SMEStreet Report on G20 Summit’s Impact on Indian SMEs

NEW DELHI, Sept 29, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The G20 summit held in India has proved to be a game-changer for Indian entrepreneurs and the business community. This prestigious event brought together world leaders and policymakers, creating a platform for collaboration, innovation, and growth.

The G20 Summit emphasized the importance of collaboration among nations to tackle the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. This opens up new avenues for Indian SMEs to forge international partnerships, access global markets, and enhance their competitiveness.

SMEs Considers India’s G20 Leadership as a Positive Step Towards India’s Global Leadership

India’s leadership in the G20 summit has been hailed by industry leaders worldwide. Let’s take a look at some insightful quotes that highlight the significance of India’s role on the global stage.

Commenting on G20’s impact on Indian startups and SMEs, CA Deepak Maheshwari, founder of DealPlexus stated, “As the world’s largest democracy, India’s leadership in the G20 summit reinforces the importance of democratic values in shaping global governance. This seminal event of G20 and the entire year-long activities of G20 gave a strong direction and clarity for the economic leadership of India. After this greatly successful global dialogue, we at DealPlexus clearly foresee that Indian SMEs and Startups shall take centre stage of this epic growth story of Indian economic emergence. I also firmly believe that this event has paved the way for India to achieve a remarkable milestone, propelling its economy to reach the $10 trillion mark in the next decade.

“India’s leadership in the G20 Summit is a testament to its growing economic prowess and diplomatic influence. ‘With its diverse economy and large consumer market, India has the potential to drive global growth and shape the future of international trade,” commented Mr JK Pathak, a socially responsible entrepreneur in the skill development space.

While talking to SMEStreet, Mr Pathak also emphasized on India’s strong commitment towards sustainable development, he said, ‘India’s emphasis on sustainable development and renewable energy during the G20 summit sets a positive example for other nations to follow. And as the world’s largest democracy, India’s leadership in the G20 summit reinforces the importance of democratic values in shaping global governance.”

“The G20 offered unparalleled showcasing and networking opportunities for Indian SMEs.Apart from the fact that, it brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from various sectors, G20 also created a conducive environment for networking and collaboration. Through interactions with stakeholders from different countries, SMEs can gain valuable insights, exchange ideas, and forge strategic partnerships that can drive their businesses forward. In this brief report we tried to highlight core points that can be considered as key takeaways for Indian SMEs and startups from this huge effort,” says Dr Faiz Askari, Founder of SMEStreet.

SMEStreet’s Key Findings on G20’s Takeaways

According to a recently conducted SMEStreet outreach among Indian Business Owners mainly from the SME sector, on the impact of G20 Summit among Indian SMEs, here’s how Indian entrepreneurs and the business community have immensely benefited from this summit:

1. Enhanced Global Visibility: The presence of global leaders and media attention during the G20 summit has significantly enhanced the global visibility of Indian entrepreneurs and businesses. This exposure has opened up new avenues for collaborations, partnerships, and investments from international markets.

2. Access to Global Markets: The G20 summit provided an ideal platform for Indian entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative products and services to a global audience. This exposure has facilitated access to new markets, enabling Indian businesses to expand their reach and customer base beyond national borders.

3. Policy Reforms and Support: The discussions and deliberations during the G20 summit have led to crucial policy reforms that directly benefit Indian entrepreneurs and the business community. These reforms have streamlined regulatory processes, reduced bureaucratic hurdles, and created a more conducive environment for business growth and innovation.

4. Knowledge Sharing and Learning Opportunities: The G20 summit brought together industry experts, thought leaders, and policymakers from around the world. This created invaluable opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs to learn from global best practices, gain insights into emerging trends, and exchange ideas with their international counterparts.

5. Investment and Funding Opportunities: The G20 summit has attracted significant foreign investments and funding to India. This influx of capital has provided Indian entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to scale their businesses, invest in research and development, and explore new avenues for growth.

6. Networking and Collaboration: The G20 summit served as a networking hub, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from various sectors. This facilitated meaningful collaborations, strategic partnerships, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that have the potential to drive innovation and create new business opportunities.

In conclusion, the G20 summit in India has been a game-changer for Indian entrepreneurs and the business community. It has provided them with a global stage to showcase their potential, access new markets, and collaborate with international stakeholders. The outcomes of this summit will undoubtedly shape the future of Indian businesses, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and competitive global economy.

About SMEStreet

SMEStreet is South Asia’s leading knowledge focused business ecosystem for MSMEs and Startups. In its 10th year of operations, SMEStreet is committed to add value in the Entrepreneurial Success stories. For more information, visit https://smestreet.in.

Media contact:
Tabinda Hilal
Smestreet.in@gmail.com
+91-9354645130

HKTDC Export Index 3Q23: Export sentiment softens in Q3

HONG KONG, Sept 27, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The HKTDC Export Index fell 7.3 points to 40.5 in the third quarter of 2023, caused primarily by weak global demand, in line with weakness in exports across the region.

HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan [L] and Senior Economist Ms Cherry Yeung [R] announced the HKTDC Export Index for the third quarter of 2023 at a press conference today.

Economic risks remained exporters’ top concern. Almost half of survey respondents (48.6%) saw economic slowdowns or recession risks in overseas markets as the biggest challenge, followed by ongoing geopolitical tensions (17.9%) and a smaller-than-expected boost from Mainland China’s economic recovery (16.5%).

Despite the softened export sentiment, traders intend to adopt pro-growth business strategies to strengthen their resilience in the longer term.

Pro-growth business strategies

While increased marketing and promotional activities (41.4%) remained exporters’ key strategies in the third quarter, a significantly higher number of exporters said they plan to provide a wider range of value-added services (40.5%, up 19.2 percentage points).

The third top strategy is to stabilise finances to ensure sufficient cash flow (32%, up 4.7 percentage points). Diversifying sales to additional markets (26.3%) and increasing e-commerce activities (25.7%) were also among the five most popular strategies identified.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Director of Research Ms Irina Fan said in response to an uncertain global business environment, traders are adopting a more cautious approach. “At the same time, they are still eager to grow their businesses with proactive measures, such as stepping up marketing and promotional activities, offering more services and expanding to new markets,” she added.

Exporters tend to keep low inventory

Local exporters tended to run down on inventory (51.5) in the third quarter, suggesting they are holding slightly lower-than-normal inventory, compared with higher-than-normal stocks (48.5) in the second quarter.

Ms Fan added: “Keeping low inventory levels may mean exporters are trying to minimise the costs of holding stocks and ensure that sufficient resources are available to respond promptly to buyers’ demands.”

More than 70% of the respondents said they are currently operating at smaller-than-normal capacity in terms of manpower and production equipment.

Brighter spots

HKTDC Senior Economist Ms. Cherry Yeung said the sentiment towards all key export markets was below 50, but local exporters are more optimistic about the Asian market, being the most positive about ASEAN (41.6), followed by Japan (39.1) and Mainland China (38.6).

While export confidence was highest in the toys (42.2, down 13.2 points) and electronics (40.8, down 6.9 points) sectors, confidence levels have dropped substantially regarding timepieces (32.9, down 15.9 points).

Stable or higher export profitability expected

New orders activity also remained weak. The Current New Orders Index fell 12.5 points to 32.6 in the third quarter. However, exporters are more positive about new orders in the fourth quarter, resulting in an overall Expected New Orders Index of 46.2.

Despite that, exporters remained mostly optimistic about their operations’ profitability outlook and shared similar views as in the second quarter. The majority of respondents (61.7%) expected to see stable (34.3%) or higher (27.4%) profit margins.

Based on a quarterly HKTDC survey of 500 exporters from six major industries – clothing, electronics, jewellery, machinery, timepieces and toys – the index above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook and below 50 as pessimistic.

Two new markets – India and Taiwan – were added to provide insights into additional markets in the HKTDC Export Index for the third quarter of 2023. The study now covers seven major export markets contributing some 85% of Hong Kong’s total exports (in value terms).

Taking all these factors into account, HKTDC Research has revised its forecast for Hong Kong’s export growth this year to between -7% and -9%.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

References

HKTDC Research website: https://research.hktdc.com/en/

HKTDC Export Index 3Q23: Export sentiment softens from two-year high: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTQ4NzAxNDQ3Mw

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3rvWAvS

Media enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HUB.ID Summit returns, targeting investment in Digital Startups

Bali, Sept 19, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – HUB.ID Summit, the annual keynote in the HUB.ID program for Indonesian start-ups, was held in Nusa Dua, Bali on September 15-16, bringing 80 digital startups and 80 global venture capitals together for investing in early-stage digital startups. HUB.ID is a government sponsored (Kominfo) program which focuses on startups in Fintech, Agritech and Fisheries, Healthtech, SME Enabler and Logistics, as well as ESG-Related sectors.

This year’s Summit adopted the theme “Recalibrating the Industry: Indonesia’s Tech Investment Moving Forward,” aiming to analyze changes in market behavior post-pandemic and the tech winter, which have affected the focus of digital startups on product development and venture capital investments. These changes are recalibrating market strategies for growth in Indonesia’s digital startup ecosystem.

Over two days, the early-stage digital startups and venture capitals participated in various events, including panel discussions featuring renowned speakers and business matchmaking sessions, expected to foster collaborations and investments after the Summit concludes.

On the first day, the panel discussion featured Christopher Madiam (CEO & Co-founder of Sociolla), Hero Choudhary (Managing Partner of Beenext), Yoshua Tanu (Jago Coffee Founder), and was moderated by Willis Wee (CEO & Co-founder of Tech in Asia). The session discussed strategies for startups to generate profits during the tech winter.

On the second day, the panel discussion included Eddy Danusaputro (Chairman of AMVESINDO), Ankur Vohra (Vice President L Catterton Asia), moderated by Donald Wihardja (Nexticorn Board). Additionally, Kevin Sugiarto (Senior Vice President Product Privy), ArdhantiNurwidya (Head Public Policy and Government Relation GOTO), Doddi Priyambodo (Solutions Consultant at Google/Cloudmile) and Edy Sulistyo (CEO Everywhere.id), and was moderated by Anugrah Pratama (Partner at EY-Parthenon Indonesia).

In his opening speech, I Nyoman Adiarna (Director of Digital Economy, Directorate General of Informatics Application, Ministry of Communication and Informatics) stated, “The technology startup landscape in Indonesia has seen rapid and exciting developments in recent years. Indonesia now boasts hundreds of startups across various sectors, including e-commerce, fintech, edtech, healthtech, and agritech, among others. The ministry continues to support startups to grow and access funding, including through events like HUB.ID Summit.”

It is estimated that more than 500 people attended the HUB.ID Summit 2023 event, which included the panel discussions, 1-on-1 business matchmaking, and a Networking Gala Dinner. Investors in attendance hailed not only from Indonesia but also from other countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more. Over 1.500 business meetings were scheduled during the 2-day event, demonstrating a positive trend in investment potential for digital startups in Indonesia.

This year, HUB.ID Summit collaborated with the Nexticorn Foundation to facilitate more business meetings between startups and venture capital firms. HUB.ID Summit x Nexticorn 2023 is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and the Nexticorn Foundation to support the digital startup ecosystem, foster partnerships, and networks between early-stage, growth-stage, and later-stage startups with global venture capitals.

About HUB.ID

HUB.ID is a program for startups initiated by the Directorate General of Informatics Application, Kominfo (Ministry of Communication and Informatics). It focuses on enabling post-seed Indonesian startups to scale regionally leveraging Kominfo’s network of corporate & governmental partners, and consists of short accelerators and business matching sessions based on vertical focus. Post program, startups can still enjoy the platform by extending membership status.

For more information, visit: https://hub.id, or email: asksummit@hub.id.

ESG Innovation Lab by Dream Impact (DI) and The Executive Centre (TEC) Launched

HONG KONG, Sep 7, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Dream Impact (DI), Hong Kong's leading cross-sector impact ecosystem and platform of social enterprises and impact ventures, together with The Executive Centre (TEC), Asia's leading premium flexible workspace provider, announce the launch of the ESG Innovation Lab – Hong Kong's first ESG community with a dedicated physical space in the heart of Central, at 28 Stanley Street.

As Hong Kong's first ESG community, the Lab will strive to accelerate the development and implementation of corporate-social ESG solutions, and deliver intentional and measurable impact – closing the gap between the social sector and the corporate world.

The ESG Innovation Lab serves as a bridge to close the gap between social enterprises, impact ventures, and corporates, while facilitating cross-sector collaborations for impact creation. As ESG continues to gain momentum globally, the ESG Innovation Lab will help companies in Hong Kong prioritise sustainable development to remain competitive in the international business community.

Dream Impact and TEC will officially launch ESG Innovation Lab in September in order to support companies in Hong Kong on their ESG journey. Situated on level 28 at 28 Stanley Street, TEC's newest en bloc building in the heart of Central, the full dedicated floor spanning over 2,000 sq ft provides an eco-conscious collaborative space. Equipped with coworking desks, two combinable meeting rooms and a tatami area for gatherings, the Lab offers flexibility for hosting larger consultation workshops or trainings, as well as space for mindfulness. The Lab is an experimental ground for new and forward-thinking ESG initiatives.

The Lab operates on a membership basis, offering Social Impact Partner and Business Partner membership types. Elements such as strategy consulting and solutions matching are part of the memberships. Additional services include inclusive hiring and recruitment, ESG reporting, and Board of Directors training. An active community engagement with extensive programming focusing on creating intentional impact will be a key part for Lab Partners and a wider community.

DI Co-Founder & Chief Catalyst, Dorothy Lam said: "This is a groundbreaking project to bring together 120+ social impact partners in Hong Kong and the corporate world to go beyond reporting and actually implement ESG and impact strategies on the ground. The world is awakening; we need an integrative way of doing business. ESG Innovation Lab is here to demonstrate that using ESG as a framework, impact and purpose can be integrated into your business, your work and your daily life."

TEC Founder and CEO, Paul Salnikow, commented: "The Executive Centre team is thrilled to be partnering with Dream Impact to launch the ESG Innovation Lab. With more than 83% of TEC's 45,000+ clients multinationals, and with over 29 years of experience as Asia's premium flexible office space provider, TEC is uniquely positioned to listen to and address the ESG needs of companies in Hong Kong and Asia Pacific. The ESG Innovation Lab demonstrates TEC's commitment to proactively drive and evolve the ESG agenda. By stimulating interaction amongst companies we want to ensure that TEC is making a lasting impact on our society and environment. The launch of the Lab is all about creating a more sustainable future for our clients, our stakeholders and the wider community".

ESG practices will only become even more critical in the near future. According to a recent survey ( https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTMzNzcxNTEwNg ) by HKTDC and PwC, over 76% of respondents will increase investments in ESG-related programmes over the next five years. Hong Kong has also taken significant steps to promote and encourage ESG practices. It was recently announced that The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX) has proposed mandatory disclosure ( https://www.hkex.com.hk/News/Regulatory-Announcements/2023/230414news?sc_lang=en ) of climate-related risks in listed companies' ESG reports from 1 January 2024, and introducing new climate-related disclosures aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Climate Standard.

About ESG Innovation Lab by Dream Impact x The Executive Centre

ESG Innovation Lab is Hong Kong's first ESG community with a dedicated physical space for ESG collaboration, consultation, as well as implementation in the heart of Central.
Marrying the extensive social enterprise network of Dream Impact with the premium workspace solutions of The Executive Centre, ESG Innovation Lab closes the gap between the social sector and the corporate world. Through cross-sector collaboration and action-driven strategy, the Lab strives to accelerate the development and implementation of corporate-social ESG solutions, and deliver intentional and measurable impact.
www.esg-dreamimpacthk.com
www.partnerships.executivecentre.com/esg-innovation-lab

About Dream Impact

Dream Impact is Hong Kong's leading cross-sector impact ecosystem and platform of social enterprises and impact ventures. Since 2017, Dream Impact has grown from a humble, dynamic community to one of the strongest driving forces in building and growing Hong Kong's impact ecosystem. To sustain, widen and deepen the network's impact, they establish three core pillars of work: Impact Community and Space, Impact Solutions and Consultations, and Impact Capital Services.
www.dreamimpacthk.com

About The Executive Centre

The Executive Centre (TEC) is Asia's premium flexible workspace provider, opened its doors in Hong Kong in 1994 and today boasts over 180+ Centres in 33 cities and 15 markets. It is the third largest serviced office business in Asia.
The Executive Centre caters to ambitious professionals and industry leaders looking for more than just an office space – they are looking for a place for their organisation to thrive. TEC has cultivated an environment designed for success with a global network spanning Greater China, Southeast Asia, North Asia, India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Australia, with sights to go further and grow faster. Each Executive Centre offers a prestigious address with the advanced infrastructure to pre-empt, meet, and exceed the needs of its Members. Walking with Members through every milestone and achievement, The Executive Centre empowers ambitious professionals and organisations to succeed.
Privately owned and headquartered in Hong Kong, TEC provides first class Private and Shared Workspaces, Business Concierge Services, and Meeting & Events facilities to suit any business' needs.
www.executivecentre.com

Press Enquiries

Dream Impact
Anna Demydiuk
anna.demydiuk@dreamimpacthk.com / +852 9295 9740

The Executive Centre
Pebble Lee
pebble_lee@executivecentre.com / +852 3951 9888

FGS Global
Crystal Chow / Kitty Lam
Crystal.Chow@fgsglobal.com / +852 6133 9007
Kitty.Lam@fgsglobal.com / +852 6306 8851

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Erez Capital Makes Investment in Curio Converting Nuclear Waste into Sustainable Energy

BOSTON, Aug 25, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Erez Capital, a rising star in the venture capital arena with a firm focus on disruptive technologies, is thrilled to announce a strategic investment of $100,000 in Curio, an avant-garde deeptech startup. Curio stands at the vanguard of nuclear technology innovation, pioneering the develop and commercialization cutting-edge technologies that are aimed at converting nuclear waste into safe and sustainable energy sources.

"Throughout Erez Capital's journey, I've had the privilege of engaging with numerous startups. Among them, Curio shines as a company positioned to reshape the renewable technology landscape. Beyond mere concepts, Curio boasts an established patented process with a clear path to commercialization, led by a dedicated workforce, a distinguished board of experts, and visionary leadership. Together, they're propelling the company toward unparalleled heights within this industry," shared Michael Benezra, the Managing Director and Founder of Erez Capital.

Curio's breakthrough hinges on its patented nuclear waste recycling technology NuCycle, which effectively addresses the longstanding challenges of the light-water reactor fuel cycle. The company has secured substantial investments, including vital support from the Department of Energy's ARPAe program, as well as continued investments from Synergos Holdings (www.synergosholdings.com) – a distinguished deeptech accelerator based in New York, led by visionary founders Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz and Yehudah Moskowitz.

Under the adept leadership of President and CEO Ed McGinnis, a former Executive Director of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and Acting Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Curio is ushering in a new era of nuclear recycling and energy transformation.

About Erez Capital:

Erez Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in Boston, investing in seed-stage startup companies at the forefront of digital transformation. For more information, visit https://ErezCapital.io.

About Curio

Curio is a leading deeptech startup dedicated to revolutionizing the energy landscape through its groundbreaking nuclear waste recycling technology NuCycle. By converting nuclear waste into secure and renewable energy resources, Curio is determined to shape a cleaner and more sustainable future. Guided by the expertise of President and CEO Ed McGinnis, a distinguished luminary in the field of nuclear energy, Curio is poised to redefine how we approach energy generation and waste management. For more information, visit https://curio.energy.

For media inquiries, please reach out to:
Michael Benezra
mbenezra@erezcapital.io

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

AWS Approves And Lists Verofax Martech Solution For Brands & Retail On Global Marketplace

DUBAI, Aug 25, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Verofax, an award-winning Brand & Retail Martech service provider, achieved Full Technical Review (FTR) approval on Amazon Web Services (AWS) marketplace. Verofax services are now available for direct acquisition by retail and for global brands, leveraging the unparalleled capabilities of AWS.

Verofax specializes in brand-customer direct engagement by transforming products into powerful marketing tools. With patented technologies such as computer vision, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and product digitization, Verofax enables brands to seamlessly connect directly to customers and access real-time first-party customer data to offer personalized brand experiences. The result? brands are able to reduce their cost of customer acquisition, and increase promotional marketing ROI (conversion rate) and brand loyalty (NPS).

With the AWS FTR approval, Verofax's advanced solutions have received the seal of validation and endorsement from AWS Solutions Architects. This recognition showcases Verofax's commitment to delivering exceptional performance, security, and scalability for brands worldwide.

Verofax's solutions go beyond traditional marketing. By assigning a unique web link to each product, Verofax's technology becomes a powerful tool for product traceability and counterfeit management. This added advantage brings significant value to brands, safeguarding their reputation and enhancing customer loyalty in their offerings.

Brands that choose to work with Verofax benefit from a range of advantages. By leveraging Verofax's solution, brands can circumvent traditional marketing channels and elevate customer acquisition rates by up to 60% while reducing costs of customer acquisition by an impressive 20-fold, when compared to online Ads. Verofax has successfully partnered with renowned Fortune 100 brands, including industry giants like Budweiser & Corona, to power global marketing campaigns and create frictionless direct-to-consumer experiences.

Rodrigo Cabaleiro, Global Director of Premium Brands, AB InBev said, "Verofax solution for interactive packaging improved acquisition and engagement during our FIFA World Cup promotion. By turning our products into a direct-to-consumer communication channel we observed higher ROI on promotional marketing and better data-driven decisions."

Moreover, Verofax empowers brands with real-time consumer insights, enabling data-driven decision-making and personalized marketing strategies in real-time. By leveraging this invaluable data, brands can deliver exceptional customer experiences, build unwavering loyalty, and achieve unparalleled commercial success.

Verofax's achievement of AWS Full Technical Review approval demonstrates its dedication to excellence and its ability to deliver top-tier software services. By partnering with Verofax, brands can unleash the full potential of their marketing efforts, accessing real-time consumer insights, driving customer engagement, and transforming their products into powerful marketing tools.

One of the key benefits of Verofax's AWS FTR approval is the assurance it provides to brands seeking exceptional software services. The rigorous FTR process involved a comprehensive assessment of Verofax's AWS infrastructure, architecture, and adherence to best practices. By achieving this status, Verofax demonstrates its ability to deliver superior solutions, ensuring optimal performance and security for its clients.

"We are incredibly proud to have achieved AWS Full Technical Review (FTR) status, which further solidifies Verofax's position as a leading provider of martech solutions. Collaborating with AWS has been instrumental in our journey, and this approval underscores the exceptional capabilities and performance of our software services. Together with AWS, we look forward to delivering unparalleled benefits to our enterprise clients by increasing Marketing ROI, enhancing customer satisfaction, and turning operations data-driven in real-time. — Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax.

Experience the transformative power of Verofax's solutions and join the ranks of global brands revolutionizing customer engagement. Discover why Verofax is the partner of choice for unlocking unparalleled marketing potential, achieving remarkable cost savings, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

As International Revenue Soars to $650M with 45% from SEA; Chiratae Expands SEA Regional Advisory Board with the addition of Mr. Puneet Pushkarna

SINGAPORE, Aug 24, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Chiratae Ventures, a leading venture capital firm, announces the appointment of Mr. Puneet Pushkarna to its esteemed Regional Advisory Board, reinforcing its commitment to the Southeast Asia (SEA) market.

The announcement comes soon after Chiratae’s significant milestone -its active portfolio companies surpass $650 million in revenue. Companies focusing on SEA or headquartered now contribute about 45% of the total international revenue across the company’s diverse portfolio. Companies such as Active.ai, Kristala.ai, and Lenskart have driven growth in the SEA market, with Lenskart’s strategic acquisition of Japan’s Own Days last year as a recent highlight.

Given the growing significance of SEA as an investor base and a burgeoning market, Chiratae Ventures has been active in the region, particularly in Singapore and Japan. The appointment of Puneet Pushkarna to the Regional Advisory Board reinforces Chiratae’s dedication to its growth and success in SEA. Puneet will provide strategic guidance to Chiratae’s international operations in this role.

*Mr Puneet Pushkarna (L) joins the Regional Advisory Board of Chiratae Ventures. In the picture with Mr Sudhir Sethi (R), Founder and Chairman of Chiratae Ventures.*

Sudhir Sethi, Founder and Chairman of Chiratae Ventures, shared, “With a strong foothold in the SEA market and our portfolio companies, either focusing on the region or being headquartered there, contributing over 45% of the total revenue, we are thrilled to welcome Puneet Pushkarna to our Regional Advisory Board. Puneet’s addition further bolsters our already formidable Advisory Board, whose collective efforts have significantly established Chiratae as one of India’s premier venture capital funds. His exceptional expertise and diverse background will undoubtedly guide our ventures to even greater heights within the Asian market while fostering stronger connections with our esteemed investors.”

Puneet Pushkarna brings a wealth of experience, currently serving as a General Partner at Solmark, a prominent private equity fund based in Singapore. Throughout his career, Puneet has excelled in nurturing and scaling companies in the competitive global landscape. He previously held the position of President at Headstrong, driving transformative initiatives in the Capital Markets domain through cutting-edge digital technology services. Additionally, Puneet co-founded TechSpan, backed by the prestigious institution Goldman Sachs, where he successfully led business solutions consulting and design thinking ventures, earning recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in Silicon Valley.

Beyond his business acumen, Puneet is deeply involved in various Boards and Advisory Boards, including his role as Chairman of Core Committee, RIE2025, National Research Foundation, Singapore, Chairman Emeritus of TiE Singapore, and as a Board member of IIM Nagpur and Industry Advisory Board of SP Jain School of Management. Additionally, Puneet serves as a Catalyst at SMART (Singapore MIT Alliance for Research & Technology) and actively engages in philanthropic efforts, supporting initiatives such as the Indian Foundation for the Arts (IFA), the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS), and the South Asian Heart Society.

Puneet Pushkarna shared his excitement for the new role, adding, “I am honoured to join Chiratae Ventures and contribute to the growth of the platform they have built over close to two decades and its dynamic portfolio in Asia region. There are strong benefits for the Asian block to partner, invest and grow exponentially by understanding each other’s strengths and hope to bridge the gap. The Indian model of solving for population-scale problems using technology-led business models has relevance for the larger region and hoping to help Chiratae and its portfolio expand its regional footprint”

Anoop Menon, Principal-Investments who also leads Investor Relations in the East Asian region, says, “With the changing geo-political environment and India’s blistering economic growth, India has become a strong contender for increased investments and business partnership within Asia. Along with this, there is a strong need to contextualise the India narrative by a leader who has seen both sides closely, and Puneet helps us do that. Having him on our Advisory Board provides a valuable sounding board for our team and founders as we navigate the markets in Singapore, Japan, and other regions of Asia Pacific.”

Chiratae Ventures, recently announced the final close of its first Growth fund at $122 M, oversubscribed by 34% and is in the market for its next flagship Venture capital fund. It will continue looking to cement its presence in SEA and the larger Asian region, and Puneet will help strengthen the firm’s position as a leader in the Venture capital landscape.

About Chiratae Ventures:

Chiratae Ventures is a 16-year-old Indian technology venture capital fund advisor, having advised funds that collectively (across six funds) have $1.1 Bn AUM, 130+ investments, 48 exits, 8 Unicorns, 3 IPOs and a track record of having returned capital to LPs in each of the last 12 years. The funds advised by Chiratae Ventures have investments across sectors such as Consumer-Tech, SaaS, Fintech, and Healthtech and have been early backers of companies such as Bizongo, Fibe, FirstCry, Flipkart, Lenskart, Myntra, Pixis, PolicyBazaar and Uniphore, amongst many others.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Tanvi Dubey
Chiratae Ventures
+91-8792059986

Neha Chaturvedi
Adfactors PR
+65- 87098749

Pioneering Synergy of Innovation and Purpose: The Futurist Showcase at the Pierce School Penthouse Featuring Global Cannabis Holdings and Avi8ted Ventures

Washington, D.C., Aug 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The stage is set for a symphony of innovation and purpose as the Futurist Showcase takes center stage August 18, at 7:15 p.m.

Photo by Anthony Hampton

This exclusive event, a convergence of luminaries, will spotlight two trailblazing enterprises — Global Cannabis Holdings (GCH) (https://globalcannabisholdings.lu) and Avi8ted Ventures (https://avi8tedthoughts.com). These visionary companies are poised to reshape industries and redefine societal progress, all against the backdrop of the exquisite Pierce School Penthouse, a residence synonymous with entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking excellence.

The visionary forces behind the Futurist Showcase are entrepreneurs Charlton Woodyard II, CEO of Avi8ted Ventures, and Brock Pierce, the President of the Bitcoin Foundation, whose remarkable journey spans technology, real estate, and social impact. Pierce's commitment to pioneering change and igniting community empowerment finds a fitting home in the profound ambiance of the Pierce School Penthouse. "Brock Pierce is an inspiration to any builder with his ability to make change happen across the world in every industry he touches. We are incredibly grateful that he has opened his home to us for this amazing opportunity to present our mission to the world," said David Luftglass, Chairman, Global Cannabis Holdings.

An assembly of Washington, D.C.'s foremost leaders, policy architects, artistic trailblazers, investors, educators, and catalysts for change will grace the gathering. Hosted at the largest penthouse in the city, The Pierce School Penthouse, this event creates an unparalleled platform for collaborative engagement, fostering the coalescence of ideas and collective growth. The Showcase's compelling mission, empowering individuals to champion change in their communities, resonates profoundly in the context of this prestigious locale.

In an era where innovation and purpose dictate the trajectory of tomorrow, the Futurist Showcase stands as a beacon of transformative potential. From the heights of the Pierce School Penthouse, a space resonating with entrepreneurial verve, this event catalyzes more than dialogue; it ignites a movement.

About Avi8ted Ventures

Avi8ted Ventures is a dynamic and innovative force at the intersection of real estate, technology, and culture. More than a social network, Avi8ted Ventures operates as an experimental ecosystem where the physical and digital realms merge, fostering a sustainable impact ecosystem. By harnessing the collective power of real estate, technology, and culture, Avi8ted Ventures initiates a global movement of change, driving innovation, collaboration, and social progress. As a platform where ideas materialize, pioneers unite, and the future takes shape, Avi8ted Ventures empowers individuals, transitions humans to beings, and facilitates transformative journeys of lasting impact.

About Global Cannabis Holdings (GCH)

Global Cannabis Holdings (GCH) began in Uruguay as a pioneering force in the international cannabis sector. With a groundbreaking tokenized portfolio of cannabis companies, GCH is redefining the future of this rapidly growing industry. GCH has obtained ownership in 38 companies across 6 countries, all wrapped up into one entity, offering a diversified approach to investing in cannabis. The holdings include everything from a six square kilometer production project in Uruguay, to the top distributor in Brazil, and the largest extraction group in California. With a visionary, forward looking approach, GCH is poised to catalyze change on a global scale by embracing the remarkable possibilities of cannabis. GCH recently underwent its public launch in the Luxembourg market via the STOKR platform, the first registered Security Token Exchange in the European Union. For more info on the launch please check out www.stokr.io/global-cannabis-holdings

For media inquiries, interviews, and additional information, please contact:
Avi8ted Ventures
Charlton Woodyard II
(202) 888-5326
Info@av8t.co

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Ganjar Pranowo driving Indonesian SMEs in Going Global

Semarang, Indonesia, Aug 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Ganjar Pranowo, the Governor of Central Java, Indonesia, is committed to driving the development of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the region, to reach an international level. As of Q1 2023, SME export volume from Central Java had reached US$2.5 billion, resulting in a surplus of US$708 million for the province.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo is committed to the development of SMEs in the region, providing a learning platform 'Hetero Space' and funding 'Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR-People Business Loan) Super Mikro.' [Image: ANTARA]

During his two terms in office from 2013 to 2023, Ganjar facilitated the growth of SMEs through robust initiatives. One notable innovation was "Hetero Space," a creative hub addressing the educational needs of SMEs, offering knowledge on aspects such as bookkeeping, packaging, branding, and even photography skills required for product promotion.

Currently, Central Java has 3 Hetero Spaces for the development of SMEs and as a platform for young people to showcase their creativity, located in Semarang, Solo, and Banyumas. Hetero Spaces in Central Java have involved thousands of members: 3,000 members who have joined, 13,000 Hetero Space visitors, 500 local communities, 300 programs, 1,000 events, 15,000 SMEs, 2,500 startups, 100 companies, and 250,000 people have all benefited.

"When they start learning about bookkeeping, packaging, branding, and even when they want to promote their products, they need to learn photography. That's why we need a creative hub," he mentioned during 'Flexing Lokal', held by Google Indonesia and YouTube.

After providing a learning platform for SMEs, Ganjar moved to the next level by offering access to funding – a common challenge faced by SMEs when planning to expand. He launched the "Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR-People Business Loan) Super Mikro," providing access to capital with an interest rate of only 3% per year. Teaming up with Bank Jateng, this funding initiative assists SMEs in growing their businesses.

"Our task is to provide support. If the interest rate is at this level, it's not feasible. So, we try to assist them by implementing some policies, such as reducing the interest rate," Ganjar explained.

The decision to set the interest rate at 3% is the result of a lengthy process. Previously, the KUR interest rate was 12%, then 9%, and eventually, Central Java lowered it to 6%, surpassing the national KUR rate. Finally, Ganjar established the interest rate at only 3%.

These efforts led Central Java to become the largest distributor of KUR loans in Indonesia in 2022, with a loan distribution value of IDR 55.27 trillion (US$3.8 billion) in the previous year. "Thus, the role of the government is mainly to facilitate their growth," Ganjar stated.

Thanks to Ganjar's initiatives, SMEs in Central Java have now reached an international level. The best SME products, facilitated by Ganjar, have opportunities for export to Singapore, Japan, and even Europe. "For now, we're running this, curating it, and those who qualify, who have a strong market both nationally and internationally, we assist," Ganjar concluded.

Copyright (c) ANTARA 2023.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Indonesia’s first 8K uncompressed video conference inaugurates 100 Gbps network for education at UB-Universitas Brawijaya

Malang, East Java, Indonesia, Aug 11, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Universitas Brawijaya (UB), the Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC) and Indonesia Research and Education Network (IDREN) held a ceremony at UB in Malang, East Java, to mark the operation of a 100 Gbps high-speed network for education in Indonesia on August 9.

Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC) and Indonesia Research and Education Network (IDREN) held a ceremony to mark the operation of a 100 Gbps high-speed network for education in Indonesia on August 9, 2023.

The ceremony also connected to a remote venue in Keio University, Japan, using an uncompressed 8K video conference, marking the first such ultra-high resolution video conference in Indonesia, and demonstrating the high capacity and low latency of the research and education network that spans across the Pacific.

Representatives of the three organizations, Prof. Widodo of UB, Prof. Jun Murai of ARENA-PAC, and Dr. Achmad Affandi of IDREN, attended the ceremony at UB. The ambassador of Republic Indonesia to Japan, HE Heri Akhmadi, and Vice President of Keio University, Prof. Eiji Okada, attended remotely from Japan. In the audience in both venues, students witnessed this memorable ceremony, delighting in the interaction.

Rector of UB Prof Widodo said the inauguration was a follow-up to MoU signed between the three organizations in 2022. Emphasizing that this network is all about collaboration, he said, "This network infrastructure is not only about data transfer, but also a channel to be able to collaborate, innovate faster and be ready to jump in the digital era which will be dedicated to education and research."

Held at the Algoritma Auditorium, Faculty of Computer Science UB in Malang, East Java, Prof. Widodo said the network connects IDREN with UB as the gateway to Guam and Tokyo, as well as several other locations. In addition, the collaboration is also a big leap for Indonesia to be connected to the current global research and education network.

Prof. Jun Murai of ARENA-PAC in his keynote said, "We sent a message to global leaders that research and educational networks are important." He emphasized the need to work together for the next stage of global internet from research and educational networks point of view, working with commercial internet service providers, technology, and application people for many scientific purposes such as high energy physics, medical, and astronomy.

He appreciates Indonesian universities and the IDREN mechanism, which he sees as unique in that universities work with internet service providers that commit to support IDREN.

About UB
Universitas Brawijaya (UB) was established by the President of the Republic of Indonesia on July 11, 1961. Today UB is one of the leading universities in Indonesia with more than 60,000 students in various vocational, bachelor, master, doctoral, professional, and medical specialist programs. Learn more at https://ub.ac.id.

About ARENA-PAC
The Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC) is a backbone network for research and education, established on an international submarine cable network constructed to expand the Internet in Asia Pacific. ARENA-PAC comprises several long-term 10 and 100Gbps IRU circuits between a central exchange point in Guam and sites in Tokyo, Philippines, and Indonesia. See www.arena-pac.net.

About IDREN
The Indonesian Research and Education Network (IDREN) is a dedicated network infrastructure that connects research and education institutions and communities in Indonesia. This network is dedicated to the necessary data communication connectivity to enable a community of researchers, academics, and developers to collaborate together. https://idren.id.

Written by A Malik Ibrahim; Editor: Fiqih Arfani; (c) ANTARA 2023.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com