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Funding News: Rs. 50 Cr Raised by Marwari Catalysts Portfolio Startups from Top VCs, Family Offices & HNIs

Scaling Impact from the Ground Up: Marwari Catalysts’ startups secure strategic funding across emerging sectors from SIG Tattva (Home to Hindware), GVFL, Antler, 35North, Vitalis Capital, IPV & Malpani Venture.

 

50cr raised by Marwari Catalysts portfolio startups 

 

MCats Accelerator and Venture Studio continue to drive investor confidence in founders across healthcare, sustainability, AI, and consumer brands — a positive signal for India’s evolving startup landscape.

 

Funding Across High-Impact Sectors

The raise spans a diverse set of emerging industries, each addressing pressing challenges and opportunities in India’s heartland:

  • Affordable Fertility Care (Elara IVF) – designed for aspirational Tier II markets.

  • Fintech-Enabled B2B E-Commerce Platform for Building Materials (Mad Over Building).

  • Insurtech (Inka) – redefining insurance access for India’s underserved communities through digital innovation and simplicity.

  • Healthtech (Sarathi Healthcare) – elderly care platform enhancing dignified, last-mile access to healthcare and assisted living.

  • Consumer Brands (TURMS) – intelligent wear engineered with advanced fabric technology, designed for comfort, performance, and the Indian lifestyle.

  • Mobility & Logistics (DOCO) – overcoming non-metro transport and supply-chain gaps.

 

More details will be announced soon. Investors include angel investors, family offices, impact funds, and corporate innovation teams — signalling broad cross-sector confidence in the MCats approach. This is also a strong validation that family offices and HNIs are increasingly interested in the venture studio model.

 

Founder’s Perspective

This is not just capital—it’s validation,” said Sushil Sharma, Founder of Marwari Catalysts Group. “These startups are solving real problems, building for real India, and showing that innovation isn’t confined to geography.”

 

A Larger Shift in the Ecosystem

This consolidated raise reflects a wider shift in investor mindset—from chasing valuations in metros to backing sustainable, scalable ventures emerging from India’s smaller cities. For MCats, it reaffirms its mission to bridge the gap between opportunity and origin, ensuring talented founders are discovered, funded, and scaled.

 

About Marwari Catalysts

Marwari Catalysts Group (MCats) is one of India’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem player (Accelerator and Venture Studio), with mentors with skin in the game supporting 100+ early-stage ventures across 20+ cities backed by SEBI-approved CAT-I AIF. MCats provide capital, mentorship, and global market access to founders. Its portfolio has already created 5,000+ jobs while driving inclusion through 35% women-led startups and successfully done 11+ exits. We are headquartered in Jodhpur with regional offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Jaipur.

 

Welcome to MCats Family!

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) Charts New Technology-Led Future with Strategic Transformation and 50 MW AI & Green Data Centre Proposal

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) (BSE 530943) (NSE: SABTNL) (ISIN: INE416A01044), today announced a comprehensive strategic transformation that positions the Company at the forefront of India’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

 

In line with the resolutions approved at the Board meeting on 24 November 2025, the Company has unveiled a bold blueprint for the future, including the proposal to establish a 50 MW AI & Green Data Centre Campus in Telangana – a facility envisioned as a next-generation sovereign compute platform enabling advanced AI, defence, governance, enterprise and archival infrastructure.

 

Strategic Shift Beyond Media Into High-Growth Technology Domains

The Company’s Board has also approved a change of name from Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. to Aqylon Nexus Limited (subject to Registrar of Companies approval), signaling a decisive move beyond traditional media into deep-tech and infrastructure. The Main Object Clause has been completely substituted to formally incorporate artificial intelligence, machine-learning, deep-learning, NLP, robotics, cloud solutions, intelligent software systems, and AI research infrastructure.

 

Introduction of New Professional Management

As part of this transformation, a new professional management team has taken over operational leadership, bringing high caliber experience in technology, digital infrastructure and global project execution. This leadership change reinforces SABTNL/Aqylon Nexus’s focus on governance, operational excellence, and growth – serving as a key market catalyst.

 

The new management team is tasked with:

  • Driving execution of the 50 MW AI & Green Data Centre campus

  • Overseeing the Company’s pivot to deep-tech and AI-infrastructure business

  • Strengthening corporate governance and operational discipline

  • Expanding technology partnerships and footprint in India and North America

 

A Major Leap for India’s AI & Digital Infrastructure

The proposed Data Centre Campus in Telangana positions the Company at the forefront of India’s emerging AI and sovereign compute ambition. The facility is designed to support:

  • High-density compute and AI training/inference workloads

  • Defence & governance AI-driven systems

  • Large-scale enterprise digitalisation

  • Cloud, edge and sovereign data demands

  • Innovation hubs for AI research & development

 

This initiative underscores SABTNL/Aqylon Nexus’s commitment to becoming a meaningful player in India’s national AI ecosystem – one of the fastest-growing technology domains globally.

 

Products & Solutions: A Broad Technology Portfolio

Under the new brand Aqylon Nexus, the Company now offers a diversified technology portfolio across AI, space systems, semiconductors and datacentre infrastructure. Key solutions include:

  • AI Solutions: LLM Router (unified API access to all AI platforms), Computer Vision (image/video analysis), NLP (natural language understanding), AI Code (intelligent development tools), Call-Centre AI, Farm Management. Aqylon Nexus Limited

  • Space & Semiconductors: Micro Thrusters, Satellite Systems, AOCS (Attitude & Orbit Control Systems), NexusEdge AI-SoC family (edge AI accelerators for LoRa/industrial, automotive, sensor applications). Aqylon Nexus Limited

  • Datacentre / Infrastructure: GPU Cloud Infrastructure with enterprise-grade GPU as-a-Service, industrial-grade systems with high reliability and 99.9% uptime SLA. Aqylon Nexus Limited

 

This broad product and solution architecture positions the Company to address diverse markets across space technology, agriculture, telecommunications, industrial automation, and enterprise AI – forging new growth pathways for shareholders.

 

Legacy of Innovation, Re-imagined for Tomorrow

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network brings a legacy of over four decades in media leadership, content innovation and industry trust. With this transformation, the Company is leveraging its historic foundation to build a technology-first organisation capable of serving the next generation of digital and AI-driven needs.

 

About the Company

(BSE: 530943) (NSE: SABTNL) (ISIN: INE416A01044)
Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd., soon to be renamed Aqylon Nexus Limited, is undergoing a major strategic shift into artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and advanced infrastructure solutions. The Company now intends to serve national-priority sectors including AI research, enterprise technology, defence-grade compute systems, and large-scale datacentre deployments, while building global partnerships across India and North America.

 

Legal Note:
This release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to market conditions, regulatory approvals, supply chain dynamics and other risks.

 

To view the source version of this press release, please visit www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275855

GrowthCap Ventures Leads Pre-Series A Round in Navanc, India's First AI-Native Banking Infrastructure Company

Navanc, set to become India’s pioneering AI-native banking infrastructure company, has raised close to ₹6 crore in its Pre-Series A round led by GrowthCap Ventures, an operator-led early-stage VC fund founded by ex-BharatPe executive Pratekk Agarwaal. The round also saw participation from leading bankers and technologists, including Navin Kukreja (Founder, Paisabazaar), Gaurav Aggarwal, former CXO at Paisabazaar , Prasanna Rao a Co-founder of Arya.ag, and a diverse group of Bay Area and UAE based angels.

 

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Navanc raises its Pre-Series A round, led by GrowthCap Ventures; to create AI native underwriting infrastructure for Secured Lending

 

The investment comes at a pivotal time as India’s financial services sector undergoes a fundamental shift in the adoption of AI across secured lending, risk assessment, and underwriting. With secured lending and Micro-LAP emerging as strategic priorities for Banks, HFCs, and NBFCs, AI-driven infrastructure is rapidly becoming a necessity rather than an option.

 

Navanc is a real-estate credit underwriting and intelligence platform built for secured lending products including LAP, home loans, and MSME credit. Its product stack digitizes and standardizes property diligence, enabling faster, compliant loan origination, revaluation, and portfolio monitoring. Anchored in an AI-first architecture, Navanc’s offerings — including VALLE, nLite, nAI and nRERA — are redefining how financial institutions assess property-led loans including Home Loans, Secured Working Capital Loans and Loan Against Property.

 

With a long-term vision to build India’s first AI-native lending infrastructure ecosystem, Navanc is moving beyond traditional software to deliver intelligent, self-improving infrastructure that transforms how institutions understand risk, make decisions, and serve customers.

 

“India is entering a decisive decade where AI will become the backbone of credit infrastructure,” said Nagachethan SM, Co-Founder and CEO of Navanc.

 

Our mission is to build the AI infrastructure layer that financial institutions can trust as the foundation of their loan journey across business-credit-risk functions,” added Byom Kesh Jha, Co-Founder and CT&DO.

 

Navanc currently a B2B product and works with 30+ customers across the financial ecosystem, including Small Finance Banks (SFBs), NBFCs, and HFCs — demonstrating the platform’s versatility and depth across secured lending.

 

GrowthCap Ventures, known for its operator-first investment approach, brings deep domain expertise in building financial infrastructure businesses. The fund’s team has spent decades shaping risk, underwriting, collections, and credit technology stacks across India’s leading financial institutions.

 

Secured lending is undergoing a structural reset, and AI-native infrastructure will define the next leap of efficiency, speed, and compliance,” said Pratekk Agarwaal, Founder & General Partner at GrowthCap Ventures.

 

Navanc is solving a problem we’ve experienced firsthand as operators. Their AI-first property intelligence stack can become the default standard for Banks, HFCs, and NBFCs. At GrowthCap, we back founders who build with purpose and precision — and Navanc is leading this transformation.”

 

The newly raised capital will be deployed to accelerate product development, expand Navanc’s AI capabilities, strengthen the team, and deepen market penetration as demand surges across the secured credit ecosystem.

Agrasheel Infratech: A Developer Shaped by Discipline, Long-Term Thinking and Customer First Approach

Agrasheel Infratech Pvt. Ltd. has grown quietly but steadily over the past few years, building its identity around something that many buyers today value more than glossy brochures, clarity, discipline and a sense of responsibility in how land is developed. The company began with a straightforward intention: to create spaces that feel grounded, modern and legally sound, without cutting corners or over-promising.
 

Preksha Singh, CEO, Agrasheel Infratech Pvt. Ltd.
 

Although Agrasheel works across residential and mixed-use formats, the team’s real strength lies in planning communities that hold up over time. Their internal processes, from approvals to design to sustainability considerations, are treated less as paperwork and more as the core of the brand. This has shaped a work culture that is deliberate and method-driven, supported by architects, engineers and planners who favour practical, future-ready layouts over cosmetic detailing.

What keeps the company anchored today is the leadership at the top. Chairperson Abhishek Singh has consistently pushed for a development style where transparency becomes a habit rather than a marketing line. His focus on clean documentation, adherence to regulations and a measured pace of expansion has helped Agrasheel steadily build trust among buyers, especially in markets where clarity is rare.

At the operational end, CEO Preksha Singh brings a different layer of experience. Having previously worked in consulting and brand strategy, she approaches real estate with an unusual mix of analytical rigour and customer intuition. Her background, from Lady Shri Ram College to FORE School of Management and later training at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, shapes her belief that good development is not only about land and layouts but also about building confidence among end users. With over 15 years in the sector, she has helped Agrasheel maintain a development approach that is both compliant and respectful of the buyer’s long-term expectations. As CEO, her role involves supervising all departments and making key strategic decisions to ensure a superior customer experience and reinforce trust in the brand.

Real estate rewards consistency more than anything else. At Agrasheel, we try not to rush decisions or chase trends. Our effort is to build communities that feel stable, honest and thoughtfully planned. Aashrayam is an example of that approach; it grew out of disciplined approvals, careful design and a respect for the end user’s trust. If we can keep delivering developments with this clarity, the brand will grow the right way,” said Ms. Preksha Singh, CEO, Agrasheel Infratech Pvt. Ltd.

Agrasheel’s ongoing township, Aashrayam Phase-1, on New Jail Road in Lucknow, reflects this philosophy more than it tries to showcase it. The project is LDA-approved and registered under UPRERA, and its early reception shows that demand naturally follows when fundamentals are strong. Even details like the township’s connectivity, road width and green planning emerge from the company’s internal emphasis on functionality rather than marketing-friendly buzzwords. Within the first few months, the project delivered notable investor returns, an outcome the brand attributes to compliance and clarity rather than aggressive sales tactics.

Antara Senior Care Expands Footprint in Bengaluru with the Launch of a New Care Home in Whitefield

Antara Senior Care, part of the $7-billion Max Group operating a network of seven care homes nationally, has announced the launch of its new facility in Whitefield, Bengaluru. This 80-bed senior care home in Bengaluru’s top IT hub and residential area strengthens the company’s presence in Karnataka, where it now operates ~163 beds across Bannerghatta and Whitefield locations; nationally it now has 500 operational beds. The setup provides assisted living facility to meet seniors’ short- to long-term needs and specialised transition care services through geriatric-trained teams and infrastructure designed to promote independence and check loneliness.

 

In India’s top IT hub, Bengaluru, multiple factors combine to fuel the demand for senior care solutions. The city’s population is ageing faster than India – almost 11%1  of the city’s residents are now 60+, they enjoy high life expectancy but are often managing multiple chronic health conditions. There’s also a change in family structures. With children living abroad, there is a rise in seniors ageing alone making adults seek specialised care solutions for their parents. The new Antara Care Home in Whitefield helps families meets these needs. 

 

Speaking about the launch, Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services, said, “The period after hospitalisation and even the need for consistent daily care can be emotionally and logistically challenging, especially while juggling the responsibilities of daily life. There’s also a surge in the number of super seniors, aged 80+ years2, whose need for support is higher and vastly different from the more active seniors in the 60-79 age bracket. With Antara Care Homes’ expansion into Whitefield, we’re not just adding beds, we’re bringing medically supervised, dignified care to families who need trusted senior care solutions. Antara has been working dedicatedly to unlock access to specialised senior care ecosystems through geographic expansions and financial tools like TPA enabled transition care—active across all facilities in Delhi-NCR and Bannerghatta.”

 

The 80-bed Whitefield Antara Care Home offers short-, medium- and long-term living solutions for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living as an outcome of ageing; the facility also offers short-term, clinically supervised, structured care after surgery or acute illness. It has state-of-the-art infrastructure for transition care, 24×7 nursing, specialist doctor support, geriatric-trained teams, in-house kitchen offering specialised meals planned by dieticians, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and an engaging social calendar designed to alleviate loneliness and promote mental alertness. Like all Antara Care Homes, the Whitefield facility is designed to offer “care with dignity,” helping residents maintain their independence with necessary support.

 

The expansion comes at a critical time as India’s senior population is set to double from ~150 million now to over 350 million by 2050 creating new care demands. Antara has been at the forefront of building material and human infrastructure that supports this transformation. 

 

Operating a network of care homes across Delhi-NCR, Chennai, and Bengaluru with 500 operational beds serving thousands of families, Antara is known for its highly trained, professional teams upskilled using in-house geriatric-training modules certified by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council of India. Its NABH-accredited facilities are at the forefront of setting the gold standard for assisted living in India. 

 

For more information about the Whitefield Care Home or to schedule a visit, contact +919811441111 or visit www.antaraseniorcare.com

 

About Antara Senior Care
Launched in 2013, Antara is the senior-care business of Max India Limited, part of the $7-billion Max Group. It is an integrated ecosystem for senior care, operating in two main lines of business – Residences for Seniors and Assisted Care Services. Antara’s first senior residential community in Dehradun, comprising nearly 200 families, caters to their social, recreational, educational, wellness, and health-related needs. In 2025, it will open its second senior living community in Noida’s Sector-150, with families moving into the 340 apartments built in the first phase. Expanding its footprint in Gurugram, Antara will manage senior living residences, dedicated spaces for senior living, and primary healthcare services at Estate 360 – Delhi-NCR’s first intergenerational community developed by Max Estates.

 

Antara’s Assisted Care Services include Care Homes, Memory Care Home, Care at Home and AGEasy. This line of business caters to seniors, who need more immersive interventions in their daily lives due to medical or age-related issues. With 7 facilities across Gurugram, Noida, Bengaluru and Chennai, Care Homes provide long-term care to seniors who require constant medical and nursing supervision, and short-term care services for the recuperation of seniors. Its Care at Home services, offered in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Chennai, provide well-equipped, trained professionals offering care to seniors inside their home’s comfort. AGEasy, an online and offline store, focuses on senior-specific products and solutions to manage chronic health conditions at home. 

Zaggle Recognised Among the Top 10 Companies in Forbes India DGEMS 2025

Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited (“Zaggle”), India’s leading spend management and SaaS-driven FinTech company, has been selected among the Top 10 companies in the prestigious Forbes India DGEMS 2025 Select 200 Companies group. Chosen from thousands of applicants, the recognition underscores Zaggle’s innovation, scalability and exceptional readiness for global expansion.

 

Zaggle Recognised Among the Top 10 Companies in Forbes India DGEMS 2025 

 

The DGEMS (Digital Global Expansion of Market-Ready Startups) 2025 initiative by Forbes India identifies high-potential Indian companies poised to scale internationally. The evaluation considered key criteria including scalability, defensibility, innovation capability, technology maturity, business model strength and global market potential.

 

Forbes India noted that this year’s selected companies represent a growing wave of Indian enterprises expanding into new geographies and reshaping global industries through technology-led disruption. In its official remarks on Zaggle’s selection, Forbes India stated, “Zaggle’s vision, impact, and offerings align strongly with our Global Business Potential criteria. We look forward to amplifying its international success through global recognition and cross-border collaboration opportunities.”

 

Speaking on the recognition, Mr. Avinash Godkhindi, MD & CEO, Zaggle, said, “We are honoured to be selected among the Top 10 companies in the Forbes India DGEMS 2025 program. This recognition reinforces our commitment to building a world-class, innovation-driven business that delivers meaningful value to enterprises. As we accelerate our global expansion journey, this acknowledgment strengthens our confidence and validates our strategy of combining intelligent spend management, deep technology and robust financial products to serve diverse markets across the world.”

 

The recognition further positions Zaggle as a globally competitive SaaS Fintech Player, ready to leverage new international opportunities, strategic partnerships and high-growth markets. Backed by a strong technology foundation, deep domain expertise and a proven track record of large-scale enterprise execution, Zaggle is well placed to navigate global expansion with speed and confidence. The company continues to advance its mission of transforming how organisations manage spends, automate financial workflows and drive business efficiency through intelligent, digital-first and highly scalable solutions. As Zaggle broadens its global footprint, it remains committed to delivering innovation-led value and empowering enterprises worldwide to operate with greater transparency, control and agility.

 

About Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited (Zaggle)

Founded in 2011, Zaggle (BSE: 543985 & NSE: ZAGGLE) is a category-leading spend management company with a strong technology-led value proposition and a diversified user base. Operating in the business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) segment, Zaggle is among a select group of players with a comprehensive suite of financial technology products and services.

 

Zaggle is one of the largest issuers of prepaid cards in India through its banking partners and offers a robust portfolio of SaaS solutions spanning tax, payroll and rewards management. As of September 30, 2025, the company has issued more than 50 million prepaid cards, serving more than 3.5 million users across industries. Zaggle’s enterprise network spans banking and financial services, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, FMCG, infrastructure and automobiles.

 

For more information, please visit: www.zaggle.in

June Roshni Lobo Unveils My Father's Earthen Vessel — a Soulful Tribute to Love, Legacy and Memory

Writer and creative professional June Roshni Lobo unveiled her deeply personal debut, My Father’s Earthen Vessel, at an intimate evening at Title Waves, Bandra West. The launch was honoured by singer, author, & actress, who is popularly known for her role in ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’ Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Madhoo, Shah (Actress known for iconic performances in Roja and Phool Aur Kaante) & Indrani Malkani. Chairman Trustee. V Citizens Action Network (VCAN) and created a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly suited the book’s themes.

 

From L To R: Actress Madhoo Shah, Indrani Malkani, June Roshni Lobo & Suchitra Krishnamoorthi at the book launch of My Father’s Earthen Vessel

 

The book and its unveiling were brought to life in partnership with Midnight Media Solutions, a leading integrated media consultancy with over three decades of experience in advertising, print, radio, television, outdoor, brand storytelling, communication strategy, and purpose-driven narratives.
 

My Father’s Earthen Vessel is a lyrical meditation on the father–child bond, a gentle, evocative exploration of love, loss and inheritance. Moving between prose and poetry, June traces the small, everyday moments that form a life’s worth of memory: the silent strengths, the habits that linger, and the tender rituals that keep a presence alive.

 

Speaking at the launch, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi said, “Supporting this book today feels deeply personal. As someone who has always been a father’s girl, I connected instantly with June’s theme and the emotional honesty in her writing. In a world where being an author takes immense courage, with rewards that are more soulful than material, her work stands out for its sincerity and heart. The parts I read moved me, because they speak to how our parents shape us long after they’re gone. I’m truly happy to be here and to celebrate this beautiful tribute.

 

Madhoo Shah said, “I’m honoured to be part of this launch. When Shobha shared the synopsis of My Father’s Earthen Vessel, I immediately connected with its themes of discipline, resilience and the quiet strength we inherit from our parents. These are values that have shaped my own journey as an artist. In a world driven by constant validation, this book is a reminder of the grounding forces that keep us focused, committed and true to our craft. I’m grateful to support a work that speaks so meaningfully to the professional and personal foundations that guide us all.

 

Indrani Malkani added further, “Curiosity brought me here this evening, the name June and the name Roshni instantly struck a personal chord. And when I spoke to the author early this morning, I felt an immediate connection to the spirit of the book. As someone who works closely with communities and believes deeply in values passed down through generations, the theme of a daughter’s relationship with her father resonated strongly with me. Our fathers shape our conscience, our courage and the way we serve the world. This book is a heartfelt reminder of those roots, and I’m glad to stand here in support of it.

 

June Roshni Lobo shared, “We were raised to understand the value of gratitude, to recognise the people, moments and lessons that shape us. And that is the essence I wanted to express today while speaking about My Father’s Earthen Vessel. The book is a reminder of how our upbringing, especially the values passed down by our parents, quietly guide us through life. I’m grateful to have been part of this moment and to honour a story built on love, memory and heartfelt gratitude.”

 

The evening unfolded with heartfelt readings, reflections, and warm exchanges, as guests resonated with the universal emotions that the book evokes. The atmosphere at Title Waves was intimate and moving, a celebration of family, memory, and the stories that live on within us.

 

With its lyrical voice and universal appeal, My Father’s Earthen Vessel stands as a timeless reminder that love, like clay, can be shaped, broken, and remade, yet never truly lost.

 

About the Author

June Roshni Lobo is a writer and creative professional whose work explores memory, belonging and emotional inheritance. My Father’s Earthen Vessel is her debut book.

Slow Cooked Kebab to Bibimbap, Aromatic Biryani to Teriyaki Salmon: Air India Elevates its Inflight Dining Experience with Refreshed Global Menu

  • New menu incorporates Indian and global influences, and geo-specific star dishes

  • The food will be sourced, prepared, packed and handled with care for the environment and community

 

Air India, India’s leading global airline, announced the introduction of its new global menu across its fleet. The menu draws inspiration from India’s diverse culinary tapestry, from the royal kitchens of Awadh to the coastal flavours of southern India, while incorporating global influences through Pan-Asian, European Bistro, and geo-specific star dishes.

 

The new menu has been introduced on most international ex-India routes, including flights from Delhi to London Heathrow, New York, Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto and Dubai; from Mumbai and Bengaluru to San Francisco; and from Mumbai to New York, to name a few. It will be progressively rolled out across all international sectors as well as on domestic routes.

 

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Chicken Roulade Filled with Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese

 

The menu weaves a delicious story that combines the flavours of India with influences from global cuisines. To strike a chord with every traveller, there is a portfolio mix of region-inspired meals and global cuisines such as European bistros and pan-Asian. The region-inspired meals like south-Indian cuisine brings alive the heritage of India giving the travellers an authentic dining experience.

 

Guests travelling First Class will enjoy gourmet meals, artisanal breads, signature desserts, and bespoke wine and champagne pairings. Business Class offers multi-course gourmet meals with customisable options and curated beverage pairings, while Premium Economy and Economy feature upgraded meal trays with balanced, wholesome options with familiar regional flavours and enhanced presentation.

 

Highlights of the new menu include:

  • Signature Indian dishes: Awadhi Paneer Anjeer Pasanda (Veg Awadhi Thali), Murgh Massalam (Non-veg Awadhi Thali), and south Indian platter in First and Business Class. Rajasthani besan chilla, malabari chicken curry, and malai palak kofta in Premium Economy

  • International cuisine: Japanese Teppanyaki Bowl, citrus tiger prawns, and oriental napa cabbage and tofu rollmops in First Class and Seoul flamed prawns, manicotti forestiere, and Mediterranean tapas in Business Class

  • GenZ Delights: chicken bibimbap and matcha delice in Business Class

  • Home-made comfort food: homestyle masala dal khichdi and homestyle stuffed parantha in Business Class

  • Plant-Based & Special Dietary Options: A dedicated vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-conscious menu

 

The exquisite new menu has been curated by Chef Sandeep Kalra, who joined Air India recently as the airline continues with its transformation programme, with new and upgraded aircraft joining the fleet and the introduction of new cabin and the new Air India experience across its fleet. The new menu has taken inspiration from the diverse culinary experiences that India offers from the classic Delhi Street food to the real southern India tiffin, apart from international cuisine that appeal to today’s young travellers such as Korean Bibimbap and Matcha. The Air India cabin crew have also gone through specialised training to enhance customer experience onboard.

 

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South Indian Platter including Malgapodi Idli, Cashew Upma, Mini Mysore Masala Dosa and Sambar

 

At the very core, the new food and beverage enhancements draw inspiration from Air India’s commitment to continuous innovation and transforming the customer experience. We are reimagining the inflight dining experience that resonates with the tastes and preferences of global travellers. Our thoughtfully curated menu caters to guests from different cultural affinities who prefer delectable gourmet meals. We endeavour to master the art of menu design and presentation to ensure every inflight meal goes beyond taste into serving care and culinary excellence,” said Mr. Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India.

 

Air India will also offer over 18 special meal types, one of the few airlines worldwide to do so, accommodating modern travellers’ lifestyles and dietary preferences for a truly inclusive and personalised experience. Guests can choose from thoughtfully curated choices ranging from international cuisine, homestyle comfort food, to health-conscious fare that caters to contemporary dietary lifestyles. Guests can also pre-select meals online using the Air India app with chef’s notes, allergen information, and customisation capabilities.

 

The airline is also trying to reduce its environmental impact across the cycle such as in responsible sourcing, packaging, and waste reduction. Using locally sourced seasonal food to support local farmers and keep food miles down, Air India also ensures freshness of ingredients from the time of produce till the final serving onboard. There is also increased emphasis on environmentally friendly initiatives such as compostable utensils, paper meal boxes, less single-use plastics, and segregation of onboard waste for recycling and composting to reduce the carbon footprint.

 

About Air India group

The Air India group – comprising of full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 57 domestic and 48 international destinations across five continents.

 

Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed an order for 570 new aircraft. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India, respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia’s largest aviation training academy. A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2025, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit.

 

With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart. For more stories on Air India, visit www.airindia.com/newsroom.

OTTplay and Studio Jadu Announce Partnership to Syndicate AI‑Enabled Animated Series

OTTplay, India’s leading OTT aggregation platform, today announced a strategic partnership with Studio Jadu to syndicate a line-up of AI-enabled animated series, marking one of the earliest OTT syndication deals of its kind worldwide.

 

The collaboration brings Studio Jadu’s next-generation animated content to OTTplay’s discovery-driven ecosystem

 

The collaboration brings Studio Jadu’s next-generation animated content to OTTplay’s discovery-driven ecosystem, expanding access to innovative storytelling crafted through Jadu’s proprietary creator workbench. The platform empowers artists to refine narratives, deepen character arcs, and accelerate production—while ensuring that human creators remain the ultimate authors of their work.

 

“At Studio Jadu, we’re building tools that empower creators by helping them bring the stories they imagine to life and reach audiences directly. This partnership with OTTplay represents the first step on that journey: connecting creator rooms to mainstream OTT viewers, while keeping artists firmly in control,” said Masoud Loghmani, Founder & CEO, Studio Jadu.

 

We’re proud to be among the first mainstream OTT destinations in India—and possibly globally—to syndicate AI-enabled animation. Together with Studio Jadu, we’re enabling a new generation of creator-led storytelling,” said Avinash Mudaliar, Co-Founder & CEO, HT Labs.

 

Availability: Initial titles will begin rolling out on OTTplay following today’s announcement.

 

About the Partnership

  • Syndication Scope: Multiple AI‑enabled animated series created by Studio Jadu will be distributed on OTTplay, with initial titles rolling out following today’s announcement.

  • Innovation with Integrity: Studio Jadu’s production approach uses GenAI to accelerate craft and iteration while preserving human authorship and editorial oversight.

 

Why It Matters

  • Category-defining initiative: Among the first global OTT syndication partnerships for AI-enabled animation, and a landmark moment for the Indian market.

  • Creator-first by design: Studio Jadu’s model enhances creative autonomy by augmenting and not replacing human imagination.

  • Discovery meets reach: OTTplay’s aggregation platform extends frontier storytelling to new audiences, within a premium, secure viewing environment.

 

About Studio Jadu

Studio Jadu is a creator‑first AI studio reinventing the business of entertainment. The company builds GenAI‑powered tools that serve the creator community so storytellers can bring original, human stories to life – without ceding authorship.

 

Learn more at studiojadu.com.

 

Notes to editors: This announcement is positioned as one of the first OTT syndication partnerships for AI‑enabled animated series. Studio Jadu’s creator workbench emphasises human authorship and story craft while using GenAI as an assistive production layer. A teaser trailer co‑branded by Studio Jadu and OTTplay is available upon request.

ICONN Summit 2025 Sets Vision for India's Innovation Decade: Trusted AI, Deeptech, and Expanded R&D in Focus

The CII Centre of Excellence for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startups (CII CIES) inaugurated ICONN Summit 2025 at T-Hub today, bringing together India’s leading corporates, investors, policymakers, and innovators to chart the next phase of India’s technology and startup growth.

 

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Mr Sanjay Kumar, Special Chief Secretary, ITE&C and Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, addressing the delegates at the ICONN Summit 2025

 

Delivering the Inaugural Address, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Special Chief Secretary, ITE&C and Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, outlined the State’s next big technology leap. “We are launching the AI Hub with a strong focus on cybersecurity, biologics, and cutting-edge Centres of Excellence. Our aim is to build Hyderabad into a global node for trusted AI, biotech-driven innovation, and next-generation digital infrastructure,” he said.

 

Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, CII CIES Advisory Board & Chairman, Axilor Ventures, highlighted the growing national importance of corporate–startup collaboration. “Industry working with startups is nation building. When established companies partner with young innovators, we accelerate economic growth, generate high-quality jobs, and create solutions at scale for India and the world,” he said. Mr. Gopalakrishnan also called on India’s wealth creators to take a more active role in the innovation economy.

 

Family offices today have the capacity to come together and create a multi-billion-dollar VC fund that can fuel India’s next wave of deeptech and transformative startups. For this to happen, we must prioritise strong intellectual property practices, IPR is very important for our long-term global competitiveness,” he added.

 

Reflecting on India’s long-term economic vision, he stated that “Viksit Bharat 2047 looks very exciting, and the momentum we are building in technology, entrepreneurship, and research is laying the foundation for a truly developed nation.”

 

Dr (Mrs) Suchitra K Ella, Vice President, CII emphasised the importance of significantly scaling India’s R&D capacity. “India must give industry status to the R&D sector. Recognising R&D as an industry will unlock more investments, attract world-class talent, and encourage deeper collaboration between academia, startups, and corporates. This shift is crucial if India is to lead globally in science, technology, and innovation,” she stated.

 

In his special address, Mr. C. K. Ranganathan, Co-Chairman, CII National Startup Council, underscored the importance of the Summit in strengthening the national innovation movement. “The ICONN Summit is here to bring the entire innovation ecosystem together, startups, corporates, investors, academia, and government. It is a monumental event that will play a defining role in shaping India’s innovation-led future,” he said.

 

ICONN Summit 2025 also featured a series of important releases and recognitions, underscoring the growing impact of India’s innovation ecosystem:

  • Announcement of Winners of the CII Startupreneur Awards 2025, celebrating the country’s most promising early-stage and growth-stage startups.

  • Release of the report “Engineering Hardware Startup Ecosystem: Opportunities & Challenges”, offering insights into India’s deeptech and hardware innovation landscape.

  • Release of the report “Democratising Access to Finance in India”, capturing key recommendations for strengthening financial inclusion.

 

Launch of the “Women in Innovation” Compendium, highlighting the achievements and journeys of emerging women innovators across India.

 

The Summit further showcased the growing impact of CII CIES through its market-access programmes, global delegations, startup affiliation initiatives, family-office masterclasses, and collaborations with international partners such as the UK and Japan.