All Posts in Technology

|In: startups|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

The National Association of Software and Services Companies [NASSCOM] announced the fifth phase of NASSCOM 10,000 Startups ‘Konnect’ and will be impacting applications from technology startups across the country. Phase five is focused on identifying, supporting, incubating & accelerating innovative technology start-ups in India.

Sharing his views, Rajat Tandon, Vice President, NASSCOM 10K Startups said

India is the third largest startup ecosystem in the World with immense talent and innovative startups flourishing each day. With the strong support from mentors, industry experts, investors and VCs, we have successfully created a significant impact on the startup ecosystem of the country. Phase 5 is going to be our biggest Konnect to date as we are aiming to create a greater impact across the early stage startup ecosystem.

For the fifth phase, NASSCOM has shortlisted 200+ domain centric applications from startups, which will provide a detailed overview of their business idea and the market opportunity. Startups who have applied in the last 4 months are now being considered for Phase five shortlisting and for the 10K Nurture program.

The shortlisted startups will be pitching to over 100 investors in six locations and will have the access to participate in the intensive accelerator pitch and mentoring Konnect sessions. The program has strong support from 50+ industry experts [NIPP] and close to 100 incubator partners. The sessions will start in the first week of March across Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Kochi & Hyderabad.

In its last four phases, a total of 11,000 startups applied out of which 1,100 were shortlisted and 500 have been impacted by way of funding, acceleration and mentoring. Some of their impacted startups include SmartVizX, Lazylad, EnglishDost, Flutura, SeekSherpa, Faircent, Hiree, Sliderule, Vidgyor, CustomerXPS to name a few.

NASSCOM 10,000 Startups is a startup incubation program whose objective is to create 10,000 domain specific startups in the country by 2020. Phase Four of the NASSCOM 10K Start-ups Konnect had 150+ startup shortlists that went through pitch and mentoring sessions

About 10,000 Startups

Started in April 2013, 10,000 Startups is an ambitious attempt by NASSCOM to scale up the startup ecosystem in India by 10x. 10,000 Startups aims to enable incubation, funding and support for 10,000 technology startups in India over the next ten years. The initiative brings together key stakeholders of the ecosystem including startup incubators, accelerators, angel investors, venture capitalists, startup support groups, mentors, and technology corporations.

Since its launch in April 2013, they have done about 450+ events in 22 cities of the country which were attended by a whopping 25,000 attendees and received 9000 Applicants, 800 Startups Shortlists, and 150 Impacts.

Nasscom-Partners

The program is supported by founding partner Google for Entrepreneurs, Microsoft Ventures, Intel and Kotak Mahindra Bank

|In: Accelerator|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Lowe’s Innovation Labs [LIL], the disruptive innovation hub of Lowe’s Companies, Inc. have announced the opening of LIL-Bangalore and unveiled its new facility in the heart of Bangalore.

The new lab will house tech-savvy startups that will participate in an intensive 16-week accelerator program and give them an opportunity to partner with Lowe’s and deploy their technology in the U.S. LIL-Bangalore’s primary focus and priority technology areas include augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing and scanning, and robotics.

Richard Maltsbarger, chief development officer and president, International, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. said

Innovation and diversity of thought is at the core of what Lowe’s represents. Lowe’s Innovation Labs is revolutionizing the home improvement retail experience in the U.S., and we hope the tremendous talent and vibrant startup community in Bangalore will help us continue building a network of uncommon partners with whom we can co-develop technology.

Lowe’s created LIL in 2014 to bring together uncommon partners with a commitment to get technology out of the lab and into the real world. Beginning with science fiction prototyping to craft a narrative for the future, LIL collaborates with startups and has introduced projects including the Lowe’s Holoroom, an augmented and virtual reality home improvement design tool, the OSHbot autonomous retail service robot & in-store and online 3D scanning and printing.

Kyle Nel, executive director of LIL said

Lowe’s Innovation Labs-Bangalore will provide an open space where startups can interact and rapidly bring customer experience solutions to life through cutting-edge technologies, once thought to be the realm of science fiction. Bangalore is a dynamic community with world-class tech resources right in the heart of the city making it the perfect launching pad to expand our work in the U.S. and take disruptive technology to the next level.

LIL-Bangalore will also complement Lowe’s existing Bangalore Global In-house Center [GIC], which has been operating since 2014 and has grown to include more than 400 employees working on technology and analytics solutions.

Lalit Ahuja, acting managing director, Lowe’s India said

Opening Lowe’s Innovation Labs-Bangalore further strengthens our long-term commitment to India. We are confident that it will complement our efforts and further establish India as one of the innovation hubs for the company.

LIL-Bangalore is expected to welcome its first round of accelerator startups later this year. For more information, visit LIL-Bangalore.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a Fortune 50 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico through its stores and online at Lowes, Lowes.ca and Lowes.com.mx. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com

[Image Credit* – BrassRing]

|In: Android|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Truecaller unveiled TrueSDK which enables third party apps to easily on-board users with their Truecaller profile and their Truecaller verified phone number. This service can be used by developers to sign up, update a user’s information or purely verify the user’s phone number based identity in their mobile apps through user consent. Available to registered third party apps & currently Android only, this feature is launched with 12 partners who have on-boarded to simplify the app on-boarding and user verification process. Some of our esteemed partners include India’s popular apps namely Quikr, Mobikwik, redBus, CarDekho, BharatMatrimony, ixigo, OYO Rooms, TO THE NEW Digital, FreshMenu, Terraa, Cash Care & ShopClues

Nami Zarringhalam, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-founder of Truecaller said

At Truecaller, our mission has always been to provide as much information as possible to users about their calls and enabling them to use that information in meaningful ways. In this process, we realized the power and importance of a mobile number, especially when it comes to personal identification. Our aim is to empower third party apps with a credible verification option and enable users to use the app of their choice by making their phone numbers their identity.

TrueSDK helps both the users to quickly use their credentials that are already verified with Truecaller to easily engage with 3rd party apps of their choice.

[L-R] Kari Krishnamurthy – VP Growth & Partnerships Asia and Country Manager Truecaller, Nami Zarringhalam – Co founder and CSO Truecaller, Priyam Bose – Director Worldwide Dev

Commenting on the newly launched platform, Priyam Bose, Director Worldwide Developer Relations at Truecaller said

Phone numbers are quickly becoming the primary personal identity to verify users in the global mobile arena. App Developers are looking for ways to minimize friction in user on-boarding & engagement flows. TrueSDK gives developers an opportunity to fulfill these needs and overtime bridge offline and online identity gap. Instead of having every app developer build and maintain their own systems, they can now use TrueSDK and instead focus more on their core aspects of their app led offering.

Offering’s of TrueSDK

  • Phone number based on-boarding and verification
  • Free to use and no verification cost for existing Truecaller users
  • Significantly reduces friction in user on boarding
  • Permission based flow
  • Light weight client side SDK and minimal changes needed on developer’s back-end

Anurag Saran, CPO-Chief Product Officer, Quikr added

As one of India’s most trusted brands, security of consumers while transacting on our platform is crucial. Truecaller has a large existing community and the integration of TrueSDK on our mobile app reduces friction for mobile number verification. This gives our consumers an added layer of convenience and security.

Bipin Preet Singh, Founder & CEO-Mobikwik said

At Mobikwik, we’re taking every step keeping customer experience at the centre of focus. By integrating TrueSDK from Truecaller, we look forward to solve many challenges in one shot in our app. Our users while signing up on Mobikwik now will have an auto fill mechanism with their Truecaller verified phone number. Verified phone number based user on-boarding will significantly reduce friction in the user journey and minimise drop-off’s which could be a key in the entire consumer engagement life-cycle.

More reactions from TrueSDK partners

ShopClues is one of the first in the industry to move to the use of verified phone numbers for user registration on our app by tying up with TrueSDK from Truecaller. ShopClues is committed to making the user journey as smooth and seamless as possible. By using Truecaller verified phone number-led credentials we are ensuring that the customers’ propensity to on-board with us is enhanced.

Sanjay Sethi, CEO & Co-founder, ShopClues

By integrating our app with a solution such as the TrueSDK we are solving many problems at one go. Users will no longer need to fill in information manually with the auto-fill option. By auto filling their contact credentials we will be able to considerably reduce friction in user journey. Additionally, owing to the vast user community of Truecaller we will have ready access to a bank of verified phone numbers making the process much simpler and safer.  Going forward, we consider this to be a big step in enhancing our in-app experience.

Rajnish Kumar, Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer (CTO), ixigo

TrueSDK is the first major product to offer verified phone number based sign up/login feature. For OYO Rooms, where we are mobile first and use phone number for user account creation, this really helps in reducing customer friction in signing up. With Truecaller’s large user base, we hope this feature will benefit a large number of our users.

Anurag Gaggar, VP, Products, OYO Rooms

We are pretty excited to partner with Truecaller which has an extensive customer base with verified phone numbers. Personalization on a fast-growing growing channel mobile is key to our success and we strongly believe that this partnership will help us ease the process of signup which is a pre-requisite to our personalization efforts

Krishnan Ramaswami, Head of Products, Analytics and Acquisition Marketing- redBus

CarDekho believes in making our user’s experience seamless and frictionless. The potential of integrating with Truecaller promises authentic details without making users fill forms or enter OTP for verification. We are certain such innovative solutions will be accepted enthusiastically by consumers.

Rahul Yadav, Director-Products, CarDekho

All our profiles carry a verified phone number. The TrueSDK helps the Truecaller user to verify the phone number but also auto fill personal details while registering for Bharat Matrimony App for a seamless experience.

R Chandrasekar, Chief Technology Officer and Information Officer, BharatMatrimony

We are excited to partner with Truecaller on TrueSDK integration with our TV Everywhere and OTT Video platform apps ‘Video-ready’. The True SDK is a revolutionary concept for Video applications as it aids in significant improvements to User Experience by enabling a seamless and verified phone number based authentication process as well as allowing applications to understand the user journey in much more detail and useful ways. The same data can be used in aiding to multiple experiences across personalised content and user engagement.

Dave Mann, EVP-Video Solutions, TO THE NEW Digital

TrueSDK is currently only available for selected partners on Android platform, but will be open to public in near future. To sign up for TrueSDK contact truesdk@truecaller.com with your app details.

|In: Technology|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Lukup Media, India’s first converged TV and Internet access provider, commercially announced the launch of its services in select areas of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore. Lukup Media is India’s first dual play provider  and offer linear television, video on demand  and Internet access through a single connection and for a single monthly subscription. The Lukup Media network is an IP platform and uses last mile cable and fiber networks to deliver content and internet access.

The subscription plans begin at Rs 990 per month for more than 140 free-to-air linear channels, 500 GB network storage to record TV, 30 GB broadband data and includes Rs. 300 credit to subscribe to standard definition and HD pay TV channels and video on demand content. The company is working on adding popular video on demand services on its IP platform. Viewing Television and Video on demand do not incur any internet access charges. Subscribers get free credit in every pricing plan that gives them the freedom to create their own Lukup plan, based on their individual choice and requirement.

The Lukup Media service is delivered to consumers using a device called the Lukup Player which combines the functionality of a TV set top box and a broadband router. The Lukup Player can be connected to a TV and can also stream licensed content to second TV screens and wireless music systems. Multiple mobile devices and PCs can also access the internet through the Lukup Player.

The Lukup Player can be remote controlled using a mobile phone application which lets users browse, search, record content and also rewind back TV channels up to 7 days back with Lukup Media’s unique ‘catch up TV’ feature. Users can also access permitted TV channels and video on demand content out of home using the mobile application.

Kallol Borah, Founder & CEO of Lukup Media said

The Lukup Media service will change the way we watch television and access content and internet on multiple devices at home. The manner in which we have converged different services will transform the media landscape. This is a first of its kind technology in India, is state of the art by global standards and is entirely Made in India.

The Lukup Media service is available through local cable TV network partners and the Lukup Player is also available online on Amazon and the company’s website.  It is priced at Rs. 6,000/- [exclusive of taxes] for the multi-screen variant, and the single screen variant is priced at Rs. 5,000 [exclusive of taxes].

About Lukup Media

Lukup Media is a pan India Multi-system Operator and Internet Service provider. It operates India’s first on demand and multi-screen TV service . The company offers its dual play services with TV and Internet access through a single connection to homes where its Lukup Player product delivers content and internet access to multiple screens and consumer devices. The company is promoted by Kallol Borah & Harsha Mutt who have built and operated businesses in the US, Europe and India. For more information, please visit Lukup Media

[Image Credit* – YourStory]

|In: Technology|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

If you follow popular shows on the NDTV network such as The Big Fight, Power Lunch, Prime Time and Chakhle India Kachcha Raasta, there is good news for you! YuppTV, the world’s largest Over-The-Top [OTT] provider for Indian content, has announced its partnership with the NDTV Group. Under the move, YuppTV subscribers will be able to view the four channels – NDTV India [Hindi], NDTV 24×7 [English] and NDTV Profit/Prime [Business] and NDTV Good Times anytime, anywhere.

The four channels of NDTV can be accessed by users on YuppTV from outside India and YuppTV India from India, or by downloading the YuppTV app on their smart phones, smart TVs, smart Blu-ray players, streaming media players, tablets and gaming consoles. The move took the number of channels on YuppTV’s platform to 16, adding to its current repository of 200+ Indian TV Channels in 13 languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Oriya, Gujarati, Sinhala, Urdu and Bangla.

Speaking on the announcement, Uday Reddy, Founder & CEO, YuppTV, commented

We are the largest OTT provider for Indian content in the world, while the NDTV group is the preferred news channel for Indian expats worldwide. The association will allow us to add NDTV’s popular news and lifestyle programmes to our offerings and will improve the selection choices for our users. We are confident of satisfying all India-centric news-related requirements of our subscribers with this partnership.

Rahul Sood, Head, Network Distribution & Affiliate Sales, NDTV, added

We are pleased to partner with YuppTV, a leading digital content destination for Indian expats and this association will serve to add even more options for the YuppTV users and allow its users with anytime, anywhere access to our channels.

About YuppTV

YuppTV is one of the world’s leading Over-the-top [OTT] content providers for South Asian Content. YuppTV was founded in 2006, with headquarters in Atlanta, GA and has branch offices in the USA and India. YuppTV started with two channels and has grown to deliver more than 200+ TV Channels today.  YuppTV is accessible on more than 25 internet enabled – Connected TVs, Internet STBs, Smart Blu-ray players, PCs, Smart Phones and Tablets.

For more information, please visit YuppTV

|In: Funding|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Bangalore based retail-tech startup SnapBizz have announced that it has raised funding from Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons. In January 2016, SnapBizz had announced a Series A funding of $7.2 million led by Jungle Ventures, Taurus Value creation, Konly Venture and Blume Ventures.

With the mission of transforming the un-organized fragmented retail sector in the country, SnapBizz currently works with over a thousand kirana stores across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore and aims to expand its footprint across other tier 1 and 2 cities.

Prem Kumar, CEO and founder, SnapBizz said

We are privileged to have Mr. Tata as an investor at SnapBizz. As one of the most respected names in corporate India, Mr. Tata brings a rich legacy of doing business with a human touch. This reflects in his investment in SnapBizz as we have begun a humble journey of reverse marginalisation of SMB’s and driving digital inclusion in the large consumer goods industry.

A visionary of Mr. Tata’s stature showing confidence in SnapBizz is certainly a big boost for our business idea and will continue to accelerate the digital revolution in India’s kirana stores. Brands are also seeing this an opportunity to partner with us in order to be a well wisher of the retailers ?and get the share of mind of the retailer to appropriate the positioning as the company that cares for the retailers.

Snapbizz is on a mission to transform the face of small-scale retail sector in the country and empower kirana stores not only to be competition ready but to have a competitive edge by making them ‘Virtual Super Markets’. Snapbizz solutions are designed and developed with an in-depth understanding of business process of the kirana store that is reflected in its simplicity and ease of use.

It’s unique ability to create virtual shelf space attracts additional income to retailers from companies that want to merchandize and contextually engage customers in-store and out of store. It also enables smart store management and a digital connection to consumers, FMCG companies and distributors.

In a diverse market like India, where the traditional kirana stores make 98% of store universe and 85% of retail business, the Snapbizz solution is revolutionizing kirana stores across the country by connecting all the dots of the fragmented FMCG ecosystem [brands, retailers, consumers, wholesalers and distributors] and addresses pain points of all stakeholders.

About SnapBizz

SnapBizz Cloudtech Pvt Ltd is a retail-technology company founded in 2013 to transform the small scale retail sector in the country. To reverse marginalization of SMB’s and drive digital inclusion in the large consumer goods industry, it has developed a technology platform to connect all stakeholders of the fragmented retail ecosystem of India, while adding value to individual stakeholders.

The end-to-end solution it offers is an android based, cloud-connected business platform that is also cost-effective. The solution comprises of tablet, barcode scanner, printer and an intelligent external large consumer facing LED display for consumer engagement. SnapBizz is backed by leading investors and strategic partners who are captains of industry and bring in an innovation funnel of cutting edge technology.

[Image Credit* – SnapBizz]

|In: Technology|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

The advent of dating websites, social media and mobile apps have made it easy for people to find someone they connect with, but it’s also made it much easier to over-share personal information without even thinking about it twice.

Thus, in an effort to better understand how consumers are interacting with dating websites/apps, Intel Security conducted a survey to see how people are sharing personal information with potential mates, and running the risk of exposing very personal details to the world.

Intel Security’s Valentine’s Day survey revealed very interesting findings for personal behavior online. According to this survey, the majority of people who use dating apps/websites increase their activity around Valentine’s Day, which is why Intel Security has developed tips to keep yourself and your personal information safe in the potentially risky world of online dating.

In fact a majority of survey participants have or would share an intimate photo with a dating app/website match before meeting them in person.

Prominent highlights from Intel Security’s Valentine’s Day survey

Sharing of personal information in the profile

  • People are very open with the personal information that they share in their profile.
  • Many share their photo [79%], birth date [58%], occupation [59%] or email address [45%].
  • 20% even share their phone number and 11% share their work or home address.

Sharing of information with a match on dating sites

  • 41% of the [former] users of dating websites/apps indicate to have shared an intimate photo of themselves with someone they were speaking with through an online dating website[s]/app[s] before meeting them in person. Males significantly more often share intimate photos [52%] than females [29%]
  • People share occupation [64%], phone number [60%] and email address [56%] with their match. 23% indicate to share their home address
  • 39% of the [former] users of dating websites or apps have met an online match after being in contact with them for less than two weeks
  • 43% of the [former] users of dating websites or apps have experienced a match who was misrepresenting themselves online

Valentine’s Day Specific Date

  • 40% of the [former] users of dating websites or apps are more likely to increase the amount of time on dating sites leading up to or around Valentine’s Day

Access to information

27% have no idea what permissions they have granted their chosen online dating app[s] access to. Users who do know, most often name location [67%], contacts [37%], text messages [36%] and personal email account [35%]

Safety tips to help keep yourself safe and alert of risks while using online apps

  • My name is SuperClutchFan… well online it is. When using online dating platforms, make it difficult for cyber-criminals [or stalkers] to connect your online profile to your real identity.
  • Hand out compliments, not your information. Always be stingy with your information online. Although it may seem harmless to share your location, name, occupation, age, first pet and mother’s maiden name in your profile – these identifying characteristics can be pieced together by fraudsters to assume your identity.
  • A fling might not last forever, but those pictures will. While sharing intimate pictures might seem like a good idea now, keep in mind that those pictures and videos will stay around forever. Even social media apps that say pictures go away can be easily circumvented with a screenshot. It’s not just celebrities who have intimate pictures spread around the internet !!!
  • Unchain your heart, but lock your phone. Don’t forget to add a PIN or pass-code to your mobile devices. You don’t want someone sneaking a peak at the pictures on your phone as you step away to freshen up in the bathroom.

In her latest blog post on Valentine’s Day –Intel Security’s Cyber-mum India- Anindita Mishra, shares a detailed overview of how cyber-criminals can likely exploit the consumer habit of sharing personal data for their own benefit and how we can protect our privacy and data online.

Survey background : The online survey, commissioned by Intel Security, was conducted by MSI International. The survey polled ~4,300 adults ages 18 – 54, who are online and use dating websites/apps in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, Australia, and Singapore.

|In: Technology|Last Updated: | 0 Comments

Express Bike Works [EBW], world’s fastest bike wash centre and India’s own invention, is launching Pune’s first EBW store in Mundhwa. Services available at EBW store will include 2-minute automated motorcycle washing, detailing, health check-up, express maintenance and on-road assistance anywhere in India. Express Bike Works is a one stop shop for all two wheelers.

EBW’s motorcycle wash machine is compact in design and highly efficient in cleaning. The EBW Machine is capable of washing even the dirtiest of motorcycles and scooters within 2-5 minutes. It requires around 10 litres of water per wash, which is recycled and around 90% of the water is reused. A conventional bike wash wastes 50-60 litres of water per bike, whereas EBW helps conserve water.

Furthermore, there is zero water or oil spillage and EBW uses biodegradable solvents for washing. Also, the price for a wash at EBW is equal to the amount one would spend at any local bike wash centre and that too in lesser time. EBW stores delivers touch free, scratch free, shining bikes with no waiting time to their customers along with offering them a world class bike care experience.

Niraj Taksande, co-founder of EBW said

According to a census report of 2012, Pune City has seen an annual increment of nearly 20% YOY in two wheelers, which means there are around 50-55 lakh two wheelers on Pune roads today. Pune also is the two wheeler capital of Maharashtra. This makes Pune an important market for us where our expertise, strong IT systems and skilled work force gets a chance to deliver exceptional results to a larger audience. Also, we get an opportunity to generate more jobs in the city, thus contributing to the overall progress and economy of the country.

Express Bike Works uses smart cloud based technologies to remotely monitor the operations of the centre. The technology enables them to keep a track of the number of washes that happen a day, billing and consumables, thus making the stores self-reliant. Installation of EBW machine is as simple as plug and play and it is a mobile unit that can be installed anywhere.

EBW machines are regularly and rigorously tested by Hero Moto Corp and other OEMs and have successfully catered to more than 1,50,000+ bikers till date. Also, Indian Oil has partnered with EBW and committed space for installation at all IOCL petrol pumps across Maharashtra & Goa.

Bhushan Karn, co-founder of EBW added

We are very happy with the response that we are getting for our ‘Make in India’ initiative with EBW. A biker will always be happy to see his bike shining, scratch less and new as ever and our end motive is to keep our customers satisfied. We are also conserving water thus saving precious resources which makes EBW a true Indian company.

EBW is running successfully at two locations each in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and one store each in Delhi, Pune, Nashik, Dhanbad and Hubli. They will soon be coming up with new stores at Thrissur, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Vijaywada and Cochin.

About EBW

Founded in early 2013, Express Bike Works is a brand of Entropy Innovations, an engineering innovations company that has disrupted the two wheeler service industry. The team, alumni of IIT & IIM, has designed and manufactured India’s first fully automated motorcycle wash machine that addresses multitude of problems faced by an individual owner as well as a service station. The machine is capable of washing even the dirtiest of motorcycle within 2-5 minutes, which is the fastest in the world, capable of washing over 230 bikes in under 10 hours.  Starting with a few retail touchpoints in Mumbai under the name – ‘The EBW Store’ the company has now forayed into international markets. The company has one manufacturing unit in Mumbai. The ‘EBW Store’ promises to offer its customers an unparalleled experience in bike care and on-road assistance anywhere in India. The machine has been designed and manufactured in house by the team and has a provisional patent. The store creates employment opportunities for individuals thus contributing to the overall progress of the country and the economy. The EBW concept has improved the overall working conditions for the employees involved in the Bike works industry. A true Make in India’ venture. For more information, please visit Entropy Innovations.

[Image Credit* – EBW]