US-based investor, Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital (EVC), is launching its maiden, India-focused $50 million (Rs 332.6 crore) early-stage investment fund that will look to back enterprise software, internet and mobile-focused startups. The venture capital firm, which is led by serial entrepr…
‘BIRD’ spreads wings; reaches new heights
Mangaluru-based Bankers’ Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) has achieved new heights in 2015-16 by conducting 113 training programmes for rural financial institutions, government and non-government organisations on varied subjects of importance to rural financing at ground level, like appraisa…
Govt to go ahead with digitisation in Phase-III and IV markets
Even as the implementation of Digital Addressable System (DAS) has been stayed in several states, government today said it will stick to its plan of rolling out digitisation in Phase-III and IV markets. “We are totally committed to digitisation. When we stopped to give the third extension a…
Government launches intellectual property information portal
The government launched a portal which will act as a single window interface for information on intellectual property and provide guidance on leveraging it for competitive advantage. The portal seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity towards IP, among stakeholders in the SME sector, aca…
South Asian diaspora matchmaking app Dil Mil raises $2.7 million
Despite frosty fund raising scenario, matchmaking continues to be hot as matrimonial app for South Asians, Dil Mil, on March 31 said it has $ 2.7 million in its Pre-Series A round from a clutch of investors. The money would be used to experiment and harness emerging technologies and expand the pr…
OLA to make wi-fi services available across categories soon
Transportation app Ola will soon extend Wi-Fi services to users across segments including Micro, Mini and even autorickshaws. The Bengaluru-based firm currently offers in-car Wi-Fi services to users of its Prime category. Ola today announced the launch of Ola Wi-Fi that will allow users to auto c…
Fitcircle ties up with insurance brokers to reach out to their clients
Chat-based health and fitness platform FitCircle has tied up some of India’s leading insurance and health brokers including Aon, United Healthcare, MediManage and Marsh to reach out to their corporate clients. The target is to reach out to 2,000 companies over the next three years, FitCircl…
Affordable, yet advanced technology make India’s medical devices startups grab global attention
Dr Sheela CN, head of the obstetrics department at St. Johns Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru, seems pleased with a new product she’s testing to detect fetal distress during childbirth. “We are testing this device to see if it can help us (diagnose) high-risk problems during deli…
Incubators face penalty if start-ups fail innovation test
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on March 31 said that if an incubator or funding body certifies a start-up as fit to receive government incentives without proper examination or without satisfying itself about the innovative nature of the business, it will be blacklisted f…
FICCI hails efforts to revive MSMEs
The FICCI-Confederation of MSME has hailed the new Framework by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for revival and rehabilitation of MSMEs. “FICCI-Confederation of MSME welcomes the announcement/notification by RBI as the formation of Special Mention Account and mandatory formation of a committee at eac…