Cargo Matters’ Umesh Padala commits RS 2 crore CSR fund to sponsor EV charging infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh
New Delhi, May 2026: Umesh Padala, Chairman of Cargo Matters, has announced a Rs 2 crore Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure across educational institutions in Andhra Pradesh. Under the initiative, Padala will sponsor the installation of 3 units of 60 kW EV chargers and 3 units of 120 kW […]
The People Behind the Narrative: Priya Patankar on Storytelling, Scale, and the Human Side of Communication
In today’s fast-moving digital economy, communication is no longer confined to media statements and marketing campaigns. It has become the bridge between businesses and people, products and trust, data and emotion. Few leaders understand this transformation as deeply as Priya Patankar, Head of Corporate Communications at PhonePe. With over two decades of experience spanning communications, […]
Beyond Visibility: How Shilpashree Muniswamappa Is Redefining Corporate Communication With Purpose and Impact
Introduction In today’s corporate landscape, where visibility often arrives faster than credibility, leaders who understand the true meaning of trust stand apart. Shilpashree Muniswamappa, Director – ESG & Communications, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd, belongs to that rare category of communication leaders who have consistently shaped narratives with purpose, authenticity, and long-term impact at the centre. Across […]
Nikhil Kumar Gautam’s Bold Vision: The Universal API for Logistics.
Nikhil unpacked how his solution provides critical orchestration and data layers in supply chain providing integrations and intelligent workflow automations for supply chain. From Fragmentation to a Unified Ecosystem At the heart of Openleaf lies a powerful insight: modern supply chains are drowning in disconnected systems. A single brand often works with multiple logistics partners—each […]
Gabify Building India’s AI-Led Early Intervention Ecosystem
In India, delayed diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, and other developmental conditions often causes children to miss critical early intervention windows. Gabify is changing this through AI-assisted developmental screening validated with institutions like AIIMS and ICMR. In this exclusive interview, co-founders Sahiel Chopra, Vasyl Leshchuk, and Prachi Sood share the vision behind building scalable, accessible early […]
Legend of Toys Raises ₹21 Crore Pre-Series A Round to Build India’s Premium Play Brand for the Global Market
India’s toy industry is witnessing a significant transformation, driven by rising domestic manufacturing, evolving consumer preferences, and increasing demand for high-quality, story-driven products. Amid this shift, emerging direct-to-consumer brands are beginning to redefine how toys are designed, marketed, and experienced. One such player is Legend of Toys, which has raised ₹21 crore in a Pre-Series […]
D2C Insider Set to Launch ConsumerX Ventures, Plans Rs 150 Crore Fund for Early-Stage D2C Startups
India’s leading D2C founders community, D2C Insider, is preparing to launch its new Category II venture capital fund, ConsumerX Ventures, according to sources familiar with the development. The fund will focus on backing early-stage D2C brands and enablers across India. D2C Insider currently has a community of over 25,000 members across the country, including more […]
USA-based Silicon Road Ventures launches India-focused AIF to back B2B Agentic AI Commerce-Tech startups
Atlanta-headquartered early-stage venture capital firm Silicon Road Ventures (SRV) has launched its India-focused Fund, structured as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) and approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The Fund, with a target corpus of INR 150 Crores, has successfully achieved its first close and has commenced active deployment […]
Building Businesses Beyond Valuations: Karan Gala on Venture Investing, Founder Discipline, and India’s Startup Opportunity
India’s startup ecosystem has entered a more mature and disciplined phase, where investors are increasingly prioritizing capital efficiency, governance, and long-term sustainability over aggressive growth at any cost. In this conversation with Indian Startup Times, Karan Gala shares his journey into venture investing, the evolution of LC Nueva Capital’s investment philosophy, and the sectors he […]
From Hobbies to Hormonal Wellness: How HobFit is Building a Community-Driven Women’s Health Ecosystem
Turning a Pandemic Problem into a Purpose-Driven Startup What started as a simple idea during the COVID-19 lockdown has today evolved into a mission-driven women’s wellness platform addressing one of the most underserved health categories in India. Founded by Gaurav Dua along with his co-founders Arpit and Lakshay, HobFit emerged from a deeply human observation […]
