Varuna Group and AHF – AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION India Cares, Partner to Combat HIV/AIDS Through a Campaign for Long Distance Truck Drivers Across India

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September 29, 2023

Varuna Group is proud to start its latest initiative aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and promoting safe sex practices within the Long Distance Truckers community. This campaign comes in response to the pressing need to address the vulnerability of drivers who, due to their constant involvement in extended journeys and possible vulnerability to engage in unsafe sexual practices, are considered a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS transmission. The brand is partnering with AHF India Cares, a reputable global non-profit foundation working in 45 countries, to provide support for Free HIV testing, awareness, and free Condom distribution. As part of this extensive campaign, Varuna Group and AHF India Cares aims at organising a series of awareness, training and Free HIV/SYPHILLIS testing sessions in different cities across India, with a primary focus on long-haul drivers.

Varuna Groups Trucks: Rolling Billboards for Health! Suraksha Chune Swasth Rahe

The campaigns tagline, Suraksha Chune, Swasth Rahe, summarises the core message of choosing safety for a healthy life. To visually reinforce this message, Varuna Group has adorned it’s trailers with striking HIV/AIDS awareness graphics, making them mobile billboards of prevention and awareness. Trucks carrying the HIV prevention message of “Suraksha Chune, Swasth Rahe will traverse across India carrying consignments & reaching out to people in different districts with their message. Last month, the campaign made its debut in Dharuhera, with a training session on the risks and consequences of HIV, along with awareness on free HIV treatment for anyone who is found HIV positive. The training session was followed by Free HIV / SYPHILLIS rapid testing for drivers as well as distribution of Free LOVE Condoms. Signifying its commitment towards people living with HIV, AHF India Cares will provide free provision of Antiretroviral therapy (HIV medication), for anyone found infected with HIV, in AHF “PEOPLES’ CLINICS. Bareilly was the second fleet hub to undergo the training for its drivers and had an overwhelming participation from Truckers.

Dr. V. Sam Prasad, Country Program Director of AHF India Cares, said – “The Trucking community has considerably expanded in the current Post COVID era with the markets seeing a surge of companies in the “Logistics and Supply chain” sector. Most of these new generation Truckers are Young and have limited access to resources like Free Condoms that will empower them to prevent acquiring HIV/STI infections. Access to Free HIV testing among Long Distance Trucking community at their workplace, in the presence of PEERS and colleagues removes inhibitions and stigma. The Suraksha Chune, Swasth Rahe campaign aims to bring awareness to the Trucking community on prevention of HIV/STI infections, provide them with FREE CONDOMS and train them to further train the young truck drivers that enter their fraternity.“

Mr. Vivek Juneja, Managing Director, Varuna Group, expressed, “We are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of long-haul drivers and their communities. Through our collaboration with AHF India Cares and our concerted efforts to raise awareness and promote safe sex practices, we aim to empower drivers with the knowledge and resources they need, to protect themselves and their partners. By promoting cautious sexual behaviour and highlighting safe sex practices among drivers, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect that extends to the wider community, ultimately stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS.”

About Varuna Group
About Varuna Group – It was founded in 1996 by Vikas Juneja and Vivek Juneja on the principles of customer-centricity, operational excellence, and transparency. Over the years, it has established itself as one of India’s leading providers of technology-enabled logistics services through three business verticals – Varuna Logistics, Varuna Warehousing, and Varuna Integrated Services. Powered by the resolve and devotion of 1500+ employees, the organisation has successfully reduced the effective landed cost of products for 130+ clients, coupled with accelerated growth. Setting the standard for efficiency, predictability, and reliability across 15+ industries, Varuna Group owns one of India’s largest fleets of 2000+ trucks and one of the largest warehousing spaces spread across 1.2 million sq. ft. – offering both dedicated and multi-user formats.

AIS Glass Solutions Limited Acquires Assets of Balaji Building Technologies Limited in Strategic Deal

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Allwyn Mathew

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September 29, 2023

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AIS Glass Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS), has confirmed acquisition of certain assets of Balaji Building Technologies, Bengaluru (BBT) in BBT’s business of architectural glass processing.

In line with its vision of being present across key markets in India as well as closer to key customers, AIS-GS shall use the premises and assets of BBT for its own operations. AIS as a group operates building glass processing facilities in Roorkee (North), Taloja (West) and now with the acquisition of BBT’s assets, AIS GS will restart its glass processing operations in South India.

AIS shall now be able to continue its state-of-the-art manufacturing operations efficiently, to cater to the growing demand of AIS’s architectural glass products in South India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vikram Khanna, COO Consumer and Architectural Institutional Glass-Asahi India Glass Limited said, “AIS has always conducted its business in a very responsible manner, with highest standards of ethics, commitment to all its stakeholders, and with best-in-class quality products and services. Acquisition of BBT’s assets is a key milestone in our journey to come even closer to the customer/s and offer them a superior SEQCDDM proposition. The acquisition will enable AIS GS to increase its capacity and market coverage and we will continue to serve the customers of BBT and AIS across the region.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Konidala Balaji, Founder & MD, BBT said, “This is a historic moment for me personally, and everyone at BBT. AIS is one of the finest glass companies with the latest technology, products & services, and ethical track record. BBT is proud to have associated with AIS and we are happy that our esteemed customers will be in good hands. BBT is exiting the glass processing business after a good track record of almost 2 decades and we are all very proud of the same. AIS will take the journey forward from here and I am committed to support AIS to continue to service our customers who have been with us on this journey.”

About AIS Glass Solutions

AIS Glass Solutions – a subsidiary of Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS), was set up in 2004. It has emerged as India’s biggest organised player in the architectural glass processing segment – manufacturing branded, value-added glass products and solutions. AIS Group has 2 state-of-the-art architectural glass processing facilities located at Roorkee (Uttarakhand) in North India and at Taloja (Maharashtra) in West India.

AIS Glass Solutions supplies the following products: AIS StronglasTM – impact resistant glass, AIS SecurityglasTM – burglar resistant glass, AIS AcousticglasTM – sound resistant glass.

Company Website: www.aisglass.com.

About Balaji Building Technologies Limited

Balaji Building Technologies Limited is an end-to-end solutions provider to all apertures of buildings including windows, glass walls, and facade exteriors. Founded by Mr. Konidala Balaji and formerly known as Balaji Safety Glass Pvt Limited (BSG), BBT has been into the manufacturing of processed glass since 2003. BBT’s processed glass products are used as safety glass on a wide variety of applications ranging from facades for buildings, show windows for commercial establishments and various other architectural and interior needs.

Big Bang Boom to Showcase its Globally Sought after Technologies for the Naval Sector Developed Under the IDEX SPRINT Initiative at ‘Swavlamban’

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Allwyn Mathew

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September 29, 2023

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India’s fastest growing startup in the deftech sector, Big Bang Boom Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (BBBS), confirmed its participation for ‘Swavlamban‘, the annual seminar of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), scheduled on 04-05 October 2023 at the grand ‘Bharat Mandapam‘ at New Delhi. BBBS will showcase its award winning technologies developed under the SPRINT initiative.

BBBS IDEX SPRINT products a big hit at the India – Israel Industrial Defence Summit

The second edition of NIIO, follows the resounding success of the inaugural edition held in July 2022. The first edition of Swavlamban witnessed the honourable Prime Minister launching the SPRINT Challenges initiative. Under SPRINT, 75 challenges were presented to startups and MSMEs, aimed at fostering the use of indigenous technology within the Indian Navy. The Navy is committed to developing a minimum of 75 technologies and products in line with the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

Mayil – BBBS Autonomous Firefighting Drone developed under IDEX SPRINT

SPRINT, which stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in RD through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), is a collaborative initiative involving the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), NIIO (Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation), and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC).

Speaking about the experience Dr. R Shivaraman the Co-founder, and head of the Research and Product Development at Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS) said, “The SPRINT has, quite literally, been a sprint. Things that have been achieved in a few months are unimaginable and will provide a big boost to Atmarnirbharta in Defence in the coming years. It has especially been a boon to startups like us. It is heartening to see that orders are being placed quickly. AONs for Rs 1500 crores is music to the ears of the domestic defence industry. Many more orders are in the pipeline. People are normally wary about entering the defence market because of the long timelines and complex procedures. iDEX and TDAC have shown how this can be changed. This will certainly open more doors in the future and encourage many more startups to consider getting into the defence sector.”

Eloborating on the upcoming event, Dr. R Shivaraman, said, “Swavlamban promises to be jam packed exciting two days for all participants. With such a packed agenda to cover, we will have a large presence at New Delhi so as to not miss out on anything. Of course, the highlight of Day 2 would be the interactive session with industry and interaction with Defence Attaches from over 50 countries. This is not something that small startups can hope for even in mega events like the DefExpo. As a company we already work with clients and partners from the UK, Israel, Finland and Australia. We had also recently been a part of the Ministry of Defence delegation to Israel where we were able to attract significant interest in technological solutions. We are thankful to the Navy for giving us this chance and we hope we will be able to much more international traction after this event.”

He further added, “We started Big Bang Boom (BBB) five years back, with an idea to build indigenous deep-tech products in India and were amongst the first companies to jump on the iDEX platform. We were the first company to win challenges, complete trials and successfully get a contract under the now popular iDEX program. Of course, with SPRINT the iDEX scheme has been taken to another level altogether. We have successfully designed, developed and completed trials for several key products such as anti drone systems, situational awareness for armored vehicles and improved fire fighting foam for naval applications. Of course! Massive potential I would say.”

About Big Bang Boom Solutions

Big Bang Boom Solutions was started in 2018 by Dr. Shivaraman Ramaswamy and Praveen Dwarakanath, both serial entrepreneurs with excellent track records. The company managed to win five prestigious iDEX grants and 2 more with partners from the Defence Innovation Organization, Department of Defence Production; and is on track to deliver cutting-edge technology systems to the Indian Armed Forces. They also have other products which they have developed in-house and were displayed at the Defence Expo, Aero India and iDex at Abu Dhabi. They have been awarded multiple awards by Skoch, and recognized as one of the top 10 defence startups in India. They have been granted incubation facilities with T-Hub in Hyderabad and Forge in Coimbatore.

HealthMug partners with ThriveCo to elevate personal care product offerings

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BRL Editor

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September 29, 2023

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New Delhi, 29th Sept 2023– HealthMugPvt. Ltd., a leading online health and wellness platform, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with ThriveCo, a brand under Anveya Living Private Limited, dedicated to delivering highly clinical, effective, and regiment-based personal care products.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies as they embark on a journey to provide customers with top-quality personal care solutions that enhance well-being and confidence.

ThriveCo has been at the forefront of the personal care industry, offering a range of products designed to address precise hair and skin care concerns without the need for invasive procedures. The brand’s commitment to clinical excellence and clean formulations aligns perfectly with HealthMug’s mission to provide customers with the best health and wellness solutions.

Nakul Bhatnagar, Business Unit Head at ThriveCo, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “At ThriveCo, we’ve always been passionate about providing our customers with high-quality personal care products that enhance their well-being and boost their confidence. We believe that our collaboration with HealthMug will open up new avenues and opportunities to share our brand’s mission with an even wider audience. Our team is eager to collaborate closely with yours to ensure a smooth and successful journey ahead. We look forward to working hand-in-hand to explore new marketing strategies, expand our product offerings, and deliver exceptional experiences to customers on HealthMug.”

Dr. Mohit Agarwal, Co-Founder of HealthMugPvt. Ltd. shared his perspective on the partnership, stating, “Over the past few weeks, we have been in discussions with the ThriveCoteam to explore the possibility of working together on a project that aligns perfectly with our company mission and values. This collaboration presents a significant opportunity for us to leverage our respective strengths and create something truly remarkable for our customers and the market as a whole. Together, we will be trying to attain a good sales number in the upcoming quarter. To start with, we both will be targeting 10-12% growth in the current sales in the personal care category.”

ThriveCo’s product range, available exclusively through its store, addresses deep and precise hair and skin care issues with clinical precision. These products serve as a non-invasive alternative to needle-based procedures, often surpassing their effectiveness. Customers can explore both brands offered by Anveya Living Private Limited, including Anveya, nature-based premium beauty and personal care brand, and ThriveCo, known for its highly clinical cause-based skin and hair products.

This collaboration between HealthMug and ThriveCo promises to bring forth innovative personal care solutions that empower individuals to look and feel their best. Both companies are committed to excellence, quality, and customer satisfaction, making this partnership a win-win for consumers seeking premium personal care options.

For media inquiries and more information about HealthMug and ThriveCo, please contact:

About HealthMugPvt. Ltd.:

HealthMugPvt. Ltd. is a leading online platform dedicated to providing a wide range of Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, and wellness products to customers across India. With a focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, HealthMug is committed to promoting a healthier lifestyle.

About ThriveCo:

ThriveCo is a brand under Anveya Living Private Limited, offering highly clinical, effective, and clean personal care products. ThriveCo’s range of at-home solutions addresses specific hair and skin care concerns with precision, providing customers with non-invasive alternatives to traditional procedures.

Dermatology-focused Clinikally raises $2.6mn in funding

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BRL Editor

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September 29, 2023

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Digital healthcare platform Clinikally has secured $2.6 million in a new round from Y Combinator, Tribe Capital, Goodwater Capital, Sequoia Scout Fund, and Rebel Fund.

Some prominent angel investors, including Arash Ferdowsi, Kunal Shah, Austen Allred, Qasar Younis, Alagu Periyannan, Tanay Tandon, Deepika Bodapati, and James Beshara, participated in the funding.

It was a part of Y Combinator’s summer 2022 batch.

Arjun Soin founded Clinikally in late 2021 to connect consumers with licensed dermatology practitioners, addressing individual clinical requirements related to various conditions like acne, hair loss, hyperpigmentation, eczema, rosacea, and melasma, among others. The company has also introduced a feature that automatically generates treatment plans based on condition-specific diagnostics and questionnaires.

The Gurugram-based company asserts that it has assisted more than 450,000 users across 500 cities.

In terms of products, Clinikally’s offerings compete or overlap with those of 1mg, Netmeds, and Pharmeasy. When it comes to teleconsultations, it faces competition from Practo and MediBuddy, while Apollo Online offers both products and teleconsultations.

Clinikally generates revenue from two sources: B2C, which includes a multi-brand online pharmacy and telehealth services, and B2B2C, a private label exclusively available at physical clinics.

Before this, Clinikally had secured $500,000 in funding in July 2022 and had the support of individuals such as Shutterstock CEO and founder Jon Oringer’s Parento Holdings, as well as ReNew Power founder Sumant Sinha, among others.

PierSight receives $600,000 in pre-seed funding

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BRL Editor

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September 27, 2023

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PierSight, an ocean surveillance startup, has secured $600,000 in a pre-seed round led by All In Capital. Early-stage startup investment firms, accelerator Techstars, entrepreneurs and angel investors like Andreas Klinger, Vismay Agrawal, and Nikunj Jalan also participated in the round.

The Ahmedabad-based startup will utilize the funds to enhance its satellite subsystems by strengthening its talent base and procuring key electronic components for integration and comprehensive testing. It also has plans to improve its technology readiness. It seeks partnerships with organizations in the social and environmental sectors for problem-solving, developing prototypes, and collaborating on studies.

“PierSight stands out as an extraordinary combination of profound technical expertise and sharp business insight. We are particularly excited about their pioneering approach in harnessing defence technology, specifically SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), to achieve persistent ship monitoring,” Kushal Bhagia, Founder of All In Capital, said.

Gaurav Seth (Ex-ISRO) and Vinit Bansal (Ex-National Instruments) co-founded PierSight, a company with a mission to offer persistent ocean surveillance using a constellation of SAR imaging and Automatic Identification System satellites. SAR technology enables precise imaging under various weather conditions and during nighttime. PierSight aims to monitor maritime operations at 30-minute intervals continuously.

Fintech startup Bright Money secures $62mn in equity and debt round

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BRL Editor

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September 27, 2023

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Consumer fintech company Bright Money said on Wednesday that it had closed a $62 million funding round. The funding includes $12 million in equity led by Alpha Wave, Hummingbird, and PeakXV and $50 million in debt from Encina Lender Finance. In the US and Canada, Encina Lender Finance offers lending solutions to consumer and commercial speciality financing companies.

Bright Money is a consumer fintech startup that uses data science to help Americans get out of debt. It was founded in 2019 by a team from McKinsey’s Banking Practice (Petko Plachkov and Avi Patchava) and InMobi Data Scientists (Avi Patchava, Varun Modi, Avinash Ramakath, Jay Merwade, and Amit Bendale). It’s a mobile app which includes all the products and tools someone needs to manage and minimize debt.

Bright Money products include credit score building, automated debt paydown plans, financial planning, budget planning tools, and refinance loans. It works with credit cards, student loans, and car loans.

“At Bright Money, we have seen a 6x growth in the last year and now reach hundreds of thousands of users. We believe data is a positive force that can have transformative effects if used effectively. Our team is passionate about the application of Data Sciences and AI to solve real-world problems for the everyday consumer who is managing high debt,” stated Avi Patchava, Co-founder and co-CEO of Bright Money.

“At Bright Money, we are a team of Data Scientists, Engineers, Product Builders, and Service professionals who want to build the world’s best technology to help people get out of debt and build their credit,” said Petko Plachkov, Co-founder & Co-CEO, of Bright Money. “The funding will be deployed towards building robust teams across product development, technology, analytics, and support functions like compliance and customer service,” he added.

Shiftz, the tech-led hospitality staffing platform, launches operations in the UAE

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BRL Editor

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September 26, 2023

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Shiftz, a technology-driven staffing platform tailored for the hospitality industry, expanded its services and launched in the UAE within just three months of its debut in India. The platform, which provides a user-friendly application serving the needs of both workers and recruiters in the hospitality industry, aims to address human resource challenges and streamline the staffing process in the UAE. This move comes as the UAE’s hospitality market, expected to witness a 25 percent growth by 2030, ranks among the world’s most thriving in the industry.

Shiftz, a pioneering platform in the hospitality industry, concentrates on instantly facilitating ideal matches. It has collaborated with renowned industry leaders like Taj Hotels, Ginger Hotels, Barista Coffee, Chalet Hotels, and others. The SaaS platform oversees the entire workflow, encompassing hiring, task management, compensation, and employee retention.

After a successful launch in India, the company is venturing out into the United Arab Emirates, on which Rachit Mathur, CEO of Shiftz, remarks, ‘The UAE attracts millions of people from across the world every year. This influx of tourists has boosted the tourism industry and in turn resulted in the growth and development of the country’s hospitality sector to a large extent. This calls for the need for a strong manpower to support the fast-advancing industry. Our journey into the UAE market marks our commitment to revolutionize recruitment in the hospitality industry in the region. As the founder, I am thrilled to announce that our UAE operations are being driven by our founding partners, Elrona D’Souza, SHRM-SCPSM and Desma Rovina D’Souza, who are seasoned HR professionals with over 40 years of experience across the UAE. They have held top leadership roles with iconic brands prior to setting up their award-winning boutique HR Consultancy in Dubai.’

In June 2023, Shiftz initiated its operations in New Delhi, and it has already amassed a user base of more than 20,000 individuals, experiencing a monthly growth rate of 50 percent. Presently serving a clientele exceeding 100, Shiftz actively tackles the numerous challenges within the hospitality sector, such as high attrition rates, low job fill rates, and limited relevant job opportunities. The platform utilizes an AI-powered discovery engine to aid companies in locating the most suitable on-demand workers, with each profile undergoing a thorough background check and detailed verification.

“We are very excited about Shiftz entering the UAE. We understand the potential of a platform like this is huge in the UAE market as it’s a fast growing one and hospitality is the backbone of this region,” quotes Desma Rovina D’Souza, founding partner, Shiftz UAE.

Shiftz offers workers an extensive array of more than 50 job roles to choose from, facilitating comprehensive employment options while simultaneously aiding hospitality businesses in expanding their operations without incurring fixed payroll expenses. Additionally, it presents upskilling opportunities for professionals in various cross-functional positions, enabling them to enhance their skill sets.

The platform encompasses a broad spectrum of remote workforce management components, including communication, security, task management, a discovery engine, a transparent dashboard, and upskilling tools. The Shiftz app has been purposefully designed to enhance productivity, foster long-term engagement, and provide flexible choices to both parties involved. Ultimately, Shiftz aspires to not only resolve staffing challenges but also evolve into an inspiring platform for professionals within the hospitality industry.

Moseta Energy showcases innovative solar solutions at Greater Noida International Trade Show

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BRL Editor

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September 26, 2023

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New Delhi, 26th Sept, 2023 – Moseta Energy, a trailblazer in lithium technology and sustainable energy solutions, has made a significant impact at the recent International Trade Show held in Greater Noida. The company proudly unveiled a lineup of groundbreaking solar products, including Solar Inverters, Solar Air Conditioners (ACs), and Solar Refrigerators, poised to transform the solar energy landscape.

Moseta Energy is a leader in pioneering lithium technology, delivering high-performance lithium batteries that offer unparalleled energy density, extended lifespan, and rapid charging capabilities. Their products empower solar systems to achieve peak efficiency, exemplifying their commitment to sustainable energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

A standout offering at the International Trade Show was Moseta Energy’s Solar Air Conditioner. This innovative technology harnesses solar power to provide cooling solutions with a range of benefits:

Energy Savings: Solar air conditioners significantly reduce reliance on conventional energy sources, resulting in substantial reductions in electricity bills.

Environmentally Friendly: As a clean and renewable energy source, solar air conditioners emit zero greenhouse gases, making them a vital tool in combatting climate change.

Enhanced Reliability: Solar air conditioners are inherently more resilient to power outages and brownouts, ensuring continuous comfort even in adverse conditions.

Long-Term Cost Savings: These solar-powered systems boast an extended lifespan and require minimal maintenance, translating into substantial long-term cost savings for homeowners and businesses alike.

Increased Property Value: Homes equipped with solar air conditioners are more attractive to eco-conscious buyers, enhancing overall property value.

Mr. Ashutosh Verma, Founder of Moseta Energy, expressed his enthusiasm about the company’s participation in the International Trade Show, stating, “Our showcased solar solutions are a testament to Moseta Energy’s dedication to creating a more sustainable world. We believe that our innovative products will not only save energy and reduce costs but also contribute to a greener future for generations to come.”

About Moseta Energy:

Moseta Energy is a pioneer in lithium technology, offering high-performance batteries and sustainable energy solutions. With a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, Moseta Energy is transforming the way we harness and utilize clean energy.

For more information about Moseta Energy’s solar solutions and other groundbreaking lithium technologies, please visit their Website :- www.moseta.in

D2C beauty and personal care brand Pilgrim secures $20mn in funding

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BRL Editor

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September 26, 2023

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Direct-to-consumer (D2C) personal care brand Pilgrim announced that it has raised $20 million in its latest funding round, led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Existing investors Fireside Ventures and the Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office also participated in the round.

Anurag Kedia, the founder of Pilgrim, stated that around $14 million of the round’s overall funding came from a primary share sale, with the remaining funds coming from a secondary transaction. The company declined to provide details about investors selling shares in the round and its valuation after the round valuation.

In a secondary transaction, as opposed to a primary investment, an existing investor sells all or a part of their shares to another investor, and the money doesn’t come to the company.

The Mumbai-based company stated that it planned to use the funds raised to boost its offline expansion plans, brand-building initiatives, and research and development projects. By 2025, the company aims to achieve an annualized revenue run rate (ARR) of Rs 1,000 crore.

Pilgrim plans to launch five exclusive outlets by the end of this year, with a focus on major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. It is present in about 300 partner stores that sell beauty and personal care products at the moment.

This funding round fits into a larger trend among D2C brands looking to expand across omni-channels in order to build a physical presence. To speed up its entry into the offline market, Pilgrim appointed Vishakh Narendran as its chief business officer in May 2023. According to the company, it wants to diversify into more modern trade outlets.

Kedia said the firm achieved its highest monthly revenue of Rs 25 crore in gross sales in August, translating to an annual run rate of Rs 300 crore in gross sales. The firm had grown three times in the last 12 months, he added.

Kedia and Makker sounded optimistic about the upcoming festive season. “We are entering the festive season, and for most consumer brands, months like October, November, and December are the peak time for sales. We hope that we can build upon what we have already delivered in August, and we expect to add close to 30-40 stock keeping units (SKUs) by December this year over the around 90 SKUs we currently have in our portfolio.”

According to a statement from the company, Pilgrim previously secured funding totaling Rs 48 crore from investors, including Fireside Ventures and the Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office.

“Vertex Ventures is a Southeast Asia fund, and that network is going to be fairly useful in the future as we look at international expansion. They can bring in learnings from what is happening in other geographies and draw parallels to the Indian market where Pilgrim could play a significant role in,” Kedia said about onboarding Vertex Ventures into their captable.

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