dedicated to advancing a water-secure and climate-resilient future through integrated water technologies, digital innovation and circular resource management. The company designs, manufactures and operates advanced systems for water purification, atmospheric water generation, glass bottling, recycling, intelligent water management and sustainable beverage infrastructure. Through engineering excellence and long-term operational partnerships, WAE enables organizations to reduce environmental impact while delivering measurable economic, operational and social value.

Danube Properties, who pioneered the iconic 1% per month payment plan, has unveiled another attractive homeownership opportunity aimed at making property ownership in Dubai more accessible than ever. Bayz 101 by Danube and Bayz 102 by Danube, two landmark residential developments in the prestigious Business Bay district, are now available for a limited-time offer with 0% down payment and affordable instalments of just 2% per month, giving buyers an exceptional opportunity to own a home in one of Dubai’s most sought-after locations.

Rizwan Sajan announces Danube Properties’ latest initiative, offering 0% down payment and 2% monthly instalments at Bayz 101 and Bayz 102

Rising over 100 storeys, the Bayz by Danube towers are set to become iconic additions to Dubai’s skyline. The developments feature more than 50 world-class lifestyle amenities, a rooftop helipad, and premium residences designed for contemporary urban living. Strategically located in the heart of Business Bay, the towers are just two minutes from Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa, and within walking distance of the Business Bay Metro Station, offering residents seamless connectivity across the city.

Commenting on this latest offering, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said, “Our objective has always been to make homeownership more accessible while creating long-term value for our customers. With zero down payment and affordable monthly instalments of just 2%, Bayz by Danube offers buyers an opportunity to own a premium home in one of Dubai’s most desirable neighbourhoods. Business Bay continues to be a high-growth destination, offering an exceptional lifestyle, excellent connectivity, and strong investment potential.”

As demand for centrally located homes continues to rise, properties in Business Bay have consistently demonstrated strong capital appreciation and some of Dubai’s highest rental yields, making Bayz by Danube an attractive proposition for both end-users and investors.

Danube Properties continues to strengthen Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading real estate investment destinations by delivering high-quality developments backed by innovative payment plans. The emirate’s visionary leadership, sustained economic growth, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment continue to attract investors from around the world.

About Danube Properties
Danube Properties, a subsidiary of the Danube Group founded in 1993 by Rizwan Sajan, is one of the UAE’s leading private real estate developers. Renowned for pioneering the 1% payment plan, the company develops fully furnished homes with more than 40 lifestyle amenities and has built a strong reputation for quality construction and timely delivery.