News for 'innovation ecosystem'

Nokia, Tech Mahindra ink pact for 5G-based solutions

Nokia, Tech Mahindra ink pact for 5G-based solutions

Rediff.com12 Jan 2022

Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia and Tech Mahindra have joined hands to deploy 5G-based solutions for business organisations, according to a joint statement by the two companies. Under the collaboration, Tech Mahindra will leverage Nokia's private wireless DAC (digital automation cloud) solution for customers across industries and facilitate in automating 5G private wireless network management on a cloud computing system and enabling them deploy internet of things like technology.

IIT Madras raises Rs 231 cr in funding from alumni, firms, donors in FY23

IIT Madras raises Rs 231 cr in funding from alumni, firms, donors in FY23

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) said on Monday that it had raised the highest-ever corpus of annual funds for the institution, garnering Rs 231 crore from alumni, industry and individual donors for 2022-23 (FY23). Its funding increased 76 per cent year-on-year (YoY) compared to Rs 131 crore in FY22, according to data shared by the institute. The number of donors contributing more than Rs 1 crore increased 64 per cent YoY.

MG Motor ties up with Jio for its upcoming mid-size SUV

MG Motor ties up with Jio for its upcoming mid-size SUV

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

Customers of MG's upcoming mid-size SUV will benefit from Jio's widespread internet outreach, along with the connectivity, not only in metros but also in small towns and rural areas, MG Motor said in a statement. "Technology and innovation are leading the connected car space in the automobile industry.

US pharma companies want dialogue with India on IPRs

US pharma companies want dialogue with India on IPRs

Rediff.com28 Jun 2014

Top executives of American pharma companies favour "dialogue" with India and "not confrontation" to address their concerns on key issues like the protection of intellectual property (IP) and clinical trials.

Vikram Kirloskar: The man who brought Toyota to India

Vikram Kirloskar: The man who brought Toyota to India

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

With much sadness, so many of us woke up to the news that Vikram Kirloskar, vice-chairperson of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, had passed away late Tuesday. As I reminisce on the nearly 40 years I have known him, I can unequivocally say that he had such a rare and deep understanding and passion for automotive manufacturing that it would make Toyota, which pioneered the Toyota Way, proud. Many of us know Vikram as the man who brought the iconic Japanese carmaker Toyota to India. But few know the back story and hard work that went into creating a system of manufacturing that was everything Toyota could have hoped for and then some more because it was perfectly calibrated for manufacturing in India.

The Battle For Satellite Spectrum

The Battle For Satellite Spectrum

Rediff.com27 Dec 2023

While the market for satellite broadband currently is small, the potential is large as an estimated 30 per cent of the country does not have reliable terrestrial broadband services.

96,000 vaccinators trained for world's largest immunisation exercise

96,000 vaccinators trained for world's largest immunisation exercise

Rediff.com1 Jan 2021

Of the 23.9 million vaccinators who provide vaccination under the universal immunisation programme, 15.4 million will be used for Covid vaccination.

AWS upbeat on India market, sees massive headroom for growth in cloud adoption

AWS upbeat on India market, sees massive headroom for growth in cloud adoption

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

Within days of announcing mega investments for building in Hyderabad its second data centre cluster in India, Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday said it is excited about the India market, where cloud adoption offers massive headroom for growth. Pledging its long-term commitment to the India market, AWS, Amazon's cloud computing unit, said it expects global uncertainties to accelerate the decisions by companies to opt for flexible, on-demand cloud infrastructure to pare costs, gain efficiencies and drive business innovation. "Cloud reacts well to uncertainty," Puneet Chandok, president - commercial business, AWS India and South Asia, Amazon Internet Services Pvt Ltd (AISPL) told PTI.

A new fintech world is upon us amid funding drought, lower valuations

A new fintech world is upon us amid funding drought, lower valuations

Rediff.com29 May 2023

In January, Visa's chief executive officer, Al Kelly, said during an earnings call that "there's been a burst of the balloon in valuations in the fintech world". Noting that the trend of lower valuations "is a helpful characteristic of the current environment", he added: "We will look for capabilities and management teams that will bring more value to Visa than we can bring ourselves." Data from KPMG's Pulse of Fintech H2'22 shows that global fintech investment - via mergers and acquisitions (M&As), private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) firms - at $164.1 billion in 2022, was down 31 per cent over the year before. Indian fintechs held up better during this timeframe, attracting $6 billion, or a fall of 24 per cent.

Wipro appoints Satya Easwaran as India head

Wipro appoints Satya Easwaran as India head

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

IT major Wipro Limited has appointed Satya Easwaran, a former senior executive at consultancy KPMG, as its India head. Easwaran will be in charge of strengthening Wipro's business in India across key industry sectors through strategic consulting, transformation and modernisation engagements, it said in a statement on Monday. "India is a strategic market for Wipro and I am excited to welcome Satya to champion our bold ambition for growth and leadership here.

5G services likely to be rolled out in about a month

5G services likely to be rolled out in about a month

Rediff.com8 Aug 2022

The long-awaited high-speed 5G services are expected to be rolled out in about a month, Minister of State for Telecom Devusinh Chauhan said on Monday. Addressing the inaugural event of the International Telecommunication Union's Regional Standardisation Forum (RSF) for Asia and Oceania region, Chauhan said India is likely to deploy indigenously developed and manufactured 5G telecom gears by end of this year for 5G services. "In about a month, 5G mobile services will roll out in the country, which will have multiplier effects on the development of all sectors.

SVB fallout: Indian start-ups staring at uncertain future

SVB fallout: Indian start-ups staring at uncertain future

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Indian start-ups breathed a sigh of relief after the UK government facilitated the acquisition of the now-defunct Silicon Valley Bank's (SVB's) British arm by HSBC. In a bid to allay fears, the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FIDC) announced recently that it had transferred all deposits of start-up-focused SVB to a newly created bridge bank and all depositors would have access to their money. President Joe Biden also sought to reassure jittery depositors that they can have confidence that the US banking system is "safe".

Big Tech in financial system poses concentration risk: Shaktikanta Das

Big Tech in financial system poses concentration risk: Shaktikanta Das

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

The increasing involvement of Big Tech in the financial system could give rise to concentration risk and there are potential spillovers, which call for closer attention, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Tuesday. "...enormous amounts of consumer data is being generated and leveraged upon by a few entities (the so-called Big Tech) by virtue of their huge customer base. "Such developments raise concerns on concentration risk and potential spillovers as their level of engagement with the financial system strengthens in the years to come," Das said at the Global Fintech Fest 2022.

US trade body hails Budget, says it's fiscally prudent

US trade body hails Budget, says it's fiscally prudent

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

In the midst of third wave of COVID-19, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has come up with an impactful Budget which is balanced, fiscally prudent and growth-oriented, the USA India Chamber of Commerce has said. President of the Boston-based USA India Chamber of Commerce (USAIC) Karun Rishi, however, said it is a matter of concern that the budget lacks tangible measures to increase revenue generation. "Opting to keep the fiscal deficit at 6.9 per cent and increase capital expenditure by 35 per cent is a masterstroke. "The annual budget estimates the effective capital expenditure of Rs 10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, making up about 4.1 per cent of the GDP," he said. "A phenomenal increase in the government's capital expenditure is likely to facilitate the expenditures on infrastructure and create jobs.

Cryptocurrency heists just got harder, thanks to tech

Cryptocurrency heists just got harder, thanks to tech

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

Earlier last month, for the first time ever, an anonymous hacker was served with a restraining order as a non-fungible token (NFT), reports Shivani Shinde.

Reliance to invest Rs 75,000 crore in UP in 4 years: Ambani

Reliance to invest Rs 75,000 crore in UP in 4 years: Ambani

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

Reliance Industries Ltd will invest Rs 75,000 crore in rolling out 5G mobile telephony services, expanding retail network and setting up renewable energy capacity in Uttar Pradesh in the next four years, its chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. Ambani also announced foray of the oil-to-telecom conglomerate into bio-energy business, converting agriculture waste into gas which can be used as fuel in industries, run automobiles or light kitchen stoves. Speaking at the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 here, Ambani said his group will set up 10 GigaWatts of renewable energy capacity and roll out 5G services across the state in the next 10 months.

Invest in logistics stocks, but selectively

Invest in logistics stocks, but selectively

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

Logistic players have seen a sharp correction at the bourses over the past six months as intense competition from new-age-tech startups, higher freight rates, and weak macros dented listed players' growth outlook. Analysts warn that the emergence of tech-based startups could weigh on organised players' profit-pool, and can potentially erode their market share. Thus, a stock-specific strategy would be prudent at this juncture with focus on companies that are rapidly innovating and investing in technology.

Samsung's Harman starts 5G testing lab in India

Samsung's Harman starts 5G testing lab in India

Rediff.com12 May 2021

Samsung's connected technology solutions provider Harman on Wednesday said it has started a 5G testing lab in India to help companies test their devices for operating them on the next generation network. The company said its 5G lab enables a holistic, device-to-cloud performance analysis -- enabling chipset conformance testing, pre-certification testing, network operator approval testing, application performance verification and more. Harman Digital Transformation Services (DTS) senior vice president David Owens said advances in technologies like 5G yield significant opportunity to accelerate innovation across nearly every industry -- from healthcare and manufacturing, transportation to consumer device support.

In ChatGPT's shadow, India readies for aggressive AI play

In ChatGPT's shadow, India readies for aggressive AI play

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

The government has identified nine key focus areas in the AI national programme, including agriculture, education, Indian languages, smart cities, cybersecurity, transportation, and finance.

Walmart looking at sourcing toys, shoes, bicycles from India

Walmart looking at sourcing toys, shoes, bicycles from India

Rediff.com21 May 2023

US-based retail giant Walmart is looking to source toys, shoes and bicycles from Indian suppliers as the company is targeting to increase its exports from India to USD 10 billion annually by 2027. The company also wants to develop new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, and apparel and home textiles, a company spokesperson told PTI. Officials from the Bentonville-headquartered firm recently held a virtual meeting with several domestic toy manufacturers in India.

Explained in charts: Growth of India's start-up universe

Explained in charts: Growth of India's start-up universe

Rediff.com16 Sep 2019

Over the years, start-ups are struggling more to garner funds as they pass the elementary stages of growth.

Modi, Biden discuss N-energy, 6G and AI; vow to 'deepen, diversity' defence ties

Modi, Biden discuss N-energy, 6G and AI; vow to 'deepen, diversity' defence ties

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

In a post on X, Modi said, "Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBiden to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive."

Mukesh Ambani looks to repeat telecom feat in new energy

Mukesh Ambani looks to repeat telecom feat in new energy

Rediff.com8 Aug 2022

Reliance Industries Ltd, whose offering of rock-bottom tariffs shook up the telecom industry, is looking to repeat the feat in the green energy business, where its billionaire chairman Mukesh Ambani sees promise to outshine all existing growth engines in 5-7 years. Having pledged Rs 6 lakh crore on green energy, Ambani says RIL will scale up investments in this business which will start going live in the next 12 months. "Over the next 12 months our investments across the Green Energy value chain will gradually start going live, scaling up over the next couple of years," Ambani, chairman and managing director of RIL, said in the company's latest annual report.

How Tech Is Reinventing Fashion Shopping

How Tech Is Reinventing Fashion Shopping

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

With the fashion world blurring the lines between innovation, technology and reality, shopping is all set to be revolutionised.

NYT hails India's space programme as 'counterweight' to China

NYT hails India's space programme as 'counterweight' to China

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

Lauding India's ambitious space programme, The New York Times has said the country, currently witnessing an 'explosive' growth in space-tech start-ups, is set to 'transform the planet's connection to the final frontier' and can emerge as a 'counterweight' to China.

'Huge demand for life insurance products in India'

'Huge demand for life insurance products in India'

Rediff.com1 Jan 2024

'As our per capita income increases and various demographic segments emerge, the need for various kinds of protection and risk covers will become even more explicit.'

'We are not going back to licence raj'

'We are not going back to licence raj'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2023

'I'm pitching India for the strengths we offer, including the English language, engineers, doctors, nurses, professionals, innovative talent of startups.'

'Technology' appears 44 times in Modi-Biden statement, up from 5 three years ago

'Technology' appears 44 times in Modi-Biden statement, up from 5 three years ago

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

From the seas to the stars, this partnership will now be deepened by the defining role of technology, the statement said.

Meet Asha, the robotic nurse

Meet Asha, the robotic nurse

Rediff.com17 Dec 2020

'Imagine taking care of a patient who is infected with Covid. A human nurse is unable to do that due to fear of infection. The robot can do that task, while it is controlled or supervised by the human nurse. So the robot becomes an extension of the nurse.'

Data Bill: Too much govt control will hit investments

Data Bill: Too much govt control will hit investments

Rediff.com27 Dec 2022

Significant controls and exemptions to the government under the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection bill 2022 are likely to make it harder for companies to invest in data centres and data processing activities in India, according to global technology industry body ITI. The ministry of electronics and IT has floated draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022 and has invited comments on the same till January 2. "The Bill grants significant controls to the executive arm of GOI (Government of India) and delegates much of the detailed rulemaking authority to separate, as yet undefined processes.

1.5 Million Vacancies In Cybersecurity!

1.5 Million Vacancies In Cybersecurity!

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

'The skilling gap is a serious issue.' 'We partner with the government on skilling, but as a company we have several skilling programmes, and we work closely with the partner ecosystem.

How India Inc must change to serve digital customers

How India Inc must change to serve digital customers

Rediff.com25 Sep 2017

Technology, which was responsible for creating the new-age digital consumer issue for enterprises, also acts as a solution to the problem, says Karthick Viswanathan.

'Aim to make FAME scheme more transparent'

'Aim to make FAME scheme more transparent'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2023

'The aim is also to probe how the ministry and testing agencies made negligence in examining these OEMs, so that such negligence is avoided in the future.'

'Entrepreneurship Is Exploding'

'Entrepreneurship Is Exploding'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2022

'Yesterday, I was at a seed meeting where we gave outright grants up to Rs 20 lakhs or loans up to Rs 50 lakhs for new start-ups under 2 years.'

Ola keen to build cell manufacturing plant

Ola keen to build cell manufacturing plant

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

SoftBank Group-backed Ola Electric is in talks with multiple global suppliers to build a battery cell manufacturing plant in India with a capacity of up to 50-gigawatt hours, sources said. As part of its broader electrification push, the firm plans to invest in companies with advanced cell and battery technology, alongside the 50 Gwh battery plant. Ola Electric needs 40 Gwh of battery capacity to power 10 million electric scooters annually. The remainder will be for its electric cars, which the company plans to manufacture in the future.

Modi calls for 'repair and prepare' as India emerges from pandemic

Modi calls for 'repair and prepare' as India emerges from pandemic

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for focus on 'repair and prepare' as the nation emerges out of a devastating pandemic. "Over the past year, we have witnessed a lot of disruption in different sectors. Much of it is still there. Yet, disruption does not have to mean despair," he said at VivaTech Summit. "Instead, we must keep the focus on the twin foundations of repair and prepare," he said referring to the need to augment healthcare infrastructure in the country as well as prop up the economy.

Modi accepts on the spot Kishida's invite to visit Japan

Modi accepts on the spot Kishida's invite to visit Japan

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

The India-Japan global partnership is based on shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law and promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday after holding wide-ranging talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

Microsoft is very committed to India: Satya Nadella

Microsoft is very committed to India: Satya Nadella

Rediff.com4 Jan 2023

Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday highlighted the importance of driving inclusivity and empowerment through technology and economic growth and asserted that the company is "very committed to India". He was speaking at Microsoft's Tech for Good and Education showcase, an event that highlighted the impact created by technology in the areas of philanthropic work and education. Nadella did a walk through, interacting with teachers, students and professionals who are making a difference in the society, by leveraging various Microsoft programs, initiatives and tools.

Restaurant to jewellery, brands make a beeline for metaverse

Restaurant to jewellery, brands make a beeline for metaverse

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

'We're seeing major Bollywood celebrities, fashion icons, and even movie studios all wanting to build Metaverse experiences'

Modi invites G20 to witness 'festival of democracy' in 2024 polls

Modi invites G20 to witness 'festival of democracy' in 2024 polls

Rediff.com21 Jun 2023

Modi said India's next general elections will be held in 2024 and he invited G20 delegates to visit the country to witness the "festival of democracy" in the "mother of democracy".