Potential recovery anticipated in 2019; funding pace to stay sluggish

For India's startup ecosystem, which is in third place internationally, 2023 was another barren year. Global venture financing reached a low point in 2023 as a result of variables including inflation, growing interest rates, geopolitical unrest, and recessionary fears.In terms of value, financing for Indian startups decreased by 65.8% between January and November of 2023, according to a research published by GlobalData. In the first eleven months of this year, they have raised $6.9 billion through 1,013 venture capital (VC) fundraising deals. In the same time frame previous year, the companies had raised $20.2 billion.Experts contend that despite these difficulties, the Indian startup scene is still strong because of government programs and a renewed emphasis on long-term, sustainable success.The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Fund of Funds for Startups, and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups are just a few of the measures the government has launched to assist new businesses. "We still have hope for the future. The startup scene is positioned for a better and more resilient future because to a combination of supportive government policies, India's strong and developing economy, and ongoing infrastructural projects, according to Aniruddha Sen, co-founder of Kenko Health, who spoke with Livemint.Sen went on, "It is anticipated that the governments' steadfast dedication to assisting startups via financial initiatives, tax breaks, and regulatory changes would foster an atmosphere that encourages entrepreneurship. The startup funding landscape may be greatly impacted by such encouraging actions. The unwavering quest for innovation and technical breakthroughs continues to be a motivating factor. Due to their potential to completely change industries, startups at the vanguard of transformational technologies—like artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and clean energy—are expected to draw significant capital."  

In 2023, Meesho plans to resume hiring on campuses and hire 150 candidates.

Meesho, an online retailer that stopped hiring on campuses in 2022, reported that it had hired 150 people in 2023. In 2024, the business supported by SoftBank plans to hire more young workers, it said."Meesho put a halt to campus hiring in 2022 because its main goal was profitable expansion. Without adding more employees, the company's primary goal was to become profitable, Chief HR Ashish Kumar Singh told Livemint.Meesho is hiring in the following areas: business, finance growth, consumer experience, analytics, monetization, technology and product, and human resources.Salary packages for non-tech positions like strategy and operations have increased compared to the previous year, the company stated. In search of campus hiring opportunities, the e-commerce platform traveled to the following locations: Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Indian Institute of Information Technology (III) Allahabad, BITS Pilani, Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)-Lucknow and Kozhikode, National Institutes of Technology-Delhi, Bhopal, Surat, Calicut, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), and Management Development Institute (MDI). All of these locations were visited by the e-commerce platform.According to the e-commerce startup, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Allahabad and IIT BHU are the campuses with the highest number of hirings. Meesho announces first profit in July and plans to go public in 12–18 months. Meesho hired 150 students in total in 2021 for both tech and non-tech positions. Meesho just added IIIT Bangalore, IIIT Lucknow, IIIT Jabalpur, and IIIT Kota to its roster of institutes for campus recruiting. The online retailer announced in December 2023 that it had posted consolidated profit after taxes for the second quarter that ended in September 2023, making it the first unicorn in e-The company put the rise in sales down to a number of factors, including a rise in the number of shopping apps downloaded in India in 2022 and 2023, an increase in the frequency of transactions for current clients, a diversification of the product line, and an emphasis on enhancing revenue generation through different value-added seller services.  

The quick ascent of Rapido: How the startup hopes to upset the Ola and Uber monopoly

He company's current goal is expansion, which is essentially focused on making use of the current infrastructure to serve a larger customer base without sacrificing comfort or security.Rapido, a two-and three-wheeler taxi company that recently joined the cab hailing market to challenge Ola and Uber's monopoly, stated that its current focus is growth. This growth will primarily come from utilizing the company's current infrastructure to serve more customers without sacrificing convenience or safety. We want to get insights from a range of user responses to our products by extending our operations to other cities. Our goals are to ascertain whether our services are truly helpful, as well as to comprehend how they affect them and make a more significant good impact on the communities we serve. This strategy makes sure that, even as we expand, we remain aware of the changing demands of our clients and keep improving our offerings to provide real value. Rishikesh SRRapido, a two-and three-wheeler taxi company that recently joined the cab hailing market to challenge Ola and Uber's monopoly, stated that its current focus is growth. This growth will primarily come from utilizing the company's current infrastructure to serve more customers without sacrificing convenience or safety. We want to get insights from a range of user responses to our products by extending our operations to other cities. Our goals are to ascertain whether our services are truly helpful, as well as to comprehend how they affect them and make a more significant good impact on the communities we serve. This strategy makes sure that, even as we expand, we remain aware of the changing demands of our clients and keep improving our offerings to provide real value. Rishikesh SR    

For FY23, Unacademys revenue jumps 26% to Rs 907 crore while its loss cuts

The test-prep startup Unacademy reported that, despite constant layoffs at the company, its losses in FY23 decreased by 41% to Rs 1,678 crore. In FY23, employee-related expenses decreased by 28% to Rs 1,281 crore.The test-prep startup Unacademy reported that, despite constant layoffs at the company, its losses in FY23 decreased by 41% to Rs 1,678 crore. In FY23, employee-related expenses decreased by 28% to Rs 1,281 crore.In what was a difficult year for the startup environment, many modern businesses, like Myntra, ZestMoney, and Curefoods, reported stronger revenues for FY23, but their losses also increased.Revenue at Myntra rises to Rs 4,375 crore: The apparel retailer Myntra, which is owned by Flipkart, reported a 25% increase in operating revenue to Rs 4,375 crore in FY23, despite a 31% increase in losses to Rs 782 crore. The online fashion platform's largest expense, amounting to Rs 1,758 crore, was spent on advertising and promotional activities, representing a 35% increase over the previous year.Unacademy reduces losses to Rs 1,678 crore, or 41%: Unacademy, a startup providing test preparation, reported that its losses in FY23, which included several layoffs at the company, decreased by 41% to Rs 1,678 crore. The Bengaluru-based firm saw a 26% increase in sales to Rs 907 crore during the year, while costs associated with payroll decreased by 28% to Rs 1,281 crore.ZestMoney reports a loss of Rs 412 crore. ZestMoney, a troubled startup that has been searching for a buyer, declared a net loss of Rs 412.4 crore for the fiscal year 2023. On the other hand, while total expenses increased by 21% to Rs 662.2 crore, overall revenue for the buy-now-pay-later platform increased by 72% to Rs 250 crore.  

Day 20 Box Office Collection for Dunki, Shah Rukh Khans movie is getting about ₹500 crore worldwide.

Day 20 Box Office Collection for Dunki: "Dunki," Shah Rukh Khan's third Bollywood movie of 2023, is doing well at the box office. The Raju Hirani movie saw a drop on its third Tuesday; according to Sacnilk.com, early estimates indicate that the movie made ₹1.30 crore on Day 20. After 20 days after its premiere, the film has reportedly made over ₹219.27 crore in the Indian box officAccording to a Sacnilk.com assessment, the movie's occupancy on its twentieth day was 10.47 percent in Hindi, with morning shows seeing 8.72 occupancy, afternoon shows at 10.29 percent, evening shows at 10.25 percent, and night shows at 12.61 percent.In relation to the worldwide figures, Dunki is currently on track to surpass ₹500 crore worldwide. The industry tracker claims that the SRK film has made ₹430 crore in net revenue globally. According to a recent tweet by Red Chillies Entertainment on X, the movie has made ₹447.70 crore at the global box office.On the day of its release, Dunki brought in ₹29.2 crore net in India; however, Day 2 saw a sharp decline to ₹20.12 crore. Riding high on great word-of-mouth, the movie brought in ₹160.22 crore net in its first week, while the drama about immigration brought in ₹46.25 crore net in its second week in India.      

Aaliyah Kashyaps fiancé Shane Gregoire and father Anurag Kashyap celebrate Aaliyahs birthday.

Aaliyah Kashyap, the daughter of Anurag Kashyap and his ex-wife, film editor Aarti Bajaj, turned 23 this year, and she celebrated with several parties. While she was spotted in one series of pictures with her mother Aarti Bajaj, fiancé Shane Gregoire, and father and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, last night she was spotted leaving with friends Orhan Awatramani, also known as Orry, Khushi Kapoor, and Vedang Raina, among others. To view all of the pictures, scroll. (Image: Instagram/Aaliyah Kashyap, Orhan Awatramani) The birthday celebration for Aaliyah Kashyap included Khushi Kapoor as well. (Image via Instagram by Orhan Awatramani)Aaliyah posted some pictures from her celebration series on Instagram. A commenter named Dad Anurag Kashyap said, "Happy happy 23rd." (Image: Instagram/Aaliyah Kashyap)Alongside Aaliyah was her fiancé Shane Gregoire. (Image: Instagram/Aaliyah Kashyap)  

Sriram Raghavans Vijay Sethupathi, Katrina Kaif-starrer transports us to Hitchcock times, reads the initial review of Merry Christmas.

Men's ethnic clothing company Raaya has awarded the marketing mandate to Pune-based advertising firm Wit & Chai Group. Following a multi-agency pitch, the mandate was acquired by Wit & Chai in October 2023.With online and offline promotions, Wit & Chai Group hopes to raise awareness of Raaya and bolster its standing as a high-end menswear brand. "Wit & Chai gave a strong pitch, and we think working with them will help our brand reach new audiences. Our goal is to set Raaya apart as a luxury brand that is reasonably priced and to highlight our exceptional craftsmanship. Preshit Jain remarked, "We are confident that Wit & Chai has our best interests at heart.Furthermore, Wit & Chai Group partner Nahush Gulawani added, "We are thrilled to collaborate with a brand like Raaya that has such an intriguing focus: men's ethnic apparel. We are eager to collaborate with the Raaya team and use our skills to further improve the brand image.  

Raaya's integrated marketing mandate is won by With & Chai Group.

Men's ethnic clothing company Raaya has awarded the marketing mandate to Pune-based advertising firm Wit & Chai Group. Following a multi-agency pitch, the mandate was acquired by Wit & Chai in October 2023.With online and offline promotions, Wit & Chai Group hopes to raise awareness of Raaya and bolster its standing as a high-end menswear brand. "Wit & Chai gave a strong pitch, and we think working with them will help our brand reach new audiences. Our goal is to set Raaya apart as a luxury brand that is reasonably priced and to highlight our exceptional craftsmanship. Preshit Jain remarked, "We are confident that Wit & Chai has our best interests at heart.Furthermore, Wit & Chai Group partner Nahush Gulawani added, "We are thrilled to collaborate with a brand like Raaya that has such an intriguing focus: men's ethnic apparel. We are eager to collaborate with the Raaya team and use our skills to further improve the brand image. Men's ethnic clothing company Raaya has awarded the marketing mandate to Pune-based advertising firm Wit & Chai Group. Following a multi-agency pitch, the mandate was acquired by Wit & Chai in October 2023.With online and offline promotions, Wit & Chai Group hopes to raise awareness of Raaya and bolster its standing as a high-end menswear brand. "Wit & Chai gave a strong pitch, and we think working with them will help our brand reach new audiences. Our goal is to set Raaya apart as a luxury brand that is reasonably priced and to highlight our exceptional craftsmanship. Preshit Jain remarked, "We are confident that Wit & Chai has our best interests at heart.Furthermore, Wit & Chai Group partner Nahush Gulawani added, "We are thrilled to collaborate with a brand like Raaya that has such an intriguing focus: men's ethnic apparel. We are eager to collaborate with the Raaya team and use our skills to further improve the brand image.  

A viral tweet claims that the rasam bus ad in Bengaluru is insulting both north and south India Internet split

An online discussion has been triggered by an outside advertisement for Indira's Rasam Paste on a Bengaluru bus. Some online users have criticized the advertisement for being "sexist" and "regionalist." Some countered that the advertisement was not controversial in any way. The advertisement's wording said, "Wife North India aa?" (Is your wife North Indian?) implies that northern women are incapable of preparing rasam.Tejas Dinkar, an X user, initially brought the advertisement to the attention of the internet by accusing the company of being chauvinistic. "Today in ads that manage to be sexist while also insulting both North and South India (from r/bangalore)," he said. A heated discussion about whether the advertisement is offensive or not broke out in the comment area. X user Tejas Dinkar shared a picture of the advertisement, which attracted public notice. He expressed his disapproval in the caption, calling the advertisement "sexist" and "insulting" to people in both North and South India.  

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Here I am climbing: The films produced by Pramerica Life Insurance honor resiliency in many facets of life.

The debut of Pramerica Life Insurance's "This is My Climb" marketing campaign has been revealed. This campaign, which consists of two short videos, seeks to honor the many narratives of perseverance, goals, and purpose that characterize each of our unique experiences. Beyond the conventional marketing strategy, the campaign taps into the emotional center of the human experience, connecting with people at all stages of life. "Like any ascent, life's journey demands unwavering determination and unique challenges," stated Pankaj Gupta, MD, CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance. "We highlight the various aspects of purpose, commitment, and responsibility that each person exemplifies through the 'This is My Climb' campaign. Our goal is to become our clients' dependable bedrock—a partner as strong as a rock. We are dedicated to providing all of our stakeholders with a solid partner for every climb, no matter how big or small."Two powerful short films are used to tell the story of the campaign. The first movie depicts a father's journey and goals in a way that is relevant. We witness his dedication, as he lays aside his own goals and aspirations to support his child's aspirations. Regardless of the size of the obstacle, he views it as a climb he must do with perseverance and selfless sacrifice in order to reach his child's future. He reflects the essence of every parent who puts their child's aspirations ahead of their own, finding strength in their adversities and delight in their successes. The family of a defense member is shown in the second film as they follow him on an emotional journey of unwavering support and pride as he achieves new heights in dedication and commitment. Seeing this movie makes me think about Pramerica Life Insurance.President and Chief Business Officer of Pramerica Life Insurance Karthik Chakrapani stated, "The beauty of 'This is My Climb' lies in its breadth of perspectives." Each story has a distinct resonance, ranging from the ethos of a defense man and his family for the nation's sovereignty to the resolve of a father for his child's future. We encourage readers to interact with these motivational stories, look for themes in their own ascents, and join us in honoring the human spirit. Under the direction of Paritosh Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, Oindrila Roy, Managing Director, and Heads of Creative Srijan Shukla and Pratheeb Ravi, who are renowned for telling gripping stories, Publicis Worldwide India has artistically produced this campaign. Their combined knowledge and commitment have been essential in obtaining  

Many items in my business are designed: Piyush Pandey

I spent a brief time working at Ogilvy Mumbai in the early years of my profession. I was definitely looking forward to meeting Piyush and simply watching and learning from his talent. It was the strongest incentive to sign up. However, deep down I was also realistic about it. I was aware that he would never have a conversation with a junior. After joining, I came to the realization that he most likely would have, but I also understood it was impossible given the amount of work he had to accomplish each day. And boy, was I glad I was. Apart from the fact that he is an advertising genius, these are the things I picked up from him during my tenure, even though I never worked directly with him.I learned the power of words from him. On my first day there, I recall being sucked into a film short for a newly launched bank. I expected an assignment when I walked in, but instead I got a really good poem. It was exquisite. The story and the slogan were both brimming with skill. Written specifically for the pitch, Piyush delivered it to the group by reading it aloud. The client gave it their blessing because it was so clever. It was enjoyable to come up with ways to carry it out. That day made me proud to be a copywriter because he demonstrated to me the power of words to accomplish goals that so many rounds of PowerPoints couldn't. I learned from him that leaders are people too.Everyone gathered on the floor to celebrate Piyush's birthday by cutting cakes. He was asked to speak a few words, as custom would have it. He became so overcome by the festivities during his remarks that he started crying. The largest agency leader in our nation displayed weakness during a time when all of them exuded strength and conceit. Furthermore, this was taking place in front of 200 or more workers. And we all cherished it. He taught me early on that leaders are people too and that it's appropriate to occasionally display your feelings as a leader since it's the right thing to do.  

Back Again Relaxed Maharashtra dance bar regulations could increase alcohol sales

On January 8, holidays have been proclaimed in the districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Kallakurichi, and Chengalpattu.On January 8, a holiday was proclaimed for schools and institutions in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Cuddalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Kallakurichi, and Chengalpattu, because of severe rains.On January 8, 2023, Mayiladuthurai District Collector A.P. Mahabharathi issued a holiday for the district's colleges and schools. Johny Tom Varghese, the district collector of Nagapattinam, announced a holiday for colleges and schools in the taluks of Kilvelur and Nagapattinam. Nonetheless, schools in the taluks of Thirukuvalai and Vedaranyam will continue to operate. From 8.30 a.m. on January 7 to 5.30 a.m. on January 8, 16.7 cm of rain fell in Nagapattinam. The locations with the most rainfall were Karaikal (12.2 cm), Puducherry (9.6 cm), Cuddalore (9.3 cm), and Ennore (9.2 cm).  

Tamil Nadu schools and institutions have been given a holiday due to the severe rainfall.

On January 8, holidays have been proclaimed in the districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Kallakurichi, and Chengalpattu.On January 8, a holiday was proclaimed for schools and institutions in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Cuddalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Kallakurichi, and Chengalpattu, because of severe rains.On January 8, 2023, Mayiladuthurai District Collector A.P. Mahabharathi issued a holiday for the district's colleges and schools. Johny Tom Varghese, the district collector of Nagapattinam, announced a holiday for colleges and schools in the taluks of Kilvelur and Nagapattinam. Nonetheless, schools in the taluks of Thirukuvalai and Vedaranyam will continue to operate. From 8.30 a.m. on January 7 to 5.30 a.m. on January 8, 16.7 cm of rain fell in Nagapattinam. The locations with the most rainfall were Karaikal (12.2 cm), Puducherry (9.6 cm), Cuddalore (9.3 cm), and Ennore (9.2 cm).  

Kerala Tourism's latest post adopts a strategy from the Bible app's immensely popular advertisement.

Kerala Tourism's Instagram image serves as proof that original creative works eventually become modified when they become popular.Here, the Indian state's tourism bureau has adapted an advertisement from the Bible smartphone app for the Toronto Subway and given it a desi flair.Satan gives the Bible app's advertisement a zero-star rating, indicating that it supports God's message. Kerala Tourism, on the other hand, employed the same template, but in place of the devil, they substituted a jealous buddy who rates the state with a single star when questioned about a solo trip. The tourism board pays homage to the original inventor of "IYKYK!" in the post's caption. Social media users were sharing screenshots of the Bible app advertisement. In a LinkedIn post, former Dentsu executive A D analyzed the two advertisements and said that the Bible ad was taken from a Toronto Subway train. An OOH ad featuring famous doppelgängers was launched by Sleepy Owl last year to demonstrate that even celebrities love their coffee. It admittedly drew inspiration from the Out-of-home (OOH) marketing of UK-based cereal manufacturer Surreal, which featured endorsements from Dwayne Johnson, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan, all of whom gushed about how much they like the cereal. It turned out that the celebrities' names were shared by common folks.  

Weak rural demand is anticipated to have an influence on the volume growth of FMCG companies in Q3.

Leading FMCG companies anticipate sequential improvement in consumer demand and low to mid-single-digit volume growth in the October–December quarter. Leading listed FMCG companies including Dabur, Marico, and Godrej Consumer Products stated in their quarterly reports that consumer demand from the rural market is trailing, even while the urban markets remained stable in the third quarter as demonstrated in the September quarter.Businesses anticipate a slow recovery since there are encouraging trends in volume trends and early indications of a recovery in consumption.Additionally, the producers anticipate growth in gross margins year over year, which will be aided by a moderating effect on inflation as the costs of essential inputs, including copra and edible oil, continue to be lower, and there has been some downward bias in the prices of crude derivatives. This will assist FMCG companies in allocating more funding for marketing and promotions. "Increasing advertising and promotion (A&P) spending will be the primary driver of a sizable amount of the gross margin growth. As a result, operating profit is anticipated to increase year over year and record an improvement, according to Dabur India's quarterly updates. This is somewhat faster than revenue growth.  

MC Stan and MS Dhoni collaborate on Fire-Boltt

Leading Indian smart wearable manufacturer Fire-Boltt releases the #GaleTohMil advertisement, which stars the most unexpected pair—cricket great MS Dhoni and well-known Indian rapper MC Stan. This engaging movie seeks to showcase the exceptional qualities of Fire-Boltt's most recent invention, the ground-breaking Wristphone, which flawlessly blends the endless possibilities of a smartphone with the practicality of a smartwatch. With #GaleTohMil, Fire-Boltt showcases how technology is seamlessly incorporated into daily life while offering a new take on the marriage of sports and music.The video, which was conceptualized and filmed by the innovative powerhouse Moonshot, enthralls viewers with its distinctive fusion of humor, technology, and star power. The narrative takes place at a party, where MS Dhoni is approached by MC Stan and has an embarrassing encounter. As Dhoni struggles to remember Stan's name and songs, tension grows and the scenario takes an unexpected turn. The situation is amusing yet relatable.The story revolves around the Fire-Boltt Wristphone, which plays a pivotal role in saving Dhoni's life by giving him the knowledge he finds difficult to recall. The movie does a good job of conveying how useful the wristwatch is and why it is deserving of the hashtag #TheSmartestSmartwatch. "We are proud to introduce our first-ever Wristphone through this entertaining and engaging ad film featuring two iconic personalities, MS Dhoni and MC Stan," stated Arnav Kishore, CEO and Founder of Fire-Boltt. This wearable technology product is revolutionary, and we think the movie will do a great job of conveying to our viewers what makes it special. To guarantee broad visibility, the advertisement film will be heavily promoted on OTT channels and social media sites. Fire-Boltt wants to engage audiences from a varie  

CCDT and MnM Talkies Work Together for Human Rights #KripyaDhyanDein

Leading content provider MnM Talkies, which specializes in audio stories and podcasts, has partnered with Committed regions Development Trust (CCDT), a nonprofit committed to helping impoverished children in underserved regions. Together, they hope to produce an engaging audio project that uses sound's immersive quality to highlight human rights abuses, especially those that impact women and children. By collaborating with CCDT, an organization dedicated to advancing fairness and defending the rights of underprivileged children and families, MnM Talkies raises awareness of the voices of people whose tales are frequently ignored. nearly the course of the last 30 years, CCDT's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations has had a significant influence on the lives of nearly 2 million children and families in distress throughout Maharashtra by propelling rights- and needs-based initiatives.Under the moniker "Kripya Dhyaan Dein" (Please Pay Attention), the cooperation has produced a number of audio wonders that aim to awaken the public and inspire them to pay attentive attention to the stories of persons around them. MnM Talkies and CCDT have skillfully communicated the urgency of human rights awareness, demonstrating sympathy with those impacted by abuses through fictional storylines grounded in real-life experiences. These powerful tales, which can be found on social media and different audio platforms, operate as a call to action for people to change the world and speak up in favor of human rights. This endeavor serves as a light of hope in the face of global human rights crises, inspiring listeners to deeply engage with these issues. The world needs transformative actions. In the spirit    

Why 2024 will be a year of entertainment media mergers

An existential crisis is plaguing India's entertainment industry as a result of changes in customer behavior. Globally, traditional media companies are likewise having difficulty and are looking to consolidate in order to maintain their heritage operations and reduce losses from their digital endeavors. The OTT market is having difficulties as audience growth slows and content costs rise. Indian broadcasting companies are experimenting with hybrid OTT revenue models, but they are up against e-commerce sites and software titans for digital ad dollars. The industry is at a loss as to how to proceed, whether it be through mergers or modifications to business structures.Will the business of linear television face an acceleration of collapse by 2024? Will broadcasting businesses be merging this year? Will internet behemoths in the technology sector steal viewers and money from over-the-top (OTT) video streaming services, or will they be able to survive? India's sizable entertainment corporations are facing challenges from digitally-powered businesses and changing consumer behavior, leading them to ask some unsettling questions.