Sandy Hussain

"He's gifting India its cultural swagger back, one package at a time" Met Nitin Jain, the force behind Indigifts, at the D2C Summit. Talk about a breath of fresh air in the gifting world! Indigifts isn't just another gift shop. It's a beautiful blend of culture, creativity, and consciousness. Nitin's vision? Bringing the heart of India to every gift-giving moment. What struck me most was Indigifts' commitment to being truly 'indigenous'. They're not just selling products; they're preserving traditions, supporting local artisans, and spreading joy – all wrapped up in one thoughtful package. From quirky kitchen signs to eco-friendly Rakhis, Indigifts is proving that you can stay rooted in culture while branching out with innovation. It's gifting with a purpose, and I'm here for it. Nitin, if you're reading this – your passion for reimagining Indian gifting is infectious. You're not just creating products; you're crafting experiences that celebrate our rich heritage. Can't wait to see how you continue to surprise and delight. Here's to the entrepreneurs who remind us that the best gifts come with a story, a smile, and a slice of India! What's your most memorable gift that celebrated Indian culture? Share your stories below!

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Raised $26,000,000 with just an idea Lyskraft India Pvt Ltd - the latest kid in the block! So, Mukesh Bansal is back with another startup this time with Mohit Gupta, the former CEO of Zomato's food delivery arm. In July of last year, there were reports about Bansal and Gupta raising funds for a new venture. As per TechCrunch, both of them pitched a range of ideas to potential backers like a female-focused counterpart to Manyavar and "Infosys 2.0" a presumed upgrade to a multinational IT services and consulting firm. Now finally... The news is out and we know what they are building, Lyskraft: initially a women's only marketplace for premium brands mostly focusing on Gen-Z shoppers. Recently we have seen giant e-commerce platforms launching dedicated portals to attract GenZ shoppers, like SPOYL launched by Flipkart within its app, FWD by Myntra, also we are seeing the growth of new-age startups working in this space like Virgio(Mukesh Bansal is an investor in it), Newme(recently raised $4,500,000), Absolute Brands, Snitch, Styched and many more As per Inc42's Report, India's fashion and apparel sector is projected to reach a mouth-watering $112 Billion by 2030, which will be over a quarter of the country's $400 Billion e-commerce market!! Let's be honest, anyone will want a piece of this market. As we are already aware of how crowded this space is, let's see how Lyskraft differentiates itself from others. Mohit Gupts and Mukesh Bansal, in this crowded space building a community around your product, building digital IPs, and creating experiences through videos are the ways to elevate your brand to the next level. I the founder of Elevate would love to connect and assist Lyskraft in building a community, digital IPs and help create experiences through videos, if that sounds like something that interests you would love to connect and discuss!! sources of information : TechCrunch article 2021 - https://bit.ly/49UwkLI Inc42 article - https://bit.ly/3w0SDlb #mukeshbansal #myntra #fashion #startups #venturecapital #fundingwinter #norevenue #cultfit #community #communitymarketing #socialmediamarketing #india

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The Rise and Rise of ObserveNow #observenow #observenowmedia #observenoweducation #b2bevents #event #marketing #startup #starupjourney #entrepreneurship #womeninbusiness #observenowelca #elca2024 #elcachandigarh

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Fresh Dekho. Bada Dekho: A Cross-Collaboration Triumph with Kartik Aaryan In an era where digital streaming services are vying for attention, the cinema experience remains unparalleled. Recognizing this, PVR INOX has launched its latest brand campaign, "Fresh Dekho. Bada Dekho," featuring the charismatic Kartik Aaryan. This campaign underscores the joy and vibrant freshness that comes with experiencing movies in a cinema hall, an experience that is unique and irreplaceable. The "Fresh Dekho. Bada Dekho" campaign celebrates the essence of cinema, focusing on the immediacy and excitement of watching a movie on the big screen. The campaign captures the thrill and excitement that come with viewing a new release in a theatre, surrounded by fellow movie enthusiasts. Kartik Aaryan’s relatable presence in the campaign video eloquently narrates the magic of cinema in his signature style, emphasizing the unique energy and collective experience that only a cinema hall can offer. This initiative is a testament to the rising trend of cross-collaboration and effective collaborative strategies in the entertainment industry. By leveraging Kartik Aaryan's popularity, PVR INOX not only amplifies the campaign's reach but also enhances the overall cinematic experience for the audience. Such collaborations bring mutual benefits, with the cinema brand gaining a charismatic face to attract audiences, while the actor enjoys heightened visibility and engagement with fans in a shared space. Kartik Aaryan's new movie, "Chandu Champion," will be showcased across cinemas, digital platforms, and television. This multi-platform strategy ensures that the movie reaches a broad audience, maximizing its impact. The association between Kartik Aaryan and PVR INOX's campaign amplifies the reach and impact of both the new movie and PVR’s offerings. Commenting on the campaign, Gautam Dutta, CEO – Revenue and Operations, PVR INOX, said, “We are delighted to unveil our new campaign, ‘Fresh Dekho. Bada Dekho,’ which reflects our commitment to bringing the freshest and most exhilarating cinematic experiences to our audience.” As I eagerly await the release of "Chandu Champion," it is clear that this campaign not only highlights the magic of cinema but also exemplifies the power of strategic cross-collaboration in today’s entertainment landscape. Here's wishing the new movie great success and hoping that audiences continue to enjoy the unparalleled experience of watching films in the cinema hall. #Indianfilmindustry #india #marketing #startegy #crosscollaboration #business #founders #entrepreneurs #Marketer #markettrends #experts #movies #successfulcampaigns News Information credits to afaqs!

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🚨 Stellaris Venture Partners has made over 30 times returns on its early bet on Honasa Consumer, the parent company of #Mamaearth The Rs 27 crore invested in Mamaearth has already returned Rs 800 crore in cash. And Stellaris holds shares worth Rs 200 crore right now 🤑 This has helped Stellaris return the entire first fund. Now, Stellaris has raised a massive $300 mn for its third fund, three times larger than its maiden fund of $90 mn This is also one of the largest raises by an India-focused venture firm in 2024 till now 💰 #startups #india #venturecapital #funds #returns https://lnkd.in/gvVw7SU2

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Thrilled to announce the launch of our game-changing report, Ecommerce Mindscape India 2024! Empower your business with MarTech strategies to tap into the massive growth of the Indian ecommerce market.🚀 Download the report now: https://lnkd.in/dG2RE37B This comprehensive guide includes: 🔹 How Gen AI is revolutionizing the ecommerce experience. 🔹 Advanced personalization techniques driving conversions. 🔹 Deep dives into consumer behavior and preferences. 🔹 Strategies to combat rising customer acquisition costs. Don’t miss out on these insights. Let’s innovate and lead the future of ecommerce together! #EcommerceMindscape2024 #EcommerceTrends #MarketingInnovation #ConsumerBehaviour #MarketingBenchmarks #NetcoreCloud

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ICYMI: Reliance Industries Limited and Disney+ Hotstar are confirmed for a merger following the approval of India's MIB and CCI. This merger is set to create India's largest media conglomerate of Viacom18 Media Private Limited and Disney Star at a combined valuation of ₹70,000 cr or $8.5 billion. Aside from the lack of clarity regarding overlapping regional channels and operational structure, there are concerns that this merger is dangerously monopolistic in nature, especially in the sports broadcasting sector - Viacom 18 and Disney have exclusive streaming rights for Indian Premier League India and ICC matches respectively. Last year, Disney Hotstar lost an estimated 2.8 million subscribers in Q4, largely owing to a price hike for their streaming subscriptions and Viacom18 taking over IPL streaming rights. With this merger, the duo's pricing power could be largely inelastic, raising the question of how the average consumer will be impacted, particularly in a cricket-obsessed market like India. The CCI is said to be closely monitoring how this merger changes market practices in India. Given that this merged entity is far too ahead of competitors across several industries - media streaming, sports streaming and advertising - for it to be realistically challenged in the next 3-5yrs, I'm curious to see how the media market regulates itself with this duopoly at the helm. #relianceindustries #disney #hotstar #viacom18 #media #streaming #sports #livesports #cricket #ipl #icc #india #advertising

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Most dating apps use Location as a proxy for compatibility – facilitating matches based on convenience rather than substance. At flutrr we’re dedicated to fostering meaningful, long-term relationships. That’s why we offer our users unrestricted access across India—free of paywalls—so users can explore connections beyond their own city/town. Additionally, our proprietary real-time language localization feature enables effortless, cross-language conversations. Type in Malayalam, and our platform will seamlessly translate it for the receiver to their mother tongue, thus dissolving language barriers for authentic communication. We believe relationships should be built on shared values and genuine understanding. And we’re removing the boundaries that stand in the way of finding that. #datingapp #india #tech #startups

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I am humbled to be featured in this article by Medianews4U, discussing the "Brand Dynamics Impact of T20 Legends' Retirement on India's Marketing Landscape". It was an honor to share my insights on how the retirement of iconic T20 players is reshaping marketing strategies in India. A big thank you to Medianews4U for including me in this insightful discussion. For those interested in the evolving dynamics of sports marketing, I highly recommend giving it a read. https://lnkd.in/dB6hqm8E #Cricket #PurpleMediaMarketing #T20Legends

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WinZO is thrilled to partner with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to strengthen India’s manufacturing & #interactive #entertainment #startup ecosystem. Saumya Singh Rathore Co-founder of WinZO, and Shri Sumeet Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, signed the MoU in the presence of Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary of DPIIT. Under this #partnership, #WinZO will establish a Center of Excellence (CoE), which will serve as a launchpad for startups and entrepreneurs, focusing on critical aspects such as building a skilled, industry-ready workforce, innovating monetization strategies for Indian gaming assets, developing ‘Made in India’ intellectual property for global markets of world-class quality, attracting foreign direct investment (#FDI) and driving manufacturing of interactive technology products in India. Piyush Goyal Startup India Paavan Nanda #WinZO #Techstartup #DPIIT #Onlinegaming

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Announcing the next big conversation at the D2C Unlocked Delhi-NCR chapter 🗣️🎤 Join Arush Chopra, Co-Founder of Just Herbs, and Manu Chandra, Founder & Managing Partner of Sauce.vc, as they dive into the topic: 𝐈𝐏𝐎 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃2𝐂 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 Arush brings to the table his firsthand insights from steering Just Herbs through this pivotal chapter of the Marico partnership, meanwhile, Manu enriches discussions with a comprehensive understanding of the D2C ecosystem, drawing from Sauce VC's investments in pioneering brands like XYXX Crew and The Whole Truth Foods. The conversation, “IPO or Strategic Acquisition: The End Game for D2C Brands,” is more than just a debate—it’s an in-depth examination of what the future holds for D2C brands. What's the secret sauce for D2C brands to flourish in today's market? Is going public the ultimate goal, or are partnerships a smarter move? Inviting all D2C Founders/CXOs in Delhi-NCR to join us on April 25th, 2024, at 6 PM for an exchange of ideas that’s as thought-provoking as it is insightful. D2C Unlocked is presented by Simpl and powered by Affinidi, AdYogi, & Shipway. See you there—let’s fuel the buzz! Register : https://lnkd.in/gAabp73G

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IBRS Case Study Series: We are excited to launch the first case study in our new series. Today we look at how Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) (BCCL), a prominent media company, creatively leveraged their existing assets to forge a new revenue stream. Learning for Leaders: This narrative provides key insights into how companies can repurpose existing resources for new opportunities, emphasising strategic partnerships and innovative thinking in the technology realm. Explore this case study to understand the dynamics of effective asset utilisation and collaborative innovation in today’s digital landscape Learn more: https://zurl.co/B46r #IBRSCIOInsights #CaseStudy #BusinessTechnology #MediaIndustry #Innovation #CMS #HeadlessDesign #Automation #AI #API #OCR #Cloud

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Pravis Growth Partners, a dynamic growth marketing firm co-founded by Vishal Gupta and Prashant Sinha, has made a strategic investment in StreamO, an innovative ad-tech gaming platform renowned for its strong connection with the Gen-Z audience. This collaboration marks an exciting venture into the realm of live gaming platforms and the vibrant Gen-Z demographic. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Tushaar Garg since 2021, StreamO has been pivotal in bridging the gap between gamers, viewers, and major brands. Boasting a network of over 20,000 gamers and a subscriber base exceeding 300 million, predominantly comprising Gen-Z users, the platform is positioned at the forefront of this burgeoning industry. With global game video content viewership soaring to 120 billion hours on platforms like YouTube in 2022 and India's consumption rates surpassing global averages, the potential for brand engagement in this space is immense. “Gaming offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the elusive Gen-Z audience, notoriously challenging to engage through traditional media. With StreamO, we're uniquely positioned to tap into the explosive growth of live gaming platforms and the fervent Gen-Z communities they foster. Tushaar is a visionary in the Indian gaming landscape, and we're thrilled to join forces with him on this journey,” said Vishal Gupta, co-founder of StreamO. Building on their successful venture with Momspresso, culminating in its acquisition by Honasa (Mamaearth), Gupta and Sinha bring their extensive expertise in influencer marketing and strategic brand partnerships to Pravis. “StreamO has already made waves in the gaming community by forging authentic connections between brands and gamers. With Vishal and Prashant on board, we're eager to elevate this success to new heights. Their proficiency in influencer marketing and strategic brand partnerships will be pivotal in driving our growth and business forward,” remarked Tushaar Garg. StreamO has cemented its position as an industry leader through partnerships with major brands such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Intel, Sony PlayStation, OnePlus, Hero, Crocs, Taco Bell, and Spotify, facilitating over 100 significant brand engagements. The new collaboration with Pravis is poised to further bolster StreamO’s ability to connect brands with the highly engaged Gen-Z gaming community, heralding a new era of innovation in live gaming sponsorships. #Pravis #Streamo #Investment #Strategy #Adtech #Gaming #GamingSector #GamingIndustry #LiveGaming #GenZ #Collaboration #Startup #AllBoutCorps

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In India, where mobile gaming is taking off, cloud gaming has the potential to really change the game.  As the gaming community in India continues to expand, many players are on the lookout for affordable and flexible ways to play. Cloud gaming is the perfect solution, offering console-quality experiences on devices they already own—especially appealing in a market where high-end gaming hardware is less common. Recently, I penned down about the same for TechGig about “The rise of cloud gaming - How it is reshaping mobile gaming landscape” - where I shared how Cloud gaming is more than just a technological trend and it’s a transformative force reshaping the mobile gaming landscape. https://lnkd.in/gxQqZCxm #CloudGaming #MobileGaming #GamingIndustry #Technology #Innovation #FutureOfGaming #DigitalIndia #CloudGamingIndia #MobileGamingIndia #GamingTechnology

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Coldplay Concert Scandal: Are Fans Being Cheated by Ticketing Giants? The much-awaited Coldplay concert in Mumbai has taken a controversial turn. Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of BookMyShow, has reportedly missed the first summons from the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) regarding complaints of ticketing irregularities. A second notice has now been issued. Reports suggest that ticket prices, originally sold at ₹5,000 to ₹50,000, were being resold in the black market at exorbitant rates, with some tickets fetching as high as ₹3 lakhs! This highlights a pressing issue within the live entertainment industry—ticket scalping and the challenges of maintaining transparency. As we await further updates, this incident is a reminder for businesses in the event and ticketing industry to prioritize fair practices and customer trust, especially in high-profile events where demand surges. #Coldplay #BookMyShow #TicketScalping #EthicsInBusiness #Transparency #EntertainmentIndustry #EventManagement #LeadershipInFocus #Concerts News Source: https://lnkd.in/gs7X3bPi Image Source: India Today Digital

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3 Key Learnings & Insights by Sanjeev Bikhchandani : GOLD for Every Entrepreneur in the 0-1 Stage. In my recent interaction with Sanjeev Bikhchandani at the amazing SHIVIR 2024 Conclave, organized by Saahil Goel & the incredible team at Shiprocket, I had the opportunity to delve into Sanjeev's journey, from building Naukri.com to believing in Zomato during their early days. What stuck with me were 3 points, that deeply resonated with me and can serve as a guiding light for every entrepreneur in their 0-1 journey: 1) Customers' Money > Investor Funding In your early phase, focus on building the fundamentals of your business first. Instead of chasing investor money while burning cash, focus on building a revenue-driven, sustainable business from Day 1. The right investors will recognize the value of what you are building when the time is right. 2) Build a Useful Product, Not a Flashy One While building a flashy product might help you attract the initial 10s of customers, building a product that provides actual real value to your customers, is the only thing that is going to take you a long way. 3) Understanding Your Customer is Key Be it building a new brand from scratch, enhancing your product offering, or wanting to add new products to your basket, learning your Customer in & out is integral. Understand your customers' evolving needs & trends thoroughly, and you will find a gap to solve for. The answers to your questions are often right there sitting with your customers. It was nice to be validated, as these few insights have always been key levers for us since we started our journey of building SOUL! What other such insights do you think should become guiding principles, in one's journey to building consumer-loved brands? Would love to know your thoughts in the comments below! P.S - Thank You Kunal Bahl, Kitty Agarwal, Ishaan Khosla, Arjun Vaidya, Shashank Mehta, Aakash Anand for taking the time out and sharing your extremely valuable insights at the Conclave.

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Excited to see Chiratae Ventures share our vision at Pepsales ! This partnership is a major step forward in our mission to transform B2B sales demos, which can be the “make-or-break” moment for any deal. 🖖 Imagine a world where every demo feels perfectly personalized to each buyer, bringing the product to life in a way that speaks directly to their needs and challenges. That’s the power we’re bringing to B2B sales teams. With AI-driven personalization and automation, we’re simplifying a traditionally complex, time-consuming process. Chiratae recognized not only the problem we’re solving but the potential to empower sales teams to deliver demos that close deals faster and with greater impact. Here’s to reshaping the future of sales, one personalized demo at a time! 🥂 #pepsales #B2BSaaS #Chiratae #DemoAutomation Ajay Singh

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